Cavity structure for phase shifter and antenna

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cavity structure for a phase shifter, the cavity structure comprising: an intermediate chamber configured to receive a main feed signal line; the side edge cavities are separately arranged on the two sides of the middle cavity, and the side edge cavities are constructed to be used for accommodating a power division network, a phase shift network and a main feed network; and the main feed network is electrically connected with the main feed signal line through the metal adapter piece, and the main feed network is electrically connected with the main feed signal line through the metal adapter piece. In this way, the cavity structure for the phase shifter can be divided into at least three smaller cavities, and the cavities are arranged side by side, so that the height of the cavity structure for the phase shifter can be reduced, and the assembly flexibility and the overall height of the antenna comprising the cavity structure according to the invention are further improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically to a cavity structure for a phase shifter and an antenna including the cavity structure for a phase shifter. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, in order to enable different generations of base station antennas (such as 4G and 5G) to share the same tower and the same height for coverage, active and passive (A+P) integrated base station antennas that integrate 4G and 5G networks are gradually widely accepted and applied. The combination of active and passive base station antennas usually places a partial or complete passive antenna module above the active antenna module. The passive module includes radio frequency components such as high-frequency oscillators and low-frequency oscillators, phase-shifted feeding networks, main feeders and metamaterials, and also envelops various structural parts, support parts and metal frames to ensure the strength of passive antennas. The transparent design of each component plays a vital role in the radiation of active antennas. Traditional A+P antennas are mostly divided into two halves, one of which uses a traditional passive antenna design and the other uses a transparent design such as a metasurface, a decoupled radiation unit, and a minimalist network. The active antenna is embedded in the transparent design area of ​​the passive antenna to achieve a coplanar integrated combination of the A+P antenna. The antenna frame serves as a passive antenna support frame to ensure the overall structural strength of the antenna. At the same time, the active antenna can be fixed on the passive antenna. Due to the dual half-zone zoning design, the half zone of the traditional passive part cannot continue to integrate the active antenna, so the existing A+P antennas on the market generally can only support the integration of one active module. With the continuous development of A+P antennas, the integration requirements of active antenna modules have changed from a single active antenna in the past to two or even more active antennas. The length of the two active antennas occupies most of the space under the passive antenna, and the design and layout of the traditional phase shifter and feeding network of the passive antenna will cause serious interference to the radiation of the active antenna. The design and development of an edge distributed phase shift feeding network has become a technical direction that needs to be realized urgently.

[0003] For example, Chinese patent application CN116598734A discloses a polarization-corresponding electroplating-free phase shifter and antenna. In this technical solution, an adapter is used to connect the inner and outer conductors of the main feeder to the input feeding point of the phase shifting network inside the cavity without bending and electroplating. The external placement of the main feeder increases the height of the cavity structure for the phase shifter. Chinese patent application CN116601828A discloses a base station antenna. In this technical solution, an external strip-line adapter structure is used to achieve impedance matching with the cable to expand the matching space of the feed network, improve the continuity of RF signal transmission, and increase the height of the cavity structure for the phase shifter. Chinese patent application CN117117491A discloses a feeding assembly and antenna for a phase shifter. In this technical solution, a cable-free design of the main feed part is achieved by adding a cavity above the phase shifting network, but the overall height of the cavity structure for the phase shifter is increased. Chinese patent application CN117293563A discloses an upright cable-free dual-polarization electrically adjustable base station antenna. In this technical solution, the feeding of a single-row dual-polarization base station antenna is realized by erecting N metal cavities. The independent cavity design for the two polarizations wastes the space of the whole machine and increases the overall width of the cavity structure for the phase shifter. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the technical problem existing in the prior art, that is, the traditional cavity structure for phase shifters usually increases the height of the overall antenna, which is not conducive to the miniaturization of the existing antenna. In addition, the demand for the integration of multiple active antennas is getting higher and higher, and the demand for integrating multiple active antennas is getting stronger and stronger. The inventor of the present disclosure thought of designing a new cavity structure.

[0005] In order to achieve the above technical effects, the present disclosure proposes a cavity structure for a phase shifter, the cavity structure comprising:

[0006] an intermediate chamber configured to receive a main feed signal line;

[0007] Side chambers separated on both sides of the middle chamber, the side chambers being configured to accommodate a power division network, a phase shifting network and a main feed network; and

[0008] A metal adapter, wherein the main feed network is electrically connected to the main feed signal line via the metal adapter.

[0009] In this way, the cavity structure for the phase shifter according to the contents of the present disclosure can divide the cavity structure for the phase shifter into at least three smaller chambers and place them side by side, thereby reducing the height of the cavity structure for the phase shifter and further improving the assembly flexibility and overall height of the antenna including the cavity structure according to the contents of the present disclosure.

[0010] In the technical solution according to the present disclosure, the intermediate chamber comprises:

[0011] a first intermediate chamber; and

[0012] A second intermediate chamber, wherein the first intermediate chamber and the second intermediate chamber are arranged side by side between the side chambers.

[0013] In this way, the middle chamber can be further divided into the first middle chamber and the second middle chamber which are arranged side by side between the side chambers, so that the electrical performance of the cavity structure for the phase shifter according to the present disclosure can be further improved.

[0014] In the technical solution according to the present disclosure, the intermediate chamber comprises:

[0015] a first intermediate chamber; and

[0016] A second intermediate chamber, wherein the first intermediate chamber and the second intermediate chamber are stacked one above the other and arranged between the side chambers.

[0017] In this way, the middle chamber can be further divided into the first middle chamber and the second middle chamber which are stacked up and down between the side chambers, thereby further improving the electrical performance of the cavity structure for the phase shifter according to the present disclosure.

[0018] Preferably, in the technical solution according to the present disclosure, the phase shift network is arranged between the power division network and the main feed network. More preferably, in the technical solution according to the present disclosure, the output end of the power division network in the side chamber is connected to the corresponding radiating oscillator.

[0019] Preferably, in the technical solution according to the present disclosure, the main feed signal line of the intermediate chamber is electrically connected to the connector panel via a coaxial line. More preferably, in the technical solution according to the present disclosure, the metal transition piece is constructed as a metal sheet or a U-shaped metal piece.

[0020] Preferably, in the technical solution according to the present disclosure, the main feed signal line includes multiple main feed signal lines, and the multiple main feed signal lines are electrically connected to the main feed networks on both sides via corresponding metal adapters in the same polarity. More preferably, in the technical solution according to the present disclosure, the upper top wall and the lower bottom wall of the intermediate chamber are respectively constructed as metal walls with corresponding thicknesses.

[0021] In addition, a second aspect of the present disclosure proposes an antenna, which includes a passive antenna, and the passive antenna includes the cavity structure proposed according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0022] Preferably, in the technical solution according to the present disclosure, the antenna further includes at least two active antennas, and the cavity structure is arranged on both sides of the at least two active antennas.

[0023] To sum up, in the technical solution according to the contents of the present disclosure, the cavity structure for the phase shifter according to the contents of the present disclosure can divide the cavity structure for the phase shifter into at least three smaller chambers, and place them side by side, thereby reducing the height of the cavity structure for the phase shifter, and further improving the assembly flexibility and overall height of the antenna including the cavity structure according to the contents of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The features, advantages and other aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in an exemplary and non-limiting manner. In the accompanying drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a cavity structure 100 for a phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of an antenna 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0027] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a side chamber according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0028] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of an intermediate chamber according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0029] Figure 5 shows an electrical connection schematic diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of a metal transition piece according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0031] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of an intermediate chamber according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the exemplary methods and devices described below include software and / or firmware executed on hardware among other components, it should be noted that these examples are merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive. For example, it is considered that any or all hardware, software, and firmware components can be implemented exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, or in any combination of hardware and software. Therefore, although exemplary methods and devices have been described below, it should be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the examples provided are not intended to limit the manner in which these methods and devices are implemented.

[0033] In addition, the flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the possible architectures, functions and operations of the methods and systems according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the functions marked in the boxes may also occur in an order different from that marked in the accompanying drawings. For example, two boxes represented in succession may actually be executed substantially in parallel, or they may sometimes be executed in the opposite order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, and the combination of boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, may be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs a specified function or operation, or may be implemented using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0034] As mentioned above, the prior art has the following technical problems, namely, the traditional cavity structure for phase shifters usually increases the height of the overall antenna, which is not conducive to the miniaturization of existing antennas. Moreover, the demand for the integration of multiple active antennas is getting higher and higher, and the demand for integrating multiple active antennas is getting stronger and stronger. In order to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art, the inventors of the present disclosure thought of designing a new cavity structure. In summary, the inventors of the present disclosure innovatively proposed a cavity structure for a phase shifter, the cavity structure comprising: an intermediate chamber, the intermediate chamber is configured to accommodate a main feed signal line; side chambers separated on both sides of the intermediate chamber, the side chambers are configured to accommodate a power division network, a phase shifting network and a main feed network; and a metal adapter, wherein the main feed network is electrically connected to the main feed signal line via a metal adapter. In this way, the cavity structure for the phase shifter according to the contents of the present disclosure can divide the cavity structure for the phase shifter into at least three smaller chambers and place them side by side, thereby reducing the height of the cavity structure for the phase shifter and further improving the assembly flexibility and overall height of the antenna including the cavity structure according to the contents of the present disclosure.

[0035] The following will be combined Figures 1 to 7 To describe the cavity structure for the phase shifter and the corresponding antenna disclosed in the present disclosure. Figure 1FIG. 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a cavity structure 100 for a phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 2 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an antenna 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically, Figure 3 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a side chamber according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 FIG. 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of an intermediate chamber according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 5 shows an electrical connection diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 6 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a metal transition piece according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the present disclosure also shows a possible specific structure of the intermediate cavity, namely Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of an intermediate chamber according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0036] from Figure 1 It can be seen that the cavity structure 100 according to the contents of the present disclosure includes at least the following three parts, namely, the side chamber 110 on the left, the side chamber 120 on the right, and the middle chamber 130 in the middle. Specifically, the middle chamber 130 is constructed to accommodate the main feeding signal line; and the side chambers 110 and 120 separated on both sides of the middle chamber 130 are constructed to accommodate the power division network, the phase shifting network and the main feeding network. Furthermore, in order to electrically connect the middle chamber 130 and the side chambers 110 and 120 on both sides, the cavity structure 100 for the phase shifter according to the contents of the present disclosure also has a metal adapter 140 (the specific structure and shape of the metal adapter 140 will be combined below). Figure 5 and Figure 6 ), wherein the main feed network is electrically connected to the main feed signal line via the metal adapter 140. In this way, the cavity structure 100 for the phase shifter according to the present disclosure can divide the cavity structure 100 for the phase shifter into at least three smaller chambers 110, 120 and 130, and place them side by side, so that the height of the cavity structure 100 for the phase shifter can be reduced, and thus the assembly flexibility and overall height of the antenna including the cavity structure 100 according to the present disclosure can be improved.

[0037] In other words, the cavity structure 100 for phase shifters proposed in the present disclosure is placed on both sides of multiple active modules, and at least three chambers are arranged in parallel in the width direction, namely, at least two side chambers 110 and 120 and at least one middle chamber 130. At least two side chambers 110 and 120 are composed of a power division network and a phase shift network, and there are multiple output ports on the top, through which the radiation unit is fed. In addition, the at least two side chambers 110 and 120 also have a partial main feed network. And the middle chamber 130 has, for example, multiple dual-polarized main feed networks in parallel. Between these side chambers 110, 120 and the middle chamber 130, metal adapters 140 such as metal sheets or U-shaped metal parts are used to electrically connect the partial main feed networks of the side chambers 110 and 120 on both sides and the main feed network of the middle chamber 130 in the same polarization. In addition, the main feed network of the middle chamber 130 extends to the area of ​​the passive antenna connector panel and is connected to external equipment through a coaxial line or the like. The middle chamber 130 of the cavity structure 100 for the phase shifter has metal walls of a certain thickness on the top and bottom, which can fix the passive antenna assembly through the metal terminal 151 on the top and fix multiple active antenna modules through the metal screw hole 152 on the bottom. Figure 2 A more detailed description is given.

[0038] Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an antenna 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It can be seen that the antenna 200 according to the present disclosure includes a passive antenna, and the passive antenna includes the cavity structure 100 for the phase shifter proposed according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 2 The embodiment shown includes two cavity structures 100 for phase shifters. However, such a number setting is only exemplary and not restrictive. Of course, only one cavity structure 100 for phase shifters or more than two cavity structures 100 for phase shifters can be set according to actual needs. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the antenna 200 includes an active antenna 260 and a passive antenna 250. Here, the active antenna 260 may more specifically include two or more separate active antennas. The passive antenna 250 includes not only a radiation unit, i.e., a vibrator 230, but also an antenna cover 210, a metamaterial module 240, and a signal line 220 connected between the cavity structure 100 for a phase shifter according to the present disclosure and the radiation unit 230. Preferably, in the technical solution according to the present disclosure, the antenna also includes at least two active antennas, and the cavity structure is arranged on both sides of the at least two active antennas.

[0039] The cavity structure 100 for the phase shifter can transmit radio frequency signals, support the passive antenna components above, and can assemble multiple active antenna modules below it. The integrated design scheme designed in this way is conducive to reducing the radiation effect of the passive antenna module on the active antenna module. Figure 1 The cavity structure 100 for the phase shifter shown in accordance with the present disclosure adopts a multi-chamber parallel design, and its main feed line is transferred via a metal adapter 140 and extended to the connector panel position, and at the same time, the multi-channel main feed network with different polarizations shares a cavity, which greatly reduces the horizontal and vertical heights of the cavity structure 100 for the phase shifter, and is conducive to reducing the radiation effect of the cavity structure 100 for the phase shifter on the active antenna module. In addition, through the multi-chamber parallel design, the dipole feeding network, the passive antenna fixing component and the main feed line do not interfere with each other, which greatly reduces the complexity of the overall assembly of the passive antenna.

[0040] In addition, from the attached Figure 1 It can be seen that the cavity structure 100 for the phase shifter has at least three chambers arranged in parallel in its width direction, and the side chambers 110 and 120 on both sides are provided with a power division network, a phase shifting network and a part of the main feed network. The multiple output ends of the power division network are connected to the radiation unit through the grounding terminal. The middle chamber 130 has multiple main feed signal lines. One end of the middle chamber 130 connects the part of the main feed network of the side chambers 110 and 120 on both sides and one end of the multiple signal lines of the middle chamber 130 with the same polarity through metal adapters such as metal sheets or U-shaped metal parts. The other end of the multiple signal lines of the middle chamber 130 extends to the connector panel area of ​​the passive antenna and is connected to external equipment. From Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can be further shown in detail that Figure 3 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a side chamber according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of the intermediate chamber according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can be seen that the side chamber 110 and / or the side chamber 120 are provided with a power division network 111, an oscillator output terminal 112, a phase shift network 113 and a part of the main feed network 114, and the middle chamber 130 is provided with a main feed signal line 131, and the main feed signal line 131 is electrically connected to the connector panel 133 via a coaxial line 132. In addition, the main feed signal line 131 is also connected to the connector panel 133 via a coaxial line 132. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The metal transition piece 134 shown is electrically connected to a portion of the main feed network 114 in the side chamber 110 and / or the side chamber 120. Figure 5 shows an electrical connection diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 6A schematic structural diagram of a metal transition piece according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0041] Furthermore, metal walls of a certain thickness are respectively left above and below the intermediate chamber 130, and the support components of the passive antenna are assembled and fixed by metal screws, and the active antenna module below is fixed by metal screws. The intermediate chamber 130 of the cavity structure 100 for the phase shifter can be two independent chambers, divided into two chambers in the horizontal direction or two chambers in the vertical direction. That is, the present disclosure also relies on Figure 7 The possible specific structure of the intermediate cavity 130 is shown, namely Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the intermediate chamber 130 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 It can be seen that according to the content of this disclosure Figure 7 In the embodiment on the left side of the technical solution shown, the intermediate chamber 130 includes a first intermediate chamber and a second intermediate chamber, wherein the first intermediate chamber and the second intermediate chamber are arranged side by side between the side chambers. In this way, the intermediate chamber can be further divided into the first intermediate chamber and the second intermediate chamber arranged side by side between the side chambers, thereby further improving the electrical performance of the cavity structure for the phase shifter according to the present disclosure. Figure 7 In the embodiment on the right side of the technical solution shown, the intermediate chamber 130 includes a first intermediate chamber and a second intermediate chamber, wherein the first intermediate chamber and the second intermediate chamber are arranged between the side chambers in an up-down manner. In this way, the intermediate chamber can be further divided into the first intermediate chamber and the second intermediate chamber arranged between the side chambers in an up-down manner, thereby further improving the electrical performance of the cavity structure for the phase shifter according to the present disclosure.

[0042] Preferably, in the technical solution according to the contents of the present disclosure, the phase shift network is arranged between the power division network and the main feed network. More preferably, in the technical solution according to the contents of the present disclosure, the output end of the power division network in the side chamber is connected to the corresponding radiating oscillator. Preferably, in the technical solution according to the contents of the present disclosure, the main feed signal line of the middle chamber is electrically connected to the connector panel via a coaxial line. More preferably, in the technical solution according to the contents of the present disclosure, the metal adapter is constructed as a metal sheet or a U-shaped metal part.

[0043] Preferably, in the technical solution according to the present disclosure, the main feed signal line includes multiple main feed signal lines, and the multiple main feed signal lines are electrically connected to the main feed networks on both sides via corresponding metal adapters in the same polarity. More preferably, in the technical solution according to the present disclosure, the upper top wall and the lower bottom wall of the intermediate chamber are respectively constructed as metal walls with corresponding thicknesses.

[0044] To sum up, in the technical solution according to the contents of the present disclosure, the cavity structure for the phase shifter according to the contents of the present disclosure can divide the cavity structure for the phase shifter into at least three smaller chambers, and place them side by side, thereby reducing the height of the cavity structure for the phase shifter, and further improving the assembly flexibility and overall height of the antenna including the cavity structure according to the contents of the present disclosure.

[0045] The above is only an optional embodiment of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the embodiment of the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art, the embodiment of the present disclosure may have various changes and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the embodiment of the present disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to several specific embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. The embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included in the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the claims is consistent with the broadest interpretation, thereby including all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A cavity structure for a phase shifter, characterized in that: The cavity structure comprises: an intermediate chamber configured to receive a main feed signal line; Side chambers separated on both sides of the middle chamber, the side chambers being configured to accommodate a power division network, a phase shifting network and a main feed network; and A metal adapter, wherein the main feed network is electrically connected to the main feed signal line via the metal adapter.

2. The cavity structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intermediate chamber comprises: a first intermediate chamber; and A second intermediate chamber, wherein the first intermediate chamber and the second intermediate chamber are arranged side by side between the side chambers.

3. The cavity structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intermediate chamber comprises: a first intermediate chamber; and A second intermediate chamber, wherein the first intermediate chamber and the second intermediate chamber are stacked one above the other and arranged between the side chambers.

4. The cavity structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase shift network is arranged between the power division network and the main feed network.

5. The cavity structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The output end of the power division network in the side chamber is connected to the corresponding radiation oscillator.

6. The cavity structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main feed signal line of the intermediate chamber is electrically connected to the connector panel via a coaxial line.

7. The cavity structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal transition piece is constructed as a metal sheet or a U-shaped metal piece.

8. The cavity structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main feed signal line includes multiple main feed signal lines, and the multiple main feed signal lines are electrically connected to the main feed networks on both sides in the same polarity through corresponding metal adapters.

9. The cavity structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper top wall and the lower bottom wall of the intermediate chamber are respectively constructed as metal walls with corresponding thicknesses.

10. An antenna, characterized in that: The antenna comprises a passive antenna, and the passive antenna comprises the cavity structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The antenna according to claim 10, characterized in that: The antenna further includes at least two active antennas, and the cavity structure is arranged on both sides of the at least two active antennas.

Images