Base station antenna with at least one mesh reflector and associated device

Abstract

The base station antenna includes at least one internal mesh reflector having a feed panel aperture covered by a feed panel, the at least one internal mesh reflector configured to transfer RF energy from the array of mMIMO radiating elements through the mesh reflector and out of a front antenna cover of the base station antenna, rF energy from the low-band and / or medium-band radiating element in the different frequency band (s) is simultaneously reflected from the mMIMO radiating element.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 349,633 filed on June 7, 2022 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 379,186 filed on October 12, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. Background Art

[0003] The present invention relates generally to radio communications and, more particularly, to base station antennas for cellular communication systems.

[0004] Cellular communication systems are well known in the art. In a cellular communication system, a geographic area is divided into a series of areas called "cells" served by corresponding base stations. The base station may include one or more antennas configured to provide two-way radio frequency ("RF") communications with mobile users within the cell served by the base station. In many cases, each cell is divided into "sectors". In a common configuration, a hexagonal cell is divided into three 120° sectors in the azimuth plane, and each sector is served by one or more base station antennas having an azimuth half-power beamwidth (HPBW) of approximately 65°. Typically, the base station antenna is mounted on a tower or other elevated structure, where the radiation pattern (also referred to herein as an "antenna beam") is generated by the base station antenna pointing outward. The base station antenna is typically implemented as a linear or planar phased array of radiating elements.

[0005] In order to accommodate the growing volume of cellular traffic, cellular operators have added cellular services in various new frequency bands. In order to increase capacity without further increasing the number of base station antennas, multi-band base station antennas have been introduced, which include multiple linear arrays of radiating elements. In addition, base station antennas are now being deployed that include "beamforming" arrays, which include multiple columns of radiating elements. The radios for these beamforming arrays can be integrated into the antenna so that the antenna can perform active beamforming (i.e., the shape of the antenna beam generated by the antenna can be adaptively changed to improve the performance of the antenna). These beamforming arrays typically operate in higher frequency bands, such as various parts of the 3.3-5.8 GHz band. Antennas with integrated radios are called "active antennas," and the integrated radios can adjust the amplitude and / or phase of subcomponents of RF signals transmitted by individual radiating elements or small groups thereof. Active antennas can generate narrow beamwidth, high gain antenna beams by changing the amplitude and / or phase of subcomponents of RF signals transmitted by the antenna, and the generated antenna beams can be steered in different directions.

[0006] With the development of wireless communication technology, integrated base station antennas including passive modules and active antenna modules with active antennas have appeared. The passive module may include one or more passive arrays of radiating elements, which are configured to generate relatively static antenna beams, such as antenna beams configured to cover a 120-degree sector (in the azimuth plane) of the base station antenna. The passive array may include an array operated according to the second generation (2G), third generation (3G) or fourth generation (4G) cellular standards. These passive arrays are not configured to perform active beamforming operations, but they usually have remote electronic tilt (RET) capabilities, which allow the shape of the antenna beam to be changed by electromechanical means in order to change the coverage area of ​​the antenna beam. The active antenna module may include one or more arrays of radiating elements operated according to the fifth generation (or later) cellular standards. These arrays usually perform separate amplitude and phase control on a subset of the radiating elements therein, and perform active beamforming.

[0007] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a prior art base station antenna 10 that includes a pair of beamforming arrays and associated beamforming radios. When the antenna 10 is mounted for normal operation, the base station antenna 10 is typically mounted with the longitudinal axis L of the antenna 10 extending along a vertical axis (e.g., the longitudinal axis L may be substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by a horizon). The front surface of the antenna 10 is mounted opposite a tower or other mounting structure, pointing toward the coverage area of ​​the antenna 10. The antenna 10 includes a radome 11 and a top cover 20. The antenna 10 also includes a bottom cover 30 that includes a plurality of connectors 40 mounted therein. As shown, the radome 11, the top cover 20, and the bottom cover 30 define an outer housing 10h of the antenna 10. The antenna assembly is housed within the housing 10h.

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates that the antenna 10 may include one or more radios 50 mounted to a housing 10h. Since the radio 50 may generate a large amount of heat, it may be appropriate to discharge heat from the active antenna to prevent the radio 50 from overheating. Therefore, each radio 50 may include a (molded) heat sink 54 shown as being mounted on the rear surface of the radio 50. The heat sink 54 is thermally conductive and includes a plurality of fins 54f. The heat generated in the radio 50 is transferred to the heat sink 54 and diffused to the fins 54f. As shown in FIG. 2, the fins 54f are outside the antenna housing 10h. This allows heat to be transferred from the fins 54f to the external environment. Further details of exemplary conventional base station antennas can be found in co-pending WO2019 / 236203 and WO2020 / 072880, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if described in full herein.

[0009] Also disclosed is a base station antenna including an active antenna unit having a radio located at the rear of the base station antenna.See U.S. Patent Serial No. 17 / 209,562, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Summary of the invention

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a base station antenna having a reflector including a frequency selective surface (FSS) having a feed pad aperture. The FSS can be configured to allow a high-band radiating element to propagate electromagnetic waves therethrough and reflect low-band signals from a low-band radiating element in front of the reflector.

[0011] The reflector may be a grid reflector defining a FSS and having a feed plate aperture to which a respective feed plate may be mounted to extend across the respective feed plate aperture. One or more feed handles may be mounted to protrude in front of and behind the feed plate and reflector.

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a base station antenna including a grid reflector having a corresponding unit cell array and a feed stem protruding in front and behind the grid reflector.

[0013] An array of unit cells may be defined by conductive patches.

[0014] The array of unit cells may be defined by a pattern of shaped metal segments and apertures in the metal sheet.

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a base station antenna comprising a grid reflector having a unit cell array and a feed plate coupled to the grid reflector. The feed plate is configured to replicate at least a portion of a unit cell structure of one or more unit cells of the unit cell array.

[0016] The grid reflector may have a feed plate aperture, and the feed plate may extend across and overlap a portion of a plurality of unit cells of the unit cell array surrounding the feed plate aperture.

[0017] The feeding plate may have a metal shape replicating at least a portion of a shape of the unit cell structure, and the metal shape may overlap at least some of the unit cells of the grid reflector.

[0018] The feed board may have no signal transmission line on the front main surface.

[0019] The feed board may have a ground layer, the ground layer may occupy only a portion of one major surface of the feed board, and may be arranged in at least one curvilinear metal pattern.

[0020] The base station antenna may include a radiating element having a feed handle. The radiating element may protrude in front of the grid reflector. The feed board may be coupled to a first coaxial cable and a second coaxial cable, and the first coaxial cable and the second coaxial cable may be located near a rear surface of the feed board.

[0021] The grid reflector may be at least partially defined by a metal grid having a metal unit cell pattern.The feed plate aperture may have a perimeter surrounded by a plurality of unit cells.

[0022] The base station antenna may also include a plurality of spaced-apart feed plate apertures spaced apart from the right and left segments of the base station antenna. The feed plate may be arranged as a plurality of spaced-apart feed plates. One of the plurality of feed plates may extend across one of the plurality of spaced-apart feed plate apertures.

[0023] The array of unit cells may be arranged in a repeating pattern, which may extend across at least a major portion of a lateral dimension of the base station antenna in front of the array of radiating elements.

[0024] The feed plate may have at least one conductive segment having a curvilinear configuration matching at least a portion of at least a portion of a unit cell structure of a unit cell array of the grid reflector.

[0025] The feed plate aperture may have a surface area greater than a surface area of ​​a unit cell of the unit cell array.

[0026] The mesh reflector may be at least partially defined by a metal mesh.

[0027] The grid reflector may be at least partially defined by a multi-layer printed circuit board.

[0028] The feed plate may not have a solid continuous conductive main surface, and may have a conductive segment provided in a shape corresponding to at least a portion of a shape of one or more unit cells of the unit cell array.

[0029] The grid reflector may define a frequency selective surface.The grid reflector and feed pad may cooperate to reflect energy in a first frequency band and allow energy in a second frequency band from an mMIMO radiating element located behind the grid reflector to propagate therethrough.

[0030] The base station antenna may also include an active antenna unit coupled to a rear portion of the base station antenna and located behind the grid reflector.

[0031] The feed plate has a perimeter shape matching at least a portion of a perimeter of at least one unit cell of the unit cell array of the FSS.

[0032] The feeding plate may have a surface having a conductive metal pattern that may match a portion of a shape of a unit cell of the unit cell array.

[0033] The feeding plate may have a portion having a shape located above or behind a metal portion of the unit cell, the metal portion having a corresponding shape.

[0034] Still other aspects relate to a feed board for a radiating element. The feed board has a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to each other and a ground layer on only one of the first main surface and the second main surface. The feed board has no signal transmission line on either of the first main surface and the second main surface.

[0035] The ground layer may occupy only a portion of the first major surface or the second major surface of the feed board and may be arranged with at least one curvilinear metal pattern.

[0036] Still other aspects relate to a base station antenna, comprising: a grid reflector having an array of metal patches or metal shapes; and a feed plate comprising spaced-apart metallized shapes. At least one of the metallized shapes of the feed plate overlaps at least one of the metal patches or metal shapes of the grid reflector.

[0037] The grid reflector may have a feed plate aperture, and the feed plate may extend across and overlap a portion of a plurality of the metal patches or the metal shapes surrounding the feed plate aperture.

[0038] The feed board may have no signal transmission line on the front main surface.

[0039] The array of metal patches or metal shapes of the grid reflector may define a unit cell, and wherein at least one of the metallized shapes of the feed plate may have a shape that matches and overlaps and covers at least a portion of a unit cell of the unit cell.

[0040] The feed plate aperture may extend through a plurality of inner peripheral portions of the metal shape of the grid reflector surrounding the feed plate aperture.

[0041] The base station antenna may also include at least one coaxial connector behind and adjacent to the grid reflector and may be coupled to a radiating element in front of the grid reflector.

[0042] The at least one coaxial connector may be orthogonal to the feeding stem.

[0043] The at least one coaxial connector may be parallel to the feeding stem.

[0044] The grid reflector and feed plate may cooperate to form a replicated array of unit cell structures configured to absorb and / or reflect RF energy in a first frequency band and to transmit RF energy in a second frequency band.

[0045] The grid reflector may be formed from a metal sheet including an array of unit cells defining the metal patches or shapes.

[0046] The grid reflector may be formed of a multi-layer printed circuit board including the metal patch.

[0047] The base station antenna may further include an active antenna unit behind the grid reflector.The grid reflector may be configured to allow RF energy in at least a portion of the 3.2-4.1 GHz frequency band to propagate therethrough.

[0048] Still other aspects relate to a base station antenna comprising a grid reflector and a plurality of feed pads coupled to the grid reflector, wherein some of the feed pads are located on a front major surface of the grid reflector and some of the plurality of feed pads are located on a rear major surface of the grid reflector.

[0049] At least some of the plurality of feed pads may have a lattice body having apertures surrounded by metallic linear segments defining at least first and second signal traces leading to respective first and second radiating elements.

[0050] At least some of the metal linear segments of the feed plate may be aligned with the metal linear segments of the grid reflector.

[0051] The base station antenna may further include a first feed cable and a second feed cable connected to a corresponding feed board among the plurality of feed boards. The first feed cable and the second feed cable may extend from the corresponding feed board to the end portion of the grid reflector with 0-3 lateral segments and at least one longitudinally extending linear straight segment whose length may be longer than the cumulative length of the lateral segments.

[0052] The longitudinally extending linear straight section of the first feeder cable may extend parallel to the longitudinally extending linear straight section of the second feeder cable.

[0053] One or more of the at least one longitudinally extending linear straight sections of the first feeder cable and the second feeder cable may be parallel.

[0054] The power feeding board on the front main surface may be a low-frequency band power feeding board, and the power feeding board on the second main surface may be a mid-frequency band power feeding board.

[0055] The lattice body may have a first feeder cable connection connecting a conductor of a first feeder cable to the first signal trace and a second feeder cable connection connecting a conductor of a second feeder cable to a second conductive signal trace.

[0056] The first signal trace may have a first power divider that directs signals from the first feeder cable to each of the first and second radiating elements, and wherein the second signal trace may have a second power divider that directs signals from the second feeder cable to each of the first and second radiating elements.

[0057] The lattice body may have first and second shaped regions spaced apart, and each shaped region is electrically connected to the first and second signal traces and aligned with feed stems of the first and second radiators.

[0058] The shaped region may replicate at least a portion of a unit cell structure of the grid reflector.

[0059] The base station antenna may include a first feeder cable and a second feeder cable connected to corresponding feeder boards among the plurality of feeder boards, wherein the first cable and the second cable for the feeder board on the front main surface are located in front of the first feeder cable and the second feeder cable for the feeder board on the rear surface, and signal traces and / or the first feeder cable and the second feeder cable may cross each other in different planes, thereby eliminating the need for a crossover jumper.

[0060] Still other aspects relate to a base station antenna comprising a grid reflector and a plurality of feed pads coupled to the grid reflector, wherein at least some of the plurality of feed pads have a lattice body having an aperture surrounded by a metal linear segment defining at least a first conductive signal trace and a second conductive signal trace.

[0061] Some of the feed plates may be located on a front major surface of the grid reflector, and some of the plurality of feed plates may be located on a rear major surface of the grid reflector.

[0062] At least some of the metal linear segments of the feed plate may be aligned with the metal linear segments of the grid reflector.

[0063] The base station antenna may further include a first feed cable and a second feed cable connected to a corresponding feed board among the plurality of feed boards. The first feed cable and the second feed cable may extend from the corresponding feed board to an end portion of the grid reflector with 0-3 lateral segments and at least one longitudinally extending linear straight segment whose length is longer than the cumulative length of the lateral segments.

[0064] The longitudinally extending linear straight section of the first feeder cable may extend parallel to the longitudinally extending linear straight section of the second feeder cable.

[0065] The power feeding board on the front main surface may include a low-frequency band power feeding board, and the power feeding board on the second main surface may include a mid-frequency band power feeding board.

[0066] The lattice body may also include a first feeder cable connection connecting a conductor of a first feeder cable to the first signal trace and a second feeder cable connection connecting a conductor of a second feeder cable to a second conductive signal trace.

[0067] The first signal trace may have a first power divider that directs signals from the first feeder cable to each of the first and second radiating elements, and the second signal trace may have a second power divider that directs signals from the second feeder cable to each of the first and second radiating elements.

[0068] The lattice body may have first and second shaped regions spaced apart, and each shaped region is electrically connected to the first and second signal traces and aligned with feed stems of the first and second radiators.

[0069] The shaped region may replicate at least a portion of a unit cell structure of the grid reflector.

[0070] The base station antenna may further include a first feed cable and a second feed cable connected to corresponding feed boards among the plurality of feed boards, wherein the first cable and the second cable for the feed board on the front main surface are located in front of the first feed cable and the second feed cable for the feed board on the rear surface, and signal traces and / or the first feed cable and the second feed cable can cross each other in different planes, thereby eliminating the need for a crossover jumper.

[0071] It should be noted that various aspects of the present disclosure described for one embodiment may be included in other different embodiments, even if not specifically described for other different embodiments. In other words, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment may be combined in any manner and / or combination, as long as they do not contradict each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base station antenna according to the prior art.

[0073] FIG. 2 is a rear view of another prior art base station antenna.

[0074] Figure 3A is a rear perspective view of an exemplary base station antenna coupled to an active antenna module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Figure 3B is a side rear perspective view of another exemplary base station antenna coupled to an active antenna module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] Figure 4 According to an embodiment of the present invention, a base station antenna may be provided. Figure 3A or Figure 3B A front perspective view of an exemplary main reflector in a base station antenna is shown in FIG.

[0077] Figure 5A is a front perspective view of a portion of a reflector including a grid reflector of a base station antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Figure 5B Yes Figure 5A A front view of the portion of the reflector of the grid reflector shown in FIG.

[0079] Fig. 6A is an enlarged view of a portion of an exemplary grid reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] Figure 6B is an enlarged view of an exemplary feed plate with a feed handle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] Figure 6C According to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 6A and 6B An assembled view of the portions of the grid reflector and feed plate are shown in FIG.

[0082] Figure 7 is a rear view of a portion of a grid reflector including a radiating element and a feeding plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] Figure 8 is a rear view of another embodiment of a portion of a grid reflector including radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Fig. 9 is a rear view of another embodiment of a portion of a grid reflector including radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Fig.10 According to an embodiment of the present invention Fig. 9 Front view of the grid reflector and feed plate shown in FIG.

[0086] Fig.11A is an enlarged front perspective view of another embodiment of a portion of a grid reflector including a feed plate with a rear conductive layer and a radiating element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Fig. 11B is an enlarged front perspective view of another embodiment of a portion of a grid reflector including a feed plate having a front conductive layer and a radiating element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] Fig. 12A is a front view of a portion of a grid reflector having a plurality of spaced-apart radiating elements and a feed pad in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] Fig. 12B yes Fig. 12A A rear view of the mesh reflector and the portion of the components shown in FIG.

[0090] Fig.13A is an enlarged side view of a portion of a grid reflector having a feed plate and radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Fig. 13B According to an embodiment of the present invention Fig.13A A front side perspective view of the components shown in (without the radiating element).

[0092] Fig.14A is a rear view of a portion of a grid reflector having a plurality of spaced-apart corresponding feed pad apertures and a feed pad in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] Fig. 14B is a front schematic diagram of a portion of a three-dimensional grid reflector and spaced-apart radiating elements and a corresponding feed panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Fig.15 According to an embodiment of the present invention Fig.14A An enlarged rear view of a sub-region of the portion of the grid reflector shown in .

[0095] Fig.16 is similar to Fig.11A and 11B An enlarged rear perspective view of the feed plate and feed handle shown in FIG. 1 , without the grid reflector shown.

[0096] Fig.17 is similar to Fig.13A ,13B 15 and 16 are enlarged rear perspective views of the feed plate and feed handle shown in FIG. 15 , without showing the grid reflector.

[0097] Figure 18-22 is an exemplary feed panel configuration having one or more radiating elements coupled to an exemplary grid reflector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Fig.23 is a front side perspective view of an antenna assembly and an exemplary grid reflector of a base station antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] Fig.24A and 24B is a simplified side cross-sectional view of an exemplary base station antenna and mating active antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Fig.25 is a side perspective view of a portion of a base station antenna having a feed pad arranged along a grid reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] Fig.26 yes Fig.25 A front view of a portion of the portion of a base station antenna is shown in FIG.

[0102] Fig. 27 yes Fig.25 A side perspective view of an exemplary feed plate is shown in FIG.

[0103] Fig.28 is the embodiment of the present invention at the feeding handle position Fig.25 An enlarged rear view of a portion of the feed plate and grid reflector shown in FIG.

[0104] Fig.29 is an enlarged end view of an exemplary feed plate and grid reflector arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Fig.30 is a schematic diagram of exemplary feed plate arrangements of different feed plates and grid reflectors according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0106] Fig.31 is a front side perspective view of an antenna and feed board arrangement of a base station antenna with an exemplary feeder cable arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Fig.32 yes Fig.31 An enlarged side perspective view of a portion of the device shown in FIG.

[0108] Fig.33 yes Fig.31 A rear view of the device shown in FIG.

[0109] Fig.34 According to an embodiment of the present invention Fig.31 A front side perspective view of the device shown in , without the dipole radiator shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0110] Figure 3A A base station antenna 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. In the following description, the base station antenna 100 will be described using the following terms that assume that the base station antenna 100 is mounted for use on a tower, pole or other mounting structure, wherein a longitudinal axis L of the base station antenna 100 extends along a vertical axis, a front portion of the base station antenna 100 is mounted opposite the tower, pole or other mounting structure directed toward a target coverage area of ​​the base station antenna 100, and a rear portion 100r of the base station antenna 100 faces the tower or other mounting structure. It should be understood that the base station antenna 100 may not always be mounted so that its longitudinal axis L extends along a vertical axis. For example, the base station antenna 100 may be slightly tilted (e.g., less than 10°) relative to the vertical axis so that the resulting antenna beams formed by the base station antenna 100 each have a small mechanical down-tilt.

[0111] The base station antenna 100 may be coupled to or include at least one active antenna module 110. The term "active antenna module" is used interchangeably with "active antenna unit" and "AAU" and "active antenna" and refers to a cellular communication unit that includes radio circuitry and associated radiating elements. The radio circuitry is capable of electronically adjusting the amplitude and / or phase of sub-components of RF signals output to different radiating elements of an array or group thereof. The active antenna module 110 includes the radio circuitry and radiating elements (e.g., a multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO) beamforming antenna array), and may include other components such as filters, calibration networks, antenna interface signal group (AISG) controllers, etc. The active antenna module 110 may be provided as a single integrated unit, or may be provided as a plurality of stackable units, the plurality of stackable units including, for example, a first subunit and a second subunit (e.g., a radio subunit (box) having a radio circuit system and an antenna subunit (box) having a multi-column array of radiation elements), and the first subunit and the second subunit are stackably attached together in the front-to-rear direction of the base station antenna 100, wherein the radiation element 1195 of the antenna assembly 1190 of the AAU 110 is closer to the front radome 111f of the housing 100h of the base station antenna 100 than the radio circuit system unit 1120 (radome 111f of the base station antenna 100). Fig.24A , 24B ). In some embodiments, the radiating element 1195 may include a subunit separate from the radio circuitry, and the radiating element subunit may be mounted within the base station antenna 100 rather than external to the base station antenna 100.

[0112] The base station antenna 100 has a housing 100h. The housing 100h may be substantially rectangular, having a flat rectangular cross section. The housing 100h may be provided to define at least a portion of the antenna cover 111, wherein at least the front side 111f is configured as a dielectric cover that allows RF energy to pass through in a specific frequency band. The housing 100h may also be configured such that the rear portion 100r defines a rear side 111r antenna cover opposite the front side antenna cover 111f. Optionally, the housing 100h and / or the antenna cover 111 may also include two (narrow) side walls 100s, 111s that face each other and extend backwards between the front side 111f and the rear side 111r. Typically, the top side 100t of the housing 100h may be sealed in a waterproof manner, and may include an end cap 120, and the bottom 100b of the housing 100h may be sealed with a separate end cap 130. Front side 111f, sidewalls 111s, and typically at least a portion of rear side 111r of radome 111 are substantially transparent to radio frequency (RF) energy within the operating frequency band of base station antenna 100 and active antenna module 110. Radome 111 may be formed of, for example, fiberglass or plastic.

[0113] Still refer to Figure 3A In some embodiments, the active antenna module 110 may be attached to the base station antenna 100 using the frame 112 and accessory mounting brackets 113, 114. The rear portion 111r of the housing 100h may be a flat surface extending along a common plane over its entire longitudinal extent or along at least a portion of its longitudinal extent.

[0114] As will be discussed further below, the base station antenna 100 includes an antenna assembly 190, which may be referred to as a "passive antenna assembly." The term "passive antenna assembly" refers to an antenna assembly having arrays of radiating elements that are coupled to a radio external to the antenna, typically a remote radio head mounted proximate to the base station antenna 100. The arrays of radiating elements ( Fig.23 ) are configured to form static antenna beams (e.g., antenna beams each configured to cover a sector of a base station). The passive antenna assembly 190 may include a reflector 170, 214 having a radiating element protruding in front of the reflector, and the radiating element may include one or more linear arrays of low-band radiating elements operating in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band and / or one or more linear arrays of mid-band radiating elements operating in all or part of the 1427-2690 MHz frequency band. The passive antenna assembly 190 is installed in the housing 100h of the base station antenna 100, and one or more active antenna modules 110 may be releasably (detachably) coupled (e.g., directly or indirectly attached) to the housing 100h of the base station antenna 100.

[0115] Figure 3B The rear surface 100 r of the housing 100 h is shown to include a concave and / or stepped section 102 facing the active antenna module 110 . Figure 3A It is shown that the recessed and / or stepped section 102 is not required. In use, the stepped section 102 can define a subsection of the rear portion 100r of the housing 100h. The stepped section 102 can have a lateral and longitudinal extent that is the same or greater than the lateral and longitudinal extent of the active antenna module 110. The rear surface 100r can also include a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally extending rails 118 that engage adapter mounting brackets 1118 on the active antenna module 110 to attach the active antenna module 110 to the base station antenna housing 100h.

[0116] Reference again Figure 3A In another embodiment, the rear surface 100r may include a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart mounting structure brackets extending rearwardly from the housing 100h, shown as an upper bracket 115, a middle bracket 116, and a lower bracket 117. In some embodiments, the mounting structure brackets 115, 116, 117 may be configured to couple to one or more mounting structures, such as a tower, a pole, or a building (not shown). At least two of the mounting structure brackets 115, 116 may also be configured to be attached to a frame 112 of the base station antenna apparatus when in use. The frame 112 may extend over a sub-length of the longitudinal extent L of the base station antenna 100, wherein the sub-length is Figure 3A 112 is shown in at least a major portion thereof (at least 50% of its length). The frame 112 may include a top 112t, a bottom 112b, and two opposing long sides 112s extending between the top 112t and the bottom 112b. The frame 112 may have an open central space 112c extending laterally between the sides 112s and longitudinally between the top 112t and the bottom 112b.

[0117] In use, the frame 112 may be configured so that a variety of different active antenna modules 110 may be mounted to the frame 112 using appropriate accessory mounting brackets 113, 114. Thus, a variety of active antenna modules 110 may be interchangeably attached to the same base station antenna 100. Although the frame 112 is shown by way of example, other mounting systems may be used.

[0118] In some embodiments, multiple active antenna modules 110 may be simultaneously attached to the same base station antenna 100 at different longitudinal positions using one or more frames 112. Such active antenna modules 110 may have different sizes, such as different lengths and / or different widths and / or different thicknesses.

[0119] Now turn to Figure 4, shows an exemplary main reflector 214 of the base station antenna 100. As shown, the main reflector 214 has a first section 2141 that extends a first longitudinal distance and merges into a second section 2142, the second section having spaced-apart right and left sections 214s, the second section having a lateral extent d2 that is smaller than the lateral extent d1 of the first section 2141. The open middle region 14 may extend longitudinally and laterally around the second section 2142. In some embodiments, the open middle region 14 may have a lateral extent d3 that is 60-95% of the lateral extent d1. In some embodiments, the first section 2141 may have a greater longitudinal extent than the second section 2142, typically at least 20% greater, for example 30%-80% greater.

[0120] Figure 5A and 5B An exemplary grid reflector 170 of the base station antenna 100 is shown. The grid reflector 170 includes a frequency selective surface and may be interchangeably referred to as a “frequency selective reflector.” The grid reflector 170 may extend a portion or the entire lateral extent of the base station antenna 100 and at least a portion of the length of the base station antenna 100.

[0121] In some embodiments, the grid reflector 170 can be electrically and / or mechanically coupled to the main reflector 214. In some embodiments, the grid reflector 170 can be positioned between the right and left sides 214s of the main reflector in the open middle region 14 ( Figure 4 ). In some embodiments, the grid reflector 170 may be integral with the main reflector 214 .

[0122] The grid reflector 170 may be provided as a non-metal substrate(s) having conductive metal patches arranged to define the unit cell array 171, or may be a metal grid providing the unit cell array 171. The term "unit cell" may also be interchangeably referred to as a "pattern cell".

[0123] The non-metallic substrate may be provided as a multi-layer printed circuit board, which may be configured as a rigid, semi-rigid component, or a flexible circuit. In some embodiments, the non-metallic substrate may be or may include a plastic, polymer, copolymer, and / or dielectric having (one or more) metallized surfaces that provide a conductive patch defining at least a portion of the unit cell array 171.

[0124] The grid reflector 170 may be provided as a sheet of metal (eg, aluminum) shaped to form the unit cell array 171. The unit cell array 171 may be punched, etched, or laser formed apertures formed through the sheet of metal or may be formed in other ways.

[0125] The grid reflector 170 provides (one or more) frequency selective surfaces and / or substrates (interchangeably referred to as "frequency selective surfaces" and "frequency selective reflectors") that are configured to allow RF energy (electromagnetic waves) to pass through in one or more first frequency bands and to reflect RF energy at one or more different second frequency bands. The frequency selective surfaces and / or substrates may also be interchangeably referred to herein as "FSSs".

[0126] The grid reflector 170 of the base station antenna 100 may be located at at least some of the antenna elements 222 ( Fig. 12A , 13A , 14A, 14B, 15, 18-22, 23, 24A, 24B), and can selectively reject some frequency bands and allow other frequency bands to pass by including a frequency selective surface and / or substrate to operate as a "spatial filter". See, for example, Ben A. Munk, "Frequency Selective Surfaces: Theory and Design", ISBN: 978-0-471-37047-5; DOI: 10.1002 / 0471723770; April 2000, all rights reserved. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

[0127] The frequency selective surface and / or substrate material of the grid reflector 170 may include one or more of a meta-material, a suitable RF material, or even air (although air may require more complex assembly). The term "meta-material" refers to a composite electromagnetic (EM) material. The meta-material may include a sub-wavelength periodic microstructure.

[0128] The FSS material may be provided as one or more collaborative layers. The FSS material may include a substrate having a dielectric constant in the range of about 2-4 (e.g., about 3.7) and a thickness of about 5 mils, and a metal pattern forming a unit cell 171 formed on the dielectric substrate. The thickness may vary, but thinner materials may provide lower losses. As discussed above, alternatively, the FSS material may be provided as a metal sheet with a unit cell array 171.

[0129] In some embodiments, the frequency selective substrate / surface of the mesh reflector 170 can be configured to act as a high pass filter that substantially allows low frequency band energy (e.g., energy in the 600-1000 MHz frequency range) to be substantially reflected (the FSS can act as a metal sheet) while allowing higher frequency band energy (e.g., about 3.5 GHz or higher) to be substantially passed. Thus, the frequency selective substrate / surface is substantially transparent or invisible to the higher frequency band energy, and a suitable out-of-band rejection response from the FSS can be achieved. The FSS material can allow for a reduction in the filter, or even the elimination of the look-back radio 1120 ( Figure 3A , 3B , 24A, 24B) filter requirements.

[0130] As discussed above, in some embodiments, the grid reflector 170 with FSS can be implemented by forming a frequency selective surface on a printed circuit board, optionally a flexible circuit board. In some embodiments, for example, the grid reflector 170 can be implemented as a multi-layer printed circuit board, one or more layers of the multi-layer printed circuit board being formed with a frequency selective surface configured such that electromagnetic waves within a predetermined frequency range are substantially unable to propagate through the grid reflector 170, and wherein one or more other predetermined frequency ranges associated with one or more layers of the multi-layer printed circuit board are allowed to substantially pass through.

[0131] refer to Figure 5A and 5B , shows a grid (frequency selective) reflector 170 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the grid reflector 170 can be used in a device such as Figure 3A , 3B The grid reflector / frequency selective reflector 170 may be arranged as an integral or separate component of the main reflector 214. The main reflector 214 may be metallic (eg, formed from a substantially solid or continuous sheet of metallic aluminum).

[0132] The grid reflector 170 having a frequency selective surface may be disposed at a position corresponding to the installation position of the active antenna module 110 of the base station antenna 100, and may be configured to allow electromagnetic waves within a predetermined frequency range (e.g., high-frequency electromagnetic waves within a range of 2300 to 4200 MHz or a portion thereof) to pass through. In this way, when the base station antenna 100 is assembled, the high-frequency electromagnetic waves emitted by the active antenna module 110 may pass through the frequency selective reflector 170.

[0133] refer to Figures 6A-6C , the grid reflector 170 includes feed plate apertures 1210 and a corresponding feed plate 1200 covering some or all of the corresponding feed plate apertures 1210 . Fig. 6AThe grid reflector 170 is shown with an exemplary feed plate aperture 1210 and a perimeter 1210p of the feed plate aperture 1210 . Figure 6B An exemplary feed board 1200 having a feed handle 1220 is shown. Figure 6C Shows Fig. 6A The grid reflector 170 shown in FIG. Figure 6B An assembled view of the feed board 1200 is shown in FIG.

[0134] refer to Figure 6C , the grid reflector 170 may include an array of unit cells or pattern cells 171u. A plurality of pattern cells 171u may surround the feed plate aperture 1210. The perimeter 1210p of the feed plate aperture 1210 may extend through one or more of the patterns 171 of cells 171u, such that the pattern cells 171u around the perimeter 1210p are incomplete patterns relative to other pattern cells 171u and therefore have a different shape than the other unit cells 171u. The feed plate perimeter 1210p may define a plurality of corner segments 171c of a set of unit cells around the feed plate perimeter 1210p. The corner segments 171c may be curvilinear and may have portions extending at an angle β (see Fig. 6A ), which is different from and / or has a different length from the corner segment 171c of the unit cell 171 spaced apart from the feed plate aperture 1210. In some embodiments, the angle β may be between 30-60 degrees from the horizontal plane. The unit cells 171u (at Fig. 6A Four unit cells 171u are shown in FIG. 1 and 171b ) may have a perimeter 171pf having a shape that is different from the perimeters 171p of the other unit cells 171u.

[0135] The feed plate 1200 may have a periphery 1200p and / or a shaped portion 1200m ( Figure 6B , 8 ), the perimeter and / or shaped portion is configured to cooperate with the grid reflector 170 so as to replicate at least a portion of the unit cell 171u structure of the grid 170. The feeding plate 1200 may have at least a portion having a shape corresponding to the shape of the unit cell 171u (or a portion of the shape of the unit cell 171u). Figure 6B The perimeter 1200p is shown to be curvilinear and includes four corner segments 1200c having shapes corresponding to the unit cells 171u. Figure 6CIt is shown that the corner segment 1200c can be located above or below the corresponding unit cell 171u when assembled. The feed board 1200 can be located in front of the grid reflector 170 or behind the grid reflector 170. The corner segment 1200c can be coupled to the front surface or rear surface of the corresponding unit cell in the unit cell 171u of the grid reflector 170. The corner segment 1200c on the front or rear main surface can include a conductive metal (e.g., copper) and define a portion of the ground layer 1230. As shown, the ground layer 1230 is discontinuous across the front or rear of the feed board 1200 so that the pattern of the unit cell 171u is replicated on the feed board 1200.

[0136] The ground layer 1230 of the feed plate 1200 may cooperate with the grid reflector 170 to form a portion of the unit cell structure and / or a function of the FSS of the grid reflector 170 .

[0137] The feed plate aperture 1210 may have a surface area Sf that is greater than the surface area Su of the unit cell 171u, typically greater than at least two unit cells 171u and less than 10 (ten) unit cells 171u, where the unit cells 171u may have the same surface area, or an average with maximum and minimum values, where they are different. However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, since the feed plate 1200 replicates the pattern of the unit cells 171u and thus acts as a FSS surface, the feed plate aperture 1210 may have any size and may replace a larger number of unit cells 171u of the grid reflector 170.

[0138] In some embodiments, the feed handle 1220 of each radiating element 222 may include a printed circuit board based feed handle, but a die cast or sheet metal feed handle may be used instead. When implemented using a printed circuit board, the feed handle 1220 may include a pair of printed circuit boards having cooperating slots that allow the two printed circuit boards to be joined together, wherein the printed circuit boards are rotated 90 degrees relative to each other, as is well known in the art. In such embodiments, each printed circuit board typically includes two rearwardly extending tabs 1220l, which facilitates fixed mounting of the radiating element 222 to the feed board 1200 by soldering. The feed handle 1220 may have a plurality of rearwardly extending tabs 1220l (shown as four tabs in the depicted embodiment) that extend rearwardly through the feed board 1200. Two coaxial feed cables 1225 (one for each polarization) may be provided, and they may be located behind the grid reflector 170. Each coaxial cable 1225 may be connected to one of the rearwardly extending tabs 12201 of a corresponding one of the printed circuit boards 1220 to communicate RF signals between the radiating element 222 and the feed network of the passive antenna assembly 190 .

[0139] Since the coaxial cable 1225 can be directly coupled to the feed handle 1220 at the rear of the feed board 1200, no signal transmission trace is required on the front surface of the feed board 1200. For example, the front surface 1200f of the feed board 1200 can be free of metal. One major surface of the feed board 1200 can include a conductive electrical ground layer 1230, which can be a copper layer. The ground layer 1230 can be on the rear major surface 1200r ( Fig.11A ) or on the front main surface 1200f ( Fig. 11B ). The ground layer 1230 may be configured to occupy only a sub-portion of the surface area of ​​the major front or rear surface of the feed board 1200 provided by the patterned segments thereon.

[0140] In some embodiments, each coaxial cable 1225 may be orthogonal to the feed handle 1220 ( Figure 8 , 9 , 10, 13A, 15). In other embodiments, each coaxial cable 1225 can be in line (parallel) with its associated feeding handle 1220 ( Fig.11A , 11B ). The straight-line configuration removes any bends in the coaxial cable 1225 relative to the feed board 1200 and may provide ease of assembly or installation or a lower cost assembly.

[0141] refer to Fig.11A and 11B For example, the center conductor 1225 c of the coaxial cable 1225 can be connected to the signal trace 1223 on the front portion 1220 f of at least one tab 1220 l of the feed handle 1220 , and the ground conductor of the coaxial cable can be connected to the ground plane on the feed board 1200 .

[0142] Figure 7 It is shown that the feed plate aperture 1210 can be polygonal, such as square or rectangular, and can be coupled to a single feed plate 1200 using a feed handle 1220 of a single radiating element 222. The feed plate 1200 or at least a portion thereof is a shaped segment 1200m in the form of all or part of a unit cell 171u, does not require a signal transmission trace, and typically has no signal transmission trace. The feed plate 1200 may have a perimeter 1200p (shown in phantom in front of the rear surface of the grid reflector 170) having at least a portion extending beyond the feed plate aperture 1210 to physically couple to the grid reflector 170 thereat.

[0143] Figure 8Another configuration of a feed plate aperture 1210 and a feed plate 1200 is shown. The ground layer 1230 of the feed plate 1200 may have unit cell shaped segments 1230u shaped to mimic or be identical to the unit cells 171u of the grid reflector 170. The ground layer 1230 may also include a ground strip 1231 aligned with the metal strips 171s of the array of unit cells 171 (and the plate), which may capacitively couple with the metal of the grid reflector 170, such as with one or more unit cells 171u, to provide capacitive coupling between the grid reflector 170 and the feed plate 1200.

[0144] Fig. 9 and 10 Shown with Figures 6A-6C 12 and a feed plate 1200. The feed plate 1200 includes a grounding layer 1230 having a shaped corner segment 1200c and a shaped segment 1230m coupled to the feed handle 1220, the major surface of the shaped corner segment defining a portion of the grounding layer 1230. Compared to conventional feed plates, the grounding layer 1230 is discontinuous across the major surface of the feed plate 1200.

[0145] For example, Figure 8-10 An embodiment is shown in which at least a portion of the structure of the unit cell 171u of the grid reflector 170 is replicated and / or formed on the feed board 1200 using a combination of a grid array 171 and a feed board 1200 to provide a continuous unit cell structure. The metal pattern on the feed board 1200 can be capacitively coupled to the grid reflector 170 by having overlapping portions of the same shape and / or pattern. The result is that the feed board 1200 and the grid reflector 170 together act as a grid reflector 170 that provides FSS. This allows mid-band and / or low-band radiating elements to be positioned in front of and above or on the grid reflector 170 and to be fed without any substantial impairment of the performance of the grid reflector 170. The metal pattern on the feed board 1200 can have the same shape as the metal on the grid reflector 170, and the metal on the feed board 1200 can be coupled to the metal of the reflector 170.

[0146] In other embodiments, the reflector 170 need not be electrically coupled to metal on the feed plate 1200 .

[0147] The metal on the feed plate 1200 may combine with the reflector cutouts / apertures 1210 to contribute the same pattern or pattern features of all or a portion of one or more unit cells 171 u of the grid reflector 170 .

[0148] Fig.11AIt is shown that the ground layer 1230 can be provided on the rear surface 1200r of the feed board 1200, and no signal transmission traces for (one or more) radiating elements are required on the front surface 1200f. As shown, the center conductor 1225c of the coaxial feed cable 1225 can be directly soldered to the feed handle 1220. The ground conductor 1225c of the coaxial feed cable 1225 can be directly soldered to the ground layer 1230 on the rear surface 1200r of the feed board 1200.

[0149] Fig. 11B It is shown that the ground layer 1230 can be provided on the front surface 1200f of the feed board 1200, and signal traces for (one or more) radiating elements are not required on the front surface 1200f. As shown, the coaxial feed cable 1225 can extend through the hole in the feed board 1200 to the front side thereof. The center conductor 1225c of the coaxial feed cable 1225 can be directly soldered to the feed handle 1220, and the ground conductor of the coaxial feed cable 1225 can be directly soldered to the ground layer 1230 on the front surface 1200r of the feed board 1200.

[0150] Fig.11A and 11B Also shown are fastening segments 1212 on the peripheral portion of the feed board 1200 that are configured to couple to the unit cells 171u of the grid reflector 170. The fastening segments 1212 may be provided in any suitable number, typically in the range of 2-4. The fastening segments 1212 provide a structure for fastening the feed board 1200 to the grid reflector 170 (e.g., by welding, by fasteners, by adhesive tape, etc.), and may also form a capacitive connection between a ground layer or plane 1230 on the feed board 1200 and the grid reflector 170 so that both structures are at a common ground potential. Fig.11A In FIG. 1 , the center conductor is on the bottom side of the feed board 1200 (printed circuit board). Fig.11A and Fig. 11B One difference is the solder joint between the center conductor and the dipole stem. Fig.11A The weld joint in the Fig. 11B The weld joint in is located on the top side.

[0151] Although the above discussion assumes a capacitive connection between the feed plate 1200 and the grid reflector 170, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the feed plate 1200 may be galvanically coupled to the grid reflector 170 (eg, by welding).

[0152] Fig. 12A , 12B, 14A and 14B show that the grid reflector 170 may include a plurality of spaced-apart feed plates 1200 having corresponding feed plate apertures 1210 in the grid reflector 170. The corresponding radiating elements 222 may be mounted by their feed stems 1220 to extend forwardly from the feed plates 1200. Fig. 12B It is also shown that a corner bracket attachment portion 1700 may be provided on the rear surface.

[0153] refer to Fig.11A , 13A , 16 and 17, the front portion 1220f of the feeding handle 1220 of the corresponding radiating element 222 may protrude in front of the feeding plate 1200 and the grid reflector 170. The rear portion 1220r of the feeding handle 1200 may also protrude behind the feeding plate 1200 and the grid reflector 170, and thus pass through the feeding plate aperture 1210.

[0154] Fig.13A and 13B It is shown that the rear portion 1220r of the feed handle 1220 may have a smaller length (measured in the front-to-rear direction of the base station antenna housing 100h) than the front portion 1220f.

[0155] Reference again Fig.14A , the feed plate aperture 1210 and the feed plate 1200 may be located at a laterally inward position on the grid reflector 170 , spaced apart from the outer strip portions 170 s or 214 s of the grid reflector 170 .

[0156] Fig. 14B The grid reflector 170 shown may optionally be configured as a three-dimensional grid reflector having rearwardly protruding sidewalls 170w including unit cells 171u.

[0157] Fig.15 is an enlarged view of the grid reflector 170, the feed plate 1200 and the radiating element 222 as viewed from the back, similar to Figure 6C Also shown is a radiating element 222 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The four dipole arms of the radiating element are Fig.15 Radiating element 222 may have a design as shown in U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 241,676, filed on September 8, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0158] Fig.16 and 17 is an enlarged rear perspective view of an exemplary feed board 1200 , coaxial cable 1225 , ground plane 1230 , and feed handle 1220 . Fig.16 A coaxial cable 1225 is shown in line with and parallel to the feed stem 1220 , and normal to the major surface of the feed board 1200 . Fig.17 A coaxial cable 1225 is shown, which is normal to the feed stem 1220 and parallel to the major surface of the feed board 1200.

[0159] Fig.17 A center conductor 1225c is shown extending through the rear tab 1220l to connect to the feed trace 1223 on the handle 1220, while a ground conductor 1225g of the cable 1225 connects to a ground layer and / or plane 1230 on the opposite side of the tab 1220l. Fig.16 , the center conductor 1225c of the PCB can be the ground plane of the dipole 222. This ground plane can have three functions. First, the ground plane has a short circuit at the bottom of the dipole handle to make it a part of the dipole balun. Secondly, the ground plane is coupled to the cutout 1210 of the reflector 170 to ground the dipole to the reflector. Third, the ground plane is combined with the cutout 1210 on the reflector 170 to produce the FSS pattern unit feature. Regarding the second function, the ground plane and the reflector provide a coupling connection. By coupling to the cutout (its periphery), the overall cutout contributes to the pattern unit feature / FSS feature together with the center conductor, and this FSS feature at the horizontal line is a low-pass filter for the current, so that the low-band current is coupled to the cutout 1210 from the center conductor.

[0160] Figure 18-21 It is shown that one or more radiating elements 222 may be mounted on the feed board 1200 . Fig.18 A 1x1 configuration is shown (one feed plate 1200 and one feed handle 1220). Figure 19-21 A 2×1 elongated configuration is shown in which the ground layer 1230 and / or dipole base of the radiating element 222 is arranged in different alignments relative to the array of unit cells 171 of the example grid reflector 170.

[0161] Figure 18-21 Examples are shown of how different configurations may be extended for implementation. Fig.19 based on Figure 7 To extend the low frequency band from 1 to 1 to 1 to 2 feed board 1200. The low frequency band element 222 is located at each side of the feed board 1200. The high frequency band radiating element 1195 can be located between the low frequency band radiating elements 222. This figure shows that not only the low frequency band radiating element 222 can use this idea, but also the high frequency band can be used. In addition, the low frequency band radiating element 222 and the high frequency band radiating element 1195 can be arranged together in the feed board 1200.

[0162] Fig. 20The low frequency band radiating element 222 is shown at each end side, and the middle area can have a larger open space / cutout 14. With this design, the feed board 1200 has a large cutout at the middle area to have a similar Figure 4 The middle area of ​​the open space of the original cutout 14 shown in FIG. 1 remains on the reflector 170 .

[0163] Fig.21 based on Figure 8 / 9 / 10. By adjusting the center conductor to match the reflector cutout 1210, the configuration can be extended from a 1 to 1 feed board 1200 to a 1 to 2 feed board 1200 or even a 1 to N feed board 1200, where N>2 radiating elements, for the corresponding radiating elements.

[0164] Fig. 22 Elongated feed board 1200 is shown, and this elongated feed board has multiple feed handles 1220, and these multiple feed handles are spaced apart and are connected to common center conductor feed 1225c via conductive trace 1325, so that power divider can split signal into two directions for two different radiating elements 222. Middle radiating element (clover-shaped patch element) can be identical with the radiating element 222 shown at each end side, but does not need not cutout / slot 1210, because there is no dipole located thereon.If this feed board 1200 is used for multi-band antenna, then middle four radiating elements can be used for other frequency band dipoles.For example, intermediate frequency band 232 and / or high frequency band radiating element 1195 can be positioned between low frequency band element 222 as low frequency band and high frequency band array staggered design.

[0165] Fig.23 A passive antenna assembly 190 is shown with a grid reflector 170 and with a main reflector 214. The passive antenna assembly 190 also includes a low-band radiating element 222 and a mid-band radiating element 232 projecting inwardly from the reflector strips 214s or reflector outer sides 170s in front of the grid reflector.

[0166] The radiating elements in front of the grid reflector 170 may include low-band 222 and / or mid-band 232 radiating elements ( Fig.24A , 24B ).

[0167] The feed board 1200 can cooperate with the grid reflector 170 to reflect energy from low-band and / or mid-band radiating elements while providing power to mMIMO elements 1195 (eg, positioned behind the grid reflector 170). Fig.24A , 24B )’s high-band radiating elements are transparent or “invisible”.

[0168] refer to Fig.24AThe second grid reflector 1702 may be positioned between the first grid reflector 1701 and the active antenna unit 110 , wherein the first grid reflector has a feed plate 1200 and a feed plate aperture 1210 .

[0169] The pattern unit or unit cell 171u may be periodically arranged in the transverse and longitudinal directions of the base station antenna 100. Each of the pattern unit / unit cell 171u may have a predetermined pattern and may include a capacitor structure and an inductor structure connected in series and / or in parallel with the capacitor structure. In addition, each of the pattern units 171u may be electrically connected to each other through an inductor structure. For example, the inductor structure in each pattern unit / unit cell 171u may be electrically connected to the inductor structure of an adjacent pattern unit.

[0170] The resonant frequency of the frequency selective surface of the grid reflector 170 can be configured by selecting or designing the pattern and size of the capacitor structure and inductor structure of each pattern unit / unit unit 171u, as well as the spacing and arrangement of multiple pattern units 171u, so that electromagnetic waves within a predetermined frequency range can pass through the frequency selective segment.

[0171] In addition, the unit cell / pattern unit 171u can have various shapes, such as triangles, rectangles, diamonds, pentagons, hexagons, circles, ellipses, partial ellipses, etc., as well as combinations of different shapes for different unit cells. Further details of exemplary grid reflectors can be found in co-pending PCT / CN2022 / 080578, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

[0172] In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the frequency selection section may be configured as a slot-type frequency selection section, which may be achieved by periodically opening the slots of the metal units on the metal plate and forming, for example, various pattern units arranged periodically. To this end, in an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the slots may be formed by perforating or laser direct structuring (LSD) at corresponding positions of the metal body or main reflector portion 214 to form the frequency selection section. The main reflector 214 and the frequency selection section 170 may be integrally formed of a metal plate or a metal sheet, thereby ensuring that the formed frequency selection reflector 170 has sufficient strength. In other embodiments, the main reflector 214 and the frequency selection substrate 170 may be formed as separate components and then coupled or fixed together in an appropriate manner to form a grid (frequency selection) reflector 170. In some embodiments, the main reflector 214 and the frequency selection section 170 may also be made of different materials.

[0173] In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the grid reflector 170 may include a patch-type frequency selective section, which may be implemented by forming periodically arranged metal pattern units on a substrate. A plurality of metal pattern units may be formed on a substrate by a selective electroplating process or a metal ink transfer printing process. In some embodiments, the substrate may be formed of plastic, and the metal pattern unit may be formed of a metal material such as copper, aluminum, gold, and silver. In order to increase the strength of the frequency selective reflector 170, the substrate may be formed of high-strength plastic.

[0174] The grid reflector 170 may be configured with unit cells 171u having an open interior 172 without metal, and each unit cell 171u may include a metal perimeter. The grid reflector 170 may be provided as a single layer of metal sheet, thereby providing the unit cells 171u with an open interior 172 without metal. In other embodiments, the unit cells 171u may have a metal body at least partially surrounded by open space and connecting metal strips and / or linear segments.

[0175] The grid reflector 170 is configured to allow one or more first defined frequency ranges of RF energy (electromagnetic waves) to pass therethrough, and is also configured to reflect RF energy of a second, different frequency range / band.

[0176] In some embodiments, the mesh reflector 170 of the passive antenna assembly 190 can be configured to act as a high-pass filter that allows low-band energy to be substantially completely reflected when the mesh is formed from sheet metal, while allowing higher-band energy (e.g., about 3.5 GHz or higher) to pass, typically substantially completely. Thus, the mesh reflector 170 is transparent or invisible to higher-band energy and can achieve a suitable out-of-band rejection response.

[0177] In some embodiments, the grid reflector 170 may be located at a distance of 1 / 8 wavelength to 1 / 8 wavelength of the operating wavelength behind the low-band (dipole) radiating element 222. 1 The term "operating wavelength" refers to the center frequency of the operating frequency band corresponding to the radiating element (e.g., low-band radiating element 222). In some embodiments, the grid reflector 170 can be located in front of the high-band radiating element 1195 at a distance in the range of 1 / 10 wavelength to 1 / 2 wavelength of the operating wavelength ( Fig.24A , 24B ). For example, in certain specific embodiments, the grid reflector 170 may be located at a physical distance of 0.25 inches and 2 inches from the ground plane or reflector 1172 behind the mMIMO array of radiating elements 1195 of the active antenna module 110 ( Fig.24A , 24B ). Other placement locations may be used.

[0178] In some embodiments, the ground plane or reflector 1172 of the active antenna module 110 may be electrically coupled, for example, galvanically and / or capacitively, to the grid reflector 170 and / or the main reflector 214 of the base station antenna 100. In other embodiments, the ground plane or reflector 1172 of the active antenna module 110 is not electrically coupled to the grid reflector 170 and / or the main reflector 214.

[0179] The passive antenna assembly 190 includes multiple arrays of radiating elements, typically arranged in four to eight columns, wherein the radiating elements extend forward from the front side of the main reflector 214, wherein some columns of the radiating elements continue to extend in front of the grid reflector 170. Each array of radiating elements of the antenna assembly 190 may include radiating elements 222 configured to operate in a first frequency band and radiating elements 232 configured to operate in a second frequency band. Other arrays of radiating elements may include radiating elements configured to operate in a second frequency band or a third frequency band. The first frequency band, the second frequency band, and the third frequency band may be different frequency bands (although they may overlap). In some embodiments, the low-band antenna element 222 and the dipole arm together may be located in front of the grid reflector 170.

[0180] refer to Fig.23 , the passive antenna assembly 190 of the base station antenna 100 may include one or more arrays of low-band radiating elements 222, one or more arrays of mid-band radiating elements 232. Radiating elements 222, 232, 1195 may each be a dual-polarized radiating element. Further details of the radiating elements may be found in co-pending WO2019 / 236203 and WO2020 / 072880, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully described herein. Some of the high-band radiating elements such as radiating element 1195 may be provided as an mMIMO antenna array and may be provided in the active antenna module 110 rather than in the housing 100h of the base station antenna 100.

[0181] The low-band radiating elements 222 may be mounted to extend forwardly from the main or primary reflector 214 and / or the grid reflector 170 and may be mounted in two columns to form two linear arrays 220 of low-band radiating elements 222. In some embodiments, each low-band linear array 220 may extend along substantially the entire length of the antenna 100.

[0182] The low-band radiating elements 222 may be configured to transmit and receive signals in a first frequency band. In some embodiments, the first frequency band may include a 617-960 MHz frequency range or a portion thereof (e.g., a 617-896 MHz frequency band, a 696-960 MHz frequency band, etc.). The low-band linear array may or may not be used to transmit and receive signals in the same portion of the first frequency band. For example, in one embodiment, the low-band radiating elements 222 in the first linear array may be used to transmit and receive signals in a 700 MHz frequency band, and the low-band radiating elements 222 in the second linear array may be used to transmit and receive signals in an 800 MHz frequency band. In other embodiments, the low-band radiating elements 222 in both the first linear array and the second linear array may be used to transmit and receive signals in a 700 MHz (or 800 MHz) frequency band.

[0183] The first mid-band radiating elements 232 may also be mounted to extend forward from the main reflector 214 and / or the grid reflector 170, and may be mounted in a column to form a linear array of first mid-band radiating elements. The linear array of mid-band radiating elements 232 may extend along the respective side edges of the grid reflector 170 and / or the main reflector 214. The first mid-band radiating elements 232 may be configured to transmit and receive signals in a second frequency band. In some embodiments, the second frequency band may include a 1427-2690 MHz frequency range or a portion thereof (e.g., a 1710-2200 MHz frequency band, a 2300-2690 MHz frequency band, etc.). In the depicted embodiment, the first mid-band radiating elements 232 are configured to transmit and receive signals in a lower portion of the second frequency band (e.g., some or all of the 1427-2200 MHz frequency band). The linear array of first mid-band radiating elements 232 may be configured to transmit and receive signals in the same portion of the second frequency band or in different portions of the second frequency band.

[0184] The second mid-band radiating element can be mounted in a column to form a linear array of the second mid-band radiating element and can be configured to transmit and receive signals in the second frequency band. For example, the mid-band radiating element can transmit and receive signals in the upper portion of the second frequency band (e.g., some or all of the 2300-2700 MHz band). In the depicted embodiment, the second mid-band radiating element 242 can have a different design than the first mid-band radiating element 232.

[0185] The high-band radiating element 1195 may be configured to transmit and receive signals in a third frequency band.In some embodiments, the third frequency band may include the 3300-4200 MHz frequency range or a portion thereof.

[0186] It will also be appreciated that the number of linear arrays of low-band, mid-band, and high-band radiating elements may be different than that shown in the figures. For example, the number of linear arrays of each type of radiating element may be different than that shown, some types of linear arrays may be omitted and / or other types of arrays may be added, the number of radiating elements in each array may be different than that shown, and / or the arrays may be arranged differently. As a specific example, the two linear arrays of the second mid-band radiating elements may be replaced with four linear arrays of ultra-high band radiating elements that transmit and receive signals in the 5 GHz band.

[0187] Each array of low-band radiating elements 222 can be used to form a pair of antenna beams, one antenna beam for each of the two polarizations, at which the dual-polarized radiating elements are designed to transmit and receive RF signals. Similarly, each array of the first intermediate-band radiating elements 232 and each array of the second intermediate-band radiating elements can be configured to form a pair of antenna beams, one antenna beam for each of the two polarizations, at which the dual-polarized radiating elements are designed to transmit and receive RF signals. Each linear array can be configured to provide services to a sector of a base station. For example, each linear array can be configured to provide approximately 120° of coverage in the azimuth plane, so that the base station antenna 100 can be used as a sector antenna for a three-sector base station. Of course, it will be appreciated that the linear arrays can be configured to provide coverage at different azimuth beam widths. Although in the depicted embodiment all radiating elements 222, 232, 1195 can be dual-polarized radiating elements, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments some or all of the dual-polarized radiating elements can be replaced with single-polarized radiating elements. It should also be appreciated that while the radiating elements are shown as dipole radiating elements in the depicted embodiment, in other embodiments other types of radiating elements may be used such as, for example, patch radiating elements.

[0188] Since the radiating elements 222, 232 may be tilted crossed dipole radiating elements, the first polarization and the second polarization may be -45° polarization and +45° polarization.

[0189] A phase shifter may be connected to RF port 140 ( Figure 3A ) in a corresponding port in the phase shifter. The phase shifter can be implemented as, for example, a brush arc phase shifter, such as the phase shifter disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,907,096 to Timofeev, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety. The mechanical linkage can be coupled to a RET actuator (not shown). The RET actuator can apply a force to the mechanical linkage, which in turn adjusts the movable element on the phase shifter to electronically adjust the down tilt angle of one or more generated antenna beams in the low-band or mid-band linear array.

[0190] It should be noted that a multi-connector RF port (also referred to as a "clustered" connector) may be used instead of individual RF ports 140. Suitable clustered connectors are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 375,530, filed Apr. 4, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0191] The radiating element 222 may be a cross-dipole element configured to operate in some or all of the 617-960 MHz frequency band. The signal trace 1223 ( Fig.11A , 11B , 13B) may be a feed circuit including a hook balun. Further discussion of exemplary antenna elements including antenna elements (including feed handles) may be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Nos. 63 / 087,451 and 62 / 993,925 and / or related utility patent applications claiming priority thereto, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

[0192] Fig.24A and 24B An exemplary embodiment of a base station antenna 100 and an active antenna module 110 is shown. Fig.24A It is shown that the rear portion 100 r of the base station antenna 100 may have a flat surface, and the active antenna assembly 1190 may be configured to face the rear portion 100 r with the radomes 119 , 111 r therebetween and the grid reflector 170 in front of the radiating element 1195 . Fig. 24B It is shown that the rear portion 100r of the base station antenna 100 may have a recessed section 102 and is sized to receive the radome 119 of the active antenna unit 110, wherein the radiating element 1195 is again behind and facing the grid reflector 170.

[0193] Now go to Figure 25-28, shows another embodiment of a feed plate 1200' and a grid reflector 170. In this embodiment, the feed plate 1200' has a plurality of spaced apart linear segments 1204 surrounding one or more cutouts or apertures 1205, thereby forming an open lattice-type body 1200b. The linear segments 1204 may include at least one signal trace 1200t, shown as a plurality of signal traces 1200t, which may define at least one, preferably a plurality of, conductor signal paths 1325, shown as a first conductor signal path 13251 and an electrically isolated second conductor signal path 13252, each having a respective power divider or power splitter 1326 that transfers the corresponding signal from the center conductor 1225c of the coaxial cable 1225 to at least the respective first and second shaped segments 1200m aligned with the respective feed handles 1220. The shaped segments 1200m may have at least a portion of the curvilinear shape of the respective unit cells 171u of the grid reflector 170. The feed plate 1200' may define more than two conductive signal traces 1200t for more than two signal paths 1325, or a single signal trace for a single conductor signal path 1325. The signal trace 1200t may be provided as a microstrip signal trace.

[0194] The signal trace 1200t and the grid reflector 170 can together form a series of microstrip transmission lines for transmitting RF signals between one or more arrays of radiating elements of the base station antenna 100 and other components of the base station antenna 100 (e.g., phase shifters). In particular, the signal trace 1200t can act as a signal trace of the microstrip transmission line, and the grid reflector 170 can act as a ground plane for the microstrip transmission line. The signal trace 1200t can be separated from the grid reflector by a dielectric layer (e.g., an air gap, a solder mask, or a dielectric substrate of a printed circuit board). In some embodiments, the grid reflector 170 can be formed as a metal layer on a first side of a dielectric substrate (e.g., a dielectric substrate of a printed circuit board), and the signal trace 1200t can be formed as a metal pattern on a second side of the dielectric substrate.

[0195] In embodiments where the grid reflector 170 and the feed plates 1200 ′ are separate elements, each of the feed plates 1200 ′ may include a fastening section 1212 for attaching the feed plate 1200 ′ to the grid reflector 170 .

[0196] Each of the feed panels 1200' may have a first cable connector and a second cable connector 1207 that are attached to respective coaxial cables 12251, 12252 ( Figure 31-34) and connected to the signal trace 1200t corresponding to the corresponding first conductor signal path 13251 and the second conductor signal path 13252. In particular, the center conductor ( Figure 31-34 ) are connected to the signal trace 1200t corresponding to the corresponding first conductor signal path 13251 and the second conductor signal path 13252. The coaxial cables 12251, 12252 ( Figure 31-34 )'s ground conductor may be connected to the grid reflector 170.

[0197] The signal traces 1200t can be arranged as a series of lateral and longitudinal linear segments 1204 aligned with the metallic linear features of the grid 170. This arrangement serves to convert the signal traces 1200t into microstrip transmission lines (because it positions a ground conductor behind each signal trace 1200t), and also positions the signal traces 1200t so that they do not block the openings 172 in the structure of the unit cells 171u, which can degrade the performance of the frequency selective surface. The apertures 1205 of the lattice body 1200b can be sized and configured to provide open windows in front of or behind the plurality of unit cells 171u of the grid reflector 170. A first subset of the linear segments 1204 can provide a first conductor signal path 13251, and a second subset of the linear segments 1204 can provide a second conductor signal path 13252. As described above, in some embodiments, the lattice body 1200b can be selectively metallized on a non-conductive substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board embodiment), but it should be understood that the lattice body 1200b can alternatively be formed of a metal sheet or otherwise. It should also be understood that some or all of the linear segments 1204 can be replaced with non-linear segments (e.g., curved segments or serpentine segments). This is particularly true where the unit cells 171u of the mesh reflector 170 have non-linear segments, as performance can be improved where the lattice body 1200b matches the underlying mesh structure.

[0198] In some embodiments, the aperture 1205 may be a cutout in the dielectric of the printed circuit board that provides the signal trace 1200t and corresponding conductor signal paths 13251, 13252. In other embodiments, the aperture 1205 may be a non-metallized area in the dielectric of the printed circuit board that provides the signal trace 1200t and corresponding conductor signal paths 13251, 13252.

[0199] As described above, the linear segment 1204 may be connected to the metal or metallized linear segment 1711 ( Fig.28) are arranged in a straight line so as not to block or be located above the open interior space 172 of the unit cells 171u of the first grid reflector reflector 1701 and / or the second grid reflector reflector 1702. This arrangement also serves to form the conductor signal paths 13251, 13252 as microstrip transmission lines because the (one or more) grid reflectors 170 provide a ground plane for the microstrip transmission lines. In some embodiments, one or more of the feed boards 1200' may be arranged behind the first grid reflector 1701, and one or more of the feed boards 1200' may be arranged in front of the first grid reflector 1701. In the case of using a single grid reflector 170, the feed board 1200' may be arranged on both major surfaces of the grid reflector 170. In such embodiments, the single grid reflector 1701 may serve as a ground plane for the feed boards 1200' mounted on both sides of the grid reflector 1701.

[0200] The feed board 1200 ′ may be used for any radiating element operating in any frequency band, such as the low-band radiating element 222 and / or the mid-band radiating element 232 .

[0201] refer to Fig.29 , some of the feed boards 1200' may be located on the front main surface or the first main surface 170f of the grid reflector 170, while other feed boards 1200' may be located on the second rear main surface 170r of the grid reflector 170. The feed boards 1200' may be arranged so that the feed boards 1201 for the low-band radiating elements 222 are on one of the two main surfaces, such as the front main surface 170f, and the feed boards 1202 for the mid-band radiating elements 232 are on the other main surface, such as the rear main surface 170r. Alternatively, some of the feed boards 1201 for the low-band radiating elements 222 may be located on or in front of the first main surface 170f, while other feed boards 1201 for the low-band radiating elements 222 may be located behind or on the rear main surface.

[0202] Fig.30An exemplary layout of feed plates 1200' relative to the grid reflector 170 of the base station antenna 100 is shown. As shown, the base station antenna 100 can have a plurality of laterally spaced mid-band feed plates 1202 arranged in rows and columns behind a plurality of low-band feed plates 1201. The centerline C / L of the low-band feed plate 1201 can be laterally offset by a distance Δ from an adjacent mid-band feed plate 1202. The mid-band feed plate 1202 can have a smaller longitudinal extent / length dimension L1 relative to the length L2 of the low-band feed plate 1201, typically at least 40% smaller. At least some of the signal traces 1325 and / or feed cables 1225 of different feed plates 1201 and / or 1202 can cross / intersect each other in different planes, some in front of the front major surface 170f and others behind the rear major surface 170r.

[0203] Fig.30 Two low-band feed pads 1201 are shown, one on the right side of the base station antenna 100 (or grid reflector 170 ), each feeding two low-band radiators 222 , but one or more feed pads 1201 may be configured to feed more than two low-band radiators 222 . Fig.30 Also shown are single columns of mid-band feed boards 1202 located to the left and right of the respective left and right low-band feed boards 1201 . Fig.30 Also shown are multiple mid-band feed boards 1202 that may be positioned laterally between two linear arrays 220-1, 220-2 of low-band radiators 222 and the corresponding low-band feed boards 1201. Each mid-band feed board 232 may feed two or more mid-band radiating elements 232 (two shown).

[0204] Now go to Figure 31-34 , the feed (coaxial) cables 1225 can be configured to extend primarily in the length dimension / direction of the grid reflector 170, and each cable can be aligned with a linear metal or metallized segment of the grid reflector 170. The cables 1225 can be routed so that there are 0-3 short lateral segments 1258 bridging from the feed board 1200' to the longer longitudinal segment 1259. Any lateral segment 1258 can be relatively short, such as less than 10% of the total length of the corresponding cable 1225 along the grid reflector 170. This configuration does not require the cables 1225 to be routed from the corresponding feed board 1200' through the entire grid reflector 170, which may result in reduced performance. This configuration can be implemented without the need for crossover jumpers.

[0205] Each feeding board 1200 ′ may be connected to the first cable 12251 and the second cable 12252 , respectively, and to at least the first and second radiating elements 222 or 232 .

[0206] The feed plate 1200' may be metallized on both major surfaces thereof, and a film, such as a dielectric film, may be positioned between the grid reflector 170 and the feed plate 1200'. In other cases, only one side of the feed plate 1200' (the side with the linear segments 1204) may be metallized, and the grid reflector 170 alone may serve as a ground plane.

[0207] Some feed plates 1200' may be located on the front major surface 170f and some may be located on the rear major surface 170r, thereby allowing an increased density of cables located in different planes.

[0208] Go to again Fig.25 , the grid reflector 170 may include a first grid reflector 1701 and a second grid reflector 1702 stacked and spaced apart in the front-to-back direction, and each grid reflector may have an array of unit cells 171u. The array of unit cells 171u of one or both of the first grid reflector 1701 and the second grid reflector 1702 may be configured to absorb, block and / or reflect at least one of the RF energy in the first frequency band and / or the RF energy in the second frequency band, and transmit RF energy in a third frequency band, wherein the third frequency band includes frequencies between the first frequency band and the second frequency band.

[0209] Still reference Fig.25 , the (one or more) grid reflectors 170 may have right and left sides 170s protruding forward at an oblique angle in the Z dimension. The right and left sides 170s may define side walls 170w, and each of the side walls 170w includes a unit cell 171u of the grid reflector.

[0210] The unit cell pattern 171 of the unit cell 171u can vary on and / or along the reflector 170. For example, a first pattern can be located behind the mid-band radiator 232 and a second, different pattern can be located behind the low-band radiator 222, and each pattern can be configured to reflect RF energy from the corresponding radiator positioned thereat while each pattern allows high-band energy from the high-band radiator 1195 located behind the grid reflector 170 to propagate therethrough.

[0211] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and these embodiments will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Throughout the text, the same reference numerals represent the same elements.

[0212] 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 only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first element may be referred to as the second element, and similarly, the second element may be referred to as the first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0213] It will be understood that when an element is described as being "on" another element, the element may be directly on the other element, or there may be an intermediate element. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly on" another element, there are no intermediate elements. It will also be understood that when an element is described as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, the element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be an intermediate element. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intermediate elements. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (i.e., "between" versus "directly between", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", etc.).

[0214] 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 is to be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings.

[0215] The term "about" used with respect to a number refers to a variation of + / - 10%.

[0216] The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present 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 "include", "comprise" and / or "have" when used herein refer to the presence of the described features, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, parts and / or their groupings.

[0217] Aspects and elements of all of the embodiments disclosed above may be combined in any manner and / or combined with aspects or elements of other embodiments to provide multiple additional embodiments.

Claims

1. A base station antenna, comprising: A grid reflector comprising an array of unit cells; as well as A feed plate is coupled to the grid reflector, wherein the feed plate is configured to replicate at least a portion of a unit cell structure of one or more unit cells of the unit cell array.

2. The base station antenna of claim 1 , wherein the grid reflector comprises a feed plate aperture, and wherein the feed plate extends across a portion of a plurality of unit cells of the unit cell array surrounding the feed plate aperture and overlaps a portion of the plurality of unit cells.

3. The base station antenna of claim 1 , wherein the feed plate comprises a metal shape that replicates at least a portion of a shape of the unit cell structure, and wherein the metal shape overlaps at least some of the unit cells of the grid reflector.

4. The base station antenna according to claim 1, wherein the feed board has no signal transmission line on the front main surface. 5 . The base station antenna according to claim 1 , wherein the feed board includes a ground layer occupying only a portion of one main surface of the feed board and arranged in at least one curvilinear metal pattern.

6. The base station antenna of claim 1, further comprising a radiating element having a feed stem, the radiating element protruding in front of the grid reflector, wherein the feed plate is coupled to the first coaxial cable and the second coaxial cable located near a rear surface of the feed plate.

7. The base station antenna of claim 1, wherein the grid reflector is at least partially defined by a metal grid having a metal unit cell pattern, and wherein the feed pad aperture has a perimeter surrounded by a plurality of the unit cells.

8. The base station antenna of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spaced-apart feed plate apertures spaced apart from the right segment and the left segment of the base station antenna, wherein the feed plate is arranged as a plurality of spaced-apart feed plates, and wherein one of the plurality of feed plates extends across one of the plurality of spaced-apart feed plate apertures.

9. The base station antenna of claim 1, wherein the array of unit cells is arranged in a repeating pattern that extends across at least a major portion of a lateral dimension of the base station antenna in front of the array of radiating elements.

10. The base station antenna of claim 1, wherein the feed plate comprises at least one conductive segment having a curvilinear configuration matching at least a portion of at least a portion of a unit cell structure of the unit cell array of the grid reflector.

11. The base station antenna of claim 2, wherein the feed pad aperture comprises a surface area that is larger than a surface area of ​​a unit cell of the unit cell array.

12. The base station antenna of claim 1, wherein the grid reflector is at least partially defined by a metal grid.

13. The base station antenna of claim 1, wherein the grid reflector is at least partially defined by a multi-layer printed circuit board.

14. The base station antenna of claim 1, wherein the feed plate has no solid continuous conductive major surface and comprises a conductive segment provided in a shape corresponding to at least a portion of a shape of one or more unit cells of the unit cell array.

15. The base station antenna of claim 1, wherein the grid reflector defines a frequency selective surface, and wherein the grid reflector and the feed pad cooperate to reflect energy in a first frequency band and allow energy in a second frequency band from an mMIMO radiating element located behind the grid reflector to propagate therethrough.

16. The base station antenna of claim 1, further comprising an active antenna unit coupled to a rear portion of the base station antenna and located behind the grid reflector.

17. The base station antenna of claim 1, wherein the feed plate has a perimeter shape that matches at least a portion of a perimeter of at least one unit cell of a unit cell array of the FSS. 18 . The base station antenna of claim 1 , wherein the feed plate has a surface having a conductive metal pattern matching a portion of a shape of a unit cell of the unit cell array.

19. The base station antenna according to claim 1, wherein the feeding plate includes a portion having a shape located above or behind a metal portion of the unit cell, the metal portion having a corresponding shape.

20. A feed board for a radiating element, wherein the feed board has opposing first and second main surfaces and a ground layer on only one of the first and second main surfaces, and wherein the feed board has no signal transmission line on either of the first and second main surfaces. 21 . The feed board of claim 21 , wherein the ground layer occupies only a portion of the first major surface or the second major surface of the feed board and is arranged in at least one curvilinear metal pattern.

22. A base station antenna, comprising: a grid reflector having an array of metallic patches or shapes; as well as A feed plate comprising spaced-apart metallized shapes, wherein at least one of the metallized shapes of the feed plate overlaps at least one of the metal patches or metal shapes of the grid reflector.

23. The base station antenna of claim 22, wherein the grid reflector comprises a feed plate aperture, and wherein the feed plate extends across and overlaps a portion of a plurality of the metal patches or the metal shapes surrounding the feed plate aperture.

24. The base station antenna according to claim 22, wherein the feed board has no signal transmission line on the front main surface.

25. The base station antenna of claim 22, wherein the array of metal patches or metal shapes of the grid reflector defines a unit cell, and wherein at least one of the metallized shapes of the feed plate has a shape that matches and overlaps and covers at least a portion of a unit cell of the unit cell.

26. The base station antenna of claim 22, wherein the feed plate aperture extends through a plurality of inner peripheral portions of the metal shape of the grid reflector surrounding the feed plate aperture.

27. The base station antenna of claim 22, further comprising at least one coaxial connector behind and adjacent to the grid reflector and coupled to a radiating element in front of the grid reflector.

28. The base station antenna of claim 27, wherein the at least one coaxial connector is orthogonal to the feed handle.

29. The base station antenna of claim 27, wherein the at least one coaxial connector is parallel to the feed handle.

30. The base station antenna of claim 22, wherein the grid reflector and feed pad cooperate to form a replicated array of unit cell structures, the replicated array being configured to absorb and / or reflect RF energy in a first frequency band and to transmit RF energy in a second frequency band.

31. The base station antenna of claim 22, wherein the grid reflector is formed of a metal sheet including an array of unit cells defining the metal patches or metal shapes.

32. The base station antenna of claim 23, wherein the grid reflector comprises a multi-layer printed circuit board including the metal patch.

33. The base station antenna of claim 22, further comprising an active antenna unit behind the grid reflector, wherein the grid reflector is configured to allow RF energy in at least a portion of the 3.2-4.1 GHz frequency band to propagate therethrough.

34. A base station antenna, comprising: Grid reflector; and A plurality of feed pads are coupled to the grid reflector, wherein some of the feed pads are located on the front major surface of the grid reflector and some of the plurality of feed pads are located on the rear major surface of the grid reflector.

35. The base station antenna of claim 34, wherein at least some of the plurality of feed pads have a lattice body having apertures surrounded by metallic linear segments defining at least first and second signal traces leading to respective first and second radiating elements.

36. The base station antenna of claim 35, wherein at least some of the metal linear segments of the feed plate are aligned with the metal linear segments of the grid reflector.

37. The base station antenna according to claim 34, further comprising a first feed cable and a second feed cable connected to a corresponding feed board among the plurality of feed boards, wherein the first feed cable and the second feed cable extend from the corresponding feed board to an end portion of the grid reflector with 0-3 lateral segments and at least one longitudinally extending linear straight segment whose length is longer than the cumulative length of the lateral segments.

38. The base station antenna of claim 37, wherein one or more of the at least one longitudinally extending linear straight segment of the first feeder cable and the second feeder cable are parallel.

39. The base station antenna of claim 34, wherein the feed board on the front major surface comprises a low-band feed board, and the feed board on the second major surface comprises a mid-band feed board.

40. The base station antenna of claim 34, wherein the lattice body further comprises a first feeder cable connection connecting a conductor of a first feeder cable to the first signal trace and a second feeder cable connection connecting a conductor of a second feeder cable to a second conductive signal trace.

41. The base station antenna of claim 40, wherein the first signal trace comprises a first power divider that directs a signal from the first feeder cable to each of the first radiating element and the second radiating element, and wherein the second signal trace comprises a second power divider that directs a signal from the second feeder cable to each of the first radiating element and the second radiating element.

42. The base station antenna of claim 35, wherein the lattice body comprises first and second shaped regions spaced apart, and each shaped region is electrically connected to the first and second signal traces and aligned with feed handles of the first and second radiators.

43. The base station antenna of claim 42, wherein the shaped region replicates at least a portion of a unit cell structure of the grid reflector.

44. The base station antenna of claim 34, further comprising a first feed cable and a second feed cable connected to corresponding feed boards among the plurality of feed boards, wherein the first cable and the second cable for the feed board on the front main surface are located in front of the first feed cable and the second feed cable of the feed board on the rear surface, and signal traces and / or the first feed cable and the second feed cable are able to cross each other in different planes, thereby eliminating the need for a crossover jumper.

45. A base station antenna, comprising: Grid reflector; and A plurality of feed pads are coupled to the grid reflector, wherein at least some of the plurality of feed pads have a lattice body having apertures surrounded by metallic linear segments defining at least a first conductive signal trace and a second conductive signal trace.

46. ​​The base station antenna of claim 45, wherein some of the feed pads are located on a front major surface of the grid reflector, and some of the plurality of feed pads are located on a rear major surface of the grid reflector.

47. The base station antenna of claim 45, wherein at least some of the metal linear segments of the feed plate are aligned with the metal linear segments of the grid reflector.

48. The base station antenna according to claim 45, further comprising a first feed cable and a second feed cable connected to a corresponding feed board among the plurality of feed boards, wherein the first feed cable and the second feed cable extend from the corresponding feed board to an end portion of the grid reflector with 0-3 lateral segments and at least one longitudinally extending linear straight segment whose length is longer than the cumulative length of the lateral segments.

49. The base station antenna of claim 48, wherein the longitudinally extending linear straight section of the first feeder cable extends parallel to the longitudinally extending linear straight section of the second feeder cable.

50. The base station antenna of claim 46, wherein the feed pad on the front major surface comprises a low-band feed pad, and the feed pad on the second major surface comprises a mid-band feed pad.

51. The base station antenna of claim 45, wherein the lattice body further comprises a first feeder cable connection connecting a conductor of a first feeder cable to the first signal trace and a second feeder cable connection connecting a conductor of a second feeder cable to a second conductive signal trace.

52. The base station antenna of claim 51 , wherein the first signal trace comprises a first power divider that directs signals from the first feeder cable to each of the first radiating element and the second radiating element, and wherein the second signal trace comprises a second power divider that directs signals from the second feeder cable to each of the first radiating element and the second radiating element.

53. The base station antenna of claim 45, wherein the lattice body comprises first and second shaped regions spaced apart, and each shaped region is electrically connected to the first and second signal traces and aligned with feed handles of corresponding first and second radiators.

54. The base station antenna of claim 53, wherein the shaped region replicates at least a portion of a unit cell structure of the grid reflector.

55. The base station antenna of claim 46, further comprising a first feed cable and a second feed cable connected to corresponding feed boards among the plurality of feed boards, wherein the first cable and the second cable for the feed board on the front main surface are located in front of the first feed cable and the second feed cable of the feed board on the rear surface, and signal traces and / or the first feed cable and the second feed cable are able to cross each other in different planes, thereby eliminating the need for a crossover jumper.

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