Full Wave Dipole Array Squint Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Arrays of full wave dipole radiating elements suffer from squint degradation due to coupling between adjacent polarization dipoles, particularly at high electrical down tilt angles, leading to cross polarization and beam deviation.
Innovation Solution
A cellular base station antenna design that combines microstrip and stripline support PCBs with full wave cross dipole radiating elements, arranged in specific configurations to minimize squint, including a mix of four microstrip and two stripline elements in a linear or staggered column, utilizing hook baluns, feed stalks, inductive, and capacitive sections to optimize beam patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full wave dipole radiating elements are used in arrays, then low band performance is improved, but squint degradation occurs at high electrical down tilt angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different PCB support structures (microstrip vs. stripline) for different radiating elements within the same array. Specifically, alternate radiating elements use microstrip support PCBs while others use stripline support PCBs, creating localized variations in coupling characteristics that collectively reduce overall array squint
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite approach by combining two different types of PCB support structures (microstrip and stripline) in a single array. This composite configuration leverages the complementary characteristics of both support types to achieve improved squint performance that neither type could achieve alone
2Adaptability or versatility
If full wave dipoles are used in multi-band arrays, then low band coverage is improved, but coupling between adjacent polarization dipoles causes cross polarization and squint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different PCB support structures (microstrip vs. stripline) for different radiating elements within the same array. Specifically, alternate radiating elements use microstrip support PCBs while others use stripline support PCBs, creating localized variations in coupling characteristics that collectively reduce overall array squint
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful coupling effect into a beneficial outcome by strategically alternating between microstrip and stripline support structures. The coupling that would normally cause squint is instead used to create a balanced interaction pattern that reduces net squint and cross-polarization across the array
Data Source
AI summary
A cellular base station antenna having improves squint performance is provided. The antenna includes a ground plane, a first plurality of radiating elements supported over the ground plane by microstrip support PCBs, and a second plurality of radiating elements supported over the ground plane by stripline support PCBs. The first and second pluralities of radiating elements are arranged in at least one array of low band radiating elements, and the quantities of first and second pluralities of radiating elements are selected to reduce squint of a beam produced by the at least one array. The first plurality of radiating elements may be located below the second plurality of radiating elements in the array. The array may be arranged in a linear column or a staggered column. In one example, the first plurality of radiating elements comprises four radiating elements and the second plurality radiating elements comprises two radiating elements.