Feed system cavity, feeding system and antenna

Abstract

The present invention provides a feeding system cavity and a feeding system and an antenna using the feeding system cavity, wherein the feeding system cavity is used to set a feeding network including a phase shift network and a phase matching network to form a feeding system of an antenna, including a phase shift cavity for setting a phase shift network and a phase matching cavity for setting a phase matching network, and the phase shift cavity intersects with the phase matching cavity and is interconnected. By intersecting and connecting the phase matching cavity and the phase shift cavity, the phase matching network and the phase shift network can be intersected and plugged, and can be directly welded without any adapter, which greatly reduces the complexity of welding, makes it easy to realize welding automation, improves the consistency of welding performance, greatly improves production efficiency, and reduces production costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a feeding system cavity, and a feeding system and an antenna using the feeding system cavity. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of mobile communication technology, miniaturization, broadband and multi-frequency sharing have become the mainstream of current base station antennas.

[0003] In order to achieve the miniaturization of broadband multi-frequency antennas, the space inside the antenna is extremely compact. Especially when facing the design of ultra-multi-band and ultra-multi-port antennas, it is necessary to layout the feeding networks of multiple frequency bands in a limited space. The conventional design scheme of the feeding network is to use stripline or microstrip line to realize the phase shifting network, and the phase matching network uses coaxial cable transmission line, and the corresponding ports of the phase shifting network and the phase matching network are welded. This leads to a large number of welding points in the feeding network, extremely complex layout of coaxial cables, low production efficiency, poor performance consistency, and is very unfavorable for mass production. In addition, due to the use of a large number of coaxial cables for phase compensation, the dielectric loss is large, resulting in a large loss of antenna gain. In addition, compared with conventional single-frequency antennas, due to the more serious mutual coupling of multi-frequency antennas, the gain is further lost, and the network coverage effect is greatly reduced.

[0004] Therefore, in order to meet the requirements of miniaturization and high performance of broadband multi-frequency antennas and to improve the consistency of antenna performance and production efficiency, it is necessary to further improve the existing technology. Summary of the invention

[0005] The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a feeding network cavity which has a simple structure and can improve production efficiency and improve the performance consistency of the feeding system.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a feeding network with high production efficiency and high consistency.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an antenna with smaller gain loss.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a feeding system cavity for setting a feeding network including a phase-shifting network and a phase-matching network to form a feeding system for an antenna. The feeding system cavity includes a phase-shifting cavity for setting the phase-shifting network and a phase-matching cavity for setting the phase-matching network. The phase-shifting cavity intersects with the phase-matching cavity and is interconnected.

[0009] Optionally, one end of the phase-shifting cavity is connected to the phase-matching cavity.

[0010] Optionally, the phase-shifting cavity is connected to one end of the phase-matching cavity.

[0011] Optionally, the phase-shifting cavity is vertically connected to the phase-matching cavity, or there is a certain angle between the phase-shifting cavity and the phase-matching cavity.

[0012] Optionally, a boss is provided at a position of the phase-shifting cavity close to the phase-matching cavity, and the boss defines a slot in the phase-shifting cavity for clamping the phase-shifting network.

[0013] Optionally, the matching cavity is configured such that: one panel thereof is composed of an antenna reflector.

[0014] Optionally, the phase shifting cavity and the phase matching cavity are integrally formed.

[0015] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a feeding system for feeding the radiating units of an array antenna, the feeding system comprising the above-mentioned feeding system cavity and a feeding network, the feeding network comprising a phase shifting network and a phase matching network, the phase shifting network being arranged in the phase shifting cavity and being used to achieve the phase difference between the radiating units of the array antenna during electrical adjustment, the phase matching network being arranged in the phase matching cavity and being used to achieve phase compensation of the radiating units, the phase matching network and the phase shifting network being plugged in, fixedly connected and electrically connected.

[0016] Optionally, the phase-shifting network has at least one output end, and the phase-matching network includes phase-matching transmission lines corresponding to the number of the output ends of the phase-shifting network, each phase-matching transmission line has an input end and an output end, and the input end of the phase-matching transmission line and the corresponding output end of the phase-shifting network overlap on the phase-shifting cavity.

[0017] In a third aspect, the present invention provides an antenna, comprising at least one antenna array and the above-mentioned feeding system, each of the antenna arrays comprising a plurality of radiating units, and a phase matching network of the feeding system being electrically connected to the radiating units.

[0018] Optionally, the radiating unit is a dual-polarized radiating unit, having a radiator and a feeder for feeding the radiator; a clearance hole is provided on a side of the phase-matching cavity close to the radiating unit, and the feeder passes through the clearance hole and is plugged into the output end of the phase-matching transmission line corresponding to the phase-matching network and is electrically connected thereto.

[0019] Optionally, the radiating unit is a dual-polarization radiating unit, and the feeding system is provided on both sides of each column of the antenna array, and the feeding systems on both sides feed the radiating unit correspondingly in two polarization directions.

[0020] Optionally, the power distribution cavities of two feeding systems feeding the antenna arrays in the same column have a common side plate and are integrally formed with the antenna reflector plate.

[0021] Preferably, both the phase shifting network and the phase matching network adopt air strip lines.

[0022] The beneficial effects brought by the technical solution provided by the present invention are:

[0023] 1. The feeding system cavity provided by the present invention can make the phase matching cavity and the phase shifting cavity intersect and connect, so that the phase matching network and the phase shifting network can be intersected and plugged, and can be directly welded without any adapter, which greatly reduces the complexity of welding, makes it easy to realize welding automation, improves the consistency of welding performance, greatly improves production efficiency, and reduces production costs.

[0024] 2. The feed network cavity provided by the present invention adopts a reflector as a panel of the phase matching cavity and can be integrally formed by a pultrusion process, which is beneficial to reduce the connection points between the two, improve the intermodulation stability, and improve production efficiency.

[0025] 3. The feed network provided by the present invention adopts the above-mentioned feed system cavity, and the phase matching network and the phase shifting network are directly welded after being plugged in, without the need for adapters, and is easy to realize welding automation, improve welding consistency, greatly improve production efficiency, and reduce production costs. The phase matching network adopts air strip lines to reduce the dielectric loss of the feed network and improve the antenna gain.

[0026] 4. The antenna of the present invention realizes cable-free operation because the feeding system adopts an all-metal stripline form, which reduces the loss of the feeding system to the extreme, greatly improves the gain of the antenna, and greatly improves the network coverage effect. At the same time, since the degree of integration of the antenna is greatly improved, the performance consistency is fully guaranteed, and the intermodulation stability and the consistency of circuit and radiation indicators are greatly improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for describing the embodiments of the present invention are briefly introduced below.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a feeding system provided in an embodiment of the present invention, showing the assembly structure of a feeding network in a feeding system cavity;

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a feeding system provided in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a feeding system provided in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a feeding system provided in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 A three-dimensional diagram of an antenna provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A side view of the antenna is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although certain embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein, which are instead provided for a more thorough and complete understanding of the present invention. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of the present invention are only for exemplary purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be understood that the various steps described in the method embodiments of the present invention may be performed in different orders and / or in parallel. In addition, the method embodiments may include additional steps and / or omit the steps shown. The scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect.

[0036] The term "including" and its variations used herein are open inclusions, i.e., "including but not limited to". The term "connected" may be a direct connection or an indirect connection via other components. The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one other embodiment"; the term "some embodiments" means "at least some embodiments". The relevant definitions of other terms will be given in the following description.

[0037] See also Figures 1 to 6 The present invention relates to an antenna 1000, comprising an antenna reflector 200, an antenna array 300 arranged on the front side of the antenna reflector 200, and a feeding system 100 arranged on the back side of the antenna reflector. The antenna array 300 is provided with at least one column, and each column of the antenna array 300 includes a plurality of radiation units 30. The feeding system 100 is electrically connected to the radiation units 30 to feed the radiation units 30.

[0038] like Figure 1As shown, specifically, the feeding system 100 includes a feeding system cavity and a feeding network arranged in the feeding system cavity. Optionally, the feeding network includes a phase shifting network 22 and a phase matching network 12 electrically connected to the phase shifting network 22, wherein the phase shifting network 22 is used to make each radiating unit 30 of the antenna array 300 have a phase difference to achieve antenna downtilt angle adjustment; the phase matching network 12 is connected between the phase shifting network 22 and the radiating unit 30 to achieve phase compensation of the radiating unit 30. Preferably, both the phase shifting network 22 and the phase matching network 12 use air strip lines (i.e., strip lines whose medium is air) to achieve extremely low loss of the feeding network and greatly improve the antenna gain. In addition, the main feed line of the antenna, i.e., the transmission line connected between the transmitter and the feeding system, can also use a strip line, which is housed in the phase shifting cavity 21 and connected to the phase shifting network 22, to further reduce the loss of the antenna and improve the gain.

[0039] Correspondingly, the feeding system cavity includes a phase matching cavity 11 and a phase shifting cavity 21, wherein the phase matching cavity 11 is used to set a phase matching network 12, and the phase shifting cavity 21 is used to set a phase shifting network 22. The phase matching cavity 11 and the phase shifting cavity 21 are both hollow metal cavities, and their cross-sections are rectangular, and the two intersect and are interconnected. The phase shifting network 22 is suspended in the phase shifting cavity 21, and the phase matching network 12 is suspended in the phase matching cavity 11 and welded to the phase shifting network 22.

[0040] To facilitate the connection between the feeding network and the radiation unit 30 , the phase matching cavity 11 is closer to the radiation unit 30 than the phase shifting cavity 21 . Preferably, the phase matching cavity 11 is fixed in parallel to the antenna reflector 200 .

[0041] Preferably, one of the phase matching network 12 and the phase shifting network 22 is provided with a slot (not indicated, the same below), one end of the other network is inserted into the slot, and the two networks are welded to each other to facilitate the connection between the phase matching network 12 and the phase shifting network 22 and reduce the use of adapters (such as coaxial cables). In one embodiment, the phase shifting cavity 21 is perpendicular to the phase matching cavity 11, so that the phase shifting network 22 can be vertically plugged into the phase matching network 12. In other embodiments, the phase shifting cavity 21 can also be connected to the phase matching cavity 11 at a certain angle. In this embodiment, optionally, the slot is provided on the phase matching network 12, and the phase shifting network 22 is obliquely plugged into the slot of the phase matching network 12.

[0042] The phase-shifting network 22 has an input end and multiple output ends, each output end is electrically connected to a corresponding radiation unit 30, and feeds the radiation units 30 one by one. The phase-matching network 12 includes phase-matching transmission lines corresponding to the number of output ends of the phase-shifting network 22, each phase-matching transmission line has an input end and an output end, and preferably, the input end of the phase-matching transmission line and the corresponding output end of the phase-shifting network 22 overlap each other on the phase-shifting cavity 21, so as to facilitate direct welding of the phase-matching transmission line and the phase-shifting network 22, and further reduce the use of adapters.

[0043] Optionally, in the phase matching cavity 11 and the phase shifting cavity 21 , one end of one cavity is connected to the other cavity and communicated, so as to facilitate plugging and fixing of the phase matching network 12 in the phase matching cavity 11 and the phase shifting network 22 in the phase shifting cavity 21 .

[0044] In one embodiment, the phase-shifting cavity 21 is vertically connected to the matching cavity 11 at the middle of the side in the width direction of the matching cavity 11; in another embodiment, the phase-shifting cavity 21 is connected to the matching cavity 11 at the middle of the side in the width direction of the matching cavity 11, and there is an angle of 45° between the phase-shifting cavity 21 and the matching cavity 11.

[0045] Preferably, the phase-shifting cavity 21 is connected to one end of the phase-matching cavity 11 along the width direction. Specifically, a pair of opposite side plates of the phase-shifting cavity 21 are respectively connected to the two side edges extending along the width direction of the phase-matching cavity 11. One end of one side edge of the phase-shifting cavity 21 along the width direction close to the antenna reflector 200 constitutes the side edge of the phase-matching cavity 11 along the thickness direction of the phase-matching cavity 11, so that one end of the phase-matching cavity 11 and the phase-shifting cavity 21 overlap with each other to construct a common area (not marked, the same below), which is used to set the connection part between the phase-matching network 12 and the phase-shifting network 22, that is, the output end of the phase-shifting network 22 and the input end of the phase-matching network 12 are both set in the common area.

[0046] It should be understood that the end of the phase shift cavity 21 of the present invention can be connected to the phase matching cavity 11 at any position on the side of the phase matching cavity 11 along the width direction, and can be flexibly set by technicians according to the positions of the output end of the phase shift network 22 and the input end of the phase matching network 12 to facilitate the connection between the output end of the phase shift network 22 and the input end of the phase matching network 12. In this way, the layout requirements of various complex multi-frequency antennas can be met.

[0047] Optionally, the phase-shift cavity 21 is provided with a boss (not shown) at a position close to the common area, which is used to define a slot (not shown, the same below) in the phase-shift cavity 21, and the slot allows the phase-shift network 22 to pass through. Preferably, the phase-shift network 22 is clamped in the slot to enhance the structural stability of the phase-shift network 22. The boss may be provided with one, which together with a side wall of the phase-shift cavity 21 defines the slot; the boss may also be provided with two opposite bosses, which are provided on opposite sides of the phase-shift cavity 21 and extend toward each other to define the slot. The boss may be integrally formed on the phase-shift cavity 21.

[0048] Please combine Figure 5 and Figure 6 Preferably, the radiation unit 30 is a dual-polarization radiation unit, including two groups of radiators corresponding to two orthogonal polarization directions and two feeders 301 that feed the two groups of radiators in a one-to-one manner. Correspondingly, the feeding network is provided on both sides of the axis of the antenna array 300, and is connected to the two feeders 301 of the radiation unit 30 in a one-to-one manner, so as to feed the two polarizations of the dual-polarization radiation unit, wherein the axis of the antenna array 300 refers to the line connecting the center points of the radiation units 30 in the same column. Preferably, the two feeding systems for feeding the dual-polarization radiation units in the same column are integrally formed, specifically, the two phase matching cavities 11 of the two feeding systems share the same common side plate 110, and the two phase shifting cavities 21 are symmetrical about the common side plate 110.

[0049] Furthermore, the feed system cavity and the antenna reflector 200 are integrally formed, and the antenna reflector 200 constitutes a panel of the matching cavity 11, that is, a side panel of one side defined by the length direction and the width direction of the matching cavity 11. By integrally forming the feed system cavity and the antenna reflector 200, the use of metal plates can be reduced, the weight of the antenna can be reduced, and the connection points (such as threaded connection points or welding points) between the feed system and the antenna reflector 200 can be reduced, thereby reducing the assembly process, improving production efficiency, and improving the intermodulation stability of the antenna.

[0050] Furthermore, the feed system and the antenna reflector 200 are integrally formed by a pultrusion process, thereby improving production efficiency and product consistency. The pultrusion process referred to herein refers to a production process in which a mold having a cross-sectional structure of the feed system cavity and the antenna reflector 200 is pulled linearly through molten metal to obtain an integrally formed part of the feed system cavity and the antenna reflector 200.

[0051] Optionally, a clearance hole is provided on the antenna reflector 200, and the feeder 301 for feeding the dual-polarized radiation unit passes through the clearance hole and is inserted into a preset hole position on the phase matching network 12 and welded to the output end of the corresponding phase matching network 12. Preferably, the hole position is set at the output end of the phase matching network 12 to facilitate the welding of the feeder 301 and the phase matching network 12, without the need to use an adapter to connect, thereby reducing antenna loss. The feeder 301 can be a columnar feeder 301 or a sheet feeder 301, which can be set as needed.

[0052] In the present invention, by plugging and welding the feeder 301 and the phase matching network 12, the phase matching network 12 can be suspended in the phase matching cavity 11. In addition, a support member can be provided between the phase matching cavity 11 and the phase matching network 12 to support the phase matching network 12, further enhancing the structural stability of the phase matching network 12.

[0053] In another embodiment, that is, when the matching cavity and the antenna reflector are separate components, a clearance hole is set on the antenna reflector, and a clearance hole is also set on the side of the matching cavity close to the radiation unit at the corresponding position of the antenna reflector, so that the feeder of the radiation unit can pass through the clearance hole of the reflection plate and the clearance hole of the matching cavity in turn to connect to the matching network.

[0054] In summary, the present invention divides the feed system cavity into two intersecting and connected relatively independent cavities, so that the phase matching network and the phase shifting network can be respectively arranged in the corresponding cavities, and the two networks can be plugged in and welded, which can support automatic welding and improve production efficiency, reduce the use of adapters, reduce losses, and improve antenna gain. In addition, by forming the feed system cavity and the antenna reflector into one piece, production efficiency can be further improved and product consistency can be improved.

[0055] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and an explanation of the technical principles used. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention involved in the present invention is not limited to the technical solution formed by a specific combination of the above technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above technical features or their equivalent features without departing from the above inventive concept. For example, the above features are replaced with the technical features with similar functions invented in the present invention (but not limited to) to form a technical solution.

[0056] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological logical actions, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. On the contrary, the specific features and actions described above are merely example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A feeding system cavity, used to set a feeding network including a phase shifting network and a phase matching network to form a feeding system of an antenna, characterized in that: It comprises a phase-shifting cavity for setting a phase-shifting network and a phase-matching cavity for setting a phase-matching network, wherein the phase-shifting cavity intersects with the phase-matching cavity and is interconnected; a hole is arranged at the output end of the phase-matching network for plugging and welding of a feeder, and the phase-matching network is suspended in the phase-matching cavity; a slot is arranged on the phase-matching network for vertical or oblique plugging and welding of the phase-shifting network.

2. The feeding system cavity according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the phase shift cavity is connected to the phase matching cavity.

3. The feeding system cavity according to claim 2, characterized in that: The phase shift cavity is connected to one end of the phase matching cavity.

4. The feeding system cavity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase-shifting cavity is vertically connected to the phase-matching cavity or there is an angle between the phase-shifting cavity and the phase-matching cavity.

5. The feeding system cavity according to claim 1, characterized in that: A boss is provided at a position of the phase-shifting cavity close to the phase-matching cavity, and the boss defines a slot in the phase-shifting cavity for clamping the phase-shifting network.

6. The feeding system cavity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The matching cavity is configured such that one panel is composed of an antenna reflecting plate.

7. The feeding system cavity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase shifting cavity and the phase matching cavity are integrally formed.

8. A feeding system for feeding a radiating element of an array antenna, comprising a feeding system cavity and a feeding network, characterized in that: The feeding system cavity is the feeding system cavity according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the feeding network includes a phase shifting network and a phase matching network, the phase shifting network is arranged in the phase shifting cavity and is used to realize the phase difference between each radiating unit of the array antenna during electrical adjustment, the phase matching network is arranged in the phase matching cavity and is used to realize the phase compensation of the radiating unit, and the phase matching network and the phase shifting network are plugged, fixed and electrically connected.

9. The feeding system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The phase-shifting network has at least one output end, and the phase-matching network includes phase-matching transmission lines corresponding to the number of the output ends of the phase-shifting network. Each phase-matching transmission line has an input end and an output end. The input end of the phase-matching transmission line and the output end of the phase-shifting network overlap in projection on the phase-shifting cavity.

10. An antenna, characterized in that: It comprises at least one antenna array and the feeding system as claimed in claim 8 or 9, each of the antenna arrays comprises a plurality of radiating elements, and a phase matching network of the feeding system is electrically connected to the radiating elements.

11. The antenna according to claim 10, characterized in that: The radiating unit is a dual-polarized radiating unit, and has a feeder for feeding the radiator; A clearance hole is provided on one side of the phase matching cavity close to the radiation unit, and the feeder passes through the clearance hole and is plugged into the phase matching network and is electrically connected to the phase matching network.

12. The antenna according to claim 10, characterized in that: The radiating unit is a dual-polarized radiating unit. The feeding system is provided on both sides of the axis of each column of the antenna array. The feeding systems on both sides provide one-to-one corresponding feeding for the two polarization directions of the radiating unit.

13. The antenna according to claim 12, characterized in that: The power distribution cavity of two feeding systems for feeding the antenna array in the same column has a common side plate and is integrally formed with the antenna reflection plate.

Images