KYOCERA AVX Components (San Diego), Inc.

An antenna system may include an antenna operable in a selected frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands. In some examples, the antenna system may include an antenna circuit having an RF (radio frequency) communication path and one or more configurable elements in the RF communication path. The antenna system may include a transmission line coupled to the antenna circuit. The antenna system may include a control unit configured to modulate a control signal onto an RF signal to generate a transmit signal for communication over the transmission line to the antenna circuit. The antenna circuit may be configured to demodulate the control signal from the transmit signal. The antenna circuit may be operable to adjust the one or more configurable elements in the RF communication path based at least in part on the control signal to configure the RF communication path to operate in the selected frequency band.

An antenna assembly is provided. The antenna assembly includes a circuit board including a ground plane. The antenna assembly further includes a first antenna including a ground tap, the ground tap being connected to the ground plane. The antenna assembly further includes a cable connected between the first antenna and the circuit board, the cable being about 25 mm or greater wherein the first antenna is configured to operate at a frequency of about 1150 MHz to about 1600 MHz.

An antenna system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure can include a first substrate that can include an antenna array that can have a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna system can further include a second substrate that can be spaced apart from the first substrate and can include a radio frequency circuit that can be operable to carry a radio frequency signal to communicate via the antenna array. The first substrate can have a curved configuration relative to the second substrate such that at least one of the plurality of antenna elements can be disposed on a curved surface of the first substrate.

An antenna system may include an antenna operable in a selected frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands. In some examples, the antenna system may include an antenna circuit having an RF (radio frequency) communication path and one or more configurable elements in the RF communication path. The antenna system may include a transmission line coupled to the antenna circuit. The antenna system may include a control unit configured to modulate a control signal onto an RF signal to generate a transmit signal for communication over the transmission line to the antenna circuit. The antenna circuit may be configured to demodulate the control signal from the transmit signal. The antenna circuit may be operable to adjust the one or more configurable elements in the RF communication path based at least in part on the control signal to configure the RF communication path to operate in the selected frequency band.

A technique is described where the switch and/or tunable control circuit for use with an active multi-mode antenna is positioned remote from the antenna structure itself for integration into host communication systems. Electrical delay and impedance characteristics are compensated for in the design and configuration of transmission lines or parasitic elements as the active multi-mode antenna structure is positioned in optimal locations such that significant electrical delay is introduced between the RF front-end circuit and multi-mode antenna. This technique can be implemented in designs where it is convenient to locate switches in a front-end module (FEM) and the FEM is located in vicinity to the transceiver.

A modal antenna assembly is provided. The modal antenna includes an antenna element comprising a curved conical portion and a top portion, the top portion comprising an undulating annular ring disposed on the curved conical portion. The modal antenna further includes a parasitic element positioned at least partially within a gap defined in the curved conical portion of the antenna element.

An antenna assembly is provided. The antenna assembly includes a ceramic carrier having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposite the first surface. The antenna assembly further includes an antenna pattern. The antenna pattern includes a first antenna portion positioned at least partially on the first surface of the ceramic carrier. The antenna pattern further includes a second antenna portion comprising a plurality of conductive vias extending through the ceramic carrier from the first antenna portion to the second surface of the ceramic carrier.

An antenna system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure can include a first substrate that can include an antenna array that can have a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna system can further include a second substrate that can be spaced apart from the first substrate and can include a radio frequency circuit that can be operable to carry a radio frequency signal to communicate via the antenna array. The first substrate can have a curved configuration relative to the second substrate such that at least one of the plurality of antenna elements can be disposed on a curved surface of the first substrate.

An antenna configured to operate at millimeter wave frequencies is provided. The antenna includes a substrate and a ground plane. The antenna includes one or more active patch antenna elements that collectively define four corners, wherein the active patch antenna element(s) are positioned on a first surface of the substrate. The antenna includes four parasitic patch elements coplanar to the active patch antenna element(s) and adjacent to each respective corner of the active patch antenna element(s). The antenna includes a switching circuit configured to dynamically couple, to the ground plane, the first parasitic patch element, the second parasitic patch element, the third parasitic patch element, and/or the fourth parasitic patch element.

A millimeter wave RF phase shifter includes an input and an output. The RF phase shifter further includes a transmission line coupled to the input. The transmission line can include a plurality of taps. The RF phase shifter can further include a plurality of switching devices. Each switching device can be coupled between the output and a corresponding tap of the plurality of taps. The RF phase shifter can include a control device operatively coupled to the plurality of switching devices. The control device can be configured to control operation of the plurality of switching devices to selectively couple one of the plurality of taps to the output to control a phase shift of a RF signal propagating on the transmission line.