Base Station Antenna Assembly with Power Coupling Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base station antennas face challenges in achieving a narrow azimuth Half Power Beam width (HPBW) of approximately 65° while maintaining a compact size, as larger antennas with multiple frequency bands result in high wind loading, weight, and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The antenna assembly incorporates a power coupling circuit that feeds sub-components of RF signals to radiating elements in a power-reduced coupling manner, allowing for a compact design with vertically extending arrays and a reflector, effectively narrowing the beam width and reducing the antenna's width to less than 430 mm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple linear arrays of radiating elements are used to support service in different frequency bands, then the antenna can provide multi-band service, but the antenna width increases to about 500 mm which results in high wind loading, heavy weight, and high manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna divides the radiating elements into separate linear arrays for different frequency bands (low-band and high-band), with each array independently positioned and fed. This segmentation allows optimized spacing and sizing for each band while maintaining compact overall dimensions of about 430 mm width
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar side-by-side array arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration where low-band and high-band arrays are positioned at different depths and heights. The low-band array is positioned closer to the reflector plane while the high-band array is positioned farther away, creating a volumetric arrangement that reduces the horizontal footprint width
2Adaptability or versatility
If two arrays of low-band radiating elements are placed side-by-side with high-band linear arrays therebetween, then the antenna can achieve low-band and high-band coverage, but the required antenna width D becomes about 500 mm which is too large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the low-band and high-band linear arrays from a side-by-side horizontal arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration where arrays are distributed in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. The low-band array is positioned closer to the reflector plane while the high-band array is positioned farther away, creating a volumetric arrangement that reduces the horizontal footprint width to about 430 mm
Solution Approach 2:
Different linear arrays are assigned different spatial positions and feeding characteristics appropriate to their frequency band requirements. The low-band array uses wider spacing and different element dimensions optimized for lower frequencies, while the high-band array uses tighter spacing and smaller elements optimized for higher frequencies, allowing each band to be optimized locally while maintaining compact overall size
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
This solution achieves a stable azimuth HPBW of about 65° while reducing the antenna's width and weight, improving sector power ratio and gain, and lowering manufacturing costs by using a combination of power coupling circuits and staggered feeding.
Implementation Method 1
A power coupling circuit is provided, which is configured to feed a first sub-component of the first RF signal and a first sub-component of the second RF signal to the first radiating element and/or the third radiating element in a power-reduced coupling manner
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna assembly includes a first interface for receiving a first RF signal, a second interface for receiving a second RF signal, and an antenna array including a first array and a second array that extend vertically. The first array includes a first radiating element and a second radiating element, and the second array includes a third radiating element and a fourth radiating element. A power coupling circuit is provided, which is configured to feed a first sub-component of the first RF signal and a first sub-component of the second RF signal to the first radiating element and/or the third radiating element in a power-reduced coupling manner. A plurality of radiating elements in the first array are electrically connected to the first interface, and a plurality of radiating elements in the second array are electrically connected to the second interface, respectively.