Integrated MIMO antenna system

摘要

An integrated MIMO antenna system is described wherein multiple antennas are fabricated on a single substrate. Antenna spacing and alignment is enhanced and controlled to a finer degree than with conventional discrete antenna fabrication techniques. Rotation of one or multiple antennas in relation to the other antennas in the system can be performed to within the accuracy of current photo-etching techniques. Metalized traces can be designed and etched on the single substrate and positioned between antenna elements to enhance inter-element isolation. The integrated MIMO antenna system can be fabricated on flexible printed circuit (FPC) material, or can be fabricated on rigid metallized substrate such as common FR4 materials. Portions of one or multiple antenna elements can be photo-etched on opposite sides of the substrate to provide an additional degree of freedom in terms of antenna placement, spacing, and rotation angle.

主权项

1. An integrated multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna system, comprising:
a rigid circuit board having a top surface and a periphery thereof; a flexible substrate having a first portion thereof being disposed on the top surface of the circuit board and having at least a second portion thereof further expanding beyond the periphery of the circuit board into free space; the first portion of the flexible substrate comprising:
at least one fixed-antenna element, the at least one fixed-antenna element being configured in a fixed position about the circuit board and within a fixed-antenna plane, andtwo or more conductive pads, each of the two or more conductive pads being individually configured for attachment with a conductive element or ground associated with the rigid circuit board; the second portion of the flexible substrate comprising:
at least one configurable-antenna element, the configurable-antenna element being configured in a first configurable-antenna plane and adapted for adjustable positioning about the fixed-antenna plane; wherein the configurable-antenna element is configurable for positioning within the fixed-antenna plane, and wherein the configurable-antenna element is alternatively configurable for positioning within a distinct plane with respect to the fixed-antenna plane upon bending the second portion of the flexible substrate expanding beyond the periphery of the circuit board.