Full analog phase shifter and antenna device including the same

Abstract

A mirror symmetry structure with a linear phase distribution can be easily realized using only phase transitions in the RF stage, without any phase conversion in the digital stage. [Solution] The full analog phase shifter includes a variable switch panel including a first current carrying pattern terminal and a second current carrying pattern terminal, and an antenna element substrate on which a plurality of array antenna elements are arranged and on which a transmission line serving as a contact point between the first current carrying pattern terminal and the second current carrying pattern terminal is pattern-printed. Due to phase transitions at the contact points between the first current carrying pattern terminal and the second current carrying pattern terminal and the transmission line, the phases for the plurality of array antenna elements form a linear distribution on a reference identical phase plane.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a full analog phase shifter and an antenna apparatus including the same, and more particularly to a full analog phase shifter and an antenna apparatus including the same, which are provided in an RF stage and can selectively change the length of the entire transmission line to secure a desired phase transition value without changing the layout design of an existing RF module or requiring a separate installation space. [Background technology]

[0002] In mobile communication systems both in Korea and overseas, the density of subscribers varies by region and time of day. To provide optimal service under these conditions, the network is managed to adjust the vertical beam angle of the base station antenna to adjust the base station coverage.

[0003] For this reason, conventional wireless communication systems have used a mechanical beam tilt method, which directly adjusts the direction of the antenna radiation beam by adjusting the angle of the antenna using a mechanical beam tilt device attached to the antenna.

[0004] The advantage of the mechanical beam tilt method is that it can reduce the cost of manufacturing antennas. However, to operate a base station, a technician must go up to the base station antenna tower, loosen the bolts that secure the beam tilt mechanism, change the antenna angle, and then re-tighten the bolts, which is a complicated process that poses a risk of falling damage and takes a lot of time, making repairs less swift.

[0005] Recently, to compensate for the shortcomings of the mechanical beam tilt system, a remotely adjustable mechanical beam tilt device has been developed, which allows tilting or steering adjustment of the mechanical beam tilt device from a remote location.

[0006] However, a remotely adjustable mechanical beam tilt device also adjusts the direction of the antenna radiation beam by mechanically tilting or steering the entire antenna, and is a fundamentally different antenna radiation beam adjustment method from the electrical beam tilt method. An electrical beam tilt antenna has a phase shifter inside to adjust the phase of the beam.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle of physical phase conversion using a phase conversion unit, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram and phase difference diagram for explaining the principle of phase conversion performed in the RF stage.

[0008] According to Figure 1, when the physical length of the transmission line through which the power supply signal passes is changed, the phase changes by the amount of change in physical length (ΔL). When using this principle to realize a phase difference in the RF stage, as shown in Figure 2, phase conversion (offset support work) is required in the digital stage.

[0009] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, if a phase difference of ΔΦ is applied to one of the two output terminals branched from the RF stage, a problem occurs in that in order to achieve a uniform phase difference for the desired phase plane, i.e., to have a linear phase distribution, an offset support process of -2ΔΦ must be performed on one of the two input terminals.

[0010] At the same time, in order to achieve a phase difference in the RF stage, space is inevitably required to construct a physical switching structure (phase shifter) between the RF filter and the array antenna elements, which creates the problem of increasing the front-to-back thickness of the antenna. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention has been made to solve the above technical problems, and aims to provide a fully analog phase shifter that can achieve a linear phase distribution with a mirror symmetry structure using only phase transitions in the RF stage, without phase conversion in the digital stage, and an antenna device including the same.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a full analog phase shifter and an antenna device including the same, which can minimize the space required for installing the full analog phase shifter, thereby preventing the front and rear thicknesses from increasing, thereby optimizing the realization of a slimmer product.

[0013] The objects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] A full analog phase shifter according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a variable switch panel including first and second current-carrying pattern terminals, and an antenna element substrate on which a plurality of array antenna elements are arranged and on which transmission lines serving as contact points between the first and second current-carrying pattern terminals are pattern-printed, and due to phase transitions caused by the contact points between the first and second current-carrying pattern terminals and the transmission lines, the phases for the plurality of array antenna elements form a linear distribution on a reference identical phase plane.

[0015] The lengths of the one-side transmission line and the other-side transmission line of the antenna element substrate may have a predetermined ratio.

[0016] Furthermore, the antenna element substrate serves as a contact point for an inner variable circuit before branching from two input terminals to two output terminals, and an outer variable circuit after branching, and the length ratio of each of the two output terminals associated with each of the input terminals can have the predetermined ratio.

[0017] Here, the predetermined ratio may be 1:3.

[0018] Furthermore, the inner variable circuit and the outer variable circuit are pattern-printed to have a first disconnection point and a second disconnection point where a portion of the transmission line is disconnected, and a first current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel can energize the first disconnection point corresponding to the inner variable circuit, and a second current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel can energize the second disconnection point corresponding to the outer variable circuit.

[0019] In addition, a first output terminal and a third output terminal branching from a first input terminal of the two input terminals are arranged on the left side of the antenna element substrate, and a second output terminal and a fourth output terminal branching from a second input terminal of the two input terminals are arranged on the right side of the antenna element substrate, spaced apart in a vertical direction (V-direction). Assuming that two antenna element substrates are arranged in the vertical direction, two variable switch panels are also provided to be operated simultaneously, and a vertical phase difference at each output terminal due to simultaneous operation of the two variable switch panels may have a linear gradient distribution with respect to the reference identical phase plane.

[0020] The two variable switch panels may be provided as a rotator type that rotates around a front-to-rear horizontal axis in front of the inner variable circuit and the outer variable circuit including the first and second disconnection points.

[0021] In addition, the two rotator type variable switch panels are configured to rotate in opposite directions, provided that the first and second disconnection points pattern-printed on the two antenna element substrates are the same.

[0022] The two variable switch panels may be slider-type panels that slide vertically from in front of the first and second power-off points.

[0023] In addition, the two slider-type variable switch panels are configured to slide simultaneously in the same direction, assuming that the transmission lines including the first and second disconnection points pattern-printed on the two antenna element substrates are symmetrical to each other.

[0024] In addition, when the space between the first and second output terminals provided on the antenna element substrate that is vertically upper of the two antenna element substrates is defined as a first beam output unit, the space between the third and fourth output terminals is defined as a second beam output unit, the space between the first and second output terminals provided on the antenna element substrate that is vertically lower of the two antenna element substrates is defined as a third beam output unit, and the space between the third and fourth output terminals is defined as a fourth beam output unit, by simultaneously operating the two variable switch panels, the second beam output unit and the third beam output unit can shift the lengths of the transmission lines by ±△Φ with respect to the reference in-phase plane, and the first beam output unit and the fourth beam output unit can change the lengths of the transmission lines to lengths that shift by ±△3Φ with respect to the reference in-phase plane.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the antenna device includes: a unit RF filter body, which is stacked on the front surface of a main board to form a predetermined front-rear thickness portion and be electrically connected to the main board, and which has a reflector panel on the front surface that performs a grounding (GND) function and is integrally extended in the vertical and horizontal directions so that the reflector panel is larger than the area of ​​the front surface; a radiating element module, which is stacked on the front surface of the reflector panel and includes an antenna element substrate on which four array antenna elements are spaced apart in the vertical direction; and a full analog phase shifter (hereinafter abbreviated as "phase shifter") having a plurality of variable switch panels that change the length of a transmission line by rotating in a spaced-apart space formed between the four array antenna elements and the antenna element substrate.

[0026] Here, the separation space is defined as the space between the rear surfaces of the four array antenna elements and the front surface of the antenna element substrate.

[0027] The phase shifter may further include a phase shift drive motor disposed at the rear side of the antenna element substrate and at the front and rear thickness portions of the unit RF filter body; a horizontal mounting bar that receives a driving force of the phase shift drive motor and moves up and down; and a plurality of vertical mounting bars that have one end connected to the horizontal mounting bar and the other end extending vertically upward or downward and connected to the plurality of variable switch panels.

[0028] In addition, one end or the other end of the vertical mounting bar is hingedly connected to a hinge protrusion formed on the front surface of the horizontal mounting bar.

[0029] In addition, a reflector panel wider than the front surface of the unit RF filter body and a hinge pin penetrating the antenna element substrate are formed at one end and the other end of the vertical mounting bar, and are hingedly coupled to the variable switch panel.

[0030] In addition, an arc-shaped guide slot for guiding the arc movement of the hinge pin of the vertical mounting bar is formed penetrating the reflector panel and the antenna element board in the front-rear direction.

[0031] In addition, the rotation shaft of the phase shift drive motor may have a male screw thread formed on an outer circumferential surface and a screw rod extending a predetermined length in the direction of the rotation shaft, and the phase shifter may further include a rod through-hole through which the screw rod passes in a vertical direction, the rod through-hole having a female screw thread formed therein to engage with the male screw thread, an up-and-down moving block that moves in a vertical direction according to a rotation direction of the screw rod, and a block guide unit that guides the up-and-down movement of the up-and-down moving block.

[0032] The horizontal mounting bar is hooked to the front of the upper and lower moving blocks.

[0033] The phase shifter further includes a horizontal bracket portion arranged horizontally on the left and right sides inside the antenna housing portion where the main board is installed so that the block guide portion is fixed, and bearing wheels are provided at both ends of the horizontal mounting bar, respectively, and are rotatably supported inside the left and right support panels provided at both ends of the horizontal bracket portion.

[0034] The antenna housing may further include at least one fixed bridge bar for fixing the unit RF filter body in the internal space of the antenna housing, and the horizontal bracket may be fixed in the internal space of the antenna housing to replace one of the fixed bridge bars.

[0035] The antenna housing further includes at least one fixed bridge bar for fixing the unit RF filter body in the internal space of the antenna housing, and the horizontal bracket is fixed to the internal space of the antenna housing via one of the fixed bridge bars.

[0036] In addition, the fixed bridge bars are formed extending horizontally to the left and right at the upper end, lower end, and middle portion of the internal space of the antenna housing, respectively, and the horizontal bracket portion can replace the fixed bridge bar formed at the middle portion.

[0037] The fixed bridge bars are formed to extend horizontally to the left and right at the upper, lower and middle portions of the internal space of the antenna housing, and the horizontal bracket is fixed via the fixed bridge bars formed at the middle portion.

[0038] In addition, assuming that two of the unit RF filter bodies are arranged vertically (V-direction) in the internal space of the antenna housing, the horizontal bracket portion, which replaces the fixed bridge bar constructed in the middle portion, is provided in the space between the two unit RF filter bodies in the vertical direction.

[0039] In addition, the fixed bridge bar or the horizontal bracket portion replacing the fixed bridge bar has a plurality of screw fastening holes formed therein for screw assembly with the unit RF filter body.

[0040] The vertical mounting bars are provided in a number corresponding to the number of the unit RF filter bodies.

[0041] In addition, an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned full analog phase shifter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0042] According to the antenna device according to the embodiment of the present invention, there is no need to separate the unit RF filter body and the radiating element printed circuit board for the installation of the phase shifter, which prevents the front and rear thickness of the product from increasing. In addition, the driving force of one phase shift drive motor can perform phase shift for all of the RF modules, which reduces the number of parts.

[0043] Furthermore, the antenna device according to the embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that it is possible to realize the phase difference of the mirror symmetry structure without requiring support work in the digital stage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] 1 is a graph illustrating the principle of phase conversion. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are a circuit diagram and a phase difference diagram for explaining the principle of phase conversion performed in an RF stage. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4A] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the front part of the antenna device of FIG. 3. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rear part of the antenna device of FIG. 3. [Figure 5]1A and 1B are front and rear views showing the operation of a phase shifter in the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion "D" in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of FIG. 3 with the radome panel separated. [Figure 8A] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the front part of the configuration of FIG. 3, in which a phase shifter is exposed to the outside. [Figure 8B] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rear part of the configuration of FIG. 3, in which the phase shifter is exposed to the outside. [Figure 9A] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a phase shifter in the configuration of FIG. 3, and is an exploded perspective view of the front part with the radome panel and the antenna housing removed. [Figure 9B] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a phase shifter in the configuration of FIG. 3, and is an exploded perspective view of the rear part with the radome panel and the antenna housing removed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a phase shifter is installed in an antenna housing portion. [Figure 11] 11 is an exploded perspective view of a part of a phase shifter fixed to an intermediate portion of the antenna housing in the configuration of FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is an exploded perspective view showing how a unit RF module is fixed to a fixed bridge bar fixed to an upper end portion of an antenna housing part in the configuration of FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 13] 4A and 4B are a cross-sectional view and a partially enlarged view showing a phase shifter in the configuration of FIG. 3. [Figure 14] 4 is a cutaway perspective view showing a phase shifter in the configuration of FIG. 3 and a partially enlarged view thereof. [Figure 15A] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the front part of the configuration of FIG. 3, illustrating the arrangement of phase shifters around the antenna element substrate. FIG. [Figure 15B] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rear part of the configuration of FIG. 3, illustrating the arrangement of phase shifters around the antenna element substrate. FIG. [Figure 16]4 is an exploded perspective view of the front and rear parts of the configuration of FIG. 3, illustrating the switching operation of a variable switch panel relative to the antenna element substrate. FIG. [Figure 17] 1A and 1B are a front view and a partially enlarged view of an antenna element substrate showing changes in the contact points of the transmission line pattern of the first embodiment for realizing a phase difference of a mirror symmetry structure. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a front view of an antenna element substrate showing the state of a transmission line pattern of a second embodiment for realizing a phase difference in a mirror symmetry structure. [Figure 19] 1A and 1B are a circuit diagram and a phase difference diagram for explaining the principle of phase conversion performed in an RF stage using a phase shifter of an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] Hereinafter, an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] When assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are assigned the same numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of such well-known configurations or functions would hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0047] When describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as "first," "second," "A," "B," "(a)," and "(b)" may be used. These terms are merely used to distinguish the component from other components and do not limit the nature, order, or procedure of the components. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this application.

[0048] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4A and 4B are exploded perspective views of the front and rear parts of the antenna device of FIG.

[0049] The antenna device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be an antenna device incorporating Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology.

[0050] MIMO technology dramatically increases data transmission capacity by using multiple array antenna elements. It is a spatial multiplexing technique in which a transmitter transmits different data through each transmit antenna, and a receiver separates the transmitted data through appropriate signal processing. Therefore, by simultaneously increasing the number of transmit and receive antennas, channel capacity increases, enabling the transmission of more data. For example, increasing the number of antennas to 10 ensures approximately 10 times the channel capacity using the same frequency band compared to a single antenna system.

[0051] In particular, as shown in Figure 5, the antenna device has TRx modules (not shown) that perform the functions of transmitters and receivers arranged in a V (Vertical)-H (Horizontal) direction, in the vertical direction (V-direction) and the horizontal direction (H-direction), and multiple array antenna elements 235 electrically connected to each TRx module are arranged.

[0052] Here, in a Massive MIMO antenna device for mobile communications, the multiple array antenna elements 235 are generally designed as multiple dual-polarized antenna module arrays to reduce the effects of fading due to multipath and to perform polarization diversity functions.

[0053] More specifically, as shown in Figures 3 to 4B, the antenna device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an antenna housing section 110 that forms the left and right lateral and rear appearances of the antenna device 100, and a radome panel 300 that forms the front appearance of the antenna device 100, is arranged to shield the open front surface of the antenna housing section 110, and protects internal components (including the main board 120 and antenna RF module 200 described later) provided in the internal space 110S of the antenna housing section 110 from the outside.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 to 4B, the antenna device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main board 120 closely installed in the internal space 110S of the antenna housing part 110, a PSU board part 130 arranged on the upper side of the main board 120, and a surge board part 140 arranged on the lower side of the main board 120, and may further include an antenna RF module (Radio Frequency Module) 200 (hereinafter abbreviated as "RF module") arranged on the front side of the main board 120.

[0055] The antenna housing part 110 can play a role of mediating coupling to a support pole (not shown) provided for installation of the antenna device 100 .

[0056] The antenna housing 110 is made of a metal material with excellent thermal conductivity to favor heat dissipation through heat conduction as a whole, and is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box having a thickness in the front-rear direction sufficient to accommodate the front end of the RF module 200 (described later). However, the antenna housing 110 does not need to be formed longer than the protruding length of the front end of the RF module 200, and is formed to a size suitable for accommodating internal components including the RF module 200 by folding and extending the edge of the radome panel 300 rearward.

[0057] Meanwhile, the inner surface of the antenna housing 110 is formed in a shape that fits the external protrusions of the digital elements (such as FPGA elements) mounted on the rear surface of the main board 120 and / or the PSU elements mounted on the rear surface of the PSU board 130, and the surge component elements mounted on the rear surface of the surge board 140. This is to maximize the thermal contact area with the rear surfaces of the main board 120, the PSU board 130, and the surge board 140, thereby maximizing heat dissipation performance.

[0058] In addition, the front surface of the main board 120 is provided with a female socket portion 125 for coupling, by socket pin coupling, a male socket portion 225 formed on an LNA substrate portion (not shown) of the amplification element portion 220, which is one of the components of the RF module for antenna 200 manufactured in modular units as described below, and a pin coupling portion 127 for coupling, by terminal pin coupling, first connecting pin terminals 227 of the left filter portion and the right filter portion, which are one of the components of the RF module for antenna 200.

[0059] Although not shown in the drawings, handles 190 are further provided on both the left and right sides of the antenna housing portion 110, which can be gripped by a worker on-site to easily transport the antenna device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention or to manually attach it to a support pole (not shown).

[0060] Additionally, various outer mounting members 400 for cable connection with a base station device (not shown) and for adjusting internal components are assembled through the outside of the lower end of the antenna housing 110. The outer mounting member 400 is provided in the form of at least one optical cable connection terminal (socket), and each connection terminal is interconnected with a connection terminal of a coaxial cable (not shown).

[0061] 3 to 4B, a plurality of rear heat dissipation fins 111 are integrally formed in a predetermined pattern on the rear surface of the antenna housing 110. Here, heat generated from the heat generating elements of the main board 120, the PSU board 130, and the surge board 140 provided in the internal space 110S of the antenna housing 110 can be directly dissipated through the rear heat dissipation fins 111.

[0062] 3 to 6, the rear heat dissipation fins 111 may be arranged with an upward inclination from the center of the left-right width toward the left and right ends, so that heat dissipated toward the rear of the antenna housing unit 110 forms an ascending air current that disperses the heat toward the left and right, respectively, thereby dissipating the heat more quickly. However, the shape of the rear heat dissipation fins 111 is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, although not shown in the drawings, if a blower fan module (not shown) is further provided on the rear side of the antenna housing unit 110 to facilitate the flow of outside air, the rear heat dissipation fins 111 may be formed in parallel from the middle-positioned blower fan module to the left and right ends, respectively, so that the heat dissipated by the blower fan module can be discharged more quickly.

[0063] Meanwhile, the radome panel 300 is connected to the front end of the antenna housing part 110, and a plurality of hook connection parts 310 provided along the edge of the radome panel 300 are hook-connected to the front end locking rib 115 side of the antenna housing part 110.

[0064] Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, the RF module 200 may include an RF filter 210 including a unit RF filter body 211 arranged on the front surface of the main board 120, a radiating element module 230 arranged on the front surface of the unit RF filter body 211, and an amplifying element section 220 provided on either the upper or lower surface of the front or rear thickness section of the unit RF filter body 211, and including an LNA substrate section (not shown) on which at least one analog amplifying element (not shown) is mounted.

[0065] Generally, analog amplification elements generate a lot of heat during operation, so for more efficient heat dissipation, they are mounted on the front or rear of the main board 120 together with heat-generating elements such as digital elements (such as FPGAs). However, by separating only the LNA elements, which generate relatively little heat among the analog amplification elements, from the main board 120 and distributing them to the LNA substrate section, which is one of the components of the amplification element section 220 of the RF module 200, other analog amplification elements (e.g., Tx, Rx elements, etc.) and digital elements can be positioned further apart from the main board 120, which has the advantage of eliminating the concentration of heat dissipation when dissipating heat from the rear of the antenna housing section 110.

[0066] Here, a reflector panel 219 is further provided on the front surface of the unit RF filter body 211, the reflector panel 219 being formed to extend wider than the area of ​​the front surface of the unit RF filter body 211 and grounding the radiating element module 230 (GND).

[0067] The reflector panel 219 can improve the directivity and gain of the signal by reflecting the signal radiated from the array antenna element 235 of the radiating element module 230 .

[0068] In addition, the reflector panel 219 can perform a ground (GND) function in addition to the signal reflection function described above.

[0069] More specifically, the reflector panel 219 is integrally formed on the front surface of the unit RF filter body 211 of each RF module 200, and is therefore not in direct contact with the reflector panel 219 of an adjacent RF module 200, but is arranged very close to it, thereby separating the front portion of the unit RF filter body 211 from the volume portion occupied by the unit RF filter body 211, and performing the grounding function described above.

[0070] In addition, although not shown in the drawings, a plurality of cavities opening to the left and right outside are formed on the left and right sides of the unit RF filter body 211, and a resonator is built into each cavity to provide a left filter section and a right filter section that perform different frequency filtering. The left filter section and the right filter section are designed as filters for the 2.4G frequency band and the 5G frequency band, respectively, so that a dual-band antenna can be realized using one RF module 200.

[0071] On the other hand, the radiating element module 230 is configured to generate at least one of the dual polarized waves.

[0072] More specifically, as shown in Figures 7 to 8B, the radiating element module 230 may include an antenna element substrate 231 arranged on the front surface of the reflector panel 219, a power feed base 233 attached to the front surface of the antenna element substrate 231, electrically connected to the left filter section and the right filter section, and arranged in an "X" shape, and an array antenna element 235 provided at the front end of the power feed base 233.

[0073] The array antenna element 235 is formed in an approximately square shape, and the power supply feed base 233 is positioned to support each corner of the array antenna element 235 diagonally, and each feed end extends and is connected to the center of each side of the array antenna element 235, so that each power supply feed base 233 generates each polarization, thereby achieving dual polarization.

[0074] Here, four array antenna elements 235 are arranged spaced apart in the vertical direction (V-direction) per unit RF filter body 211. The four array antenna elements 235 can output two different phase shift values ​​by a phase shifter 500, which will be described later in more detail.

[0075] The antenna element substrate 231 can be electrically connected to mediate transmission of transmission signals from the left and right filter sections formed on the left and right sides of the unit RF filter body 211 and reception signals from the array antenna element 235 .

[0076] Meanwhile, in the antenna device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the radiating element module 230 has been described as being limited to either a patch type or a dipole type, but is not necessarily limited to this.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above-described method of realizing the antenna element substrate 231, it is possible to apply a PCB type in which a transmission line (not shown) is pattern-printed, but it should be noted that this does not exclude the application of an air strip type feed method. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, in order to explain the operability in conjunction with the phase shifter 500 (described later), the one applied to the PCB type will be described as an embodiment.

[0078] Figure 5 is a front view and a rear view showing the operation of a phase shifter in the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is an enlarged exploded oblique view of part "D" in Figure 5, Figure 7 is an exploded oblique view showing the configuration of Figure 3 with the radome panel separated, Figures 8A and 8B are exploded oblique views of the front and rear parts of the configuration of Figure 3 with the phase shifter exposed to the outside, and Figures 9A and 9B are exploded oblique views of the front and rear parts of the configuration of Figure 3 with the radome panel and antenna housing part removed, showing the phase shifter.

[0079] As shown in Figures 5 to 9 (see Figure 6 in particular), the antenna device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a full analog phase shifter (hereinafter abbreviated as "phase shifter") 500 having a plurality of variable switch panels 540 that change the length of the transmission line by rotating in a space (not shown in the drawing) defined between the front surface of the antenna element substrate 231 of the radiating element module 230 and the rear surfaces of the four array antenna elements 235.

[0080] 5 to 9, the phase shifter 500 may further include a phase shift drive motor 510 disposed behind the antenna element substrate 231 in a space corresponding to the front and rear thicknesses of the unit RF filter body 211, a horizontal mounting bar 520 that receives a driving force from the phase shift drive motor 510 and moves up and down, and a plurality of vertical mounting bars 530 that have one end connected to the horizontal mounting bar 520 and the other end extending vertically upward or downward and connected to a plurality of variable switch panels 540. The specific driving manner of the phase shifter 500 will be described in more detail later.

[0081] 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the state of installation of a phase shifter relative to an antenna housing section, FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view in which a part of a phase shifter fixed to an intermediate portion of the antenna housing section in the configuration of FIG. 10 is exploded, FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the state of fixing a unit RF module to a fixed bridge bar fixed to an upper end portion of the antenna housing section in the configuration of FIG. 10, FIGS. 13 and 14 are a cross-sectional view and a cutaway perspective view showing a phase shifter in the configuration of FIG. 3, and a partially enlarged view thereof, FIGS. 15A and 15B are exploded perspective views of the front and rear parts showing the positional relationship of the phase shifter with respect to the antenna element substrate in the configuration of FIG. 3, FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the front and rear parts for explaining the state of switching operation of a variable switch panel relative to the antenna element substrate in the configuration of FIG. 3, FIG. 17 is a front view of the antenna element substrate showing the change in contact points of the state of the transmission line pattern of the first embodiment for realizing the phase difference of the mirror symmetry structure, and a partially enlarged view thereof, FIG. 10 is a front view of an antenna element substrate showing the state of a transmission line pattern of a second embodiment for realizing a phase difference in a symmetrical structure.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 16, two input terminals (hereinafter referred to as "first input terminal 234a and second input terminal 234b") formed penetrating the front and rear of the antenna element substrate 231, and two output terminals branched off from each of the two input terminals (first input terminal 234a and second input terminal 234b) (hereinafter, the output terminals branching off from the first input terminal 234a will be referred to as "first output terminal 236a" and "third output terminal 236c", and the output terminals branching off from the second input terminal 234b will be referred to as "second output terminal 236b" and "fourth output terminal 236d").

[0083] Each of the two inputs 234a, 234b and four outputs 236a-236d can receive a signal generated by a processor and a radio frequency (RF) circuit of a transmitting device (e.g., a base station) (not shown). In particular, the two inputs 234a, 234b can transmit the input signal to a phase shifter 500 for changing a physical transmission line, which will be described later.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 16, the first output terminal 236a and the third output terminal 236c branching from the first input terminal 234a are arranged spaced apart in the vertical direction (V-direction) at the left end of the front surface of the antenna element substrate 231, and the second output terminal 236b and the fourth output terminal 236d branching from the second input terminal 234b are arranged spaced apart in the vertical direction at the right end of the front surface of the antenna element substrate 231.

[0085] Each output terminal 236a to 236d is provided with a pair of element feed lines (not shown in the drawing) branching out to have the same transmission length in the vertical direction, each with an element feed point (not shown in the drawing) formed at its tip, and a pair of element feed points provided at the same height of the pair of element feed lines are provided with a pair of array antenna elements 235 on the top and bottom, respectively, and are fed so that the same dual-polarized beam is output.

[0086] Here, two antenna element boards 231 are arranged vertically, and power feed signals are input from the TRx modules to each input terminal (the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b of the upper antenna element board 231 and the lower antenna element board 231), and the power feed signals transmitted via each input terminal 234a, 234b are output to each output terminal (the first output terminal to the fourth output terminal 236a to 236d) via each transmission line energized by contacts to the inner variable circuit 547a and the outer variable circuit 547b described later of the variable switch panel 540.

[0087] More specifically, one-side transmission line 232a and other-side transmission line 232b for transmitting signals between four array antenna elements 235 are pattern-printed on the front surface of antenna element substrate 231, and the pattern is also printed so as to have first and second disconnection points 247a and 247b for changing the length of the physical transmission line by the above-mentioned two variable circuits (inner variable circuit 547a and outer variable circuit 547b) at least between the input end and the output end.

[0088] Here, the one-side transmission line 232a is defined as a transmission line in which the first input port 234a is connected to the first output port 236a and a transmission line in which the first input port 234a is connected to the third output port 236c, and the other-side transmission line 232b is defined as a transmission line in which the second input port 234b is connected to the second output port 236b and a transmission line in which the second input port 234b is connected to the fourth output port 236d.

[0089] As described above, of the first output terminal 236a and the third output terminal 236c branching off from the first input terminal 234a, the first output terminal 236a is arranged at the upper vertical side of the left end portion of the antenna element substrate 231, and of the first output terminal 236a and the third output terminal 236c, the third output terminal 236c is arranged at the lower vertical side of the left end portion of the antenna element substrate 231.

[0090] Furthermore, of the second output terminal 236b and the fourth output terminal 236d branching off from the second input terminal 234b, the second output terminal 236b is arranged on the upper vertical side of the right end portion of the antenna element substrate 231, and of the second output terminal 236b and the fourth output terminal 236d, the fourth output terminal 236d is arranged on the lower vertical side of the right end portion of the antenna element substrate 231.

[0091] Therefore, the first output terminal 236a and the second output terminal 236b formed on one antenna element substrate 231 can be positioned at the same height as the upper side of the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b, and the third output terminal 236c and the fourth output terminal 236d can be positioned at the same height as the lower side of the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b.

[0092] Here, the first power interruption point 247a is defined as a portion of the one-side transmission line 232a or the other-side transmission line 232b that is disconnected at a position close to the first input terminal 234a or the second input terminal 234b before branching from the first input terminal 234a or the second input terminal 234b to the first output terminal 236a and the third output terminal 236c and before branching to the second output terminal 236b and the fourth output terminal 236d, respectively. The second power interruption point 247b is defined as a portion of the transmission line that is disconnected after branching from the first input terminal 234a or the second input terminal 234b to the first output terminal 236a and the third output terminal 236c, respectively, and then extending to the third output terminal 236c and the fourth output terminal 236d.

[0093] Explaining this in more detail with reference to FIG. 16, an internal variable circuit 248a is formed on the front surface of the antenna element substrate 231, pattern-printed in an arc shape having a first radius from the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b, and an external variable circuit 248b is formed on the outside of the internal variable circuit 248a, pattern-printed in an arc shape having a second radius, and the internal variable circuit 248a and the external variable circuit 248b are provided as inner and outer arcs, respectively, and can form the first power-off point 247a and the second power-off point 247b that are temporarily spaced apart from each other.

[0094] The starting end of the external variable circuit 248b formed on the first input terminal 234a side can branch and extend to the first output terminal 236a and the third output terminal 236c, and the starting end of the external variable circuit 248b formed on the second input terminal 234b side can branch and extend to the second output terminal 236b and the fourth output terminal 236d.

[0095] Here, the external variable circuit 248b is defined as a cut portion of the transmission line that branches into the first output terminal 236a and the third output terminal 236c and then extends toward the third output terminal 236c, or a cut portion of the transmission line that branches into the second output terminal 236b and the fourth output terminal 236d and then extends toward the fourth output terminal 236d.

[0096] Therefore, the power supply feed signal input from the TRx module can energize only the first power interruption point 247a corresponding to the internal variable circuit 248a among the transmission lines respectively connecting the first input terminal 234a to the first output terminal 236a and the second input terminal 234b to the second output terminal 236b through a contact via the first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a of the variable switch panel 540, and the input terminal power supply feed signal from the TRx module can energize not only the first power interruption point 247a corresponding to the internal variable circuit 248a among the transmission lines respectively connecting the first input terminal 234a to the third output terminal 236c and the second input terminal 234b to the fourth output terminal 236d, but also the second power interruption point 247b corresponding to the external variable circuit 248b through simultaneous contacts via the first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a and the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b of the variable switch panel 540.

[0097] 16, the transmission line branching from the first input terminal 234a to the first output terminal 236a and the transmission line branching to the third output terminal 236c are pattern-printed on the front surface of the antenna element substrate 231 so as to intersect but not be electrically connected to each other. Therefore, the transmission lines branching from the first input terminal 234a to the first output terminal 236a and the third output terminal 236c do not electrically affect each other.

[0098] Meanwhile, first and second current-carrying pattern terminals 547a and 547b that realize a phase difference while energizing the above-mentioned first current-carrying point 247a and second current-carrying point 247b (i.e., two variable circuits) are pattern-printed on the rear surface of the variable switch panel 540. Here, the variable switch panel 540 may be made of a plastic resin material, and the first and second current-carrying pattern terminals 547a and 547b may be made of conductors and manufactured by an insert injection method, or, as in the embodiment of the present invention, the variable switch panel 540 may be in the form of a PCB made of FR4 material, and the first and second current-carrying pattern terminals 547a and 547b may be formed by a circuit printing method for a normal PCB.

[0099] The first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a and the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b formed on the variable switch panel 540 are also formed to have the same radius as the internal variable circuit 248a and the external variable circuit 248b formed on the antenna element substrate 231, and are formed in an approximately inverted "C" arc shape and interconnected.

[0100] The first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a interconnects the first current-breaking points 247a, and the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b interconnects the second current-breaking points 247b.

[0101] Such a variable switch panel 540 is provided as a rotator type that connects the first disconnection point 247a and the second disconnection point 247b and at the same time rotates within a predetermined angle range to change the length of the transmission line pattern printed on the antenna element substrate 231.

[0102] In this case, when the first and second interruption points 247a and 247b are energized by the first and second energization pattern terminals 547a and 547b, the phase shifter 500 can change the length ratio (e.g., first input terminal 234a-first output terminal 236a: first input terminal 234a-third output terminal 236c, second input terminal 234b-second output terminal 236b: second input terminal 234b-fourth output terminal 236d) of the branched output terminals from one input terminal to a predetermined ratio. Here, the predetermined ratio should be configured so that the beam phase values ​​of the radiating elements constituting the antenna array element 235 are linear, and for example, the predetermined ratio is preferably 1:3. That is, the variable switch panel 540 can realize a phase difference by changing the overall length of the one-side transmission line 232a and the other-side transmission line 232b while rotating at a predetermined angle based on the rotation center point.

[0103] Meanwhile, in the full analog phase shifter 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pattern shape formed on the antenna element substrate 231 is not limited to the arc shape as described above.

[0104] That is, referring to FIG. 18, in the full analog phase shifter 500, the variable switch panel 540 is provided as a slider type that slides up and down from the front surface of the antenna element substrate 231, and it is also possible to realize a phase difference depending on the sliding distance.

[0105] In this case, the pattern shape printed on the front surface of antenna element substrate 231 may be formed in a concave-convex shape including lower variable circuit 248a' and upper variable circuit 248b'. Here, lower variable circuit 248a' is preferably formed before first input terminal 234a branches into first output terminal 236a and third output terminal 236c and before second input terminal 234b branches into second output terminal 236b and fourth output terminal 236d, and upper variable circuit 248b' is preferably formed in a transmission line portion connecting third output terminal 236c and fourth output terminal 236d after branching from each input terminal 234a, 234b.

[0106] In this way, when the two variable switch panels 540 are provided as slider types that slide vertically as shown in FIG. 16, it is preferable that they are provided so as to slide simultaneously in the same direction, assuming that the transmission lines including the first disconnection point 247a and the second disconnection point 247b pattern-printed on the two antenna element substrates 231 are mutually symmetrical.

[0107] Meanwhile, referring to Figures 13 and 14, the phase shift drive motor 510 is arranged to establish a vertical rotation axis in the space between adjacent unit RF filter bodies 211, which is a space corresponding to the front and rear thickness portions of the unit RF filter bodies 211.

[0108] The rotation shaft of the phase transition drive motor 510 is provided with a screw rod 515 having a male screw thread formed on the outer circumferential surface and extending a predetermined length in the direction of the rotation shaft.

[0109] Here, the phase shifter 500 may further include a rod through-hole 519a through which the screw rod 515 passes in the vertical direction, and a female thread (not shown) formed in the rod through-hole 519a to be engaged with the male thread of the screw rod 515, an up-down moving block 519 that moves up and down according to the rotation direction of the screw rod 515, and a block guide part 517 that guides the up and down movement of the up-down moving block 519.

[0110] Meanwhile, the phase shifter 500 may further include horizontal bracket parts 560 arranged horizontally on the left and right sides inside the antenna housing part 110 where the main board 120 and the like are provided so that the block guide part 517 is fixed.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 10, the horizontal bracket part 560 is fixed to the middle part of the internal space 110S of the antenna housing part 110 in the horizontal direction, and serves to support the phase shifter 500 so that the phase shifter 500 can be driven stably.

[0112] More specifically, the inner space 110S of the antenna housing part 110 is provided with three fixing bridge bars 117 for firmly fixing each of the plurality of unit RF filter bodies 211 to the inner space 110S of the antenna housing part 110.

[0113] The three fixed bridge bars 117 are fixed in a bridge shape at the upper end, lower end and middle of the inner space 110S of the antenna housing part 110, respectively, spaced a predetermined distance forward from the inner surface of the inner space 110S.

[0114] The horizontal bracket part 560 is fixedly installed in front of at least one fixed bridge bar 117 installed in the middle of the three fixed bridge bars 117, or is provided as a substitute for the fixed bridge bar 117 installed in the middle. In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 10 to 12, the horizontal bracket part 560 is realized as a substitute for the fixed bridge bar 117 installed in the middle of the internal space 110S of the antenna housing part 110. Therefore, it is preferable to interpret the fixed bridge bar 117 installed in the middle and the horizontal bracket part 560 as having the same configuration.

[0115] That is, as shown in Figures 10 to 12, at least one fixed bridge bar 117 is formed extending horizontally to the left and right at the upper end, lower end and middle portion of the internal space 110S of the antenna housing portion 110, and the horizontal bracket portion 560 is fixed to the internal space 110S of the antenna housing portion 110 so as to replace any one of the at least one fixed bridge bar 117 and is fixed so as to replace the fixed bridge bar 117 formed at the middle portion.

[0116] However, the horizontal bracket part 560 does not necessarily have to replace the fixed bridge bar 117 provided in the middle portion of the internal space 110S of the antenna housing part 110, but may be fixed via the fixed bridge bar 117 provided in the middle portion as described above.

[0117] Here, the fixed bridge bar 117, which is provided in the middle of the internal space 110S of the antenna housing 110 and mediates the fixing of the horizontal bracket 560, or the horizontal bracket 560 which replaces the fixed bridge bar 117 itself, is provided in the space between the two unit RF filter bodies 211 in the vertical direction (V-direction) when two unit RF filter bodies 211 are arranged in the vertical direction. This is to allow the horizontal mounting bar 520 to move up and down without interfering with the unit RF filter bodies 211 while maintaining horizontal alignment in the space between them.

[0118] Meanwhile, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the fixed bridge bar 117 or the horizontal bracket part 560 replacing the fixed bridge bar 117 has a plurality of screw fastening holes 118 for screw assembly with the unit RF filter body 211 using fixing screws 215.

[0119] Here, as shown in FIG. 12 , the upper and / or lower end of the unit RF filter body 211 is provided with a screw mounting portion 213 having a screw fastening groove 214 through which a fixing screw 215 passes, and the fixing screw 215 can be firmly fixed to the unit RF filter body 211 through the screw fastening groove 214 of the screw mounting portion 213 and the screw fastening hole 118 of the horizontal bracket portion 560 or the fixed bridge bar 117, respectively.

[0120] 15A and 15B, the phase shift drive motor 510 is mounted on the horizontal bracket 560 via a motor mounting bracket 513 having a shaft through-hole 513h formed therethrough in the vertical direction. That is, the phase shift drive motor 510 is firmly fixed to the horizontal bracket 560, which is fixedly mounted on the interior space 110S of the antenna housing 110, via the motor mounting bracket 513, so that the screw rod 515 can rotate in place within the interior space 110S of the antenna housing 110.

[0121] Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, the phase shift drive motor 510 is fixedly installed in a separate structure (for example, including a support hole-shaped structure into which the phase shift drive motor 510 can be inserted and installed) provided on the outer side of adjacent unit RF filter bodies 211.

[0122] The screw rod 515 connected to the rotation shaft of the phase shift drive motor 510 is inserted into the shaft through-hole 513h of the motor installation bracket 513 and the guide hole 517h formed by vertically penetrating the block guide part 517, and then fastened to the female thread of the rod through-hole 519a of the vertical moving block 519.

[0123] The horizontal mounting bar 520 is hooked to the front of the vertical moving block 519 by a hook portion 519b formed at the front end of the vertical moving block 519, so that when the vertical moving block 519 moves up and down inside the block guide portion 517, neither end of the horizontal mounting bar 520 is biased to one side, and the entire horizontal mounting bar 520 moves up and down.

[0124] Meanwhile, left and right support panels 565a and 565b are provided at both ends of the horizontal bracket part 560, which are fixed to the left and right inner walls of the antenna housing part 110, respectively.

[0125] In addition, bearing wheels 525a and 525b are provided at both ends of the horizontal mounting bar 520 and are rotatably supported by a left support panel 565a and a right support panel 565b of the horizontal bracket part 560, respectively.

[0126] The left bearing wheel 525a and the right bearing wheel 525b are rotatably mounted in a left bearing housing 527a and a right bearing housing 527b, respectively, which are coupled to the rear of both ends of the horizontal mounting bar 520, and are rotatably supported by a left support panel 565a and a right support panel 565b of the horizontal bracket part 560, thereby serving to smoothly assist the horizontal mounting bar 520 in moving up and down.

[0127] Meanwhile, the vertical mounting bars 530 are provided in accordance with the number of unit RF filter bodies 211. For example, referring to Fig. 11, if eight unit RF filter bodies 211 are arranged on the upper and lower front surfaces of the main board 120, four on each side, to provide a total of 16T16R (16 for transmitting and 16 for receiving) transmitting and receiving paths, the number of vertical mounting bars 530 is provided in accordance with the number of the eight unit RF filter bodies 211.

[0128] A plurality of hinge coupling protrusions 521 are formed protruding forward from the front surface of the horizontal mounting bar 520 to be hingedly coupled to one end or the other end (defined as "one end" in the present embodiment) of the vertical mounting bar 530. Hinge coupling holes 531 are formed at one end of the vertical mounting bar 530 to be hingedly coupled to the hinge coupling protrusions 521 of the horizontal mounting bar 520, respectively.

[0129] Meanwhile, the variable switch panel 540 is formed in a substantially circular panel shape with a portion of its circumference protruding to one side. At the protruding portion of the rotator-type variable switch panel 540 with a portion of its circumference protruding, a hinge insertion hole 545 is formed through which a hinge pin 533, which is integrally formed at one end and the other end (defined as the “other end” in the present embodiment) of the vertical mounting bar 530 so as to be bent forward, passes to be hingedly coupled.

[0130] The hinge pin 533 of the vertical mounting bar 530 passes through the antenna element substrate 231 and the reflector panel 219 formed on the front surface of the unit RF filter body 211 and is hingedly coupled to the hinge insertion hole 545 of the variable switch panel 540 .

[0131] On the other hand, the reflector panel 219 and the antenna element substrate 231 are formed with an arc-shaped guide slit 231c for guiding the arc movement of the hinge pin 533 of the vertical mounting bar 530.

[0132] Here, the antenna element substrate 231 has a rotation hole 231a formed in front of the two variable circuits (internal variable circuit 248a and external variable circuit 248b) mentioned above, to which the variable switch panel 540 is fixed at the rotation center point and to which the center of the variable switch panel 540 is rotatably connected.

[0133] A fixing hole 543 or a screw boss 544 including the fixing hole 543 is provided at the center of the variable switch panel 540, and the variable switch panel 540 can be rotatably fixed by a fixing screw (not shown) passing through a rotation hole 231a formed in the antenna element substrate 231 and fastening it to a screw fastening hole (not shown) formed on the front surface of the reflector panel 219 of the unit RF filter body 211.

[0134] However, the fixing structure of the variable switch panel 540 is not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and although not shown, the center of the variable switch panel 540 is provided in the form of a hinge, and passes through a pivot hole 231a formed in the antenna element substrate 231 and is connected to a hinge connection portion 219a provided so that the center of the variable switch panel 540 can be connected to the front surface of the reflector panel 219 of the unit RF filter body 211.

[0135] Meanwhile, the antenna element substrate 231 is formed with four cover coupling holes 231b to which a rotator cover 550 that covers the front of the variable switch panel 540 is coupled. Four coupling ribs (not shown in the drawing) formed to protrude rearward from the rear surface of each corner of the rotator cover 550 are inserted into and coupled to the four cover coupling holes 231b, respectively, and while covering the variable switch panel 540, the protruding portion of the variable switch panel 540 protrudes between two coupling ribs, allowing the variable switch panel 540 to rotate within the range of the guide slits 231c.

[0136] In addition, the phase shifter 500 may further include an elastic member 570 between the variable switch panel 540 and the rotator cover 550, as shown in FIG. 6, for elastically supporting the variable switch panel 540 on the antenna element substrate 231 side.

[0137] The elastic member 570 can play a role in maintaining contact by applying elastic force so that the first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a and the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b formed on the rear portion of the variable switch panel 540 are sufficiently adhered to the first current-breaking point 247a and the second current-breaking point 247b of the antenna element substrate 231.

[0138] The elastic member 570 may have any structure as long as it applies a uniform elastic force to the variable switch panel 540, but in one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member 570 is limited to being provided as a leaf spring.

[0139] In the antenna device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the phase shifter 500 is particularly configured such that the variable switch panel 540 rotates in the space between the front surface of the antenna element substrate 231 and the rear surface of the array antenna element 235. The phase shift drive motor 510, horizontal mounting bar 520, and vertical mounting bar 530, which occupy a relatively large amount of space, and various structures for connecting them (such as the horizontal bracket part 560) can be efficiently installed in the existing space between the plurality of unit RF filter bodies 211, thereby providing an advantage of improving space utilization.

[0140] On the other hand, the variable circuits (lower variable circuit 248a' and upper variable circuit 248b') pattern-printed on the antenna element substrate 231 can also be formed in an uneven shape as shown in FIG.

[0141] That is, the pattern is printed on the antenna element substrate 231 so that the transmission line extends downward in a straight line from the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b and has a first power interruption point 247a at some point before branching to the first output terminal 236a and the third output terminal 236c and before branching to the second output terminal 236b and the fourth output terminal 236d, and after branching, the transmission line extends in a straight line above the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b and has a second power interruption point 247b at some point after branching to the third output terminal 236c and the fourth output terminal 236d.

[0142] Here, the first and second current-carrying pattern terminals 547a and 547b are formed on the front surface of the structure (not shown) corresponding to the variable switch panel 540 so as to contact the first and second disconnecting points 247a and 247b, respectively, with a length ratio of 1:3 as described above. In this case, the alternative structure of the variable switch panel 540 is provided to be slidably moved in the vertical direction from the front surface of the antenna element substrate 231, thereby realizing a phase difference according to the moving distance.

[0143] FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram and a phase difference diagram for explaining the principle of phase conversion performed in the RF stage using the phase shifter of the antenna device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0144] As already explained in the "Background Art" section, even when the length of the transmission line is changed in the RF stage, in order to realize a mirror symmetry structure, the phase of the signal fed to at least two of the four array antenna elements 235 requires support work in the digital stage.

[0145] However, according to the full analog phase shifter 500 according to one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 17, the power supply signal input from one TRx module (meaning a transmitting / receiving element mounted on the main board 120 or the amplifying element unit 220) is configured to rotate so that the lengths of the one side transmission line 232a and the other side transmission line 232b are variable at a predetermined ratio by the first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a and the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b of the variable switch panel 540 at the first current-carrying point 247a before branching from each input terminal to two output terminals and at the second current-carrying point 247b after branching, thereby providing an advantage that no support work is required in the digital stage.

[0146] That is, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 19, the first power interruption point 247a before branching from the first input terminal 234a to the first output terminal 236a and the third output terminal 236c and the first power interruption point 247a before branching from the second input terminal 234b to the second output terminal 236b and the fourth output terminal 236d are determined by changing the physical lengths of the one-side transmission line 232a and the other-side transmission line 232b by the first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a of the variable switch panel 540. is varied by △Φ and -△Φ to realize the desired phase transition value, and the second power-off point 247b after branching from the first input terminal 234a to the third output terminal 236c and the second power-off point 247b after branching from the third input terminal to the fourth output terminal 236d can be varied by changing the physical length of the other-side transmission line 232b using the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b of the variable switch panel 540, thereby varying the phase by 2△Φ and -2△Φ to realize the desired phase transition value.

[0147] In this case, the phase transition values ​​for the four array antenna elements 235 can form a linear phase distribution based on the same phase plane, and a mirror symmetry structure with the most efficient beamforming performance can be realized.

[0148] More specifically, when two antenna element substrates 231 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, the space between the first output terminal 236a and the second output terminal 236b on the antenna element substrate 231 on the upper side in the vertical direction can be defined as the first beam output section, the space between the third output terminal 236c and the fourth output terminal 236d on the antenna element substrate 231 on the lower side in the vertical direction can be defined as the third beam output section, and the space between the third output terminal 236c and the fourth output terminal 236d on the antenna element substrate 231 on the lower side in the vertical direction can be defined as the fourth beam output section.

[0149] At this time, by simultaneously operating the two variable switch panels 540, the second beam output unit and the third beam output unit can shift the length of the transmission line by ±△Φ respectively from the reference identical phase plane, and the first beam output unit and the fourth beam output unit can change the length of the transmission line to a length that shifts by ±△3Φ respectively from the reference identical phase plane.

[0150] For this reason, for example, if two variable switch panels 540 are provided as rotator types, it is preferable that they are provided to rotate in opposite directions, assuming that the first disconnection point 247a and the second disconnection point 247b pattern-printed on the two antenna element substrates 231 are the same.

[0151] As described above, according to the full analog phase shifter 500 and the antenna device 100 including the same according to one embodiment of the present invention, when a signal is input from the TRx module, the first disconnection point 247a and the second disconnection point 247b can form a linear phase distribution in a straight line form by changing the physical length of the transmission line at each contact of the first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a and the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b of the variable switch panel 540, without the need for offset correction (i.e., support work) to correct the phase difference in the digital stage, which has the advantage of realizing a mirror symmetry structure that enables the most efficient beamforming performance.

[0152]

[0030] An antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and that various modifications and variations within the scope of equivalents may be made by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the true scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0153] The present invention provides a full analog phase shifter in an RF stage, which can selectively change the length of the entire transmission line to secure a desired phase transition value without changing the layout design of an existing RF module or requiring a separate installation space, and an antenna device including the same. [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 100: Antenna device, 110: Antenna housing part 120: Main board, 130: PSU board 140: Surge board, 200: RF module 210: RF filter, 211: unit RF filter body 220: Amplification element section, 230: Radiation element module 231: antenna element substrate, 231a: rotation hole 231b: Cover connection hole, 231c: Guide slit 232a: One side transmission line, 232b: Other side transmission line 233: power supply feed base, 234a: first input terminal 234b: second input terminal, 235: array antenna element 236a: 1st output end, 236b: 2nd output end 236c: 3rd output end, 236d: 4th output end 247a: 1st power outage point, 247b: 2nd power outage point 300: radome panel, 400: outer mounting member 500: Phase shifter, 510: Phase transition drive motor 520: Horizontal mounting bar, 530: Vertical mounting bar 540: Variable switch panel, 547a: First current-carrying pattern terminal 547b: Second current-carrying pattern terminal, 550: Rotator cover 560: horizontal bracket portion, 570: elastic member

Claims

1. a variable switch panel including a first current-carrying pattern terminal and a second current-carrying pattern terminal; an antenna element substrate on which a plurality of array antenna elements are arranged and on which a transmission line serving as a contact point between the first current-carrying pattern terminal and the second current-carrying pattern terminal is pattern-printed, phase transitions at points of contact between the first current-carrying pattern terminal and the second current-carrying pattern terminal and the transmission line cause phases for the plurality of array antenna elements to form a linear distribution on a reference identical phase plane; the lengths of the one-side transmission line and the other-side transmission line of the antenna element substrate have a predetermined ratio; A fully analog phase shifter having two input terminals each connected to an inner variable circuit before branching and an outer variable circuit after branching, and having a length ratio of each of the two output terminals associated with each of the input terminals satisfying the predetermined ratio.

2. 2. The fully analog phase shifter of claim 1, wherein the predetermined ratio is 1:

3.

3. the inner variable circuit and the outer variable circuit are pattern-printed to have a first disconnection point and a second disconnection point where a portion of the transmission line is disconnected; a first current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel energizes the first disconnecting point corresponding to the inner variable circuit; 2. The fully analog phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein a second current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel energizes the second current-breaking point corresponding to the outer variable circuit.

4. a first output terminal and a third output terminal branched from a first input terminal of the two input terminals are arranged on the left side of the antenna element substrate, and a second output terminal and a fourth output terminal branched from a second input terminal of the two input terminals are arranged on the right side of the antenna element substrate, spaced apart in a vertical (V-) direction; Assuming that two antenna element substrates are arranged in a vertical direction, two variable switch panels are also configured to be operated simultaneously, 4. The full analog phase shifter according to claim 3, wherein the vertical phase difference at each output terminal due to simultaneous operation of the two variable switch panels has a linear gradient distribution with respect to the reference identical phase plane.

5. 5. The fully analog phase shifter according to claim 4, wherein the two variable switch panels are provided as rotator type panels that rotate about a front-to-rear horizontal axis on front surfaces of the inner variable circuit and the outer variable circuit including the first and second disconnecting points.

6. 6. The full analog phase shifter according to claim 5, wherein the two rotator type variable switch panels are configured to rotate in opposite directions to each other, assuming that the first and second disconnection points pattern-printed on the two antenna element substrates are the same.

7. 5. The fully analog phase shifter according to claim 4, wherein the two variable switch panels are slider-type panels that are slid vertically from in front of the first and second disconnection points.

8. The two variable switch panels provided as slider types are 8. The fully analog phase shifter according to claim 7, wherein the transmission lines including the first and second disconnection points pattern-printed on the two antenna element substrates are configured to slide simultaneously in the same direction, assuming that they are symmetrical to each other.

9. a first beam output section is defined between a first output terminal and a second output terminal provided on the antenna element substrate that is vertically upper of the two antenna element substrates, and a second beam output section is defined between a third output terminal and a fourth output terminal provided on the antenna element substrate that is vertically upper, When the space between the first output terminal and the second output terminal provided on the antenna element substrate that is vertically lower among the two antenna element substrates is defined as a third beam output section, and the space between the third output terminal and the fourth output terminal is defined as a fourth beam output section, 5. The fully analog phase shifter according to claim 4, wherein the second beam output unit and the third beam output unit change the length of the transmission line by ±ΔΦ relative to the reference in-phase plane, and the first beam output unit and the fourth beam output unit change the length of the transmission line by ±Δ3Φ relative to the reference in-phase plane, by simultaneously operating the two variable switch panels.

10. a unit RF filter body, which is laminated and arranged on the front surface of the main board to form a predetermined front and rear thickness portion and be electrically connected to the main board, and which has a reflector panel on the front surface that performs a grounding (GND) function and is integrally extended in the up, down, left, and right directions so that the reflector panel is larger than the area of ​​the front surface; a radiating element module including an antenna element substrate that is stacked on the front surface of the reflector panel and has four array antenna elements arranged on the front surface at intervals in the vertical direction; and a full analog phase shifter (hereinafter abbreviated as "phase shifter") having a plurality of variable switch panels that change the length of the transmission line by rotating in a space formed between the four array antenna elements and the antenna element substrate.

11. 11. The antenna device according to claim 10, wherein the separation space is defined between the rear surfaces of the four array antenna elements and the front surface of the antenna element substrate.

12. The phase shifter a phase shift drive motor disposed on the rear side of the antenna element substrate and in the front and rear thickness portions of the unit RF filter body; a horizontal mounting bar that receives the driving force of the phase shift driving motor and moves up and down; The antenna device according to claim 10, further comprising: a plurality of vertical mounting bars, one end of which is connected to the horizontal mounting bar and the other end of which extends vertically upward or downward and is connected to the plurality of variable switch panels.

13. At one end or the other end of the vertical mounting bar, The antenna device according to claim 12 , wherein a hinge hole is formed to be hingedly coupled to a hinge protrusion formed on the front surface of the horizontal mounting bar.

14. The other end of the vertical mounting bar is provided with: The antenna device according to claim 12 , further comprising a reflector panel formed wider than the front surface of the unit RF filter body, and a hinge pin penetrating through the antenna element substrate and hingedly coupled to the variable switch panel.

15. 15. The antenna device according to claim 14, wherein an arc-shaped guide slot for guiding the arcuate movement of the hinge pin of the vertical mounting bar is formed in the reflector panel and the antenna element board so as to penetrate the reflector panel in the front-rear direction.

16. The rotation shaft of the phase shift drive motor has a male screw thread formed on its outer circumferential surface and a screw rod extending a predetermined length in the direction of the rotation shaft, The phase shifter a rod-through portion through which the screw rod passes in the vertical direction, and a female screw thread is formed in the rod-through portion to be engaged with the male screw thread, and an up-and-down moving block that moves in the vertical direction according to the rotation direction of the screw rod; The antenna device according to claim 12, further comprising: a block guide portion that guides the vertical movement of the vertical moving block.

17. The antenna device according to claim 16, wherein the horizontal mounting bar is hook-coupled to the front of the upper and lower moving blocks.

18. The phase shifter a horizontal bracket portion disposed horizontally on the left and right sides of the antenna housing portion, the horizontal bracket portion being provided with the main board, so that the block guide portion is fixed thereto; 18. The antenna device according to claim 17, wherein bearing wheels are provided at both ends of the horizontal mounting bar, and are rotatably supported by the insides of left and right support panels provided at both ends of the horizontal bracket portion.

19. at least one fixing bridge bar for fixing the unit RF filter body in the internal space of the antenna housing; 19. The antenna device according to claim 18, wherein the horizontal bracket part is fixed to the interior space of the antenna housing part so as to replace one of the fixed bridge bars.

20. at least one fixing bridge bar for fixing the unit RF filter body in the internal space of the antenna housing portion; 19. The antenna device according to claim 18, wherein the horizontal bracket portion is fixed to the internal space of the antenna housing portion via one of the fixed bridge bars.

21. The fixed bridge bars are formed to extend horizontally to the left and right at the upper end, lower end and middle of the inner space of the antenna housing, respectively.

20. The antenna device of claim 19, wherein the horizontal bracket portion replaces a fixed bridge bar formed in the intermediate portion.

22. The fixed bridge bars are formed to extend horizontally to the left and right at the upper end, lower end and middle of the inner space of the antenna housing, respectively. The antenna device according to claim 20 , wherein the horizontal bracket portion is fixed via a fixed bridge bar formed at the intermediate portion.

23. Assuming that two of the unit RF filter bodies are arranged vertically (V-direction) in the internal space of the antenna housing, The antenna device according to claim 21 , wherein the horizontal bracket portion, which replaces the fixed bridge bar constructed at the intermediate portion, is provided in a space between the two unit RF filter bodies in the vertical direction.

24. The antenna device according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the fixed bridge bar or the horizontal bracket portion replacing the fixed bridge bar is formed with a plurality of screw fastening holes for screw assembly with the unit RF filter body.

25. The antenna device according to claim 12 , wherein the number of the vertical mounting bars corresponds to the number of the unit RF filter bodies.

26. An antenna device comprising the full analog phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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