Multiband antenna, radiating element assembly, and parasitic element assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a multiband antenna comprising a first radiating element configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within a first frequency band, a second radiating element configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within a second frequency band, and a director associated with the first radiating element configured to be substantially invisible to electromagnetic radiation within at least a portion of the second frequency band. The invention also relates to a radiating element assembly and a parasitic element assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to communication systems, and more specifically, to multi-band antennas, radiating element assemblies, and parasitic element assemblies suitable for communication systems. Background Technology

[0002] A director is a known device installed near a radiating element to tune the radiation pattern of the radiating element (e.g., tune the beamwidth of the radiation pattern) and / or improve the return loss of the radiating element. The size and shape of the director affect the frequency band in which it operates; therefore, the size and shape of the director need to be adjusted according to the operating frequency of the radiating element it targets. The distance between the director and the radiating element it targets also affects its tuning of the radiation pattern; therefore, it may also be necessary to adjust the distance between the director and the radiating element it targets according to the desired radiation pattern. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide multi-band antennas, radiating element assemblies, and parasitic element assemblies suitable for communication systems.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, a multi-band antenna is provided, comprising: a first radiating element configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in a first frequency band; a second radiating element configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in a second frequency band; and a director associated with the first radiating element configured to be substantially invisible to electromagnetic radiation in at least a portion of the second frequency band.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a multi-band antenna is provided, comprising: a first radiating element array including a plurality of first radiating elements configured to generate a first antenna beam in a first frequency band; a second radiating element array including a plurality of second radiating elements configured to generate a second antenna beam in a second frequency band; and a parasitic element array including a plurality of parasitic elements respectively for the plurality of first radiating elements, wherein each of the plurality of parasitic elements is configured to have frequency selectivity characteristics such that the parasitic element array tunes the first antenna beam and is substantially invisible to the second antenna beam.

[0006] According to a third aspect of the invention, a radiating element assembly is provided, comprising: a radiating element; and a director for the radiating element, the director comprising a first inductive element and a first capacitive element.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a radiating element assembly is provided, configured to receive an input signal and emit first electromagnetic radiation within a first frequency band, comprising: a radiating element configured to receive the input signal and emit a first radiating component; and a parasitic element configured to receive a first portion of the first radiating component and emit a second radiating component, such that a second portion of the first radiating component and the second radiating component combine to form at least a portion of the first electromagnetic radiation, wherein the parasitic element is positioned near the maximum radiating direction of the first radiating component and is further configured to resonate at a first frequency, thereby tuning the radiation pattern of the first electromagnetic radiation.

[0008] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a parasitic element assembly is provided, positioned near the maximum radiation direction of a radiating element emitting electromagnetic radiation in a first frequency band and configured to tune the radiation pattern of the electromagnetic radiation, the assembly comprising: a first inductive element configured to substantially not reduce the current in the first frequency band and reduce the current in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0011] Figure 1A This is a schematic front view of a portion of a multiband antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 1B It is shown schematically. Figure 1A A bottom view of a portion of a multi-band antenna.

[0013] Figure 1C It is shown schematically. Figure 1A A three-dimensional view of a portion of a multi-band antenna.

[0014] Figure 1D It is shown schematically. Figure 1A A front view of one of the directors included in a multi-band antenna.

[0015] Figures 2A to 2F This is a schematic front view of a director according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figures 3A to 3D This is a schematic front view of a director according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4A and4B This is a schematic front view showing the relative positions of the director and the radiating element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 It is a schematic three-dimensional view of known directors and radiating elements in the prior art.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic front view of a director according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 7A It is a schematic diagram showing the variation of electromagnetic radiation intensity with azimuth angle, which is aimed at: (1) Figure 1A (1) One of the radiating element arrays in the multi-band antenna, and (2) replacing the director 140 with Figure 5 The same array of radiating elements is used in the conventional director shown.

[0021] Figure 7B It is a schematic diagram showing the variation of electromagnetic radiation intensity with azimuth angle, which is aimed at: (1) Figure 1A (2) Replace the director 140 with one of the radiating element arrays in the multi-band antenna. Figure 5 The same array of radiating elements is used in the conventional director shown.

[0022] Note that in the embodiments described below, the same reference numerals are sometimes used across different figures to denote the same parts or parts with the same function, and repeated descriptions are omitted. In some cases, similar reference numerals and letters are used to denote similar items, so once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.

[0023] For ease of understanding, the positions, dimensions, and ranges of the structures shown in the accompanying drawings and other materials may not represent actual positions, dimensions, and ranges. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the positions, dimensions, and ranges disclosed in the accompanying drawings and other materials. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the invention can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure of the invention more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the invention to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide more additional embodiments.

[0025] It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. All terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art unless otherwise defined. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail.

[0026] In this document, when an element is described as being "on," "attached," "connected," "coupled," or "in contact" with another element, the element may be directly located on, attached to, connected to, coupled to, or in contact with the other element, or there may be intermediate elements present. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly" located on, directly attached to, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly in contact with another element, no intermediate elements are present. In this document, a feature arranged "adjacent" to another feature may mean that a feature has a portion overlapping with the adjacent feature or a portion located above or below the adjacent feature.

[0027] In this document, references may be made to elements, nodes, or features that are “connected” together. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, “connection” means that one element / node / feature can be mechanically, electrically, logically, or otherwise linked to another element / node / feature, directly or indirectly, to allow interaction, even if the two features may not be directly connected. That is, “connection” is intended to include both direct and indirect connections of elements or other features, including connections using one or more intermediate elements.

[0028] In this document, spatial relation terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "back," "high," and "low" are used to describe the relationship between one feature and another in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that spatial relation terms include not only the orientation shown in the drawings but also different orientations of the device during use or operation. For example, when the device in the drawings is inverted, a feature previously described as "below" other features can now be described as "above" other features. The device can also be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), in which case the relative spatial relationships will be interpreted accordingly.

[0029] In this document, the term “A or B” includes both “A and B” and “A or B”, rather than exclusively including only “A” or only “B”, unless otherwise specified.

[0030] In this document, the term "exemplary" means "used as an example, instance, or illustration," and not as a "model" to be precisely copied. Any implementation described herein by example is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to any theory expressed or implied in the foregoing description in the technical field, background, summary of the invention, or detailed description.

[0031] In this document, the term "substantially" means any minor variation caused by design or manufacturing defects, device or component tolerances, environmental influences, and / or other factors. The term "substantially" also allows for differences from the perfect or ideal situation due to parasitic effects, noise, and other practical considerations that may exist in actual implementations.

[0032] Additionally, terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., may be used in this document for reference purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. For example, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the words “first,” “second,” and other such numerical terms relating to structures or elements do not imply order or sequence.

[0033] It should also be understood that when the term “including / comprises” is used herein, it indicates the presence of the indicated feature, step, operation, unit and / or component, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, units and / or components and / or combinations thereof.

[0034] In a multiband antenna, a director mounted, for example in front of a first radiating element having a first operating frequency band, may affect the radiation pattern of a second radiating element having a second operating frequency band. A multiband antenna according to an embodiment of the invention includes a first radiating element configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within a first operating frequency band, a second radiating element configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within a second operating frequency band, and a director configured to shape the radiation pattern of the first radiating element. The director has frequency selectivity characteristics to be substantially invisible to electromagnetic radiation within at least a portion of the second operating frequency band. Therefore, the director associated with the first radiating element can have a reduced effect on the radiation pattern of the second radiating element. Embodiments of the invention also provide radiating element assemblies including directors with frequency selectivity characteristics, and directors with frequency selectivity characteristics. In some embodiments herein, the director is also referred to as a "parasitic element" or a "parasitic element assembly."

[0035] Figures 1A to 1DThis is a schematic diagram of a portion of a multiband antenna 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multiband antenna 100 can be mounted on a raised structure for operation, such as an antenna tower, utility pole, building, water tower, etc., such that the longitudinal axis of the antenna 100 extends substantially perpendicular to the ground. The antenna 100 typically includes a radome (not shown) providing environmental protection. The multiband antenna 100 includes a reflector 160, which may include a metallic surface that provides a ground plane and reflects electromagnetic radiation arriving thereto, redirecting the electromagnetic radiation, for example, to propagate forward. The antenna 100 may also include additional mechanical and electronic components arranged behind the reflector 160, such as connectors, cables, phase shifters, remote electronic tilt (RET) units, duplexers, etc., one or more of these components.

[0036] The multiband antenna 100 also includes an array of radiating elements 110, an array of radiating elements 120, and an array of radiating elements 130 arranged in front of the reflector 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the operating frequency band of the radiating elements 110 may be, for example, 1695–2690 MHz (hereinafter abbreviated as VB) or its sub-bands (e.g., 1695–2200 MHz, 2300–2690 MHz, etc.). The operating frequency band of the radiating elements 120 may be, for example, 3.1–4.2 GHz (hereinafter abbreviated as SB) or its sub-bands. The operating frequency band of the radiating elements 130 may be, for example, 694–960 MHz (hereinafter abbreviated as RB) or its sub-bands. The array of VB radiating elements 110 comprises two horizontally adjacent, vertically extending linear arrays. Depending on how these radiating elements 110 are fed, the two linear arrays may be configured to form two separate antenna beams or may be configured to form a single antenna beam. The array of vertically extending SB radiating elements 120 is disposed between the two linear arrays. An array of vertically extending RB radiating elements 130 is arranged between the two linear arrays, and the radiating elements 130 are staggered on both sides of the vertical central axis of the array of radiating elements 130, slightly off the axis, in order to obtain an antenna beam with a narrower beamwidth in the azimuth plane.

[0037] The multiband antenna 100 also includes parasitic elements 150 and 170 extending forward from the reflector 160. Parasitic elements 150 are disposed near the two edges of the reflector 160, outside each linear array of radiating elements 110, to facilitate tuning the antenna beam pattern generated by the two linear arrays of radiating elements 110. Parasitic elements 170 are disposed on both sides of the array of radiating elements 120, and between the array of radiating elements 120 and each linear array of radiating elements 110, to improve isolation between radiating elements 120 and 110, and to tune the antenna beam pattern generated by the array of radiating elements 120.

[0038] The multiband antenna 100 also includes a plurality of directors 140 associated with a plurality of VB radiating elements 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the radiating arms of the radiating elements 110 define a first plane, and the directors 140 extend substantially parallel to the first plane. The center of each director 140 may be positioned in or near the maximum radiation direction of the corresponding radiating element 110, for example, the projection of the director 140 onto the first plane is substantially at the center of the projection of the radiating element 110 onto the first plane, to tune the radiation pattern of the radiating element 110 and performance such as return loss. The distance of the director 140 from the first plane, which affects this tuning, may be adjusted as needed. In one embodiment, the distance of the director 140 from the first plane is configured to be approximately 1 / 4 of the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiating element 110. In another embodiment, the distance of the director 140 from the first plane is configured to be between 1 / 8 and 3 / 8 of the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiating element 110. Unless otherwise specified, “wavelength” in this article refers to the wavelength of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum or air.

[0039] The size of the projection of director 140 onto the first plane, for example, the size of its diagonal, is approximately one-quarter of the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by radiating element 110. If the director 140 associated with one of the radiating elements 110 in antenna 100 is replaced with... Figure 5The conventional director 520 shown, due to its size (approximately 1 / 4 of the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of VB), and possibly about 1 / 2 of the wavelength corresponding to at least some frequencies in SB (i.e., within the operating frequency band of radiating element 120), generates strong secondary radiation when radiating element 120 transmits or receives electromagnetic radiation at a subset of frequencies in the 3.1–4.2 GHz band, thus affecting the radiation pattern of SB radiating element 120. For RB radiating element 130, since the director 140 is small and it is difficult to excite current within RB, the influence of director 140 on the radiation pattern of radiating element 130 is small and negligible.

[0040] Each director 140 is configured to have frequency selectivity so that it is substantially invisible to at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the SB radiating element 120 (e.g., at a given frequency), thereby reducing the influence of the director 140 on the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiating element 120. Figure 1D As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the director 140 includes capacitive elements 141 to 144 and inductive elements 145 to 148 forming the director 140. Each of the inductive elements 145 to 148 is connected in series between an adjacent pair of capacitive elements, and each of the capacitive elements 141 to 144 is connected in series between an adjacent pair of inductive elements, such that an LC series resonant circuit is formed in the director 140, and this circuit is a loop. The resonant frequency of the resonant circuit can be within or outside VB. In one embodiment, the resonant frequency can be the center frequency of VB (e.g., 2.3 GHz). In one embodiment, the passband of the resonant circuit includes at least a portion of VB and excludes at least a portion of SB, such that the resonant circuit can attenuate the current in at least a portion of SB and substantially not attenuate the current in at least a portion of VB, thereby making the electromagnetic radiation in the at least a portion of SB substantially invisible to the director 140. In one embodiment, the passband of the resonant circuit includes at least a portion of VB but excludes the entire SB, such that the resonant circuit can attenuate the current in the entire SB and substantially not attenuate the current in at least a portion of VB, thereby making the electromagnetic radiation in the entire SB substantially invisible to the director 140. The passband of the resonant circuit, as referred to herein, can mean the frequency band in the amplitude-frequency response curve of the resonant circuit that has a normalized amplitude greater than or equal to 0.7.

[0041] Figure 7A and 7B The diagram shows the intensity of 3.5 GHz electromagnetic radiation emitted by the array of SB radiating elements 120 in antenna 100 as a function of azimuth. The solid lines in each figure correspond to the VB radiating elements 110 being configured as shown... Figure 1DIn the case of director 140 shown, the dashed line corresponds to the VB radiating element 110 being configured as follows: Figure 5 The conventional director 520 is shown. It can be seen that the director 520 causes distortion of the radiation pattern of the array of SB radiating elements 120. The VB radiating element 110 is configured as follows... Figure 1D After the director 140 shown, the radiation pattern of the array of SB radiating elements 120 is greatly improved.

[0042] The surface current of the director is mainly distributed at the edge of the director. Therefore, different shapes of the director will result in different distributions of the surface current, leading to resonant circuits with different amplitude-frequency response curves. Furthermore, in an LC series resonant circuit, the more LC circuits connected in series (e.g., four LC circuits in director 140), the steeper the amplitude-frequency response curve of the resonant circuit, and thus the narrower its bandwidth. The shape of the director can be designed as needed so that the resonant intensity of the resonant circuit formed in the director is sufficient to tune the radiation pattern of its associated radiating element, and at least a portion of the operating frequency band of the other radiating element is outside its bandwidth.

[0043] The process of designing a "stealthy" director for a first radiating element having a first operating frequency band and substantially invisible to a second radiating element having a second operating frequency band may include: determining the resonant frequency and bandwidth of a resonant circuit formed in the director; determining the capacitance and inductance of the resonant circuit based on the resonant frequency; then determining the area of ​​the capacitive element and the length of the inductive element; and determining the number of LC circuits based on the bandwidth, such that the resonant circuit formed by connecting such capacitive and inductive elements is substantially invisible to electromagnetic radiation within the second operating frequency band. The shape and size of each capacitive and inductive element, the distance between adjacent capacitive and inductive elements, the distance between adjacent capacitive and inductive elements, and the distance from the director to the first radiating element are then adjusted so that the director including the resonant circuit can tune the radiation pattern and return loss of the first radiating element.

[0044] Figures 2A to 2FThe illustration shows a front view of directors 210 to 260 (in some embodiments, these directors are described as parasitic elements or parasitic element assemblies) according to an embodiment of the present invention, each director having an LC series resonant circuit formed therein, and the resonant circuit being a loop. The number of LC circuits included in the resonant circuits of directors 210 to 240 is four, the number of LC circuits in the resonant circuit of director 250 is two, and the number of LC circuits in the resonant circuit of director 260 is three. The capacitive elements can be generally constructed as quadrilaterals, triangles, circles, sectors, or irregular shapes, etc. Each inductive element is connected in series between an adjacent pair of capacitive elements. The inductive element may have one or more bends to increase its electrical length within a limited space between adjacent pairs of capacitive elements. In the illustrated embodiment, the director in which the resonant circuit is formed is quadrilateral or circular. It should be understood that the director in which the resonant circuit is formed can be quadrilateral, triangular, circular, sector, cross-shaped, T-shaped, L-shaped, or irregularly shaped, etc.

[0045] In some embodiments, the LC series resonant circuit formed in the director may not be a loop. Figures 3A to 3D A front view of directors 310 to 340 (in some embodiments, these directors are described as parasitic elements or parasitic element assemblies) according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, each director having an LC series resonant circuit formed therein, and the resonant circuit does not form a loop. The number of LC circuits in the resonant circuit of director 310 is four, the number of LC circuits in the resonant circuit of director 320 is three, and the number of LC circuits in the resonant circuit of director 330 or 340 is two. Each of directors 310 to 340 includes a central capacitive element, and an inductive element in each LC circuit is connected in series between the central capacitive element and the capacitive element of another. In the illustrated embodiment, the central capacitive element and the remaining capacitive elements are rectangular. It should be understood that in other embodiments with non-loop resonant circuits, the central capacitive element and / or the remaining capacitive elements may be generally constructed as quadrilaterals, triangles, circles, sectors, or irregular shapes, etc. The overall shape of the director can be roughly constructed as a quadrilateral, triangle, circle, sector, cross, T, L, or irregular shape.

[0046] In some embodiments, a director associated with a first radiating element having a first operating frequency band and substantially invisible to a second radiating element having a second operating frequency band includes one or more inductive elements formed therein. The inductance value of such one or more inductive elements can be configured such that they have a lower impedance in the first operating frequency band and a higher impedance in the second operating frequency band, thereby reducing the current in the second operating frequency band and substantially not reducing the current in the first operating frequency band.

[0047] Figure 6 A director 600 including one or more inductive elements formed therein is shown. The one or more inductive elements are configured as a mesh-like structure consisting of multiple interconnected inductive segments. Such one or more inductive elements are formed by forming an array of holes in a conductor 610, such as a conductor plate, with the conductor portions surrounding the holes 620 being inductive segments 611 to 614. The holes 620 in the hole array are arranged periodically, in one embodiment along at least one direction (e.g., along...). Figure 6 The number of holes 620 arranged in the horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and other oblique directions (as shown in the perspective) is greater than or equal to 3. Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the hole array is a roughly square array composed of multiple holes 620, wherein the number of holes 620 arranged in both the horizontal and vertical directions is 4.

[0048] The size d of each aperture 620 can be much smaller than the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the first operating frequency band of the radiating element associated with the director 600. This wavelength can be either the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave in a vacuum or air, or the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave in the director 600. In one embodiment, the size d of the aperture 620 is less than 1 / 10 of the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the first operating frequency band. The width w of each of the inductive sections 611 to 614 can be much smaller than the size d of the aperture 620; in one embodiment, the width w of the inductive sections 611 to 614 is less than 1 / 10 of the size of the aperture 620. The size d of the aperture 620 referred to herein can mean the aperture 620 along any direction (e.g., along...). Figure 6 The dimensions (horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and other oblique directions, etc.) in the shown viewpoint. The width w of the inductive segments 611 to 614, as referred to herein, can refer to the distance between two adjacent edges of two adjacent holes 620, or the distance from the edge of the guide 600 to the adjacent hole 620. The shape, size, and arrangement of each hole 620 in the hole array can be designed to adjust the length and width of each inductive segment 611 to 614, thereby reducing the current in the second frequency band and substantially not reducing the current in the first frequency band for one or more inductive elements.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the hole 620 is approximately square. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the hole 620 may be triangular, rectangular, other polygonal, circular, elliptical, or irregular in shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the hole array is an approximately square array composed of multiple holes 620. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the hole array may be a rectangular array, rhomboid array, triangular array, circular array, cross array, or irregularly shaped array composed of multiple holes 620. In the illustrated embodiment, the director 600 is approximately rectangular. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the director 600 may be approximately rectangular, triangular, circular, sector-shaped, cross-shaped, T-shaped, L-shaped, or other irregularly shaped.

[0050] According to the above embodiments of the present invention, each director (or parasitic element, parasitic element assembly) can be formed from a metal plate or a printed circuit board having conductors printed on a dielectric plate.

[0051] Radiation element assembly according to embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 4A and 4B As shown, it is configured to receive an input signal and emit first electromagnetic radiation within a first frequency band. The radiating element assembly includes a radiating element 410 and a director 420 (or parasitic element, parasitic element assembly). The radiating element 410 is configured to receive the input signal and emit a first radiation component. The director 420 is configured to receive a first portion of the first radiation component and emit a second radiation component, such that the second portion of the first radiation component and the second radiation component combine to form at least a portion of the first electromagnetic radiation. In one embodiment, the director 420 is positioned near the maximum radiation direction of the first radiation component and is also configured to resonate at a first frequency, thereby tuning the radiation pattern of the first electromagnetic radiation. In one embodiment, the director 420 is configured to have frequency selectivity, such that the director 420 reduces the current at a given frequency. The directors and associated radiating elements in the above embodiments can be combined into a radiating element assembly.

[0052] The director 420 in the radiating element assembly can be positioned at any angle relative to the radiating element 410. In the case of a cross-dipole radiating element 410, the angle between the diagonal of the director 420 and the diagonal of the radiating element 410 can be any angle between 0 and 45 degrees. One diagonal of the radiating element 410 can be the line connecting the tail end of one radiating arm of a dipole of the radiating element 410 to the tail end of the other radiating arm. Figure 4A In the illustrated embodiment, the diagonal of the director 420 can be aligned with the diagonal of the radiating element 410, i.e., the angle between the diagonal of the director 420 and the diagonal of the radiating element 410 is approximately 0 degrees. Figure 4BIn the illustrated embodiment, the diagonal of the director 420 forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the diagonal of the radiating element 410. Other angles are also possible.

[0053] In addition, embodiments of this disclosure may also include the following examples:

[0054] 1. A multi-band antenna, comprising:

[0055] The first radiating element is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within a first frequency band;

[0056] The second radiating element is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within a second frequency band; and

[0057] The director associated with the first radiating element is configured to be substantially invisible to electromagnetic radiation within at least a portion of the second frequency band.

[0058] 2. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the director comprises one or more inductive elements.

[0059] 3. The antenna according to claim 2, wherein the one or more inductive elements are configured to have higher impedance in at least a portion of the second frequency band and lower impedance in at least a portion of the first frequency band.

[0060] 4. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the director includes a resonant circuit.

[0061] 5. The antenna according to claim 4, wherein the resonant circuit is configured to attenuate the current within at least a portion of the second frequency band.

[0062] 6. The antenna according to claim 5, wherein the resonant circuit is further configured to substantially not attenuate the current in at least a portion of the first frequency band.

[0063] 7. The antenna according to claim 4, wherein the resonant circuit comprises an inductive element and a capacitive element connected in series.

[0064] 8. The antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that the director is positioned near the maximum radiation direction of the first radiating element, and the distance to the first radiating element is 1 / 8 to 3 / 8 of the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the first frequency band.

[0065] 9. The antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiating arm of the first radiating element defines a first plane, and the director extends substantially parallel to the first plane.

[0066] 10. The antenna according to claim 9, wherein the size of the projection of the director onto the first plane is approximately 1 / 4 of the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the first frequency band.

[0067] 11. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein at least one frequency in the second frequency band is approximately twice the frequency of at least one frequency in the first frequency band.

[0068] 12. A multi-band antenna, comprising:

[0069] A first radiating element array includes a plurality of first radiating elements, the first radiating element array being configured to generate a first antenna beam within a first frequency band;

[0070] A second radiating element array, comprising a plurality of second radiating elements, the second radiating element array being configured to generate a second antenna beam within a second frequency band; and

[0071] The parasitic element array includes a plurality of parasitic elements for the plurality of first radiating elements, wherein each of the plurality of parasitic elements is configured to have frequency selectivity, such that the parasitic element array tunes the first antenna beam and is substantially invisible to the second antenna beam.

[0072] 13. The antenna according to 12, wherein the first radiating element array comprises first and second linear arrays extending vertically adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, and the second radiating element array is disposed between the first and second linear arrays.

[0073] 14. The antenna according to claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of parasitic elements is positioned near the maximum radiation direction of the corresponding first radiating element and the distance to the corresponding first radiating element is approximately 1 / 4 of the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the first frequency band.

[0074] 15. The antenna according to 12, wherein at least one frequency in the second frequency band is approximately twice the frequency of at least one frequency in the first frequency band.

[0075] 16. A radiating element assembly, comprising:

[0076] A radiating element is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within a first frequency band; and

[0077] A director for the radiating element, the director comprising a first inductive element and a first capacitive element.

[0078] 17. The component according to 16, wherein the director is positioned in front of the radiating element such that the radiating element is located between the director and the reflector of the base station antenna.

[0079] 18. The component according to 17, wherein the first inductive element is configured to have a higher impedance at a first frequency and a lower impedance within at least a portion of the first frequency band to reduce the current at the first frequency.

[0080] 19. The component according to claim 16, wherein the director includes a resonant circuit.

[0081] 20. The component according to 19, wherein the resonant circuit is configured to substantially not attenuate the current within at least a portion of the first frequency band, and to attenuate the current at the first frequency.

[0082] 21. The component according to claim 19, wherein the resonant circuit comprises the first inductive element and the first capacitive element.

[0083] 22. The assembly according to claim 19, characterized in that the resonant circuit comprises a plurality of inductive elements and a plurality of capacitive elements, wherein each inductive element is connected in series between an adjacent pair of capacitive elements, and each capacitive element is connected in series between an adjacent pair of inductive elements to form a resonant circuit.

[0084] 23. The component according to claim 16, characterized in that the director is positioned near the maximum radiation direction of the radiating element, and the distance to the radiating element is between 1 / 8 and 3 / 8 of the wavelength corresponding to the central operating frequency of the radiating element.

[0085] 24. The assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that the radiating arm of the radiating element defines a first plane, and the director extends substantially parallel to the first plane.

[0086] 25. The component according to 24, wherein the size of the projection of the director onto the first plane is approximately 1 / 4 of the wavelength corresponding to the center operating frequency of the radiating element.

[0087] 26. The component according to 24, wherein the director is oriented such that the angle between the diagonal of the director and the diagonal of the radiating element is 0 to 45 degrees.

[0088] 27. A radiating element assembly configured to receive an input signal and emit first electromagnetic radiation within a first frequency band, comprising:

[0089] A radiating element is configured to receive the input signal and emit a first radiating component; and

[0090] A parasitic element is configured to receive a first portion of the first radiation component and emit a second radiation component, such that a second portion of the first radiation component and the second radiation component combine to form at least a portion of the first electromagnetic radiation.

[0091] The parasitic element is positioned near the maximum radiation direction of the first radiation component and is also configured to resonate at a first frequency, thereby tuning the radiation pattern of the first electromagnetic radiation.

[0092] 28. The component according to 27, wherein the first frequency is located within the first frequency band.

[0093] 29. The component according to 27, wherein at least a portion of the resonant passband is located within the first frequency band.

[0094] 30. The component according to 27, wherein the distance from the parasitic element to the radiating element is approximately 1 / 4 of the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the first frequency band.

[0095] 31. The component according to claim 27, wherein the parasitic element comprises a resonant circuit formed therein of an inductive element and a capacitive element connected in series.

[0096] 32. The assembly according to 31, characterized in that the resonant circuit comprises a plurality of inductive elements and a plurality of capacitive elements, wherein each inductive element is connected in series between an adjacent pair of capacitive elements, and each capacitive element is connected in series between an adjacent pair of inductive elements to form a resonant circuit.

[0097] 33. The assembly according to 27, characterized in that the radiating arm of the radiating element defines a first plane substantially perpendicular to the maximum radiative direction of the first radiative component, and the parasitic element extends substantially parallel to the first plane.

[0098] 34. The component according to 33, wherein the size of the projection of the parasitic element onto the first plane is approximately 1 / 4 of the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the first frequency band.

[0099] 35. The assembly according to claim 27, wherein the parasitic element is oriented such that the angle between the diagonal of the director and the diagonal of the radiating element is 0 to 45 degrees.

[0100] 36. A parasitic element assembly positioned near the maximum radiation direction of a radiating element emitting electromagnetic radiation within a first frequency band and configured to tune the radiation pattern of the electromagnetic radiation, the assembly comprising:

[0101] The first inductive element is configured to substantially not reduce the current in the first frequency band and reduce the current in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band.

[0102] 37. The component according to 36, wherein the first sensitive element is configured as a grid formed by interconnecting a plurality of sensitive segments.

[0103] 38. The component according to 37, wherein the first inductive element is formed by forming an array of holes in a conductor, and the conductor portion surrounding the holes is the inductive segment.

[0104] 39. The component according to 38, wherein the size of the aperture is less than 1 / 10 of the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the first frequency band, and the width of the sensitive segment is less than 1 / 10 of the size of the aperture.

[0105] 40. The component according to 38, wherein the number of holes arranged in the hole array along at least one direction is greater than or equal to three.

[0106] 41. The component according to claim 36, characterized in that it further comprises a first capacitive element configured to be connected in series with the first inductive element to form a resonant circuit.

[0107] 42. The component according to 41, wherein the resonant circuit is configured to substantially not attenuate the current in the first frequency band.

[0108] 43. The component according to claim 41, characterized in that it further comprises:

[0109] A second capacitive element is connected in series with the first inductive element, such that the first inductive element is connected in series between the first capacitive element and the second capacitive element; and

[0110] A second inductive element is connected in series between the second capacitive element and the first capacitive element to form a resonant circuit.

[0111] 44. The component according to claim 43, characterized in that it further comprises:

[0112] A third capacitive element is connected in series with the second inductive element, such that the second inductive element is connected in series between the second capacitive element and the third capacitive element; and

[0113] A third sensing element is connected in series between the third capacitive element and the first capacitive element, such that the second sensing element is connected in series between the second capacitive element and the first capacitive element via the third capacitive element and the third sensing element.

[0114] 45. The component according to claim 44, characterized in that it further comprises:

[0115] A fourth capacitive element is connected in series with the third sensitive element, such that the third sensitive element is connected in series between the third capacitive element and the fourth capacitive element; and

[0116] A fourth sensing element is connected in series between the fourth capacitive element and the first capacitive element, such that the second sensing element is connected in series between the second capacitive element and the first capacitive element via the third capacitive element, the third sensing element, the fourth capacitive element, and the fourth sensing element.

[0117] 46. ​​The component according to 41, characterized in that it further comprises a central capacitive element, wherein the first inductive element is further connected in series with the central capacitive element such that the first inductive element is connected in series between the first capacitive element and the central capacitive element.

[0118] 47. The component according to claim 46, characterized in that it further comprises:

[0119] The second capacitive element; and

[0120] The second inductive element is connected in series between the second capacitive element and the middle capacitive element.

[0121] 48. The component according to claim 47, characterized in that it further comprises:

[0122] The third capacitive element; and

[0123] The third inductive element is connected in series between the third capacitive element and the middle capacitive element.

[0124] 49. The component according to claim 48, characterized in that it further comprises:

[0125] The fourth capacitive element; and

[0126] A fourth inductive element is connected in series between the fourth capacitive element and the middle capacitive element.

[0127] 50. The component according to 41, wherein the first capacitive element is generally quadrilateral, triangular, circular, or sector-shaped.

[0128] 51. The component according to 36, characterized in that the component is generally quadrilateral, triangular, circular, sector-shaped, cross-shaped, T-shaped, or L-shaped.

[0129] 52. The component according to claim 36, characterized in that the component extends substantially parallel to the plane defined by the radiating element.

[0130] 53. The component according to claim 36, characterized in that the component is formed of conductors printed on a dielectric substrate.

[0131] 54. The component according to 52, wherein the size of the projection of the component onto the plane is approximately 1 / 4 of the wavelength corresponding to the center operating frequency of the radiating element.

[0132] 55. The component according to 36, wherein the component is further positioned at a distance from the radiating element of approximately 1 / 4 of the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the first frequency band.

[0133] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail by way of example, those skilled in the art should understand that the examples are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any way without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art should also understand that various modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An antenna, comprising: A first radiating element is configured to emit first electromagnetic radiation in response to at least one feed signal having a frequency within a first radio frequency (RF) band. and A director, positioned in front of a first radiating element and in the path of a first electromagnetic radiation, includes a plurality of passive impedance elements that provide frequency-dependent reactance to a first current induced within the director in response to the first electromagnetic radiation. The plurality of passive impedance elements include at least a first LC circuit and a second LC circuit, which are electrically coupled in series. The plurality of passive impedance elements are arranged in a closed loop with their ends grounded, and the closed loop supports the first current therein.

2. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of passive impedance elements includes a third LC circuit connected in series with the first LC circuit and the second LC circuit.

3. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The director is positioned near the path of the second electromagnetic radiation emitted by the second radiating element; and wherein the director is configured to provide a frequency-dependent impedance relative to the first current to a second current induced within the director in response to the second electromagnetic radiation.

4. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The distance between the forward surface of the first radiating element and the director is in the range of λ / 8 to 3λ / 8, where λ is equivalent to the wavelength of the center frequency in the first RF band.

5. The antenna according to claim 4, wherein, The director extends parallel to the radiating arm within the first radiating element.

6. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The geometry of the capacitor in the first LC circuit is equivalent to the geometry of the capacitor in the second LC circuit.

7. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The geometry of the inductor in the first LC circuit is equivalent to the geometry of the inductor in the second LC circuit.

8. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The geometry of the capacitor in the first LC circuit is selected from the group including quadrilaterals, triangles, circles, and circular sectors.

9. An antenna, comprising: Reflector; A first array of first radiating elements extending along the length direction of a first side of the reflector; A second array of first radiating elements extending along the second side of the reflector in the longitudinal direction; An array of second radiating elements that spans the reflector and extends in the length direction between the first and second arrays of the first radiating elements; and An array of directors extending in front of a first radiating element within a first array, wherein each director includes a plurality of inductive elements interconnected and arranged in a two-dimensional grid, wherein the plurality of inductive elements are formed by an array of holes formed in a conductor, and the holes are arranged periodically and disposed between the inductive elements, wherein conductive material is omitted in the holes, wherein the size of each hole is less than 1 / 10 of the wavelength corresponding to the operating frequency band of the first radiating element.

10. An antenna, comprising: A first radiating element is configured to emit first electromagnetic radiation in response to at least one feed signal having a frequency within a first radio frequency (RF) band. and A director, positioned in front of a first radiating element and in the path of a first electromagnetic radiation, includes a plurality of passive impedance elements that provide frequency-dependent reactance to an induced current within the director in response to the first electromagnetic radiation. The plurality of passive impedance elements include at least a first to a third capacitive element, which are interconnected via at least a first to a third inductive element to form at least three LC circuits. These at least three LC circuits are electrically coupled in series with each other to form a resonant circuit loop. Each capacitive element includes a conductive patch, and each inductive element includes an elongated, narrow conductive element physically and electrically connected to a pair of capacitive elements.

11. The antenna according to claim 10, further comprising: Reflector; A first array of radiating elements extending along the length of a first side of the reflector; A second array of radiating elements extending along the second side of the reflector in the longitudinal direction; and A third array of radiating elements that spans the reflector and extends in the longitudinal direction between the first array of radiating elements and the second array of radiating elements; The radiating elements in the first and second arrays are configured as the first radiating elements; and The director is located in a director array extending in front of the radiating element in the first array.

Images