Internal Radome Peak Segments for Base Station Antenna Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Base station antennas face challenges in higher frequency bands due to increased coupling between radiating elements, which affects antenna performance, especially with the introduction of massive MIMO arrays operating above 2.3 GHz, leading to reduced capacity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an internal radome spaced closely from the outer radome and radiating elements, with a pattern of peak and valley segments, reduces coupling between columns and provides a common near-field environment, improving isolation and scattering reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If massive MIMO arrays with multiple columns of radiating elements are used to increase capacity, then the capacity of the base station antenna is dramatically increased, but the coupling between columns of radiating elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radome is segmented into multiple laterally-spaced peak segments, with each peak segment positioned in front of a corresponding column of radiating elements. This segmentation creates isolated regions that reduce electromagnetic coupling between adjacent columns while maintaining the overall antenna capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal radome with peak segments acts as an intermediary structure between the radiating elements and the external environment. Each peak segment serves as a mediator that manages the electromagnetic field distribution, reducing harmful coupling effects between columns while preserving signal transmission.
2Volume of moving object
If radiating elements are positioned closer to the radome to reduce size, then the antenna structure is more compact, but the near-field environment becomes inconsistent across different columns
Solution Approach 1:
Each peak segment of the internal radome is specifically positioned and shaped to create a consistent near-field environment for its corresponding column of radiating elements. This local optimization ensures that each column experiences uniform electromagnetic conditions despite the compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The problem of near-field consistency is solved by transitioning from a two-dimensional planar radome surface to a three-dimensional structure with laterally-spaced peak segments. This dimensional change allows each column to have its own optimized near-field region while maintaining compact overall antenna dimensions.
3Device complexity
If a single outer radome is used to protect the antenna, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but it causes scattering and coupling between adjacent columns of radiating elements
Solution Approach 1:
The radome is divided into multiple laterally-spaced peak segments rather than using a continuous single structure. This segmentation breaks up the scattering surfaces and creates isolated regions between columns, reducing electromagnetic coupling while maintaining structural simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Each peak segment features a curved, dome-like shape that is optimized to minimize scattering effects. The curved surfaces of the peak segments redirect electromagnetic waves more favorably compared to flat surfaces, reducing coupling between columns while maintaining an aerodynamic and structurally efficient design.
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 configuration enhances antenna performance by reducing near-field coupling and scattering, achieving isolation of at least 19 dB between radiating elements and maintaining consistent near-field environments across different frequency bands, thereby improving capacity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The internal radome can be configured to direct reflected signal back to an originating radiating element and/or column of radiating elements of the multi-column array to thereby reduce scattering and improve antenna performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A base station antenna includes an internal radome and a multi-column antenna array antenna. The internal radome can be configured with a plurality of columns, each having an outwardly projecting peak segment and each neighboring column of the internal radome can be separated by a valley. Each outwardly projecting peak segment(s) is oriented to project toward a front of the base station antenna and is positioned medially aligned over a respective column of the multi-column antenna array to thereby reduce mutual coupling of respective elements and/or columns of elements and/or provide a common near field environment for each element and/or each column.