Abstract: This document describes a multi-function module for mmWave communication and user input using mechanical switches in an electronic device. The multi-function module may be located behind a non-conductive button (e.g., volume button, power button) of the electronic device. Further, the multi-function module includes an elongated antenna substrate with mechanical switches mounted thereon and distributed along a longitudinal length of the antenna substrate. At least one of the mechanical switches is implemented as a radiating element for a mmWave patch antenna. The multi-function module also includes one or more integrated circuit components mounted to the antenna substrate and configured to use the at least one mechanical switch as the radiating element for the mmWave patch antenna to provide the mmWave communication. In this way, the multi-function module enables the mechanical switches to coexist with the mmWave patch antennas.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses are described that implement a metal structure for steering and broadening millimeter-wave (mmWave) antenna coverage. A user device includes at least one mmWave antenna that produces a near-field radiation region and a far-field radiation pattern. Disposed within the near-field radiation region is the metal structure comprising one or more metal pieces. The metal pieces are able to reflect energy associated with the far-field radiation pattern or produce another far-field radiation pattern based on currents induced in the metal pieces by the near-field radiation region in such a way that the far-field radiation pattern from the mmWave antenna is positively affected (e.g., steered and/or broadened). In this way, the far-field radiation pattern can be effectively steered and/or broadened with a simple cost and space-effective design.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses are described that implement collocated mm Wave and sub-6 GHz antennas. An apparatus includes at least one mmWave antenna that produces a near-field radiation region and a far-field radiation pattern in a mmWave frequency band. Disposed within the near-field radiation region is a sub-6 GHz antenna that produces a radiation pattern in a sub-6 GHz frequency band. The sub 6 GHz antenna is able to positively affect the far-field radiation pattern from the mm Wave antenna (e.g., via steering and/or broadening). In this way, the mmWave antenna and the sub-6 GHz antenna can be collocated to conserve space while also steering and/or broadening the far-field radiation pattern of the mm Wave antenna.

Abstract: This document describes a multi-function module for mmWave communication and user input using mechanical switches in an electronic device. The multi-function module may be located behind a non-conductive button (e.g., volume button, power button) of the electronic device. Further, the multi-function module includes an elongated antenna substrate with mechanical switches mounted thereon and distributed along a longitudinal length of the antenna substrate. At least one of the mechanical switches is implemented as a radiating element for a mmWave patch antenna. The multi-function module also includes one or more integrated circuit components mounted to the antenna substrate and configured to use the at least one mechanical switch as the radiating element for the mmWave patch antenna to provide the mmWave communication. In this way, the multi-function module enables the mechanical switches to coexist with the mmWave patch antennas.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) manages thermal levels of antenna modules with reference to a temperature threshold. The UE includes multiple antenna modules having a first antenna module and a second antenna module and at least one wireless transceiver coupled to the multiple antenna modules. The UE also includes a processor and memory system implementing an antenna module thermal manager. The manager is configured to obtain a first temperature indication corresponding to the first antenna module of the multiple antenna modules. The manager is also configured to perform a comparison of the first temperature indication to at least one temperature threshold. The manager is further configured to switch, based on the comparison, from using the first antenna module to using the second antenna module for wireless communication with the at least one wireless transceiver.

Abstract: This document describes an integrated cellular and ultra-wideband antenna system for a mobile electronic device. The cellular and ultra-wideband antenna are located in close proximity to one another, along with a circuit designed to enhance isolation between the two antennas. The circuit is also designed to enhance the efficiency of the cellular antenna by permitting the ultra-wideband antenna to generate an additional resonance in the cellular band. The integrated cellular antenna and ultra-wideband antenna results in reduced mutual coupling and performance degradation of the antennas, and the cellular antenna may gain enhanced bandwidth and efficiency.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes one or more aspects of surface-cell patch antenna arrays integrated as part of a user equipment housing. As part of integration, surface-cell patch antennas are formed from surface-cells that comprise an electromagnetic-transparent metallic surface proximate an outer surface of the housing. The surface-cell patch antennas, in turn, form a surface-cell patch antenna array. A transceiver module, disposed proximate an inner surface of the user equipment housing, includes a transceiver device and a flexible printed circuit board having traces that electrically couple the transceiver device to the surface-cell patch antenna array. The described aspects alleviate manufacturing and design challenges that are associated with use of patch array modules.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes apparatuses and methods of performance-based antenna selection for user devices. In some aspects, a user device includes a transceiver having a first receiver, as well as second and third receivers. The transceiver is coupled to a first antenna to enable communication via the first antenna and the second receiver is coupled to the second antenna to enable reception via the second antenna. The third receiver is coupled to a third antenna to enable monitoring of performance of the third antenna. Based on a comparison of respective performance of the first antenna and the third antenna, the first antenna or third antenna is coupled the transceiver to enable subsequent communication. By monitoring and comparing respective performance of the antennas before antenna switching is implemented, a better-performing antenna of the two antennas can be selected for coupling to the transceiver without impacting communication performance.

Abstract: Implementations relate to systems and methods for location assistance using devices (104) in a personal area network (PAN). In one scenario, a user may use two separate location-enabled devices, such as a wearable personal device (102) and a cellular telephone device (104). In cases, one of those devices may have reached a higher or farther-developed state in terms of generating or storing location information (108) for the user's current position, as compared to the opposite device. This can take place, for instance, when the first (e.g. wearable) device (102) is first turned on. The two devices use platforms and techniques to exchange location information and carry out GPS or other operations to furnish the device that is lagging in position processing progress with assistance which will speed up or otherwise enhance the position fix for that device.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes apparatuses and methods of performance-based antenna selection for user devices. In some aspects, a user device includes a transceiver having a first receiver, as well as second and third receivers. The transceiver is coupled to a first antenna to enable communication via the first antenna and the second receiver is coupled to the second antenna to enable reception via the second antenna. The third receiver is coupled to a third antenna to enable monitoring of performance of the third antenna. Based on a comparison of respective performance of the first antenna and the third antenna, the first antenna or third antenna is coupled the transceiver to enable subsequent communication. By monitoring and comparing respective performance of the antennas before antenna switching is implemented, a better-performing antenna of the two antennas can be selected for coupling to the transceiver without impacting communication performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes one or more aspects of surface-cell patch antenna arrays integrated as part of a user equipment housing. As part of integration, surface-cell patch antennas are formed from surface-cells that comprise an electromagnetic-transparent metallic surface proximate an outer surface of the housing. The surface-cell patch antennas, in turn, form a surface-cell patch antenna array. A transceiver module, disposed proximate an inner surface of the user equipment housing, includes a transceiver device and a flexible printed circuit board having traces that electrically couple the transceiver device to the surface-cell patch antenna array. The described aspects alleviate manufacturing and design challenges that are associated with use of patch array modules.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes apparatuses and methods of performance-based antenna selection for user devices. In some aspects, a user device includes a transceiver having a first receiver, as well as second and third receivers. The transceiver is coupled to a first antenna to enable communication via the first antenna and the second receiver is coupled to the second antenna to enable reception via the second antenna. The third receiver is coupled to a third antenna to enable monitoring of performance of the third antenna. Based on a comparison of respective performance of the first antenna and the third antenna, the first antenna or third antenna is coupled the transceiver to enable subsequent communication. By monitoring and comparing respective performance of the antennas before antenna switching is implemented, a better-performing antenna of the two antennas can be selected for coupling to the transceiver without impacting communication performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes apparatuses and methods of performance-based antenna selection for user devices. In some aspects, a user device includes a transceiver having a first receiver, as well as second and third receivers. The transceiver is coupled to a first antenna to enable communication via the first antenna and the second receiver is coupled to the second antenna to enable reception via the second antenna. The third receiver is coupled to a third antenna to enable monitoring of performance of the third antenna. Based on a comparison of respective performance of the first antenna and the third antenna, the first antenna or third antenna is coupled the transceiver to enable subsequent communication. By monitoring and comparing respective performance of the antennas before antenna switching is implemented, a better-performing antenna of the two antennas can be selected for coupling to the transceiver without impacting communication performance.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting whether the position of a user's hand gripping a mobile communication device chassis affects an external antenna is provided. A sectioned metal band about a periphery of a mobile communication device has a radiating antenna in at least one metal section. The radiating antenna section is bounded on both sides by electrically floating metal sections. Each of the electrically floating metal sections is bounded on the side distal from the antenna section by a ground metal section. Each metal section separated from an adjacent metal section by an insulating gap. Embodiments measure a differential capacitance between the antenna section and the floating metal section and measure a single and capacitance between the floating metal section and the grounded section to determine whether a user's hand is bridging one or more of the insulating gaps.

Abstract: A computing device includes a housing that includes a front side and a back side. The computing device also includes a first presence-sensitive input component at the front side of the housing, a second presence-sensitive input component at the back side of the housing. The computing device includes at least one object detection sensor configured to generate sensor data. The computing device includes at least one processor, and a memory that includes instructions that cause the at least one processor to: determine whether an object is in the proximity of the computing device, responsive to determining that the object is in the proximity of the computing device, determine whether to disable a particular presence-sensitive input component located at a side of the housing opposite the at least one object detection sensor, and disable the particular presence-sensitive input component.

Abstract: A computing device includes a housing that includes a front side and a back side. The computing device also includes a first presence-sensitive input component at the front side of the housing, a second presence-sensitive input component at the back side of the housing. The computing device includes at least one object detection sensor configured to generate sensor data. The computing device includes at least one processor, and a memory that includes instructions that cause the at least one processor to: determine whether an object is in the proximity of the computing device, responsive to determining that the object is in the proximity of the computing device, determine whether to disable a particular presence-sensitive input component located at a side of the housing opposite the at least one object detection sensor, and disable the particular presence-sensitive input component.

Abstract: Certain example implementations of the disclosed technology can include techniques and apparatuses for determining micro-climates based on weather-related sensor data from mobile devices. In some embodiments, current and projected micro-climates can be determined for multiple micro-locations. With micro-climate information, a user may better plan his or her day, including what to wear, which path to walk to work, and what activities to plan.

Abstract: A computing device is described as including a display, an antenna element, at least one processor, and a housing. The display forms a first exposed surface of the computing device. The antenna element is configured to receive a wireless signal. The at least one processor is configured to receive, from the antenna element, an indication of the wireless signal and to output information to the display. The housing forms a second exposed surface of the computing device. The housing is formed by a group of metallic components. The group of metallic components are electronically isolated from the at least one processor.

Abstract: Implementations relate to systems and methods for location assistance using devices (104) in a personal area network (PAN). In one scenario, a user may use two separate location-enabled devices, such as a wearable personal device (102) and a cellular telephone device (104). In cases, one of those devices may have reached a higher or farther-developed state in terms of generating or storing location information (108) for the user's current position, as compared to the opposite device. This can take place, for instance, when the first (e.g. wearable) device (102) is first turned on. The two devices use platforms and techniques to exchange location information and carry out GPS or other operations to furnish the device that is lagging in position processing progress with assistance which will speed up or otherwise enhance the position fix for that device.

Abstract: A housing for an electronic device and a method for manufacturing the housing are provided that combine metal and plastic in an aesthetically pleasing manner while meeting physical and technical requirements and specifications for the electronic device. Metal islands may be engaged with a plastic member so that projections of the plastic member are interlocked with corresponding recesses of formed between each of the metal islands. An exterior of the housing includes a surface of each of the metal islands and at least a portion of a surface of the plastic member. The interior of the housing includes another surface of the plastic member.