Co-linear mm-wave phased array antenna with end-fire radiation pattern

Abstract

A system according to one embodiment includes a plurality of phased array antennas, each of the plurality of phased array antennas comprising a plurality of antenna elements, the plurality of antenna elements configured in a linear array, wherein each of the plurality of antenna elements generates an end-fire beam pattern; and driver circuitry coupled to each of the plurality of phased array antennas, the driver circuitry configured to provide a phase offset between each of the plurality of phased array antennas.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a plurality of phased array antennas, each of said plurality of phased array antennas comprising a plurality of antenna elements, said plurality of antenna elements configured in a linear array, wherein each of said plurality of antenna elements generates an end-fire beam pattern; and   driver circuitry coupled to each of said plurality of phased array antennas, said driver circuitry configured to provide a phase offset between each of said plurality of phased array antennas.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said system is configured to operate in a millimeter wave frequency range. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of antenna elements are taper slot antennas. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of phased array antennas is disposed on one of a plurality of printed circuit board layers. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said driver circuitry further comprises a plurality of transceivers, said plurality of transceivers configured to provide independently adjustable phase delay to each of said plurality of antenna elements. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of transceivers implement phased array beam scanning by controlling said adjustable phase delay to each of said plurality of antenna elements. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a broadside phased array antenna disposed on one of said plurality of printed-circuit board layers, said broadside phased array antenna coupled to said driver circuitry. 
     
     
         8 . A method, comprising:
 configuring a plurality of antenna elements in a linear array, wherein said linear array is a phased array antenna and each of said plurality of antenna dements generates an end-fire beam pattern;   configuring a plurality of said phased array antennas into a plurality of parallel layers; and   coupling driver circuitry to each of said plurality of phased array antennas, said driver circuitry configured to provide a phase offset between each of said plurality of phased array antennas.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising configuring said plurality of phased array antennas and said driver circuitry to operate in a millimeter wave frequency range. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein each of said plurality of antenna elements are taper slot antennas. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising disposing each of said plurality of phased array antennas on one of a plurality of printed circuit board layers. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising configuring a plurality of transceivers associated with said driver circuitry to provide independently adjustable phase delay to each of said plurality of antenna elements. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising implementing phased array beam scanning by controlling said adjustable phase delay to each of said plurality of antenna elements. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a plurality of phased array antennas, each of said plurality of phased array antennas comprising a plurality of antenna elements, said plurality of antenna elements configured in a linear array, wherein each of said plurality of antenna elements generates an end-fire beam pattern; and   driver circuitry coupled to each of said plurality of phased array antennas, said driver circuitry configured to provide a phase offset between each of said plurality of phased array antennas.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said system is configured to operate in a millimeter wave frequency range. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein each of said plurality of antenna elements are taper slot antennas. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein each of said plurality of phased array antennas is disposed on one of a plurality of printed circuit board layers. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said driver circuitry further comprises a plurality of transceivers, said plurality of transceivers configured to provide independently adjustable phase delay to each of said plurality of antenna elements. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of transceivers implement phased array beam scanning by controlling said adjustable phase delay to each of said plurality of antenna elements. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a broadside phased array antenna disposed on one of said plurality of printed circuit board layers, said broadside phased away antenna coupled to said driver circuitry.