Fully analog phase shifter

Abstract

Provided is a fully analog phase shifter that can easily realize a mirror symmetry structure having a linear phase distribution only through phase transition in the RF stage, without phase conversion in the digital stage. [Solution] The full analog phase shifter includes a variable switch panel including a first current-carrying pattern terminal and a second current-carrying pattern terminal, and a pattern PCB on which a plurality of array antenna elements are arranged and on which transmission lines contacting the first current-carrying pattern terminal and the second current-carrying pattern terminal are pattern-printed. Assuming that two variable switch panels are arranged in the vertical direction, the two variable switch panels are slider-type panels that slide vertically up and down so that the phases for the plurality of array antenna elements form a linear distribution on a reference identical phase plane due to phase transitions caused by contact points between the first current-carrying pattern terminal and the second current-carrying pattern terminal and the transmission lines.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a full analog phase shifter, and more particularly to a full analog phase shifter that is provided in an RF stage and can selectively change the length of an entire transmission line to obtain a desired phase transition value without requiring any change in the layout design of an existing RF module or the design of a separate installation space. [Background technology]

[0002] In mobile communication systems both in Korea and overseas, the density of subscribers varies by region and time of day. In order to provide optimal services under these conditions, networks are managed to adjust the vertical beam angle of base station antennas to adjust base station coverage.

[0003] For this reason, conventional wireless communication systems use a mechanical beam tilt method, which adjusts the angle of an antenna using a mechanical beam tilt device attached to the antenna, thereby directly adjusting the direction of the antenna radiation beam.

[0004] The advantage of the mechanical beam tilt method is that it can reduce the production cost of antennas. However, in order to operate the base station, a technician must go up to the base station antenna tower, loosen several bolts that secure the beam tilt mechanism, change the antenna angle, and then tighten the bolts again, which is a complicated process that poses a risk of falling damage and takes a lot of time, reducing the speed of repairs.

[0005] Recently, in order to compensate for the shortcomings of the mechanical beam tilt system, a remote adjustment type mechanical beam tilt device has been developed that allows tilting or steering adjustment of the mechanical beam tilt device from a remote location.

[0006] However, the remote adjustment type mechanical beam tilt device also adjusts the direction of the antenna radiation beam by mechanically tilting or steering the entire antenna, and is a fundamentally different antenna radiation beam adjustment method from the electrical beam tilt type. An electrical beam tilt antenna has a phase shifter inside to adjust the phase of the beam.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle of physical phase conversion using a phase conversion section, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram and a phase difference diagram for explaining the principle of phase conversion performed in the RF stage.

[0008] According to Fig. 1, when the physical length of the transmission line through which the power supply signal passes is changed, the phase changes by the amount of physical length change (ΔL). When using this principle to realize a phase difference in the RF stage, as shown in Fig. 2, phase conversion (offset support work) is involved in the digital stage.

[0009] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when a phase difference of △φ is applied to one of the two output terminals branched off from the RF stage, in order to realize a uniform phase difference for the desired phase surface, i.e., to have a linear phase distribution, an offset support process of -2△φ must be performed overall for one of the two input terminals. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the above technical problems, and has an object to provide a fully analog phase shifter that can achieve a linear phase distribution with Mirror Symmetry only by phase transition in the RF stage, without phase conversion in the digital stage.

[0011] The objects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A full analog phase shifter according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a variable switch panel including a first current-carrying pattern terminal and a second current-carrying pattern terminal, and a pattern PCB on which a plurality of array antenna elements are arranged and on which transmission lines contacting the first current-carrying pattern terminal and the second current-carrying pattern terminal are pattern-printed. Assuming that two variable switch panels are arranged in the vertical direction, the two variable switch panels are of a slider type that slides vertically up and down so that phases for the plurality of array antenna elements form a linear distribution on a reference identical phase plane due to phase transitions caused by contact points between the first current-carrying pattern terminal and the second current-carrying pattern terminal and the transmission lines.

[0013] Here, the two variable switch panels may be provided to be slid vertically by the same distance at the same time.

[0014] The antenna may further include a pattern transmission line connected to the pattern PCB and having one side transmission line and another side transmission line electrically feeding the plurality of array antenna elements.

[0015] In addition, the one-side transmission line and the other-side transmission line are provided at the upper and lower parts, respectively, based on the pattern PCB, and extend from output ends corresponding to the respective ends by branching into two. A single one of the plurality of array antenna elements can be fed and connected to a pair of extension ends branching from the output ends and positioned at the same height.

[0016] In addition, the first current-carrying pattern terminal and the second current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel may be in contact with an inner variable circuit before and an outer variable circuit after branching from two input ends to a long-side feed connection end and a short-side feed connection end that are connected to one side transmission line and the other side transmission line of the pattern transmission line, respectively.

[0017] Also, a length ratio between the long feed connection end and the short feed connection end associated with each of the two input ends may be set to have a predetermined ratio, and the predetermined ratio may be 1:3.

[0018] In addition, the inner variable circuit and the outer variable circuit are pattern-printed to have a first current-breaking point and a second current-breaking point where a portion of the transmission line between each input end and the long side feed connection end and the other side feed connection end is cut, and a first current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel can energize the first current-carrying point corresponding to the inner variable circuit, and a second current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel can energize the second current-carrying point corresponding to the outer variable circuit.

[0019] In addition, a first output terminal and a third output terminal branched from a first input terminal of the two input terminals may be arranged to be spaced apart in a vertical (V-) direction on the left side of the pattern PCB.

[0020] Also, a second output terminal and a fourth output terminal branched from a second input terminal of the two input terminals may be arranged to be spaced apart in a vertical (V-) direction on the right side of the pattern PCB.

[0021] In addition, assuming that the pattern PCBs are arranged in two pieces spaced apart in the vertical direction, the variable switch panels are also provided in two pieces spaced apart in the vertical direction so as to be simultaneously movable, and the vertical phase difference at each output end due to the simultaneous movement of the two variable switch panels may have a linear gradient distribution with respect to the reference identical phase plane.

[0022] The antenna element mounting panel may further include a phase shift drive motor provided on a rear side of the antenna element mounting panel on which the variable switch panel and the pattern PCB are provided, a horizontal mounting bar that moves in an up-down direction by receiving a driving force of the phase shift drive motor, and a plurality of vertical mounting bars each having one end connected to the horizontal mounting bar and the other end extending vertically upward or downward, respectively, and connected to two of the variable switch panels provided at a distance in the vertical direction.

[0023] In addition, the two variable switch panels may be arranged in a plurality of rows spaced apart by a predetermined distance in a horizontal direction (H-direction), and the horizontal mounting bar may be provided with the plurality of vertical mounting bars each for simultaneously connecting the two variable switch panels arranged in the plurality of rows in the horizontal direction.

[0024] In addition, the horizontal mounting bar may include a rear mounting bar configured to slide up and down via an upper and lower moving block that is screw-connected to a screw rod connected to the rotation shaft of the phase shift drive motor, and a front mounting bar disposed on the front side of the antenna element mounting panel and connected to interlock with the rear mounting bar.

[0025] In addition, the antenna element mounting panel may be formed with a slide guide hole for guiding the rear mounting bar and the front mounting bar in a vertical movement.

[0026] In addition, the antenna element mounting panel may include a reflect panel, a front mounting panel arranged on a front surface of the reflect panel, and a rear mounting panel arranged on a rear surface of the reflect panel, and the slide guide holes may be formed in the reflect panel corresponding to the outsides of the left and right ends of the front mounting panel and the rear mounting panel. Effect of the Invention

[0027] The full analog phase shifter according to one embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that it is possible to realize a phase difference of a mirror symmetry structure without requiring support work in the digital stage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a graph illustrating the principle of phase conversion. [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are a circuit diagram and a phase difference diagram for explaining the principle of phase conversion performed in an RF stage. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an antenna device to which a full analog phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Figure 4A] 4 is an exploded perspective view of a front portion of the antenna device shown in FIG. 3, in which a radome panel and a radiating element module are disassembled. FIG. [Figure 4B] 4 is an exploded perspective view of a rear portion of the antenna device shown in FIG. 3, in which a radome panel and a radiating element module are disassembled. FIG. [Figure 5A] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a phase shifter in the configuration of FIG. 3, being an exploded perspective view of the front part with the radome panel and the antenna housing part removed. [Figure 5B] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a phase shifter in the configuration of FIG. 3, being an exploded perspective view of the rear portion with the radome panel and the antenna housing portion removed. [Figure 6] 2A and 2B are front and rear views showing the arrangement of a phase shifter in the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a part of FIG. 6 showing a front part. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a part of FIG. 6 showing a rear part. [Figure 8] 4 is an exploded perspective view and a partially enlarged view showing a state in which a radome panel is separated from the configuration of FIG. 3. [Figure 9A]4 is an exploded perspective view of the front part showing the arrangement of a switch panel of a phase shifter with respect to a pattern PCB of a radiating element module in the configuration of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 9B] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rear part showing the arrangement of a switch panel of a phase shifter with respect to a pattern PCB of a radiating element module in the configuration of FIG. 3. [Figure 10] FIG. 9B is a plan view of FIG. 9A. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are a circuit diagram and a phase difference diagram for explaining the principle of phase conversion performed in an RF stage using a phase shifter of an antenna apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Hereinafter, a full analog phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In assigning reference symbols to components in each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are assigned the same symbols as much as possible even if they are displayed in different drawings. In addition, in describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of such known configurations or functions would hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0030] In describing components of the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as 1, 2, A, B, (a), (b) and the like may be used. Such terms are merely used to distinguish the components from other components, and do not limit the essence, order, or procedure of the components. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this application.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an antenna device to which a full analog phase shifter according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are exploded perspective views of the front and rear parts of the antenna device configuration of FIG. 3, in which the radome panel and the radiating element module are disassembled.

[0032] The antenna device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be an antenna device incorporating MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology.

[0033] MIMO technology is a technology that dramatically increases data transmission capacity by using multiple array antenna elements, and is a spatial multiplexing method in which a transmitter transmits different data through each transmitting antenna, and a receiver separates the transmitted data through appropriate signal processing. Therefore, by simultaneously increasing the number of transmitting and receiving antennas, the channel capacity increases, making it possible to transmit more data. For example, if the number of antennas is increased to 10, about 10 times the channel capacity is secured using the same frequency band compared to a single antenna system.

[0034] In particular, the antenna device may have TRx modules (not shown) that function as transmitters and receivers arranged in a V (Vertical)-H (Horizontal) configuration, and a plurality of array antenna elements 250 electrically connected to each TRx module.

[0035] Here, in a MIMO antenna device for mobile communication, a plurality of array antenna elements 250 are generally designed into a plurality of dual-polarized antenna module arrays in order to reduce the effect of fading due to multipath and to perform polarization diversity function.

[0036] More specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, an antenna device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an antenna housing section 110 that forms the left and right lateral and rear appearances of the antenna device 100, and a radome panel 300 that forms the front appearance of the antenna device 100, is arranged to shield the open front surface of the antenna housing section 110, and protects the radiating element module 200 provided in the internal space 110S of the antenna housing section 110 from the outside.

[0037] Although not shown, the antenna housing portion 110 can play a role of mediating coupling to a support pole provided for installation of the antenna device 100.

[0038] However, the antenna device 100 in which one embodiment of the present invention is realized has only components that generate relatively little operating heat when the system is running, provided inside the antenna housing part 110, and can be realized in an embodiment in which the components are provided in front of a repeater (RRH) (not shown) and are mounted on a support pole with the repeater (RRH) in between.

[0039] That is, the antenna housing part 110 is a case of an antenna unit coupled to a repeater (called a "Radio Remote Head (RRH)") that receives a signal from a base station, and may house a radiating element module 200 and other components, excluding RF components coupled to the repeater (RRH), inside.

[0040] Although not shown in the drawings, handles may be further provided on both the left and right sides of the antenna housing portion 110 so that an operator can easily carry the antenna device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention at the site or manually attach it to a support pole (not shown) or a repeater (RRH).

[0041] In addition, various outer mounting members 400 for cable connection to a repeater (RRH) (not shown) and adjustment of internal components may be assembled through the outer lower end of the antenna housing part 110. The outer mounting member 400 is provided in the form of at least one optical cable connection terminal (socket), and each connection terminal can be connected to a connection terminal of a coaxial cable (not shown).

[0042] On the other hand, the radome panel 300 may be connected to the front end of the antenna housing portion 110, and a hook connection portion (not shown) formed along the edge of the radome panel 300 may be hook-connected to the front end engagement rib (not shown) side of the antenna housing portion 110.

[0043] A radiating element module 200 may be built into the internal space 110S of the antenna housing portion 110.

[0044] Here, the radiating element module 200 may be configured to generate at least one polarized wave of dual polarization.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4A, the internal space 110S of the antenna housing part 110 may have a plurality of support ribs 115 formed along the inner edge portion to support and screw-fasten the antenna element mounting panel 210, which is one of the components of the radiating element module 200 described below.

[0046] The formation of the plurality of support ribs 115 can increase the rigidity of the antenna housing part 110 which is made mainly of a plastic resin material.

[0047] Figures 5A and 5B are figures showing the phase shifter in the configuration of Figure 3, and are exploded oblique views of the front and rear parts with the radome panel and antenna housing part removed, Figure 6 is a front view and a rear view showing the arrangement of the phase shifter in the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, Figures 7A and 7B are enlarged exploded oblique views of the front and rear parts with a portion of Figure 6 exploded, and Figure 8 is an exploded oblique view and a partial enlarged view showing the state in which the radome panel is separated in the configuration of Figure 3.

[0048] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the radiating element module 200 may include an antenna element mounting panel 210 arranged in the internal space 110S of the antenna housing part 110, and a plurality of array antenna elements 250 attached to the front surface of the antenna element mounting panel 210.

[0049] The antenna element mounting panel 210 may include an intermediately disposed reflect panel 210A, a front mounting panel 210B disposed in front of the reflect panel 210A, and a rear mounting panel 210C disposed on the rear side of the reflect panel 210A, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B.

[0050] The front mounting panel 210B is formed with a line installation slit 211 penetrating in the front-rear direction, into which a pattern transmission line 220 described later is inserted, and a pattern PCB 230 and a plurality of array antenna elements 250 may be provided on the front surface.

[0051] The rear mounting panel 210C is formed with an LPF installation slit 215 in which an LPF 216 (described later) is provided, penetrating in the front-rear direction, and a portion of the configuration of a full analog phase shifter 500 (described later) can be fixed to the rear surface.

[0052] The array antenna elements 250 are formed in a substantially square shape and can be fixed to a plurality of mounting pins 213 formed to protrude from the front surface of the front mounting panel 210B.

[0053] Here, the plurality of array antenna elements 250 can generate dual polarization by extending and feeding-connecting each feed end of the pattern transmission line 220 fixedly installed in the line installation slit 211 of the front mounting panel 210B so as to be located at opposing portions of each side of the array antenna element 250. Preferably, each feed end of the pattern transmission line 220 can be fed-connected to a corner portion of each side of the antenna element 250 in the same direction.

[0054] Here, four array antenna elements 250 may be arranged vertically spaced apart per TRx module. The four array antenna elements 250 can output two different phase change values ​​by a phase shifter 500, which will be described later in more detail.

[0055] Meanwhile, in the antenna device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the radiating element module 200 has been described as being limited to either a patch type or a dipole type, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this.

[0056] Also, in the above-mentioned method of realizing the antenna element mounting panel 210, as described above, the air strip type feed method is limited to the application, but it should be noted that the application to a PCB type on which a transmission line (not shown) is pattern printed is not excluded. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, an embodiment will be described in which a pattern PCB 230 is separately provided for operability linkage with the phase shift 500 described later.

[0057] As shown in Figures 3 to 8, the antenna device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a full analog phase shifter (hereinafter, abbreviated as "phase shifter") 500 having a plurality of variable switch panels 540 that change the length of the transmission line by moving linearly up and down in a space (not shown in the drawing) defined between the front of the antenna element mounting panel 210 (particularly, the front mounting panel 210B) of the radiating element module 200 and the rear of the four array antenna elements 250.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 5A to 8, the phase shifter 500 may further include a phase shift drive motor 510 arranged on the rear side of the antenna element mounting panel 210, particularly on the rear portion of the rear mounting panel 210C, a horizontal mounting bar 520 that moves in the vertical direction by receiving the driving force of the phase shift drive motor 510, and a plurality of vertical mounting bars 530, one end of which is connected to the horizontal mounting bar 520 and the other end of which extends vertically upward or downward, respectively, and is connected to a plurality of variable switch panels 540.

[0059] More specifically, referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the phase shift drive motor 510 can be fixed to the rear part of the rear mounting panel 210C of the antenna element mounting panel 210 so as to establish a vertical rotation axis.

[0060] A rotating shaft 510c of the phase transition drive motor 510 has a male screw thread (not shown) formed on its outer circumferential surface and can be connected to a screw rod 516 extending a predetermined length in the direction of the rotating shaft.

[0061] Here, the phase shifter 500 may further include a vertical moving block 515 having a rod through-hole (not shown) through which the above-mentioned screw rod 516 passes in the vertical direction, and a female thread (not shown) that is engaged with a male thread, which moves in the vertical direction along the rotation direction of the screw rod 516.

[0062] The vertical moving block 515 is fixed to the rear surface of the rear mounting bar 520A, which is one of the components of the horizontal mounting bar 520 described below. When the vertical moving block 515 moves vertically, the rear mounting bar 520A moves vertically in conjunction with the vertical moving block 515, thereby allowing the front mounting bar 520B connected to the rear mounting bar 520A to move vertically.

[0063] Meanwhile, the phase shifter 500 may further include a horizontal bracket part 560 fixed horizontally to the left and right sides of the antenna housing part 110 to guide the up and down movement of the up and down moving block 515 and at the same time mediate the installation of the above-mentioned phase shift driving motor 510.

[0064] The horizontal bracket part 560 has a shaft through hole 561 formed therethrough in the vertical direction, and the rotating shaft 510 c of the phase shift driving motor 510 passes through the shaft through hole 561 downward and can be coaxially connected to the screw rod 516 .

[0065] Meanwhile, the horizontal mounting bar 520 may include a rear mounting bar 520A provided on the rear side of the rear mounting panel 210C among the configurations of the antenna element mounting panel 210, and a front mounting bar 520B provided on the front side of the front mounting panel 210B among the configurations of the antenna element mounting panel 210.

[0066] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the rear mounting bar 520A is fixed to the front end surface of the vertical moving block 515 by a screw assembly using a plurality of screws, and is slidably moved in the vertical direction in conjunction with the vertical moving block 515, and the front mounting bar 520B may be slidably moved in the vertical direction in conjunction with the rear mounting bar 520A by being fixed using a plurality of fastening screws 523 to the screw fastening holes 522 of the guide bars 521 at both ends of the rear mounting bar 520A, which are provided to penetrate the reflector panel 210A, one of the components of the antenna element mounting panel 210, and are exposed forward.

[0067] The reflect panel 210A may have upper and lower slide guide holes 210A-1 formed at both left and right ends thereof, through which the guide bars 521 of the rear mounting bar 520A pass. The positions at which the upper and lower slide guide holes 210A-1 are formed may be set so as to be located outside at least the left and right ends of the front mounting panel 210B and the rear mounting panel 210C.

[0068] That is, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the antenna element mounting panel 210 is formed so that the reflect panel 210A has the widest area, and the front mounting panel 210B and the rear mounting panel 210C which are integrally laminated on the front side of the reflect panel 210A may be formed so that their left and right ends are located more inward than the left and right ends of the reflect panel 210A, respectively, and are formed so that their widthwise size is smaller.

[0069] Here, the horizontal separation distance between the guide bars 521 at both ends of the rear mounting bar 520A may be formed to be at least greater than the widthwise size of the front mounting panel 210B and the rear mounting panel 210C, and smaller than the widthwise size of the reflecting panel 210A.

[0070] At this time, the upper and lower slide guide holes 210A-1 are formed in the reflecting panel 210A corresponding to the outer sides of the left and right ends of the front mounting panel 210B and the rear mounting panel 210C.

[0071] One end (defined as "one end" in an embodiment of the present invention regardless of its direction) of a plurality of vertical mounting bars 530 may be coupled to the front mounting bar 520B of the horizontal mounting bar 520, and the other end (defined as "the other end" in an embodiment of the present invention regardless of its direction) of the plurality of vertical mounting bars 530 may be coupled to the variable switch panel 540.

[0072] Meanwhile, the variable switch panel 540, which will be described in more detail later, is formed in a roughly rectangular panel shape, and its up and down sliding movement can be guided by a slide cover 550 fixed to the front mounting panel 210B by a plurality of connecting pins 551 so as to cover the panel from the front.

[0073] More specifically, the rear portion of the variable switch panel 540 may be provided with a first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a and a second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b that realize a phase difference while energizing a first current-carrying point 237a and a second current-carrying point 237b (i.e., two variable circuits) of the pattern PCB 230 described below.

[0074] 7A and 7B, the variable switch panel 540 may be made of a plastic resin material, and may have a block installation groove 543 formed on the rear surface thereof in which a plurality of terminal blocks 541 having first and second current-carrying pattern terminals 547a and 547b are provided. A plurality of elastic ribs 545 may be provided inside the block installation groove 543 to elastically support the plurality of terminal blocks 541 on the front surface of the pattern PCB 230.

[0075] The first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a and the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b formed on the variable switch panel 540 are formed in an inverted U-shape with an open top or bottom, and can interconnect the first current-carrying point 237a and the second current-carrying point 237b in the pattern PCB 230.

[0076] Here, as shown in FIG. 10 described later, one pattern PCB 230 has two first power interruption points 237a and two second power interruption points 237b, each starting from the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b, so that four terminal blocks 541 of the variable switch panel 540 are also provided and can be fixedly installed in the block installation grooves 543 of the variable switch panel 540.

[0077] 9A and 9B are exploded oblique views of the front and rear parts showing the arrangement of the switch panel of the phase shifter relative to the pattern PCB of the radiating element module in the configuration of FIG. 3, FIG. 10 is a plan view of FIG. 9A, and FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram and a phase difference diagram for explaining the principle of the phase conversion performed in the RF stage using the phase shifter of an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 10, the first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a serves to interconnect the first current-carrying points 237a, and the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b serves to interconnect the second current-carrying points 237b.

[0079] The variable switch panel 540 may be provided as a slider type that connects the first disconnection point 247a and the second disconnection point 247b and moves linearly in the vertical direction within a predetermined range to change the length of the transmission line pattern printed on the pattern PCB 230. That is, the two variable switch panels 540 may be provided to simultaneously slide the same distance in the vertical direction when the phase shift driving motor 510 is driven.

[0080] In addition, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, an elastic rib 545 provided inside the block installation groove 543 of the variable switch panel 540 plays a role in elastically supporting the multiple terminal blocks 541 on the pattern PCB 230 located behind them, thereby complementing the contact function.

[0081] In other words, the elastic rib 545 can play a role in maintaining contact by applying elastic force so that the first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a and the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b of the terminal block 541, each of which is provided in the block mounting groove 543 on the rear portion of the variable switch panel 540, are sufficiently adhered to the first current-carrying point 237a and the second current-carrying point 237b of the pattern PCB 230.

[0082] In the antenna device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the phase shifter 500 is particularly configured such that the variable switch panel 540 is slidably moved in the space between the front of the front mounting panel 210B of the antenna element mounting panel 210 and the rear of the array antenna element 250, and the phase shift drive motor 510, horizontal mounting bar 520 and vertical mounting bar 530, which occupy a relatively large amount of space, and various structures for connecting them (such as the horizontal bracket part 560) are located separately on the rear side of the rear mounting panel 210C, thereby providing the advantage of improving space utilization.

[0083] 9A to 10, the front mounting panel 210B, which is laminated on the front surface of the antenna element mounting panel 210, is provided with a pattern PCB 230 that is pattern-printed to have two input terminals (hereinafter referred to as "first input terminal 234a and second input terminal 234b") formed penetrating the front and rear, and a first disconnection point 237a and a second disconnection point 237b extending from the input terminals to form two variable circuits. A pattern transmission line 220 may be arranged having two output ends branched off from each of the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b (hereinafter, the output ends branched off from the first input terminal 234a will be referred to as the "first output terminal 226a" and the "third output terminal 226c", and the output ends branched off from the second input terminal 234b will be referred to as the "second output terminal 226b" and the "fourth output terminal 226d"), which form a long-side feed connection end 238a and a short-side feed connection end 238b that mediate electrical connection to a one-side transmission line 222a and an other-side transmission line 222b described below.

[0084] The first output end 226a and the third output end 226c of the long side feed connection end 238a and the other side feed connection end 238b of the pattern transmission line 220 branched from the first input end 234a of the pattern PCB 230 may be arranged at a distance in the vertical direction (Vertical, V-direction) of the front mounting panel 210B, and the second output end 226b and the fourth output end 226d of the long side feed connection end 238a and the other side feed connection end 238b of the pattern transmission line 220 branched from the second input end 234b of the pattern PCB 230 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the first output end 226a and the third output end 226c.

[0085] That is, of the two input terminals, the first output terminal 226a and the third output terminal 226c, which branch off from the first input terminal 234a and conduct electricity, may be arranged spaced apart in the vertical direction (Vertical, V-direction) on the left side of the pattern PCB 230, and the second output terminal 226b and the fourth output terminal 226d, which branch off from the second input terminal 234b and conduct electricity, may be arranged spaced apart in the vertical direction on the right side of the pattern PCB 230.

[0086] That is, as shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the pattern transmission lines 220 are connected in pairs, one above and one below the pattern PCB 230, and the pattern transmission lines 220 located on the lower side of the pattern PCB 230 are connected to the long side feed connection end 238a extending downward so that the one side transmission line 222a and the other side transmission line 222b pass only through the first power interruption point 237a from the first input end 234a and the second input end 234b, respectively, and the pattern transmission lines 220 located on the upper side of the pattern PCB 230 may also be connected to the short side feed connection end 238b extending upward so that the one side transmission line 222a and the other side transmission line 222b pass all through the first power interruption point 237a and the second power interruption point 237b from the first input end 234a and the second input end 234b, respectively.

[0087] Therefore, a power feed signal is input from each TRx module to each input terminal (first input terminal 234a and second input terminal 234b), and the power feed signal transmitted via each input terminal 234a, 234b is output to each output terminal (first output terminal to fourth output terminal 226a to 226d) via each transmission line that is energized by contacts of the movable switch panel 540 to an inner variable circuit and an outer variable circuit described later.

[0088] In addition, each output terminal (first to fourth output terminals 226a to 226d) can be branched and extended so that two of them have the same transmission line length so that a pair of array antenna elements 250 are connected above and below.

[0089] More specifically, four array antenna elements 250 are arranged vertically on the front side of the front mounting panel 210B of the antenna element mounting panel 210, and the four array antenna elements 250 are connected to each of one side transmission lines 222a and the other side transmission lines 222b of the pattern transmission line 220 connected to the upper and lower sides based on one pattern PCB 230, and extension ends branched from each output end of each of the one side transmission line 222a and the other side transmission line 222b may be fed and connected to two array antenna elements 250 each.

[0090] Here, referring to FIG. 10, the one-side transmission line 222a may be defined as a transmission line in which the first output port 226a is connected to the short-side feed connection port 238b branched and extended from the first input port 234a, and the third output port 226c is connected to the long-side feed connection port 238a branched and extended from the first input port 234a, and the other-side transmission line 222b may be defined as a transmission line in which the second output port 226b is connected to the short-side feed connection port 238b branched and extended from the second input port 234b, and the fourth output port 226d is connected to the long-side feed connection port 238a branched and extended from the second input port 234b.

[0091] As described above, of the first output terminal 226a and the third output terminal 226c branching off from the first input terminal 234a, the first output terminal 226a may be arranged relatively on the upper vertical side of the left end, and the third output terminal 226c of the first output terminal 226a and the third output terminal 226c may be arranged relatively on the lower vertical side of the left end.

[0092] Furthermore, of the second output terminal 226b and the fourth output terminal 226d branching off from the second input terminal 234a, the second output terminal 226b may be arranged relatively on the upper vertical side of the right end portion, and the fourth output terminal 226d of the second output terminal 226b and the fourth output terminal 226d may be arranged relatively on the lower vertical side of the right end portion.

[0093] Therefore, the first output terminal 226a and the second output terminal 226b can be located at the same height as the upper side of the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b, and the third output terminal 226c and the fourth output terminal 226d can be located at the same height as the lower side of the second input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b.

[0094] Here, the first power interruption point 237a may be defined as a portion of the one-side transmission line 222a or the other-side transmission line 222b that is interrupted at a position close to the first input end 234a or the second input end 234b before branching from the first input end 234a or the second input end 234b to the long side feed connection end 238a and the short side feed connection end 238b, respectively, or may be defined as a portion of the transmission line that is interrupted after branching to the long side feed connection end 238a and the short side feed connection end 238b and before reaching the short side feed connection end 238b.

[0095] Explaining this in more detail with reference to FIG. 10, an inner variable circuit (not shown) extending vertically in a straight line from the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b and having a first interruption point 237a is pattern-printed on the front surface of the pattern PCB 230, and an outer variable circuit (not shown) branching from the outside of the inner variable circuit to a long side feed connection end 238a and a short side feed connection end 238b, extending vertically in a straight line and having a second interruption point 237b is pattern-printed, and one side transmission line 222a and the other side transmission line 222b of the pattern transmission line 220 can be feed-connected to the bottom of the long side feed connection end 238a and the top of the short side feed connection end 238b, respectively.

[0096] Therefore, the power supply feed signal input from the TRx module can conduct electricity only to the first power interruption point 237a corresponding to the inner variable circuit, which is a transmission line connecting the first input terminal 234a to the first output terminal 226a and the second input terminal 234b to the second output terminal 226b, through a contact via the first current conduction pattern terminal 547a of the variable switch panel 540 described later, and the power supply feed signal input from the TRx module can conduct electricity not only to the first power interruption point 237a corresponding to the inner variable circuit, which is a transmission line connecting the first input terminal 234a to the third output terminal 226c and the second input terminal 234b to the fourth output terminal 226d, but also to the second power interruption point 237b corresponding to the outer variable circuit, through simultaneous contacts via the first current conduction pattern terminal 547a and the second current conduction pattern terminal 547b of the variable switch panel 540 described later.

[0097] On the other hand, the rear portion of the variable switch panel 540 may be provided with a first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a and a second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b that realize a phase difference while energizing the above-mentioned first current-carrying point 237a and second current-carrying point 237b (i.e., two variable circuits).

[0098] Therefore, assuming that the pattern PCBs 230 are arranged in two pieces spaced apart in the vertical direction, if the variable switch panels 540 are also arranged in two pieces spaced apart in the vertical direction so as to be movable simultaneously, the vertical phase difference at each output end 226a to 226d due to the simultaneous movement of the two variable switch panels 540 can have a linear gradient distribution with respect to a reference identical phase plane.

[0099] Assuming that the phase shifter 500 is configured such that, when the first current interruption point 247a and the second current interruption point 247b are energized by the first current interruption pattern terminal 547a and the second current interruption point 247b, the length ratio from the branch point branching off from one input end to the short side feed connection end 238b and the long side feed connection end 238a can be changed to a predetermined ratio.

[0100] Here, the predetermined ratio must be configured so that the beam phase values ​​of the radiating elements constituting the antenna array are linear. For example, the length ratio between the long feed connection end 238a and the short feed connection end 238b associated with each of the two input ends 234a, 234b is provided to have a predetermined ratio, and in this case, the predetermined ratio is preferably 3:1.

[0101] That is, the variable switch panel 540 can achieve a phase difference by changing the overall length of the one-side transmission line 222a and the other-side transmission line 222b while linearly sliding a predetermined distance in the vertical direction.

[0102] To put it another way, in terms of branching from the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b to the long side feed connection terminal 238a and the short side feed connection terminal 238b, it is preferable that the length ratio of the physical transmission lines to the long side feed connection terminal 238a and the short side feed connection terminal 238b, respectively, is formed to be 3:1 (and vice versa, 1:3).

[0103] Meanwhile, the pattern shape printed on the front surface of the pattern PCB 230 can be defined as being formed in a concave-convex shape having an inner variable circuit and an outer variable circuit.

[0104] Here, the inner variable circuit refers to the pattern portion before it branches from the first input end 234a or the second input end 234b to the long side feed connection end 238a and the short side feed connection end 238b, and the outer variable circuit refers to the pattern portion printed up to the short side feed connection end 238b after it branches into the long side feed connection end 238a and the short side feed connection end 238b.

[0105] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram and a phase difference diagram for explaining the principle of phase conversion performed in the RF stage using a phase shifter of an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] As already explained in the "Background Art" section, even if the length of the transmission line is changed in the RF stage, in order to realize a mirror symmetry structure, the phase of the signal fed to at least two of the four array antenna elements 235 requires support work in the digital stage.

[0107] However, according to the full analog phase shifter 500 according to one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the power supply signal input from one TRx module (meaning a transmitting / receiving element mounted on a main board or an amplifier element unit, not shown) is configured to rotate at a predetermined ratio by the first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a and the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b of the variable switch panel 540 at the first current-carrying point 237a before branching into two output terminals (or the long side feed connection terminal 238a and the short side feed connection terminal 238b) from each input terminal and the second current-carrying point 237b after branching, thereby having the advantage that no support work is required in the digital stage.

[0108] That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the first power interruption point 237a before branching from the first input end 234a to the long side feed connection end 238a and the short side feed connection end 238b and the first power interruption point 237a before branching from the second input end 234b to the long side feed connection end 238a and the short side feed connection end 238b are changed in physical length of the one side transmission line 222a and the other side transmission line 222b by the first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a of the variable switch panel 540, and the phase is changed. The phase can be varied by △φ and -△φ to realize the desired phase transition value, and the second power-interruption point 237b after branching from the first input terminal 234a to the long side feed connection terminal 238a and the second power-interruption point 237b after branching from the second input terminal 234b to the long side feed connection terminal 238a can be varied by changing the physical length of the other side transmission line 222b using the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b of the variable switch panel 540, thereby varying the phase by 2△φ and -2△φ to realize the desired phase transition value.

[0109] In this case, the phase transition values ​​for the four array antenna elements 250 can form a linear phase distribution based on the same phase plane, and a mirror symmetry structure having the most efficient beamforming performance can be realized.

[0110] More specifically, assuming that the pattern transmission lines 220 based on each of the two pattern PCBs 230 are arranged vertically, the space between the first output terminal 226a and the second output terminal 226b of the pattern transmission line 220 on the upper side in the vertical direction can be defined as a first beam output section, the space between the third output terminal 226c and the fourth output terminal 226d of the pattern transmission line 220 on the upper side in the vertical direction can be defined as a second beam output section, and similarly, the space between the first output terminal 226a and the second output terminal 226b of the pattern transmission line 220 on the lower side in the vertical direction can be defined as a third beam output section, and the space between the third output terminal 226c and the fourth output terminal 226d of the pattern transmission line 220 on the lower side in the vertical direction can be defined as a fourth beam output section.

[0111] At this time, by simultaneously moving two variable switch panels 540, the second beam output section and the third beam output section can each shift the length of the transmission line by ±△φ relative to the reference identical phase plane, and the first beam output section and the fourth beam output section can each change the length of the transmission line to a length that shifts by ±△3φ relative to the reference identical phase plane.

[0112] In this way, according to the full analog phase shifter 500 and the antenna device 100 including the same according to one embodiment of the present invention, when a signal is input from the TRx module, the first power-breaking point 237a and the second power-breaking point 237b can form a linear phase distribution in a straight line shape by changing the physical length of the transmission line at each contact of the first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a and the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b of the variable switch panel 540, without the need for offset correction (i.e., support work) to correct the phase difference in the digital stage, which has the advantage of realizing a mirror symmetry structure that enables the most efficient beamforming performance.

[0113] An antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications and equivalent implementations are possible by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the true scope of the present invention is defined by the claims that follow. [Industrial Applicability]

[0114] The present invention provides a fully analog phase shifter that can achieve a linear phase distribution with mirror symmetry only by phase transition in the RF stage, without any phase conversion in the digital stage. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 100: antenna device, 110: antenna housing part 200: radiating element module, 210: antenna element mounting panel 210A: Reflect panel, 210B: Front mounting panel 210C: Rear mounting panel, 220: Pattern transmission line 222a: one side transmission line, 222b: other side transmission line 226a: 1st output end, 226b: 2nd output end 226c: 3rd output end, 226d: 4th output end 230: pattern PCB, 234a: first input terminal 234b: second input end, 238a: long side feed connection end 237a: 1st power outage point, 237b: 2nd power outage point 238b: short side feed connection end, 250: array antenna element 300: radome panel, 400: external mounting member 500: phase shifter, 510: phase shift drive motor 520: Horizontal mounting bar, 520A: Rear mounting bar 520B: Front mounting bar, 530: Vertical mounting bar 540: variable switch panel, 547a: first current-carrying pattern terminal 547b: second conductive pattern terminal, 550: slide cover 560: Horizontal bracket part

Claims

1. a variable switch panel including a first current-carrying pattern terminal and a second current-carrying pattern terminal; a pattern PCB on which a plurality of array antenna elements are arranged and on which transmission lines are pattern-printed to contact the first current-carrying pattern terminals and the second current-carrying pattern terminals; Assuming that two variable switch panels are arranged vertically, The two variable switch panels are slider-type fully analog phase shifters that are slid up and down vertically so that the phases for the multiple array antenna elements form a linear distribution on a reference identical phase plane due to phase transitions at the contact points between the first and second current-carrying pattern terminals and the transmission line.

2. 2. The fully analog phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein the two variable switch panels are provided to be slid vertically the same distance at the same time.

3. 2. The fully analog phase shifter of claim 1, further comprising: a pattern transmission line coupled to the pattern PCB, the pattern transmission line having one side transmission line and another side transmission line electrically feeding the plurality of array antenna elements.

4. The fully analog phase shifter according to claim 3 , wherein the one-side transmission line and the other-side transmission line are formed to have the same length ratio.

5. The one-side transmission line and the other-side transmission line are provided at the upper and lower parts of the pattern PCB, respectively, and extend from output ends corresponding to the ends of the one-side transmission line and the other-side transmission line by branching into two parts, 4. The full analog phase shifter according to claim 3, wherein a pair of extension ends branched from the output end and positioned at the same height are fed and connected to one of the plurality of array antenna elements.

6. The first current-carrying pattern terminal and the second current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel are each 4. The full analog phase shifter according to claim 3, wherein the two input terminals are connected to an inner variable circuit before branching and an outer variable circuit after branching at a long side feed connection terminal and a short side feed connection terminal connected to one side transmission line and the other side transmission line of the pattern transmission line, respectively.

7. a length ratio between the long feed connection end and the short feed connection end associated with each of the two input ends is set to have a predetermined ratio; 7. A fully analog phase shifter as claimed in claim 6, wherein said predetermined ratio is 3:

1.

8. the inner variable circuit and the outer variable circuit are pattern-printed to have a first break point and a second break point where a part of a transmission line between each input end and the long side feed connection end and the other side feed connection end is broken, a first current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel energizes the first current-breaking point corresponding to the inner variable circuit; 7. The fully analog phase shifter of claim 6, wherein a second conductive pattern terminal of the variable switch panel energizes the second disconnection point corresponding to the outer variable circuit.

9. 9. The full analog phase shifter of claim 8, wherein a first output terminal and a third output terminal branched from a first input terminal of the two input terminals are arranged spaced apart in a vertical (V-) direction on the left side of the pattern PCB.

10. 9. The full analog phase shifter of claim 8, wherein a second output terminal and a fourth output terminal branched from a second input terminal of the two input terminals are arranged spaced apart in a vertical (V-) direction on a right side of the pattern PCB.

11. Assuming that the pattern PCBs are arranged in two pieces at a distance in the vertical direction, the variable switch panels are also arranged in two pieces at a distance in the vertical direction so as to be movable simultaneously, 11. The full analog phase shifter according to claim 9, wherein the vertical phase difference at each output end caused by simultaneously moving the two variable switch panels has a linear gradient distribution with respect to the reference identical phase plane.

12. a phase shift driving motor provided on a rear side of an antenna element mounting panel on which the variable switch panel and the pattern PCB are provided; a horizontal mounting bar that receives the driving force of the phase shift driving motor and moves in a vertical direction; 12. The fully analog phase shifter of claim 11, further comprising: a plurality of vertical mounting bars each having one end connected to the horizontal mounting bar and the other end extending vertically upward or downward and connected to two of the variable switch panels spaced apart in the vertical direction.

13. The two variable switch panels are arranged in a plurality of rows at a predetermined distance apart in a horizontal (H-) direction, 13. The full analog phase shifter according to claim 12, wherein the horizontal mounting bar is provided with the plurality of vertical mounting bars for simultaneously connecting all of the two variable switch panels arranged in a plurality of rows in the horizontal direction.

14. The horizontal mounting bar is a rear mounting bar that is provided to be slid up and down via a vertical moving block that is screw-coupled to a screw rod connected to a rotation shaft of the phase shift driving motor; a front mounting bar disposed on a front side of the antenna element mounting panel and operatively coupled to the rear mounting bar.

15. The antenna element mounting panel includes: The antenna device according to claim 14 , further comprising a slide guide hole for guiding the rear mounting bar and the front mounting bar in a vertical movement.

16. the antenna element mounting panel includes a reflector panel, a front mounting panel disposed on a front surface of the reflector panel, and a rear mounting panel disposed on a rear surface of the reflector panel; The antenna device according to claim 15, wherein the slide guide holes are formed in the reflector panel corresponding to outer sides of left and right ends of the front mounting panel and the rear mounting panel.

Images