阅读说明：本技术 基于多波束天线的球面透镜阵列 (Spherical lens array based on multi-beam antenna ) 是由 S·马蒂斯廷 L·马蒂斯廷 A·德玛克 于 2016-12-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种相控阵天线及一种多波束天线。所述相控阵天线包括多个第一辐射元件及沿着第一虚拟轴线对准的多个射频透镜(即多个RF透镜),其中,所述多个第一辐射元件中的每一个与相应的RF透镜相关联,并且所述多个第一辐射元件中的每一个发射的射频信号角度均相对于所述第一虚拟轴线成角度。(The invention provides a phased array antenna and a multi-beam antenna. The phased array antenna includes a plurality of first radiating elements and a plurality of radio frequency lenses (i.e., a plurality of RF lenses) aligned along a first virtual axis, wherein each of the plurality of first radiating elements is associated with a respective RF lens and each of the plurality of first radiating elements transmits a radio frequency signal at an angle relative to the first virtual axis.)

1. A phased array antenna, comprising:

a plurality of first radiating elements; and

a plurality of radio frequency lenses (i.e. a plurality of RF lenses) aligned along a first virtual axis,

wherein each of the plurality of first radiating elements is associated with a respective RF lens, and the angles of the radio frequency signals emitted by each of the plurality of first radiating elements are all angled relative to the first virtual axis.

2. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of radiating elements are coupled to a rail for moving the first plurality of radiating elements in a direction parallel to the first virtual axis.

3. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first radiating elements is disposed higher than a center of its respective associated RF lens.

4. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein each of the first radiating elements is positioned at a center of a radiation pattern emitted by the first radiating element, wherein the center of the radiation pattern emitted by the first radiating element is directed substantially toward a center point of the associated RF lens.

5. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first radiating elements is directed in the same angular direction towards the radiation pattern.

6. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of RF lenses comprises a substantially spherical lens.

7. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein each of the RF lenses has a surface area that is at least 50% substantially spherical in shape.

8. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first radiating elements has the same distance between its respective associated RF lens.

9. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first radiating elements is mounted for vertical alignment.

10. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein the angle at which the plurality of first radiating elements transmit radio frequency signals is non-perpendicular to the virtual axis.

11. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein at least one of the RF lenses comprises a dielectric material.

12. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first radiating elements and the plurality of RF lenses comprise at least one element assembly.

13. The phased array antenna of claim 1, further comprising a second plurality of radiating elements aligned with a second virtual axis, each of the second plurality of radiating elements associated with a respective RF lens.

14. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein at least a first two of the plurality of first radiating elements provide beam coverage for a first geographic area and at least a second two of the plurality of first radiating elements provide beam coverage for a second geographic area.

15. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of first radiating elements provide beam coverage over different geographic areas and different capacities.

16. The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of RF lenses scales a capacity of a coverage area by a number of first radiating elements associated with the respective RF lens.

17. A multi-beam antenna, comprising:

a plurality of radiating elements; and

a radio frequency lens (i.e., an RF lens), wherein the RF lens is positioned in front of the plurality of radiating elements, the RF lens is positioned on the first virtual axis, the plurality of radiating elements surround at least a portion of a side of the RF lens, and the plurality of radiating elements are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, wherein each row of the plurality of radiating elements extends in a respective arc in a respective one of a plurality of horizontal planes and each column of the plurality of radiating elements extends in a respective arc in a respective one of a plurality of vertical planes.

18. The multi-beam antenna of claim 17, wherein the RF lens comprises a spherical RF lens and the plurality of radiating elements are orbitally disposed about a portion of a side of the spherical RF lens.

19. The multiple beam antenna of claim 18, wherein the plurality of horizontal planes comprises a plurality of parallel planes and the plurality of vertical planes comprises a plurality of parallel planes.

20. The multi-beam antenna of claim 17, wherein the plurality of horizontal planes and the plurality of vertical planes intersect each other.

21. The multiple beam antenna of claim 19, wherein each of the radiating elements are mounted for vertical alignment.

22. The multi-beam antenna of claim 17, wherein the radio frequency signal angles transmitted by each of the plurality of radiating elements are all angled with respect to the first virtual axis.

Technical Field

The field of the invention is radio frequency antenna technology.

Background

The following description contains information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. This is not an indication that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

As the demand for transmission of high quality content across cellular networks increases, the need for better massive cellular antennas to support higher capacity rises. Conventional sector antenna designs have several disadvantages. First, each sector allows a limited number of ports. Second, sector antennas have edge modes and beam performance (e.g., poor isolation between beams, side lobes, etc. in the case of multi-beam antennas).

It has been proposed that the use of spherical lenses (e.g., Luneburg (Luneburg) lenses, etc.) in conjunction with radio frequency transceivers may provide better results than conventional sector antennas. For example, U.S. patent 5,821,908 entitled "spatial Lens Antenna and electronic Steerable Beam" to Scheenivas, teaches an Antenna system capable of producing independently Steerable beams using a phased array Antenna and a Spherical Lens. U.S. patent 7,605,768 entitled "Multi-Beam Antenna" to Ebulin (Ebling et al discloses a Multi-Beam Antenna system that uses a spherical lens and an array of electromagnetic lens elements disposed about the surface of the lens.

However, these antenna systems are not suitable for base station antennas. Accordingly, there remains a need for efficient use of spherical lenses in base station antenna applications.

All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, an antenna uses an array of spherical lenses and mechanically movable elements along the surface of the spherical lenses to provide cellular coverage for a narrow geographic area. In some embodiments, the antenna includes at least two spherical lenses aligned along a virtual axis. For each spherical lens, the antenna also includes an element assembly. Each element assembly has at least one track that curves along the contour of the outer surface of the spherical lens and along which a Radio Frequency (RF) element can move. In some embodiments, the rail allows the RF element to move in a direction parallel to the virtual axis. The antenna also includes a phase shifter configured to adjust a phase of a signal generated by the RF element. The antenna includes a control mechanism connected to the phase shifter and the RF element. The control mechanism is configured to enable a user to move the RF elements along their respective tracks and to automatically configure the phase shifter to modify the phase of the output signal from the elements based on the relative position between the RF elements.

In some embodiments, the rail also causes the RF element to move in a direction perpendicular to the virtual axis.

Multiple RF elements may be placed on a single track. In these embodiments, multiple RF elements on the same track may move independently of each other. In addition, the control mechanism is also programmed to coordinate multiple RF element pairs (or groups), and is programmed to configure the phase shifter to modify the phase of the output signals sent from the same RF element pair (or group) so that the signals will be in phase.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters identify like elements.

Drawings

Fig. 1A illustrates an exemplary antenna system of some embodiments.

FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary control mechanism.

Fig. 2A and 2B illustrate front and rear perspective views of a spherical lens, respectively.

Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative antenna system having a two-dimensional track.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate front and rear perspective views, respectively, of a spherical lens having a two-dimensional orbit.

Fig. 5 illustrates an antenna pairing opposing RF elements in the same group.

Fig. 6 illustrates another antenna pairing opposing RF elements in the same group.

Detailed Description

Throughout the following discussion, reference will be made at times to servers, services, interfaces, engines, modules, clients, peers, portals, platforms, or other systems formed by computing devices. It should be understood that the use of such terms is considered to represent one or more computing devices having at least one processor (e.g., ASIC, FPGA, DSP, x86, ARM, ColdFire, GPU, multi-core processor, etc.) configured to execute software instructions stored on a computer-readable tangible, non-transitory medium (e.g., hard drive, solid state drive, RAM, flash memory, ROM, etc.). For example, a server may comprise one or more computers that function as a web server, database server, or other type of computer server in a manner that achieves the described roles, responsibilities, or functions. It should be further appreciated that the disclosed computer-based algorithms, processes, methods, or other types of instruction sets can be implemented as a computer program product that includes a non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium storing instructions that cause a processor to perform the disclosed steps. The various servers, systems, databases, or interfaces may exchange data using standardized protocols or algorithms, possibly based on HTTP, HTTPs, AES, public-private key exchanges, web services APIs, known financial transaction protocols, or other electronic information exchange methods. The data exchange may be via a packet-switched network, a circuit-switched network, the internet, a LAN, a WAN, a VPN, or other type of network.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, when a system, engine, or module is described as being configured to perform a set of functions, the meaning of "configured to" or "programmed to" is defined as one or more processors programmed by a set of software instructions to perform the set of functions.

The following discussion provides exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure. While each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to encompass all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment includes elements A, B and C, and a second embodiment includes elements B and D, then the subject matter of the present invention is considered to include A, B, C or the other remaining combinations of D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements coupled to each other are in contact with each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Thus, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously.

In some embodiments, numbers expressing quantities of properties such as concentrations, reaction times, and so forth, used to describe and claim elements of certain embodiments of the inventive subject matter are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term "about". Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, numerical parameters should be understood in view of the number of reported significant bits and by applying general rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the inventive subject matter are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Numerical values presented in some embodiments of the inventive subject matter may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in the corresponding test measurement of the numerical value.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a", "an", and "the" includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "within …" includes "within …" and "on …" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless the context dictates otherwise, all ranges set forth herein are to be construed as inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges are to be construed as inclusive of only commercially viable values. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each separate value within the range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as containing intermediate values unless the context indicates to the contrary.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided with respect to particular embodiments herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventive subject matter and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the inventive subject matter otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the subject matter.

Groups of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group may be included in or deleted from the group for convenience and/or patentability reasons. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is considered herein to include the modified group, thus satisfying the written description of all Markush (Markush) groups used in the appended claims.

In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, an antenna uses an array of spherical lenses and mechanically movable elements along the surface of the spherical lenses to provide cellular coverage for a small geographic area of interest. In some embodiments, the antenna includes at least two spherical lenses aligned along a virtual axis. For each spherical lens, the antenna also includes an element assembly. Each element assembly has at least one track that curves along the contour of the outer surface of the spherical lens and along which a Radio Frequency (RF) element can move. In some embodiments, the rail allows the RF element to move in a direction parallel to the virtual axis. The antenna also includes a phase shifter configured to adjust a phase of a signal generated by the RF element. The antenna includes a control mechanism connected to the phase shifter and the RF element. The control mechanism is configured to enable a user to move the RF elements along their respective tracks and to automatically configure the phase shifter to modify the phase of the output signal from the elements based on the relative position between the RF elements.

Fig. 1A illustrates an antenna system 100 according to some embodiments of the present subject matter. In this example, the antenna system 100 includes two spherical lenses 105 and 110 that are aligned along a virtual axis 115 in three-dimensional space. Note that although only two spherical lenses are shown in this example, more spherical lenses may be aligned along the virtual axis 115 in the antenna system 100. A spherical lens is a lens having a surface with a spherical shape (or substantially a spherical shape). As defined herein, a lens having a surface that substantially conforms to a spherical shape means that at least 50% (preferably at least 80%, and even more preferably at least 90%) of the surface area conforms to a spherical shape. Examples of spherical lenses include spherical shell lenses, luneberg lenses, and the like. The spherical lens may comprise only one layer of dielectric material or multiple layers of dielectric material. A conventional luneberg lens is a spherically symmetric lens with multiple layers of varying refractive index within the spherical surface.

The antenna system 100 also includes an element assembly 120 associated with the spherical lens 105, and an element assembly 125 associated with the spherical lens 110. Each element assembly includes at least one track. In this example, element assembly 120 includes rail 130, while element assembly 125 includes rail 135. As shown, each of the tracks 130 and 135 has a shape that substantially conforms to (curves along) the outer surface of its associated spherical lens. The tracks 130 and 135 may vary in length and dimension. In this example, the tracks 130 and 135 are one-dimensional and oriented along the virtual axis 115. In addition, each of the tracks 130 and 135 covers less than half of the circle produced by the corresponding spherical lens. However, it is contemplated that the tracks 130 and 135 may have different orientations (e.g., oriented perpendicular to the virtual axis 115, etc.), may be two-dimensional (or multi-dimensional), and/or may cover a smaller or larger portion of the surface area of the spherical lenses 105 and 110 (e.g., covering the circumference of a circle created by the spherical lenses 105 and 110, covering the hemispherical area of the spherical lenses 105 and 110, etc.).

Each of the element assemblies 120 and 125 also houses at least one RF element. The RF element may comprise a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver. As shown, element assembly 120 houses RF element 140 on rail 130, and element assembly 125 houses RF element 145 on rail 135. In this example, each of the element assemblies 120 and 125 contains only one RF element, but it is contemplated that each element assembly may accommodate multiple RF elements on one or more rails.

In some embodiments, each RF element (from RF elements 140 and 145) is configured to send an output signal (e.g., a radio frequency signal) in the form of a beam through its corresponding spherical lens to the atmosphere. The spherical lens allows the output RF signal to be narrowed so that the resulting beam can travel a longer distance. Additionally, RF elements 140 and 145 are configured to receive/detect incoming signals that have been focused through spherical surfaces 105 and 110.

Each RF element (of RF elements 140 and 145) is physically connected to (or alternatively communicatively coupled with) a phase shifter for modifying the phase of the output RF signal. In this example, RF element 140 is communicatively coupled to phase shifter 150 and RF element 145 is communicatively coupled to phase shifter 155. The phase shifters 150 and 155, in turn, are physically connected to the control mechanism 160 (or alternatively, communicatively coupled with the control mechanism 160).

In some embodiments, control mechanism 160 includes a robotic module configured to enable a user to mechanically move RF elements 140 and 145 along rails 130 and 135, respectively. The interface that allows the user to move the RF element may be a mechanical lever or other physical trigger. Note that the mechanical rod may have a shape such as a cylinder, a flat block of dielectric material, or any kind of elongated shape. In some embodiments, the control mechanism 160 also includes an electronic device having at least one processor and a memory storing software instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform the functions and features of the control mechanism 160. The electronics of some embodiments are programmed to control the movement of RF elements 140 and 145 along rails 130 and 135, respectively. The electronic device may also provide a user interface (e.g., a graphical user interface displayed on a display device, etc.) that enables a user to control the movement of RF elements 140 and 145. The electronics may in turn be connected to the motor controlling the mechanical module. Thus, the motor triggers the mechanical module upon receiving a signal from the electronic device.

For example, control mechanism 160 may move RF element 140 from position 'a' (indicated by the dashed circle) to position 'b' (indicated by the solid circle) along track 130 and RF element 145 from position 'c' (indicated by the dashed circle) to position'd' (indicated by the solid circle) along track 135. By moving the RF elements to different locations, the antenna system 100 may dynamically change the geographic coverage area of the antenna 100. It is also contemplated that antenna system 100 may also dynamically change the coverage size and capacity allocated to different geographic areas by moving multiple RF elements and placing the RF elements in different locations. Thus, via control mechanism 160, antenna system 100 may be programmed to configure RF elements to provide coverage at different geographic areas and different capacities (by having more or fewer RF elements covering the same geographic area) according to the needs at the time.

For example, antenna system 100 may change the geographic coverage area to an area closer to antenna system 100 when control mechanism 160 moves RF elements 140 and 145 from positions 'a' and 'c' to positions "b" and'd', respectively. It should also be noted that having multiple spherical lenses with associated RF elements allows the antenna system 100 to (1) provide multiple coverage areas and/or (2) increase capacity within a coverage area. In this example, the antenna system 100 effectively has twice the capacity for the coverage area when compared to an antenna system having only one spherical lens with one associated RF element, because the RF elements 140 and 145 associated with the spherical lenses 105 and 110 both direct the resulting output signal beam in the same direction as indicated by arrows 165 and 170.

Note, however, that in an antenna system in which multiple spherical lenses are aligned with each other along a virtual axis (e.g., virtual axis 115), when multiple RF elements are sending output RF signals through multiple spherical lenses at angles that are not perpendicular to the virtual axis along which the spherical lenses are aligned, the signals from the different RF elements will be out of phase. In this example, the output signals sent through RF elements 140 and 145 at positions 'b' and'd', respectively, are out of phase, as shown from dashed lines 175 through 185. Dashed lines 175 to 185 are virtual lines perpendicular to the direction of the resulting output signal beams transmitted from RF elements 140 and 145 at positions 'b' and'd', respectively. Thus, dashed lines 175 through 185 indicate the location of the progression of the resulting output beam. When the output signal beams are in phase, the output signal beams should have the same progression at each of the locations 175-185. Assuming that both RF elements 140 and 145 transmit the same output signal simultaneously without any phase adjustment, output signal beams 165 and 170 will have the same phase as they exit spherical lenses 105 and 110, respectively. As shown, position 175 is equivalent to the edge of spherical lens 105 for signal beam 165, but equivalent to the center of spherical lens 110 for signal beam 170, due to the direction in which the beam is transmitted with respect to how spherical lenses 105 and 110 are aligned (i.e., the orientation of virtual axis 115). Similarly, location 180 is a distance 'e' from the edge of spherical lens 105, while location 180 is equivalent to the edge of spherical lens 110. Thus, to bring the signal beams 165 and 170 into phase, the control mechanism 160 configures the phase shifters 150 and 155 to modify (or adjust) the phase of the output signal transmitted through either RF element 140 or 145 or both RF elements 140 and 145. In this example, control mechanism 160 may adjust the phase of the output signal transmitted by RF element 145 by a value equivalent to distance 'e' such that output signal beams 165 and 170 are in phase.

In some embodiments, the control mechanism 160 is configured to automatically determine the phase modification necessary to bring the output beams in phase based on the position of the RF elements. It is contemplated that the user may provide input for the geographic area to be covered by the antenna system 100 and the control mechanism 160 will automatically move the position of the RF elements to cover the geographic area and configure the phase shifters based on the new positions of the RF elements to ensure that the output beams from the RF elements are in phase.

Fig. 1B illustrates an example of the control mechanism 102 attached to the element assembly 103 associated with the spherical lens 107. The mechanical module 102 includes a housing 104 within which a rod 106 is disposed. The rod 106 has teeth 108 configured to rotate a gear 112. The gears may in turn control the movement of the RF element 109. With this arrangement, an individual can manually adjust the position of the RF element 109 by moving the rod 106 up and down. It is contemplated that the rod 106 may be extended to reach other element assemblies (e.g., an element assembly stacked on top of the spherical lens 107 and a spherical lens). In that way, the rod can effectively control the movement of the RF elements associated with more than one spherical lens.

In some embodiments, the phase shifter may be implemented within the same mechanism 102 by using a dielectric material to fabricate at least a portion of the rod 106. Adjusting the position of the rod 106 in this manner effectively modifies the phase of the output signal transmitted through the RF element 109 when the rod comprises a dielectric material. Note that the positions of the rod 106 and gear 112 may be configured such that the positioning and phase modification of the RF element 109 are synchronized. In this way, a single input (moving the rod up and down a certain distance) can simply be provided to adjust the position of the RF element 109 and the phase of the output signal.

It is also contemplated that an electrical device (not shown) may be connected to the end of the rod (not attached to the gear 112). The electrical device may control the movement of the rod 106 based on the input electrical signal, thereby controlling the movement of the RF element 109 and the phase adjustment of the output signal. A computing device (not shown) may be communicatively coupled with the electrical device to remotely control the RF element 109 and the phase of the output signal.

Fig. 2A and 2B illustrate the spherical lens 105 and the element assembly 120 viewed from different angles. In particular, fig. 2A illustrates the spherical lens 105 viewed from a front angle, where the element assembly 120 (including the rails 130 and the RF elements 140) appears behind the spherical lens 105. In this figure, the signal emitted from the RF element 140 is directed outward from the page. Fig. 2B illustrates the spherical lens 105 from a rear angle, where the element assembly 120 (including the rails 130 and the RF elements 140) appears behind the spherical lens 105. In this figure, the signal transmitted from the RF element 140 is directed into the page.

Fig. 3 illustrates an antenna 300 of some embodiments in which the tracks associated with the spherical lens are two-dimensional and each track associated with the spherical lens includes two RF elements. The antenna 300 is similar to the antenna 100 of fig. 1. As shown, the antenna 300 has two spherical lenses 305 and 310 that are aligned along a virtual axis 315 in three-dimensional space. Spherical lens 305 has an associated element assembly 320 and spherical lens 310 has an associated element assembly 325. Element assembly 320 has track 330 and similarly element assembly 325 has track 335. The tracks 330 and 335 are two-dimensional.

In addition, each of the rails 325 and 335 contain two RF elements. As shown, rail 325 has RF elements 340 and 345, and rail 335 has RF elements 350 and 355. Two-dimensional tracks 330 and 335 allow RF elements 340 through 355 to move in a two-dimensional field in their respective tracks. In some embodiments, antenna 300 creates groups of RF elements, where each group consists of one RF element from each element assembly. In this example, antenna 300 has two groups of RF elements. The first group of RF elements includes RF element 340 of element assembly 320 and RF element 350 of element assembly 325. The second group of RF elements includes RF element 345 of element assembly 320 and RF element 355 of element assembly 325. Antenna 300 provides a control mechanism and phase shifters for each group of RF elements. In this example, antenna 300 provides control mechanisms and phase shifters 360 for a first group of RF elements (all in one assembly), and control mechanisms and phase shifters 365 for a second group of RF elements. The control mechanism and phase shifter are configured to modify the position of the RF elements within the group and to modify the phase of the output signals sent through the RF elements in the group so that the output signals from the respective spherical lenses 305 and 310 are in phase.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate the spherical lens 305 drawings and its element assembly 320 viewed from different angles. In particular, fig. 4A illustrates spherical lens 305 viewed from a front angle, where element assembly 320 (including track 330 and RF elements 340 and 345) appears to be behind spherical lens 305. In this figure, the signals emitted from the RF elements 340 and 345 are directed outward from the page. As shown, the RF elements 340 and 345 may be moved up and down (parallel to the virtual axis 315) or sideways (perpendicular to the virtual axis 315), as shown by the arrows near the RF elements 340.

Fig. 4B illustrates spherical lens 305 from a rear angle, where element assembly 320 (including track 330 and RF elements 340 and 345) appears behind spherical lens 305. In this figure, the signals transmitted from the RF elements 340 and 345 are directed into the page. It is contemplated that more than two RF elements may be mounted in the same element assembly and that different patterns of RF element arrangements (e.g., 3 x 3, 4 x 4, etc.) may be formed on the element assembly.

Referring back to fig. 3, note that the RF elements that are in substantially the same position relative to their respective spherical lenses are grouped together. For example, RF element 340 is paired with RF element 350 in that the positions of the RF elements relative to their respective associated spherical lenses 305 and 310 are substantially similar. Similarly, RF element 345 is paired with RF element 355 because the positions of the RF elements relative to their respective associated spherical lenses 305 and 310 are substantially similar. It is envisaged that the manner in which the RF elements are paired may affect the vertical footprint (focprint) (also known as the polarization coincidence (coincident) radiation pattern) of the resulting beam produced by the RF elements. As defined herein, the vertical footprint of an RF element means the coverage area of the RF element in a dimension parallel to the axis along which the spherical lens is aligned. For practical purposes, the goal is to maximize the overlapping area of the different resulting beams produced by the multiple RF elements (also known as cross-polarized coincident radiation patterns).

Thus, in another aspect of the inventive subject matter, an antenna having an array of spherical lenses pairs opposing RF elements associated with different spherical lenses to cover substantially overlapping geographic areas. In some embodiments, each spherical lens in the array of spherical lenses has a virtual axis that is parallel to other virtual axes associated with other spherical lenses in the array. One of the paired RF elements is disposed on one side of the virtual axis associated with the first spherical lens and the other of the paired RF elements is disposed on the opposite side of the virtual axis associated with the second spherical lens. In some embodiments, the antenna also includes a control mechanism programmed to configure the paired RF elements to provide output signals to and/or receive input signals from substantially overlapping geographic areas.

Fig. 5 illustrates an example of such an antenna 500 of some embodiments. Antenna 500 includes an array of spherical lenses (including spherical lenses 505 and 510) aligned along axis 515. Although the antenna 500 is shown in this example as including only two spherical lenses in an array of spherical lenses, it is contemplated that the antenna 500 may include more spherical lenses aligned along the axis 515 as desired.

Each spherical lens further includes RF element arrangement axes parallel to each other. In this example, spherical lens 505 has an RF element arrangement axis 540 and spherical lens 510 has an RF element arrangement axis 545. Preferably, the RF element placement axes 540 and 545 are perpendicular to the virtual axis 515 along which the spherical lenses 505 and 510 are aligned, as shown in this example. However, it is contemplated that the RF element arrangement axes may be in any orientation as long as they are parallel to each other.

As shown, each spherical lens in the array has an associated RF element. In this example, spherical lens 505 has two associated RF elements 520 and 525, and spherical lens 510 has two associated RF elements 530 and 535. The RF elements associated with each spherical lens are placed on different sides of the RF element placement axis along the surface of the spherical lens. As shown, RF element 520 is placed on top of RF element arrangement axis 540 (on one side of the RF element arrangement axis 540) and RF element 525 is placed on bottom of RF element arrangement axis 540 (on the other side of the RF element arrangement axis 540). Similarly, the RF element 530 is disposed on top of the RF element disposition axis 545 (disposed on one side of the RF element disposition axis 545) and the RF element 525 is disposed on the bottom of the RF element disposition axis 545 (disposed on the other side of the RF element disposition axis 545).

The antenna 500 also includes control mechanisms 550 and 555 for coordinating the groups of RF elements. As mentioned previously, it has been contemplated that pairing opposing RF elements associated with different spherical lenses (i.e., pairing RF elements on opposite sides of an RF element arrangement axis) provides the optimal overlapping vertical footprint. Thus, the control mechanism 550 is communicatively coupled with the RF element 520 (the RF element 520 is disposed on top of the RF element arrangement axis 540) and the RF element 535 (the RF element 535 is disposed on bottom of the RF element arrangement axis 545) to coordinate the RF elements 520 and 535 to provide signal coverage of substantially the same geographic area. Similarly, control mechanism 555 is communicatively coupled with RF element 525 (said RF element 525 being disposed on the bottom of RF element arrangement axis 540) and RF element 530 (said RF element 530 being disposed on the top of RF element arrangement axis 545) to coordinate RF elements 525 and 530 to provide signal coverage of substantially the same geographic area. In some embodiments, control mechanisms 550 and 555 also include phase shifters configured to modify the phase of the signal output by their associated RF elements.

In addition to the requirement that the grouped RF elements must be on different sides of the RF element arrangement axis, it is preferred that the distance between the RF elements and the RF element arrangement axis is substantially the same (less than 10%, and more preferably less than 5% deviation). Thus, in this example, the distance between RF element 520 and axis 540 is substantially the same as the distance between RF element 535 and axis 545. Similarly, the distance between RF element 525 and axis 540 is substantially the same as the distance between RF element 530 and axis 545.

Although the RF elements 520-535 are shown in this figure as being placed at fixed positions, in some other embodiments, the antenna 500 may also include tracks that enable the RF elements to move to different positions along the surface of their respective spherical lenses. In these embodiments, control mechanisms 550 and 555 are configured to coordinate their associated RF elements and phase shifters to issue synchronization signals to the geographic area of coverage.

In the example illustrated in fig. 5, the RF element arrangement axis is arranged perpendicular to the axis along which the spherical lens is aligned. As mentioned above, the RF element arrangement axis may be oriented in different ways. Fig. 6 illustrates an antenna 600 having RF elements disposed on different sides of an RF element arrangement axis that is not perpendicular to a virtual axis along which a spherical lens is aligned. The antenna 600 is almost identical to the antenna 500. Antenna 600 has an array of spherical lenses (including spherical lenses 605 and 610) aligned along axis 615. Although antenna 600 is shown in this example as including only two spherical lenses in an array of spherical lenses, it is contemplated that antenna 600 may include more spherical lenses aligned along axis 615, as desired.

Each spherical lens further includes RF element arrangement axes parallel to each other. In this example, spherical lens 605 has an RF element arrangement axis 640, and spherical lens 610 has an RF element arrangement axis 645. As shown, the RF element arrangement axes 640 and 645 are not perpendicular to the virtual axis 615. By having the RF element placement axes in different orientations, antenna 600 may be adjusted to cover different geographic areas (closer to the antenna, farther from the antenna, etc.).

As shown, each spherical lens in the array has an associated RF element. In this example, spherical lens 605 has two associated RF elements 620 and 625, and spherical lens 610 has two associated RF elements 630 and 635. The RF elements associated with each spherical lens are placed on different sides of the RF element placement axis along the surface of the spherical lens. As shown, RF element 620 is disposed on top of RF element arrangement axis 640 (disposed on one side of the RF element arrangement axis 640) and RF element 625 is disposed on bottom of RF element arrangement axis 640 (disposed on the other side of the RF element arrangement axis 640). Similarly, the RF element 630 is placed on top of the RF element arrangement axis 645 (on one side of the RF element arrangement axis 645) and the RF element 625 is placed on the bottom of the RF element arrangement axis 645 (on the other side of the RF element arrangement axis 645).

Antenna 600 also includes control mechanisms 650 and 655 for coordinating the groups of RF elements. The control mechanisms 650 and 655 are configured to pair opposing RF elements associated with different spherical lenses (i.e., pair RF elements on opposite sides of an RF element arrangement axis). Thus, the control mechanism 650 is communicatively coupled with the RF element 620 (the RF element 620 disposed on top of the RF element arrangement axis 640) and the RF element 635 (the RF element 635 disposed on bottom of the RF element arrangement axis 645) to coordinate the RF elements 620 and 635 to provide signal coverage of substantially the same geographic area. Similarly, the control mechanism 655 is communicatively coupled with the RF element 625 (the RF element 625 being disposed on the bottom of the RF element arrangement axis 640) and the RF element 630 (the RF element 630 being disposed on the top of the RF element arrangement axis 645) to coordinate the RF elements 625 and 630 to provide signal coverage of substantially the same geographic area. In some embodiments, the control mechanisms 650 and 655 also include phase shifters configured to modify the phase of the signal output by their associated RF elements.

Current state of the art antennas for wireless broadband networks provide two cross-polarized coincident radiation patterns of ports, commonly referred to as antennas. There is an increasing demand for four coincident radiation patterns with good decorrelation of the radio signals present on each port by the community of wireless carriers. The current approach for four coincident radiation patterns is to deploy a redundant cross-polarized antenna solution. The above-described method for pairing opposing RF elements provides a novel approach in achieving four significantly coincident radiation patterns (two for each RF element).

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Furthermore, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner depending upon the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification and claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C … and N, the text should be construed as requiring only one element from the group, rather than a plus N or B plus N, etc.