Antenna assembly and base station

Abstract

An antenna assembly and a base station, aiming to solve the problem of limited communication capability of an antenna assembly caused by the number of antenna channels of the antenna assembly being unable to continuously increase when increasing to a certain scale. The antenna assembly provided by the present embodiment comprises a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna comprises a first sub-antenna and a second sub-antenna; the first sub-antenna is configured to transmit and / or receive a first signal having a first polarization direction; and the second sub-antenna is configured to transmit and / or receive a second signal having a second polarization direction. The second antenna is configured to transmit and / or receive a third signal having a third polarization direction. That is, the antenna assembly can meet communication requirements of signals in three polarization directions, so that the communication capability of the antenna assembly is improved; in addition, any two of the first polarization direction, the second polarization direction, and the third polarization direction are orthogonal to each other. In this way, mutual interference between the first signal, the second signal and the third signal can be reduced, and the number of antenna channels in an antenna plane can be increased conveniently, thereby increasing the system capacity of the base station.

Description

Antenna components and base stations

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application filed on May 31, 2024, with application number 202410705897.1 and entitled "Antenna Assembly and Base Station", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, specifically to an antenna assembly and a base station. Background Technology

[0003] The base station's roof is equipped with antenna assemblies, which are used to transmit and / or receive signals. However, the base station's roof is often constrained by objective factors such as wind resistance and installation, and its size cannot be freely expanded. Therefore, when the number of antenna channels in the antenna assembly increases to a certain scale, it cannot be increased further, resulting in limited communication capabilities of the antenna assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an antenna assembly and a base station, aiming to solve the problem that the number of antenna channels in the antenna assembly cannot be increased further when it reaches a certain scale, resulting in limited communication capability of the antenna assembly.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an antenna assembly, including: an antenna module, the antenna module including an antenna plane, a first antenna and a second antenna, the first antenna and the second antenna being arranged within the antenna plane to reduce the difficulty of arranging the first antenna and the second antenna, the first antenna including a first sub-antenna, the first sub-antenna being configured to transmit a first signal having a first polarization direction, so as to realize the transmission of the first signal using the first sub-antenna; or the first sub-antenna being configured to receive the first signal having a first polarization direction, so as to realize the reception of the first signal using the first sub-antenna; or the first sub-antenna being configured to transmit and receive the first signal having a first polarization direction, so as to realize the transmission and reception of the first signal using the first sub-antenna.

[0006] The first antenna further includes a second sub-antenna, which is configured to transmit a second signal having a second polarization direction so as to achieve the transmission of the second signal using the second sub-antenna; or the second sub-antenna is configured to receive a second signal having a second polarization direction so as to achieve the reception of the second signal using the second sub-antenna; or the second sub-antenna is configured to both transmit and receive a second signal having a second polarization direction so as to achieve both the transmission and reception of the second signal using the second sub-antenna.

[0007] Meanwhile, the second sub-antenna and the first sub-antenna can work together, enabling the antenna assembly to transmit and / or receive a first signal with a first polarization direction and transmit and / or receive a second signal with a second polarization direction. In other words, the antenna assembly can meet the communication requirements of signals with two polarization directions, thereby improving the communication capability of the antenna assembly. Furthermore, both the first and second sub-antennas are arranged in the antenna plane, which facilitates increasing the number of antenna channels in the antenna plane, thereby increasing the system capacity of the base station.

[0008] The second antenna is disposed in the antenna plane. The second antenna is configured to transmit a third signal with a third polarization direction so as to realize the transmission of the third signal using the second antenna; or the second antenna is configured to receive a third signal with a third polarization direction so as to realize the reception of the third signal using the second antenna; or the second antenna is configured to both transmit and receive a third signal with a third polarization direction so as to realize both transmission and reception of the third signal using the second antenna.

[0009] Meanwhile, the first sub-antenna, the second sub-antenna, and the second antenna can work together, enabling the antenna assembly to transmit and / or receive a first signal with a first polarization direction, a second signal with a second polarization direction, and a third signal with a third polarization direction. In other words, the antenna assembly can meet the communication requirements of signals with three polarization directions, thereby improving the communication capability of the antenna assembly. Furthermore, the first sub-antenna, the second sub-antenna, and the second antenna are all arranged in the antenna plane, and the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal are transmitted through corresponding channels, so as to increase the number of antenna channels in the antenna plane and thus increase the system capacity of the base station.

[0010] Any two of the first, second, and third polarization directions can be orthogonally set, that is, any two of the first, second, and second sub-antennas can be orthogonally set. This can reduce the mutual interference between the first, second, and third signals, thereby improving the communication stability of the first, second, and second sub-antennas.

[0011] The antenna assembly provided in this embodiment includes a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna includes a first sub-antenna and a second sub-antenna. The first sub-antenna is configured to transmit and / or receive a first signal with a first polarization direction, the second sub-antenna is configured to transmit and / or receive a second signal with a second polarization direction, and the second antenna is configured to transmit and / or receive a third signal with a third polarization direction. That is, the antenna assembly can meet the communication requirements of signals with at least three polarization directions, thereby improving the communication capability of the antenna assembly. The first sub-antenna, the second sub-antenna, and the second antenna are all arranged in the antenna plane, and any two of the first, second, and third polarization directions are orthogonally arranged. This reduces the mutual interference between the first, second, and third signals, thereby improving the communication stability of the first, second, and second sub-antennas. At the same time, the first, second, and third signals are transmitted through corresponding channels to increase the number of antenna channels in the antenna plane, thereby increasing the system capacity of the base station.

[0012] In some embodiments that may include the above embodiments, the first polarization direction is horizontal polarization, or the second polarization direction is horizontal polarization, or both the first polarization direction and the second polarization direction are horizontal polarization. The maximum radiation direction of the horizontal polarization is perpendicular to the antenna plane. In this way, the first antenna can radiate or receive signals to the front of the antenna plane to meet the communication needs of the communication area located on the front of the antenna plane.

[0013] The third polarization direction can include vertical polarization, with the maximum radiation direction of vertical polarization parallel to the antenna plane. This allows the second antenna to radiate or receive signals to the side of the antenna plane, thus satisfying the communication needs of the communication area located to the side of the antenna plane.

[0014] In some embodiments that may include the above embodiments, the first antenna includes a side-firing antenna, the maximum radiation direction of which is perpendicular to the antenna plane. This allows the first antenna to radiate or receive signals in front of the antenna plane to satisfy the communication needs of the communication area located in front of the antenna plane.

[0015] The second antenna includes an end-fire antenna, whose maximum radiation direction is parallel to the antenna plane. This allows the second antenna to radiate or receive signals to the side of the antenna plane, satisfying communication needs in communication areas located to the side of the antenna plane. Simultaneously, the first and second antennas can work together to enable the antenna assembly to possess both frontal and lateral radiation capabilities, thereby increasing the communication range of the antenna assembly.

[0016] In some embodiments that may include the above-described examples, the second antenna includes a third sub-antenna and a fourth sub-antenna, with the angle between the maximum radiation directions of the third and fourth sub-antennas being 180°. This configuration reduces interference between the third and fourth sub-antennas, thereby increasing the radiation area of ​​the second antenna and enhancing its communication capability.

[0017] In some implementations, the third and fourth sub-antennas can be configured as follows: two adjacent second antennas in the horizontal direction are designated as the third and fourth sub-antennas, respectively; or two adjacent second antennas in the vertical direction are designated as the third and fourth sub-antennas, respectively.

[0018] In other implementations, the third and fourth sub-antennas can be configured as follows: the second antennas in the region on the side of the antenna plane closest to the horizontal direction are all third sub-antennas, and the second antennas in the region on the other side of the horizontal direction are all fourth sub-antennas; or the second antennas in the region on the side of the antenna plane closest to the vertical direction are all third sub-antennas, and the second antennas in the region on the other side of the vertical direction are all fourth sub-antennas. Of course, the above-mentioned configurations of the third and fourth sub-antennas are only illustrative examples and do not represent any limitation thereof.

[0019] In some embodiments, the maximum radiation direction of both the third sub-antenna and the fourth sub-antenna is horizontal. This configuration allows both the third and fourth sub-antennas to radiate a third signal horizontally, with the angle between their maximum radiation directions being 0° or 180°. This enhances the lateral communication capability of the third and fourth sub-antennas in the horizontal direction of the antenna plane.

[0020] In other embodiments, the maximum radiation directions of both the third and fourth sub-antennas are vertical. This configuration allows both the third and fourth sub-antennas to radiate the third signal vertically, with the angle between their maximum radiation directions being 0° or 180°. This enhances the lateral communication capability of the third and fourth sub-antennas in the vertical direction of the antenna plane.

[0021] In some embodiments that may include the above-described examples, the second antenna includes multiple radiators arranged in an array, with the distance between two adjacent radiators being less than half the operating wavelength of the antenna module. The operating wavelength of the antenna module is equal to the ratio of the speed of light to the operating frequency of the antenna module. This allows for a more compact arrangement of the multiple radiators, facilitating the placement of more radiators within the antenna plane and enabling digital weighted control of the radiated signal on one side of the radiators. For example, the maximum radiation direction of all radiators can be any side of the antenna plane in the horizontal direction; or the maximum radiation direction of all radiators can be any side of the antenna plane in the vertical direction; or the maximum radiation direction of some radiators can be one side of the antenna plane in the horizontal direction, while the maximum radiation direction of the remaining radiators can be the other side of the antenna plane in the horizontal direction; or the maximum radiation direction of some radiators can be one side of the antenna plane in the vertical direction, while the maximum radiation direction of the remaining radiators can be the other side of the antenna plane in the vertical direction.

[0022] In other embodiments, the second antenna includes a plurality of radiators arranged in an array, with the distance between any two adjacent radiators being greater than or equal to half the operating wavelength of the antenna module. Thus, the radiators can radiate signals to both sides in the horizontal direction of the antenna plane, or to both sides in the vertical direction of the antenna plane.

[0023] In some embodiments that may include the above embodiments, a first sub-antenna is used to transmit a first signal toward a first radiation area so that the first sub-antenna can serve users within the first radiation area, that is, communication devices within the first radiation area can receive the first signal to achieve communication. A second sub-antenna is used to transmit a second signal toward the first radiation area so that the second sub-antenna can serve users within the first radiation area, that is, communication devices within the first radiation area can receive the second signal to achieve communication. Both the first signal and the second signal are located within the first radiation area. In this way, the first sub-antenna and the second sub-antenna can jointly serve users within the first radiation area, that is, communication devices located within the first radiation area can receive both the first signal and the second signal to achieve communication, thereby enhancing the communication capability of the first radiation area.

[0024] The second antenna is used to transmit a third signal toward the second radiation region, so that communication devices within the second radiation region can receive the third signal to achieve communication, wherein at least a portion of the second radiation region overlaps with the first radiation region. Thus, communication devices located within the overlapping portion of the second and first radiation regions can receive at least one of the first, second, and third signals to achieve communication, thereby improving their communication capabilities.

[0025] Alternatively, the second antenna can be used to transmit a third signal toward the second radiation area, enabling communication devices within the second radiation area to receive the third signal and achieve communication. The second radiation area does not overlap with the first radiation area. In this way, communication can be achieved using both the first and second radiation areas, thereby increasing the coverage area of ​​the antenna assembly and improving its communication capabilities.

[0026] In some embodiments, a first sub-antenna is used to receive a first signal from a first radiation region so that the first sub-antenna can serve users within the first radiation region; a second sub-antenna is used to receive a second signal from the first radiation region so that the second sub-antenna can serve users within the first radiation region; and a second sub-antenna is used to receive a third signal from a second radiation region so that the second sub-antenna can serve users within the second radiation region.

[0027] In some other embodiments, a first sub-antenna is used to transmit a first signal toward a first radiation region and to receive the first signal from the first radiation region; a second sub-antenna is used to transmit a second signal toward the first radiation region and to receive the second signal from the first radiation region; and a second sub-antenna is used to transmit a third signal toward a second radiation region and to receive the third signal from the second radiation region, and the same effect can be achieved, which will not be described in detail here.

[0028] In some embodiments that may include the above embodiments, multiple antenna modules are provided, and the multiple antenna modules are arranged around a preset center line so that the multiple antenna modules are arranged in the circumferential direction of the preset center line, so that the multiple antenna modules can communicate at multiple positions in the circumferential direction of the preset center line, thereby improving the coverage of the communication area of ​​the antenna assembly.

[0029] The preset centerline can be set perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and in two adjacent antenna modules, at least a portion of the second radiation area of ​​one antenna module overlaps with the first radiation area of ​​the other antenna module. This allows the two adjacent antenna modules to cooperate, meaning that the communication device located in the overlapping portion of the first radiation area of ​​one antenna module and the second radiation area of ​​the other antenna module can receive at least one of the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal to achieve communication. This improves the communication capability of the antenna assembly without changing the physical dimensions of the antenna plane.

[0030] In some embodiments that may include the above examples, three antenna modules are provided, with the first radiation area of ​​each antenna module spaced apart around a preset center line. This allows the three antenna modules to communicate at different positions in the circumferential direction, thereby improving the coverage of the communication area of ​​the antenna assembly. Furthermore, the first radiation areas of the three antenna modules do not overlap, further increasing the coverage of the communication area of ​​the antenna assembly.

[0031] In some embodiments that may include the above-described embodiments, the antenna module further includes a feeding circuit, which includes a first switch for connecting the radio frequency link and the first antenna or the second antenna. This facilitates feeding power to the first antenna or the second antenna via the first switch.

[0032] In some embodiments that may include the above-described embodiments, the antenna module further includes a feeding circuit, which includes a first switch and a second switch. The first switch is used to connect a radio frequency (RF) link to a portion of the radiators in the first antenna or a portion of the radiators in the second antenna; the second switch is used to connect the RF link to the remaining portions of the radiators in the first antenna or the remaining portions of the radiators in the second antenna. This configuration allows a portion of the radiators in the first antenna or a portion of the radiators in the second antenna to be connected to one RF link via the first switch, and the remaining portions of the radiators in the first antenna or the remaining portions of the radiators in the second antenna to be connected to another RF link via the second switch. Thus, all the radiators in the first antenna or all the radiators in the second antenna can be connected to two RF links. For example, if all radiators in the first antenna are connected to two radio frequency (RF) links, it's equivalent to all radiators in the first antenna utilizing the RF links that should be connected to the second antenna. Similarly, if all radiators in the second antenna are connected to two RF links, it's equivalent to all radiators in the second antenna utilizing the RF links that should be connected to the first antenna. In this way, by borrowing RF links, two RF links can power all radiators in the first antenna or all radiators in the second antenna. Therefore, with the same input power, compared to coupling signals to all radiators in the first antenna through one RF link, this embodiment uses two RF links to couple signals to all radiators in the first antenna, which can enhance the power of the first antenna's radiators and thus enhance its communication capability. Furthermore, when the load in the communication area of ​​the first antenna is large, it meets the load requirements of the communication area of ​​the first antenna. Of course, the second antenna has the same effect, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0033] Secondly, embodiments of this application also provide a base station, including a control device and an antenna assembly of any of the above embodiments, wherein the control device is connected to the antenna assembly.

[0034] The base station provided in this application includes the antenna component in any of the above embodiments. Therefore, both can solve the same technical problem and achieve the same technical effect, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a base station provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0039] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of air-to-ground communication of the antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the first and second radiating regions of the antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the first and second radiating regions of the antenna assembly provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0044] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the first and second radiation regions of the antenna assembly provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0045] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the connection between the antenna assembly and the feed circuit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the connection between the antenna assembly and the feed circuit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the connection between the antenna assembly and the feed circuit provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the connection between the antenna assembly and the feed circuit provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0053] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of the antenna assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of the antenna assembly provided in the embodiment of this application when it is under digital weight control;

[0055] Figure 21 is a second schematic diagram of the antenna assembly provided in the embodiment of this application when it is under digital weight control;

[0056] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of the antenna assembly provided in the embodiment of this application under digital weight control.

[0057] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100: Base station; 10: Antenna assembly; 20: Control device; X1: Horizontal direction; X2: Vertical direction; 1: Antenna module; 101: Antenna unit group; A1: First antenna module; B1: First sector area; 1201: First radiating area of ​​the first antenna module; 1301: Second radiating area of ​​the first antenna module; A2: Second antenna module; B2: Second sector area; 1202: First radiating area of ​​the second antenna module; 1302: Second radiating area of ​​the second antenna module; A3: Third antenna module; B3: Third sector area; 1203: First radiating area of ​​the third antenna module; 1303: Second radiating area of ​​the third antenna module; 11: Antenna plane; 12: First antenna; 120: First radiating area; 121: First sub-antenna; 122: Second sub-antenna; 12A: First signal; 13: Second antenna; 130: Second radiation area; 131: Third sub-antenna; 132: Fourth sub-antenna; 13A: Third signal; 14: Feed circuit; 141: First switch; 1411: First sub-switch; 1412: Second sub-switch; 1413: Third sub-switch; 1414: Fourth sub-switch; 142: Second switch; 143: Drive end; 15: Pole; 16: Aerial equipment; 17: Communication device. Detailed Implementation

[0058] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0059] Hereinafter, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0060] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, directional terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "horizontal," and "vertical" are defined relative to the orientation of the components shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these directional terms are relative concepts, used for relative description and clarification, and can change accordingly depending on the orientation of the components in the accompanying drawings.

[0061] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, an electrical connection, a coupling connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium.

[0062] Referring to Figure 1, this application embodiment provides a base station 100. The base station 100 can be applied to a communication system to achieve communication. The base station 100 may include a macro base station, a micro base station, or an indoor base station, etc., without limitation. The base station 100 includes a control device 20 and an antenna assembly 10. The control device 20 and the antenna assembly 10 are connected, and the control device 20 is used to control the antenna assembly 10 to transmit and / or receive signals to achieve communication. The antenna assembly 10 can be applied to various communication standards, such as 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, or New Radio-5G (NR) technology, in active antenna unit (AAU) or remote radio unit (RRU) and passive antenna systems, without limitation.

[0063] Referring to Figure 2, the antenna assembly 10 includes an antenna module 1, which includes an antenna plane 11, a first antenna 12, and a second antenna 13. It can be understood that the radiators of the first antenna 12 and the second antenna 13 are generally arranged in a plane, which is the antenna plane 11.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 2. The first antenna 12 is disposed within the antenna plane 11. The first antenna 12 includes a side-firing antenna. The maximum radiation direction of the side-firing antenna is perpendicular to the antenna plane 11. In this way, the first antenna 12 can radiate or receive signals to the front of the antenna plane 11 to meet the communication needs of the communication area located on the front of the antenna plane 11.

[0065] The first antenna 12 includes a first sub-antenna 121, which is configured to transmit a first signal having a first polarization direction, thereby enabling the transmission of the first signal; or the first sub-antenna 121 is configured to receive the first signal having a first polarization direction, thereby enabling the reception of the first signal; or the first sub-antenna 121 is configured to both transmit and receive the first signal having a first polarization direction, thereby enabling both the transmission and reception of the first signal. The polarization of the antenna is defined by the spatial orientation of the electric field intensity vector of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the antenna in the direction of maximum radiation.

[0066] In the above implementation, the first polarization direction can be horizontal polarization, and the maximum radiation direction of horizontal polarization is perpendicular to the antenna plane 11. In this way, the first antenna 12 can radiate or receive signals to the front of the antenna plane 11 to meet the communication needs of the communication area located on the front of the antenna plane 11.

[0067] Referring to Figure 2, the first antenna 12 further includes a second sub-antenna 122. The second sub-antenna 122 is configured to transmit a second signal having a second polarization direction, so as to realize the transmission of the second signal using the second sub-antenna 122; or the second sub-antenna 122 is configured to receive a second signal having a second polarization direction, so as to realize the reception of the second signal using the second sub-antenna 122; or the second sub-antenna 122 is configured to transmit and receive a second signal having a second polarization direction, so as to realize the transmission and reception of the second signal using the second sub-antenna 122.

[0068] The second polarization direction can be horizontal polarization, and the maximum radiation direction of the horizontal polarization can be perpendicular to the antenna plane 11. This allows the first antenna 12 to radiate or receive signals to the front of the antenna plane 11, thereby satisfying the communication needs of the communication area located on the front of the antenna plane 11.

[0069] It is understood that the second sub-antenna 122 and the first sub-antenna 121 can work together, enabling the antenna assembly 10 to transmit and / or receive a first signal with a first polarization direction and a second signal with a second polarization direction. That is, the antenna assembly 10 can meet the communication requirements of signals with two polarization directions, thereby improving the communication capability of the antenna assembly 10. It is understood that the first and second signals are transmitted through corresponding channels, which facilitates increasing the number of antenna channels within the antenna plane 11. Furthermore, the system capacity of the base station 100 is generally positively correlated with the number of antenna channels; therefore, increasing the number of antenna channels facilitates increasing the system capacity of the base station 100. The channels described in this application are radio frequency (RF) channels, which are used to drive the radiator to transmit or receive signals.

[0070] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the second antenna 13 is disposed within the antenna plane 11. The second antenna 13 may include an end-fire antenna, the maximum radiation direction of which is parallel to the antenna plane 11. This allows the second antenna 13 to radiate or receive signals to the side of the antenna plane 11, thus meeting the communication needs of the communication area located on the side of the antenna plane 11. Simultaneously, the first antenna 12 and the second antenna 13 can work together to enable the antenna assembly 10 to possess both frontal and lateral radiation capabilities, thereby increasing the communication range of the antenna assembly 10.

[0071] It is understood that, as shown in Figure 5, the antenna assembly 10 of this application embodiment (the antenna assembly 10 in Figure 2) introduces a second antenna 13 on the basis of the first antenna 12. Referring to Figure 2, the second antenna 13 is spaced apart from the first antenna 12, or referring to Figure 3, the second antenna 13 is located at the intersection of the first sub-antenna 121 and the second sub-antenna 122. That is, the location of the second antenna 13 can be flexibly set and is not limited here.

[0072] In some embodiments, the second antenna 13 is configured to transmit a third signal having a third polarization direction, so as to realize the transmission of the third signal using the second antenna 13; or the second antenna 13 is configured to receive a third signal having a third polarization direction, so as to realize the reception of the third signal using the second antenna 13; or the second antenna 13 is configured to both transmit and receive a third signal having a third polarization direction, so as to realize the transmission and reception of the third signal using the second antenna 13.

[0073] In the above implementation, the third polarization direction may include vertical polarization, and the maximum radiation direction of vertical polarization may be parallel to the antenna plane 11. This allows the second antenna 13 to radiate or receive signals to the side of the antenna plane 11 to meet the communication needs of the communication area located on the side of the antenna plane 11.

[0074] It is understood that the first sub-antenna 121, the second sub-antenna 122, and the second antenna 13 can work together to enable the antenna assembly 10 to transmit and / or receive a first signal with a first polarization direction, a second signal with a second polarization direction, and a third signal with a third polarization direction. That is, the antenna assembly 10 can meet the communication requirements of signals with three polarization directions, thereby improving the communication capability of the antenna assembly 10. Furthermore, the first sub-antenna 121, the second sub-antenna 122, and the second antenna 13 are all arranged within the antenna plane 11, and the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal are transmitted through corresponding channels. This facilitates increasing the number of antenna channels within the antenna plane 11, thereby increasing the system capacity of the base station 100.

[0075] In this configuration, any two of the first, second, and third polarization directions are orthogonal. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the horizontal line parallel to the antenna plane 11 is L. The first polarization direction can form a 45° angle with the horizontal line L, the second polarization direction can form a 135° angle with the horizontal line L, and the third polarization direction can be perpendicular to the antenna plane 11. This reduces the mutual interference between the first, second, and third signals, thereby improving the communication stability of the first sub-antenna 121, the second sub-antenna 122, and the second antenna 13.

[0076] In the above implementation, the first sub-antenna 121, the second sub-antenna 122, and the second antenna 13 can operate in the same frequency band to improve the signal strength of the antenna assembly 10. For example, the communication frequency bands of the first sub-antenna 121, the second sub-antenna 122, and the second antenna 13 can all cover the 3G, 4G, or 5G frequency bands; of course, the communication frequencies of the first sub-antenna 121, the second sub-antenna 122, and the second antenna 13 can also be other frequency bands, such as the L1 band used by GPS or the S band used by Tiantong satellites, which is not limited here.

[0077] Alternatively, at least two of the first sub-antenna 121, the second sub-antenna 122, and the second antenna 13 may operate in different frequency bands. For example, the communication frequency band of the first sub-antenna 121 may cover the 3G band, the communication frequency band of the second sub-antenna 122 may cover the 4G band, and the communication frequency band of the second antenna 13 may cover the 5G band. This facilitates increasing the bandwidth of the antenna assembly 10. Of course, the communication frequency bands of the first sub-antenna 121, the second sub-antenna 122, and the second antenna 13 described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent any limitation thereof.

[0078] The antenna assembly 10 provided in this embodiment includes a first antenna 12 and a second antenna 13. The first antenna 12 includes a first sub-antenna 121 and a second sub-antenna 122. The first sub-antenna 121 is configured to transmit and / or receive a first signal with a first polarization direction, and the second sub-antenna 122 is configured to transmit and / or receive a second signal with a second polarization direction. The second antenna 13 is configured to transmit and / or receive a third signal with a third polarization direction. That is, the antenna assembly 10 can meet the communication requirements of signals with at least three polarization directions, thereby improving the communication capability of the antenna assembly 10. To enhance communication capabilities, the first sub-antenna 121, the second sub-antenna 122, and the second antenna 13 are all arranged within the antenna plane 11, and any two of the first, second, and third polarization directions are orthogonally arranged. This reduces mutual interference between the first, second, and third signals, thereby improving the communication stability of the first sub-antenna 121, the second sub-antenna 122, and the second antenna 13. At the same time, the first, second, and third signals are transmitted through their respective channels, which facilitates increasing the number of antenna channels within the antenna plane 11, thereby increasing the system capacity of the base station 100.

[0079] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 4, the second antenna 13 includes a third sub-antenna 131 and a fourth sub-antenna 132, with the angle between the maximum radiation direction of the third sub-antenna 131 and the maximum radiation direction of the fourth sub-antenna 132 being 180°. This configuration reduces interference between the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132, thereby increasing the radiation area of ​​the second antenna 13 and enhancing its communication capability.

[0080] In some implementations, the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 can be configured as shown in Figure 4, where two adjacent second sub-antennas 13 in the horizontal direction X1 are the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132, or two adjacent second sub-antennas 13 in the vertical direction X2 are the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132.

[0081] In other implementations, the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 may be configured such that: in the region of the antenna plane 11 near the horizontal direction X1, all second antennas 13 are third sub-antennas 131, and in the region of the region of the antenna plane 11 near the horizontal direction X1, all second antennas 13 are fourth sub-antennas 132; or in the region of the antenna plane 11 near the vertical direction X2, all second antennas 13 are third sub-antennas 131, and in the region of the antenna plane 11 near the vertical direction X2, all second antennas 13 are fourth sub-antennas 132. Of course, the above-described configurations of the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 are only illustrative examples and do not represent a limitation thereof.

[0082] In some embodiments, the maximum radiation direction of the third sub-antenna 131 and the maximum radiation direction of the fourth sub-antenna 132 are both horizontal X1. This configuration allows the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 to radiate a third signal along the horizontal X1 direction, and the angle between the maximum radiation directions of the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 is 0° or 180°. This enhances the communication capability of the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 on the sides of the antenna plane 11 in the horizontal X1 direction.

[0083] For example, referring to Figure 4, the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 are spaced apart in the horizontal direction X1. In this way, the third sub-antenna 131 can radiate the third signal to one side of the antenna plane 11 in the horizontal direction X1, and the fourth sub-antenna 132 can radiate the third signal to the other side of the antenna plane 11 in the horizontal direction X1, thereby increasing the radiation area of ​​the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 in the horizontal direction X1, and thus improving the communication capability of the second antenna 13.

[0084] In other embodiments, the maximum radiation direction of the third sub-antenna 131 and the maximum radiation direction of the fourth sub-antenna 132 are both vertical (X2). This configuration allows both the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 to radiate a third signal along the vertical (X2) direction, with the angle between their maximum radiation directions being 0° or 180°. This enhances the lateral communication capability of the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 along the vertical (X2) direction of the antenna plane 11.

[0085] For example, referring to Figure 4, the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 can be spaced apart in the vertical direction X2. In this way, the third sub-antenna 131 can radiate the third signal to one side of the antenna plane 11 in the vertical direction X2, and the fourth sub-antenna 132 can radiate the third signal to the other side of the antenna plane 11 in the vertical direction X2, thereby increasing the radiation area of ​​the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 in the vertical direction X2, and thus improving the air communication capability of the second antenna 13.

[0086] In some application scenarios, the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 can radiate a third signal in the vertical direction X2, enabling communication within the communication area located in the vertical direction X2 of the antenna plane 11. For example, the vertical direction X2 is perpendicular to the ground. Referring to Figure 6, at least a portion of the communication area in the vertical direction X2 of the antenna assembly 10 is located in the air. That is, the third sub-antenna 131 (the third sub-antenna 131 in the vertical direction as shown in Figure 4) and the fourth sub-antenna 132 (the fourth sub-antenna 132 in the vertical direction as shown in Figure 4) can achieve air-to-air communication, allowing a ground-based communication device 17 to communicate with an airborne device 16 via the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132. The airborne device includes, but is not limited to, aircraft or drones.

[0087] It is understood that both the first antenna 12 and the second antenna 13 can achieve a certain degree of air-to-ground communication. Referring to Figure 6, the antenna assembly 10 is installed on the ground, with the horizontal line of the antenna assembly 10 being L. The angle between the air-to-ground radiation direction of the first antenna 12 (as shown in Figure 2) and the horizontal line L can range from +15° to -30°, and the angle between the air-to-ground radiation direction of the second antenna 13 (as shown in Figure 2) and the horizontal line L can range from -30° to -90°. Positive angles are located clockwise from the horizontal line L, and negative angles are located counterclockwise from the horizontal line L. Therefore, the arrangement of the second antenna 13 enhances the air-to-ground communication capability of the antenna module 1. Of course, the angles between the air-to-ground radiation direction of the first antenna 12 and the horizontal line L, and the angles between the air-to-ground radiation direction of the second antenna 13 and the horizontal line L are merely illustrative examples and do not represent a limitation.

[0088] In some embodiments, the second antenna 13 includes a plurality of radiators arranged in an array, the distance between two adjacent radiators being less than half the operating wavelength of the antenna module 1. The operating wavelength of the antenna module 1 is equal to the ratio of the speed of light to the operating frequency of the antenna module 1. This allows for a more compact arrangement of the radiators, facilitating the placement of more radiators within the antenna plane 11. Furthermore, this arrangement of multiple radiators allows for digital weighted control of the radiated signal on one side of the radiator. For example, the maximum radiation direction of all radiators can be any side of the antenna plane 11 in the horizontal direction X1; or the maximum radiation direction of all radiators can be any side of the antenna plane 11 in the vertical direction X2; or the maximum radiation direction of some radiators can be one side of the antenna plane 11 in the horizontal direction X1, while the maximum radiation direction of the remaining radiators can be the other side of the antenna plane 11 in the horizontal direction X1; or the maximum radiation direction of some radiators can be one side of the antenna plane 11 in the vertical direction X2, while the maximum radiation direction of the remaining radiators can be the other side of the antenna plane 11 in the vertical direction X2. In other embodiments, the second antenna 13 includes a plurality of radiators arranged in an array, the distance between two adjacent radiators being greater than or equal to half the operating wavelength of the antenna module 1. The operating wavelength of the antenna module 1 is equal to the ratio of the speed of light to the operating frequency of the antenna module 1. Thus, the radiators can radiate signals to both sides of the horizontal direction X1 of the antenna plane 11, or the radiators can radiate signals to both sides of the vertical direction X2 of the antenna plane 11.

[0089] In some embodiments, referring to FIG7, a first sub-antenna 121 is used to transmit a first signal toward a first radiation area 120 so that the first sub-antenna 121 can serve users within the first radiation area 120, that is, communication devices within the first radiation area 120 can receive the first signal to achieve communication. A second sub-antenna 122 is used to transmit a second signal toward the first radiation area 120 so that the second sub-antenna 122 can serve users within the first radiation area 120, that is, communication devices within the first radiation area 120 can receive the second signal to achieve communication.

[0090] It is understood that both the first signal and the second signal are located within the first radiation area 120. In this way, the first sub-antenna 121 and the second sub-antenna 122 can jointly serve users within the first radiation area 120. That is, communication devices located within the first radiation area 120 can receive both the first signal and the second signal to achieve communication, thereby enhancing the communication capability of the first radiation area 120.

[0091] Referring to Figure 7, the second antenna 13 is used to transmit a third signal toward the second radiation region 130, enabling communication devices within the second radiation region 130 to receive the third signal and achieve communication. Referring to Figure 8, at least a portion of the second radiation region 130 overlaps with the first radiation region 120. Thus, communication devices located within the overlapping portion of the second radiation region 130 and the first radiation region 120 can receive at least one of the first, second, and third signals to achieve communication, thereby improving their communication capabilities. The second radiation region 130 and the first radiation region 120 may completely overlap, or a portion of the first radiation region 120 and a portion of the second radiation region 130 may overlap. The overlapping area can be reasonably set according to actual usage requirements to ensure that the overlapping area has high communication capabilities.

[0092] In some embodiments, the second antenna 13 is used to transmit a third signal toward the second radiation region 130, so that communication devices within the second radiation region 130 can receive the third signal to achieve communication, wherein the second radiation region 130 does not overlap with the first radiation region 120. Thus, communication can be achieved using both the first radiation region 120 and the second radiation region 130, thereby increasing the coverage area of ​​the communication region of the antenna assembly 10 and improving its communication capability.

[0093] In some embodiments, a first sub-antenna 121 is used to receive a first signal from a first radiation region 120 so that the first sub-antenna 121 can serve users within the first radiation region 120; a second sub-antenna 122 is used to receive a second signal from the first radiation region 120 so that the second sub-antenna 122 can serve users within the first radiation region 120; and a second sub-antenna 13 is used to receive a third signal from a second radiation region 130 so that the second sub-antenna 13 can serve users within the second radiation region 130.

[0094] In some other embodiments, the first sub-antenna 121 is used to transmit a first signal toward the first radiation region 120 and to receive the first signal from the first radiation region 120; the second sub-antenna 122 is used to transmit a second signal toward the first radiation region 120 and to receive the second signal from the first radiation region 120; and the second sub-antenna 122 is used to transmit a third signal toward the second radiation region 130 and to receive the third signal from the second radiation region 130, and can achieve the same effect, which will not be described in detail here.

[0095] In some embodiments, the antenna module 1 is provided in multiple ways, and the multiple antenna modules 1 are arranged around a preset center line (not shown in the figure) so that the multiple antenna modules 1 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the preset center line, so that the multiple antenna modules 1 can communicate at multiple positions in the circumferential direction of the preset center line, thereby improving the coverage of the communication area of ​​the antenna assembly 10.

[0096] The preset centerline can be set perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and in two adjacent antenna modules 1, at least a portion of the second radiation area 130 of one antenna module 1 overlaps with the first radiation area 120 of the other antenna module 1. This allows the two adjacent antenna modules 1 to cooperate, that is, the communication device located in the overlapping portion of the first radiation area 120 of one antenna module 1 and the second radiation area 130 of the other antenna module 1 can receive at least one of the first signal, the second signal and the third signal to achieve communication, thereby improving the communication capability of the antenna assembly 10 without changing the physical size of the antenna plane 11.

[0097] For example, as shown in Figure 9, there may be three antenna modules arranged around a preset center line. The three antenna modules are a first antenna module, a second antenna module, and a third antenna module. The first radiation area 1201 of the first antenna module, the first radiation area 1202 of the second antenna module, and the first radiation area 1203 of the third antenna module are distributed sequentially in the circumferential direction of the preset center line. At least a portion of the second radiation area 1301 of the first antenna module overlaps with the first radiation area 1202 of the second antenna module, and at least a portion of the second radiation area 1301 of the first antenna module overlaps with the first radiation area 1203 of the third antenna module; at least a portion of the second radiation area 1302 of the second antenna module overlaps with the first radiation area 1201 of the first antenna module, and at least a portion of the second radiation area 1302 of the second antenna module overlaps with the first radiation area 1203 of the third antenna module; at least a portion of the second radiation area 1303 of the third antenna module overlaps with the first radiation area 1201 of the first antenna module, and at least a portion of the second radiation area 1303 of the third antenna module overlaps with the first radiation area 1202 of the second antenna module. This allows the first antenna module, the second antenna module, and the third antenna module to work together, thereby enabling omnidirectional communication along the circumference of the preset centerline and expanding the coverage area of ​​the radiation zone, thus enhancing its communication capabilities.

[0098] For example, as shown in Figure 10, at least a portion of the second radiation region 1302 of the second antenna module overlaps with the first radiation region 1201 of the first antenna module, and at least a portion of the second radiation region 1303 of the third antenna module overlaps with the first radiation region 1201 of the first antenna module. This allows the first antenna module, the second antenna module, and the third antenna module to work collaboratively, thereby enhancing the communication capability of the first radiation region 1201 of the first antenna module. Of course, the same effect applies to the second antenna module and the third antenna module, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0099] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 11, three antenna modules 1 are provided, and the first radiation region of each antenna module 1 is spaced apart around a preset center line (not shown in the figure). Exemplarily, the three antenna modules 1 can be arranged around a support rod 15, the center line of which can be a preset center line. The communication regions corresponding to the three antenna modules 1 can be fan-shaped regions with a central angle of 120° in the circumferential direction of the preset center line, and each fan-shaped region does not overlap. This allows the three antenna modules 1 to communicate at different positions in the circumferential direction, thereby improving the coverage of the communication region of the antenna assembly. Furthermore, the non-overlapping first radiation regions of the three antenna modules 1 further increase the coverage of the communication region of the antenna assembly.

[0100] Meanwhile, in two adjacent antenna modules 1, at least a portion of the second radiation area 130 of one antenna module 1 overlaps with the first radiation area 120 of the other antenna module 1. In this way, the second radiation area 130 of one antenna module 1 and the first radiation area 120 of the other antenna module 1 can jointly serve the same sector area, thereby improving the synergy between the three antenna modules 1 and thus enhancing their communication capabilities.

[0101] In some embodiments, referring to FIG12, the antenna module 1 (the antenna module 1 shown in FIG11) further includes a feeding circuit 14. The feeding circuit 14 may consist of a switch, a bridge, and a feed line, wherein the switch is used to switch the channel driving relationship. Exemplarily, as shown in FIG13, the feeding circuit 14 includes a first switch, which is used to connect the RF link and the first antenna 12 or the second antenna 13. This facilitates feeding power to the first antenna 12 or the second antenna 13 through the first switch.

[0102] In some embodiments, referring to FIG14, the antenna module 1 (as shown in FIG11) further includes a feeding circuit 14, which includes a first switch 141 and a second switch 142. The first switch 141 is used to connect the radio frequency link to a portion of the radiators in the first antenna 12 or a portion of the radiators in the second antenna 13; the second switch 142 is used to connect the radio frequency link to the remaining portion of the radiators in the first antenna 12 or the remaining portion of the radiators in the second antenna 13. This configuration allows a portion of the radiators in the first antenna 12 or a portion of the radiators in the second antenna 13 to be connected to one radio frequency link via the first switch 141, and the remaining portion of the radiators in the first antenna 12 or the remaining portion of the radiators in the second antenna 13 to be connected to another radio frequency link via the second switch 142. Thus, all the radiators in the first antenna 12 or all the radiators in the second antenna 13 can be connected to two radio frequency links. For example, if all radiators in the first antenna 12 are connected to two radio frequency (RF) links, it is equivalent to all radiators in the first antenna 12 utilizing the RF links that should be connected to the second antenna 13. Alternatively, if all radiators in the second antenna 13 are connected to two RF links, it is equivalent to all radiators in the second antenna 13 utilizing the RF links that should be connected to the first antenna 12. In this way, by borrowing RF links, two RF links can be used to feed all radiators in the first antenna 12 or all radiators in the second antenna 13. Thus, under the same input power, compared to coupling signals to all radiators in the first antenna 12 through one RF link, coupling signals to all radiators in the first antenna 12 through two RF links in this embodiment can enhance the power of the radiators in the first antenna 12, thereby enhancing the communication capability of the first antenna 12. Furthermore, when the load in the communication area of ​​the first antenna 12 is large, it can meet the load requirements of the communication area of ​​the first antenna 12. Of course, the second antenna 13 also has the same effect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0103] It is understood that the first antenna 12 and the second antenna 13 in this embodiment are both arranged in the antenna plane 11. That is, the first antenna 12 and the second antenna 13 are located in the same plane. In this way, when the feed circuit 14 is set up, it is easier to reduce the difficulty of routing the connecting lines when the feed circuit 14 is connected to the first antenna 12 and the second antenna 13 through the connecting lines, thereby reducing the difficulty of setting up the feed circuit 14 and thus reducing the cost.

[0104] For example, referring to Figure 11, there may be three antenna modules 1 arranged around the mast 15, and the three antenna modules 1 are respectively a first antenna module A1, a second antenna module A2, and a third antenna module A3. The first antenna module A1 is used to communicate with the first sector area B1, the second antenna module A2 is used to communicate with the second sector area B2, and the third antenna module A3 is used to communicate with the third sector area B3.

[0105] Referring to Figure 12, a first antenna 12 and its adjacent third sub-antenna 131 and fourth sub-antenna 132 together constitute an antenna unit. Multiple antenna units can be provided, and multiple antenna units can be arranged in an array. For example, the antenna unit can be arranged in 48 rows and 16 columns. Multiple antenna units arranged sequentially in the same column form an antenna unit group 101. For example, referring to Figure 12, 12 antenna units arranged sequentially in the same column constitute an antenna unit group 101, and an antenna unit group 101 is connected to a driving terminal 143.

[0106] In some embodiments, the antenna module 1 further includes a feeding circuit 14, which includes a first switch 141. For an antenna element group 101, referring to Figure 13, the first switch may include a first sub-switch 1411, a second sub-switch 1412, a third sub-switch 1413, and a fourth sub-switch 1414. The first sub-switch 1411 is used to couple signals to all the second sub-antennas 122 or all the third sub-antennas 131 in the antenna element group 101. The second sub-switch 1412 is used to couple signals to all the third sub-antennas 131 or all the second sub-antennas 122 in the antenna element group 101. The third sub-switch 1413 is used to couple signals to all the first sub-antennas 121 or all the fourth sub-antennas 132 in the antenna element group 101. The fourth sub-switch 1414 is used to couple signals to all the fourth sub-antennas 132 or all the first sub-antennas 121 in the antenna element group 101.

[0107] For example, referring to Figure 13, in the first operating mode, the first sub-switch 1411 is connected to 12 third sub-antennas 131 and is used to couple signals to the 12 third sub-antennas 131; the second sub-switch 1412 is connected to 12 second sub-antennas 122 and is used to couple signals to the 12 second sub-antennas 122; the third sub-switch 1413 is connected to 12 fourth sub-antennas 132 and is used to couple signals to the 12 fourth sub-antennas 132; and the fourth sub-switch 1414 is connected to 12 first sub-antennas 121 and is used to couple signals to the 12 first sub-antennas 121. Of course, the same control method can be used for other antenna element groups 101, which will not be described in detail here.

[0108] In some other embodiments, referring to FIG14, the power supply circuit 14 includes a first switch 141 and a second switch 142. There are two of each of the first switch 141 and the second switch 142. One first switch 141 is used to couple signals to the six second sub-antennas 122 or the six third sub-antennas 131, and the other first switch 141 is used to couple signals to the six first sub-antennas 121 or the six fourth sub-antennas 132. One second switch 142 is used to couple signals to the remaining six second sub-antennas 122 or the remaining six third sub-antennas 131, and the other second switch 142 is used to couple signals to the remaining six first sub-antennas 121 or the remaining six fourth sub-antennas 132.

[0109] In the second operating mode, referring to Figure 14, one first switch 141 is connected to six second sub-antennas 122 and used to couple signals to these six sub-antennas 122; one second switch 142 is connected to the remaining six second sub-antennas 122 and used to couple signals to these remaining six sub-antennas 122; another first switch 141 is connected to six first sub-antennas 121 and used to couple signals to these six sub-antennas 121; and another second switch 142 is connected to the remaining six first sub-antennas 121 and used to couple signals to these remaining six sub-antennas 121. Thus, with the same input power, compared to one first switch 141 coupling signals to twelve first sub-antennas 121, coupling signals to six first sub-antennas 121 with one first switch 141 can enhance the power of the first sub-antennas 121 and simultaneously increase the number of RF links connected to the first sub-antennas 121. The second switch 142 can achieve the same function, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0110] Alternatively, in the third operating mode, referring to Figure 15, a first switch 141 is connected to six third sub-antennas 131 and used to couple signals to these six sub-antennas 131; a second switch 142 is connected to the remaining six third sub-antennas 131 and used to couple signals to these six sub-antennas 131; another first switch 141 is connected to six fourth sub-antennas 132 and used to couple signals to these six sub-antennas 132; and another second switch 142 is connected to the remaining six fourth sub-antennas 132 and used to couple signals to these six sub-antennas 132. Thus, with the same input power, compared to one first switch 141 coupling signals to 12 third sub-antennas 131, coupling signals to six third sub-antennas 131 with one first switch 141 can enhance the power of the third sub-antennas 131 and simultaneously increase the number of RF links connected to the third sub-antennas 131. The second switch 142 can achieve the same function, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0111] In the implementation where antenna unit groups 101 are provided in the first antenna module A1, the second antenna module A2, and the third antenna module A3, when the loads of the first sector area B1, the second sector area B2, and the third sector area B3 are relatively balanced, the antenna unit groups 101 on the first antenna module A1, the second antenna module A2, and the third antenna module A3 can all adopt the first working mode described above to ensure the load balance of the first sector area B1, the second sector area B2, and the third sector area B3.

[0112] Alternatively, when the load in the first sector region B1 is greater than the load in the second sector region B2 and / or the third sector region B3, the antenna unit group 101 on the first antenna module A1 can be controlled to adopt the second operating mode described above. Compared to the first operating mode, under the same input power, the first sub-antenna 121 and / or the second sub-antenna 122 in the first operating mode are switched from being driven by one switch to being driven by one switch for six sub-antennas in the second operating mode. This facilitates the enhancement of the power of the first sub-antenna 121 and / or the second sub-antenna 122, and simultaneously increases the number of RF links connected to the first sub-antenna 121 and / or the second sub-antenna 122, thereby improving the communication capability of the first sub-antenna 121 and / or the second sub-antenna 122. The antenna unit group 101 on the second antenna module A2 and / or the antenna unit group 101 on the third antenna module A3 adopt the third operating mode described above. Compared to the first operating mode, under the same input power, the first sub-antenna 121 and / or the second sub-antenna 122 are switched from being driven by one switch for 12 sub-antennas to being driven by one switch for six sub-antennas in the second operating mode. This facilitates the enhancement of the power of the first sub-antenna 121 and / or the second sub-antenna 122, and simultaneously increases the number of RF links connected to the first sub-antenna 121 and / or the second sub-antenna 122, thereby improving the communication capability of the first sub-antenna 121 and / or the second sub-antenna 122. In the first operating mode, the third sub-antenna 131 and / or the fourth sub-antenna 132 are switched from 12 driven by a switch to 6 driven by a switch in the third operating mode. This facilitates the enhancement of the power of the third sub-antenna 131 and / or the fourth sub-antenna 132, and simultaneously increases the number of RF links connected to the third sub-antenna 131 and / or the fourth sub-antenna 132, thereby enhancing the communication capability of the third sub-antenna 131 and / or the fourth sub-antenna 132. At the same time, the second antenna module A2 and / or the third antenna module A3 are adjacent to the first antenna module A1, that is, at least part of the second radiation area of ​​the second antenna module A2 and / or the second radiation area of ​​the third antenna module A3 overlaps with the first radiation area of ​​the first antenna module A1. This facilitates the use of the third sub-antenna 131 or the fourth sub-antenna 132 of the second antenna module A2 and / or the third antenna module A3 to jointly serve the first sector area B1, thereby meeting the load requirements of the first sector area B1.

[0113] In some application scenarios, please refer to Figure 11. The antenna assembly includes a mast 15 and an antenna module 1. There are three antenna modules 1, namely a first antenna module A1, a second antenna module A2, and a third antenna module A3. The first antenna module A1, the second antenna module A2, and the third antenna module A3 are arranged around the mast 15. The first antenna module A1 is used to communicate with the first sector area B1, the second antenna module A2 is used to communicate with the second sector area B2, and the third antenna module A3 is used to communicate with the third sector area B3.

[0114] In some implementations, referring to Figure 11, the first antenna module A1 includes a first antenna 12 (as shown in Figure 2) and a second antenna 13 (as shown in Figure 2). The second antenna 13 includes a third sub-antenna 131 (as shown in Figure 4) and a fourth sub-antenna 132 (as shown in Figure 4). The maximum radiation direction of both the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 is horizontal. The first antenna 12 has 128 radio frequency links, and both the third and fourth sub-antennas 131 and 132 have 64 radio frequency links. A total of 256 channels—the first antenna 12 of the first antenna module A1, the third sub-antenna 131 of the second antenna module A2, and the fourth sub-antenna 132 of the third antenna module A3—are used for communication in the first sector region B1. The communication modes of the second sector region B2 and the third sector region B3 are similar and will not be described further here. This results in the same number of radio frequency channels in the first sector region B1, the second sector region B2, and the third sector region B3, thus making the signal load capacity of the first sector region B1, the second sector region B2, and the third sector region B3 more balanced.

[0115] In some other implementations, referring to Figure 16, the first antenna 12 of the first antenna module A1 (as shown in Figure 2) has 256 radio frequency links; the first antenna 12 of the second antenna module A2 has 64 radio frequency links, the third sub-antenna 131 (as shown in Figure 4) has 128 radio frequency links, and the fourth sub-antenna 132 (as shown in Figure 4) has 64 radio frequency links; the first antenna 12 of the third antenna module A3 has 64 radio frequency links, the third sub-antenna 131 has 64 radio frequency links, and the fourth sub-antenna 132 has 128 radio frequency links. With this configuration, when the number of channels in the first antenna module A1, the second antenna module A2, and the third antenna module A3 are the same, a total of 512 channels (first antenna 12 of the first antenna module A1, third sub-antenna 131 of the second antenna module A2, and fourth sub-antenna 132 of the third antenna module A3) are used for communication in the first sector area B1; 128 channels (first antenna 12 of the second antenna module A2, third sub-antenna 131 of the third antenna module A3) are used for communication in the second sector area B2; and 128 channels (first antenna 12 of the third antenna module A3, fourth sub-antenna 132 of the second antenna module A2) are used for communication in the third sector area B3. This makes the signal load capacity of the first sector area B1 greater than that of the second sector area B2 and the third sector area B3. The 256 RF links of the first antenna module A1 are achieved by switching between the first switch and the second switch.

[0116] In some other implementations, please refer to Figure 17. The first antenna 12 of the first antenna module A1 has 256 radio frequency links (as shown in Figure 2). The first antenna 12 of the second antenna module A2 has 128 radio frequency links, and the third sub-antenna 131 (as shown in Figure 4) has 128 radio frequency links. The first antenna of the third antenna module A3 has 128 radio frequency links, and the fourth sub-antenna 132 (as shown in Figure 4) has 128 radio frequency links. This configuration, with the same number of channels in the first antenna module A1, the second antenna module A2, and the third antenna module A3, allows a total of 512 channels—the first antenna 12 of the first antenna module A1, the third sub-antenna 131 of the second antenna module A2, and the fourth sub-antenna 132 of the third antenna module A3—to be used for communication in the first sector region B1. Similarly, 128 channels of the first antenna 12 of the second antenna module A2 are used for communication in the second sector region B2, and 128 channels of the first antenna 12 of the third antenna module A3 are used for communication in the third sector region B3. This results in the signal load capacity of the first sector region B1 being greater than that of the second and third sector regions B2 and B3. Specifically, the first antenna 12 of the first antenna module A1 has 256 RF links, achieved by switching between the first and second switches; the third sub-antenna 131 of the second antenna module A2 has 128 RF links, achieved by changing digital weights; and the fourth sub-antenna 132 of the third antenna module A3 also has 128 RF links, achieved by changing digital weights.

[0117] In other application scenarios, referring to Figures 18 and 19, the antenna assembly 10 includes an antenna module 1, which includes a first antenna 12 and a second antenna 13. The second antenna 13 includes a third sub-antenna 131 and a fourth sub-antenna 132. The maximum radiation direction of the third sub-antenna 131 and the maximum radiation direction of the fourth sub-antenna 132 are both horizontal (X1). The antenna assembly 10 has multiple operating modes, and switching between these modes can be achieved by changing digital weights. The digital weights relate to the amplitude and phase of the signal emitted by the radiator. By changing the digital weights of the antenna, the amplitude and phase of the signal can be changed, thereby altering the radiation direction of the signal.

[0118] For example, referring to Figure 20, in some operating modes, the third sub-antenna 131 radiates the third signal 13A towards the left side of the antenna plane 11 using digital weights, and the fourth sub-antenna 132 radiates the third signal 13A towards the right side of the antenna plane 11 using digital weights. The left and right sides of the antenna plane 11 are two sides of the antenna plane 11 that are opposite each other in the horizontal direction X1. This satisfies the communication requirements of the communication areas located on the left and right sides of the antenna plane 11.

[0119] Alternatively, referring to Figure 21, in some operating modes, digital weights are used to make the maximum radiation direction of the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 the same. For example, as shown in Figure 21, both the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 radiate the third signal 13A towards the left side of the antenna plane 11. This improves the communication capability of the communication area on the left side of the antenna plane 11.

[0120] Alternatively, referring to Figure 22, in some operating modes, digital weights are used to make the maximum radiation direction of the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 the same. For example, as shown in Figure 22, both the third sub-antenna 131 and the fourth sub-antenna 132 radiate the third signal 13A towards the right side of the antenna plane 11. This improves the communication capability of the communication area on the right side of the antenna plane 11.

[0121] Understandably, switching between the above-mentioned working modes by changing the numerical weights can improve the efficiency of working mode switching.

[0122] It should be noted that, in the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection or an integral connection; they can also refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; or they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0123] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit them; although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some or all of the technical features therein; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

[0124] The above description is merely a specific implementation of the embodiments of this application, but the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An antenna assembly, characterized in that, include: An antenna module includes an antenna plane, a first antenna, and a second antenna. Both the first antenna and the second antenna are disposed within the antenna plane. The first antenna includes a first sub-antenna and a second sub-antenna. The first sub-antenna is configured to transmit and / or receive a first signal having a first polarization direction. The second sub-antenna is configured to transmit and / or receive a second signal having a second polarization direction. The second antenna is configured to transmit and / or receive a third signal having a third polarization direction. Any two of the first polarization direction, the second polarization direction, and the third polarization direction are orthogonally arranged.

2. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first polarization direction and / or the second polarization direction include horizontal polarization, and the third polarization direction includes vertical polarization.

3. The antenna assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first antenna includes a side-fire antenna, and the second antenna includes an end-fire antenna.

4. The antenna assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The second antenna includes a third sub-antenna and a fourth sub-antenna, and the angle between the maximum radiation direction of the third sub-antenna and the maximum radiation direction of the fourth sub-antenna is 0° or 180°.

5. The antenna assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The maximum radiation direction of the third sub-antenna and the maximum radiation direction of the fourth sub-antenna are both horizontal.

6. The antenna assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The maximum radiation direction of the third sub-antenna and the maximum radiation direction of the fourth sub-antenna are both vertical.

7. The antenna assembly according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first sub-antenna is used to transmit the first signal toward the first radiation region, the second sub-antenna is used to transmit the second signal toward the first radiation region, and the second antenna is used to transmit the third signal toward the second radiation region, wherein at least a portion of the second radiation region overlaps with the first radiation region.

8. The antenna assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The antenna module is provided in multiple ways, and the multiple antenna modules are arranged around a preset center line. The preset center line is arranged perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and in two adjacent antenna modules, at least a portion of the second radiation area of ​​one antenna module overlaps with the first radiation area of ​​the other antenna module.

9. The antenna assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The antenna module is provided in three parts, and the first radiation area of ​​each antenna module is arranged at intervals around the preset center line.

10. The antenna assembly according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The second antenna includes multiple radiators arranged in an array, and the distance between two adjacent radiators is less than half the operating wavelength of the antenna module.

11. The antenna assembly according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The antenna module further includes a power supply circuit, which includes a first switch for connecting the radio frequency link and the first antenna or the second antenna.

12. The antenna assembly according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The antenna module further includes a power supply circuit, which includes a first switch and a second switch. The first switch is used to connect the radio frequency link to a portion of the radiators in the first antenna or a portion of the radiators in the second antenna; the second switch is used to connect the radio frequency link to the remaining portion of the radiators in the first antenna or the remaining portion of the radiators in the second antenna.

13. A base station, characterized in that, include: The control device and the antenna assembly according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the control device is connected to the antenna assembly.

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