Phase shifter assembly and base station antenna

Abstract

The present application relates to a phase shifter assembly and a base station antenna. The phase shifter assembly includes at least two coupling plates. Each coupling plate includes a coupling circuit. The feed network includes at least two radiation output units electrically connected to each other. The radiation output units are arranged corresponding to the coupling plates and are the same in number. Each radiation output unit includes a phase shifter circuit, a power divider circuit and a radiation output end; the phase shifter circuit is coupled and connected to the coupling circuit of the corresponding coupling plate and can move the phase; the power divider circuit is electrically connected to the phase shifter circuit and the radiation output end; the radiation output end is used to electrically connect the radiation unit. Each radiation unit of the base station antenna of the present application corresponds to a phase shifting functional unit that can independently change the phase, and then each radiation unit can be independently changed in phase, thereby improving the phase shifting flexibility of the base station antenna.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a phase shifter component and a base station antenna. Background Art

[0002] In mobile communication network coverage, base station antennas are one of the key devices for optimizing network coverage. Traditional base station antennas usually have multiple radiating units. The phase shift process of each radiating unit is centralized and inflexible, which makes it difficult to optimize and debug the antenna. For example, in the application process of base station antennas, phase shift is required, and the phase shift will affect the radiation pattern. The radiation pattern affects the radiation coverage of the antenna. Since the phase shift process of traditional base station antennas is centralized and inflexible, it is difficult to correct the radiation pattern, which affects the antenna coverage effect. Summary of the invention

[0003] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a phase shifter component and a base station antenna that can improve the phase shifting flexibility of the base station antenna in order to address the above technical problems.

[0004] A phase shifter assembly, comprising:

[0005] At least two coupling plates, each of which comprises a coupling line;

[0006] A feeding network comprises at least two radiation output units electrically connected to each other, wherein the radiation output units are arranged corresponding to the coupling plates and are the same in number, each of the radiation output units comprises a phase shifter circuit, a power divider circuit and a radiation output end, the phase shifter circuit is coupled to the coupling circuit of the corresponding coupling plate and can shift the phase, the power divider circuit is electrically connected to the phase shifter circuit and the radiation output end, and the radiation output end is used to electrically connect the radiation unit.

[0007] In one embodiment, the coupling lines on each coupling plate have different lengths or shapes.

[0008] In one embodiment, the coupling circuit includes a coupling portion and a connecting portion, the coupling portion is connected to two sides of the connecting portion and can be coupled to the phase shifter circuit, and the length or shape of the connecting portion on each coupling piece is different.

[0009] In one embodiment, the length or shape of the phase shifter circuit of each radiation output unit is different.

[0010] In one embodiment, the line widths of the power divider lines of each radiation output unit are different.

[0011] In one embodiment,

[0012] The phase shifter assembly further includes a pull rod and at least two rotating rods, the rotating rods are arranged correspondingly to the coupling plates and are the same in number, each of the rotating rods includes a first end and a second end,

[0013] The first end of each rotating rod is connected to the pull rod, and the second end of each rotating rod is coaxially connected to the corresponding coupling piece.

[0014] The movement of the pull rod drives the rotating rod to rotate, and the rotation of the rotating rod drives the coupling plate to rotate coaxially with the rotating rod.

[0015] In one embodiment, the radiation output end includes a first output end and a second output end.

[0016] In one embodiment,

[0017] The phase shifter circuit includes a first phase shift circuit and a second phase shift circuit, and the power distributor circuit includes a first distribution circuit and a second distribution circuit;

[0018] The first distribution circuit is electrically connected to the first phase-shift circuit and the first output end, and the second distribution circuit is electrically connected to the second phase-shift circuit and the second output end.

[0019] In one of the embodiments, the feed network further comprises a second power divider circuit, wherein the second power divider circuit is electrically connected to a phase shifter circuit of one of the radiation output units for transmitting antenna signals.

[0020] A base station antenna comprises at least two radiating units and the phase shifter assembly described in any one of the above items, wherein the radiating units are arranged correspondingly and in the same number as the radiating output units, and the radiating output end of each radiating output unit is electrically connected to the corresponding radiating unit.

[0021] In the above-mentioned phase shifter assembly, the phase shifter circuit is coupled and connected to the coupling circuit of the corresponding coupling plate and can shift the phase. Therefore, the phase shifter circuit of each radiation output unit and the coupling circuit of the corresponding coupling plate form a phase shifting functional unit. In addition, each radiation output unit includes a radiation output end for electrically connecting the radiation unit. Therefore, in the base station antenna using the phase shifter assembly of the present application, each radiation unit corresponds to a phase shifting functional unit that can independently change the phase, and then each radiation unit can be independently phase-changed, thereby improving the phase shifting flexibility of the base station antenna. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a phase shifter assembly in one embodiment;

[0023] Figure 2is a schematic diagram of a coupling sheet in an embodiment;

[0024] Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a feeding network in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0026] The phase shifter assembly and base station antenna provided in this application can be applied in mobile communication network coverage.

[0027] In one embodiment, a base station antenna is provided, comprising a phase shifter assembly and at least two radiating elements (not shown).

[0028] refer to Figure 1 The phase shifter assembly includes a feed network 100 and at least two coupling plates 200. Figure 2 , each coupling plate 200 includes a coupling line 210. The coupling plate 200 may be a dielectric plate on which a conductive transmission line (ie, the coupling line 210) is formed, for example, a copper-clad dielectric plate.

[0029] The feeding network 100 may use a high-frequency dielectric printed circuit board (PCB). A microstrip line may be formed on the PCB by printing or other methods to form a feeding network. For example, the feeding network 100 may use a high-frequency dielectric printed circuit board (PCB) with copper cladding on both sides.

[0030] At the same time, reference Figure 3 In this embodiment, the feeding network 100 includes at least two radiation output units 110 electrically connected to each other. Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 The radiation output unit 110 and the coupling plate 200 are arranged correspondingly and in the same number. That is, one radiation output unit 110 corresponds to one coupling plate 200. The coupling plate 200 can be fixed on the feeding network 100 by a fixing dielectric plate 300.

[0031] Each radiation output unit 110 includes a phase shifter circuit 111, a power divider circuit 112, and a radiation output terminal 113. The phase shifter circuit 111 of each radiation output unit 110 is coupled to the coupling circuit 210 of the corresponding coupling plate 200 and can shift the phase. That is, the phase shifter circuit 111 of each radiation output unit 110 and the coupling circuit 210 of the corresponding coupling plate 200 form a phase shifting functional unit. The surface of the coupling circuit 210 of the coupling plate 200 can be covered with a special material so that the coupling circuit 210 and the phase shifter circuit 111 are electrically connected through coupling.

[0032] Specifically, for a phase shift functional unit, refer to Figure 3 , the phase shifter circuit 111 may have two mutually disconnected phase shift sub-circuits 111a. The phase shift sub-circuits 111a may be configured in an arc shape or other shapes. Figure 2 , the coupling circuit 210 of the phase shifting functional unit has two parts opposite to the two phase shifting sub-circuits 111a, and can be coupled to the two phase shifting sub-circuits 111a at the same time. The antenna signal on the same phase shifting functional unit is transmitted from one phase shifting sub-circuit 111a in the phase shifter circuit 111 to the coupling circuit 210, and then transmitted from the coupling circuit 210 to the other phase shifting sub-circuit 111a. It can be understood that the "antenna signal" referred to in this application refers to an electrical signal.

[0033] refer to Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The phase shifter circuit 111 and the coupling circuit 210 of the same phase shifting functional unit move relative to each other, so that the facing positions of the two change, thereby changing the transmission distance of the antenna signal (the length of the part of the coupling circuit 210 that is not opposite to the phase shifter circuit 111), thereby changing the phase.

[0034] The power divider circuit 112 of the same radiation output unit 110 is electrically connected to the phase shifter circuit 111 and the radiation output end 113. The radiation units are arranged correspondingly and in the same number as the radiation output units 110. The radiation output end 113 of each radiation output unit 110 is electrically connected to the corresponding radiation unit. Therefore, each radiation unit corresponds to a phase shifting functional unit that can independently change the phase.

[0035] refer to Figure 3After the antenna signal of the base station antenna is transmitted to a radiation output unit 110, the phase is shifted by the cooperation of the phase shifter circuit 111 and the coupling circuit 210. Then, the power distributor circuit 112 of the radiation output unit 110 distributes a part of the phase-shifted antenna signal to the radiation output terminal 113 according to a certain proportion, and transmits the antenna signal with the preset power after distribution to the radiation unit through the connection of the radiation output terminal 113, and then radiates to the free space to form electromagnetic waves. The preset power here can be set according to actual needs.

[0036] The radiation output units 110 on the feed network 100 are electrically connected to each other, and the other part of the antenna signal of the above radiation output unit 110 that has been phase-shifted will continue to be transmitted by the line on the feed network 100 to the phase shifter line 111 on the next radiation output unit 110. Then, after the phase shifter line 111 on the next radiation output unit 110 is phase-shifted, a part of the antenna signal is distributed by the power divider line 112 on the next radiation output unit 110 to the radiation output end 113 of the next radiation output unit 110, and transmitted to another radiation unit, and then radiated to the free space to form electromagnetic waves. This cycle is repeated until the last radiation output unit 110 and radiation unit.

[0037] Of course, in addition to radiating to the free space and transmitting electromagnetic wave signals to the outside world, the radiation unit can also receive electromagnetic wave signals transmitted from the outside world, and convert the electromagnetic wave signals into electrical signals and transmit them to the radiation output end 113, and then transmit them through the power distributor line 112. The specific receiving process of the electromagnetic wave signal of the base station antenna is a process opposite to the specific transmitting process of the electromagnetic wave signal mentioned above.

[0038] Therefore, the base station antenna of this embodiment can independently change the phase of each radiation unit, thereby improving the phase shift flexibility of the base station antenna.

[0039] In one embodiment, the length or shape of the coupling lines 210 on each coupling plate 200 is different. At this time, when the phase shifter line 111 of each phase shifting functional unit moves relative to the coupling line 210, the transmission distance of the antenna signal changes differently. Therefore, each phase shifting functional unit can provide different phase changes for each radiating unit, and then adjust the antenna performance through the phase change.

[0040] For example, a base station antenna can be designed first so that the coupling lines 210 on each coupling plate 200 have different lengths (or shapes). Then the directional pattern is characterized, and the directional pattern is repaired according to the directional pattern characterization result. The length (or shape) of the coupling lines 210 on each coupling plate 200 is adjusted until the directional pattern changes caused by the phase changes of each radiating unit can compensate each other, thereby repairing the directional pattern so that the directional pattern of the base station antenna is not deformed in the end. Therefore, the finally adjusted base station antenna can radiate within the ideal range and ensure a good coverage effect.

[0041] The coupling line 210 of each coupling plate 200 may specifically include a coupling portion 211 and a connecting portion 212. The coupling portion 211 is connected to both sides of the connecting portion 212 and may be coupled and connected to the phase shifter line 111. Specifically, in this embodiment, the length or shape of the connecting portion 212 on each coupling plate 200 may be different, thereby facilitating the processing and setting of the coupling line 210. Of course, the length or shape of the coupling portion 211 may also be different, or the length or shape of the coupling portion 211 and the connecting portion 212 may be different at the same time.

[0042] Of course, in other embodiments of the present invention, the length or shape of the phase shifter circuit 111 of each radiation output unit 110 may also be different. In this case, when the phase shifter circuit 111 of each phase shifting functional unit moves relative to the coupling circuit 210, the transmission distance of the antenna signal also changes differently. Therefore, each phase shifting functional unit may also provide different phase changes for each radiation unit.

[0043] In one embodiment, the line width of the power divider circuit 112 of each radiation output unit 110 is different. The line width of the power divider circuit 112 determines the strength of the antenna signal output to the radiation output terminal 113. Therefore, by designing the line width of the power divider circuit 112 of each radiation output unit 110 to be different, each radiation output terminal 113 can output antenna signals of different strengths, thereby enabling the radiation units to obtain antenna signals of different strengths.

[0044] In one embodiment, reference Figure 1 The phase shifter assembly also includes a pull rod 400 and at least two rotating rods 500. The pull rod 400 can move left and right under the drive of the transmission device. Each rotating rod 500 includes a first end 510 and a second end 520. The first end 510 of each rotating rod 500 is connected to the pull rod 400. Specifically, each rotating rod 500 may be provided with a through hole 500a. The pull rod 400 is provided with at least two connecting structures 310 (the connecting structure 310 may be a connecting piece installed on the pull rod, or may be a structure of the pull rod itself), so that when the pull rod 400 moves left and right, each rotating rod 500 can be driven to rotate.

[0045] The rotating rods 500 and the coupling plates 200 are arranged correspondingly and in the same number. At the same time, the second end 520 of each rotating rod 500 is coaxially connected to the corresponding coupling plate 200. Therefore, when the pull rod 400 moves left and right under the drive of the transmission device, the rotating rod 500 and the coupling plate 200 can coaxially rotate around the rotation axis of the two, thereby making the phase shifter circuit 111 and the coupling circuit 210 of the same phase shifting functional unit move relative to each other. At this time, the shape of the phase shifter circuit 111 can be set to be an arc.

[0046] In one embodiment, reference Figure 3 , the radiation output terminal 113 includes a first output terminal 1131 and a second output terminal 1132, so that the radiation output terminal 113 can perform two-way output. At this time, the radiation unit can be set to include a first subunit (for example, a vertical polarization method) and a second subunit (for example, a horizontal polarization method) with different polarization methods. The first output terminal 1131 and the second output terminal 1132 of the same radiation output terminal 113 are electrically connected to the first subunit and the second subunit of the corresponding radiation unit, so that the base station antenna is a dipole antenna. Of course, the base station antenna of the present application can also be a monopole antenna, and the present application is not limited to this.

[0047] Meanwhile, continue to refer to Figure 3 In this embodiment, the phase shifter circuit 111 may further include a first phase shift circuit 1111 and a second phase shift circuit 1112. The power distributor circuit 112 includes a first distribution circuit 1121 and a second distribution circuit 1122.

[0048] The first distribution line 1121 is electrically connected to the first phase-shifting line 1111 and the first output end 1131 , and the second distribution line 1122 is electrically connected to the second phase-shifting line 1112 and the second output end 1132 , thereby improving the power transmission function of the antenna.

[0049] Of course, the present application is not limited to this, and the phase shifter circuit 111 and the power divider circuit 112 of this embodiment may also be different. For example, the first output terminal 1131 and the second output terminal 1132 of the radiation output terminal 113 may also be led out from the same power divider circuit 112.

[0050] In one embodiment, the feed network 100 further includes a second power divider circuit 120. The second power divider circuit 120 is used to transmit antenna signals. Specifically, the second power divider circuit 120 is electrically connected to the phase shifter circuit 111 of one of the radiation output units 110.

[0051] In the process of the base station antenna radiating electromagnetic wave signals, the second power distributor circuit 120 distributes a certain amount of power from the antenna signal of the base station to the radiation output unit 110 electrically connected thereto according to a certain ratio. Then, through the method described in the above embodiment, the antenna signal from the base station finally radiates electromagnetic wave signals through the radiation units electrically connected to each radiation output unit 110.

[0052] In the process of the base station antenna receiving electromagnetic wave signals, each radiation output unit 110 electrically connects to the radiation unit to radiate the received electromagnetic wave signals and converts them into electrical signals, and then aggregates the electrical signals step by step and transmits them to the second power distributor circuit 120, and the second power distributor circuit 120 transmits the final aggregated electrical signals to the base station.

[0053] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0054] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A phase shifter assembly, characterized in that: include: At least two coupling plates, each of which comprises a coupling line; A feeding network, comprising at least two radiation output units electrically connected to each other, wherein the radiation output units are arranged corresponding to the coupling plates and are the same in number, each of the radiation output units comprises a phase shifter circuit, a power divider circuit and a radiation output end, wherein the phase shifter circuit is coupled to the coupling circuit of the corresponding coupling plate and can shift the phase, the power divider circuit is electrically connected to the phase shifter circuit and the radiation output end, and the radiation output end is used to electrically connect the radiation unit; The radiation output units on the feed network are electrically connected to each other. After the antenna signal of the base station antenna is transmitted to a radiation output unit, the phase shifter circuit of the radiation output unit cooperates with the coupling circuit to perform phase shifting. The power distributor circuit of the radiation output unit distributes a part of the phase-shifted antenna signal to the radiation output end according to a certain proportion, and another part of the phase-shifted antenna signal will continue to be transmitted by the circuit on the feed network to the phase shifter circuit on the next radiation output unit. The phase shifter assembly includes a printed circuit board, on which a microstrip line is formed by printing, thereby forming a feeding network; The radiation output end includes a first output end and a second output end, the radiation unit includes a first subunit and a second subunit with different polarization modes, and the first output end and the second output end of the same radiation output end are used to be electrically connected to the first subunit and the second subunit of the corresponding radiation unit, so that the base station antenna is a dipole antenna; The phase shifter circuit includes a first phase shift circuit and a second phase shift circuit, and the power distributor circuit includes a first distribution circuit and a second distribution circuit; The first distribution circuit is electrically connected to the first phase-shift circuit and the first output end, and the second distribution circuit is electrically connected to the second phase-shift circuit and the second output end; The phase shifter circuit of each radiation output unit and the coupling circuit of the corresponding coupling plate form a phase shifting functional unit. For a phase shifting functional unit, its phase shifter circuit has two phase shifting sub-circuits disconnected from each other, and the coupling circuit of the phase shifting functional unit has two parts opposite to the two phase shifting sub-circuits, thereby coupling with the two phase shifting sub-circuits at the same time; the antenna signal on the same phase shifting functional unit is transmitted from one phase shifting sub-circuits in the phase shifter circuit to the coupling circuit, and then transmitted from the coupling circuit to the other phase shifting sub-circuits.

2. The phase shifter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lengths or shapes of the coupling lines on the coupling plates are different.

3. The phase shifter assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The coupling circuit includes a coupling portion and a connecting portion. The coupling portion is connected to two sides of the connecting portion and is coupled to the phase shifter circuit. The length or shape of the connecting portion on each coupling piece is different.

4. The phase shifter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length or shape of the phase shifter circuit of each radiation output unit is different.

5. The phase shifter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The line width of the power divider line of each radiation output unit is different.

6. The phase shifter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase shifter assembly further includes a pull rod and at least two rotating rods, the rotating rods are arranged correspondingly to the coupling plates and are the same in number, each of the rotating rods includes a first end and a second end, The first end of each rotating rod is connected to the pull rod, and the second end of each rotating rod is coaxially connected to the corresponding coupling piece. The movement of the pull rod drives the rotating rod to rotate, and the rotation of the rotating rod drives the coupling plate to rotate coaxially with the rotating rod.

7. The phase shifter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The first subunit adopts a vertical polarization mode, and the second subunit adopts a horizontal polarization mode.

8. The phase shifter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The phase shift sub-circuit is arranged in an arc shape.

9. The phase shifter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feed network further comprises a second power divider circuit, which is electrically connected to a phase shifter circuit of one of the radiation output units for transmitting antenna signals.

10. A base station antenna, comprising at least two radiating units and the phase shifter assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the radiating units are arranged correspondingly and are the same in number as the radiating output units, and the radiating output end of each radiating output unit is electrically connected to the corresponding radiating unit.

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