Base station antenna

Abstract

The invention relates to a base station antenna. The base station antenna comprises an antenna housing; a reflector; an array of radiating elements mounted on respective faces of the reflector; and a radiation pattern adjustment element configured to be mounted between the radome and the reflector and configured to optimize the roundness of a radiation pattern implemented by the array of radiation elements.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of radio communication, and more specifically, to an omnidirectional base station antenna that can be used in a MIMO communication system. BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless base stations are well known in the art and generally include a baseband unit, a radio and an antenna, among other components. The antenna can be configured to provide bi-directional radio frequency (RF) communication with fixed and mobile subscribers positioned throughout a cell. Typically, the antenna is mounted on a tower or a raised structure such as a pole, a roof, a water tower, etc., and a separate baseband unit and radio are connected to the antenna.

[0003] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional base station 10. The base station 10 includes a base station antenna 15 that can be mounted on an antenna tower 14. The base station 10 also includes a baseband unit 11 and a radio unit 12. For simplicity of the drawing, FIG. 1 A single baseband unit 11 and a single radio unit 12 are shown in FIG. 1. It should be understood, however, that more than one baseband unit 11 and / or radio unit 12 can be provided. Additionally, while the radio unit 12 is shown as being co-located with the baseband unit 11 at the base of the antenna tower 14, it should be understood that in other cases the radio unit 12 can be a remote radio head (RRH) mounted on the antenna tower 14 proximate to the base station antenna 15. The baseband unit 11 can receive data from another source (e.g., a backhaul network) and can process the data and provide data streams to the radio unit 12. The radio unit 12 can generate radio frequency signals that include the data encoded therein and can amplify and transmit these radio frequency signals through a radio frequency cable 13 (e.g., a coaxial transmission line) to the base station antenna 15. It should also be understood that, FIG. 1 The base station 10 of FIG. 1 can generally include various other equipment (not shown) such as a power supply, a backup battery, a power bus, an Antenna Interface Standards Group (AISG) controller, etc. Typically, the base station antenna includes one or more phased arrays of radiating elements, where the radiating elements are arranged in one or more columns when the antenna is mounted for use.

[0004] Generally, in cellular communication systems, a geographic region is divided into a series of regions or "cells" that are served by corresponding base stations. Each base station can include one or more base station antennas that are configured to provide two-way RF communication to users that are within the cell served by the base station. In many cases, each base station is divided into "sectors." In one common configuration, a hexagonal cell is divided into three 120 degree sectors in the azimuthal plane, and each sector is served by one or more base station antennas having an azimuthal half-power beamwidth of approximately 65°. Typically, the base station antennas are mounted on a tower or other raised structure, with the radiation pattern produced by the base station antennas pointing outward. The base station antennas are typically implemented as linear or planar phased arrays having radiating elements.

[0005] To increase capacity, base station antennas including beamforming arrays and / or base station antennas configured to operate with multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radios have been introduced in recent years. A beamforming array refers to an antenna array that includes multiple columns of radiating elements. A beamforming array can generate an antenna beam having a compressed beamwidth in, for example, the horizontal or "azimuthal" plane, which increases the directivity or "gain" of the antenna, thereby increasing the throughput that can be supported. MIMO refers to a communication technique in which a data stream is split into multiple segments that are transmitted simultaneously over multiple relatively uncorrelated transmission paths between a transmitting station and a receiving station using certain encoding techniques. A multiple-column antenna array can be used for MIMO transmission, with each column in the array being connected to a port of the MIMO radio and used to transmit / receive one of the multiple data streams. In practice, the radiating elements in a MIMO array are typically implemented as dual-polarized radiating elements due to the fact that orthogonal polarizations tend to be highly uncorrelated, allowing each column in the MIMO array to be connected to two ports on the radio (with a first port being connected to a first polarized radiator of the radiating elements in the column, and a second port being connected to a second polarized radiator of the radiating elements in the column). This technique can effectively halve the number of columns of radiating elements needed, as each physical column of the array contains two independent columns of radiators. SUMMARY

[0006] The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. It is not intended to identify key / critical elements of the disclosure or to delineate the scope of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a base station antenna is provided, comprising: a radome; a reflector; an array of radiating elements mounted on respective faces of the reflector; and a radiation pattern adjusting element configured to be mounted between the radome and the reflector and configured to optimize the roundness of a radiation pattern achieved by the array of radiating elements.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an omni-directional radiation base station antenna is provided, comprising: a tubular reflector configured to have at least first to third faces; first to third arrays of radiating elements mounted on respective first to third faces of the tubular reflector; and a radiation pattern adjusting element configured to comprise a metamaterial (MTM) periodically distributed corresponding to the first to third arrays of radiating elements.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, an omni-directional radiation base station antenna is provided, comprising: a radome; a tubular reflector configured to have at least first to third faces; first to third arrays of radiating elements mounted on respective first to third faces of the tubular reflector; and a radiation pattern adjusting element configured to comprise a metal trace periodically distributed inside the radome at a joint between adjacent two of the first to third faces.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, an omni-directional radiation slot cavity antenna is provided, comprising: a reflector; an array of radiating elements mounted on respective faces of the reflector; and a radiation pattern adjusting element configured to comprise a metamaterial (MTM) periodically distributed, wherein the MTM is configured to have traces of the same shape and size on both side surfaces thereof.

[0011] An advantage of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide an omni-directional base station antenna that can optimize the roundness of a radiation pattern by using a radiation pattern adjusting element having a periodic structure to adjust the phase difference between multiple radiating elements and / or the radiation intensity to compensate for a radiation null.

[0012] Another advantage of embodiments of the present disclosure is that for an omni-directional base station antenna containing high-frequency radiating elements and low-frequency radiating elements, the radiation pattern of the high-frequency band can be optimized while having little effect on the low-frequency band; and for an omni-directional base station antenna having horizontal / vertical (H / V: Horiztional / Vertical) polarization, the roundness of the radiation pattern of the vertical polarization can be optimized while having little effect on the radiation pattern of the horizontal polarization.

[0013] It should be appreciated that the above-mentioned advantages need not all be achieved in one or some particular embodiments, but can be partially distributed in different embodiments according to the present disclosure. Embodiments according to the present disclosure can have one or some of the above-mentioned advantages, and can alternatively or additionally have other advantages.

[0014] Other features of the present disclosure, which are believed to be novel, are set forth in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 A structural schematic diagram of a conventional base station is shown;

[0017] FIG. 2A A perspective view and a top view of a conventional base station antenna including high frequency radiating elements are shown, respectively; FIG. 2B

[0018] Radiation patterns of the base station antenna in FIG. 2C and FIG. 2A are shown; FIG. 2B

[0019] A perspective view and a top view of a conventional base station antenna including high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements are shown, respectively; FIG. 3A FIG. 3B Radiation patterns of the base station antenna in

[0020] and FIG. 3C are shown; FIG. 3A FIG. 3B A principle schematic diagram of a radiation pattern of a base station antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0021] FIG. 4 A front view of a radiation pattern adjusting element of a base station antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0022] FIG. 5A A perspective view and a top view of a radiation pattern adjusting element installed in a base station antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown, respectively;

[0023] FIG. 5B to FIG. 5C FIG. 5A A perspective view and a top view of a radiation pattern adjusting element installed in a base station antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown, respectively;

[0024] FIG. 5D Radiation patterns of the base station antenna in FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C ​​radiation pattern of a base station antenna in

[0025] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show a perspective view and a top view of a base station antenna comprising high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, respectively;

[0026] FIG. 7A show a schematic diagram of a radiation pattern adjustment element of a base station antenna according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C show a perspective view and a top view of a radiation pattern adjustment element mounted in a base station antenna according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, respectively; FIG. 7A

[0028] FIG. 7D show a radiation pattern of a base station antenna in FIG. 7B FIG. 7C

[0029] FIG. 8A FIG. 8B show a perspective view and a top view of a base station antenna comprising high frequency radiating elements according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, respectively;

[0030] FIG. 9A FIG. 9B show a perspective view and a top view of a base station antenna comprising high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, respectively;

[0031] FIG. 10A show a schematic diagram of a radiation pattern adjustment element of a base station antenna according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C show a perspective view and a top view of a radiation pattern adjustment element mounted in a base station antenna according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, respectively; FIG. 10A

[0033] FIG. 11A FIG. 11B show a radiation pattern of a base station antenna in FIG. 10B FIG. 10C

[0034] ​​​​​​​​​Note that, in the following embodiments described below, the same reference numbers are used in different drawings to indicate the same or similar parts or parts having the same function, and repetitive explanation thereof is omitted. In some cases, similar reference numbers and letters are used to indicate similar items, and thus, once an item is defined in one drawing, it need not be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0035] For ease of understanding, the position, size, range, etc. of each structure shown in the drawings, etc. are sometimes not actual position, size, range, etc. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the position, size, range, etc. disclosed in the drawings, etc. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the relative arrangement of components and steps, numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these embodiments are not limiting to the scope of the present disclosure unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0037] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, its application, or uses. That is, the structures and methods herein are shown by way of illustration in an example manner, to illustrate different embodiments of structures and methods in the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that they are merely exemplary of the exemplary manners in which the present disclosure can be carried out and is not exhaustive. Further, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and some features can be exaggerated in order to illustrate details of specific components.

[0038] In addition, techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art can not be discussed in detail herein, but should be considered as part of the specification, where appropriate.

[0039] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as a limitation. Thus, other examples of the exemplary embodiments can have different values.

[0040] Note that, in the following, when a plurality of identical or similar elements are provided, they can be labeled in the drawings using a reference numeral composed of two parts, such as, for example, metamaterial (MTM: metamaterial) 400-1, MTM 400-2, and the like. These elements can be individually referred to herein by their respective complete reference numerals; and, when it is not necessary to distinguish them from each other, they can be collectively referred to by the common first part of their reference numerals (e.g., MTM 400).

[0041] Generally, to achieve an omni-directional or quasi-omni-directional radiation pattern, a base station antenna system can be combined to provide MIMO functionality, which can be formed by multiple directional antenna arrays arranged in a spatially symmetrical manner to form a radiation pattern with high circularity, mainly consisting of a reflector, multiple arrays of radiating elements, and a radome. It should be understood that the radiating elements used in the omni-directional antenna can include dual-polarized radiating elements or single-polarized radiating elements; the dual-polarized antenna elements can adopt ±45° polarization or V-H polarization, etc. In the following embodiments, the dual-polarized radiating elements with ±45° polarization are mainly taken as an example, which includes a first feed network for a first polarization direction (such as +45°) and a second feed network for a second polarization direction (such as -45°). In particular, due to the symmetry or correspondence of the two sets of feed networks, to avoid repetition, the feed network for only one polarization direction will be described, and it can be understood that the other polarization direction can also be set accordingly.

[0042] Please refer to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B , which show a perspective view and a top view of a conventional omni-directional base station antenna containing high-frequency radiating elements. The base station antenna consists of three arrays of radiating elements and a reflector, and is configured to support 4-transmit / 4-receive (4T4R) communication. Specifically as shown in FIG. 2B , in the radome 100, the arrays of radiating elements 300 are respectively mounted on the corresponding faces 201, 202, and 203 of the tubular reflector 200, and each array of radiating elements 300 contains two columns of radiating elements, such as the first array of radiating elements containing columns #1 and #4, the second array of radiating elements containing columns #2 and #5, etc. Among them, the columns #1, #2, and #3 of radiating elements are fed by one set of feed networks, and the columns #4, #5, and #6 of radiating elements are fed by another set of feed networks, wherein one column and another column of the columns #1, #2, and #3 are 120 degrees apart with respect to the axis of the reflector 200, and one column and another column of the columns #4, #5, and #6 are 120 degrees apart with respect to the axis of the reflector 200. Further, the arrays of radiating elements 300 are composed of dual-polarized radiating elements, thereby achieving 4T4R communication. It can be understood that although the tubular reflector 200 has symmetry in space, due to the mounting positions of the columns #1, #2, and #3 on each corresponding face cannot be located at the center of the face, the symmetry of the columns #1, #2, and #3 is offset with respect to the side face of the reflector 200 (the columns #4, #5, and #6 are similar). As shown in the radiation pattern of the base station antenna in FIG. 2C , FIG. 2A , and FIG. 2B , there are relatively significant radiation nulls at 1.7-1.9 GHz, such as forming three “deep pits”, at which the amplitude of the RF signal is nearly 30 db lower than the peak amplitude, making the circularity of the radiation pattern worse.

[0043] Alternatively, please refer to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B wherein another conventional omni-directional base station antenna comprising high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements is shown in perspective view and top view respectively. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B The base station antenna in FIG. 2A is different from the base station antenna in FIG. 3C in that each radiating element array 300 comprises three columns of radiating elements, such as the first radiating antenna array comprising #1, #4 and #7 columns of radiating elements, etc., wherein the #1 and #4 columns are high frequency radiating elements and the #7 column is a low frequency radiating element. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B The radiation pattern of the base station antenna in

[0044] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a base station antenna is provided which comprises a radiation pattern adjusting element that can improve the circularity of the omni-directional radiation pattern without significantly affecting the antenna size. First refer to FIG. 4 , FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the radiation pattern of a base station antenna according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Generally, in the case of symmetrical installation position, such as the #7 column of radiating elements installed in the center of the first face 201 and the #8 column of radiating elements installed in the center of the second face 202 shown in FIG. 3B , the distance of the output radio frequency signals reaching the junctions of the two sectors corresponding to each face of the reflector in space is equal. While for the case of asymmetric installation position of the group of radiating elements compared to the center of each face of the reflector, such as the #7 column of radiating elements installed in the center of the first face 201 and the #8 column of radiating elements installed in the center of the second face 202 shown in FIG. 4As shown, taking the #1, #2 and #3 column radiating elements fed by the same group of feed networks as an example, due to the offset of the installation position of the radiating elements in the #1 column on the first face 201 and the radiating elements in the #3 column on the third face 203 relative to the center of the two faces of the reflector 200, the distances from the radiating elements in the #1 column on the first face 201 and the radiating elements in the #3 column on the third face 203 to a point 10 in space are not equal, and thus the radio frequency signals emitted by the #1 column and the #3 column will have a phase difference when reaching the point 10, i.e., the phase of the #1 column reaching the point 10 leads the phase of the #3 column reaching the point 10. It should be understood that the amplitudes of the signals of the #1 column and the #3 column when reaching the point 10 can also have a deviation, but the influence of the amplitude difference is smaller than that of the phase difference. Due to the phase difference, the RF signals emitted by the radiating elements in the #1 column and the #3 column respectively will not be completely combined constructively, and destructive combination can occur. Therefore, a relatively significant radiation null point can be presented in the radiation pattern in the vicinity of the joint of the two sectors. The radiation pattern adjustment element according to the embodiments of the present disclosure compensates for the foregoing phase difference, thereby improving the circularity of the radiation pattern.

[0045] In one non-limiting embodiment, referring to FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C , a perspective view and a top view of a base station antenna are respectively shown, in which FIG. 5B to FIG. 5C radiation pattern adjustment elements according to embodiments of the present disclosure are installed. FIG. 5A In one non-limiting embodiment, referring to FIG. 5A , a unit of metamaterial MTM as the radiation pattern adjustment element can be designed as a shape such as a square, which includes a substrate and a ring-shaped trace installed on the substrate. In one non-limiting embodiment, the substrate of the MTM can be made of a material with a dielectric constant of about 3.5, which can have a low-pass filtering effect on radio frequency signals. FIG. 5B In one non-limiting embodiment, referring to FIG. 5C , the installation position of the MTM 400 in the omnidirectional base station antenna is shown, such as the MTM 400-1, 400-2 and 400-3, which can be periodically distributed between the reflector and the radiating element array 300, and are configured to be installed corresponding to the first to third radiating element arrays respectively. In one non-limiting embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A , the MTM 400-1 can include two columns of multiple MTM units as shown in FIG. 5D , and the two columns of MTM units can have an angle of bending along the inside of the reflector 100. Based on the characteristics of the MTM 400, the signal phase of the #1 column is delayed to be close to the signal phase of the #3 column, thereby obtaining an improved radiation pattern in , in which the radiation null point is not lower than -15db, and the circularity is improved.

[0046] Alternatively, FIG. 6A , and FIG. 6BFigures 1 and 2 respectively show perspective and top views of a base station antenna containing high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, when the base station antenna as shown in FIG. 3B is installed with the MTM 400 as shown in FIG. 5A , the circularity of its omni-directional radiation pattern can be similarly improved.

[0047] In another non-limiting embodiment, reference is made to FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C , wherein FIG. 7B to FIG. 7C Figures 1 and 2 respectively show perspective and top views of a base station antenna containing high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, when the base station antenna as shown in FIG. 7A is installed with the MTM 400 as shown in FIG. 7A Figures 1 and 2 respectively show perspective and top views of a base station antenna containing high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, when the base station antenna as shown in FIG. 7B is installed with the MTM 400 as shown in FIG. 7C Figures 1 and 2 respectively show perspective and top views of a base station antenna containing high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, when the base station antenna as shown in FIG. 7D is installed with the MTM 400 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively show perspective and top views of a base station antenna containing high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, when the base station antenna as shown in

[0048] is installed with the MTM 400 as shown in FIG. 8A Figures 1 and 2 respectively show perspective and top views of a base station antenna containing high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, when the base station antenna as shown in FIG. 8B is installed with the MTM 400 as shown in FIG. 2B Figures 1 and 2 respectively show perspective and top views of a base station antenna containing high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, when the base station antenna as shown in FIG. 7A is installed with the MTM 400 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively show perspective and top views of a base station antenna containing high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, when the base station antenna as shown in

[0049] is installed with the MTM 400 as shown in FIG. 9A Figures 1 and 2 respectively show perspective and top views of a base station antenna containing high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, when the base station antenna as shown in FIG. 9B is installed with the MTM 400 as shown in FIG. 6B Figures 1 and 2 respectively show perspective and top views of a base station antenna containing high frequency radiating elements and low frequency radiating elements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, when the base station antenna as shown in FIG. 7BThe technical effects in the illustrated embodiments are combined to achieve phase difference adjustment and generate secondary radiation to improve the radiation null point in the omnidirectional radiation pattern.

[0050] Furthermore, base station antenna systems that achieve omnidirectional or quasi-omnidirectional radiation patterns can also be implemented using slot cavity antennas. Conventional slot cavity antennas consist of an upper dielectric substrate, a lower dielectric substrate, and their corresponding metal layers. Due to inherent structural properties, the circularity of the radiation pattern in the vertical polarization direction is less than that in the horizontal polarization direction. Please refer to [reference needed]. FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C A slot cavity antenna is provided as an alternative embodiment of this disclosure, wherein... FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C The installation of the base station antenna 600 is shown respectively. FIG. 10A Perspective and top views of the radiation pattern adjustment element 610. In a non-limiting embodiment, FIG. 10A A unit shown as a radiation pattern adjustment element 610 can be designed as a periodically distributed MTM 610-2, and has traces 610-1 of the same shape and size on both sides of its surface. FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C The mounting positions of the radiation pattern adjustment element 610 are shown, such as including five such elements. FIG. 10A The element unit shown is mounted around the slot side of the slot cavity antenna 600.

[0051] Furthermore, FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B It shows FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C The radiation patterns of the base station antenna in the vertical and horizontal polarization directions are shown, with a comparison of the patterns of the base station antenna with and without the radiation pattern adjustment element 610. Based on the characteristics of the radiation pattern adjustment element 610, such as... FIG. 11A As shown, the roundness of the radiation pattern in the vertical polarization direction of the base station antenna 600 is significantly improved; while for the horizontal polarization direction, as... FIG. 11B As shown, the original omnidirectional pattern characteristics are not significantly affected. Based on this, the radiation pattern adjustment element 610 can provide the slot cavity antenna 600 with an improved roundness of the radiation pattern.

[0052] The words "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "over," "under," "upper," "lower," and the like in the description and the claims, if any, are used for description and not necessarily for limiting relative positions. It will be appreciated with understanding that the words so used are interchangeable with respect to the illustrated embodiments and can be interchanged depending on the context in which these words are used. For example, a feature described as over another feature when the device is turned upside down can be described as under the other feature. The device can be oriented in other ways (rotated at 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the relative spatial relationships would be correspondingly interpreted.

[0053] In the description and claims, when an element is referred to as being "on," "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" to, or "in contact" with another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled to, or in contact with the other element, or one or more intervening elements can also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly attached" to, "directly connected" to, "directly coupled" to, or "directly in contact" with another element, there are no intervening elements present. In the description and claims, an element being disposed "adjacent" to another element can mean that the element has a portion that overlaps the adjacent element or a portion that is above or below the adjacent element.

[0054] As used herein, the word "exemplary" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and not "preferred" or "advantageous over other implementations." Furthermore, the disclosure is not to be limited to any particular theory of operation by any of the expressed or implied theories presented in the Background, Summary, or Detailed Description of the Invention.

[0055] As used herein, the word "substantially" means including any minor variations as a result of design, manufacturing, and / or assembly tolerances, environmental impacts, and / or other factors. The word "substantially" also allows for differences between a perfect or ideal situation and a real-world situation.

[0056] In addition, the terms "first", "second", and the like, herein can be used merely for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the descriptive terms "first", "second", etc., are to be interpreted, by those skilled in the art, as a structural or functional pertinence but not by sequence or order.

[0057] It is also to be understood that the term "comprising" or "including" when used herein is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0058] In the present disclosure, the term "provide" is used in a broad sense to encompass all means of obtaining an object, and thus "providing an object" includes, but is not limited to, "purchasing", "preparing / manufacturing", "arranging / setting", "installing / fitting", and / or "ordering" the object, etc.

[0059] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0060] Those skilled in the art will realize that the boundaries between the above described operations merely illustrative. The multiple operations can be combined into a single operation, a single operation can be distributed in additional operations and operations can be executed at least partially overlapping in time. Moreover, alternative embodiments can include a number of instances of a particular operation, and the order of the operations can be altered in other various embodiments. Other modifications, variations, and alternatives are also possible. The aspects and elements of all such embodiments can be combined in any manner and / or with other aspects or elements, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It will therefore be appreciated that the description and drawings set forth herein do not limit the present disclosure. The intention is that all such alterations and modifications be considered as falling within the scope of the present disclosure. All such modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to them without the use of inventive faculty.

[0061] In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure can further include the following examples:

[0062] (1) A base station antenna, characterized by comprising:

[0063] a radome;

[0064] a reflector;

[0065] an array of radiating elements mounted on respective faces of the reflector; and

[0066] A radiation pattern adjustment element configured to be mounted between the radome and the reflector and to optimize the roundness of the radiation pattern achieved by the array of radiating elements.

[0067] (2) The base station antenna according to (1), characterized in that

[0068] The reflector comprises a tubular reflector having at least first to third faces; and

[0069] The array of radiating elements comprises first to third arrays of radiating elements mounted on the respective first to third faces of the tubular reflector.

[0070] (3) The base station antenna according to (2), characterized in that each of the first to third arrays of radiating elements comprises at least two columns of radiating elements.

[0071] (4) The base station antenna according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that the radiation pattern adjustment element comprises a periodically distributed metamaterial (MTM).

[0072] (5) The base station antenna according to (4), characterized in that the MTM is configured to be mounted corresponding to the first to third arrays of radiating elements, respectively.

[0073] (6) The base station antenna according to (4) or (5), characterized in that the MTM is configured to compensate for a phase difference in reaching a same point in space by a first column of radiating elements mounted on the first face and a second column of radiating elements mounted on the second face, wherein the first column and the second column are different by 120 degrees with respect to an axis of the reflector.

[0074] (7) The base station antenna according to any one of (3) to (6), characterized in that each of the first to third arrays of radiating elements comprises at least two columns of high-frequency radiating elements and at least one column of low-frequency radiating elements.

[0075] (8) The base station antenna according to (3) or (7), characterized in that the radiation pattern adjustment element comprises a periodically distributed metal trace.

[0076] (9) The base station antenna according to (8), characterized in that the metal trace is configured to be mounted inside the radome at a joint between two adjacent ones of the first to third faces, respectively.

[0077] (10) The base station antenna according to (8) or (9), characterized in that the metal trace is configured to reduce a phase difference in reaching a same point in space by a first column of radiating elements mounted on the first face and a second column of radiating elements mounted on the second face, wherein the first column and the second column are different by 120 degrees with respect to an axis of the reflector.

[0078] (11) The base station antenna according to any one of (8) to (10), wherein the metal trace is further configured to generate secondary radiation.

[0079] (12) The base station antenna according to (3) or (7), wherein the radiation pattern adjustment element comprises a periodic distribution of a metamaterial (MTM) and a metal trace.

[0080] (13) The base station antenna according to (1), wherein

[0081] the base station antenna is a horizontal / vertical polarization slotted cavity antenna; and

[0082] the radiation pattern adjustment element comprises a periodic distribution of a metamaterial (MTM), wherein the MTM is configured to have traces of the same shape and size on both sides of the surface thereof.

[0083] (14) The base station antenna according to (13), wherein the radiation pattern adjustment element is configured to be mounted around the slot side of the slotted cavity antenna.

[0084] (15) An omni-directionally radiating base station antenna, comprising:

[0085] a tubular reflector configured to have at least a first face to a third face;

[0086] a first array of radiating elements to a third array of radiating elements mounted on the respective first face to third face of the tubular reflector; and

[0087] a radiation pattern adjustment element configured to comprise a periodic distribution of a metamaterial (MTM) corresponding to the first array of radiating elements to the third array of radiating elements.

[0088] (16) The base station antenna according to (15), wherein the MTM is configured to compensate for a phase difference in reaching a same point in space by a first column of radiating elements mounted on the first face and a second column of radiating elements mounted on the second face, wherein the first column and the second column are 120 degrees apart with respect to an axis of the reflector.

[0089] (17) An omni-directionally radiating base station antenna, comprising:

[0090] a radome;

[0091] a tubular reflector configured to have at least a first face to a third face;

[0092] a first array of radiating elements to a third array of radiating elements mounted on the respective first face to third face of the tubular reflector; and

[0093] The radiation pattern adjustment element is configured to include metal traces periodically distributed inside the radome at the joint corresponding to two adjacent surfaces among the first surface to the third surface.

[0094] (18) The base station antenna according to (17), characterized in that the metal traces are configured to reduce the phase difference of the first column of the radiating elements mounted on the first surface and the second column of the radiating elements mounted on the second surface reaching the same point in space, wherein the first column and the second column are 120 degrees apart relative to the axis of the reflector.

[0095] (19) A slot cavity antenna radiating omnidirectionally, characterized in that it comprises:

[0096] a reflector;

[0097] an array of radiating elements mounted on the corresponding surfaces of the reflector;

[0098] a radiation pattern adjustment element configured to include a metamaterial (MTM) periodically distributed, wherein the MTM is configured to have traces of the same shape and size on both sides of its surface.

[0099] (20) The slot cavity antenna according to (19), characterized in that the radiation pattern adjustment element is configured to be mounted around the slot side of the slot cavity antenna.

Claims

1. A base station antenna, characterized by, Comprising: a radome; a reflector; an array of radiating elements mounted on respective faces of the reflector; and a radiation pattern adjustment element configured to be mounted between the radome and the reflector and configured to optimize the circularity of a radiation pattern achieved by the array of radiating elements.

2. The base station antenna of claim 1, wherein: the reflector comprises a tubular reflector having at least first to third faces; and the array of radiating elements comprises first to third arrays of radiating elements mounted on respective first to third faces of the tubular reflector. Each of the first to third arrays of radiating elements comprises at least two columns of radiating elements.

3. The base station antenna of Claim 2, wherein, The radiation pattern adjustment element comprises a periodic distribution of metamaterials (MTMs); 4. The base station antenna of Claim 3, wherein, Preferably, the MTMs are configured to be mounted corresponding to the first to third arrays of radiating elements, respectively, Preferably, the MTMs are configured to compensate for a phase difference between a first radio frequency signal emitted by a first column of radiating elements mounted on the first face and a second radio frequency signal emitted by a second column of radiating elements mounted on the second face when the first and second radio frequency signals arrive at a same point in space, wherein the first and second columns are 120 degrees apart with respect to an axis of the reflector. Each of the first to third arrays of radiating elements comprises at least two columns of high frequency radiating elements and at least one column of low frequency radiating elements, 5. The base station antenna of Claim 3, wherein, Preferably, the radiation pattern adjustment element comprises a periodic distribution of metal traces, Preferably, the metal traces are configured to be mounted inside the radome at a joint between two adjacent ones of the first to third faces, respectively, Preferably, the metal traces are configured to reduce a phase difference between a first radio frequency signal emitted by a first column of radiating elements mounted on the first face and a second radio frequency signal emitted by a second column of radiating elements mounted on the second face when the first and second radio frequency signals arrive at a same point in space, wherein the first and second columns are 120 degrees apart with respect to an axis of the reflector, Preferably, the metal traces are further configured to generate secondary radiation. The radiation pattern adjustment element comprises a periodic distribution of metamaterials (MTMs) and metal traces.

6. The base station antenna of claim 3 or 5, wherein, 7. The base station antenna of claim 1, wherein: the base station antenna is a horizontally / vertically polarized slot cavity antenna; and the radiation pattern adjustment element comprises a periodic distribution of metamaterials (MTMs), wherein the MTMs are configured to have traces of the same shape and size on both side surfaces thereof, Preferably, the radiation pattern adjustment element is configured to be mounted around a slot side of the slot cavity antenna. Comprising:

8. An omni-directionally radiating base station antenna, characterized by a tubular reflector configured to have at least first to third faces; first to third arrays of radiating elements mounted on respective first to third faces of the tubular reflector; and a radiation pattern adjustment element configured to comprise a periodic distribution of metamaterials (MTMs) corresponding to the first to third arrays of radiating elements. Comprising: ​ 9. An omni-directionally radiating base station antenna, characterized by ​ Antenna cover; A tubular reflector configured to have at least first to third faces; First to third radiating element arrays mounted on the respective first to third faces of the tubular reflector; And A radiation pattern adjusting element configured to include metal traces periodically distributed inside the antenna cover at the joint corresponding to two adjacent faces among the first to third faces.

10. An omnidirectional radiating slot cavity antenna, characterized by Comprise: A reflector; Radiating element arrays mounted on the respective faces of the reflector; A radiation pattern adjusting element configured to include a metamaterial (MTM) periodically distributed, wherein the MTM is configured to have traces of the same shape and size on both side surfaces thereof.

Images