Antenna Array Feeding Structure for Independent Tx/Rx Phase Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of antenna elements in wireless communication devices leads to reduced phase tuning density and higher side-lobe levels due to shared transmission/reception channels, affecting beam performance.
Innovation Solution
A feeding structure for antenna arrays with separate transmitting and receiving branches, utilizing circulators and phase shifters to achieve independent phase tuning density for transmission and reception channels, allowing for bipolarization of antenna elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple antenna elements are coupled to the same transmission/reception channel via a feeding structure, then the number of antenna elements can be increased while maintaining the same number of channels, but the phase tuning density decreases and side-lobe level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding structure is segmented into separate transmitting branches and receiving branches, allowing independent phase tuning for each branch. This segmentation enables precise phase control for each antenna element within a subarray, maintaining high phase tuning density even when multiple antenna elements share the same channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces polarization dimension by providing separate feeding for first polarization and second polarization parts of antenna elements. This dimensional expansion allows independent phase tuning in different polarization dimensions, effectively increasing the overall phase tuning density without adding more physical channels.
2Device complexity
If multiple antenna elements share the same transmission/reception channel, then cost and space requirements are reduced, but the side-lobe level increases and beam performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different phase tuning characteristics to different parts of the antenna array. Each subarray can have independent phase tuning in transmitting and receiving branches, allowing local optimization of beam patterns and side-lobe suppression while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate transmitting and receiving branches act as intermediaries between the shared channel and the antenna elements. These intermediate structures enable precise phase control and beam shaping, suppressing side-lobes while allowing multiple antenna elements to share the same channel.
3Device complexity
If antenna elements are coupled in subarrays with reduced phase tuning density, then the feeding structure becomes simpler, but the upper-side-lobe-suppression ratio decreases and sweeping range narrows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic phase tuning in both transmitting and receiving branches separately. This dynamic control allows real-time adjustment of beam patterns and side-lobe suppression levels, maintaining high upper-side-lobe-suppression ratio while keeping the feeding structure relatively simple through shared components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a feeding structure for an antenna array, an antenna array, and a network node. The antenna array may include a plurality of subarrays each with at least one antenna element. The feeding structure may include at least one transmitting branch and at least one receiving branch for a subarray of the plurality of subarrays. The at least one transmitting branch and the at least one receiving branch may be arranged separately. Thus, feeding structure with specific transmitting branches for improving phase tuning density may be provided by embodiments. The feeding structure for the antenna array may include asymmetrically separated transmitting signal path and receiving signal path. The polarization type of the transmitting can be individually controlled while a pair of orthogonal polarization are realized for receiving. The phase control density can be separately controlled for transmitting and receiving as demand.