Three-sector base station antenna

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a three sector base station antenna comprising three reflector assemblies arranged in a triangle wherein each reflector assembly comprises a backplane, an array of radiating elements mounted facing outwardly on a first face of the backplane, and a first phase shifter assembly mounted facing inwardly on a second face of the backplane opposite the first face; wherein the back plate of each reflector assembly is provided with a first central axis which equally divides the width of the back plate, and the first phase shifter assembly of each reflector assembly is provided with a second central axis which equally divides the width of the first phase shifter assembly; and wherein the second central axis of the first phase shifter assembly of each reflector assembly is offset from the first central axis of the back plate of the reflector assembly by a predetermined distance. According to the three-sector base station antenna disclosed by the invention, the three reflector assemblies are arranged in a more compact manner, so that the three-sector base station antenna can better adapt to a narrow installation space in the three-sector base station antenna.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to the field of wireless communication technology. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a three-sector base station antenna. Background Technology

[0002] Cellular communication systems are used to provide wireless communication to fixed and mobile users. A cellular communication system may include multiple base stations, each providing wireless cellular service to a designated coverage area (often called a "cell"). Each base station may include one or more base station antennas for transmitting radio frequency ("RF") signals to and receiving RF signals from users located within the cell served by that base station. A base station antenna is a directional device capable of concentrating RF energy transmitted or received in certain directions. The "gain" of a base station antenna in a given direction is a measure of the antenna's ability to concentrate RF energy in that direction. The "radiation pattern" (also called an "antenna beam") of a base station antenna is a compilation of the antenna's gain in all its different directions. Each antenna beam may be designed to serve a predetermined coverage area, such as a cell or a portion of a cell (called a "sector"). Base station antennas typically comprise a linear array of radiating elements (such as patch, dipole, or cross-dipole radiating elements), each linear array generating its own antenna beam.

[0003] Most existing base station antennas are configured to electronically change the elevation or "tilt" angle of the antenna beam generated by the antenna, which can be achieved using a phase shifter. A widely used phase shifter is the brush phase shifter, which includes a main printed circuit board (PCB) and a slider that rotates above the PCB. This brush phase shifter typically splits the input RF signal received at the PCB into multiple sub-components, and then couples at least some of these sub-components to the slider. The sub-components of the RF signal can be coupled back to the PCB from the slider along multiple arc-shaped transmission line tracks (each arc having a different diameter). Each end of each arc-shaped transmission line track can be connected to a subgroup of radiating elements, including at least one radiating element. By physically (mechanically) rotating the slider above the PCB, the position where the sub-components of the RF signal are coupled back to the PCB can be changed, thus changing the length of the transmission path from the phase shifter to the subgroup of radiating elements. These changes in path length result in a change in the phase of the individual sub-components of the RF signal, thereby changing the elevation or "tilt" angle of the antenna beam.

[0004] One known type of base station antenna is the three-sector base station antenna. For example... Figure 1As shown, a three-sector base station antenna 1 typically includes three reflector assemblies 11_1, 11_2, and 11_3 arranged in a triangular (e.g., equilateral triangle) configuration. The three reflector assemblies 11_1, 11_2, and 11_3 can be housed within, for example, a circular radome 10. Each of the three reflector assemblies may include a backplate, a linear array 12_1, 12_2, and 12_3 of radiating elements mounted outwards (i.e., towards the circumference of the radome 10) on a first side of the backplate, and one or more phase shifters or phase shifter assemblies mounted inwards (i.e., towards the center of the radome 10) on a second side of the backplate opposite to the first side. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image). The backplates of the three reflector assemblies 11_1, 11_2, and 11_3 may define an internal space 13 in the form of a triangle (e.g., an equilateral triangle). Figure 1 In the three-sector base station antenna 1 shown, one or more phase shifters or phase shifter assemblies are typically arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner on the backplane.

[0005] In some cases, each reflector assembly of a three-sector base station antenna includes multiple linear arrays of radiating elements, each with an electronically adjustable "tilt" angle. Thus, each reflector assembly requires multiple phase shifters to adjust the "tilt" angle of each linear array of radiating elements. However, as... Figure 1 As shown, because the internal space 13 defined by the backplates of the three reflector assemblies is very small, there are many challenges in arranging multiple phase shifters in the internal space 13 on the backplates of each reflector assembly.

[0006] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, there exists a phase shifter assembly integrating four phase shifters (referred to herein as "first phase shifter assembly 2"). In the first phase shifter assembly 2, the four phase shifters 20 are arranged along a straight line L2 in a pairwise opposing manner, with the rotation centers of their rotatable elements (e.g., brushes) aligned with each other. Such a first phase shifter assembly 2 has a relatively large width W2 (e.g., greater than...). Figure 1 The width W1 of each transmitter assembly shown makes it impossible to place it within the internal space 13 of a three-sector base station antenna. Therefore, the first phase shifter assembly 2 cannot be used on a three-sector base station antenna.

[0007] like Figure 3aAs shown, there is also a phase shifter assembly integrating two phase shifters (referred to herein as "second phase shifter assembly 3" or "V-type phase shifter assembly"). Compared to the first phase shifter assembly 2, the second phase shifter assembly 3 has a smaller width W3, allowing it to be arranged on each transmitter assembly within the internal space 13 of the three-sector base station antenna. However, since each second phase shifter assembly 3 integrates only two phase shifters, two second phase shifter assemblies 3 are required to achieve the same function as each first phase shifter assembly 2. These two second phase shifter assemblies 3 cannot be arranged side-by-side on each transmitter assembly along the width W1 of each transmitter assembly, but are typically arranged along the height H1 of the transmitter assembly (e.g., ...). Figure 3b (As shown). Such an arrangement will cause wiring difficulties and will reduce the gain of the base station antenna due to suboptimal cable length.

[0008] in addition, Figure 3c and Figure 3d Another phase shifter assembly integrating two phase shifters (referred to herein as "third phase shifter assembly 4" or "SS-type phase shifter assembly") and its arrangement in a three-sector base station antenna are also shown. The third phase shifter assembly 4 has the same characteristics as... Figure 3a The second phase shifter assembly 3 shown has the same problem.

[0009] In addition, traditionally such as Figure 1 The symmetrical arrangement shown also increases the difficulty of arranging multiple phase shifters, because each phase shifter has a certain thickness, which makes it impossible for the aligned ends of two phase shifters to be fully inserted into the narrow corner of the triangular interior space 13 when symmetrically arranged, thus wasting the available space.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need to improve existing phase shifter assemblies and / or improve the arrangement of phase shifter assemblies within a three-sector base station antenna. Summary of the Invention

[0011] One of the purposes of this disclosure is to overcome at least one deficiency in the prior art.

[0012] In a first aspect of this disclosure, a three-sector base station antenna is provided, comprising three reflector assemblies arranged in a triangular configuration. Each reflector assembly includes a backplate, an array of radiating elements mounted outward on a first surface of the backplate, and a first phase shifter assembly mounted inward on a second surface of the backplate opposite to the first surface. The backplate of each reflector assembly has a first central axis that equally bisects the width of the backplate, and the first phase shifter assembly of each reflector assembly has a second central axis that equally bisects the width of the first phase shifter assembly. Furthermore, the second central axis of the first phase shifter assembly of each reflector assembly is offset from the first central axis of the backplate of that reflector assembly by a predetermined distance. The first phase shifter assemblies of the three reflector assemblies in this three-sector base station antenna are arranged in a more compact manner, thereby better adapting to the limited installation space within the three-sector base station antenna. Additionally, this arrangement makes it possible to use more types or wider existing phase shifter assemblies in the three-sector base station antenna.

[0013] In a second aspect of this disclosure, a three-sector base station antenna is provided, comprising three reflector assemblies arranged in a triangular configuration. Each reflector assembly includes a backplate, an array of radiating elements facing outwards and mounted on a first surface of the backplate, and a first phase shifter assembly facing inwards and mounted on a second surface of the backplate opposite to the first surface. When viewed from above the three-sector base station antenna, an imaginary extension of the first end of the first phase shifter assembly of the first reflector assembly in the width direction intersects with the first phase shifter assembly of the second reflector assembly, while an imaginary extension of the second end of the first phase shifter assembly of the first reflector assembly opposite to the first end in the width direction does not intersect with the first phase shifter assembly of the third reflector assembly. The first phase shifter assemblies of the three reflector assemblies in this three-sector base station antenna are arranged in a more compact manner, thereby better adapting to the limited installation space within the three-sector base station antenna. In addition, this arrangement also makes it possible to use more types or wider existing phase shifter components in three-sector base station antennas.

[0014] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the first phase shifter assembly includes four phase shifters divided into two pairs. The line connecting the rotation centers of the rotatable elements of two phase shifters in each pair is inclined relative to the width or height direction of the first phase shifter assembly. Such a first phase shifter assembly has a smaller width than existing phase shifter assemblies including four phase shifters, thereby enabling its application in three-sector base station antennas.

[0015] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the rotatable element includes a brush and a brush support, the brush support being fan-shaped and having teeth on its arcuate top surface, wherein the teeth of the brush supports for two phase shifters in each pair of phase shifters mesh with each other.

[0016] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, one of the phase shifters in each pair further includes a driven member, which is fixedly connected to the brush support and includes a protrusion that engages with a groove of a drive element fixed to a drive link to drive the brush support and the brush to rotate when the drive element moves in a straight line.

[0017] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, each reflector assembly includes two first phase shifter assemblies arranged in a stacked manner.

[0018] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the two first phase shifter assemblies are driven by a common drive link.

[0019] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the first phase shifter assembly includes an integrated printed circuit board for the four phase shifters.

[0020] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the integrated printed circuit board is mounted on a metal plate, and there is a gap of at least 1 mm between the integrated printed circuit board and the metal plate.

[0021] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, each reflector assembly further includes a second phase shifter assembly facing inward and mounted on a second side opposite to the first side of the backplate, the second phase shifter assembly including two phase shifters.

[0022] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, each phase shifter of the second phase shifter assembly includes a brush and a brush support.

[0023] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, each reflector assembly includes two second phase shifter assemblies arranged in a stacked manner.

[0024] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the two second phase shifter assemblies are driven by a common drive link.

[0025] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the two second phase shifter assemblies include a common driven element configured as a pin capable of driving the brush support and brush of the mutually aligned phase shifters in the stacked two second phase shifter assemblies.

[0026] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the pin engages with a groove of a drive element fixed on a drive link to drive the brush support and the brush to rotate when the drive element moves in a straight line.

[0027] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the second phase shifter assembly of each reflector assembly has a third central axis that equally divides the width of the second phase shifter assembly; and wherein the third central axis of the second phase shifter assembly of each reflector assembly is offset from the first central axis of the back plate of the reflector assembly by a predetermined distance.

[0028] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, when viewed from above the three-sector base station antenna, the imaginary extension of the first end of the second phase shifter component of the first reflector component in the width direction of the first reflector component intersects with the second phase shifter component of the second reflector component in the three reflector components, while the imaginary extension of the second end of the second phase shifter component of the first reflector component opposite to the first end in the width direction of the first reflector component does not intersect with the second phase shifter component of the third reflector component in the three reflector components.

[0029] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the three reflector assemblies are arranged in a circular radome.

[0030] It should be noted that aspects of this disclosure described with respect to one embodiment can be included in other different embodiments, although these other different embodiments are not specifically described. In other words, features of all embodiments and / or any embodiments can be combined in any manner and / or combination, as long as they do not contradict each other. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Many aspects of this disclosure will be better understood after reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic top view of a three-sector base station antenna in the prior art;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first phase shifter assembly in the prior art that integrates four phase shifters;

[0034] Figure 3a This is a schematic diagram of a second phase shifter assembly integrating two phase shifters in the prior art;

[0035] Figure 3b yes Figure 3a A schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the second type of phase shifter assembly in a three-sector base station antenna;

[0036] Figure 3c This is a schematic diagram of a third phase shifter assembly integrating two phase shifters in the prior art;

[0037] Figure 3d yes Figure 3c A schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the third type of phase shifter assembly in a three-sector base station antenna;

[0038] Figure 4a This is a schematic diagram of a three-sector base station antenna and its layout according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 4b yes Figure 4a A schematic layout of multiple phase shifter components on one of the reflector components of a three-sector base station antenna;

[0040] Figure 4c yes Figure 4b A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0041] Figure 5a This is a front view of a phase shifter assembly integrating four phase shifters according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 5b yes Figure 5a The rear view of the phase shifter assembly shown;

[0043] Figure 6a This is a front view of a phase shifter assembly integrating four phase shifters according to other embodiments of this disclosure;

[0044] Figure 6b yes Figure 6a The rear view of the phase shifter assembly shown;

[0045] Figure 7 It is a method for driving according to some embodiments of this disclosure. Figures 5a to 6b A schematic diagram of the connecting rods and drive components of the phase shifter assembly shown;

[0046] Figure 8 It is for driving according to other embodiments of this disclosure. Figures 5a to 6b A schematic diagram of the connecting rods and drive components of the phase shifter assembly shown;

[0047] Figure 9 This is a width comparison diagram of the phase shifter assembly integrating four phase shifters according to this disclosure and a first type of phase shifter assembly integrating four phase shifters in the prior art;

[0048] Figure 10 Two stacked installations, such as Figures 5a to 6b A schematic top view of the phase shifter assembly shown;

[0049] Figure 11a yes Figure 10 A schematic front view of two phase shifter assemblies stacked together;

[0050] Figure 11b yes Figure 11a A partial enlarged view of the two phase shifter assemblies stacked together as shown;

[0051] Figure 11c It is along Figure 10 The sectional view obtained by line AA in the middle;

[0052] Figure 11d It is along Figure 10 The sectional view obtained by line BB in the middle;

[0053] Figure 12 Two stacked installations, such as Figure 3a A schematic top view of the phase shifter assembly shown;

[0054] Figure 13a yes Figure 12 A schematic front view of two phase shifter assemblies stacked together;

[0055] Figure 13b It is along Figure 12 The sectional view obtained from the line FF in the middle.

[0056] It should be understood that the same reference numerals denote the same elements in all the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the dimensions of some features may be altered and they may not be drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0057] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide further additional embodiments.

[0058] It should be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. All terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art unless otherwise defined. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail.

[0059] Unless otherwise specified, the singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this specification include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “containing” used in this specification indicate the presence of the claimed feature but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term “and / or” used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0060] When a component is described in the specification as being "on", "attached" to, "connected" to, "joined" to, or "in contact" with another component, the component may be directly located on, attached to, connected to, joined to, or in contact with the other component, or there may be an intermediate component present.

[0061] In this specification, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used for ease of explanation only and are not intended to be limiting. Any technical feature represented by "first," "second," "third," etc., is interchangeable.

[0062] In the specification, spatial relation terms such as "above," "below," "front," "back," "top," and "bottom" describe the relationship between one feature and another in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that spatial relation terms include not only the orientation shown in the drawings but also the different orientations of the device during use or operation. For example, when the device in the drawings is inverted, a feature previously described as "below" other features can now be described as "above" other features. The device can also be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), in which case the relative spatial relationships will be interpreted accordingly.

[0063] First, refer to Figure 4a This document describes a three-sector base station antenna 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The three-sector base station antenna 100 may include three reflector assemblies 110, 120, and 130 arranged in a generally triangular configuration. The three reflector assemblies 110, 120, and 130 may be arranged within, for example, a circular radome 140. Each reflector assembly may include a backplate 101, an array of radiating elements 102 mounted outwards (i.e., towards the radome 140) on a first surface of the backplate 101, and at least one phase shifter assembly mounted inwards on a second surface of the backplate 101 opposite to the first surface. Figure 4a In the illustrated embodiment, only the first phase shifter assembly 103 is shown, while... Figure 4b Other phase shifter assemblies (e.g., second phase shifter assembly 104 and fifth phase shifter assembly 105) are also shown. The first phase shifter assembly 103, second phase shifter assembly 104, and fifth phase shifter assembly 105 can be any existing phase shifter assembly, as described later. Figures 5a to 8The phase shifter assembly shown according to this disclosure may also be any suitable phase shifter assembly designed in the future.

[0064] like Figure 4a As shown, the backplates 101 of the three reflector assemblies 110, 120, and 130 define a generally triangular internal space 106. Phase shifter assemblies are all mounted within the internal space 106. Because the triangular internal space 106 is relatively small, in order to arrange multiple phase shifter assemblies (e.g., at least three first phase shifter assemblies 103) within this small internal space, in one embodiment according to this disclosure, the following arrangement is adopted: Each reflector assembly's backplate 101 is configured to have a first central axis L1 that equally divides the width W1 of the backplate, and each reflector assembly's first phase shifter assembly 103 is configured to have a second central axis L2 that equally divides the width W2 of the first phase shifter assembly 103. Then, during arrangement, the second central axis L2 of each reflector assembly's first phase shifter assembly 103 is offset from the first central axis L1 of the reflector assembly's backplate 101 by a predetermined distance D. The above arrangement can also be described as follows: when viewed from above the three-sector base station antenna 100 (e.g., Figure 4a As shown), the imaginary extension of the first end of the first phase shifter component of the first reflector component in the width direction WD of the first reflector component will intersect with the first phase shifter component of the second reflector component in the three reflector components, while the imaginary extension of the second end of the first phase shifter component of the first reflector component opposite to the first end in the width direction of the first reflector component will not intersect with the first phase shifter component of the third reflector component in the three reflector components.

[0065] Compared to the conventional arrangement where the first phase shifter assembly 103 of each reflector assembly is arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner relative to the backplate 101 of the reflector assembly (i.e., the second central axis L2 of the first phase shifter assembly 103 of each reflector assembly is aligned with or coincides with the first central axis L1 of the backplate 101 of the reflector assembly), the arrangement of this disclosure allows the first phase shifter assemblies 103 of the three reflector assemblies to be more compact, thereby better adapting to the limited installation space (i.e., the internal space 106) of the three-sector base station antenna 100. A key advantage of this arrangement is its full utilization of the corner space of the triangular internal space 106, making it possible to use a wider phase shifter assembly in the three-sector base station antenna. Specifically, since phase shifter assemblies (e.g., first phase shifter assembly 103) typically have a certain thickness, if arranged in a conventional centrally symmetrical manner, the ends of the two first phase shifter assemblies 103 would be aligned with each other and require a large space for placement. However, in the arrangement disclosed herein, the ends of the two first phase shifter assemblies 103 are staggered by a distance and are no longer aligned with each other. This allows the end of each first phase shifter assembly 103 to extend deeper into one of the three corner spaces of the triangular interior space 106, thereby avoiding waste of interior space and thus making it possible to use a wider phase shifter assembly in a three-sector base station antenna.

[0066] Reference Figure 4b and Figure 4c In some embodiments according to this disclosure, each reflector assembly may include multiple phase shifter assemblies (e.g., Figure 4b The reflector assembly shown includes a first reflector assembly 103, a second reflector assembly 104, and a third reflector assembly 105. Each of the various phase shifter assemblies (e.g., the second phase shifter assembly 104 and / or the third phase shifter assembly 105) can be arranged in the manner described above for the first reflector assembly 103. Figure 4c As shown, the second phase shifter assembly 104 is configured to have a third central axis L3 that divides the width W3 of the second phase shifter assembly 104 equally. In this arrangement, the third central axis L3 of the second phase shifter assembly 104 of each reflector assembly can be offset from the first central axis L1 of the back plate 101 of the reflector assembly by a predetermined distance D, which will not be described in detail here.

[0067] Next, refer to Figures 5a to 9 In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a narrower phase shifter assembly 200 is proposed that can be applied in a three-sector base station antenna. The phase shifter assembly 200 according to the present disclosure can be used, for example, as the first phase shifter assembly 103, the second phase shifter assembly 104, and / or the third phase shifter assembly 105 mentioned above.

[0068] The phase shifter assembly 200 may include four phase shifters 201. Figure 2 Unlike the prior art phase shifter assembly 2 which includes four phase shifters, in the phase shifter assembly 200 according to this disclosure, the four phase shifters 201 are divided into two pairs. The line C connecting the rotation centers O of the rotatable elements of two phase shifters 201 in each pair is inclined relative to the width direction WD or height direction HD of the phase shifter assembly 200. The line C can have different inclination directions, for example, in... Figure 5a In the embodiment shown, line C slopes upwards from left to right, while... Figure 6a In the illustrated embodiment, line C slopes downwards from left to right. Figure 2 Compared to the phase shifter assembly 2 shown, the phase shifter assembly 200 according to this disclosure has a smaller width W200 due to the inclined arrangement of each pair of phase shifters 201, which can be seen from... Figure 9 See it more clearly. Figure 9 The left side shows a prior art phase shifter assembly 2 with a width W2 of 216 mm; Figure 9 The right side shows a phase shifter assembly 200 according to this disclosure, whose width W200 is only 160 mm, a reduction of about 26%.

[0069] Continue to refer to Figures 5a to 6b The phase shifter assembly 200 according to this disclosure may include an integrated printed circuit board 202 for four phase shifters 201. The integrated printed circuit board 202 has multiple pairs of arcuate transmission line tracks 203, each for one of the phase shifters 201. Each phase shifter 201 includes a movable element. The movable element may include a brush 204 and a brush support 205. The brush 204 may be connected to the brush support 205 and rotate under the actuation of the brush support 205, sliding on a corresponding arcuate transmission line track 203 to adjust the "tilt" angle of the linear array of radiating elements. Figures 5a to 6b In the illustrated embodiment, the brush support 205 is fan-shaped and its arcuate top surface includes teeth 206. The teeth 206 of the brush supports 205 of the two phase shifters 201 in each pair mesh with each other, which allows the brush support 205 of only one phase shifter 201 in each pair to be rotated, while the brush support of the other phase shifter will rotate in accordance with the rotation of the driven brush support.

[0070] To drive the brush support 205 in each pair of phase shifters to rotate, in some embodiments, one of the phase shifters 201 in each pair also includes a driven member 207. The driven member 207 may be fixedly connected to the brush support 205 and may include a protrusion 208 (see...). Figure 7 andFigure 8 The protrusion 208 can be, for example, a cylinder, a rod, a pin, etc. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the protrusion 208 can engage with the groove 252 of the drive element 251 fixed on the drive link 250 (e.g., it can slide within the groove 252) to drive the brush support 205 and the brush 204 to rotate when the drive element 251 moves in a straight line (e.g., follows the drive link 250 to move left and right). Figure 7 and Figure 8 Two types of drive elements 251 with different constructions are shown respectively.

[0071] Next, see Figures 10 to 11d In some embodiments according to this disclosure, each reflector assembly may include two or more phase shifter assemblies 200. The two or more phase shifter assemblies 200 may be arranged stacked on top of each other to save space. Stacking two or more phase shifter assemblies 200 on top of each other also simplifies wiring compared to the tiling arrangement of phase shifter assemblies in the prior art. Furthermore, stacking two or more phase shifter assemblies 200 on top of each other allows for the use of shorter cables, which is advantageous for gain optimization of base station antennas.

[0072] In some embodiments according to this disclosure, a common drive linkage can be used to drive the two or more phase shifter assemblies 200. This can advantageously reduce the number of components used and thus reduce the space occupied by the phase shifter assemblies. This is beneficial in the layout of three-sector base station antennas. Additionally, conventionally, the printed circuit boards of the phase shifter assemblies are typically mounted tightly (i.e., without gaps) on a metal plate, which presents difficulties for the arrangement of cables connected to the printed circuit board, as the cable diameter is typically larger than the thickness of the printed circuit board. Conventionally, further processing of the metal plate is required to arrange the cables, at least to create grooves for cable placement. In some embodiments according to this disclosure, such as Figure 11b As shown, the integrated printed circuit board 202 of the phase shifter assembly 200 according to this disclosure is provided with a gap G of at least 1 mm between it and the metal plate 209, which eliminates the need for further processing of the metal plate, thereby saving costs.

[0073] Figures 12 to 13b Another phase shifter assembly 300 capable of being used in a three-sector base station antenna according to this disclosure is shown. Phase shifter assembly 300 may be a prior art phase shifter assembly including two phase shifters. In addition to including only two phase shifters, phase shifter assembly 300 may include components identical or similar to those of phase shifter assembly 200, such as an integrated printed circuit board, each phase shifter including a brush and brush support, etc., which will not be elaborated further here.

[0074] Reference Figure 13a and Figure 13b In some embodiments according to this disclosure, each reflector assembly may include two or more phase shifter assemblies 300. The two or more phase shifter assemblies 300 may also be arranged stacked on top of each other to save space. Similarly, stacking two or more phase shifter assemblies 300 on top of each other simplifies wiring compared to the tiling arrangement of phase shifter assemblies in the prior art. Furthermore, stacking two or more phase shifter assemblies 300 on top of each other allows for the use of shorter cables, which is advantageous for gain optimization of base station antennas.

[0075] In some embodiments according to this disclosure, the two or more phase shifter assemblies 300 may be driven by a common drive link 301. For this purpose, the two or more phase shifter assemblies 300 may include a common driven element 302. For example... Figure 13b As shown, the driven element 302 can be configured as a pin. The pin can be inserted into the brush supports of the mutually aligned phase shifters in the stacked two or more phase shifter assemblies 300, thereby driving the brush supports and brushes of the mutually aligned phase shifters in the stacked two or more phase shifter assemblies 300. Similar to the phase shifter assembly 200, the pin can engage with a groove 304 of the drive element 303 fixed to the drive link 301 (e.g., it can slide within the groove 304) to drive the brush supports and brushes to rotate when the drive element 303 moves linearly (e.g., follows the drive link 301 left and right). Using a shared drive link 301 can advantageously reduce the number of components used and thus reduce the space occupied by the phase shifter assembly, which is beneficial in the layout of a three-sector base station antenna.

[0076] Exemplary embodiments according to this disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. All changes and modifications are included within the scope of protection of this disclosure as defined by the claims. This disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and equivalents of those claims are also included.

Claims

1. A three-sector base station antenna, comprising three reflector assemblies arranged in a triangular pattern, wherein, Each reflector assembly includes a backplate, an array of radiating elements facing outwards and mounted on a first side of the backplate, and a first phase shifter assembly facing inwards and mounted on a second side of the backplate opposite to the first side; wherein the backplate of each reflector assembly has a first central axis that equally divides the width of the backplate, and the first phase shifter assembly of each reflector assembly has a second central axis that equally divides the width of the first phase shifter assembly; and wherein the second central axis of the first phase shifter assembly of each reflector assembly is offset from the first central axis of the backplate of the reflector assembly by a predetermined distance.

2. A three-sector base station antenna, comprising three reflector assemblies arranged in a triangular pattern, wherein, Each reflector assembly includes a backplate, an array of radiating elements facing outwards and mounted on a first side of the backplate, and a first phase shifter assembly facing inwards and mounted on a second side of the backplate opposite to the first side; wherein, when viewed from above the three-sector base station antenna, the imaginary extension of the first end of the first phase shifter assembly of the first reflector assembly in the width direction of the first reflector assembly intersects with the first phase shifter assembly of the second reflector assembly, while the imaginary extension of the second end of the first phase shifter assembly of the first reflector assembly opposite to the first end in the width direction of the first reflector assembly does not intersect with the first phase shifter assembly of the third reflector assembly.

3. The three-sector base station antenna according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first phase shifter assembly includes four phase shifters, which are divided into two pairs. The line connecting the rotation centers of the rotatable elements of two phase shifters in each pair is inclined relative to the width or height direction of the first phase shifter assembly. Preferably, the rotatable element includes a brush and a brush support, the brush support being fan-shaped and having teeth on its arcuate top surface, wherein the teeth of the brush supports for the two phase shifters in each pair of phase shifters mesh with each other; Preferably, one of the phase shifters in each pair further includes a driven member, which is fixedly connected to the brush support and includes a protrusion that engages with a groove of a drive element fixed on a drive link to drive the brush support and the brush to rotate when the drive element moves in a straight line. Preferably, each reflector assembly includes two first phase shifter assemblies arranged in a stacked manner. More preferably, the two first phase shifter assemblies are driven by a common drive link.

4. The three-sector base station antenna according to claim 3, wherein, The first phase shifter assembly includes an integrated printed circuit board for the four phase shifters; Preferably, the integrated printed circuit board is mounted on a metal plate, and there is a gap of at least 1 mm between the integrated printed circuit board and the metal plate.

5. The three-sector base station antenna according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Each reflector assembly also includes a second phase shifter assembly mounted face-inward on a second side opposite to the first side of the backplate, the second phase shifter assembly comprising two phase shifters.

6. The three-sector base station antenna according to claim 5, wherein, Each phase shifter in the second phase shifter assembly includes a brush and a brush support; Preferably, each reflector assembly includes two second phase shifter assemblies arranged in a stacked manner. Preferably, the two second phase shifter assemblies are driven by a shared drive link.

7. The three-sector base station antenna according to claim 6, wherein, The two second phase shifter assemblies include a common driven element configured as a pin capable of driving the brush support and brush of the mutually aligned phase shifters in the stacked two second phase shifter assemblies. Preferably, the pin engages with a groove in the drive element fixed on the drive linkage to drive the brush support and the brush to rotate when the drive element moves in a straight line.

8. The three-sector base station antenna according to claim 5, wherein, The second phase shifter assembly of each reflector assembly has a third central axis that divides the width of the second phase shifter assembly equally; and wherein the third central axis of the second phase shifter assembly of each reflector assembly is offset from the first central axis of the back plate of the reflector assembly by a predetermined distance.

9. The three-sector base station antenna according to claim 5, wherein, When viewed from above the three-sector base station antenna, the imaginary extension of the first end of the second phase shifter component of the first reflector component in the width direction of the first reflector component intersects with the second phase shifter component of the second reflector component in the three reflector components, while the imaginary extension of the second end of the second phase shifter component of the first reflector component opposite to the first end in the width direction of the first reflector component does not intersect with the second phase shifter component of the third reflector component in the three reflector components.

10. The three-sector base station antenna according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The three reflector assemblies are arranged in a circular radome.

Images