Building antenna

Abstract

A building antenna comprises two radiation arrays which are symmetrically arranged and a coupling radio frequency switch which is in communication connection with each radiation array. The coupling radio frequency switch is provided with an input port, a straight-through port, a first coupling port, a second coupling port and a third coupling port, the coupling radio frequency switch is set to have a first coupling state, a second coupling state and a third coupling state, the input port of the coupling radio frequency switch is conducted with the straight-through port in the first coupling state, and the input port of the coupling radio frequency switch is conducted with the straight-through port in the second coupling state. In the first coupling state, the input port of the coupling radio frequency switch is conducted with the straight-through port and the first coupling port at the same time, and in the third coupling state, the input port of the coupling radio frequency switch is conducted with the straight-through port, the second coupling port and the third coupling port at the same time; a reflection angle is formed between the two radiation arrays in a clamping mode, and the reflection angle is smaller than or equal to 120 degrees.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of mobile communications, in particular to an antenna assembly, and more particularly to a building antenna. Background Art

[0002] As we all know, with the rapid development of mobile communication network technology and urban modernization, telecom operators have continuously improved the diversity and reliability of wireless signal coverage between commercial or residential buildings. Wireless signal coverage is achieved through building antennas.

[0003] For high-rise or super high-rise buildings, telecom operators hope to achieve overall wireless signal coverage of high-rise or super high-rise buildings in the vertical direction by building antennas, and also hope to achieve targeted signal coverage with adjustable beams in the horizontal direction according to the width of different buildings and call quality requirements. The advantage of this is that customized signal coverage can be provided according to buildings with different characteristics. This can avoid the horizontal beam width of the building antenna being too wide, resulting in signal cross-area coverage, and then causing signal interference to adjacent buildings, causing the signal to be interfered and unable to be received normally by users, or the horizontal beam width being too narrow, resulting in signal blind spots at the edge of the building.

[0004] With regard to the adjustment of the beam width in the horizontal direction of the building antenna, most of the building antennas in the prior art achieve signal coverage of the required array by means of mechanically adjustable tilt angles. Such building antennas in the prior art not only have a single signal radiation direction, but are also prone to weak signal areas or blind spots at the edges of the building. Ultimately, they cannot meet the diverse demands of telecom operators for both overall coverage in the vertical direction and adjustable beam width in the horizontal direction in signal coverage scenarios of high-rise or super-high-rise buildings.

[0005] Therefore, the industry needs to provide an improved building antenna to overcome the defects of the prior art building antenna. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above problem and provide a building antenna.

[0007] To meet the purpose of the present invention, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] A building antenna comprises: two symmetrically arranged radiation arrays and a coupling radio frequency switch connected to each of the radiation arrays. The coupling radio frequency switch has an input port, a through port, a first coupling port, a second coupling port and a third coupling port. The coupling radio frequency switch is configured to have a first, a second and a third coupling state. In the first coupling state, the input port of the coupling radio frequency switch is connected to the through port. In the second coupling state, the input port of the coupling radio frequency switch is connected to the through port and the first coupling port at the same time. In the third coupling state, the input port of the coupling radio frequency switch is connected to the through port, the second coupling port and the third coupling port at the same time. A reflection angle is formed between the two radiation arrays, and the reflection angle is ≤120°.

[0009] Preferably, each radiation array includes a reflection plate, a group of radiation units are arranged on one surface of the reflection plate, the coupling RF switch is arranged on the other surface of the reflection plate, the coupling RF switch is communicatively connected to the group of radiation units, the group of radiation units of each radiation array includes a first array group, a second array group, a third array group and a fourth array group, and the first array group is communicatively connected to the through port.

[0010] Further preferably, the first array group has 4 radiating units, which has a 2×2 array form, and the second array group, the third array group and the fourth array group each have 1 radiating unit.

[0011] Further preferably, the excitation areas of the building antenna in the first, second and third coupling states are respectively: the first array group; the combination of the first array group and the second array group; and the combination of the first array group, the third array group and the fourth array group; the building antenna has a first, second and third horizontal beam width in the first, second and third coupling states respectively, the difference between the first horizontal beam width and the second horizontal beam width is ≥5°, and the difference between the second horizontal beam width and the third horizontal beam width is ≥5°.

[0012] Preferably, each of the coupled RF switches further comprises a mounting plate, a circuit board arranged on the mounting plate, and a coupling plate arranged on the mounting plate; the coupling plate is spaced apart from the circuit board, and the coupling plate is arranged to be movable relative to the circuit board.

[0013] Preferably, the input port, the through port, the first coupling port, the second coupling port and the third coupling port are formed on the circuit board.

[0014] Preferably, each of the coupled RF switches further comprises a first snap plate and a second snap plate, and the first snap plate and the second snap plate are snapped onto the mounting plate so as to fix the circuit board and the coupling plate onto the mounting plate.

[0015] Preferably, a slide groove is provided on the mounting plate, and the coupling plate is configured to slide in the slide groove.

[0016] Preferably, a coupling trace is printed on the surface of the coupling plate facing the circuit board. Further preferably, three gear holes are provided on the coupling plate, which respectively correspond to the first, second and third coupling states of the coupling plate.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial technical effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0018] In the present invention, since the coupling RF switch has multiple coupling states, such as three coupling states, such as the first, second, and third coupling states, in the first coupling state, the input port of the coupling RF switch is connected to the through port, in the second coupling state, the input port of the coupling RF switch is connected to the through port and the first coupling port at the same time, and in the third coupling state, the input port of the coupling RF switch is connected to the through port, the second coupling port, and the third coupling port at the same time. By switching between a variety of different coupling states (modes), the building antenna can have different excitation areas, and the horizontal beam width difference corresponding to two adjacent coupling states is not less than 5°, so the horizontal beam width of the antenna is adjustable by switching between the three coupling states.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description, which will become obvious from the following description, or may be learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and easily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a front structural diagram of a building antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing two radiation arrays symmetrically arranged on a reflector plate.

[0022] Figure 2 The rear view of the building antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention shows Figure 1 The two radiating arrays shown correspond to electrically connected coupled RF switches.

[0023] Figure 3It is a side view of the structure of a building antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing two radiating arrays forming a certain angle with each other and a coupling RF switch electrically connected to the two radiating arrays.

[0024] Figure 4a The figure is a main structural diagram of a coupled radio frequency switch of a building antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4b The figure is a side structural diagram of a coupled radio frequency switch of a building antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4c The figure is a schematic structural diagram of a coupling plate of a coupled radio frequency switch of a building antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 A circuit connection diagram between a radiation array of a building antenna and a corresponding coupled radio frequency switch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0028] Figure 6a The first coupling state of the coupled radio frequency of the building antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0029] Figure 6b The second coupling state of the coupled radio frequency of the building antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0030] Figure 6c The third coupling state of the coupled radio frequency of the building antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements with the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention and cannot be interpreted as limiting the present invention.

[0032] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless expressly stated, the singular forms "one", "said", and "the" used herein may also include plural forms. It should be further understood that the term "comprising" used in the specification of the present invention refers to the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. It should be understood that when we refer to an element as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be an intermediate element. In addition, the "connection" or "coupling" used herein may include wireless connection or wireless coupling. The term "and / or" used herein includes all or any unit and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0033] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art in the art to which the present invention belongs. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in general dictionaries should be understood to have meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the prior art, and will not be interpreted with idealized or overly formal meanings unless specifically defined as herein.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, reference Figure 1-6c , a building antenna 100 is provided, comprising: two symmetrically arranged radiation arrays 20 and a coupling radio frequency switch 50 communicatively connected to each radiation array 20 .

[0035] In the above embodiment, each radiation array 20 includes a reflector 10, such as a metal reflector 10, for reflecting communication signals. A group of radiation units 22 are arranged on one surface of the reflector 10, for example, they can be high-frequency radiation units, low-frequency radiation units or a combination of the two. This embodiment is not specifically limited. A corresponding coupling RF switch 50 is arranged on the other surface of the reflector 10, and the coupling RF switch 50 is connected to the group of radiation units 22 in communication, for example, it can be connected to the radiation unit 22 through a coaxial cable and a power divider.

[0036] Here, if Figure 3 As shown, the symmetry between the two radiation arrays 20 refers to the symmetry between the corresponding two reflectors 10. At the same time, a group of radiation units 22 arranged on each reflector 10 are also symmetric. Due to the above symmetry, only one of the specific radiation arrays 20 and the corresponding coupling RF switch 50 will be described below.

[0037] A group of radiation units 22 of each radiation array 20 can have various array arrangements. For example, in one embodiment, a group of radiation units 22 includes a first array group 6a, a second array group 6b, a third array group 6c and a fourth array group 6d, wherein the first array group 6a has four radiation units 22 in a 2×2 array arrangement, and the second array group 6b, the third array group 6c and the fourth array group 6d each have one radiation unit 22.

[0038] The coupling RF switch 40 corresponding to each radiating array 20 has a plurality of ports, such as an input port 61, a through port 62, a first coupling port 63, a second coupling port 64, and a third coupling port 65. The first array 6a is connected to the through port 62 via a one-to-four power splitter, the second array 6b is connected to the first coupling port 63, the third array 6c is connected to the second coupling port 64, and the fourth array 6d is connected to the third coupling port 65.

[0039] In one embodiment, each of the coupled RF switches 40 further has a mounting plate 43, a circuit board 41 disposed on the mounting plate 43, and a coupling plate 42 disposed on the mounting plate 43, wherein the coupling plate 42 is spaced apart from the circuit board 41, and the coupling plate 42 is configured to be movable relative to the circuit board 41.

[0040] Preferably, the input port 61 , the through port 62 , the first coupling port 63 , the second coupling port 64 and the third coupling port 65 are formed on the circuit board 41 .

[0041] Preferably, each of the coupling RF switches 40 further has a first snap plate 44 and a second snap plate 45, which are snapped on the mounting plate 43 so as to fix the circuit board 41 and the coupling plate 42 on the mounting plate 43. Here, by providing two snap plates, the corresponding circuit board 41 and the coupling plate 42 are respectively fixed on both sides of the mounting plate 43, which is convenient for assembly and disassembly, and avoids the use of traditional screw fixing methods for fastening, thereby reducing the production cost of the entire building antenna to a certain extent, and also avoiding signal interference between metal screws and the coupling RF switch 40 to a certain extent.

[0042] In one embodiment, a slide groove 432 is provided on the mounting plate 43, and the coupling plate 42 is configured to slide in the slide groove 432. The slide groove 432 can constrain the sliding path of the coupling plate 42, that is, ensure that the sliding of the coupling plate 42 is performed along a predetermined straight path, thereby ensuring that the sliding direction is accurate, and finally making the coupling function of the coupled RF switch 40 accurately adjustable.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, a coupling trace 46 is printed on the surface of the coupling plate 42 facing the circuit board 41. The coupling trace 46 may have different shapes and widths according to specific design requirements. Figure 4c In the embodiment shown, the coupling trace 46 is a concave pattern. In other embodiments of the present invention, the coupling trace 46 may also be a sawtooth, elliptical or zigzag pattern, which is not limited in the present invention.

[0044] Preferably, the coupling plate 42 is provided with a plurality of, for example, three, gear holes 47, which respectively correspond to the three different coupling states of the coupling plate 42. Figure 6a-6c As shown, the three different coupling states are the first, second and third coupling states, which are respectively realized by different coupling sliding positions of the coupling plate 42 relative to the circuit board 41. For example, in the first coupling state, the input port 61 of the coupling RF switch 40 can be directly connected with the through port 62, thereby realizing the one-to-one power division function of the coupling RF switch 40; in the second coupling state, the one-to-two power division function of the input port 61 of the coupling RF switch 40, the through port 62 and the first coupling port 63 can be realized; in the third coupling state, the one-to-three power division function of the coupling RF switch input port 61, the through port 62, the second coupling port 64 and the third coupling port 65 can be realized.

[0045] When the coupling RF switch 40 is in the first coupling state, the excitation area of ​​the building antenna 100 is the first array 6a, and the horizontal beam width is φ1. When the coupling RF switch 40 is in the second coupling state, the excitation area of ​​the building antenna 100 is the first array 6a and the second array 6b, and the horizontal beam width is φ2, and φ1>φ2, φ1-φ2≥5°. When the coupling RF switch 40 is in the third coupling state, the excitation area of ​​the building antenna 100 is the first array 6a, the third array 6c and the fourth array 6d, and the horizontal beam width is φ3, and φ1>φ2>φ3, φ1-φ2≥5°, φ2-φ3≥5°. By switching back and forth between the above three gears, the horizontal beam width can be adjusted in three gears φ1, φ2, and φ3. Therefore, in general, the present invention has a simple structure and is easy to assemble, and can reduce material costs without reducing antenna performance indicators.

[0046] It should be noted that in the above embodiment of the present invention, the building antenna 100 has overall coverage in the vertical direction and an adjustable beam width in the horizontal direction. However, when the building antenna 100 is rotated 90° as a whole, it can be understood that the beam width is adjustable in the vertical direction and overall coverage is provided in the horizontal direction.

[0047] Furthermore, although the radiation array in the embodiment of the present invention adopts the above-mentioned array arrangement, the present invention is not limited only by the number of units in the front array arrangement in the above-mentioned embodiment and other one-to-multiple power division functions derived from the three states of the back-coupled RF switch. Any other changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, and simplifications that do not deviate from the spirit and principle of the present invention should be regarded as equivalent replacement methods and are included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0048] Preferably, between the two radiating arrays 20, specifically, the angles between the two reflective plates 10 and the middle symmetry axis are symmetrical and equal, and a reflection angle θ is formed between the two reflective plates 10, and the reflection angle θ is ≤120°, so that the signal coverage of the two radiating arrays is symmetrical and consistent and the vertical surface wave width of the antenna is ≥80°.

[0049] Each radiation unit 22 has the same phase, ensuring that the maximum radiation direction of each radiation array 20 is perpendicular to the corresponding reflector 10, thereby improving the antenna gain performance index and reducing loss.

[0050] In summary, in the present invention:

[0051] First, in order to achieve overall coverage of high-rise or super-high-rise buildings in the vertical direction, the present invention sets the reflection angle between the two reflectors 10, for example, to a reflection angle θ≤120°, thereby making the vertical plane wave width of the building antenna of the present invention ≥80°. Obviously, in the vertical direction, it can cover higher buildings than the existing antenna with a vertical wave width of 65°.

[0052] Secondly, each radiation array 20 of the building antenna 100 of the present invention has three different array configurations, corresponding to three different horizontal beam widths: φ1>φ2>φ3 (φ is the horizontal beam width), and φ1-φ2≥5°, φ2-φ3≥5°.

[0053] In addition, the feeding network of the present invention adopts a coupled RF switch 40, and the coupled RF switch 40 realizes three power division functions of one-to-one, one-to-two and one-to-three by sliding the coupling plate 42 relative to the circuit board 41. In conjunction with the coaxial cable and the power divider to connect the three different array formation modes on the front side, the horizontal plane beam width can be adjusted in three levels.

[0054] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various operations, methods, steps, measures, and schemes in the processes discussed in this application may be alternated, altered, combined, or deleted. Further, other steps, measures, and schemes in the various operations, methods, and processes discussed in this application may also be alternated, altered, rearranged, decomposed, combined, or deleted. Further, the steps, measures, and schemes in the prior art that are similar to those disclosed in this application may also be alternated, altered, rearranged, decomposed, combined, or deleted.

[0055] The above description is only a partial implementation method of the present application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present application. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A building antenna, comprising: Two symmetrically arranged radiation arrays and a coupling radio frequency switch communicatively connected to each of the radiation arrays, characterized in that: the coupling radio frequency switch has an input port, a through port, a first coupling port, a second coupling port and a third coupling port, the coupling radio frequency switch is arranged to have a first, a second and a third coupling state, in the first coupling state, the input port of the coupling radio frequency switch is connected to the through port, in the second coupling state, the input port of the coupling radio frequency switch is connected to the through port and the first coupling port at the same time, in the third coupling state, the input port of the coupling radio frequency switch is connected to the through port, the second coupling port and the third coupling port at the same time; a reflection angle is formed between the two radiation arrays, and the reflection angle is ≤120°.

2. The building antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each radiation array includes a reflection plate, a group of radiation units are arranged on one surface of the reflection plate, the coupling RF switch is arranged on the other surface of the reflection plate, the coupling RF switch is communicatively connected with the group of radiation units, the group of radiation units of each radiation array includes a first group of arrays, a second group of arrays, a third group of arrays and a fourth group of arrays, and the first group of arrays is communicatively connected with the through port.

3. The building antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first array group has 4 radiating units, which has a 2×2 array form. The second array group, the third array group and the fourth array group each have 1 radiating unit.

4. The building antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that: The excitation areas of the building antenna in the first, second and third coupling states are respectively: the first array; A combination of the first array and the second array; and A combination of the first array, the third array and the fourth array; The building antenna has first, second and third horizontal beam widths in the first, second and third coupling states respectively, the difference between the first horizontal beam width and the second horizontal beam width is ≥5°, and the difference between the second horizontal beam width and the third horizontal beam width is ≥5°.

5. The building antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the coupled radio frequency switches further comprises a mounting plate, a circuit board arranged on the mounting plate, and a coupling plate arranged on the mounting plate; the coupling plate is spaced apart from the circuit board, and the coupling plate is arranged to be movable relative to the circuit board.

6. The building antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that: The input port, the through port, the first coupling port, the second coupling port and the third coupling port are formed on the circuit board.

7. The building antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each of the coupled RF switches further comprises a first snap plate and a second snap plate, and the first snap plate and the second snap plate are snapped on the mounting plate so as to fix the circuit board and the coupling plate on the mounting plate.

8. The building antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that: A slide groove is provided on the mounting plate, and the coupling plate is configured to slide in the slide groove.

9. The building antenna according to claim 8, characterized in that: A coupling trace is printed on the surface of the coupling plate facing the circuit board.

10. The building antenna according to claim 9, characterized in that: The coupling plate is provided with three gear holes, which respectively correspond to the first, second and third coupling states of the coupling plate.

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