Multiple-input-multiple-output antenna device

摘要

A Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna device is adapted for connecting electrically to a radio frequency (RF) circuit for transmitting and receiving RF signals. The MIMO antenna device includes a circuit board, a plurality of antenna units, and a plurality of multiplexer units. The antenna units are disposed on the circuit board proximate to a peripheral edge thereof, are arranged in a loop formation, and are divided into a plurality of groups of the antenna units. Each of the multiplexer units is connected electrically to a respective one of the groups of the antenna units for selecting one of the corresponding antenna units and for connecting electrically the selected one of the corresponding antenna units to the RF circuit, thereby achieving the MIMO technique with the independently and simultaneously operating antenna units.

主权项

1. A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna device adapted for connecting electrically to a radio frequency (RF) circuit so as to transmit and receive RF signals, said MIMO antenna device comprising:
a circuit board having a peripheral edge; a number (N) of antenna units disposed on said circuit board proximate to said peripheral edge of said circuit board and arranged in a loop formation, wherein (N) is an integer not smaller than 6 and is a multiple of 3; three (1×(N/3))-multiplexer units disposed on said circuit board, each of said (1×(N/3))-multiplexer units having (N/3) input terminals that are connected electrically and respectively to (N/3) corresponding ones of said (N) antenna units and being operable to select one of said (N/3) corresponding ones of said antenna units for connecting electrically the selected one of said (N/3) corresponding ones of said antenna units to the RF circuit; a controller connected electrically to said (1×(N/3))-multiplexer units, each of said (1×(N/3))-multiplexer units being controlled by said controller to select one of said antenna units connected thereto for connecting electrically the selected one of said antenna units to the RF circuit; and a signal-source determining unit that is connected electrically to said controller and that is adapted to be coupled to the RF circuit, said signal-source determining unit being operable to determine a source of a RF signal based on intensity of the RF signal received by each of said (N) antenna units, and to generate a control signal corresponding to the source of the RF signal for controlling said controller, said controller being responsive to the control signal so as to control each of said (1×(N/3))-multiplexer units to select one of said (N/3) corresponding ones of said (N) antenna units able to receive a maximum intensity of the RF signal relative to other ones of said antenna units in said (N/3) corresponding ones of said (N) antenna units for connecting electrically the selected one of said antenna units to the RF circuit.