Base station antenna with compact dual polarized box dipole radiating elements supporting high band masking

Abstract

A box dipole radiating element uses a compact quadrilateral arrangement of substantially coplanar radiating arms that supports tilted polarized radiation in response to differential mode currents generated along four sides of the quadrilateral arrangement and in response to common mode currents that can be generated in substantially the same plane as the differential mode currents. A feed signal routing network is provided that includes a feed signal routing substrate located on portions of the radiating arms, first through fourth signal traces located on a front side of the substrate, and first through fourth ground plane segments located on a back side of the substrate. The first through fourth ground plane segments are capacitively coupled to the radiating arms. Each of the signal traces receives a corresponding feed signal and spans a corresponding air gap between a pair of the radiating arms.

Description

[0001] Citation of priority claims

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 085,334, filed September 30, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to radio communication and antenna devices, and more particularly to dual-polarized antennas for cellular communication and methods of operating dual-polarized antennas. Background Technology

[0004] Cellular communication systems are well known in the art. In a typical cellular communication system, a geographic area is usually divided into a series of areas commonly referred to as “cells,” which are served by corresponding base stations. Each base station may include one or more base station antennas (BSAs) configured to provide bidirectional radio frequency (“RF”) communication with mobile users within the cell served by the base station. In many cases, each base station is divided into “segments.” In perhaps the most common configuration, a hexagonal cell is divided into three 120° sectors, and each sector is served by one or more base station antennas, which may have an azimuth half-power beamwidth (HPBW) of approximately 65° to provide sufficient coverage for each 120° sector. Typically, base station antennas are mounted on towers or other elevated structures from which a radiation pattern (also called an “antenna bundle”) points outward. Base station antennas are typically implemented as linear or planar phased arrays of radiating elements.

[0005] Furthermore, to accommodate the increasing volume of cellular traffic, cellular operators have expanded cellular services across various frequency bands. While in some cases a single linear array of so-called “broadband” radiating elements can be used to provide services in multiple frequency bands, in other cases it may be necessary to use different linear arrays of radiating elements in multi-band base station antennas to support services in additional frequency bands.

[0006] A conventional multi-band base station antenna design includes at least one linear array of relatively "low-frequency band" radiating elements, which can be used to provide service in some or all of the 617-960MHz frequency band. Furthermore, to reduce cost and provide a more compact antenna, each of these "low-frequency band" radiating elements can be configured to surround a corresponding relatively "high-frequency band" radiating element used to provide service in some or all of the 1695MHz-2690MHz frequency band.

[0007] A conventional box-shaped dipole radiating element may include four dipole radiators arranged in a defined box shape. The four dipole radiators may extend in a common plane and may be mounted in front of a reflector extending parallel to the common plane. A so-called feed stalk is used to mount the four dipole radiators forward from the reflector and to transmit RF signals between the dipole radiators and other components of the antenna. In some of these conventional box-shaped dipole radiating elements, a total of eight feed stalks (4×2) may be provided, which may be connected to the box-shaped dipole radiators at the corners of the box.

[0008] For example, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B, a conventional multiband radiator 10 for a base station antenna may include a relatively high-frequency band radiating element 10a centered within a relatively low-frequency band radiating element 10b and surrounded on four sides by the relatively low-frequency band radiating element, which is configured as a box-shaped dipole radiating element (“box dipole”) comprising four dipole radiators arranged to define a box shape when viewed from the front. As shown in Figure 1A, an RF signal can be fed to the four dipole radiators of the conventional box-shaped dipole radiating element 10b via feed handles at two opposite and “excited” corners of the “box”. In response to the differential-mode (DM) current fed to the two excited “differential-mode” ports, a common-mode (CM) current is automatically applied to the feed handles at the two diametrically opposite unexcited corners of the box dipole. Furthermore, since these common-mode currents radiate as monopoles on these "unexcited" feed handles, the overall radiation pattern of the box dipole 10b is actually a combination of two dipoles and two monopoles (with "null"), as shown in the simplified radiation pattern of Figure 1B. Unfortunately, radiation originating from monopole operation can be highly undesirable when designing box dipole radiators. For example, although radiating common-mode currents at the same time as the differential-mode currents in the box dipole 10b can be expected to slightly narrow the azimuth HPBW of the box dipole 10b due to the presence of two nulls caused by the monopole radiators, the concurrent co-polarization radiation pattern of the box dipole 10b can be expected to exhibit raised "shoulders" in the radiation pattern, referring to radiation emitted outside the main lobe in the azimuth plane. These shoulders significantly degrade the overall performance of the antenna.

[0009] Referring now to Figures 2A and 2B, conventional cross-polarized box dipole radiating elements 20, 20' (with inwardly tilted feed handles, and thus tilted monopoles) are shown, operating in a manner similar to that of box dipole radiating element 10b in Figure 1A. Therefore, as shown, the excitation of the first pair of diametrically opposed "differential mode" ports of the box dipole radiating elements 20, 20' can induce common mode (CM) currents in the corresponding second pair of ports, resulting in monopole-type radiation from the pair of tilted monopoles. Furthermore, as also shown in Figure 2A, this monopole-type radiation can lead to an undesirable "shoulder" (S) in the azimuth radiation pattern associated with the box dipole 20. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The box-shaped dipole radiating element of a base station antenna can support relatively low-frequency radiation using a compact quadrilateral arrangement of substantially coplanar radiating arms configured to support tilted polarization radiation. This tilted polarization radiation occurs in response to a differential-mode current generated along the four sides of the quadrilateral arrangement and in response to a common-mode current generated in a plane substantially the same as the differential-mode current. According to some embodiments of the invention, the common-mode current crosses from one corner of the quadrilateral arrangement of radiating arms to another diametrically opposite corner of the quadrilateral arrangement of radiating arms. Furthermore, each of the first to fourth radiating arms can be configured as a quadrilateral trapezoidal radiating arm. And, the four outermost sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of radiating arms include: (i) a first and a second opposite side, the first and second opposite sides being spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and (ii) a third and a fourth opposite side, the third and fourth opposite sides being spaced apart from each other by the first distance. Therefore, when viewed from a planar perspective, the four outermost sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radial arms can be arranged along the sides of a rectangle (e.g., a square). Each of the radial arms can also be configured to have a shortest and a longest side extending parallel to each other, as well as a first radial diverging side and a second radial diverging side, the first and second radial diverging sides intersecting at an obtuse angle with the corresponding first and second ends of the shortest side and at an acute angle with the corresponding first and second ends of the longest side.

[0011] The radiating arms can also be configured to use series inductors to provide relatively high-frequency band masking, with the series inductors integrated into each of the four outermost sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms. In some cases, three of the four sides of each radiating arm may also include series inductors. Furthermore, these inductors serve to maintain sufficient electrical length of the radiating arms and further contribute to reducing the overall size of the box-dipole radiating element.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the shortest side of each of the radiating arms has at least one feed signal via. Multiple coaxial cables are also provided, extending through a corresponding feed signal via in the radiating arm. A feed signal routing substrate is also provided on the front surface of the shortest side of the radiating arm. In some cases, the center of the octagonal feed signal routing substrate may be aligned with the center of a quadrilateral arrangement of substantially coplanar radiating arms. The feed signal routing substrate includes first to fourth signal traces on its front surface. The first signal trace is configured to cross an air gap between a first and a second radiating arm, the second signal trace is configured to cross an air gap between a second and a third radiating arm, the third signal trace is configured to cross an air gap between a third and a fourth radiating arm, and the fourth signal trace is configured to cross an air gap between a fourth radiating arm and a first radiating arm. First to fourth ground plane segments are also provided on the rear surface of the feed signal routing substrate, which may be configured as a double-sided printed circuit board (PCB). Multiple first to fourth ground plane segments are electrically coupled to corresponding signal traces in the signal traces, and capacitively coupled (e.g., through the air gap and solder mask “dielectric” (e.g., resin layer)) to the corresponding shortest side of the shortest side of the radiating arm, thereby providing a feed signal routing network with high isolation.

[0013] Multiple coaxial cables may also be provided, each having a center conductor soldered to a corresponding plated through-hole within a printed circuit board. Specifically, the multiple coaxial cables may comprise four coaxial cables with a center conductor soldered to a corresponding of the first to fourth signal traces on the forward surface of the feed signal routing substrate. The quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms may also be supported above the reflector by a feed handle, and the multiple coaxial cables may extend the length of the feed handle and pass through the feed signal through-hole within the radiating arms. The feed handle may include first to fourth vertical supports attached to the corresponding first to fourth radiating arms. Specifically, the first to fourth vertical supports may be adjacent to a corresponding one of the first to fourth radiating arms and may be formed of stamped metal.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, a box-shaped dipole radiating element includes: (i) a quadrilateral arrangement of radiating arms configured to support tilted polarization radiation in response to differential-mode currents generated along the four sides of the quadrilateral arrangement; and (ii) a feed signal routing network including a feed signal routing substrate on a portion of the forward surface of a first to fourth radiating arm within the quadrilateral arrangement. This feed signal routing substrate includes first to fourth signal traces on its forward surface and first to fourth ground plane segments on its backward surface. The first to fourth ground plane segments are capacitively coupled to corresponding ones in the first to fourth radiating arms. A first signal trace crosses an air gap between a first and a second radiating arm, a second signal trace crosses an air gap between a second and a third radiating arm, a third signal trace crosses an air gap between a third and a fourth radiating arm, and a fourth signal trace crosses an air gap between a fourth radiating arm and a first radiating arm. Specifically, the first signal trace spans the air gap between the radial divergence edge of the first radiating arm and the radial divergence edge of the second radiating arm, the latter typically extending parallel to the radial divergence edge of the first radiating arm. Similarly, the second to fourth signal traces may also span the air gap between corresponding radial divergence edges of the radiating arms.

[0015] Furthermore, first to fourth coaxial feed cables can be provided, each having a center conductor electrically coupled to a corresponding one of the first to fourth signal traces. For example, the center conductor can be electrically coupled to a corresponding one of the first to fourth signal traces via plated vias within the feed signal routing substrate. The opposite ends of each of these signal traces can also be electrically coupled to a corresponding ground plane segment via plated and filled vias, which can be capacitively coupled to a corresponding radiating arm.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, a box-shaped dipole radiating element includes a quadrilateral arrangement of radiating arms having four outermost sides arranged along the sides of a square when viewed from a planar perspective, and first to fourth pairs of spaced-apart and radially diverging sides terminating at the four outermost sides. A feed signal routing substrate is provided on portions of the forward surface of the first to fourth radiating arms within the quadrilateral arrangement. The feed signal routing substrate includes first to fourth signal traces located on its forward surface, the first to fourth signal traces spanning air gaps between corresponding pairs of the first to fourth pairs of radially diverging sides, the first to fourth pairs of radially diverging sides being substantially coplanar with the four outermost sides.

[0017] In some additional embodiments of the invention, the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms is supported above the reflector by a feed stem having multiple coaxial cables mounted to it. These cables, extending through openings within the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms, have a center conductor soldered to a through-hole within a feed signal routing substrate and electrically connected to a corresponding of the first to fourth signal traces. The plurality of first to fourth signal traces are electrically connected to corresponding first to fourth ground plane segments extending on the rearward surface of the feed signal routing substrate. The first to fourth ground plane segments are capacitively coupled across air gaps and possibly PCB solder mask (e.g., dielectric resin) to the corresponding first to fourth radiating arms within the quadrilateral arrangement. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a conventional box-type dipole radiating element, including a partial perspective view of the box-type dipole radiating element showing simulated differential-mode and common-mode currents according to the prior art, and a schematic front view of the box-type dipole radiating element.

[0019] Figure 1B shows the radiation patterns of a dipole antenna with differential mode (DM) and a monopole antenna with common mode (CM), which together provide the radiation pattern of a conventional box-shaped dipole antenna.

[0020] Figure 2A shows a simulated azimuth radiation pattern of a conventional sheet metal box-shaped dipole radiating element with a slightly tilted corner, and a monopole radiator with an undesirable shoulder caused by a common-mode current generated at the unexcited corner of the box-shaped dipole.

[0021] Figure 2B shows a simulated azimuth radiation pattern of a conventional dicast box-dipole radiating element with a slightly tilted corner, and a monopole radiator with an undesirable shoulder caused by a common-mode current generated at the unexcited corner of the box-dipole.

[0022] Figure 3A This is a perspective view of a box-shaped dipole radiating element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3B According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3A A top plan view of a box-shaped dipole radiating element, with an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the substrate with the feed signal routing (the circuit board dielectric layer is omitted for clarity).

[0024] Figure 3C According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3A A rear-view perspective view of a box-shaped dipole radiating element.

[0025] Figure 3D This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the power supply signal routing substrate, radiating arm, and coaxial power supply cable according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4A According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3B A top plan view of the box-shaped dipole radiating element, showing the current flow modes in response to excitation of feed ports 1 and 2 with a single feed signal (0°, 180°) under the first polarization.

[0027] Figure 4B It shows the relationship with Figure 3A The simulated azimuth radiation pattern associated with the box-shaped dipole radiating element at ±200° (relative to the line of sight).

[0028] Figure 5 A multiband antenna is schematically shown, comprising a linear array of low-frequency radiating elements according to an embodiment of the invention and two linear arrays 120 of high-frequency radiating elements 122. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to all like elements.

[0030] It will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the invention, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0031] It will be understood that when an element is described as being “on” another element, that element may be directly on the other element, or there may be intermediate elements present. Conversely, when an element is described as being “directly on” another element, there are no intermediate elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is described as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, that element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements present. Conversely, when an element is described as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intermediate elements present. Other terms used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (i.e., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).

[0032] Relative terms, such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical”, may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device other than those depicted in the drawings.

[0033] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and / or “having,” as used herein, mean the presence of the stated features, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Aspects and elements of all embodiments disclosed below can be combined in any way and / or combined with aspects or elements of other embodiments to provide multiple additional embodiments.

[0034] Figures 3A to 3D A box-shaped dipole radiating element 30 suitable for a base station antenna is shown. For example, the box-shaped dipole radiating element 30 is suitable as a low-frequency band radiating element in a multi-band base station antenna, which includes at least one low-frequency band radiating element array and at least one high-frequency band radiating element array. Figure 5 A multiband antenna 100 is schematically shown, comprising: a linear array 110 of low-frequency radiating elements 112, which can be configured as box dipole radiating elements 30; and a linear array 120 of two high-frequency radiating elements 122, which operate at higher frequencies relative to the box dipole radiating elements 112. All radiating elements 112, 122 can extend forward from a reflector 130.

[0035] The box-shaped dipole radiating element 30 is configured to support tilted polarization radiation, and in particular, to transmit and receive RF signals under tilted -45° and tilted +45° polarization. Figures 3A to 3D As shown, the box-shaped dipole radiating element 30 comprises a compact quadrilateral arrangement of substantially coplanar radiating arms 32a-32d. Figure 4A As best illustrated, tilted polarization radiation occurs in response to differential-mode currents (A, B) generated along the four outer edges of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms 32a-32d and in response to common-mode currents (C) generated relative to the reflector 44 in a plane substantially the same as the differential-mode currents, from which the box-shaped dipole element extends forward. These common-mode currents (C) traverse from one corner of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms 32a-32d to another diametrically opposite corner via radially diverging edges DS of the quadrilateral arrangement.

[0036] As shown in the figure, each of the first to fourth radiating arms 32a can be configured as a quadrilateral trapezoidal radiating arm having a pair of radially diverging sides DS, a longest outermost side LS having an end that intersects the radially diverging sides DS at a corresponding acute angle, and a shortest innermost side SS having an end that intersects the radially diverging sides DS at a corresponding obtuse angle. Furthermore, the four longest sides LS of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms 32a-32d may include: (i) first and second opposite sides spaced apart by a first distance, and (ii) third and fourth opposite sides spaced apart by a first distance. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, when viewed from a planar perspective, the four longest sides LS of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms 32a-32d are arranged along the sides of a rectangle (e.g., a square).

[0037] The radiating arms can also be configured to provide relatively low-frequency band radiation with high-frequency band masking using series inductors 34a, 34b (optional), which are integrated into each of the longest side LS and the diverging side DS of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms 32a-32d. In addition to supporting high-frequency band masking, the inductors 34a, 34b also serve to maintain sufficient electrical length of the radiating arms, thereby contributing to a reduction in the overall size of the box-shaped dipole radiating element 30.

[0038] like Figure 3CAs best illustrated, each of the shortest sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms 32a-32d includes a pair of radiating arm through-holes 32e, which are large enough to allow a coaxial "feed signal" cable 38 to pass through. In the illustrated embodiment, a coaxial cable (and particularly its center conductor) extends through one of the two holes 32e in the shortest side SS of the first radiating arm 32a, the center conductor of a coaxial cable extends through one of the two holes 32e in the shortest side SS of the third radiating arm 32c, and the respective center conductors of the two coaxial cables 38 extend through a pair of holes 32e in the shortest side SS of the fourth radiating arm 32d.

[0039] As those skilled in the art will understand, the use of four coaxial cables 38 with shielded and highly isolated center conductors 38a can support efficient transmission of a pair of cross-polarized dipole feed signals (e.g., Feed 1 (0°, 180°) at +45° and Feed 2 (0°, 180°) at -45°). Although not shown in a rear view to avoid obscuring the radiating element 30, the full-length vertical portions of these cables 38 can be fixed to and mechanically supported by a corresponding of a plurality of vertical supports 40a-40d within a feed handle 40 mounted on the front surface of the lower reflector 44. Advantageously, each vertical support 40a-40d and its corresponding radiating arm 32a-32d can be identical and formed from a single piece of stamped metal before forming a 90° bend between each vertical support and its corresponding radiating arm. In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), a conventional air strip or air microstrip line extending across the gap in the feed handle 40 may be used instead of the coaxial cable 38.

[0040] Figures 3A to 3D Further illustrated is a compact feed signal routing substrate 36, supported at a fixed distance (e.g., a small air gap) in front of the quadrilaterally arranged forward surfaces of the radiating arms 32a-32d. This support can be provided by four pairs of dielectric spacers (not shown) with narrowing backward protrusions, which can be fitted into four pairs of support vias 42 within the diverging edges DS of the radiating arms 32a-32d, such as... Figure 3C The perspective view is shown. These dielectric spacers can also be used to maintain and reinforce the air gap between the radiating arms 32a-32d. Alternatively, dielectric spacers can be inserted between the feed signal routing substrate 36 and the radiating arms 32a-32d.

[0041] like Figure 3BAs best illustrated, the feed signal routing substrate 36 can be a square, octagonal, or other shaped double-sided printed circuit board (PCB) and can have a center aligned with the center of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms 32a-32d. The feed signal routing substrate 36 includes first to fourth signal traces 36a on the front surface of the lower circuit board 36c. Figure 3B As shown in the optimal configuration, the first signal trace 36a is configured to span the gap (i.e., the interval) between adjacent diverging edges DS of the first radiating arm 32a and the second radiating arm 32b; the second signal trace 36a is configured to span the gap between adjacent diverging edges DS of the second radiating arm 32b and the third radiating arm 32c; the third signal trace 36a is configured to span the gap between adjacent diverging edges DS of the third radiating arm 32c and the fourth radiating arm 32d; and the fourth signal trace 36a is configured to span the gap between adjacent diverging edges DS of the fourth radiating arm 32d and the first radiating arm 32a. Furthermore, the second and fourth signal traces 36a are patterned as mirror images of each other (around the center of the radiating element 30) and respond to a first feed signal under a first polarization (e.g., +45°) (e.g., Feed 1 (0°, 180°)), while the first and third signal traces 36a are patterned as mirror images of each other (around the center of the radiating element 30) and respond to a second feed signal under a second polarization (e.g., -45°) (e.g., Feed 2 (0°, 180°)). It should be noted that in some embodiments, Feed 1 and Feed 2 can be generated by passing the RF input signal through a power divider that splits the RF input signal into substantially equal amplitude and equal phase RF signals constituting Feed 1 and Feed 2.

[0042] In addition, such as Figure 3B and Figure 3D As best shown, each of the first to fourth signal traces 36a is electrically connected at its first end to a center conductor 38a (corresponding to the coaxial cable 38), which is soldered to a plated via 36e within the circuit board 36c. The outer shield of each coaxial cable 38 also terminates at a solder mask 36d, which is spaced from the forward surface of the radiating arm 32 by an air gap 33, as... Figure 3D As shown.

[0043] First to fourth ground plane segments 36b are also provided on the rear surface of circuit board 36c. Multiple first to fourth ground plane segments 36b are electrically coupled to a corresponding signal trace in the signal trace via corresponding conductive vias 36f, and capacitively coupled to a corresponding radiating arm across air gap 33 (and solder mask, not shown). Including the first to fourth ground plane segments 36b also supports termination / soldering of the outer sheath of the coaxial cable 38, which advantageously eliminates any requirements (and costs) for plating within the holes 32e in the radiating arm 32.

[0044] Now for reference Figures 4A to 4B A current flow mode is provided, which demonstrates tilted polarization radiation generated in response to differential-mode currents (A, B) generated along the four sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms 32a-32d and in response to a common-mode current (C) generated in a plane substantially the same as the differential-mode currents. These differential-mode and common-mode currents respond to the excitation of feed "ports" 1 and 2 by a first feed signal (e.g., Feed 1 (0°, 180°)) at a first polarization (e.g., +45°), which corresponds to... Figure 3B The second and fourth signal traces 36a. Furthermore, as... Figure 4B (It shows) Figure 4A The simulated azimuth radiation pattern of the radiating element at 200° (relative to the line of sight) is shown. The relative reduction of the “shoulder” outside the main lobe in the azimuth plane (AZ) within the radiation pattern demonstrates the improved antenna performance compared to the box dipole radiating elements of Figures 1A-1B and 2A-2B.

[0045] Typical preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the accompanying drawings and description. Although specific terminology has been used, it is used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for limiting purposes. The scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A box-shaped dipole radiating element, the radiating element comprising: A quadrilateral arrangement of substantially coplanar radiating arms, configured to support tilted polarization radiation in response to a differential-mode current generated along the four sides of the quadrilateral arrangement and a common-mode current generated in a plane substantially the same as the differential-mode current, wherein the common-mode current traverses from one corner of the quadrilateral arrangement of radiating arms to another diametrically opposite corner of the quadrilateral arrangement of radiating arms, and each radiating arm has a shortest side, a longest side, and a first radial diverging side and a second radial diverging side, the first and second radial diverging sides intersecting at an obtuse angle with corresponding first and second ends of the shortest side and at an acute angle with corresponding first and second ends of the longest side, and the four longest sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of radiating arms include a first opposite side, a second opposite side, a third opposite side, and a fourth opposite side, wherein the first and second opposite sides are spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and the third and fourth opposite sides are spaced apart from each other by the first distance; and A power supply signal routing substrate, wherein the power supply signal routing substrate is located on the four shortest sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arm.

2. The radiating element according to claim 1, wherein each of the four longest sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms comprises at least one series inductor.

3. The radiating element according to claim 2, wherein, when viewed from a planar perspective, the four longest sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms are arranged along the sides of the rectangle.

4. The radiating element according to claim 1, wherein three of the four sides of each radiating arm comprise a series inductor.

5. The radiating element according to claim 1, wherein the shortest side of each radiating arm has at least one feed signal via in the shortest side.

6. The radiating element according to claim 5, further comprising multiple coaxial cables having a central conductor extending into a corresponding feed signal via in the radiating arm.

7. The radiating element according to claim 1, wherein the feed signal routing substrate is octagonal.

8. The radiating element according to claim 1, wherein the center of the feed signal routing substrate is aligned with the center of the quadrilateral arrangement of the substantially coplanar radiating arms.

9. The radiating element of claim 5, wherein the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms includes a first radiating arm to a fourth radiating arm; wherein the feed signal routing substrate includes a first signal trace to a fourth signal trace; wherein the first signal trace crosses the air gap between the first radiating arm and the second radiating arm; wherein the second signal trace crosses the air gap between the second radiating arm and the third radiating arm; wherein the third signal trace crosses the air gap between the third radiating arm and the fourth radiating arm; and wherein the fourth signal trace crosses the air gap between the fourth radiating arm and the first radiating arm.

10. The radiating element of claim 9, wherein the feed signal routing substrate includes a first ground plane segment to a fourth ground plane segment on the rearward surface of the feed signal routing substrate; and wherein the first ground plane segment to the fourth ground plane segment are capacitively coupled to the corresponding shortest side of the radiating arm.

11. The radiating element according to claim 10, wherein the power supply signal routing substrate is a double-sided printed circuit board.

12. The radiating element according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of coaxial cables having a central conductor, the central conductor being soldered to an electroplated through-hole of the printed circuit board.

13. The radiating element of claim 12, wherein the plurality of coaxial cables comprises four coaxial cables having a central conductor electrically connected to a corresponding signal trace among the first signal trace to the fourth signal trace on the forward surface of the feed signal routing substrate.

14. The radiating element of claim 12, wherein the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms is supported in front of the reflector by a feed handle; and wherein the plurality of coaxial cables extend the length of the feed handle and pass through the feed signal via within the radiating arms.

15. The radiating element of claim 14, wherein the feed handle comprises a first vertical support to a fourth vertical support attached to the respective first to fourth radiating arms.

16. The radiating element according to claim 15, wherein each of the first to fourth vertical supports is adjacent to a corresponding radiating arm among the first to fourth radiating arms.

17. The radiating element of claim 16, wherein the first vertical support and the first radiating arm are defined by a single piece of stamped metal.

18. The radiating element according to claim 1, wherein each of the radiating arms is a trapezoidal radiating arm.

19. A box-shaped dipole radiating element, the radiating element comprising: The quadrilateral arrangement of radiating arms is configured to support tilted polarization radiation in response to differential-mode currents generated along the four sides of the quadrilateral arrangement and common-mode currents generated in a plane substantially the same as the differential-mode currents. The common-mode currents traverse from one corner of the quadrilateral arrangement of radiating arms to another diametrically opposite corner of the quadrilateral arrangement of radiating arms. Each radiating arm has a shortest side, a longest side, a first radial diverging side, and a second radial diverging side. The first and second radial diverging sides intersect at an obtuse angle with a corresponding first and second end of the shortest side and at an acute angle with a corresponding first and second end of the longest side. The four longest sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of radiating arms include a first opposite side, a second opposite side, a third opposite side, and a fourth opposite side. The first and second opposite sides are spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and the third and fourth opposite sides are also spaced apart from each other by the first distance. as well as A power supply signal routing substrate, the power supply signal routing substrate being located on the forward surface portion of the first to fourth radiating arms within the quadrilateral arrangement, the power supply signal routing substrate comprising: First signal trace to fourth signal trace, the first signal trace to the fourth signal trace are located on the first surface of the power supply signal routing substrate, and The first ground plane segment to the fourth ground plane segment are located on the second surface of the feed signal routing substrate, and the first ground plane segment to the fourth ground plane segment are capacitively coupled to the corresponding radiating arms in the first radiating arm to the fourth radiating arm.

20. The radiating element of claim 19, wherein the first signal trace spans a first gap between the first radiating arm and the second radiating arm; wherein the second signal trace spans a second gap between the second radiating arm and the third radiating arm; wherein the third signal trace spans a third gap between the third radiating arm and the fourth radiating arm; and wherein the fourth signal trace spans a fourth gap between the fourth radiating arm and the first radiating arm.

21. The radiating element of claim 20, wherein, when viewed from a planar perspective, each of the four longest sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms is arranged along the sides of a rectangle; and wherein the first gap is located between the radially diverging side of the first radiating arm and the radially diverging side of the second radiating arm, the radially diverging side of the second radiating arm extending substantially parallel to the radially diverging side of the first radiating arm.

22. The radiating element of claim 21, wherein each of the four longest sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms comprises a corresponding series inductor; and wherein the radially diverging side of the first radiating arm comprises a series inductor.

23. The radiating element of claim 19, further comprising a first to a fourth coaxial cable having a central conductor electrically coupled to a corresponding signal trace among the first to the fourth signal traces.

24. The radiating element of claim 23, wherein the center conductor is electrically coupled to a corresponding signal trace among the first to fourth signal traces via a plated via in the feed signal routing substrate.

25. The radiating element of claim 20, wherein one end of the first signal trace is electrically coupled to the second ground plane segment through a plated via in the feed signal routing substrate.

26. A box-shaped dipole radiating element, the radiating element comprising: The quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms is configured to support tilted polarization radiation in response to a differential-mode current generated along the four sides of the quadrilateral arrangement and a common-mode current generated in a plane substantially the same as the differential-mode current. The common-mode current traverses from one corner of the quadrilateral arrangement to another diametrically opposite corner. Each radiating arm has a shortest side, a longest side, a first radial diverging side, and a second radial diverging side. The first and second radial diverging sides intersect at obtuse angles with corresponding first and second ends of the shortest side and at acute angles with corresponding first and second ends of the longest side. The four longest sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of the intersecting and radiating arms include a first opposite side, a second opposite side, a third opposite side, and a fourth opposite side, wherein the first opposite side and the second opposite side are spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and the third opposite side and the fourth opposite side are spaced apart from each other by the first distance. When viewed from a planar perspective, the four longest sides of the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms are arranged along the sides of a square, and the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms has a first pair of spaced-apart radial diverging sides to a fourth pair of spaced-apart radial diverging sides, wherein each pair of radial diverging sides includes two adjacent radial diverging sides respectively from two adjacent radiating arms; and A power supply signal routing substrate is located on a portion of the forward surface of a first to a fourth radiating arm within the quadrilateral arrangement. The power supply signal routing substrate includes a first to a fourth signal trace located on the main surface of the power supply signal routing substrate. The first to the fourth signal traces cross the gap between corresponding radial divergence edges in the first pair to the fourth pair of radial divergence edges.

27. The radiating element of claim 26, wherein the four longest sides and the first pair of radially diverging sides to the fourth pair of radially diverging sides are substantially coplanar.

28. The radiating element of claim 26, wherein the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms is supported in front of the reflector by a feed stem having multiple coaxial cables mounted to the feed stem; wherein the multiple coaxial cables extend through openings within the quadrilateral arrangement of the radiating arms; and wherein a central conductor within the multiple coaxial cables is soldered to a through-hole within the feed signal routing substrate.

29. The radiating element of claim 28, wherein the center conductor is electrically connected to a corresponding signal trace among the first signal trace to the fourth signal trace.

30. The radiating element of claim 29, further comprising a first ground plane segment to a fourth ground plane segment extending on the rearward surface of the feed signal routing substrate, and the first ground plane segment to the fourth ground plane segment capacitively coupled to corresponding first radiating arms to fourth radiating arms within the quadrilateral arrangement.

31. The radiating element according to claim 30, wherein each of the radiating arms is a trapezoidal radiating arm.

32. The radiating element of claim 27, wherein each of the four longest sides and each of the radially diverging sides comprises at least one series inductor.

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