A massive MIMO array antenna

Abstract

The present invention proposes a large-scale MIMO array antenna, including at least one MIMO antenna module and an antenna cover, the shapes of the MIMO antenna module and the antenna cover are adapted, the MIMO antenna module includes multiple radiation units, a support frame, a power division network module, a calibration network module and a radio frequency connector, the radiation unit array is arranged on the power division network module, the radiation units are composed of sub-array units in the form of at least two groups, the power division network module and the calibration network module are fixed on the support frame, one end of the power division network module is electrically connected to the sub-array unit, and the other end is electrically connected to one end of the calibration network module, the other end of the calibration network module is electrically connected to the radio frequency connector, and the radio frequency connector is connected to the radio frequency device TR component. The present invention eliminates the reflector in the traditional antenna design, simplifies the structural composition, and reduces the thickness of the antenna.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a large-scale MIMO array antenna. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5th-generation, 5G), the application of large-scale MIMO antennas has gradually become popular. The existing 5G antennas are usually built into the RF equipment in the form of antenna modules and are packaged as a whole with the RF equipment. Since the size and weight of the equipment are directly related to the utilization efficiency of the macro tower surface resources, the miniaturization and lightweight design of the equipment have obvious advantages. In the prior art, the MIMO antenna follows the structural design of the traditional base station antenna. The main components of the antenna include: radiation unit 110, reflector 100, power division network module 130, calibration network module 140, debugging component 170, RF connector 150, antenna cover, etc. Figure 1 As shown in Figure 1, this design model is already very mature, but under the existing technical conditions, there is limited room for reducing the size and weight of the antenna, and it can no longer meet the new requirements of the RF end. In this context, it is urgent to study a new MIMO antenna structure. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the technical problem that there is limited space for reducing antenna size and weight under existing technical conditions, the present invention proposes a large-scale MIMO array antenna.

[0004] A large-scale MIMO array antenna comprises at least one MIMO antenna module and a radome, wherein the shapes of the MIMO antenna module and the radome are adapted to each other, the MIMO antenna module comprises a plurality of radiating units, a support frame, a power division network module, a calibration network module and a radio frequency connector, the radiating unit array is arranged on the power division network module, the radiating units are composed of subarray units in the form of a group of at least two, the power division network module and the calibration network module are fixed on the support frame, one end of the power division network module is electrically connected to the subarray unit, and the other end is electrically connected to one end of the calibration network module, the other end of the calibration network module is electrically connected to the radio frequency connector, and the radio frequency connector is connected to a radio frequency device TR component.

[0005] Preferably, the radiation unit array is arranged on the upper layer of the power division network module, the support frame and the radiation unit are at the same height layer, the structural shape of the support frame matches the form of the radiation unit array, and the power division network module and the calibration network module are arranged in sequence on the lower layer of the support frame.

[0006] Preferably, the power division network module is a whole block structure, and the calibration network module is a whole block structure; or, the power division network module is a whole block structure, and the calibration network module is a block structure; or, the power division network module is a block structure, and the calibration network module is a whole block structure; or, the power division network module and the calibration network module are integrated into one component.

[0007] Preferably, the support frame, the power division network module and the calibration network module are all provided with corresponding fixing holes, and the three are connected and fixed by fasteners.

[0008] Preferably, a raised structure is provided on the top of the support frame to match the array form of the radiation units, and the antenna cover is also provided with raised ribs to match the array form of the radiation units. The raised structure and the raised ribs are provided correspondingly to ensure that the distance between the upper surface of the radiation units and the inner surface of the antenna cover is uniform.

[0009] Preferably, reflective copper layers are provided on both sides of the power division network module or the calibration network module.

[0010] Preferably, the support frame is formed by a mold, such as plastic injection molding, metal die-casting molding, or sheet metal stamping molding.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0012] (1) The antenna's independent structural component, the "reflector", is eliminated, which reduces the thickness of the antenna, while reducing weight and cost.

[0013] (2) The combined structure of the power division network module and the calibration network module is varied, especially in the block state, which has a very obvious cost advantage.

[0014] (3) The antenna debugging component is designed as an integrated unit and serves as a support frame to replace the reflector to enhance the overall strength of the antenna. The support frame can not only provide the reflection boundary of the radiating unit, but also be locally designed into various shapes according to the debugging requirements. It can also easily add inlays to meet more complex debugging requirements, thereby improving the flexibility of the antenna electrical design.

[0015] (4) The support frame can be designed in coordination with the internal ribs of the antenna cover to form a good assembly effect, effectively ensuring the consistency of the distance between the antenna radiation unit and the inner wall of the antenna cover, and improving the stability of the MIMO antenna indicators.

[0016] (5) The support frame can be designed using a variety of production processes, such as plastic injection molding, metal die-casting, and sheet metal stamping. After molding, it can be combined with various surface treatment processes to achieve different design purposes. This eliminates the limitations of traditional metal molding processes for reflectors and antenna debugging components, provides flexible process selection, more flexible structural design, and makes it easier to achieve design cost reduction.

[0017] (6) After the reflector, which is an important source of hidden dangers for the antenna PIM index, is removed, the antenna PIM index is significantly improved. The integrated support frame greatly reduces the number of assembly points, improving the manufacturability and reliability of the MIMO antenna.

[0018] (7) The number of antenna components is reduced, and each component is designed to be completely modular and assembled in a building block style, which improves product assembly efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 The MIMO antenna architecture type of the prior art;

[0020] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of a massive MIMO array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of an antenna module in a massive MIMO array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a hierarchical architecture of antenna modules in a massive MIMO array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 An exploded schematic diagram of an antenna module in a massive MIMO array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a supporting frame structure of an antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] In the figure, 100 is a reflector; 110 is a radiation unit; 120 is a support frame; 121 is an isolation and debugging rib; 122 is a fixing hole; 123 is a raised structure; 124 is a reflection boundary; 130 is a power division network module; 140 is a calibration network module; 150 is a radio frequency connector; 160 is an antenna cover; and 170 is a debugging component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1 to 6A large-scale MIMO array antenna includes at least one MIMO antenna module and a radome 160. The shapes of the MIMO antenna module and the radome 160 are adapted to each other. The MIMO antenna module includes multiple radiation units 110, a support frame 120, a power division network module 130, a calibration network module 140 and a radio frequency connector 150. The radiation units 110 are arranged in an array on the power division network module 130. The radiation units 110 are composed of sub-array units in the form of at least two groups. The power division network module 130 and the calibration network module 140 are fixed on the support frame 120. The power division network module 130 has a bidirectional feeding point setting. One end of the power division network module 130 is electrically connected to the sub-array unit, and the other end is electrically connected to one end of the calibration network module 140. The other end of the calibration network module 140 is electrically connected to the radio frequency connector 150. The calibration network module 140 also has a bidirectional feeding point connection. The radio frequency connector 150 is connected to the radio frequency device TR component to connect the feed source link in series.

[0028] In this embodiment, the massive MIMO array antenna eliminates the reflector 100 in the traditional antenna design. Figure 1 As shown, the structural composition is simplified and the thickness of the antenna is reduced.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the massive MIMO array antenna includes two MIMO antenna modules and a radome 160 .

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, each sub-array unit has two feeding points; each sub-array unit includes 2 to 3 radiating units 110, and each radiating unit 110 has 2 or 4 feeding points.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the radiation unit 110 array is arranged on the upper layer of the power division network module 130, the support frame 120 and the radiation unit 110 are at the same height layer, the structural shape of the support frame 120 matches the array form of the radiation unit 110, and the power division network module 130 and the calibration network module 140 are sequentially arranged on the lower layer of the support frame 120. The power division network module 130 and the calibration network module 140 are fixed to the support frame 120 by riveting, screws or welding.

[0032] The structures of the power division network module 130 and the calibration network module 140 include four situations. The first situation is that the power division network module 130 is a whole block structure, the calibration network module 140 is also a whole block structure, and the two are laminated. The second situation is that the power division network module 130 is a whole block structure, the calibration network module 140 is a block structure, and the two are laminated. Figure 2 , 3and 5; the third situation is: the power division network module 130 is a block structure, the calibration network module 140 is a whole block structure, and the two are laminated; the fourth situation is: the power division network module 130 and the calibration network module 140 are integrated into one component, specifically, the power division network module 130 and the calibration network module 140 share a multi-layer (4 to 8) PCB board.

[0033] like Figure 6 As shown, the support frame 120 includes an isolation and debugging rib 121, a fixing hole 122, a protruding structure 123 and a reflecting boundary 124. The reflecting boundary 124 forms the outer frame of the support frame 120. The isolation and debugging rib 121 divides the support frame 120 into a plurality of small squares, and each small square corresponds to a radiation unit 110. The protruding structure 123 is arranged at the intersection of the isolation and debugging rib 121, and is used to support and connect the antenna cover 160. The antenna cover 160 is provided with a protruding rib, and the protruding structure and the protruding rib are arranged correspondingly to ensure that the distance between the upper surface of the radiation unit 110 and the inner surface of the antenna cover 160 is uniform. Corresponding fixing holes 122 are provided on the support frame 120, the power division network module 130 and the calibration network module 140, and the three are connected and fixed by fasteners.

[0034] As an embodiment, a reflective copper layer is provided on both sides of the power division network module 130 or the calibration network module 140. In this embodiment, since the independent reflector 100 is eliminated, the support frame 120 is combined with the power division network module 130 and the calibration network module 140 to form the reflective boundary 124 of the radiation unit 110, which can significantly improve the structural compactness of the large-scale MIMO array antenna, optimize the design of the antenna reflective boundary 124, and especially improve the design flexibility of the antenna isolation.

[0035] As an embodiment, the support frame 120 is molded by plastic injection molding, metal die-casting, or sheet metal stamping to meet different design requirements, greatly improving design flexibility. At the same time, the structural composition of the antenna module is simplified, the antenna manufacturability is improved, the weight is reduced, and the cost is reduced. The antenna and the radio frequency device are also easy to assemble, disassemble, and maintain.

[0036] The above is only a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A massive MIMO array antenna, characterized in that: It comprises at least one MIMO antenna module and a radome, wherein the shapes of the MIMO antenna module and the radome are adapted to each other, the MIMO antenna module comprises a plurality of radiation units, a support frame, a power division network module, a calibration network module and a radio frequency connector, the radiation unit array is arranged on the power division network module, the radiation units are composed of sub-array units in the form of a group of at least two, the power division network module and the calibration network module are fixed on the support frame, one end of the power division network module is electrically connected to the sub-array unit, and the other end is electrically connected to one end of the calibration network module, the other end of the calibration network module is electrically connected to the radio frequency connector, and the radio frequency connector is connected to the radio frequency device TR component; Among them, the support frame includes isolation and adjustment ribs, fixing holes, a protruding structure and a reflective boundary; the reflective boundary surrounds the outer frame of the support frame; the isolation and adjustment ribs divide the support frame into a plurality of small squares, and each small square corresponds to a radiation unit installed; the protruding structure is arranged at the intersection of the isolation and adjustment ribs, and is used to support and connect the antenna cover.

2. A massive MIMO array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radiation unit array is arranged on the upper layer of the power division network module, the support frame and the radiation unit are at the same height layer, the structural shape of the support frame matches the radiation unit array form, and the power division network module and the calibration network module are arranged in sequence on the lower layer of the support frame.

3. A massive MIMO array antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that: The power division network module is a whole block structure, and the calibration network module is a whole block structure; or, the power division network module is a whole block structure, and the calibration network module is a block structure; or, the power division network module is a block structure, and the calibration network module is a whole block structure; or, the power division network module and the calibration network module are integrated into one component.

4. The massive MIMO array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support frame, the power division network module and the calibration network module are all provided with corresponding fixing holes, and the three are connected and fixed by fasteners.

5. The massive MIMO array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the support frame is provided with the raised structure to match the radiation unit array form, and the antenna cover is also provided with raised ribs to match the radiation unit array form. The raised structure and the raised ribs are arranged correspondingly to ensure that the distance between the upper surface of the radiation unit and the inner surface of the antenna cover is uniform.

6. The massive MIMO array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power division network module or the calibration network module is provided with a reflective copper layer on both sides.

7. The massive MIMO array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support frame is formed by a mold, which is plastic injection molding, metal die-casting molding, or sheet metal stamping molding.

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