Multi-band base station antenna with integrated array

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a base station antenna. The base station antenna includes a plurality of vertical columns of low-band radiation elements configured to transmit RF signals in a first frequency band. The base station antenna further includes a plurality of vertical columns of high-band radiation elements configured to transmit RF signals in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band. The vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements extend parallel to the vertical columns of the low-band radiation elements in a vertical direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to communication systems and, more particularly, to multi-band base station antennas. Background Art

[0002] Base station antennas for wireless communication systems are used to transmit radio frequency ("RF") signals to and receive RF signals from fixed and mobile users of cellular communication services. Base station antennas often include linear or two-dimensional arrays of radiating elements such as dipole or crossed-dipole radiating elements.

[0003] Example base station antennas are discussed in Bisiules' International Publication No. WO 2017 / 165512 and Bisiules et al.'s U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 921,694, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. While it may be advantageous to incorporate multiple radiating element arrays in a single base station antenna, wind loading and other considerations often limit the number of radiating element arrays that can be included in a base station antenna. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to some embodiments herein, a base station antenna may include a reflector. The base station antenna may include first and second vertical columns of low-band radiating elements on a surface of the reflector and configured to transmit RF signals in a first frequency band. Additionally, the base station antenna may include eight vertical columns of high-band radiating elements on the surface of the reflector and configured to transmit RF signals in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band. A dipole arm of one of the low-band radiating elements may overlie one of the high-band radiating elements in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the reflector.

[0005] In some embodiments, the first and second vertical columns of low-band radiating elements may be the first and second outer columns of the low-band radiating elements, respectively. Additionally, the first and second outer columns of the low-band radiating elements may be located between outer columns among the eight vertical columns of high-band radiating elements.

[0006] According to some embodiments, the eight vertical columns of high-band radiating elements may have an equal number of high-band radiating elements. For example, each of the eight vertical columns of high-band radiating elements may have sixteen high-band radiating elements.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first and second vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements may be located between the first and second vertical columns of the low-band radiation elements. The feeding points of the first vertical column of the low-band radiation elements may be spaced apart from the feeding points of the second vertical column of the low-band radiation elements by a horizontal distance equal to 0.4 - 0.8 times the wavelength of the first frequency band. Additionally, the feeding point of the first vertical column among the eight vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements may be staggered with respect to the feeding point of the second vertical column among the eight vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements.

[0008] According to some embodiments herein, the base station antenna may include a reflector. The base station antenna may include first and second vertical columns of low-band radiation elements that are on the surface of the reflector and configured to transmit RF signals in a first frequency band. The base station antenna may include four vertical columns of high-band radiation elements that are on the surface of the reflector and configured to transmit RF signals in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band. The horizontal distance between the feeding point of the first vertical column of the low-band radiation elements and the feeding point of the second vertical column of the low-band radiation elements may be about 225 millimeters or narrower.

[0009] In some embodiments, the feeding point of the first column among the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements may be staggered with respect to the feeding point of the second column among the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements. Additionally, the feeding point of the first vertical column of the low-band radiation elements may be staggered with respect to the feeding point of the second vertical column of the low-band radiation elements. The feeding point of the first vertical column of the low-band radiation elements may be aligned in the horizontal direction with one of the feeding points of the second column among the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the dipole arm of one of the low-band radiation elements in the low-band radiation elements may cover one of the high-band radiation elements in the high-band radiation elements in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the reflector. Additionally, the dipole arm of the low-band radiation element in the low-band radiation elements may have a length equal to approximately half of the wavelength of the first frequency band.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first and second vertical columns of the low-band radiation elements may be the first and second outer columns of the low-band radiation elements, respectively. The feeding points of the first outer column among the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements may be spaced apart from the feeding points of the second outer column among the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements by a horizontal distance of about 225 millimeters or narrower. Additionally, the feeding point of the first vertical column of the low-band radiation elements may be aligned in the vertical direction with the feeding point of the first outer column among the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements.

[0012] According to some embodiments, a base station antenna may include a power divider that is coupled to each of four vertical columns of high-band radiating elements. Additionally or alternatively, each of the four vertical columns of high-band radiating elements may be individually fed.

[0013] In some embodiments, a base station antenna may include a radome. The low-band radiating elements and the high-band radiating elements may be located within the radome, and the low-band radiating elements may extend forward from the surface of the reflector toward the front side of the radome. Additionally, the base station antenna may include a low-band connector on the rear side of the radome that is opposite the front side. The low-band connector may be electrically coupled to one or more of the low-band radiating elements.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the low-band connector may be a 90-degree connector. Additionally, the base station antenna may include a blind mate high-band connector that is located on the rear side of the radome and is electrically coupled to one or more of the high-band radiating elements.

[0015] In some embodiments, a base station antenna may include a first plurality of high-band connection ports and a second plurality of high-band connection ports on the rear side of the radome. The four vertical columns of high-band radiating elements may include a first array of high-band radiating elements that is electrically coupled to the first plurality of high-band connection ports and is configured to transmit RF signals in a first sub-band of a second frequency band. Additionally, the four vertical columns of high-band radiating elements may include a second array of high-band radiating elements that is electrically coupled to the second plurality of high-band connection ports and is configured to transmit RF signals in a second sub-band of the second frequency band that is different from the first sub-band.

[0016] According to some embodiments herein, a base station antenna may include a reflector. The base station antenna may include first and second vertical columns of low-band radiating elements on the surface of the reflector and configured to transmit RF signals in a first frequency band. The base station antenna may include first, second, third, and fourth vertical columns of high-band radiating elements on the surface of the reflector and configured to transmit RF signals in a second frequency band that is higher than the first frequency band. The base station antenna may include a radome. The low-band radiating elements and the high-band radiating elements may be located within the radome, and the low-band radiating elements may extend forward from the surface of the reflector toward the front side of the radome. The base station antenna may include a low-band connector on the rear side of the radome that is opposite the front side. The low-band connector may be electrically coupled to one or more of the low-band radiating elements. Additionally, the base station antenna may include a high-band connector that is located on the rear side of the radome and is electrically coupled to one or more of the high-band radiating elements.

[0017] In some embodiments, the second and third vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements may be located between the first and fourth vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements in the horizontal direction. The low-band radiation elements in the first vertical column of the low-band radiation elements may be located between the first and second high-band radiation elements in the first vertical column of the high-band radiation elements in the vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction. In the horizontal direction, the distance between the centers of the low-band radiation elements in the first vertical column of the low-band radiation elements and the centers of the low-band radiation elements in the second vertical column of the low-band radiation elements may be about 225 millimeters or narrower. Additionally, the low-band connector may be a 90-degree connector, and the high-band connector may be a blind mating connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1A is a front perspective view of a base station antenna according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0019] Figure 1B is Figure 1A a side view of the base station antenna.

[0020] Figure 1C is Figure 1A a rear view of the base station antenna.

[0021] Figure 2A is Figure 1A a front view of the base station antenna with the radome removed.

[0022] Figure 2B is Figure 2A a schematic contour diagram of the high-band radiation elements and the low-band radiation elements.

[0023] Figure 2C is Figure 2A a schematic front view of the low-band radiation elements with the high-band radiation elements omitted.

[0024] Figure 2D is Figure 2A a schematic front view of the high-band radiation elements with the low-band radiation elements omitted.

[0025] Figure 2E is Figure 1A a front view of the base station antenna with the radome removed.

[0026] Figure 2F is Figure 2E a schematic front view of the low-band radiation elements with the high-band radiation elements omitted.

[0027] Figure 2G is Figure 2E a schematic front view of the high-band radiation elements with the low-band radiation elements omitted.

[0028] Figure 3A is Figure 1A a front view of a base station antenna of , where the radome is removed.

[0029] Figure 3B is Figure 3A a schematic contour diagram of a high - band radiation element and a low - band radiation element of .

[0030] Figure 3C is Figure 3A a schematic front view of the low - band radiation element of , where the high - band radiation element is omitted.

[0031] Figure 3D is Figure 3A a schematic front view of the high - band radiation element of , where the low - band radiation element is omitted.

[0032] Figure 3E is Figure 1A a front view of a base station antenna of , where the radome is removed.

[0033] Figure 3F is Figure 3E a schematic front view of the high - band radiation element of , where the low - band radiation element is omitted. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, a base station antenna for a wireless communication network is provided. The enhanced capacity capabilities of large - scale MIMO technology for wireless communication networks make it desirable to deploy large - scale MIMO antenna arrays into existing wireless infrastructure. The frequency bands desirable for large - scale MIMO operation may include all or a part of the 1695 - 2180 megahertz (MHz). Other frequency bands that can be considered for large - scale MIMO operation are in the 2490 - 2690 MHz and 3300 - 3800 MHz bands. However, wireless service providers face challenges in adding additional antennas and radio heads to existing towers to provide large - scale MIMO services in these bands. Some of these challenges may include the lack of availability of installation space for additional base station antenna arrays or the additional wind loads that these base station antenna arrays will add to existing towers. Since large - scale MIMO antenna arrays often include a large number of antenna elements (often 64 to 256 elements), the size of these arrays can be quite large. In addition, when adding additional base station antenna arrays, wireless service providers may incur additional lease costs from tower or building owners. Additionally, in many markets, zoning restrictions limit the number or height of base station antennas, thus limiting the ability to add large - scale MIMO base station antenna arrays to provide enhanced capacity capabilities.

[0035] However, according to embodiments of the inventive concept, a high-band array and a low-band array may be integrated with each other. For example, some embodiments may provide a dual-band massive MIMO beamforming antenna integrated with two low-band arrays to simultaneously deliver 16T16R massive MIMO in two high bands and 4T4R MIMO in a low band. Such an integrated antenna solution increases the capacity of both the uplink and the downlink and may provide coverage enhancement for 5G networks.

[0036] A base station antenna according to some embodiments may include additional elements (low band and high band) to support multi-user MIMO, beamforming, and typically 8 or 16 streams to achieve a significant improvement in network capabilities. Additionally, some embodiments may substantially increase spectral efficiency to deliver more network capacity and wider coverage and bring LTE network performance to or close to the 5G level.

[0037] Additionally or alternatively, some embodiments may provide connectors on the rear side of the radome of the base station antenna rather than at the end of the radome, thereby reducing the length of the antenna. Additionally, in some embodiments, a horizontal spacing (e.g., center-to-center) between feeding points of low-band radiating elements may be narrower than about 225 millimeters (mm), which may provide an antenna that is at least 10% smaller than a conventional antenna.

[0038] Example embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figure 1A is a front perspective view of a base station antenna 100 according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. As Figure 1A shown, the base station antenna 100 is an elongated structure and has a generally rectangular shape. In some embodiments, the width and depth of the base station antenna 100 may be fixed, and the length of the base station antenna 100 may be variable. For example, the base station antenna 100 may have a width of 432 mm, a depth of 208 mm, and a variable length (meaning that the base station antenna 100 may be ordered in different lengths).

[0040] The base station antenna 100 includes a radome 110. In some embodiments, the base station antenna 100 further includes a top cap 120 and / or a bottom cap 130. For example, in combination with the top cap 120, the radome 110 may include a single unit, which may contribute to waterproofing of the base station antenna 100. The bottom cap 130 is generally a separate piece and may include a plurality of connectors 140 mounted therein. However, the connectors 140 are not limited to being located on the bottom cap 130. Rather, one or more of the connectors 140 may be provided on the back side (i.e., the rear side) of the radome 110 opposite the front side of the radome 110.

[0041] In some embodiments, the mounting bracket 150 may be disposed on the back side of the radome 110. The mounting bracket 150 may be used to mount the base station antenna 100 to an antenna pedestal, such as on an antenna tower. The base station antenna 100 is typically mounted in a vertical configuration (i.e., the long side of the base station antenna 100 extends along a vertical axis L with respect to the Earth).

[0042] Figure 1B is Figure 1A a side view of the base station antenna 100. As Figure 1B shown, at least one connector 141 may be located on the back side of the radome 110. Specifically, the (one or more) connectors 141 may be located on part A of the back side of the radome 110 that is adjacent to the bottom end of the antenna 100.

[0043] Figure 1C is Figure 1A a rear view of the base station antenna 100. A plurality of connectors 141 may be located on the back side of the radome 110, such as at part A as Figure 1B shown. Although Figure 1C the example of

[0044] illustrates a row including four connectors 141 therein, more or fewer connectors 141 may be located on the back side of the radome 110. For example, part A may include one, two, three, four, five, six or more of the connectors 141. Figure 1A ) Thus, reducing the vertical length (i.e., height) of the antenna. This may help the antenna 100 to be within the height limits specified in some jurisdictions.

[0045] Figure 2A is Figure 1AFront view of base station antenna 100 with radome 110 removed to illustrate antenna assembly 200 of antenna 100. Antenna assembly 200 includes a plurality of low-band radiation elements 230 and a plurality of high-band radiation elements 250. The low-band radiation elements 230 may be grouped into one or more low-band arrays. Two vertical columns of low-band radiation elements 230 included in the (one or more) low-band arrays may be connected to a single radio device to support 4T4R MIMO in the low band, or may be connected to multiple radio devices (e.g., to support services within both the 700 MHz band and the 800 MHz band). Similarly, the high-band radiation elements 250 may be grouped into one or more high-band arrays. For example, the (one or more) high-band arrays may be an 8T8R, 16T16R, 32T32R, 64T64R, 128T128R or higher array of high-band radiation elements 250.

[0046] The vertical columns of high-band radiation elements 250 and the vertical columns of low-band radiation elements 230 may extend from the lower portion of antenna assembly 200 to the upper portion of antenna assembly 200 in a vertical direction V. The vertical direction V may be the longitudinal axis L( Figure 1A ), or may be parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The vertical direction V may also be perpendicular to the horizontal direction H and the forward direction F. The low-band radiation elements 230 and the high-band radiation elements 250 may extend forward in the forward direction F from one or more feed plates 204. For example, in some embodiments, the low-band radiation elements 230 and the high-band radiation elements 250 may be located on the same feed plate 204. As an example, the feed plate 204 may be a single printed circuit board (PCB) having all of the low-band radiation elements 230 and all of the high-band radiation elements 250 thereon.

[0047] In some embodiments, antenna assembly 200 may include one or more shared radiation elements 290. The shared radiation element 290 may be disposed at the center (in the horizontal direction H) of antenna assembly 200 to advantageously maintain relative isolation between the left and right columns of radiation elements (even when the column-to-column spacing is narrow, as Figure 2A shown) and to support a reduction in the half-power beam width (HPBW) with increased azimuthal directivity, thereby improving the radiation pattern of the low-band radiation elements 230. For example, the shared radiation element 290 may be centered and located at the top and bottom of antenna assembly 200, and may radiate at a slightly reduced power level, thereby advantageously improving the pattern of the low-band radiation elements 230. Examples of shared radiation elements are discussed in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 287,114, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0048] In some embodiments, the radiating elements 230, 250, 290 may include dual-polarized radiating elements that are mounted to extend forwardly in the forward direction F from the (one or more) feed plates 204. Additionally, in some embodiments, the low-band radiating elements 230 may each have a generally cloverleaf or windmill shape.

[0049] Figure 2B is Figure 2A Schematic contour diagrams of the high-band radiating elements 250 and the low-band radiating elements 230. The contour diagrams show a row of low-band radiating elements 230 along the horizontal direction H. The low-band row includes low-band radiating elements 230 in a first outer vertical column 230-1C and low-band radiating elements 230 in a second outer vertical column 230-2C.

[0050] The contour views also show a row of high-band radiating elements 250 along the horizontal direction H. The high-band row includes high-band radiating elements 250 in corresponding outer vertical columns 250-1C and 250-4C, and high-band radiating elements 250 in corresponding inner vertical columns 250-2C and 250-3C. The outer vertical columns 250-1C and 250-4C are vertically aligned with the outer vertical columns 230-1C and 230-2C, respectively, in the vertical direction V. Correspondingly, the inner vertical columns 250-2C and 250-3C are located horizontally between the feed points 231 of the outer vertical columns 230-1C and 230-2C.

[0051] As Figure 2B shown, the high-band radiating elements 250 and the low-band radiating elements 230 may extend forwardly in the forward direction F from the ground plane reflector 214. The reflector 214 may be a surface of the feed plate 204 that is perpendicular to the forward direction F, or may be a metal sheet mounted on the feed plate 204 and having cutouts for each of the radiating elements 230, 250. The low-band radiating elements 230 may be close enough to the high-band radiating elements 250 to have some overlap between them in the forward direction F. For example, the dipole arms 235 of the low-band radiating elements 230 in the first outer vertical column 230-1C may overlap (i.e., cover) a portion of one or more of the high-band radiating elements in the high-band radiating elements 250 in the forward direction F.

[0052] In some embodiments, the dipole arm 235 can have a length equal to approximately half of the wavelength that the low-band radiation element 230 is configured to transmit in the horizontal direction H (or at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the horizontal direction H). In contrast, a conventional low-band radiation element can have a dipole length of approximately a full wavelength. The shorter length of the dipole arm 235 can help provide a relatively compact antenna and can increase column isolation. Additionally, the dipole arm 235 can be a decoupling arm that has built-in invisibility at high-band frequencies to improve the radiation pattern of the high-band radiation element 250.

[0053] The antenna assembly 200( Figure 2A ) can include two vertical columns of low-band radiation elements 230 and four vertical columns of high-band radiation elements 250. The feed points 251 of the left outer (e.g., first) vertical column 250-1C of the high-band radiation elements 250 can be aligned (or substantially aligned) in the vertical direction V with the feed points 231 of the first outer vertical column 230-1C of the low-band radiation elements 230. Similarly, the feed points 251 of the right outer (e.g., fourth) vertical column 250-4C of the high-band radiation elements 250 can be aligned (or substantially aligned) in the vertical direction V with the feed points 231 of the second outer vertical column 230-2C of the low-band radiation elements 230. Thus, in the horizontal direction H, the feed points 231 of the first outer vertical column 230-1C and the feed points 231 of the second outer vertical column 230-2C can be spaced apart by the same distance as the distance between the feed points 251 of the outer first vertical column 250-1C and the fourth vertical column 250-4C (e.g., approximately 225 mm or a non-zero distance narrower).

[0054] As used herein, the term "outer column" (or "outer vertical column") refers to a column that is not located between adjacent columns of that column type (e.g., high-band or low-band) in the horizontal direction H. In contrast, the term "inner column" (or "inner vertical column") refers to a column that is located between adjacent columns of that column type in the horizontal direction H. Additionally, the term "feed point" can refer to the center point of a radiation element. Additionally, the term "vertical" (or "vertically") refers to something in the vertical direction V (e.g., distance, axis, or column).

[0055] The various mechanical and electronic components of the antenna 100 can be mounted in a chamber behind the rear side of the reflector surface 214. These components can include, for example, phase shifters, remote electronic tilt units, mechanical linkages, controllers, duplexers, etc. The reflector surface 214 can include a metal surface that acts as a ground plane and reflector for the radiation elements 230, 250, 290 of the antenna 100. In this document, the reflector surface 214 can also be referred to as the reflector 214.

[0056] In some embodiments, the base station antenna 100 ( Figure 1A ) may include a fixed power divider 280 that is coupled to (e.g., electrically connected to) each of four vertical columns 250-1C to 250-4C of the high-band radiating elements 250. Distributing power from the power divider 280 to all of the high-band vertical columns may reduce the effect of coupling between the high-band vertical columns. Additionally or alternatively, each of the four vertical columns 250-1C to 250-4C may be fed individually (and thus independently), such as via respective feed circuits 295-1 to 295-4. The power divider 280 and / or the feed circuits 295-1 to 295-4 may be located on the front side of the (one or more) feed plates 204, or may be mounted in a cavity behind the rear side of the (one or more) feed plates 204.

[0057] The low-band radiating elements 230 may be configured to be electromagnetic transparent within the 3300 - 3800 MHz frequency band and thus do not significantly affect the radiation or reception behavior of the array of high-band radiating elements 250. Examples of radiating elements that are electromagnetic transparent for a frequency band different from the frequency band in which they are configured to transmit are discussed in Chinese Patent Application No. 201810971466.4, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0058] One or more techniques for achieving electromagnetic transparency may be used for the low-band radiating elements 230. In some embodiments, the dipole arms 235 ( Figure 2B ) of the low-band radiating elements 230 that are configured to transmit RF energy in a first (e.g., low) frequency band are considered to be "transparent" to RF energy in a second different (e.g., high) frequency band. For example, each dipole arm 235 may be implemented as a series of widened sections that are connected by intermediate narrowed trace sections such that each dipole arm 235 may act like a low-pass filter circuit. Since the dipole arms 235 may be electromagnetic transparent to the frequencies of the high-band radiating elements 250, the dipole arms 235 may be closer to or even (in the forward direction F) overlap / cover one or more of the high-band radiating elements 250. Additionally, in some embodiments, such a technique for achieving electromagnetic transparency may be combined with another technique / type for invisibility / electromagnetic transparency of the low-band radiating elements 230.

[0059] Figure 2C is Figure 2A a schematic front view of the low-band radiating elements 230 without the high-band radiating elements 250. For simplicity of illustration, Figure 2CThe high-band radiation element 250 is omitted from the view. The distance D1 in the vertical direction V between corresponding feed points 231 of consecutive low-band radiation elements 230 in the vertical column 230-2C (or vertical column 230-1C) can be about 0.5 to 1 times the wavelength of the frequency band in which the low-band radiation element 230 is configured to transmit. Additionally, the distance D2 in the horizontal direction H between the feed point 231 of the vertical column 230-1C and the feed point 231 of the vertical column 230-2C can be about 225 mm or narrower.

[0060] Figure 2D is Figure 2A A schematic front view of the high-band radiation element 250, in which the low-band radiation element 230 is not present and is omitted for simplicity of illustration. As Figure 2D shown, each of the vertical columns 250-1C to 250-4C can each include 16 high-band radiation elements 250. Although sixteen high-band radiation elements 250 are given as an example, the number of high-band radiation elements 250 in a vertical column can be any number from two to twenty or more.

[0061] The distance D3 in the vertical direction V between corresponding feed points 251 of consecutive high-band radiation elements 250 in the vertical column 250-4C (or in one of the vertical columns 250-1C, 250-2C, or 250-3C) can be about 0.5 to 1 times the wavelength of the frequency band in which the high-band radiation element 250 is configured to transmit. Additionally, the distance D4 in the horizontal direction H between the feed point 251 of the vertical column 250-3C and the feed point 251 of the adjacent vertical column 230-4C can be about 0.4 to 0.8 times the high-band wavelength.

[0062] By limiting the horizontal distance D2 ( Figure 2C ) for the low-band radiation element 230 to about 225 mm or narrower, the base station antenna 100 ( Figure 1A ) can be assembled in a compact space. For example, the relatively narrow width of the distance D2 can allow the total width of the antenna 100 in the horizontal direction H to be about 432 mm or narrower. In contrast, a conventional antenna can be wider than 490 mm because the low-band vertical columns are separated from center to center by more than 250 mm. Accordingly, the antenna 100 can advantageously include two closely spaced vertical columns / arrays of low-band radiation elements 230, which are integrated with the closely spaced vertical columns of high-band radiation elements 250. Additionally, although the antenna 100 can include as few as four vertical columns of high-band radiation elements 250, each of these vertical columns can include a large number (e.g., sixteen or more) of high-band radiation elements 250, thus providing enhanced capacity capabilities for the antenna 100.

[0063] As Figure 2D shown, the vertical columns 250-1C to 250-4C may not be interleaved with respect to each other. Accordingly, consecutive columns among the vertical columns 250-1C to 250-4C include corresponding high-frequency band radiating elements 250 that are aligned with each other in the horizontal direction H.

[0064] Figure 2E is Figure 1A a front view of the base station antenna 100 of , with its radome 110 removed to illustrate the antenna assembly 200' of the antenna 100. The antenna assembly 200' is different from the antenna assembly 200 ( Figure 2A ) in that the antenna assembly 200' includes interleaved low-frequency band radiating elements 230 and / or interleaved high-frequency band radiating elements 250. Although the high-frequency band group and / or the low-frequency band group may be interleaved internally, the feed points 231 ( Figure 2F ) of the vertical column 230-2C may be aligned with the feed points 251 ( Figure 2G ) of the adjacent vertical column 250-3C in the horizontal direction H.

[0065] The interleaved arrangement of the radiating elements may produce a better radiation pattern than the non-interleaved arrangement. However, the interleaved arrangement may provide a skew in the azimuth pattern, where the skew depends on the amount of downtilt applied to the antenna 100. This skew can be corrected by adjusting the phase according to the downtilt, but if the radio device lacks this ability, then, if a non-interleaved arrangement is used, the pattern at the endpoints of the downtilt range will be better.

[0066] Figure 2F is Figure 2E a schematic front view of the low-frequency band radiating element 230 of , where there is no high-frequency band radiating element 250. For simplicity of illustration, Figure 2F the high-frequency band radiating element 250 is omitted from the view. As Figure 2F shown, the vertical column 230-1C may be interleaved with respect to the vertical column 230-2C. Specifically, the feed point 231 of the vertical column 230-1C may be interleaved (rather than aligned) with respect to the feed point 231 of the vertical column 230-2C.

[0067] Figure 2G is Figure 2E a schematic front view of the high-frequency band radiating element 250 of , where there is no low-frequency band radiating element 230, and for simplicity of illustration, the low-frequency band radiating element 230 is omitted from the view. As Figure 2GAs shown, consecutive columns in the vertical columns 250-1C to 250-4C can be staggered relative to each other. Accordingly, the feed point 251 of the inner vertical column 250-3C can be staggered from the corresponding feed point 251 of the outer vertical column 250-4C by a distance D5 in the vertical direction V, and the distance D5 can be approximately 0.2-0.4 times the wavelength of the frequency band in which the high-frequency band radiation element 250 is configured to transmit.

[0068] Figure 3A is Figure 1A a front view of the base station antenna 100 of, in which the radome 110 is removed to illustrate the antenna assembly 300 of the antenna 100. The antenna assembly 300 includes a plurality of low-frequency band radiation elements 230 and a plurality of high-frequency band radiation elements 250. As Figure 3A shown, in some embodiments, the low-frequency band radiation elements 230 can be mounted in two vertical columns, and each vertical column can extend along substantially the entire length of the antenna 100. Additionally, in some embodiments, the high-frequency band radiation elements 250 can be mounted in eight vertical columns, and each vertical column can extend along substantially the entire length of the antenna 100. However, in some embodiments, the high-frequency band radiation elements 250 can be in more (e.g., nine or more) or fewer (e.g., four, five, six, or seven) vertical columns. By including a large number (e.g., at least eight) of vertical columns of high-frequency band radiation elements 250, the antenna 100 can have enhanced capacity capabilities.

[0069] Figure 3B is Figure 3A a schematic contour diagram of the high-frequency band radiation element 250 and the low-frequency band radiation element 230 of. The contour diagram shows a row of low-frequency band radiation elements 230 along the horizontal direction H. The low-frequency band row includes the low-frequency band radiation elements 230 in the first outer vertical column 230-1C and the low-frequency band radiation elements 230 in the second outer vertical column 230-2C. The contour view also shows a row of high-frequency band radiation elements 250 along the horizontal direction H. The high-frequency band row includes the high-frequency band radiation elements 250 in the corresponding outer vertical columns 250-1C and 250-8C.

[0070] In the horizontal direction H, the outer vertical columns 250-1C and 250-8C can be located further outward on the reflector 214 than the outer vertical columns 230-1C and 230-2C, respectively. For example, the feed point 231 of the outer vertical column 230-1C can be located between the feed point 251 of the vertical column 250-2C and the feed point 251 of the vertical column 250-3C. Similarly, the feed point 231 of the outer vertical column 230-2C can be located between the feed point 251 of the vertical column 250-6C and the feed point 251 of the vertical column 250-7C. The vertical columns 250-3C to 250-6C can be located between the outer vertical columns 230-1C and 230-2C.

[0071] Figure 3C is Figure 3A a schematic front view of the low-frequency band radiation elements 230, where there are no high-frequency band radiation elements 250. For simplicity of illustration, Figure 3C the high-frequency band radiation elements 250 are omitted from the view. The distance D1 in the vertical direction V between the corresponding feed points 231 of the consecutive low-frequency band radiation elements 230 in the vertical column 230-2C (or in the vertical column 230-1C) can be approximately 0.5 - 1 times the wavelength of the frequency band in which the low-frequency band radiation elements 230 are configured to transmit. Additionally, the distance D2 in the horizontal direction H between the feed point 231 of the vertical column 230-1C and the feed point 231 of the vertical column 230-2C can be approximately 0.4 - 0.8 times the low-frequency band wavelength. In some embodiments, the set of low-frequency band radiation elements 230 can cover frequencies including 600 MHz, 700 MHz, and / or 800 MHz.

[0072] Figure 3D is Figure 3A a schematic front view of the high-frequency band radiation elements 250, where there are no low-frequency band radiation elements 230. For simplicity of illustration, the low-frequency band radiation elements 230 are omitted from the view. The eight vertical columns 250-1C to 250-8C can each include an equal number of high-frequency band radiation elements 250. For example, as Figure 3D shown, the vertical columns 250-1C to 250-8C can each include sixteen high-frequency band radiation elements 250. Although sixteen is given as an example, the number of high-frequency band radiation elements 250 in the vertical column can be any number from two to twenty or more.

[0073] The distance D3 in the vertical direction V between corresponding feed points 251 of consecutive high-band radiation elements 250 in the vertical column 250-8C (or in another vertical column) can be approximately 0.5 - 1 times the wavelength of the frequency band in which the high-band radiation elements 250 are configured to transmit. Additionally, the distance D4 in the horizontal direction H between the feed point 251 of the vertical column 250-7C and the feed point 251 of the adjacent vertical column 230-8C can be approximately 0.4 - 0.8 times the high-band wavelength.

[0074] Figure 3E is Figure 1A a front view of the base station antenna 100 of Figure 3A which the radome 110 is removed to illustrate the antenna assembly 300' of the antenna 100. The antenna assembly 300' is different from the antenna assembly 300 (

[0075] Figure 3F is Figure 3E a schematic front view of the high-band radiation element 250 of Figure 3F in which there is no low-band radiation element 230, and for simplicity of illustration, the low-band radiation element 230 is omitted from the view. As

[0076] shown, the consecutive columns in the vertical columns 250-1C to 250-8C can be staggered relative to each other. Accordingly, the feed point 251 of the inner vertical column 250-7C can be staggered by a distance D5 in the vertical direction V relative to the corresponding feed point 251 of the outer vertical column 250-8C, and this distance D5 can be approximately 0.2 - 0.4 times the wavelength of the frequency band in which the high-band radiation elements 250 are configured to transmit.

[0076] Although the vertical columns 250-1C to 250-8C are staggered, the vertical columns 230-1C and 230-2C can be non-staggered relative to each other, as Figure 3E shown. However, in some embodiments, the vertical columns 230-1C and 230-2C can also be staggered.

[0077] The low-band radiation elements 230 of any of the antenna assemblies 200, 200', 300, and 300' according to embodiments herein can be configured to transmit and receive signals in a frequency band including the 617 - 896 MHz / 694 - 960 MHz frequency range or a portion thereof. The high-band radiation elements 250 can be configured to transmit and receive signals in a frequency band including the 1400 - 2700 MHz / 3300 - 4200 MHz / 5100 - 5900 MHz frequency range or a portion thereof.

[0078] The different groups of low-band radiating elements 230 may or may not be configured to transmit and receive signals in the same portion of the low band. For example, in some embodiments, the low-band radiating elements 230 in the first linear array may be configured to transmit and receive signals in the 700 MHz band, while the low-band radiating elements 230 in the second linear array may be configured to transmit and receive signals in the 800 MHz band. Alternatively, the low-band radiating elements 230 in both linear arrays may be configured to transmit and receive signals in the 700 MHz (or 800 MHz) band. The different groups / arrays of high-band radiating elements 250 may similarly have any suitable configuration.

[0079] As described above, the low-band radiating elements 230 may be arranged as two low-band linear arrays of radiating elements. Each linear array may be used to form a pair of antenna beams, i.e., to form an antenna for each of the two polarizations, and the dual-polarization radiating elements are designed to transmit and receive RF signals at these two polarizations.

[0080] The radiating elements 230, 250, 290 may be mounted on one or more feed (or "feeding") plates 204 that couple RF signals to and from the respective radiating elements 230, 250, 290. For example, all of the radiating elements 230, 250, 290 may be mounted on the same feed plate 204. Each feed plate 204 may be connected to other components of the antenna 100 (such as a duplexer, a phase shifter, etc.) using cables.

[0081] In some embodiments, each connector 141 ( Figure 1B and 1C ) may be electrically coupled to one or more low-band radiating elements 230 of any one of the antenna assemblies 200, 200', 300, and 300' according to the embodiments herein. Thus, the connector 141 may be referred to herein as a "low-band connector" or a "low-band connection port". Additionally, each connector 141 may be a bent (e.g., 90-degree / L-shaped) connector. Additionally or alternatively, each of the connectors 142 ( Figure 1C ) may be a blind-mate connector electrically coupled to one or more high-band radiating elements 250. Thus, the connector 142 may be referred to herein as a "high-band connector" or a "high-band connection port".

[0082] In some embodiments, connectors 142-1 and 142-2 ( Figure 1C)A first set of high-band connection ports can be provided, which are electrically coupled to a first array of high-band radiating elements 250 of any one of antenna assemblies 200, 200', 300, and 300' according to embodiments herein. For example, the first high-band array can include high-band radiating elements 250 that are located in the upper part of antenna 100 and are configured to transmit RF signals in a first sub-band of the high band. Similarly, in some embodiments, connectors 142-3 and 142-4( Figure 1C )A second set of high-band connection ports can be provided, which are electrically coupled to a second array of high-band radiating elements 250. For example, the second high-band array can include high-band radiating elements 250 that are located in the lower part of antenna 100 and are configured to transmit RF signals in a second sub-band of the high band that is different from the first sub-band.

[0083] Since the high-band radiating elements 250 can provide a massive MIMO dual-band array with two different operating bands, the two sets of high-band radiating elements 250 can be electrically coupled to the two sets of connectors 142 respectively. Accordingly, antenna 100 can also include a duplexer upstream of the signal transmission path.

[0084] In addition, connector 142 can be a blind mating connector, which is configured to electrically connect a radio remote unit (RRU) to the dual-band array. The use of a blind mating connector can improve installation efficiency and system integration. Since the RRU of the massive MIMO dual-band array may occupy a large space, it would be advantageous to use a space-saving bent connector (instead of a blind mating connector) as connector 141 for the low-band radiating elements 230 integrated beside the massive MIMO dual-band array. Accordingly, connector 141 and connector 142 can be different corresponding types of connectors.

[0085] The arrangement of the high-band radiating elements 250 and the low-band radiating elements 230 according to embodiments of the inventive concept can provide many advantages. These advantages include integrating a large number of high-band radiating elements 250 together with the low-band radiating elements 230. For example, antenna assembly 300 or 300' can include eight vertical columns of high-band radiating elements 250, which are located beside (e.g., parallel to) two vertical columns of low-band radiating elements 230 on the reflector surface 214. Such integration of a large number of vertical columns of high-band radiating elements 250 beside the low-band radiating elements 230 can provide enhanced capacity capabilities for antenna 100 while fitting into a compact space.

[0086] In some embodiments, the antenna 100 can be made even more compact by using a horizontal distance between feed points 231 of low-band radiation elements 230 in different vertical columns that is approximately 225 mm or narrower. To further facilitate a compact design, the number of vertical columns of high-band radiation elements 250 next to the closely spaced low-band radiation elements 230 can be four, five, six, or seven instead of eight. Although the number of vertical columns of high-band radiation elements 250 can be as small as four (e.g., in antenna assembly 200 or 200'), each of these vertical columns can include a large number (e.g., sixteen) of high-band radiation elements 250, thereby providing enhanced capacity capabilities for the antenna 100.

[0087] Additionally, the connectors 141 and / or 142 can be disposed on the back side of the radome 110 of the antenna 100 instead of on the bottom end cap 130, thereby reducing the length of the antenna 100 in the vertical direction V. For example, the connectors 141 and / or 142 can not extend vertically to the lowermost surface of the bottom end cap 130 or below it. Accordingly, the connectors 141 and / or 142 that can be electrically coupled to any one of antenna assemblies 200, 200', 300, and 300' can help the antenna 100 fit into a compact space.

[0088] The inventive concept has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inventive concept is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are intended to fully and completely disclose the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the same reference numerals always denote the same elements. For clarity, the thickness and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

[0089] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", "top", "bottom", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another (other) element or feature as shown in the figures. It will be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figures, spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, an element described as "beneath" or "below" other elements or features will be "oriented" above the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "beneath" can include both orientations above and below. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein are to be interpreted accordingly.

[0090] In this document, terms such as "attached", "connected", "interconnected", "contacted", "mounted", etc. can mean direct or indirect attachment or contact between elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0091] Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for the sake of brevity and / or clarity. As used herein, the expression "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0092] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the inventive concept. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that when used in this specification, the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of the stated features, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

Claims

1. A base station antenna, comprising: a reflector; a first vertical column and a second vertical column of low-band radiation elements, located on the surface of the reflector and configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals in a first frequency band; and eight vertical columns of high-band radiation elements, located on the surface of the reflector and configured to transmit RF signals in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, wherein a dipole arm of one of the low-band radiation elements covers one of the high-band radiation elements in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the reflector, wherein a feeding point of the first vertical column of the low-band radiation elements is located between corresponding feeding points of adjacent first and second vertical columns of the eight vertical columns of high-band radiation elements, and a feeding point of the second vertical column of the low-band radiation elements is located between corresponding feeding points of adjacent third and fourth vertical columns of the eight vertical columns of high-band radiation elements.

2. The base station antenna according to claim 1, wherein the first vertical column and the second vertical column of the low-band radiation elements are respectively the first outer column and the second outer column of the low-band radiation elements, and wherein the first outer column and the second outer column of the low-band radiation elements are located between outer columns of the eight vertical columns of high-band radiation elements.

3. The base station antenna according to claim 1, wherein the eight vertical columns of high-band radiation elements include an equal number of high-band radiation elements.

4. The base station antenna according to claim 3, wherein each vertical column of the eight vertical columns of high-band radiation elements includes sixteen high-band radiation elements.

5. The base station antenna according to claim 1, wherein a first vertical column and a second vertical column of the eight vertical columns of high-band radiation elements are located between the first vertical column and the second vertical column of the low-band radiation elements, and wherein a horizontal distance between a feeding point of the first vertical column of the low-band radiation elements and a feeding point of the second vertical column of the low-band radiation elements is spaced apart by a distance equal to 0.4 - 0.8 times the wavelength of the first frequency band.

6. The base station antenna according to claim 5, wherein a feeding point of the first vertical column of the eight vertical columns of high-band radiation elements is staggered with respect to a feeding point of the second vertical column of the eight vertical columns of high-band radiation elements.

7. The base station antenna according to claim 1, wherein a dipole arm of one of the low-band radiation elements includes a plurality of widened sections connected by an intermediate narrowed trace portion to form a low-pass filter circuit, wherein the dipole arm is configured to emit RF energy in the first frequency band and is electromagnetically transparent to RF energy in the second frequency band.

8. A base station antenna, comprising: a reflector; a first vertical column and a second vertical column of low-band radiation elements, located on the surface of the reflector and configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals in a first frequency band; and Four vertical columns of high-band radiation elements are located on the surface of the reflector and are configured to transmit RF signals in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band. Wherein, the horizontal distance between the feeding points of the first vertical column of the low-band radiation elements and the feeding points of the second vertical column of the low-band radiation elements is 225 millimeters or narrower. Wherein, the feeding points of the first vertical column of the low-band radiation elements are aligned vertically with the feeding points of the first outer vertical column of the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements.

9. The base station antenna according to claim 8. Wherein, The feeding points of the first vertical column of the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements are staggered with respect to the feeding points of the second vertical column of the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements.

10. The base station antenna according to claim 9. Wherein, The feeding points of the first vertical column of the low-band radiation elements are staggered with respect to the feeding points of the second vertical column of the low-band radiation elements.

11. The base station antenna according to claim 10. Wherein, The feeding points of the first vertical column of the low-band radiation elements are aligned horizontally with one of the feeding points of the second vertical column of the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements.

12. The base station antenna according to claim 8. Wherein, In a direction perpendicular to the surface of the reflector, the dipole arms of one of the low-band radiation elements in the low-band radiation elements cover one of the high-band radiation elements in the high-band radiation elements.

13. The base station antenna according to claim 12. Wherein, The length of the dipole arms of the one low-band radiation element in the low-band radiation elements is equal to half of the wavelength of the first frequency band.

14. The base station antenna according to claim 8. Wherein, The first vertical column and the second vertical column of the low-band radiation elements are respectively the first outer column and the second outer column of the low-band radiation elements, and Wherein, the feeding points of the first outer vertical column of the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements are spaced apart by a horizontal distance of 225 millimeters or narrower from the feeding points of the second outer vertical column of the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements.

15. The base station antenna according to claim 8, further comprising a power divider coupled to each of the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements.

16. The base station antenna according to claim 8. Wherein, Each of the four vertical columns of the high-band radiation elements is fed individually.

17. The base station antenna according to claim 8, further comprises: An antenna radome, wherein the low-band radiation elements and the high-band radiation elements are located inside the antenna radome, and wherein the low-band radiation elements extend forward from the surface of the reflector towards the front side of the antenna radome; and A low-band connector located on the rear side of the antenna radome opposite to the front side, wherein the low-band connector is electrically coupled to one or more of the low-band radiation elements.

18. The base station antenna according to claim 17. Wherein, The low-band connector includes a 90-degree connector, and wherein, the base station antenna further includes a blind-mate high-band connector, which is located on the rear side of the radome and is electrically coupled to one or more of the high-band radiating elements.

19. The base station antenna according to claim 17, further comprising a first plurality of high-band connection ports and a second plurality of high-band connection ports located on the rear side of the radome, wherein the four vertical columns of the high-band radiating elements include: a first array of high-band radiating elements, electrically coupled to the first plurality of high-band connection ports and configured to transmit RF signals in a first sub-band of the second frequency band; and a second array of high-band radiating elements, electrically coupled to the second plurality of high-band connection ports and configured to transmit RF signals in a second sub-band of the second frequency band different from the first sub-band.

20. A base station antenna, comprising: a reflector; a first vertical column and a second vertical column of low-band radiating elements, located on the surface of the reflector and configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals in a first frequency band; a first vertical column, a second vertical column, a third vertical column and a fourth vertical column of high-band radiating elements, located on the surface of the reflector and configured to transmit RF signals in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band; a radome, wherein the low-band radiating elements and the high-band radiating elements are located inside the radome, and wherein the low-band radiating elements extend forward from the surface of the reflector towards the front side of the radome; a low-band connector, located on the rear side of the radome opposite to the front side, wherein the low-band connector is electrically coupled to one or more of the low-band radiating elements; and a high-band connector, located on the rear side of the radome and electrically coupled to one or more of the high-band radiating elements.

21. The base station antenna according to claim 20, wherein, the second vertical column and the third vertical column of the high-band radiating elements are located between the first vertical column and the fourth vertical column of the high-band radiating elements in the horizontal direction, wherein, in the vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction, the low-band radiating elements in the first vertical column of the low-band radiating elements are located between a first high-band radiating element and a second high-band radiating element in the first vertical column of the high-band radiating elements, wherein, in the horizontal direction, the distance between the centers of the low-band radiating elements in the first vertical column of the low-band radiating elements and the centers of the low-band radiating elements in the second vertical column of the low-band radiating elements is 225 millimeters or narrower, wherein, the low-band connector includes a 90-degree connector, and wherein, the high-band connector includes a blind-mate connector.

Images