Configurable antenna interface
US8149165B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 29, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q3/30
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Techniques for interfacing a set of active elements with an antenna array. In one exemplary embodiment, the active elements include a plurality of signal paths, each signal path including a mixer coupled to a local oscillator (LO) signal having an adjustable phase. When the active elements are to be interfaced with an unbalanced antenna, the phase of the LO signal for each signal path coupled to the unbalanced antenna may be adjusted independently of the other signal paths. When the active elements are to be interfaced with a balanced antenna, the phases of the LO signals for the two signal paths coupled to the balanced antenna are adjusted to differ by π radians from each other. The techniques may be applied in either receiver or transmitter applications to provide a flexible interface between an antenna array and an integrated circuit (IC) without the use of baluns.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.