Vertical Beam Splitting with Butler Network Antenna
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current base station antenna technologies lack the capability to implement vertical beam splitting, which is essential for enhancing system capacity and optimizing communication patterns.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Butler network with multiple radiating elements arranged vertically, where the Butler network has n input ports and m output ports, with phase and amplitude adjustments to distribute signals across the vertical plane, enabling the creation of n beams at specific angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If horizontal plane splitting is implemented on an antenna to increase system capacity, then the number of sectors is increased, but the capability to implement vertical beam splitting is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into multiple independent Butler networks (first Butler network for horizontal splitting, second Butler network for vertical splitting) that operate simultaneously. Each Butler network independently handles beam splitting in its respective plane, allowing the system to achieve both horizontal sector division and vertical beam division without interference, thereby resolving the contradiction between horizontal splitting capability and vertical splitting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional horizontal plane splitting to three-dimensional beam space division by adding vertical plane splitting. The first Butler network operates in the horizontal plane while the second Butler network operates in the vertical plane, creating a 3D beam distribution that simultaneously achieves horizontal sectorization and vertical beam splitting, thus resolving the limitation of single-plane splitting
2Productivity
If the number of antennas is increased to increase system capacity, then more sectors are implemented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple separate antenna systems into a single integrated antenna array that supports both horizontal and vertical beam splitting. By combining the first Butler network (horizontal splitting) and second Butler network (vertical splitting) within one antenna system, the patent achieves multi-sector capability without proportionally increasing the number of physical antenna structures, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high system capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is designed with multi-functionality to perform both horizontal beam splitting and vertical beam splitting simultaneously. The unified antenna array structure serves multiple purposes: it supports horizontal sector division through the first Butler network and vertical beam division through the second Butler network, eliminating the need for separate dedicated antenna systems for each function and thus reducing device complexity
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B~4
AI summary
The present invention provides an antenna and a base station. The antenna includes an antenna array and a first BUTLER network. The antenna array includes multiple radiating elements arranged vertically. The first BUTLER network includes n input ports and m output ports, the m output ports are respectively connected to at least one radiating element of the antenna array, and the radiating elements connected to the m output ports in the antenna array are arranged on a vertical plane; the n input ports of the BUTLER network respectively receive a path of signals, and after phase adjustment and amplitude adjustment by the first BUTLER network, output signals of n groups of phase distribution combination through the m output ports, each group of phase distribution combination includes m phases, each output port respectively outputs signals of one phase in each group of phase distribution combination, the multiple radiating elements connected to the m output ports radiate n beams, where the n beams are distributed at specific angles on the vertical plane.