Dual-Polarized Antenna Structure for Compact 5G Base Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dual-polarized antennas for indoor micro base stations are large in size due to the difficulty in assembling vertical radiation structures for millimeter wave band antennas, which require a multi-layer PCB process and arraying to achieve high gain, making them bulky and space-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A dual-polarized antenna design that uses a base board with stacked substrates to support both horizontally and vertically polarized antennas, where the horizontally polarized antenna features a metal layer with annular slots and a power splitter network, and the vertically polarized antenna employs a multi-layer structure with metal patches and metal rings to enhance bandwidth and reduce size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional omnidirectional dual-polarized antennas use metal monopoles or biconical antennas for vertical polarization and ring antennas for horizontal polarization, then polarization diversity and omnidirectional radiation are achieved, but the antenna size becomes large and occupies significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the horizontally polarized antenna structure within the vertically polarized antenna structure. Specifically, the ring-shaped radiating element for horizontal polarization is placed inside the cylindrical structure formed by the vertically polarized patch antenna, allowing both polarization functions to coexist in a compact integrated form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two separate antenna types (vertical polarization using metal monopole/biconical and horizontal polarization using ring antenna) into a single integrated dual-polarized antenna structure, where both polarizations share a common feed network and physical space, reducing overall antenna size while maintaining dual-polarization functionality
2Ease of manufacture
If millimeter wave band antennas use multi-layer PCB process due to process limitations in assembling vertical radiation structures, then manufacturing feasibility is improved, but the antenna size increases and requires arraying for high gain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar two-dimensional PCB traces to three-dimensional立体 structures by forming vertically polarized patch antennas with cylindrical side walls and embedding horizontal ring elements within this vertical structure, utilizing the third dimension (height/depth) to achieve compact dual-polarization without requiring large array configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontally polarized ring radiating element is nested within the vertically polarized patch antenna structure, with the ring element positioned inside the cylindrical space formed by the patch antenna's side walls, enabling both polarizations to share the same physical envelope and reducing overall antenna footprint
3Power
If arraying is used to achieve high gain for millimeter wave band antennas, then transmission speed and signal quality are improved, but the overall antenna system becomes bulky and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves compact high-gain performance by transitioning to three-dimensional立体 antenna structures with vertically polarized patches having cylindrical side walls and embedded horizontal ring elements, utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal expansion required by traditional array configurations, thereby achieving high gain in a compact footprint
Data Source
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AI summary
A dual-polarized antenna, an antenna array, and a communications device are disclosed. The dual-polarized antenna includes a base board, a horizontally polarized antenna, and a vertically polarized antenna. The substrate includes a first substrate and a plurality of second substrates stacked on the first substrate. The horizontally polarized antenna includes a first radiating element disposed on the first substrate, and a first feeding unit that feeds the first radiating element. The vertically polarized unit includes a second radiating element and a second feeding unit that feeds the second radiating element. The second radiating element includes a first metal patch disposed on each second substrate. In the foregoing technical solution, the base board formed by the stacked substrates is used as a support part, so that the horizontally polarized antenna and the vertically polarized antenna are disposed on the base board, thereby reducing space occupied by the dual-polarized antenna.