Integrated Antenna Element with Layered Balun for Compact High-Gain Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional Massive MIMO antennas face challenges with high cost, complex structure, and limited capacity due to increased antenna dimension, complex feed lines, and multiple connectors, which hinder efficient high-rise building coverage and in-building capacity growth.
Innovation Solution
The integration of radiating elements with compact printed boards and layered baluns on separate PCBs, along with a reflecting board and dual-channel band-pass filters, simplifies the antenna structure, enhances inter-port isolation, and improves radiating performance, resulting in a compact, high-capacity antenna unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional Massive MIMO antennas combine multiple radiating elements and connectors to achieve high gain, then the antenna gain is improved, but the antenna dimension and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple radiating elements onto a single PCB board, merging what would traditionally be separate antenna components into one unified structure. This consolidation maintains the high gain performance of Massive MIMO while significantly reducing structural complexity and the number of connectors required.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCB board serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the substrate for radiating elements, provides the feeding network, and integrates the balun circuitry. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and reduces overall antenna complexity while maintaining high gain performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional Massive MIMO antennas use multiple connectors and additional components to achieve dual polarization, then the polarization performance is improved, but the cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both polarization elements on a single PCB board with integrated feeding networks, eliminating the need for multiple separate connectors and components. This integration maintains dual polarization performance while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCB board itself acts as an intermediary that provides the feeding network and balun circuitry, eliminating the need for additional connectors and discrete components. This mediator approach simplifies the overall structure and makes the antenna easier to manufacture while maintaining polarization performance.
3Reliability
If traditional antenna designs use separate feeding networks for each radiating element to achieve good isolation, then the inter-port isolation is improved, but the feed line complexity and number of soldering points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the feeding networks for multiple radiating elements directly onto the PCB board, merging what would traditionally be separate feed lines into a unified printed circuit structure. This integration maintains good inter-port isolation through proper PCB layout and grounding while dramatically reducing feed line complexity and the number of soldering points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical feed lines and connectors with printed circuit board traces for signal distribution. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical assemblies and multiple soldering points while maintaining the isolation performance through proper PCB design and grounding structures.
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 configuration achieves a compact, cost-effective, and high-capacity antenna design with reduced soldering points and connectors, enabling efficient high-rise and in-building coverage while maintaining stable beamwidth and high-gain performance.
Implementation Method 1
the first balun is attached to the top PCB for a first polarization and the second balun is attached to the bottom PCB for a second polarization; and the first balun, the second balun and the radiating surface unit are spaced along a thickness of the compact printed board
Implementation Method 2
the radiating surface unit is set between the top PCB and the bottom PCB... coupled to form a first dipole for the first polarization... coupled to form a second dipole for the second polarization
Implementation Method 3
an antenna unit provided in accordance with embodiment of the present invention, comprise an integrated antenna element... a reflecting board and a filtering equipment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
An integrated antenna element (100) includes a compact printed board (2) and at least two dual-polarized radiating elements (10). The compact printed board (2) includes a top PCB (21) and a bottom PCB (22) in a laminate structure. Each radiating element (10) includes a radiating surface unit and a layered-balun. The radiating surface unit (1) is placed between the top PCB (21) and the bottom PCB (22). The layered-balun includes a first balun and a second balun set separately set on the different PCBs each for different polarization. An antenna unit (200) and a multi-array antenna (300) are accordingly obtained.