WO2024058773A1

WO2024058773A1 - Attenna arrays and switches

Info

Publication number: WO2024058773A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/043359
Authority: WO
Inventors: He-di LIU; Chin-Hung Ma; Xin-chang CHEN; Hsin-Chih Lin
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2022-09-13
Filing date: 2022-09-13
Publication date: 2024-03-21

Abstract

An antenna array and switch is provided for a computer having two wireless subsystems. The array may have limited physical space. In a first mode, the switch connects a first subset of the antennas to a first wireless subsystem while isolating one of the antennas from the others in order to improve communications in the first subsystem that are transmitted via the antenna. In a second mode, the switch connects a second subset of the antennas to a second wireless subsystem while isolating another of the antennas from the others in order to improve communications in the second subsystem that are transmitted via the antennas. In a third mode, the switch connects a first subset of the antennas to the first wireless subsystem and a second set of the antennas to the second wireless subsystem.

Description

ATTENNA ARRAYS AND SWITCHES

BACKGROUND

[0001 ] Portable computers have limited physical space but may connect to different wireless networks through an array of antennas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIG.S

[0002] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example portable computer that may connect to different wireless networks.

[0003] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of internal components of the example portable computer of FIG. 1 .

[0004] FIG. 3 shows the example portable computer of FIG. 2 according to a first operating mode.

[0005] FIG. 4 shows the example portable computer of FIG. 2 according to a second operating mode.

[0006] FIG. 5 shows the example portable computer of FIG. 2 according to a third operating mode.

[0007] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart depicting an example method for selecting the different modes of FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0008] FIG. 7 shows a portion of an example antenna array according to a specific variant of an example implementation of the portable computer in FIG 2.

[0009] FIG. 8 shows an example antenna array and wireless network interfaces according to a specific variant of an example implementation of the switch of the portable computer in FIG 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Portable computers often connect to multiple wireless networks, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a wireless wide area network (WWAN). Sometimes the portable computer may connect to one, or the other, or both networks. Since WLAN and WWAN operate according to different radio frequency physics, different antennas are used for each network, and so an array of antennas is provided to accommodate different connections. However, limited amounts physical space may lead to suboptimal performance of the wireless connections due to interference caused by the antennas being close to each other. More specifically, such suboptimal performance may result in slower transmission speeds, reduced bandwidth, increased latency or other limitations.

[0011 ] This disclosure provides examples of various switching apparatuses to connect a first wireless subsystem, such as a WLAN, and a second wireless subsystem, such as a WWAN, to different combinations of a common set of antennas. An example switching apparatus comprises a switch and a controller to place the switch in a first mode or a second mode. The first mode activates the first wireless subsystem using a first subset of the antennas that isolates one of the antennas from the other antennas. The second mode activates the second wireless subsystem using a second subset of the antennas that isolates another one of the antennas from the other antennas. In an optional third mode, both subsystems are activated using the entire array and, in an example, without isolating any of the antennas from the other. Improved transmission performance may be achieved in the first mode or the second mode as compared to the third mode. However, the entire antenna array may still be located within the limited physical space.

[0012] The term wireless subsystem as used herein may be synonymous with a wireless network interface or a wireless subsystem may include a wireless network interface as well as any additional components needed to provide wireless network connectivity.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a system 100 that includes a portable computer 104 that connects to a first wireless network 106-1 and a second wireless network 106-2. Collectively, these networks are referred to in this disclosure as the wireless networks 106, and generically as the wireless network 106. This terminology is used again in this disclosure for other elements in the Figures. The portable computer 104 may connect to one, or the other, or both wireless networks 106.

[0014] In this example, the first wireless network 106-1 is a WLAN while the second wireless network 106-2 is a WWAN, but other types of wireless networks may be implemented in variations.

[0015] The computer 104 connects to the first wireless network 106-1 over a first wireless link 110-1 and the computer 104 connects to the second wireless network 106-2 over a second wireless link 1 10-2. In this example, each link 110 is based on different radio physics and, accordingly, require architecturally different network interfaces and antennas that are used to communicate over each link 110.

[0016] While FIG. 1 graphically depicts the portable computer 104 as a laptop, it is contemplated that the portable computer 104 may be any type of computer that connects to the wireless networks 106, including a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a desktop computer, an all-in-one (AIO) computer, or another type of electronic device such as a printer, scanner, or other type of imaging device. The disclosure may offer advantages where there is limited physical space to provide an antenna array that connects to the networks 106 via the wireless links 1 10.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the internal components of the computer 104. In this example, the computer 104 includes at least one input device which includes a keyboard 204. In variants, other input devices are contemplated, or the input device may be omitted altogether.

[0018] Input from keyboard 204 is received at a processor 208. In variations, processor 208 can be implemented as a plurality of processors. Processor 208 may be configured to execute different programing instructions that can be responsive to the input received via of the input devices. To fulfill its programming functions, the processor 208 is configured to communicate with a non-volatile storage unit 216 (e.g., Erasable Electronic Programmable Read Only Memory (“EEPROM”), Flash Memory, Hard-disk, or combinations of them) and a volatile storage unit 220 (e.g., random access memory (RAM) and the various enhanced versions of them).

[0019] The non-volatile storage unit 216 may also be described as a non- transitory computer readable media. Also, more than one type of the non-volatile storage unit 216 and/or more than one type of the volatile storage unit 220 may be provided.

[0020] Programming instructions in the form of applications 224 are typically maintained, persistently, in the non-volatile storage unit 216 and used by the processor 208 which reads and writes to the volatile storage unit 220 during the execution of the applications 224. The applications 224 may execute on the processor 208 which may receive input from the input devices for processing by the executing applications 224.

[0021 ] Databases or datasets 228 may be also stored, which may be used by the applications 224 when they are executing on the processor 208.

[0022] The processor 208 may also control a display 212 and/or any other output devices that may be provided in computer 104, also in accordance with the execution of different applications 224. In variants, other output devices are contemplated, or the output devices may be omitted altogether.

[0023] The processor 208 also connects to a first network interface 232-1 to control communications over the first network 106-1. The processor 208 also connects to a second network interface 232-2 to control communications over the second network 106-2.

[0024] The network interfaces 232 are connected to a substrate comprising a set of antennas 236 arranged in an array 240. The substrate has limited physical space so the antennas 236 are close or proximate to each other. In this example, the first network interface 232-1 has a permanent connection to antenna 236-1 , and second network interface 232-2 has permanent connections to antenna 236- 4, antenna 236-5 and antenna 236-6. [0025] The computer 104 also includes a controller 242, a switch 244 and an RLC circuit 248 or RLC 248, where “RLC” is short for “Resistor (R for Resistance), Inductor (L for Heinrich Lenz, a pioneer in electromagnetic theory) and Capacitor (C for Capacitance)”. The controller 242 controls the switch 244 to place the switch 244 in different modes. An inactive mode is shown FIG. 2, where neither network interface 232 is communicating with its network 106.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, in a first mode the controller 242 activates the first wireless network interface 232-1 to communicate over the network 106-1. The first mode activates the first wireless network interface 232-1 using a first subset of the antennas 236 that isolates the antenna 236-3 from the antenna 236-1 . More specifically, the switch 244 connects the first network interface 232-1 to the antenna 236-3. In the first mode, the switch 244 also connects the RLC 248 to the antenna 236-2 to provide greater isolation between the antenna 236-3 and the antenna 236-1 . FIG. 3 also shows the link 110-1 as being active between the antenna 236-3 and the antenna 236-1 . Note the dashed lines for the link 110-1 are representative to illustrate that the first subset of antennas 236 are active, but do not represent the actual radio physics of the link 110-1.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, in a second mode the controller 242 activates the second wireless network interface 232-2 to communicate over the network 106- 2. The second mode activates the second wireless network interface 232-2 using a second subset of the antennas 236 that, in this example, isolates the antenna 236-2 from the antenna 236-4. More specifically, the switch 244 connects the second network interface 232-2 to the antenna 236-2. In the second mode, the switch 244 also connects the RLC 248 to the antenna 236-3 to provide greater isolation between the antenna 236-2 and the antenna 236-4. FIG. 4 also shows the link 1 10-2 as being active between the antenna 236-2, the antenna 236-4, the antenna 236-5, and the antenna 236-6. Note the dashed lines for the link 110-2 are representative to illustrate that the second subset of antennas 236 are active, but do not show the actual radio physics of the link 110-2. [0028] As shown in FIG. 5, in a third mode the controller 242 activates the first wireless network interface 232-1 to communicate over the network 106-1 and the second wireless network interface 232-2 to communicate over the network 106- 2. The third mode utilizes all antennas 236 without any isolation. The third mode activates the first wireless network interface 232-1 using antenna 236-1 and antenna 236-2, and the second wireless network interface 232-2 using antenna 236-3, antenna 236-4, antenna 236-5, and antenna 236-6. In this third mode, the switch 244 also disconnects the RLC 248 from any of the antennas 236. FIG. 6 also shows both the links 110 as being active, therefore allowing processor 208 to communicate vie both network interfaces 232. Note the dashed lines for the links 110 are representative and do not show the actual radio physics of the links 1 10.

[0029] Advantageously, due to the isolation provided by antenna 236-2, the first mode provides improved data communications over link 110-1 in comparison to data communication that is provided without antenna isolation. Likewise, due to the isolation provided by antenna 236-3, the second mode provides improved data communications over link 110-2 in comparison to data communication that is provided without antenna isolation. However, the third mode advantageously provides communication over both links 1 10. In all three modes, limited physical space for an antenna array is provided. In variants, other antenna array combinations are contemplated where there are additional modes with and without isolation.

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart depicting a method 600 of operating different network interfaces based on a request. The method 600 represents application 224-1 and so may be stored as a set of instructions on a computer readable medium such as the non-volatile storage unit 216. The method 600 may be implemented on computer 104 or a variant. The method 600 may also be varied. The steps in the method 600 may be performed in parallel or in a different order, and so each element is referred to as a block. For illustrative purposes, the method 600 will be discussed in relation to computer 104, but it is to be emphasized that variants on computer 104 and/or array 240 are contemplated. [0031 ] At block 604, the processor 208 waits for a new request to be received to activate a network interface. If a new request is received, then at block 608 it is determined whether the request was to activate only the first network interface. A “yes” determination at block 608 leads to implementing the above-described first mode, as shown in FIG. 3, and as expressed in method 600 by block 612, block 616, block 620 and block 624. Block 612 comprises selecting a first set of antennas corresponding to a first network interface. Block 616 comprises controlling a switch to isolate an antenna from the other antennas in the first set. Block 620 comprises connecting the first network interface to the remaining antennas in the first set. Block 624 comprises communicating over the first network interface via the first set of antennas. As described above, these blocks reflect the selection of a first set of antennas that correspond to the first network interface 232-1 , controlling the switch 244 to isolate the antenna 236-2, and connecting the first network interface 232-1 to the remaining antennas 236-1 and 236-3 so that communications may be conducted over link 110-1.

[0032] A “no” determination at block 608 leads to block 632. A person skilled in the art will now recognize that a “yes” determination at block 632 leads to implementation of the above-described second mode, as shown in FIG. 4, and as expressed in method 600 as block 636, block 640, block 644 and block 648. Block 636 comprises selecting a second set of antennas corresponding to a second network interface. Block 640 comprises controlling a switch to isolate an antenna from the other antennas in the second set. Block 644 comprises connecting the second network interface to the remaining antennas in the second set. Block 648 comprises communicating over the second network interface via the second set of antennas.

[0033] A “no” determination at block 632 leads to block 652. Block 652 comprises selecting the full array of antennas. Block 656 comprises connecting the first network interface to the first set of antennas in the array. Block 660 comprises connecting the second network interface to the second set of antennas in the array. Block 664 comprises communicating over both network interfaces via their connected antennas. A person skilled in the art will now recognize that block 652, block 656, block 660 and block 664 reflect the implementation of the third mode shown in FIG. 6.

[0034] FIG. 7 shows a partial view of an antenna array 240a. Antenna array 240a is a potential physical implementation of a portion of antenna array 240 and so like elements bear like references except followed by the suffix “a”. Notably array 240a represents a cross section of the substrate, showing a copper foil layer 250a, with a bottom insulating layer 254a and a top conducting layer 258a. The antenna 236a-2, antenna 236a-3, antenna 236a-4, and antenna 236a-5 are implemented in the top conducting layer. Also of note is that antenna 263a-3 is labelled as an “isolator”, reflecting that fact that FIG. 7 is equivalent to the second mode in FIG. 4 where antenna 263a-3 is connected to RLC 248, however, the switching element is not shown in FIG. 7.

[0035] FIG. 8 shows a simplified block diagram showing a non-limiting example variant of a portion of computer 104b. Accordingly, like elements bear like references except followed by the suffix “b”. FIG. 8 only shows a portion of computer 104b namely, the network interfaces 232b, the antennas 236b, the controller 242b, the switch 244b, and two RLCs 248b. Notably computer 104b includes a first RLC 248b-1 that may be connected to the antenna 236b-2 in the second mode, and a second RLC 248b-2 that may be connected to the antenna 236b-3 in the second mode. Also of note is that switch 244b is implemented using four switching elements 262b which may be actuated by the controller 242b.

[0036] In the first mode (corresponding to the first mode of FIG. 3), the switching element 262b-1 is controlled to connect the network interface 232b-1 to the antenna 236b-3 via switching element 262b-2. Further, switching element 262b-2 is controlled to provide isolation by connecting the antenna 236b-2 to the RLC 248b-1 .

[0037] In the second mode (corresponding to the second mode of FIG. 4), the switching element 262b-4 is controlled to connect network interface 232b-2 to the antenna 236b-2 via the switching element 262b-3. Further, the switching element 262b-3 is controlled to provide isolation by connecting antenna 236b-3 to RLC 248b-2.

[0038] In the third mode (corresponding to the third mode of FIG. 5), the switching element 262b-1 is controlled to connect network interface 232b-1 to the antenna 236b-2 via the switching element 262b-2. Further, the switching element 262b-4 is controlled to connect network interface 232b-2 to the antenna 236b-3 via the switching element 262b-3. Likewise, the switching element 262b-2 is controlled to disengage the RLC 248b-1 and the switching element 262b-3 is controlled to disengage the RLC 248b-2. It will now be understood that other ways of implementing the switch 244 or the switch 244b are contemplated. More generally, it will be appreciated that there is more than one way of effecting the antenna isolation in the various modes.

[0039] In view of the above it should be apparent that variants are contemplated. For example, additional antennas and wireless network interfaces can be provided, and that improved communications over each network interface can be achieved by selecting subsets of antennas and isolating one of the antennas from the other antennas to provide faster or more reliable or otherwise improved communications. Furthermore, while the third mode shows no antenna isolation, in different configurations of antenna arrays, such isolation my be possible.

[0040] It should be recognized that features and aspects of the various examples provided above can be combined into further examples that also fall within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the Figures are not to scale and may have size and shape exaggerated for illustrative purposes.

Claims

1 . A switching apparatus for a wireless system comprising: a switch to connect a first wireless subsystem and a second wireless subsystem to different combinations of a common set of antennas; a controller to place the switch in a first mode or a second mode; the first mode to activate the first wireless subsystem where the first wireless subsystem is connected to a first subset of the antennas that isolates one of the antennas from the other antennas; and, the second mode to activate the second wireless subsystem where the second wireless subsystem is connected to a second subset of the antennas that isolates another one of the antennas from the other antennas.

2. The switching apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a third mode that connects the first wireless subsystem and the second wireless subsystem to the set of antennas.

3. The switching apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an additional wireless subsystem sharing the common set of antennas and the controller further to place the switch into an additional mode; the additional mode to activate the third wireless subsystem where the third wireless subsystem is connected to another subset of the antennas that isolates another one of the antennas from the other antennas.

4. The switching apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first mode only activates the first wireless subsystem or the second mode only activates the second wireless subsystem. The switching apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wireless subsystem is based on a wireless local area network (WLAN). The switching apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first subset of antennas has two antennas. The switching apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wireless subsystem is based on a wireless wide area network (WWAN). The switching apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first subset of antennas has four antennas. An antenna array comprising: antennas arranged on a substrate; a first subset of the antennas to connect to a first wireless subsystem via a switching apparatus; a second subset of the antennas to connect to a second wireless subsystem via the switching apparatus; the switch connected to a controller; the controller to place the switching apparatus in a first mode or a second mode; the first mode to connect the first subset to the first wireless subsystem while isolating one of the antennas from the other antennas in the first subset; and, the second mode to connect the second subset to the second wireless subsystem while isolating one of the antennas from the other antennas in the second subset. The antenna array of claim 9 wherein there are six antennas. The antenna array of claim 9 wherein the first wireless subsystem is based on WLAN and the second wireless subsystem is based on WWAN. The antenna array of claim 11 wherein the first wireless subsystem has two antennas and the second wireless subsystem has four antennas. The antenna array of claim 9 wherein the first wireless subsystem connects directly to a first one of the antennas and connects indirectly to a second one of the antennas via the switching apparatus; and wherein according to the second mode, the second one of the antennas is disconnected from the subsystems to provide isolation. The antenna array of claim 9 wherein the second wireless subsystem connects directly to a first one of the antennas and connects indirectly to the second one of the antennas via the switching apparatus; and wherein according to the first mode, the first one of the antennas is disconnected from the subsystems to provide isolation. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: receive a request to activate a first wireless subsystem or to activate a second wireless subsystem; respond to the request to activate the first wireless subsystem and instruct a controller to place a switching apparatus in a first mode; respond to the request to activate the second wireless subsystem and instruct the controller to place the switching apparatus in a second mode; the first mode to connect to a first subset of a set of antennas to the first wireless subsystem while isolating one of the antennas from the other antennas; and, the second mode to connect to a second subset of the set of antennas to the second wireless subsystem while isolating another one of the antennas from the other antennas. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15 further comprising instructions to: receive a request to activate the first wireless subsystem and the second wireless subsystem; respond to the request to activate the first wireless subsystem to instruct a controller to place a switching apparatus in a third mode; and the third mode to connect the first wireless subsystem and the second wireless subsystem to the antennas. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15 wherein the switching apparatus comprises a first switching element and a second switching element that cooperate to provide the connections corresponding to each mode. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17 wherein the first switching element is disconnects one of the antennas from the first wireless subsystem in the second mode to provide isolation; and the second switching element disconnects another one of the antennas from the second wireless subsystem in the first mode to provide isolation. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15 wherein the first wireless subsystem is based on WLAN and the second wireless subsystem is based on WWAN. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 19 wherein the first wireless subsystem has two antennas of the set of antennas and the second wireless subsystem has four antennas of the set of antennas.