Shared Radiating Elements for Antenna Array Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Base station antennas with multiple frequency bands face challenges in achieving a 65° azimuth Half Power Beam Width (HPBW) without increasing physical size, as reducing element dimensions or spacing leads to increased signal coupling and HPBW expansion.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a shared radiating element aligned between columns of low-band and high-band radiating elements, utilizing power combiners and hybrid couplers to maintain isolation and reduce HPBW, with configurations such as dual-polarized radiating elements and loop radiators supporting slant polarization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If radiating element dimensions or spacing are reduced to avoid increasing physical size, then antenna compactness is improved, but signal coupling increases and HPBW expands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna physical sizeVSAvoidsignal coupling control

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces shared radiating elements as intermediary components positioned between separate low-band and high-band radiating element columns. These shared elements act as mediators that couple the different frequency bands while maintaining proper signal isolation and HPBW control, preventing excessive signal coupling that would otherwise occur with reduced spacing between independent element columns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared radiating elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they radiate for both low-band and high-band frequencies, provide isolation between the separate element columns, and help control the overall HPBW. This multi-functionality allows the antenna to maintain compact dimensions without sacrificing signal coupling control or beamwidth performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple arrays of radiating elements are used to support multiple frequency bands, then frequency band coverage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidantenna structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of separate low-band and high-band radiating element arrays by introducing shared radiating elements that are commonly used by both frequency bands. Instead of completely independent arrays, the shared elements create an integrated structure where low-band and high-band elements work together, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining multi-band coverage capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Length of stationary object

If radiating elements are closely spaced to reduce physical size, then antenna compactness is improved, but isolation between elements decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna dimensionVSAvoidelement isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Shared radiating elements serve as intermediary components positioned between separate low-band and high-band radiating element columns. These shared elements act as mediators that couple the different frequency bands while maintaining proper signal isolation and HPBW control, preventing excessive signal coupling that would otherwise occur with reduced spacing between independent element columns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design enhances HPBW performance while maintaining efficient utilization of radiating elements, reducing physical size, and minimizing signal coupling, thus addressing the limitations of existing multi-band antenna configurations.

Implementation Method 1

phase shifters, which establish a desired phase relationship between the radio waves emitted by the spaced-apart radiating elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase relationship establishment:

Implementation Method 2

the radio waves emitted from the radiating elements to combine to thereby increase radiation in a desired direction, yet suppress radiation in an undesired direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWave interference: Interference

Implementation Method 3

utilizing power combiners and hybrid couplers to maintain isolation and reduce HPBW

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal combining:

Data Source

PatentUS11283165B2Antenna arrays having shared radiating elements that exhibit reduced azimuth beamwidth and increased isolation

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC

AI summary

Antenna arrays may include a first plurality of radiating elements responsive to respective pairs of first radio frequency signals and a second plurality of radiating elements responsive to respective pairs of second radio frequency signals. A shared radiating element is also provided, which is responsive to a corresponding pair of first radio frequency signals and a corresponding pair of second radio frequency signals. This shared radiating element may be equivalent in configuration to the first and second pluralities of radiating elements, or may have a unique configuration relative to the first and second pluralities of radiating elements. The first plurality of radiating elements and the second plurality of radiating elements can be aligned as respective first and second spaced-apart and collinear columns of radiating elements, with the shared radiating element disposed about equidistant between the first and second columns.