RF module for antenna and antenna device including same

Abstract

To provide an RF module for an antenna that can improve the overall PIM problem. [Solution] The RF module for antenna includes unit RF filter bodies arranged on the front surface of a main board, a radiating element portion arranged on the front surface of the unit RF filter bodies, and a reflector panel which forms the front surface of the unit RF filter bodies and is formed to be wider than the area of ​​a vertical cross section of the unit RF filter bodies and which grounds (GND) the radiating element portion. A plurality of cavities opening to the left and right outsides are formed on the left and right sides of the unit RF filter bodies, and a left filter portion and a right filter portion each having a built-in resonator for performing different frequency filtering are provided. The left filter portion and the right filter portion are electrically connected to the radiating element portion by penetrating the reflector panel.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an RF module for an antenna and an antenna apparatus including the same, and more particularly to an RF module for an antenna, an RF module assembly, and an antenna apparatus including the same, which completely separates a radiating element module and an RF element from a main board and arranges them so as to be exposed to the outside air at the front, and which can eliminate the difficulty of designing heat dissipation to the front side where a radiating element is conventionally provided. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Base station antennas, including repeaters, used in mobile communication systems have a variety of shapes and structures, but typically have a structure in which multiple radiating elements are appropriately arranged on at least one reflector plate that stands upright in the longitudinal direction.

[0003] Recently, active research has been conducted to achieve compact, lightweight and low-cost structures while satisfying the high performance requirements for MIMO-based antennas. In particular, in the case of antenna devices that use patch-type radiating elements to realize linear or circular polarization, a commonly used method is to plate a radiating element made of a dielectric substrate made of plastic or ceramic material and solder it to a PCB (printed circuit board) or the like.

[0004] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an antenna device according to the prior art.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 1, in an antenna device 1 according to the prior art, multiple radiating elements 35 are arranged on the front side of the antenna housing main body 10, which is the beam output direction, so that they are output in the desired direction to facilitate beamforming, and a radome 50 is attached to the front end of the antenna housing main body 10, sandwiching the multiple radiating elements 35, to protect them from the external environment.

[0006] More specifically, the antenna device 1 according to the conventional technology includes an antenna housing main body 10 having a thin rectangular box shape with an open front and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 11 integrally formed on the rear surface, a main board 20 stacked on the rear surface inside the antenna housing main body 10, and an antenna board 30 stacked on the front surface inside the antenna housing main body 10.

[0007] A patch-type radiating element or a dipole-type radiating element 35 is mounted on the front surface of the antenna board 30, and a radome 50 is provided on the front surface of the antenna housing main body 10 to protect the internal components from the outside while ensuring smooth radiation from the radiating element 35.

[0008] However, one example (1) of an antenna device according to the prior art has a structure in which various digital elements (such as FPGA elements) and analog amplification elements (such as PA elements and LNA elements) are concentrated on a main board 20 and heat is dissipated to the rear of the antenna housing main body 10.

[0009] Here, although the LNA element among the analog amplification elements generates a small amount of heat, it is mounted on the main board 20 together with the other heat-generating elements. This not only increases the density of the installation distribution of the other heat-generating elements on the main board, but also poses the problem of directly reducing performance due to the heat generated by the other heat-generating elements.

[0010] In addition, typical antenna devices suffer from the problem of PIM (Passive Intermodulation). PIM is a spurious signal generated by the nonlinear characteristics of passive elements, which reduces the signal-to-noise characteristics on the communication path and degrades communication quality.

[0011] The PIM characteristics within a distributed antenna system (DAS) device are maintained at a certain level of quality during production, but in the field, PIM problems can occur due to passive elements used in the distribution network from the rear end of the antenna port of the remote device to the final antenna.

[0012] In particular, when the structure is designed to modularize internal components such as antenna elements and mount them, if each module is not stably fixed, the PIM problem occurs more severely than in the case of integrated mounting. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, and aims to provide an RF module for antennas and an antenna device including the same, which enable thermal dispersion by separating an LNA substrate section on which an LNA element, which generates a relatively small amount of heat among heat-generating elements, is mounted from a main board and coupled to a unit RF filter body side.

[0014] In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide an RF module for antennas and an antenna device including the same, which can improve product productivity by modularizing the radiating element section, left filter section, right filter section, and amplifying element section so that they are manufactured and assembled in modular units on at least one of the front, left and right side surfaces, and top and bottom surfaces of the RF filter body.

[0015] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an antenna device capable of stably fixing and supporting an RF module for an antenna manufactured in modular units so as to maintain PIM characteristics.

[0016] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] One embodiment of an RF module for an antenna according to the present invention includes unit RF filter bodies arranged on a front surface of a main board, a radiating element portion arranged on a front surface of the unit RF filter bodies, and a reflector panel which forms the front surface of the unit RF filter bodies and is formed to be larger than a vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the unit RF filter bodies and which grounds (GND) the radiating element portion, and a plurality of cavities which open to the left and right outside are formed on the left and right sides of the unit RF filter bodies, and a left filter portion and a right filter portion which perform different frequency filtering by incorporating resonators in each of the plurality of cavities are provided, and the left filter portion and the right filter portion are electrically connected to the radiating element portion by penetrating the reflector panel.

[0018] Here, the reflector panel is formed with a pair of pin terminal installation holes through which third connecting pin terminals for mediating transmission of transmission signals and reception signals between the left and right filter units and the radiating element unit are inserted.

[0019] The radiating element portion is provided so as to generate at least one polarized wave of two or more multiple polarized waves.

[0020] The radiating element section further includes a base panel disposed on a front surface of the reflector panel, a power feed base attached to the base panel and electrically connected to the left filter section and the right filter section, and a radiation director panel provided at a front end of the power feed base.

[0021] The third connecting pin terminal is fixed to the base panel by soldering.

[0022] The RF filter may further include an amplifying element section provided on one of an upper surface and a lower surface, which are front and rear thickness portions of the unit RF filter body, and including an LNA substrate section on which at least one analog amplifying element is mounted.

[0023] In addition, the amplification element section has the LNA substrate section disposed on a substrate installation space provided on the upper or lower surface forming the front and rear thickness portions of the unit RF filter body, and the LNA substrate section can be electrically connected to each of the cavities of the left filter section and the right filter section formed on the left and right sides of the unit RF filter body.

[0024] The LNA substrate is formed with a male socket for coupling to the main board in a socket pin coupling manner, and the substrate installation space is formed with a through slit through which the male socket of the LNA substrate passes.

[0025] In addition, at least one LNA element is mounted on the LNA substrate section to amplify a received signal received from the radiating element section through the left filter section or the right filter section, and at least one PA element excluding the LNA element is mounted on the main board, and heat generated from the at least one PA element is dissipated to the rear of the antenna housing on which the main board is stacked.

[0026] In addition, the unit RF filter body is formed with a pin installation hole penetrating the substrate installation space, the cavity of the left filter section, and the cavity of the right filter section, and the LNA substrate section, the left filter section, and the right filter section are electrically connected by at least one second connecting pin terminal provided in the pin installation hole, respectively, and the second connecting pin terminal is soldered to the LNA substrate section.

[0027] In addition, each of the unit RF filter bodies is provided with at least one input / output port for transmitting a transmission signal through the left filter section and the right filter section, and the at least one input / output port can electrically connect the main board to the left filter section and the right filter section via at least one first connecting pin terminal.

[0028] Also, the at least one first connecting pin terminal is soldered to a front surface of the main board.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an antenna device including an RF module for an antenna, the antenna device including: an antenna housing part formed in a box shape with an open front; a main board arranged in a stacked manner so as to be in close contact with an inner surface of the antenna housing part; and a plurality of RF modules for an antenna arranged on the front surface of the main board, the plurality of RF modules for an antenna including: unit RF filter bodies arranged on the front surface of the main board; a radiating element part arranged on the front surface of the unit RF filter body; and a reflector panel forming the front surface of the unit RF filter body and formed to be wider than the area of ​​a vertical cross section of the unit RF filter body and grounding (GND) the radiating element part, the left and right sides of the unit RF filter body being provided with a plurality of cavities opening outward to the left and right, respectively, and a left filter part and a right filter part having a built-in resonator for performing different frequency filtering, the left filter part and the right filter part being electrically connected to the radiating element part by passing through the reflector panel.

[0030] Here, the RF modules for multiple antennas may further include an amplification element section including an LNA substrate section having at least one analog amplification element mounted thereon, the amplification element section being provided on one of the upper and lower surfaces, which are the front and rear thickness portions, of the unit RF filter body.

[0031] The radiating element unit further includes a base panel disposed on a front surface of the reflector panel, the left and right filter units being soldered to the main board to be electrically connected to the main board via at least one first connecting pin terminal, the left and right filter units being soldered to the LNA substrate unit to be electrically connected to the LNA substrate unit via at least one second connecting pin terminal, and the left and right filter units being soldered to the base panel to be electrically connected to the base panel via at least one third connecting pin terminal.

[0032] The antenna housing further includes fixing members having left and right ends fixed to left and right side walls of the antenna housing for fixing the unit RF filter bodies, the fixing members being made of a non-conductive material. Effect of the Invention

[0033] According to an embodiment of an RF module for an antenna and an antenna device including the same according to the present invention, the following various effects can be achieved.

[0034] First, the LNA element, which is provided on the receiving signal path and generates a relatively small amount of heat among the heat-generating elements of the antenna device and does not affect the entire system, is arranged separately from the main board, thereby improving the overall heat dissipation performance.

[0035] Second, by providing a left filter section and a right filter section capable of performing frequency filtering independently on the left and right sides of the unit RF filter body, productivity of the dual-band filter can be improved.

[0036] Third, the filter section, the radiating element section, and the amplifier section are manufactured and assembled as a single module, and the main board and the filter section, the amplifier section and the filter section, and the filter section and the radiating element section are electrically connected and soldered via connecting pin terminals, respectively, and a fixing member is further provided, which has the effect of maintaining the general PIM characteristics of the antenna device.

[0037] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an antenna device according to a conventional technique. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an overall exploded perspective view of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a process of installing an RF module for an antenna on a main board in the configuration of FIG. 2. FIG. [Diagram 5] 3 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a process of installing a fixing member in the configuration of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6A] 3 is a perspective view showing a front part of an RF module for antennas in the configuration of FIG. 2. [Figure 6B] 3 is a perspective view showing a rear part of an RF module for antenna in the configuration of FIG. 2. [Figure 7A] FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of the left side of FIG. 6A. [Figure 7B] FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of the right side of FIG. 6A. [Figure 7C] FIG. 6C is an exploded perspective view of the left side of FIG. 6B. [Figure 7D] FIG. 6C is an exploded perspective view of the right side of FIG. 6B. [Figure 8A]1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a coupling relationship between a radiating element portion and a unit RF filter body in the configuration of an RF module for an antenna. FIG. [Figure 8B] 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a coupling relationship between a radiating element portion and a unit RF filter body in the configuration of an RF module for an antenna. FIG. [Figure 9] 8C is a cutaway perspective view and a partially enlarged view showing an electrical interconnection by a third connecting pin terminal shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B. [Figure 10] 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a coupling relationship between an amplifying element portion and a unit RF filter body in the configuration of an RF module for an antenna. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a cutaway perspective view and a partially enlarged view showing an electrical connection between the second connecting pin terminals shown in FIG. 10. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an RF module for an antenna and an antenna device including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] In assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are assigned the same numerals 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] FIG. 2 is an oblique view showing an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an overall exploded oblique view of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an exploded oblique view for explaining the installation process of an antenna RF module on a main board in the configuration of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is an exploded oblique view for explaining the installation process of a fixing member in the configuration of FIG. 2.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, an antenna device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an antenna housing section 110 which forms the left and right lateral and rear appearances of the antenna device 100, and a radome panel 300 which 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 internal components (including a main board 120 and an antenna RF module 200 described later) provided in an internal space 110S of the antenna housing section 110 from the outside.

[0044] In addition, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the antenna device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a main board 120 closely installed in the internal space 110S of the antenna housing part 110, a PSU board part 130 arranged on the upper side of the main board 120, an RFIC board part 140 provided between the pair of main boards 120, and a surge board part 150 on the lower side of the main board 120, and may further include an RF module (Radio Frequency Module) 200 for antenna (hereinafter, abbreviated as "RF module") stacked on the front side of the main board 120.

[0045] 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.

[0046] The antenna housing portion 110 is made of a metal material having excellent thermal conductivity so as to favor heat dissipation through thermal conduction overall, and is formed in the shape of a rectangular box having a thickness in the front-to-rear direction sufficient to accommodate the front end of the RF module 200 described later.

[0047] Meanwhile, the inner surface of the antenna housing unit 110 is formed into a shape that matches the outer protruding shape of the digital elements (such as FPGA elements) mounted on the rear surface of the main board 120 and / or the PSU elements mounted on the rear surface of the PSU board unit 130, and the surge component elements mounted on the rear surface of the surge board unit 150. This is to maximize the thermal contact area with the rear surfaces of the main board 120, the PSU board unit 130, and the surge board unit 150, thereby maximizing heat dissipation performance.

[0048] In addition, on the front surface of the main board 120, a female socket portion 125 is provided for coupling, by a socket pin coupling method, a male socket portion 235 formed on the LNA substrate portion 231 of the amplifying element portion 230 of the RF module for antenna 200 manufactured in modular units as described below, and a pin coupling portion 123 is provided for coupling, by a terminal pin coupling method, first connecting pin terminals 281 of the left filter portion 240A and the right filter portion 240B of the RF module for antenna 200.

[0049] Although not shown in the drawings, handles are further provided on both the left and right sides of the antenna housing portion 110, which can be gripped by a worker on-site to easily carry the antenna device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention or to manually attach it to a support pole (not shown).

[0050] Additionally, various outer mounting members 400 for cable connection with a base station device (not shown) and adjustment of internal components are assembled and passed 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 is interconnected with a connection terminal of a coaxial cable (not shown).

[0051] 2 to 5, a plurality of rear heat dissipation fins 111 are integrally formed in a predetermined pattern shape on the rear surface of the antenna housing part 110. However, it goes without saying that the plurality of rear heat dissipation fins 111 do not necessarily have to be integrally formed on the rear surface of the antenna housing part 110, but may be manufactured as separate components and then coupled to the rear surface of the antenna housing part 110 by various coupling methods including a laser welding method.

[0052] Here, the heat generated from each heat-generating element of the main board 120, the PSU board 130, the RFIC board section 140 and the surge board section 150 arranged in the internal space 110S of the antenna housing section 110 is directly dissipated to the rear via multiple rear heat dissipation fins 111.

[0053] 2 to 5, the rear heat dissipation fins 111 are arranged with an upward inclination toward the left and right ends based on the upper and lower parts connecting the center of the left and right widths, so that the heat dissipated to the rear of the antenna housing part 110 can be designed to form an ascending air current that disperses the heat toward the left and right directions, respectively, to disperse the heat more quickly. However, the shape of the rear heat dissipation fins 111 is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, although not shown in the drawings, if a blower fan module (not shown) is further provided on the rear side of the antenna housing part 110 to facilitate the flow of outside air, the rear heat dissipation fins 111 may be formed in parallel to the left and right ends of the blower fan module arranged in the middle, so that the heat dissipated by the blower fan module can be discharged more quickly.

[0054] Meanwhile, the radome panel 300 is connected to the front end of the antenna housing part 110, and a hook connection part 310 formed along the periphery of the radome panel 300 is hook-connected to the front end engagement rib (not shown in the drawing) side of the antenna housing part 110.

[0055] Here, a waterproof gasket ring 180 made of a rubber material is interposed between the front edge of the antenna housing part 110 and the radome panel 300, and the waterproof gasket ring 180 can perform a sealing function by elastically deforming due to the connecting force provided when the radome panel 300 is hook-connected to the antenna housing part 110.

[0056] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the antenna device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a fixing member 280 for fixing the unit RF filter body 210 of each RF module 200 when the RF module 200 for the antenna is installed.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 5, the fixing member 280 can be fixed by having both left and right ends positioned inside the left and right through-holes 171 formed to penetrate the left and right side walls of the antenna housing part 110, and then having a plurality of assembly screws 173 penetrate the left and right through-holes 171 from the outside and fastened into screw fastening holes 281 formed at both left and right ends.

[0058] The multiple left and right through holes 171 formed in the antenna housing portion 110 and the multiple assembly screws 173 fastened thereto are exposed to the outside and may spoil the aesthetic appearance, so as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the multiple left and right through holes 171 can be shielded from the outside by attaching a separate shielding film 175.

[0059] In addition, the fixing member 280 has a plurality of module fixing screw holes 283 spaced apart in the left-right direction, and each RF module 200 can be stably fixed by fastening a plurality of assembly screws (not shown) to module fixing screw fastening holes 275 formed in the reflector panel 270 of the RF module 200 assembled in the internal space 110S of the antenna housing portion 110.

[0060] Recently, as the number of multi-band operating base stations that increase frequency bands increases, the PIM (Passive Intermodulation) phenomenon has come to be recognized as a very serious problem by telecommunications carriers.

[0061] The PIM phenomenon is a phenomenon that occurs due to a type of radio wave interference, and is generally mainly caused by radio waves of various frequencies and rusty metal. However, the PIM phenomenon is not necessarily a problem caused only by the above two factors. For example, the antenna housing part 110 is formed long vertically due to the application of MIMO (Multi-Input & Multi-Output) technology, and the nonlinearity of the contraction resistance (metal contact error) that occurs between electrical connection elements due to minute distortion caused by concentrated heat generated by the heating element that operates for its operation can be the cause of the PIM problem.

[0062] Here, the fixing member 280 is preferably made of a non-conductive material (e.g., a plastic resin-based material) so as to minimize the influence of PIM and the influence on the ground (GND) role of the reflector panel 270 described below, and the multiple assembly screws (not shown) are also preferably made of a plastic resin-based material.

[0063] Although not shown in the drawings, the antenna device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a buffer part made of silicone rubber attached to the front end of the fixing member 280. The buffer part is mounted on the fixing member 280 that fixes each unit RF filter body 210, and thus can play a role in mitigating internal shock between the components.

[0064] In this way, the RF modules 200 are manufactured modularized, and since it is difficult to maintain the PIM characteristics because the coupling strength between the main board 110 and each RF module 200 depends on the very weak coupling strength between the male socket portion 235 of the LNA substrate portion 231 and the first connecting pin terminal 281 of the RF filter body portion 210, as described below, the PIM problem can be solved by using a fixing member 280 that firmly fixes and supports each RF module 200. This will be described again in detail while describing each component of the RF module 200.

[0065] 6A and 6B are perspective views showing the front and rear parts of the antenna RF module in the configuration of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 7A to 7D are exploded perspective views from the left and right sides of FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0066] 6A to 7D, one embodiment of an RF module for an antenna 200 according to the present invention may include a unit RF filter body 210 arranged on a front surface of a main board 120, a radiating element portion 220 disposed on a front surface of the unit RF filter body 210, and a reflector panel 270 which forms the front surface of the unit RF filter body 210 and is formed to be larger than the area of ​​a vertical cross section of the unit RF filter body 210 and grounds (GND) the radiating element portion 220.

[0067] Here, a plurality of cavities C1, C2 opening to the left and right outside are formed on the left and right sides of unit RF filter body 210, and a left filter section 240A and a right filter section 240B including each of cavities C1, C2 and incorporating a resonator (R) in each of cavities C1, C2 for performing different frequency filtering are provided. In the following description, left filter section 240A and right filter section 240B are defined as being located on the left and right sides with respect to the forward direction.

[0068] Also, the resonator R may be a bar-shaped resonator, but the shape is not limited thereto, and the resonator R may be made of various materials such as dielectric materials, such as ceramics, and metals.

[0069] The left filter section 240A and the right filter section 240B are designed with filters for the 2.4G frequency band and the 5G frequency band, respectively, so that a dual-band antenna can be realized by one RF module 200.

[0070] Meanwhile, the radiating element section 220 is configured to generate at least two or more multiple polarized waves. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of the radiating element section 220 that realizes dual polarized waves among the multiple polarized waves.

[0071] 6A to 7D, the reflector panel 270 may include a base panel 221 disposed in front of the reflector panel 270, a power feed base 223 attached to the base panel 221 and electrically connected to the left filter unit 240A and the right filter unit 240B, and arranged in an "X" shape, and a radiation director panel 225 provided at the front end of the power feed base 223. In one embodiment of the present invention, the power feed base 223 is arranged in an "X" shape relative to the base panel 221, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and does not exclude arrangements in the shape of a square, an "H" or a "+".

[0072] The radiation director panel 225 is formed in an approximately square shape, and the power supply feed bases 223 are positioned to support each corner of the radiation director panel 225 diagonally, and each feed end extends and is connected to be positioned at the center of each side of the radiation director panel 225, so that each power supply feed base 223 can generate each polarization to realize dual polarization.

[0073] The base panel 221 can be electrically connected to mediate transmission of each transmission signal from the left filter section 240A and the right filter section 240B formed on the left and right sides of the unit RF filter body 210 and reception signals from the radiation director panel 225. The electrical connection mechanism between the base panel 221 and each filter section 240A, 240B will be described in more detail later.

[0074] In the RF module for antenna 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the radiating element section 220 has been described as being limited to either a patch type or a dipole type, but it should be noted that this is not necessarily limited thereto and does not exclude the application of an air strip type antenna.

[0075] Meanwhile, as shown in Figures 6A to 7D, the RF module for antenna 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include an amplification element section 230 including an LNA substrate section 231 having at least one analog amplification element (not shown) mounted thereon, the amplification element section 230 being provided on either the upper surface or the lower surface, which is the front or rear thickness portion, of the unit RF filter body 210.

[0076] On the other hand, the amplifying element section 230 may include an LNA substrate section 231 in a substrate installation space 230S provided on either the upper surface or the lower surface forming the front or rear thickness portions of the unit RF filter body 210, as shown in Figures 6A to 7D.

[0077] At least one LNA element (not shown) that generates a relatively small amount of heat among analog amplification elements and plays a role in amplifying a received signal is mounted on the LNA substrate section 231.

[0078] Generally, an RF module is a collection of analog RF components, and for example, an analog amplifying element that amplifies an RF signal is mounted in the amplifying element section 230, but in the case of RF module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, only an LNA element that generates relatively little heat among the analog amplifying elements is designed to be separated from the main board 120 and included in unit RF filter body 210. Also, left filter section 240A and right filter section 240B are RF components for frequency filtering an input RF signal in a desired frequency band, and radiating element section 220 can be defined as an RF component that plays a role in receiving and transmitting an RF signal.

[0079] Here, the LNA substrate section 231 can be electrically connected to each of the cavities C1, C2 of the left filter section 240A and the right filter section 240B formed on the left and right sides of the unit RF filter body 210. The electrical connection mechanism between the LNA substrate section 231 and each of the filter sections 240A, 240B will be described in more detail later.

[0080] The board installation space 230S in which the LNA board unit 231 is provided is shielded by an amplifier unit cover panel 237, and an amplifier unit heat sink fin (not shown) for dissipating heat in the board installation space 230S by a thermal conduction method is integrally formed on the outer surface of the amplifier unit cover panel 237. The heat released through the amplifier unit heat sink fin can be dissipated to the outside through the side portion of the antenna housing unit 110.

[0081] In this manner, the embodiment in which only the LNA element among the multiple analog amplifying elements mounted on the existing main board 120 is separated and provided as the amplifying element section 230 on the unit RF filter body 210 side can be defined as a configuration that plays a major role in improving the above-mentioned PIM problem.

[0082] In other words, if the LNA element is not separated from the main board 120 and is mounted on the main board 120 together with other heat-generating elements, the mounting spacing between the multiple analog amplifying elements will have to be narrowed, and if operating heat is generated from such multiple analog amplifying elements, there is a high risk of distortion due to thermal imbalance in the antenna housing part 110, which is formed long in the vertical direction.

[0083] However, it is not necessary for the unit RF filter body 210 to include the amplifying element section 230, and it goes without saying that, depending on the embodiment, the amplifying element section 230 may not be separated from the existing main board 120, or even if it is separated, it may not be provided in the unit RF filter body 210.

[0084] Meanwhile, a reflector panel 270 is formed on the front surface of the unit RF filter body 210, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 7D.

[0085] The reflector panel 270 prevents the radio waves (beam) radiated from the radiating element portion 220 coupled to the front end of the unit RF filter body 210 from penetrating to the rear side, and also serves as a ground (GND) for the radiating element portion 220.

[0086] In addition, module fixing screw fastening holes 275 are formed at the upper and lower ends of the reflector panel 270 to fasten a plurality of assembly screws (not shown) for screw fixing by the fixing member 280 described with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

[0087] As already described, the fixing member 280 is intended to complement the weak bonding strength of the unit RF filter body 210 to the main board 120, and stably fixes each unit RF filter body 210 at the front during the process of assembling them to the left and right inner walls of the internal space 110S of the antenna housing part 110, thereby improving PIM problems caused by movement or play of the unit RF filter body 210.

[0088] 8A and 8B are exploded perspective views illustrating the coupling relationship of the radiating element unit to the unit RF filter body in the configuration of an RF module for an antenna, and FIG. 9 is a cutaway perspective view and a partially enlarged view showing the mutual electrical connection by the third connecting pin terminal shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0089] The left filter section 240A and the right filter section 240B formed on the left and right sides of the unit RF filter body 210, respectively, can be electrically connected via at least one first connecting pin terminal 281 provided in the pin coupling section 123 provided on the front side of the main board 120, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B.

[0090] More specifically, at least one input / output port 287 is provided on the rear side of each unit RF filter body 210 for transmitting a transmission signal via the left filter section 240A and the right filter section 240B.

[0091] Here, at least one input / output port 287 can electrically connect the main board 120 to the left filter unit 240A and the right filter unit 240B via the first connecting pin terminal 281 described above.

[0092] Here, a rear end of at least one of the first connecting pin terminals 281 is soldered to the front surface of the main board 120 in order to alleviate the above-mentioned PIM problem.

[0093] Meanwhile, referring to Figures 7A and 7B, the base panel 221 of the radiating element section 220 can be electrically connected by at least one third connecting pin terminal 283 to mediate the transmission of each transmission signal from the left filter section 240A and the right filter section 240B and the reception signal from the radiation director panel 225.

[0094] Here, the third connecting pin terminal 283 is connected to the base panel 221 in a terminal pin connecting manner, and then is fixed by a connecting method such as soldering.

[0095] More specifically, the left filter unit 240A and the right filter unit 240B can be electrically connected to the front radiating element unit 220 through the reflector panel 270.

[0096] To this end, a pair of pin terminal installation holes 271 penetrating in the front-rear direction are formed on the front surface of the unit RF filter body 210 forming the reflector panel 270, and the third connecting pin terminal 283 is inserted through the pair of pin terminal installation holes 271.

[0097] The pin terminal mounting holes 271 are provided in a number sufficient to electrically connect with the cavity C1 of the left filter part 240A and the cavity C2 of the right filter part 240B, respectively.

[0098] In particular, at least one third connecting pin terminal 283 has one end on the base panel 221 side soldered to the base panel 221 in order to improve the above-mentioned PIM problem, which has the advantage of reducing metal contact errors (nonlinearity of shrinkage resistance).

[0099] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the coupling relationship of the amplifying element unit to the unit RF filter body in the configuration of the RF module for antenna, and FIG. 11 is a cutaway perspective view and a partially enlarged view showing the mutual electrical connection by the second connecting pin terminal shown in FIG. 10.

[0100] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the amplification element section 230 is arranged such that an LNA substrate section 231 on which at least one LNA element is mounted is housed in a substrate installation space 230S which is integrally formed on either the upper or lower surface of the unit RF filter body 210.

[0101] The substrate installation space 230S has a through slit 239 formed on the rear side of the unit RF filter body 210, and the male socket portion 235 formed on the LNA substrate portion 231 passes through the through slit 239 and is coupled to the female socket portion 125 provided on the main board 120 by a socket pin coupling method, thereby electrically connecting the received signal.

[0102] Here, the LNA substrate section 231 is implemented with at least one LNA element among the analog amplification elements, which functions to amplify the received signal received from the radiating element section 220 through the left filter section 240A or the right filter section 240B, and the main board 120 is implemented with at least one PA (Tx-amp) element excluding the LNA element implemented in the LNA substrate section 231.

[0103] Since the PA element mounted on the main board 120 generates relatively more heat than the LNA element, the LNA element is designed to be distributed on the RF module 200 side separated from the main board 120, and the spacing between each heat-generating element mounted on the main board 120 can be increased, thereby preventing the heat generated by the heat-generating elements from concentrating and improving the overall heat dissipation performance.

[0104] Meanwhile, referring to Figures 10 and 11, the LNA substrate section 231 can be electrically connected to each cavity C1, C2 of the left filter section 240A and the right filter section 240B formed on the left and right sides of the unit RF filter body 210 via at least one second connecting pin terminal 282.

[0105] For this purpose, the unit RF filter body 210 is formed with pin installation holes (not shown in the drawing) penetrating the substrate installation space 230S, the cavity C1 of the left filter part 240A, and the cavity C2 of the right filter part 240B.

[0106] The second connecting pin terminal 282 is provided through the pin mounting hole, and then fixed to the LNA substrate part 231 by a bonding method such as soldering.

[0107] Here, one end of at least one second connecting pin terminal 282 adjacent to the LNA substrate section 231 is soldered to the LNA substrate section 231 in order to alleviate the above-mentioned PIM problem.

[0108] In this way, the RF module for antenna 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention not only maintains PIM characteristics by improving the movement and play problems of the built-in components that may occur due to weak bonding strength between the first connecting pin terminal 281 and the male socket portion 235 of the LNA substrate portion 231 to the main board 120, but also has the advantage of maintaining stable PIM characteristics by soldering the first connecting pin terminal 281, the second connecting pin terminal 282 and the third connecting pin terminal 283, respectively.

[0109] Meanwhile, the RF module 200 for an antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a left tuning cover 250A and a right tuning cover 250B coupled to cover the left and right cavities C1, C2 of the unit RF filter body 210, and a left filter cover 260A and a right filter cover 260B shielding the left tuning cover 250A and the right tuning cover 250B.

[0110] The left tuning cover 250A and the right tuning cover 250B are formed with tuning grooves 251 for performing precise frequency tuning by adjusting the distance between the resonators R in the respective cavities C1 and C2.

[0111] Here, the frequency filtering process in each cavity C1, C2 of the unit RF filter body 210 must be performed while maintaining a completely sealed state. If the sealing is not complete or the sealing performance deteriorates with increasing use, there is a possibility that the PIM problem described above may occur.

[0112] In order to prevent such PIM problems from occurring, the left filter cover 260A and the right filter cover 260B including the left tuning cover 250A and the right tuning cover 250B can be attached to the unit RF filter body 210 by laser welding.

[0113] Meanwhile, the antenna device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a concept that includes all of the above-mentioned RF modules 200 for antennas.

[0114] More specifically, as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, antenna device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes antenna housing section 110 formed in a box shape with an open front surface, main board 120 arranged in a stacked manner so as to be in close contact with the inner surface of antenna housing section 110, and a plurality of antenna RF modules 200 arranged on the front surface of main board 120. The plurality of antenna RF modules 200 includes unit RF filter bodies 210 arranged on the front surface of main board 120, radiating element sections 220 arranged on the front surface of unit RF filter body 210, and upper and lower surfaces which are front and rear thickness portions of unit RF filter body 210. and a reflector panel 270 formed on the front end surface of the unit RF filter body 210 so as to extend wider than the area of ​​the front surface of the unit RF filter body 210 and grounds (GND) the radiating element section 220. On the left and right sides of the unit RF filter body 210, a plurality of cavities C1, C2 opening to the left and right outsides are formed, and a left filter section 240A and a right filter section 240B are provided, each of which has a built-in resonator R and performs different frequency filtering.

[0115] An embodiment of an RF module for an antenna and an antenna device including the same according to the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it is obvious 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 set forth below. [Industrial Applicability]

[0116] The present invention provides an RF module for antennas and an antenna device including the same, which can stably fix and support an RF module for antennas manufactured in modular units while maintaining PIM characteristics by separating an LNA board section, on which an LNA element that generates a relatively small amount of heat is mounted, from a main board and connecting it to a unit RF filter body, thereby enabling thermal dispersion, and by modularizing the RF module for antennas by manufacturing and assembling a radiating element section, a left filter section, a right filter section, and an amplifying element section in modular units on at least one of the front, left and right side surfaces, and top and bottom surfaces of the RF filter body, thereby improving product productivity and providing an antenna device including the same, which can stably fix and support an RF module for antennas manufactured in modular units while maintaining PIM characteristics. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 100: antenna device, 110: antenna housing part 110S: Internal space, 111: Rear heat dissipation fin 120: Main board, 125: Female socket part 130: PSU board section, 140: RFIC board section 150: surge board, 200: RF module for antenna 210: unit RF filter body, 220: radiating element section 230: Amplification element section, 270: Reflector panel 287: Input / Output port

Claims

1. Unit RF filter bodies arranged on a front surface of a main board; a radiating element portion disposed on a front surface of the unit RF filter body; a reflector panel that forms a front surface of the unit RF filter body and is formed to be larger than a vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the unit RF filter body and grounds the radiating element portion, a plurality of cavities are formed on the left and right sides of the unit RF filter body, the cavities each having a resonator therein to form a left filter section and a right filter section performing different frequency filtering; the left and right filter sections pass through the reflector panel and are electrically connected to the radiating element section,

2. 2. The RF module for an antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector panel is formed with a pair of pin terminal installation holes through which third connecting pin terminals for mediating transmission of transmission signals and reception signals between the left filter section and the right filter section and the radiating element section are inserted.

3. The antenna RF module according to claim 1 , wherein the radiating element portion is configured to generate at least one polarized wave of multiple polarized waves.

4. The radiating element portion is a base panel disposed in front of the reflector panel; a power feed base attached to the base panel and electrically connected to the left filter unit and the right filter unit; 3. The antenna RF module of claim 2, further comprising: a radiation director panel provided at a front end of said power feed base.

5. The antenna RF module according to claim 4 , wherein the third connecting pin terminal is soldered to the base panel.

6. The RF module for antennas as described in claim 1, further comprising an amplification element section provided on either the upper surface or the lower surface, which is the front or rear thickness portion of the unit RF filter body, and including an LNA substrate section on which at least one analog amplification element is mounted.

7. the amplifying element section is arranged such that the LNA substrate section is disposed on a substrate installation space provided on an upper surface or a lower surface forming a front or rear thickness portion of the unit RF filter body; The RF module for an antenna according to claim 6 , wherein the LNA substrate portion is electrically connected to each of the cavities of the left filter portion and the right filter portion formed on the left and right sides of the unit RF filter body.

8. the LNA substrate portion is provided with a male socket portion for coupling to the main board in a socket pin coupling manner; 8. The antenna RF module according to claim 7, wherein a through slit through which a male socket portion of said LNA substrate portion passes is formed in said substrate installation space.

9. At least one LNA element is mounted on the LNA substrate section to amplify a reception signal received from the radiating element section through the left filter section or the right filter section, At least one PA element is mounted on the main board, except for the LNA element; 7. The antenna RF module according to claim 6, wherein heat generated from the at least one PA element is dissipated to the rear of an antenna housing on which the main board is stacked.

10. The unit RF filter body has a pin installation hole passing through the substrate installation space, the cavity of the left filter part, and the cavity of the right filter part; the LNA substrate unit, the left filter unit, and the right filter unit are electrically connected to each other through at least one second connecting pin terminal provided in the pin mounting hole, The antenna RF module according to claim 7 , wherein the second connecting pin terminal is fixed to the LNA substrate portion by soldering.

11. each of the unit RF filter bodies includes at least one input / output port for transmitting a transmission signal through the left filter section and the right filter section; 2. The RF module for an antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one I / O port electrically connects the main board to the left filter unit and the right filter unit via at least one first connecting pin terminal.

12. The antenna RF module of claim 11 , wherein the at least one first connecting pin terminal is soldered to a front surface of the main board.

13. an antenna housing part formed in a box shape with an open front face; a main board arranged so as to be laminated on the inner surface of the antenna housing portion and to be in close contact with the inner surface of the antenna housing portion; a plurality of antenna RF modules arranged on a front surface of the main board; The plurality of antenna RF modules include: a unit RF filter body arranged on a front surface of the main board; a radiating element portion disposed on a front surface of the unit RF filter body; a reflector panel that forms a front surface of the unit RF filter body and is formed to be larger than a vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the unit RF filter body and grounds the radiating element portion, a plurality of cavities are formed on the left and right sides of the unit RF filter body, the cavities each having a resonator therein to form a left filter section and a right filter section performing different frequency filtering; the left filter portion and the right filter portion pass through the reflector panel and are electrically connected to the radiating element portion.

14. The plurality of antenna RF modules include: The antenna device according to claim 13, further comprising an amplification element section provided on one of the upper and lower surfaces, which are the front and rear thickness sections of the unit RF filter body, and including an LNA substrate section on which at least one analog amplification element is mounted.

15. The radiating element portion includes a base panel disposed on a front surface of the reflector panel, the left filter unit and the right filter unit are soldered to the main board to be electrically connected to the main board through at least one first connecting pin terminal; the left filter unit and the right filter unit are soldered to the LNA substrate unit so as to be electrically connected to the LNA substrate unit through at least one second connecting pin terminal; The antenna device of claim 14 , wherein the left filter portion and the right filter portion are soldered to the base panel so as to be electrically connected to the base panel via at least one third connecting pin terminal.

16. a fixing member having left and right ends fixed to left and right side walls of the antenna housing portion, respectively, for fixing the unit RF filter body, The antenna device according to claim 13 , wherein the fixing member is made of a non-conductive material.

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