Ellipticity reduction in circularly polarized array antennas

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 10938110
  • Patent Number
    10,938,110
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, June 26, 2014
    10 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 2, 2021
    3 years ago
Abstract
Ellipticity reduction in circularly polarized array antennas is provided herein. An antenna array may include a processor that is configured to control a plurality of elements, each of the plurality of elements producing an elliptically polarized wave having an eccentricity value, the elliptically polarized wave traveling along a direction of propagation, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of elements are incrementally clocked around their direction of propagation, so that a combined output of the plurality of elements is substantially circularly polarized.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present technology generally relates to circularly polarized antennas, and more specifically, but not by way of limitation, to an exemplary antenna having an array of circularly polarized elements that are clocked that the output of the antenna has a minimal ellipticity (e.g., eccentricity), resulting in a more purified circular polarization of the antenna.


BACKGROUND

Circular polarization occurs when elements of an antenna produce an electromagnetic wave (e.g., generated field) that varies rotationally in a direction of propagation. More specifically, circular polarization is comprised of two orthongal and equal magnitude linear polarized waves which are 90 degrees out of phase relative to one another. In most cases, the circular behavior of the electromagnetic wave appears more elliptical than circular, producing what is known as elliptical polarization. In fact, circular polarization and linear polarization are often considered special cases of elliptical polarization. In general, elliptical polarization is defined by an eccentricity, which is a ratio of the major and minor axis amplitudes of the horizontal and vertical waves. That is, circular polarization of an electromagnetic wave can be broken down into both horizontal and vertical components. The eccentricity is introduced when the horizontal and vertical components of the fields are not purely orthogonal to one another, equal, or when the phase shift is other than 90 degrees.


It will be understood that an elliptically polarized wave having an eccentricity of approximately one (1) is what is referred to as a pure circularly polarized wave. In contrast, as the eccentricity of the elliptically polarized wave increases, the wave begins to look more like linear polarization.


SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, the present technology is directed to an antenna array, comprising: (a) a plurality of elements, each of the plurality of elements producing an elliptically polarized wave having an eccentricity value (other than one), the elliptically polarized wave traveling along a direction of propagation, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of elements are incrementally clocked around their direction of propagation, so that a combined output of the plurality of elements is substantially circularly polarized.


According to some embodiments, the present technology is directed to method, comprising: (a) controlling each of a plurality of elements, wherein each of the plurality of elements produce an elliptically polarized wave having an eccentricity value other than one, the elliptically polarized wave traveling along a direction of propagation, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of elements are incrementally clocked around their direction of propagation, so that a combined output of the plurality of elements is substantially circularly polarized.


According to some embodiments, the present technology is directed to a wireless device, comprising an antenna array, the antenna array comprising a plurality of elements, each of the plurality of elements producing an elliptically polarized wave having a polarization vector that is perpendicular to a major axis of the elliptically polarized wave, at least a portion of the plurality of elements being incrementally clocked relative to one another such that an ellipticity of a combined output of the antenna array is reduced.


According to some embodiments, the present technology is directed to an antenna array, comprising: (a) a processor; and (b) a memory for storing executable instructions, the processor executing the instructions stored in memory to: (i) control a plurality of elements, each of the plurality of elements producing an elliptically polarized wave having an eccentricity value, the elliptically polarized wave traveling along a direction of propagation, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of elements are incrementally clocked around their direction of propagation, so that a combined output of the plurality of elements is substantially circularly polarized, wherein each of the plurality of elements: (1) is associated with a feed; and (2) comprises a compensating line length in the feed that compensates for a phase shift present in the combined output, caused by clocking of the plurality of elements.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present technology are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the technology or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It will be understood that the technology is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.



FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary a linear antenna having an array of elliptically polarized elements, constructed in accordance with the present technology;



FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of exemplary system that comprises a plurality of elliptically polarized antennas;



FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a three dimensional device that includes a plurality of antenna arrays of the present technology;



FIG. 1D is a schematic view of a 4×4 antenna array where at least a portion of a plurality of elements are clocked relative to one another.



FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless device, such as a wireless radio that incorporates a circularly polarized antenna array, such as the array of FIG. 1A.



FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another exemplary wireless device, such as a wireless radio that incorporates a circularly polarized antenna array, such as the array of FIG. 1A.



FIG. 4 is a method for reducing ellipticity in circularly polarized antenna arrays.



FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary computing system that may be used to implement embodiments according to the present technology.





DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

While this technology is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the technology and is not intended to limit the technology to the embodiments illustrated.


It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters. It will be further understood that several of the figures are merely schematic representations of the present technology. As such, some of the components may have been distorted from their actual scale for pictorial clarity.


The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the technology. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.


It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters. It will be further understood that several of the figures are merely schematic representations of the present technology. As such, some of the components may have been distorted from their actual scale for pictorial clarity.


Array antennas using elliptically polarized elements often exhibit polarization ellipticity significantly greater than desired. Indeed, most antenna elements produce waves that are slightly, if not more, elliptical than purely circular. As mentioned above, circular and linear polarization are often considered as special cases of elliptical polarization. Ellipticity in radiation produced by polarized antennas may cause deleterious effects such as polarization mismatch, loss, or compromised isolation. For example, when two antennas (each with an array of polarized antennas) are transmitting to one another and the radiated fields produced by array elements of either one of the antennas are more elliptical (trending to linear polarization) rather than purely circular, the radiated fields may interfere with one another.


Often times, manufacturers struggling to remedy ellipticity of antennas may attempt to produce circularly polarized elements that individually produce very low and often impractical levels of ellipticity, when the ultimate desire is to achieve circular polarization for an output of the antenna as a whole. That is, trying to cure the eccentricity behavior of the antenna by purifying the radiated fields with individual circularly polarized elements is costly and often impractical.


An antenna array is typically fabricated from identical polarized elements distributed on a substrate or within a dielectric material. For an antenna array intended to produce circular polarization, each element exhibits some degree of elliptical polarization, compromising the resulting array polarization.


Rather than attempting to minimize ellipticity and maximize the circular polarization of an antenna by changing the behavior of individual array elements, the present technology provides an array of elliptically polarized elements where each elliptically polarized element is physically rotated (clocked) relative to the other polarized elements in the array. Each of the polarized elements produces an elliptically polarized wave that travels along a direction of propagation. This direction of propagation is substantially oriented to a central axis of the polarized element. Additionally, the direction of propagation is perpendicular to the primary polarization axis of the elliptical wave (electric field direction) produced by the element.


At least a portion of the plurality of elements are incrementally clocked around their direction of propagation roll axes so that a combined output of the plurality of elements is substantially circularly polarized. In some embodiments, all adjacent elements of an antenna array are clocked relative to one another. In other embodiments, some polarized elements of an antenna array are clocked identically to one another such that only a portion of the polarized elements are clocked.


Thus, a plurality of elements that each produces a wave that is elliptical in nature may be arranged in such a way that the aggregate behavior of these circularly polarized elements performs as circular polarization. That is, the combined output of the clocked plurality of elements is substantially circularly polarized.


Typically, the distribution of these elliptically polarized elements in an exemplary antenna is uniform or consistent through 360 degrees. The physical rotation (roll axis) of elements is referred to as “clocking” of elements. In some instances the clocking or angular offset between elements is calculated by determining a total number of elements and dividing 360 degrees by the total number of circularly polarized elements.


An angular offset for example, may include a first element that is set to zero degrees, while an adjacent element is clocked to 90 degrees. The angular offset would be 90 degrees.



FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary array 100 that includes four elements 105-120 that are arranged onto a substrate 125. The elements 105-120 would be clocked at 90 degrees relative to one another. To clock the four elements, a reference element 105 is chosen and assigned a degree of zero. The next element 110 in the array is clocked to 90 degrees, leaving the remaining elements 115 and 120 clocked at 180 and 270 degrees, respectively. An output of the antenna array 100, which includes an aggregated polarization of all the elements averages to a nearly circular polarization. While the example provided above contemplates the use of four elements, it will be understood that any number of elements may be utilized. Thus, the clocking of an N number of elements is calculated as 360/N. In another exemplary embodiment, the antenna may include an array of 12 elements clocked with 120-degree steps. Also, while the elements of the array of FIG. 1A are illustrated being disposed in a linear array configuration, the elements may be arranged in other configurations such as planar, three dimensional object, circular, rectangular, elliptical, offset, alternating, and/or other configurations that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, while the plurality of elements of the array are illustrated as extending from the same two dimensional surface of the substrate 125, the plurality of elements may also be disposed on a three dimensional surface, such as the array of FIG. 1C. FIG. 1C illustrates an example three dimensional device 150 such as a building or other structure, or even a wireless radio housing. The three dimensional device 150 includes a plurality of antenna arrays 155A-C. The antenna arrays 155A-C may each comprise a plurality of clock elements, similarly to the exemplary array 100 of FIG. 1A. It will be understood that other types of arrays and combinations of array may likewise be utilized in accordance with the present technology.


Returning back to FIG. 1A, as will be discussed in greater detail below, each of the elements may be associated with a feed, such as feed 140 of element 115. The feed 140 may comprise a compensating line length that is used to mitigate, reduce, and/or eliminate a phase shift that created due to the clocking of the elements.


The rotation or clocking of circularly polarized elements introduces a phase shift into the summation network (the combined output of the antenna). The present technology may mitigate or compensate for this phase shift with, for example, an additional compensating line length in the feed) associated with individual elements. This correction maintains the array distribution as if the clocking had not been performed, while reducing array ellipticity to an acceptable level due to the actual clocking. The compensating line length induces a phase correction, which mitigates or reduces the phase shift due to the element clocking.


It will be understood that in addition to selectively adjusting line lengths for each element, the use of discreet components, such as capacitors or inductors, may also be utilized to induce a compensating phase shift. Indeed, many methods or devices for introducing a phase shift compensation, such as a compensating time delay may be utilized. In some instances, the antenna may include logic that is executed by a processor that induces a phase shift compensation by inducing a time delay. These various methods and devices are also referred to collectively and individually as different means for compensating for a phase shift in the combined output, caused by clocking of the plurality of elements.


Also, circularly polarized antennas of the present technology may be advantageously leveraged in instances where signal isolation is desirable. For instance, circularly polarized antennas of the present technology may be used in radios where chain-to-chain isolation is required. By ensuring that you have purity in circular polarization, and you have alternating right and left circularly polarized chains, the purity of these chains at 90 degrees directly translates into isolation of those chains.


While the above description contemplates addressing polarization of elements at a peak of the beam as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the present technology may likewise be applied to address polarization elsewhere, for example, at 90 degrees.



FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary system 130 that comprises a plurality of circularly polarized antennas 1-4, where each antenna broadcasts in a fixed direction over a coverage area in such a way that signals broadcast by each of the plurality of circularly polarized antennas are isolated to minimize signal overlap. Each of the antennas, such as antenna 1, may include an array 135 of clocked elements.


In order to eliminate the need for explicit client channel state information (CSI) feedback and maintain compatibility with legacy Single User MIMO (SU-MIMO) 802.11 clients, circularly polarized antennas/streams are isolated in unique fixed directions with limited or no radiation overlap. It is noteworthy that in some embodiments, the plurality of circularly polarized antennas are allowed to overlap, such that the signals broadcast by adjacent antennas slightly overlap. Such overlapping of transmissions by antennas are common in devices such as multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) wireless devices, and specifically Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO) devices. FIG. 1D is another example array 170 that comprises rows and columns of elements. As an example, a first row includes elements 170A-D, where element 170A is the reference element that is set to zero degrees, with each adjacent element (moving left to right) is clocked approximately 90 degrees. In this embodiment, only horizontally adjacent and diagonally adjacent elements are clocked relative to one another. That is, the elements in row 175A are all referenced to zero degrees. Each of the remaining columns 175B-D are likewise comprised of identically clocked elements. Thus, in this embodiment, only a portion of adjacent elements are clocked relative to one another, while some adjacent elements, such as those that are vertically aligned with one another are not clocked relative to one another.



FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless device, such as a wireless radio 200 that incorporates a circularly polarized antenna array 205, such as the array of FIG. 1A. The circularly polarized antenna array 205 is controlled by a processor 210. The wireless device 200 also comprises a memory 215 for storing executable instructions that are executable by the processor 210 to control the circularly polarized antenna array 205, such as causing the elements of the array to transmit and/or receive signals. As mentioned above, the clocking of the elements in the circularly polarized antenna array 205 may induce a phase shift in the combined output of the circularly polarized antenna array 205. In some embodiments, phase shift logic 220 is stored in the memory 215 and is executed by the processor 210 to mitigate, reduce, and/or eliminate the phase shift to an acceptable level.



FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another exemplary wireless device, such as a wireless radio 300 that incorporates a circularly polarized antenna array 305, such as the array of FIG. 1A. This device is constructed similarly to the device of FIG. 2, with the exception that the wireless device 300 includes a capacitor and/or inductor 330 that are configured to mitigate, reduce, and/or eliminate the phase shift in the combined output of the circularly polarized antenna array 305. More specifically, the processor 315 may control the capacitor and/or inductor 330 in such a way that an output of the capacitor and/or inductor 330 causes a mitigation, reduction, and/or elimination of the phase shift. It will be understood that the processor 315 may use a combination of capacitor and/or inductor 330 functions as well as execution of phase shift logic 325, stored in the memory 320, to compensate for the phase shift in the combined output of the circularly polarized antenna array 305.



FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method executed by, for example, the wireless radio/device of FIG. 2. The method may comprise controlling 405 each of a plurality of elements. As mentioned above, each of the plurality of elements produce an elliptically polarized wave having an eccentricity value. The plurality of elements are incrementally clocked relative to one another such that a primary polarization axis of each element is pointed in a unique direction. In detail, a combined output of the plurality of elements is substantially circularly polarized due to the clocking of the elements.


Next, the method comprises detecting 410 a phase shift in the combined output of the array. Again, the physical clocking of the elements of the array may induce a phase shift that causes interference in the signals transmitted and/or receive by the wireless device. Mitigation, reduction, or elimination of this phase shift will reduce this noise/interference.


If a phase shift is detected, the method comprises compensating 415 for a phase shift present in the combined output, caused by clocking of the plurality of elements.



FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary computing device 500 that may be used to implement an embodiment of the present systems and methods. The system 500 of FIG. 5 may be implemented in the contexts of the likes of computing devices, networks, servers, or combinations thereof. The computing device 500 of FIG. 5 includes a processor 510 and memory 520. Memory 520 stores, in part, instructions and data for execution by processor 510. Memory 520 may store the executable code when in operation. The system 500 of FIG. 5 further includes a mass storage device 530, portable storage device 540, output devices 550, input devices 560, a graphics display 570, and peripheral devices 580. The components shown in FIG. 5 are depicted as being connected via a single bus 590. The components may be connected through one or more data transport means. Processor 510 and memory 520 may be connected via a local microprocessor bus, and the mass storage device 530, peripheral device(s) 580, portable storage device 540, and graphics display 570 may be connected via one or more input/output (I/O) buses.


Mass storage device 530, which may be implemented with a magnetic disk drive or an optical disk drive, is a non-volatile storage device for storing data and instructions for use by processor 510. Mass storage device 530 can store the system software for implementing embodiments of the present technology for purposes of loading that software into memory 520.


Portable storage device 540 operates in conjunction with a portable non-volatile storage medium, such as a floppy disk, compact disk or digital video disc, to input and output data and code to and from the computing system 500 of FIG. 5. The system software for implementing embodiments of the present technology may be stored on such a portable medium and input to the computing system 500 via the portable storage device 540.


Input devices 560 provide a portion of a user interface. Input devices 560 may include an alphanumeric keypad, such as a keyboard, for inputting alphanumeric and other information, or a pointing device, such as a mouse, a trackball, stylus, or cursor direction keys. Additionally, the system 500 as shown in FIG. 5 includes output devices 550. Suitable output devices include speakers, printers, network interfaces, and monitors.


Graphics display 570 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other suitable display device. Graphics display 570 receives textual and graphical information, and processes the information for output to the display device.


Peripherals 580 may include any type of computer support device to add additional functionality to the computing system. Peripheral device(s) 580 may include a modem or a router.


The components contained in the computing system 500 of FIG. 5 are those typically found in computing systems that may be suitable for use with embodiments of the present technology and are intended to represent a broad category of such computer components that are well known in the art. Thus, the computing system 500 can be a personal computer, hand held computing system, telephone, mobile computing system, workstation, server, minicomputer, mainframe computer, or any other computing system. The computer can also include different bus configurations, networked platforms, multi-processor platforms, etc. Various operating systems can be used including UNIX, Linux, Windows, Macintosh OS, Palm OS, and other suitable operating systems.


Some of the above-described functions may be composed of instructions that are stored on storage media (e.g., computer-readable medium). The instructions may be retrieved and executed by the processor. Some examples of storage media are memory devices, tapes, disks, and the like. The instructions are operational when executed by the processor to direct the processor to operate in accord with the technology. Those skilled in the art are familiar with instructions, processor(s), and storage media.


It is noteworthy that any hardware platform suitable for performing the processing described herein is suitable for use with the technology. The terms “computer-readable storage medium” and “computer-readable storage media” as used herein refer to any medium or media that participate in providing instructions to a CPU for execution. Such media can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as a fixed disk. Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as system RAM. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, among others, including the wires that comprise one embodiment of a bus. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM disk, digital video disk (DVD), any other optical medium, any other physical medium with patterns of marks or holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a FLASHEPROM, and any other memory chip or data exchange adapter, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read.


Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a CPU for execution. A bus carries the data to system RAM, from which a CPU retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by system RAM can optionally be stored on a fixed disk either before or after execution by a CPU.


Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present technology may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).


The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present technology has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present technology and its practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.


Aspects of the present technology are described above with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.


These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.


The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.


The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present technology. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.


While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the technology to the particular forms set forth herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the above description is illustrative and not restrictive. To the contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the technology should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

Claims
  • 1. An antenna array, comprising: a substrate;at least four linearly aligned columns disposed on the substrate, each of the at least four linearly aligned columns comprising a plurality of elements, each of the plurality of elements producing an elliptically polarized wave having an eccentricity value, the elliptically polarized wave traveling along a direction of propagation, each of the plurality of elements of a first column of the at least four linearly aligned columns being clocked around their direction of propagation at a zero degrees, each of the plurality of elements of a second column of the at least four linearly aligned columns being identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a ninety degrees relative to the first column, each of the plurality of elements of a third column of the at least four linearly aligned columns being identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a ninety degrees relative to the second column, and each of the plurality of elements of a fourth column of the at least four linearly aligned columns being identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a ninety degrees relative to the third column such that a combined output of the antenna array is substantially circularly polarized, the antenna array is configured to be isolated in a unique fixed direction relative to other adjacent arrays to minimize signal overlap with the other adjacent arrays and eliminate use of explicit client channel state information (CSI) feedback; andmeans for compensating for a phase shift in the combined output, caused by clocking of the plurality of elements, the means comprising a feed for each of the plurality of elements, the feed having a length that is selected to induce a phase correction that maintains the plurality of elements as if the clocking had not been performed, while reducing array ellipticity to an acceptable level due to the clocking of the plurality of elements.
  • 2. The antenna array according to claim 1, further comprising a processor executing phase shift logic stored in memory to modify the combined output of the plurality of elements to further compensate for the phase shift.
  • 3. The antenna array according to claim 1, further comprising a processor controlling a capacitor or an inductor to modify the combined output of the plurality of elements to further compensate for the phase shift, the capacitor or inductor being electrically coupled to the plurality of elements.
  • 4. The antenna array according to claim 1, wherein a processor further executes instructions to detect the phase shift in the combined output, due to physical clocking of the plurality of the elements of the array, the phase shift thereby causing interference in signals transmitted or received by the antenna array.
  • 5. The antenna array according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of elements are clocked at 90 degrees relative to one another.
  • 6. The antenna array according to claim 1, wherein the clocking of an N number of elements is calculated as 360/N.
  • 7. The antenna array according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements of the array is disposed on a three-dimensional surface of the substrate.
  • 8. The antenna array according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements of the array is disposed on a two-dimensional surface of the substrate.
  • 9. A wireless device, comprising an antenna array disposed on a substrate, the antenna array comprising at least four linearly aligned columns disposed on the substrate, each of the at least four linearly aligned columns comprising a plurality of elements, each of the plurality of elements producing an elliptically polarized wave having a polarization vector that is perpendicular to a major axis of the elliptically polarized wave, each of the plurality of elements of a first column of the at least four linearly aligned columns being identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a zero degrees, each of the plurality of elements of a second column of the at least four linearly aligned columns being identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a ninety degrees relative to the first column, each of the plurality of elements of a third column of the at least four linearly aligned columns being identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a ninety degrees relative to the second column, and each of the plurality of elements of a fourth column of the at least four linearly aligned columns being identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a ninety degrees relative to the third column so that an ellipticity of a combined output of the antenna array is reduced and is substantially circularly polarized, and the antenna array is configured to be isolated in a unique fixed direction relative to other adjacent arrays to minimize signal overlap with the other adjacent arrays and eliminate use of explicit client channel state information (CSI) feedback.
  • 10. The wireless device according to claim 9, wherein the wireless device is a single user multiple-input-multiple-output device.
  • 11. The wireless device according to claim 9, wherein the wireless device is a multiple user multiple-input-multiple-output device.
  • 12. A method executed within a wireless device that comprises a processor and a memory, the processor executing instructions stored in memory to perform the method, comprising: controlling an antenna array comprising at least four linearly aligned columns disposed on a substrate, each of the at least four of linearly aligned columns comprising a plurality of elements, wherein each of the plurality of elements produces an elliptically polarized wave having an eccentricity value, the elliptically polarized wave traveling along a direction of propagation, each of the plurality of elements of a first column of the at least four linearly aligned columns being clocked around their direction of propagation at a zero degrees, each of the plurality of elements of a second column of the at least four linearly aligned columns being identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a ninety degrees relative to the first column, each of the plurality of elements of a third column of the at least four linearly aligned columns being identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a ninety degrees relative to the second column, and each of the plurality of elements of a fourth column of the at least four linearly aligned columns being identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a ninety degrees relative to the third column such that a combined output of the antenna array is substantially circularly polarized, and wherein the antenna array is isolated in a unique fixed direction relative to other adjacent arrays to minimize signal overlap with the other adjacent arrays and eliminate use of explicit client channel state information (CSI) feedback.
  • 13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: detecting a phase shift in the combined output, due to physical clocking of the elements of the array, the phase shift thereby causing interference in signals transmitted or received by the wireless device; and compensating for a phase shift by executing phase shift logic stored in the memory to modify the combined output of the plurality of elements to remove or reduce the phase shift.
  • 14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising controlling, by the processor, a capacitor or an inductor to modify the combined output of the plurality of elements to remove or reduce the phase shift, the capacitor or inductor being electrically coupled to the plurality of elements.
  • 15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: detecting a phase shift in the combined output, due to physical clocking of the elements of the array, the phase shift thereby causing interference in signals transmitted or received by the wireless device; and compensating for a phase shift by executing phase shift logic stored in the memory to induce time delay.
  • 16. An antenna, comprising: a processor; anda memory for storing executable instructions, the processor executing the instructions stored in memory to:control an antenna array comprising at least four linearly aligned columns, each of the at least four linearly aligned columns comprising a plurality of elements, each of the plurality of elements producing an elliptically polarized wave having an eccentricity value, the elliptically polarized wave traveling along a direction of propagation, each of the plurality of elements of a first column of the at least four linearly aligned columns that are identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a zero degrees, each of the plurality of elements of a second column of the at least four linearly aligned columns is identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a ninety degrees relative to the first column, each of the plurality of elements of a third column of the at least four linearly aligned columns is identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a ninety degrees relative to the second column, and each of the plurality of elements of a fourth column of the at least four linearly aligned columns is identically clocked around their direction of propagation at a ninety degrees relative to the third column such that a combined output of the antenna array is substantially circularly polarized, each of the plurality of elements:is associated with a feed; andthe feed has a length that is selected to induce a phase correction that maintains the plurality of elements as if clocking had not been performed, while reducing array ellipticity to an acceptable level due to the clocking of the plurality of elements, and wherein the antenna array is configured to be isolated in a unique fixed direction relative to other adjacent arrays to minimize signal overlap with the other adjacent arrays and eliminate use of explicit client channel state information (CSI) feedback.
  • 17. The antenna according to claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to execute phase shift logic stored in the memory to modify the combined output of the plurality of elements to remove or reduce phase shift.
  • 18. The antenna according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to control a capacitor or an inductor to modify the combined output of the plurality of elements to remove or reduce the phase shift, the capacitor or inductor being electrically coupled to the plurality of elements.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/841,187, filed on Jun. 28, 2013, titled “ELLIPTICITY REDUCTION IN CIRCULARLY POLARIZED ARRAY ANTENNAS”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, including all references cited therein.

US Referenced Citations (375)
Number Name Date Kind
2735993 Humphrey Feb 1956 A
3182129 Clark et al. May 1965 A
D227476 Kennedy Jun 1973 S
4188633 Frazita Feb 1980 A
4402566 Powell et al. Sep 1983 A
D273111 Hirata et al. Mar 1984 S
4543579 Teshirogi Sep 1985 A
4562416 Sedivec Dec 1985 A
4626863 Knop et al. Dec 1986 A
4835538 McKenna et al. May 1989 A
4866451 Chen Sep 1989 A
4893288 Maier et al. Jan 1990 A
4903033 Tsao et al. Feb 1990 A
4986764 Eaby et al. Jan 1991 A
5015195 Piriz May 1991 A
5087920 Tsurumaru Feb 1992 A
5226837 Cinibulk et al. Jul 1993 A
5231406 Sreenivas Jul 1993 A
D346598 McCay et al. May 1994 S
D355416 McCay et al. Feb 1995 S
5389941 Yu Feb 1995 A
5491833 Hamabe Feb 1996 A
5513380 Ivanov et al. Apr 1996 A
5539361 Davidovitz Jul 1996 A
5561434 Yamazaki Oct 1996 A
D375501 Lee et al. Nov 1996 S
5580264 Aoyama et al. Dec 1996 A
5684495 Dyott et al. Nov 1997 A
D389575 Grasfield et al. Jan 1998 S
5724666 Dent Mar 1998 A
5742911 Dumbrill et al. Apr 1998 A
5746611 Brown et al. May 1998 A
5764696 Barnes et al. Jun 1998 A
5797083 Anderson Aug 1998 A
5831582 Muhlhauser et al. Nov 1998 A
5966102 Runyon Oct 1999 A
5995063 Somoza et al. Nov 1999 A
6014372 Kent et al. Jan 2000 A
6067053 Runyon May 2000 A
6137449 Kildal Oct 2000 A
6140962 Groenenboom Oct 2000 A
6176739 Denlinger et al. Jan 2001 B1
6216266 Eastman et al. Apr 2001 B1
6271802 Clark et al. Aug 2001 B1
6304762 Myers et al. Oct 2001 B1
D455735 Winslow Apr 2002 S
6421538 Byrne Jul 2002 B1
6716063 Bryant et al. Apr 2004 B1
6754511 Halford et al. Jun 2004 B1
6847653 Smiroldo Jan 2005 B1
D501848 Uehara et al. Feb 2005 S
6853336 Asano et al. Feb 2005 B2
6864837 Runyon et al. Mar 2005 B2
6877277 Kussel et al. Apr 2005 B2
6962445 Zimmel et al. Nov 2005 B2
7075492 Chen et al. Jul 2006 B1
D533899 Ohashi et al. Dec 2006 S
7173570 Wensink et al. Feb 2007 B1
7187328 Tanaka et al. Mar 2007 B2
7193562 Shtrom et al. Mar 2007 B2
7212162 Jung et al. May 2007 B2
7212163 Huang May 2007 B2
7245265 Kienzle et al. Jul 2007 B2
7253783 Chiang et al. Aug 2007 B2
7264494 Kennedy et al. Sep 2007 B2
7281856 Grzegorzewska et al. Oct 2007 B2
7292198 Shtrom et al. Nov 2007 B2
7306485 Masuzaki Dec 2007 B2
7316583 Mistarz Jan 2008 B1
7324057 Argaman et al. Jan 2008 B2
D566698 Choi et al. Apr 2008 S
7362236 Hoiness Apr 2008 B2
7369095 Hirtzlin May 2008 B2
7380984 Wuester Jun 2008 B2
7431602 Corona Oct 2008 B2
7436373 Lopes et al. Oct 2008 B1
7498896 Shi Mar 2009 B2
7498996 Shtrom et al. Mar 2009 B2
7507105 Peters et al. Mar 2009 B1
7522095 Wasiewicz et al. Apr 2009 B1
7542717 Green, Sr. et al. Jun 2009 B2
7581976 Liepold et al. Sep 2009 B2
7586891 Masciulli Sep 2009 B1
7616959 Spenik et al. Nov 2009 B2
7646343 Shtrom et al. Jan 2010 B2
7675473 Kienzle et al. Mar 2010 B2
7675474 Shtrom et al. Mar 2010 B2
7726997 Kennedy et al. Jun 2010 B2
7778226 Rayzman et al. Aug 2010 B2
7857523 Masuzaki Dec 2010 B2
7929914 Tegreene Apr 2011 B2
RE42522 Zimmel et al. Jul 2011 E
8009646 Lastinger et al. Aug 2011 B2
8069465 Bartholomay et al. Nov 2011 B1
8111678 Lastinger et al. Feb 2012 B2
8254844 Kuffner et al. Aug 2012 B2
8270383 Lastinger et al. Sep 2012 B2
8275265 Kobyakov et al. Sep 2012 B2
8325695 Lastinger et al. Dec 2012 B2
D674787 Tsuda et al. Jan 2013 S
8345651 Lastinger et al. Jan 2013 B2
8385305 Negus et al. Feb 2013 B1
8425260 Seefried et al. Apr 2013 B2
8482478 Hartenstein Jul 2013 B2
8515434 Narendran et al. Aug 2013 B1
8515495 Shang et al. Aug 2013 B2
D694740 Apostolakis Dec 2013 S
8777660 Chiarelli et al. Jul 2014 B2
8792759 Benton et al. Jul 2014 B2
8827729 Gunreben et al. Sep 2014 B2
8836601 Sanford et al. Sep 2014 B2
8848389 Kawamura et al. Sep 2014 B2
8870069 Bellows Oct 2014 B2
8935122 Stisser Jan 2015 B2
9001689 Hinman et al. Apr 2015 B1
9019874 Choudhury et al. Apr 2015 B2
9077071 Shtrom et al. Jul 2015 B2
9107134 Belser et al. Aug 2015 B1
9130305 Ramos et al. Sep 2015 B2
9161387 Fink et al. Oct 2015 B2
9179336 Fink et al. Nov 2015 B2
9191081 Hinman et al. Nov 2015 B2
D752566 Hinman et al. Mar 2016 S
9295103 Fink et al. Mar 2016 B2
9362629 Hinman et al. Jun 2016 B2
9391375 Bales et al. Jul 2016 B1
9407012 Shtrom et al. Aug 2016 B2
9431702 Hartenstein Aug 2016 B2
9504049 Hinman et al. Nov 2016 B2
9531114 Ramos et al. Dec 2016 B2
9537204 Cheng et al. Jan 2017 B2
9577340 Fakharzadeh et al. Feb 2017 B2
9693388 Fink et al. Jun 2017 B2
9780892 Hinman et al. Oct 2017 B2
9843940 Hinman et al. Dec 2017 B2
9871302 Hinman et al. Jan 2018 B2
9888485 Hinman et al. Feb 2018 B2
9930592 Hinman Mar 2018 B2
9949147 Hinman et al. Apr 2018 B2
9986565 Fink et al. May 2018 B2
9998246 Hinman et al. Jun 2018 B2
10028154 Elson Jul 2018 B2
10090943 Hinman et al. Oct 2018 B2
10096933 Ramos et al. Oct 2018 B2
10117114 Hinman et al. Oct 2018 B2
10186786 Hinman et al. Jan 2019 B2
10200925 Hinman Feb 2019 B2
10257722 Hinman et al. Apr 2019 B2
10425944 Fink et al. Sep 2019 B2
10447417 Hinman et al. Oct 2019 B2
10511074 Eberhardt et al. Dec 2019 B2
10595253 Hinman Mar 2020 B2
10616903 Hinman et al. Apr 2020 B2
10714805 Eberhardt et al. Jul 2020 B2
10742275 Hinman Aug 2020 B2
10749263 Eberhardt et al. Aug 2020 B2
10785608 Fink et al. Sep 2020 B2
10790613 Ramos et al. Sep 2020 B2
10812994 Hinman et al. Oct 2020 B2
10863507 Fink et al. Dec 2020 B2
20010033600 Yang et al. Oct 2001 A1
20020102948 Stanwood et al. Aug 2002 A1
20020159434 Gosior et al. Oct 2002 A1
20030013452 Hunt et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030027577 Brown et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030169763 Choi et al. Sep 2003 A1
20030222831 Dunlap Dec 2003 A1
20030224741 Sugar et al. Dec 2003 A1
20040002357 Benveniste Jan 2004 A1
20040029549 Fikart Feb 2004 A1
20040110469 Judd et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040120277 Holur et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040155819 Martin et al. Aug 2004 A1
20040196812 Barber Oct 2004 A1
20040196813 Ofek et al. Oct 2004 A1
20040240376 Wang et al. Dec 2004 A1
20040242274 Corbett et al. Dec 2004 A1
20050012665 Runyon et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050032479 Miller et al. Feb 2005 A1
20050058111 Hung et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050124294 Wentink Jun 2005 A1
20050141459 Li Jun 2005 A1
20050143014 Li et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050152323 Bonnassieux et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050195758 Chitrapu Sep 2005 A1
20050227625 Diener Oct 2005 A1
20050254442 Proctor, Jr. et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050271056 Kaneko Dec 2005 A1
20050275527 Kates Dec 2005 A1
20060025072 Pan Feb 2006 A1
20060072518 Pan et al. Apr 2006 A1
20060098592 Proctor, Jr. et al. May 2006 A1
20060099940 Pfleging et al. May 2006 A1
20060132359 Chang Jun 2006 A1
20060132602 Muto et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060172578 Parsons Aug 2006 A1
20060187952 Kappes et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060211430 Persico Sep 2006 A1
20060276073 McMurray et al. Dec 2006 A1
20070001910 Yamanaka et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070019664 Benveniste Jan 2007 A1
20070035463 Hirabayashi Feb 2007 A1
20070060158 Medepalli et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070132643 Durham et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070173199 Sinha Jul 2007 A1
20070173260 Love et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070202809 Lastinger et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070210974 Chiang Sep 2007 A1
20070223701 Emeott et al. Sep 2007 A1
20070238482 Rayzman et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070255797 Dunn et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070268848 Khandekar et al. Nov 2007 A1
20080109051 Splinter et al. May 2008 A1
20080112380 Fischer May 2008 A1
20080192707 Xhafa et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080218418 Gillette Sep 2008 A1
20080231541 Teshirogi Sep 2008 A1
20080242342 Rofougaran Oct 2008 A1
20090046673 Kaidar Feb 2009 A1
20090051597 Wen Feb 2009 A1
20090052362 Meier et al. Feb 2009 A1
20090059794 Frei Mar 2009 A1
20090075606 Shtrom et al. Mar 2009 A1
20090096699 Chiu et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090232026 Lu Sep 2009 A1
20090233475 Mildon et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090291690 Guvenc et al. Nov 2009 A1
20090315792 Miyashita Dec 2009 A1
20100029282 Stamoulis et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100034191 Schulz Feb 2010 A1
20100039340 Brown Feb 2010 A1
20100046650 Jongren et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100067505 Fein et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100085950 Sekiya et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100091818 Sen et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100103065 Shtrom et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100103066 Shtrom et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100119002 Hartenstein May 2010 A1
20100136978 Cho et al. Jun 2010 A1
20100151877 Lee et al. Jun 2010 A1
20100167719 Sun Jul 2010 A1
20100171665 Nogami Jul 2010 A1
20100171675 Borja et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100177660 Essinger et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100189005 Bertani et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100202613 Ray et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100210147 Hauser Aug 2010 A1
20100216412 Rofougaran Aug 2010 A1
20100225529 Landreth et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100238083 Malasani Sep 2010 A1
20100304680 Kuffner et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100311321 Norin Dec 2010 A1
20100315307 Syed et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100322219 Fischer et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110006956 McCown Jan 2011 A1
20110028097 Memik et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110032159 Wu Feb 2011 A1
20110044186 Jung et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110090129 Weily Apr 2011 A1
20110103309 Wang et al. May 2011 A1
20110111715 Buer et al. May 2011 A1
20110112717 Resner May 2011 A1
20110133996 Alapuranen Jun 2011 A1
20110170424 Safavi Jul 2011 A1
20110172916 Pakzad et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110182260 Sivakumar et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110182277 Shapira Jul 2011 A1
20110194644 Liu et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110206012 Youn et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110241969 Zhang Oct 2011 A1
20110243291 McAllister et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110256874 Hayama et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110291914 Lewry et al. Dec 2011 A1
20120008542 Koleszar et al. Jan 2012 A1
20120040700 Gomes et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120057533 Junell et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120093091 Kang et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120115487 Josso May 2012 A1
20120134280 Rotvold et al. May 2012 A1
20120139786 Puzella Jun 2012 A1
20120140651 Nicoara et al. Jun 2012 A1
20120200449 Bielas Aug 2012 A1
20120238201 Du et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120263145 Marinier et al. Oct 2012 A1
20120282868 Hahn Nov 2012 A1
20120299789 Orban Nov 2012 A1
20120314634 Sekhar Dec 2012 A1
20130003645 Shapira et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130005350 Campos et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130023216 Moscibroda et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130044028 Lea et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130064161 Hedayat et al. Mar 2013 A1
20130082899 Gomi Apr 2013 A1
20130095747 Moshfeghi Apr 2013 A1
20130128858 Zou et al. May 2013 A1
20130176902 Wentink et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130182652 Tong et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130195081 Merlin et al. Aug 2013 A1
20130210457 Kummetz Aug 2013 A1
20130223398 Li Aug 2013 A1
20130234898 Leung et al. Sep 2013 A1
20130271319 Trerise Oct 2013 A1
20130286950 Pu Oct 2013 A1
20130286959 Lou et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130288735 Guo Oct 2013 A1
20130301438 Li et al. Nov 2013 A1
20130322276 Pelletier et al. Dec 2013 A1
20130322413 Pelletier et al. Dec 2013 A1
20140024328 Balbien et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140051357 Steer et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140098748 Chan et al. Apr 2014 A1
20140113676 Hamalainen et al. Apr 2014 A1
20140145890 Ramberg et al. May 2014 A1
20140154895 Poulsen et al. Jun 2014 A1
20140185494 Yang et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140191918 Cheng et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140198867 Sturkovich et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140206322 Dimou et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140225788 Schulz et al. Aug 2014 A1
20140233613 Fink et al. Aug 2014 A1
20140235244 Hinman Aug 2014 A1
20140240186 Zhou Aug 2014 A1
20140253378 Hinman Sep 2014 A1
20140253402 Hinman et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140254700 Hinman et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140256166 Ramos et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140320306 Winter Oct 2014 A1
20140320377 Cheng et al. Oct 2014 A1
20140328238 Seok et al. Nov 2014 A1
20140341013 Kumar Nov 2014 A1
20140355578 Fink et al. Dec 2014 A1
20140355584 Fink et al. Dec 2014 A1
20150002354 Knowles Jan 2015 A1
20150015435 Shen et al. Jan 2015 A1
20150116177 Powell et al. Apr 2015 A1
20150156642 Sobczak et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150215952 Hinman et al. Jul 2015 A1
20150256213 Jan et al. Sep 2015 A1
20150256275 Hinman et al. Sep 2015 A1
20150263816 Hinman et al. Sep 2015 A1
20150319584 Fink et al. Nov 2015 A1
20150321017 Perryman et al. Nov 2015 A1
20150325945 Ramos et al. Nov 2015 A1
20150327272 Fink et al. Nov 2015 A1
20150365866 Hinman et al. Dec 2015 A1
20160119018 Lindgren et al. Apr 2016 A1
20160149634 Kalkunte et al. May 2016 A1
20160149635 Hinman et al. May 2016 A1
20160211583 Lee et al. Jul 2016 A1
20160338076 Hinman et al. Nov 2016 A1
20160365666 Ramos et al. Dec 2016 A1
20160366601 Hinman et al. Dec 2016 A1
20170048647 Jung et al. Feb 2017 A1
20170201028 Eberhardt et al. Jul 2017 A1
20170238151 Fink et al. Aug 2017 A1
20170294975 Hinman et al. Oct 2017 A1
20170353245 Vardarajan et al. Dec 2017 A1
20180034166 Hinman Feb 2018 A1
20180035317 Hinman et al. Feb 2018 A1
20180083365 Hinman et al. Mar 2018 A1
20180084563 Hinman et al. Mar 2018 A1
20180160353 Hinman Jun 2018 A1
20180167105 Vannucci et al. Jun 2018 A1
20180192305 Hinman et al. Jul 2018 A1
20180199345 Fink et al. Jul 2018 A1
20180241491 Hinman et al. Aug 2018 A1
20190006789 Ramos et al. Jan 2019 A1
20190182686 Hinman et al. Jun 2019 A1
20190214699 Eberhardt et al. Jul 2019 A1
20190215745 Hinman Jul 2019 A1
20190273326 Sanford et al. Sep 2019 A1
20200015231 Fink et al. Jan 2020 A1
20200036465 Hinman et al. Jan 2020 A1
20200067164 Eberhardt et al. Feb 2020 A1
20200083614 Sanford et al. Mar 2020 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (14)
Number Date Country
104335654 Feb 2015 CN
303453662 Nov 2015 CN
105191204 Dec 2015 CN
105191204 May 2019 CN
1384285 Jun 2007 EP
002640177 Feb 2015 EP
WO2014137370 Sep 2014 WO
WO2014138292 Sep 2014 WO
WO2014193394 Dec 2014 WO
WO2015112627 Jul 2015 WO
WO2017123558 Jul 2017 WO
WO2018022526 Feb 2018 WO
WO2019136257 Jul 2019 WO
WO2019168800 Sep 2019 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (71)
Entry
E.W. Weisstein, Electric Polarization, http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/ElectricPolarization.html, 2007.
L. Liu et al., Downlink MIMO in LTE-Advanced: SU-MIMO vs. MU-MIMO, IEEE Communications Magazine, Feb. 2012.
T. Teshirogi et al., Wideband Circularly Polarized Array Antenna with Sequential Rotations and Phase Shift of Elements, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation, p. 117-120, 1985 (Year: 1985).
R.L. Haupt, Antenna Arrays: A Computational Approach, chapter 5: Nonplaner Arrays, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2010 (Year: 2010).
Advisory Action, dated Jul. 31, 2014, U.S. Appl. No. 13/906,128, filed May 30, 2013.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Aug. 25, 2014, U.S. Appl. No. 13/906,128, filed May 30, 2013.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Sep. 22, 2014, U.S. Appl. No. 14/045,741, filed Oct. 3, 2013.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Jan. 5, 2015, U.S. Appl. No. 14/183,445, filed Feb. 18, 2014.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Jan. 15, 2015, U.S. Appl. No. 14/183,329, filed Feb. 18, 2014.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Jan. 2, 2015, U.S. Appl. No. 13/925,566, filed Jun. 24, 2013.
Notice of Allowance, dated Dec. 30, 2014, U.S. Appl. No. 14/164,081, filed Jan. 24, 2014.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Mar. 18, 2015, U.S. Appl. No. 14/183,375, filed Feb. 18, 2014.
Final Office Action, dated Mar. 23, 2015, U.S. Appl. No. 13/906,128, filed May 30, 2013.
Notice of Allowance, dated Jun. 3, 2015, U.S. Appl. No. 14/045,741, filed Oct. 3, 2013.
Notice of Allowance, dated Jul. 13, 2015, U.S. Appl. No. 14/183,445, filed Feb. 18, 2014.
Notice of Allowance, dated Jul. 15, 2015, U.S. Appl. No. 13/925,566, filed Jun. 24, 2013.
Notice of Allowance dated Sep. 8, 2015 in Chinese Design Patent Application 201530058063.8, filed Mar. 11, 2015.
Notice of Allowance, dated Aug. 19, 2015, U.S. Appl. No. 14/183,329, filed Feb. 18, 2014.
Final Office Action, dated Nov. 24, 2015, U.S. Appl. No. 14/183,375, filed Feb. 18, 2014.
Notice of Allowance, dated Oct. 26, 2015, U.S. Appl. No. 13/906,128, filed May 30, 2013.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Sep. 10, 2015, U.S. Appl. No. 14/198,378, filed Mar. 5, 2014.
Advisory Action, dated Mar. 2, 2016, U.S. Appl. No. 14/183,375, filed Feb. 18, 2014.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Mar. 16, 2016, U.S. Appl. No. 14/325,307, filed Jul. 7, 2014.
Notice of Allowance, dated Apr. 6, 2016, U.S. Appl. No. 14/198,378, filed Mar. 5, 2014.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Apr. 7, 2016, U.S. Appl. No. 14/639,976, filed Mar. 5, 2015.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Apr. 26, 2016, U.S. Appl. No. 14/802,829, filed Jul. 17, 2015.
Notice of Allowance, dated Jul. 26, 2016, U.S. Appl. No. 14/325,307, filed Jul. 7, 2014.
Notice of Allowance, dated Aug. 16, 2016, U.S. Appl. No. 14/802,829, filed Jul. 17, 2015.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Sep. 15, 2016, U.S. Appl. No. 14/183,375, filed Feb. 18, 2014.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Sep. 30, 2016, U.S. Appl. No. 14/657,942, filed Mar. 13, 2015.
Final Office Action, dated Oct. 12, 2016, U.S. Appl. No. 14/741,423, filed Jun. 16, 2015.
Final Office Action, dated Oct. 17, 2016, U.S. Appl. No. 14/639,976, filed Mar. 5, 2015.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Oct. 26, 2016, U.S. Appl. No. 15/139,225, filed Apr. 26, 2016.
Advisory Action, dated Jan. 19, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 14/639,976, filed Mar. 5, 2015.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Jan. 27, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 14/198,473, filed Mar. 5, 2014.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Feb. 17, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 14/833,038, filed Aug. 21, 2015.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Feb. 23, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 15/246,094, filed Aug. 24, 2016.
Notice of Allowance, dated Mar. 1, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 14/741,423, filed Jun. 16, 2015.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Dec. 24, 2013, U.S. Appl. No. 14/045,741, filed Oct. 3, 2013.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Dec. 11, 2013, U.S. Appl. No. 13/906,128, filed May 30, 2013.
Final Office Action, dated Apr. 15, 2014, U.S. Appl. No. 13/906,128, filed May 30, 2013.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Jun. 16, 2014, U.S. Appl. No. 14/164,081, filed Jan. 24, 2014.
Final Office Action, dated Apr. 16, 2014, U.S. Appl. No. 14/045,741, filed Oct. 3, 2013.
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Search Authority dated Nov. 26, 2013 in Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US2013/047406, filed Jun. 24, 2013.
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Search Authority dated Aug. 9, 2013 in Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US2013/043436, filed May 30, 2013.
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Search Authority dated Jul. 1, 2014 in Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US2014/020880, filed Mar. 5, 2014.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Mar. 22, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 15/224,412, filed Jul. 29, 2016.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Mar. 30, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 15/246,118, filed Aug. 24, 2016.
Notice of Allowance, dated Apr. 10, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 14/639,976, filed Mar. 5, 2015.
Final Offfice Action, dated Apr. 13, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 15/139,225, filed Apr. 26, 2016.
Final Office Action, dated May 11, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 14/183,375, filed Feb. 18, 2014.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Jun. 7, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 14/802,816, filed Jul. 17, 2015.
Final Office Action, dated Jun. 22, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 14/657,942, filed Mar. 13, 2015.
Non-Final Office Action, dated Jul. 5, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 14/848,202, filed Sep. 8, 2015.
Notice of Allowance, dated Jul. 31, 2017, U.S. Appl. No. 14/833,038, filed Aug. 21, 2015.
International Search Report and “Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority,” Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US2017/012884, dated Apr. 6, 2017, 9 pages.
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Search Authority dated Jun. 29, 2015 in Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US2015/012285, filed Jan. 21, 2015.
Hinman et al., U.S. Appl. No. 61/774,532, filed Mar. 7, 2013.
First Official Notification dated Jun. 15, 2015 in Chinese Design Patent Application 201530058063.8, filed Mar. 11, 2015.
“Office Action,” Chinese Patent Application No. 201580000078.6, dated Nov. 3, 2017, 5 pages [10 pages including translation].
“International Search Report” and “Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority,” Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US2017/043560, dated Nov. 16, 2017, 11 pages.
“Notice of Allowance,” Chinese Patent Application No. 201580000078.6, dated Feb. 11, 2019, 2 pages.
“International Search Report” and “Written Opinion of the International Search Authority,” dated Mar. 22, 2019 in Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US2019/012358, filed Jan. 4, 2019, 9 pages.
FCC Regulations, 47 CFR § 15.407, 63 FR 40836, Jul. 31, 1998, as amended at 69 FR 2687, Jan. 20, 2004; 69 FR 54036, Sep. 7, 2004; pp. 843-846.
“International Search Report” and “Written Opinion of the International Search Authority,” dated May 23, 2019 in Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US2019/019462, filed Feb. 25, 2019, 8 pages.
“Sector Antennas,” Radiowaves.com, [online], [retrieved Oct. 10, 2019], Retrieved from the Internet: <URL:https://www.radiowaves.com/en/products/sector-antennas>, 4 pages.
KP Performance Antennas Search Results for Antennas, Sector, Single, [online], KPPerformance.com [retrieved Oct. 10, 2019], Retrieved from the Internet: <URL:https://www.kpperformance.com/search?Category=Antennas&Rfpsan99design=Sector&Rfpsan99option=Single&view_type=grid>, 6 pages.
“Partial Supplemental European Search Report,” European Patent Application No. 17835073.2, Feb. 13, 2020, 17 pages.
“Wireless Access Point,” Wikipedia.org, Jan. 6, 2020 [retrieved on Feb. 3, 2020], Retrieved from the Internet: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_access_point>, 5 pages.
“Extended European Search Report”, European Patent Application No. 17835073.2, dated Jun. 30, 2020, 15 pages.
Dowla, Farid et al., “RF and Wireless Technologies: Know It All”, Netherlands, Elsevier Science, 2008, p. 314.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20150002335 A1 Jan 2015 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
61841187 Jun 2013 US