Multi Radiator Antenna Visual Tilt Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-radiator antennas face challenges in accurately determining the electrical tilt angle during installation or tuning, particularly due to difficulties in monitoring the phase shift achieved by moving dielectric elements within the coaxial lines, which can lead to unreliable adjustments and potential damage from environmental factors like ice accumulation.

Innovation Solution

A multi-radiator antenna design that incorporates a protective cover with a partially transparent wall to provide a visual indication of the electrical tilt angle, utilizing dielectric elements and displacement means like threaded rods for precise phase adjustments, allowing for accurate control of the antenna's main lobe direction without increasing the antenna's size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a scale stick protruding through the bottom of the antenna is used to monitor tilt angle, then the tilt angle can be monitored, but an opening is required in the environmental protection and the scale stick can easily be damaged by ice building on the antenna

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetilt angle monitoringVSAvoidprotection from environmental factors

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The indicating portion is extracted from the internal phase adjusting mechanism and made visible through the transparent wall portion of the protective cover, allowing tilt angle monitoring without requiring openings in the environmental protection structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent wall portion acts as an intermediary that allows visual access to the indicating portion while maintaining the integrity and environmental protection of the antenna structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dielectric elements are moved inside coaxial lines to achieve phase shift, then the electrical tilt angle can be adjusted, but it is difficult to determine the actual electrical tilt achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical tilt adjustmentVSAvoidtilt angle determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The indicating portion provides visual feedback on the position of the dielectric element, allowing the operator to determine the actual electrical tilt angle achieved during adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The indicating portion utilizes visual indicators (such as colored markings or transparent/ opaque regions) that change appearance based on the position of the dielectric element, enabling precise determination of the electrical tilt angle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If the protective cover is made fully opaque to protect internal components, then environmental protection is improved, but visual indication of the tilt angle cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of feeding networkVSAvoidvisual indication of tilt angle

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is made transparent only in the specific region where the indicating portion is located, while other portions can remain opaque for maximum environmental protection, providing localized visual access where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 enables a robust and reliable method for adjusting the antenna's tilt angle with visual feedback, ensuring accurate phase control and protecting the internal components from environmental damage, while maintaining low signal losses through the use of air-filled coaxial lines.

Implementation Method 1

introducing a material with higher permittivity than air in a substantially air filled coaxial line will reduce the phase velocity of a signal propagating along that transmission line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase velocity reduction due to higher permittivity: Dielectric Permittivity

Implementation Method 2

The protective cover is provided with an at least partially transparent wall portion arranged such that said indicating portion or element is visible there through

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission through transparent material: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11018424B2Multi radiator antenna comprising means for indicating antenna main lobe direction

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 CELLMAX TECH AB

AI summary

A multi radiator antenna comprising an electrically conductive reflector, at least two radiating elements arranged on said reflector, a feeding network connected to the radiating elements, and a protective cover. The feeding network comprises a plurality of conductors for distributing signals to the radiators. The feeding network has means for adjusting relative phases of said signals in order to adjust a direction of the antenna main lobe of said multi-radiator base station antenna. The means for adjusting is provided with, or is connected to, an indicating portion configured to provide a visual indication of said direction. The protective cover is provided with an at least partially transparent wall portion arranged such that said indicating portion is visible there through.