Antenna assembly, antenna and base station

Abstract

This invention provides an antenna assembly, an antenna, and a base station. The antenna assembly includes a phase shifter, a radiating element, and a supporting component. The phase shifter includes a metal cavity and a phase-shifting network, with the phase-shifting network installed within the metal cavity. The supporting component includes a mounting platform and a connecting piece. The mounting platform is located outside the metal cavity, and the connecting piece connects the mounting platform and the metal cavity. The radiating element is mounted on the mounting platform and electrically connected to the phase-shifting network via a conductive element. In this invention, the metal cavity of the phase shifter in the antenna assembly is connected to the mounting platform via the connecting piece. The mounting platform houses the radiating element, which is electrically connected to the phase-shifting network within the metal cavity via a conductive element. This modular design facilitates the installation of the antenna assembly on an antenna.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of mobile communication technology, specifically relating to an antenna assembly, an antenna configured with the antenna assembly, and a base station configured with the antenna. Background Technology

[0002] The antenna field primarily focuses on reducing network losses, particularly by minimizing electromagnetic propagation paths. The mainstream solution integrates the phase-shifting network with the reflector, directly connecting the radiating element to the phase-shifting network. This approach maximizes system integration; however, the fixed network phase hinders performance optimization for different boundaries and requirements, and the integrated design is complex, has low adaptability, and is unsuitable for serialized designs. A more flexible approach maximizes network integration while retaining coaxial cable connections. While this allows for flexible performance optimization for different arrays and boundary requirements, the radiating element still requires electroplating and cable soldering, preventing true green design without electroplating. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems by providing an antenna assembly, an antenna, and a base station.

[0004] To meet the various objectives of this invention, the following technical solutions are adopted:

[0005] To achieve one of the objectives of this invention, an antenna assembly is provided, comprising a phase shifter, a radiating element, and a supporting component. The phase shifter includes a metal cavity and a phase-shifting network, the phase-shifting network being mounted within the metal cavity. The supporting component includes a mounting platform and a connecting piece, the mounting platform being disposed outside the metal cavity, the connecting piece connecting the mounting platform and the metal cavity, the radiating element being disposed on the mounting platform, and the radiating element being electrically connected to the phase-shifting network via a conductive element.

[0006] Furthermore, the metal cavity includes a support substrate, the mounting platform is disposed on the support substrate and is parallel to the support substrate, and the connecting piece connects the mounting platform and the support substrate.

[0007] Furthermore, the mounting platform and the connecting piece form a T-shaped or L-shaped structure.

[0008] Specifically, the connecting piece is arranged along the central axis of the metal cavity, and the mounting platform has a symmetrical structure about the central axis.

[0009] Furthermore, the mounting platform has a first through hole corresponding to the conductive element, and the support substrate has a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole. The conductive element passes through the first through hole and the second through hole to connect the phase shifting network and the radiation unit.

[0010] Specifically, the radiating unit includes two feed plates, which feed the radiating arms of the radiating unit, and the two feed plates are respectively connected to two conductive elements.

[0011] Specifically, the conductive element includes a first end, a second end, and a bent portion connecting the first end and the second end. The first end is connected to the radiation unit, and the second end is connected to the phase-shifting network. The bent portion has a bent structure.

[0012] Furthermore, the metal cavity is integrally formed with the supporting component.

[0013] An antenna is provided to suit one of the purposes of the present invention, comprising a reflector and an antenna assembly as described in any one of the preceding purposes, the antenna assembly being disposed on the reflector.

[0014] To suit one of the purposes of this invention, a base station is provided, the base station comprising an antenna as described in the preceding purpose.

[0015] Compared with existing technologies, the present invention has many advantages, including but not limited to:

[0016] On the one hand, the metal cavity of the phase shifter of the antenna assembly of the present invention is connected to the mounting platform outside the metal cavity through the connecting piece. The mounting platform is used to install the radiating element, so that the phase shifter, radiating element and supporting component of the antenna assembly are modularly matched, which facilitates the installation of the antenna assembly in the antenna and reduces the production and use costs.

[0017] On the other hand, the radiating element of the antenna assembly of the present invention is connected to the phase shifting network in the metal cavity of the phase shifter through a conductive element. By setting the conductive element, the radiating element and the metal cavity do not need to be electroplated, which reduces the production steps of the radiating element and the metal cavity and improves the yield.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will become apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a side view of an antenna assembly according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of an antenna assembly according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of an antenna assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a front view schematic diagram of an antenna assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an antenna assembly according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an antenna assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0027] Those skilled in the art will understand that, unless specifically stated otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” used herein may also include the plural forms. It should be further understood that the term “comprising” as used in this specification means the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, nor does it exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. It should be understood that when we say an element is “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein can include wireless connections or wireless coupling. The term “and / or” as used herein includes all or any units and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0028] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in general dictionaries should be understood to have the same meaning as in the context of the prior art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless specifically defined as herein.

[0029] This invention provides an antenna assembly in which a support component is provided outside the metal cavity of the phase shifter. A mounting platform of the support component is connected to the metal cavity via a connecting piece. A radiating element can be mounted on the mounting platform, and the radiating element is electrically connected to the phase shifting network inside the metal cavity via a conductive component. By placing the radiating element on the mounting platform, it is easy to integrate the radiating element with the phase shifter, facilitating the modularization of the antenna component and making the antenna assembly easier to install and use.

[0030] In a typical embodiment of the present invention, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2 The antenna assembly 100 includes a phase shifter 110, a radiating element 130, and a supporting component.

[0031] The phase shifter 110 includes a metal cavity 111 and a phase-shifting network 112 disposed in the metal cavity 111. The phase-shifting network 112 is used to perform phase shifting for the corresponding radiation unit 130, and the phase-shifting network 112 is provided with one or more connection ports 1121. The metal cavity 111 includes a connecting substrate 1111, which is disposed on the top of the metal cavity 111. The axial direction of the connecting substrate 1111 is the same as the axial direction of the metal cavity 111, and the connecting substrate 1111 has a symmetrical structure about the central axis of the metal cavity 111. The metal cavity 111 does not require electroplating.

[0032] The supporting component includes a mounting platform 151 and a connecting piece 152. The mounting platform 151 is suspended above the connecting base plate 1111 of the metal cavity 111. The mounting platform 151 is connected to the connecting base plate 1111 via the connecting piece 152, that is, the mounting platform 151 is connected to the metal cavity 111 via the connecting piece 152. The mounting platform 151, the connecting piece 152, and the metal cavity 111 are integrally formed to facilitate the manufacturing of the metal cavity 111, the mounting platform 151, and the connecting piece 152, reduce production steps, and lower production costs.

[0033] The mounting platform 151 is platform-shaped, and its axial direction is the same as that of the connecting substrate 1111, and the mounting platform 151 is arranged parallel to the connecting substrate 1111. The axial length of the mounting platform 151 is less than or equal to the axial length of the connecting substrate 1111; in this embodiment, the axial length of the mounting platform 151 is equal to the length of the connecting substrate 1111. The lateral width of the mounting platform 151 is less than or equal to the lateral width of the connecting substrate 1111; in this embodiment, the lateral width of the mounting platform 151 is less than the lateral width of the connecting substrate 1111. The mounting platform 151 is also symmetrical about the central axis of the metal cavity 111, that is, the mounting platform 151 is located directly above the metal cavity 111.

[0034] The connecting piece 152 is used to connect the mounting platform 151 and the connecting substrate 1111. The axial length of the connecting piece 152 is equal to or slightly shorter than the axial length of the mounting platform 151, so that the connecting piece 152 integrally connects the mounting platform 151 and the connecting substrate 1111 in its axial direction, thereby maintaining structural stability between the mounting platform 151 and the connecting substrate 1111. In one embodiment, the connecting piece 152 serves as a grounding structure between the mounting platform 151 and the metal cavity 111.

[0035] Combination Figure 2 The connecting piece 152 includes a first side 1521 and a second side 1522. The first side 1521 is connected to the reverse side of the mounting platform 151, and the second side 1522 is connected to the front side 1113 of the connecting substrate 1111. In this embodiment, the first side 1521 of the connecting piece 152 is located at the central axis of the reverse side of the mounting platform 151, and the second side 1522 is located at the central axis of the front side 1113 of the connecting substrate 1111. This allows the mounting platform 151 and the connecting piece 152 to form a T-shaped structure, and also allows the metal cavity 111, the connecting piece 152, and the mounting platform 151 to form an axisymmetric structure along the central axis of the metal cavity 111, thereby improving the structural stability of the metal cavity 111, the connecting piece 152, and the mounting platform 151.

[0036] In one embodiment, the first side 1521 of the connecting piece 152 is disposed on the side opposite to the mounting platform 151, so that the connecting piece 152 and the mounting platform 151 form an L-shaped structure.

[0037] The conductive element 160 is a metal component. The radiation unit 130 is electrically connected to the phase-shifting network 112 disposed within the metal cavity 111 via the conductive element 160. The phase-shifting network 112 feeds power to the radiation unit 130 through the conductive element 160 to excite the radiation unit 130 to radiate signals. Specifically, the first end 161 of the conductive element 160 is connected to the feed plate 131 of the radiation unit 130, and the second end 162 of the conductive element 160 is connected to the connection port 1121 of the phase-shifting network 112, thereby electrically connecting the radiation unit 130 and the phase-shifting network 112. To facilitate the connection of the conductive element 160 to the radiating unit 130 and the phase-shifting network 112, a first through-hole 1513 is formed on the mounting platform 151, and a second through-hole 1112 is formed on the connecting substrate 1111 of the metal cavity 111. The first through-hole 1513 and the second through-hole 1112 correspond to each other. The conductive element 160 passes through the first through-hole 1513 and the second through-hole 1112 to enter the metal cavity 111 and connect to the connection port 1121 of the phase-shifting network 112. In one embodiment, the conductive element 160 and the connecting piece 152 together form a microstrip line structure to facilitate signal transmission between the radiating unit 130 and the phase-shifting network 112, thereby improving the radiation performance of the antenna assembly 100.

[0038] In this embodiment, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2 The conductive element 160 is elongated to facilitate direct connection between the feed plate 131 of the radiating element 130 and the connection port 1121 of the phase-shifting network 112. By adjusting the length or thickness of the conductive element 160, the phase of the signal input to the radiating element 130 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the radiation performance of the antenna.

[0039] In one embodiment, combined Figure 3 and Figure 4 The conductive element 160 has a bent structure. Specifically, the conductive element 160 includes a first end 161, a second end 162, and a bent portion 163 connecting the first end 161 and the second end 162. The bent portion 163 has a bent structure. The first end 161 of the conductive element 160 is elongated and passes through a first through hole 1513 on the mounting platform 151 to connect with the feed plate 131 of the radiation unit 130. The second end 162 of the conductive element 160 is also elongated and passes through a second through hole 1112 on the connecting substrate 1111 to connect with the connection port 1121 of the phase shifting network 112 in the metal cavity 111.

[0040] The bending portion 163 is disposed between the mounting platform 151 and the connecting substrate 1111. The bending portion 163 has one or more bending segments 1631, which are L-shaped or U-shaped, thus giving the bending portion 163 a bent structure. The phase of the signal input to the radiation unit 130 can be adjusted by adjusting the number of bending segments 1631 on the bending portion 163, and the phase of the signal input to the radiation unit 130 can also be adjusted by adjusting the overall thickness of the conductive member 160. In this embodiment, the bending portion 163 has one U-shaped bending segment 1631.

[0041] Combination Figure 2 The front side 1511 of the mounting platform 151 faces the same direction as the front side 1113 of the connecting substrate 1111, and the front side 1511 of the mounting platform 151 is used to mount the radiating unit 130. The radiating unit 130 is a dual-polarized radiating unit 130, which includes two feed plates 131, wherein the first feed plate is used to feed the first polarized radiating arm, and the second feed plate is used to feed the second polarized radiating arm. In one embodiment, the radiating unit 130 is fixedly connected to the mounting platform 151 by bolts or rivets.

[0042] A first conductive element 160 is provided corresponding to the first feed sheet. The first end of the first conductive element 160 is connected to the first feed sheet. The first conductive element 160 passes through corresponding first and second through holes, so that the second end of the first conductive element 160 is connected to the first connection port of the phase shifting network 112. A second conductive element 160 is provided corresponding to the second feed sheet. The first end of the second conductive element 160 is connected to the second feed sheet. The second conductive element 160 passes through corresponding first and second through holes, so that the second end 162 of the second conductive element 160 is connected to the second connection port of the phase shifting network 112. The mounting platform 151 is provided with two first through holes corresponding to the first conductive element 160 and the second conductive element 160, respectively. The connecting substrate 1111 is provided with two second through holes corresponding to the first conductive element 160 and the second conductive element 160, respectively.

[0043] In a typical embodiment of the present invention, combined with Figure 5 The mounting platform 151 is provided with a plurality of radiation units 130, which are arranged sequentially along the axial direction of the mounting platform 151. Each radiation unit 130 is electrically connected to the corresponding connection port 1121 of the phase-shifting network 112 in the metal cavity 111 through its corresponding conductive element 160. The radiation units 130 do not require electroplating.

[0044] In one embodiment, combined Figure 6 The mounting platform 151 is further provided with partition walls 153 on both sides, and the orientation of the partition walls 153 is the same as the orientation of the front of the mounting platform 151. The two partition walls 153 and the mounting platform 151 form a groove structure. The partition walls 153 block external electromagnetic signals from interfering with the operation of the radiation unit 130 on the mounting platform 151, thereby improving the working performance of the radiation unit 130.

[0045] In one embodiment, the phase-shifting network 112 includes multiple phase-shifting subnets, which are not interconnected and are respectively connected to multiple radiating elements 130. Each phase-shifting subnet has one or more connection ports 1121.

[0046] In one embodiment, the phase shifter 110 is a dielectric phase shifter 110, and a movable dielectric plate is further provided inside the metal cavity 111. By moving the movable dielectric plate, the dielectric distribution inside the phase shifter 110 is changed, thereby implementing phase shifting. Preferably, the phase shifting network 112 is mounted on a first dielectric plate, and the first dielectric plate is disposed inside the metal cavity 111.

[0047] The present invention also provides an antenna, which includes a reflector and the antenna assembly described above, the antenna assembly being disposed on the reflector.

[0048] The present invention also provides a base station, the base station including the antenna described above.

[0049] In summary, the present invention provides an antenna assembly in which the metal cavity of the phase shifter is connected to the mounting platform via a connecting piece. The mounting platform is provided with a radiating element, which is electrically connected to the phase shifting network in the metal cavity via a conductive component. This modularizes the antenna assembly, making it easy to install on an antenna and convenient for installation and use.

[0050] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and an explanation of the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific combination of the above-described technical features, but also includes other technical solutions formed by arbitrary combinations of the above-described technical features or their equivalents without departing from the inventive concept. For example, technical solutions formed by substituting the above-described features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions as those in the present invention.

[0051] Although the subject matter has been described using language specific to structural features and / or methodological logic, 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. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are merely illustrative examples of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. An antenna assembly, characterized in that, The device includes a phase shifter, a radiating unit, and a supporting component. The phase shifter includes a metal cavity and a phase-shifting network, with the phase-shifting network installed inside the metal cavity. The supporting component includes a mounting platform and a connecting piece. The mounting platform is located outside the metal cavity, and the connecting piece connects the mounting platform and the metal cavity. The radiating unit is mounted on the mounting platform and is electrically connected to the phase-shifting network via a conductive component. The conductive component includes a first end, a second end, and a bent portion connecting the first end and the second end. The first end is connected to the radiating unit, and the second end is connected to the phase-shifting network. The bent portion has a bent structure. The mounting platform and the connecting piece form a T-shaped or L-shaped structure; The metal cavity is integrally formed with the supporting component.

2. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The metal cavity includes a support substrate, the mounting platform is disposed on the support substrate and is parallel to the support substrate, and the connecting piece connects the mounting platform and the support substrate.

3. The antenna assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting piece is arranged along the central axis of the metal cavity, and the mounting platform is symmetrical about the central axis.

4. The antenna assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The mounting platform has a first through hole corresponding to the conductive component, and the support substrate has a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole. The conductive component passes through the first through hole and the second through hole to connect the phase shifting network and the radiation unit.

5. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The radiating unit includes two feed plates, which feed the radiating arms of the radiating unit. The two feed plates are respectively connected to two conductive elements.

6. An antenna, characterized in that, It includes a reflector and an antenna assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the antenna assembly is disposed on the reflector.

7. A base station, characterized in that, The base station includes the antenna as described in claim 6.

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