Base station antenna and cellular network base station having the same

Abstract

The application provides a base station antenna and a cellular network base station with the same, the base station antenna comprising: an antenna body comprising a radome and an antenna module arranged in the radome; and an NFC insert embedded on the radome, the NFC insert being used for storing parameter information of the antenna body. Through the technical scheme provided in the application, the problem that the base station antenna in the related art is not easy to be managed and monitored in performance can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of radio communication technology, and more specifically, to a base station antenna and a cellular network base station having the same. Background Technology

[0002] Information management and performance monitoring of base station antennas are crucial components of cellular network operation and maintenance. These management and monitoring are fundamental to the stable operation, efficient optimization, and security of cellular networks. Specifically, this involves accurately configuring antenna parameters (such as operating frequency, gain, downtilt angle, azimuth angle, and polarization) and regularly verifying them to ensure compliance with network planning and optimization requirements. Regular monitoring of antenna performance is essential for timely detection and repair of faults, preventing network performance degradation. Optimizing antenna parameters in response to changing user needs and dynamic adjustments to the network environment improves network coverage and capacity. Information management allows for tracking antenna usage status, location, and performance, facilitating resource scheduling and asset management. Information management and performance monitoring help ensure antenna operation complies with regulations and detect and prevent unauthorized use or tampering with antenna parameters. Long-term antenna performance monitoring collects historical data, which is vital for analyzing network trends, predicting faults, and optimizing network strategies. During antenna maintenance, information management helps technicians quickly understand antenna specifications and historical status, reducing on-site inspection and fault diagnosis time and improving work efficiency.

[0003] In related technologies, the parameter information of base station antennas is usually printed on the antenna surface through physical labels. The parameter information includes frequency range, gain, polarization mode and other key performance indicators.

[0004] However, these physical tags are prone to detachment or illegible writing when exposed to outdoor environments for extended periods, especially in extreme weather conditions. This can lead to the loss or difficulty in reading parameter information. Updating and adjusting the parameter information requires specialized equipment and a considerable amount of time, making it difficult to manage information and monitor the performance of base station antennas in related technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a base station antenna and a cellular network base station having the same, to solve the problem that base station antennas in related technologies are not easy to manage information and monitor performance.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a base station antenna is provided, comprising: an antenna body including an antenna cover and an antenna module disposed within the antenna cover; and an NFC embedding embedded in the antenna cover, the NFC embedding being used to store parameter information of the antenna body.

[0007] Furthermore, the base station antenna also includes a shielding structure, which is positioned between the antenna module and the NFC embedding.

[0008] Furthermore, the shielding structure includes a shielding strip, which is disposed inside the radome to isolate the internal space of the radome from the main radiation area and non-critical areas. The antenna module is disposed within the main radiation area, and the NFC insert is disposed within the non-critical area.

[0009] Furthermore, the NFC insert includes an anti-interference shell and an NFC chip. The anti-interference shell is embedded in the inner wall of the antenna cover, and the NFC chip is disposed inside the anti-interference shell.

[0010] Furthermore, the NFC chip includes a storage module and a communication module, which are electrically connected. The storage module is used to store parameter information of the antenna body, and the communication module can read or modify the stored information of the storage module.

[0011] Furthermore, the NFC insert is located on the back side of the antenna module.

[0012] Furthermore, the NFC insert is detachably mounted on the antenna cover.

[0013] Furthermore, the inner wall of the antenna cover is provided with an NFC slot, and the NFC insert is pluggably disposed in the NFC slot.

[0014] Furthermore, the antenna body also includes an RF cable connector and a mounting bracket. The RF cable connector is disposed on the radome and electrically connected to the antenna module. The mounting bracket is disposed on the radome and located on the back side of the antenna module. And / or, the antenna body is a plate-shaped structure.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a cellular network base station is provided, the cellular network base station including a radio frequency unit, a base station antenna and a feeder, the feeder being electrically connected to the base station antenna and the radio frequency unit respectively, and the base station antenna including the base station antenna provided above.

[0016] The technical solution of this invention includes an antenna body and an NFC embedder. The NFC embedder is integrated into the antenna body and stores the antenna body's parameter information (including antenna model, frequency range, antenna gain, impedance matching data, polarization, manufacturing data, operating parameters, manufacturer, half-power angle, preset downtilt angle, and antenna manufacturing date, etc.). This allows for convenient wireless communication via NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, enabling terminal devices (such as mobile phones) to transmit data with the NFC embedder over very short distances. Users simply need to tap the antenna body near the NFC embedder with their mobile phones or other devices to quickly read or modify the data stored in the NFC embedder. This significantly improves the maintainability and information accessibility of the base station antenna and optimizes its performance management. Storing the antenna's parameters in an NFC embedding improves storage security and management reliability compared to storing them in physical tags, as is done in related technologies. It also reduces the complexity and time required for modifying and maintaining the parameters. Furthermore, embedding the NFC embedding within the antenna cover protects it from external environmental influences and enables dynamic storage and updating of parameters, facilitating information management and performance monitoring of the base station antenna. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a base station antenna provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the NFC embedding of a base station antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a base station antenna provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0021] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0022] 10. Antenna body; 11. Radome; 111. Main radiating area; 112. Non-critical area; 12. Antenna module;

[0023] 20. NFC insert; 21. Anti-interference case; 22. NFC chip;

[0024] 30. Shielding structure; 31. Shielding strip;

[0025] 40. RF cable connector; 50. Mounting bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present invention or its application or use. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a base station antenna, which includes an antenna body 10 and an NFC embedding 20. The antenna body 10 includes an antenna cover 11 and an antenna module 12 disposed within the antenna cover 11. The NFC embedding 20 is embedded in the antenna cover 11 and is used to store parameter information of the antenna body 10.

[0028] The base station antenna provided in this embodiment includes an antenna body 10 and an NFC embedding 20. The NFC embedding 20 is integrated into the antenna body 10. The NFC embedding 20 stores the parameter information of the antenna body 10 (including antenna model, frequency range, antenna gain, impedance matching data, polarization, manufacturing data, operating parameters, manufacturer, half-power angle, preset downtilt angle, and personalized data such as antenna manufacturing date). Thus, through the NFC (Near Field Communication) technology used by the NFC embedding, a convenient wireless communication method is obtained, allowing terminal devices (such as mobile phones) to transmit data with the NFC embedding 20 within a very short distance. Users only need to lightly touch the antenna body 10 with their mobile phones or other devices to bring it close to the NFC embedding 20, so that users can quickly read or modify the data stored in the NFC embedding 20 using their mobile phones or other devices. It allows the use of smart devices to directly read and write parameters, improves the interactivity and on-site adjustment convenience of the base station antenna, enhances the maintainability and information accessibility of the base station antenna, and optimizes the performance management of the base station antenna. By storing the parameter information of the antenna body 10 into the NFC embedding 20, compared to storing the parameter information into the physical tag in related technologies, the parameter information of the antenna body 10 is internally stored, protecting the parameter data from external influences. This also improves the storage security and reliability of the parameter information, reduces the complexity and time required for modifying and maintaining the parameter information, and embedding the NFC embedding 20 within the antenna cover 11 also protects the NFC embedding 20 from external environmental influences. Furthermore, it enables dynamic storage and updating of parameter information, facilitating information management and performance monitoring of the base station antenna.

[0029] The antenna module 12 includes a reflector, a vibrator, and a power supply network.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the base station antenna also includes a shielding structure 30, which is disposed between the antenna module 12 and the NFC embedding 20. By providing the shielding structure 30 between the antenna module 12 and the NFC embedding, mutual interference between the signals of the antenna module 12 and the NFC embedding 20 can be avoided.

[0031] like Figure 1As shown, the shielding structure 30 includes a shielding strip 31, which is disposed within the radome 11 to isolate the internal space of the radome 11 into the main radiation area 111 and the non-critical area 112. The antenna module 12 is disposed within the main radiation area 111, and the NFC embedding 20 is disposed within the non-critical area 112. By using the shielding strip 31 to isolate the internal space of the radome 11 into the main radiation area 111 and the non-critical area 112, and by distributing the antenna module 12 and the NFC embedding 20 within the main radiation area 111 and the non-critical area 112 respectively, the antenna module 12 and the NFC embedding 20 are physically separated as much as possible, thereby simply, directly, and effectively reducing mutual interference between the antenna module 12 and the NFC embedding 20.

[0032] The shielding strip 31 is made of magnetically conductive materials with high relative permeability, such as ferrite and silicon steel sheets, to prevent magnetic flux saturation and improve induction efficiency, thereby reducing the impact of external magnetic fields on the performance of the NFC insert 20.

[0033] Specifically, the inner wall of the radome 11 is provided with a snap-fit ​​groove, which extends in the same direction as the shielding strip 31. The shielding strip 31 is embedded in the snap-fit ​​groove to fix the shielding strip 31 inside the radome 11.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the NFC embedder 20 includes an anti-interference shell 21 and an NFC chip 22. The anti-interference shell 21 is embedded in the inner wall of the antenna cover 11, and the NFC chip 22 is disposed inside the anti-interference shell 21. By placing the NFC chip 22 inside the anti-interference shell 21, the NFC embedder 20 can be prevented from being subjected to electromagnetic interference from the external environment, and the NFC chip 22 is physically shielded, preventing the NFC embedder 20 from being affected by harsh external environments.

[0035] Specifically, the anti-interference shell 21 is made of magnetically conductive materials with high relative permeability, such as ferrite and silicon steel sheets, to prevent magnetic flux saturation and improve induction efficiency, thereby reducing the impact of external magnetic fields on the performance of the NFC insert 20.

[0036] In this embodiment, the NFC chip 22 includes a storage module and a communication module, which are electrically connected. The storage module stores parameter information of the antenna body 10, and the communication module can read or modify the stored information. Using the storage module to store the parameter information of the antenna body 10, a mobile application is developed to interact with the communication module to read and update the stored parameter information. The storage module can also record the number of interactions with the communication module to record whether inspection personnel have arrived at the inspection site and the location of the base station antenna. Furthermore, the user can connect to external systems through the mobile application to achieve a binding relationship between the base station antenna and active devices such as RRUs.

[0037] In this embodiment, the NFC chip 22 also includes an LC filter (composed of an antenna matching circuit, an inductor, and a capacitor) disposed between the storage module and the communication module to reduce electromagnetic interference.

[0038] In this embodiment, the electrical connection of the NFC chip 22 is achieved through an interface with protective measures. Specifically, TVS / ESD diodes, such as DWC1825NS and DWC2425NS, are used at the interface for electrostatic discharge surge protection. These diodes have the characteristics of low junction capacitance and low flyback voltage and are suitable for signal transmission of high-frequency antennas. This ensures that the NFC chip 22 will not have a direct electrical connection with the main electrical path of the antenna module 12 at any time, and ensures that the NFC chip 22 will not affect the performance of the antenna module 12 during its operation.

[0039] In this embodiment, the NFC insert 20 is located on the back side of the antenna module 12.

[0040] It should be noted that the back side of antenna module 12 refers to the side of antenna module 12 that is opposite to the signal emitting side of antenna module 12.

[0041] In this embodiment, the NFC insert 20 is detachably mounted on the antenna cover 11. Detachably mounting the NFC insert 20 on the antenna cover 11 allows for easy replacement of the NFC insert 20 by removing and attaching it.

[0042] In this embodiment, an NFC slot is provided on the inner wall of the antenna cover 11, and the NFC insert 20 is detachably disposed in the NFC slot. By detachably disposing of the NFC insert 20 in the NFC slot, it is easy to quickly install and remove the NFC insert 20.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the antenna body 10 also includes an RF cable connector 40 and a mounting bracket 50. The RF cable connector 40 is disposed on the antenna cover 11 and electrically connected to the antenna module 12. The mounting bracket 50 is disposed on the antenna cover 11 and located on the back side of the antenna module 12. The RF cable connector 40 is connected to the radio frequency processing unit (RRU) of the cellular network base station via an RF cable, enabling RF signals to be transmitted from the radio frequency processing unit (RRU) to the antenna body 10, and signals received by the antenna body 10 to be transmitted back to the radio frequency processing unit (RRU). In the above process, the RF cable serves as the medium for signal transmission, ensuring that signals can be effectively transmitted between the radio frequency processing unit of the cellular network base station and the base station antenna.

[0044] Specifically, the projection of the NFC insert 20 on the antenna body 10 is located on one side of the projection of the mounting bracket 50 on the antenna body 10. One end of the antenna body 10 in the height direction is connected to the mounting bracket 50, and the other end of the antenna body 10 in the height direction is hinged to the pole. The end of the mounting bracket 50 facing away from the antenna cover 11 can be mounted on the pole. The mounting bracket 50 can be extended and retracted to adjust the angle between the antenna body 10 and the pole.

[0045] Specifically, the dynamic parameter management of base station antennas includes the following aspects:

[0046] (1) In high-density user areas or in cases where tall buildings block the view, the coverage effect of the base station antenna signal can be enhanced and multipath interference can be reduced by dynamically adjusting the downtilt angle of the antenna body 10.

[0047] (2) To optimize horizontal signal coverage and provide more accurate coverage, the azimuth antenna of the base station is dynamically adjusted to address changes in user distribution or network demand at different times.

[0048] (3) Dynamically adjust the transmission power of the base station antenna to adapt to network load and user needs. Specifically, reduce the transmission power when the load is low to save energy and reduce interference, and increase the transmission power when the load is high to ensure service quality.

[0049] (4) Based on the network frequency planning and user needs, dynamically adjust the operating frequency and bandwidth of the base station antenna to avoid frequency overlap and signal interference, and improve spectrum utilization.

[0050] (5) Dynamically adjust the polarization mode of the base station antenna (such as vertical polarization, horizontal polarization or circular polarization) to optimize signal transmission and reception efficiency, reduce multipath effects and improve signal quality;

[0051] (6) The base station antenna has a built-in fault detection mechanism to monitor the status of the base station antenna in real time. Once a fault is detected, the parameters can be automatically adjusted to perform preliminary self-healing and report to the maintenance personnel in a timely manner to reduce network interruption time.

[0052] (7) Base station antenna parameters can be configured and upgraded remotely via the network without on-site operation, saving time and costs and improving maintenance efficiency (the communication module of NFC embedding 20 is used to remotely read and modify parameters).

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, the antenna body 10 has a plate-like structure, that is, the antenna body 10 adopts a plate-like antenna, which makes the antenna body 10 have specific directivity and frequency response, and is suitable for use in cellular network base stations.

[0054] This invention provides a cellular network base station, which includes a radio frequency unit, a base station antenna, and a feeder. The feeder is electrically connected to both the base station antenna and the radio frequency unit. The base station antenna includes the aforementioned base station antenna. Using the cellular network base station provided in this embodiment, an NFC embedding 20 can also be integrated into the antenna body 10. The NFC embedding 20 stores parameter information of the antenna body 10 (including antenna model, frequency range, antenna gain, impedance matching data, polarization, manufacturing data, operating parameters, manufacturer, half-power angle, preset downtilt angle, and personalized data such as antenna manufacturing date). This allows for a convenient wireless communication method using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, enabling terminal devices (such as mobile phones) to transmit data with the NFC embedding 20 over very short distances. Users only need to lightly touch the antenna body 10 with their mobile phones to bring it close to the NFC embedding 20, allowing them to quickly read or modify the data stored in the NFC embedding 20. This significantly improves the maintainability and information accessibility of the base station antenna and optimizes its performance management. Storing the parameter information of the antenna body 10 into the NFC embedding 20, compared with storing the parameter information into the physical tag in related technologies, can improve the storage security and storage management reliability of the parameter information, reduce the complexity and time of modifying and maintaining the parameter information, and embedding the NFC embedding 20 into the antenna cover 11 can also protect the NFC embedding 20 from the influence of the external environment, and can also realize the dynamic storage and updating of parameter information, so as to facilitate information management and performance monitoring of the base station antenna.

[0055] Dynamic parameter management of base station antennas refers to the ability to adjust and optimize antenna parameters in real time or on demand during antenna operation to adapt to changes in the network environment and meet Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. By managing base station antennas with dynamic parameters, base station antennas can more flexibly adapt to the ever-changing network environment and user needs, thereby improving the overall network performance and user experience. This is particularly important in modern mobile communication systems, especially 5G networks, because the high bandwidth, low latency, and high connection density characteristics of 5G networks require base station antennas to have a higher level of dynamic adjustment capabilities.

[0056] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0057] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0058] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" is generally based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention; the directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0059] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "on top of," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation beyond the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, a device described as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0060] Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention.

[0061] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A base station antenna, characterized in that, The base station antenna includes: The antenna body (10) includes an antenna radome (11) and an antenna module (12) disposed within the antenna radome (11). An NFC insert (20) is embedded in the antenna cover (11) and is used to store parameter information of the antenna body (10). The base station antenna also includes a shielding structure (30), which is disposed between the antenna module (12) and the NFC embedding (20); The shielding structure (30) includes a shielding strip (31), which is disposed inside the radome (11) to isolate the internal space of the radome (11) into a main radiation area (111) and a non-critical area (112). The antenna module (12) is disposed within the main radiation area (111), and the NFC insert (20) is disposed within the non-critical area (112).

2. The base station antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The NFC insert (20) includes an anti-interference shell (21) and an NFC chip (22). The anti-interference shell (21) is embedded in the inner wall of the antenna cover (11), and the NFC chip (22) is disposed inside the anti-interference shell (21).

3. The base station antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that, The NFC chip (22) includes a storage module and a communication module. The storage module and the communication module are electrically connected. The storage module is used to store parameter information of the antenna body (10). The communication module can read or modify the stored information of the storage module.

4. The base station antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The NFC insert (20) is located on the back side of the antenna module (12).

5. The base station antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The NFC insert (20) is detachably mounted on the antenna cover (11).

6. The base station antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inner wall of the antenna cover (11) is provided with an NFC slot, and the NFC insert (20) is pluggably disposed in the NFC slot.

7. The base station antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The antenna body (10) further includes an RF cable connector (40) and a mounting bracket (50). The RF cable connector (40) is disposed on the radome (11) and electrically connected to the antenna module (12). The mounting bracket (50) is disposed on the radome (11) and located on the back side of the antenna module (12); and / or, The antenna body (10) is a plate-shaped structure.

8. A cellular network base station, characterized in that, The cellular network base station includes a radio frequency unit, a base station antenna, and a feeder. The feeder is electrically connected to the base station antenna and the radio frequency unit, respectively. The base station antenna includes the base station antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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