Phase shifter, base station antenna, and base station

Abstract

The present application provides a phase shifter, a base station antenna and a base station. The phase shifter includes a main body and a suspension strip line, the main body includes a receiving cavity, the suspension strip line is received in the receiving cavity, the suspension strip line includes a main feeder, a power splitter junction, an output feeder and a filtering structure; one end of the main feeder is an input end, the other end is connected to the power splitter junction, the other end of the power splitter junction is connected to the output feeder, the output feeder includes at least two output ends, each output end is far away from the power splitter junction, the main feeder includes a suspension section, the filtering structure includes an open-circuit gap provided on the suspension section, the open-circuit gap passes through the suspension section in the thickness direction of the suspension section, and divides the suspension section into a parallel transmission belt and an open-circuit band in the width direction of the suspension section, the length direction of the open belt and the transmission belt is the same as the length direction of the suspension section, wherein one end of the open belt is connected to the transmission belt, and the other end is suspended in the receiving cavity. The present application realizes miniaturized filtering, avoids the risk of introducing passive intermodulation, and ensures communication quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a phase shifter, a base station antenna, and a base station. Background Art

[0002] Phase shifters are a crucial component of base station antennas, used to adjust the direction of the base station antenna's elevation beam to meet network coverage or optimization needs. With the increasing number of multi-band antennas, base station antenna designs often require external filters to be installed on the outside of the phase shifter using cables, screws, or welding to prevent interference between frequency bands and increase inter-frequency isolation. However, this design not only introduces the risk of passive intermodulation (PIM) due to screws or solder joints, compromising communication quality, but also introduces additional insertion loss due to the external filter, reducing the base station antenna's radiation efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application provides a phase shifter, a base station antenna, and a base station, which realize miniaturized filtering, avoid the risk of introducing passive intermodulation, and ensure communication quality.

[0004] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a phase shifter is provided. The phase shifter includes a main body and a suspension strip line. The main body includes a receiving cavity. The suspension strip line is received in the receiving cavity. The suspension strip line includes a main feed line, a power splitter junction, an output feed line, and a filtering structure.

[0005] One end of the main feeder is the input end, and the other end is connected to the power splitter junction. The other end of the power splitter junction is connected to the output feeder. The output feeder includes at least two output ends, each of which is far away from the power splitter junction. The main feeder includes a suspension section, and the filtering structure includes an open-circuit gap provided on the suspension section. The open-circuit gap penetrates the suspension section in the thickness direction of the suspension section, and divides the suspension section into a parallel transmission belt and an open-circuit belt in the width direction of the suspension section. The length direction of the open belt and the transmission belt is the same as the length direction of the suspension section, wherein one end of the open belt is connected to the transmission belt, and the other end is suspended in the receiving cavity.

[0006] The phase shifter of the present application integrates a filtering function by setting an open-circuit gap in the suspension section of the main feeder, thereby realizing filtering in a specific frequency band (i.e., removing interference signals). The design of the open-circuit gap has a simple structure, which not only greatly reduces the filtering cost of the phase shifter, but also does not increase the size of the main feeder, has high space utilization, is conducive to the layout of the main feeder in the receiving cavity (i.e., in the main body), is conducive to the miniaturization of the main body, and further facilitates the miniaturization of the phase shifter. Therefore, the phase shifter of the present application can be used in the same small, micro or smaller base station antennas as the existing phase shifters that do not have an integrated filtering function, which is convenient for integration. In addition, when the phase shifter is integrated into the base station antenna, it can effectively improve the frequency isolation of the base station antenna and improve the communication quality of the base station antenna; compared with the prior art, the design of the open-circuit gap not only effectively avoids the risk of passive intermodulation introduced by the increase of screws or solder joints, thereby improving the communication quality; moreover, it avoids the increase of additional insertion loss introduced by the external filter, thereby improving the radiation efficiency of the base station antenna.

[0007] In one embodiment, the path length of the open slot is between one-eighth and one-quarter of the filtering wavelength. The filtering wavelength refers to the wavelength of the signal (i.e., the interference signal) filtered out by the open slot. By adjusting the path length of the open slot, the user can adjust the wavelength range of the signal filtered out by the open slot, making it easier for the user to filter out unwanted signals. This adjustment is simple and inexpensive, reducing the manufacturing cost of the phase shifter. In this embodiment, the path length of the open slot is one-sixth of the filtering wavelength.

[0008] In one embodiment, the open-circuit slit includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section extends along the length of the suspension section, the second section is connected to the end of the first section away from the input end, and the second section extends along the width of the suspension section and passes through the side of the suspension section to connect to the receiving cavity. In this case, the path length of the open-circuit slit refers to the sum of the lengths of the first section and the second section. Thus, the user can adjust the wavelength range of the signal filtered by the open-circuit slit by adjusting the length of the first section and / or the second section, which is simple to adjust. Moreover, since the first section and the second section are both strip-shaped slits, the structure is simple and easy to process, which reduces processing costs. It can be understood that when the length of the second section is very small compared to the length of the first section, the length of the second section 2612 can be ignored. At this time, the user can quickly confirm the length of the first section based on the wavelength range of the signal to be filtered, reducing the difficulty of adjustment and processing costs.

[0009] In one embodiment, the open slot includes a first, second, third, and fourth segments connected end to end. The first and third segments extend along the width of the suspension segment, while the second and fourth segments extend along the length of the suspension segment. The end of the first segment remote from the second segment extends through the suspension segment along the width of the suspension segment. By adjusting the lengths of the first, second, third, and fourth segments, the user can adjust the wavelength range of the signal filtered by the open slot.

[0010] In one embodiment, there are multiple open slots, each spaced apart on the main feeder line, and each of the open slots has different path lengths. Because the open slots have different path lengths, they can each filter out signals within different wavelength ranges, effectively increasing the operating bandwidth of the phase shifter.

[0011] In one embodiment, the filtering structure includes a mounting bracket, wherein the main feeder is fixed and suspended within a receiving cavity. The mounting bracket is received within the receiving cavity and is detachably connected to the suspension section. The mounting bracket is used to limit the position of the transmission belt and the open belt. By limiting the position of the transmission belt and the open belt by the mounting bracket, the width of the open gap can be defined. This effectively prevents the width of the open gap from changing, ensuring that the open gap can stably and reliably load the parasitic capacitance, thereby ensuring that the open gap can stably filter signals.

[0012] In one embodiment, the mounting bracket includes a stopper located within the open gap. The stopper abuts the sides of the transmission belt and the open belt facing the open gap. The stopper abuts the transmission belt and the open belt, ensuring that the width of the open gap remains constant and that the open gap can stably filter out signals.

[0013] In one embodiment, the fixing frame includes a frame body, and a limiting body protrudes from a surface of the frame body facing the suspension section. The frame body's opposite ends in the thickness direction of the suspension section respectively press against the walls of the receiving cavity, and its opposite ends in the width direction of the suspension section respectively press against the walls of the receiving cavity. In this way, the frame body is limited in both the thickness and width directions of the suspension section, further limiting the thickness and width directions of the suspension section fixedly connected to the frame body. The frame body further supports the suspension section, further preventing the suspension section from contacting the walls of the receiving cavity, further ensuring that the suspension section can be stably suspended within the receiving cavity, and improving the stability of the internal structure of the phase shifter.

[0014] In one embodiment, the fixing frame includes multiple buckles, and the conveyor belt and the open belt are each provided with multiple slots on either side of the width direction of the suspension section. The multiple buckles engage the multiple slots in a one-to-one correspondence. The connection between the buckles and the slots ensures that both the conveyor belt and the open belt are stably and securely fixed to the fixing frame. The fixing frame prevents relative deflection or shaking of the conveyor belt and the open belt, ensuring that the width of the open gap does not change, and that the open gap can stably filter signals. Furthermore, the buckles and slots have a simple and stable design structure, are easy to manufacture, and have low processing costs.

[0015] In this embodiment, the conveyor belt and the open belt are each provided with a plurality of first slots on a side facing away from the open slot, and a plurality of second slots on a side facing the open slot. The plurality of clips includes a plurality of first clips and a plurality of second clips. Each first clip is inserted along the thickness direction of the suspension section into the gap between the cavity wall of the receiving cavity and the conveyor belt or the open belt, and engages with a corresponding first slot. Each second clip is inserted along the thickness direction of the suspension section into the open slot, and engages with a corresponding second slot. Through the cooperative connection between the first clips and the first slots, and the second clips and the second slots, the conveyor belt and the open belt are both fixedly connected to the fixing frame, thereby achieving relative fixation of the conveyor belt and the open belt via the fixing frame, resulting in a stable and simple structure and low processing cost. The fixing frame can prevent the transmission belt and the open belt from relative deflection or shaking, ensuring that the width of the open gap does not change. Moreover, the second clip inserted into the open gap further ensures the width of the open gap, ensuring that the open gap can stably and reliably load the parasitic capacitance, and thus ensuring that the open gap can stably filter out signals.

[0016] In one embodiment, the fixing frame includes a frame body, a suspension segment having retaining holes extending therethrough, the retaining holes being located on opposite sides of the open gap, and a frame body having protrusions or retaining buckles corresponding to the retaining holes, the protrusions or retaining buckles being retained in the retaining holes. The retaining buckles and the protrusions cooperate with the retaining holes to stably and securely connect the frame body to the suspension segment, thereby preventing the frame body from shaking or even moving relative to the suspension segment. Furthermore, the design of the retaining buckles and the protrusions offers a simple structure, low processing costs, and ease of assembly and disassembly.

[0017] In one embodiment, the main feeder also includes a first connecting section and a second connecting section, one end of the first connecting section is electrically connected to the transmission belt of the suspension section, and the other end is connected to the second connecting section, the other end of the second connecting section is connected to the power splitter junction, one end of the open belt is connected to the transmission belt, and the other end of the open belt is spaced apart from the transmission belt by an open gap.

[0018] In this embodiment, the suspension section includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The second portion is connected to the first and third portions at opposite ends along the length of the suspension section, respectively. The end of the third portion distal to the second portion is connected to the first connecting section. The end of the first portion distal to the second portion serves as the input end. An open-circuit slit is provided in the second portion, dividing the second portion into a transmission belt and an open-circuit belt. The transmission belts are connected to the first and third portions, respectively. The end of the open-circuit belt closest to the input end is connected to the transmission belt, while the other end is spaced apart from the transmission belt. In other embodiments, the end of the open-circuit belt distal to the input end may be connected to the transmission belt.

[0019] In other embodiments, the open gap can also divide the entire suspension section into a transmission belt and an open belt in the width direction of the suspension section, one end of the transmission belt is connected to the first connecting section, the end of the transmission belt away from the first connecting section is the input end, one end of the open belt is connected to the transmission belt, and the other end is spaced from the transmission belt.

[0020] In one embodiment, a connection hole is provided at one end of the second connecting section near the power splitter junction, and a plug-in terminal is provided on the power splitter junction. The plug-in terminal is inserted into the connection hole, thereby connecting the main feeder to the power splitter junction. This structure is stable and simple, with low processing costs and easy assembly and disassembly, ensuring the stability of the internal structure of the phase shifter.

[0021] In one embodiment, the receiving cavity includes a main cavity and a secondary cavity. Both the main cavity and the secondary cavity extend along the length of the suspension segment. The secondary cavity is located on one side of the main cavity and communicates with the main cavity along the thickness of the suspension segment. The input end is located on the side of the main cavity away from the secondary cavity. The main feed line extends from the main cavity to the secondary cavity. The power splitter junction and output feed line are both located in the secondary cavity. The suspension segment is located in the main cavity. The design of the main cavity and the secondary cavity helps to reduce the length of the main body, improve space utilization, and thus promote the miniaturization of the phase shifter.

[0022] In one embodiment, the phase shifter further includes a phase shifting unit located within the receiving cavity. The phase shifting unit moves relative to the output feeder to adjust the phase between the output terminal and the power splitter junction. By controlling the movement of the phase shifting unit, the phase between the output terminal and the power splitter junction can be continuously adjusted, facilitating user adjustment.

[0023] In one embodiment, the phase shifter is a dielectric body that covers the output feeder. The phase shifter moves relative to the output feeder to adjust the area of ​​the output feeder covered by the phase shifter. By adjusting the area of ​​the output feeder covered by the phase shifter, the equivalent dielectric constant of the output feeder is changed, thereby changing the phase between the output end and the power splitter junction.

[0024] In this embodiment, there is one phase shifter, and the output feeder includes a first output section and a second output section. One end of each of the first and second output sections is connected to the power splitter junction, and the other end is an output terminal. The first and second output sections are arranged along the length of the suspension section, and the phase shifter covers the first and second output sections, as well as the power splitter junction. Movement of the phase shifter along the length of the suspension section can simultaneously and continuously change the area covered by the phase shifter on the first and second output sections, thereby simultaneously and continuously adjusting the equivalent dielectric constants of the first and second output sections. This allows the phase from the power splitter junction to the two output terminals to be continuously varied simultaneously, thereby simultaneously changing the phase from the two output terminals to the power splitter junction.

[0025] In other embodiments, the number of phase shifting units may also correspond to the number of output terminals, and each phase shifting unit is respectively arranged on one side or both sides of the output segment between an output terminal and the power splitter junction and covers the output segment. Each phase shifting unit moves relative to the output feeder to adjust the area of ​​the corresponding output segment covered by the phase shifting unit, thereby changing the phase from different output terminals to the power splitter junction.

[0026] A second aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a base station antenna, comprising: a phase shifter according to any one of the first aspects of the present application and an antenna, wherein the output end is electrically connected to the antenna.

[0027] In this embodiment, the antenna includes an antenna panel and a plurality of radiating units; wherein the frequencies of the radiating units may be the same or different. The radiating units are used to convert radio frequency signals into electromagnetic wave signals and radiate them out; or to receive electromagnetic wave signals and convert them into radio frequency signals. The antenna realizes its function of radiating or receiving electromagnetic wave signals through the radiating units. A plurality of radiating units are arranged on the antenna panel, and the antenna panel is used to enhance the directivity of the antenna. The output end of the phase shifter is electrically connected to the radiating unit. The phase shifter forms a continuous linear phase difference in the output signal by moving the phase shifter inside it, and transmits the signal to each radiating unit, thereby changing the phase of each radiating unit, thereby achieving its purpose of adjusting the electrical downtilt angle of the base station antenna.

[0028] A third aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a base station, characterized by comprising the base station antenna of the second aspect of the present application and a base station server, wherein the base station server is electrically connected to the base station antenna. The base station server is configured to output or receive radio frequency signals. The base station server is electrically connected to an input terminal.

[0029] The phase shifter of the present application has a phase shifting function and a filtering function. When the phase shifter receives a signal transmitted from a base station server, the phase shifter first filters the signal in a specific frequency band through an open gap (i.e., removes interference waves), then performs phase shifting on the signal, and then transmits the signal to each radiating unit of the antenna to adjust the electrical downtilt angle of the electromagnetic beam of the base station antenna, effectively reducing the interference of unnecessary signals on the radiating unit, thereby ensuring that the various frequency bands of the base station antenna are not interfered with, improving the frequency isolation, and improving the communication quality of the base station antenna. Compared with the solution of adding an external filter to the phase shifter to improve the frequency isolation, the phase shifter that integrates filtering and phase shifting functions not only reduces the number of screws or solder joints, reduces the risk of passive intermodulation, improves the communication quality of the base station antenna, but also avoids the increase in additional insertion loss introduced by the external filter, effectively improving the radiation efficiency of the base station antenna. In addition, compared with the original phase shifter with only phase shifting function, the phase shifter of the present application has not increased its overall size and internal space volume after integrating the phase shifting function and filtering function. Therefore, as the miniaturization of base station antennas develops, the phase shifter of the present application can always integrate a filtering function on the basis of ensuring its phase shifting function, which is conducive to the miniaturization of base station antennas. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology will be described below.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a base station provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A structural block diagram of a base station antenna of the base station shown;

[0033] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A side structural diagram of a phase shifter of a base station antenna is shown;

[0034] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The side structural diagram of the phase shifter shown is shown with the phase shift unit omitted;

[0035] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Another angle structural diagram of the main feeder part (support device omitted) in the phase shifter shown;

[0036] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An enlarged view of section VIII of the main feeder section of the phase shifter (with the fixing frame omitted);

[0037] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 An enlarged view of section VIII of the main feeder section of the phase shifter is shown;

[0038] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 An enlarged view of another embodiment of portion VIII of the main feeder portion of the phase shifter (with the fixing frame omitted);

[0039] Figure 9 yes Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of the main feeder portion of the phase shifter shown;

[0040] Figure 10 yes Figure 4 An enlarged view of the X portion of the phase shifter is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The phase shifters in the embodiments of this application are applied to base station antennas, which are applied to base stations. A base station is a device deployed in a radio access network to provide wireless communication capabilities. In this application, "component A is connected to component B" means that component A is both electrically and physically connected to component B.

[0042] The embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0043] See also Figure 1 In this embodiment, base station 1000 includes a base station server 400 and an antenna system. Base station server 400 is located indoors, which helps protect it and prolongs its service life. Base station server 400 is used to output or receive radio frequency signals. Base station server 400 is electrically connected to the antenna system. The antenna system is used to radiate the radio frequency signals output by base station server 400 as electromagnetic waves; or to receive external electromagnetic wave signals, convert them into radio frequency signals, and transmit them to base station server 400.

[0044] In this embodiment, the antenna feed system includes a base station antenna 200, a mast 302, an adjustment bracket 303, and a cable 304. It also includes at least one grounding device 305, a lightning protector 306, and a seal. The base station antenna 200 is a plate-shaped multi-band antenna. It is understood that the base station antenna 200 can also be a variety of antenna elements, such as a wire antenna, a planar antenna, or a decorative antenna. There can be one or more base station antennas 200. The base station antenna 200 is used to radiate or receive electromagnetic wave signals. Specifically, the base station antenna 200 converts radio frequency signals into electromagnetic wave signals and radiates them in the form of electromagnetic beams; alternatively, it receives electromagnetic wave signals and converts them into radio frequency signals. The base station antenna 200 is located outdoors to avoid interference from walls, roofs, and other obstructions, thereby improving the base station antenna 200's ability to radiate or receive electromagnetic wave signals.

[0045] The mast 302 is fixed to a supporting surface such as the ground or a floor. The adjustment bracket 303 is detachably mounted on the mast 302. The base station antenna 200 is fixed to the adjustment bracket 303 and, in turn, to the mast 302 via the adjustment bracket 303. The adjustment bracket 303 is also used to adjust the mechanical downtilt angle of the base station antenna 200, thereby adjusting the direction of the electromagnetic beam of the base station antenna 200 and, therefore, the coverage range of the electromagnetic wave signal of the base station antenna 200. The cable 304 is used to transmit signals between the base station antenna 200 and the base station server 400.

[0046] In this embodiment, the adjustment bracket 303 includes a first bracket 3031 and a second bracket 3032. Both the first bracket 3031 and the second bracket 3032 are detachably mounted on the pole 302. The first bracket 3031 and the second bracket 3032 jointly support the base station antenna 200. The second bracket 3032 is located farther from a supporting surface such as the ground or floor than the first bracket 3031. By adjusting the second bracket 3032, the end of the base station antenna 200 connected to the second bracket 3032 can be controlled to move closer to or further away from the pole 302, thereby adjusting the mechanical downtilt angle of the base station antenna 200. The terms "first" and "second" are for ease of description only and should not be construed as limitations on this application. The mechanical downtilt angle refers to the angle at which the opening of the base station antenna 200 is tilted relative to the vertical direction.

[0047] One end of cable 304 is connected to base station antenna 200, and the other end of cable 304 passes through wall 307 and connects to base station server 400 located indoors. Base station server 400 and base station antenna 200 are electrically connected via cable 304. Thus, the radio frequency signal output by base station server 400 is transmitted via cable 304 to base station antenna 200, where it is converted into an electromagnetic wave signal and radiated outward. Alternatively, base station antenna 200 receives an external electromagnetic wave signal, converts it into a radio frequency signal, and transmits it to base station server 400 via cable 304. A grounding device 305 is provided on cable 304 to ground cable 304. A lightning protector 306 is provided on cable 304 and located between wall 307 and base station server 400. Lightning protector 306 is used to prevent lightning from invading along cable 304 and damaging base station server 400. A sealing member may be provided between the base station antenna 200 and the cable 304 to ensure the sealing of the connection between the base station antenna 200 and the cable 304 .

[0048] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2In this embodiment, the base station antenna 200 includes at least one antenna 201, a feed network 202, a radome 203, and an antenna connector 204. Antenna 201 is used to radiate or receive electromagnetic wave signals. The base station antenna 200 radiates or receives electromagnetic wave signals through antenna 201. The feed network 202 is electrically connected to the antenna 201 and the antenna connector 204, respectively. The antenna connector 204 is electrically connected to the base station server 400 via a cable 304. The antenna 201 and feed network 202 are housed in the radome 203, while the antenna connector 204 is located outside the radome 203. Signals between the antenna 201 and the base station server 400 are transmitted via the feed network 202, the antenna connector 204, and the cable 304. Feed network 202 is used to feed the RF signal received and converted by antenna 201 to antenna connector 204 at a predetermined amplitude or phase, and then to base station server 400. Alternatively, it is used to feed the RF signal output from base station server 400 and received by antenna connector 204 at a predetermined amplitude or phase to antenna 201, thereby radiating electromagnetic wave signals. In one embodiment, feed network 202 may be composed of a controlled impedance transmission line.

[0049] In this embodiment, the radome 203 is used to protect the antenna 201 and the feed network 202 to extend the service life of the base station antenna 200. It is understood that the radome 203 should have good electromagnetic wave penetration characteristics in terms of electrical performance to avoid affecting the radiation or reception of electromagnetic wave signals by the antenna 201; the radome 203 should also have stable and reliable mechanical properties to enable it to withstand the influence of harsh external environments.

[0050] In this embodiment, if Figure 2As shown, each antenna 201 includes an antenna panel 2011 and multiple radiating elements 2012; the frequencies of the radiating elements 2012 can be the same or different. The radiating elements 2012 are used to convert radio frequency signals into electromagnetic wave signals and radiate them out; or to receive electromagnetic wave signals and convert them into radio frequency signals. The antenna 201 achieves its function of radiating or receiving electromagnetic wave signals through the radiating elements 2012. Multiple radiating elements 2012 are arranged on the antenna panel 2011, and the antenna panel 2011 is used to enhance the directivity of the antenna 201. Exemplarily, the antenna 201 is arranged on one side of the antenna panel 2011. For ease of description, the surface of the antenna panel 2011 on which the antenna 201 is arranged is referred to as the front side. The antenna panel 2011 can reflect and concentrate the electromagnetic wave signals coming from the front to the receiving point, thereby improving the receiving sensitivity of the electromagnetic wave signals and enhancing the ability of the antenna 201 to receive electromagnetic wave signals; moreover, the antenna panel 2011 can also concentrate the electromagnetic wave signals to radiate in the same direction as the front, thereby enhancing the ability of the antenna 201 to radiate electromagnetic wave signals; in addition, the antenna panel 2011 can also block and shield other irrelevant radio waves coming from the back of the antenna panel 2011 (the back of the antenna panel 2011 refers to the surface of the antenna panel 2011 facing away from the front) from interfering with the electromagnetic wave signals radiated or received by the antenna 201, thereby improving the quality of the electromagnetic wave signals radiated or received by the antenna 201.

[0051] In this embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the feed network 202 includes a phase shifter 100, a transmission component 2022, a calibration network 2023, and a power adapter 2024. The phase shifter 100 is electrically connected to the multiple radiating elements 2012 of the antenna 201. The phase shifter 100 is used to change the phase distribution of each radiating element 2012 of the antenna 201, thereby adjusting the electrical downtilt angle of the electromagnetic beam of the base station antenna 200, thereby adjusting the direction of the electromagnetic beam of the base station antenna 200. Specifically, the phase shifter 100 is an analog phase shifter. The phase shifter 100 shifts its internal phase shifting elements to form a continuous linear phase difference in the output signal, and transmits the signal to each radiating element 2012, thereby changing the phase of each radiating element 2012 to achieve the purpose of adjusting the electrical downtilt angle. The transmission component 2022 is electrically connected to the phase shifting unit of the phase shifter 100. The transmission component 2022 is used to drive the phase shifting unit to move so that the signal output by the phase shifter 100 forms a phase difference, thereby enabling the phase shifter 100 to adjust the electrical downtilt angle of the electromagnetic beam of the base station antenna 200. The calibration network 2023 is electrically connected to the phase shifter 100 and is used to output a calibration signal and feed it to the phase shifter 100 to perform amplitude and phase calibration on the electromagnetic beamforming of the antenna 201, so that the antenna 201 can form a precisely pointed electromagnetic beam. In one embodiment, the calibration network 2023 can be omitted.

[0052] The power adapter 2024 is electrically connected to the phase shifter 100 and the antenna connector 204, respectively. The power adapter 2024 is used to split the energy of one input signal into multiple outputs; alternatively, it combines multiple input signals into one output. Specifically, the power adapter 2024 combines the signals transmitted from the antenna connector 204 into one output and transmits it to the phase shifter 100, which processes the signals and outputs them to the antenna 201. Alternatively, the power adapter 2024 splits the RF signals processed by the phase shifter 100 and converted by the antenna 201 into multiple outputs and transmits them to the antenna connector 204. The presence of the power adapter 2024 reduces the wiring complexity and cost of the feed network 202. It is understood that the power adapter 2024 can be omitted, that is, the phase shifter 100 is directly electrically connected to the antenna connector 204.

[0053] In other embodiments, the phase shifter 100 may also be a digital phase shifter. A control circuit is provided within the digital phase shifter. By switching switches within the control circuit, the phase of each radiating element 2012 of the antenna 201 is selected, thereby correspondingly changing the phase of each radiating element 2012 of the antenna 201, thereby changing the electrical downtilt angle of the electromagnetic beam of the base station antenna 200. In this case, the transmission component 2022 is omitted from the feed network 202.

[0054] The phase shifter 100 is described below with reference to a specific embodiment.

[0055] Please also refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The phase shifter 100 includes a main body 10, a suspension strip line 20, a phase shift unit 30, and at least one supporting device 40. The suspension strip line 20, the phase shift unit 30, and the supporting device 40 are housed in the main body 10. The supporting device 40 supports the suspension strip line 20, and the phase shift unit 30 slides relative to the suspension strip line 20. The phase shift unit 30 is electrically connected to the transmission component 2022 of the feed network 202. The base station server 400 (such as Figure 1 The incoming signal (as shown) enters the feed network 202 via the antenna connector 204, is transmitted to the suspension stripline 20 via the power adapter 2024, and is then output via the suspension stripline 20 to the radiating element 2012 of the antenna 201. For ease of description below, the signal transmitted from the base station server 400 to the suspension stripline 20 is referred to as the input signal; the signal output via the suspension stripline 20 to the radiating element 2012 is referred to as the output signal. In this embodiment, the phase of the output signal is changed by driving the phase shifter 30 relative to the suspension stripline 20 via the transmission component 2022, thereby changing the phase of the radiating element 2012 and achieving the purpose of adjusting the electrical downtilt angle of the phase shifter 100.

[0056] In this embodiment, the main body 10 has a receiving cavity 11. The cavity wall of the main body 10 serves as the ground of the phase shifter 100, and the electronic components of the phase shifter 100 received in the receiving cavity 11 are grounded through the main body 10. The suspension strip line 20, the phase shift unit 30 and the supporting device 40 are received in the receiving cavity 11. The supporting device 40 is fixed in the receiving cavity 11, and the suspension strip line 20 is fixed on the supporting device 40. The suspension strip line 20 is fixed and suspended in the receiving cavity 11 by the supporting device 40. The suspension strip line 20 is suspended in the receiving cavity 11, which means that there is a gap between the suspension strip line 20 and the cavity wall of the receiving cavity 11, that is, the suspension strip line 20 does not contact the cavity wall of the receiving cavity 11. This realizes the stable positioning of the suspension strip line 20 in the receiving cavity 11, which not only ensures the performance of the suspension strip line 20, and thus ensures the performance of the phase shifter 100, but also prevents the suspension strip line 20 from being damaged by scratching the cavity wall of the receiving cavity 11. In the present embodiment, the support device 40 is a buckle protruding from the wall of the receiving cavity 11, and the number of the support devices 40 is four. The suspension belt line 20 is clamped with the four buckles and fixed in the receiving cavity 11 without contacting the receiving cavity 11. In other embodiments, the support device 40 may also be a support frame fixed in the receiving cavity 11, or may be other fixed structures provided in the receiving cavity 11. The present application does not specifically limit the shape and structure of the support device 40. The present application does not specifically limit the shape of the main body 10, which may be various shapes such as a cuboid, a block, or a sphere. The main body 10 can be made by processes such as die-casting or crimping, and the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0057] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, the receiving chamber 11 includes a main chamber 111 and a sub-chamber 112 connected to the main chamber 111. The main chamber 111 and the sub-chamber 112 extend along the first direction X. The sub-chamber 112 is located on one side of the main chamber 111 and connected to the main chamber 111 along the second direction Y. The first direction X is perpendicular to the second direction Y. This is conducive to reducing the length of the main body 10 and improving space utilization. It can be understood that the receiving chamber 11 may include only the main chamber 111 or the sub-chamber 112, and it may also include more chambers. For example, the receiving chamber 11 may include three chambers, four chambers or five chambers, etc. For the convenience of the following description, the direction perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y is defined as the third direction Z (such as Figure 5 shown).

[0058] Please also refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5, the suspension strip line 20 is used for signal transmission to divide one input signal into multiple output signals, wherein the energy of the output signals can be the same or different. In this embodiment, the suspension strip line 20 is electrically connected to the power adapter 2024 and the radiation unit 2012 of the antenna 201 respectively. The suspension strip line 20 is specifically a sheet metal transmission strip line, and its material can be various conductive metals such as copper, aluminum, or other conductive materials, which is not specifically limited in this application. In this embodiment, the suspension strip line 20 includes a main feeder 22, a power splitter junction 23, and an output feeder 24. The main feeder 22 includes an input end 221, and the output feeder 24 includes at least two output ends 241. The main feeder 22 is connected to the output feeder 24 through the power splitter junction 23. In this embodiment, the power splitter junction 23 and the output feeder 24 are integrally formed. The end of the main feed line 22 away from the input end 221 is connected to the power dividing junction 23, and each output end 241 is away from the power dividing junction 23, that is, each output end 241 is only electrically connected to the power dividing junction 23. It can be understood that the input end 221 and at least two output ends 241 are located on opposite sides of the suspension strip line 20.

[0059] The input terminal 221 is located on one side of the main cavity 111, away from the secondary cavity 112. The main feed line 22 extends from the main cavity 111 into the secondary cavity 112, and the other end of the main feed line 22, away from the input terminal 221, is connected to the power splitter junction 23. The power splitter junction 23, the output feed line 24, and at least two output terminals 241 are all located in the secondary cavity 112. The input terminal 221 is electrically connected to the power adapter 2024 to receive an input signal. The output terminal 241 is electrically connected to the radiating element 2012 to output an output signal to the radiating element 2012. In other words, the output terminal 241 is electrically connected to the antenna 201.

[0060] In one embodiment, the output end 241 can also be connected to a power divider (a device used to divide one input signal energy into two or more outputs of equal or unequal energy). Each output end 241 can be electrically connected to multiple radiation units 2012 through the power divider, so that the output signal output by each output end 241 can be divided into multiple outputs to multiple radiation units 2012 through the power divider, thereby reducing the wiring complexity of the suspended strip line 20 and reducing the manufacturing cost of the phase shifter 100.

[0061] The input signal fed from the power adapter 2024 to the suspended stripline 20 is fed from the input terminal 221 to the main feeder 22, fed to the power splitter junction 23 via the main feeder 22, and then fed to different output terminals 241 along the output feeder 24 via the power splitter junction 23. Multiple output signals are then output from the multiple output terminals 241 and fed to multiple radiating elements 2012. In this embodiment, the suspended stripline 20 includes a main feeder 22, a power splitter junction 23, and an output feeder 24. The output feeder 24 includes two output terminals 241, and the power splitter junction 23 is located between the two output terminals 241. The following description is based on this. In other embodiments, the suspended stripline 20 may also include more output terminals 241. For example, the suspended stripline 20 may also include three output terminals 241, all of which are remote from the power splitter junction 23.

[0062] Please also refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, the main feeder 22 includes a suspension section 222, a first connecting section 223, and a second connecting section 224. The suspension section 222, the first connecting section 223, and the second connecting section 224 are all in the shape of straight strips. The suspension section 222 extends along the first direction X, and the first connecting section 223 extends along the second direction Y. One end of the first connecting section 223 is connected to the suspension section 222, and the other end thereof is connected to the second connecting section 224. The second connecting section 224 extends along the first direction X and is used to connect to the power splitter junction 23. The end of the suspension section 222 away from the first connecting section 223 is the input end 221. In this embodiment, the overhanging section 222 is located in the main cavity 111, the first connecting section 223 is located in the main cavity 111 and the secondary cavity 112, and the second connecting section 224 is located in the secondary cavity 112. A gap exists between the overhanging section 222 and the wall of the main cavity 111, meaning that the overhanging section 222 does not come into contact with the wall of the main cavity 111. In this embodiment, the first direction X refers to the length of the overhanging section 222, the second direction Y refers to the thickness of the overhanging section 222, and the third direction Z refers to the width of the overhanging section 222.

[0063] Please also refer to Figures 3 to 6 In this embodiment, the phase shifter 100 is provided with a filtering structure 26 at the suspension section 222 of the main feeder 22. The filtering structure 26 includes an open slot 261 provided on the suspension section 222. The open slot 261 is used to load parasitic capacitance to filter out specific signals transmitted on the main feeder 22. Specific signals refer to interference signals outside the operating frequency range of the phase shifter 100. The phase shifter 100 uses the open slot 261 to achieve filtering in a specific frequency band. For ease of description, the filtered signal is defined as a filtered signal.

[0064] In this embodiment, if Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the open slot 261 penetrates the suspension section 222 along the thickness direction (i.e., the second direction Y) of the suspension section 222 and divides a portion of the suspension section 222 into a transmission belt 2221 and an open slot 2222 along the width direction (i.e., the third direction Z) of the suspension section 222. The length directions of the transmission belt 2221 and the open slot 2222 are the same as the length direction (i.e., the first direction X) of the suspension section 222. The open slot 2222 is located on one side of the transmission belt 2221 and is separated by the open slot 261. One end of the open slot 2222 is connected to the transmission belt 2221, and the other end of the open slot 2222 is suspended in the main chamber 111 (i.e., the receiving chamber 11), that is, it is separated from both the transmission belt 2221 and the wall of the main chamber 111, and is in an open state.

[0065] Specifically, the suspension section 222 includes a first portion 2223, a second portion 2224, and a third portion 2225. The second portion 2224 is connected to the first portion 2223 and the third portion 2225 at opposite ends along the length of the suspension section 222. The end of the third portion 2225 distal to the second portion 2224 is connected to the first connecting section 223. The end of the first portion 2223 distal to the second portion 2224 serves as the input end 221. An open slot 261 is provided on the second portion 2224, dividing the second portion 2224 into the transmission belt 2221 and the open slot 2222. The transmission belt 2221 is connected to the first portion 2223 and the third portion 2225, respectively. The end of the open slot 2222 closest to the input end 221 is connected to the transmission belt 2221, while the other end is spaced apart from the transmission belt 2221. In other embodiments, the end of the open slot 2222 distal to the input end 221 may be connected to the transmission belt 2221.

[0066] In other embodiments, the open gap 261 can also divide the entire suspension section 222 into a transmission belt 2221 and an open belt 2222 in the width direction of the suspension section 222, one end of the transmission belt 2221 is connected to the first connecting section 223, and the end of the transmission belt 2221 away from the first connecting section 223 is the input end 221, one end of the open belt 2222 is connected to the transmission belt 2221, and the other end is spaced from the transmission belt 2221.

[0067] Since the gap between the open strip 2222 and the transmission strip 2221 forms a parasitic capacitor, that is, the open gap 261 is loaded with parasitic capacitance. When the input signal flows from the input end 221 through the portion of the suspension section 222 provided with the open gap 261, under the action of the parasitic capacitance loaded on the open gap 261, the filtered signal resonates and is consumed, so that the open gap 261 can filter the filtered signal from the input signal, thereby achieving specific frequency-selective filtering of the input signal. Moreover, when the input signal flows from the input end 221 through the portion of the suspension section 222 provided with the open gap 261, the existence of the open gap 261 effectively extends the transmission path of the signal. For example, Figure 6 As shown, the signal L flowing through the open strip 2222 can only flow toward the transmission strip 2221 along the edge of the open slot 261 and form a backflow because the signal path of the open strip 2222 is cut off, which effectively extends the signal transmission path. The extension of the signal transmission path is conducive to filtering out signal resonance, and thus helps to filter out the filtered signal. As a result, the input signal received by the input end 221 is filtered through the open slot 261 at the suspension section 222 of the main feeder 22 and fed to the power splitter 23, and then output from different output ends 241 along the output feeder 24, so that the signal output from each output end 241 does not contain signals that the user does not need (i.e., interference signals). The phase shifter 100 realizes the filtering function through the open slot 261.

[0068] Please also refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 by Figure 6 The phase shifter 100 of the present application integrates a filtering function by providing an open-circuit slot 261 in the suspension section 222 of the main feeder 22, thereby achieving filtering in a specific frequency band (i.e., removing interference signals). The design of the open-circuit slot 261 has a simple structure, which not only greatly reduces the filtering cost of the phase shifter 100, but also does not increase the size of the main feeder 22, resulting in high space utilization, which is beneficial to the layout of the main feeder 22 in the receiving cavity 11 (i.e., in the main body 10), and is beneficial to the miniaturization of the main body 10, and further to the miniaturization of the phase shifter 100. Therefore, the phase shifter 100 of the present application can be used in the same small, micro, or smaller base station antenna 200 together with existing phase shifters that do not have an integrated filtering function, facilitating integration. In addition, when the phase shifter 100 is integrated into the base station antenna 200, it can effectively improve the frequency isolation of the base station antenna 200 and improve the communication quality of the base station antenna 200; compared with the existing technology, the design of the open gap 261 not only effectively avoids the risk of passive intermodulation introduced by the increase of screws or solder points, thereby improving the communication quality; but also avoids the increase of additional insertion loss introduced by the external filter, thereby improving the radiation efficiency of the base station antenna 200.

[0069] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the width of the open gap 261 (i.e., the width of the gap between the transmission strip 2221 and the open strip 2222) should be between 1 mm and 2 mm, which is more conducive to loading parasitic capacitance to filter out the filtered signal. In this embodiment, the average width of the open gap 261 is 1.5 mm.

[0070] Please also refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6 In this embodiment, the path length of the open slot 261 is one-eighth to one-quarter of the filtering wavelength, where the filtering wavelength refers to the wavelength of the signal (i.e., the interference signal) filtered out by the open slot 261. By adjusting the path length of the open slot 261, the user can adjust the wavelength range of the signal filtered out by the open slot 261, making it easier for the user to filter out unwanted signals. The adjustment is simple and cost-effective, reducing the processing cost of the phase shifter 100. In this embodiment, the path length of the open slot 261 is one-sixth of the filtering wavelength. In other embodiments, the path length of the open slot 261 can also be one-fifth, one-eighth, or other values ​​within the range of one-eighth to one-quarter of the filtering wavelength.

[0071] In this embodiment, if Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the open slot 261 is L-shaped. Specifically, the open slot 261 includes a first section 2611 and a second section 2612. Both the first section 2611 and the second section 2612 are strip-shaped slots. The first section 2611 extends along the length direction of the suspension section 222 (i.e., the first direction X). The second section 2612 is connected to the end of the first section 2611 away from the input end 221. The second section 2612 extends along the width direction of the suspension section 222 (i.e., the third direction Z) and penetrates the side of the suspension section 222 to connect to the receiving cavity 11. In this case, the path length of the open slot 261 refers to the sum of the lengths of the first section 2611 and the second section 2612. Thus, the user can adjust the wavelength range of the signal filtered by open slit 261 by adjusting the length of first segment 2611 and / or second segment 2612, making adjustment simple. Furthermore, since both first segment 2611 and second segment 2612 are strip-shaped slits, they have a simple structure and are easy to manufacture, reducing manufacturing costs. It will be appreciated that when the length of second segment 2612 is much shorter than that of first segment 2611, the length of second segment 2612 can be ignored. In this case, the user can quickly determine the length of first segment 2611 based on the wavelength range of the signal to be filtered, reducing adjustment difficulty and manufacturing costs.

[0072] In this application, the shape of the open gap 261 is not specifically limited. For example, in another embodiment, Figure 8As shown, the open slot 261 may also include a first segment 2613, a second segment 2614, a third segment 2615, and a fourth segment 2616, which are connected end to end. The first segment 2613, the second segment 2614, the third segment 2615, and the fourth segment 2616 are all strip-shaped slots. The first segment 2613 and the third segment 2615 extend along the width direction (i.e., the third direction Z) of the suspension segment 222, and the second segment 2614 and the fourth segment 2616 extend along the length direction (i.e., the first direction X) of the suspension segment 222. The end of the first segment 2613 away from the second segment 2614 extends through the suspension segment 222 along the width direction (i.e., the third direction Z) of the suspension segment 222. In this case, the path length of the open slot 261 refers to the sum of the lengths of the first segment 2613, the second segment 2614, the third segment 2615, and the fourth segment 2616. The user can also adjust the wavelength range of the signal filtered by the open slot 261 by adjusting the lengths of the first section 2613 , the second section 2614 , the third section 2615 , and the fourth section 2616 .

[0073] Please also refer to Figures 4 to 7 The filtering structure 26 includes a fixing frame 262, which corresponds to the open gap 261. The fixing frame 262 is housed in the main cavity 111 (i.e., the receiving cavity 11). The fixing frame 262 is detachably connected to the suspension section 222. The fixing frame 262 is used to limit the transmission belt 2221 and the open belt 2222 to define the width of the open gap 261. In this embodiment, the fixing frame 262 is a plastic frame. It is understood that the material of the fixing frame 262 can also be a dielectric material such as glass or rubber, and this application does not specifically limit this.

[0074] In this embodiment, the fixing frame 262 includes a frame body 2621 and a plurality of buckles 2622, and the plurality of buckles 2622 are provided on the surface of the frame body 2621 facing the suspension section 222. The frame body 2621 is detachably connected to the suspension section 222, and the transmission belt 2221 and the open belt 2222 are relatively fixed by a plurality of buckles 2622. When the frame body 2621 is fixedly connected to the suspension section 222 and the suspension belt line 20 is loaded into the receiving cavity 11, the fixing frame 262 can be loaded into the main cavity 111 along with the suspension section 222. When the suspension belt line 20 loaded into the receiving cavity 11 is fixed and suspended in the receiving cavity 11 by the supporting device 40, the frame body 2621 (i.e., the fixing frame 262) fixedly connected to the suspension section 222 is fixed in the main cavity 111. In this embodiment, the supporting device 40 is a buckle protruding from the wall of the receiving cavity 11, and the number of the supporting devices 40 is four, such as Figure 4 As shown, the suspension section 222 is located on both sides of the open gap 261 and is respectively clamped by two supporting devices 40, and the two output feeders 24 are respectively clamped by one supporting device 40, so that the suspension strip line 20 is fixed and suspended in the receiving cavity 11 through four supporting devices 40.

[0075] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the suspension section 222 is provided with limiting holes on both sides of the open gap 261 along its length direction (i.e., the first direction X), and the limiting holes include a first limiting hole 2226 and a second limiting hole 2227. The first limiting hole 2226 is farther away from the input end 221 than the second limiting hole 2227. A fixing buckle 2623 corresponding to the first limiting hole 2226 and a protrusion 2624 corresponding to the second limiting hole 2227 are provided on the surface of the frame 2621 facing the suspension section 222. The fixing buckle 2623 is clamped in the first limiting hole 2226, and the protrusion 2624 is embedded in the second limiting hole 2227 along the thickness direction of the suspension section 222 (i.e., the second direction Y). In this embodiment, the first limiting hole 2226 is a square hole, and the second limiting hole 2227 is a circular hole. It is understood that the first limiting hole 2226 and the second limiting hole 2227 can also be both circular holes or both square holes, etc. This application does not specifically limit the shapes of the first limiting hole 2226 and the second limiting hole 2227. The frame 2621 is stably and securely connected to the suspension section 222 through the engagement of the fixing buckle 2623 with the first limiting hole 2226 and the protrusion 2624 with the second limiting hole 2227, thereby preventing the frame 2621 from shaking or even moving relative to the suspension section 222. Furthermore, the design of the fixing buckle 2623 and the protrusion 2624 provides a simple structure, low processing cost, and easy assembly and disassembly.

[0076] In other embodiments, the first limiting hole 2226 may be closer to the input end 221 than the second limiting hole 2227, the fixing buckle 2623 may be retained in the first limiting hole 2226, and the protrusion 2624 may be engaged in the second limiting hole 2227. In other embodiments, the frame 2621 may be provided with two fixing buckles 2623 or two protrusions 2624 on the surface facing the suspension section 222, corresponding to the first limiting hole 2226 and the second limiting hole 2227. The frame 2621 is fixedly connected to the suspension section 222 through the mating connection between the two fixing buckles 2623 or the two protrusions 2624 and the first limiting hole 2226 and the second limiting hole 2227.

[0077] In addition, in this embodiment, Figure 3As shown, when the suspension belt line 20 is fixed and suspended in the receiving cavity 11 , the frame 2621 also provides further support for the suspension section 222 , thereby further ensuring that the suspension section 222 can be stably suspended in the main cavity 111 . Specifically, the opposite ends of the frame 2621 in the thickness direction (i.e., the second direction Y) of the suspension section 222 respectively press against the wall of the main cavity 111, and the opposite ends in the width direction (i.e., the third direction Z) of the suspension section 222 respectively press against the wall of the main cavity 111. As a result, the frame 2621 located in the main cavity 111 is restricted in the thickness direction (i.e., the second direction Y) and the width direction (i.e., the third direction Z) of the suspension section 222. This further restricts the suspension section 222, which is fixedly connected to the frame 2621, in the thickness and width directions of the suspension section 222, further preventing the suspension section 222 from contacting the wall of the main cavity 111 and ensuring that the suspension section 222 can be stably suspended in the main cavity 111. In other embodiments, a gap may exist between the frame 2621 fixed to the suspension section 222 and the wall of the main cavity 111, i.e., the frame 2621 is suspended in the main cavity 111.

[0078] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the conveyor belt 2221 and the open belt 2222 are respectively provided with a plurality of slots on both sides of the suspension section 222 in the width direction (i.e., the third direction Z), and a plurality of buckles 2622 are respectively engaged with the plurality of slots to fix the conveyor belt 2221 and the open belt 2222 on the fixing frame 262 respectively.

[0079] Specifically, a plurality of first card slots 2228 are respectively provided on the side of the conveyor belt 2221 and the open belt 2222 facing away from the open slot 261, and a plurality of second card slots 2229 are respectively provided on the side facing the open slot 261. The plurality of buckles 2622 include a plurality of first buckles 2625 and a plurality of second buckles 2626. The first buckles 2625 correspond to the first card slots 2228. Each first buckle 2625 is inserted into the gap between the cavity wall of the main cavity 111 and the conveyor belt 2221 or the open belt 2222 along the thickness direction of the suspension section 222 (i.e., the second direction Y) and is connected to the corresponding first card slot 222. 8. The first latch 2625 is located outside the open slot 261; the second latch 2626 corresponds to the second slot 2229. Each second latch 2626 is inserted into the open slot 261 along the thickness direction of the suspension section 222 and engages with the corresponding second slot 2229. Thus, through the cooperation between the first latch 2625 and the first slot 2228, and the second latch 2626 and the second slot 2229, the conveyor belt 2221 and the open belt 2222 are fixedly connected to the fixing frame 262, thereby relatively fixing the conveyor belt 2221 and the open belt 2222. This structure is stable and simple, and the processing cost is low. The fixing frame 262 can prevent the conveyor belt 2221 and the open belt 2222 from deflecting or shaking relative to each other, for example, the open belt 2222 from deflecting relative to the conveyor belt 2221 along the thickness direction of the suspension section 222 (i.e., the second direction Y). Thus, during operation of the phase shifter 100, the fixing bracket 262 ensures that the width of the open slot 261 does not change. This effectively prevents the width of the open slot 261 from changing. Furthermore, the second clip 2626 inserted into the open slot 261 further maintains the width of the open slot 261, ensuring that the open slot 261 can stably and reliably load the parasitic capacitance, thereby ensuring that the open slot 261 can stably filter out signals.

[0080] In other embodiments, the fixing frame 262 may also include a frame body 2621 and a stopper, wherein the stopper is protruding from the surface of the frame body 2621 facing the suspension section 222. The stopper is located in the open gap 261 and abuts against the sides of the transmission belt 2221 and the open belt 2222 facing the open gap 261. In this way, the stopper abuts against the transmission belt 2221 and the open belt 2222, thereby ensuring that the width of the open gap 261 does not change, thereby ensuring that the open gap 261 can stably filter out signals.

[0081] Please refer again Figure 3 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6In this embodiment, the number of the open slot 261 is one, the number of the fixing bracket 262 is one, and the fixing bracket 262 corresponds to the open slot 261. It is understood that the number of the open slot 261 and the fixing bracket 262 can be greater, and multiple open slots 261 are arranged on the suspension section 222 at intervals. For example, in another embodiment, Figure 9 As shown, there are two open slots 261 and two fixing brackets 262. The two open slots 261 are spaced apart along the length direction of the suspension section 222 (i.e., the first direction X). The two fixing brackets 262 correspond one-to-one with the two open slots 261, and the fixing brackets 262 are used to control the slot width of the corresponding open slot 261. The path lengths of the two open slots 261 can be different, so that the two open slots 261 can filter out signals in different wavelength ranges. For example, the open slots 261 include a first open slot and a second open slot, the path length of the first open slot is X, and the path length of the second open slot is Y, where X and Y are different. The first open slot can filter out signals in the wavelength range of 4X to 8X, and the second open slot can filter out signals in the wavelength range of 4Y to 8Y. Thus, the two open slots 261 can filter out signals in different wavelength ranges. Since the two open slots 261 can filter out signals in different wavelength ranges respectively, this effectively increases the operating bandwidth of the phase shifter 100. In other embodiments, the two open slots 261 can also be spaced apart along the width direction of the suspension section 222 (ie, the third direction Z).

[0082] Please refer again Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 6The phase shifter 100 of the present application integrates a filtering function by providing an open-circuit slot 261 in the suspension section 222 of the main feed line 22, thereby achieving filtering in a specific frequency band (i.e., removing interference waves). The user can adjust the wavelength range of the signal filtered by the open-circuit slot 261 by simply adjusting the path length of the open-circuit slot 261, which is convenient for user adjustment. Moreover, the user can filter out signals of different wavelength ranges by providing multiple open-circuit slots 261 with different path lengths on the suspension section 222, thereby effectively increasing the operating bandwidth of the phase shifter 100. In addition, the design of the fixing frame 262 ensures that the open-circuit slot 261 can stably and reliably load the parasitic capacitance, thereby ensuring that the phase shifter 100 stably filters the signals of the specific frequency band. In addition, the design of the open slot 261 has a simple structure, which greatly reduces the filtering cost of the phase shifter 100. It does not increase the size of the main feeder 22, has high space utilization, and is conducive to the layout of the main feeder 22 in the receiving cavity 11 (i.e., in the main body 10), which is conducive to the miniaturization of the main body 10, and further to the miniaturization of the phase shifter 100. Therefore, the phase shifter 100 of the present application can be used in the same small, micro or smaller base station antenna 200 as the existing phase shifter that does not integrate the filtering function, which facilitates integration. In addition, when the phase shifter 100 is integrated into the base station antenna 200, due to its filtering function, it can effectively improve the frequency isolation of the base station antenna 200 and improve the communication quality of the base station antenna 200. Compared with the existing technology, the design of the open slot 261 not only effectively avoids the risk of passive intermodulation introduced by the addition of screws or solder joints, thereby improving the communication quality; it also avoids the increase of additional insertion loss introduced by the external filter, thereby improving the radiation efficiency of the base station antenna 200.

[0083] Please also refer to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 10 In this embodiment, the second connecting section 224 is provided with a connecting hole 2241 (such as Figure 5As shown in FIG1 , the connection hole 2241 penetrates the second connecting section 224 along the thickness direction of the suspension section 222 (i.e., the second direction Y). The power splitter junction 23 is provided with a plug-in end 231 along the thickness direction of the suspension section 222 (i.e., the second direction Y). The plug-in end 231 is fixedly plugged into the connection hole 2241 along the thickness direction of the suspension section 222 (i.e., the second direction Y) by gluing, welding, or other processes, thereby connecting the second connecting section 224 to the power splitter junction 23. The structure is stable and simple, the processing cost is low, and it is easy to disassemble and assemble, thereby ensuring the stability of the internal structure of the phase shifter 100. In other embodiments, the power splitter junction 23 can also be directly fixed to the second connecting section 224 by welding or gluing, or the power splitter junction 23 and the second connecting section 224 can also be directly integrally formed. The signal is fed from the input end 221 to the power splitter junction 23 along the suspension section 222, the first connecting section 223, and the second connecting section 224 in sequence, and then output from different output ends 241 through the output feeder 24. In other embodiments, the first connecting section 223 and the second connecting section 224 may also be omitted, that is, the power splitter junction 23 is directly fixedly connected to the suspension section 222 by welding or gluing; or, the power splitter junction 23 and the suspension section 222 are integrally formed.

[0084] Please refer again Figures 2 to 4 The phase shifter 30 can move relative to the output feeder 24 of the suspension strip line 20 to change the phase of the output signal. The output signal refers to the signal output from the output end 241 to the radiation unit 2012 after being processed by the suspension strip line 20. In this embodiment, the phase shifter 30 is a dielectric body. The phase shifter 30 is located in the sub-cavity 112. The phase shifter 30 is arranged on one side or both sides of the output feeder 24 to cover the output feeder 24; wherein the phase shifter 30 and the output feeder 24 can be in direct contact or there can be a gap. The phase shifter 30 can move relative to the output feeder 24 to adjust the area of ​​the output feeder 24 covered by the phase shifter 30, thereby continuously changing the phase value from the power splitter 23 to the output end 241, achieving continuous change in the phase of the output signal, and then changing the phase of the radiation unit 2012 to adjust the electrical downtilt angle of the base station antenna 200, which is convenient for user adjustment.

[0085] Specifically, there is one phase shifting unit 30, and the output feeder 24 includes a first output section 242 and a second output section 243. One end of the first output section 242 and the second output section 243 are both connected to the power splitter junction 23, and the other end is the output end 241. The first output section 242 and the second output section 243 are arranged in the sub-cavity 112 along the length direction of the suspension section 222 (i.e., the first direction X). The output end 241 of the first output section 242 is farther away from the input end 221 than the output end 241 of the second output section 243 in the length direction of the suspension section 222. The phase shifting unit 30 covers the first output section 242, the second output section 243 and the power splitter junction 23. The phase shifter 30 moves along the length of the suspension section 222 to simultaneously and continuously change the area covered by the phase shifter 30 in the first output section 242 and the second output section 243, thereby simultaneously and continuously adjusting the equivalent dielectric constants of the first output section 242 and the second output section 243. As a result, the phases from the power splitter junction 23 to the two output terminals 241 can be continuously and simultaneously changed, thereby simultaneously changing the phases of the output signals output from the two output terminals 241. For example, when the phase shifter 30 moves relative to the output feeder 24 in the first direction X and away from the input terminal 221, the area covered by the phase shifter 30 in the second output section 243 decreases, thereby decreasing the equivalent dielectric constant of the second output section 243. The area covered by the phase shifter 30 in the first output section 242 increases, thereby increasing the equivalent dielectric constant of the first output section 242. Consequently, the phases from the power splitter junction 23 to the two output terminals 241 change simultaneously, thereby changing the output signal.

[0086] It is understood that the number of phase shifting units 30 may also correspond to the number of output terminals 241. Each phase shifting unit 30 is respectively disposed on one side or both sides of the output segment between an output terminal 241 and the power splitter junction 23 and covers the output segment. Each phase shifting unit 30 moves relative to the output feeder 24 to adjust the area of ​​the corresponding output segment covered by the phase shifting unit 30, thereby changing the phase from different output terminals 241 to the power splitter junction 23. For example, the number of phase shifting units 30 may be two, and the two phase shifting units are referred to as a first phase shifting unit and a second phase shifting unit, respectively. The first phase shifting unit is disposed on one side or both sides of the first output segment 242 and covers the first output segment 242. The second phase shifting unit is disposed on one side or both sides of the second output segment 243 and covers the second output segment 243. The first phase shifting unit and the second phase shifting unit respectively move relative to the output feeder 24 to change the area of ​​the first output segment 242 covered by the first phase shifting unit and the area of ​​the second output segment 243 covered by the second phase shifting unit, thereby changing the phase of the output signal.

[0087] Please refer again Figure 2 and Figure 3The phase shifter 100 of this embodiment has both phase shifting and filtering functions. When the phase shifter 100 receives a signal transmitted from the antenna connector 204 via the power adapter 2024, it first filters the signal within a specific frequency band (i.e., removes interference waves) through the open slot 261, then performs phase shifting on the signal. The signal is then transmitted to each radiating element 2012 of the antenna 201 to adjust the electrical downtilt angle of the electromagnetic beam of the base station antenna 200. This effectively reduces interference from unnecessary signals on the radiating elements 2012, thereby ensuring that each frequency band of the base station antenna 200 is free from interference, improving inter-frequency isolation, and enhancing the communication quality of the base station antenna 200. Compared to solutions that incorporate an external filter into the phase shifter 100 to improve frequency isolation, the phase shifter 100 that integrates both filtering and phase shifting functions not only reduces the number of screws or solder joints, reduces the risk of passive intermodulation, and improves the communication quality of the base station antenna 200, but also avoids the additional insertion loss introduced by the external filter, effectively improving the radiation efficiency of the base station antenna 200. Furthermore, compared to conventional phase shifters that only have a phase shifting function, the overall size and internal volume of the phase shifter 100 of this embodiment do not increase after integrating both the phase shifting and filtering functions. Therefore, as the miniaturization of the base station antenna 200 continues, the phase shifter 100 of this embodiment can still integrate a filtering function while maintaining its phase shifting function, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the base station antenna 200.

[0088] The above are only some of the embodiments and implementations of this application. The scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A phase shifter, characterized in that: The device comprises a main body and a suspension strip line, wherein the main body comprises a receiving cavity, the suspension strip line is received in the receiving cavity, and the suspension strip line comprises a main feed line, a power splitter junction, an output feed line and a filtering structure; One end of the main feeder is an input end, and the other end is connected to the power splitter junction, and the other end of the power splitter junction is connected to the output feeder, the output feeder includes at least two output ends, each of which is far away from the power splitter junction, the main feeder includes a suspension section, the filtering structure includes an open-circuit gap provided on the suspension section, the open-circuit gap penetrates the suspension section in the thickness direction of the suspension section, and divides the suspension section into a transmission belt and an open-circuit belt arranged in parallel in the width direction of the suspension section, the length direction of the open belt and the transmission belt is the same as the length direction of the suspension section, wherein one end of the open belt is connected to the transmission belt, and the other end is suspended in the receiving cavity; The suspension section includes a first part, a second part and a third part, the second part is connected to the first part and the third part at opposite ends in the length direction of the suspension section, the open gap is provided on the second part, the transmission belt is connected to the first part and the third part, respectively, and the projection of the open belt along the length direction of the suspension section overlaps with the projection of the first part along the length direction of the suspension section and the projection of the third part along the length direction of the suspension section.

2. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein: The path length of the open slot is one eighth to one quarter of the filtering wavelength.

3. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein: The open gap includes a first section and a second section, the first section extends along the length direction of the suspension section, the second section is connected to an end of the first section away from the input end, and the second section extends along the width direction of the suspension section and passes through the side of the suspension section to be connected to the receiving cavity.

4. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein: The open gap includes a first section, a second section, a third section and a fourth section connected end to end in sequence, the first section and the third section extend along the width direction of the suspension section, and the second section and the fourth section extend along the length direction of the suspension section; wherein, the end of the first section away from the second section passes through the suspension section along the width direction of the suspension section.

5. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: There are multiple open slots, and the multiple open slots are arranged on the main feeder at intervals, and the path lengths of the multiple open slots are different.

6. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The filtering structure includes a fixing frame, the main feeder is fixed and suspended in the receiving cavity, the fixing frame is received in the receiving cavity, the fixing frame is detachably connected to the suspension section, and the fixing frame is used to limit the transmission belt and the open belt.

7. The phase shifter according to claim 6, wherein: The fixing frame includes a limiting body, which is located in the open gap and abuts against the side of the conveyor belt and the open belt facing the open gap.

8. The phase shifter according to claim 7, wherein: The fixing frame includes a frame body, and the limiting body is protruded on the surface of the frame body facing the suspension section. The opposite two ends of the frame body in the thickness direction of the suspension section are respectively pressed against the cavity wall of the receiving cavity, and the opposite two ends in the width direction of the suspension section are respectively pressed against the cavity wall of the receiving cavity.

9. The phase shifter according to claim 6, wherein: The fixing frame includes a plurality of buckles, and the transmission belt and the open belt are respectively provided with a plurality of slots on both sides of the width direction of the suspension section, and the plurality of buckles are correspondingly engaged with the plurality of slots.

10. The phase shifter according to claim 6, wherein: The fixing frame includes a frame body, the suspension section is provided with a limiting hole passing through the suspension section, the limiting holes are located on opposite sides of the open gap, the frame body is provided with a protrusion or a fixing buckle corresponding to the limiting hole, and the protrusion or the fixing buckle is clamped in the limiting hole.

11. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The main feeder also includes a first connecting section and a second connecting section, one end of the first connecting section is electrically connected to the transmission belt of the suspension section, and the other end is connected to the second connecting section, the other end of the second connecting section is connected to the power splitter junction, one end of the open belt is connected to the transmission belt, and the other end of the open belt is spaced apart from the transmission belt through the open gap.

12. The phase shifter according to claim 11, wherein: A connecting hole is provided at one end of the second connecting section close to the power dividing junction, and a plug-in end is convexly provided on the power dividing junction. The plug-in end is plugged into the connecting hole, so that the main feeder is connected to the power dividing junction.

13. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The receiving cavity includes a main cavity and a sub-cavity, and the main cavity and the sub-cavity both extend along the length direction of the suspension section. The sub-cavity is located on one side of the main cavity and is connected to the main cavity along the thickness direction of the suspension section. The input end is located on a side of the main cavity away from the sub-cavity. The main feeder extends from the main cavity to the sub-cavity, and the power splitter junction and the output feeder are both located in the sub-cavity; wherein, the suspension section is located in the main cavity.

14. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The phase shifter further includes a phase shift unit, which is located in the accommodating cavity and moves relative to the output feeder to adjust the phase between the output end and the power splitter junction.

15. The phase shifter according to claim 14, wherein: The phase shift unit is a dielectric body, covers the output feeder, and moves relative to the output feeder to adjust the area of ​​the output feeder covered by the phase shift unit.

16. A base station antenna, characterized in that: The phase shifter and antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 15 are included, wherein the output end is electrically connected to the antenna.

17. A base station, characterized in that: It comprises the base station antenna and a base station server as described in claim 16, and the base station server is electrically connected to the base station antenna.

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