Base Station Antenna Height Reduction with Broadband Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional base station antennas face challenges in reducing the height of lower frequency antenna elements while maintaining a relative bandwidth greater than 30%, which complicates the deployment of Active Antenna Systems and traditional passive antenna systems.
Innovation Solution
The proposed antenna device features two radiating elements, where the second radiating element extends along a common center axis from the foot of the antenna, and the first radiating element extends outwards, with a length greater than its width, allowing for a reduced overall height and maintaining ultra broad band characteristics by contributing to smaller wavelengths. This design enables the antenna to be manufactured from a single metal sheet without soldering, facilitating automation in mass production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the height of the lower frequency antenna element is reduced, then the overall antenna depth is reduced, but the relative bandwidth cannot be maintained greater than 30%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional vertical dipole configuration to a planar inverted-F antenna structure that extends in the horizontal plane rather than vertically. This dimensional change allows the antenna to achieve resonant lengths suitable for low frequencies without increasing vertical depth, thereby reducing overall antenna depth while maintaining the required electrical length for broadband operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a ground plane structure that acts as the return path for the antenna current, effectively nesting the return current path within the antenna structure itself. This eliminates the need for additional space below the antenna for the return path, allowing compact vertical integration while maintaining the electrical characteristics needed for ultra-wideband operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional antenna structures are used to maintain bandwidth, then the antenna dimensions increase, but this complicates deployment and integration with radios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ground plane as an intermediary element that serves multiple functions: it provides the return current path, acts as a reflector to enhance radiation, and enables the planar inverted-F configuration. This intermediary structure allows the antenna to achieve ultra-wideband characteristics in a compact form factor that can be easily integrated with radio units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the antenna into distinct functional segments: the radiating element, the ground plane, and the feeding structure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall compact dimensions, facilitating both broadband performance and easy integration with radio units.
3Ease of operation
If antenna height is reduced for easier deployment, then manufacturing and assembly become more complex, but the patent enables simple single-sheet manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the radiating element, ground plane, and feeding structure into a single integrated planar structure that can be manufactured from one metal sheet. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps, reducing both manufacturing complexity and deployment difficulty while maintaining the compact form factor.
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 reduces the overall antenna height by 20-30% while maintaining a relative bandwidth greater than 30%, simplifying the deployment process and improving manufacturing efficiency, and achieves a bandwidth performance with VSWR < 1.35, supporting deep integration with radios.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna device for a base station antenna system... each antenna element comprising a first radiating element and a corresponding second radiating element
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna device is described. The antenna device 100 comprises at least two antenna elements each of comprising a first radiating element 110 and a corresponding second radiating element 120. The second radiating element 120 extends in a height direction along a common center axis A from a foot of the antenna device 100 to its corresponding first radiating element 110. The first radiating element 110 extends in a length direction outwards from the common center axis A. The length of the first radiating element 110 defines the maximum supported wavelength. Furthermore, each first radiating element 110 has a greater length than its width and each first radiating element 110 is electrically coupled to its corresponding second radiating element 120 along the length direction, so that the second radiating element 120 can contribute to the smaller wavelengths.