Antenna and network device

Abstract

An antenna and network device, comprising: a reflector, at least two columns of antenna arrays, at least one common feeding network and at least two array feeding networks; the at least two columns of antenna arrays are located on the reflector, and each column of the at least two columns of antenna arrays comprises at least one independent radiating unit and at least one common radiating unit; each column of antenna arrays corresponds to one array feeding network, each of the independent radiating units in each column of antenna arrays is connected to the array feeding network corresponding to each column of antenna arrays, each of the common radiating units in each column of antenna arrays is connected to the common feeding network, and the common feeding network is connected to the array feeding network corresponding to each column of the at least two columns of antenna arrays.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application with application number 201680001439.3, application date September 19, 2016, and invention name “A two-dimensional antenna and network device”. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to an antenna and a network device. Background Art

[0003] With the development of wireless mobile communications, multi-frequency and multi-standard is the current mainstream trend. Multi-frequency antennas usually use a horizontal multi-column parallel solution to expand the antenna, which leads to the increase of the horizontal size and weight of the antenna. In the actual application of the antenna, due to the influence of the size and weight of the antenna array, the construction difficulty increases, and the construction cost of the base station increases. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve the miniaturization of the antenna while ensuring the performance of the antenna.

[0004] At present, the multi-frequency antenna can be miniaturized by reducing the width of the multi-frequency antenna and the wind-bearing area of ​​the multi-frequency antenna equipment, thereby reducing the strength requirements of the tower on which the multi-frequency antenna is installed, and then reducing the construction cost of the tower. At the same time, the related engineering costs are also greatly reduced, effectively saving construction cost expenditures.

[0005] However, the horizontal lobe width of the antenna is related to the width of the antenna. The wider the horizontal lobe width, the smaller the width of the antenna. If the center frequency of the antenna is 2GHz and the width of the antenna is about 150mm, the horizontal lobe width of the antenna is 65 degrees; when the width of the antenna is about 300mm, the horizontal lobe width of the antenna is 32 degrees. Therefore, reducing the width of the multi-frequency antenna will cause the horizontal lobe width of each independent column of the multi-frequency antenna to become wider, thereby causing the radiation performance of the column pattern of the antenna to decrease. Therefore, how to maintain the antenna performance while realizing the original antenna function in a smaller space has become a problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide an antenna and a network device, which are used to reduce the size of the antenna while maintaining the antenna performance.

[0007] The present application provides a two-dimensional antenna, including:

[0008] A reflector, at least two antenna arrays, at least one common feed network and at least two array feed networks;

[0009] The at least two columns of antenna arrays are located on the reflecting plate, and each column of the at least two columns of antenna arrays includes at least one independent radiating unit and at least one common radiating unit; each column of antenna arrays corresponds to an array feeding network, each of the independent radiating units in each column of antenna arrays is connected to the array feeding network corresponding to each column of antenna arrays, each of the common radiating units in each column of antenna arrays is connected to the common feeding network, and the common feeding network is connected to the array feeding network corresponding to each column of the at least two columns of antenna arrays.

[0010] According to the two-dimensional antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application, the array feeding network corresponding to each column of the antenna array supplies power to all independent radiating units in the antenna array, and also supplies power to all common radiating units connected to the array feeding network corresponding to the antenna array, so that the common radiating units and the independent radiating units form an array in the horizontal plane, thereby improving the radiation performance of the antenna array by reducing the horizontal lobe width of the antenna array.

[0011] Optionally, a column spacing between two adjacent columns of the at least two columns of antenna arrays is greater than or equal to 0.5λ and less than or equal to λ, where λ is the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the two-dimensional antenna.

[0012] Optionally, the radiation units between two adjacent columns of antenna arrays in the at least two columns of antenna arrays are arranged in parallel.

[0013] Optionally, the common feeding network is a feeding network composed of 90° bridges; or, the common feeding network is a feeding network composed of combiners.

[0014] In the above scheme, when the common feeding network is a feeding network composed of 90° bridges or a feeding network composed of combiners, the coupling between electromagnetic signals between common radiating units connected to the same common feeding network can be weakened, thereby improving the isolation performance between antenna arrays.

[0015] Optionally, the number of common radiation units included in each column of the at least two columns of antenna arrays is the same.

[0016] The present application provides a two-dimensional antenna, including:

[0017] Reflective panels;

[0018] At least one column of antenna arrays and at least one column of common antenna arrays located on the reflector, each column of antenna arrays including at least one independent radiating unit, and each column of common antenna arrays including at least one common radiating unit;

[0019] Among them, each column of antenna arrays corresponds to an array feeding network, the at least one column of common antenna arrays corresponds to a common feeding network, each independent radiating unit in each column of antenna arrays is connected to the array feeding network corresponding to the antenna array, each common radiating unit in each column of common antenna arrays is connected to the common feeding network, and the common feeding network is connected to the array feeding network corresponding to each column of antenna arrays in the at least one column of antenna arrays.

[0020] According to the two-dimensional antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application, the array feeding network corresponding to each column of the antenna array supplies power to all independent radiating units in the antenna array, and also supplies power to all common radiating units connected to the array feeding network corresponding to the antenna array, so that the common radiating units and the independent radiating units form an array in the horizontal plane, thereby improving the radiation performance of the antenna array by reducing the horizontal lobe width of the antenna array.

[0021] Optionally, a column spacing between two adjacent array columns is greater than or equal to 0.5λ and less than or equal to λ, where λ is a wavelength corresponding to a center frequency of the two-dimensional antenna.

[0022] Optionally, the common feeding network is a feeding network composed of 90° bridges; or, the common feeding network is a feeding network composed of combiners.

[0023] In the above scheme, when the common feeding network is a feeding network composed of 90° bridges or a feeding network composed of combiners, the coupling between electromagnetic signals between common radiating units connected to the same common feeding network can be weakened, thereby improving the isolation performance between antenna arrays.

[0024] Optionally, the number of independent radiation units included in each column of the at least one column of antenna array is the same.

[0025] An embodiment of the present application provides a network device, comprising any of the two-dimensional antennas described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a two-dimensional antenna structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a feeding network structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a two-dimensional antenna structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a two-dimensional antenna structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a two-dimensional antenna structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a two-dimensional antenna structure provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The two-dimensional antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a communication system using MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) technology, such as an LTE (Long Term Evolution) system, etc., and can also be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System of Mobile communication (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access Wireless (WCDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), etc. The two-dimensional antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to multi-antenna application scenarios, such as providing mobile network coverage for different operators.

[0033] The antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application includes: a reflector, which may be made of metal, i.e., a metal reflector; at least two columns of antenna arrays located on the reflector, each column of the antenna array including at least one independent radiation unit and at least one common radiation unit, and each column of the antenna array corresponds to an array feeding network.

[0034] Among them, each independent radiating unit in each column of antenna array is connected to the array feeding network corresponding to the antenna array, each common radiating unit in each column of antenna array is connected to the common feeding network, and the common feeding network is connected to the array feeding network corresponding to each column of antenna array in the at least two columns of antenna arrays.

[0035] In the embodiment of the present application, the array feeding network corresponding to each column of the antenna array supplies power to all independent radiating units in the antenna array, and also supplies power to all common radiating units connected to the array feeding network corresponding to the antenna array, so that the common radiating units and the independent radiating units form an array in the horizontal plane, thereby improving the radiation performance of the antenna array by reducing the horizontal lobe width of the antenna array.

[0036] In the embodiment of the present application, the radiation units between two adjacent columns of the at least two columns of antenna arrays may be arranged in parallel or in an alternating arrangement, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0037] In the embodiment of the present application, the radiation units in the at least two columns of antenna arrays are arranged along the axis of the reflector, and can also be arranged in a staggered manner along the vertical axis direction. The embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0038] Among them, the radiation unit is a general term for the common radiation unit and the independent radiation unit.

[0039] In the embodiment of the present application, the number of common radiation units included in each column of the antenna array may be the same or different, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this. Correspondingly, the number of independent radiation units included in each column of the antenna array may be the same or different, which can be determined according to actual conditions and will not be repeated here.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present application, the column spacing between two adjacent columns of the at least two columns of antenna arrays may be greater than or equal to 0.5λ and less than or equal to λ, where λ is the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the two-dimensional antenna.

[0041] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the isolation performance between antenna arrays is improved by weakening the coupling between electromagnetic signals between common radiating units connected to the same common feeding network. The common feeding network may be a feeding network composed of 90° bridges; the common feeding network may also be a feeding network composed of combiners.

[0042] The following is a detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of a two-dimensional antenna structure provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] Figure 1 The two-dimensional antenna shown includes two columns of antenna arrays, each column of the antenna array includes at least one independent radiation unit and at least one common radiation unit, and the radiation units between two adjacent columns of the antenna arrays are arranged in parallel. It should be noted that the scenario where the two-dimensional antenna includes at least two columns of antenna arrays can refer to Figure 1 The relevant description will not be repeated here.

[0045] Figure 1In the figure, there are two columns of antenna arrays 11 and 12 on the reflector 10, each column of antenna arrays includes three independent radiating units and two common radiating units. Specifically, the independent radiating units included in the antenna array 11 are 111, 113, and 115; the common radiating units included in the antenna array 11 are 112 and 114. The independent radiating units included in the antenna array 12 are 121, 123, and 125; the common radiating units included in the antenna array 12 are 122 and 124.

[0046] Combination Figure 1 ,like Figure 2 , which is a schematic diagram of a feeding network connection structure provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0047] Figure 2 middle, Figure 1 The common radiating elements 112, 114, 122, 124 in the antenna array 11 are connected to the common feed network 20; the independent radiating elements 111, 113, 115 in the antenna array 11 are connected to the array feed network 21 corresponding to the antenna array 11; the independent radiating elements 121, 123, 125 in the antenna array 12 are connected to the array feed network 22 corresponding to the antenna array 12. At the same time, the common feed network 20 is connected to the array feed network 21 and the array feed network 22.

[0048] Through the above connection, the common radiation units 112 , 114 , 122 , 124 are indirectly connected to the array feed network 21 of the antenna array 11 through the common feed network 20 , and are also indirectly connected to the array feed network 22 of the antenna array 12 columns.

[0049] When the array feed network 21 of the antenna array 11 is working, it supplies power to the independent radiating elements 111 , 113 , 115 in the antenna array 11 , and also supplies power to the common radiating elements 112 , 114 , 122 , 124 indirectly connected to the array feed network 21 .

[0050] When the array feed network 22 of the antenna array 12 is working, it supplies power to the independent radiation elements 121 , 123 , 125 in the antenna array 12 , and also supplies power to the common radiation elements 112 , 114 , 122 , 124 indirectly connected to the array feed network 21 .

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, if the distance between the two-dimensional antenna array is λ and the number of common radiation elements in the antenna array is zero, the scenario corresponds to the traditional antenna array working scenario.

[0052] When the two antenna arrays work alone, the horizontal lobe width of the antenna array is about 65°. When the two antenna arrays work simultaneously and the input power is the same, the horizontal lobe width of the new array synthesized by the two antenna arrays is about 32.5°, which is half of 65°. However, at this time, the array is a new array after the two antenna arrays are merged, and the number of arrays changes from 2 to 1, which fails to meet the application scenarios of multiple-input multiple-output technology.

[0053] When the distance between antenna arrays is shortened, the horizontal lobe width of the antenna array when working alone will slowly expand from 65° to about 90°. After shortening the antenna array spacing, the horizontal lobe width of the antenna array when working alone is about 90°. Figure 1 The common radiation unit, when the array feed network 21 of the antenna array 11 works alone, not only supplies power to the antenna arrays 111, 113, 115 in the antenna array, but also supplies power to the common radiation units 112, 122, 114, 124 that are indirectly connected to the array feed network 21. By adjusting the power ratio of the common feed network 20 connected to the array feed network 21 to the array feed network 21, the horizontal plane lobe width of the antenna array 11 can be controlled to be about 65°. Similarly, the array feed network 21 of the antenna array 12 has a similar working principle when working alone, and the horizontal plane lobe width of the antenna array 12 can also be controlled to be about 65°. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the power ratio of the common feed network 20 connected to the array feed network 21 to the array feed network 21 can be adjusted by controlling the power supply voltage ratio of the common radiation unit to the power supply voltage of the independent radiation unit. In addition, the power ratio can also be adjusted by other methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0054] Therefore, the two-dimensional antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application feeds the common radiation unit together with the array feeding network corresponding to each independent column, which can reduce the horizontal plane lobe width while miniaturizing the antenna, thereby improving the radiation performance of the antenna array.

[0055] It should be noted that the position of the common radiation unit in each column of the antenna array can be any position, and the number of the common radiation units in each column of the antenna array can also be any number, which can be determined according to actual conditions. Figure 1 In the embodiment, any one or more radiation units from 111 to 115 can be used as common radiation units. Figure 1 ,like Figure 3 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of a two-dimensional antenna structure provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3In the figure, each column of the antenna array includes only one common radiating unit. Specifically, the independent radiating units included in the antenna array 11 are 111, 112, 113, and 115, respectively; the common radiating units included in the antenna array 11 are 114, respectively. The independent radiating units included in the antenna array 12 are 121, 122, 123, and 125, respectively; the common radiating units included in the antenna array 12 are 124, respectively. Figure 3 For other contents in Figure 1 The description will not be repeated here.

[0056] For example, combining Figure 1 ,like Figure 4 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of a two-dimensional antenna structure provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the common radiating units in each column of the antenna array can be staggered. Specifically, the independent radiating units included in the antenna array 11 are 112, 113, and 115 respectively; the common radiating units included in the antenna array 11 are 111 and 114 respectively. The independent radiating units included in the antenna array 12 are 121, 123, and 124 respectively; the common radiating units included in the antenna array 12 are 122 and 125 respectively. Figure 4 For other contents in Figure 1 The description will not be repeated here.

[0057] The radiation units in each column of the antenna array in the two-dimensional antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application may also be arranged in a staggered manner. Figure 5 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of a two-dimensional antenna structure provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 In the figure, there are two columns of antenna arrays 31 and 32 on the reflector 30, each column of antenna arrays includes three independent radiating units and one common radiating unit. Specifically, the independent radiating units included in the antenna array 31 are 311, 313, 314, and 315 respectively; the common radiating unit included in the antenna array 31 is 312. The independent radiating units included in the antenna array 32 are 321, 323, 324, and 325 respectively; the common radiating unit included in the antenna array 32 is 322. The adjacent radiating units in the antenna array 31 and the antenna array 32 are staggered.

[0058] Of course, the above are just examples. In the two-dimensional antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application, the number and positions of independent radiating units included in each column of the antenna array, and the number and positions of common radiating units may also have other forms, which will not be explained one by one here. Please refer to the previous description for details.

[0059] like Figure 6 As shown, a schematic diagram of a two-dimensional antenna structure provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0060] Figure 6 In the embodiment, the two-dimensional antenna includes: a reflector 60; at least one column of antenna arrays 61 and at least one column of common antenna arrays 62 located on the reflector 60, each column of the antenna arrays includes at least one independent radiation unit 611, and each column of the common antenna arrays includes at least one common radiation unit 621.

[0061] Among them, each column of antenna arrays corresponds to an array feeding network, the at least one column of common antenna arrays corresponds to a common feeding network, each independent radiating unit in each column of antenna arrays is connected to the array feeding network corresponding to the antenna array, each common radiating unit in each column of common antenna arrays is connected to the common feeding network, and the common feeding network is connected to the array feeding network corresponding to each column of antenna arrays in the at least one column of antenna arrays.

[0062] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the number of independent radiation units included in each column of the at least one column of antenna array may be the same or different, which is determined based on actual conditions and will not be elaborated here.

[0063] Optionally, a column spacing between two adjacent array columns is greater than or equal to 0.5λ and less than or equal to λ, where λ is a wavelength corresponding to a center frequency of the two-dimensional antenna.

[0064] Optionally, the common feeding network may be a feeding network composed of 90° bridges; the common feeding network may also be a feeding network composed of combiners.

[0065] In the embodiment of the present application, each of the antennas may include one common feeding network or may include multiple common feeding networks, which is determined based on actual conditions and will not be described in detail here.

[0066] The two-dimensional antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application may also include an antenna cover, a radio frequency interface, a waterproof coil and other components, which will not be described in detail here.

[0067] An embodiment of the present application also provides a network device, comprising any one of the two-dimensional antennas described above.

[0068] Network equipment includes but is not limited to base stations, nodes, base station controllers, access points (APs), macro stations, micro stations or small stations, high-frequency stations, low-frequency stations, relay stations, some functions of base stations, or any other type of interface equipment that can work in a wireless environment. At the same time, "base stations" include but are not limited to base stations in 4G systems and base stations in 5G systems.

[0069] For other contents in the network device, reference may be made to the description in the prior art, and no further examples will be given here.

[0070] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An antenna, characterized in that: include: At least two columns of antenna arrays, at least two array feed networks, and a common feed network, wherein the at least two columns of antenna arrays correspond one to one to the at least two array feed networks; Each of the at least two antenna arrays comprises an independent radiating unit and a common radiating unit, wherein the independent radiating unit is connected to an array feeding network corresponding to the antenna array where the independent radiating unit is located, and the common radiating unit is connected to the common feeding network; The common feeding network is connected to the at least two array feeding networks.

2. The antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that The common feeding network includes a 90° bridge; or, the common feeding network includes a combiner.

3. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The antenna is used for multiple-input multiple-output technology.

4. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The power ratio of the common feeding network to the array feeding network is adjustable.

5. The antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that: The power ratio is adjusted by controlling the ratio of the power supply voltage of the common radiation unit to the power supply voltage of the independent radiation unit.

6. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The common radiation elements included in one column of antenna arrays are only included in the one column of antenna arrays.

7. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The column spacing between two adjacent columns of the antenna array is greater than or equal to 0.5λ and less than or equal to λ, where λ is the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the antenna.

8. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The radiation units between two adjacent columns of the antenna arrays are arranged in parallel.

9. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The radiation units between two adjacent columns of the antenna arrays are arranged alternately.

10. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The at least two columns of antenna arrays respectively include the same number of common radiation units.

11. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The radiation units in the at least two columns of antenna arrays are arranged in parallel along the axis of the reflector, or are arranged in a staggered manner along a direction perpendicular to the axis.

12. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The at least two columns of antenna arrays are two columns of antenna arrays.

13. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The antenna further includes a reflector.

14. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The array feeding network corresponding to each column of the antenna array supplies power to the independent radiating units in the antenna array and also supplies power to the common radiating units connected to the array feeding network corresponding to the antenna array.

15. The antenna according to claim 14, characterized in that The common radiation units connected to the array feeding network corresponding to the antenna array include the common radiation units in the antenna array and the common radiation units in other antenna arrays in the at least two columns of antenna arrays.

16. The antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The at least two columns of antenna arrays work independently or simultaneously.

17. A network device, characterized in that: Comprising the antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16.

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