Radiating element having single or parallel printed circuit board-based feed pole and base station antenna having such radiating element

Abstract

An antenna having a single or parallel printed circuit board-based feed pole and a base station antenna having such a radiating element are provided. The single feed pole may have two feed lines configured to feed a radio frequency signal to respective dipole radiators. Each feed line may have dual ground lines on one side (major surface) of the single feed pole printed circuit board and cooperating feed traces on opposite sides (opposite major surfaces) that provide RF transmission from the feed network to the dipole radiator. The dual ground lines of the first feed line may be located on different major surfaces from the dual ground lines of the second feed line, and one ground line in each of the two-line groups may intersect each other at a front end portion of the feed pole. The parallel feed pole printed circuit board may provide two feed lines for respective dual-polarized radiating elements.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present invention relates generally to radio communications and, more particularly, to base station antennas for cellular communication systems.

[0002] Cellular communication systems are well known in the art. In a cellular communication system, a geographic area is divided into a series of areas referred to as "cells" that are served by corresponding base stations. A base station may include one or more base station antennas configured to provide two-way radio frequency ("RF") communications with mobile users within the cell served by the base station. Typically, the base station antenna is mounted on a tower or other elevated structure, with a radiation pattern (also referred to herein as an "antenna beam") generated by the base station antenna pointing outward. In many cases, each base station is divided into "sectors". In one common configuration, a hexagonal-shaped cell is divided into three 120º sectors in the azimuth plane (i.e., a plane parallel to the plane defined by the horizon that bisects the base station antenna), and each sector is served by one or more base station antennas that provide coverage throughout the 120º sector. Base station antennas that provide less than omnidirectional (360º) coverage in the azimuth plane are typically referred to as "sector" base station antennas. The antenna beams formed by both omnidirectional base station antennas and sector base station antennas are typically generated by linear or planar phased arrays of radiating elements included in the antennas.

[0003] To accommodate the growing volume of cellular traffic, cellular operators have added cellular services in a variety of new frequency bands. While in some cases a single array of so-called "wideband" or "ultra-wideband" radiating elements can be used to provide service in multiple frequency bands, in other cases different arrays of radiating elements must be used to support service in different frequency bands.

[0004] As the number of frequency bands has proliferated, and as increased sectorization has become more common (e.g., dividing a cell into six, nine, or even twelve sectors), the number of base station antennas deployed at a typical base station has increased significantly. However, there is often a limit to the number of base station antennas that can be deployed at a given base station due to, for example, local zoning regulations and / or weight and wind load constraints on the antenna tower. In order to increase capacity without further increasing the number of base station antennas, so-called multi-band base station antennas have been introduced that include multiple arrays of radiating elements. Multi-band base station antennas are now being developed that include arrays that operate in three (or more) different frequency bands and typically in multiple sub-bands in one or more of these frequency bands. Unfortunately, different arrays can interact with each other, which can make it challenging to implement such multi-band antennas while also meeting customer requirements related to the size (particularly the width) of the base station antenna. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a dual-polarization radiating element is provided, the dual-polarization radiating element comprising: a first dipole radiator, the first dipole radiator having a first dipole arm and a second dipole arm; a second dipole radiator, the second dipole radiator having a third dipole arm and a fourth dipole arm; and a feed rod printed circuit board, the feed rod printed circuit board being configured to electrically connect the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator to a feed network. The feed rod printed circuit board has a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface. The feed rod printed circuit board comprises a first feed line, the first feed line being configured to feed a radio frequency ("RF") signal to the first dipole radiator, the first feed line comprising a first feed trace on the first main surface. The feed rod printed circuit board further comprises: a first pair of ground lines on the second main surface; and a second feed line, the second feed line being configured to feed an RF signal to the second dipole radiator. The second feed line has a second feed trace on the second main surface and a second pair of ground lines on the first main surface.

[0006] The first feed trace includes a hook-shaped signal trace segment, which includes a first longitudinally extending portion and a second longitudinally extending portion connected by a connecting portion, wherein the first longitudinally extending portion overlaps with a first ground wire in the first pair of ground wires, and the second longitudinally extending portion overlaps with a second ground wire in the first pair of ground wires.

[0007] The first feed trace may have a first section that extends longitudinally and overlaps a first ground wire of the first pair of ground wires and may merge into a second section that may extend across a gap that may extend between the first pair of ground wires.

[0008] The second segment may extend to a plated through hole and may be electrically connected to a ground plane provided by one or more of the first pair of ground lines on the second major surface.

[0009] A front end portion of the feed rod printed circuit board adjacent to the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator may be configured such that a first ground wire of the first pair of ground wires crosses to a first major surface of the feed rod printed circuit board to be connected to the first dipole arm, while a second ground wire of the first pair of ground wires at the front end portion of the feed rod printed circuit board is connected to the second dipole arm.

[0010] A front end portion of the feed bar printed circuit board may have a plated through hole that provides an electrical path for a first of the ground wires from the second major surface to the first major surface.

[0011] The feed rod printed circuit board may further include first to fourth pads, which connect the first to second pairs of ground wires to corresponding dipole arms among the first, second, third and fourth dipole arms.

[0012] The first ground line of the second pair of ground lines may cross the first ground line of the first pair of ground lines.

[0013] At least half of the length of the first ground line of the first pair of ground lines may be positioned between the second ground line of the first pair of ground lines and the first ground line of the second pair of ground lines.

[0014] The first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator may be formed in a dipole radiator printed circuit board having a first side and a second side on opposite sides of the feed rod printed circuit board. A first ground line of the first pair of ground lines may be electrically connected to a first dipole arm on the first side of the dipole radiator printed circuit board, and a second ground line of the first pair of ground lines may be electrically connected to a second dipole arm on the second side of the dipole radiator printed circuit board.

[0015] The first dipole arm, the second dipole arm, the third dipole arm and the fourth dipole arm may all be directly galvanically coupled to the feed pole printed circuit board.

[0016] The first feed trace may be connected to a center conductor of an RF transmission line.

[0017] The first pair of ground lines may be connected to a ground conductor of the RF transmission line.

[0018] The feed rod printed circuit board may have a body having a first end portion configured to be positioned adjacent to a reflector and an opposite second end portion adjacent to the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator. The body may have a tilt angle between the first end portion and the second end portion, the tilt angle being between 20 degrees and 75 degrees.

[0019] Both the first end portion and the second end portion may be perpendicular to a plane defined by major surfaces of the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator.

[0020] The first feed trace may have a first section that is wider than a second section.The second section may be closer to the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator, and the first section may overlap the first pair of ground lines.

[0021] Other aspects relate to a dual-polarized radiating element, which includes a feed rod printed circuit board, the feed rod printed circuit board having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite each other, the second main surface having a first pair of ground wires thereon. The first ground wire of the first pair of ground wires is connected to a first pad located on the second main surface, and the second ground wire of the first pair of ground wires is connected to a second pad located on the first main surface. The dual-polarized radiating element also includes: a first dipole radiator, the first dipole radiator having a first dipole arm and a second dipole arm; and a second dipole radiator, the second dipole radiator having a third dipole arm and a fourth dipole arm. The first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator are mounted on a distal end of the feed rod printed circuit board.

[0022] The first main surface of the feed bar printed circuit board may have a second pair of grounding wires thereon. The first grounding wire in the second pair of grounding wires may be connected to a third pad located on the first main surface, and the second grounding wire in the second pair of grounding wires may be connected to a fourth pad located on the second main surface.

[0023] The first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator may be formed in a dipole radiator printed circuit board. The distal end of the feed bar printed circuit board may include a protruding tab extending through the dipole radiator printed circuit board, and the first to fourth pads may be on the protruding tab.

[0024] The first ground line of the second pair of ground lines may cross the first ground line of the first pair of ground lines.

[0025] At least half of the length of the first ground line of the first pair of ground lines may be positioned between the second ground line of the first pair of ground lines and the first ground line of the second pair of ground lines.

[0026] The first pair of ground lines may define a portion of a first feed line configured to feed a radio frequency ("RF") signal to the first dipole radiator. The first feed line may also have a first feed trace located on the first major surface.

[0027] The dual polarized radiating element may further include a second pair of ground lines forming part of a second feed line configured to feed an RF signal to the second dipole radiator, the second feed line also having a second feed trace located on the second major surface.

[0028] The first feed trace may have a hook-shaped signal trace segment including a first longitudinally extending portion and a second longitudinally extending portion that may be connected by a connecting portion. The first longitudinally extending portion may overlap with a first ground line in the first pair of ground lines, and the second longitudinally extending portion may overlap with a second ground line in the first pair of ground lines.

[0029] The first feed trace may have a first section that extends longitudinally and may overlap a first ground wire of the first pair of ground wires and merges into a second section that extends across a gap extending between the first pair of ground wires.

[0030] The second segment may extend to a plated through hole and may be electrically connected to a ground plane provided by one or more of the first pair of ground lines on the second major surface.

[0031] The feed rod printed circuit board may have a body having a first end portion configured to be positioned adjacent to a reflector and an opposing second end portion adjacent to the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator. The body may have a tilt angle between the first end portion and the second end portion, the tilt angle being between 20 degrees and 75 degrees.

[0032] Both the first end portion and the second end portion may be perpendicular to a plane defined by major surfaces of the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator.

[0033] Still other embodiments relate to a dual-polarization radiating element, comprising: a first dipole radiator having a first dipole arm and a second dipole arm; a second dipole radiator having a third dipole arm and a fourth dipole arm; and a first feed pole printed circuit board and a second feed pole printed circuit board having major surfaces facing each other.

[0034] The first feed rod printed circuit board and the second feed rod printed circuit board may be spaced apart by less than 1 / 20 of a wavelength corresponding to a center frequency of an operating frequency band of the dual polarization radiating element.

[0035] The major surfaces may be parallel to each other over at least a major part of the longitudinal distance between opposite end portions thereof.

[0036] The first to fourth dipole arms may be formed in respective first to fourth quadrants of a dipole radiator printed circuit board. Electrical connections between the feed rod printed circuit board and the first and third dipole arms may be in respective first and third quadrants, while electrical connections between the feed rod printed circuit board and the second and fourth dipole arms may be in respective fourth and second quadrants.

[0037] The first feed rod printed circuit board and the second feed rod printed circuit board may each have a body having a first end portion configured to be positioned adjacent to a reflector and an opposite second end portion adjacent to the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator. The body may have a tilt angle between the first end portion and the second end portion, the tilt angle being between 20 degrees and 75 degrees.

[0038] Both the first end portion and the second end portion may be perpendicular to a plane defined by major surfaces of the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator.

[0039] Other embodiments relate to a base station antenna having a plurality of dual-polarized radiating elements as described herein. The dual-polarized radiating elements may be positioned only along the right and left portions of the base station antenna. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1A A rear perspective view of a multi-band sector base station antenna.

[0041] Figure 1B For the antenna cover removed Figure 1A Schematic front perspective view of a base station antenna.

[0042] Figure 1C for Figure 1A-1B An enlarged perspective view of one of the low-band radiating elements included in a base station antenna.

[0043] Figure 1D for Figure 1A-1B Schematic cross-sectional view of a base station antenna.

[0044] Figure 2A for Figure 1A-1B Schematic cross-sectional view of a modified form of a base station antenna in which a "tilted rod" low-band radiating element is used to replace Figure 1C-1D "Straight rod" low-band radiating element.

[0045] Figure 2B for Figure 2A A perspective view of one of the tilted rod low-band radiating elements included in the antenna.

[0046] Figure 3A is a shaded side perspective view of a tilted-pole low-band radiating element including a single feed-pole printed circuit board in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 3B and 3C They are Figure 3A Shaded left and right views of the low-band radiating element.

[0048] Figure 3D for Figure 3A Front view of the low-band radiating element.

[0049] Figure 3E for Figure 3A A greatly enlarged front view of the connection between the feed rod PCB and the dipole radiator PCB of the low band radiating element.

[0050] Figure 3F and 3G They are Figure 3A Schematic right and left side views of a low-band radiating element.

[0051] Figure 4A is a shaded side perspective view of a tilted-pole low-band radiating element including a single feed-pole printed circuit board according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 4B and 4C They are Figure 4A Left and right side views of the low-band radiating element.

[0053] Figure 5A-5B Right and left schematic perspective views, respectively, of a tilted-rod low-band radiating element comprising two parallel feed-rod printed circuit boards according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 5C for Figure 5A-5B Front view of the low-band radiating element.

[0055] Figure 5D for Figure 5A-5B A greatly enlarged front view of the connection between the feed rod PCB and the dipole radiator PCB of the low band radiating element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Embodiments of the invention generally relate to radiating elements for multi-band base station antennas, and to related base station antennas. A base station antenna comprising a radiating element according to embodiments of the invention may be used, for example, as a sector antenna in the above-mentioned cellular communication system.

[0057] Figures 1A-1DThe design of a conventional base station antenna having an array of radiating elements operating in multiple frequency bands is shown. Specifically, Figure 1A is a rear perspective view of the antenna 100, and Figure 1B is a schematic front view of the antenna 100 , wherein its radome is removed to illustrate the antenna assembly 200 of the base station antenna 100 . Figure 1C is a schematic perspective view of one of the low-frequency band radiating elements included in the base station antenna 100, Figure 1D For along Figure 1B In the following description, the antenna 100 and the radiating elements included therein will be described using the following terms, which assume that the antenna 100 is mounted for normal use on a tower, wherein the longitudinal axis of the antenna 100 extends along the vertical axis and the front surface of the antenna 100 is mounted opposite to the tower pointing to the coverage area of ​​the antenna 100.

[0058] like Figure 1A As shown in , the base station antenna 100 may include, for example, both a passive base station antenna 102 and an active antenna unit 104 mounted on the passive base station antenna 102. The passive base station antenna 102 may include multiple arrays of radiating elements that generate static antenna beams that cover a predefined area, such as a sector of a cell. The passive base station antenna 102 may be connected to one or more radio devices (not shown), such as remote radio heads mounted on an antenna tower adjacent to the base station antenna 100. The active antenna unit 104 may, for example, include a module that may operate as a standalone antenna or may be mounted on the back of the passive base station antenna 102. The active antenna unit 104 may include, for example, a radio circuit system and a multi-column beamforming array of radiating elements. The active antenna unit 104 may generate an antenna beam that may be dynamically steered throughout a coverage area (e.g., a sector) and may have a narrow azimuth beamwidth and a high antenna gain. For example, an example of a base station antenna including both a passive base station antenna 102 and an active antenna unit 104 mounted on the passive base station antenna 102 is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2021 / 0305717 filed on March 23, 2021 ("the '717 Publication"), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. It should be understood that any of the radiating elements according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein may be used to form a low-band array in various base station antennas disclosed in the '717 Publication.

[0059] Still reference Figure 1A, the passive base station antenna 102 is an elongated structure extending along a longitudinal axis L. The passive base station antenna 102 may have a tubular shape with a generally rectangular cross-section. The passive base station antenna 102 includes a radome 110 and a top cover 120. The passive base station antenna 102 also includes a bottom cover 130 that includes a plurality of connectors 140, such as RF ports, mounted therein. When the antenna 102 is mounted for normal operation, the passive base station antenna 102 is typically mounted in a vertical configuration (i.e., the longitudinal axis L may be substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by a horizon). The radome 110, the top cover 120, and the bottom cover 130 may form a protective housing for the passive base station antenna 102. Antenna assembly 200 ( Figure 1B ) contained within the housing.

[0060] Active antenna unit 104 is mounted on the rear of passive base station antenna 102. Active antenna unit 104 may include a multi-column array of radiating elements mounted behind a radome of active antenna unit 104. As described in the '717 publication, the multi-column array of radiating elements may transmit and receive RF signals through passive base station antenna 102. The reflector of passive base station antenna 102 may include an opening (or a frequency selective surface that will appear as an opening to RF energy in the operating band of the multi-column array).

[0061] refer to Figure 1B , the antenna assembly 200 of the passive base station antenna 102 includes a ground plane structure 210 having a sidewall 212 and a reflector surface 214. Various mechanical and electronic components (not shown) of the passive base station antenna 102, such as phase shifters, remote electronic tilt units, mechanical linkages, controllers, duplexers, etc., may be mounted in a cavity defined between the sidewall 212 and the back side of the reflector surface 214. The reflector surface 214 of the ground plane structure 210 may include or comprise a metal surface (e.g., an aluminum sheet) that acts as a reflector and ground plane for the radiating elements of the antenna 100. The reflector surface 214 may also be referred to herein as a reflector 214.

[0062] The passive base station antenna 102 includes a plurality of dual-polarized radiating elements mounted to extend forward from the reflector 214. The radiating elements include a low-band radiating element 222 and a mid-band radiating element 232. The low-band radiating element 222 is mounted in two columns to form two linear arrays 220-1, 220-2 of the low-band radiating element 222. The low-band radiating element 222 may be configured to transmit and receive signals in a first frequency band. In some embodiments, the first frequency band may include a 617-960 MHz frequency range or a portion thereof (e.g., a 617-896 MHz band, a 696-960 MHz band, etc.). The mid-band radiating element 232 is mounted in four columns to form four linear arrays 230-1 to 230-4 of the mid-band radiating element 232. The mid-band radiating element 232 may be configured to transmit and receive signals in a second frequency band. In some embodiments, the second frequency band may include the 1427-2690 MHz frequency range or a portion thereof (e.g., the 1710-2200 MHz frequency band, the 2300-2690 MHz frequency band, etc.). Herein, the linear arrays 220-1, 220-2 of low-band radiating elements 222 may also be referred to as low-band linear arrays 220-1, 220-2, and the linear arrays 230-1 to 230-4 of mid-band radiating elements 232 may also be referred to as mid-band linear arrays 230-1 to 230-4. It should be noted that herein, the same elements may be individually referenced by their entire reference numerals (e.g., linear array 230-2) and may be collectively referenced by the first portion of their reference numerals (e.g., linear array 230).

[0063] As described above, the active antenna module 104 includes a multi-column array of high-band radiating elements 242. This array of high-band radiating elements 242 may be referred to herein as a high-band array 240. The radome of the active antenna module 104 is Figure 1B 104. In the embodiment of the present invention, the high frequency band array 240 of the high frequency band radiating element 242 is omitted so that this high frequency band array 240 of the high frequency band radiating element 242 is visible in the figure. The high frequency band radiating element 242 can be configured to transmit and receive signals in the third frequency band. In certain embodiments, the third frequency band can include a 3300-4200 MHz frequency range or a part thereof. As discussed above, the high frequency band array 240 can be a beamforming array, which combines with the beamforming radio in the active antenna module 104 to generate an antenna beam that can be dynamically shaped and turned on the coverage area.

[0064] Figure 1CA low-band radiating element 300 corresponding to the low-band radiating element 222 of the base station antenna 100 is shown. The radiating element 300 includes: a feed rod 310, the feed rod including a pair of feed rod printed circuit boards 312-1, 312-2; and a first dipole radiator 320-1 and a second dipole radiator 320-2. The first dipole radiator 320-1 extends along a first axis, and the second dipole radiator 320-2 extends along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. Therefore, the first dipole radiator 320-1 and the second dipole radiator 320-2 are arranged in a generally cross shape. The first dipole radiator 320-1 includes a first dipole arm 330-1 and a second dipole arm 330-2, and the second dipole radiator 320-2 includes a third dipole arm 330-3 and a fourth dipole arm 330-4. In the depicted embodiment, the first dipole radiator 320 - 1 and the second dipole radiator 320 - 2 are formed on a dipole radiator printed circuit board 322 .

[0065] Each feed bar printed circuit board 312-1, 312-2 may have a corresponding RF transmission line 314 formed thereon. Each RF feed line 314 is designed to transmit RF signals between a feed board (not shown) and a corresponding one of the dipole radiators 320. Each RF transmission line 314 may include a hook balun. The first feed bar printed circuit board 312-1 includes a slit 316 in its rear portion, and the second feed bar printed circuit board 312-2 includes a slit 316 (not visible in the figure) in its front portion. These vertical slits 316 allow the two feed bar printed circuit boards 312-1, 312-2 to be assembled together to form a feed bar 310, which is a vertically extending column with a generally x-shaped cross-section. The rearward portion of each feed bar printed circuit board 312 may include a protrusion 318R that is inserted through a slit (not shown) in the feed board to mount the radiating element 300 thereon. The forward portion of each feed pole PCB 312 may include a protrusion 318F that is inserted through a slot in the dipole radiator PCB 322 to mount the dipole radiator PCB 322 on the feed pole 310 .

[0066] The dipole arms 330-1 and 330-2 of the first dipole radiator 320-1 are fed by the center of the first RF transmission line in the RF transmission line 314 and radiate together at the first polarization. In the depicted embodiment, the first dipole radiator 320-1 is designed to emit a first polarization having a tilt of +45 0The dipole arms 330-3 and 330-4 of the second dipole radiator 320-2 are fed by the center of the second RF transmission line in the RF transmission line 314 and radiate together at a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. The second dipole radiator 320-2 is designed to emit a linearly polarized signal with a tilt of -45 0 Linearly polarized signal. Therefore, radiating element 300 is called a "cross-dipole" radiating element.

[0067] The challenge of multi-band base station antenna design is to reduce the effect of scattering RF signals in one band by radiating elements in other bands. Scattering is undesirable because it can affect the shape of the antenna beam in both the azimuth and elevation planes, and the effect can vary significantly with frequency, which can make it difficult to compensate for these effects. In addition, at least in the azimuth plane, scattering tends to affect the beamwidth, beam shape, pointing angle, gain, and front-to-back ratio of the antenna beam in an undesirable manner.

[0068] like Figure 1C As shown in , each dipole arm 330 may include an oval metal pattern on a dielectric substrate of a dipole radiator printed circuit board 322. The metal pattern forming each dipole arm 330 includes a plurality of widened sections 342 connected by narrowed trace sections 344. This design allows the dipole arm 330 to act as a "hidden" dipole arm that has a reduced impact on the antenna beam produced by closely located radiating elements that transmit and receive signals in other frequency bands (i.e., reduces scattering). This ensures that the radiating element 300 does not substantially affect the radiation patterns of other radiating elements of the antenna 100 mounted near the radiating element 300. The dipole arms 330-1 and 330-3 may be located near the mid-band radiating element 232 of the antenna 100 (e.g., directly in front of the mid-band radiating element) and, therefore, have a metal pattern designed to be substantially transparent to RF energy in the mid-band operating band. Dipole arms 330 - 2 and 330 - 4 may be located near (eg, directly in front of) the high-band radiating element 242 of the antenna 100 , and therefore have a metal pattern designed to be substantially transparent to RF energy in the high-band operating band.

[0069] Figure 1D For along Figure 1B A schematic cross-sectional view of the base station antenna 100 taken along line 1D-1D. Figure 1D It can be seen that the low-band radiation element 222 (which has Figure 1CThe feed pole of the low-band radiating element 300 of the present invention is positioned in front of the high-band array 240. Since the radiating element 222 needs to be mounted on a ground plane, this means that a metal layer must be positioned in front of the high-band array 240, which acts as a mounting location and ground plane for the low-band radiating element 222. Unfortunately, this metal layer can block the RF energy emitted by the high-band array 240.

[0070] In order to reduce the impact of the low-band radiating element 222 on the high-band array, a low-band radiating element with a tilted feed rod has been proposed, as discussed in detail in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2021 / 0305718 filed on March 18, 2021 (“the '718 Publication”), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Figure 2A 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified form of the base station antenna 100 (labeled as antenna 100'), the modified form including a low-band radiating element 222' having an inclined feed rod 224'. The inclined feed rod 224' allows the base of each low-band radiating element 222' to be mounted to a side of the high-band array 240, so that the reflector 214 of the low-band radiating element 222' does not need to extend in front of the high-band array 240.

[0071] Unfortunately, the tilted feed rod 224' of the low-band radiating element 222' may still negatively impact the performance of the high-band array 240. The feed rod 224' may have a similar Figure 1C The same "x" shape as seen in the feed bar 310 of the radiating element 300 of FIG. 3 is shown, except that one of the feed board printed circuit boards 312 is replaced by a pair of bent metal sheets 226-1, 226-2, as shown in FIG. Figure 2B The bent metal sheet 226 extends in front of the high-band array 240 and may negatively impact its performance.

[0072] According to embodiments of the present invention, there are provided cross-dipole radiating elements with improved feed rod designs. Specifically, according to embodiments of the present invention, these radiating elements may include a feed rod designed to have a reduced impact on the radiation pattern of a radiating element (or array thereof) located behind the radiating element.

[0073] In some embodiments, a single printed circuit board (PCB) feed bar is used to feed the crossed dipole radiators of a dual polarized radiating element, which can reduce the performance impact on adjacent (multiple) higher band elements compared to other known dual polarized radiating elements by eliminating the use of sheet metal legs, and can also reduce the cost of conventional feed bars with multiple cooperating substrates (e.g., feed bars with sheet metal legs and printed circuit boards or feed bars with orthogonal printed circuit boards). The single PCB feed bar configuration can also provide crossovers on the feed bar printed circuit board instead of on the dipole radiator circuit board, which can improve isolation performance and / or can allow direct galvanic connection to the respective dipole radiators.

[0074] In other embodiments, a dual polarized radiating element having a pair of feed rods facing each other in parallel or substantially parallel but not orthogonal to each other can be used to feed the corresponding dipole radiator. The pair of feed rods eliminates the metal legs to obtain better scanning performance and can allow easier matching on a single PCB feed rod. In addition, the two feed rods can be oriented so that their major surfaces / main surfaces are perpendicular to the high frequency band array, which can significantly reduce the impact of the feed rod on the scanning performance of the high frequency band array.

[0075] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0076] Reference now Figures 3A-3G , shows an exemplary dual-polarization radiating element 400 with a single feed rod printed circuit board 412. The dual-polarization radiating element 400 can be used instead of the low-band radiating elements 222, 222' of the base station antenna 100 ( Figure 1A , 1B , 1D).

[0077] The radiating element 400 includes: a feed rod 410, which includes a single feed rod printed circuit board 412; and a first dipole radiator 420-1 and a second dipole radiator 420-2. The first dipole radiator 420-1 extends along a first axis, and the second dipole radiator 420-2 extends along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. Therefore, the first dipole radiator 420-1 and the second dipole radiator 420-2 are arranged in a generally cross shape. The first dipole radiator 420-1 includes a first dipole arm 430-1 and a second dipole arm 430-2, and the second dipole radiator 420-2 includes a third dipole arm 430-3 and a fourth dipole arm 430-4. In the depicted embodiment, the first dipole radiator 420-1 and the second dipole radiator 420-2 are formed on a dipole radiator printed circuit board 422.

[0078] The feed bar printed circuit board 412 has a first main surface 412-P1 and an opposite second main surface 412P-2. The feed bar printed circuit board 412 has a first feed line 414-1 and a second feed line 414-2 formed thereon. Each feed line 414 is configured to be connected to a feed board 415 ( Figure 3A ) and a corresponding one of the dipole radiators 420 to transmit / feed an RF signal.

[0079] The first feed line 414-1 includes a feed trace 416 on the first major surface 412-P1 and at least one cooperating ground line 417 (shown as a pair of cooperating first ground line 4171 and second ground line 4172) on the opposite major surface 412-P2. The second feed line 414-2 includes a feed trace 416 on the second major surface 412-P2 and at least one ground line 417 on the first major surface 412-P1. The pair of ground lines 417 and one feed trace 416 are connected to each other. Figure 3A , 3B The dotted line in indicates the position on the second major surface 412 -P2.

[0080] Each feed trace 416 may have a first segment 4110 that extends longitudinally over a sub-length of the feed bar 410 (relative to the length of the feed bar 410) and may overlap one of the corresponding ground lines 417 over at least a major portion of its length. An end portion 416e of the feed trace that is closer to the feed board 415 may be wider and may extend across both the first ground line 4171 and the second ground line 4172. Each feed trace 416 may include a second segment 416S that is connected to one of the corresponding ground lines 417 on the opposite side of the printed circuit board 412 through a plated through hole 419 to connect to a ground plane provided by one or more of the ground lines 4171, 4172. In operation, the feed trace 416 may be electrically shorted to the ground line 417 through the plated through hole 419.

[0081] The first ground line 4171 and the second ground line 4172 of each pair 417 -P1 , 417 -P2 of ground lines 417 may be separated by a longitudinally extending gap space 440 . The second segment 416S of each feed trace 416 may extend across the corresponding gap space 440 to the corresponding plated through hole 419 .

[0082] The dipole arms 430-1 and 430-2 of the first dipole radiator 420-1 are fed by the center of the first RF transmission line in the RF transmission line 414 and radiate together at the first polarization. In the depicted embodiment, the first dipole radiator 420-1 is designed to emit a first polarization having a tilt of +45 0The dipole arms 430-3 and 430-4 of the second dipole radiator 420-2 are fed by the center of the second RF transmission line in the RF transmission line 314 and radiate together at a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. The second dipole radiator 420-2 is designed to transmit a linearly polarized signal having a tilt of -45 0 Linearly polarized signal. As discussed above, radiating element 400 is therefore referred to as a "cross-dipole" radiating element.

[0083] The forward portion of the feed bar PCB 412 may include a protrusion 418F (also referred to as a forward protruding tab) having four ground wire terminals 417e. The protrusion 418F is inserted through a slot in the dipole radiator PCB 422 to mount the dipole radiator PCB 422 on the feed bar 410. Although a single protrusion is shown, this may alternatively be provided as a plurality of smaller protrusions, and each protrusion may extend the same distance or different distances in front of the dipole radiator PCB 422.

[0084] like Figure 3D As shown in , each dipole arm 430 may include a shaped metal pattern on a dielectric substrate of a dipole radiator printed circuit board 422. The metal pattern forming each dipole arm 430 includes a plurality of widened sections 442 connected by narrowed trace sections 444. This design allows the dipole arm 430 to act as a "hidden" dipole arm with a reduced impact on the antenna beam produced by closely located radiating elements that transmit and receive signals in other frequency bands. This ensures that the radiating element 400 does not substantially affect the radiation patterns of other radiating elements of the antenna 100 mounted near the radiating element 400. The dipole arms 430-1 and 430-3 may be located near the mid-band radiating element 232 of the antenna 100 (e.g., directly in front of the mid-band radiating element) and, therefore, have a metal pattern designed to be substantially transparent to RF energy in the mid-band operating band. Dipole arms 430 - 2 and 430 - 4 may be located near (eg, directly in front of) the high-band radiating element 242 of the antenna 100 , and therefore have a metal pattern designed to be substantially transparent to RF energy in the high-band operating band.

[0085] One grounding wire in each pair 417-P1, 417-P2 of grounding wires (shown as the inner wire 417i of each of the two grounding wires 4171, 4172) may cross each other at a cross-segment 450 positioned at the front (distal) end portion 412F of the feed pole printed circuit board 412, such that a forward segment 417s of the inner wire 417i of the first pair of grounding wires 417-P1 is positioned adjacent to an outer grounding wire 417o of the second pair 417-P2 grounding wires 417 at a position forward of the cross-segment 450.

[0086] Furthermore, one ground wire (shown as the inner wire 417 i of each of the two ground wires 4171 , 4172 ) of each pair 417 - P1 , 417 - P2 that crosses at the crossing section 450 is moved from one side of the feed pole 410 to the other side of the feed pole 410 .

[0087] The front end portion 412F of the feed pole printed circuit board adjacent to the first dipole radiator 420-1 and the second dipole radiator 420-2 can be configured so that the first ground wire 417 of the first pair of ground wires 417-P1 crosses to the first main surface 412-P1 of the feed pole printed circuit board 412 to be connected to the first dipole arm 430-1, while the second ground wire 417 of the first pair of ground wires 417-P1 at the front end portion of the feed pole printed circuit board is connected to the second dipole arm 430-2.

[0088] refer to Figure 3C The front end portion 412F of the feed bar PCB 412 may have one or more plated through holes 460 that provide an electrical path for a first of the grounding wires 417 from the second main surface 412 - P2 to the first main surface 412 - P1 .

[0089] At least half of the length of the second ground line 4172 of the first pair 417 - P1 ground lines 417 is positioned between the first ground line 4171 of the first pair 417 - P1 ground lines 417 and the first ground line 4171 and / or the second ground line 4172 of the second pair 417 - P2 ground lines 417 , respectively.

[0090] refer to Figure 3D , the dual-polarized radiating element 400 may be configured such that a first dipole radiator 420-1 and a second dipole radiator 420-2 are respectively formed in a dipole radiator printed circuit board 422, the dipole radiator printed circuit board having a first side S1 and a second side S2 in a plane of the dipole radiator. A first ground line 417 of a first pair 417-P1 ground lines 417 is electrically connected to a first dipole arm 430-1 on a first side of the dipole radiator printed circuit board 422, and a second ground line 417 of the first pair 417-P1 ground lines 417 is electrically connected to a second dipole arm 430-2 on a second side of the dipole radiator printed circuit board 422. The first ground line 417 of the second pair 417 -P2 ground lines 417 is electrically connected to the third dipole arm 430 - 3 on the first side of the dipole radiator printed circuit board 422 , and the second ground line 417 of the second pair 417 -P2 ground lines 417 is electrically connected to the fourth dipole arm 430 - 4 on the second side of the dipole radiator printed circuit board 422 .

[0091] refer to Figure 3F , each feed trace 416 can be connected to a corresponding center conductor 1410 of an RF transmission line (e.g., a coaxial cable). Each pair of ground wires 417-P can be connected to a ground conductor 1415 of the RF transmission line. The RF transmission line can be, for example, a microstrip transmission line on a feed board or a coaxial cable or other cable directly terminated in a feed pole. To simplify the drawings, the RF transmission line elements are simply shown as blocks in the drawings to emphasize that any suitable RF transmission line structure can be used.

[0092] refer to Figure 3F The feed bar PCB 412 has a body 412B having a first (rear) end portion 412R configured to be positioned adjacent to the reflector 214 and an opposite second (front) end portion 412F adjacent to the first dipole radiator 420-1 and the second dipole radiator 420-2. The body 412B may have a tilt angle β between the first end portion 412R and the second end portion 412F, respectively, with respect to the feed board 415 and / or the reflector 214, the tilt angle being between 20 degrees and 75 degrees.

[0093] Both the first end portion 412R and the second end portion 412F may be perpendicular to a plane defined by a major surface of the printed circuit board 422 on which the first dipole radiator 420 - 1 and the second dipole radiator 420 - 2 are disposed.

[0094] refer to Figure 3B , 3C , 3F and 3G, the feed trace 416 may have a rearward segment 416R that is wider than the second segment 416S and the first longitudinally extending segment 4110. The first longitudinally extending segment 4110 and the second segment 416S are closer to the first dipole radiator 420-1 and the second dipole radiator 420-2. The second segment 416S overlaps with a corresponding pair of ground lines 417.

[0095] refer to Figure 3D and 3E , each of the four ground wires 417 may be directly soldered / galvanically attached at a corresponding solder joint 455, directly soldered / galvanically attached to one of four solder joints 4551-4554 (the solder joints may be provided by corresponding solder pads), directly soldered / galvanically attached to a corresponding one of the dipole arms 430 on the front side of the dipole radiator printed circuit board 422. The first dipole arm 430-1, the second dipole arm 430-2, the third dipole arm 430-3, and the fourth dipole arm 430-4 may all be directly galvanically coupled to the feed rod printed circuit board 422.

[0096] One grounding wire in each pair 417-P1, 417-P2 of grounding wires 417 can be connected to a corresponding one of the pads 455 located on one of the first main surface 412-P1 or the second main surface 412-P2, and the other grounding wire 417 in the corresponding pair of grounding wires is connected to a second pad 455 located on the opposite main surface of the feed rod printed circuit board 412.

[0097] The first to fourth solder pads 4551 - 4552 may all be on protruding tabs 418F that protrude in front of the dipole radiator printed circuit board 422 , with two protruding tabs on one major surface 412 - P1 and two protruding tabs on the other major surface 412 - P2 .

[0098] Figures 4A-4C An alternative feed bar 410 ′ is shown having a hook-shaped feed trace 416 ′ and does not require a plated through hole 419 . Figure 4A A partially transparent view is provided to show two pairs of ground traces 417 and corresponding feed traces 416', as shown in FIG. Figure 4B , 4C As shown in , the two pairs of ground lines and the corresponding feed traces are on different main surfaces 412-P1, 412-P2. Each hook-shaped feed trace 416' includes a first longitudinal extension portion 4110 and a second longitudinal extension portion 4116 connected by a connecting portion 4112. The first longitudinal extension portion 4110 overlaps with one of the corresponding pair of ground lines 417, and the second longitudinal extension portion 4116 overlaps with the second ground line of the corresponding pair of ground lines 417.

[0099] refer to Figures 5A-5D , a dual-polarized radiating element 500 is shown. The radiating element 500 may be used to implement the low-band radiating elements 222, 222' ( Figure 1A , 1B, 1D). The radiating element 500 includes: a feed rod 510, the feed rod including a pair of feed rod printed circuit boards 512-1, 512-2; and a first dipole radiator 520-1 and a second dipole radiator 520-2. The first dipole radiator 520-1 extends along a first axis, and the second dipole radiator 520-2 extends along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. Therefore, the first dipole radiator 520-1 and the second dipole radiator 520-2 are arranged in a substantially cross shape. The first dipole radiator 520-1 includes a first dipole arm 530-1 and a second dipole arm 530-2, and the second dipole radiator 520-2 includes a third dipole arm 530-3 and a fourth dipole arm 530-4. In the depicted embodiment, the first dipole radiator 520 - 1 and the second dipole radiator 520 - 2 are formed on a dipole radiator printed circuit board 522 .

[0100] Each feed bar printed circuit board 512-1, 512-2 may have a corresponding RF transmission line 514 formed thereon. Each RF transmission line 514 is designed to be connected to a feed board 515 ( Figure 5A ) and a corresponding one of the dipole radiators 520. Each RF transmission line 514 may include a hook-shaped feed trace 516. The dual-feed rod printed circuit boards 512-1, 512-2 face each other and are parallel / substantially parallel over at least a major portion of their lengths. They have opposing major surfaces 512-P1, 512-P2. The dual-feed rod printed circuit boards 512-1, 512-2 each include a corresponding transmission line 514-1, 514-2. Each transmission line 514 may include a feed trace 516 on one major surface (shown as an outward-facing major surface) and at least one ground line 517 on an opposing major surface (shown as an inward-facing surface 512i). Therefore, the ground lines 517 of each transmission line 514-1, 514-2 can face each other and be closely spaced.

[0101] The rearward portion 512R of each feed bar PCB 512 may include a protrusion 518R that is inserted through a slot in the feed board 515 to mount the feed bar 510 thereto. The forward portion of each feed bar PCB 512 may include a protrusion 518F that is inserted through a slot in the dipole radiator PCB 522.

[0102] The dipole arms 530-1 and 530-2 of the first dipole radiator 520-1 are fed by the center of the first RF transmission line in the RF transmission line 514 and radiate together at the first polarization. In the depicted embodiment, the first dipole radiator 520-1 is designed to emit a first polarization having a tilt of +45 0The dipole arms 530-3 and 530-4 of the second dipole radiator 520-2 are fed by the center of the second RF transmission line in the RF transmission line 514 and radiate together at a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. The second dipole radiator 520-2 is designed to emit a linearly polarized signal with a tilt of -45 0 Linearly polarized signal. Again, radiating element 500 is therefore referred to as a "cross-dipole" radiating element.

[0103] The first feed bar printed circuit board 512 - 1 and the second feed bar printed circuit board 512 - 2 may be spaced apart by less than 1 / 20 of a wavelength corresponding to a center frequency of an operating frequency band of the dual-polarized radiating element 500 .

[0104] The first to fourth dipole arms 530-1, 530-2, 530-3, 530-4 may be formed in respective first to fourth quadrants of the dipole radiator printed circuit board 522. Electrical connections between the feed pole printed circuit board 512-1 and the first and third dipole arms 530-1, 530-3 may be in respective first and third quadrants, respectively, while electrical connections between the feed pole printed circuit board 512-2 and the second and fourth dipole arms 530-2, 530-4 may be in respective fourth and second quadrants, respectively.

[0105] As about Figure 3G As discussed, the first feed bar PCB and the second feed bar PCB 512 may each have a body 512B having a first end portion configured to be positioned adjacent to the reflector 214 and / or the feed board 515 and an opposing second (distal) end portion 512F adjacent to the first and second dipole radiators 530. The body 512B may have a tilt angle between the first end portion 512R and the second end portion 512F, respectively, the tilt angle being between 20 and 75 degrees.

[0106] The first end portion 512R and the second end portion 512F may be perpendicular to a plane defined by a major surface of the printed circuit board 522 on which the first and second dipole radiators 530 are disposed.

[0107] The four protruding tabs 518F may provide solder joints 555 for galvanic coupling to the dipole arms 530. The solder joints 555 may include pads on the feed bar PCBs 512-1, 512-2, with two pads on each feed bar PCB 512, thereby providing four solder joints 5551-5554.

[0108] refer to Figure 5C and 5D, two dipole arms 530 (shown as dipole arm 530-1 and dipole arm 530-4) may have an extension segment 533 extending across a portion of the other dipole arm 530-1, 530-4 to a corresponding solder joint 555. The extension segment 533 may have a wider end segment adjacent to the corresponding solder joint 555 relative to a connecting bridge between the corresponding metal pattern 542 and the wider end segment.

[0109] like Figure 5C As shown in , each dipole arm 530 may include a shaped metal pattern on a dielectric substrate of a dipole radiator printed circuit board 522. The metal pattern forming each dipole arm 530 includes a plurality of widened sections 542 connected by narrowed trace sections 544. This design allows the dipole arm 530 to act as a "hidden" dipole arm that has a reduced impact on the antenna beam produced by closely located radiating elements that transmit and receive signals in other frequency bands (i.e., reduces scattering). This ensures that the radiating element 500 does not substantially affect the radiation patterns of other radiating elements of the antenna 100 mounted near the radiating element 500. The dipole arms 530-1 and 530-3 may be located near the mid-band radiating element 232 of the antenna 100 (e.g., directly in front of the mid-band radiating element) and, therefore, have a metal pattern designed to be substantially transparent to RF energy in the mid-band operating band. Dipole arms 530 - 2 and 530 - 4 may be located near (eg, directly in front of) the high-band radiating element 242 of the antenna 100 , and therefore have a metal pattern designed to be substantially transparent to RF energy in the high-band operating band.

[0110] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and these embodiments will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Throughout the text, the same reference numerals represent the same elements.

[0111] It will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first element may be referred to as the second element, and similarly, the second element may be referred to as the first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0112] It will be understood that when an element is described as being "on" another element, the element may be directly on the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly on" another element, there are no intermediate elements. It will also be understood that when an element is described as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, the element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intermediate elements. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (i.e., "between" versus "directly between", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", etc.).

[0113] Relative terms, such as "below" or "above" or "upper" or "lower" or "horizontal" or "vertical" may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element, layer or region to another element, layer or region as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings.

[0114] In this context, the term "substantially" means within + / - 10%.

[0115] The terms used in this article are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms "including", "comprising" and / or "having" when used in this article refer to the presence of the described features, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, parts and / or their groupings.

[0116] Aspects and elements of all of the embodiments disclosed above may be combined in any manner and / or combined with aspects or elements of other embodiments to provide multiple additional embodiments.

Claims

1. A dual-polarization radiating element, comprising: a first dipole radiator having a first dipole arm and a second dipole arm; a second dipole radiator having a third dipole arm and a fourth dipole arm; as well as A feed bar printed circuit board, the feed bar printed circuit board being configured to electrically connect the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator to a feed network, wherein the feed bar printed circuit board comprises a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to the first major surface, the feed bar printed circuit board comprising: a first feed line configured to feed a radio frequency ("RF") signal to the first dipole radiator, the first feed line comprising a first feed trace on the first major surface and a first pair of ground traces on the second major surface; as well as A second feed line configured to feed an RF signal to the second dipole radiator includes a second feed trace on the second major surface and a second pair of ground traces on the first major surface.

2. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 1 , wherein the first feed trace comprises a hook-shaped signal trace segment, the hook-shaped signal trace segment comprising a first longitudinally extending portion and a second longitudinally extending portion connected by a connecting portion, wherein the first longitudinally extending portion overlaps with a first ground wire in the first pair of ground wires, and the second longitudinally extending portion overlaps with a second ground wire in the first pair of ground wires.

3. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 1 , wherein the first feed trace comprises a first segment that extends longitudinally and overlaps a first ground wire in the first pair of ground wires and merges into a second segment that extends across a gap extending between the first pair of ground wires.

4. The dual polarized radiating element of claim 3, wherein the second segment extends to a plated through hole and is electrically connected to a ground plane provided by one or more of the first pair of ground lines on the second major surface.

5. The dual-polarization radiating element according to claim 1, wherein: At a front end portion of the feed rod printed circuit board adjacent to the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator, a first ground wire of the first pair of ground wires crosses to a first major surface of the feed rod printed circuit board to be connected to the first dipole arm, while a second ground wire of the first pair of ground wires at the front end portion of the feed rod printed circuit board is connected to the second dipole arm.

6. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 5, wherein a front end portion of the feed rod printed circuit board comprises a plated through hole, the plated through hole providing an electrical path for a first of the ground wires from the second main surface to the first main surface.

7. The dual-polarized radiation element according to claim 1, wherein the feed rod printed circuit board further comprises first to fourth soldering pads, wherein the first to fourth soldering pads connect the first pair of ground wires and the second pair of ground wires to corresponding dipole arms among the first dipole arm, the second dipole arm, the third dipole arm, and the fourth dipole arm. 8 . The dual-polarized radiating element according to claim 1 , wherein a first ground line in the second pair of ground lines crosses a first ground line in the first pair of ground lines. 9 . The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 8 , wherein at least half of the length of the first ground line of the first pair of ground lines is positioned between the second ground line of the first pair of ground lines and the first ground line of the second pair of ground lines.

10. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 1 , wherein the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator are formed in a dipole radiator printed circuit board having a first side and a second side on opposite sides of the feed rod printed circuit board, and wherein a first ground line of the first pair of ground lines is electrically connected to a first dipole arm on the first side of the dipole radiator printed circuit board, and a second ground line of the first pair of ground lines is electrically connected to a second dipole arm on the second side of the dipole radiator printed circuit board.

11. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 1 , wherein the first dipole arm, the second dipole arm, the third dipole arm, and the fourth dipole arm are all directly galvanically coupled to the feed pole printed circuit board.

12. The dual polarized radiating element of claim 1, wherein the first feed trace is connected to a center conductor of an RF transmission line.

13. The dual polarized radiating element of claim 12, wherein the first pair of ground lines are connected to a ground conductor of the RF transmission line.

14. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 1 , wherein the feed rod printed circuit board has a body having a first end portion configured to be positioned adjacent to a reflector and an opposing second end portion adjacent to the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator, and wherein the body has a tilt angle between the first end portion and the second end portion, the tilt angle being between 20 degrees and 75 degrees.

15. The dual polarized radiating element of claim 14, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are both perpendicular to a plane defined by major surfaces of the first and second dipole radiators.

16. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 1, wherein the first feed trace has a first section that is wider than a second section, wherein the second section is closer to the first and second dipole radiators, and wherein the first section overlaps the first pair of ground lines.

17. A dual-polarization radiating element, comprising: a feed bar printed circuit board having opposing first and second major surfaces, the second major surface having a first pair of grounding wires thereon, wherein a first grounding wire of the first pair of grounding wires is connected to a first pad located on the second major surface, and a second grounding wire of the first pair of grounding wires is connected to a second pad located on the first major surface; a first dipole radiator having a first dipole arm and a second dipole arm; as well as a second dipole radiator having a third dipole arm and a fourth dipole arm, The first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator are mounted on the distal end of the feed rod printed circuit board.

18. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 17, wherein the first major surface of the feed rod printed circuit board has a second pair of ground wires thereon, wherein a first ground wire of the second pair of ground wires is connected to a third pad located on the first major surface, and a second ground wire of the second pair of ground wires is connected to a fourth pad located on the second major surface.

19. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 18, wherein the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator are formed in a dipole radiator printed circuit board, and wherein the distal end of the feed rod printed circuit board includes a protruding tab extending through the dipole radiator printed circuit board, and the first to fourth solder pads are located on the protruding tab.

20. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 18, wherein the first ground line in the second pair of ground lines crosses the first ground line in the first pair of ground lines.

21. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 20, wherein at least half of the length of the first ground line of the first pair of ground lines is positioned between the second ground line of the first pair of ground lines and the first ground line of the second pair of ground lines.

22. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 18, wherein the first pair of ground lines comprises a portion of a first feed line configured to feed a radio frequency ("RF") signal to the first dipole radiator, the first feed line further comprising a first feed trace located on the first major surface, wherein the dual-polarized radiating element further comprises a second pair of ground lines, the second pair of ground lines comprises a portion of a second feed line configured to feed an RF signal to the second dipole radiator, the second feed line further comprising a second feed trace located on the second major surface.

23. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 22, wherein the first feed trace comprises a hook-shaped signal trace segment, the hook-shaped signal trace segment comprising a first longitudinally extending portion and a second longitudinally extending portion connected by a connecting portion, wherein the first longitudinally extending portion overlaps with a first ground wire in the first pair of ground wires, and the second longitudinally extending portion overlaps with a second ground wire in the first pair of ground wires.

24. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 22, wherein the first feed trace comprises a first segment extending longitudinally and overlapping a first ground wire of the first pair of ground wires, and merging into a second segment extending across a gap extending between the first pair of ground wires.

25. The dual polarized radiating element of claim 24, wherein the second segment extends to a plated through hole and is electrically connected to a ground plane provided by one or more of the first pair of ground lines on the second major surface.

26. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 17, wherein the feed rod printed circuit board has a body having a first end portion configured to be positioned adjacent to a reflector and an opposing second end portion adjacent to the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator, wherein the body has a tilt angle between the first end portion and the second end portion, the tilt angle being between 20 degrees and 75 degrees.

27. The dual polarized radiating element of claim 26, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are both perpendicular to a plane defined by major surfaces of the first and second dipole radiators.

28. A dual-polarization radiating element, comprising: a first dipole radiator having a first dipole arm and a second dipole arm; a second dipole radiator having a third dipole arm and a fourth dipole arm; as well as A first feed bar printed circuit board and a second feed bar printed circuit board have major surfaces facing each other.

29. The dual polarized radiating element of claim 28, wherein the first feed rod printed circuit board and the second feed rod printed circuit board are spaced apart by less than 1 / 20 of a wavelength corresponding to a center frequency of an operating frequency band of the dual polarized radiating element.

30. A dual polarized radiating element according to claim 28, wherein the major surfaces are parallel to each other over at least a major portion of a longitudinal distance between opposing end portions thereof.

31. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 28, wherein the first to fourth dipole arms are formed in respective first to fourth quadrants of a dipole radiator printed circuit board, and wherein the electrical connections between the feed rod printed circuit board and the first and third dipole arms are in respective first and third quadrants, while the electrical connections between the feed rod printed circuit board and the second and fourth dipole arms are in respective fourth and second quadrants.

32. The dual-polarized radiating element of claim 28, wherein the first feed rod printed circuit board and the second feed rod printed circuit board each have a body having a first end portion configured to be positioned adjacent to a reflector and an opposite second end portion adjacent to the first dipole radiator and the second dipole radiator, wherein the body has a tilt angle between the first end portion and the second end portion, the tilt angle being between 20 degrees and 75 degrees.

33. The dual polarized radiating element of claim 32, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are both perpendicular to a plane defined by major surfaces of the first and second dipole radiators.

34. A base station antenna, comprising a plurality of dual-polarized radiating elements according to claims 1-16 or dual-polarized radiating elements according to claims 17-22 or dual-polarized radiating elements according to claims 28-33, wherein the dual-polarized radiating elements are positioned only along the right part and the left part of the base station antenna.

Images