Multi-Level Phase Shifter for Phased Array Antennas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional phased array antennas for wireless base stations face challenges in efficiently adjusting the elevation angle of their radiation patterns, particularly due to high manufacturing costs, weight, and potential for passive intermodulation distortion from numerous solder joints in existing phase shifter implementations.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a multi-level phase shifter approach with a base-level adjustable phase shifter and upper-level feed board adjustable phase shifters reduces the number of solder joints and coaxial cables, using printed circuit board transmission lines to connect radiating elements, thereby decreasing manufacturing costs and improving reliability while maintaining acceptable insertion loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional phase shifter implementations with numerous solder joints and coaxial cables are used, then the antenna can achieve the desired phase shifting function, but the manufacturing costs increase and the reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The phase shifter is divided into multiple levels (base-level and upper-level feed board phase shifters), allowing the system to achieve the desired phase shifting functionality while reducing the number of solder joints and coaxial cables required in any single connection path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Printed circuit board transmission lines are introduced as an intermediary to replace numerous coaxial cables and solder joints, providing a more reliable and cost-effective connection method while maintaining the necessary electrical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If numerous solder joints are used in phase shifter implementations, then the phase shifting function is achieved, but the risk of passive intermodulation distortion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassive intermodulation distortionVSAvoidphase shifter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful solder joints and coaxial cables are extracted from the signal path and replaced with printed circuit board transmission lines, thereby eliminating the source of passive intermodulation distortion while maintaining the phase shifting function through a simpler structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses standard printed circuit board transmission lines instead of expensive and problematic coaxial cable assemblies with solder joints, achieving the same electrical function with a more reliable and cost-effective solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple coaxial cables and solder joints are used to connect phase shifters, then the phase shifting capability is maintained, but the manufacturing and testing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing and testing costVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate connections (coaxial cables and solder joints) are merged into a single integrated printed circuit board transmission line structure, reducing the number of discrete components and connection points while improving both manufacturing efficiency and connection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11145978B2Phased array antennas having multi-level phase shifters

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC

AI summary

A phased array antenna includes a panel, a plurality of feed boards on the panel, each of the feed boards including at least one radiating element, a base-level adjustable phase shifter including a plurality of outputs, a first feed board adjustable phase shifter mounted on a first of the feed boards and a first cable that forms a transmission path between a first of the outputs of the base-level adjustable phase shifter and the first feed board.