Full Analog Phase Shifter for Linear Antenna Beam Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical beam tilt methods for adjusting antenna beam angles are costly and inefficient due to the need for physical adjustments, while electrical beam tilt methods require additional space and complexity for phase shifting, especially in achieving linear phase distribution without increasing front and rear thickness.
Innovation Solution
A full analog phase shifter that uses variable switch panels and transmission lines with predetermined ratios to achieve linear phase distribution in the RF stage without requiring phase shifts in the digital stage, minimizing space and part count by integrating phase shifting within the existing RF module design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a mechanical beam tilt method is used to adjust antenna beam angles, then production cost is lowered, but repair rapidness deteriorates due to complicated manual adjustment processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical beam tilt adjustment system with an electrical phase shifting system. Instead of physically tilting the antenna using mechanical apparatus and manual bolt adjustments, the invention uses phase shifters to electronically control the beam direction by adjusting the phase of signals fed to individual antenna elements. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical movement and manual intervention during operation, thereby improving repair rapidness while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Productivity
If an electrical beam tilt method with phase shifters is used, then beam adjustment rapidness is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the phase shifting function into multiple independent phase shifters, each corresponding to a specific antenna element or element group. Each phase shifter is a discrete module that can be independently controlled and adjusted. This segmentation allows for simplified individual module design and easier integration into the existing antenna system, reducing overall complexity compared to a monolithic phase shifting system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates phase shifters into the existing RF module structure by utilizing the vertical dimension (front-rear thickness direction). Instead of expanding the horizontal footprint, the phase shifters are arranged in the thickness direction of the antenna assembly, allowing beam electronic tilting without increasing the overall installation space or complicating the horizontal layout.
3Adaptability or versatility
If phase shifters are added to achieve electrical beam tilt, then beam adjustment capability is improved, but front and rear thickness of the antenna increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the phase shifters within the existing RF module structure. The phase shifters are integrated into the signal path between the RF modules and the antenna elements, utilizing the existing space and structural framework. This nesting approach allows the phase shifting functionality to be incorporated without significantly increasing the overall front-rear thickness of the antenna assembly, as the phase shifters share the same structural envelope with other RF components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient phase shifting with reduced space requirements and part count, allowing for mirror symmetry structure implementation without digital stage support tasks, enhancing beamforming performance and reducing installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
when the physical length of a transmission line through which a feed signal passes is changed, the phase of the feed signal is changed by a physical length variance ΔL
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a full analog phase shifter and an antenna apparatus including same, and more particularly, comprises: a variable switch panel including a first conductive pattern terminal and a second conductive pattern terminal; and an antenna element substrate on which a plurality of array antenna elements are arranged and a transmission line being in contact with the first conductive pattern terminal and the second conductive pattern terminal is pattern-printed, wherein, due to a phase shift caused by contact points of the transmission line with respect to the first conductive pattern terminal and the second conductive pattern terminal, phases of the plurality of array antenna elements are linearly distributed on a same reference phase plane, thereby providing an advantage of easily implementing a mirror symmetry structure having a linear phase distribution only by a phase shift in an RF stage without phase conversion in a digital stage.