A kind of feed network, antenna device, communication device and communication system

Abstract

Examples of the present application provide a feed network, an antenna device, a communication device and a communication system, and relate to the technical field of antennas, and are used to alleviate the problem that the size of the feed network of a multi-frequency antenna is large. The first phase shift circuit and the second phase shift circuit in the feed network can respectively adjust the phases of signals of different frequency bands received by the first input end and the second input end. The first filter circuit and the second filter circuit can reduce signal interference between branches of different frequencies. The first combining structure can be electrically connected with the first filter circuit and the second filter circuit to realize a combining function. In addition, the first combining structure can also feed the oscillator as a common output end of the feed network, so that in the feed network, an additional combining structure and an additional common output end do not need to be separately arranged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a feed network, antenna device, communication equipment and communication system. Background Technology

[0002] In wireless communication systems, antennas are devices used to transmit and receive radio waves, serving as key components for signal transmission between base stations and terminal devices. With the development of mobile communication technology, multi-frequency antennas are playing an increasingly important role in network coverage. However, the current feeding networks for multi-frequency antennas are relatively large, hindering miniaturization design requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a feed network, antenna device, communication equipment, and communication system to alleviate the problem of large size of the feed network for multi-frequency antennas.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution: In one aspect, this application provides a power supply network having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and a first output terminal. Furthermore, the power supply network may include a first metal housing, a first phase-shifting circuit, a first filter circuit, a second phase-shifting circuit, a second filter circuit, and a first combining structure. The first metal housing includes a first receiving cavity and a second receiving cavity stacked along a first direction. The first phase-shifting circuit and the first filter circuit are located within the first receiving cavity, with the first phase-shifting circuit electrically connected between the first input terminal and the first filter circuit. The second phase-shifting circuit and the second filter circuit are located within the second receiving cavity, with the second phase-shifting circuit electrically connected between the second input terminal and the second filter circuit. At least a portion of the first combining structure extends into the first and second receiving cavities. At least a portion of the first filter circuit is electrically connected between the first phase-shifting circuit and the portion of the first combining structure located in the first receiving cavity, and at least a portion of the second filter circuit is electrically connected between the second phase-shifting circuit and the portion of the first combining structure located in the second receiving cavity. A portion of the first combining structure serves as the first output terminal.

[0005] To implement frequency division technology, the feeding network provided in this application embodiment allows the first input terminal and the second input terminal to receive different frequency bands. The first phase-shifting circuit and the second phase-shifting circuit can respectively adjust the phase of the different frequency band signals received by the first and second input terminals, thereby adjusting the beam deflection angle. This allows for independent adjustment of the downtilt angle of different frequency band signals, improving the flexibility of the feeding network in adjusting antenna array performance. The first filter circuit allows the RF signal from the first input terminal to pass through, and the second filter circuit allows the RF signal from the second input terminal to pass through, thereby reducing signal interference between branches of different frequencies. Furthermore, the first combiner structure can be electrically connected to the first and second filter circuits to achieve a combining function. The feeding network can also include a first output terminal for feeding the vibrator. In this case, the first combiner structure can both perform a combining function and serve as the common output terminal of the feeding network for feeding the vibrator. Thus, in the above feeding network, there is no need to separately set up an additional combiner structure and an additional common output terminal. For example, there is no need to place a common output terminal on the transmission line with phase shifting and filtering functions, thus reducing the space occupied by the combining structure and the common output terminal in the internal space of the first metal housing, which helps to alleviate the problem of the large size of the feed network of the multi-frequency antenna.

[0006] In one optional embodiment, a mounting hole is provided on the first metal housing, penetrating the first metal housing. The mounting hole exposes the portion where the first combining structure is electrically connected to the first filter circuit, and the portion where the first combining structure is electrically connected to the second filter circuit. This facilitates the electrical connection of the first combining structure to the first and second filter circuits at the location of the mounting hole.

[0007] In one optional embodiment, the portion of the first combining structure located in the first and second receiving cavities has its vertical projection onto the plate surface where the mounting hole is located within the range of the mounting hole. This facilitates at least a portion of the first combining structure extending into the first and second receiving cavities, thereby making it easier to solder the first combining structure to the first and second filter circuits.

[0008] In one optional embodiment, the first metal housing includes a top plate, which can be located on the side of the first combining structure opposite to the first and second phase-shifting circuits. That is, the top plate can be positioned above the first combining structure. A mounting hole penetrating the top plate can be provided. This allows the mounting hole to expose at least a portion of the surface of the first combining structure facing away from the first and second phase-shifting circuits, i.e., at least a portion of the upper surface of the first combining structure. The upper surface of the first combining structure is less likely to be obscured by other circuits in the power supply network, thereby facilitating the electrical connection of the first combining structure to the first and second filter circuits.

[0009] In one optional embodiment, the first combining structure includes a first combining portion and a second combining portion. The first combining portion extends into both a first receiving cavity and a second receiving cavity. The portion of the first combining portion located in the first receiving cavity is electrically connected to a first filter circuit, and the portion located in the second receiving cavity is electrically connected to a second filter circuit. The second combining portion is connected to the first combining portion, and at least a portion of the second combining portion extends outside the first metal housing. The end of the second combining portion facing away from the first combining portion serves as a first output terminal. Since at least a portion of the second combining portion can extend outside the first metal housing, and the end of the second combining portion facing away from the first combining portion serves as the first output terminal, this first output terminal can be located outside the first metal housing. In this case, a soldering process can be used to solder the first output terminal to the inner conductor of the cable outside the first metal housing, thereby facilitating the electrical connection between the cable and the first output terminal. Furthermore, soldering the first output terminal to the inner conductor of the cable outside the first metal housing facilitates adjustment of the solder amount, thereby reducing standing wave fluctuations caused by dimensional tolerances in the antenna device.

[0010] In one optional embodiment, both the first and second combining portions are arranged along a first direction. In this case, the cable can be routed along a second direction, and the inner conductor of the cable can be electrically connected along the second direction to the portion of the second combining portion located outside the first metal housing. This eliminates the need for bending the inner conductor of the cable, improving cable reliability and ease of routing.

[0011] In one optional embodiment, the first metal housing further includes a first side plate, which is perpendicular to a first direction. The end of the first combining structure facing the first side plate serves as a first output terminal. A wiring hole is provided through the first side plate, with the first output terminal facing the wiring hole. This wiring hole can be used to pass a cable through, allowing the cable to extend into the first metal housing via a portion of the wiring hole and be electrically connected to the first output terminal.

[0012] In one optional embodiment, at least a portion of the second combining section extending beyond the first metal housing is disposed along a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction. This allows the second combining section to feed the vibrator via direct connection or coupled feeding, eliminating the need for cables or other components between the second combining section and the vibrator, thus simplifying the antenna device structure.

[0013] In one optional embodiment, the second combining section includes a first sub-section, a second sub-section, and a third sub-section. The first sub-section is disposed along a second direction, with a portion extending into and connected to the first metal housing, and the other portion extending out of the first metal housing. The second sub-section is disposed along a first direction and located outside the first metal housing, with one end connected to the portion of the first sub-section extending out of the first metal housing. The third sub-section is disposed along the second direction and located outside the first metal housing, with one end connected to the other end of the second sub-section, and the end of the third sub-section facing away from the second sub-section serving as a first output terminal. Thus, since the second and third sub-sections are located outside the first metal housing, and the second sub-section is disposed along the first direction, the position of the third sub-section can be determined by setting the length of the second sub-section along the first direction, facilitating power feeding to the oscillator.

[0014] In one optional embodiment, the second merging portion is disposed along a second direction. A portion of the second merging portion extends into and connects to the first metal housing, while another portion extends out of the first metal housing. The end of the second merging portion facing away from the first merging portion serves as the first output terminal. In this way, since all parts of the second merging portion can be disposed along the second direction, the structure of the second merging portion can be simplified.

[0015] In one optional embodiment, the power supply network further includes a second output terminal. The power supply network also includes a second metal housing, a third phase-shifting circuit, a third filter circuit, a fourth phase-shifting circuit, a fourth filter circuit, and a second combining structure. The second metal housing includes a third receiving cavity and a fourth receiving cavity stacked along a first direction. The third phase-shifting circuit and the third filter circuit are located within the third receiving cavity and are electrically connected. The fourth phase-shifting circuit and the fourth filter circuit are located within the fourth receiving cavity and are electrically connected. The second combining structure includes a third combining portion and a fourth combining portion connected together, with the third combining portion extending into the third and fourth receiving cavities. The third filter circuit is at least partially electrically connected between the third phase-shifting circuit and the portion of the third combining portion located in the third receiving cavity. The fourth filter circuit is at least partially electrically connected between the fourth phase-shifting circuit and the portion of the third combining portion located in the fourth receiving cavity. At least a portion of the fourth combining portion is disposed along a second direction, with one end of the fourth combining portion facing away from the third combining portion serving as the second output terminal. In this configuration, the first combining structure can feed one dipole in the oscillator, and the second combining structure can feed the other dipole in the oscillator. The way the second combining structure feeds the other dipole through its second output terminal is analogous to the way the first combining structure feeds the dipole through its first output terminal; this will not be elaborated further. The polarization directions of the signals fed into the different dipoles by the first and second combining structures are orthogonal, thus enabling the antenna device to achieve circular or elliptical polarization.

[0016] In one optional embodiment, the feed network further includes a first phase-shifting medium. The first phase-shifting circuit includes a first transmission line, which overlaps with the first phase-shifting medium. One end of the first transmission line is electrically connected to a first input terminal of the feed network. By changing the relative positional relationship between the first phase-shifting medium and the first transmission line, the dielectric constant of the environment in which the first transmission line is located changes, thereby altering the phase of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the first transmission line. Furthermore, the first filter circuit includes a second transmission line and at least one first filter stub. One end of the second transmission line is connected to the other end of the first transmission line, and the other end of the second transmission line is connected to the portion of the first combining structure located in the first receiving cavity. One end of the first filter stub is connected to the second transmission line, and the other end of the first filter stub is either an open-circuit terminal or a short-circuit terminal. By adjusting the number and electrical length of the first filter stubs, the band-stop or band-pass frequency band of the first filter circuit can be adjusted. This application does not limit the number, electrical length, or position of the first filter stubs relative to the second transmission line.

[0017] In another aspect, this application provides an antenna device comprising an antenna array, a feeding network as described above, and a radome. The feeding network is electrically connected to the antenna array. The antenna array and the feeding network are located within the radome. The antenna device achieves the same technical effects as the feeding network described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0018] In one alternative implementation, the first combining structure in the feed network is located within a first metal housing of the feed network. The antenna assembly also includes a cable, a portion of which extends into the first metal housing and is electrically connected to the first combining structure. In this way, the first combining structure can feed the elements in the antenna array via the cable.

[0019] In one optional embodiment, the first combining structure in the feed network includes a first combining portion and a second combining portion connected to each other. The first combining portion is located within a first metal housing of the feed network, and the second combining portion extends at least partially beyond the first metal housing. The antenna device also includes a cable electrically connected to the portion of the second combining portion extending beyond the first metal housing. Soldering the second combining portion to the inner conductor of the cable outside the first metal housing facilitates adjustment of the solder amount, thereby reducing standing wave fluctuations caused by dimensional tolerances in the antenna device.

[0020] In one alternative embodiment, the antenna array includes an element. The first combining structure in the feed network includes a first combining portion and a second combining portion connected to each other. The first combining portion is located within a first metal housing of the feed network, and at least a portion of the second combining portion is located outside the first metal housing. The at least portion of the second combining portion located outside the first metal housing is disposed along a second direction, and the second combining portion is configured to feed the element. The technical advantages of the at least portion of the second combining portion located outside the first metal housing and disposed along the second direction are the same as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0021] In one optional embodiment, the antenna device further includes a grounding structure, one end of which is electrically connected to the first metal housing. The grounding structure is disposed along a second direction and is electrically connected to at least a portion of the vibrator. The second combining portion includes a first sub-part, a second sub-part, and a third sub-part connected in sequence. The first and third sub-parts are disposed along the second direction, and the second sub-part is disposed along a first direction. The third sub-part is disposed closer to the grounding structure than the first sub-part. This reduces the distance between the third sub-part and the grounding structure, facilitating the feeding of power from the third sub-part and the grounding structure to the vibrator.

[0022] In one optional embodiment, the feed network further includes a second metal housing. The antenna device also includes a metal connecting plate located between the first and second metal housings, the metal connecting plate being connected to the first metal housing, the second metal housing, and the grounding structure. The vertical projection of the grounding structure onto the plane of the metal connecting plate lies within the area of ​​the metal connecting plate. In this way, the metal connecting plate not only supports the grounding structure but also electrically connects the grounding structure to the first and second metal housings.

[0023] In another aspect, this application provides a communication device comprising any of the antenna devices described above and a baseband unit. The baseband unit is electrically connected to a feed network in the antenna device. The communication device described above has the same technical effects as the feed network provided in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0024] In one alternative implementation, the baseband unit is electrically connected to the feed network via the radio frequency (RF) unit. The RF unit can be integrated into the feed network or disposed separately from the feed network.

[0025] In another aspect, this application provides a communication system including the communication equipment, transmission network, and core network equipment as described above. The core network equipment interacts with the communication equipment via the transmission network. The above-described communication system has the same technical effects as the power supply network provided in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a base station; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a medium-voltage feeder network; Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing how the feed network adjusts the antenna downtilt angle. Figure 5 A circuit structure diagram of a communication device provided in this application; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of another communication device provided in this application; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a power supply network provided in this application; Figure 8 For along Figure 7 A schematic diagram obtained from direction B1; Figure 9 For along Figure 7 A schematic diagram obtained from direction B2 in the diagram; Figure 10 A schematic diagram of another power supply network provided in this application; Figure 11A A schematic diagram of another power supply network provided in this application; Figure 11B A schematic diagram of another power supply network provided in this application; Figure 12 A schematic diagram of another power supply network provided in this application; Figure 13 A schematic diagram of another power supply network provided in this application; Figure 14 A circuit structure diagram of an antenna device provided in this application; Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of another antenna device provided in this application; Figure 16 A circuit structure diagram of another antenna device provided in this application; Figure 17 A circuit diagram of another antenna device provided in this application; Figure 18 A circuit diagram of another antenna device provided in this application; Figure 19 A circuit diagram of another antenna device provided in this application; Figure 20 A circuit diagram of another antenna device provided in this application; Figure 21 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of another antenna device provided in this application.

[0027] Figure label: 01-Communication system; 10-Base station; 11-Transmission network; 12-Core network equipment; 13-Terminal equipment; 02-Communication equipment; 100-Antenna device; 102-Vibrator; 103-Radar radome; 200-RF unit; 300-BBU; 104-Reflector; 21-Antenna array; 20-Feed network; 221-First combiner structure; 22-First combiner; 31-First metal housing; 311-First receiving cavity; 312-Second receiving cavity; 3101-Top plate; 3102-Bottom plate; 3103-First side plate; 3104-Second side plate; 202-Second phase shifting circuit; 2002-Second phase shifting medium; 201-First phase shifting circuit; 2001-First phase shifting medium; 2011-First transmission line; 231-First filter circuit; 2311-Second transmission line; 23 12-First filter stub; 2021-Third transmission line; 232-Second filter circuit; 2321-Fourth transmission line; 2322-Second filter stub; 3100-Mounting hole; 3106-First small hole; 3107-Second small hole; 31031-Wiring hole; 40-Cable; 2211-First combining section; 2212-Second combining section; 22121-First sub-section; 22122-Second sub-section; 22123-Third sub-section; 50-Grounding structure; 32-Second metal housing; 321-Third receiving cavity; 322-Fourth receiving cavity; 203-Third phase shifting circuit; 204-Fourth phase shifting circuit; 233-Third filter circuit; 234-Fourth filter circuit; 222-Second combining structure; 2221-Third combining section; 2222-Fourth combining section; 51-Metal connecting plate. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions in the examples of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the examples described are only a part of the examples of this application, and not all of them.

[0029] In the following description, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive convenience only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0030] Furthermore, in this application, directional terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" may be defined relative to the orientation of the components shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these directional terms can be relative concepts, used for relative description and clarification, and may change accordingly depending on the orientation of the components in the accompanying drawings.

[0031] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term "connection" shall be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" may be a fixed mechanical connection, a detachable mechanical connection, or an integral part; or, "connection" may be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium.

[0032] Furthermore, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the term "electrical connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "electrical connection" can be a direct electrical connection, such as physical contact and electrical conduction between two components; it can also be understood as an electrical connection between different components in a circuit structure via physical lines such as copper foil or wires on a printed circuit board (PCB) capable of transmitting electrical signals; or, "electrical connection" can be an indirect electrical connection between two components through an intermediate medium. Therefore, in the examples of this application, the two electrically connected devices can also be electrically connected to other devices. In addition, electrical connection can also include coupling connection, where coupling can refer to a non-contact connection between at least two components, enabling energy transfer.

[0033] In this application, the terms "perpendicular" and "parallel" respectively indicate approximately perpendicular and approximately parallel within a certain range of error. This range of error can be a deviation angle of less than or equal to 5°, 8°, or 10° relative to absolute perpendicularity and absolute parallelism, respectively, and is not specifically limited here.

[0034] In the accompanying drawings of this application, components are indicated by guide lines with arrows; parts are indicated by guide lines only; and openwork structures such as openings and holes are indicated by guide lines with wavy ends.

[0035] This application provides a feed network, an antenna device, a communication device, and a communication system. The antenna device can be applied to a base station, a terminal device, or other communication device, or can be used in conjunction with the base station, terminal device, or other communication device. The antenna device can be a passive antenna, an active antenna, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna, or a massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna, and is not limited thereto.

[0036] For example, such as Figure 1As shown, the communication system 01 may include a base station 10, a transmission network 11, and a core network (CN) device 12. The core network device 12 is the control core and data forwarding hub of the entire mobile communication network. The core network device 12 is connected to the base station 10 through the transmission network 11. The core network device 12 can interact with the base station 10 through the transmission network 11. For example, control commands output by the core network device 12 (e.g., authentication results, and / or session configurations) can be transmitted to the base station 10 through the transmission network 11. Furthermore, in some examples, the communication system 01 may also include a terminal device 13. The base station 10 can wirelessly communicate with the terminal device 13 (e.g., a mobile phone, tablet, or IoT sensor), and user data processed by the base station 10 (e.g., internet access data, and / or voice data) can be transmitted to the core network device 12 through the transmission network 11.

[0037] Wireless communication can be achieved between base station 10 and terminal device 13. Base station 10 can be referred to as access network equipment or access node. Base station 10 can be located in base station subsystem (BBS), universal mobile telecommunications system terrestrial radioaccess network (UTRAN), or evolved universal terrestrial radio access (EUTRAN) to provide cell coverage for signal coverage to enable communication between terminal device and wireless network.

[0038] Base station 10 can be an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) or transmission reception point (TRP) in a long term evolution (LTE) system, a next-generation NodeB (gNodeB or gNB) in a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system or a new radio (NR) system, an access network device in an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN) system, a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system. This application does not specifically limit the scope of the application to access nodes in Fi systems, next-generation base stations in future mobile communication systems, servers, vehicles, in-vehicle equipment, wearable devices, or base stations in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology (e.g., roadside units, RSUs). Base stations can be macro base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, indoor stations, relay nodes, or donor nodes, etc., and this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0039] Terminal device 13 can also be referred to as terminal 13. Terminal device can be user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, or smart cities, etc. Terminal device can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, drone, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, or customer premises equipment (CPE), etc., and this application does not limit the scope.

[0040] The following description uses the application of the solution provided in this application to a base station antenna as an example. Similarly, the solution provided in this application can also be used in other communication devices, such as terminal devices. For ease of explanation, the following example uses base station 10 as the communication device provided in this application.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, in some examples, base station 10 may include an antenna device 100 (also referred to as an antenna), a radio frequency unit 200, and a baseband unit (BBU) 300. Furthermore, base station 10 may also include a mounting frame 400 on which the antenna device 100 is mounted. The mounting frame 400 may be a pole or a tower, etc., and is not limited thereto. Alternatively, in other examples, base station 10 may not require the mounting frame 400; this application does not limit this.

[0042] Figure 2The base station 10 shown can electrically connect the BBU 300, the radio frequency unit 200, and the antenna device 100 using cables, optical fibers, or other components for transmitting electrical signals. The BBU 300 can be used for uplink and downlink data transmission processing, resource management, and operation and maintenance. Furthermore, the radio frequency unit 200 can provide a channel (or radio frequency channel) for signal transmission between the antenna device 100 and the BBU 300. In some examples, the radio frequency unit 200 can be a remote radio unit (RRU), a pico remote radio unit (pRRU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0043] The radio frequency (RF) unit 200 may include a transmitting channel and a receiving channel. The transmitting channel of the RF unit 200 receives baseband signals from the BBU 300, performs RF processing (such as up-conversion, amplification, and filtering) on ​​the baseband signals to obtain RF signals, and finally radiates these RF signals into space through the antenna device 100. The receiving channel of the RF unit 200 processes the RF signals received by the antenna device 100 (such as amplification, filtering, and down-conversion) to obtain baseband signals, and transmits the baseband signals to the BBU 300.

[0044] In some examples, the radio frequency unit 200 and the antenna device 100 can be two separate components; in this case, the antenna device 100 can be referred to as a passive antenna device. Figure 2 The communication device 02 in the illustrated communication system 01 may include an antenna assembly 100, a radio frequency unit 200, and a BBU 300. Alternatively, in other examples, the radio frequency unit 200 and the antenna assembly 100 may be integrated into a single unit. For example, this integrated unit may be called an active antenna unit (AAU). In this case, Figure 2 The communication device 02 in the communication system 01 shown may include an antenna device 100 integrating a radio frequency unit 200 and a BBU 300. For ease of explanation, the following description uses an RRU as an example for the radio frequency unit 200.

[0045] As described above, the antenna device 100 can perform at least one of receiving or transmitting radio frequency signals. In some examples, continuing as... Figure 2As shown, the antenna device 100 may include one or more of the following: a feed network 20 (or power distribution network, feed circuit, or power distribution circuit, etc.), multiple elements 102 (also called radiating elements), and a radome 103. The feed network 20 and the elements 102, etc., may be disposed within the radome 103. The radome 103 has good electromagnetic wave penetration characteristics in terms of electrical performance and can withstand the influence of harsh external environments in terms of mechanical performance, thereby protecting the components inside the radome 103 from the influence of the external environment.

[0046] In some cases, continue as Figure 2 As shown, the antenna device 100 may include a plurality of arrayed vibrators 102, which can constitute an antenna array. The vibrators 102 can radiate and receive electromagnetic waves. For example, the vibrator 102 may include at least one radiator, which can be a monopole, dipole, patch antenna, or leaky wave antenna, etc., and this application does not limit this to any particular type.

[0047] For example, the radiator described above is a device in an antenna used to receive / transmit electromagnetic wave radiation. In some cases, the term "antenna" is narrowly interpreted as a radiator. The radiator described above can convert high-frequency alternating electrical signals, i.e., radio frequency (RF) signals, from the radio frequency unit 200 into electromagnetic wave energy and radiate them in the desired direction. In addition, the radiator described above can also receive electromagnetic wave energy from a specific direction in space and convert it into radio frequency signals for transmission to the radio frequency unit 200.

[0048] Different vibrators 102 can radiate or receive frequencies that are the same or different, and this application does not limit this. In some examples, the antenna device 100 may also include a reflector 104 disposed within the radome 103. The reflector 104 may also be referred to as a base plate, antenna panel, or metal reflective surface, etc. The vibrator can be disposed on the reflective surface of the reflector 104. The reflector 104 can control the direction of the electromagnetic waves radiated by the vibrator 102 to concentrate energy radiated to the target area and shield radiation from the side of the reflector 104 away from the vibrator 102 (i.e., the rear), thereby improving radiation efficiency and reducing interference.

[0049] In addition, using cables can Figure 2The baseband unit 300 shown is electrically connected to the feed network 20 in the antenna device 100 via the radio frequency unit 200. The radio frequency unit 200 can provide a signal source to the feed network 20, enabling the feed network 20 to feed the vibrator 102, thereby realizing the feeding function, i.e., the function of transmitting electrical signals. In the antenna field, the feeding function can also be called the power supply function, or in other words, providing energy. In some examples, the function of the feed network 20 can be to feed the signal from the radio frequency unit 200 to the vibrator 102 with a certain amplitude and phase, or to feed the signal received from the vibrator 102 to the radio frequency unit 200 with a certain amplitude and phase.

[0050] For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the feed network 20 may include a phase shifter. The phase shifter can adjust the phase of the power signal received by the vibrator 102, which is electrically connected to the phase shifter in the antenna array 21, so that the electromagnetic waves radiated by the vibrator 102 of the array form a specific wavefront in space, thereby achieving beam directionality and shaping. Furthermore, the phase shifter can also change the electrical tilt angle of the radiated signal, for example, Figure 4 The downtilt angle θ shown is used to optimize the antenna's radiation pattern, improve antenna gain, and thus enhance signal quality and stability. In some examples, increasing the downtilt angle θ can concentrate the signal energy radiated by the antenna device 100 onto the target area and reduce mutual interference between adjacent areas. Decreasing the downtilt angle θ can expand the signal coverage area. Furthermore, in other examples, the phase shifter can also change the uptilt angle, which is not limited in this application.

[0051] In order for the phase shifter to perform the aforementioned phase adjustment, in some examples, the antenna device 100 may further include, for example, Figure 3 The transmission mechanism is shown. For example, the phase shifter may include a transmission line and a dielectric element. The transmission mechanism can be connected to the dielectric element so that it can drive the dielectric element to move, thereby changing the relative positional relationship between the dielectric element and the transmission line. This changes the dielectric constant of the environment in which the transmission line is located, thus changing the phase of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the transmission line, achieving the purpose of adjusting the directivity of the radiation direction of the oscillator 102.

[0052] Continue as Figure 3 As shown, the antenna device 100 may further include a remote control unit (RCU) electrically connected to the radio frequency unit 200, such as the RRU. The RCU may be located in... Figure 2The RCU can be located inside or outside the radome 103. The RCU can be electrically connected to the transmission mechanism. The RCU can control the transmission mechanism based on the signal source provided by the RRU to the phase shifter, so that the displacement of the transmission mechanism driving the medium element matches the target phase corresponding to the aforementioned signal source. In some examples, the antenna device 100 may also include a calibration network that can send calibration signals to the transmission mechanism to adjust the position of the transmission mechanism driving the medium element.

[0053] In addition, the feed network 20 may also include features for extending the performance of the antenna device 100, such as... Figure 3 The functional unit shown is an example. For instance, a functional unit may include at least one of the following devices: a power divider, a combiner, and a bridge. A combiner can combine multiple signals into one, and a power divider can split one signal into multiple signals. In some examples, a phase shifter may also have at least one of the functions of a power divider or a combiner. In this case, the power divider or combiner may be omitted from the power supply network 20. The various electronic components in the power supply network 20 can be electrically connected via signal lines.

[0054] in, Figure 3 At least some of the components in the shown functional units may be electrically connected between the phase shifter and the radio frequency unit 200, or electrically connected between the phase shifter and the oscillator 102, without limitation. Furthermore, Figure 3 Therefore, each device in the functional unit is located in Figure 2 The illustration is based on an example inside the radome 103. In some examples, at least a portion of the functional unit may also be located outside the radome 103.

[0055] In some possible implementations, miniaturization and low cost of the antenna device 100 or base station 10 can typically be achieved using frequency division technology. This frequency division technology allows signals of different frequencies to share the same antenna array 21, enabling a common-aperture antenna design and meeting the requirements of product miniaturization and low cost. Here, antenna aperture refers to the area of ​​the antenna that effectively receives or transmits electromagnetic waves.

[0056] In some examples, such as Figure 5 As shown, to implement frequency division technology, the downlink (DL) of communication device 02 may include at least two radio frequency units, namely RRU1 and RRU2. The feed network 20 is electrically connected to RRU1, RRU2, and antenna array 21. Here, the downlink can refer to... Figure 1 The link through which the base station 10 communicates with the terminal device 13.

[0057] For example, RRU1 is used to provide a first frequency band f1 radio frequency signal to the feed network 20, and RRU2 is used to provide a second frequency band f2 radio frequency signal to the feed network 20. The feed network 20 can feed the antenna array 21 according to the first frequency band f1 radio frequency signal, so that the antenna array 21 radiates electromagnetic waves matching the first frequency band f1. In addition, the feed network 20 can feed the antenna array 21 according to the second frequency band f2 radio frequency signal, so that the antenna array 21 radiates electromagnetic waves matching the second frequency band f2.

[0058] In this configuration, antenna array 21 can simultaneously transmit and receive signals from the first frequency band f1 and the second frequency band f2. This allows RRU1 and RRU2 to share the same antenna array 21 via the feed network 20, eliminating the need for separate feed networks and antenna arrays for RRUs providing different frequency RF signals, thus achieving product miniaturization and low cost.

[0059] The first frequency band f1 and the second frequency band f2 may not overlap. Furthermore, in order for the antenna array 21 to radiate electromagnetic waves matching the first frequency band f1 or the second frequency band f2, the first frequency band f1 and the second frequency band f2 can be relatively close. For example, if the frequency of any point in the second frequency band f2 is greater than the frequency of any point in the first frequency band f2, the upper limit frequency of the second frequency band f2 can be approximately twice the lower limit frequency of the first frequency band f2.

[0060] For example, the 703MHz-960MHz frequency band can be divided into the first frequency band f1 and the second frequency band f2 mentioned above, where the first frequency band f1 can be 703MHz-803MHz and the second frequency band f2 can be 885MHz-960MHz. As another example, the 1427MHz-2690MHz frequency band can be divided into the first frequency band f1 and the second frequency band f2 mentioned above, where the first frequency band f1 can be 1427MHz-2200MHz and the second frequency band f2 can be 2500MHz-2690MHz. The above are examples of dividing a frequency band into two sub-bands, i.e., the first frequency band f1 and the second frequency band f2. In other possible implementations, a frequency band, such as 703MHz-803MHz, can also be divided into three sub-bands. In this case, the communication device 02 can include three RRUs, each providing a different sub-band. The above are merely examples of frequency band division and do not constitute a limitation on frequency band division.

[0061] In some possible implementations, continue as Figure 5As shown, the power supply network 20 may include a first power splitter (SPT), hereinafter referred to as first power splitter SPT1, multiple first phase shifters (PST), hereinafter referred to as first phase shifters PST1, multiple second phase shifters PST2, and multiple first combiners 22. The first combiners 22 may include a first filter (FLT), hereinafter referred to as first filter FLT1, second filter FLT2, and a first combining structure 221.

[0062] The first power divider SPT1 can be electrically connected to RRU1 to distribute the total output power of RRU1 to each vibrator 102 in the antenna array 21 according to a certain ratio, thereby controlling the amplitude of the electromagnetic waves radiated by each vibrator 102. Each power branch of the first power divider SPT1 can be electrically connected to a first phase shifter PST1 and a first filter FLT1 in the first combiner 22. The second power divider SPT2 can be electrically connected to RRU2 to distribute power to RRU2. Each power branch of the second power divider SPT2 can be electrically connected to a second phase shifter PST2 and a second filter FLT2 in the first combiner 22.

[0063] The first filter FLT1 allows radio frequency signals of the first frequency band f1 to pass through, and the second filter FLT2 allows radio frequency signals of the second frequency f2 to pass through, thereby reducing signal interference between branches of different frequencies. For example, either the first filter FLT1 or the second filter FLT2 can be a band-stop filter, a band-pass filter, a low-pass filter, or a high-pass filter, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0064] In addition, continue as Figure 5 As shown, the first combining structure 221 in each first combiner 22 can be electrically connected to a first filter FLT1 and a second filter FLT2. Furthermore, each first combiner 22 can also be electrically connected to an element 102 in the antenna array 21 via the aforementioned first combining structure 221 to achieve the combining function. Therefore, the first combining structure 221 can not only electrically connect the first filter FLT1 and the second filter FLT2, but also serve as the common output terminal of the feed network 20 to feed power to the element 102.

[0065] As can be seen from the above, Figure 5The first combiner 22 is electrically connected to the first phase shifter PST1 and the second phase shifter PST2, and to the vibrator 102. Therefore, the first phase shifter PST1 and the second phase shifter PST2 can adjust the phase of the first frequency band f1 and the second frequency band f2 of the electromagnetic wave to be radiated by each vibrator 102 before combining. By controlling the phase difference between adjacent vibrators 102, the beam deflection angle can be adjusted, thereby allowing independent adjustment of the downtilt angle of signals in different frequency bands and improving the flexibility of the feed network 20 in adjusting the performance of the antenna array 21.

[0066] Figure 5 The power supply network 20 shown is an example illustrating the use of power dividers, such as a first power divider SPT1 and a second power divider SPT2. In other possible implementations of this application, the power supply network 20 may not require power dividers; RRU1 can be directly electrically connected to the first phase shifter PST1, and RRU2 can be directly electrically connected to the second phase shifter PST2. Furthermore, Figure 5 This example illustrates the frequency division technique by using the feed network 20 receiving different first frequency bands f1 and second frequency bands f2. In other possible implementations of this application, the feed network 20 can also be electrically connected to three or more radio frequency units, such as RRUs, to achieve the purpose of frequency division and shared antenna aperture for multi-frequency antennas. The configuration of the feed network 20 is similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0067] also, Figure 5 This example illustrates the frequency division technique by showing the power supply network 20 electrically connected to two radio frequency units, RRU1 and RRU2, respectively. In other examples of this application, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the communication device 02 may include a radio frequency unit, such as an RRU, which may have a first port A1 and a second port A2. The first port A1 is used to provide a radio frequency signal of a first frequency band f1 to the power supply network 20, and the first port A1 may be electrically connected to a first power divider SPT1. The first port A2 is used to provide a radio frequency signal of a second frequency band f2 to the power supply network 20, and the second port A2 may be electrically connected to a second power divider SPT2.

[0068] In other examples, Figure 6 The power distribution network 20 shown may not require a power divider. Similarly, Figure 6 The RRU shown may also include three or more ports to provide three or more different frequency band radio frequency signals to the feeder network 20, which is not limited in this application.

[0069] As can be seen from the above, if Figure 7The power supply network 20 includes at least one first combiner structure 221, at least one first phase shifter PST1, at least one first filter FLT1, at least one second phase shifter PST2, and at least one second filter FLT2. Furthermore, to isolate external spatial clutter from interfering with the internal radio frequency signals of the power supply network, in some embodiments of this application, the power supply network 20 may include a first metal housing 31. The first metal housing 31 may include a first receiving cavity 311 and a second receiving cavity 312 stacked along a first direction X. The first phase shifter PST1 and the first filter FLT1 may be located within the first receiving cavity 311, and the second phase shifter PST2 and the second filter FLT2 may be located within the second receiving cavity 312. At least a portion of the first combiner structure 221 may extend into the first receiving cavity 311 and the second receiving cavity 312.

[0070] To illustrate the structure of the power supply network 20, an XYZ coordinate system is established in some of the accompanying drawings. The X direction can be the direction in which the first receiving cavity 311 and the second receiving cavity 312 are stacked; this direction will be referred to as the first direction X. For example, taking the first metal shell 31 as a rectangular strip-shaped cavity structure, the first metal shell 31 along the Z direction may include a top plate 3101 and a bottom plate 3102 disposed opposite each other; this direction will be referred to as the second direction Z. Furthermore, the direction of the long sides of the top plate 3101 and the bottom plate 3102 can be the Y direction. The top plate 3101 and the bottom plate 3102 can be parallel to the XY plane and perpendicular to the second direction Z.

[0071] In addition, continue as Figure 7 The first metal casing 31 shown may further include two side plates, namely a first side plate 3103 and a second side plate 3104, and a partition 3105 located between the first side plate 3103 and the second side plate 3104. The first side plate 3103, the second side plate 3104, and the partition 3105 may be parallel to the ZY plane and perpendicular to the first direction X. The first side plate 3103, the partition 3105, and part of the top plate 3101 and part of the bottom plate 3102 may form a first receiving cavity 311. The second side plate 3104, the partition, and part of the top plate 3101 and part of the bottom plate 3102 may form a second receiving cavity 312.

[0072] In some possible implementations, Figure 7 The first phase shifter PST1 shown may include a first phase shifting circuit 201 and a first phase shifting medium 2001. The first phase shifting circuit 201 may include, for example, Figure 8The first transmission line 2011 is shown. The first transmission line 2011 can overlap with the first phase-shifting medium 2001. By changing the relative positional relationship between the first phase-shifting medium 2001 and the first transmission line 2011, the dielectric constant of the environment in which the first transmission line 2011 is located changes, thereby altering the phase of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the first transmission line 2011. Figure 8 It can be along Figure 7 A schematic diagram obtained from direction B1 in the diagram.

[0073] also, Figure 7 The first filter FLT1 shown may include, for example: Figure 8 The first filter circuit 231 shown may include a second transmission line 2311 and at least one first filter stub 2312. One end a1 of the first filter stub 2312 may be connected to the second transmission line 2311, and the other end b1 of the first filter stub 2312 may be an open-circuit end or a short-circuit end. Figure 8 This example illustrates the concept by using the other end b1 of the first filter stub 2312 as an open circuit. For instance, the bandstop or bandpass frequency band of the first filter circuit 231 can be adjusted by changing the number and electrical length of the first filter stubs 2312. This application does not limit the number, electrical length, or position of the first filter stubs 2312 relative to the second transmission line 2311.

[0074] For example, the electrical length of the first filter stub 2312 can be 1 / 4 of the operating wavelength (λ) corresponding to the center frequency of the target frequency band filtered by the first filter circuit 231. That is, the electrical length of the first filter stub 2312 is 1 / 4λ. It can also be understood that the electrical length of the first filter stub 2312 is within the range of 1 / 4λ ± 25% (greater than or equal to 75% of 1 / 4λ, and less than or equal to 125% of 1 / 4λ). When the electrical length of the first filter stub 2312 is within the above range, it has a better filtering effect on the electrical signal of the target frequency band.

[0075] The open-circuit terminal, also known as the floating terminal or open terminal, does not necessarily need to be connected to the ground plane. Alternatively, the open-circuit terminal can be connected to the ground plane via a device that is in or near an open-circuit state within a preset frequency band. The short-circuit terminal can be directly connected to the ground plane, for example, through soldering or a spring contact. Alternatively, the short-circuit terminal can also be connected to the ground plane via a device that is in a near-short-circuit state within a preset frequency band.

[0076] Continue as Figure 8As shown, the power supply network 20 may have a first input terminal I1. One end of the first transmission line 2011, for example, the right end, may be electrically connected to the first input terminal I1 of the power supply network 20, and the other end of the first transmission line 2011, for example, the left end, may be connected to one end of the second transmission line 2311. The first phase-shifting circuit 201 is electrically connected between the first input terminal I1 and the first filter circuit 231. Furthermore, the other end of the second transmission line 2311, for example, the right end, may be connected to the portion of the first combining structure 221 located in the first receiving cavity 311. This allows at least a portion of the first filter circuit 231 to be electrically connected between the first phase-shifting circuit 201 and the portion of the first combining structure 221 located in the first receiving cavity 311.

[0077] Figure 8 The first input terminal I1 shown can be accessed via Figure 5 The first power divider SPT1 shown is electrically connected to RRU1 to receive the radio frequency signal of the first frequency band f1 provided by RRU1. Alternatively, if the first power divider SPT1 is not required in the feeder network 20, the first input terminal I1 can be directly electrically connected to RRU1. As another example, the first input terminal I1 can be connected via... Figure 6 The first power divider SPT1 shown is electrically connected to the first port A1 of the RRU, or directly to the first port A1 of the RRU.

[0078] Example, Figure 8 The first transmission line 2011, the second transmission line 2311, and the first filter branch 2312 shown can be connected to form an integral structure. For example, the first transmission line 2011, the second transmission line 2311, and the first filter branch 2312 can be sheet metal strips. By stamping a sheet metal blank, a sheet metal strip with a preset pattern is integrally formed, and different areas of the sheet metal strip can correspond to the first transmission line 2011, the second transmission line 2311, and the first filter branch 2312, respectively. Alternatively, for example, the first transmission line 2011, the second transmission line 2311, and the first filter branch 2312 can be PCB strips. By etching the copper foil in the PCB material, a metal thin film pattern structure is formed, and different areas of the metal thin film pattern structure can correspond to the first transmission line 2011, the second transmission line 2311, and the first filter branch 2312, respectively. Alternatively, the first transmission line 2011, the second transmission line 2311, and the first filter stub 2312 may be integrally formed microstrip lines, and this application does not limit this.

[0079] Furthermore, in some possible implementations, Figure 7 The second phase shifter PST2 shown may include a second phase shifting circuit 202 and a second phase shifting medium 2002. The second phase shifting circuit 202 may include, for example, Figure 9The third transmission line 2021 is shown. The third transmission line 2021 can overlap with the second phase-shifting medium 2002. By changing the relative positional relationship between the second phase-shifting circuit 202 and the third transmission line 2021, the phase of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the third transmission line 2021 can be changed. Figure 9 It can be along Figure 7 A schematic diagram obtained from direction B2 in the diagram.

[0080] also, Figure 7 The second filter circuit FLT2 shown may include, for example: Figure 9 The second filter circuit 232 is shown. This second filter circuit 232 may include a fourth transmission line 2321 and at least one second filter stub 2322. One end a2 of the second filter stub 2322 may be connected to the fourth transmission line 2321, and the other end b2 of the second filter stub 2322 may be an open-circuit end or a short-circuit end. The setting method of the electrical length of the second filter stub 2322 is the same as the setting method of the electrical length of the first filter stub 2312, and will not be repeated here.

[0081] Continue as Figure 9 As shown, the power supply network 20 may have a second input terminal I2. One end of the third transmission line 2021, for example, the right end, may be electrically connected to the second input terminal I2 of the power supply network 20. The other end of the third transmission line 2021, for example, the left end, may be connected to one end of the fourth transmission line 2321. The second phase-shifting circuit 202 is electrically connected between the second input terminal I2 and the second filter circuit 232. Furthermore, the other end of the fourth transmission line 2321, for example, the right end, may be connected to the portion of the first combining structure 221 located in the second receiving cavity 312. This allows at least a portion of the second filter circuit 232 to be electrically connected between the second phase-shifting circuit 202 and the portion of the first combining structure 221 located in the second receiving cavity 312. The method of connecting the third transmission line 2021, the fourth transmission line 2321, and the second filter stub 2322 into a single structure can be obtained similarly and will not be described further here.

[0082] Similarly, Figure 9 The second input terminal I2 shown can be used Figure 5 The second power divider SPT2 shown is electrically connected to RRU2 to receive the radio frequency signal of the second frequency band f2 provided by RRU2. Alternatively, if the second power divider SPT2 is not required in the feeder network 20, the second input terminal I2 can be directly electrically connected to RRU2. As another example, the second input terminal I2 can be connected via... Figure 6 The second power divider SPT2 shown is electrically connected to the second port A2 of the RRU, or directly to the second port A2 of the RRU.

[0083] As can be seen from the above, if Figure 10As shown, the first combining structure 221 can be electrically connected to both the second transmission line 2311 and the fourth transmission line 2321. Therefore, the first combining structure 221 can be connected to a device having the second transmission line 2311, such as... Figure 8 The first filter circuit 231 shown, and the one with the fourth transmission line 2321 as shown Figure 9 The second filter circuit 232 shown is electrically connected to achieve the combining function. Furthermore, continuing as... Figure 10 As shown, the power supply network 20 may further include a first output terminal O1, which is used to connect with... Figure 5 or Figure 6 The vibrator 102 in the antenna array 21 shown is electrically connected, or the first output terminal O1 is used to couple with the vibrator 102 to feed power to the vibrator 102. A portion of the first combining structure 221 can serve as the first output terminal O1.

[0084] In this configuration, the first combining structure 221 can both perform the combining function and serve as the common output terminal of the feed network 20 to feed the vibrator 102. Therefore, no additional combining structure or common output terminal is required in the feed network 20. For example, there is no need to place the common output terminal on the transmission line with phase shifting and filtering functions, thus reducing the space occupied by the combining structure and common output terminal within the first metal housing 31 and alleviating the problem of the large size of the feed network for the multi-frequency antenna. For example, the first combining structure 221 can be a sheet metal strip, a PCB strip, or a microstrip line, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0085] The following example illustrates the configuration of the first merging structure 221. For example... Figure 11A As shown, the first metal housing 31 has a mounting hole 3100, which exposes the portion where the first combining structure 221 is electrically connected to the first filter circuit 231, and the portion where the first combining structure 221 is electrically connected to the second filter circuit 232. This facilitates the electrical connection of the first combining structure 221 with the first filter circuit 231 and the second filter circuit 232 at the location of the mounting hole 3100.

[0086] Example, Figure 11A The mounting hole 3100 shown is a large hole that connects both the first receiving cavity 311 and the second receiving cavity 312. Alternatively, in other embodiments, such as Figure 11BAs shown, the mounting hole 3100 may include two spaced-apart holes, a first hole 3106 and a second hole 3107. The first hole 3106 exposes the portion of the first receiving cavity 311 where the first combining structure 221 and the first filter circuit 231 are electrically connected. Similarly, the second hole 3107 exposes the portion of the second receiving cavity 312 where the first combining structure 221 and the second filter circuit 232 are electrically connected. The first hole 3106 and the second hole 3107 are separated by a portion of the first metal housing 31, ensuring that the first hole 3106 and the second hole 3107 are not connected.

[0087] In some possible implementations, such as Figure 11A As shown, when the first filter circuit 231 and the second filter circuit 232 are respectively located above the first phase shift circuit 201 and the second phase shift circuit 202, the first combining structure 221 can be located at one end of the first filter circuit 231 and the second filter circuit 232 respectively away from the first phase shift circuit 201 and the second phase shift circuit 202, thereby facilitating the electrical connection between the first combining structure 221 and the first filter circuit 231 and the second filter circuit 232.

[0088] In this case, as described above, the first metal housing 31 includes a top plate 3101, which can be located on the side of the first combining structure 221 opposite to the first phase-shifting circuit 201 and the second phase-shifting circuit 202. That is, the top plate 3101 can be located above the first combining structure 221. A mounting hole 3100 can be formed on the top plate 3101. This allows the mounting hole 3100 to expose at least a portion of the surface of the first combining structure 221 opposite to the first phase-shifting circuit 201 and the second phase-shifting circuit 202, i.e., at least a portion of the upper surface of the first combining structure 221. The upper surface of the first combining structure 221 is less likely to be obscured by other circuits in the feed network 20, thereby facilitating the electrical connection of the first combining structure 221 with the first filter circuit 231 and the second filter circuit 232.

[0089] The above example illustrates the use of a mounting hole 3100 on the top plate 3101. In other possible implementations, when the first combining structure 221 is close to the bottom plate 3102, the first side plate 3103, or the second side plate 3104, the mounting hole 3100 can be formed on the side of the first metal housing 31 closest to the first combining structure 221. This application does not limit the location of the mounting hole 3100, as long as it ensures that the mounting hole 3100 exposes the portion of the first combining structure 221 electrically connected to the first filter circuit 231, and the portion of the first combining structure 221 electrically connected to the second filter circuit 232.

[0090] In addition, such as Figure 12 As shown, to electrically connect the first combining structure 221 to the first filter circuit 231 and the second filter circuit 232, for example, two vias can be formed on the first combining structure 221. A portion of the first filter circuit 231, such as the second transmission line 2311, and a portion of the second filter circuit 232, such as the fourth transmission line 2321, can pass through the vias on the first combining structure 221, respectively. Next, a soldering process can be used to solder the second transmission line 2311 passing through the first combining structure 221 to the first combining structure 221 at position C1. And, at position C2, the fourth transmission line 2321 passing through the first combining structure 221 is soldered to the first combining structure 221.

[0091] In some possible implementations, such as Figure 13 As shown, the portion of the first combining structure 221 located in the first receiving cavity 311 and the second receiving cavity 312, can be within the range of the mounting hole 3100 on the vertical projection of the mounting hole 3100 onto the plate surface where the mounting hole 3100 is located, such as the top plate 3101. In this case, the mounting hole 3100 is relatively large to fully expose the portion of the first combining structure 221 located in the first receiving cavity 311 and the second receiving cavity 312. This facilitates the insertion of at least a portion of the first combining structure 221 into the first receiving cavity 311 and the second receiving cavity 312, thereby making it easier to solder the first combining structure 221 to the first filter circuit 231 and the second filter circuit 232.

[0092] For example, continue as follows Figure 13 As shown, all parts of the first combining structure 221 are located within the first metal housing 31. As can be seen from the above, a portion of the first combining structure 221 can serve as the first output terminal O1 of the power supply network 20. Furthermore, as... Figure 14 As shown, the antenna device 100 may also include a cable 40, which can electrically connect the first output terminal O1 to the vibrator 102.

[0093] Based on this, in order to facilitate the electrical connection of the first output terminal O1 cable to the oscillator 102, continue as follows Figure 13 As shown, when the end of the first combining structure 221 facing the first side plate 3103 serves as the first output terminal O1, a wiring hole 31031 penetrating the first side plate 3103 can be provided on the first side plate 3103, and the first output terminal O1 can face the wiring hole 31031. This wiring hole 31031 is used for... Figure 14 The cable 40 shown is designed so that a portion of the cable 40 extends into the first metal housing 31 through the wiring hole 31031 and is electrically connected to the first output terminal O1. For example, the portion of the cable 40 extending into the first metal housing 31 can be electrically connected to the first output terminal O1 via a soldering process.

[0094] In some possible implementations, such as Figure 14 As shown, a portion of the cable 40 near the first output terminal O1 can be perpendicular to the plane where the first side plate 3103 is located, i.e., the ZY plane. The cable 40 can be a coaxial cable. In this case, the inner and outer conductors of the cable 40 near the first output terminal O1 can both be perpendicular to the ZY plane, and the inner conductor extends into the first metal housing 31 in a direction perpendicular to the ZY plane, and is electrically connected to the first output terminal O1.

[0095] Or, in some other possible implementations, such as Figure 15 As shown, in a portion of the cable 40 near the first output terminal O1, the inner conductor can extend into the first metal housing 31 in a direction perpendicular to the ZY plane and be electrically connected to the first output terminal O1. The outer conductor can be routed in a direction parallel to the ZY plane.

[0096] The above example illustrates the situation where all parts of the first combining structure 221 are located within the first metal housing 31. In other possible implementations of this application, such as... Figure 16 As shown, the first combining structure 221 may include a first combining portion 2211 and a second combining portion 2212. The first combining portion 2211 may extend into the first receiving cavity 311 and the second receiving cavity 312. The portion of the first combining portion 2211 located in the first receiving cavity 311 may be electrically connected to the first filter circuit 231, and the portion of the first combining portion 2211 located in the second receiving cavity 312 may be electrically connected to the second filter circuit 232.

[0097] Furthermore, the second junction portion 2212 can be connected to the first junction portion 2211. For example, the first junction portion 2211 and the second junction portion 2212 can be connected by welding, or by a single-piece molding process such as die casting or injection molding, to form a single structural component. When the second junction portion 2212 can be connected to the first junction portion 2211 to form a single structural component, the first junction portion 2211 and the second junction portion 2212 can each be two parts of the aforementioned first structural component. Continuing as... Figure 16 As shown, at least a portion of the second junction portion 2212 can extend out of the first metal housing 31, and the end of the second junction portion 2212 opposite to the first junction portion 2211 can serve as the first output terminal O1 for electrical connection with the cable 40.

[0098] Since at least a portion of the second combining portion 2212 can extend outside the first metal housing 31, and the end of the second combining portion 2212 opposite to the first combining portion 2211 serves as the first output terminal O1, the first output terminal O1 can be located outside the first metal housing 31. In this case, a soldering process can be used to solder the first output terminal O1 to the inner conductor of the cable 40 outside the first metal housing 31, thereby facilitating the electrical connection between the cable 40 and the first output terminal O1. Furthermore, when soldering the first output terminal O1 to the inner conductor of the cable 40 outside the first metal housing 31, it is easier to adjust the amount of solder to reduce the fluctuation of standing waves caused by dimensional tolerances in the antenna device 100.

[0099] In some examples of this application, it continues as follows Figure 16 As shown, both the first combining portion 2211 and the second combining portion 2212 can be arranged along the first direction X. In this case, the cable 40 can be routed along the second direction Y, and the inner conductor of the cable 40 can be electrically connected along the second direction Y to the portion of the second combining portion 2212 located outside the first metal housing 31. In this way, the inner conductor of the cable 40 does not need to be bent, improving the reliability of the cable 40 and the convenience of wiring.

[0100] The above example illustrates the situation where both the first merging section 2211 and the second merging section 2212 are positioned along the first direction X. In other examples of this application, such as... Figure 17 As shown, the first combining section 2211 can be located inside the first metal housing 31 and disposed along the first direction X. At least a portion of the second combining section 2212 located outside the first metal housing 31 can be disposed along the second direction Z, and the second combining section 2212 is configured to feed power to the vibrator 102. In this way, the second combining section 2212 can feed power to the vibrator 102 by direct connection or coupling, thereby eliminating the need for cables or other components between the second combining section 2212 and the vibrator 102, which helps to simplify the structure of the antenna device 100.

[0101] In some possible examples of this application, Figure 17 The oscillator 102 shown can be a dipole, and the portion of the second junction 2212 located outside the first metal housing 31 can be electrically connected to one of the radiating arms of the oscillator 102, for example, by direct electrical connection or by means of spring contact or welding.

[0102] Furthermore, the antenna device 100 also includes at least one grounding structure 50, one end of which can be electrically connected to the first metal housing 31 to achieve grounding. For example, the grounding structure 50 can be a sheet metal strip, a PCB strip, or a microstrip line, etc., and this application is not limited to this. The grounding structure 50 is disposed along the second direction Z and is electrically connected to at least a portion of the vibrator 102, for example, to another radiating arm of the vibrator 102. For example, the grounding structure 50 and the other radiating arm of the vibrator 102 can be directly electrically connected or electrically connected via a spring clip or soldering. In this case, the second combiner 2212 and the grounding structure 50 can be part of a balun structure or a similar balun structure, feeding the vibrator 102, which is a dipole.

[0103] For example, continue as follows Figure 17 As shown, the second merging portion 2212 may include a first sub-portion 22121, a second sub-portion 22122, and a third sub-portion 22123. The first sub-portion 22121 may be disposed along the second direction Z, and a portion of the first sub-portion 22121 may extend into the first metal housing 31 and connect to the first merging portion 2211. Another portion of the first sub-portion 22121 may extend outside the first metal housing 31. The second sub-portion 22122 and the third sub-portion 22123 are located outside the first metal housing 31. The second sub-portion 22122 may be disposed along the first direction X, and one end of the second sub-portion 22122 is connected to the portion of the first sub-portion 22121 that extends outside the first metal housing 31. The third sub-part 22123 is arranged along the second direction Z. One end of the third sub-part 22123 is connected to the other end of the second sub-part 22122. The end of the third sub-part 22123 away from the second sub-part 22122 serves as the first output terminal O1 to feed power to the oscillator 102.

[0104] In this way, since the second sub-part 22122 and the third sub-part 22123 are located outside the first metal housing 31, and the second sub-part 22122 is arranged along the first direction X, the relative position between the third sub-part 22123 and the grounding structure 50 can be determined by setting the length of the second sub-part 22122 along the first direction X. For example, the third sub-part 22123 can be arranged closer to the grounding structure 50 relative to the first sub-part 22121. This reduces the distance between the third sub-part 22123 and the grounding structure 50, facilitating the feeding of power from the third sub-part 22123 and the grounding structure 50 to the vibrator 102.

[0105] For example, in the first sub-parts 22121, the second sub-parts 22122, and the third sub-parts 22123 of the second connecting part 2212, any two adjacent sub-parts can be connected by welding. Alternatively, any two adjacent sub-parts can be connected by a one-piece molding process such as die casting or injection molding, so that the two sub-parts can be connected into a single structural component.

[0106] Alternatively, in some other possible examples of this application, where the spacing between the second junction 2212 and the grounding structure 50 meets the power supply requirements, such as... Figure 18 As shown, the second combining section 2212 can be arranged along the second direction Z at various points. A portion of the second combining section 2212 extends into the first metal housing 31 and connects to the first combining section 2211, while the other portion extends out of the first metal housing 31. The end of the second combining section 2212 facing away from the first combining section 2211 serves as the first output terminal O1 to feed power to the oscillator 102. In this way, since the second combining section 2212 can be arranged along the second direction Z at various points, the structure of the second combining section 2212 can be simplified.

[0107] The above example illustrates how the second combining section 2212 can be electrically connected to a radiating arm of the dipole oscillator 102 to feed power to the oscillator 102. In other possible implementations, such as... Figure 19 As shown, the antenna device 100 may include two spaced-apart grounding structures 50. These two grounding structures can be electrically connected to both radiating arms of the dipole 102, for example, through direct electrical connection or by means of spring clips or welding. The end of the second combiner 2212 facing the dipole 102 can be U-shaped, and there is a gap between the second combiner 2212 and the dipole 102. In this way, the second combiner 2212 can excite the two spaced-apart grounding structures 50 to feed power to the two radiating arms of the dipole 102 respectively.

[0108] The above example uses one dipole of oscillator 102 as an example. In other embodiments of this application, such as Figure 20 As shown, the oscillator 102 may include two dipoles, such as a first dipole 1021 and a second dipole 1022. The power supply network 20 may have a first output terminal O1 and a second output terminal O2, which can respectively feed power to the first dipole 1021 and the second dipole 1022. In addition, the power supply network 20 may also include a second metal housing 32, a third phase-shifting circuit 203, a fourth phase-shifting circuit 204, a third filter circuit 233, a fourth filter circuit 234, and a second combining structure 222.

[0109] Continue as Figure 20As shown, the second metal housing 32 may include a third receiving cavity 321 and a fourth receiving cavity 322 stacked along the first direction X. A third phase-shifting circuit 203 and a third filter circuit 233 may be located within the third receiving cavity 321. A fourth phase-shifting circuit 204 and a fourth filter circuit 234 are located within the fourth receiving cavity 322, and are electrically connected.

[0110] The third phase-shifting circuit 203 and the fourth phase-shifting circuit 204 can be configured similarly to the phase-shifting circuit within the first metal housing 31, and the third filter circuit 233 and the fourth filter circuit 234 can also be configured similarly to the filter circuit within the first metal housing 31; further details are omitted here. For example, the third phase-shifting circuit 203 can be connected to the first phase-shifting circuit 201 within the same RRU, for instance... Figure 5 The RRU1 shown is electrically connected. The fourth phase shift circuit 204 can be connected to the same RRU as the second phase shift circuit 202, for example... Figure 5 The RRU2 electrical connection is shown.

[0111] Continue as Figure 21 As shown, the second combining structure 222 may include a third combining portion 2221 and a fourth combining portion 2222 connected to each other. The third combining portion 2221 extends into the third receiving cavity 321 and the fourth receiving cavity 322. At least a portion of the third filter circuit 233 may be electrically connected between the third phase shifting circuit 203 and the portion of the third combining portion 2221 located in the third receiving cavity 321. At least a portion of the fourth filter circuit 234 may be electrically connected between the fourth phase shifting circuit 204 and the portion of the third combining portion 2221 located in the fourth receiving cavity 322.

[0112] Furthermore, at least a portion of the fourth combining section 2222 can be disposed along the second direction Z, and the end of the fourth combining section 2222 opposite to the third combining section 2221 can serve as the second output terminal O2. The second combining structure 222 outputs through the second output terminal O1 to... Figure 20 The second dipole 1022 shown is fed in a manner that, together with the first combining structure 221, through the first output terminal O2 to... Figure 20 The feeding method of the first dipole 1021 shown can be obtained in the same way, and will not be repeated here.

[0113] For example, continue as follows Figure 21As shown, the first combining mechanism 221 and the second combining structure 222 can be symmetrically arranged about the grounding structure 50. Furthermore, the antenna device includes a metal connecting plate 51, which can be located between the first metal housing 31 and the second metal housing 32. The metal connecting plate 51 can be connected to the first metal housing 31, the second metal housing 32, and the grounding structure 50. The vertical projection of the grounding structure 50 onto the plane of the metal connecting plate 51 can be located within the area of ​​the metal connecting plate 51. In this way, the metal connecting plate 51 can not only support the grounding structure 50 but also electrically connect the grounding structure 50 to the first metal housing 31 and the second metal housing 32.

[0114] The first metal housing 31, the second metal housing 32, the grounding structure 50, and the metal connecting plate 51 can be connected by welding, or they can be connected into an integral structural component by die casting or injection molding.

[0115] Continue as Figure 21 As shown, the first combining structure 221 outputs power to the first output terminal O1. Figure 20 The radio frequency signal provided by the first dipole 1021 shown can be combined with the second combiner structure 222 and transmitted to the second output terminal O2. Figure 20 The second dipole 1022 shown provides radio frequency signals with different phases, for example, a phase difference of 90°, so that the polarization directions of the first dipole 1021 and the second dipole 1022 are orthogonal to synthesize circularly polarized or elliptically polarized signals.

[0116] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A power supply network, characterized in that, The power supply network has a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and a first output terminal; the power supply network includes: The first metal housing includes a first receiving cavity and a second receiving cavity stacked along a first direction; The first phase-shifting circuit and the first filter circuit are located within the first receiving cavity; the first phase-shifting circuit is electrically connected between the first input terminal and the first filter circuit. A second phase-shifting circuit and a second filter circuit are located within the second receiving cavity; the second phase-shifting circuit is electrically connected between the second input terminal and the second filter circuit; and... A first combining structure, at least a portion of which extends into the first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity; a first filter circuit is at least partially electrically connected between the first phase shifting circuit and the portion of the first combining structure located in the first receiving cavity; a second filter circuit is at least partially electrically connected between the second phase shifting circuit and the portion of the first combining structure located in the second receiving cavity; a portion of the first combining structure serves as the first output terminal.

2. The power supply network according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first metal housing has a mounting hole that penetrates the first metal housing, and the mounting hole exposes the portion of the first combining structure that is electrically connected to the first filter circuit, as well as the portion of the first combining structure that is electrically connected to the second filter circuit.

3. The power supply network according to claim 2, characterized in that, The portion of the first merging structure located in the first and second receiving cavities, when projected vertically onto the plate surface where the mounting hole is located, lies within the range of the mounting hole.

4. The power supply network according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first combining structure includes: A first merging portion extends into the first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity; the portion of the first merging portion located in the first receiving cavity is electrically connected to the first filter circuit, and the portion of the first merging portion located in the second receiving cavity is electrically connected to the second filter circuit; and... The second merging section is connected to the first merging section; the second merging section extends at least partially out of the first metal housing, and the end of the second merging section opposite to the first merging section serves as the first output terminal.

5. The power supply network according to claim 4, characterized in that, Both the first merging section and the second merging section are arranged along the first direction.

6. The power supply network according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first metal housing further includes a first side plate, which is perpendicular to the first direction; the end of the first combining structure facing the first side plate serves as the first output end. A wiring hole is provided through the first side plate, and the first output end faces the wiring hole.

7. The power supply network according to claim 4, characterized in that, At least a portion of the second junction portion extending beyond the first metal housing is disposed along a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction.

8. The power supply network according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second merging section includes: A first sub-part is provided along the second direction; a portion of the first sub-part extends into the first metal housing and is connected to the first junction portion, while another portion of the first sub-part extends out of the first metal housing; A second sub-part is disposed along the first direction and located outside the first metal housing; one end of the second sub-part is connected to the portion of the first sub-part extending outside the first metal housing; and... The third sub-part is disposed along the second direction and located outside the first metal housing; one end of the third sub-part is connected to the other end of the second sub-part, and the end of the third sub-part facing away from the second sub-part serves as the first output terminal.

9. The power supply network according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second merging section is arranged along the second direction; a portion of the second merging section extends into the first metal housing and is connected to the first merging section, and another portion of the second merging section extends out of the first metal housing; the end of the second merging section opposite to the first merging section serves as the first output end.

10. The power supply network according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that, The power supply network also has a second output terminal, and the power supply network further includes: The second metal housing includes a third receiving cavity and a fourth receiving cavity stacked along the first direction; The third phase-shifting circuit and the third filter circuit are located within the third receiving cavity; the third phase-shifting circuit is electrically connected to the third filter circuit. A fourth phase-shifting circuit and a fourth filter circuit are located within the fourth receiving cavity; the fourth phase-shifting circuit is electrically connected to the fourth filter circuit; and, The second combining structure includes a third combining section and a fourth combining section connected to each other; the third combining section extends into the third receiving cavity and the fourth receiving cavity; the third filter circuit is at least partially electrically connected between the third phase shifting circuit and the portion of the third combining section located in the third receiving cavity; the fourth filter circuit is at least partially electrically connected between the fourth phase shifting circuit and the portion of the third combining section located in the fourth receiving cavity; at least a portion of the fourth combining section is arranged along a second direction, and the end of the fourth combining section opposite to the third combining section serves as the second output terminal.

11. The power supply network according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The power supply network also includes a first phase-shifting medium; The first phase-shifting circuit includes a first transmission line, which overlaps with the first phase-shifting medium; one end of the first transmission line is electrically connected to the first input terminal of the power supply network. The first filtering circuit includes a second transmission line and at least one first filtering stub. One end of the second transmission line is connected to the other end of the first transmission line, and the other end of the second transmission line is connected to the portion of the first combining structure located in the first receiving cavity. One end of the first filtering stub is connected to the second transmission line, and the other end of the first filtering stub is an open circuit or a short circuit.

12. An antenna device, characterized in that, include: Antenna array; The power supply network as described in any one of claims 1-11; The power supply network is electrically connected to the antenna array; as well as, The antenna array and the feed network are located inside the radome.

13. The antenna device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first combining structure in the power supply network is located inside the first metal housing of the power supply network; The antenna device also includes a cable, a portion of which extends into the first metal housing and is electrically connected to the first combining structure.

14. The antenna device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first combining structure in the power supply network includes a first combining section and a second combining section connected to each other. The first combining section is located inside the first metal housing of the power supply network, and the second combining section extends at least partially out of the first metal housing. The antenna device also includes a cable, which is electrically connected to the portion of the second combining section that extends out of the first metal housing.

15. The antenna device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The antenna array includes an oscillator; The first combining structure in the power supply network includes a first combining section and a second combining section connected to each other. The first combining section is located inside a first metal housing of the power supply network, and at least a portion of the second combining section is located outside the first metal housing. At least a portion of the second combining section located outside the first metal housing is arranged along a second direction, and the second combining section is configured to feed power to the oscillator.

16. The antenna device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The antenna device further includes a grounding structure, one end of which is electrically connected to the first metal housing; the grounding structure is arranged along the second direction and is electrically connected to at least a portion of the vibrator. The second merging section includes a first subsection, a second subsection, and a third subsection connected in sequence; the first subsection and the third subsection are arranged along the second direction, and the second subsection is arranged along the first direction; relative to the first subsection, the third subsection is arranged closer to the grounding structure.

17. The antenna device according to claim 16, characterized in that, The power supply network also includes a second metal housing; The antenna device further includes a metal connecting plate located between the first metal housing and the second metal housing; the metal connecting plate is connected to the first metal housing, the second metal housing, and the grounding structure; wherein, the vertical projection of the grounding structure in the plane of the metal connecting plate is located within the area of ​​the metal connecting plate.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The antenna device as described in any one of claims 12-17; as well as, A baseband unit, which is electrically connected to the feed network in the antenna device.

19. The communication device according to claim 18, characterized in that, The baseband unit is electrically connected to the power supply network via the radio frequency unit.

20. A communication system, characterized in that, include: The communication device as described in claim 18 or 19; Transmission network; as well as, The core network equipment interacts with the communication equipment through the transmission network.

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