Abstract: An antenna-filter array module and method of manufacturing an antenna-filter array module are provided. One method of manufacturing includes bonding a low temperature co-fired ceramic, LTCC, tile having a plurality of antennas and corresponding filters to a first side of the module PCB via a first set of solder balls, a coefficient of thermal expansion, CTE, of the module PCB being within a predetermined amount of a CTE of the radio PCB. The method further includes cutting the LTCC tile into a plurality of reliability units after the bonding, each reliability unit having a size that is less than a predetermined largest reliable size.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an integrated antenna and filter unit, IAFU, is provided. The IAFU includes a filter portion including at least one filter configured to filter RF signals to generate filtered RF signals and a plurality of filter pins configured to output filtered RF signals, and an antenna portion securable to the filter portion where the antenna portion includes a PCB including a plurality of conductor traces each mateable with a corresponding one of the plurality of filter pins to electrically couple the plurality of filter pins directly to corresponding ones of the plurality of conductor traces on the PCB, and a plurality of antennas securable to the PCB where the plurality of antennas are electrically coupled to the plurality of conductor traces.

Abstract: An antenna-filter array module and method of manufacturing an antenna-filter array module are provided. One method of manufacturing includes bonding a low temperature co-fired ceramic, LTCC, tile having a plurality of antennas and corresponding filters to a first side of the module PCB via a first set of solder balls, a coefficient of thermal expansion, CTE, of the module PCB being within a predetermined amount of a CTE of the radio PCB. The method further includes cutting the LTCC tile into a plurality of reliability units after the bonding, each reliability unit having a size that is less than a predetermined largest reliable size.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an integrated antenna and filter unit, IAFU, is provided. The IAFU includes a filter portion including at least one filter configured to filter RF signals to generate filtered RF signals and a plurality of filter pins configured to output filtered RF signals, and an antenna portion securable to the filter portion where the antenna portion includes a PCB including a plurality of conductor traces each mateable with a corresponding one of the plurality of filter pins to electrically couple the plurality of filter pins directly to corresponding ones of the plurality of conductor traces on the PCB, and a plurality of antennas securable to the PCB where the plurality of antennas are electrically coupled to the plurality of conductor traces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generation of orthogonal training signals for transmission in an antenna array are described. In this embodiment, a set of P training signals is generated. The generation of the P training signals includes generating a first set of Zadoff-Chu sequences, where the first set of sequences is based on a first reference Zadoff-Chu sequence and first subsequent Zadoff-Chu sequences, where each one of the first subsequent Zadoff-Chu sequences is a cyclic shift of the first reference Zadoff-Chu sequence. A second set of sequences is generated based on a second reference sequence and second subsequent sequences that are cyclic shift of the second reference sequence. The P training signals are determined based on the first set of sequences and the second set of sequences. The training signals are then transmitted through a plurality of transmit paths of a base station towards a wireless network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for advanced antenna system subarray splitter having advanced upper sidelobe suppression. An antenna system includes a plurality of antenna subarrays. Each of the plurality of antenna subarrays having a subarray input; and at least one subarray splitter in communication with the subarray input. Each of the at least one subarray splitter splits a subarray into a plurality of branches, at least one of the branches including a phase taper function and an amplitude taper function. For each of the plurality of antenna subarrays, the phase taper function and the amplitude taper function includes a plurality of fixed phase values and a plurality of fixed amplitude values, respectively, that are configured to not exceed a predetermined sidelobe suppression target for a plurality of electrical tilt angles across a predetermined angular range for the antenna subarray of the plurality of antenna subarrays.

Abstract: Embodiments of an antenna module include first and second radiator elements separated by a gap, and a dielectric body configured to support the first and second radiator elements. The dielectric body includes at least one wall defining a cavity that encompasses a region of high electromagnetic field strength between the first and second radiator elements during operation of the antenna radiator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generation of orthogonal training signals for transmission in an antenna array are described. In this embodiment, a set of P training signals is generated. The generation of the P training signals includes generating a first set of Zadoff-Chu sequences, where the first set of sequences is based on a first reference Zadoff-Chu sequence and first subsequent Zadoff-Chu sequences, where each one of the first subsequent Zadoff-Chu sequences is a cyclic shift of the first reference Zadoff-Chu sequence. A second set of sequences is generated based on a second reference sequence and second subsequent sequences that are cyclic shift of the second reference sequence. The P training signals are determined based on the first set of sequences and the second set of sequences. The training signals are then transmitted through a plurality of transmit paths of a base station towards a wireless network.

Abstract: A method and antenna system for achieving remote electrical tilt by a hybrid use of analog and digital phase shifting are disclosed. According to one aspect, a hybrid remote electrical tilt (HRET) antenna system includes a digital beamformer configured to apply a first set of at least one phase shift to each antenna subarray of at least one group of at least one antenna subarray. The at least one phase shift is determined to suppress sidelobes when a beam is steered to an elevation by the digital beamformer. The HRET antenna system also includes at least one analog phase shifter configured to apply a second set of at least one phase shift to at least one antenna subarray of each group of at least one antenna subarray so that a combined phase shift applied to each antenna element steers the beam to the elevation while suppressing the sidelobes.

Abstract: A low passive intermodulation (PIM) coaxial-to-printed circuit board (PCB) interface and method of constructing the same. According to one aspect, a coaxial-to-PCB interface couples signals between an electrical conductor trace in the PCB and an inner conductor of a coaxial structure having an insulator surrounded by an outer conductor. A metallic cylinder is inserted over the outer conductor of the coaxial structure and positioning the coaxial structure with respect to the PCB so that the outer conductor and insulator of the coaxial structure lie below a lower surface of the PCB. The inner conductor of the coaxial structure is inserted into a via extending from the lower surface of the PCB to an upper surface of the PCB. Solder is deposited in the via to provide an electrically conductive path between the electrical conductor trace of the PCB and the inner conductor of the coaxial structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for calibrating an antenna array in a receiver. A training signal for calibrating the antenna array is injected into a data signal received on each receive path to generate combined signals on each receive path. The combined signals are equalized by respective equalizers. The coefficients of the equalizers are determined by comparing a feedback signal for each receive path with the equalized signal to estimate the impairment on each received path. The estimated impairment on each receive path is used to adapt the equalize coefficients for a respective equalizer to compensate for the impairment. After equalization, an estimate of the observed training signal on each receive path is subtracted from the equalized signal for the same receive path to generate estimates of the received data signals for demodulation and decoding.

Abstract: An antenna-filter array module and method of manufacturing an antenna-filter array module are provided. One method of manufacturing includes bonding a low temperature co-fired ceramic, LTCC, tile having a plurality of antennas and corresponding filters to a first side of the module PCB via a first set of solder balls, a coefficient of thermal expansion, CTE, of the module PCB being within a predetermined amount of a CTE of the radio PCB. The method further includes cutting the LTCC tile into a plurality of reliability units after the bonding, each reliability unit having a size that is less than a predetermined largest reliable size.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an integrated antenna and filter unit, IAFU, is provided. The IAFU includes a filter portion including at least one filter configured to filter RF signals to generate filtered RF signals and a plurality of filter pins configured to output filtered RF signals, and an antenna portion securable to the filter portion where the antenna portion includes a PCB including a plurality of conductor traces each mateable with a corresponding one of the plurality of filter pins to electrically couple the plurality of filter pins directly to corresponding ones of the plurality of conductor traces on the PCB, and a plurality of antennas securable to the PCB where the plurality of antennas are electrically coupled to the plurality of conductor traces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generation of orthogonal training signals for transmission in an antenna array are described. In this embodiment, a set of P training signals is generated. The generation of the P training signals includes generating a first set of Zadoff-Chu sequences, where the first set of sequences is based on a first reference Zadoff-Chu sequence and first subsequent Zadoff-Chu sequences, where each one of the first subsequent Zadoff-Chu sequences is a cyclic shift of the first reference Zadoff-Chu sequence. A second set of sequences is generated based on a second reference sequence and second subsequent sequences that are cyclic shift of the second reference sequence. The P training signals are determined based on the first set of sequences and the second set of sequences. The training signals are then transmitted through a plurality of transmit paths of a base station towards a wireless network.

Abstract: An antenna, an antenna structure and antenna element are disclosed. The antenna includes a radiator structure having four radiators, each located within a different quadrant of a plane. Diagonally opposite radiators form a pair. A first ground strip connects a first radiator of a first pair of the set to a ground conductor. A first signal strip connects a second radiator of the first pair to a first terminal. The first ground strip and the first signal strip are orientable to form a balanced transmission line. A second ground strip connects a first radiator of a second pair of the set to a ground conductor and a second signal strip is connects a second radiator of the second pair to a second terminal. The second ground strip and the second signal strip are orientable to form a balanced transmission line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generation of orthogonal training signals for transmission in an antenna array are described. In this embodiment, a set of P training signals is generated. The generation of the P training signals includes generating a first set of Zadoff-Chu sequences, where the first set of sequences is based on a first reference Zadoff-Chu sequence and (P?1) first subsequent Zadoff-Chu sequences, where each one of the first subsequent Zadoff-Chu sequences is a cyclic shift of the first reference Zadoff-Chu sequence. A second set of sequences is generated based on a second reference Zadoff-Chu sequence and (P?1) second subsequent sequences that are cyclic shift of the second reference sequence. The P training signals are determined based on the first set of sequences and the second set of sequences. The training signals are then transmitted through a plurality of transmit paths of a base station towards a wireless network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generation of orthogonal training signals for transmission in an antenna array are described. In this embodiment, a set of P training signals is generated. The generation of the P training signals includes generating a first set of Zadoff-Chu sequences, where the first set of sequences is based on a first reference Zadoff-Chu sequence and (P?1) first subsequent Zadoff-Chu sequences, where each one of the first subsequent Zadoff-Chu sequences is a cyclic shift of the first reference Zadoff-Chu sequence. A second set of sequences is generated based on a second reference Zadoff-Chu sequence and (P?1) second subsequent sequences that are cyclic shift of the second reference sequence. The P training signals are determined based on the first set of sequences and the second set of sequences. The training signals are then transmitted through a plurality of transmit paths of a base station towards a wireless network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for calibrating an antenna array in a receiver. A training signal for calibrating the antenna array is injected into a data signal received on each receive path to generate combined signals on each receive path. The combined signals are equalized by respective equalizers. The coefficients of the equalizers are determined by comparing a feedback signal for each receive path with the equalized signal to estimate the impairment on each received path. The estimated impairment on each receive path is used to adapt the equalize coefficients for a respective equalizer to compensate for the impairment. After equalization, an estimate of the observed training signal on each receive path is subtracted from the equalized signal for the same receive path to generate estimates of the received data signals for demodulation and decoding.