Multi-line phase shifter for multi-band base station antenna
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and increased size of multi-band base station antennas due to the need for a large number of feeding cables connecting multi-line phase shifters and frequency combiners/dividers for different frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
A multi-line phase shifter design that integrates a phase shifting circuit and frequency combination/division circuits on a PCB board, reducing the number of feeding cables by combining signals from multiple frequency bands and allowing for a more optimized antenna structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate multi-line phase shifters and frequency combiners/dividers are used for different frequency bands, then beam tilting control for each band is achieved, but the number of feeding cables increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate phase shifters (first multi-line phase shifter for first frequency band and second multi-line phase shifter for second frequency band) into a single integrated multi-line phase shifter. This integrated phase shifter uses a shared feeding cable system where cables are commonly connected to both phase shifters, reducing the total number of feeding cables while maintaining independent beam tilting control capability for each frequency band through separate phase shifting circuits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate multi-line phase shifters and frequency combiners/dividers are used for different frequency bands, then beam tilting control for each band is achieved, but the overall size of the antenna increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first and second multi-line phase shifters into a single integrated phase shifter unit that handles both frequency bands. By sharing the feeding cable infrastructure and combining the phase shifting functionality, the overall volume of the antenna system is reduced compared to having completely separate phase shifter and combiner/divider assemblies for each frequency band.
3Ease of operation
If a large number of feeding cables are used to connect phase shifters and combiners/dividers, then signal distribution to multiple radiation elements is achieved, but the internal structure becomes complicated and mechanical stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of feeding cables by combining the cable connections for both frequency bands into a shared set of cables. The integrated multi-line phase shifter uses these shared cables to distribute signals to the radiation elements, thereby simplifying the internal structure and improving mechanical stability while maintaining full signal distribution capability across all radiation elements for both frequency bands.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-line phase shifter of a multi-band mobile communication base station antenna includes: a multi-line phase shifting circuit for receiving an input signal of a first frequency band, and dividing and phase-shifting the input signal so as to correspond to a plurality of radiation elements; and a plurality of frequency combination/division circuits for receiving a plurality of signals divided and phase-shifted by the multi-line phase shifting circuit and a plurality of signals of a second frequency band which have been inputted by being divided and phase-shifted for a plurality of radiation elements by an external multi-line phase shifter, combining corresponding signals, and outputting the same to the plurality of radiation elements.