Radiating unit of integrated feed network and base station antenna

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of communication antennas, in particular to a radiation unit of an integrated feed network and a base station antenna. The radiation unit comprises a radiation body, a feed structure and a balun structure, the balun structure is located below the radiation body and is provided with a balun cavity with two open ends, the balun cavity comprises a first balun cavity, the first balun cavity is arranged below the radiation body, and a feed sheet of the feed structure comprises a combiner, a phase shifter, a power divider or a filter and is arranged in the first balun cavity. According to the scheme, the Balun structure of the antenna array part is fully utilized, the appropriate feed network is integrated into the Balun structure, under the condition that the array size is not increased, the layout space of the feed network is increased, the complexity of the layout space of the feed network is reduced, meanwhile, the antenna gain is improved, and the reliability and consistency of the antenna are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of communication antennas, and in particular to a radiation unit and a base station antenna with an integrated feeding network. Background Art

[0002] The mobile communication system is in a period of long-term coexistence with existing system standards and the rapid construction and development of 5G communication base stations. The number of existing 2G, 3G, 4G and other system standards and other multi-system coexisting base stations is huge, resulting in extremely tight antenna resources for wireless communication. In addition, by the end of 2023, the total number of 5G base stations in my country will reach 3.377 million. Communication base stations are the second largest energy consumer of information infrastructure. It is estimated that the power consumption in 2025 will account for about 1.1% of the total social electricity consumption, resulting in a contradiction between the rapid construction of 5G communication base stations and the continuous surge in energy consumption. In order to solve the two core problems of extremely tight antenna resources and reducing base station energy consumption, low-carbon, green, high-efficiency multi-frequency fusion antennas have become the development trend of the industry. The frequency ranges and system standards of various countries are different, resulting in more and more frequencies and system standards.

[0003] However, the space resources of base station antennas are extremely limited. Many radiating units of different frequencies need to be in the same array, and different feeding networks also need to be integrated into the same base station antenna. These have accelerated the shrinking of the space inside the antenna. In addition, with the industry trend of miniaturization of antennas, a technical solution to the problem of limited space inside the antenna is urgently required. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a radiation unit and a base station antenna with an integrated feeding network, which are used to solve the defects of the base station antenna in the prior art, such as the space shortage.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a radiating unit with an integrated feeding network, comprising: a radiator and a feeding structure, wherein the radiator comprises at least one polarization, the feeding structure comprises at least one feeding plate, at least one input end of each of the feeding plates is connected to an external feeding network and feeds the radiator, and the radiating unit further comprises:

[0006] A balun structure, located below the radiator, the balun structure having a balun cavity with two ends open, the balun cavity including a first balun cavity, and the polarization is provided with at least one of the first balun cavities;

[0007] The feed plate includes a combiner, a phase shifter, a power divider or a filter, and the combiner, the phase shifter, the power divider or the filter is integrated in the first balun cavity.

[0008] Optionally, a cross-section of the first balun cavity is rectangular or square.

[0009] Optionally, each of the polarizations includes at least two radiation arms, and the first balun cavity is formed under one of the radiation arms in one polarization.

[0010] Optionally, the balun cavity further includes a second balun cavity, and the second balun cavity is formed below another radiation arm in one polarization.

[0011] Optionally, each of the feeding sheets includes a first feeding segment arranged in the first balun cavity, a second feeding segment exposed outside the balun cavity, and a third feeding segment arranged in the second balun cavity, and the second feeding segment is connected between the first feeding segment and the third feeding segment.

[0012] Optionally, at least two of the first balun cavities are correspondingly arranged below at least one of the radiating arms, the first feeding segments include at least two, and at least one of the first balun cavities is provided with at least one of the first feeding segments, wherein at least two of the first feeding segments are formed as the combiner, or at least one of the first feeding segments is formed as the phase shifter, power divider or filter.

[0013] Optionally, the first feeding segment includes a feeding circuit and a feeding branch, the feeding branch is arranged on the feeding circuit, and the structures of the plurality of first feeding segments are the same or different.

[0014] Optionally, when at least two of the first feeding sections are formed as the combiner, at least two of the first feeding sections are formed as feeding circuits of different frequency bands, and the feeding circuits of different frequency bands have different operating frequencies.

[0015] Optionally, when the first feeding section is formed as the filter, the number of the feeding branches is less than the number of the feeding circuits.

[0016] Optionally, a feeding medium is further provided on the first feeding segment, and the feeding medium is configured to insulate and support the first feeding segment and the second balun cavity.

[0017] Optionally, when the first feeding segment is formed as the power divider, the feeding circuit and the feeding branch each serve as an output port of the power divider, and the feeding sheet further includes a fourth feeding segment, and the fourth feeding segment serves as an input port of the power divider.

[0018] Optionally, when the first feeding segment is formed as the phase shifter, the phase of the first feeding segment is changed by adjusting the area of ​​the feeding branch covered by the feeding medium.

[0019] Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the second balun cavity includes a circle, a semicircle or a fan.

[0020] Optionally, the radiator and the balun structure are split structures, wherein the radiator and the balun structure are each an integrally formed part.

[0021] Optionally, the input terminal is coupled to the external feeding network for power feeding or coaxial welding.

[0022] In a second aspect, the present application further provides a base station antenna, comprising any one of the radiation units of the integrated feeding network described in the first aspect.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application has the following advantages:

[0024] The radiation unit of the integrated feeding network provided in the embodiment of the present application is provided with a balun structure below the radiator, and at least one first balun cavity is provided below each polarization of the radiator. The feeding plate is at least partially formed into a combiner, a phase shifter, a power divider or a filter, and part of the feeding plate formed into the combiner, the phase shifter, the power divider or the filter is integrated in the first balun cavity, thereby making full use of the balun structure of the antenna array part, integrating a suitable feeding network into the balun structure, increasing the layout space of the feeding structure without increasing the size of the array, reducing the complexity of the layout space of the feeding network, and at the same time improving the antenna gain, and improving the reliability and consistency of the antenna. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present application.

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the radiation unit described in the embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of the radiation unit described in the embodiment of the present application from another perspective;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the radiation unit described in the embodiment of the present application from another perspective;

[0030] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of coupling and feeding of the radiation unit described in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 5A schematic diagram of the structure of the radiation unit without the feeding structure described in the embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 6 It is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the radiation unit described in the embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the radiation unit described in the embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 8 This is an assembly view of the feeding structure described in the embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Fig. 9 A partial structural schematic diagram of the feeding structure described in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Fig.10 A partial structural schematic diagram of the feeding structure described in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Fig.11 A partial structural schematic diagram of the feeding structure described in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of a radiation unit of a high balun of a double-branch feed network according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the structure of a radiation unit of a high balun of a four-branch feed network according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Fig.14 This is a schematic structural diagram of a radiation unit of a dwarf balun according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Fig.15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of integrating the power splitter into the balun according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Fig.16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of integrating the phase shifter into the balun according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Fig.17 A schematic diagram of the coaxial feeding of the radiation unit described in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Fig.18 Another schematic diagram of the coaxial feeding of the radiation unit described in the embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Fig.19 Insertion loss and out-of-band suppression index curves for the integrated combiner;

[0046] Fig. 20 This is the standing wave ratio index curve of the integrated combiner.

[0047] Description of reference numerals:

[0048] 10. radiator; 11. radiating arm; 11a. first radiating arm; 11b. second radiating arm; 11c. third radiating arm; 11d. fourth radiating arm; 20. feeding structure; 21. feeding plate; 21a. first feeding plate; 21b. second feeding plate; 211. first feeding section; 211a. first part; 211a1. feeding circuit; 211a2. feeding branch; 211b. second part; 212. second feeding section; 213. third feeding section; 214. fourth feeding section; 214a. third part; 214b , the fourth part; 215, the feeding medium; 22, the input terminal; 22a, the first input terminal; 22b, the second input terminal; 30, the balun structure; 30a, the first balun; 30b, the second balun; 30c, the third balun; 30d, the fourth balun; 31, the balun cavity; 311, the first balun cavity; 312, the second balun cavity; 32, the cavity wall; 40, the external feeding network; 41, the external feeding network body; 42, the feeding strip line; 43, the feeding cavity; 421, the coaxial core; 422, the coaxial outer conductor; 423, the coaxial medium. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] In order to more clearly understand the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the present application, the scheme of the present application will be further described below. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0050] In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present application, but the present application may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein; obviously, the embodiments in the specification are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a radiation unit with an integrated feeding network, including a radiator 10, a feeding structure 20 and a balun structure 30. The radiator 10 includes at least one polarization, and one polarization includes at least two radiating arms 11; the feeding structure 20 includes at least a feeding plate 21, and at least one input end 22 of the feeding plate 21 is connected to the external feeding network 40, and couples and feeds the radiator 10; the balun structure 30 is located below the radiator 10, and the balun structure 30 includes a balun cavity 31 with two ends open, and the balun cavity 31 includes a first balun cavity 311 and a second balun cavity 312. At least one first balun cavity 311 and at least one second balun cavity 312 are provided below the polarization, and each feeding plate 21 includes a combiner, a phase shifter, a power divider or a filter, and the combiner, the phase shifter, the power divider or the filter is integrated in the first balun cavity 311.

[0052] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, the balun structure 30 is located below the radiating arm 11 to achieve impedance matching and support. The feeding structure 20 is used to couple and feed the radiating arm 11, and the radiating arm 11 realizes the electromagnetic wave radiation function corresponding to the working frequency. The feeding plate 21 is at least partially integrated in the balun cavity 31, and there is no need to occupy the space outside the balun structure 30 to install the feeding plate 21. The spatial integration is high, and the spatial dimension of the antenna is fully utilized, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the antenna. Moreover, the balun cavity 31 has a shielding characteristic, and the feeding plate 21 located in the balun cavity 31 is not easily interfered, which improves the anti-interference ability of the antenna.

[0053] Further references Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in some specific embodiments, the radiator 10 includes two polarizations, and each polarization includes two radiating arms 11. One of the polarizations includes a first radiating arm 11a and a second radiating arm 11b, and the other polarization includes a third radiating arm 11c and a fourth radiating arm 11d. The first radiating arm 11a and the second radiating arm 11b implement the function of radiating electromagnetic waves of the first polarization, and the third radiating arm 11c and the fourth radiating arm 11d implement the function of radiating electromagnetic waves of the second polarization. In some specific embodiments, the two polarizations are mutually orthogonal polarizations. In other implementations, the number of radiating arms 11 included in one polarization may also be three, four or more. The number of polarizations included in the radiating unit may also be one, three or more.

[0054] Further references Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in some specific embodiments, the balun structure 30 includes a first balun 30a, a second balun 30b, a third balun 30c and a fourth balun 30d. The first balun 30a, the second balun 30b, the third balun 30c and the fourth balun 30d are respectively located in the first radiation arm 11a, the second radiation arm 11b, the third radiation arm 11c and the fourth radiation arm 11d, and the four baluns respectively realize impedance matching and structural support for the four radiation arms.

[0055] The number of the feeding plates 21 includes 2 or more, and the 2 or more feeding plates 21 are arranged to intersect. Figure 1As shown, in some specific embodiments, the number of the feed plates 21 includes two, namely the first feed plate 21a and the second feed plate 21b, the first feed plate 21a and the second feed plate 21b are arranged orthogonally to each other, and the radiator 10 is excited and fed respectively; the partial structures of the first feed plate 21a and the second feed plate 21b are arranged in four polarization baluns, and the four corresponding radiating arms are fed respectively. Each feed plate 21 includes a first feed segment 211 integrated in the first balun cavity 311, a second feed segment 212 exposed to the outside of the balun cavity 31, and a third feed segment 213 arranged in the second balun cavity 312, the second feed segment 212 is connected between the first feed segment 211 and the third feed segment 213, and at least part of the first feed segment 211 is formed as a combiner, a phase shifter, a power divider or a filter.

[0056] In some specific embodiments, the feeding plate 21 feeds the radiation arm in a coupled feeding manner.

[0057] It can be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the radiation unit is mainly composed of two polarized half-wave radiation units. Figure 2 As shown, one polarized half-wave radiating unit consists of five parts: a first balun 30a, a second balun 30b, a first feeding plate 21a, a first radiating arm 11a, and a second radiating arm 11b; the other polarized half-wave radiating unit consists of five parts: a third balun 30c and a fourth balun 30d, a second feeding plate 21b, a third radiating arm 11c, and a fourth radiating arm 11d.

[0058] The balun cavity 31 is formed by the cavity wall 32, and the cavity wall 32 is a part of the balun structure 30. The two openings of the balun cavity 31 include a top opening located at the top of the balun structure 30 and a bottom opening located at the bottom of the balun structure 30, that is, the balun cavity 31 runs through the entire balun structure 30. Take one polarized half-wave radiation unit as an example. The balun cavity 31 includes at least one second balun cavity 312 formed under the first radiation arm 11a and at least one first balun cavity 311 formed under the second radiation arm 11b. In some specific embodiments, the number of first balun cavities 311 in one polarized half-wave radiation unit is 2, and the number of second balun cavities 312 includes 1, that is, the cavity wall 32 of the first balun 30a encloses 1 second balun cavity 312, and the cavity wall 32 of the second balun 30b encloses 2 first balun cavities 311. The structure of the balun cavity 31 of the other polarized half-wave radiation unit is similar to the above structure, and will not be repeated here. That is to say, the radiation unit provided in the embodiment of the present application has four first balun cavities 311 and two second balun cavities 312 .

[0059] The number and topological form of the first balun cavity 311 and the second balun cavity 312 can be different according to the different functions of the feeding structure 20, the output end of the feeding structure 20 or the form of the feeding plate 21, thereby improving the adaptability and freedom of the radiation unit of the embodiment of the present application.

[0060] In some specific embodiments, the first feeding section 211, the second feeding section 212 and the third feeding section 213 each include one, the second feeding section 212 is connected between the first feeding section 211 and the third feeding section 213, the first feeding section 211 is arranged in the first balun cavity 311, the third feeding section 213 is arranged in the second balun cavity 312, the second feeding section 212 is exposed to the outside of the balun cavity 31, and at least part of the first feeding section 211 is formed as a phase shifter, a power divider or a filter;

[0061] In other specific embodiments, the first feeding segment 211 includes at least two, the second feeding segment 212 and the third feeding segment 213 each include one, the second feeding segment 212 is connected between at least two first feeding segments 211 and the third feeding segment 213, at least one first feeding segment 211 is arranged in at least one first balun cavity 311, the third feeding segment 213 is arranged in the second balun cavity 312, and the second feeding segment 212 is exposed to the outside of the balun cavity 31, wherein at least one first feeding segment 211 is formed as a phase shifter, a power divider or a filter, or at least two first feeding segments 211 are formed as a combiner.

[0062] In the embodiment of the present application, the present application scheme is further described by taking the number of the first feeding sections 211 as 2. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the two first feed segments 211 are respectively arranged in one of the first balun cavities 311. Further, the present application scheme is further explained by taking the two first feed segments 211 as a combiner as an example. The first feed sheet 21a includes two first feed segments 211, a second feed segment 212 and a third feed segment 213, and the two first feed segments 211 include a first part 211a and a second part 211b. Among them, the first part 211a and the second part 211b are respectively arranged in one of the first balun cavities 311, the third feed segment 213 is arranged in the second balun cavity 312, and the first part 211a and the second part 211b are formed into a combiner. The second feed segment 212 is connected between the first part 211a and the second part 211b and the third feed segment 213, that is, the second feed segment 212 spans between the first radiation arm 11a and the second radiation arm 11b. The structure and deployment method of the second feeding plate 21 b are the same as those of the first feeding plate 21 a , and are not described in detail here.

[0063] On the one hand, integrating the first feeding section 211 and the third feeding section 213 in the balun cavity can further reduce the space occupied and improve the space utilization of the antenna; on the other hand, the first part 211a, the second part 211b and the third feeding section 213 are respectively installed in different balun cavities, so that different parts of the feeding plate 21 form air strips or air coaxial transmission lines with the corresponding balun cavities respectively. Since the loss value of air is small, the radiation unit loss is effectively reduced, thereby providing radiation unit gain and antenna efficiency.

[0064] Further references Figure 3 As shown, in some specific embodiments, the feed sheet 21 further includes a fourth feed segment 214, the fourth feed segment 214 is partially disposed in the first balun cavity 311, and partially extends outside the first balun cavity 311, one end of the fourth feed segment 214 is connected to the first feed segment 211 disposed in the first balun cavity 311, and the other end extends outside the first balun cavity 311 to form a polarized input end 22 of the radiation unit. It can be understood that, in some specific embodiments, the fourth feed segment 214 includes a third portion 214a and a fourth portion 214b, one end of the third portion 214a and the fourth portion 214b are respectively connected to the first portion 211a and the second portion 211b, and the other ends of the third portion 214a and the fourth portion 214b are respectively extended outside the first balun cavity 311 to form a polarized first input end 22a and a second input end 22b of the radiation unit.

[0065] In some specific embodiments, the first input terminal 22a and the second input terminal 22b may be respectively connected to the external feeding network 40. For example, the first input terminal 22a is connected to the external feeding network 40 of the first frequency band, and the second input terminal 22b is connected to the external feeding network 40 of the second frequency band. The first frequency band and the second frequency band may be the same frequency band or different frequency bands, which is not specifically limited here.

[0066] In some specific embodiments, the fourth feeding section 214 may be formed by bending a metal sheet, and may be extended or bent for connection in consideration of the spatial position connection relationship.

[0067] In some specific embodiments, the input terminal 22 and the external feeding network 40 may be coupled or coaxially welded, which is not specifically limited here.

[0068] like Figure 4As shown, in some specific embodiments, the radiation unit and the external feeding network 40 are fed by coupling. The feeding schematic diagram of one of the ports is used for explanation. The first input terminal 22a is connected to the external feeding network 40 of the first frequency band, and a coupling connection method or the like can be adopted. The external feeding network 40 includes an external feeding network body 41, a feeding strip line 42 and a feeding cavity 43. The external feeding network body 41 can adopt a strip line. The feeding strip line 42 is the output end of the external feeding network 40, and is coupled and connected to the input end of the radiation unit, namely the first input end 22a. It can be understood that the feeding strip line 42 is usually a metal feeding line made of sheet metal metal wire or printed circuit board. The feeding strip line 42 is arranged in the feeding cavity 43, and the two constitute an external feeding network body 41.

[0069] The feed sheet 21 is at least partially disposed in the balun cavity 31, and at least one input end 22 of the feed sheet 21 is connected to the external feed network 40 via the bottom opening of the balun cavity 31, that is, the feed sheet 21 can be completely or almost completely installed in the balun cavity 31, and the two openings of the balun cavity 31 are used to realize the signal input and output of the feed sheet 21. This further improves the spatial integration of the balun structure 30.

[0070] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific type of the feed sheet is not limited. Under the premise of not violating the inventive concept of the present application, any type of feed sheet can be selected as the feed sheet in the present application. For example, the feed sheet can be a combining feed sheet, a power splitting feed sheet, a phase shifting feed sheet, etc.

[0071] The feeding structure 20 can process the signal from the external feeding network 40 and feed it to the radiating arm 11 through the feeding plate 21 to achieve signal transmission. The first feeding section 211 includes but is not limited to at least one functional module of a combiner, a phase shifter, a power divider, and a filter.

[0072] Integrating one, two or more of a combiner, a phase shifter, a power divider and a filter on the network feed sheet further improves spatial integration. For example, the principle of open branches can be used to integrate functional modules on the network feed sheet.

[0073] Figures 1 to 4 The radiation arm 11 is exemplarily shown as a square, and has a hollow area to form a roughly ring-shaped structure. In other embodiments, the radiation arm 11 can also be in other shapes, such as: circular ring, rectangle, column, cylinder, etc.

[0074] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the top surfaces of the multiple radiation arms 11 are basically flush, and the multiple radiation arms 11 are distributed around the balun cavity 31. Each balun cavity 31 is recessed into the hollow area of ​​the corresponding radiation arm 11. In this distribution method, the balun cavity 31 and the hollow area of ​​the radiation arm 11 share part of the space, which further improves the space utilization.

[0075] In some specific embodiments, the feeding structure 20 can feed the radiating arm 11 by coupling feeding or direct feeding. For example, the feeding portion of the radiating arm 11 can be recessed downward, and the feeding structure 20 couples and feeds the radiating arm 11. Figure 1 The feeding plate 21 is located above the balun structure 30 , and part of the feeding plate 21 is arranged in the balun cavity 31 , and part of the feeding plate 21 is located above the recessed position of the feeding part of the radiation arm 11 to realize coupling feeding of the radiation arm 11 .

[0076] Alternatively, the feeding part of the radiating arm 11 is connected to the feeding plate 21, and the feeding plate 21 directly feeds the radiating arm 11. Exemplarily, the other end of the radiating arm 11 can be directly connected to the feeding part of the radiating arm 11 by welding to realize direct feeding of the radiating arm 11.

[0077] Further, in some specific embodiments, the radiator 10 and the balun structure 30 are split structures, wherein the radiator 10 is an integrally formed part, the balun structure 30 is an integrally formed part, and the radiator 10, the feeding structure 20 and the balun structure 30 are connected. Exemplarily, the balun structure 30 can be integrally formed by pultrusion of a profile.

[0078] Further references Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in some specific embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the first balun cavity 311 is rectangular, square, or any other regular or irregular shape. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the first balun cavity 311 is rectangular; the cross-sectional shape of the second balun cavity 312 is circular, semicircular, fan-shaped, or any other regular or irregular shape. Exemplarily, the cross-sectional shape of the second balun cavity 312 is circular. Ignoring the influence of the draft angle of the die-casting mold, the inner surfaces formed by the walls of the balun cavities with square or rectangular cross-sections are approximately parallel.

[0079] The two second balun cavities 312 with circular cross sections and the third feeding segment 213 of the feeding plate 21 form an air coaxial line transmission line, which is conducive to reducing losses. The first balun cavity 311 with a rectangular cross section and the first feeding segment 211 of the feeding plate 21 form an air stripline transmission line. Since the loss value of air is small and the feeding path is shortened, the effect of reducing the loss of the feeding network is achieved, thereby achieving the purpose of improving the radiation unit gain and antenna efficiency.

[0080] In some specific embodiments, the cross-sectional shapes of at least two first balun cavities 311 are the same, or the cross-sectional shapes of at least two first balun cavities 311 are different.

[0081] In some specific embodiments, the relative position and contour shape of each balun cavity can be adjusted according to the design requirements of the radiation unit feeding and the feeding network connection.

[0082] Exemplarily, a plurality of first balun cavities 311 corresponding to one polarization can be used to place different parts of the feeding plate 21 , further improving the space utilization of the balun structure 30 .

[0083] In some specific embodiments, the feeding sheet 21 further includes a feeding medium 215. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The feeding dielectric 215 is provided in the balun cavity 31, and is used to insulate and support the portion of the feeding plate 21 integrated in the balun cavity 31. Exemplarily, the third feeding section 213 is insulated and supported inside the first balun 30a by the feeding dielectric 215 provided in the second balun cavity 312, and feeds the first radiation arm 11a and the second radiation arm 11b; the first portion 211a and the second portion 211b are insulated and supported inside the second balun 30b by the feeding dielectric 215 provided in the first balun cavity 311, and feeds the first radiation arm 11a and the second radiation arm 11b.

[0084] In some specific embodiments, the feed sheet 21 is usually composed of a first feed section 211 (including a first part 211a and a second part 211b), a second feed section 212, a third feed section 213, a fourth feed section 214 and a feed medium 215. Among them, the first feed section 211 (including a first part 211a and a second part 211b), the second feed section 212, the third feed section 213 and the fourth feed section 214 are usually made of metal sheet bending, and the feed medium 215 is usually placed by injection molding to insulate the feed section and the balun. The third feed section 213 is generally located in the second balun cavity 312, i.e., the coaxial cavity, and the feed medium 215 is used to insulate and support the third feed section 213 and the second balun cavity 312, so as to couple and feed the first radiation arm 11a. The second feeding section 212 is generally located outside the balun cavity, connecting the third feeding section 213 with the first part 211a and the second part 211b. Generally, the second feeding sections 212 of the two polarizations are of the same size, and the space avoidance is achieved by using a concave-convex bending method in space. The first part 211a and the second part 211b are composed of a feeding circuit of two frequency bands (such as the first frequency band and the second frequency band). The first frequency band and the second frequency band are two sub-band ranges of the radiation unit. Taking the first part 211a as an example, the first part 211a is composed of a feeding circuit 211a1 and a feeding branch 211a2. In some specific embodiments, the feeding circuit 211a1, the feeding branch 211a2 and the cavity wall 32 of the first balun cavity 311 are parallel. The fourth feeding section 214 is the input section of the first feeding section 211, and the external feeding network 40 is connected to the fourth feeding section 214 by coupling or welding to realize feeding the two radiating arms of the radiation unit. The feeding medium 215 is respectively placed at appropriate positions of the third feeding section 213 , the first part 211 a , the second part 211 b , and the fourth feeding section 214 to play an insulating supporting role.

[0085] For example, in some specific embodiments, the feeding circuit 211a1 of the first part 211a is a first frequency band feeding circuit, the feeding branch 211a2 of the first part 211a is a first frequency band feeding branch, the feeding circuit 211b1 of the first part 211b is a second frequency band feeding circuit, and the feeding branch 211b2 of the second part 211b is a second frequency band feeding branch. It can be understood that the structures of the first frequency band feeding circuit and the second frequency band feeding circuit, and the first frequency band feeding branch and the second frequency band feeding branch are similar, but not completely the same.

[0086] It can be understood that when the first feeding section 211 is formed as a combiner, the first feeding section 211 includes at least two, at least two first feeding sections 211 are formed into feeding circuits of different frequency bands, and the operating frequencies of the feeding circuits of different frequency bands are different; when the first feeding section 211 is formed as a filter, the operating frequencies of the feeding circuits formed by different first feeding sections 211 can be the same or different, and the number of feeding branches 211a2 is less than the number of feeding circuits 211a1. For example, the number of feeding branches 211a2 is 1 less than the number of feeding circuits 211a1, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0087] like Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig.10 as well as Fig.11 As shown, in some specific embodiments, the feed plate 21 is composed of two orthogonal feed plates, namely a first feed plate 21a and a second feed plate 21b, and the two feed plates feed the two polarized radiation arms respectively. Most of the structure of the feed plate 21 is integrated in the balun cavity 31. The feed plate 21 is usually formed by bending using a metal sheet metal process. In the embodiment of the present application, each feed branch 211a2 and the feed branches of other frequency bands are all facing the same direction or different directions, for example, they are all facing upward.

[0088] Taking the first feeding sheet 21a as an example, it is mainly composed of a first feeding section 211 (including a first part 211a and a second part 211b), a second feeding section 212, a third feeding section 213, a fourth feeding section 214 and a feeding medium 215. The second feeding sheet 21b and the first feeding sheet 21a have opposite spatial bending directions in the second feeding section 212. Generally, the other components and features of the second feeding sheet 21b and the first feeding sheet 21a are symmetrical and the same.

[0089] like Fig.12 As shown, in some specific embodiments, the radiating unit adopts a radiating unit of a high balun with a double-branch feeding network. When the balun height of the radiating unit is relatively high, generally higher than one quarter of the corresponding wavelength of the working frequency band or the case of a low-frequency radiating unit, it is collectively referred to as an application scenario of the radiating unit of the high balun. The high-frequency radiating unit of the high balun is generally a nested high-frequency radiating unit. Taking the first part 211a as an example, the feeding circuit 211a1 and the feeding branch 211a2 can adopt a non-bending feeding network as much as possible. There are two feeding branches 211a2 in the figure, which is referred to as a double-branch feeding network. The cavity width of the balun cavity is narrower, which can realize the integration of the feeding network and the radiating unit, achieve miniaturization and low loss, thereby improving the radiating unit gain and antenna efficiency.

[0090] like Fig.13As shown, in some specific embodiments, the radiating unit adopts a radiating unit with a high balun of a four-branch feeding network. When the balun height of the radiating unit is relatively high, generally higher than one quarter of the corresponding wavelength of the working frequency band or the case of a low-frequency radiating unit, it is collectively referred to as an application scenario of the radiating unit with a high balun. Taking the first part 211a as an example, the feeding circuit 211a1 and the feeding branch 211a2 can adopt a non-bending feeding network as much as possible. There are four feeding branches 211a2 in the figure, which are referred to as a four-branch feeding network. The more filtering branches the combiner has, the better the out-of-band suppression performance of the combiner.

[0091] like Fig.14 As shown, in some specific embodiments, the radiation unit adopts a radiation unit with a short balun. When the balun height of the radiation unit is relatively short, generally less than one quarter of the corresponding wavelength of the working frequency band, it is collectively referred to as a radiation unit application scenario of a low balun. When the balun of a non-nested high-frequency radiation unit is less than one quarter of the wavelength of the working center frequency, a feeding medium 215 can be loaded on the feeding network. By changing the dielectric constant of the feeding network, since the dielectric constant of the feeding medium 215 is greater than 1 of air, the length and width of the feeding network can be miniaturized. According to the principle, the balun and feeding line of the radiation unit are significantly smaller than those of a conventional radiation unit, thereby achieving miniaturization of the radiation unit.

[0092] like Fig.15 As shown, in some specific embodiments, the radiation unit integrates a power splitter into the balun structure 30. In addition to the combiner, the radiation unit provided in the present application can also integrate a power splitter into the balun structure 30. Fig.15 As shown, the fourth feeding section 214 serves as the input port of the integrated two-power divider, the straight feeding branch 211a2 serves as an output port of the two-power divider, and the multiple curved feeding circuits 211a1 serve as another output port of the two-power divider. The other end of the straight feeding circuit 211a1 enters another first balun cavity 311 from the radiation arm, passes through the bottom opening of another first balun cavity 311, and is connected to the feeding network of other external radiation units. The multiple curved feeding circuits 211a1 couple and feed the radiation arm in a coupling manner.

[0093] like Fig.16 As shown, in some specific embodiments, the radiation unit integrates a phase shifter into the balun structure 30. The multiple curved feeding circuits 211a1 are strip lines of the phase shifter, and the feeding medium 215 is the medium of the phase shifter, which is generally a double-sided medium, sandwiching the feeding branch 211a2 in the middle. Move in the direction of the solid arrow as shown in the figure, and by adjusting the area of ​​the strip line of the feeding branch 211a2 covered by the feeding medium 215, the phase of the radiation unit feeding network is changed, thereby realizing the shaping adjustment of the antenna phase.

[0094] Fig.17 The figure shows a schematic diagram of a structure in which the radiation unit and the external feeding network are fed by coaxial welding. The external feeding network 40 is a coaxial line, which is composed of a coaxial line core 421, a coaxial outer conductor 422 and a coaxial medium 423. The third feeding section 213 and the coaxial line core 421 are connected by welding or the like, and the coaxial outer conductor 422 and the balun cavity wall 32 are welded. The feeding part of the coaxial line is substantially parallel to the fourth feeding section 214.

[0095] Fig.18 The figure shows another schematic diagram of the structure in which the radiation unit and the external feeding network adopt coaxial welding feeding. Fig.17 The difference in the implementation is that the feeding part of the coaxial line is substantially perpendicular to the fourth feeding section 214. Alternatively, the height or horizontal position of the fourth feeding section 214 is staggered, and the feeding part of the coaxial line and the fourth feeding section 214 can also have other feeding angles.

[0096] like Fig.19 As shown, in a specific embodiment in which the radiation unit is an integrated combiner, the operating frequencies of the combiner are respectively 2.515 GHz to 2.675 GHz in the first frequency band and 1.885 GHz to 2.025 GHz in the second frequency band. The worst values ​​of the insertion loss in the passband of the first frequency band and the second frequency band are 0.143 dB and 0.1 dB, respectively, which are much lower than the loss of other similar feeding networks, thereby improving the gain and radiation efficiency of the radiation unit. The worst value of the out-of-band suppression of the first frequency band to the second frequency band is 37.61 dB, and the worst value of the out-of-band suppression of the second frequency band to the first frequency band is 42.47 dB, which fully realizes the requirements of frequency isolation of different frequency bands of the radiation unit.

[0097] like Fig. 20 As shown, in a specific embodiment in which the radiating unit is an integrated combiner, the worst values ​​of the standing wave ratio in the passbands of the first frequency band and the second frequency band are 1.2259 and 1.205, respectively, achieving good matching of the radiating unit, thereby indirectly achieving high gain and high radiation efficiency of the radiating unit.

[0098] Based on the above description, the radiation unit of the embodiment of the present application has the following technical effects: the feeding network is partially integrated inside the balun of the radiation unit, the integration shortens the feeding path loss, and the air strip line reduces the feeding network loss, thereby improving the gain and radiation efficiency of the radiation unit; other embodiments such as the combiner combining part is integrated inside the cavity, the loss is lower; the feeding cavity and the radiation cavity are formed in one piece. The balun of the feeding network and the radiation unit is integrated to improve the spatial multiplexing rate; the input end of the feeding plate can be adjusted arbitrarily; the feeding position size of the network can be adjusted according to the size of the balun; the balun cavity can integrate a variety of feeding network forms, etc.

[0099] On the other hand, the present application also provides a base station antenna, comprising a radiation unit of the integrated feeding network provided by the above embodiment.

[0100] It should be noted that, in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise a ..." do not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0101] "Vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "middle", "lower" and similar expressions are for illustrative purposes only and do not indicate that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limitations on the present application.

[0102] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0103] The term "and / or" as used herein is inclusive, for example, "A; and / or B" means only A, or only B, or both A and B. "Multiple" means two or more.

[0104] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, so that those skilled in the art can understand or implement the present application. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications to these embodiments are possible, and the general principles defined in the present application can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application will not be limited to these embodiments described in the present application, but will conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed in the present application.

Claims

1. A radiating unit with an integrated feeding network, comprising a radiator (10) and a feeding structure (20), wherein the radiator (10) comprises at least one polarization, the feeding structure (20) comprises at least one feeding plate (21), at least one input end (22) of each feeding plate is connected to an external feeding network (40) and feeds the radiator (10), characterized in that: The radiation unit also includes: A balun structure (30) is located below the radiator (10), the balun structure (30) having a balun cavity (31) with two ends open, the balun cavity (31) comprising a first balun cavity (311), and the polarization is provided with at least one of the first balun cavities (311); The feed plate (21) comprises a combiner, a phase shifter, a power divider or a filter, and the combiner, the phase shifter, the power divider or the filter is integrated in the first balun cavity (311).

2. The radiating unit of the integrated feed network according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross section of the first balun cavity (311) is rectangular or square.

3. The radiating unit of the integrated feed network according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each polarization includes at least two radiation arms (11), and the first balun cavity (311) is formed under one of the radiation arms (11) in one polarization.

4. The radiating unit of the integrated feed network according to claim 3, characterized in that: The balun cavity (31) further comprises a second balun cavity (312), wherein the second balun cavity (312) is formed below another radiation arm (11) in one polarization.

5. The radiation unit of the integrated feed network according to claim 4, characterized in that: Each of the feeding sheets (21) comprises a first feeding segment (211) arranged in the first balun cavity (311), a second feeding segment (212) exposed to the outside of the balun cavity (31), and a third feeding segment (213) arranged in the second balun cavity (312), wherein the second feeding segment (212) is connected between the first feeding segment (211) and the third feeding segment (213).

6. The radiation unit of the integrated feed network according to claim 3, characterized in that: At least two of the first balun cavities (311) are correspondingly arranged below at least one of the radiation arms (11), the first feeding segments (211) include at least two, and at least one of the first balun cavities (311) is provided with at least one of the first feeding segments (211), wherein at least two of the first feeding segments (211) are formed as the combiner, or at least one of the first feeding segments (211) is formed as the phase shifter, power divider or filter.

7. The radiation unit of the integrated feed network according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first feeding section (211) comprises a feeding circuit (211a1) and a feeding branch (211a2), wherein the feeding branch (211a2) is arranged on the feeding circuit (211a1), and the structures of the plurality of first feeding sections (211) are the same or different.

8. The radiating unit of the integrated feed network according to claim 7, characterized in that: When at least two of the first feeding sections (211) are formed into the combiner, at least two of the first feeding sections (211) are formed into feeding circuits of different frequency bands, and the operating frequencies of the feeding circuits of different frequency bands are different.

9. The radiation unit of the integrated feed network according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the first feeding section (211) is formed as the filter, the number of the feeding branches (211a2) is smaller than the number of the feeding circuits (211a1).

10. The radiation unit of the integrated feed network according to claim 7, characterized in that: A feeding medium (215) is also provided on the first feeding section (211), and the feeding medium (215) is configured to insulate and support the first feeding section (211) and the second balun cavity (312).

11. The radiation unit of the integrated feed network according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the first feeding section (211) is formed into the power divider, the feeding circuit (211a1) and the feeding branch (211a2) respectively serve as an output port of the power divider, and the feeding plate (21) further comprises a fourth feeding section (214), and the fourth feeding section (214) serves as an input port of the power divider.

12. The radiating unit of the integrated feed network according to claim 10, characterized in that: When the first feeding section (211) is formed as the phase shifter, the phase of the first feeding section (211) is changed by adjusting the area of ​​the feeding medium (215) covering the feeding branch (211a2).

13. The radiation unit of the integrated feed network according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cross-sectional shape of the second balun cavity (312) includes a circle, a semicircle or a sector.

14. The radiation unit of the integrated feed network according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The radiator (10) and the balun structure (30) are split structures, wherein the radiator (10) and the balun structure (30) are each an integrally formed part.

15. The radiation unit of the integrated feed network according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The input terminal (22) is coupled to the external feeding network (40) for feeding or coaxial welding.

16. A base station antenna, characterized in that: A radiating unit comprising an integrated feed network as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15.

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