Phase shift network, and antenna

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications. Disclosed are a phase shift network, and an antenna. The phase shift network comprises: at least three input ports, at least four output ports, a first phase shifter, a second phase shifter, a third phase shifter and a fourth phase shifter, wherein the at least three input ports are correspondingly connected to an input end of the first phase shifter and an input end of the second phase shifter, respectively; an output end of the first phase shifter is correspondingly connected to an input end of the third phase shifter and an input end of the fourth phase shifter, respectively; an output end of the second phase shifter is correspondingly connected to the input end of the third phase shifter and the input end of the fourth phase shifter, respectively; and the at least four output ports are correspondingly connected to an output end of the third phase shifter and an output end of the fourth phase shifter, respectively.

Description

Phase shift network and antenna

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411292531.2, filed on September 14, 2024, and entitled "Phase shift network and antenna", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application belongs to the field of communication technology, and particularly relates to a phase shift network and an antenna. BACKGROUND

[0004] With the advent of the 5G era, the communication frequency has been greatly improved. The lobes of some high-gain directional antennas in the current technology are relatively narrow, resulting in a relatively small coverage area. Therefore, in the related technology, an antenna switching mode is used to realize switching between directional antennas or between a directional antenna and an omnidirectional antenna.

[0005] However, the above-mentioned antenna switching mode needs to assemble multiple antennas, so that the high-gain directional antenna has a relatively large volume, thereby being limited by the installation space in a relatively small terminal device, and the relatively high cost is caused by the relatively large structure. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a phase shift network, comprising: at least three input ports, at least four output ports, a first phase shifter, a second phase shifter, a third phase shifter and a fourth phase shifter; the at least three input ports are respectively connected to the input end of the first phase shifter and the input end of the second phase shifter; the output end of the first phase shifter is connected to the input end of the third phase shifter and the input end of the fourth phase shifter; the output end of the second phase shifter is connected to the input end of the third phase shifter and the input end of the fourth phase shifter; and the at least four output ports are respectively connected to the output end of the third phase shifter and the output end of the fourth phase shifter.

[0007] The present application also provides an antenna, comprising: at least four antenna units and the above-mentioned phase shift network; and the at least four antenna units are respectively connected to the at least four output ports of the phase shift network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a first form of the phase shift network disclosed by the present application;

[0009] Fig. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a second form of the phase shift network disclosed by the present application;

[0010] Fig. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a third form of phase shift network disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0011] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a three-input four-output phase shift network disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0012] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a corresponding switching mode of the three-input four-output phase shift network disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0013] Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a four-input four-output phase shift network disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0014] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a corresponding switching mode of the four-input four-output phase shift network disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0015] Fig. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of an antenna employing the first form of phase shift network disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Fig. 9 is a structural schematic diagram of an antenna employing the second form of phase shift network disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Fig. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of an antenna employing the third form of phase shift network disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Fig. 11 is a corresponding directional diagram when each of the three input ports is excited respectively.

[0019] Legend: 10-phase shift network; 111-first input port; 112-second input port; 113-third input port; 114-fourth input port; 121-first output port; 122-second output port; 123-third output port; 124-fourth output port; 13-first phase shifter; 14-second phase shifter; 15-third phase shifter; 16-fourth phase shifter; 171-cross line structure; 172-jumper structure; 18-microstrip line; 19-single-pole multi-throw switch; 211-first antenna unit; 212-second antenna unit; 213-third antenna unit; 214-fourth antenna unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor fall within the scope of the present application.

[0021] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first", "second", etc. are generally of a kind and do not limit the number of objects, for example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, "and / or" in the specification and claims indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / ", generally indicates that the objects before and after are in a "or" relationship.

[0022] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, specific embodiments and application scenarios.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-11, the disclosed phase shift network 10 includes at least three input ports, at least four output ports, a first phase shifter 13, a second phase shifter 14, a third phase shifter 15, and a fourth phase shifter 16.

[0024] The input ports are used to feed in excitation signals. The at least three input ports can enable the phase shift network 10 to feed in at least three excitation signals, so that the phase shift network 10 can realize at least three different signal transmission modes.

[0025] The output ports are used to output signals. The at least four output ports can enable the phase shift network 10 in each signal transmission mode to output signals of at least four output phases.

[0026] The first phase shifter 13, the second phase shifter 14, the third phase shifter 15, and the fourth phase shifter 16 are respectively used to perform phase transformation on the fed-in excitation signals, so as to obtain signals of different phases, and finally output by the at least four output ports.

[0027] To realize the feeding in, phase transformation, and output of signals, in the embodiments of the present application, the at least three input ports are respectively connected to the input end of the first phase shifter 13 and the input end of the second phase shifter 14, so that a part of the at least three input ports can transmit signals to the input end of the first phase shifter 13, and another part of the at least three input ports can transmit signals to the input end of the second phase shifter 14. It should be noted that the excitation signals fed in by the at least three input ports can be respectively allocated to the first phase shifter 13 and the second phase shifter 14 for phase transformation, and the signals of the required phases can be respectively output by the first phase shifter 13 and the second phase shifter 14.

[0028] The output ends of the first phase shifter 13 are respectively connected with the input ends of the third phase shifter 15 and the input ends of the fourth phase shifter 16. Based on this, the signal obtained by phase transformation via the first phase shifter 13 is distributed to the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 for phase transformation again, so that the signal of the required phase is output by the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 respectively.

[0029] The output ends of the second phase shifter 14 are respectively connected with the input ends of the third phase shifter 15 and the input ends of the fourth phase shifter 16. Based on this, the signal obtained by phase transformation via the second phase shifter 14 is distributed to the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 for phase transformation again, so that the signal of the required phase is output by the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 respectively.

[0030] It should be noted here that the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 can each have multiple input ends, so as to be respectively connected with the output ends of the first phase shifter 13 and the output ends of the second phase shifter 14, to prevent interference between signals.

[0031] The at least four output ports are respectively connected with the output ends of the third phase shifter 15 and the output ends of the fourth phase shifter 16. Based on this, the signals obtained by phase transformation via the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 can be respectively output via the at least four output ports, so as to be transmitted to downstream signal transmission components (such as an antenna unit, etc.), so as to realize signal transmission.

[0032] It should be noted here that the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 can each have multiple output ends, so as to be respectively connected with the at least four output ports, to prevent interference between signals.

[0033] The phase shift network 10 in the embodiment of the present application includes at least three input ports and at least four output ports, so that the phase shift network 10 can input at least three groups of excitation signals, and each group of excitation signals can be phase-transformed via the first phase shifter 13, the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16, or phase-transformed via the second phase shifter 14, the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16, so that at least three groups of mode signal outputs can be output via the at least four output ports, and each group of output signal can include at least four output phases. Therefore, the embodiment of the present application can realize signal output of at least three modes through the same phase shift network 10, so as to expand the signal coverage area and realize wide-angle coverage of the high-gain antenna.

[0034] In addition, when the phase shift network 10 is applied to an antenna, different signal output modes can be realized by the same antenna, compared with the mode of switching signal transmission modes by switching multiple antennas, the embodiment of the application does not need to set multiple antennas, thereby reducing the volume of the antenna in the case of realizing high gain, and then the terminal equipment can be not limited by the installation space, and the cost is reduced.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, in some embodiments, the at least three input ports can be three input ports, including: a first input port 111, a second input port 112, and a third input port 113, so that the excitation signals can be fed in through the first input port 111, the second input port 112, and the third input port 113, respectively.

[0036] Correspondingly, the first phase shifter 13 can have two inputs, and the first input port 111 and the second input port 112 are respectively connected to the two inputs of the first phase shifter 13, so that the excitation signals fed in through the first input port 111 and the second input port 112 can be transmitted to the first phase shifter 13 through the two inputs, respectively, and the phase of the excitation signals is changed by the first phase shifter 13.

[0037] The second phase shifter 14 can have one input, and the third input port 113 is connected to the one input of the second phase shifter 14, so that the excitation signal fed in through the third input port 113 can be transmitted to the second phase shifter 14 through the one input, and the phase of the excitation signal is changed by the second phase shifter 14.

[0038] Of course, the first phase shifter 13 can also include one input, and the second phase shifter 14 can include two inputs, and the specific mode is basically similar to the above, which will not be described here.

[0039] In the embodiment of the application, in the implementation mode of the three input ports, the first phase shifter 13 can include a branch line coupler. The branch line coupler is a 90° or quadrature hybrid coupler, which can have two inputs and two outputs, and the phase difference between the two output ports is 90°, which can realize signal distribution for the output signal.

[0040] Of course, the first phase shifter 13 can also include a 3dB 90° bridge. The 3dB 90° bridge is a kind of radio frequency passive device, mainly used for power synthesis distribution and signal acquisition, etc., which can divide the signal into two signal paths with a phase difference of 90°. In addition, the 3dB 90° bridge has the advantages of low loss, small amplitude and phase imbalance, etc.

[0041] Based on the above settings, the phase difference between the signals transmitted to the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 respectively after being processed by the first phase shifter 13 is 90°.

[0042] The second phase shifter 14 can include a 3dB power divider. The 3dB power divider is a passive microwave device mainly used for dividing the power of an input signal and outputting it, and the loss of each output end is fixed.

[0043] Based on the above settings, the powers of the signals transmitted to the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 respectively after being processed by the second phase shifter 14 are equal.

[0044] The third phase shifter 15 can include a ring coupler. The ring coupler is a microwave element composed of a closed circular ring with a circumference of 3 / 2 waveguide wavelengths and four transmission lines connected thereto. The ring coupler can cause a specific coupling of signals, thereby achieving signal distribution and combination.

[0045] The third phase shifter 15 can also include a 3dB ring 180° bridge. The 3dB ring 180° bridge is an element in a microwave system that can be used as an equal-amplitude in-phase and equal-amplitude reverse power divider, which can make the output signals have a 180° phase difference.

[0046] The fourth phase shifter 16 can also include a ring coupler or a 3dB ring 180° bridge. In addition, the type of the fourth phase shifter 16 can be the same as or different from that of the third phase shifter 15.

[0047] Based on the above settings, the signals outputted after being processed by the third phase shifter 15 or the fourth phase shifter 16 have a 180° phase difference.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 6, in other embodiments, the at least three input ports can also be four input ports, including a first input port 111, a second input port 112, a third input port 113, and a fourth input port 114. In this way, excitation signals can be fed in through the first input port 111, the second input port 112, the third input port 113, and the fourth input port 114, respectively.

[0049] Correspondingly, the first phase shifter 13 can have two inputs, and the first input port 111 and the second input port 112 are respectively connected to the two inputs of the first phase shifter 13. In this way, the excitation signals fed in through the first input port 111 and the second input port 112 can be respectively transmitted to the first phase shifter 13 through the two inputs, and the phase of the excitation signals can be changed by the first phase shifter 13.

[0050] The second phase shifter 14 can have two input ends, and the third input port 113 and the fourth input port 114 are respectively connected to the two input ends of the second phase shifter 14. In this way, the excitation signals fed in through the third input port 113 and the fourth input port 114 can be transmitted to the second phase shifter 14 through the two input ends respectively, and the phase transformation is performed by the second phase shifter 14.

[0051] In the embodiment of the present application, the first phase shifter 13 can include a branch-line coupler in the implementation of the four input ports. The branch-line coupler is a 90° or quadrature hybrid coupler, which can have two input ends and two output ends, and the phase difference between the two output ports is 90°, which can realize signal distribution for the output signal.

[0052] Of course, the first phase shifter 13 can also include a 3dB 90° bridge. The 3dB 90° bridge is a kind of radio frequency passive device, which is mainly used for power synthesis distribution and signal acquisition, etc., and can divide the signal into two signal paths with a phase difference of 90°. In addition, the 3dB 90° bridge has the advantages of low loss, small amplitude and phase imbalance, etc.

[0053] Based on the above setting, the phase difference between the signals transmitted to the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 respectively after being processed by the first phase shifter 13 is 90°.

[0054] The second phase shifter 14 can include a 3dB ring 180° bridge. The 3dB ring 180° bridge is a kind of element in microwave system, which can be used as equal amplitude in-phase and equal amplitude reverse power divider, and can make the output signal have a phase difference of 180°.

[0055] Based on the above setting, the signals output after being processed by the second phase shifter 14 have a phase difference of 180°.

[0056] The third phase shifter 15 can include a ring coupler. The ring coupler is a kind of microwave element, which is composed of a closed circular ring with a circumference of 3 / 2 wave length and four transmission lines. The ring coupler can make the signal have a specific coupling effect, so as to realize the distribution and combination of the signal.

[0057] The third phase shifter 15 can also include a 3dB ring 180° bridge. The 3dB ring 180° bridge is a kind of element in microwave system, which can be used as equal amplitude in-phase and equal amplitude reverse power divider, and can make the output signal have a phase difference of 180°.

[0058] The fourth phase shifter 16 can also include a ring coupler, or include a 3dB ring 180° bridge. In addition, the type of the fourth phase shifter 16 can be the same as or different from that of the third phase shifter 15.

[0059] Based on the above setting, the signal outputted after being processed by the third phase shifter 15 or the fourth phase shifter 16 has a phase difference of 180°.

[0060] Taking the three-input four-output phase shift network 10 as an example, that is, the phase shift network 10 includes three input ports and four output ports, when the excitation signals are respectively fed from the three input ports, the four output ports respectively output three groups of equal-amplitude output signals with different phase differences, and the output phases are as shown in Table 1, wherein port1, port2 and port3 respectively represent the first input port 111, the second input port 112 and the third input port 113, and port4, port5, port6 and port7 respectively represent the first output port 121, the second output port 122, the third output port 123 and the fourth output port 124.

[0061] According to Table 1, the output phases of the four output ports are not equidifference phases. Specifically, when the excitation signal is fed from port1, the phase difference of the signals outputted by the four output ports is about 0; when the excitation signal is fed from port2, the phase difference between port4 and port5 is about 180°, the phase difference between port5 and port6 is about 90°, the phase difference between port6 and port7 is about 180°, and the phase difference between port7 and port4 is about 90°; when the excitation signal is fed from port3, the phase difference between port4 and port5 is about 180°, the phase difference between port5 and port6 is about 90°, the phase difference between port6 and port7 is about 180°, and the phase difference between port7 and port4 is about 90°.

[0062] Based on the above data, it can be known that only when the excitation signal is fed from port1, the four output ports output equidifference signals, and when the excitation signals are respectively fed from port2 and port3, the four output ports output non-equidifference signals.

[0063] Table 1 Output phases of the four output ports of the phase shift network 10 when the excitation signals are fed from the three input ports

[0064] In order to obtain equal-amplitude equal-phase-difference output signals, the phase shift network 10 in the embodiment of the application can further include a position changing structure. By setting the position changing structure, at least two output ports can be exchanged in position.

[0065] One of the outputs of the third phase shifter 15, one of the outputs of the fourth phase shifter 16, and / or some of the at least four output ports are respectively connected with the displacement structure, so that, in the case of feeding the excitation signals from the at least three input ports respectively, the at least four output ports can output the output signals with equal amplitude and equal phase difference.

[0066] Taking the three-input four-output phase shift network 10 as an example, that is, the phase shift network 10 includes three input ports and four output ports, when feeding the excitation signals from the three input ports respectively, the four output ports respectively output three groups of equal-amplitude output signals with equal phase difference, and the output phases are as shown in Table 2, wherein port1, port2 and port3 respectively represent the first input port 111, the second input port 112 and the third input port 113, and port4, port5, port6 and port7 respectively represent the first output port 121, the second output port 122, the third output port 123 and the fourth output port 124.

[0067] According to Table 2, the output phases of the four output ports are equal difference phases. Specifically, when feeding the excitation signal from port1, the phase difference of the signals output by the four output ports is about 0; when feeding the excitation signal from port2, the phase difference between port4 and port5 is about 90°, the phase difference between port5 and port6 is about 90°, the phase difference between port6 and port7 is about 90°, and the phase difference between port7 and port4 is about 90°; when feeding the excitation signal from port3, the phase difference between port4 and port5 is about 90°, the phase difference between port5 and port6 is about 90°, the phase difference between port6 and port7 is about 90°, and the phase difference between port7 and port4 is about 90°.

[0068] Based on the above data, it can be known that no matter which input port of port1, port2 or port3 feeds the excitation signal, the four output ports output equal difference signals.

[0069] Table 2 Output phases of the four output ports of the phase shift network 10 with displacement structure (such as jumper structure 172, etc.) when feeding the excitation signals from the three input ports

[0070] In some embodiments, one of the outputs of the third phase shifter 15 and one of the outputs of the fourth phase shifter 16 can be respectively connected with the displacement structure, so that the signals processed by the third phase shifter 15 and the signals processed by the fourth phase shifter 16 can be respectively transmitted to the displacement structure, and are respectively output after being processed by the displacement structure.

[0071] In some embodiments, the phase shifters 15 and 16 can be connected to the at least four output ports, and the signals processed by the phase shifters 15 and 16 can be respectively output through the at least four output ports.

[0072] In some embodiments, one output of the third phase shifter 15, one output of the fourth phase shifter 16, and part of the at least four output ports can be connected to the displacement structure, so that the signals processed by the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 can be respectively transmitted to the displacement structure, and the signals processed by the displacement structure can be respectively output through part of the at least four output ports.

[0073] In some embodiments, the displacement structure can be a cross-line structure 171. As shown in FIG. 2, taking the three-input four-output phase shift network 10 as an example, one output of the third phase shifter 15, one output of the fourth phase shifter 16, and two output ports are respectively connected to the cross-line structure 171, so that the signals processed by the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 are respectively transmitted to the cross-line structure 171, and the signals processed by the cross-line structure 171 are respectively output through the two output ports; by setting the cross-line structure 171, the positions of the output ports can be exchanged (for example, the positions of port 5 and port 6 are exchanged), so that when the excitation signals are fed from the three input ports, the four output ports can output output signals with equal amplitude and equal phase difference. It should be noted that the specific form of the cross-line structure 171 is not limited.

[0074] In some embodiments, the displacement structure can be a cross-line structure 171. As shown in FIG. 2, taking the three-input four-output phase shift network 10 as an example, one output of the third phase shifter 15, one output of the fourth phase shifter 16, and two output ports are respectively connected to the cross-line structure 171, so that the signals processed by the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 are respectively transmitted to the cross-line structure 171, and the signals processed by the cross-line structure 171 are respectively output through the two output ports; by setting the cross-line structure 171, the positions of the output ports can be exchanged (for example, the positions of port 5 and port 6 are exchanged), so that when the excitation signals are fed from the three input ports, the four output ports can output output signals with equal amplitude and equal phase difference. It should be noted that the specific form of the cross-line structure 171 is not limited.

[0075] To realize the connection between the structures, the phase shift network 10 can further include microstrip lines 18, as shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 6. Specifically, the first phase shifter 13 can be connected with the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 through the microstrip lines 18, respectively; the second phase shifter 14 can be connected with the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 through the microstrip lines 18, respectively; the at least three input ports can be connected with the first phase shifter 13 and the second phase shifter 14 through the microstrip lines 18, respectively; and the at least four output ports can be connected with the third phase shifter 15 and the fourth phase shifter 16 through the microstrip lines 18, respectively.

[0076] Based on the above arrangement, the phase shift network 10 according to the embodiments of the present application can be laid out by multiple microstrip lines 18 and realize the connection between the structures to ensure the signal transmission, and can also be conducive to reducing the cost. It should be noted that the microstrip lines 18 can have a certain width, and the specific width size can be selected according to the actual working conditions, which is not limited here.

[0077] To realize the switching of the operation mode of the phase shift network 10, the phase shift network 10 can further include a single-pole multi-throw switch 19, which has multiple connection contacts, each of which is connected with a corresponding input port to switch the on-off of each input port.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, taking the three-input four-output phase shift network 10 as an example, it has three input ports, i.e., the first input port 111, the second input port 112 and the third input port 113. Correspondingly, the single-pole multi-throw switch 19 can be a single-pole three-throw switch, which has three connection contacts connected with the first input port 111, the second input port 112 and the third input port 113, respectively. In this way, the movable contact can be contacted with different connection contacts by being rotated to switch the on-off of different input ports. For example, when the movable contact is rotated to contact the connection contact corresponding to the first input port 111, the first input port 111 is turned on, and at this time, the phase shift network 10 can realize the first operation mode to obtain the first group of output signals. Similarly, the second group of output signals and the third group of output signals can be obtained. Finally, the phase shift network 10 of this form can realize three different operation modes to expand the signal coverage area and achieve high gain effect.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, taking the phase shift network 10 of four-input four-output as an example, it has four input ports, i.e., the first input port 111, the second input port 112, the third input port 113 and the fourth input port 114. Correspondingly, the single-pole multi-throw switch 19 can be a single-pole four-throw switch, which has four connection contacts connected with the first input port 111, the second input port 112, the third input port 113 and the fourth input port 114 respectively. In this way, the on-off of different input ports can be switched by touching the movable contact with different connection contacts. For example, when the movable contact is touched with the connection contact corresponding to the first input port 111, the first input port 111 is turned on. At this time, the phase shift network 10 can realize the first operating mode to obtain the first group of output signals. Similarly, the second group of output signals, the third group of output signals and the fourth group of output signals can be obtained. Finally, the phase shift network 10 of this form can realize four different operating modes to expand the signal coverage area and achieve high gain effect.

[0080] When the phase shift network 10 of three-input four-output or four-input four-output has a variable position structure, the four output ports can realize equal phase difference output.

[0081] Based on the phase shift network 10 described above, the application further discloses an antenna, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 11, the disclosed antenna comprises at least four antenna units and the phase shift network 10 described above, wherein the at least four antenna units are connected with the at least four output ports of the phase shift network 10 one by one. In this way, an antenna array of at least four elements can be formed.

[0082] Based on the above setting, since the phase shift network 10 has at least three input ports, the phase shift network 10 can realize at least three different operating modes. In this way, when the excitation signal is fed through the at least three input ports, the antenna can correspond to at least three different radiation modes. Therefore, the wide-angle high-gain beam coverage of the antenna can be improved.

[0083] In some more specific embodiments, when the phase shift network comprises four output ports, i.e., the first output port 121, the second output port 122, the third output port 123 and the fourth output port, correspondingly, the antenna can comprise four antenna units, i.e., the first antenna unit 211, the second antenna unit 212, the third antenna unit 213 and the fourth antenna unit 214. Based on this, the first antenna unit 211 is connected with the first output port 121, the second antenna unit 212 is connected with the second output port 122, the third antenna unit 213 is connected with the third output port 123, and the fourth antenna unit 214 is connected with the fourth output port 124.

[0084] In some embodiments, the antenna can further include a substrate, the phase shift network 10 and the at least four antenna units are respectively located on opposite sides of the substrate, and the substrate is provided with a plurality of through holes, and the at least four antenna units are connected with the corresponding output ports through the through holes, so that the phase shift network 10 and the at least four antenna units can be fixedly installed through the substrate, and the connection of the antenna units with the corresponding output ports of the phase shift network 10 can be ensured without being blocked.

[0085] Exemplarily, the front surface of the substrate can be provided with the phase shift network 10, and the back surface of the substrate can be a full-metal printed floor plate serving as a reflector plate of the antenna.

[0086] In some more specific embodiments, the antenna can include a three-input four-output phase shift network 10 with a displacement structure, and when excitation signals are fed into the three input ports (i.e., port1, port2, port3) respectively, the corresponding directional diagram is as shown in FIG. 11. As can be seen, compared with the conventional directional antenna, the beam coverage range of the antenna in the embodiment of the application is obviously improved, that is, the 3dB lobe width is improved from 30° to about 90°, about 150%. Therefore, the antenna in the embodiment of the application has obvious advantages compared with the conventional directional antenna.

[0087] The embodiment of the application further discloses a terminal device, and the disclosed terminal device includes the above-mentioned antenna. The terminal device can be a 5G terminal device, such as a 5G CPE device.

[0088] In summary, the phase shift network 10 in the embodiment of the application and the antenna including the phase shift network 10 can realize signal transmission in multiple modes without introducing a large number of adjustable devices (such as PIN, diode, microwave switch, etc.) and multiple antennas, and can make the beam coverage range of the antenna larger; in addition, the connection between the structural members is realized by using the microstrip line 18, which can reduce the cost while ensuring good signal transmission. When excitation signals are fed into the at least three input ports, at least three different arithmetic output phases can be realized, and with certain antenna units (or antenna arrays), the function of a small terminal phased array directional antenna can be realized.

[0089] The embodiments of the application are described above in combination with the drawings, but the application is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and the above specific embodiments are only illustrative but not limiting, and those skilled in the art can make many forms under the inspiration of the application without departing from the scope of the application and the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A phase shifting network, wherein, The phase shift network (10) comprises: at least three input ports, at least four output ports, a first phase shifter (13), a second phase shifter (14), a third phase shifter (15) and a fourth phase shifter (16); the at least three input ports are respectively connected to the input terminals of the first phase shifter (13) and the input terminals of the second phase shifter (14); the output terminals of the first phase shifter (13) are respectively connected to the input terminals of the third phase shifter (15) and the input terminals of the fourth phase shifter (16); the output terminals of the second phase shifter (14) are respectively connected to the input terminals of the third phase shifter (15) and the input terminals of the fourth phase shifter (16); the at least four output ports are respectively connected to the output terminals of the third phase shifter (15) and the output terminals of the fourth phase shifter (16).

2. The phase shift network of claim 1, wherein, The at least three input ports comprise a first input port (111), a second input port (112) and a third input port (113); the first input port (111) and the second input port (112) are respectively connected to the two input terminals of the first phase shifter (13); the third input port (113) is connected to one input terminal of the second phase shifter (14).

3. The phase shift network of claim 2, wherein, The first phase shifter (13) comprises a branch-line coupler or a 3dB 90° bridge; and / or, the second phase shifter (14) comprises a 3dB power divider; and / or, the third phase shifter (15) and the fourth phase shifter (16) each comprise a ring coupler or a 3dB ring 180° bridge.

4. The phase shift network of claim 1, wherein, The at least three input ports comprise a first input port (111), a second input port (112), a third input port (113) and a fourth input port (114); the first input port (111) and the second input port (112) are respectively connected to the two input terminals of the first phase shifter (13); the third input port (113) and the fourth input port (114) are respectively connected to the two input terminals of the second phase shifter (14).

5. The phase shift network of claim 4, wherein, The first phase shifter (13) comprises a branch-line coupler or a 3dB 90° bridge; and / or, the second phase shifter (14) comprises a 3dB ring 180° bridge; and / or, the third phase shifter (15) and the fourth phase shifter (16) each comprise a ring coupler or a 3dB ring 180° bridge.

6. The phase shift network of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The phase shift network (10) further comprises a displacement structure; one of the output terminals of the third phase shifter (15), one of the output terminals of the fourth phase shifter (16) and / or some of the at least four output ports are respectively connected to the displacement structure; under the excitation from the at least three input ports respectively, the at least four output ports output signals with equal amplitude and equal phase difference.

7. The phase shift network of claim 6, wherein, The displacement structure is a cross-line structure (171) or a jumper structure (172).

8. The phase shift network of claim 1, wherein, The phase shift network (10) further comprises a microstrip line (18); The first phase shifter (13) is connected with the third phase shifter (15) and the fourth phase shifter (16) through the microstrip line (18) respectively; The second phase shifter (14) is connected with the third phase shifter (15) and the fourth phase shifter (16) through the microstrip line (18) respectively; At least three input ports are connected with the first phase shifter (13) and the second phase shifter (14) through the microstrip line (18) respectively; At least four output ports are connected with the third phase shifter (15) and the fourth phase shifter (16) through the microstrip line (18) respectively.

9. The phase shift network of claim 1, wherein, The phase shift network (10) further comprises a single-pole multi-throw switch (19) having a plurality of connection contacts, each of which is connected with a corresponding input port to switch the on-off state of each input port.

10. An antenna, wherein, Comprise: At least four antenna units and the phase shift network (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; At least four antenna units are connected with at least four output ports of the phase shift network (10) one by one.

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