Base station antenna with phase error compensation and related methods of operation

Abstract

A base station antenna is provided. The base station antenna comprises a continuous vertical column of radiating elements. The base station antenna comprises a phase shifter electrically connected to one of the vertical columns of radiating elements. Furthermore, the base station antenna comprises a phase error compensation component configured to provide a phase error compensation at an input of the phase shifter based on a movement of the phase error compensation component. Related methods of operation are also provided.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 867,445, filed on June 27, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to communication systems, and in particular to base station antennas. Background Art

[0004] Base station antennas for wireless communication systems are used to transmit and receive radio frequency ("RF") signals to and from fixed and mobile subscribers of cellular communication services. Base station antennas typically include a linear or two-dimensional array of radiating elements, such as crossed dipoles or patch radiating elements.

[0005] Exemplary base station antennas are discussed in International Publication No. WO 2017 / 165512 and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 921,694, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Base station antennas that include many closely spaced radiating elements can present antenna performance tradeoffs. For example, vertical columns of horizontally closely spaced radiating elements can desirably provide wide scan angles (e.g., up to about 60° azimuth scan) without grating lobes, but can also undesirably result in mutual coupling between columns. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to some embodiments herein, a base station antenna may include a first vertical column, a second vertical column, a third vertical column, and a fourth vertical column of radiating elements arranged in a vertical staggered pattern to transmit RF signals in a frequency band. The base station antenna may include a phase shifter electrically connected to the radiating elements in the first vertical column or the radiating elements in the second vertical column. Furthermore, the base station antenna may include a phase error compensation component configured to provide phase error compensation at an input of the phase shifter based on movement of the phase error compensation component.

[0007] In some embodiments, the base station antenna may include a mechanical actuator configured to simultaneously control the movement of the phase error compensation component and the movement of the phase shifter. Furthermore, the phase shifter may be a rotary phase shifter, and the phase error compensation component may be a dielectric structure on the rotary phase shifter. For example, the rotary phase shifter may be a broom phase shifter, the rotatable portion of the broom phase shifter may include a broom printed circuit board ("PCB"), and the dielectric structure may be between the broom PCB and a main PCB of the broom phase shifter. In some embodiments, the dielectric structure may be attached to the broom PCB.

[0008] According to some embodiments, the phase shifter may be a non-rotating phase shifter, for example, a trombone phase shifter or a sliding dielectric phase shifter.

[0009] In some embodiments, the phase shifter and the phase error compensation component may be a first phase shifter and a first phase error compensation component, respectively. Furthermore, the base station antenna may include: a second phase shifter electrically connected to the radiating elements of the third vertical column or the radiating elements of the fourth vertical column; and a second phase error compensation component configured to provide phase error compensation at an input of the second phase shifter based on a movement of the second phase error compensation component.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the first phase shifter and the second phase shifter may be electrically connected to the radiating elements of the first vertical column and the radiating elements of the third vertical column, respectively. Furthermore, the base station antenna may include a third phase shifter and a fourth phase shifter electrically connected to the radiating elements of the second vertical column and the radiating elements of the fourth vertical column, respectively. Each of the third phase shifter and the fourth phase shifter may not include any movable phase error compensation component.

[0011] Alternatively, the first phase shifter and the second phase shifter may be electrically connected to the radiating elements of the second vertical column and the radiating elements of the fourth vertical column, respectively, the base station antenna may include a third phase shifter and a fourth phase shifter electrically connected to the radiating elements of the first vertical column and the radiating elements of the third vertical column, respectively, and each of the third phase shifter and the fourth phase shifter may not include any movable phase error compensation component.

[0012] In some embodiments, the base station antenna can be configured to operate in a beamforming mode. Furthermore, the input of the phase shifter can include an input RF transmission line of the phase shifter, and as the phase error compensation component moves relative to the input RF transmission line of the phase shifter, a phase delay of a phase traversing the input RF transmission line of the phase shifter can change.

[0013] According to some embodiments herein, a base station antenna may include first, second, and third consecutive vertical columns of radiating elements configured to transmit RF signals in a beamforming pattern. The base station antenna may include a phase shifter electrically connected to the first vertical column of radiating elements or the second vertical column of radiating elements. Furthermore, the base station antenna may include a phase error compensation component configured to provide phase error compensation at an input of the phase shifter based on movement of the phase error compensation component.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second vertical column of radiating elements can be vertically staggered relative to the first vertical column of radiating elements and the third vertical column of radiating elements. Furthermore, the base station antenna can include a fourth vertical column of radiating elements, the fourth vertical column of radiating elements being vertically staggered relative to the first vertical column of radiating elements and the third vertical column of radiating elements and configured to transmit RF signals in the beamforming mode. The fourth vertical column of radiating elements can be adjacent to the first vertical column of radiating elements or the third vertical column of radiating elements.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the base station antenna may include a mechanical actuator configured to simultaneously control the movement of the phase error compensation component and the movement of the phase shifter. The phase shifter may be configured to provide a phase error compensation amount at all outputs of the phase shifter in response to the phase error compensation. Furthermore, the phase error compensation component may be a rotationally or translationally movable structure on the phase shifter, and the phase shifter may be a rotational phase shifter or a non-rotational phase shifter.

[0016] According to some embodiments herein, a method of operating a base station antenna may include controlling a phase shift amount and a phase error compensation amount of a vertical column of radiating elements by simultaneously moving a phase shifter and a phase error compensation component. For example, the control may be performed by a mechanical actuator of the base station antenna.

[0017] In some embodiments, the controlling may include providing the phase error compensation amount at all outputs of the phase shifter. The phase shifter, the vertical column of radiating elements, and the phase error compensation component may include a first phase shifter, a first vertical column of radiating elements, and a first phase error compensation component, respectively. The method may include controlling the phase shift amount and the phase error compensation amount of the radiating elements of the second vertical column by simultaneously moving the second phase shifter and the second phase error compensation component. The radiating elements of the first vertical column and the radiating elements of the second vertical column may be vertically staggered relative to the radiating elements of the adjacent third vertical column and may be configured to transmit RF signals in a beamforming frequency band. In addition, the method may include controlling the phase shift amount of the radiating elements of the third vertical column by moving a third phase shifter, while the third phase shifter does not include any movable phase error compensation component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

[0019] Figure 2A The radome is removed Figure 1 Schematic front view of a base station antenna.

[0020] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Schematic outline of the radiating element.

[0021] Figure 2C and 2D is electrically connected to the phase shifter Figure 2A Schematic block diagram of vertical columns.

[0022] Figure 2E and 2F It shows Figure 2C Schematic block diagram of the details of the phase error compensation scheme in one of the vertical columns.

[0023] Figure 3A and 3B is a schematic plan view of a rotational phase shifter with phase error compensation according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0024] Figure 3C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a phase shifter with phase error compensation according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0025] Figure 3D and 3E is a schematic plan view of a sliding dielectric phase shifter with phase error compensation according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0026] Figure 3F and 3Gis a schematic plan view of an adjustable U-shaped phase shifter with phase error compensation according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0027] Figures 4A-4C is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a base station antenna according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] According to embodiments of the present inventive concept, a base station antenna for a wireless communication network is provided. In wireless communications, it may be desirable to use a base station antenna having a beamforming array with multiple columns of radiating elements. A typical goal with such an array is to form a narrow antenna beam in the azimuth plane. This increases the power of the signal transmitted in the direction of the desired user and reduces interference. It may also be desirable to electronically adjust the elevation angle of the antenna beam to adjust the antenna's coverage area. This can be accomplished individually for each column, for example, using electromechanical phase shifters.

[0029] In order to maintain close spacing between adjacent columns while increasing the separation between radiating elements in adjacent columns, it may be desirable to vertically stagger adjacent columns. This staggered configuration reduces mutual coupling between adjacent elements, resulting in increased isolation between ports.

[0030] However, applying electrical downtilt to a staggered array can result in phase errors due to the staggering of the columns. This phase error will affect the vertical pattern and, more importantly, the azimuth beamforming pattern, which is where most of the performance gains in the antenna can occur. Specifically, when the antenna beam is scanned horizontally, the physical offset in the vertical direction between radiating elements in adjacent columns due to the staggering of the columns will cause the antenna beam to also scan in the vertical direction, thereby providing an azimuth scanning error. Therefore, when electrical downtilt is applied (e.g., adjusted), it can undesirably result in phase errors and affect the azimuth pattern.

[0031] Examples of electrical (i.e., electronic) downtilt systems are discussed in International Application No. PCT / US2019 / 027274 and U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 696,996, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. As discussed in these references, the boresight pointing direction of an antenna beam formed by a phased array of radiating elements can be electronically downtilted to move the pointing direction downward in the vertical plane. In addition, the staggered configuration of the columns will introduce phase error. If the electrical downtilt angle is α and the stagger is d / 2, then the phase error is β0=k(d / 2)sinα, where k=2π / λ is the wave number, λ is the wavelength, and d is the distance between adjacent radiators in a column. If the downtilt angle α is known, then this phase error can be compensated by the system (e.g., by a base station). However, it is not always possible to compensate using a known downtilt angle because the beamforming software and downtilt control of the system are identical.

[0032] However, according to embodiments of the present inventive concept, phase compensation (e.g., phase delay) can be added / adjusted at the input of the phase shifter to compensate for the phase error introduced when the antenna beam is electrically downtilted. For example, the amount of phase compensation can be controlled by moving the same mechanical actuator that controls the phase shift between the radiating elements (or subarrays of radiating elements) of the antenna column coupled (e.g., electrically connected) to the phase shifter.

[0033] If the phase shifter is a rotating device, such as a wiper-arc phase shifter, phase compensation can be implemented using a dielectric (i.e., a dielectric structure) that separates the phase shifter's wiper arm from the phase shifter's wipers. When the dielectric and wiper arm move (i.e., rotate), phase shifts can be generated between the phase shifter's output ports, and these phase shifts provide electrical downdip. In some embodiments, the dielectric can be shaped so that a portion of it will move above or below the phase shifter's input line, thereby generating a phase delay that can compensate for the stagger of the columns.

[0034] Furthermore, in some embodiments, an adjustable U-shaped wire can be used instead of a rotating dielectric to provide even greater phase compensation. If the phase shifter is a device using translational motion, then variations of either the dielectric or the adjustable U-shaped wire can be used to achieve similar phase shift compensation.

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 FIG is a front perspective view of a base station antenna 100 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. Figure 1 As shown, the base station antenna 100 is an elongated structure and has a generally rectangular shape. The base station antenna 100 includes a radome 110. In some embodiments, the base station antenna 100 further includes a top cover 120 and / or a bottom cover 130. For example, the radome 110 and the top cover 120 combined may include a single unit, which may help to waterproof the base station antenna 100. The bottom cover 130 is typically a separate piece and may include a plurality of connectors 140 mounted therein. However, the connectors 140 are not limited to being located on the bottom cover 130. Instead, one or more of the connectors 140 may be provided on the rear (i.e., back) side of the radome 110, opposite the front side of the radome 110. The base station antenna 100 is typically installed in a vertical configuration (i.e., with the long sides of the base station antenna 100 extending along a vertical axis L relative to the ground).

[0037] Figure 2A yes Figure 11 is a schematic front view of a base station antenna 100 with the radome 110 removed to illustrate the antenna assembly 200 of the antenna 100. The antenna assembly 200 includes a plurality of radiating elements 250, which may be grouped into one or more arrays, including one or more beamforming arrays.

[0038] The vertical columns 250-1C through 250-4C of radiating elements 250 may extend in a vertical direction V from a lower portion of the antenna assembly 200 to an upper portion of the antenna assembly 200. The vertical direction V may be the longitudinal axis L or may be parallel to the longitudinal axis L ( Figure 1 ). The vertical direction V may also be perpendicular to the horizontal direction H and the forward direction F. As used herein, the term "vertical" does not necessarily require that something be exactly vertical (e.g., the antenna 100 may have a small mechanical downtilt). The radiating element 250 may radiate from one or more feed (or "feed") pads 204 ( Figure 2B ) extends forward, the feed pad coupling RF signals to and from individual radiating elements 250. For example, in some embodiments, radiating elements 250 may be on the same feed pad 204. For example, feed pad 204 may be a single PCB with all radiating elements 250 thereon. Cables may be used to connect each feed pad 204 to other components of antenna 100, such as a duplexer, phase shifter, etc.

[0039] like Figure 2A As shown in FIG, vertical columns 250-1C through 250-4C may have a staggered arrangement. Specifically, consecutive vertical columns in vertical columns 250-1C through 250-4C may be vertically staggered relative to each other. For example, the center point 251 of vertical column 250-1C may be staggered relative to the corresponding center point 251 of vertical column 250-2C in the vertical direction V. Furthermore, the center point 251 of vertical column 250-2C may be vertically staggered relative to the corresponding center point 251 of vertical column 250-3C, or may be vertically staggered relative to the corresponding center point 251 of vertical column 250-4C. The center points 251 of radiating elements 250 in a vertical column may be spaced apart from each other by a distance d in the vertical direction V, and the amount of stagger in the vertical direction V between consecutive vertical columns in vertical columns 250-1C through 250-4C may be approximately d / 2. Figure 2A The staggered arrangement shown in FIG2 can reduce mutual coupling between radiating elements 250 in adjacent (i.e., consecutive) vertical columns 250-1C through 250-4C. As a result, inter-port isolation can be increased (because each column is fed by one or more ports that are different from the other columns).

[0040] In some embodiments, non-consecutive vertical columns in the vertical columns 250-1C through 250-4C may not be vertically staggered relative to each other. For example, the center point 251 of the vertical column 250-1C may be aligned with the corresponding center point 251 of the vertical column 250-3C in the horizontal direction H. Similarly, the center point 251 of the vertical column 250-2C may be aligned with the corresponding center point 251 of the vertical column 250-4C in the horizontal direction H. As used herein, the term "vertical" (or "vertically") refers to something (e.g., a distance, an axis, or a column) in the vertical direction V. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the feed point may be at or near the center point 251 of the radiating element 250.

[0041] although Figure 2A Four vertical columns 250-1C through 250-4C are shown, but antenna assembly 200 may include more (e.g., five, six, or more) or fewer (e.g., two or three) vertical columns of radiating elements 250. Furthermore, the number of radiating elements 250 in a vertical column may be anywhere from two to twenty or more. For example, vertical columns 250-1C through 250-4C may each have twelve to twenty radiating elements 250.

[0042] In some embodiments, the antenna assembly 200 may include a plurality of radiating elements (not shown) configured to operate in a frequency band different from that of the radiating element 250. For example, the vertical columns 250-1C through 250-4C may be "inner" vertical columns of high-band radiating elements that are located between vertical columns of low-band radiating elements in the horizontal direction H. Additionally, the radiating element 250 and / or other (e.g., low-band) radiating elements of the antenna assembly 200 may include dual-polarized radiating elements mounted to extend forwardly from the feed plate 204 in the forward direction F.

[0043] In some embodiments, the radiating element 250 can be a high-band radiating element configured to transmit and receive signals in a high-band including one or a portion of the frequency ranges of 1400-2700 MHz, 3300-4200 MHz, and / or 5000-5900 MHz. In contrast, the low-band radiating element can be configured to transmit and receive signals in a low-band including the frequency range of 617-960 MHz or a portion thereof.

[0044] In some embodiments, radiating element 250 can be used in a beamforming mode to transmit RF signals, wherein the antenna beam is "steered" in at least one direction. Examples of antennas that can be used as beamforming antennas are discussed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0367199, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, a base station may include a beamforming radio having multiple output ports electrically connected to corresponding ports of a base station antenna.

[0045] Figure 2B for Figure 2A Schematic outline diagram of radiating elements 250. The outline diagram shows a "row" of radiating elements 250 along a horizontal direction H. The row includes a first radiating element 250 in a vertical column 250-1C, a second radiating element 250 in a vertical column 250-2C, a third radiating element 250 in a vertical column 250-3C, and a fourth radiating element 250 in a vertical column 250-4C. Because the vertical columns 250-1C through 250-4C are vertically staggered, no more than two radiating elements 250 in a row are aligned with each other in the horizontal direction H.

[0046] like Figure 2B As shown in FIG, the radiating element 250 may extend from the ground plane reflector 214 in a forward direction F. The feed board 204 may be located in front of or behind the reflector 214.

[0047] Antenna 100( Figure 1 Various mechanical and electronic components of the antenna 100 may be mounted in a chamber behind the back side of the reflector surface 214. Such components may include, for example, phase shifters, remote electronic tilt units, mechanical linkages, controllers, duplexers, etc. The reflector surface 214 may include a metal surface that serves as a reflector and a ground plane for the radiating element 250 of the antenna 100. The reflector surface 214 may also be referred to herein as the reflector 214.

[0048] Figure 2C and 2D is electrically connected to the phase shifter 260 Figure 2A Schematic block diagram of vertical columns 250-1C to 250-4C of FIG. The phase shifter 260 can be a rotating (e.g., a broom) phase shifter or a non-rotating (e.g., an adjustable U-shaped or sliding medium) phase shifter. One or more mechanical (e.g., electromechanical) actuators 270 can control the movement of the phase shifter 260. The actuator 270 can also control the movement of one or more phase error compensation components 265. In particular, the same mechanical movement of the actuator 270 can control (i) the phase shift and (ii) the amount of phase compensation (to adjust the delay of the phase across the input RF transmission line to compensate for the phase error caused by the vertical stagger).

[0049] In some embodiments, a movable (e.g., rotationally or translationally movable) phase error compensation component 265 can be used to increase phase error compensation by providing phase error compensation at the input of phase shifter 260 based on the movement of the phase error compensation component 265. For example, movement of phase error compensation component 265-1 can be used to change the relative phase of the RF signal input to phase shifter 260-1 electrically connected to vertical column 250-1C. Phase error compensation components 265-2, 265-3, and / or 265-4 can similarly be used to change the relative phase of the RF signals input to phase shifters 260-2, 260-3, and 260-4, respectively, to add phase error compensation.

[0050] Although the vertical staggering of the vertical columns 250-1C to 250-4C may result in phase errors when electrical down-tilt is applied, the phase errors may be mitigated using one or more phase error compensation components 265. Since there may be substantially no phase error in odd or even columns (e.g., half) of the vertical columns 250-1C to 250-4C, the corresponding phase shifters in the phase shifters 260 may not include any phase error compensation components 265. For example, Figure 2C As shown in , phase error compensation components 265-1 and 265-3 may add phase error compensation to phase shifters 260-1 and 260-3, respectively, and phase shifters 260-2 and 260-4 may not include any phase error compensation components 265. As another example, as Figure 2D As shown in FIG, phase error compensation components 265-2 and 265-4 may add phase error compensation to phase shifters 260-2 and 260-4, respectively, and phase shifters 260-1 and 260-3 may not include any phase error compensation components 265. The level of compensation achieved by using phase error compensation components 265 for one or two (e.g., approximately half) of the phase shifters 260 may be such that adding phase error compensation to each phase shifter 260 may not be necessary.

[0051] In some embodiments, all four of the vertical columns 250-1C to 250-4C may be phase error compensated by corresponding phase error compensation components 265-1 to 265-4. Thus, phase error compensation components 265-1 and 265-3 ( Figure 2C ) and phase error compensation components 265-2 and 265-4 ( Figure 2D ) can be used in a collaborative (e.g., simultaneous) manner. For example, phase error compensating components 265-1 and 265-3 can operate in a different rotational or translational direction than phase error compensating components 265-2 and 265-4, thereby reducing the amount of phase error compensation required by individual ones of phase error compensating components 265-1 through 265-4.

[0052] Figure 2E and2F It shows Figure 2C Schematic block diagram of details of a phase error compensation scheme for one of the vertical columns 250-1C to 250-4C of FIG. Although column 250-1C is used as an example, similar schemes can be used with Figure 2C In addition to controlling the phase shift by the phase shifter 260-1 (e.g., ), the actuator 270-1 controls the phase error compensation amount via the phase shifter 260-1 to mitigate the phase error generated by the vertically staggered columns 250-1C to 250-4C.

[0053] like Figure 2E As shown in FIG, actuator 270-1 is mechanically coupled (eg, via one or more mechanical linkages) to both phase shifter 260-1 and phase error compensation component 265-1. In particular, Figure 2E The movement MX of the actuator 270-1 is shown to be applied to both the phase shifter 260-1, which may be a multi-port phase shifter, and the phase error compensation component 265-1, which responsively adjusts the phase of the RF signal input to the phase shifter 260-1. The relative phase shift of the phase shifter 260-1 (e.g., ) is applied by the mobile MX to provide electrical downtilt.

[0054] As a result of shifting MX, phase shifter 260-1 can apply a phase cone to the subcomponents of the RF signal transmitted through the corresponding radiating element 250 (or a subgroup of radiating elements 250). By applying various amplitudes (e.g., and ) and by applying the same amplitude to the other subcomponents of the RF signal (e.g. and ) by applying a phase cone.

[0055] like Figure 2F , an actuator 270-1, omitted from view for simplicity, moves the movable member of the phase shifter 260-1 by a distance y. This movement of the actuator 270-1 also moves the phase error compensation component 265-1.

[0056] Figure 3A and 3B is a schematic plan view of a rotary phase shifter 360 with phase error compensation according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Figures 2C-2E ) controls the common angle x( Figures 2C-2F In particular, the rotational phase shifter 360 is shown as a broom phase shifter 360-W, which includes a broom arm that is equal to zero ( Figure 3A ) to an angle x greater than zero ( Figure 3B For example, the rotational phase shifter 360 may include a fixed portion 361 (e.g., a main PCB 361-W having an RF transmission line thereon) and a rotatable portion 362 (e.g., a broom PCB 362-W). When the actuator 270 applies a rotational movement to the rotational phase shifter 360, the dielectric structure 265-D also rotates above (or below) the input RF transmission line for the rotational phase shifter 360. The rotation of the dielectric structure 265-D changes the phase delay of the phase across the input RF transmission line to compensate for the phase error caused by the vertical interleaver. Therefore, the dielectric structure 265-D is an example of the phase error compensation component 265.

[0057] The shape of the rotating dielectric structure 265-D is not limited to Figure 3A and 3B Instead, in some embodiments, the shape of the dielectric structure 265-D can be extended (e.g., with a curved / triangular shaped extension) to Figure 3A and 3B Thus, this larger / extended dielectric structure 265-D can be rotated completely over the input line so that the phase error compensation can reach its maximum value before the phase shifter 360 reaches its maximum position.

[0058] Figure 3C FIG2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a broom phase shifter 360-W with phase error compensation according to an embodiment of the present invention. The broom phase shifter 360-W includes a rotatable broom PCB 362-W and a fixed main PCB 361-W. When the dielectric structure 265-D and the broom PCB 362-W are moved to an x ​​angle greater than zero ( Figure 3B ), at ports P1 and P2 of the phase shifter 360-W ( Figure 3B ) produces a positive phase shift corresponding to the electrical downdip.

[0059] The dielectric structure 265-D can be attached to the broom PCB 362-W and can therefore rotate due to the rotation of the rotatable broom PCB 362-W. Alternatively, the dielectric structure 265-D can rotate independently of the broom PCB 362-W. For example, the actuator 270 can control the rotational movement of the dielectric structure 265-D and the broom PCB 362-W via corresponding mechanical linkages 380. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the dielectric structure 265-D can be located between the broom PCB 362-W and the main PCB 361-W.

[0060] The broom PCB 362-W is typically moved using an actuator 270 that includes a direct current ("DC") motor connected to the broom PCB 362-W via a mechanical linkage 380. These actuators are often referred to as "RET" actuators because they are used to apply remote electronic downtilt. Exemplary phase shifters, actuators, and linkages of this type are discussed in U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 696,996, U.S. Patent No. 7,907,096, and Chinese Patent Application No. 201810692241.5, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0061] although Figures 3A-3C The phase shifter 360-W, the phase shifter 260 ( Figures 2C-2F ) can be replaced by a non-rotating phase shifter 365 ( Figures 3D-3G ), such as an adjustable U-shaped phase shifter or a sliding dielectric phase shifter. Specifically, the phase error compensation component 265 can provide phase error compensation at the input of the non-rotating phase shifter 365. For example, a dielectric adjustable U-shaped wire can be used instead of the rotating dielectric structure 265-D to provide phase error compensation.

[0062] Figure 3D and 3E FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a sliding medium phase shifter 365-S with phase error compensation according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3D and 3E As shown in FIG, dielectric body 265-SD of phase shifter 365-S is slid to the left by a distance y to produce a phase delay at output 1 relative to output 2 of phase shifter 365-S. Depending on the specific embodiment, this can steer the antenna beam upward or downward. In addition, dielectric body 265-SD can include a dielectric portion (e.g., a wedge) 265-SDP that is inserted above (or below) the input line of phase shifter 365-S to provide phase compensation (i.e., adjust the phase delay) when dielectric body 265-SD is slid by a distance y.

[0063] Figure 3F and 3G FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of an adjustable U-shaped phase shifter 365-T with phase error compensation according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3F and 3G As shown in FIG, the dielectric body 265-TD of the phase shifter 365-T slides to the left by a distance y to produce a phase delay at output 1 relative to output 2 of the phase shifter 365-T. In addition, a portion 265-TDP of the dielectric body 265-TD (e.g., a dielectric adjustable U-shaped line) can be moved on and along with the movable portion of the input line of the phase shifter 365-T to provide phase compensation (i.e., adjust the phase delay) when the dielectric body 265-TD slides by a distance y.

[0064] Figures 4A-4C is a flowchart showing the operation of the base station antenna 100 ( Figure 1 ).like Figure 4A As shown in FIG, the actuator 270 ( Figures 2C-2E ) can be achieved by simultaneously moving (block 410) the phase shifter 260 ( Figures 2C-3C ) and the phase error compensation component 265 ( Figures 2C-3C ) to control the vertical array of radiating elements 250 ( Figure 2A ) provides multiple phase shift amounts (i.e. phase cones) and phase error compensation amounts (i.e. adjusted phase shifts) of electrical down-tilt. Figure 4B As shown in FIG, simultaneously moving the phase shifter 260 and the phase error compensation component 265 can, in some embodiments, provide (block 410′) phase error compensation at all outputs of the phase shifter 260. This is because changing the phase at the input of the phase shifter 260 can affect all outputs of the phase shifter 260.

[0065] like Figure 4C As shown in FIG, by moving (under the control of one or more actuators 270) multiple phase error compensation components 265 and corresponding phase shifters 260, the antenna 100 can perform phase shifting after phase error compensation. For example, the actuator 270 can simultaneously move (block 410-1) the phase shifters 260-1 ( Figure 2C ) and phase error compensation component 265-1 ( Figure 2C The same actuator 270 or different actuators 270 may simultaneously move (block 410-3) the phase shifter 260-3 ( Figure 2C ) and phase error compensation component 265-3 ( Figure 2C ). In addition, the same actuator 270 or a different actuator 270 may move (block 410-2) the phase shifter 260-2 that does not include any phase error compensation component 265 ( Figure 2C The same actuator 270 or a different actuator 270 may move (block 410-4) the phase shifter 260-4 that does not include any phase error compensation component 265 ( Figure 2C The operations of blocks 410 - 1 to 410 - 4 may be performed simultaneously or sequentially.

[0066] The operations of blocks 410-1 and 410-3 may be performed on any pair of non-consecutive columns in the vertical columns 250-1C to 250-4C. For example, the operations of blocks 410-1 and 410-3 may be performed on vertical columns 250-1C and 250-3C, respectively. Figure 2C , or respectively for vertical columns 250 - 2C and 250 - 4C, as shown in Figure 2DSimilarly, the operations of blocks 410-2 and 410-4 may be performed for vertical columns 250-2C and 250-4C, respectively, as shown in FIG. Figure 2C , or respectively for vertical columns 250 - 1C and 250 - 3C, as shown in Figure 2D As shown in .

[0067] The phase error compensation unit 265 ( Figures 2C-3C ) of antenna 100( Figure 1 ) can provide many advantages. These advantages include the following: based on the movement of the phase error compensation component 265, the phase shifter 260 ( Figures 2C-3C ) provides phase error compensation at the input of the actuator 270 ( Figures 2C-2E ) can control the amount of phase error compensation by the same mechanical movement that actuator 270 uses to control the phase shift of phase shifter 260. Thus, phase shifter 260 does not need to rely on software that uses the value of downtilt to calculate the amount of phase error compensation applied by phase shifter 260. Thus, downtilt can be compensated by the mechanical movement of actuator 270 while ignoring the specific downtilt setting (e.g., angle) of antenna 100.

[0068] The compensation described herein is substantial, but not necessarily complete. For example, the phase error compensation component 265 may add at least 50-70% phase error compensation at the input of the phase shifter 260. This level of compensation is sufficient for an antenna assembly 200 having staggered vertical columns 250-1C to 250-4C. Figure 2A ) may be sufficient, the interleaving may advantageously reduce mutual coupling between columns 250-1C to 250-4C.

[0069] Furthermore, half of the staggered columns 250-1C to 250-4C may not be phase error compensated, and their corresponding phase shifters 260 may therefore not include any phase error compensation components 265. The azimuth pattern will scan along a line parallel to the center points 251 of the horizontally adjacent radiating elements 250 ( Figure 2A ). However, vertical staggering may undesirably result in scanning at an angle, which may in turn result in phase error because the phase centers of consecutive columns of the staggered columns 250-1C to 250-4C are different. Adding phase error compensation to every other column in the columns 250-1C to 250-4C may substantially mitigate the phase error, and thus it may not be necessary to add phase error compensation to every column 250-1C to 250-4C. Conversely, phase error compensation may be omitted for odd or even columns in the columns 250-1C to 250-4C. For each column that is phase error compensated, in some embodiments, all outputs of the corresponding phase shifter 260 may have an additional phase shift (e.g., phase delay) due to the phase error compensation component 265.

[0070] The present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Rather, these embodiments are intended to fully and completely disclose the present invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like elements throughout. For clarity, the thickness and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

[0071] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "below," "beneath," "lower," "above," "upper," "top," "bottom," etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or features as shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that in addition to the orientations shown in the figures, spatially relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is turned over, elements described as "below" or "below" other elements or features will be oriented as "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can cover both the orientations of above and below. The device can be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0072] Herein, unless stated otherwise, the terms "attached," "connected," "interconnected," "contacting," "mounted," and the like may mean direct or indirect attachment or contact between elements.

[0073] For brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail.As used herein, the expression "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0074] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present inventive concept. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms. It will be further understood that when used in this specification, the terms "comprises / comprising," "includes and / or including" specify the presence of the features, operations, elements, and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, parts, and / or combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A base station antenna, comprising: a vertically staggered, consecutive first, second, third, and fourth vertical columns of radiating elements configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals in a frequency band; a phase shifter electrically connected to the radiating elements of the first vertical column or the radiating elements of the second vertical column; as well as a phase error compensation component configured to provide phase error compensation at an input of the phase shifter based on a movement of the phase error compensation component, The phase shifter includes a broom phase shifter, the broom phase shifter includes a rotatable part and a fixed part, the rotatable part of the broom phase shifter includes a broom printed circuit board (PCB), and the phase error compensation component includes a dielectric structure, which is attached to the broom PCB so that the dielectric structure and the broom PCB are driven to rotate synchronously relative to the fixed part. 2 . The base station antenna according to claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical actuator configured to simultaneously control the movement of the phase error compensation component and the movement of the phase shifter.

3. The base station antenna according to claim 1, wherein the phase shifter and the phase error compensation component include a first phase shifter and a first phase error compensation component, respectively, and The base station antenna further comprises: a second phase shifter electrically connected to the radiating elements of the third vertical column or the radiating elements of the fourth vertical column; as well as A second phase error compensation component is configured to provide phase error compensation at an input of the second phase shifter based on movement of the second phase error compensation component.

4. The base station antenna according to claim 3, wherein the first phase shifter and the second phase shifter are electrically connected to the radiation elements of the first vertical column and the radiation elements of the third vertical column, respectively; wherein the base station antenna further comprises a third phase shifter and a fourth phase shifter electrically connected to the radiation elements of the second vertical column and the radiation elements of the fourth vertical column, respectively, and Each of the third phase shifter and the fourth phase shifter does not include any movable phase error compensation component.

5. The base station antenna according to claim 3, wherein the first phase shifter and the second phase shifter are electrically connected to the radiation elements of the second vertical column and the radiation elements of the fourth vertical column, respectively, and wherein the base station antenna further comprises a third phase shifter and a fourth phase shifter electrically connected to the radiating elements of the first vertical column and the radiating elements of the third vertical column, respectively, and Each of the third phase shifter and the fourth phase shifter does not include any movable phase error compensation component.

6. The base station antenna of claim 1, wherein the base station antenna is configured to operate in a beamforming mode.

7. The base station antenna according to claim 1, wherein the input of the phase shifter comprises an input RF transmission line of the phase shifter, and As the phase error compensation component moves relative to the input RF transmission line of the phase shifter, a delay in the phase of the input RF transmission line passing through the phase shifter changes.

8. A base station antenna, comprising: a first vertical column, a second vertical column, and a third vertical column of radiating elements configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals in a beamforming pattern; a phase shifter electrically connected to the radiating elements of the first vertical column or the radiating elements of the second vertical column, wherein the phase shifter comprises a non-rotating phase shifter; as well as a phase error compensation component configured to provide phase error compensation at an input of the phase shifter based on a movement of the phase error compensation component, wherein the phase shifter includes a movable dielectric body, the phase error compensation member is a protruding portion of the movable dielectric body, and the phase error compensation member moves together with the movable dielectric body to move the same distance as the movable dielectric body.

9. The base station antenna of claim 8, wherein the radiating elements of the second vertical column are vertically staggered relative to the radiating elements of the first vertical column and the radiating elements of the third vertical column.

10. The base station antenna of claim 9, further comprising a fourth vertical column of radiating elements, the fourth vertical column of radiating elements being vertically staggered relative to the first vertical column of radiating elements and the third vertical column of radiating elements, and the fourth vertical column of radiating elements being configured to transmit RF signals in the beamforming mode, The radiating elements in the fourth vertical column are adjacent to the radiating elements in the first vertical column or the radiating elements in the third vertical column.

11. The base station antenna of claim 8, further comprising a mechanical actuator configured to simultaneously control the movement of the phase error compensation component and the movement of the phase shifter.

12. The base station antenna according to claim 11, wherein the phase shifter is configured to provide a phase error compensation amount at all outputs of the phase shifter in response to the phase error compensation.

13. A method of operating a base station antenna, the method comprising controlling the amount of phase shift and the amount of phase error compensation of a vertical column of radiating elements by simultaneously moving a phase shifter and a phase error compensation component, The phase shifter comprises: a non-rotational phase shifter including a movable dielectric body, the phase error compensation component being a protruding portion of the movable dielectric body, and the phase error compensation component moving together with the movable dielectric body to move the same distance as the movable dielectric body; or A broom phase shifter, the broom phase shifter includes a rotatable part and a fixed part, the rotatable part of the broom phase shifter includes a broom printed circuit board (PCB), the phase error compensation component includes a dielectric structure, the dielectric structure is attached to the broom PCB, so that the dielectric structure and the broom PCB are driven to rotate synchronously.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the controlling is performed by a mechanical actuator of the base station antenna.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein said controlling comprises providing said phase error compensation amount at all outputs of said phase shifters, wherein the phase shifter, the vertical array of radiating elements and the phase error compensation component respectively include a first phase shifter, a first vertical array of radiating elements and a first phase error compensation component, The method further comprises controlling the phase shift amount and the phase error compensation amount of the radiating elements of the second vertical column by simultaneously moving the second phase shifter and the second phase error compensation component, wherein the radiating elements of the first vertical column and the radiating elements of the second vertical column are vertically staggered relative to the radiating elements of an adjacent third vertical column, and the radiating elements of the first vertical column and the radiating elements of the second vertical column are configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals in a beamforming frequency band, and The method further includes controlling the phase shift of the radiating elements of the third vertical column by moving a third phase shifter, wherein the third phase shifter does not include any movable phase error compensation component.

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