Antenna unit, antenna, and communication device

Abstract

Embodiments of this application disclose an antenna unit, an antenna, and a communication apparatus. The antenna unit implements adjustment of beam widths in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction by using a special structure. An antenna gain does not decrease after the beam width is adjusted. Therefore, a coverage distance of the antenna remains unchanged. This effectively expands an application scope of the communication apparatus using the antenna, and improves a scenario-based coverage capability of the communication apparatus.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. CN202111155667.5, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on September 29, 2021 and entitled "ANTENNA UNIT, ANTENNA, AND COMMUNICATION APPARATUS", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to an antenna unit, an antenna, and a communication apparatus.BACKGROUND

[0003] With construction of a 5th generation (5th generation, 5G) network, requirements for a scenario-based coverage hole filling scenario are increasingly obvious. In some scenarios with dense buildings, for example, especially in a scenario such as a residential area or a commercial street, a higher requirement is imposed on a coverage capability of a network device. The residential area is used as an example. Various buildings of different sizes often exist in the residential area. Due to limitations of heights and widths of buildings and distances between different buildings, a lobe width of an antenna in the network device needs to be adaptively adjusted, to implement flexible coverage.

[0004] Currently, a common antenna is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an antenna in a conventional technology. The antenna includes four antenna array units (also referred to as elements), and phase shifters connected to the antenna array units. The antenna is adjusted, by using the phase shifter, to reserve only one antenna array unit in a vertical direction (opposite to a sea level direction), to achieve an objective of reducing a beam width in the vertical direction.

[0005] However, in the foregoing solution, after the antenna array unit is adjusted by using the phase shifter, a beam width of the antenna in a horizontal direction (that is, parallel to the sea level direction) is not changed, causing a problem of cross-cell interference of the network device in the horizontal direction.SUMMARY

[0006] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides an antenna unit. The antenna unit includes a first array unit, a second array unit, a third array unit, a fourth array unit, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, a first port, and a second port. The first switch, the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch are connected in series, where the first switch is separately connected to the second switch and the third switch, the second switch is separately connected to the first switch and the fourth switch, the third switch is separately connected to the first switch and the fourth switch, and the fourth switch is separately connected to the second switch and the third switch. The first array unit is disposed between the first switch and the third switch, and the first array unit is separately connected to the first switch and the third switch; the second array unit is disposed between the first switch and the second switch, and the second array unit is separately connected to the first switch and the second switch; the third array unit is disposed between the third switch and the fourth switch, and the third array unit is separately connected to the third switch and the fourth switch; the fourth array unit is disposed between the second switch and the fourth switch, the fourth array unit is separately connected to the second switch and the fourth switch; and the first port and the second port are configured to drive the first array unit, the second array unit, the third array unit, and / or the fourth array unit.

[0007] This embodiment of this application provides an antenna unit. The antenna unit implements adjustment of beam widths in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction by using a special structure. An antenna gain does not decrease after the beam width is adjusted. Therefore, a coverage distance of the antenna remains unchanged. This effectively expands an application scope of a communication apparatus using the antenna, and improves a scenario-based coverage capability of the communication apparatus.

[0008] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation solution of the first aspect, the first port is disposed between the first switch and the second switch, and the first port is separately connected to the second array unit, the first switch, and the second switch; and the second port is disposed between the third switch and the fourth switch, and the second port is separately connected to the third array unit, the third switch, and the fourth switch.

[0009] It should be noted that switch elements used by the first switch, the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch are not limited in this embodiment of this application. The switch element used by the switch may be a PIN diode, or may be a micro-electro-mechanical system (micro-electro-mechanical system, MEMS) switch, or may be another switch element. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

[0010] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation solution of the first aspect, the first switch is turned off, the fourth switch is turned off, the second switch is turned on, and the third switch is turned on, to enable the first port to drive the second array unit and the fourth array unit, and the second port to drive the first array unit and the third array unit. In other words, the antenna unit implements a wide beam in the horizontal direction, and implements a narrow beam in the vertical direction.

[0011] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation solution of the first aspect, the first switch is turned on, the fourth switch is turned on, the second switch is turned off, and the third switch is turned off, to enable the first port to drive the first array unit and the second array unit, and the second port to drive the third array unit and the fourth array unit. In other words, the antenna unit implements a wide beam in the vertical direction, and implements a narrow beam in the horizontal direction.

[0012] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation solution of the first aspect, a length of a connection line between the first port and the second array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times a wavelength of an electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the first port and the fourth array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; and a length of a connection line between the first port and the first array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the second port and the third array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the second port and the first array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; and a length of a connection line between the second port and the fourth array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit.

[0013] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation solution of the first aspect, the first port is disposed between the first switch and the third switch, and the first port is separately connected to the first array unit, the first switch, and the third switch; and the second port is disposed between the second switch and the fourth switch, and the second port is separately connected to the fourth array unit, the second switch, and the fourth switch. Beam widths in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction are adjusted by using a plurality of structures. This improves implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0014] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation solution of the first aspect, the first switch is turned off, the fourth switch is turned off, the second switch is turned on, and the third switch is turned on, to enable the first port to drive the second array unit and the third array unit, and the second port to drive the second array unit and the fourth array unit. In other words, the antenna unit implements a wide beam in the horizontal direction, and implements a narrow beam in the vertical direction.

[0015] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation solution of the first aspect, the first switch is turned on, the fourth switch is turned on, the second switch is turned off, and the third switch is turned off, to enable the first port to drive the first array unit and the second array unit, and the second port to drive the third array unit and the fourth array unit. In other words, the antenna unit implements a wide beam in the vertical direction, and implements a narrow beam in the horizontal direction.

[0016] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation solution of the first aspect, a length of a connection line between the first port and the first array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times a wavelength of an electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the first port and the second array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; and a length of a connection line between the first port and the third array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the second port and the second array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the second port and the third array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; and a length of a connection line between the second port and the fourth array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit.

[0017] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation solution of the first aspect, the first array unit and the second array unit are disposed in a same vertical direction, and the third array unit and the fourth array unit are disposed in a same vertical direction; and the first array unit and the third array unit are disposed in a same horizontal direction, and the second array unit and the fourth array unit are disposed in a same horizontal direction.

[0018] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of this application provides an antenna. The antenna includes one or more antenna units according to any one of the first aspect and a feed network, and the feed network is electrically connected to the antenna unit.

[0019] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus includes the antenna according to the second aspect.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an antenna in a conventional technology; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an antenna unit 100 according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another structure of an antenna unit 100 according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an antenna direction of an antenna unit 100 according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an antenna direction of an antenna unit 100 according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a dual-polarized antenna according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an antenna unit 100 according to an embodiment of this application; and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to this application. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Embodiments of this application provide an antenna unit, an antenna, and a communication apparatus. The antenna unit implements adjustment of beam widths in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction by using a special structure. An antenna gain does not decrease after the beam width is adjusted. Therefore, a coverage distance of the antenna remains unchanged. This effectively expands an application scope of the communication apparatus using the antenna, and improves a scenario-based coverage capability of the communication apparatus.

[0022] The following describes embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings. A person of ordinary skill in the art may learn that, with development of technologies and emergence of new scenarios, the technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0023] In the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application, the terms "first", "second", and the like are intended to distinguish between similar objects, but do not necessarily describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in such a way are interchangeable in proper cases, and this is merely a distinguishing manner used when objects having a same attribute are described in embodiments of this application. In addition, the terms "include", "have", and any other variants are intended to cover the non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of units is not necessarily limited to those units, but may include other units not expressly listed or inherent to the process, method, product, or device.

[0024] Because there are a plurality of implementation solutions for a port disposition position, an antenna unit 100 provided in embodiments of this application may be of a structure shown in FIG. 2, to be specific, a first port 109 is disposed between a first switch 105 and a second switch 106, and a second port 110 is disposed between a third switch 107 and a fourth switch 108, or may be of a structure shown in FIG. 3, to be specific, a first port 109 is disposed between a first switch 105 and a third switch 107, and a second port 110 is disposed between a second switch 106 and a fourth switch 108. The following provides detailed descriptions.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an antenna unit 100 according to an embodiment of this application. The antenna unit 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes a first array unit 101, a second array unit 102, a third array unit 103, a fourth array unit 104, a first switch 105, a second switch 106, a third switch 107, a fourth switch 108, a first port 109, and a second port 110.

[0026] The first switch 105, the second switch 106, the third switch 107, and the fourth switch 108 are connected in series, where the first switch 105 is separately connected to the second switch 106 and the third switch 107, the second switch 106 is separately connected to the first switch 105 and the fourth switch 108, the third switch 107 is separately connected to the first switch 105 and the fourth switch 108, and the fourth switch 108 is separately connected to the second switch 106 and the third switch 107. That is, the first switch 105, the second switch 106, the third switch 107, and the fourth switch 108 are sequentially connected, to form a head-to-tail connected switch circuit.

[0027] The first switch 105, the second switch 106, the third switch 107, the fourth switch 108, the first port 109, and the second port 110 form a beam switching network. For a single-polarized antenna, one beam switching network is used to control beam switching of each array unit. For a dual-polarized antenna, two beam switching networks are used to control beam switching of each array unit. For example, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a dual-polarized antenna according to an embodiment of this application. In FIG. 7, a structure of a first beam switching network is similar to a structure of a second beam switching network. The first beam switching network is used as an example. The first beam switching network includes a first switch 105, a second switch 106, a third switch 107, a fourth switch 108, a first port 109, and a second port 110. The first beam switching network and the second beam switching network each are connected to all endpoints of array units, to implement dual polarization.

[0028] It should be noted that switch elements used by the first switch 105, the second switch 106, the third switch 107, and the fourth switch 108 are not limited in this embodiment of this application. The switch element used by the switch may be a PIN diode, or may be a micro-electro-mechanical system (micro-electro-mechanical system, MEMS) switch, or may be another switch element. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

[0029] The first array unit 101 is disposed between the first switch 105 and the third switch 107, and the first array unit 101 is separately connected to the first switch 105 and the third switch 107. The second array unit 102 is disposed between the first switch 105 and the second switch 106, and the second array unit 102 is separately connected to the first switch 105 and the second switch 106. The third array unit 103 is disposed between the third switch 107 and the fourth switch 108, and the third array unit 103 is separately connected to the third switch 107 and the fourth switch 108. The fourth array unit 104 is disposed between the second switch 106 and the fourth switch 108, and the fourth array unit 104 is separately connected to the second switch 106 and the fourth switch 108. The first port 109 and the second port 110 are configured to drive the first array unit 101, the second array unit 102, the third array unit 103, and / or the fourth array unit 104.

[0030] The first port 109 is disposed between the first switch 105 and the second switch 106, and the first port 109 is separately connected to the second array unit 102, the first switch 105, and the second switch 106. The second port 110 is disposed between the third switch 107 and the fourth switch 108, and the second port 110 is separately connected to the third array unit 103, the third switch 107, and the fourth switch 108.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the first array unit 101 and the second array unit 102 are disposed in a same vertical direction, and the third array unit 103 and the fourth array unit 104 are disposed in a same vertical direction. The first array unit 101 and the third array unit 103 are disposed in a same horizontal direction, and the second array unit 102 and the fourth array unit 104 are disposed in a same horizontal direction.

[0032] For example, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of this application. In the application scenario, a communication apparatus including an antenna unit 100 is disposed on a top of a building. In the antenna unit 100, a first array unit 101, a second array unit 102, a third array unit 103, and a fourth array unit 104 are located on a same plane. The plane is perpendicular to a sea level (or a ground). In other words, the antenna unit 100 is placed perpendicular to the ground. The first array unit 101 and the second array unit 102 are array units in a vertical direction, and the third array unit 103 and the fourth array unit 104 are array units in a vertical direction. The first array unit 101 and the third array unit 103 are array units in a horizontal direction, and the second array unit 102 and the fourth array unit 104 are array units in a horizontal direction.

[0033] A working state of the antenna unit 100 shown in FIG. 2 is as follows: The first switch 105 is turned off, the fourth switch 108 is turned off, the second switch 106 is turned on, and the third switch 107 is turned on, to enable the first port 109 to drive the second array unit 102 and the fourth array unit 104, and the second port 110 to drive the first array unit 101 and the third array unit 103.

[0034] For example, a simulation experiment result of the antenna unit 100 is described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an antenna direction of an antenna unit 100 according to an embodiment of this application. In the working state, when the antenna unit 100 is vertically placed, antenna beams of the antenna unit 100 may be implemented as a horizontal beam of 65 degrees and a vertical beam of 33 degrees. In other words, the antenna unit 100 implements a wide beam in a horizontal direction, and implements a narrow beam in a vertical direction.

[0035] A working state of the antenna unit 100 shown in FIG. 2 is as follows: The first switch 105 is turned on, the fourth switch 108 is turned on, the second switch 106 is turned off, and the third switch 107 is turned off, to enable the first port 109 to drive the first array unit 101 and the second array unit 102, and the second port 110 to drive the third array unit 103 and the fourth array unit 104.

[0036] For example, a simulation experiment result of the antenna unit 100 is described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an antenna direction of an antenna unit 100 according to an embodiment of this application. In the working state, when the antenna unit 100 is vertically placed, antenna beams of the antenna unit 100 may be implemented as a vertical beam of 65 degrees and a horizontal beam of 33 degrees. In other words, the antenna unit 100 implements a wide beam in a vertical direction, and implements a narrow beam in a horizontal direction.

[0037] Optionally, a length of a connection line between the first port 109 and the second array unit 102 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times a wavelength of an electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100; a length of a connection line between the first port 109 and the fourth array unit 104 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100; and a length of a connection line between the first port 109 and the first array unit 101 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100. A length of a connection line between the second port 110 and the third array unit 103 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100; a length of a connection line between the second port 110 and the first array unit 101 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100; and a length of a connection line between the second port 110 and the fourth array unit 104 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100.

[0038] This embodiment of this application provides the antenna unit 100. The antenna unit 100 implements adjustment of beam widths in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by using a special structure. An antenna gain does not decrease after the beam width is adjusted. Therefore, a coverage distance of the antenna remains unchanged. This effectively expands an application scope of the communication apparatus using the antenna, and improves a scenario-based coverage capability of the communication apparatus.

[0039] The following describes another structure of an antenna unit 100 according to an embodiment of this application. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another structure of an antenna unit 100 according to an embodiment of this application. The antenna unit 100 shown in FIG. 3includes a first array unit 101, a second array unit 102, a third array unit 103, a fourth array unit 104, a first switch 105, a second switch 106, a third switch 107, a fourth switch 108, a first port 109, and a second port 110.

[0040] The first switch 105, the second switch 106, the third switch 107, and the fourth switch 108 are connected in series, where the first switch 105 is separately connected to the second switch 106 and the third switch 107, the second switch 106 is separately connected to the first switch 105 and the fourth switch 108, the third switch 107 is separately connected to the first switch 105 and the fourth switch 108, and the fourth switch 108 is separately connected to the second switch 106 and the third switch 107. That is, the first switch 105, the second switch 106, the third switch 107, and the fourth switch 108 are sequentially connected, to form a head-to-tail connected switch circuit.

[0041] The first switch 105, the second switch 106, the third switch 107, the fourth switch 108, the first port 109, and the second port 110 form a beam switching network. For a single-polarized antenna, one beam switching network is used to control beam switching of each array unit. For a dual-polarized antenna, two beam switching networks are used to control beam switching of each array unit. For example, this is similar to the antenna unit 100 shown in FIG. 7. Details are not described herein.

[0042] It should be noted that switch elements used by the first switch 105, the second switch 106, the third switch 107, and the fourth switch 108 are not limited in this embodiment of this application. The switch element used by the switch may be a PIN diode, or may be a micro-electro-mechanical system (micro-electro-mechanical system, MEMS) switch, or may be another switch element. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

[0043] The first array unit 101 is disposed between the first switch 105 and the third switch 107, and the first array unit 101 is separately connected to the first switch 105 and the third switch 107. The second array unit 102 is disposed between the first switch 105 and the second switch 106, and the second array unit 102 is separately connected to the first switch 105 and the second switch 106. The third array unit 103 is disposed between the third switch 107 and the fourth switch 108, and the third array unit 103 is separately connected to the third switch 107 and the fourth switch 108. The fourth array unit 104 is disposed between the second switch 106 and the fourth switch 108, and the fourth array unit 104 is separately connected to the second switch 106 and the fourth switch 108. The first port 109 and the second port 110 are configured to drive the first array unit 101, the second array unit 102, the third array unit 103, and / or the fourth array unit 104.

[0044] The first port 109 is disposed between the first switch 105 and the third switch 107, and the first port 109 is separately connected to the first array unit 101, the first switch 105, and the third switch 107. The second port 110 is disposed between the second switch 106 and the fourth switch 108, and the second port 110 is separately connected to the fourth array unit 104, the second switch 106, and the fourth switch 108.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the first array unit 101 and the second array unit 102 are disposed in a same vertical direction, and the third array unit 103 and the fourth array unit 104 are disposed in a same vertical direction. The first array unit 101 and the third array unit 103 are disposed in a same horizontal direction, and the second array unit 102 and the fourth array unit 104 are disposed in a same horizontal direction.

[0046] A working state of the antenna unit 100 shown in FIG. 3 is as follows: The first switch 105 is turned off, the fourth switch 108 is turned off, the second switch 106 is turned on, and the third switch 107 is turned on, to enable the first port 109 to drive the second array unit 102 and the third array unit 103, and the second port 110 to drive the second array unit 102 and the fourth array unit 104.

[0047] For example, a simulation experiment result of the antenna unit 100 is described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an antenna direction of an antenna unit 100 according to an embodiment of this application. In the working state, when the antenna unit 100 is vertically placed, antenna beams of the antenna unit 100 may be implemented as a horizontal beam of 65 degrees and a vertical beam of 33 degrees. In other words, the antenna unit 100 implements a wide beam in a horizontal direction, and implements a narrow beam in a vertical direction.

[0048] A working state of the antenna unit 100 shown in FIG. 3 is as follows: The first switch 105 is turned on, the fourth switch 108 is turned on, the second switch 106 is turned off, and the third switch 107 is turned off, to enable the first port 109 to drive the first array unit 101 and the second array unit 102, and the second port 110 to drive the third array unit 103 and the fourth array unit 104.

[0049] For example, a simulation experiment result of the antenna unit 100 is described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6is a schematic diagram of an antenna direction of an antenna unit 100 according to an embodiment of this application. In the working state, when the antenna unit 100 is vertically placed, antenna beams of the antenna unit 100 may be implemented as a vertical beam of 65 degrees and a horizontal beam of 33 degrees. In other words, the antenna unit 100 implements a wide beam in a vertical direction, and implements a narrow beam in a horizontal direction.

[0050] Optionally, a length of a connection line between the first port 109 and the first array unit 101 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times a wavelength of an electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100; a length of a connection line between the first port 109 and the second array unit 102 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100; and a length of a connection line between the first port 109 and the third array unit 103 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100. A length of a connection line between the second port 110 and the second array unit 102 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100; a length of a connection line between the second port 110 and the third array unit 103 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100; and a length of a connection line between the second port 110 and the fourth array unit 104 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100.

[0051] This embodiment of this application provides the antenna unit 100. The antenna unit 100 implements adjustment of beam widths in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by using a special structure. An antenna gain does not decrease after the beam width is adjusted. Therefore, a coverage distance of the antenna remains unchanged. This effectively expands an application scope of the communication apparatus using the antenna, and improves a scenario-based coverage capability of the communication apparatus.

[0052] The following describes an example of an antenna unit 100 provided in embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an antenna unit 100 according to an embodiment of this application. The antenna unit 100 includes a first array unit 101, a second array unit 102, a third array unit 103, a fourth array unit 104, a first switch 105, a second switch 106, a third switch 107, a fourth switch 108, a first port 109, and a second port 110. A specific structure is similar to the structure of the antenna unit 100 shown in FIG. 2. Details are not described herein.

[0053] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, in the antenna unit 100, a length of a connection line from the first port 109 to the second array unit 102 is 1 / 2 times a wavelength of an electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100; a length of a connection line from the second switch 106 to the fourth switch 108 is 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100; and a length of a connection line from the second switch 106 to the fourth array unit 104 is 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100.

[0054] In the antenna unit 100, a length of a connection line from the second port 110 to the third array unit 103 is 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100; a length of a connection line from the third switch 107 to the first switch 105 is 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100; and a length of a connection line from the third switch 107 to the first array unit 101 is 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit 100.

[0055] Optionally, the antenna unit 100 provided in this embodiment of this application may further include 2n array units, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0056] Optionally, the antenna unit 100 provided in this embodiment of this application may further include x switches, where x is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0057] The following describes an antenna 901 provided in an embodiment of this application. The antenna includes the antenna unit 100 described in the foregoing embodiments and a feed network, and the feed network is electrically connected to the antenna unit 100. The antenna may be a 4T4R antenna. This is not limited herein.

[0058] Based on the antenna unit 100 and the antenna provided in the foregoing embodiments, an embodiment of this application further provides a communication apparatus. The following provides detailed descriptions with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to this application. The communication apparatus provided in this embodiment includes the antenna 901 described in the foregoing embodiment, and further includes a signal source 902.

[0059] The signal source 902 is connected to a cable feed port of the antenna 901. The signal source 902 may generate a radio signal, the signal source 902 transmits the radio signal through the antenna 901, and the signal source 902 may also receive a radio signal received by the antenna 901. The signal source 902 and the antenna 901 are connected through the cable feed port, and implement transmission of the radio signal through the cable feed port. The signal source 902 is configured to receive and send the radio signal through the antenna 901.

[0060] For example, the signal source 902 may be a transmitter.

[0061] An implementation of the communication apparatus in this embodiment of this application is a terminal device, and the terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (user equipment, UE). As a device having a wireless transceiver function, the terminal device in this embodiment of this application may communicate with one or more core networks (core network, CN) via an access network device in a network device. The terminal device may also be referred to as an access terminal, a terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a wireless network device, a user agent, a user apparatus, or the like. The terminal device may be deployed on land, where the deployment includes indoor or outdoor, or handheld or vehicle-mounted deployment, may be deployed on water (for example, on a ship), or be deployed in air (for example, on an airplane, a balloon, or a satellite). The terminal device may be a cellular phone (cellular phone), a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (session initiation protocol, SIP) phone, a smart phone (smart phone), a mobile phone (mobile phone), a wireless local loop (wireless local loop, WLL) station, personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), a handheld device having a wireless communication function, a computing device or another device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, an unmanned aerial vehicle device or an internet of things, a terminal in an internet of vehicles, a terminal in any form in a 5th generation (fifth generation, 5G) mobile communication network and a future network, relay user equipment, a terminal in a future evolved public land mobile network (public land mobile network, PLMN), or the like. The relay user equipment may be, for example, a 5G residential gateway (residential gateway, RG). For example, the terminal device may be a virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) terminal, an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal in self driving (self driving), a wireless terminal in remote medical (remote medical), a wireless terminal in a smart grid (smart grid), a wireless terminal in transportation safety (transportation safety), a wireless terminal in a smart city (smart city), a wireless terminal in a smart home (smart home), or the like. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

[0062] Another implementation of the communication apparatus in this embodiment of this application is a network device. The network device may be considered as a subnet of a carrier network, and is an implementation system between a service node in the carrier network and a terminal device. To access the carrier network, the terminal device first passes through the network device, and then may be connected to the service node in the carrier network via the network device. The network device in this embodiment of this application is a device that provides a wireless communication function for the terminal device, and may also be referred to as a (radio) access network ((radio) access network, (R)AN). The network device includes but is not limited to: a next generation node base station (next generation node base station, gNB) in a 5G system, an evolved NodeB (evolved NodeB, eNB) in long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE), a radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), a NodeB (NodeB, NB), a base station controller (base station controller, BSC), a base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), a home base station (for example, a home evolved NodeB, or home NodeB, HNB), a baseband unit (baseband unit, BBU), a transmission reception point (transmitting and receiving point, TRP), a transmitting point (transmitting point, TP), and a small cell base station device (pico), a mobile switching center, or a network device in a future network, or the like. In systems using different radio access technologies, names of devices having an access network device function are different.

[0063] It should be understood that "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mentioned in the entire specification means that particular features, structures, or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of this application. Therefore, "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to a same embodiment. In addition, these particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments in any proper manner. It should be understood that, sequence numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean execution sequences in various embodiments of this application. The execution sequences of the processes should be determined based on functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not constitute any limitation on implementation processes of embodiments of this application.

[0064] It may be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art that, for the purpose of convenient and brief description, for specific working processes of the foregoing described system, apparatus, and units, refer to corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

[0065] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described apparatus embodiments are merely examples. For example, division into the units is merely logical function division and may be another division during actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented by using some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections between the apparatus or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

Claims

1. An antenna unit, comprising: a first array unit, a second array unit, a third array unit, a fourth array unit, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, a first port, and a second port, wherein the first switch, the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch are connected in series, wherein the first switch is separately connected to the second switch and the third switch, the second switch is separately connected to the first switch and the fourth switch, the third switch is separately connected to the first switch and the fourth switch, and the fourth switch is separately connected to the second switch and the third switch; the first array unit is disposed between the first switch and the third switch, and the first array unit is separately connected to the first switch and the third switch; the second array unit is disposed between the first switch and the second switch, and the second array unit is separately connected to the first switch and the second switch; the third array unit is disposed between the third switch and the fourth switch, and the third array unit is separately connected to the third switch and the fourth switch; the fourth array unit is disposed between the second switch and the fourth switch, and the fourth array unit is separately connected to the second switch and the fourth switch; and the first port and the second port are configured to drive the first array unit, the second array unit, the third array unit, and / or the fourth array unit.

2. The antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein the first port is disposed between the first switch and the second switch, and the first port is separately connected to the second array unit, the first switch, and the second switch; and the second port is disposed between the third switch and the fourth switch, and the second port is separately connected to the third array unit, the third switch, and the fourth switch.

3. The antenna unit according to claim 2, wherein the first switch is turned off, the fourth switch is turned off, the second switch is turned on, and the third switch is turned on, to enable the first port to drive the second array unit and the fourth array unit, and the second port to drive the first array unit and the third array unit.

4. The antenna unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first switch is turned on, the fourth switch is turned on, the second switch is turned off, and the third switch is turned off, to enable the first port to drive the first array unit and the second array unit, and the second port to drive the third array unit and the fourth array unit.

5. The antenna unit according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a length of a connection line between the first port and the second array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times a wavelength of an electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the first port and the fourth array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the first port and the first array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the second port and the third array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the second port and the first array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; and a length of a connection line between the second port and the fourth array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit.

6. The antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein the first port is disposed between the first switch and the third switch, and the first port is separately connected to the first array unit, the first switch, and the third switch; and the second port is disposed between the second switch and the fourth switch, and the second port is separately connected to the fourth array unit, the second switch, and the fourth switch.

7. The antenna unit according to claim 6, wherein the first switch is turned off, the fourth switch is turned off, the second switch is turned on, and the third switch is turned on, to enable the first port to drive the first array unit and the third array unit, and the second port to drive the second array unit and the fourth array unit.

8. The antenna unit according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first switch is turned on, the fourth switch is turned on, the second switch is turned off, and the third switch is turned off, to enable the first port to drive the first array unit and the second array unit, and the second port to drive the third array unit and the fourth array unit.

9. The antenna unit according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a length of a connection line between the first port and the first array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times a wavelength of an electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the first port and the second array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the first port and the third array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the second port and the second array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; a length of a connection line between the second port and the third array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit; and a length of a connection line between the second port and the fourth array unit is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna unit.

10. The antenna unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first array unit and the second array unit are disposed in a same vertical direction, and the third array unit and the fourth array unit are disposed in a same vertical direction; and the first array unit and the third array unit are disposed in a same horizontal direction, and the second array unit and the fourth array unit are disposed in a same horizontal direction.

11. An antenna, wherein the antenna comprises one or more antenna units according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a feed network, and the feed network is electrically connected to the antenna unit.

12. A communication apparatus, wherein the communication apparatus comprises the antenna according to claim 11.

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