Phase Adjustment Device for Multi-Frequency Antenna

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost of multi-frequency antennas is attributed to the need for multiple driving apparatuses, each corresponding to a phase adjustment unit, which increases the overall cost and requires more space and time for installation due to the complexity of adjusting downtilt angles in existing electrical tilt mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A phase adjustment apparatus with at least two phase adjustment units, a switching apparatus, and a driving apparatus, where the switching apparatus selectively connects only one phase adjustment unit to the driving apparatus at a time, allowing the driving apparatus to modulate the phases of multiple units using a single driving mechanism, thereby reducing the number of required driving apparatuses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a driving apparatus is configured for each phase adjustment unit in a multi-frequency antenna, then the downtilt angle of each antenna unit can be independently modulated, but the cost of the multi-frequency antenna increases due to the high cost of multiple driving apparatuses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent modulation capability of each antenna unitVSAvoidcost of multi-frequency antenna
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

One driving apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially driving different phase adjustment units. The driving apparatus can be selectively connected to different phase adjustment units through a switching mechanism, allowing a single driving apparatus to replace multiple driving apparatuses while maintaining the capability to independently modulate each antenna unit's downtilt angle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between the driving apparatus and phase adjustment units is made dynamic through a switching mechanism. The switching apparatus can dynamically connect the driving apparatus to different phase adjustment units as needed, enabling flexible and adaptive control of different antenna units without requiring permanent dedicated driving apparatuses for each unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple driving apparatuses are used for each phase adjustment unit, then precise control of downtilt angles is achieved, but the space required for installation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precision of downtilt angleVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple driving apparatuses are merged into a single driving apparatus that can sequentially serve different phase adjustment units. This consolidation reduces the total number of driving apparatuses from multiple to one, thereby reducing the installation space required while maintaining the precision control capability through sequential operation and switching mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple driving apparatuses are configured for phase adjustment units, then each antenna unit can be adjusted independently, but the installation time increases due to complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent adjustment capabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A single multi-functional driving apparatus replaces multiple dedicated driving apparatuses, reducing the number of components that need to be installed and configured. The switching mechanism integrates the control of multiple phase adjustment units into one system, simplifying the installation process while preserving the independent adjustment capability of each antenna unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2690708B1Phase adjustment device and multi-frequency antenna
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2690708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2690708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2690708B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention discloses a phase adjustment apparatus. The phase adjustment apparatus includes at least two phase adjustment units, a switching apparatus, and a driving apparatus; where the at least two phase adjustment units are configured to modulate a phase; the driving apparatus is configured to drive the at least two phase adjustment units to move; the at least two phase adjustment units are selectively connected to the driving apparatus; and the switching apparatus is configured to select the at least two phase adjustment units, so that the driving apparatus drives, at a same moment, only one of the at least two phase adjustment units connected to the driving apparatus to move, so as to change a phase. The present invention further discloses a multi-frequency antenna, where the multi-frequency antenna applies the phase adjustment apparatus. The phase adjustment apparatus of the present invention may adjust a downtilt angle of an antenna unit in the multi-frequency antenna.