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 the 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. To provide optimal service under these conditions, network management is carried out to adjust the vertical beam angle of the base station antenna to adjust the base station coverage.

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

[0004] The advantage of the mechanical beam tilt method is that it can reduce the cost of manufacturing antennas. However, to operate a base station, a technician must go up to the base station antenna tower, loosen the 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, making repairs less swift.

[0005] Recently, to compensate for the shortcomings of the mechanical beam tilt system, a remotely adjustable mechanical beam tilt system has been developed, which allows tilting or steering adjustment of the mechanical beam tilt system from a remote location.

[0006] However, a remotely adjustable 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 method. 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 unit, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram and phase difference diagram for explaining the principle of phase conversion performed in the RF stage.

[0008] According to Figure 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 change in physical length (ΔL). When using this principle to realize a phase difference in the RF stage, as shown in Figure 2, phase conversion (offset support work) is required in the digital stage.

[0009] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, if a phase difference of Δφ is applied to one of the two output terminals branched from the RF stage, a problem occurs in that in order to achieve a uniform phase difference for the desired phase plane, i.e., to have a linear phase distribution, an offset support process of -2Δφ 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 aims to provide a fully analog phase shifter that can achieve a linear phase distribution with mirror symmetry using only phase transitions in the RF stage, without any 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 first and second current-carrying pattern terminals, and a pattern PCB on which a plurality of array antenna elements are arranged and on which transmission lines contacting the first and second current-carrying pattern terminals are pattern-printed. Assuming that two variable switch panels are arranged vertically, the two variable switch panels are slider-type panels that slide 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 and second current-carrying pattern terminals and the transmission lines.

[0013] Here, the two variable switch panels may be configured to simultaneously slide the same distance in the vertical direction.

[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] The one-side transmission line and the other-side transmission line are provided at the top and bottom of the pattern PCB, respectively, and extend from output ends corresponding to the respective ends by branching into two. A pair of extension ends branching from the output ends and positioned at the same height can be fed and connected to one of the plurality of array antenna elements.

[0016] In addition, the first and second current-carrying pattern terminals of the variable switch panel may be respectively 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 connected to one transmission line and the other transmission line of the pattern transmission line, respectively.

[0017] Also, the 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] The inner variable circuit and the outer variable circuit are connected to the input terminals of the long feed connection terminal and the Short side A pattern is printed to have a first disconnection point and a second disconnection point where a portion of the transmission line between the feed connection ends is disconnected, and a first current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel can energize the first disconnection point corresponding to the inner variable circuit, and a second current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel can energize the second disconnection 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) direction on the left side of the pattern PCB.

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

[0021] Also, 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 receives a driving force of the phase shift drive motor and moves in an up-and-down direction, 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 that are provided spaced apart in the vertical direction.

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

[0024] 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-coupled 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 coupled to interlock with the rear mounting bar.

[0025] The antenna element mounting panel may have slide guide holes formed therein to guide the rear mounting bar and the front mounting bar in vertical movement.

[0026] In addition, the antenna element mounting panel may include a reflect panel, a front mounting panel disposed in front of the reflect panel, and a rear mounting panel disposed in the rear 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. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] The fully 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 explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a graph illustrating the principle of phase conversion. [Figure 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. [Figure 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 the front part 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 the rear portion of the antenna device shown in FIG. 3, in which the radome panel and the radiating element module are disassembled. FIG. [Figure 5A] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a phase shifter in the configuration of FIG. 3, and is an exploded perspective view of the front part with the radome panel and the antenna housing removed. [Figure 5B] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a phase shifter in the configuration of FIG. 3, and is an exploded perspective view of the rear part with the radome panel and the antenna housing 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 the front part. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a part of FIG. 6, showing the rear part. [Figure 8] 4 is an exploded perspective view and a partially enlarged view showing the configuration of FIG. 3 in a state where a radome panel is separated. [Figure 9A]4 is an exploded perspective view of the front part of the configuration of FIG. 3, showing the arrangement of a switch panel of a phase shifter relative to a pattern PCB of a radiating element module. FIG. [Figure 9B] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rear part of the configuration of FIG. 3, showing the arrangement of a switch panel of a phase shifter relative to a pattern PCB of a radiating element module. FIG. [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 device according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[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. When 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. Furthermore, when describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of such well-known configurations or functions would hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0030] When describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as "first," "second," "A," "B," "(a)," and "(b)" may be used. These terms are merely used to distinguish the component from other components and do not limit the nature, 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 pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have 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 FIGS. 4A and 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 dramatically increases data transmission capacity by using multiple array antenna elements. It is a spatial multiplexing technique in which a transmitter transmits different data through each transmit antenna, and a receiver separates the transmitted data through appropriate signal processing. Therefore, by simultaneously increasing the number of transmit and receive antennas, channel capacity increases, enabling more data to be transmitted. For example, increasing the number of antennas to 10 ensures approximately 10 times the channel capacity compared to a single antenna system using the same frequency band.

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

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

[0036] More specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the 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 provided 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] The antenna housing part 110 can play a role of mediating coupling to a support pole (not shown) provided for installation of the antenna device 100 .

[0038] However, the antenna device 100 realizing one embodiment of the present invention can be realized in an embodiment in which only components that generate a little operating heat when the system is running are provided inside the antenna housing part 110, and are installed in front of a repeater (RRH) (not shown) and are installed 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 "RRH (Radio Remote Head)") that receives signals from a base station, and may contain the radiating element module 200 and other components inside, excluding RF components coupled to the repeater (RRH).

[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 a worker can easily carry the antenna device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention on site or manually attach it to a support pole (not shown) or a repeater head (RRH).

[0041] Additionally, various outer mounting members 400 for cable connection with a repeater (RRH) (not shown) and for adjusting internal components may be assembled through the outer lower end of the antenna housing 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 interconnected with 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 part 110, and a hook connection part (not shown) formed along the edge of the radome panel 300 may be hook-connected to the front end locking rib (not shown) side of the antenna housing part 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 polarized waves.

[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 later.

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

[0047] Figures 5A and 5B are diagrams 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 partially enlarged view showing the configuration of Figure 3 with the radome panel separated.

[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] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the antenna element mounting panel 210 may include a reflect panel 210A disposed in the middle, a front mounting panel 210B disposed in front of the reflect panel 210A, and a rear mounting panel 210C disposed on the rear surface of the reflect panel 210A.

[0050] The front mounting panel 210B has a line installation slit 211 formed therethrough 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 has an LPF installation slit 215 formed therethrough in the front-rear direction, in which an LPF 216 (described later) is provided, and a portion of the configuration of a full analog phase shifter 500 (described later) can be fixed to the rear surface.

[0052] The plurality of array antenna elements 250 are formed in a substantially square shape and can be installed and 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 the feed ends of the pattern transmission line 220 fixedly installed in the line installation slit 211 of the front mounting panel 210B so that they are positioned at opposing portions of each side of the array antenna element 250. Preferably, the feed ends of the pattern transmission line 220 can be fed-connected to corner portions 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 shift 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 is not necessarily limited to this.

[0056] Also, although the above-described method for realizing the antenna element mounting panel 210 has been described as being limited to the application of an air strip type feed method, it should be noted that this does not exclude application to a PCB type with a transmission line pattern printed thereon (not shown). However, in one embodiment of the present invention, a pattern PCB 230 is separately provided for operational linkage with the phase shifter 500 (described later).

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 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 disposed 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 receives the driving force of the phase shift drive motor 510 and moves up and down, and a plurality of vertical mounting bars 530 that have one end connected to the horizontal mounting bar 520 and the other end extending vertically upward or downward, respectively, and 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 form a vertical rotation axis.

[0060] A rotation 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 rotation axis.

[0061] Here, the phase shifter 500 may further include an up-and-down moving block 515 having a rod-through portion (not shown) through which the above-mentioned screw rod 516 passes in the up-and-down direction, and having a female screw thread (not shown) that engages with the male screw thread, and which moves up and down 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 up and down, the rear mounting bar 520A moves up and down in conjunction with the vertical moving block 515, thereby allowing the front mounting bar 520B connected to the rear mounting bar 520A to move up and down.

[0063] Meanwhile, the phase shifter 500 may further include horizontal bracket parts 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 to mediate the installation of the above-mentioned phase shift drive motor 510.

[0064] The horizontal bracket part 560 has a shaft through-hole 561 formed therethrough in the vertical direction, and the rotation shaft 510c 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 components 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 components 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 multiple screws, and can slide up and down in conjunction with the vertical moving block 515. The front mounting bar 520B can slide up and down in conjunction with the rear mounting bar 520A by being fixed using multiple fastening screws 523 in 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 of the antenna element mounting panel 210 and be exposed forward.

[0067] The reflect panel 210A may have formed at its left and right ends upper and lower slide guide holes 210A-1 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 largest area, and the front mounting panel 210B and rear mounting panel 210C, which are integrally laminated on the front surface of the reflect panel 210A, may be formed to have a smaller width so that their left and right ends are located more inward than the left and right ends of the reflect panel 210A, respectively.

[0069] Here, the horizontal separation distance between the guide bars 521 at both ends of the rear mounting bar 520A may be greater than at least the width of the front mounting panel 210B and the rear mounting panel 210C, and may be smaller than the width of the reflect 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 this 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 "other end" in this 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 it 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 printed thereon are installed. 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-breaking point 237a and the second current-breaking point 237b in the pattern PCB 230.

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

[0077] 9A and 9B are exploded perspective 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 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 interconnects the first current-breaking points 237a, and the second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b interconnects the second current-breaking points 237b.

[0079] Such a variable switch panel 540 is 237a and the second power outage point 237b and may be provided as a slider type that changes the length of the transmission line pattern printed on the pattern PCB 230 by linearly moving up and down within a predetermined range. That is, the two variable switch panels 540 may be provided to simultaneously slide the same distance in the up and down vertical direction when the phase shift drive motor 510 is driven.

[0080] In addition, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the 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 toward the pattern PCB 230 located behind them, thereby complementing the contact function.

[0081] That is, 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, respectively provided in the block installation groove 543 on the rear part of the variable switch panel 540, are sufficiently adhered to the first current-breaking point 237a and the second current-breaking 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. 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 components 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 improved space utilization.

[0083] 9A to 10, a front mounting panel 210B is laminated on the front surface of the antenna element mounting panel 210. The front mounting panel 210B is provided with a pattern PCB 230 which 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 terminals branched from each of the first and second input terminals (hereinafter, the output terminals branched 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 terminals branched 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 terminal 238a and a short-side feed connection terminal 238b that mediate electrical connection to one-side transmission line 222a and the other-side transmission line 222b, which will be described later.

[0084] A long side feed connection end 238a of the pattern transmission line 220 branched from the first input end 234a of the pattern PCB 230; Short side The first output terminal 226a and the third output terminal 226c of the feed connection terminal 238b are arranged apart in the vertical direction (V-direction) of the front mounting panel 210B, and are connected to the long side feed connection terminal 238a and the long side feed connection terminal 226c of the pattern transmission line 220 branched from the second input terminal 234b of the pattern PCB 230. Short side The second output end 226b and the fourth output end 226d of the feed connection end 238b 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 FIGS. 9A and 9B, the pattern transmission lines 220 are connected in pairs, one above the other and one below the other, based on the pattern PCB 230, and the pattern transmission lines 220 located below the pattern PCB 230 may be 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 interruption point 237a from the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b, respectively, and the pattern transmission lines 220 located above the pattern PCB 230 may 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 the way from the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b to the first interruption point 237a and the second interruption point 237b, 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 through each input terminal 234a, 234b is variable The signals are output to the output terminals (first to fourth output terminals 226a to 226d) via the transmission lines energized by the contacts of the switch panel 540 for the inner variable circuit and the outer variable circuit described below.

[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 can be connected above and below.

[0089] More specifically, four array antenna elements 250 are arranged one above the other on the front surface of the front mounting panel 210B of the antenna element mounting panel 210, and the four array antenna elements 250 are connected to one side transmission line 222a and the other side transmission line 222b of the pattern transmission line 220 connected to the upper and lower sides of one pattern PCB 230 as a reference, and extension ends branching out from the output ends 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] 10, the one-side transmission line 222a may be defined as a transmission line in which the first output port 226a is connected to a short-side feed connection port 238b branching and extending from the first input port 234a, and a transmission line in which the third output port 226c is connected to a long-side feed connection port 238a branching and extending from the first input port 234a. The other-side transmission line 222b may be defined as a transmission line in which the second output port 226b is connected to a short-side feed connection port 238b branching and extending from the second input port 234b, and a transmission line in which the fourth output port 226d is connected to the long-side feed connection port 238a branching and extending 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 at the upper vertical position on the left end, and the third output terminal 226c may be arranged relatively at the lower vertical position on the left end.

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

[0093] Therefore, the first output terminal 226a and the second output terminal 226b are 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 are located at the same height as the upper side of the first input terminal 234a and the second input terminal 234b. No. 1 The lower sides of the input end 234a and the second input end 234b may be located at the same height.

[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 disconnected at a position close to the first input terminal 234a or the second input terminal 234b before branching from the first input terminal 234a or the second input terminal 234b to the long-side feed connection terminal 238a and the short-side feed connection terminal 238b, respectively, or may be defined as a portion of the transmission line that is disconnected after branching to the long-side feed connection terminal 238a and the short-side feed connection terminal 238b and before reaching the short-side feed connection terminal 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 disconnection 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 terminal 238a and a short side feed connection terminal 238b, extending vertically in a straight line and having a second disconnection point 237b is pattern-printed. 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 terminal 238a and the top of the short side feed connection terminal 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 two pattern PCBs 230 are arranged at a distance from each other in the vertical direction, if two variable switch panels 540 are also arranged at a distance from each other 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] Suppose that the phase shifter 500 has a first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a and a second current-carrying pattern terminal 547b. 237a and the second power outage point 237b When energized, the length ratio from the branch point branching from one input end to the short side feed connecting end 238b and the long side feed connecting 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 ports 234a, 234b is set 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 sliding linearly 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 from the long side feed connection terminal 238a to the short side feed connection terminal 238b is 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 connecting end 238a and the short side feed connecting end 238b, and the outer variable circuit refers to the pattern portion printed up to the short side feed connecting end 238b after it branches into the long side feed connecting end 238a and the short side feed connecting 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 when 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 array antenna elements 250 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 by changing the lengths of the one side transmission line 222a and the other side transmission line 222b 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 providing an 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 terminal 234a to the long side feed connection terminal 238a and the short side feed connection terminal 238b and the first power interruption point 237a before branching from the second input terminal 234b to the long side feed connection terminal 238a and the short side feed connection terminal 238b are connected by the first current-carrying pattern terminal 547a of the variable switch panel 540 to change the physical lengths of the one side transmission line 222a and the other side transmission line 222b, thereby shifting the phase. The phase can be varied by △φ and -△φ to achieve the desired phase transition value, and the second power-off point 237b after branching from the first input terminal 234a to the long side feed connecting terminal 238a and the second power-off point 237b after branching from the second input terminal 234b to the long side feed connecting 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 achieve 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 with the most efficient beamforming performance can be realized.

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

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

[0112] As described above, 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 disconnection point 237a and the second disconnection point 237b can form a linear phase distribution in a straight line form 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] The above is an example of the present invention. Fully analog phase shifter The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and that various modifications and equivalents may be made by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the true scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims. [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 attachment member 500: Phase shifter, 510: Phase transition 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 current-carrying 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 pattern transmission lines are printed that contact the first current-carrying pattern terminals and the second current-carrying pattern terminals, the variable switch panel is 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 by phase transitions caused by contact points between the first current-carrying pattern terminals and the second current-carrying pattern terminals and the pattern transmission lines, the pattern transmission line is connected to the pattern PCB and includes one-side transmission lines and another-side transmission lines electrically feeding the plurality of array antenna elements; 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, a pair of extension ends branching from the output end and positioned at the same height, and one of the plurality of array antenna elements is connected to the pair of extension ends;

2. A fully analog phase shifter as described in claim 1, wherein the pattern PCB and the variable switch panel are each provided in pairs in the vertical direction, and the two variable switch panels are configured to slide the same distance in the vertical direction at the same time.

3. 2. The fully analog phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein the one-side transmission line and the other-side transmission line are formed to have the same length ratio.

4. The pattern PCB has two input ends, a long feed connection end, a short feed connection end, an inner variable circuit, and an outer variable circuit; The first current-carrying pattern terminal and the second current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel are each 2. The full analog phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein the two input terminals are connected to the inner variable circuit before branching and the outer variable circuit after branching at the long side feed connection terminal and the short side feed connection terminal, which are connected to one side transmission line and the other side transmission line of the pattern transmission line, respectively.

5. 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; 5. The fully analog phase shifter of claim 4, wherein the predetermined ratio is 3:

1.

6. the inner variable circuit and the outer variable circuit are pattern-printed to have a first disconnection point and a second disconnection 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 disconnected, a first current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel energizes the first disconnecting point corresponding to the inner variable circuit; 5. The fully analog phase shifter according to claim 4, wherein a second current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel energizes the second current-breaking point corresponding to the outer variable circuit.

7. 7. The full analog phase shifter of claim 6, 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.

8. 7. The full analog phase shifter of claim 6, 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 the right side of the pattern PCB.

9. The pattern PCBs are arranged in two vertically spaced apart positions, and the variable switch panels are also arranged in two vertically spaced apart positions so as to be simultaneously movable.

9. The fully analog phase shifter according to claim 7, wherein the vertical phase difference at each output terminal caused by simultaneously moving the two variable switch panels has a linear gradient distribution with respect to the reference identical phase plane.

10. a phase shift driving motor provided on the 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 up and down; 10. The fully analog phase shifter of claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of vertical mounting bars, one end of which is connected to the horizontal mounting bar and the other end of which extends vertically upward or downward and is connected to two of the variable switch panels spaced apart in the vertical direction.

11. The two variable switch panels are arranged in a plurality of rows at a predetermined distance in a horizontal (H-direction) direction, 11. The full analog phase shifter according to claim 10, wherein the horizontal mounting bar is provided with the plurality of vertical mounting bars each configured to simultaneously connect all two variable switch panels arranged in a plurality of rows in the horizontal direction.

12. 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 pattern transmission lines are printed that contact the first current-carrying pattern terminals and the second current-carrying pattern terminals, the variable switch panel is 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 by phase transitions caused by contact points between the first current-carrying pattern terminals and the second current-carrying pattern terminals and the pattern transmission lines, the pattern transmission line is connected to the pattern PCB and includes one-side transmission lines and another-side transmission lines electrically feeding the plurality of array antenna elements; The pattern PCB has two input terminals, a long side feed connection terminal, a short side feed connection terminal, an inner variable circuit, and an outer variable circuit; The first current-carrying pattern terminal and the second current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel are each The two input terminals are respectively connected to the long side feed connection terminal and the short side feed connection terminal, which are connected to one side transmission line and the other side transmission line of the pattern transmission line, and are connected to the inner variable circuit before branching and the outer variable circuit after branching, the inner variable circuit and the outer variable circuit are pattern-printed to have a first disconnection point and a second disconnection 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 disconnected, a first current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel energizes the first disconnecting point corresponding to the inner variable circuit; a second current-carrying pattern terminal of the variable switch panel energizes the second current-breaking point corresponding to the outer variable circuit; The first and third output terminals branched from the first input terminal of the two input terminals are arranged to be spaced apart in a vertical (V-direction) on the left side of the pattern PCB, The second and fourth output terminals branched from the second input terminal of the two input terminals are arranged to be spaced apart in a vertical (V-direction) on the right side of the pattern PCB, The pattern PCBs are arranged in two vertically spaced apart positions, and the variable switch panels are also arranged in two vertically spaced apart positions so as to be simultaneously movable. a vertical phase difference at each output end caused by simultaneous movement of the two variable switch panels has a linear gradient distribution with respect to the reference identical phase plane; a phase shift driving motor provided on the 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 up and down; a plurality of vertical mounting bars, one end of which is connected to the horizontal mounting bar and the other end of which extends vertically upward or downward and is connected to the two variable switch panels spaced apart in the vertical direction, The two variable switch panels are arranged in a plurality of rows at a predetermined distance in a horizontal (H-direction) direction, the horizontal mounting bar is provided with the plurality of vertical mounting bars each for simultaneously connecting the two variable switch panels arranged in a plurality of rows in the horizontal direction, The horizontal mounting bar is a rear mounting bar that is provided to be slidably moved up and down via a vertical moving block that is screw-coupled with a screw rod connected to a rotation shaft of the phase shift driving motor; a front mounting bar disposed on the front side of the antenna element mounting panel and coupled to the rear mounting bar in an operable manner.

13. The antenna element mounting panel includes: The antenna device according to claim 12, further comprising a slide guide hole formed in the rear mounting bar and the front mounting bar for guiding vertical movement of the rear mounting bar and the front mounting bar.

14. the antenna element mounting panel includes a reflect panel, a front mounting panel disposed on a front surface of the reflect panel, and a rear mounting panel disposed on a rear surface of the reflect panel; The antenna device according to claim 13 , wherein the slide guide holes are formed in the reflector panel at positions corresponding to the outside of the left and right ends of the front mounting panel and the rear mounting panel.

Images