Abstract: Beamforming communication systems with modular front-ends are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a beamforming communication system includes an antenna array partitioned into a plurality of sub-arrays, and a plurality of front-end modules each operatively associated with one of the sub-arrays. Each of the front-end modules includes at least two radio frequency (RF) transmit channels and at least two RF receive channels. Thus, the signals transmitted and received on the antenna array are processed using a multiple front-end modules servicing sub-arrays.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electrically adjustable antenna stencils for controlling antenna pattern for beamforming are provided. In certain embodiments, a mobile device includes a front-end system including a plurality of radio frequency signal conditioning circuits, an antenna array including a plurality of electrically-adjustable stencils each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of radio frequency signal conditioning circuits, and a control circuit configured to control the plurality of electrically-adjustable stencils to control an antenna pattern of the antenna array.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for antenna arrays for beamforming are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a mobile device includes a front-end system including a plurality of radio frequency signal conditioning circuits, an antenna array including a plurality of controllable antennas each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of radio frequency signal conditioning circuits, and a control circuit. The plurality of controllable antennas include a first controllable antenna including a plurality of antenna elements interconnected by a plurality of material regions. Additionally, the control circuit is configured to control the plurality of material regions to control an antenna characteristic of the first controllable antenna.

Abstract: Antenna systems with tunable frequency response circuits are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an antenna system includes an antenna element and a tuning conductor that is spaced apart from the antenna element and operable to load the antenna element. Thus, the tuning conductor is electromagnetically coupled to the antenna element, for instance, capacitively coupled to the antenna element. Furthermore, a tunable frequency response circuit is electrically connected to the tuning conductor. By implementing the antenna system in this manner, antenna characteristics of the antenna element can be controlled.

Abstract: Beamforming communication systems with high linearity are provided. In certain embodiments, a method of beamforming includes generating a transmit signal using a baseband processor, providing digital pre-distortion to the transmit signal, generating a radio frequency input signal based on the transmit signal using a transceiver, processing the radio frequency input signal to generate a plurality of radio frequency output signals using a plurality of transmit signal paths of a front end system, providing analog pre-distortion to at least one of the plurality of transmit signal paths using the front end system, and radiating a transmit beam in response to receiving the plurality of radio frequency output signals using an antenna array.

Abstract: Reconfigurable antenna systems integrated with a metal case are provided herein. In certain embodiments, user equipment (UE) for a cellular network includes a metal case and an antenna system for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals. The antenna system includes a tuning conductor formed in the metal case, a patch antenna element that is spaced apart from the tuning conductor, and a switch electrically connected in series between the tuning conductor and a ground voltage. The switch electrically connects the tuning conductor to the ground voltage in an on state and electrically disconnects the tuning conductor from the ground voltage in an off state.

Abstract: Reconfigurable antenna systems integrated with a metal case are provided herein. In certain embodiments, user equipment (UE) for a cellular network includes a metal case and an antenna system for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals. The antenna system includes a tuning conductor formed in the metal case, a patch antenna element that is spaced apart from the tuning conductor, and a switch electrically connected in series between the tuning conductor and a ground voltage. The switch electrically connects the tuning conductor to the ground voltage in an on state and electrically disconnects the tuning conductor from the ground voltage in an off state.

Abstract: Crossbar switches for coarse phase shifting are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a mobile device includes an antenna array including a plurality of antennas. The mobile device further includes a front end system coupled to the antenna array and including a plurality of signal conditioning circuits each including a phase shifter. The plurality of signal conditioning circuits each provide phase shifting to a respective one of a plurality of radio frequency signals based on a fine control signal. The front end system further includes a crossbar switch coupled to the plurality of signal conditioning circuits and configured to provide phase shifting to the plurality of radio frequency signals based on a coarse control signal.

Abstract: An end-fire antenna for wideband low form factor applications includes a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and a dielectric layer disposed between the first and second metal layers. An open cavity formed in the dielectric layer that is filled with air, the cavity defined by a pair of sidewalls that extend from an aperture of the cavity to a rear wall of the cavity, where the depth of the aperture is defined between the aperture and the rear wall. The cavity is formed by selecting the width of the aperture of the cavity and the depth of the cavity such that the antenna achieves the same gain during operation irrespective of a variation in the thickness of the antenna.

Abstract: Solder bumps are placed in direct contact with the silicon substrate of an amplifier integrated circuit having a flip chip configuration. A plurality of amplifier transistor arrays generate waste heat that promotes thermal run away of the amplifier if not directed out of the integrated circuit. The waste heat flows through the thermally conductive silicon substrate and out the solder bump to a heat-sinking plane of an interposer connected to the amplifier integrated circuit via the solder bumps.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for beamforming communication systems with power control based on antenna pattern configuration are provided. In certain embodiments, a beamforming communication system includes an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements. The beamforming communication system further includes a plurality of signal conditioning circuits operatively associated with the antenna elements, and an antenna array management circuit that generates a plurality of control signals that individually control the signal conditioning circuits. The antenna array management circuit achieves a desired level of power control based on generating the control signals to select an antenna pattern configuration associated with a desired power control level.

Abstract: Solder bumps are placed in direct contact with the silicon substrate of an amplifier integrated circuit having a flip chip configuration. A plurality of amplifier transistor arrays generate waste heat that promotes thermal run away of the amplifier if not directed out of the integrated circuit. The waste heat flows through the thermally conductive silicon substrate and out the solder bump to a heat-sinking plane of an interposer connected to the amplifier integrated circuit via the solder bumps.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electrically adjustable antenna stencils for controlling antenna pattern for beamforming are provided. In certain embodiments, a mobile device includes a front-end system including a plurality of radio frequency signal conditioning circuits, an antenna array including a plurality of electrically-adjustable stencils each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of radio frequency signal conditioning circuits, and a control circuit configured to control the plurality of electrically-adjustable stencils to control an antenna pattern of the antenna array.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for antenna arrays for beamforming are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a mobile device includes a front-end system including a plurality of radio frequency signal conditioning circuits, an antenna array including a plurality of controllable antennas each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of radio frequency signal conditioning circuits, and a control circuit. The plurality of controllable antennas include a first controllable antenna including a plurality of antenna elements interconnected by a plurality of variable resistors. Additionally, the control circuit is configured to control the plurality of variable resistors to control an antenna characteristic of the first controllable antenna.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for antenna arrays for beamforming are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a mobile device includes a front-end system including a plurality of radio frequency signal conditioning circuits, an antenna array including a plurality of controllable antennas each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of radio frequency signal conditioning circuits, and a control circuit. The plurality of controllable antennas include a first controllable antenna including a plurality of antenna elements interconnected by a plurality of material regions. Additionally, the control circuit is configured to control the plurality of material regions to control an antenna characteristic of the first controllable antenna.

Abstract: A film bulk acoustic wave resonator comprising a piezoelectric film having a central region defining a main active domain in which a main acoustic wave is generated during operation, an upper electrode disposed on a top surface of the piezoelectric film, a lower electrode disposed on a lower surface of the piezoelectric film, a dielectric material layer disposed on a lower surface of the lower electrode, and lower recessed frame regions disposed laterally on opposite sides of the central region, the lower recessed frame regions defined by regions of one of the dielectric material or of the lower electrode having a lesser thickness than the thickness of the one of the dielectric material layer or of the lower electrode in the central region.

Abstract: Reprogrammable antenna arrays for frequency adjustment are provided. In certain embodiments, a mobile device includes a front-end system including a plurality of radio frequency signal conditioning circuits, an antenna array including a plurality of selectable antenna elements, and a control circuit configured to provide a frequency adjustment to the antenna array by selecting a combination of the plurality of selectable antenna elements to connect to the plurality of radio frequency signal conditioning circuits.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dynamic management of antenna arrays are provided herein. In certain configurations, a radio frequency (RF) system includes an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements. The RF system further includes a plurality of signal conditioning circuits operatively associated with the antenna elements, and an antenna array management circuit that generates a plurality of enable signals that individually control activation of the signal conditioning circuits to dynamically manage the antenna array. The array of antenna elements can be dynamically managed to control a trade-off between power consumption, off-beam capture, and communication range/rate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for beamforming communication systems with power control based on antenna pattern configuration are provided. In certain embodiments, a beamforming communication system includes an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements. The beamforming communication system further includes a plurality of signal conditioning circuits operatively associated with the antenna elements, and an antenna array management circuit that generates a plurality of control signals that individually control the signal conditioning circuits. The antenna array management circuit achieves a desired level of power control based on generating the control signals to select an antenna pattern configuration associated with a desired power control level.

Abstract: Beamforming communication systems with crossbar switches are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a beamforming communication system includes an antenna array partitioned into a plurality of sub-arrays, a plurality of front-end channels each operatively associated with one of the sub-arrays, a plurality of data conversion channels, and a crossbar switch electrically connected between the data conversion channels and the front-end channels. Including the crossbar switch allows for a flexible allocation of the data conversion channels to the front-end channels and subsequently to each individual antenna element in the array.