Phase Shifter Assembly for Antenna Side Lobe Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phase-controlled group antennas face challenges in optimizing the down-tilt angle to minimize interference between mobile radio cells while maintaining high antenna gain, as conventional methods often result in increased side lobe levels when attempting to reduce the first side lobe above the main lobe or enhance antenna gain.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using a phase shifter assembly that applies a disproportionately strong phase shift to the most distant radiators or radiator groups and adjusts the phase position of radiators closest to the center, achieving a higher ratio of phase shift between these elements to reduce the side lobe level and enhance antenna gain without significant beam reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional phase shifter methods are used to adjust down-tilt angle, then the antenna can achieve beam direction control, but the first side lobe level increases and antenna gain decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different phase shift ratios to different radiator groups based on their position. Specifically, the most distant radiators receive a disproportionately strong phase shift compared to radiators closer to the center. This localized differentiation in phase shift application allows the antenna to suppress side lobes while maintaining main beam gain, resolving the contradiction between reducing harmful side lobes and preserving useful antenna gain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase shift parameter dynamically based on the position of radiators. By adjusting the phase shift ratio according to the distance from the center (with outer radiators receiving larger phase shifts), the system optimizes the radiation pattern to reduce side lobe levels while maintaining high antenna gain in the main beam direction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the down-tilt angle is reduced to minimize interference, then cell coverage is improved, but the first side lobe positions shift and increase interference potential
Solution Approach 1:
The patent differentiates the phase shift application based on the local position of each radiator group. By applying disproportionately strong phase shifts to the most distant radiators, the system maintains control over side lobe positioning even when the overall down-tilt angle is reduced, preventing side lobes from shifting into interference-prone positions while still minimizing cell interference.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If phase shift is applied uniformly to all radiators, then the phase shifter structure is simple, but the side lobe level cannot be effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements differentiated phase shift ratios for different radiator groups without requiring a completely complex phase shifter architecture. The phase shifter assembly maintains a relatively simple structure while achieving selective phase shift differentiation through the disproportionate phase shift application to outer radiators, effectively reducing side lobe levels without excessive complexity increase.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively positions the first side lobe above the main lobe with a low level, even at large beam reductions, and achieves high antenna gain with minimal beam swing, thereby reducing interference and optimizing coverage.
Implementation Method 1
phase shifters, namely phase shifter systems, are preferably used to control the individual radiators with different phase positions
Data Source
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Figure 2b~2c
AI summary
The invention relates to an improved method for operating a phase-controlled group antenna as well as an associated phase shifter assembly and a phase-controlled group antenna, characterized by, inter alia, the following features,: the phase shifter assembly is designed such that at least one of the following two conditions is met: RN : R1 = n + k ud/or PhN : Ph1 = n + k, where RN is the largest radius, and R1 is the smallest radius of a conductor segment (11) relative to the phase shifter assembly (7), where k is a value of 0.2 and particularly 0.25, 0.30, or preferably 0.40.