Abstract: Example embodiments described herein relate to a modular telematics control unit (TCU) with directional Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and techniques for using the modular TCU with directional BLE. A modular TCU may include a housing configured to couple to a vehicle and a set of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radios. Each BLE radio is coupled to a corresponding BLE antenna configured for omnidirectional operation. The set of BLE radios and BLE antennas are located within the housing. The modular TCU also includes a heat sink located within the housing and positioned proximate the BLE antennas such that the heat sink limits operation for each BLE antenna to a particular direction extending away from the housing. In some instances, a vehicle computing system may use BLE to detect a device and perform operations based on the location of the device relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: Example embodiments described herein relate to enhancing vehicle connectivity using a modular telematics control unit (TCU) that includes antennas, radios, and other components positioned internally within a housing configured to couple to a vehicle. The TCU may include a first cellular radio configured to establish a wireless connection with a first cellular network using a first cellular transmission antenna and a first cellular reception antenna and a second cellular radio configured to establish a wireless connection with a second cellular network using a second cellular transmission antenna and a second cellular reception antenna. The TCU also includes a Wi-Fi radio coupled to a set of antennas and configured to provide a Wi-Fi network for passenger devices located inside the vehicle when the housing is coupled to the vehicle and one or more Bluetooth low energy (BLE) radios coupled to an antenna.

Abstract: Example embodiments described herein relate to a modular telematics control unit (TCU) with directional Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and techniques for using the modular TCU with directional BLE. A modular TCU may include a housing configured to couple to a vehicle and a set of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radios. Each BLE radio is coupled to a corresponding BLE antenna configured for omnidirectional operation. The set of BLE radios and BLE antennas are located within the housing. The modular TCU also includes a heat sink located within the housing and positioned proximate the BLE antennas such that the heat sink limits operation for each BLE antenna to a particular direction extending away from the housing. In some instances, a vehicle computing system may use BLE to detect a device and perform operations based on the location of the device relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: Example embodiments described herein relate to enhancing vehicle connectivity using a modular telematics control unit (TCU) that includes antennas, radios, and other components positioned internally within a housing configured to couple to a vehicle. The TCU may include a first cellular radio configured to establish a wireless connection with a first cellular network using a first cellular transmission antenna and a first cellular reception antenna and a second cellular radio configured to establish a wireless connection with a second cellular network using a second cellular transmission antenna and a second cellular reception antenna. The TCU also includes a Wi-Fi radio coupled to a set of antennas and configured to provide a Wi-Fi network for passenger devices located inside the vehicle when the housing is coupled to the vehicle and one or more Bluetooth low energy (BLE) radios coupled to an antenna.

Abstract: Example embodiments described herein involve a system including a high throughput signal transmitter adjacent to a charging port of an autonomous vehicle configured to transmit information to a high throughput signal receiver. The high throughput signal receiver may be positioned on an electrical charging apparatus. Further, the high throughput signal transmitter and the high throughput signal receiver may be in point to point communication. Finally, the high throughput signal transmitter and the high throughput signal receiver may be separated by a distance up to and including 1.5 meters.

Abstract: Example embodiments described herein relate to a modular telematics control unit (TCU) with directional Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and techniques for using the modular TCU with directional BLE. A modular TCU may include a housing configured to couple to a vehicle and a set of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radios. Each BLE radio is coupled to a corresponding BLE antenna configured for omnidirectional operation. The set of BLE radios and BLE antennas are located within the housing. The modular TCU also includes a heat sink located within the housing and positioned proximate the BLE antennas such that the heat sink limits operation for each BLE antenna to a particular direction extending away from the housing. In some instances, a vehicle computing system may use BLE to detect a device and perform operations based on the location of the device relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antenna arrangements. In particular, an arrangement can include at least three antennas. A first and second of the antennas can be positioned such that signals they emit cancel each other out at a physical space comprising a third of the antennas. Additionally or alternatively, an arrangement can include at least two antennas. A first of the antennas can comprise at least two signal-emitting portions positioned such that signals they emit cancel each other out at a physical space comprising a second of the antennas.

Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of a femtocell includes receiving, at data processing hardware of the femtocell, temperature measurements from a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of at least one of the data processing hardware or a power amplifier of the femtocell. The method further includes determining, by the data processing hardware, whether the femtocell is operating above a threshold temperature based on the temperature measurements. When the femtocell is operating above the threshold temperature, the method includes modifying, by the data processing hardware, a power consumption characteristic of the femtocell that results in a power consumption reduction of at least one of the data processing hardware or the power amplifier.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antenna arrangements. In particular, an arrangement can include at least three antennas. A first and second of the antennas can be positioned such that signals they emit cancel each other out at a physical space comprising a third of the antennas. Additionally or alternatively, an arrangement can include at least two antennas. A first of the antennas can comprise at least two signal-emitting portions positioned such that signals they emit cancel each other out at a physical space comprising a second of the antennas.

Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of a femtocell includes receiving, at data processing hardware of the femtocell, temperature measurements from a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of at least one of the data processing hardware or a power amplifier of the femtocell. The method further includes determining, by the data processing hardware, whether the femtocell is operating above a threshold temperature based on the temperature measurements. When the femtocell is operating above the threshold temperature, the method includes modifying, by the data processing hardware, a power consumption characteristic of the femtocell that results in a power consumption reduction of at least one of the data processing hardware or the power amplifier.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to an array antenna comprising a plurality of RF sections of equal length serially linkable to a central RF feed point in different spatial configurations. One arrangement has the RF sections in the form of a circular wheel/spoke, with switching elements (e.g., PIN diodes) located at junctions between RF sections. In operation, the switching elements create open/short circuits at select locations so that the antennas are connected serially in different orders. The center antenna is coupled to the input of the RF transceiver for sending and receiving signals. However, because the antenna array is switchable, different antennas in different physical locations around the center antenna may be configured as the terminal antenna. The path from different terminal antennas to the center antenna can be changed to optimize signal reception and throughput.

Abstract: A modular device includes a first printed circuit board and a wireless transceiver (e.g., a radio). Electrical connectors (e.g., pads) are located along multiple edges of the first printed circuit board. The electrical connectors are in locations that correspond to a land pattern on a second printed circuit board. Along one edge of the first printed circuit board, the electrical connectors also correspond to electrical connections in a socket. For certification testing, for example, the device can be plugged into a socket. For installation in a host device, the device can be soldered down to the second printed circuit board.