Coupler, radio frequency network system and base station antenna

Abstract

The present application relates to a coupler comprising a dielectric substrate, a first transmission line and a second transmission line on a first side of the dielectric substrate, a first coupling line and a second coupling line on a second side of the dielectric substrate, wherein the first coupling line and the first transmission line at least partially overlap each other in a first direction perpendicular to the first side of the dielectric substrate and the second coupling line and the second transmission line at least partially overlap each other in the first direction, wherein the first coupling line is electrically connected to the second transmission line via one or more first electrically conductive structures and the second coupling line is electrically connected to the first transmission line via one or more second electrically conductive structures. Furthermore, the present application relates to a radio frequency network system and a base station antenna.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to radio communications, and more specifically to couplers, radio frequency network systems, and base station antennas, such as multi-beam antennas. Background Technology

[0002] Cellular communication systems are well known in the art. In a typical cellular communication system, a geographical area is divided into a series of areas called “cells” and each cell is served by a base station. A base station may include baseband equipment, radio transceivers, and base station antennas configured to provide bidirectional radio frequency (“RF”) communication with subscribers located throughout the cell. In many cases, a cell may be divided into multiple “sectors” in an azimuth plane, and separate base station antennas provide coverage for each sector. Base station antennas are often mounted on towers or other raised structures, and the radiating beam (“antenna beam”) generated by each antenna is pointed outward from the antenna to serve the corresponding sector. Typically, a base station antenna comprises one or more phased arrays of radiating elements arranged in one or more vertical columns when the antenna is installed for use. In this document, “vertical” means a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the horizon.

[0003] A common base station configuration is the "three-sector" configuration, where the cell is divided into three 120° sectors in the azimuth plane, and the base station may include at least three base station antennas providing coverage for the three corresponding sectors. The azimuth plane is a horizontal plane that bisects the base station antennas and is parallel to a plane defined by the horizon. In a three-sector configuration, the antenna beam generated by each base station antenna typically has a half-power beamwidth ("HPBW") of approximately 65° in the azimuth plane so that the antenna beam provides good coverage across all three 120° sectors. Typically, each base station antenna includes a vertically extending array of radiating elements that together generate the antenna beam. Each radiating element in the array may have an HPBW of approximately 65° so that the antenna beam generated by the array of radiating elements will cover a 120° sector in the azimuth plane. The base station antenna may include multiple arrays of radiating elements operating in the same or different frequency bands.

[0004] Most modern base station antennas also include phase shifter / power divider circuitry, which allows cellular network operators to apply phase taper to a subcomponent of the RF signal supplied to the radiating elements in the array. By adjusting the amount of phase taper applied, the resulting antenna beam pointing angle can be achieved at a desired angle in the vertical plane, or elevation plane. This technique can be used to adjust how far the antenna beam extends outward from the antenna, and thus to adjust the coverage area of ​​the base station antenna.

[0005] Sector splitting refers to the technique of dividing the coverage area used for a base station into more than three sectors in the azimuth plane, such as six, nine, or even twelve sectors. A six-sector base station will have six 60° sectors in the azimuth plane. Splitting each 120° sector into two sub-sectors increases system capacity because each antenna beam provides coverage over a smaller area, thus providing higher antenna gain. In six-sector splitting applications, a single multi-beam antenna is typically used for each 120° sector. The multi-beam antenna generates two separate antenna beams, each with a reduced size in the azimuth plane and each beam pointing in a different direction in the azimuth plane, thereby splitting the sector into two smaller sub-sectors. The antenna beam generated by the multi-beam antenna used in the six-sector configuration preferably has an azimuth HPBW value, for example, between approximately 27° and 39°, and the pointing directions of the antenna beams used for splitting the first and second sectors in the azimuth plane are typically approximately -27° and 27° respectively with the antenna's 0° "azimuth aiming line pointing direction" in the azimuth plane, which refers to the horizontal axis extending from the base station antenna in the azimuth plane pointing to the center of the area (typically a 120° sector) served by the base station antenna.

[0006] Several methods have been used to implement a multi-beam antenna that provides coverage for corresponding first and second sub-sectors within a 120° sector in the azimuth plane. In a first method, first and second columns of radiating elements are mounted on the two main inner surfaces of a V-shaped reflector. The angle defined by the inner surface of the V-shaped reflector can be approximately 54°, so that the two columns of radiating elements are mechanically positioned or “oriented” to point at approximately -27° and 27° azimuth angles, respectively (i.e., toward the center of the corresponding sub-sector). Since the typical azimuth HPBW of a radiating element is generally suitable for covering the entire 120° sector, an RF lens is mounted in front of the two columns of radiating elements to reduce the azimuth HPBW of each antenna beam by an appropriate amount to provide coverage for a 60° sub-sector. Unfortunately, the use of RF lenses increases the size, weight, and cost of base station antennas, and the amount by which RF lenses narrow the beamwidth of the antenna beam in the azimuth plane is a function of frequency, making it difficult to achieve adequate coverage when using broadband radiating elements that operate over a wide frequency range (e.g., radiating elements operating over the entire 1.7–2.7 GHz cellular frequency range).

[0007] In the second approach, a multi-beam antenna can be implemented using a so-called beamforming network. Two RF signal sources (each polarized) can be coupled to a multi-column array of radiating elements via a beamforming network (such as a Butler matrix). The beamforming network generates two separate antenna beams based on the two RF signals input to it, and the antenna beams are electrically offset from the antenna's aiming line direction by approximately -27° and 27° azimuth angles to provide coverage for both sub-sectors.

[0008] In such multi-beam antennas, beamforming networks (such as Butler matrices, Noren matrices, Blass matrices, or other beamforming network designs known in the field) play a crucial role as an important component. For dual-beam sector-separated antennas, Butler matrices are commonly used as beamforming networks; therefore, the following discussion will use Butler matrix beamforming networks as an example. Butler matrices can be used to feed each sub-component of the input RF signal to radiating elements in a multi-column array with precise power levels and phase to form an antenna beam with the desired shape, beamwidth, and pointing direction. Butler matrices typically include multiple couplers, such as four-port couplers, and the combination and / or configuration of the couplers determines the performance of the Butler matrix, including characteristics such as beamforming capability, gain, and / or directivity. By properly designing the couplers, Butler matrices can effectively meet the requirements of multi-beam antennas.

[0009] Four-port couplers are known in the prior art, and the four ports are typically referred to as the input, output, coupling, and isolation ports. When a radio frequency (RF) signal is input to the input port with a predetermined input power, a first predetermined proportion of output power can be output at the output port, and a second predetermined proportion of coupling power can be output at the coupling port. Ideally, there should be no power output at the isolation port. However, in practice, some power is always output at the isolation port. It should be understood that the coupler is a bidirectional device, and therefore, according to the reciprocity principle, when an RF signal is input from the aforementioned "output port," that "output port" becomes the coupler's input port, the aforementioned "input port" becomes the coupler's output port, the aforementioned "isolation port" becomes the coupler's coupling port, and the aforementioned "coupling port" becomes the coupler's isolation port.

[0010] Couplers can be characterized by various parameters, such as coupling power, isolation, and directivity. When a signal with power P1 is input at the input terminal, the output power is P2 at the output terminal, the coupling power at the coupling terminal is P3, and the leakage power at the isolation terminal is P4, the coupler's "coupling power" can be expressed as the ratio of coupling power P3 to input power P1. The coupler's "isolation power" can be expressed as the ratio of leakage power P4 to input power P1. The coupler's "directivity" can be expressed as the ratio of coupling power P3 to leakage power P4. Directivity is a measure or quality factor of a coupler's ability to distinguish between incident and reflected waves.

[0011] In multi-beam antenna applications (such as dual-beam antennas), there are sometimes stringent requirements for the coupling degree and / or directivity of the coupler. For example, it is desirable to provide a coupler with strong coupling degree (i.e., a large amount of power output through the coupling end), such as -3dB coupling degree. In addition, a compact and / or simple coupler is also desirable in multi-beam antenna applications. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Therefore, the purpose of this application is to provide a coupler, radio frequency network system, and base station antenna that can overcome at least one defect in the prior art.

[0013] According to a first aspect of this application, a coupler is provided, comprising: a dielectric substrate; a first transmission line and a second transmission line on a first side of the dielectric substrate; a first coupling line and a second coupling line on a second side of the dielectric substrate, wherein the first coupling line and the first transmission line at least partially overlap each other in a first direction perpendicular to the first side of the dielectric substrate, and the second coupling line and the second transmission line at least partially overlap each other in the first direction, wherein the first coupling line is electrically connected to the second transmission line via one or more first conductive structures, and the second coupling line is electrically connected to the first transmission line via one or more second conductive structures.

[0014] According to a second aspect of this application, a radio frequency network system is provided, the radio frequency network system being configured as a feed network system for an antenna, the feed network system being configured to couple RF signals from a radio transceiver to a radiating element array, wherein the feed network system includes a coupler and a power divider, wherein at least one coupler in the feed network system is configured as a coupler according to some embodiments of this application.

[0015] According to a third aspect of this application, a base station antenna is provided, the base station antenna comprising: a reflector; an array of radiating elements mounted on the front side of the reflector; and a radio frequency network system mounted on the rear side of the reflector, the radio frequency network system being configured as the radio frequency network system according to some embodiments of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The present application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The schematic drawings are briefly described below:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram of a multi-beam antenna;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic front view of an exemplary multi-column array of radiating elements for a multi-beam antenna;

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic block diagram of a multi-beam antenna together with a radio transceiver.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a schematic block diagram of a feed network system including a beamforming network;

[0021] Figure 5 and 6 Exemplary circuit diagrams of a power supply network unit are shown respectively;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic front view of an exemplary array of radiating elements for a multi-beam antenna;

[0023] Figure 8 This is an exemplary circuit diagram of a power supply network unit having a coupler according to some embodiments of this application;

[0024] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic enlarged front view of a portion of the coupler, with the isolation area on the rear side also shown;

[0025] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view of the coupler in the diagram;

[0026] Figure 11 yes Figure 8 A schematic rear view of the coupler in the diagram, with additional illustration of the coupling lines within the isolation area;

[0027] Figure 12 This is a simplified perspective view of a multi-beam antenna as seen from the rear, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 13 and 14 These are exemplary circuit diagrams of a power supply network unit having a coupler according to some embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present application. However, it should be understood that the present application 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 of the present application more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present application to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide more additional embodiments.

[0030] In the various embodiments described, the same reference numerals or element names are used for the same elements, and the disclosure contained throughout the specification can be applied semantically to elements with the same reference numerals or element names. Furthermore, in the various embodiments, the number, implementation, and / or arrangement of elements are not limited to the examples shown, but other numbers, implementations, and / or arrangements can be selected according to actual needs.

[0031] In this document, spatial relation terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "back," "high," and "low" are used to 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 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.

[0032] In this document, the term “A or B” includes both “A and B” and “A or B”, rather than exclusively including only “A” or only “B”, unless otherwise specified.

[0033] In this document, the terms "illustrative" or "exemplary" mean "used as an example, instance, or illustration," and not as a "model" to be precisely copied. Any implementation described herein by example is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Furthermore, this application is not limited to any stated or implied theory given in the foregoing technical field, background art, summary of the invention, or detailed description.

[0034] In this document, the term “substantially” means any minor variation caused by defects in design or manufacturing, tolerances of devices or components, environmental influences and / or other factors.

[0035] In this article, the term "part" can refer to any proportion. For example, it can be greater than 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%.

[0036] Additionally, terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., may be used in this document for reference purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. For example, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the words “first,” “second,” and other such numerical terms relating to structures or elements do not imply order or sequence.

[0037] Reference Figures 1 to 4 A multi-beam antenna 100 is shown, wherein Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of a multi-beam antenna 100 is shown. Figure 2 A schematic front view of an exemplary multi-column radiating element array 120 of a multi-beam antenna 100 is shown. Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of the multi-beam antenna 100 together with the radio transceiver 200 is shown. Figure 4 A schematic block diagram of the feed network system 130 for the multi-beam antenna 100 is shown.

[0038] Antenna 100 typically includes an antenna cover, such as an antenna radome (not shown), to provide environmental protection. Figure 1 and 2 As shown, antenna 100 may include a reflector 110, which may include a metal surface that provides a ground plane for the radiating elements of the multi-row radiating element array 120 and reflects electromagnetic radiation from the rearward-pointing radiating elements back into the forward direction. Antenna 100 may also include one or more additional mechanical and electronic components arranged behind reflector 110, such as a feed network system 130, cable 133, phase shifter 134, remote electronic tilt (RET) unit, connector, duplexer, etc.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, antenna 100 may further include an array 120 of radiating elements disposed in front of reflector 110. Each radiating element is mounted to extend forward from reflector 110. Array 120 may include multiple columns of radiating elements (four columns exemplarily shown in the figure), where each column may include multiple radiating elements arranged along the vertical direction V of the antenna. These four columns of radiating elements may be spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction H. Array 120 may also include multiple rows of radiating elements 120-1 to 120-4 (four rows exemplarily shown in the figure), where each row may include multiple radiating elements arranged along the horizontal direction H of the antenna. These four rows of radiating elements 120-1 to 120-4 may be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction V. The vertical direction V may be the direction of the antenna's longitudinal axis or parallel to the longitudinal axis. The vertical direction V is perpendicular to both the horizontal direction H and the forward direction. As used herein, the term "vertical" does not necessarily require the object to be perfectly vertical (e.g., the antenna may have a slight mechanical downward tilt).

[0040] It should be understood that the arrangement of the radiating element array 120 can be varied and is not limited to the current embodiment. In some embodiments, the radiating element array 120 may have more or fewer columns of radiating elements and / or more or fewer rows of radiating elements. Additionally or alternatively, the number and / or arrangement of radiating elements between different columns or different rows may also be different to adapt to specific application scenarios (e.g., to adapt to installation environment constraints and / or to achieve radiating pattern adjustment).

[0041] Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of a multi-beam antenna 100 together with a radio transceiver 200 is shown. The multi-beam antenna 100 may be electrically connected to the radio transceiver 200 via an RF transmission line (such as a coaxial cable). For example, the radio transceiver 200 may be a cellular base station radio transceiver, and the antenna 100 and the radio transceiver 200 may be located at a cellular base station (e.g., it may be a component of the cellular base station). According to some embodiments, a single radio transceiver may be coupled to the antenna. In other embodiments, multiple radio transceivers may be coupled to the antenna.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, the radio frequency ports 145-1 to 145-4 of antenna 100 can be electrically connected to ports 143-1 to 143-4 of the radio transceiver via corresponding RF transmission lines (such as coaxial cables). For example, ports 145-1 and 145-3 can be first polarization ports, and ports 145-2 and 145-4 can be second polarization ports, wherein the second polarization is different from the first polarization (e.g., orthogonal to the first polarization). It is understood that the radiator configuration of the dual-polarized radiating elements included in antenna array 120 determines the polarization of the transmitted and received signals. The first polarization port refers to the port that is ultimately coupled to the first polarized radiator of the radiating element in antenna array 120, while the second polarization port refers to the port that is ultimately coupled to the second polarized radiator of the radiating element in antenna array 120.

[0043] A feed network system 130 may be provided between the RF ports 145-1 to 145-4 of antenna 100 and the radiating element array 120. The feed network system 130 may couple downlink RF signals (i.e., RF signals to be transmitted by antenna 100) from radio transceiver 200 to radiating element array 120. The feed network system 130 may also couple uplink RF signals from radiating element array 120 to radio transceiver 200.

[0044] Each output of the feed network system 130 of the multi-beam antenna 100 can be coupled to a row of radiating elements 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, 120-4 in the radiating element array 120. To generate multiple beams (in this case, two antenna beams) that are separable from each other in the azimuth plane, each output of the feed network system 130 can be coupled to a row of radiating elements 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, 120-4 in the radiating element array 120. In other embodiments (not shown), to generate multiple antenna beams that are separable from each other in the elevation plane, each output of the feed network system 130 can be coupled to a column of radiating elements in the radiating element array 120.

[0045] Figure 4 A schematic block diagram of a feed network system 130 is shown, which is coupled to multiple rows, such as four rows of radiating elements 120-1 to 120-4. In other words, the four rows of radiating elements 120-1 to 120-4 can be coupled to four feed network modules of the feed network system 130, each feed network module potentially including a first feed network unit 131 and a second feed network unit 132. The first feed network unit 131 can be configured to couple a subcomponent of an RF signal for a first polarization to one row of radiating elements 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, and 120-4. Furthermore, the second feed network unit 132 can be configured to couple a subcomponent of an RF signal for a second polarization to one row of radiating elements 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, and 120-4.

[0046] The input to the feed network system 130 may include a first RF signal RF1 and a second RF signal RF2. The first RF signal RF1 may be divided into, for example, four sub-components (e.g., using one or more power dividers not shown), and each sub-component may be fed to a corresponding first feed network unit 131 and then to one of rows 120-1 to 120-4. Similarly, the second RF signal RF2 may be divided into four sub-components (e.g., using one or more power dividers not shown), and each sub-component may be fed to a corresponding first feed network unit 131 and then to a corresponding row 120-1 to 120-4. The four rows 120-1 to 120-4 of the radiating element can thus generate first and second antenna beams based on the first and second RF signals RF1 and RF2, respectively. The first and second RF signals RF1 and RF2 may be fed to the feed network system 130 from a radio transceiver. In some embodiments, the first and second RF signals RF1 and RF2 may be provided to the feed network system 130 via corresponding first polarization ports of the antenna 100.

[0047] Similarly, the inputs to the feed network system 130 may also include a third RF signal RF3 and a fourth RF signal RF4. The third RF signal RF3 may be divided into, for example, four sub-components (e.g., using one or more power dividers not shown), and each sub-component may be passed to a corresponding second feed network unit 132 and then to one of rows 120-1 to 120-4. Similarly, the fourth RF signal RF4 may be divided into four sub-components (e.g., using one or more power dividers not shown), and each sub-component may be passed to a corresponding second feed network unit 132 and then to a corresponding one of rows 120-1 to 120-4. The four rows 120-1 to 120-4 of the radiating element can thus generate third and fourth antenna beams based on the third and fourth RF signals RF3 and RF4, respectively. The third and fourth RF signals RF3 and RF4 can be fed to the feed network system 130 via a radio transceiver. In some embodiments, the third and fourth RF signals RF3 and RF4 may be provided to the feed network system 130 via respective second polarization ports of the antenna 100.

[0048] In some embodiments, the multi-beam antenna 100 (e.g., a dual-beam antenna) may have two first polarization ports 145-1 and 145-3 and two second polarization ports 145-2 and 145-4. Each polarization port may be configured to receive RF signals from corresponding ports 143-1 to 143-4 of the radio transceiver 200. Each RF signal may be coupled to the feed network system 130 via a corresponding phase shifter and power divider, and then coupled to the radiating element array 120 via the feed network system 130.

[0049] Figure 5 and 6 An exemplary circuit diagram is shown that can be used to implement feed network units 131, 132. The feed network system 130 can be constructed based on a Butler matrix, and each feed network unit 131, 132 of the feed network system 130 may include a power divider PD, a coupler 10, and an RF transmission line. Figure 5 A two-input, three-output power supply network unit is shown. Figure 6 A two-input, four-output feed network unit is illustrated. It should be understood that the number of outputs of feed network units 131 and 132 depends on the number of radiating elements in a row of radiating elements 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, and 120-4. In some embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, the radiating element array 120 may include rows with different numbers of radiating elements. Figure 7 In this example, some rows have three radiating elements, while others have four. For each row with three radiating elements, the radiating elements can be arranged as follows: Figure 5 The two-input, three-output feed network unit shown can be used for each row of radiating elements with four radiating elements, as follows: Figure 6 The power supply network unit shown is a two-input four-output unit.

[0050] As mentioned above, in multi-beam antenna 100 applications, it is sometimes desirable to provide a coupler 10 with strong coupling (i.e., a large amount of power output through the coupling end), for example, -3dB coupling. To achieve a coupler 10 with strong coupling, the Butler matrix coupler 10 is typically designed as a branch coupler, such as... Figure 5 and 6 As shown.

[0051] However, the design of such branch couplers is relatively complex. Typically, branch couplers have relatively high impedances, such as up to 110Ω, which increases the difficulty of simulation and usually requires multiple adjustments to achieve the desired performance. This not only increases the time and cost of design and development but may also lead to instability in the performance of the final product.

[0052] Furthermore, the overall size of these branch couplers is typically large, which in turn leads to a larger overall size of the feed network elements 131 and 132. This larger size can be problematic due to the limited installation space within the antenna. Therefore, as... Figure 1 As shown, the first and second feed network units 131, 132 of each feed network module can be stacked on top of each other. However, this stacking arrangement also introduces additional complexity. In particular, the pads are often covered during assembly, making subsequent assembly, soldering, and repair of passive intermodulation (PIM) problems extremely difficult. This not only increases inconvenience in the production process but may also affect the reliability and maintenance efficiency of the antenna 100. Therefore, the existing branch coupler-based feed network units 131, 132 urgently need improvement to solve at least one of the aforementioned problems.

[0053] Next, refer to Figure 8-14 This application provides a detailed description of a coupler 10 according to some embodiments thereof. This application relates to a coupler 10 with strong coupling, specifically, a coupler 10 with strong coupling (i.e., a large amount of power output via the coupling terminal of the coupler 10), for example, a coupling of -3dB. The coupler 10 proposed in this application can be designed as a parallel-line coupler 10, rather than a branch coupler. The impedance of the parallel-line coupler 10 can be designed, for example, to be about 50Ω, which simplifies simulation, thereby reducing design and development time costs and potentially improving the stability of the final product performance.

[0054] Furthermore, the overall size of the parallel-line coupler 10 is typically small, which in turn leads to a smaller overall size of the feed network units 131, 132. The first and second feed network units 131, 132 of each feed network module can be arranged side-by-side with each other in the horizontal direction without the need for a complex stacking arrangement. Side-by-side arrangement simplifies subsequent assembly, soldering, and / or troubleshooting of passive intermodulation (PIM) issues. This not only increases efficiency in the production process but may also improve product reliability and maintenance efficiency.

[0055] like Figure 8-11 As shown, a power supply network unit 131, 132 having a coupler 10 according to some embodiments of this application is illustrated. The power supply network unit 131, 132 can be implemented on a printed circuit board, for example, a single-layer printed circuit board. Advantageously, implementing the power supply network unit on a single-layer printed circuit board can be cost-effective and space-saving.

[0056] Each feed network unit 131, 132 may include multiple inputs to multiple sub-components of multiple RF signals for multiple antenna beams and multiple outputs to a row of radiating elements. Each input may be configured to receive a sub-component of an RF signal, and each output may be configured to be coupled to a radiating element in a row of radiating elements.

[0057] like Figure 8 and 13 As shown, the feed network units 131 and 132 can be configured as a two-input, three-output feed network unit, which may include: a first input I1 for receiving a first component of a first RF signal of a first beam and a second input I2 for receiving a first component of a first RF signal of a second beam; a coupler 10; a power divider PD; and a first output O1, a second output O2, and a third output O3. The first input I1 can be electrically connected to the first output O1 via the coupler 10, and the first input I1 is electrically connected to the second output O2 and the third output O3 via the coupler 10 and the power divider PD. The second input I2 can be electrically connected to the first output O1 via the coupler 10, and the second input I2 can be electrically connected to the second output O2 and the third output O3 via the coupler 10 and the power divider PD.

[0058] Advantageously, based on Figure 8 and Figure 13The feed network units 131, 132 of the parallel-line coupler 10 can achieve a compact size. In some embodiments, the width of the feed network units 131, 132 can be between 50 mm and 70 mm, and / or the length of the feed network units 131, 132 can be between 85 mm and 105 mm. In some embodiments, the width of the feed network units 131, 132 can be between 55 mm and 65 mm, and / or the length of the feed network units 131, 132 can be between 90 mm and 100 mm. It should be understood that the width and / or length of the feed network units can be adapted to specific applications, such as operating frequency bands and / or installation environments, and the relevant parameters are merely exemplary.

[0059] In some embodiments, such as Figure 14 As shown, the feed network units 131 and 132 can be configured as a two-input, four-output feed network unit, which may include: a first input I1 for receiving a first component of a first RF signal of a first beam and a second input I2 for receiving a first component of a first RF signal of a second beam; a coupler 10; a first power divider PD1 and a second power divider PD2; and a first output O1, a second output O2, a third output O3, and a fourth output O4. The first input I1 is electrically connected to the first output O1 and the second output O2 via the coupler 10 and the first power divider PD1, and the first input I1 is electrically connected to the third output O3 and the fourth output O4 via the coupler 10 and the second power divider PD2. The second input I2 can be electrically connected to the first output O1 and the second output O2 via the coupler 10 and the first power divider PD1, and the second input I2 can be electrically connected to the third output O3 and the fourth output O4 via the coupler 10 and the second power divider PD2.

[0060] Advantageously, based on Figure 14 The feed network units 131, 132 of the parallel-line coupler 10 can achieve a compact size. In some embodiments, the width of the feed network units 131, 132 can be between 85 mm and 105 mm, and / or the length of the feed network units 131, 132 can be between 115 mm and 135 mm. In some embodiments, the width of the feed network units 131, 132 can be between 90 mm and 100 mm, and / or the length of the feed network units 131, 132 can be between 120 mm and 130 mm. It should be understood that the width and / or length of the feed network units can be adapted to specific applications, such as operating frequency bands and / or installation environments, and the relevant parameters are merely exemplary.

[0061] It should be understood that the number of outputs of the feed network units 131 and 132 depends on the number of radiating elements in a row of radiating elements. In such cases... Figure 7 In one embodiment, the radiating element array 120 may include a first row of radiating elements and a second row of radiating elements. The first row of radiating elements may have three radiating elements, while the second row of radiating elements may have four radiating elements. In this case, the first row of radiating elements can be configured as follows: Figure 13 The two-input, three-output feed network unit shown is used, and for the second row of radiating elements, the following can be employed: Figure 14 The power supply network unit shown is a two-input four-output unit.

[0062] Given the compact size of the feed network units, the first feed network unit 131 and the second feed network unit 132 of the feed network module for a row of radiating elements can be arranged side by side, adjacent to each other. For example... Figure 12 As shown, the first power supply network unit 131 can be implemented on the first printed circuit board, and the second power supply network unit 132 can be implemented on the second printed circuit board, wherein the first and second printed circuit boards are arranged side by side adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction H. The first and second printed circuit boards can be integrated, for example, on a support plate.

[0063] Continue to refer to Figures 8 to 11 This application details the coupler 10 in the power supply network units 131 and 132 of some embodiments. The coupler 10 may include a dielectric substrate 11, a first transmission line 21 and a second transmission line 22 disposed on a first side (front side) of the dielectric substrate 11, and a first coupling line 31 and a second coupling line 32 disposed on a second side (rear side) of the dielectric substrate 11. The first transmission line 21 may be electrically connected between the input and output terminals of the coupler 10, and the second transmission line 22 may be electrically connected between the coupling terminal and the isolation terminal of the coupler 10. It should be understood that, according to the reciprocity principle, the input and output terminals, as well as the coupling and isolation terminals, of the coupler 10 can be adjusted according to the input position of the radio frequency signal.

[0064] like Figure 11 As shown, a ground metal region 51 and an isolation region 52 can be provided on the second side (i.e., the rear side) of the dielectric substrate 11. A first coupling line 31 and a second coupling line 32 can be disposed within the isolation region 52 and electrically isolated from the ground metal region 51 via the isolation region 52. The isolation region 52 can be understood as a region without a metal coating or where the metal coating has been removed. Figure 9 As shown, the isolation region 52 may be located, for example, in the middle region of the coupler 10. In some embodiments, the width of the isolation region 52 may be slightly wider than the width of the first transmission line 21 together with the second transmission line 22 in the middle region, that is, the projections of the first transmission line 21 and the second transmission line 22 on the middle region may fall within the isolation region 52.

[0065] To achieve the desired coupling degree, the coupler 10 of the feed network unit of this application incorporates different coupling methods. Specifically, these coupling methods may involve lateral coupling or parallel coupling between transmission lines, lateral coupling or parallel coupling between coupled lines, and vertical coupling between coupled lines and transmission lines.

[0066] To achieve the coupling method mentioned above, the first coupling line 31 and the first transmission line 21 can be disposed on both sides of the dielectric substrate 11 with at least partial overlap, and the second coupling line 32 and the second transmission line 22 can be disposed on both sides of the dielectric substrate 11 with at least partial overlap.

[0067] In some embodiments, the coupling segment 31-3 of the first coupling line 31 may substantially overlap with the first transmission line 21, and the coupling segment 32-3 of the second coupling line 32 may substantially overlap with the second transmission line 22. "Substantially overlap" can be understood as the projection of the coupling segment of the coupling line onto the forward projection plane falling substantially entirely within the projection plane of the corresponding transmission line. "Partially overlap" can be understood as the projection of the coupling segment of the coupling line onto the forward projection plane partially falling within the projection plane of the corresponding transmission line.

[0068] In some embodiments, the coupling segment 31-3 of the first coupling line 31 and the coupling segment 21-1 of the first transmission line 21 may extend substantially parallel to each other, and the coupling segment 32-3 of the second coupling line 32 and the coupling segment 22-1 of the second transmission line 22 may extend substantially parallel to each other.

[0069] In some embodiments, the lengths of the first coupling line 31 and the second coupling line 32 may be between 0.2 and 0.05 times the electromagnetic air wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the operating frequency band of the coupler 10. In some embodiments, the lengths of the first coupling line 31 and the second coupling line 32 may be substantially equal to 0.1 times the electromagnetic air wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the operating frequency band of the coupler 10. In some embodiments, the length of the coupling segment 31-3 of the first coupling line 31 is less than the length of the coupling segment 21-1 of the first transmission line 21, and the length of the coupling segment 32-3 of the second coupling line 32 is less than the length of the coupling segment 22-1 of the second transmission line 22. In some embodiments, the length of the coupling segment 31-3 of the first coupling line 31 is greater than 50% of the length of the coupling segment 21-1 of the first transmission line 21, and the length of the coupling segment 32-3 of the second coupling line 32 is greater than 50% of the length of the coupling segment 22-1 of the second transmission line 22. In some embodiments, the width of the coupling section 31-3 of the first coupling line 31 is substantially equal to the width of the coupling section 21-1 of the first transmission line 21, and the width of the coupling section 32-3 of the second coupling line 32 is substantially equal to the width of the coupling section 22-1 of the second transmission line 22.

[0070] Advantageously, such as Figure 10 As shown, the first coupling line 31 can be electrically connected to the second transmission line 22 via a conductive structure 40, such as a metallized via, and the second coupling line 32 can be electrically connected to the first transmission line 21 via a conductive structure 40, such as a metallized via. The corresponding conductive structure 40, such as a metallized via, can pass through the dielectric substrate 11 and be electrically connected to the corresponding transmission line and coupling line on both sides. This staggered connection between the coupling lines and the transmission lines can improve the strong coupling of the coupler 10.

[0071] The first coupling line 31 may include two connecting portions 31-1 and 31-2 and a coupling section 31-3 therebetween. The second coupling line 32 may include two connecting portions 32-1 and 32-2 and a coupling section 32-3 therebetween. The connecting portions 31-1 and 31-2 of the first coupling line 31 may be electrically connected to the second transmission line 22 via the conductive structure 40, and the connecting portions 32-1 and 32-2 of the second coupling line 32 may be electrically connected to the first transmission line 21 via the conductive structure 40.

[0072] To achieve the desired coupling between the first and second coupling lines 32, the coupling segments 31-3 of the first coupling line 31 and the coupling segments 32-3 of the second coupling line 32 can be arranged substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart. Furthermore, the connecting portions of the two coupling lines can be arranged in an alternating manner. This alternating arrangement can benefit the desired coupling degree of the coupler 10. Figure 11As shown, this staggered arrangement can be achieved as follows: the second coupling line 32 may have a first recess 32-4 adjacent to its first connecting portion 32-1, and the first connecting portion 31-1 of the first coupling line 31 may extend toward the second coupling line 32 into the first recess 32-4; ​​the first coupling line 31 may have a second recess 31-4 adjacent to its second connecting portion 31-2, and the second connecting portion 32-2 of the second coupling line 32 may extend toward the first coupling line 31 into the second recess 31-4. The first and second connecting portions 31-1 and 31-2 of the first coupling line 31 may further extend toward the second coupling line 32 relative to their coupling sections, and the first and second connecting portions 32-1 and 32-2 of the second coupling line 32 may further extend toward the first coupling line 31 relative to their coupling sections. In some embodiments, the first and second connecting portions 31-1, 31-2 of the first coupling line 31 may extend substantially vertically relative to its coupling section, for example, and the first and second connecting portions 32-1, 32-2 of the second coupling line 32 may extend substantially vertically relative to its coupling section, for example.

[0073] Since the first recess 32-4 is adjacent to the first connecting portion 32-1 of the second coupling line 32, the first connecting portion 31-1 of the first coupling line 31 can therefore be arranged close to each other with a gap between them, for example, less than 2 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm, or 0.1 mm. Similarly, since the second recess 31-4 is adjacent to the second connecting portion 31-2 of the first coupling line 31, the second connecting portion 31-2 of the first coupling line 31 can therefore be arranged close to each other with a gap between them, for example, less than 2 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm, or 0.1 mm. This improves the desired coupling between the first and second coupling lines 32.

[0074] In some embodiments, the first connecting portion 31-1 of the first coupling line 31 and the first connecting portion 32-1 of the second coupling line 32 are arranged substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart; and the second connecting portion 31-2 of the first coupling line 31 and the second connecting portion 32-2 of the second coupling line 32 are arranged substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart.

[0075] In some embodiments, to further improve the coupling performance of the coupler 10, at least one of the coupling segment 21-1 of the first transmission line 21 and the coupling segment 22-1 of the second transmission line 22 may have a varying edge profile 25, thereby forming a varying gap between the two coupling segments of the first transmission line 21 and the second transmission line 22. At least one of the coupling segment 21-1 of the first transmission line 21 and the coupling segment 22-1 of the second transmission line 22 has a periodically varying edge profile 25, thereby forming a periodically varying gap between the two coupling segments of the first transmission line 21 and the second transmission line 22. In some embodiments, the spacing between the recesses of the opposing edge profiles 25 may be between 2 mm and 0.55 mm, and the spacing between the non-recessed portions of the opposing edge profiles 25 may be between 0.45 mm and 0.2 mm or 0.1 mm. It should be understood that the corresponding spacings are exemplary and not limiting. The corresponding spacings can be adaptively adjusted according to different application scenarios.

[0076] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8 and 9 As shown, the coupling segment 21-1 of the first transmission line 21 and the coupling segment 22-1 of the second transmission line 22 may each have a serrated edge profile 25. In other embodiments, the coupling segment 21-1 of the first transmission line 21 and the coupling segment 22-1 of the second transmission line 22 may each have a wavy edge profile 25. It should be understood that the shapes of the corresponding edge profiles 25 are exemplary and not limiting. The shapes of the corresponding edge profiles 25 can be adapted to suit different application scenarios. In some embodiments, the first segment of the edge profile 25 may be configured as a first edge profile 25, and the second segment of the edge profile 25 may be configured as a second edge profile 25, wherein the first edge profile 25 and the second edge profile 25 differ in shape and / or size.

[0077] It should be understood that the coupler 10 of this application can also be applied to other radio frequency network systems for antennas. In some embodiments, the radio frequency network system can be configured as a calibration network for the antenna, which can be used to identify any undesired changes in the amplitude and / or phase of the RF signals input to different radio frequency ports of the antenna. The calibration network may typically have a power divider and the coupler 10 according to this application.

[0078] While specific embodiments of this application have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting the scope of this application. The various embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any way without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Those skilled in the art should also understand that various modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of this application. The scope of this application is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Coupler, including: Dielectric substrate; First transmission line and second transmission line on the first side of the dielectric substrate First coupling line and second coupling line on the second side of the dielectric substrate Wherein, the first coupling line and the first transmission line at least partially overlap each other in a first direction perpendicular to the first side of the dielectric substrate, and the second coupling line and the second transmission line at least partially overlap each other in the first direction. The first coupling line is electrically connected to the second transmission line via one or more first conductive structures, and the second coupling line is electrically connected to the first transmission line via one or more second conductive structures.

2. The coupler according to claim 1, wherein, The second side of the dielectric substrate includes a ground metal region and an isolation region, and the first coupling line and the second coupling line are located within the isolation region and are electrically isolated from the ground metal region via the isolation region; and / or The isolation region includes a region on the second side of the dielectric substrate without a metal coating; and / or The first conductive structure and the second conductive structure each include a metallized via, the corresponding metallized via passing through the dielectric substrate and electrically connected to a corresponding transmission line and a coupling line on a corresponding first side and a corresponding second side of the dielectric substrate, respectively; and / or The first coupling line includes first and second connecting portions and a coupling section therebetween; the second coupling line includes third and fourth connecting portions and a coupling section therebetween; wherein the first and second connecting portions of the first coupling line are electrically connected to the second transmission line via a pair of first conductive structures, and the third and fourth connecting portions of the second coupling line are electrically connected to the first transmission line via a pair of second conductive structures; and / or The coupling sections of the first coupling line and the coupling sections of the second coupling line are arranged substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart. and / or The coupling section of the first coupling line substantially overlaps with the first transmission line in the first direction, and the coupling section of the second coupling line substantially overlaps with the second transmission line in the first direction.

3. The coupler according to claim 2, wherein, The second coupling line has a first recessed portion disposed adjacent to its first connecting portion, and the first connecting portion of the first coupling line extends toward the second coupling line into the first recessed portion; The first coupling line has a second recessed portion disposed adjacent to its second connecting portion, and the second connecting portion of the second coupling line extends toward the first coupling line into the second recessed portion; The first and second connecting portions of the first coupling line extend further toward the second coupling line relative to their coupling sections, and the first and second connecting portions of the second coupling line extend further toward the first coupling line relative to their coupling sections; and / or The first connecting portion of the first coupling line and the first connecting portion of the second coupling line are arranged close together with a gap of less than 1 mm between them; and The second connecting portions of the first coupling wire and the second connecting portions of the second coupling wire are arranged close to each other with a gap of less than 1 mm between them; and / or The first connecting portion of the first coupling line and the first connecting portion of the second coupling line are arranged substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart; and The second connecting portions of the first coupling line and the second connecting portions of the second coupling line are arranged substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart; and / or The first and second connecting portions of the first coupling line are substantially perpendicular to the coupling section of the first coupling line, and the first and second connecting portions of the second coupling line are substantially perpendicular to the coupling section of the second coupling line.

4. The coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, At least one of the coupling segments of the first transmission line and the second transmission line has a varying edge profile, such that a varying gap is formed between the two coupling segments of the first and second transmission lines; and / or At least one of the coupling segments of the first and second transmission lines has a periodically varying edge profile, such that a periodically varying gap is formed between the two coupling segments of the first and second transmission lines; and / or At least one of the coupling sections of the first transmission line and the second transmission line has a serrated edge profile or a wavy edge profile.

5. The coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The coupling sections of the first and second transmission lines extend substantially parallel to each other; and / or The coupling section of the first coupling line extends substantially parallel to the coupling section of the first transmission line, and the coupling section of the second coupling line extends substantially parallel to the coupling section of the second transmission line. and / or The length of the coupling section of the first coupling line is less than the length of the coupling section of the first transmission line, and the length of the coupling section of the second coupling line is less than the length of the coupling section of the second transmission line. and / or The length of the coupling section of the first coupling line is greater than 50% of the length of the coupling section of the first transmission line, and the length of the coupling section of the second coupling line is greater than 50% of the length of the coupling section of the second transmission line; and / or The width of the coupling section of the first coupling line is substantially equal to the width of the coupling section of the first transmission line, and the width of the coupling section of the second coupling line is substantially equal to the width of the coupling section of the second transmission line. and / or The lengths of the first and second coupling lines are respectively between 0.2 and 0.05 times the electromagnetic wave air wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the coupler's operating frequency band.

6. A radio frequency network system for antennas, wherein, The radio frequency network system is configured to perform signal processing on the received radio frequency signals, wherein the radio frequency network system includes at least one coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Preferably, the radio frequency network system is configured as a feed network system for an antenna, the feed network system being configured to couple RF signals from a radio transceiver to a radiating element array, wherein the feed network system includes a coupler and a power divider, wherein at least one coupler in the feed network system is configured as a coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 5; Preferably, the radio frequency network system is configured as a calibration network for the antenna, the calibration network including a power divider and a coupler, the coupler being configured as a coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Base station antenna, of which, The base station antenna includes: Reflector; An array of radiating elements mounted on the front side of the reflector; and A radio frequency network system mounted on the rear side of a reflector, the radio frequency network system being configured as claimed in claim 6.

8. The base station antenna according to claim 7, wherein, The base station antenna includes a multi-beam antenna, which can generate multiple beams that are separated from each other in the azimuth plane. The radio frequency network system includes a feed network system coupled to the radiating element array. and / or The power supply network system includes multiple power supply network modules, each of which includes: The first feed network unit is configured to couple a subcomponent of the RF signal for the first polarization to a row of radiating elements; and The second feed network unit is configured to couple a sub-component of the RF signal for the second polarization to a row of radiating elements; The first and second feed network units are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction; and / or The first feed network unit and the second feed network unit each include: Multiple inputs, each configured to receive a sub-component of an RF signal; and Multiple outputs, each configured to be coupled to one of the radiating elements in a row; and / or The first and second feed network units each include: a first input and a second input; a coupler; a power divider; and a first output, a second output, and a third output. The first input is electrically connected to the first output via a coupler, and the first input is electrically connected to the second and third outputs via a coupler and a power divider. The second input is electrically connected to the first output via a coupler, and the second input is electrically connected to the second and third outputs via a coupler and a power divider.

9. The base station antenna according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The first power supply network unit and the second power supply network unit are respectively implemented on a printed circuit board, wherein the width of the first power supply network unit and the second power supply network unit are respectively between 50 mm and 70 mm, and / or the length of the first power supply network unit and the second power supply network unit are respectively between 85 mm and 105 mm; and / or The first and second power supply network units are respectively implemented on a printed circuit board, and the widths of the first and second power supply network units are respectively between 55 mm and 65 mm, and / or the lengths of the first and second power supply network units are respectively between 90 mm and 100 mm; and / or The first and second feed network units each include: a first input and a second input; a coupler; a first power divider and a second power divider; and a first output, a second output, a third output, and a fourth output. The first input is electrically connected to the first and second outputs via a coupler and a first power divider, and the first input is also electrically connected to the third and fourth outputs via a coupler and a second power divider. The second input is electrically connected to the first and second outputs via a coupler and a first power divider, and the second input is electrically connected to the third and fourth outputs via a coupler and a second power divider; and / or The first power supply network unit and the second power supply network unit are respectively implemented on a printed circuit board, wherein the width of the first power supply network unit and the second power supply network unit are respectively between 85 mm and 105 mm, and / or the length of the first power supply network unit and the second power supply network unit are respectively between 115 mm and 135 mm; and / or The first power supply network unit and the second power supply network unit are respectively implemented on a printed circuit board, and the width of the first power supply network unit and the second power supply network unit are respectively between 90 mm and 100 mm, and / or the length of the first power supply network unit and the second power supply network unit are respectively between 130 mm and 120 mm.

10. The base station antenna according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, The first power supply network unit is implemented on the first printed circuit board, and the second power supply network unit is implemented on the second printed circuit board, wherein the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board are arranged side by side adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction.

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