Multiband Beam-Former Arrays for Base Station Antenna Space Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Base station antennas face performance trade-offs when trying to operate in multiple frequency bands due to space limitations, as beam-forming arrays that can cover multiple bands occupy a large amount of space and ideal spacing for one frequency band is not ideal for others.
Innovation Solution
A multiband beam-former array that reuses some vertical columns for different frequency bands, using all columns for beam-forming at a lower frequency band and reusing some but not all for a higher frequency band, with specific spacing configurations to accommodate different frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a base station antenna includes many closely-spaced radiating elements to provide multiband performance, then the antenna can operate in multiple frequency bands, but the space required in the antenna increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing radiating elements that can function across multiple frequency bands. The beam-former array is configured to operate in both a first frequency band and a second frequency band, with radiating elements that are not optimized for a specific band but can radiate in both bands, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated elements for each band
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the radiating elements by adjusting beam-forming weights and phase shifts to optimize performance for different frequency bands. The system dynamically adjusts parameters such as element spacing utilization and excitation patterns to accommodate the different wavelength characteristics of multiple frequency bands
2Area of stationary object
If radiating elements are closely-spaced to reduce antenna size, then the antenna occupies less space, but ideal spacing for one frequency band is not ideal for other frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the beam-forming configuration adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts beam-forming weights, phase shifts, and element activation patterns based on the operating frequency band. This allows the same physical array with fixed close spacing to achieve optimal performance for different frequency bands through dynamic parameter adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the beam-forming array into different operational configurations. The system can selectively activate different subsets of radiating elements or different beam-forming patterns depending on which frequency band is being used, allowing the same physical structure to be optimized for different bands through selective segmentation of active elements
Data Source
AI summary
Base station antennas are provided herein. A base station antenna includes a multiband beam-former array having a plurality of vertical columns of radiating elements. In some embodiments, at least two of the vertical columns are commonly fed for a first frequency band of the multiband beam-former array that is lower than a second frequency band of the multiband beam-former array. Related methods of operation are also provided.