Base Station Phase-Shifting Feed Structure Without Coaxial Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing phase-shifting and feeding devices for base station antennas are bulky and heavy due to the need for coaxial cables and joint welding, which hinders miniaturization efforts.
Innovation Solution
A phase-shifting and feeding device with a U-shaped metal cavity and a ground plane forming a shielding cavity, eliminating the need for a coaxial feeder by electrically connecting the metal cavity to the ground plane, allowing the feeding circuit to directly feed the phase-shifting circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coaxial cable and joint welding are used to connect the phase shifter and feeding network board, then the connection is reliable, but the device becomes larger and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the phase-shifting circuit and feeding circuit into a single integrated circuit board, eliminating the need for separate coaxial cable connections and joint welding. The feeding circuit is directly formed on the same substrate as the phase-shifting circuit, with signal terminals electrically connected through the substrate, thereby reducing weight while maintaining connection reliability through direct electrical pathways.
2Reliability
If a coaxial cable and joint welding are used to connect the phase shifter and feeding network board, then the connection is reliable, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phase-shifting circuit and feeding circuit into one integrated circuit board, eliminating the need for separate components and complex assembly processes. The signal terminals are directly electrically connected through the substrate, removing the complexity of coaxial cable routing, mounting, and welding operations.
3Reliability
If a traditional phase-shifting and feeding device with separate components is used, then the functionality is complete, but the thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates both the phase-shifting circuit and feeding circuit onto a single circuit board substrate, eliminating the need for separate components and their associated mounting structures. This integration dramatically reduces the overall thickness of the device while preserving all necessary functions through direct electrical connections on the substrate.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a phase-shifting and feeding device, comprising a metal cavity, a phase-shifting circuit, and a feeding network board. The metal cavity is a U-shaped groove structure and engages with a ground plane to form a shielding cavity, thereby having the effect of the cavity in a conventional phase shifter. Since the ground plane serves as a sidewall of the shielding cavity, one sidewall is omitted from the metal cavity relative to the cavity of a conventional phase shifter, thereby significantly reducing the thickness and weight of the metal cavity while ensuring the functions of the phase-shifting and feeding device. In addition, the metal cavity and the feeding network board are arranged to be jointly grounded, while a signal terminal is electrically connected to a feeding circuit. Therefore, the feeding circuit may feed the phase-shifting circuit without using a co-axial feeder. Therefore, the described phase-shifting and feeding device has a reduced volume and a simplified structure, thereby facilitating the miniaturization of a base station antenna. In addition, further provided by the present invention is a base station antenna.