Base station antenna and base station

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a base station antenna and a base station. The base station antenna comprises a first antenna array, a metasurface lens and a second antenna array, the metasurface lens is located between the first radiator of the radiation unit of the first antenna array and the second antenna array, and is used for reflecting a radiation signal of the first antenna array and carrying out wavefront phase regulation and transmission on the radiation signal of the second antenna array. Therefore, the radiation signal of the second antenna array penetrating through the metasurface lens is approximately focused into a plane wave. The base station comprises the base station antenna. According to the scheme, a common-caliber array antenna can be realized, the defects of mutual shielding of antennas and mutual interference of antenna performance are avoided, the problem of structural interference can be avoided, and the antenna gain can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the continuous evolution of mobile communication technology, co-aperture array antennas have become an inevitable trend. The co-aperture array antenna design can achieve antenna reduction without increasing the number and area of ​​antennas, and can give full play to the combined advantages of high-frequency large bandwidth and low-frequency long-distance coverage. However, traditional co-aperture array antennas still have the following problems: antenna indicators deteriorate, such as gain loss, crosstalk between different-frequency antennas, etc.; there are shielding and structural interference problems between antennas in different bands. Summary of the invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a base station antenna and a base station, which can improve the above-mentioned defects of the traditional solution.

[0004] In the first aspect, the present application provides a base station antenna, including a first antenna array, a metasurface lens, and a second antenna array; the metasurface lens is located between the first radiator of the radiation unit of the first antenna array and the second antenna array, and the metasurface lens is used to reflect the radiation signal of the first antenna array, and perform wavefront phase control and transmission on the radiation signal of the second antenna array, so that the radiation signal of the second antenna array passing through the metasurface lens is approximately focused into a plane wave.

[0005] In this solution, a metasurface lens is set between the first antenna array and the second antenna array, and the reflection, transmission and wavefront phase control of the metasurface lens are used to enable both the first antenna array and the second antenna array to work, thereby realizing a common aperture array antenna. Since the metasurface lens will not block the second antenna array behind the first antenna array, the defects of mutual blocking of antennas and mutual interference of antenna performance in traditional solutions are avoided. By reasonably assembling the first antenna array, the metasurface lens and the second antenna array, the problem of structural interference can be avoided. Since the metasurface lens can make the radiation signal of the second antenna array approximately focus as a plane wave through wavefront phase control, the gain of the second antenna array can be improved.

[0006] In an implementation of the first aspect, the base station antenna includes a feeding structure and a feeding network, both of which are located on a side of the metasurface lens facing the first radiator, and the feeding structure connects the first radiator and the feeding network. This solution can reasonably set the position of the metasurface lens based on the existing structure of the base station antenna, can be compatible with the existing base station antenna structure, and ensure that the metasurface lens can function.

[0007] In an implementation of the first aspect, the base station antenna includes a feeding structure and a feeding network, the feeding structure passes through the metasurface lens, the feeding network is located on the side of the metasurface lens facing the second antenna array, and the feeding structure connects the first radiator and the feeding network. This solution can reasonably set the position of the metasurface lens based on the existing structure of the base station antenna, can be compatible with the existing base station antenna structure, and ensure that the metasurface lens can play a role.

[0008] In an implementation of the first aspect, the metasurface lens includes a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer is provided with a metal grid, the metal grids are crisscrossed and enclosed into a plurality of regions, each region is provided with a metasurface unit, and the metasurface unit in each region has a certain gap with the boundary of the region; the metal grid is used to reflect the radiation signal of the first antenna array, and the metasurface unit is used to perform wavefront phase control and transmission on the radiation signal of the second antenna array. This scheme reasonably sets the structure of the metasurface lens so that the metasurface lens has a frequency selection characteristic, so that it can be transmissive to incident waves in certain frequency bands and reflective to incident waves in other frequency bands, thereby effectively controlling the transmission and reflection of incident electromagnetic waves, so that the metasurface lens can play a role in the base station antenna.

[0009] In an implementation of the first aspect, the dielectric layer includes a plurality of sub-dielectric layers stacked in sequence, at least one sub-dielectric layer is provided with a metal grid, wherein when at least two sub-dielectric layers are provided with metal grids, the metal grids on all sub-dielectric layers overlap; each sub-dielectric layer is provided with a metasurface pattern on opposite sides along its own thickness direction, and a plurality of metasurface patterns arranged along the thickness direction constitute a metasurface unit. This scheme enables the metasurface lens to function by reasonably setting the structure of the metasurface lens. The metasurface lens with a multi-layer structure can be used as a multi-order spatial filter, which can expand the bandwidth and increase the frequency selectivity.

[0010] In an implementation of the first aspect, a metal grid is provided on a surface of a sub-dielectric layer adjacent to the first radiator among the plurality of sub-dielectric layers. By providing the metal grid at a position adjacent to the first radiator, it is possible to ensure reflection of the radiation signal of the first antenna array and reduce the loss of the radiation signal of the first antenna array.

[0011] In one implementation of the first aspect, the structures of all metasurface patterns on the same sub-dielectric layer are not all the same. In this solution, each metasurface pattern on the same sub-dielectric layer can be equivalent to a resonator, and the metasurface patterns (or multiple resonators) connected in series can make the metasurface unit have a set phase shift. The design of the metasurface pattern in the metasurface unit can be determined according to the phase shift of the metasurface unit to the electromagnetic wave passing through. By making the structures of the metasurface patterns in the metasurface unit not all the same, the metasurface unit can have a corresponding phase shift to the electromagnetic wave passing through, thereby meeting product requirements.

[0012] In one implementation of the first aspect, the structures of multiple supersurface patterns in the same supersurface unit are not all the same. In this solution, each supersurface pattern in the same supersurface unit can be equivalent to a resonator, and the supersurface patterns (or multiple resonators) connected in series can make the supersurface unit have a set phase shift. The design of the supersurface pattern in the supersurface unit can be determined according to the phase shift of the supersurface unit to the electromagnetic wave passing through. By making the structures of the supersurface patterns in the supersurface unit not all the same, the supersurface unit can have a corresponding phase shift to the electromagnetic wave passing through, thereby meeting product requirements.

[0013] In an implementation of the first aspect, the first antenna array includes multiple groups of first radiators, each group of first radiators includes multiple first radiators; the base station antenna includes multiple digital channels, each digital channel is electrically connected to all first radiators in a group of first radiators; the multiple digital channels are used to achieve horizontal beam scanning of the first antenna array by pre-configuring phase shifts. In this solution, the first antenna array adopts a digital beamforming architecture, which can be compatible with existing base station antenna designs.

[0014] In an implementation of the first aspect, the second antenna array includes multiple groups of second radiators arranged along a first direction, each group of second radiators includes multiple second radiators arranged along a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; the base station antenna includes multiple analog channels, each analog channel includes an analog phase shifter and a switch, the analog phase shifter in each analog channel is electrically connected to all second radiators in a group of second radiators through a switch, and the multiple analog channels are used to realize horizontal beam scanning of the second antenna array through the analog phase shifter, and realize vertical beam scanning of the second antenna array through switching of the switch; the metasurface lens includes a dielectric layer and a metasurface unit; the metasurface lens has a first symmetry axis along the first direction, and the metasurface units in the metasurface lens are distributed along the first direction and the second direction to form an array, and each column in the array along the second direction is symmetrical about the first symmetry axis, and the structure of the metasurface units in each column in the array along the first direction is the same. In this solution, the second antenna array adopts an analog beamforming architecture, which can be compatible with existing base station antenna designs. The design of the metasurface lens can meet the demand for wavefront phase control of the radiation signal of the second antenna array, and approximately focus the radiation signal of the second antenna array into a plane wave, thereby improving the gain of the second antenna array.

[0015] In an implementation of the first aspect, the second antenna array includes multiple sub-arrays, the multiple sub-arrays are arranged in an array along a first direction and a second direction, each sub-array includes multiple second radiators arranged along the first direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; the base station antenna includes multiple analog channels, each analog channel includes an analog phase shifter and a switch, and the analog phase shifter in each analog channel is electrically connected to all the second radiators in a sub-array through the switch; the multiple analog channels are used to realize vertical beam scanning of the second antenna array through the analog phase shifter; the multiple analog channels are also used to realize the primary horizontal beam scanning of the second antenna array through switching of the switch, and realize the secondary horizontal beam scanning of the second antenna array through the analog phase shifter; the metasurface lens includes a dielectric layer and a metasurface unit; the metasurface lens has a first symmetry axis along the first direction and a second symmetry axis along the second direction, the metasurface units in the metasurface lens are distributed along the first direction and the second direction to form an array, each column along the second direction in the array is symmetrical about the first symmetry axis, and each column along the first direction in the array is symmetrical about the second symmetry axis. In this solution, the second antenna array adopts an analog beamforming architecture, which is compatible with the existing base station antenna design. The design of the metasurface lens can meet the wavefront phase control requirements of the radiation signal of the second antenna array, and focus the radiation signal of the second antenna array approximately into a plane wave, thereby improving the gain of the second antenna array.

[0016] In an implementation manner of the first aspect, the first radiator has a passive electromagnetic cancellation structure, which can reduce signal shielding of the second antenna array by the first antenna array.

[0017] In an implementation of the first aspect, the base station antenna includes a first antenna cover and a second antenna cover, the first antenna array and the metasurface lens are located in the first antenna cover, and the second antenna array is located in the second antenna cover. This solution can decouple and arrange different array antennas to achieve flexible deployment.

[0018] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a base station, including the base station antenna. This solution can realize a common aperture array antenna, avoid the defects of mutual shielding of antennas and mutual interference of antenna performance, avoid the problem of structural interference, and improve antenna gain. This solution can also realize the separate deployment of antenna arrays in different frequency bands, realize the decoupling design and flexible deployment of antennas in different frequency bands, reduce the number of channels of band 2 antennas, and reduce costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 Indicates an application scenario in which a base station and a terminal perform wireless communication;

[0020] Figure 2 The figure shows an assembly structure of a base station according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 3 express Figure 2 A portion of the internal frame structure of a base station;

[0022] Figure 4 It shows the internal frame structure of a base station antenna according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 5 express Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the metasurface lens in the base station antenna;

[0024] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the local structure enlarged in the direction of B at A in the middle;

[0025] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the reflection, transmission and focusing effects of the metasurface lens in this embodiment;

[0026] Figure 8 is another schematic diagram showing the reflection, transmission and focusing effects of the metasurface lens in this embodiment;

[0027] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the top-down position relationship of the first antenna array, the metasurface lens, and the second antenna array in the base station antenna in Example 1;

[0028] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of the side-view position relationship of the first antenna array, the metasurface lens, and the second antenna array in the base station antenna in Example 1;

[0029] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of a circuit architecture adopted by the first antenna array in Embodiment 1;

[0030] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of the circuit architecture adopted by the second antenna array in the first embodiment;

[0031] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of vertical beam scanning of the second antenna array in the first embodiment;

[0032] Fig.14 represents the distribution pattern of the metasurface units of the metasurface lens in the first embodiment;

[0033] Fig.15 Indicates based on Fig.14 In the design shown, each column of metasurface units arranged along the second direction in the metasurface lens generates a phase distribution in the frequency band of the second antenna array;

[0034] Fig.16 It means that the metasurface lens in the first embodiment can be equivalent to a lens;

[0035] Fig.17 is a schematic diagram of the top-down position relationship between the first antenna array, the metasurface lens, and the second antenna array in the base station antenna in Embodiment 2;

[0036] Fig.18 is a schematic diagram of the side-view position relationship of the first antenna array, the metasurface lens, and the second antenna array in the base station antenna in Embodiment 2;

[0037] Fig.19 is a schematic diagram of the circuit architecture adopted by the second antenna array in the second embodiment;

[0038] Fig. 20 It shows the two-stage scanning method of the second antenna array in the second embodiment;

[0039] Fig.21 It indicates that the metasurface lens in the second embodiment is formed by a plurality of lens sub-arrays 22c arranged in an array along the first direction and the second direction respectively;

[0040] Fig. 22 It means that the metasurface lens in the second embodiment can be equivalent to a lens;

[0041] Fig.23 Indicates based on Fig.21The design shown shows a phase distribution produced by a lens subarray in the metasurface lens at the frequency band of the second antenna array. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments.

[0043] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used to distinguish components, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance of components or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, features defined as "first", "second", etc. may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple (layers)" means two (layers) or more than two (layers).

[0044] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "front side", "back", and "rear" are defined relative to the orientation of the structure schematically shown in the drawings. It should be understood that these directional terms are relative concepts. They are a relative description and clarification, which may change accordingly according to the change of the orientation of the structure.

[0045] In the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "and / or" is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone.

[0046] The embodiments of the present application relate to a base station and a base station antenna. The base station is first introduced below, and then the general structure of the base station antenna is described.

[0047] Figure 1 The figure shows the application scenario of wireless communication between base station and terminal. Figure 1As shown, the base station is used to perform cell coverage of wireless signals to achieve communication between terminal devices and wireless networks. Specifically, the base station can be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a global system for mobile communications (GSM) or a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, or a node B (NB) in a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, or an evolutionary node B (eNB) in a long term evolution (LTE) system, or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Alternatively, the base station can also be a relay station, an access point, an on-board device, a wearable device, a g-node (gNodeB or gNB) in a new radio (NR) system, or a base station in a future evolved network, etc., which is not limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0048] The base station is equipped with a base station antenna to achieve signal transmission in space. Figure 2 Indicated Figure 1 The structure of a base station antenna equipped with a base station in the base station. Figure 2 As shown, the base station 1 may include a pole 11, a pole bracket 12, an antenna cover 13, an antenna array 14, a radio frequency processing unit 15, a cable 16, and a baseband processing unit 17. The base station antenna may include a pole bracket 12, an antenna cover 13, an antenna array 14, and a feeding network and a reflector to be described below.

[0049] The pole 11 can be fixed to the ground. The pole bracket 12 connects the pole 11 and the radome 13, and the radome 13 is fixed to the pole 11 through the pole bracket 12. The antenna array 14 can be installed in the radome 13. A feed network can also be installed in the radome 13. The radome 13 has good electromagnetic wave penetration characteristics and environmental weather resistance, and can protect the components installed therein.

[0050] The antenna array 14 is used to radiate and receive antenna signals. The antenna array 14 may include a number of radiating units arranged in an array according to a certain pattern, and each radiating unit can radiate and receive electromagnetic waves. The radiating unit may include an antenna vibrator. In the antenna array 14, the operating frequency bands of different radiating units may be the same or different. The radiating unit may include a connected radiator (for example, a radiating arm) and a feeding structure (for example, a balun). The radiator is used to radiate and receive signals; the feeding structure connects the radiator to the feeding network to transmit the electrical signal transmitted by the feeding network to the radiator, and transmits the signal received by the radiator to the feeding network.

[0051] The base station antenna may also include a reflector, which may also be called a bottom plate, an antenna panel or a reflective surface, etc. The reflector may be made of metal material, for example. The radiation unit may be mounted on the surface of one side of the reflector. When the radiation unit receives the antenna signal, the reflector may reflect the antenna signal and focus it on the receiving point, thereby achieving directional reception; when the radiation unit transmits the antenna signal, the reflector may achieve directional transmission of the antenna signal. The reflector may enhance the receiving or transmitting capability of the antenna signal of the radiation unit, and may also block and shield the interference of other signals from the back side of the reflector (the back side refers to the side of the reflector facing away from the radiation unit) on the antenna signal, thereby improving the gain of the antenna.

[0052] The RF processing unit 15 (also referred to as a remote radio unit (RRU)) can be connected to the feed network through a jumper, and is electrically connected to the antenna array 14 through the feed network. The feed network (described below) can serve as a signal transmission path between the RF processing unit 15 and the antenna array 14. The RF processing unit 15 can be electrically connected to the baseband processing unit 17 (also referred to as a baseband unit (BBU)) through a cable 16 (e.g., an optical cable). Figure 2 As shown, the RF processing unit 15 and the baseband processing unit 17 may both be located outside the antenna cover 13, and the RF processing unit 15 may be located at the proximal end of the base station antenna.

[0053] The RF processing unit 15 can perform frequency selection, amplification and down-conversion processing on the antenna signal received by the antenna array 14, and convert it into an intermediate frequency signal or a baseband signal and send it to the baseband processing unit 17. The RF processing unit 15 can also convert the baseband processing unit 17 or the intermediate frequency signal into an electromagnetic wave through the antenna array 14 after up-conversion and amplification processing and send it out.

[0054] Figure 2The structure of the base station 1 shown is only an example. In fact, the structure of the base station in the embodiment of the present application can be flexibly designed according to product requirements and is not limited to the above. For example, the base station may not have a pole 11, and the antenna cover 13 may be fixed to the tower through a pole bracket 12. For example, for a high-frequency antenna array, the RRU and the antenna array may also be integrated together to form an active antenna unit (AAU), and the AAU may be connected to the BBU via an optical fiber.

[0055] Figure 3 Can be expressed Figure 2 The internal frame structure of a part of the base station 1. Figure 3 As shown, the antenna array 14 of the base station 1 is connected to the feed network 18. The feed network 18 can realize different radiation beam pointing through a transmission mechanism, or be connected to a calibration network to obtain the calibration signal required by the base station 1. The feed network 18 can feed the signal to the antenna array 14 according to a certain amplitude and phase, or send the received signal to the baseband processing unit 17 according to a certain amplitude and phase.

[0056] Schematically, the feed network 18 may include a phase shifter 181, which is used to change the maximum direction of antenna signal radiation. The feed network 18 may also include a module for expanding performance, such as a power divider 182. The power divider 182 is used to combine multiple signals into one signal and transmit it through the antenna array 14; or, the power divider 182 divides one signal into multiple signals, for example, dividing the signal received by the antenna array 14 into multiple channels according to different frequencies and transmitting them to the baseband processing unit 17 for processing. The feed network 18 may also include a filter 183 for filtering out interference signals. The feed network 18 may also include a combiner. The feed network 18 may also include any form of transmission line, such as a coaxial line, a stripline, a microstrip line, etc.

[0057] The internal structure of the base station antenna according to the embodiment of the present application will be briefly described below.

[0058] Figure 4 The general internal structure of the base station antenna 2 of the embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 4As shown, the base station antenna 2 may include a first antenna array 2A, a metasurface lens (Metalens) 22, and a second antenna array 2B. The first antenna array 2A and the second antenna array 2B may be arranged in a stacked manner, and the two may adopt a common aperture design. The operating frequency bands of the first antenna array 2A and the second antenna array 2B may be different. The operating frequency band of the first antenna array 2A may range from several hundred MHz to the X band, and the operating frequency band of the second antenna array 2B may not be lower than the operating frequency band of the first antenna array 2A. Schematically, the first antenna array 2A operates in a low frequency band, such as 700MHz, 900MHz, 1.6GHz, 2.1GHz, 3.5GHz, etc.; the second antenna array 2B operates in a high frequency band, such as 26GHz, 28GHz, FR2 band defined by 3GPP, etc. The first antenna array 2A may be referred to as the band 1 antenna, and the second antenna array 2B may be referred to as the band 2 antenna.

[0059] In one implementation of this embodiment, the first antenna array 2A and the metasurface lens 22 can be located in one antenna cover, and the second antenna array 2B can be located in another antenna cover. In this way, the second antenna array 2B can be decoupled from the first antenna array 2A, and flexible deployment can be achieved as needed. When the second antenna array 2B is not available, the first antenna array 2A can work normally; when the second antenna array 2B is needed, the second antenna array 2B can be assembled to the back of the first antenna array 2A.

[0060] In another implementation of this embodiment, the first antenna array 2A, the metasurface lens 22 and the second antenna array 2B may be located in the same antenna cover, and the second antenna array 2B is not connected to the first antenna array 2A and the metasurface lens 22, or the second antenna array 2B is detachably connected to the metasurface lens 22. Among them, the structure (such as a bracket) of the metasurface lens 22 connected to the second antenna array 2B may avoid the signal radiation path of the second antenna array 2B as much as possible to avoid signal loss, for example, the structure may be connected to the edge of the metasurface lens 22. This embodiment may also achieve decoupling of the second antenna array 2B from the first antenna array 2A, and realize flexible deployment as needed.

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown, the first antenna array 2A may include a plurality of first radiating units 21 arranged in a certain pattern. The frequency bands of the first radiating units 21 may be consistent, or the frequency band of at least one first radiating unit 21 is different from the frequency bands of the other first radiating units 21. The first radiating unit 21 may include a first radiator 21a and a feeding structure 21b, which are connected. It is understandable that Figure 4In the figure, horizontal lines represent the first radiator 21a, and vertical lines represent the feeding structure 21b. This is only a schematic diagram and does not limit the specific structure and specific position of the first radiator 21a and the feeding structure 21b.

[0062] Schematically, at least one first radiator 21a may have a passive electromagnetic cancellation structure, including but not limited to structural features such as branches or gaps. The passive electromagnetic cancellation structure is used to reduce or eliminate the shielding of the radiation signal of the second antenna array 2B by the first antenna array 2A. The passive electromagnetic cancellation structure may not be provided as needed.

[0063] like Figure 4 As shown, in one implementation, the feeding structure 21b can pass through the metasurface lens 22 and be connected to the feeding network 23 located on the side of the metasurface lens 22 facing the second antenna array 2B.

[0064] refer to Figure 4 As shown, in another embodiment, the feeding structure 21b does not need to pass through the metasurface lens 22, but is located on the side of the metasurface lens 22 facing the first radiator 21a, and the feeding structure 21b can be connected to the metasurface lens 22. In this embodiment, the feeding network 23 and the feeding structure 21b are located on the same side of the metasurface lens 22 and are connected to the feeding structure 21b.

[0065] In this embodiment, the metasurface lens 22 can be used as a reflector for the first antenna array 2A (which will be described below).

[0066] like Figure 4 As shown, the second antenna array 2B may include a plurality of second radiating units 24 arranged in a certain pattern. The frequency bands of the second radiating units 24 may be consistent, or the frequency band of at least one second radiating unit 24 is different from the frequency bands of the other second radiating units 24. The second radiating unit 24 may include a second radiator 24a and a feeding structure 24b, which are connected. It is understandable that Figure 4 The horizontal lines represent the second radiator 24a, and the vertical lines represent the feeding structure 24b, which is only a schematic diagram and does not limit the specific structure and specific position of the second radiator 24a and the feeding structure 24b. The second antenna array 2B can have a corresponding reflector and a feeding network, and each second radiating unit 24 can be installed on the reflector.

[0067] Figure 5 express Figure 4 The decomposed structure of the metasurface lens 22 in Figure 6 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the B-direction structure at point A in the middle.

[0068] like Figure 5As shown, in one embodiment, the metasurface lens 22 may be a multilayer structure, which may include a plurality of sub-dielectric layers 221a stacked in sequence, and these sub-dielectric layers 221a may constitute an integral dielectric layer 221. The sub-dielectric layer 221a is an insulating medium, and may be, for example, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) substrate. The plurality of sub-dielectric layers 221a may be pressed together, for example, by a PCB process, or may be assembled by threaded connectors. A metal grid 222 may be formed on each sub-dielectric layer 221a, and the metal grids 222 may be crisscrossed. The metal grids 222 on all sub-dielectric layers 221a may substantially overlap, that is, along the thickness direction (e.g. Figure 5 The metal gates 222 on all the sub-dielectric layers 221a can be substantially overlapped. Figure 6 As shown, the metal grid 222 can be surrounded by a plurality of regions 222a, and the shape of the regions 222a can be determined as required, including but not limited to a rectangle, a diamond, a honeycomb, etc.

[0069] like Figure 5 As described above, for the dielectric layer 221 as a whole, each dielectric sub-layer 221a has a plurality of metasurface patterns 223 on opposite sides in the thickness direction, wherein two adjacent dielectric sub-layers 221a can share the metasurface pattern 223. It is understandable that Figure 5 The first two sub-medium layers 221a in FIG. 1 only have the metasurface pattern 223 on their upper sides, which is merely an illustration. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, projecting along the thickness direction, the projection of a super surface pattern 223 can fall within the projection of an area 222a, that is, a super surface pattern 223 can be located in an area 222a, and each super surface pattern 223 has a certain gap with the boundaries around the corresponding area 222a.

[0070] In this embodiment, the metasurface pattern 223 is a structural feature with a set shape, including but not limited to a square ring, a circular ring, a cross (such as a Jerusalem cross), a grid square ring, a rectangle (also referred to as a patch), a cross dipole, a trident, etc. The metasurface pattern 223 has a conductive property, and schematically, the metasurface pattern 223 can be a metal pattern etched on a PCB.

[0071] In this embodiment, the structures (including the appearance and internal structure) of all the supersurface patterns 223 on the same sub-medium layer 221a may be substantially the same, or not completely the same. The "not completely the same" means that the structure of at least one supersurface pattern 223 is different from the structures of other supersurface patterns 223, or the structures of all the supersurface patterns 223 are different.

[0072] In this embodiment, combined with Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, all the metasurface patterns 223 along the thickness direction and respectively located in the overlapping multiple regions 222a can constitute a metasurface unit 22b. There can be multiple metasurface units 22b. The structures of all the metasurface patterns 223 in the same metasurface unit 22b can be basically the same, or not completely the same. The "not completely the same" means that there is at least one metasurface pattern 223 whose structure is different from the structures of other metasurface patterns 223, or the structures of all metasurface patterns 223 are different. In this embodiment, each metasurface pattern 223 in the metasurface unit 22b can be equivalent to a resonator, and multiple metasurface patterns 223 (or multiple resonators) connected in series can make the metasurface unit 22b have a set phase shift. The design of the metasurface pattern 223 in the metasurface unit 22b can be determined according to the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave transmitted by the metasurface unit 22b. By making the structure of the metasurface pattern 223 in the metasurface unit 22b substantially consistent or not completely the same, the metasurface unit 22b can have a corresponding phase shift amount for the transmitted electromagnetic wave, thereby meeting product requirements.

[0073] It is easy to understand from the above that, when projecting along the thickness direction, the projection of a super surface unit 22b can fall into the projection of an area 222a, that is, a super surface unit 22b can be located in an area 222a, and each super surface unit 22b has a certain gap with the surrounding boundaries of the corresponding area 222a. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, a metasurface unit 22b and a metal grid portion surrounding the periphery of the metasurface unit 22b can constitute a metasurface lens unit 22a, and the entire metasurface lens 22 is composed of multiple metasurface lens units 22a.

[0074] In another embodiment, reference Figure 5 As shown, the dielectric layer 221 still includes a plurality of sub-dielectric layers 221a, but the metal grid 222 is only formed on a portion of the sub-dielectric layers 221a, and the other portion of the sub-dielectric layers 221a does not have the metal grid 222. For example, the metal grid 222 is only formed on the topmost sub-dielectric layer 221a (the sub-dielectric layer 221a is closest to the first radiator 21a). Of course, each sub-dielectric layer 221a has a plurality of metasurface patterns 223 on opposite sides in the thickness direction.

[0075] In another embodiment, the dielectric layer 221 may include only one sub-dielectric layer 221a, or the sub-dielectric layer 221a is the dielectric layer 221. In this case, a metal gate 222 is disposed on the dielectric layer 221, and a plurality of super-surface patterns 223 are disposed on opposite sides of the dielectric layer 221 in the thickness direction.

[0076] In this embodiment, the metasurface lens 22 has a frequency selection characteristic (or bandpass characteristic), which can be transmissive to incident waves in certain frequency bands and reflective to incident waves in other frequency bands, thereby effectively controlling the transmission and reflection of incident electromagnetic waves. The metasurface lens 22 with a multi-layer structure can be used as a multi-order spatial filter, which can expand the bandwidth and increase the frequency selectivity. Among them, the metal grid 222 in the metasurface lens 22 can reflect the radiation signal of the first antenna array 2A, which makes the metasurface lens 22 equivalent to the reflector of the first antenna array 2A. The metasurface lens 22 also allows the radiation signal of the second antenna array 2B to pass through. Each metasurface unit 22b in the metasurface lens 22 can be equivalent to a capacitor and / or inductor circuit, so that the radiation signal of the second antenna array 2B generates a corresponding phase response (phase shift) when passing through the metasurface unit 22b. Therefore, the metasurface unit 22b can perform wavefront phase control on the radiation signal of the second antenna array 2B and make the radiation signal of the second antenna array 2B approximately focused into a plane wave, that is, the radiation signal of the second antenna array 2B is close to an ideal plane wave.

[0077] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Schematic diagrams showing the reflection and focusing effects of the metasurface lens 22. The first radiator 21a in the first antenna array 2A and the second radiator 24a in the second antenna array 2B are represented by dots. The incident wave and the reflected wave of the first antenna array 2A are represented by dotted lines, and the incident wave and the transmitted wave of the second antenna array 2B are represented by solid lines.

[0078] like Figure 7 As shown, the metasurface lens 22 has a reflective effect on the radiation signal of the first antenna array 2A. The metasurface lens 22 has a focusing effect on the incident wave of the second radiator 24a located at the focus of the metasurface lens 22. After the radiation signal emitted by the second radiator 24a passes through the metasurface lens 22, it approximately becomes a plane wave along the normal direction of the metasurface lens 22, thereby improving the gain of the second antenna array 2B.

[0079] like Figure 8 As shown, the metasurface lens 22 has a focusing effect on the incident wave of the second radiator 24a far away from the focus of the metasurface lens 22. After the radiation signal emitted by the second radiator 24a passes through the metasurface lens 22, it becomes a plane wave transmitted in an oblique direction, thereby improving the gain of the second antenna array 2B. This focusing can also be considered as a deflection of the radiation signal of the second antenna array 2B, which can expand the beam scanning range of the second antenna array 2B.

[0080] The solution of this embodiment is to set a metasurface lens 22 between the first antenna array 2A and the second antenna array 2B, and to control the reflection, transmission and wavefront phase of the metasurface lens 22 so that both the first antenna array 2A and the second antenna array 2B can work, thereby realizing a common aperture array antenna. Since the metasurface lens 22 will not block the second antenna array 2B behind the first antenna array 2A, the defects of mutual blocking of antennas and mutual interference of antenna performance in the traditional solution are avoided. By reasonably assembling the first antenna array 2A, the metasurface lens 22 and the second antenna array 2B, the problem of structural interference can be avoided. In particular, antenna arrays of different frequency bands can be deployed separately, realizing the decoupling design and flexible deployment of antennas of different frequency bands.

[0081] The solution of this embodiment can approximately focus the radiation signal of the second antenna array 2B into a plane wave through the wavefront phase control of the metasurface lens 22, thereby improving the gain of the second antenna array 2B and expanding the beam scanning range of the second antenna array 2B.

[0082] The solution of this embodiment can solve the problem of antenna fusion. The specific application system and / or application scenario may include:

[0083] 1) Base station antenna surface fusion scenario

[0084] In the 5G and 5.5G era, the restrictions on base station antennas are becoming more serious, and the antennas are hung at low heights when they are not restricted. The above problems can be solved by reducing two or more antennas into one based on antenna fusion technology. Multi-band antenna co-aperture is an important component and research direction of antenna fusion.

[0085] 2) Radar Antenna

[0086] It is difficult for a single-frequency antenna to make a compromise between the illumination distance and the search accuracy / imaging clarity, while the combination of multi-frequency antennas can ensure the illumination distance while having high search accuracy / imaging accuracy. Similar to base station antennas, separate apertures will occupy a large area and are not conducive to the advantages of antenna combination. The common aperture antenna has become an important choice for radar antennas and the preferred solution for synthetic aperture radar antennas.

[0087] Two specific schemes of the embodiments of the present application are described below by way of example.

[0088] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The diagram shows the positional relationship between the first radiator 21a, the metasurface lens 22 and the second radiator 24a in the base station antenna of the first embodiment. Fig. 9 Indicates the position relationship of the plane when looking down. Fig.10 Indicates the side view position relationship.

[0089] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, schematically, the first radiators 21a in the first antenna array 2A can be arranged in the first direction and the second direction to form an array. Each column extending in the second direction can be called a group 21c, and each group 21c can include multiple first radiators 21a arranged in sequence along the second direction, and multiple groups 21c can be arranged in sequence along the first direction. Schematically, the first radiator 21a can form dual polarization, such as +45° polarization and -45° polarization.

[0090] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the second radiators 24a in the second antenna array 2B can be arranged in the first direction and the second direction to form an array. Each column extending in the second direction can be called a group 24c, each group 24c can include a plurality of second radiators 24a arranged in sequence in the second direction, and a plurality of groups 24c can be arranged in sequence in the first direction.

[0091] Fig.11 denoted as the circuit architecture used by the first antenna array 2A in the first embodiment, which may be referred to as digital beamforming (DBF). Fig.11 As shown, each group 21c can be connected to a digital channel, and the digital channel can include several devices, including but not limited to A / D converters, mixers, power amplifiers, etc. The devices in the digital channel are electrically connected to all the first radiators 21a in each group 21c. It can be understood that Fig.11 The groups 21c are stacked in a stacked arrangement, which is only for the convenience of drawing the figure. In fact, the arrangement of the groups 21c is the same. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown. Each digital channel can control the phase of the radiation signal of the corresponding group 21c according to the pre-configured phase shift as needed, and all digital channels work together to achieve horizontal beam scanning of the first antenna array 2A. Among them, for the base station antenna, the horizontal direction is the direction parallel to the ground, and the vertical direction is the direction perpendicular to the ground. The DBF architecture adopted by the first antenna array 2A can be consistent with the architecture adopted in the active antenna unit (Active Antenna Unit, AAU) of the base station. Schematically, in order to reduce the impact of the first antenna array 2A on the second antenna array 2B, the first radiator 21a in the first antenna array 2A can be in the form of a dipole, a low-scattering vibrator.

[0092] Fig.12The circuit architecture used by the second antenna array 2B in the first embodiment is shown. The architecture can be called analog beamforming (ABF). The horizontal spacing is, for example, about 0.5 wavelengths, and the vertical spacing can be determined as needed. Fig.12 As shown, each group 24c can be connected to an analog channel, and the analog channel can include several devices, including but not limited to A / D converters, mixers, analog phase shifters, power amplifiers, switches, etc., and the switch can be a multi-throw switch. The analog phase shifter in the analog channel can be electrically connected to all second radiators 24a in a group 24c through a switch. The analog phase shifter in each analog channel can adjust the phase of the radiation signal of the corresponding group 24c as needed (for example, according to pre-configuration), so as to achieve horizontal beam scanning of the second antenna array 2B, that is, the horizontal beam scanning of the second antenna array 2B adopts a phase-controlled manner. The switch in each analog channel can be switched to a second radiator 24a in each group 24c as needed (for example, according to pre-configuration) to "activate" the second radiator 24a, so that the second radiator 24a radiates a signal. Combined with Fig.12 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, by switching the switch and combining with the focusing effect of the metasurface lens 22, the vertical beam scanning of the second antenna array 2B can be achieved, that is, the vertical beam scanning of the second antenna array 2B adopts a switching method. Fig.13 FIG. 2 illustrates the vertical beam scanning of the second antenna array 2B. Fig.13 As shown, when the switch is switched to the uppermost second radiator 24a, the second antenna array 2B can emit beam 1; when the switch is switched to the middle second radiator 24a, the second antenna array 2B can emit beam 2; when the switch is switched to the lowermost second radiator 24a, the second antenna array 2B can emit beam 3.

[0093] like Fig.12 As shown, one group 24c in the second antenna array 2B corresponds to one analog channel, that is, multiple second radiators 24a can share one analog channel (or decouple the radiating unit from the analog channel), which can reduce the number of channels, thereby reducing cost and power consumption.

[0094] In the first embodiment, the first antenna array 2A adopts a DBF architecture, and the second antenna array 2B adopts an ABF architecture, which is compatible with existing base station antenna designs. Both the first antenna array 2A and the second antenna array 2B can have functions such as dual polarization and beam scanning.

[0095] Fig.14 : represents the distribution pattern of the super surface unit 22b of the super surface lens 22 in the first embodiment. Fig.14As shown, the metasurface lens 22 has a first symmetry axis L1 extending along a first direction, and the metasurface units 22b are distributed along the first direction and the second direction to form an array, and each column along the second direction in the array is symmetrical about the first symmetry axis L1. Symmetry means that the structures of the metasurface units 22b at corresponding positions on both sides of the first symmetry axis L1 are basically the same, and are basically axially symmetrically distributed on both sides of the first symmetry axis L1. For each column along the first direction in the array, the structures of all the metasurface units 22b are basically the same, or in other words, all the metasurface units 22b are periodically replicated along the first direction. It should be understood that Fig.14 The emphasis of the expression is on the above-mentioned symmetrical design and periodic replication design of the metasurface unit 22b, not on the structure of the metasurface unit 22b at each position of the metasurface lens 22. Fig.14 The area of ​​the hypersurface unit 22 b close to the first symmetry axis L1 is larger, and the area of ​​the hypersurface unit 22 b deviating from the first symmetry axis L1 is smaller. This is just an example, and the present embodiment is not actually limited to this.

[0096] Fig.14 The distribution pattern of the metasurface unit 22b shown can meet the wavefront phase control requirements for the radiation signal of the second antenna array 2B, and focus the radiation signal of the second antenna array 2B approximately into a plane wave, thereby improving the gain of the second antenna array 2B. The gain improvement of the second antenna array 2B is also conducive to reducing the number of RF channels, thereby reducing the power consumption and cost of the device.

[0097] Fig.15 Indicates that it corresponds to Fig.14 In the design shown, each column of metasurface units 22b arranged along the second direction in the metasurface lens 22 generates a phase distribution in the frequency band of the second antenna array 2B. The left figure shows a column of metasurface units 22b arranged along the second direction in the metasurface lens 22, and the right figure shows the phase shift that can be superimposed with different color blocks. Fig.15 As shown, the phase shift that can be superimposed in the middle of the column of metasurface units 22b is larger, and the phase shift that can be superimposed becomes smaller toward the sides.

[0098] Fig.15 The phase distribution of the metasurface lens 22 shown is similar to the phase distribution of the lens, and the metasurface lens 22 can be equivalent to Fig.16 The lens 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a lens 100. The phase shift that can be superimposed in the middle of the lens 100 is relatively large, and the phase shift that can be superimposed is smaller toward the edge. The metasurface lens 22 can make the electromagnetic waves emitted by the second antenna array 2B (compared to the metasurface lens 22, the second antenna array 2B is a feed source) approximately focus into a plane wave, thereby increasing the gain of the second antenna array 2B. It can be understood that Fig.15 and Fig.16 All shown are based on Fig.14 An example of the metasurface lens 22 is shown. In other embodiments, the distribution pattern of the metasurface units 22b in the metasurface lens 22 can be adjusted as needed to obtain the corresponding phase distribution of the metasurface lens 22.

[0099] In summary, the solution of Embodiment 1 may have the following advantages:

[0100] (a) Decoupling arrangement of array antennas at different frequencies, enabling flexible deployment

[0101] Since the manufacturing cost of the metasurface lens 22 itself is low, the metasurface lens 22 and the first antenna array 2A can be deployed as a whole. When the band 1 antenna is needed, the feed array of the second antenna array 2B can be installed on the back of the first antenna array 2A, so the deployment flexibility is high.

[0102] (b) Easy to deploy and low cost

[0103] In order to solve the problems of high design complexity and insufficient performance caused by the deep coupling of multi-band co-aperture antenna design, based on (a), the antenna design problem is converted into two or more single-band antenna design problems, so that the design can be simplified and the performance can be fully released.

[0104] (c) The second antenna array 2B has high gain and few active channels.

[0105] Since the metasurface lens 22 has the function of beam focusing, the band 2 antenna can obtain high gain. Combining the metasurface lens 22 design + feed switching + phased scanning and other technologies, the band 2 antenna can significantly reduce the number of channels required while achieving the same performance as the traditional phased array.

[0106] (d) Support multi-function

[0107] In order to solve the problem that most multi-band co-aperture array antennas do not support dual polarization, beam scanning and other functions, the band 1 antenna and band 2 antenna of the co-aperture array based on the above solution both have multiple functions such as dual polarization and beam scanning.

[0108] The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the second antenna array 2B is divided into a plurality of sub-arrays, a two-stage scanning method is adopted, and the metasurface lens 22 is also divided into a plurality of lens areas accordingly, which will be described in detail below.

[0109] Fig.17 and Fig.18 The positional relationship between the first radiator 21a, the metasurface lens 22 and the second radiator 24a in the base station antenna of the second embodiment is shown. Fig.17Indicates the position relationship of the plane when looking down. Fig.18 Indicates the side view position relationship.

[0110] like Fig.17 and Fig.18 As shown, schematically, the first radiators 21a in the first antenna array 2A can be arranged in the first direction and the second direction to form an array. Each column extending in the second direction can be called a group 21c, and each group 21c can include multiple first radiators 21a arranged in sequence along the second direction, and multiple groups 21c can be arranged in sequence along the first direction. Schematically, the first radiator 21a can form dual polarization, such as +45° polarization and -45° polarization.

[0111] like Fig.17 and Fig.18 As shown, the second antenna array 2B may include a plurality of antenna subarrays 24d, and these antenna subarrays 24d are arranged in an array along the first direction and the second direction respectively. Each antenna subarray 24d includes a plurality of second radiators 24a arranged along the first direction. Since the second antenna array 2B is divided into a plurality of antenna subarrays 24d, the horizontal spacing of each antenna subarray 24d may be 1.5 times the wavelength. However, the horizontal spacing is large, and the horizontal beam scanning will produce severe grating lobes, which is not conducive to realizing the horizontal beam large angle scanning (for example, scanning in the range of ±60°). In order to reduce the grating lobes, a two-stage scanning method can be adopted (which will be described below).

[0112] Fig.19 ABF circuit architecture used by the second antenna array 2B in the second embodiment. Fig.19 As shown, each antenna subarray 24d can be connected to an analog channel, and the analog channel can include several devices, including but not limited to A / D converters, mixers, analog phase shifters, power amplifiers, switches, etc., and the switch can be a multi-throw switch. The analog phase shifters in each analog channel are electrically connected to all second radiators 24a in an antenna subarray 24d through a switch. The second antenna array 2B adopts a subarray-level phase control method in both its vertical and horizontal directions.

[0113] refer to Fig.19 As shown, in the vertical direction, each antenna subarray 24d corresponds to an analog phase shifter, and each analog phase shifter can adjust the phase of the radiation signal of the corresponding antenna subarray 24d as needed (for example, according to pre-configuration), thereby realizing the vertical beam scanning of the second antenna array 2B, that is, the vertical beam scanning of the second antenna array 2B adopts a phase control method.

[0114] For the horizontal direction, a two-stage scanning method can be used to reduce the grating lobe and achieve large-angle scanning of the horizontal beam. Fig. 20As shown, by making the switches of each analog channel synchronously switch to the same second radiator 24a in each antenna subarray 24d, the first-level horizontal beam scanning of the second antenna array 2B is realized, and a first-level wider beam is generated. For example, all switches are synchronously switched to the rightmost second radiator 24a in each antenna subarray 24d. Due to the focusing and deflection effect of the metasurface lens 22, the first-level beam generated by each antenna subarray 24d is the leftmost beam, and the first-level beam is wider. It is also possible to phase-control the same second radiator 24a in each antenna subarray 24d through the analog phase shifters of each analog channel, so that each antenna subarray 24d generates a narrower second-level beam. For example, by making the analog phase shifters of each analog channel phase-control the rightmost second radiator 24a in each antenna subarray 24d, due to the focusing and deflection effect of the metasurface lens 22, the second-level beam generated by each antenna subarray 24d is the leftmost beam, and the first-level beam is narrower. It can be seen that the two-stage scanning method is to first generate a first-stage wider beam of each antenna subarray 24d through switch switching, and then all antenna subarrays 24d synthesize a second-stage high-gain narrow beam.

[0115] like Fig.19 As shown, one antenna subarray 24d in the second antenna array 2B corresponds to one analog channel, that is, multiple second radiators 24a can share one analog channel (or decouple the radiating unit from the analog channel), which can reduce the number of channels, thereby reducing cost and power consumption.

[0116] like Fig.17 and Fig.18 As shown, the metasurface lens 22 can also be divided into a plurality of lens sub-arrays 22c, each lens sub-array 22c corresponds to an antenna sub-array 24d in the second antenna array 2B, and the orthographic projection of the antenna sub-array 24d on the lens sub-array 22c can fall within the boundary of the lens sub-array 22c. Fig. 20 As shown, each lens subarray 22c can perform wavefront phase control on the radiation signal of the corresponding antenna subarray 24d. As described above, the second radiator 24a in the antenna subarray 24d is activated by switching the switch, so when performing wavefront phase control, the lens subarray 22c controls a second radiator 24a in the antenna subarray 24d.

[0117] Fig.21 It means that the metasurface lens 22 is composed of a plurality of lens sub-arrays 22c arranged in an array along the first direction and the second direction. The structures of each lens sub-array 22c can be basically the same, or the lens sub-arrays 22c are periodically replicated along the first direction and the second direction. Fig.21As shown, each lens sub-array 22c includes a plurality of metasurface lens units 22a. Each lens sub-array 22c has a first symmetry axis L1 extending along a first direction, and a second symmetry axis L2 extending along a second direction. The metasurface units 22b in each lens sub-array 22c are respectively distributed along the first direction and the second direction to form an array, each column along the second direction in the array is symmetrical about the first symmetry axis L1, and each column along the first direction in the array is symmetrical about the second symmetry axis L2, that is, each lens sub-array 22c is symmetrical about the first symmetry axis L1 and about the second symmetry axis L2.

[0118] It should be understood that Fig.21 The emphasis of the expression is on the above-mentioned symmetrical design and periodic replication design of the metasurface lens 22, rather than on the structure of the metasurface unit 22b at each position of the metasurface lens 22. Fig.21 The area of ​​the hypersurface unit 22b close to the first symmetry axis L1 or the second symmetry axis L2 is larger, and the area of ​​the hypersurface unit 22b deviating from the first symmetry axis L1 or the second symmetry axis L2 is smaller. This is just an example, and the present embodiment is not actually limited to this.

[0119] Fig.21 The distribution pattern of the metasurface unit 22b in the metasurface lens 22 shown can adapt to the two-stage beam scanning mode of the second antenna array 2B, meet the wavefront phase control requirements of the radiation signal of the second antenna array 2B, and focus the radiation signal of the second antenna array 2B approximately into a plane wave, thereby improving the gain of the second antenna array 2B. The gain improvement of the second antenna array 2B is also conducive to reducing the number of RF channels, thereby reducing the power consumption and cost of the device.

[0120] Fig.21 The metasurface lens 22 shown can be equivalent to Fig. 22 In the lens 200 shown, each lens sub-array 22c can be equivalent to a sub-lens 200a in the lens 200, and one sub-lens 200a corresponds to one antenna sub-array 24d.

[0121] Fig.23 Indicates that it corresponds to Fig.21 In the design shown, a lens sub-array 22c in the metasurface lens 22 generates a phase distribution in the frequency band of the second antenna array 2B, which is similar to the phase distribution of a sub-lens 200a. The left figure represents the lens sub-array 22c; the right figure represents the phase distribution, and different color blocks represent the phase shift that can be superimposed. Fig. 22 As shown, the phase shift that can be superimposed by the metasurface units 22b close to the first symmetry axis L1 and the second symmetry axis L2 in the lens subarray 22c is larger, and the phase shift that can be superimposed by the metasurface units 22b far from the first symmetry axis L1 or the second symmetry axis L2 is smaller.

[0122] Embodiment 2 also has the above advantages of embodiment 1, such as decoupling arrangement of array antennas of different frequencies, flexible deployment; easy deployment and low deployment cost; high gain of the second antenna array 2B and a small number of active channels; support for multiple functions, etc.

[0123] The above is a detailed introduction to the embodiments of the present application. Specific examples are used herein to illustrate the principles and embodiments of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and core ideas of the present application; at the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the ideas of the present application, there will be changes in the specific embodiments and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as limiting the present application.

Claims

1. A base station antenna, characterized in that: comprising a first antenna array, a metasurface lens, and a second antenna array; The metasurface lens is located between the first radiator of the radiating unit of the first antenna array and the second antenna array. The metasurface lens is used to reflect the radiation signal of the first antenna array and perform wavefront phase control and transmission on the radiation signal of the second antenna array.

2. The base station antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base station antenna includes a feeding structure and a feeding network. The feeding structure and the feeding network are both located on a side of the metasurface lens facing the first radiator. The feeding structure connects the first radiator and the feeding network.

3. The base station antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base station antenna includes a feeding structure and a feeding network, the feeding structure passes through the metasurface lens, the feeding network is located on a side of the metasurface lens facing the second antenna array, and the feeding structure connects the first radiator and the feeding network.

4. The base station antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The metasurface lens includes a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer is provided with a metal grid, the metal grids are criss-crossed and enclose a plurality of regions, each region is provided with a metasurface unit, and the metasurface unit in each region has a certain gap with the boundary of the region; the metal grid is used to reflect the radiation signal of the first antenna array, and the metasurface unit is used to perform wavefront phase control and transmission on the radiation signal of the second antenna array.

5. The base station antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that: The dielectric layer includes a plurality of sub-dielectric layers stacked in sequence, at least one of the sub-dielectric layers is provided with the metal gate, wherein when at least two of the sub-dielectric layers are provided with the metal gates, the metal gates on all the sub-dielectric layers overlap; each of the sub-dielectric layers is provided with a supersurface pattern on two opposite sides along its own thickness direction, and a plurality of supersurface patterns arranged along the thickness direction constitute a supersurface unit.

6. The base station antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that: Among the plurality of sub-dielectric layers, the surface of the sub-dielectric layer adjacent to the first radiator is provided with the metal grid.

7. The base station antenna according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The structures of all the super-surface patterns on the same sub-medium layer are not all the same.

8. The base station antenna according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that: The structures of the multiple supersurface patterns in the same supersurface unit are not all the same.

9. The base station antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The first antenna array includes multiple groups of first radiators, each group of first radiators includes multiple first radiators; The base station antenna includes a plurality of digital channels, each of which is electrically connected to all first radiators in a group of first radiators; the plurality of digital channels are used to implement horizontal beam scanning of the first antenna array by pre-configuring phase shift.

10. The base station antenna according to claim 9, characterized in that: The second antenna array includes a plurality of groups of second radiators arranged along a first direction, each group of second radiators includes a plurality of second radiators arranged along a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; The base station antenna comprises a plurality of analog channels, each of the analog channels comprises an analog phase shifter and a switch, the analog phase shifter in each of the analog channels is electrically connected to all second radiators in a group of second radiators through the switch, and the plurality of analog channels are used to implement horizontal beam scanning of the second antenna array through the analog phase shifter, and implement vertical beam scanning of the second antenna array through switching of the switch; The metasurface lens includes the dielectric layer and the metasurface unit; the metasurface lens has a first symmetry axis along the first direction, the metasurface units in the metasurface lens are distributed along the first direction and the second direction to form an array, each column along the second direction in the array is symmetrical about the first symmetry axis, and the structure of the metasurface units in each column along the first direction in the array is the same.

11. The base station antenna according to claim 9, characterized in that: The second antenna array includes a plurality of sub-arrays, the plurality of sub-arrays are arranged in an array along a first direction and a second direction, each of the sub-arrays includes a plurality of second radiators arranged along the first direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; The base station antenna includes a plurality of analog channels, each of the analog channels includes an analog phase shifter and a switch, and the analog phase shifter in each of the analog channels is electrically connected to all second radiators in one of the subarrays through the switch; the plurality of analog channels are used to implement vertical beam scanning of the second antenna array through the analog phase shifters; the plurality of analog channels are also used to implement primary horizontal beam scanning of the second antenna array through switching of the switches, and to implement secondary horizontal beam scanning of the second antenna array through the analog phase shifters; The metasurface lens includes the dielectric layer and the metasurface unit; the metasurface lens has a first symmetry axis along the first direction and a second symmetry axis along the second direction; the metasurface units in the metasurface lens are distributed along the first direction and the second direction to form an array; each column in the array along the second direction is symmetric about the first symmetry axis, and each column in the array along the first direction is symmetric about the second symmetry axis.

12. The base station antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The first radiator has a passive electromagnetic cancellation structure.

13. The base station antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The base station antenna includes a first antenna cover and a second antenna cover. The first antenna array and the metasurface lens are located in the first antenna cover, and the second antenna array is located in the second antenna cover.

14. A base station, characterized in that: The base station antenna comprises any one of claims 1 to 13.

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