Antenna structure and electronic device including same

Abstract

An antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: at least one first antenna panel, the first antenna panel including at least two antenna elements arranged in the vertical direction; at least one second antenna panel which is adjacent to the at least one first antenna panel and forms a predetermined angle with the at least one first antenna panel, the second antenna panel including at least two antenna elements arranged in the vertical direction; and a switch including at least two output ports, wherein the output ports are connected to the first antenna panel or the second antenna panel, and the switch is capable of connecting or blocking an RF signal line and the at least two output ports, individually.

Description

Antenna structure and electronic device including the same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an antenna, and more particularly, to the structure of an omnidirectional antenna.

[0002] Typically, antennas are designed with a fixed antenna pattern and coverage. While varying the antenna pattern across various scenarios, such as roads or intersections, can offer benefits like increased coverage, it also requires installing antennas with different patterns or using suboptimal antenna configurations, such as reducing the antenna's gain. Therefore, finding solutions that can be applied to various scenarios using a single antenna can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Furthermore, the overall system performance can deteriorate because the antenna's full performance cannot be utilized.

[0003] Accordingly, an antenna that can provide wide coverage while providing various antenna patterns is required.

[0004] Based on the above discussion, the present disclosure provides an omnidirectional antenna including an RF switch structure.

[0005] Additionally, the present disclosure provides an antenna module including an omnidirectional antenna.

[0006] An antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: at least one first antenna panel, the first antenna panel including at least two antenna elements arranged in a vertical direction; at least one second antenna panel adjacent to the at least one first antenna panel and forming a predetermined angle with the at least one first antenna panel, the second antenna panel including at least two antenna elements arranged in a vertical direction; and a switch including at least two output ports, the output ports being connected to the first antenna panel or the second antenna panel, the switch being capable of connecting or disconnecting a radio frequency (RF) signal line and the at least two output ports, respectively.

[0007] An antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one antenna module, wherein the antenna module includes at least one first antenna panel, the first antenna panel including at least two antenna elements arranged in a vertical direction; at least one second antenna panel adjacent to the at least one first antenna panel and forming a predetermined angle with the at least one first antenna panel, the second antenna panel including at least two antenna elements arranged in a vertical direction; and a switch including at least two output ports, the output ports being connected to the first antenna panel or the second antenna panel, the switch being capable of connecting or disconnecting an RF signal line and the at least two output ports, respectively.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an omnidirectional antenna having a variable antenna pattern and coverage can be designed using an RF switch structure.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the antenna pattern can be easily adjusted by turning the switch on / off, and a circular / diamond / straight antenna pattern covering 360 degrees can be formed, thereby increasing the gain by concentrating RF energy in a specific direction.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, even after installation of the antenna, the antenna pattern and coverage can be adjusted to fit the shape of the space in which the antenna is installed, thereby maximizing wireless coverage within the space.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, gain can be increased by focusing RF energy in a specific direction by adjusting the antenna pattern.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, energy saving can be achieved by reducing unnecessary coverage through switching.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates an omnidirectional antenna pattern of an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-shaped antenna pattern of an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a vertical antenna pattern of an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a horizontal antenna pattern of an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates antenna panels arranged in an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates applying an RF signal to an antenna panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates a functional configuration of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] The antenna module (100) of the present disclosure may include an antenna panel (120), an antenna array (130) disposed on the antenna panel, an RF signal line (150), and a switch (110) for connecting or disconnecting the RF signal line (150) and the antenna panel (120).

[0026] In the present disclosure, a switch (110) may refer to an RF lossless switch and may include an input port (115), a branch line (111, 112, 113, 114), and an output port (116, 117, 118, or 119). The switch (110) may electrically connect or disconnect the input port and the output port (116, 117, 118, or 119) by controlling the opening and closing of the circuit.

[0027] Specifically, the input port (115) of the switch (110) can be connected to an RF signal line (150). An RF signal supplied through the RF signal line (150) can be input to the switch (110) through the input port (115). Referring to FIG. 1, the antenna module (100) can further include a power amplifier (PA), and the PA amplifies and outputs an RF signal supplied through the RF signal line (150), and the output signal of the PA can be input to the switch (110) circuit through the input port (115).

[0028] The output port (116, 117, 118 or 119) of the switch (110) can be connected to the antenna panel (120). When each branch line of the switch (110) is closed (or turned on), the RF signal amplified by the PA can be delivered to the antenna panel (120) through the output port (116, 117, 118 or 119). When the switch (110) is opened (or turned off), the RF signal is not delivered to the antenna panel (120).

[0029] In one embodiment, the antenna module (100) includes a switch (110) that electrically connects or disconnects each of the RF signal line (150) and the output ports (116, 117, 118, and 119), which are connected to the antenna panels, so that the power supply to the antenna panel (120) can be controlled by controlling the switch (110) of the antenna module (100).

[0030] Meanwhile, the switch (110) may operate based on a control signal applied to the switch (110). For example, an antenna device including the switch (110) may include a control unit that controls the overall operation of the antenna device, and the control unit may include a processor that creates an electrical signal for controlling the opening and closing of branch lines of the switch (110) and transmits the signal to the switch (110).

[0031] The switch (110) can receive a control signal from the processor and operate according to the control signal. The switch (110) can include an input port for receiving the control signal and branch lines that are opened and closed based on the control signal. Since the switch (110) processes the control signal related to the switching of the branch lines, it can be referred to as a switching module. The switch or switching module can be implemented as a chip on which the above input port and branch lines are mounted.

[0032] The control signal transmitted by the processor to the switch (110) may include a bit string that instructs the opening and closing of each of the branch lines included in the switch. For example, if the antenna module (100) includes N antenna panels and the switch (110) includes N branch lines, N bits may be used by the processor to control the opening and closing of the N branch lines. At this time, the M-th bit may be set to 0 to open the M-th branch line, and the corresponding bit may be set to 1 to close the branch line.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, the processor can transmit a 4-bit control signal that instructs the switch (110) (or switching module) to open and close four branch lines. For example, the processor can transmit a bit string of “0110” to the switch (110). If the 4-digit bit string is promised to sequentially instruct the opening and closing of branch lines (111), branch lines (112), branch lines (113), and branch lines (114), the branch lines (111) and branch lines (114) can be opened, and the branch lines (112) and branch lines (113) can be closed according to the bit string “0110.”

[0034] When each branch line of the switch (110) is closed (turned on), the antenna panel (120) connected to the output port (116, 117, 118 or 119) of the switch (110) can receive an RF signal. The antenna panel (120) can transmit the RF signal to an antenna array arranged on the antenna panel or at least two antenna elements included in the antenna array. The antenna element receiving the RF signal can transmit an RF signal of a designated frequency band based on an electrical path formed on the antenna element.

[0035] An antenna module (100) according to one embodiment may include a plurality of antenna panels and a plurality of output ports (116, 117, 118, or 119) for applying RF signals to the plurality of antenna panels. At this time, the switch (110) may control the opening and closing of the circuit, thereby outputting an RF signal through at least one of the plurality of output ports (116, 117, 118, or 119), and applying the RF signal to at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0036] An antenna module (100) according to one embodiment may include at least two antenna panels and a switch having at least two output ports connected to each of the at least two antenna panels. In this case, the switch may connect or block an RF signal line and the at least two output ports, respectively.

[0037] And at least one antenna panel (e.g., antenna panel (122) of FIG. 1) of at least two antenna panels may form a predetermined angle (e.g., the predetermined angle may be an angle close to vertical) with the remaining at least one antenna panel (e.g., antenna panel (123) of FIG. 1). In this case, the minimum distance (d) between the at least one antenna panel and the remaining at least one antenna panel min) can be less than half the wavelength (i.e., half a wavelength) corresponding to the resonant frequency. This minimum distance (d min ) is 0.5 wavelength or more, when an RF signal is applied to at least one antenna panel and at least one remaining antenna panel, the beams output from each panel are not mixed with each other, and a side lobe may occur.

[0038] Hereinafter, an example is described in which one antenna module includes four antenna panels and four output ports. However, this is merely an example for explanation and does not limit the number of antenna panels included in the antenna module and the output ports of the switch. For example, one antenna module may include two antenna panels and two output ports, or may include six antenna panels and six output ports.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, the antenna module (100) may include four antenna panels (121, 122, 123, and 124) and a switch (110) for applying or blocking an RF signal to each antenna panel (121, 122, 123, or 124). The switch (110) may receive an RF signal through an RF signal line (150) and output an RF signal through up to four RF paths. At this time, the switch (110) may include a 1:4 RF lossless switch. However, FIG. 1 is an example of the present disclosure, and when the switch includes four branch lines, it only means that the switch can create up to four RF paths through which the RF signal can be output, and the switch of the present disclosure is not limited to a 1:4 RF lossless switch.

[0040] Specifically, the switch (110) may include four branch lines (111, 112, 113, and 114) and corresponding first output ports (116), second output ports (117), third output ports (118), and fourth output ports (119). The four antenna panels may include a first antenna panel (121), a second antenna panel (122), a third antenna panel (123), and a fourth antenna panel (124). The first output port (116) may be connected to the first antenna panel (121), the second output port (117) may be connected to the second antenna panel (122), the third output port (118) may be connected to the third antenna panel (123), and the fourth output port (119) may be connected to the fourth antenna panel (124).

[0041] The switch (110) can control the RF path connecting the input port and the output port by opening and closing the branch lines. The opening and closing of the four branch lines (111, 112, 113, and 114) are independent of each other. For example, when the branch lines (111) and (112) are closed and the branch lines (113) and (114) are opened, the RF signal can be applied only to the first antenna panel (121) and the second antenna panel (122). As another example, it is also possible for all of the branch lines (111, 112, 113, and 114) to be opened or closed.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the switch (110) is an RF lossless switch, and since there is almost no loss, the sum of the power of the RF signal output through the output port may be equal to the power of the RF signal received through the input port. For example, when the branch line (111) and the branch line (112) are closed and the branch line (113) and the branch line (114) are open, the power of the RF signal received through the input port may be equal to the sum of the power of the RF signal output through the first output port (116) and the power of the RF signal output through the second output port (117). Alternatively, when only the branch line (111) is closed, the RF signal received through the input port is output through the first output port (116), and thus a full-power signal may be output from the first output port (116).

[0043] In the switch (110) according to one embodiment, the resistance values ​​of each of the branch lines may be the same. Therefore, when two or more branch lines are closed, the magnitudes of the RF signals transmitted through the closed branch lines may be the same. That is, when two or more branch lines are closed, the same power may be distributed to the closed branch lines. For example, when the branch lines (111) and (112) are closed and the branch lines (113) and (114) are open, if the power of the RF signal received through the input port is 1, the power of the RF signal output through the first output port (116) and the power of the RF signal output through the second output port (117) may each be 0.5.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the surface on which two antenna panels (121, 122) are arranged and the surface on which the remaining two antenna panels (123, 124) are arranged may form a predetermined angle with each other. Alternatively, the two antenna panels (121, 122) and the remaining two antenna panels (123, 124) may form a predetermined angle. For example, the predetermined angle may include a right angle. Since Fig. 1 is a top view of four antenna panels arranged, the arrangement of the antenna panels in Fig. 1 may be referred to as a horizontal 2X2 arrangement.

[0045] Specifically, the first antenna panel (121) and the second antenna panel (122) may be arranged side by side on one side facing the same direction, the second antenna panel (122) and the third antenna panel (123) may be arranged perpendicular to each other, and the third antenna panel (123) and the fourth antenna panel (124) may be arranged side by side on another side facing the same direction.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the antenna pattern may change based on the on / off combination of the branch lines of the switch (110). For example, the antenna pattern when an RF signal is applied to four antenna panels (121, 122, 123, 124) may be different from the antenna pattern when an RF signal is applied to two antenna panels. For another example, even when an RF signal is applied to the same two antenna panels, the antenna pattern when an RF signal is applied to the first antenna panel (121) and the second antenna panel (122) may be different from the antenna pattern when an RF signal is applied to the second antenna panel (122) and the third antenna panel (123).

[0047] Accordingly, the antenna module (100) of the present disclosure can change the antenna pattern and coverage by changing the on / off combination of the branch lines of the switch (110). That is, the antenna module (100) can provide an appropriate antenna pattern and coverage according to the shape or situation of the space in which it is installed.

[0048] According to one embodiment, at least one antenna panel among four antenna panels included in one antenna module (100) can output one signal. When an RF signal is applied to two or more antenna panels among the four antenna panels, beams output from the two or more antenna panels can be synthesized and output as one signal. For example, when an RF signal is applied to the first antenna panel (121), the second antenna panel (122), and the fourth antenna panel (124) based on the control of the switch (110), a beam output from the first antenna panel (121), a beam output from the second antenna panel (122), and a beam output from the fourth antenna panel (124) can be synthesized with each other and output one signal.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the minimum distance (d) between the second antenna panel (122) and the third antenna panel (123) min ) may be less than half (i.e., half wavelength) of the wavelength corresponding to the resonant frequency. The minimum distance (d) between the second antenna panel (122) and the third antenna panel (123) min ) is 0.5 wavelength or more, when an RF signal is applied to the second antenna panel (122) and the third antenna panel (123), the beams output from each panel are not mixed with each other, and a side lobe may occur.

[0050] According to one embodiment, each of the antenna panels may have an antenna array (131, 132, 133, or 134) arranged thereon. At this time, the antenna array may include at least two antenna elements arranged in a vertical direction. Accordingly, when the switch controls the opening and closing of the branch lines, and an RF signal is transmitted to at least one antenna panel through at least one closed branch line, the RF signal may be applied to the antenna elements included in the antenna panel. For example, when the switch (110) closes the branch line (111), an RF signal may be applied to the antenna elements included in the antenna array (131) through the output port (116).

[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates an antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] The antenna module of the present disclosure may include a dual-polarized antenna. In other words, the RF signal line may include a first RF signal line for a first polarization and a second RF signal line for a second polarization, and the switch may include a first switch connecting the first RF signal line and the antenna panel and a second switch connecting the second RF signal line and the antenna panel. The first polarization and the second polarization may be orthogonal to each other. In the description of FIG. 2, descriptions that overlap with those of FIG. 1 are omitted.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, the antenna module (200) may include a first RF signal line (250) for a first polarization and a second RF signal line (260) for a second polarization, and may include a first switch (210) connecting the first RF signal line (250) and antenna panels (221, 222, 223, 224) and a second switch (230) connecting the second RF signal line (260) and the antenna panel. The first switch (210) may include an input port (215) connected to the first RF signal line (250) for the first polarization and four output ports connected to four antenna panels (221, 222, 223, 224). The second switch (230) may include an input port (235) connected to a second RF signal line (260) for a second polarization and four output ports connected to four antenna panels (221, 222, 223 and 224).

[0054] Unlike in FIG. 1, in the case of a dual-polarized antenna, when two types of signals (e.g., a first RF signal for a first polarization and a second RF signal for a second polarization) are applied to one antenna module (200), each of the four antenna panels (221, 222, 223, 224) to which the RF signal is applied can output two signals. For example, when the first RF signal and the second RF signal are applied to two or more antenna panels among the four antenna panels (221, 222, 223, 224), beams output from the two or more antenna panels based on the first RF signal can be synthesized and output as one signal, and beams output from the two or more antenna panels based on the second RF signal can be synthesized and output as another signal.

[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] In the present disclosure, the antenna device may include four antennas (e.g., the antenna of FIG. 1 or the antenna of FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 3, the antenna device (300) may include four dual-polarized antennas, namely, a first antenna (310), a second antenna (320), a third antenna (330), and a fourth antenna (340). In addition, the antenna device (300) may include eight independent RF signal lines. Since each RF signal line is independent of each other, it may transmit the same signal or different signals.

[0057] For example, the antenna device (300) may include two RF signal lines for dual polarization to feed a first antenna (310), two RF signal lines for dual polarization to feed a second antenna (320), two RF signal lines for dual polarization to feed a third antenna (330), and two RF signal lines for dual polarization to feed a fourth antenna (340).

[0058] Additionally, according to one embodiment, the antenna device (300) may have four panels arranged at the corners of the antenna device. For example, the antenna device (300) may include a first side (350), a second side (360), a third side (370), and a fourth side (380), and the first side (350) and the third side (370) and the second side (360) and the fourth side (380) may be parallel to each other. Two antenna panels included in the first antenna module (310) and two antenna panels included in the fourth antenna module (340) may be arranged on the first side (350).

[0059] On the second side (360), the remaining two antenna panels included in the first antenna module (310) and the two antenna panels included in the second antenna module (320) may be arranged. On the third side (370), the remaining two antenna panels included in the second antenna module (320) and the two antenna panels included in the third antenna module (330) may be arranged. On the fourth side (380), the remaining two antenna panels included in the third antenna module (330) and the two antenna panels included in the fourth antenna module (340) may be arranged. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the minimum distance between the two antenna panels arranged at each corner may be less than 0.5 wavelength.

[0060] The antenna device (300) of FIG. 3 can generate many types of antenna patterns and coverages based on the On / Off combinations of the switches. First, the antenna module includes four antenna modules (310, 320, 330, and 340), and each antenna module (310, 320, 330, or 340) includes four antenna panels, so the antenna device (300) can include a total of 16 antenna panels. Each of the 16 antenna panels receives an RF signal based on the switch being turned on, and at least one antenna panel receiving the RF signal can generate a beam. Accordingly, there may be various cases in which each of the 16 antenna panels generates a beam or does not generate a beam. And when multiple such beams are generated, the shape of the beam may become diverse due to interference or synthesis.

[0061] Specifically, beams output from antenna panels included in one antenna module (310, 320, 330, or 340) can be synthesized with each other. For example, the antenna module (310) includes four antenna panels (311, 312, 313, and 314) and can receive a first RF signal and a second RF signal from a first RF signal line and a second RF signal line. When the first RF signal is applied to two or more antenna panels among the four antenna panels (311, 312, 313, and 314), the signals output from the two or more antenna panels can be synthesized with each other. Therefore, when an RF signal is applied to two or more antenna panels among the four antenna panels included in one antenna module by turning the switches on / off, the beams output from the two or more antenna panels can be synthesized with each other to form a beam of a new shape.

[0062] In addition, interference may occur between signals output from antenna panels included in different antenna modules. For example, the antenna (340) includes four antenna panels (341, 342, 343, and 344) and may receive a third RF signal and a fourth RF signal from a third RF signal line and a fourth RF signal line. A signal transmitted by at least one antenna panel among the antenna panels included in the antenna module (310) to which a first RF signal is applied, a signal transmitted by at least one antenna panel among the antenna panels included in the antenna module (310) to which a second RF signal is applied, a signal transmitted by at least one antenna panel among the antenna panels included in the antenna module (340) to which a third RF signal is applied, and a signal transmitted by at least one antenna panel among the antenna panels included in the antenna module (340) to which a fourth RF signal is applied may be different from each other. Therefore, interference may occur between signals output from different antennas, and a beam of a new shape may be formed.

[0063] Accordingly, the antenna device (300) according to one embodiment can obtain various antenna patterns based on the on / off combination of the switches. The configuration of the on / off combination of the switches can be flexibly changed according to the installation scenario of the antenna device.

[0064] In the present disclosure, since each RF signal line is independent of each other, it can transmit the same signal or different signals. According to one embodiment, the RF signal applied to the first antenna module and the RF signal applied to the third antenna module can be the same. For example, when a first RF signal for a first polarization and a second RF signal for a second polarization are applied to the first antenna module, the same types of the first RF signal and the second RF signal can also be applied to the third antenna module. Similarly, according to one embodiment, the RF signal applied to the second antenna module and the RF signal applied to the fourth antenna module can be the same. In this case, the RF signals applied to the second antenna module and the fourth antenna module can include the third RF signal and the fourth RF signal.

[0065] At this time, the beams radiated from the first antenna module and the third antenna module may include an A signal related to the first RF signal and a B signal related to the second RF signal, and the beams radiated from the second antenna module and the fourth antenna module may include a C signal related to the third RF signal and a D signal related to the fourth RF signal.

[0066] And, the antenna device (300) can have coverage of a beam including all of the A signal, the B signal, the C signal, and the D signal in the direction toward which the first side (350) faces due to the influence of the beams of the first antenna module (310) and the second antenna module (320) arranged on the first side. Similarly, the antenna device (300) can have coverage of a beam including all of the A signal, the B signal, the C signal, and the D signal in the direction toward which the second side (360), the third side (370), or the fourth side (380) faces.

[0067] In the following FIGS. 4 to 7, an embodiment of forming an omnidirectional, cross-shaped, vertical, and horizontal antenna pattern and coverage is described based on the antenna device (300) of FIG. 3.

[0068] FIG. 4 illustrates an omnidirectional antenna pattern of an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] For convenience of explanation, the antenna panels included in the antenna modules are referred to as a first antenna panel, a second antenna panel, a third antenna panel, and a fourth antenna panel in a counterclockwise direction, respectively, and the branch lines of the switches (e.g., a first switch related to a first polarization or a second switch related to a second polarization) that connect or disconnect each antenna panel and the RF signal line may be referred to as a first branch line, a second branch line, a third branch line, and a fourth branch line.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 4, by applying RF signals to the second antenna panel and the third antenna panel of all antenna modules, the antenna device (300) can have an omnidirectional antenna pattern and coverage. At this time, the switch can be controlled to close the second branch line and the third branch line and open the first branch line and the fourth branch line.

[0071] In one embodiment, the omnidirectional antenna pattern can be used in a horizontally open 360 degree space (e.g., an antenna module installed on a supporting cable in a road).

[0072] In order for the antenna device (300) to form a 360-degree antenna coverage, it is preferable that the half power beam width (HPBW) of the antenna module (310, 320, 330 or 340) be 90 degrees or more.

[0073] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-shaped antenna pattern of an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 5, by applying an RF signal to all antenna panels of all antenna modules, the antenna device (300) can have a cross-shaped antenna pattern and coverage. At this time, the switch can be controlled to close the first branch line, the second branch line, the third branch line, and the fourth branch line.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the diamond-shaped antenna pattern may be used in antenna devices installed on, for example, cable poles or supporting cables at a distance.

[0076] FIG. 6 illustrates a vertical antenna pattern of an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 6, by applying RF signals to the third antenna panel and the fourth antenna panel of the first antenna module and the third antenna module, and applying RF signals to the first antenna panel, the second antenna panel, and the fourth antenna panel of the second antenna module and the fourth antenna module, the antenna device (300) can have a vertical antenna pattern and coverage. At this time, the switches of the first antenna module and the third antenna module can be controlled to close the third branch line and the fourth branch line, and open the first branch line and the second branch line. The switches of the second antenna module and the fourth antenna module can be controlled to close the first branch line, the second branch line, and the fourth branch line, and open the third branch line.

[0078] In one embodiment, a vertical antenna pattern may be used to cover, for example, a straight road surrounded by buildings.

[0079] FIG. 7 illustrates a horizontal antenna pattern of an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 7, by applying RF signals to the first antenna panel, the second antenna panel, and the fourth antenna panel of the first antenna module and the third antenna module, and applying RF signals to the third antenna panel and the fourth antenna panel of the second antenna module and the fourth antenna module, the antenna device (300) can have a horizontal antenna pattern and coverage. At this time, the switches of the first antenna module and the third antenna module can be controlled to close the first branch line, the second branch line, and the fourth branch line, and open the third branch line. The switches of the second antenna module and the fourth antenna module can be controlled to close the third branch line and the fourth branch line, and open the first branch line and the second branch line.

[0081] In one embodiment, a horizontal antenna pattern, like a vertical antenna pattern, may be used to cover a straight road surrounded by buildings.

[0082] As mentioned in Fig. 1, even if some of the branch lines of the switch are opened, the total power of the signal coming out through the output ports of the switch may be equal to the power of the signal going in through the input port. Therefore, the antenna device according to one embodiment can increase the gain by focusing RF energy in a specific direction by changing the antenna pattern based on the On / Off combination of the switch. For example, when the antenna pattern includes a diamond-shaped antenna pattern, a vertical antenna pattern, and a horizontal antenna pattern as shown in Figs. 5 to 7, the gain may be higher than the gain of the omnidirectional antenna pattern of Fig. 4.

[0083] According to another embodiment, for at least one antenna module included in the antenna device (300), all branch lines of the switches included in the antenna module may be opened, and no RF signal may be output from any output port of the switch. For example, for all antenna modules except the first antenna module, the branch lines of all switches may be opened, and an RF signal may be applied only to the first antenna module, thereby creating a beam only through the first antenna module. For example, this may be done to reduce power consumption or save energy when terminals, etc. are concentrated in the coverage area formed by the beam radiated from the first antenna module. In this case, the first antenna module (310) may be described as the antenna module (200) of FIG. 2.

[0084] FIG. 8 illustrates antenna panels arranged in an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the antenna device (800) includes four antenna modules (810, 820, 830, and 840), and the antenna modules may include four antenna panels and two switches. For example, a first antenna module (810) may include four antenna panels (811, 812, 813, and 814) and two switches (815 and 816). A second antenna module (820) may include four antenna panels (821, 822, 823, and 824) and two switches (825 and 826). A third antenna module (830) may include four antenna panels (831, 832, 833, and 834) and two switches (835 and 836). The fourth antenna module (840) may include four antenna panels (841, 842, 843, 844) and two switches (845 and 846).

[0086] In the present disclosure, an antenna array of N rows and 1 column may be arranged on an antenna panel. The antenna array may include at least two antenna elements arranged in N rows and 1 column (N is a natural number). Therefore, the antenna array may also be referred to as an antenna column.

[0087] For example, the antenna array may include one antenna element. Or, for example, the antenna array may include two or more antenna elements. Referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of antenna elements may be arranged vertically along the length of the antenna panel on the antenna panel.

[0088] Hereinafter, FIG. 9 describes a method of applying an RF signal to an antenna panel (811) using switches (815, 816) when the antenna panel (811) includes two or more antenna elements.

[0089] FIG. 9 illustrates a structure (850) for applying an RF signal to an antenna panel (811) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method in which two switches (920, 930) connected to one antenna panel (811) included in a first antenna module (810) of FIG. 8 transmit RF signals. The antenna module of FIG. 9 may include a dual polarization antenna, and may include a first RF signal line (940) for a first polarization, and a second RF signal line (950) for a second polarization.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 9, when the branch line (921) of the first switch (920) is closed, a first RF signal may be applied to the antenna panel (910), and when the branch line (931) of the second switch (930) is closed, a second RF signal may be applied to the antenna panel (910). For convenience of explanation, RF paths corresponding to other branch lines of the first switch (920) and the second switch (930) other than the branch line (921) and the branch line (931) are omitted.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 9, the antenna panel (910) may include two or more antenna elements (911, 912, ..., 999). According to one embodiment, when one antenna panel includes N antenna elements (911, 912, ..., 999), the RF path from the output port (923) of the first switch (920) toward the N antenna elements may be branched into N paths at a branch point (922). The RF signals branched at the branch point (922) may be applied to the first antenna element (911a) for the first polarization, the second antenna element (912a) for the first polarization, ..., the Nth antenna element (999a) for the first polarization through the N paths.

[0093] Similarly, according to one embodiment, when one antenna panel includes N antenna elements (911, 912, ..., 999), the RF path from the output port (933) of the second switch (930) to the N antenna elements can be branched into N paths at a branch point (932). The RF signals branched at the branch point (932) can be applied to the first antenna element (911b) for the second polarization, the second antenna element (912b) for the second polarization, ..., the Nth antenna element (999b) for the second polarization through the N paths.

[0094] FIG. 10 illustrates a functional configuration of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 10, an exemplary functional configuration of an electronic device (1010) is illustrated. The electronic device (1010) may include an antenna unit (1011), a filter unit (1012), an RF (radio frequency) processing unit (1013), and a control unit (1014).

[0096] The antenna unit (1011) may include a plurality of antennas. The antenna performs functions for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless channel. The antenna may include a radiator formed of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). The antenna may radiate an upconverted signal on a wireless channel or acquire a signal radiated by another device. Each antenna may be referred to as a radiator, an antenna element, or an antenna component. In some embodiments, the antenna unit (1011) may include an antenna array (e.g., a sub-array) in which a plurality of antenna elements form an array. The antenna unit (1011) may be electrically connected to the filter unit (1012) via RF signal lines. The antenna unit (1011) may be mounted on a PCB including a plurality of antenna elements. The PCB may include a plurality of RF signal lines connecting each antenna element to a filter of the filter unit (1012). These RF signal lines may be referred to as a feeding network. The antenna unit (1011) may provide the received signal to the filter unit (1012) or radiate the signal provided from the filter unit (1012) into the air. An antenna having a structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be included in the antenna unit (1011).

[0097] The antenna unit (1011) according to various embodiments may include at least one antenna module having a dual polarization antenna. The dual polarization antenna may transmit and receive signals having different polarizations. For example, the dual polarization antenna may transmit and receive a first signal having a polarization of +45° and a second signal having a polarization of -45°. Of course, the polarizations may be formed of other orthogonal polarizations other than +45° and -45°. Each antenna element may be connected to a feeding line or indirectly connected by coupling, and may be electrically connected to a filter unit (1012), an RF processing unit (1013), and a control unit (1014) described below.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the dual polarization antenna may be a patch antenna (or a microstrip antenna). Since the dual polarization antenna has the form of a patch antenna, it may be easily implemented and integrated into an array antenna. Two signals having different polarizations may be input to each antenna port. Each antenna port corresponds to an antenna element. For high efficiency, it is required to optimize the relationship between the co-pol characteristics and the cross-pol characteristics between the two signals having different polarizations. In the dual polarization antenna, the co-pol characteristics represent characteristics for a specific polarization component, and the cross-pol characteristics represent characteristics for a different polarization component from the specific polarization component.

[0099] An antenna (e.g., an antenna element, a sub-array, an antenna array) of an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be included in an antenna unit (1011). For example, a radiator or balun of a dipole metal patch antenna-horizontal balun structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be included in the antenna unit (1011) of FIG. 10.

[0100] The filter unit (1012) may perform filtering to transmit a signal of a desired frequency. The filter unit (1012) may perform a function to selectively identify a frequency by forming a resonance. In some embodiments, the filter unit (1012) may form a resonance through a cavity that structurally includes a dielectric. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the filter unit (1012) may form a resonance through elements that form inductance or capacitance. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the filter unit (1012) may include an elastic filter such as a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filter or a surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter. The filter unit (1012) may include at least one of a band pass filter, a low pass filter, a high pass filter, or a band reject filter. That is, the filter unit (1012) may include RF circuits for obtaining signals in a frequency band for transmission or a frequency band for reception. The filter unit (1012) according to various embodiments may electrically connect the antenna unit (1011) and the RF processing unit (1013).

[0101] The RF processing unit (1013) may include a plurality of RF paths. An RF path may be a unit of a path through which a signal received through an antenna or a signal radiated through an antenna passes. At least one RF path may be referred to as an RF chain. The RF chain may include a plurality of RF components. The RF components may include amplifiers, mixers, oscillators, DACs, ADCs, etc. For example, the RF processing unit (1013) may include an up converter that up-converts a baseband digital transmission signal to a transmission frequency, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that converts the up-converted digital transmission signal to an analog RF transmission signal. The up converter and the DAC form part of a transmission path. The transmission path may further include a power amplifier (PA) or a coupler (or combiner). Also, for example, the RF processing unit (1013) may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that converts an analog RF reception signal into a digital reception signal and a down converter that converts the digital reception signal into a baseband digital reception signal. The ADC and the down converter form part of a receiving path. The receiving path may further include a low-noise amplifier (LNA) or a coupler (or divider). The RF components of the RF processing unit may be implemented on a PCB. The antennas and the RF components of the RF processing unit may be implemented on the PCB, and filters may be repeatedly connected between the PCBs to form a plurality of layers.

[0102] A radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) and a package board (PKG) of an electronic device including an antenna element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be included in the RF processing unit (1013) of FIG. 10. That is, the RF processing unit (1013) may include a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) as an RF component for mmWave. As described above in the present disclosure, the RFIC may be formed as an RFIC chip combined with a package board and coupled to the RU board, or the RFIC may be directly coupled by the RU board.

[0103] The control unit (1014) can control the overall operations of the electronic device (1010). The control unit (1014) can include various modules for performing communication. The control unit (1014) can include at least one processor, such as a modem. The control unit (1014) can include modules for digital signal processing. For example, the control unit (1014) can include a modem. When transmitting data, the control unit (1014) generates complex symbols by encoding and modulating a transmission bit stream. In addition, for example, when receiving data, the control unit (1014) restores a reception bit stream by demodulating and decoding a baseband signal. The control unit (1014) can perform functions of a protocol stack required by a communication standard.

[0104] FIG. 10 illustrates a functional configuration of an electronic device (1010) as a device to which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied. However, the example illustrated in FIG. 10 is merely an exemplary configuration of a device for a structure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the components of the device illustrated in FIG. 10. Accordingly, the antenna element structure itself and the electronic device including the structure may also be understood as embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0105] FIG. 11 illustrates an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0106] The antenna device (1100) may further include a control unit (e.g., control unit (1014) of FIG. 10) that controls the overall operation of the antenna device. Referring to FIG. 11, the control unit may include a processor (1190) that generates a control signal and transmits it to a switch, and a switching module (1110, 1120, 1130, 1140, 1150, 1160, 1170, 1180) that processes the control signal. For example, the processor (1190) may include a central processing unit (CPU).

[0107] The processor (1190) may generate a control signal to instruct the opening and closing of each branch line. For example, the processor (1190) may determine a combination of opening and closing operations for each branch line based on a specified setting and generate a control signal to instruct the determined combination. In this case, the specified setting may include the opening and closing combinations of the branch lines described in FIGS. 4 to 7.

[0108] For example, the processor (1190) may be configured to generate and transmit a control signal corresponding to the opening and closing combination of the branch lines mentioned in FIG. 4. To have the omnidirectional antenna pattern of FIG. 4, the processor (1190) may transmit a control signal to each of the switching modules (1110, 1150) to instruct them to open the branch lines for the first antenna panel (1112) and the fourth antenna panel (1118), and to close the branch lines for the second antenna panel (1114) and the third antenna panel (1116). In addition, the processor (1190) may transmit a control signal to each of the switching modules (1120, 1160) to instruct them to open the branch lines for the first antenna panel (1122) and the fourth antenna panel (1128), and to close the branch lines for the second antenna panel (1124) and the third antenna panel (1126). And, a control signal may be transmitted to each of the switching modules (1130, 1170) to instruct them to open branch lines for the first antenna panel (1132) and the fourth antenna panel (1138) and to close branch lines for the second antenna panel (1134) and the third antenna panel (1136). And, a control signal may be transmitted to each of the switching modules (1140, 1180) to instruct them to open branch lines for the first antenna panel (1142) and the fourth antenna panel (1148) and to close branch lines for the second antenna panel (1144) and the third antenna panel (1146).

[0109] At this time, as described in FIG. 1, the control signal transmitted by the processor (1190) to the switching module (1110) may include a bit string that instructs opening and closing of each of the branch lines included in the switching module. For example, the processor (1190) may transmit the bit string "0110" to each of the switching modules (1110, 1120, 1130, 1140, 1150, 1160, 1170, 1180). Based on the bit string "0110", the switching module (1110) may open the branch lines corresponding to the antenna panels (1112, 1118) and close the branch lines corresponding to the antenna panels (1114, 1116), thereby allowing the RF signal to be transmitted to the antenna panels (1114, 1116). The remaining switching modules can also operate similarly based on the bit string "0110".

[0110] As another example, the processor (1190) may be configured to generate and transmit a control signal corresponding to the combination of opening and closing of the branch lines mentioned in FIG. 5. To achieve the cross-shaped antenna pattern of FIG. 5, the processor (1190) may transmit a control signal instructing all switching modules to close the branch lines for all antenna panels. In this case, the processor (1190) may generate a bit string "1111" and transmit it to all switching modules.

[0111] In addition, the processor (1190) may be configured to generate and transmit a control signal corresponding to the opening and closing combination of the branch lines mentioned in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7. For example, to generate the vertical antenna pattern of FIG. 6, the processor (1190) may transmit a "0011" bit string to each of the switching modules (1110, 1130, 1150, 1170) and transmit a "1101" bit string to each of the switching modules (1120, 1140, 1160, 1180). As another example, to generate the horizontal antenna pattern of FIG. 7, the processor (1190) may transmit a bit string of "1101" to each of the switching modules (1110, 1130, 1150, 1170) and a bit string of "0011" to each of the switching modules (1120, 1140, 1160, 1180). Duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0112] Meanwhile, the antenna device (1100) may further include circuit lines (1191 to 1198) for transmitting a control signal generated by the processor (1190) to the switching module. The processor (1190) may generate a control signal for the switching module (1110) and transmit the control signal to the switching module (1110) through the circuit line (1191). For example, a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) port may be used for the processor (1190) to transmit the control signal to the switching module through the circuit line.

[0113] In addition, in a dual polarization antenna, it is preferable that a second RF signal is also transmitted to the antenna panel through which the first RF signal is transmitted. To this end, as exemplified above, the control signals transmitted by the processor (1190) to each switching module for the first RF signal and the switching module (1150) for the second RF signal included in the common antenna module may include the same bit string.

[0114] In the specific embodiments of the present disclosure described above, components included in the invention are expressed in the singular or plural form, depending on the specific embodiment presented. However, the singular or plural expressions are selected to suit the presented situation for convenience of explanation, and the present disclosure is not limited to singular or plural components. Components expressed in the plural form may be composed of singular elements, or components expressed in the singular form may be composed of plural elements.

[0115] Meanwhile, the embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed in this specification and drawings are merely specific examples to easily explain the technical contents of the present disclosure and to help understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications based on the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure are possible. In addition, each embodiment can be combined and operated with each other as needed. For example, parts of one embodiment of the present disclosure and parts of another embodiment can be combined with each other to operate a base station and a terminal. For example, parts of one embodiment of the present disclosure and parts of another embodiment can be combined with each other to configure an antenna element or an electronic device including the same.

[0116] The drawings illustrating the method of the present invention may omit some components and include only some components within a scope that does not harm the essence of the present invention.

[0117] In addition, the method of the present invention may be implemented by combining some or all of the contents included in each embodiment within a scope that does not harm the essence of the invention.

[0118] Various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. The foregoing description of the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims below rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0119] An antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: at least one first antenna panel, the first antenna panel including at least two antenna elements arranged in a vertical direction; at least one second antenna panel adjacent to the at least one first antenna panel and forming a predetermined angle with the at least one first antenna panel, the second antenna panel including at least two antenna elements arranged in a vertical direction; and a switch including at least two output ports, the output ports being connected to the first antenna panel or the second antenna panel, the switch being capable of connecting or disconnecting a radio frequency (RF) signal line and the at least two output ports, respectively.

[0120] The switch can connect or block the RF signal line and the at least two output ports, respectively, based on a half power beam width (HPBW) of the antenna module.

[0121] The switch may include a first switch for connecting or blocking a first RF signal line for a first polarization and the at least two output ports, respectively, and a second switch for connecting or blocking a second RF signal line for a second polarization and the at least two output ports, respectively.

[0122] The antenna module may include two first antenna panels and two second antenna panels, and the switch may include four output ports connected to the four antenna panels.

[0123] When the above switch connects the RF signal line and M output ports, the size of the RF signal transmitted from each of the M output ports to each of the M antenna panels may be the same.

[0124] The at least one first antenna panel may include a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, and the at least one second antenna panel may include a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel.

[0125] The above 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel can be arranged counterclockwise.

[0126] The switch includes a 1-1 output port connected to the 1-1 antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel, and a 2-2 output port connected to the 2-2 antenna panel, and the switch can block the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port and the 2-2 output port, and connect the RF signal line and the 1-2 output port and the 2-1 output port.

[0127] The at least one first antenna panel includes a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, the at least one second antenna panel includes a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel, the 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel are arranged counterclockwise, the switch includes a 1-1 output port connected to the 1-1 antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel and a 4th output port connected to a 4th antenna panel, and the switch can connect the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port, the 1-2 output port, the 2-1 output port and the 2-2 output port.

[0128] The at least one first antenna panel includes a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, the at least one second antenna panel includes a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel, the 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel are arranged counterclockwise, and the switch may include a 1-1 output port connected to the 1-1 antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel, and a 2-2 output port connected to the 2-2 antenna panel.

[0129] The above switch can block the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port and the 1-2 output port, and connect the RF signal line and the 2-1 output port and the 2-2 output port.

[0130] The at least one first antenna panel includes a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, the at least one second antenna panel includes a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel, the 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel are arranged counterclockwise, the switch includes a 1-1 output port connected to the 1-1 antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 output port connected to the 2-2 antenna panel, and the switch can block the RF signal line and the 2-1 output port and connect the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port, the 1-2 output port and the 2-2 output port.

[0131] An antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one antenna module, wherein the antenna module includes at least one first antenna panel, the first antenna panel including at least two antenna elements arranged in a vertical direction; at least one second antenna panel adjacent to the at least one first antenna panel and forming a predetermined angle with the at least one first antenna panel, the second antenna panel including at least two antenna elements arranged in a vertical direction; and a switch including at least two output ports, the output ports being connected to the first antenna panel or the second antenna panel, the switch being capable of connecting or disconnecting an RF signal line and the at least two output ports, respectively.

[0132] The switch can connect or block the RF signal line and the at least two output ports, respectively, based on a half power beam width (HPBW) of the antenna module.

[0133] The switch may include a first switch for connecting or blocking a first RF signal line for a first polarization and the at least two output ports, respectively, and a second switch for connecting or blocking a second RF signal line for a second polarization and the at least two output ports, respectively.

[0134] The antenna module may include two first antenna panels and two second antenna panels, and the switch may include four output ports connected to the four antenna panels.

[0135] When the above switch connects the RF signal line and M output ports, the size of the RF signal transmitted from each of the M output ports to each of the M antenna panels may be the same.

[0136] The at least one first antenna panel includes a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, the at least one second antenna panel includes a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel, the 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel are arranged counterclockwise, the switch includes a 1-1 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 output port connected to the 2-2 antenna panel, and the switch can block the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port and the 2-2 output port and connect the RF signal line and the 1-2 output port and the 2-1 output port.

[0137] The at least one first antenna panel includes a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, the at least one second antenna panel includes a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel, the 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel are arranged counterclockwise, the switch includes a 1-1 output port connected to the 1-1 antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 output port connected to the 2-2 antenna panel, and the switch can connect the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port, the 1-2 output port, the 2-1 output port and the 2-2 output port.

[0138] The at least one first antenna panel includes a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, the at least one second antenna panel includes a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel, the 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel are arranged counterclockwise, and the switch may include a 1-1 output port connected to the 1-1 antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel, and a 2-2 output port connected to the 2-2 antenna panel.

[0139] The above switch can connect the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port, the 1-2 output port, the 2-1 output port, and the 2-2 output port.

[0140] The at least one first antenna panel includes a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, the at least one second antenna panel includes a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel, the 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel are arranged counterclockwise, the switch includes a 1-1 output port connected to the 1-1 antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 output port connected to the 2-2 antenna panel, and the switch can block the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port and the 1-2 output port and connect the RF signal line and the 2-1 output port and the 2-2 output port.

[0141] The at least one first antenna panel includes a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, the at least one second antenna panel includes a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel, the 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel are arranged counterclockwise, and the switch may include a 1-1 output port connected to the 1-1 antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel, and a 2-2 output port connected to the 2-2 antenna panel.

[0142] The above switch can block the RF signal line and the 2-1 output port, and connect the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port, the 1-2 output port, and the 2-2 output port.

[0143] The antenna device includes a three-dimensional shape having a square cross-section, and four antenna modules included in the antenna device are arranged at four corners of the square, and the antenna elements can be arranged on the side surfaces of the three-dimensional shape.

Claims

1. In the antenna module, At least one first antenna panel, said first antenna panel comprising at least two antenna elements arranged in a vertical direction; At least one second antenna panel adjacent to the at least one first antenna panel and forming a predetermined angle with the at least one first antenna panel, the second antenna panel including at least two antenna elements arranged in a vertical direction; and A switch comprising at least two output ports, each output port being connected to at least one first antenna panel or at least one second antenna panel, The above switch connects or blocks the RF (radio frequency) signal line and the at least two output ports, respectively. Antenna module.

2. In claim 1, The switch connects or blocks the RF signal line and the at least two output ports, respectively, based on the half power beam width (HPBW) of the antenna module. Antenna module.

3. In claim 1, The switch includes a first switch for connecting or blocking a first RF signal line for a first polarization and the at least two output ports, respectively, and a second switch for connecting or blocking a second RF signal line for a second polarization and the at least two output ports, respectively. Antenna module.

4. In claim 1, The antenna module comprises two first antenna panels and two second antenna panels, The above switch includes four output ports connected to the four antenna panels. Antenna module.

5. In the antenna device, comprising at least one antenna module, The above antenna module, At least one first antenna panel, said first antenna panel comprising at least two antenna elements arranged in a vertical direction; At least one second antenna panel adjacent to the at least one first antenna panel and forming a predetermined angle with the at least one first antenna panel, the second antenna panel including at least two antenna elements arranged in a vertical direction; and A switch comprising at least two output ports, each output port being connected to the first antenna panel or the second antenna panel, The above switch connects or blocks the RF signal line and the at least two output ports, respectively. Antenna device.

6. In claim 5, The switch connects or blocks the RF signal line and the at least two output ports, respectively, based on the half power beam width (HPBW) of the antenna module. Antenna device.

7. In claim 5, The switch includes a first switch for connecting or blocking a first RF signal line for a first polarization and the at least two output ports, respectively, and a second switch for connecting or blocking a second RF signal line for a second polarization and the at least two output ports, respectively. Antenna device.

8. In claim 5, The antenna module comprises two first antenna panels and two second antenna panels, The above switch includes four output ports connected to the four antenna panels. Antenna device.

9. In claim 5, When the above switch connects the RF signal line and M output ports, The magnitude of the RF signal transmitted from each of the above M output ports to each of the M antenna panels is the same. Antenna device.

10. In claim 5, The at least one first antenna panel includes a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, and the at least one second antenna panel includes a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel, The above 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel are arranged counterclockwise, The switch includes a 1-1 output port connected to the 1st antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel, and a 2-2 output port connected to the 2-2 antenna panel. The above switch blocks the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port and the 2-2 output port, and connects the RF signal line and the 1-2 output port and the 2-1 output port. Antenna device.

11. In claim 5, The at least one first antenna panel includes a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, and the at least one second antenna panel includes a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel, The above 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel are arranged counterclockwise, The switch includes a 1-1 output port connected to the 1-1 antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel, and a 2-2 output port connected to the 2-2 antenna panel. The above switch connects the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port, the 1-2 output port, the 2-1 output port and the 2-2 output port. Antenna device.

12. In claim 5, The at least one first antenna panel includes a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, and the at least one second antenna panel includes a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel, The above 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel are arranged counterclockwise, The switch includes a 1-1 output port connected to the 1-1 antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel, and a 2-2 output port connected to the 2-2 antenna panel. The above switch connects the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port, the 1-2 output port, the 2-1 output port and the 2-2 output port. Antenna device.

13. In claim 5, The at least one first antenna panel includes a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, and the at least one second antenna panel includes a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel, The above 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel are arranged counterclockwise, The switch includes a 1-1 output port connected to the 1-1 antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel, and a 2-2 output port connected to the 2-2 antenna panel. The above switch blocks the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port and the 1-2 output port, and connects the RF signal line and the 2-1 output port and the 2-2 output port. Antenna device.

14. In claim 5, The at least one first antenna panel includes a 1-1 antenna panel and a 1-2 antenna panel, and the at least one second antenna panel includes a 2-1 antenna panel and a 2-2 antenna panel, The above 1-1 antenna panel, the 1-2 antenna panel, the 2-1 antenna panel and the 2-2 antenna panel are arranged counterclockwise, The switch includes a 1-1 output port connected to the 1-1 antenna panel, a 1-2 output port connected to the 1-2 antenna panel, a 2-1 output port connected to the 2-1 antenna panel, and a 2-2 output port connected to the 2-2 antenna panel. The above switch blocks the RF signal line and the 2-1 output port, and connects the RF signal line and the 1-1 output port, the 1-2 output port, and the 2-2 output port. Antenna device.

15. In claim 5, The above antenna device includes a three-dimensional shape with one cross-section being a square, The four antenna modules included in the above antenna device are arranged at the four corners of the square, The above antenna elements are arranged on the side of the three-dimensional shape. Antenna device.

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