TWI891429B - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication system is disclosed. The communication system includes an active antenna set and a passive antenna set. The active antenna group includes at least one active antenna array. The at least one active antenna array is configured to transmit the first signal through at least one active beam group, and the at least one active beam group covers a first coverage area with a first coverage angle. The passive antenna group includes at least one passive antenna subset. The at least one passive antenna subset is configured to transmit a second signal through at least one passive beam group, and the at least one passive beam group covers a second coverage area with a second coverage angle. The first coverage area and the second coverage area do not overlap.

Description

Communication system

The present disclosure relates to a communication system, and more particularly to a communication system including a passive antenna subset.

Active antennas are commonly used in wireless communication devices such as communication systems. If the coverage area of an active antenna array is 120 degrees, three active antenna arrays are required to provide a full 360-degree coverage area. However, active antennas consume a lot of power and are very expensive. Therefore, how to reduce the power consumption and cost of communication systems while maintaining coverage is one of the challenges to be solved.

To address the aforementioned issues, the present disclosure provides a communication system. This communication system includes an active antenna assembly and a passive antenna assembly. The active antenna assembly includes at least one active antenna array. The at least one active antenna array is configured to transmit a first signal via at least one active beam assembly, and the at least one active beam assembly covers a first coverage area at a first coverage angle. The passive antenna assembly includes at least one passive antenna subset. The at least one passive antenna subset is configured to transmit a second signal via at least one passive beam assembly, and the at least one passive beam assembly covers a second coverage area at a second coverage angle. The first coverage area and the second coverage area do not overlap.

The present disclosure also provides a communication system comprising a plurality of passive antenna subsets, wherein each of the plurality of passive antenna subsets is configured to transmit a first signal via a passive beam set, wherein the passive beam set covers an area with a coverage angle.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as claimed.

The following is a detailed description of the present invention with reference to an embodiment and accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments provided are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. For ease of understanding, the same or similar elements in the following description will be labeled with the same symbols.

Please refer to FIG. 1 . FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , communication system 100 includes a base station 110. Base station 110 includes an active antenna assembly 130. Communication system 100 further includes a passive antenna assembly 150. Active antenna assembly 130 includes an active antenna array 130a through 130c. Passive antenna assembly 150 includes passive antenna subsets 150a through 150h.

1 , each of the active antenna arrays 130a to 130c includes a plurality of antenna elements. For example, the active antenna array 130a includes a plurality of antenna elements 132a to 132c.

As shown in FIG1 , the passive antenna assembly 150 is located above the active antenna assembly 130. In another embodiment, the passive antenna assembly 150 is located below the active antenna assembly 130.

In some embodiments, the active antenna arrays 130a to 130c are located on the same X-Y plane, and the passive antenna subsets 150a to 150h are located on the same X-Y plane.

Each active antenna array 130a-130c is located on an antenna panel. Similarly, each passive antenna subset 150a-150h is located on an antenna panel. Different active antenna arrays 130a-130c or different passive antenna subsets 150a-150h are located on different antenna panels.

In addition, the active antenna arrays 130a to 130c and the passive antenna subset 150a to 150h are perpendicular to the XY plane.

The active antenna arrays 130a to 130c face different directions from each other, while the passive antenna subsets face different directions from each other.

In some embodiments, each of the active antenna arrays 130a to 130c includes a coverage area with a coverage angle of 120 degrees, while each of the passive antenna subsets 150a to 150h includes a coverage area with a coverage angle of 45 degrees. However, the coverage angles are for illustrative purposes only and the present invention is not limited thereto.

Note that in FIG. 1 , a plurality of passive antenna subsets 150 a to 150 h and a plurality of active antenna arrays 130 a to 130 c are depicted. However, the number of passive antenna subsets and the number of active antenna arrays included in communication system 100 can be adjusted. Examples of communication systems with different numbers of passive antenna subsets and different numbers of active antenna arrays are described below in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 .

In some embodiments, the passive antenna subset and active antenna array included in the communication system 100 can be selectively operated. For example, in one embodiment, the active antenna array 130a, the passive antenna subset 150a, and the passive antenna subset 150b are operational, while the rest are inoperative.

Please refer to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a top view of a communication system 200 according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2 , communication system 200 includes an active antenna array 230a and two passive antenna subsets 250a and 250b. Active antenna array 230a is included in base station 210, while the two passive antenna subsets 250a and 250b are coupled to base station 210.

Active antenna array 230a includes an active beam set 2B1, which includes active beams 2B11 to 2B1n. Active beam set 2B1 covers area 2A1 at an angle of 120 degrees. Active antenna array 230a transmits signals via active beam set 2B1.

Passive antenna subset 250a includes passive beam set 2B2, which includes passive beams 2B21 through 2B2n. Passive beam set 2B2 covers area 2A2 at a 45-degree angle. Similarly, passive antenna subset 250b includes passive beam set 2B3, which includes passive beams 2B31 through 2B3n. Passive beam set 2B3 covers area 2A3 at a 45-degree angle. Passive antenna subset 250a transmits signals via passive beam set 2B2, while passive antenna subset 250b transmits signals via passive beam set 2B3.

As shown in FIG. 2 , areas 2A1, 2A2, and 2A3 do not overlap in the X-Y plane. The coverage angle of the communication system 200 is equal to the angle of area 2A1 plus the angle of area 2A2 plus the angle of area 2A3. Therefore, areas 2A1, 2A2, and 2A3 collectively form 210 degrees of coverage in the X-Y plane.

Active antenna array 230a includes a normal N21 on the XY plane, passive antenna subset 250a includes a normal N22 on the XY plane, and passive antenna subset 250b includes a normal N23 on the XY plane. When active antenna array 230a is adjacent to passive antenna subset 250a, the configuration angle θ21 between active antenna array 230a and passive antenna subset 250a is equal to half the coverage angle of passive antenna subset 250a plus half the coverage angle of active antenna array 230a. Similarly, when the active antenna array 230a is adjacent to the passive antenna subset 250b, the configuration angle θ22 between the active antenna array 230a and the passive antenna subset 250b is equal to half the coverage angle of the passive antenna subset 250b plus half the coverage angle of the active antenna array 230a.

Please refer to FIG. 3 . FIG. 3 is a top view of a communication system 300 according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3 , communication system 300 includes an active antenna array 330a and four passive antenna subsets 350a through 350d. Active antenna array 330a is included in a base station 310 of communication system 300, while the four passive antenna subsets 350a through 350d are coupled to base station 310.

Active antenna array 330a includes active beam set 3B1, which includes active beams 3B11 to 3B1n. Active beam set 3B1 covers area 3A1 at an angle of 120 degrees. Active antenna array 330a transmits signals via active beam set 3B1.

Passive antenna subset 350a includes passive beam set 3B2, which in turn includes passive beams 3B21 through 3B2n. Passive beam set 3B2 covers area 3A2 at a 45-degree angle. Other passive antenna subsets 350b through 350d are similar to passive antenna subset 350a and are not described in detail here. Passive antenna subsets 350a through 350d transmit signals via passive beam sets 3B2 through 3B5.

As shown in Figure 3 , areas 3A1 through 3A5 do not overlap in the X-Y plane. The coverage angle of the communication system 300 is equal to the angle of area 3A1 plus the angles of areas 3A2 through 3A5. Therefore, areas 3A1 through 3A5 together provide 300 degrees of coverage in the X-Y plane.

Active antenna array 330a includes a normal N31 on the XY plane, passive antenna subset 350b includes a normal N32 on the XY plane, and passive antenna subset 350a includes a normal N33 on the XY plane. When active antenna array 330a is adjacent to passive antenna subset 350b, the configuration angle θ31 between active antenna array 330a and passive antenna subset 350b is equal to half the coverage angle of passive antenna subset 350b plus half the coverage angle of active antenna array 330a.

Similarly, when the passive antenna subset 350b is adjacent to the passive antenna subset 350a, the configuration angle θ32 between the passive antenna subset 350b and the passive antenna subset 350a is equal to half the coverage angle of the passive antenna subset 350b plus half the coverage angle of the passive antenna subset 350a.

The number of passive antenna subsets and active antenna arrays is not limited to the numbers shown in Figures 2 and 3. The number of passive antenna subsets and active antenna arrays can be adjusted as needed. Furthermore, the positions of the passive antenna subsets and active antenna arrays can be adjusted to be closer to or farther apart.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the active antenna assembly of communication system 200 includes an active antenna array, while the passive antenna assembly of communication system 200 includes two passive antenna subsets. The active beam set of the active antenna assembly of communication system 200 covers a coverage area with an angle of 120 degrees, while the passive beam set of the passive antenna assembly of communication system 200 covers a coverage area with an angle of 90 degrees. In total, communication system 200 covers a coverage area with an angle of 210 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the active antenna assembly of communication system 300 includes an active antenna array, while the passive antenna assembly of communication system 300 includes four passive antenna subsets. The active beam assembly of the active antenna assembly of communication system 300 covers a coverage area with a coverage angle of 120 degrees, while the passive beam assembly of the passive antenna assembly of communication system 300 covers a coverage area with a coverage angle of 180 degrees. In total, communication system 300 covers a coverage area with a coverage angle of 300 degrees.

By adjusting the number of active antenna arrays and the number of passive antenna subsets, the coverage angle of the communication system can be adjusted.

Please refer to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 400 according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4 , the communication system 400 includes a base station 410 and a passive antenna set 450 . The passive antenna set 450 includes a passive antenna subset 450 a to 450 h.

Note that in FIG. 4 , multiple passive antenna subsets 450 a to 450 h are depicted. However, the number of passive antenna subsets included in communication system 400 can be adjusted. For example, in one embodiment, communication system 400 only includes passive antenna subsets 450 a and 450 b.

In some embodiments, the passive antenna subsets 450a to 450h in the communication system 400 can be selectively operated. For example, in one embodiment, the passive antenna subsets 450a and 450b are operated, while the other passive antenna subsets are not operated.

Please refer to FIG. 5A . FIG. 5A is a top view of a communication system 400 according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5A , the communication system 400 includes eight passive antenna subsets 450 a through 450 h . Passive antenna subsets 450 a through 450 h are coupled to a base station 410 .

Each of the passive antenna subsets 450a to 450h includes one of the passive beam sets 5B1 to 5B8, and each of the passive beam sets 5B1 to 5B8 covers an area with an angle of 45 degrees. Each of the passive antenna subsets 450a to 450h transmits a signal via one of the corresponding passive beam sets 5B1 to 5B8.

For example, passive antenna subset 450a includes passive beam set 5B1, which includes multiple passive beams. Passive beam set 5B1 covers area 5A1 with an angle of 45 degrees. Other passive antenna subsets 450b through 450h are similar to passive antenna subset 450a and are not described in detail here.

As shown in FIG. 5A , regions 5A1 through 5A8 do not overlap in the X-Y plane. The coverage angle of the communication system 400 is equal to the angle of region 5A1 plus the angles of regions 5A2 through 5A8. Therefore, regions 5A1 through 5A8 together form 360-degree coverage in the X-Y plane.

Passive antenna subset 450a includes a normal N51 on the XY plane, while passive antenna subset 450b includes a normal N52 on the XY plane. When passive antenna subset 450a is adjacent to passive antenna subset 450b, the configuration angle θ51 between passive antenna subsets 450a and 450b is equal to half the coverage angle of passive antenna subset 450a plus half the coverage angle of passive antenna subset 450b.

The number of passive antenna subsets 450b through 450h shown in FIG. 5A is for illustrative purposes only and may be adjusted as needed. For example, communication system 400 may include only passive antenna subsets 450a and 450b, which together provide 90-degree coverage in the X-Y plane. In another embodiment, communication system 400 may include only passive antenna subsets 450a, 450b, 450c, and 450d, which together provide 180-degree coverage in the X-Y plane.

In FIG. 5A , passive antenna subsets 450a through 450h are located close together. However, in other embodiments, if communication system 400 includes seven or fewer passive antenna subsets, the passive antenna subsets may be located farther apart. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A , the configuration angle θ51 between passive antenna subsets 450a and 450b is 45 degrees. Similarly, the angle between each two adjacent passive antenna subsets in FIG. 5A is 45 degrees. Passive antenna subsets 450a through 450h are shown in FIG. 5A as being close together.

Please refer to FIG. 5B . FIG. 5B is a top view of another communication system 500 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The difference between FIG. 5B and FIG. 5A is that the communication system 500 in FIG. 5B includes seven passive antenna subsets 450a through 450g, while the communication system 400 in FIG. 5A includes eight passive antenna subsets 450a through 450h. As shown in FIG. 5B , the configuration angle θ51 between passive antenna subsets 450a and 450b is 45 degrees, while the configuration angle θ52 between passive antenna subsets 450a and 450g is greater than 45 degrees. By this definition, passive antenna subset 450a and passive antenna subset 450g are farther apart than passive antenna subset 450a and passive antenna subset 450b, and passive antenna subset 450a and passive antenna subset 450g are closer to each other than passive antenna subset 450a and passive antenna subset 450g.

Please refer to FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system 600 according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6 , communication system 600 includes a base station 610 , an adapter board 620 , and a plurality of passive antenna subsets 650 a through 650 h . Base station 610 includes an active antenna set 630 and a control circuit 612 .

In terms of connection, the base station 610 is coupled to the adapter plate 620, and the adapter plate 620 is coupled to the passive antenna subset 650a to 650h.

The control circuit 612 is coupled to the active antenna assembly 630 and the passive antenna subset 650a to 650h. The passive antenna subset 650a to 650h forms a passive antenna assembly.

The control circuit 612 controls the generation of an active beam of the active antenna assembly 630 and the generation of a passive beam of the passive antenna assembly by transmitting control signals to the active antenna assembly 630 and the passive antenna assembly.

Please refer to FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 is a top view of an adapter plate 720 according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7 , the adapter plate 720 is an octagonal plate with eight sides. Each side is connected to one of the passive antenna subsets 750a to 750h.

The adapter plate 720 receives a control signal, a vertical polarization signal VS, and a horizontal polarization signal HS from the base station 110 and transmits the control signal, the vertical polarization signal VS, and the horizontal polarization signal HS to the passive antenna subset 750a to 750h, thereby controlling the generation of passive beams of the passive antenna subset 750a to 750h.

FIG8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a communication system 800 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The communication system 800 includes an active antenna array 830 and two passive antenna subsets 850a and 850b.

The active antenna array 830 covers a 120-degree area A81, the passive antenna subset 850a covers a 45-degree area A82, and the passive antenna subset 850b covers a 45-degree area A83.

Active antenna array 830 serves only one user equipment (UE) at a time within area A81, which has a 120-degree coverage. If there are three UEs, for example, UEs 81 through 83 shown in Figure 8 , beam scanning must be repeated within area A81, switching between different beams. Control circuitry (for example, control circuit 612 shown in Figure 6 ) controls the generation of active beams 8a, 8b, and 8c by sending control signals to active antenna array 830, causing active beams 8a, 8b, and 8c to be generated sequentially. Each active beam 8a, 8b, and 8c corresponds to one of UEs UE81 through UE83. In some embodiments, the control circuit controls the generation of active beams 8a, 8b, and 8c by time division duplexing (TDD) by sending control signals to the active antenna array 830.

Please refer to Figures 9A and 9B. Figures 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of a communication system 900 according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the communication system 900 includes a plurality of passive antenna subsets 950a to 950h.

In the example of FIG. 9A , three user devices, UE91 through UE93, are located within area A91 of passive antenna subset 950a. Specifically, UE91 corresponds to passive beam 9a1 of passive antenna subset 950a, UE92 corresponds to passive beam 9a2 of passive antenna subset 950a, and UE93 corresponds to passive beam 9a3 of passive antenna subset 950a.

In some embodiments, a control circuit (e.g., control circuit 612 shown in FIG. 6 ) controls the generation of passive beams 9a1, 9a2, and 9a3 by transmitting a control signal to passive antenna subset 950a, thereby sequentially generating passive beams 9a1, 9a2, and 9a3. In some embodiments, by transmitting the control signal to passive antenna subset 950a, the control circuit controls the generation of passive beams 9a1, 9a2, and 9a3 using time division duplexing (TDD).

In some other embodiments, a control circuit (e.g., control circuit 612 shown in FIG. 6 ) controls the generation of passive beams 9a1, 9a2, and 9a3 by transmitting a control signal to passive antenna subset 950a, thereby causing passive beams 9a1, 9a2, and 9a3 to be generated simultaneously. In other words, passive antenna subset 950a can simultaneously serve user equipment UE91, UE92, and UE93.

In the example of Figure 9B , user device UE91 is located in area A91 of passive antenna subset 950a, user device UE92 is located in area A92 of passive antenna subset 950d, and user device UE93 is located in area A93 of passive antenna subset 950e. Specifically, user device UE91 corresponds to passive beam 9b1 of passive antenna subset 950a, user device UE92 corresponds to passive beam 9b2 of passive antenna subset 950d, and user device UE93 corresponds to passive beam 9b3 of passive antenna subset 950e.

In some embodiments, a control circuit (e.g., control circuit 612 shown in FIG. 6 ) transmits a control signal to passive antenna subsets 950a, 950d, and 950e to control the generation of passive beams 9b1, 9b2, and 9b3, such that passive beams 9b1, 9b2, and 9b3 are generated sequentially. In some embodiments, the control circuit generates passive beams 9b1, 9b2, and 9b3 using time division duplexing (TDD).

In some other embodiments, a control circuit (e.g., control circuit 612 shown in FIG. 6 ) controls the generation of passive beams 9b1, 9b2, and 9b3 by transmitting control signals to passive antenna subsets 950a, 950d, and 950e, thereby causing passive beams 9b1, 9b2, and 9b3 to be generated simultaneously. In other words, passive antenna subsets 950a, 950d, and 950e simultaneously provide services to user equipment UE91, UE92, and UE93.

Please refer to Figure 8 again. Similar to the examples of Figures 9A and 9B, the control circuit controls the generation of passive beams of passive antenna subsets 850a and 850b by transmitting control signals to passive antenna subsets 850a and 850b, so that the passive beams of passive antenna subsets 850a and 850b are generated sequentially or simultaneously.

Please refer to Figures 10A through 10C. Figures 10A through 10C illustrate passive antenna subsets 1000A through 1000C according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figures 10A through 10C, in some embodiments, each passive antenna subset 1000A through 1000C includes eight passive antenna arrays PB1 through PB8, four of which are vertically polarized antenna arrays, and the remaining four are horizontally polarized antenna arrays.

As shown in Figures 10A to 10C, passive antenna arrays PB1 to PB8 are arranged in different configurations to form passive antenna subsets. Passive antenna arrays PB1 to PB8 act as passive beamformers. Passive beamformers are implemented through phase and gain control of the antenna array's feed network.

Please refer to Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is a top view of a passive antenna array 1100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 12 is a side view of a passive antenna array 1100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 12 is a side view along a line segment from end point A to end point A of the passive antenna array 1100 in Figure 11.

As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 , the passive antenna array 1100 includes a substrate S, a ground layer G, a multi-branch circuit CCT, and a plurality of antenna units ANT.

It is worth noting that although this embodiment employs a configuration of 16 antenna units ANT and 8 antenna units in each row to achieve an 11-degree beamwidth and a main beam antenna gain of greater than or equal to 15 dB, the number of antenna units ANT and the number of rows can be adjusted to meet other beamwidth and antenna gain requirements.

Furthermore, the substrate S includes a first surface S1 and a second surface S2 corresponding to each other. A ground layer G is disposed between the first surface S1 and the second surface S2. In some embodiments, the substrate S may be a printed circuit board (PCB) made of an insulating material, such as Teflon (PTFE) or epoxy resin (FR4), commonly used in PCB manufacturing. In some embodiments, the ground layer G may be made of a metal material such as copper foil.

Furthermore, a multi-branch circuit CCT is disposed on the first surface S1, wherein the multi-branch circuit CCT includes a signal feed terminal and a plurality of signal output terminals, wherein a plurality of feed branches are formed between the signal feed terminal and the plurality of signal output terminals. In some embodiments, the multi-branch circuit has a plurality of branch nodes at a plurality of levels to form the plurality of feed branches between the signal feed terminal and the plurality of signal output terminals.

In some embodiments, the multiple branching nodes may be unequal Wilkinson power dividers. These unequal Wilkinson power dividers are used to improve isolation between the multiple antenna units ANT to control the antenna gain of the multiple antenna units ANT, thereby reducing sidelobe interference. In some embodiments, the unequal Wilkinson power dividers are further used to control the antenna gain of the multiple antenna units ANT by controlling multiple power ratios between the multiple antenna units ANT.

Furthermore, multiple antenna units ANT are disposed on the second surface S2 , each of which is connected to a plurality of signal output terminals via respective vias (vias) for beamforming. In some embodiments, the feed point FP of each antenna unit ANT can be connected to a corresponding signal output terminal via a corresponding via (via).

Furthermore, the difference in path length between the feed branches of two adjacent antenna units ANT in the horizontal direction (i.e., the +x direction) is used to control the beam angle θ of the multiple antenna units ANT (i.e., the angle between the directions of the beams generated by the multiple antenna units ANT and the normal direction of the second surface S2). In some embodiments, the antenna units ANT may be patch antennas or other antennas applicable to antenna arrays. In other words, the multiple antenna units ANT may form one or more antenna arrays, wherein the antenna array may be a patch antenna array.

In some embodiments, when each of the plurality of antenna units ANT is a vertically polarized patch antenna, the plurality of antenna units ANT are arranged on the second surface S2 in a vertically mirrored manner between rows. Furthermore, when each of the plurality of antenna units ANT is a horizontally polarized patch antenna, the plurality of antenna units ANT are arranged on the second surface S2 in a horizontally mirrored manner between rows.

In some embodiments, the phase difference between two horizontally adjacent antenna elements ANT is proportional to the length difference. In some embodiments, the beam angle θ of the plurality of antenna elements ANT is proportional to the length difference. In some embodiments, the antenna distance d between the geometric centers of two horizontally adjacent antenna elements ANT is half the wavelength of the center frequency of the resonant frequency band of the plurality of antenna elements ANT.

With the wireless communication system 100 disclosed herein, the beam direction of the wireless communication system 100 can be adjusted using the path length of the feeding branch in the multi-branch circuit CCT.

Generally speaking, in an active antenna array, the signal passes through a power splitter to each antenna element, passes through phase shifters, is amplified by a power amplifier, and is finally radiated through the antenna. In a passive antenna array, the signal for each channel passes through a phase shifter and is radiated directly from the antenna elements without passing through a signal amplifier.

In some embodiments, the control circuit of the present disclosure may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor (MCU), a server, or other computing circuits or components with data access, data calculation, data storage, data transmission and reception, or similar functions.

In summary, the disclosed embodiments provide a communication system including a passive antenna subset. Since the construction cost of the passive antenna subset is lower than that of the active antenna array, the construction cost of the communication system can be reduced. In addition, since the power consumption of the passive antenna subset is lower than that of the active antenna array, the passive antenna subset can save electricity. In addition, by adopting a passive antenna subset to construct a communication system, the design of the communication system can be more flexible. For example, for directions that do not include users or directions that do not need to provide services, an antenna subset or antenna array is not required. Finally, since the passive antenna subset has the ability to activate multiple beams at the same time. When providing services to user devices, beam scanning is not required. When providing services to multiple user devices at the same time, the stability of the connection generated based on the beam can be maintained. Compared with traditional methods, the throughput is improved.

Although specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been disclosed with respect to the above-described embodiments, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

Various substitutions and improvements can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure is determined by the scope of the appended patent applications.

100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 900: Communication system 110, 210, 310, 410, 610: Base station 130: Active antenna assembly 130a, 130b, 130c: Active antenna array 132a, 132b, 132c: Antenna elements 150: Passive antenna assembly 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d: Passive antenna subset 150e, 150f, 150g, 150h: Passive antenna subset X, Y, Z: Direction 2B1, 3B1: Active beam array 2B2, 2B3, 3B2, 3B3, 3B4, 3B5: Passive beam array 2B11, 2B1n, 3B11, 3B1n: Active beams 2B21, 2B2n, 2B31, 2B3n, 3B21, 3B2n, 3B31, 3B3n, 3B41, 3B4n, 3B51, 3B5n: Passive beams 2A1, 2A2, 2A3, 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3A4, 3A5: Regional 230a, 330a: Active antenna array 250a, 250b, 350a, 350b, 350c, 350d: Passive antenna subset N21, N22, N23, N31, N32, N33, N51, N52: Normal θ21, θ22, θ31, θ32, θ51, θ52: Configuration angles 450: Passive antenna assembly 450a, 450b, 450c, 450d, 450e, 450f, 450g, 450h: Passive antenna subset 5A1, 5A2, 5A3, 5A4, 5A5, 5A6, 5A7, 5A8: Area 5B1, 5B2, 5B3, 5B4, 5B5, 5B6, 5B7, 5B8: Passive beamset 612: Control circuit 620, 720: Adapter board 630: Active antenna assembly 650a, 650b, 650c, 650d, 650e, 650f, 650g, 650h: Passive antenna subset VS: Vertically polarized signal HS: Horizontally polarized signal 750a, 750b, 750c, 750d, 750e, 750f, 750g, 750h: Passive antenna subset 830: Active antenna array 850a, 850b: Passive antenna subset UE81, UE82, UE83, UE91, UE92, UE93: User devices A81, A82, A83: Area 8a, 8b, 8c: Active beam 9a1, 9a2, 9a3, 9b1, 9b2, 9b3: Passive beam A91, A92, A93: Area 950a, 950b, 950c, 950d, 950e, 950f, 950g, 950h: Passive antenna subset 1000A, 1000B, 1000C: Passive antenna subset PB1, PB2, PB3, PB4, PB5, PB6, PB7, PB8: Passive antenna array 1100: Passive antenna array A: Endpoint S: Substrate d: Antenna distance ANT: Antenna element FP: Feed point CCT: Multi-branch circuit G: Ground plane VIA: Via S1, S2: Surface θ: Beam angle

To facilitate understanding of the above and other objects, features, advantages, and embodiments of the present disclosure, the accompanying drawings are described as follows: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 is a top view of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3 is a top view of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5A is a top view of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5B is a top view of another communication system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 6 is a block diagram of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 7 is a top view of an adapter board according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of operation of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 9A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of operation of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 9B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of operation of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 10A is a schematic diagram illustrating a subset of passive antennas according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 10B is a schematic diagram illustrating a subset of passive antennas according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG10C is a schematic diagram of a passive antenna subset according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG11 is a top view of a passive antenna array according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG12 is a side view of a passive antenna array according to some embodiments of the present invention.

100: Communication System

110:Base station

130: Active Antenna Set

130a, 130b, 130c: Active antenna array

132a, 132b, 132c: Antenna components

150: Passive Antenna Set

150a, 150b, 150c, 150d: Passive antenna subset

150e, 150f, 150g, 150h: Passive antenna subset

X, Y, Z: Direction

Claims (16)

A communication system comprises: an active antenna set comprising at least one active antenna array, wherein the at least one active antenna array is configured to transmit a first signal via at least one active beam set, and the at least one active beam set covers a first coverage area at a first coverage angle; a passive antenna set comprising at least one passive antenna subset, wherein the at least one passive antenna subset is configured to transmit a second signal via at least one passive beam set, and the at least one passive beam set covers a second coverage area at a second coverage angle; wherein the first coverage area and the second coverage area do not overlap. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the at least one active antenna array includes a first active antenna array, and the first active antenna array is configured to transmit the first signal via a first active beam set, wherein the first active beam set covers a first area at a first angle of 120 degrees; wherein the at least one passive antenna subset includes a first passive antenna subset, and the first passive antenna subset is configured to transmit the second signal via a first passive beam set, wherein the first passive beam set covers a second area at a second angle of 45 degrees. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the at least one passive beam set and the at least one active beam set cover a third coverage area at a third coverage angle, and the third coverage angle is the first coverage angle plus the second coverage angle. The communication system as described in claim 3, wherein the at least one active antenna array and the at least one passive antenna subset are perpendicular to a first plane, and the at least one passive beam set and the at least one active beam set cover the third coverage area at the third coverage angle on the first plane. The communication system of claim 1, wherein a first active antenna array of the at least one active antenna array includes a first active beam set, the first active beam set covers a first area at a first angle, and a first passive antenna subset of the at least one passive antenna subset includes a first passive beam set, the first passive beam set covers a second area at a second angle, wherein the first area and the second area do not overlap. The communication system of claim 5, wherein the first active antenna array includes a first normal, the first passive antenna subset includes a second normal, the first active antenna array is adjacent to the first passive antenna subset, and a configuration angle between the first normal and the second normal is half the first angle plus half the second angle. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the at least one passive antenna subset comprises: a first passive antenna subset for transmitting a third signal via a first passive beam set, wherein the first passive beam set covers a first area at a first angle; and a second passive antenna subset for transmitting a fourth signal via a second passive beam set, wherein the second passive beam set covers a second area at a second angle; wherein the first area and the second area do not overlap. A communication system as described in claim 7, wherein the first passive antenna subset includes a first normal, and the second passive antenna subset includes a second normal, wherein when the first passive antenna subset is adjacent to the second passive antenna subset, a configuration angle between the first normal and the second normal is half of the first angle plus half of the second angle. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the active beam set includes a plurality of active beams, and the passive beam set includes a plurality of passive beams, and wherein the communication system further comprises: a control circuit coupled to the active antenna set and the passive antenna set, wherein the control circuit controls each of the active beams so that the active beams are generated sequentially, and the control circuit controls each of the passive beams so that the passive beams are generated sequentially or simultaneously. The communication system of claim 1 further comprises: a base station including the active antenna assembly and a control circuit; and a switching board coupled to the base station and the passive antenna assembly; wherein the control circuit controls the passive antenna assembly via the switching board. A communication system comprises: A plurality of passive antenna subsets, wherein each of the passive antenna subsets is configured to transmit a first signal via a passive beam set, wherein the passive beam set covers an area at a coverage angle; wherein, the areas covered by the passive antenna subsets via the passive beam sets do not overlap. The communication system of claim 11, wherein the coverage angle of each of the passive antenna subsets is the same. The communication system of claim 11, wherein the passive antenna subsets include: a first passive antenna subset for transmitting a second signal via a first passive beam set covering a first area; and a second passive antenna subset for transmitting a third signal via a second passive beam set covering a second area; wherein the first area and the second area do not overlap. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the first passive antenna subset and the second passive antenna subset are perpendicular to a first plane, and the first area and the second area do not overlap with each other on the first plane. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the first passive beam set and the second passive beam set cover a third area at a third angle, and the third angle is a first angle of the first area plus a second angle of the second area. The communication system of claim 13, wherein when the first passive antenna subset is adjacent to the second passive antenna subset, a configuration angle between a first normal of the first passive antenna subset and a second normal of the second passive antenna subset is equal to the coverage angle.