Abstract: In some embodiments, an antenna module includes an antenna element having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side comprising a radiating side of the antenna element and a support structure disposed at the second side of the antenna element and configured to define a cavity, the support structure including a portion configured to reduce signal leakage between the antenna element and the cavity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first layer having a first plurality of electrically conductive traces comprising a first portion of a plurality of hierarchical networks; a second layer having a second plurality of electrically conductive traces comprising a second portion of the plurality of hierarchical networks; and a plurality of vias electrically connecting the first plurality of electrically conductive traces of the first layer to the respective second plurality of electrically conductive traces of the second layer to define the plurality of hierarchical networks. The first plurality of electrically conductive traces is orientated in a first direction and the second plurality of electrically conductive traces is orientated in a second direction different from the first direction.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to an antenna calibration method for a beam steering radar. A first set of input voltages is determined for a plurality of phase shifters coupled to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array in the beam steering radar, the voltages to control phases of signals for transmission by the antenna array. A first set of input voltages is applied to the antenna array. Radiating signals resulting from the first set of input voltages are measured. Voltage and phase values for the plurality of phase shifters are iteratively optimized to determine voltage and phase value pairs that result in a desired gain for the antenna array. The voltage and phase value pairs are stored in a look-up-table in the beam steering radar.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an antenna module includes an antenna element having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side comprising a radiating side of the antenna element and a support structure disposed at the second side of the antenna element and configured to define a cavity, the support structure including a portion configured to reduce signal leakage between the antenna element and the cavity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a plurality of first conductive traces oriented in a first direction in a first layer and plurality of second conductive traces oriented in a second direction in a second layer coupled by vias to define first hierarchical networks. A plurality of third conductive traces oriented in the first direction in a third layer and a plurality of fourth conductive traces oriented in the second direction in a fourth layer are coupled by vias to define second hierarchical networks. Open ends of the first or second traces at a last stage of the first hierarchical networks comprise first ends and open ends of the third or fourth traces at a last stage of the second hierarchical networks comprise second ends. A first end and a corresponding second end are non-collinear to each other and perpendicular to a major plane of the first layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a phased array antenna, includes a plurality of antenna modules arranged in an antenna lattice configuration to form the phased array antenna, wherein an antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules includes an antenna element packaged together with an amplifier.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a phased array antenna calibration system. The system includes a radio frequency (RF) probe configured to transmit and receive an RF signal, a probe layer coupled to the RF probe via a transmission line layer and configured to transmit or receive the RF signal with the RF probe. In some aspects, the probe layer comprising a plurality of probe elements arranged in an array that corresponds to an arrangement of radiating elements in an antenna-under-test (AUT). The system also includes a foam layer coupled to the probe layer and configured to isolate the AUT from the probe layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a plurality of first conductive traces oriented in a first direction in a first layer and plurality of second conductive traces oriented in a second direction in a second layer coupled by vias to define first hierarchical networks. A plurality of third conductive traces oriented in the first direction in a third layer and a plurality of fourth conductive traces oriented in the second direction in a fourth layer are coupled by vias to define second hierarchical networks. Open ends of the first or second traces at a last stage of the first hierarchical networks comprise first ends and open ends of the third or fourth traces at a last stage of the second hierarchical networks comprise second ends. A first end and a corresponding second end are non-collinear to each other and perpendicular to a major plane of the first layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an antenna module includes an antenna element having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side comprising a radiating side of the antenna element and a support structure disposed at the second side of the antenna element and configured to define a cavity, the support structure including a portion configured to reduce signal leakage between the antenna element and the cavity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a phased array antenna, includes a plurality of antenna modules arranged in an antenna lattice configuration to form the phased array antenna, wherein an antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules includes an antenna element packaged together with an amplifier.

Abstract: In embodiments, an apparatus includes a beamformer including a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, a plurality of input vias, and a plurality of output vias. Each input of the plurality of inputs electrically couples to a respective input via of the plurality of input vias. Each output of the plurality of outputs electrically couples to a respective output via of the plurality of output vias. The beamformer is included in a first layer, wherein the plurality of input vias are configured to electrically couple to termination trace ends of a plurality of hierarchical networks provided on at least second and third layers, and wherein the plurality of hierarchical networks comprises at least three hierarchical networks.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first layer having a first plurality of electrically conductive traces comprising a first portion of a plurality of hierarchical networks; a second layer having a second plurality of electrically conductive traces comprising a second portion of the plurality of hierarchical networks; and a plurality of vias electrically connecting the first plurality of electrically conductive traces of the first layer to the respective second plurality of electrically conductive traces of the second layer to define the plurality of hierarchical networks. The first plurality of electrically conductive traces is orientated in a first direction and the second plurality of electrically conductive traces is orientated in a second direction different from the first direction.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an antenna module includes an antenna element having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a spacer structure disposed at the second side of the antenna element and configured to define a cavity, the spacer structure configured to be physically and electrically couplable with a printed circuit board (PCB) of a receiver or a transmitter; and an amplifier located within the cavity. The first side comprises a radiating side of the antenna element.

Abstract: In embodiments, a power splitter/combiner includes a first electrically conductive trace included in a first layer; second and third electrically conductive traces included in a second layer; a first via electrically coupled to the first and second electrically conductive traces; and a second via electrically coupled to the first and third electrically conductive traces. A first portion of the first electrically conductive trace comprises a first port of the power splitter/combiner. A second portion of the first electrically conductive trace, the first via, and the second electrically conductive trace comprises a second port of the power splitter/combiner. A third portion of the first electrically conductive trace, the second via, and the third electrically conductive trace comprises a third port of the power splitter/combiner.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a stripline feed distribution network with embedded resistor for use in millimeter-wave applications. The feed distribution network includes a plurality of ground planes and a signal plane coupled to the plurality of ground planes. The signal plane is configured to serve as a feed to an antenna array with signaling operating at a millimeter-wave frequency bands. The signal plane includes an input transmission line and a plurality of output transmission lines coupled to the input transmission line. The feed distribution network also includes a resistor plane interposed between the signal plane and at least one ground plane of the plurality of ground planes. The resistor plane is configured to isolate the signal plane from the antenna array, and to match a characteristic impedance between the input transmission line and the plurality of output transmission lines.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to an antenna calibration method for a beam steering radar. A first set of input voltages is determined for a plurality of phase shifters coupled to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array in the beam steering radar, the voltages to control phases of signals for transmission by the antenna array. A first set of input voltages is applied to the antenna array. Radiating signals resulting from the first set of input voltages are measured. Voltage and phase values for the plurality of phase shifters are iteratively optimized to determine voltage and phase value pairs that result in a desired gain for the antenna array. The voltage and phase value pairs are stored in a look-up-table in the beam steering radar.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an antenna module includes an antenna element having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a spacer structure disposed at the second side of the antenna element and configured to define a cavity, the spacer structure configured to be physically and electrically couplable with a printed circuit board (PCB) of a receiver or a transmitter; and an amplifier located within the cavity. The first side comprises a radiating side of the antenna element.

Abstract: In embodiments, a power splitter/combiner includes a first electrically conductive trace included in a first layer; second and third electrically conductive traces included in a second layer; a first via electrically coupled to the first and second electrically conductive traces; and a second via electrically coupled to the first and third electrically conductive traces. A first portion of the first electrically conductive trace comprises a first port of the power splitter/combiner. A second portion of the first electrically conductive trace, the first via, and the second electrically conductive trace comprises a second port of the power splitter/combiner. A third portion of the first electrically conductive trace, the second via, and the third electrically conductive trace comprises a third port of the power splitter/combiner.

Abstract: In embodiments, an apparatus includes a beamformer including a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, a plurality of input vias, and a plurality of output vias. Each input of the plurality of inputs electrically couples to a respective input via of the plurality of input vias. Each output of the plurality of outputs electrically couples to a respective output via of the plurality of output vias. The beamformer is included in a first layer, wherein the plurality of input vias are configured to electrically couple to termination trace ends of a plurality of hierarchical networks provided on at least second and third layers, and wherein the plurality of hierarchical networks comprises at least three hierarchical networks.