Multiplexed Antenna Array for MIMO and Sector-Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base station antennas face challenges in efficiently supporting multiple frequency bands and increasing capacity, as configurations optimized for one frequency band are often suboptimal for others, leading to the need for separate antennas and increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
The development of base station antennas with a multi-column array of wideband radiating elements, incorporating multiplexer filters and beam-forming networks, allows these antennas to operate as both MIMO sector antennas in one frequency band and sector-splitting antennas in another, using a single array to support multiple frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate antennas are used for different frequency bands, then each antenna can be optimized for its specific band, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single base station antenna that can operate in multiple frequency bands (e.g., 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz) by integrating wideband radiating elements and frequency-selective networks, allowing the same antenna structure to serve multiple functions across different bands without requiring separate dedicated antennas for each band
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna array is divided into multiple sub-arrays that can be independently controlled and configured for different frequency bands, with each sub-array capable of being activated or deactivated based on the operating band, enabling flexible multi-band operation while maintaining a unified antenna structure
2Device complexity
If a single antenna supports multiple frequency bands, then device complexity is reduced, but achieving optimal performance in both bands becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Different sub-arrays within the antenna are designed with locally optimized characteristics for specific frequency bands, allowing each sub-array to have tailored element spacing, geometry, and feeding configurations that are optimal for its designated band while being part of a unified antenna structure
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system dynamically configures which sub-arrays are active based on the operating frequency band, enabling the antenna to adapt its radiation characteristics and element activation pattern to match the requirements of different bands, thus maintaining optimal performance across wide frequency ranges
3Productivity
If multiple antennas are deployed to support new services, then network capacity increases, but the cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base station antenna is designed to simultaneously or separately support multiple cellular services (e.g., 4G LTE and 5G NR) across different frequency bands using the same physical antenna structure, eliminating the need to deploy separate antenna systems for each service and thereby reducing overall system complexity and deployment costs
Data Source
AI summary
Base station antennas include a plurality of multiplexer filters and a multi-column array of radiating elements that includes a plurality of sub-arrays. Each filter may have a first and second ports that are configured to pass RF signals in respective first and second frequency bands and a third common port that is coupled to a respective one of a plurality of sub-arrays. These antennas also include first frequency band ports that are coupled to the first ports of respective subsets of the multiplexer filters and second frequency band ports that are coupled to the second ports of at least some of the multiplexer filters. The antenna may operate as a MIMO sector antenna in the first frequency band and as a sector-splitting antenna in the second frequency band.