Apparatus and methods for selecting sections of an antenna array and use therewith

US10389037B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. · US

Inventors

• Shikik Johnson · Tinton Falls, US
• David M. Britz · Rumson, US
• Paul Shala Henry · Holmdel, US
• Robert Bennett · Southold, US
• Farhad Barzegar · Readington, US
• Irwin Gerszberg · Kendall Park, US
• Donald J. Barnickel · Flemington, US
• Thomas M. Willis, III · Tinton Falls, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 8, 2016
• Grant date: Aug 20, 2019
• Expiry date: Oct 3, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01Q3/26
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, selecting a first segment from a plurality of selectable segments of an array of dielectric antennas, where the first segment corresponds to a first set of one or more dielectric antennas from the array of dielectric antennas coupled to a first set of launchers, directing the first set of launchers to launch first electromagnetic waves directed to the first set of one or more dielectric antennas to generate a first beam pattern, selecting a second segment from the plurality of selectable segments, where the second segment corresponds to a second set of one or more dielectric antennas from the array of dielectric antennas coupled to a second set of launchers, and directing the second set of launchers to launch second electromagnetic waves directed to the second set of one or more dielectric antennas to generate a second beam pattern. Other embodiments are disclosed.