Phase shifter and base station antenna

Abstract

The invention relates to a phase shifter and a base station antenna. The phase shifter comprises at least one phase shifting cavity, phase shifting units and isolation assemblies, wherein each phase shifting cavity corresponds to one phase shifting unit and one isolation assembly; the phase shift unit comprises a first feed network and at least two phase shifter modules, and the first feed network is arranged in one part of the area in the phase shift cavity and is used for being electrically connected with the feed end of the radiation unit; the isolation assembly is configured to be capable of defining at least two accommodating cavities in the other part of area in the phase shift cavity, and each accommodating cavity is provided with an opening; the phase shifter modules are respectively and correspondingly arranged in the accommodating cavities, and are respectively connected with the first feed network through respective openings. The phase shifter and the antenna are low in loss and high in radiation efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Base station antennas are increasingly being designed with carbon emissions and energy losses in mind during production and use. However, in existing base station antennas, phase shifters, radiation units, and other feed network components such as power dividers and combiners need to be connected via cables, which results in large losses in the feed network of existing base station antennas, reduces the radiation efficiency of base station antennas, and cannot meet current demand for base station antennas. Summary of the invention

[0003] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a phase shifter and a base station antenna with lower loss and higher radiation efficiency.

[0004] A first aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a phase shifter, comprising at least one phase shift cavity, a phase shift unit and an isolation component, wherein each phase shift cavity corresponds to a phase shift unit and an isolation component;

[0005] The phase shift unit includes a first feeding network and at least two phase shifter modules, wherein the first feeding network is arranged in a part of the region in the phase shift cavity and is used to be electrically connected to the feeding end of the radiation unit;

[0006] The isolation assembly is configured to define at least two accommodating cavities in another part of the phase-shifting cavity, each of which has an opening;

[0007] The phase shifter modules are respectively disposed in a corresponding accommodating cavity and are respectively connected to the first feeding network through their respective openings.

[0008] In one embodiment, the phase-shifting cavity includes a first wall and a second wall disposed opposite to each other along a first direction, and two side walls adjacent to the first wall and the second wall, and the two side walls are disposed opposite to each other along a second direction;

[0009] The isolation assembly includes at least one first isolation wall, one end of the first isolation wall is connected to the second wall, and the other end is spaced apart from the first wall, and the first isolation wall extends along the third direction of the phase shift cavity to define at least two accommodating cavities between the second wall and the two side walls;

[0010] The first feed network is located in the region between the end of the first partition wall facing away from the second wall and the first wall;

[0011] The first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0012] In one embodiment, the number of the first isolation wall is one, and the first isolation wall defines two accommodating cavities in another partial area of ​​the phase shift cavity; the number of the phase shifter modules is two, and the two phase shifter modules are respectively located in the two accommodating cavities.

[0013] In one embodiment, the isolation assembly further includes a second isolation wall, two ends of the second isolation wall along the second direction are respectively connected to the two side walls, and an end of the first isolation wall away from the second wall is connected between two ends of the second isolation wall along the second direction;

[0014] The first feeding network is located in a first feeding network accommodating cavity defined by the second isolation wall, the first wall and two side walls, and the two phase shifter modules penetrate the second isolation wall and enter the first feeding network accommodating cavity.

[0015] In one embodiment, the second partition wall is configured as a plate-shaped member; or

[0016] The isolation component also includes a third isolation wall, a portion of the second isolation wall is bent toward the first wall to form a bent portion, one end of the third isolation wall along the second direction is connected to the side wall, and the other end is connected to the bent portion, so as to separate the first feeding network accommodating cavity into a power splitting accommodating sub-cavity and a combining accommodating sub-cavity; the phase shifting unit also includes a power splitting network electrically connected to the first feeding network, the power splitting network is arranged in the power splitting accommodating sub-cavity, and the first feeding network is arranged in the combining accommodating sub-cavity.

[0017] In one embodiment, the isolation assembly further comprises a fourth isolation wall, one end of the fourth isolation wall along the second direction is connected to one side wall, the other end of the fourth isolation wall is spaced apart from the other side wall, and the fourth isolation wall is spaced apart from the first wall and the end of the first isolation wall;

[0018] The phase shift unit further includes a power division network electrically connected to the first feeding network, the power division network is arranged in the area between the fourth isolation wall and the first wall, and the first feeding network is arranged in the area between the fourth isolation wall and the first isolation wall.

[0019] In one embodiment, the number of the first isolation walls is two, and the two first isolation walls are spaced apart along the second direction to define three accommodating cavities in another partial area of ​​the phase-shifting cavity;

[0020] The number of the phase shifter modules is three, and the three phase shifter modules are respectively located in the three accommodating cavities; or

[0021] The phase shift unit also includes a power division network, which is located in a housing cavity defined by a first isolation wall and a corresponding side wall at the second direction end, and is connected to the first feeding network; there are two phase shifter modules, which are respectively located in the other two housing cavities.

[0022] In one embodiment, each phase shifter module is plugged into the first feed network, and an output end of each phase shifter module is welded to a corresponding input end of the first feed network, so that the phase shifter modules are electrically connected to the first feed network respectively.

[0023] In one embodiment, the phase shifter module and the first feeding network are plugged into and matched with the inner wall of the phase shift cavity.

[0024] In one embodiment, the phase shifter module includes a phase shifting network, and the first feeding network includes a combining network; or

[0025] The phase shifter module includes a phase shift combining network, and the first feeding network includes a connecting circuit.

[0026] A second aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a base station antenna, comprising an antenna array and the above-mentioned phase shifter;

[0027] The antenna array includes a plurality of radiating units, and the phase shifters are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the radiating units, and the phase shifters are used to feed the corresponding radiating units.

[0028] In one of the embodiments, the base station antenna further includes a reflector;

[0029] The radiation unit and the phase shifter are respectively arranged on different sides of the thickness direction of the reflector, and corresponding positions on the reflector and the phase shift cavity are provided with through grooves;

[0030] The radiation unit is a dual-polarization radiation unit, and the radiation unit has a feeder for feeding the radiation unit, the feeder has a feeding end, and the feeder is inserted in the through slot to be electrically connected to the corresponding first feeding network.

[0031] Beneficial effects of the above-mentioned phase shifter and base station antenna:

[0032] The phase shift unit includes a first feed network and at least two phase shifter modules. The first feed network is arranged in a part of the phase shift cavity, and at least two accommodating cavities are arranged in another part of the phase shift cavity. The phase shifter modules are arranged in one accommodating cavity respectively. With such an arrangement, the feed networks included in the phase shifter are highly integrated in the phase shift cavity, thereby improving the integration of the phase shifter. In addition, since the first feed network is arranged in a part of the phase shift cavity, and the phase shifter module is arranged in another part of the phase shift cavity, the arrangement of the accommodating cavity can at least partially isolate the first feed network and the phase shifter module, and can avoid coupling between the first feed network and the phase shifter module to a certain extent, and affect the electrical indicators.

[0033] On the other hand, because each phase shifter module is correspondingly arranged in a corresponding accommodating cavity, they are independent and isolated from each other, and the coupling influence between each phase shifter module can be avoided to a certain extent. In addition, each accommodating cavity has an opening, and the phase shifter modules are connected to the first feeding network through their respective openings, so that the phase shifter module and the first feeding network can be directly contacted through the opening, so that the phase shifter module and the first feeding network can be electrically connected by direct welding without any adapter, and a cable-free connection between the various feeding networks inside the phase shifter can be achieved, reducing the physical path in the phase shifting feeding network, reducing insertion loss, reducing the loss of the feeding network in the base station antenna, and improving the radiation efficiency of the base station antenna. In addition, the reduction of cables and solder joints also improves processing efficiency, so that costs can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0035] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] FIG. 2 a is a schematic diagram of another structure of a phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Figure 2b A schematic diagram of another structure of a phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a base station antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a side view of a base station antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0043] Figure Number:

[0044] 100. Phase shifter;

[0045] 10. Phase shift cavity; 101. Insertion slot; 11. First wall; 12. Second wall; 13. Side wall; 20. Phase shift unit; 30. Isolation assembly; 31. First isolation wall; 32. Second isolation wall; 321. Bend portion; 33. Third isolation wall; 34. Fourth isolation wall; 40. Radiation unit;

[0046] 50, first feed network; 60, phase shifter module; 70, accommodating cavity; 701, opening; 73, first feed network accommodating cavity; 731, power division accommodating sub-cavity; 732, combining accommodating sub-cavity; 80, power division network;

[0047] 200, base station antenna; 210, reflector;

[0048] F, first direction; S, second direction; T, third direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the connotation of the present invention, so the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0050] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0051] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0052] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0053] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0054] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be the only implementation method.

[0055] The phase shifter and base station antenna according to the embodiment of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 2a is a schematic diagram of another structure of a phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2b FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a base station antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 7 is a side view of a base station antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0057] 1 to 5, the phase shifter 100 of the embodiment of the present application includes at least one phase shift cavity 10, a phase shift unit 20 and an isolation component 30, and each phase shift cavity 10 is correspondingly provided with a phase shift unit 20 and an isolation component 30. Since the structures of the phase shift unit 20 and the isolation component 30 provided in each phase shift cavity 10 are the same, only the structure of one phase shift cavity 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0058] The phase shift unit 20 includes a first feeding network 50 and at least two phase shifter modules 60. The first feeding network 50 is disposed in a portion of the phase shift cavity 10 and is used to be electrically connected to the feeding end of the radiation unit 40. The first feeding network 50 is located in a portion of the phase shift cavity 10 on the left side of the drawing.

[0059] The isolation assembly 30 is configured to define at least two accommodating cavities 70 in another partial area of ​​the phase-shifting cavity 10 , and each accommodating cavity 70 has an opening 701 .

[0060] The phase shifter modules 60 are respectively disposed in one of the accommodating cavities 70 and are respectively connected to the first feeding network 50 via their respective openings 701 .

[0061] The phase shift unit 20 includes a first feed network 50 and at least two phase shifter modules 60. The first feed network 50 is arranged in a part of the phase shift cavity 10, and at least two accommodating cavities 70 are arranged in another part of the phase shift cavity 10. The phase shifter modules 60 are respectively arranged in one accommodating cavity 70. In this way, the feed networks included in the phase shifter 100 are highly integrated in the phase shift cavity 10, thereby improving the integration of the phase shifter 100. In addition, since the first feed network 50 is arranged in a part of the phase shift cavity 10, and the phase shifter module 60 is arranged in another part of the phase shift cavity 10, the arrangement of the accommodating cavity 70 can at least partially isolate the first feed network 50 and the phase shifter module 60, and can avoid coupling between the first feed network 50 and the phase shifter module 60 to a certain extent, and affect the electrical indicators.

[0062] On the other hand, since each phase shifter module 60 is correspondingly arranged in a corresponding accommodating cavity 70, they are independent and isolated from each other, and the coupling influence between each phase shifter module 60 can be avoided to a certain extent. In addition, each accommodating cavity 70 has an opening 701, and the phase shifter module 60 is connected to the first feeding network 50 via its respective opening 701, so that the phase shifter module 60 and the first feeding network 50 can be directly contacted via the opening 701, so that the phase shifter module 60 and the first feeding network 50 can be electrically connected by direct welding without any adapter, and the cable-free connection between the various feeding networks inside the phase shifter 100 can be realized, thereby reducing the physical path in the phase shift feeding network, reducing the insertion loss, reducing the loss of the feeding network in the base station antenna 200, and improving the radiation efficiency of the base station antenna 200. In addition, the reduction of cables and welding points also improves the processing efficiency, so that the cost can be reduced.

[0063] In the embodiment of the present application, the phase shifter modules 60 are connected to the first feeding network 50 via their respective openings 701. For example, referring to FIG. 1 , FIG. 2a , and FIG. 5 , each phase shifter module 60 passes through the corresponding opening 701 and extends into a portion of the area within the phase shift cavity 10 , thereby being connected to the first feeding network 50 , and being electrically connected to the first feeding network 50 by welding to the first feeding network 50 .

[0064] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4 , the first feeding network 50 enters the opening 701 and extends into the accommodating cavity 70 (the accommodating cavity 70 at the top of the drawing in FIG. 4 ) where the phase shifter module 60 is located, is connected to the phase shifter module 60 , and is electrically connected to the phase shifter module 60 by welding.

[0065] Alternatively, the first feeding network 50 enters another opening 701 (not shown), extends into the accommodating cavity 70 where another phase shifter module 60 is located, is connected to the other phase shifter module 60 , and is electrically connected to the phase shifter module 60 by welding.

[0066] Therefore, each phase shifter module 60 is correspondingly disposed in a receiving cavity 70, which means that at least a portion of the structure of the phase shifter module 60 is located in the corresponding receiving cavity 70. The first feeding network 50 is disposed in a portion of the area within the phase shift cavity 10, which means that at least a portion of the structure of the first feeding network 50 is located in a portion of the area within the phase shift cavity 10.

[0067] As shown in FIG6 , the number of the phase shift cavity 10, the phase shift unit 20 and the isolation component 30 included in the phase shifter 100 can be two each, so that each phase shift cavity 10 corresponds to one phase shift unit 20 and one isolation component 30, and the phase shift units 20 in the two phase shift cavities 10 can be electrically connected to the two feeders of the dual-polarization radiation unit 40 respectively, and the feeders have feeding ends. At this time, the two phase shift cavities 10 can be formed in one piece.

[0068] In the embodiment of the present application, in combination with Figures 1-6, the phase-shifting cavity 10 includes a first wall 11 and a second wall 12 arranged opposite to each other along a first direction F, and two side walls 13 adjacent to the first wall 11 and the second wall 12, and the two side walls 13 are arranged opposite to each other along a second direction S. The isolation component 30 includes at least one first isolation wall 31. One end of the first isolation wall 31 is connected to the second wall 12, and the other end is spaced apart from the first wall 11. The first isolation wall 31 extends along the third direction T of the phase-shifting cavity 10 to define the above-mentioned at least two accommodating cavities 70 between the second wall 12 and the two side walls 13. The first feeding network 50 is located in the area between the end of the first isolation wall 31 facing away from the second wall 12 and the first wall 11. The first direction F, the second direction S and the third direction T are perpendicular to each other.

[0069] In this way, the first isolation wall 31, the side wall 13 on one side of the second direction S, and the second wall 12 jointly define a receiving cavity 70, and the isolation body 301, the side wall 13 on the other side of the second direction S, and the second wall 12 jointly define another receiving cavity 70. The area between the first isolation wall 31 and the first wall 11 can be used to set the first feeding network 50.

[0070] In specific implementation, the first direction F may be the height direction of the phase shift cavity 10 , the second direction S may be the width direction of the phase shift cavity 10 , and the third direction T may be, for example, the length direction of the phase shift cavity 10 .

[0071] 1, 3, 4 and 5, the number of the first isolation wall 31 can be one, one end of the first isolation wall 31 is connected to the second wall 12, and the other end of the first isolation wall 31 is spaced apart from the first wall 11. The first isolation wall 31 defines two accommodating cavities 70 in another partial area of ​​the phase shift cavity 10. The number of the phase shifter modules 60 can be two, and the two phase shifter modules 60 are respectively located in the two accommodating cavities.

[0072] In this way, the space inside the phase shift cavity 10 is divided into two accommodating cavities 70 along the second direction S. The space inside the phase shift cavity 10 can be divided into a portion between the end of the first isolation wall 31 and the first wall 11, and two accommodating cavities 70 along the first direction F. The portion between the end of the first isolation wall 31 and the first wall 11 is used to set the first feeding network 50. The two accommodating cavities 70 can be used to set two phase shifter modules 60, and the openings of the two accommodating cavities 70 can be respectively located at the end of the first isolation wall 31 close to the first wall 11. At this time, the ends of the two phase shifter modules 60 can extend into the portion between the end of the first isolation wall 31 and the first wall 11, and be electrically connected to the first feeding network 50.

[0073] 4 and 5 , the isolation assembly 30 further includes a second isolation wall 32, the two ends of the second isolation wall 32 along the second direction S are respectively connected to the two side walls 13, and the end of the first isolation wall 31 away from the second wall 12 is connected between the two ends of the second isolation wall 32 along the second direction S. Here, both the first isolation wall 31 and the second isolation wall 32 extend along the third direction T, which is the same as the extension length of the phase shift cavity 10 along the third direction T.

[0074] The first feed network 50 is located in a first feed network accommodating cavity 73 defined by the second isolation wall 32, the first wall 11 and the two side walls 13. The openings 701 of the two accommodating cavities 70 are both opened in the second isolation wall 32. The two phase shifter modules 60 penetrate the second isolation wall 32 and enter the first feed network accommodating cavity 73.

[0075] In this configuration, a portion of the second partition wall 32, the first partition wall 31, one of the side walls 13, and the second wall 12 together define one of the accommodating chambers 70, and an opening 701 of the accommodating chamber 70 is opened at a position where the second partition wall 32 corresponds to the one of the accommodating chambers 70. Another portion of the second partition wall 32, the first partition wall 31, another of the side walls 13, and the second wall 12 together define another of the accommodating chambers 70, and an opening 701 of the another of the accommodating chambers 70 is opened at a position where the second partition wall 32 corresponds to the another of the accommodating chambers 70.

[0076] At this time, the second isolation wall 32 may be a plate-shaped member as shown in FIG. 5 , or may be configured in a partially bent shape as shown in FIG. 4 .

[0077] Of course, as another possible implementation, as shown in FIG. 1 , the second isolation wall 32 may not be provided, and two accommodating cavities 70 may be formed only by the first isolation wall 31 .

[0078] For specific implementation, referring to FIG. 5 , the second isolation wall 32 may be constructed as a plate-shaped member.

[0079] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4 , in another structure of the phase shifter 100, the isolation component 30 further includes a third isolation wall 33, a portion of the second isolation wall 32 is bent toward the first wall 11 to form a bent portion 321, one end of the third isolation wall 33 along the second direction S is connected to the side wall 13, and the other end is connected to the bent portion 321, so as to separate the first feed network accommodating cavity 73 into a power splitter accommodating sub-cavity 731 and a combiner accommodating sub-cavity 732. The phase shift unit 20 further includes a power splitter network 80 electrically connected to the first feed network 50, the power splitter network 80 is disposed in the power splitter accommodating sub-cavity 731, and the first feed network 50 is disposed in the combiner accommodating sub-cavity 732.

[0080] With such a configuration, the power division network 80 can divide the output of the first feeding network 50 into multiple paths. In specific implementation, one end of the first feeding network 50 is connected to the inner wall of the phase shift cavity 10, and the other end passes through the bent portion 321 of the second isolation wall 32 and enters the corresponding accommodating cavity 70, and is connected to the phase shifter module 60 in the accommodating cavity 70. Of course, after the phase shifter module 60 passes through the second isolation wall 32, it enters the power division accommodating sub-cavity 731 and is electrically connected to the power division network 80. In this way, the power division network 80 is electrically connected to the first feeding network 50 through the phase shifter module 60.

[0081] 3 , in another possible implementation, the isolation assembly 30 further includes a fourth isolation wall 34, one end of the fourth isolation wall 34 along the second direction S is connected to one side wall 13, the other end is spaced apart from the other side wall 13, and the fourth isolation wall 34 is spaced apart from the first wall 11 and the end of the first isolation wall 31. As described above, the phase shift unit 20 further includes a power division network 80 electrically connected to the first feed network 50, the power division network 80 is disposed in the region between the fourth isolation wall 34 and the first wall 11, and the first feed network 50 is disposed in the region between the fourth isolation wall 34 and the first isolation wall 31.

[0082] In specific implementation, the phase shifter module 60 located in one of the accommodating cavities 70 extends out of the accommodating cavity 70 and is electrically connected to the first feeding network 50 and the power division network 80 respectively. The two ends of the power division network 80 along the second direction S are respectively connected to the inner wall of the phase shift cavity 10.

[0083] In the embodiment of the present application, referring to FIG. 2a, Figure 2b In another possible implementation manner, the number of the first isolation walls 31 is two, and the two first isolation walls 31 are spaced apart along the second direction S to define three accommodating cavities 70 in another partial area of ​​the phase shift cavity 10 .

[0084] In a specific implementation, referring to FIG. 2 a , there are three phase shifter modules 60 , and the three phase shifter modules 60 are respectively located in the three accommodating chambers 70 .

[0085] Of course, when the phase shift unit 20 also includes a power division network 80, the number of the first partition walls 31 is three, and the three first partition walls 31 are arranged at intervals along the second direction S to define four accommodating cavities 70 in another part of the region within the phase shift cavity 10. The power division network 80 can be located in the accommodating cavity 70 defined by the first partition wall 31 and the corresponding side wall 13 at the end of the second direction S, and connected to the first feeding network 50. The number of the phase shifter modules 60 is three, and the three phase shifter modules 60 are respectively located in the other three accommodating cavities 70. It can be understood that when the phase shifter 100 is applied to the base station antenna 200, the power division network 80 should be located at the position closest to the feeding end of the radiation unit.

[0086] Reference Figure 2b In another possible implementation, when the number of the first isolation walls 31 is two, the number of the defined accommodating cavities 70 is three, and the power division network 80 is located in the accommodating cavities 70 defined by the first isolation walls 31 and the corresponding side walls 13 at the end of the second direction S (for example Figure 2b The phase shifter module 60 is located in the lowermost accommodating cavity 70 in the middle figure), and is connected to the first feeding network 50. At this time, the number of the phase shifter modules 60 is two, and the two phase shifter modules 60 are respectively located in the other two accommodating cavities 70. Similarly, when the phase shifter 100 is applied to the base station antenna 200, the power division network 80 should be located at the position closest to the feeding end of the radiation unit.

[0087] In the case where there are two first isolation walls 31, the space between the two first isolation walls 31 and the second wall 12 along the second direction S inside the phase shift cavity 10 defines three accommodating cavities 70. The space inside the phase shift cavity 10 along the first direction F can be divided into a portion between the end of the first isolation wall 31 and the first wall 11, and three accommodating cavities 70. The portion between the end of the first isolation wall 31 and the first wall 11 is used to set the first feeding network 50. At this time, the ends of the two phase shifter modules 60 and the power division network 80 can extend into the portion between the end of the first isolation wall 31 and the first wall 11, and be electrically connected to the first feeding network 50. It can be understood that the end of the first isolation wall 31 here may be provided with a second isolation wall 32, or may not be provided with a second isolation wall 32. The case where the end of the first isolation wall 31 is provided with a second isolation wall 32 is similar to the case shown in FIG. 5, and will not be repeated here.

[0088] In the embodiment of the present application, each phase shifter module 60 is plugged into the first feeding network 50, and the output end of each phase shifter module 60 is welded to the corresponding input end of the first feeding network 50, so that the two phase shifter modules 60 are electrically connected to the first feeding network 50 respectively.

[0089] In specific implementation, for example, a matching groove may be provided on at least one of the phase shifter module 60 and the first feeding network 50, and the other may be inserted into the matching groove to achieve relative mechanical positioning of the two. In addition, such a setting can also reduce the complexity of welding, facilitate welding automation, improve welding performance consistency, and greatly improve production efficiency.

[0090] In the embodiment of the present application, the phase shifter module 60 and the first feeding network 50 are plugged into and matched with the inner wall of the phase shift cavity 10 .

[0091] Such a configuration can prevent the phase shifter module 60, the first feed network 50 and the phase shift cavity 10 from moving, thereby improving the reliability of the phase shifter 100. In a specific configuration, a plug-in slot 101 is provided inside the phase shift cavity 10 at a position corresponding to the phase shifter module 60 and the first feed network 50, and the phase shifter module 60 and the first feed network 50 are respectively plugged into the corresponding plug-in slots 101 to achieve mechanical positioning.

[0092] In the embodiment of the present application, the phase shifter module 60 includes a phase shifting network, and the first feed network 50 includes a combining network. Alternatively, the phase shifter module 60 includes a phase shift combining network, and the first feed network 50 includes a connecting circuit. When the phase shifter module 60 includes a phase shift combining network, the two phase shift combining networks can use different frequency bands, and the two phase shift combining networks are electrically connected through the first feed network 50.

[0093] On the other hand, the embodiment of the present application further provides a base station antenna 200 . Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 , the base station antenna 200 includes an antenna array and the above-mentioned phase shifter 100 .

[0094] The antenna array includes a plurality of radiation units 40 , and the phase shifters 100 are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the radiation units 40 , and the phase shifters 100 are used to feed the corresponding radiation units 40 .

[0095] Furthermore, the base station antenna 200 further includes a reflector 210. The radiation unit 40 and the phase shifter 100 are respectively arranged on different sides of the thickness direction of the reflector 210, and corresponding positions on the reflector 210 and the phase shift cavity 10 are provided with through slots (not shown).

[0096] The radiation unit 40 is a dual-polarization radiation unit 40 , and the radiation unit 40 has a feeder (not shown) for feeding the radiation unit 40 . The feeder has a feeding end, and the feeder is inserted into the through slot to be electrically connected to the corresponding first feeding network 50 .

[0097] With such a configuration, the electrical connection between the first feeding network 50 and the radiation unit 40 in the phase shifter 100 can be realized. Of course, the output end of the feeder and the corresponding first feeding network 50 can be connected through a PCB board or directly welded. There can be two feeders, and the first feeding networks 50 in the two phase shift cavities 10 are electrically connected to one feeder respectively. The two polarization directions of the radiation unit 40 are fed one by one. At this time, a cable-less or even cable-free connection between the phase shifter 100 and the radiation unit 40 can be realized.

[0098] Of course, in a specific implementation, the wall of the phase-shifting cavity 10 facing the radiation unit 40 can be formed integrally with the reflector 210 , which can reduce weight and cost.

[0099] The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0100] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A phase shifter, characterized in that: It comprises at least one phase shifting cavity, a phase shifting unit and an isolation component, and each of the phase shifting cavities corresponds to one phase shifting unit and one isolation component; The phase shift unit comprises a first feeding network and at least two phase shifter modules, wherein the first feeding network is arranged in a part of the region in the phase shift cavity and is used to be electrically connected to the feeding end of the radiation unit; The isolation assembly is configured to define at least two accommodating cavities in another part of the phase-shifting cavity, and each of the accommodating cavities has an opening; The phase shifter modules are each correspondingly disposed in one of the accommodating cavities and are respectively connected to the first feeding network via the respective openings.

2. The phase shifter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase shift cavity comprises a first wall and a second wall arranged opposite to each other along a first direction, and two side walls adjacent to the first wall and the second wall, wherein the two side walls are arranged opposite to each other along a second direction; The isolation assembly includes at least one first isolation wall, one end of the first isolation wall is connected to the second wall, and the other end is spaced apart from the first wall, and the first isolation wall extends along the third direction of the phase shift cavity to define the at least two accommodating cavities between the second wall and the two side walls; The first feed network is located in a region between an end of the first partition wall facing away from the second wall and the first wall; The first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

3. The phase shifter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The number of the first isolation wall is one, and the first isolation wall defines two accommodating cavities in another partial area of ​​the phase shift cavity; the number of the phase shifter modules is two, and the two phase shifter modules are respectively located in the two accommodating cavities.

4. The phase shifter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The isolation assembly further includes a second isolation wall, wherein two ends of the second isolation wall along the second direction are respectively connected to the two side walls, and an end of the first isolation wall away from the second wall is connected between two ends of the second isolation wall along the second direction; The first feeding network is located in a first feeding network accommodating cavity defined by the second isolation wall, the first wall, and the two side walls, and the two phase shifter modules penetrate the second isolation wall and enter the first feeding network accommodating cavity.

5. The phase shifter according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second partition wall is configured as a plate-shaped member; or The isolation component also includes a third isolation wall, a portion of the second isolation wall is bent toward the first wall to form a bent portion, one end of the third isolation wall along the second direction is connected to the side wall, and the other end is connected to the bent portion, so as to separate the first feeding network accommodating cavity into a power splitting accommodating sub-cavity and a combining accommodating sub-cavity; the phase shifting unit also includes a power splitting network electrically connected to the first feeding network, the power splitting network is arranged in the power splitting accommodating sub-cavity, and the first feeding network is arranged in the combining accommodating sub-cavity.

6. The phase shifter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The isolation assembly further includes a fourth isolation wall, one end of the fourth isolation wall along the second direction is connected to one of the side walls, the other end of the fourth isolation wall is spaced apart from the other side wall, and the fourth isolation wall is spaced apart from the first wall and the end of the first isolation wall; The phase shift unit further includes a power division network electrically connected to the first feeding network, the power division network is arranged in the area between the fourth isolation wall and the first wall, and the first feeding network is arranged in the area between the fourth isolation wall and the first isolation wall.

7. The phase shifter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The number of the first isolation walls is two, and the two first isolation walls are arranged at intervals along the second direction to define three accommodating chambers in another partial area of ​​the phase-shifting chamber; The number of the phase shifter modules is three, and the three phase shifter modules are respectively located in the three accommodating chambers; or The phase shifting unit also includes a power division network, which is located in the accommodating cavity defined by the first isolation wall and the corresponding side wall at the end of the second direction, and is connected to the first feeding network; the number of the phase shifter modules is two, and the two phase shifter modules are respectively located in the other two accommodating cavities.

8. The phase shifter according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the phase shifter modules is plugged into the first feeding network, and an output end of each of the phase shifter modules is welded to a corresponding input end of the first feeding network, so that the phase shifter modules are electrically connected to the first feeding network respectively.

9. The phase shifter according to claim 8, characterized in that The phase shifter module and the first feeding network are plugged into and matched with the inner wall of the phase shift cavity.

10. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The phase shifter module includes a phase shifting network, and the first feeding network includes a combining network; or The phase shifter module includes a phase shift combining network, and the first feeding network includes a connecting circuit.

11. A base station antenna, characterized in that: comprising an antenna array and a phase shifter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10; The antenna array includes a plurality of radiating units, the phase shifters are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the radiating units, and the phase shifters are used to feed the corresponding radiating units.

12. The base station antenna according to claim 11, characterized in that: The base station antenna also includes a reflector; The radiation unit and the phase shifter are respectively arranged on different sides of the reflection plate in the thickness direction, and corresponding positions on the reflection plate and the phase shift cavity are provided with through grooves; The radiation unit is a dual-polarization radiation unit, and the radiation unit has a feeder for feeding the radiation unit, and the feeder is inserted into the through slot to be electrically connected to the corresponding first feeding network.

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