EP3208886B1 - Antenna - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an antenna with an antenna controller, a plurality of radiators and with a plurality of functional elements. In particular, it is a cellular radio antenna, in particular for a cellular radio base station, ie a cellular radio antenna with which cellular radio signals can be received and sent at a cellular radio base station. Pamphlet EP 2 375 499 A1 shows an active antenna which switches off individual transmission amplifiers depending on the transmission power required in each case. Pamphlet DE 10 2014 011 822 A1 shows an antenna system with a switching matrix for establishing a connection between a plurality of primaries and ALDs.

With many cell phone antennas it is possible to change the angle of radiation (tilt) of the array of array radiators formed by the radiators. This is usually done by adjusting a phase difference between the individual radiators of the phased array. This is what the radiators in the phased array are used for usually connected to the corresponding ports via a phase shifter. Antennas are already known in which this adjustment can take place via an external control. For this purpose, the antenna can have a communication interface, which is usually an AISG interface. Such an interface allows, on the one hand, the control of the beam angle via an external control. Furthermore, antenna data such as the serial number, etc. can also be read out via the communication interface. Such an antenna is for example from the DE 10 2009 022 158 A1 known.

In a first variant, communication with the external control can take place via a separate cable which connects the antenna control with the external control. For example, maintenance personnel can connect the external controller to the antenna controller to set the beam angle on site.

Furthermore, the communication interface can allow communication with the external control via the high-frequency lines connected to the ports of the radiators. For this purpose, the communication signals of the communication interface are superimposed on the mobile radio signals transmitted on the high-frequency lines. The received communication signals can be separated or the transmitted communication signals can be uploaded via an interface, referred to as bias-T, arranged in the high-frequency lines. This type of communication allows the antenna control to be activated via an external control arranged in the area of the base station or integrated into the base station. The operator of the mobile radio base station can then in turn access this external control.

In this context it is also known that several base stations share an antenna, that is to say that different ports of the antenna are connected to different base stations. The base stations can do this set the radiation angle of the emitters assigned to them separately.

The mobile radio antennas usually have a plurality of different radiators for sending and / or receiving in several frequency bands, which are connected to the mobile radio base station via separate ports of the antenna.

Depending on the requirements of the customer, such antennas are therefore manufactured with different equipment of radiators for, for example, three, four or five different frequency bands. This results in a large number of variants in production. If an operator wants to expand the base station by further frequency bands at a later point in time, or if another operator wants to use the antenna, the previously installed antenna must be replaced by an antenna equipped with additional radiators.

Such mobile radio antennas from the applicant are described, for example, in the publication KATHREIN, Remote Electrical Tilt System, Overview of related products, Installation and Control Possibilities, Edition 01/2014. The DE 10 2011 009 600 B3 also shows a mechanical switching device, via which a plurality of phase shifters of such a mobile radio antenna can be driven via just one drive.

The object of the present invention is to provide an antenna by means of which the costs in production and operation can be reduced and / or which can be used more flexibly.

This object is achieved according to the invention by an antenna according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the subclaims.

The present invention shows an antenna with an antenna controller, a plurality of radiators and with a plurality of functional elements. The antenna control has a configuration function which can be accessed via an external control. According to the invention, it is provided that at least one functional element can be deactivated and / or activated via the configuration function. The antenna according to the invention is preferably a cellular radio antenna, in particular for a cellular radio base station.

As a result of the configuration function according to the invention, the antennas no longer have to be equipped with a different number of functional elements depending on the specific requirements of the operator. Rather, all antennas can be manufactured with the full range of functional elements in the course of production. If an operator only needs some of the functional elements, initially only a corresponding subgroup of functional elements is activated ex works. If the operator needs additional functional elements during operation of the antenna, these can also be enabled using the configuration function. Conversely, if necessary, functional elements that are no longer required can be deactivated. Since the configuration function can be accessed via an external control, the reconfiguration of the antenna and the activation and / or deactivation of the individual functional elements is possible without any problems. The present invention thus enables cost-effective manufacture of the antennas due to the reduced number of variants, as well as extremely flexible adaptation of the antennas to the needs of the operator. In particular, the antenna can be expanded by activating functional elements and no longer has to be exchanged for another antenna as in the prior art.

The functional elements can in particular be elements of the hardware with which the antenna is equipped. In this way, a large number of antennas can advantageously be equipped with the same hardware and then adapted to the needs of the operator via the configuration function of the antenna controller.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the functional elements comprise ports via which the antenna radiators are supplied with signals. At least one port can be deactivated and / or activated via the configuration function. Furthermore, a plurality of ports can be selectively deactivated and / or activated via the configuration function.

The ports are preferably connections of the antenna to which cables can be connected to supply the antenna's radiators with signals. These are particularly preferably high-frequency connections to which high-frequency cables can be connected which connect the antenna to the base station.

In one possible embodiment of the present invention, several radiators of the antenna can be interconnected to form at least one group radiator arrangement. In particular, the radiators can be interconnected via a phase shifter to form a phased array arrangement, so that the angle of inclination of the phased array arrangement can be adjusted by adjusting the phase shifter. The radiators of a phased array arrangement preferably have at least one common port which can be deactivated and / or activated by the configuration function

Furthermore, the radiators can be dual-polarized radiators. In this case, two ports are preferably assigned to such a radiator. In this case, a plurality of dual-polarized radiators are preferably interconnected to form a dual-polarized group radiator arrangement, as has been described above. Such a phased array arrangement thus has two ports, one each for the two polarizations. The two ports of a phased array arrangement can preferably be deactivated and / or activated by the configuration function.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two ports of a dual polarized radiator and / or a dual polarized group radiator arrangement can each be deactivated and / or activated together. Thus, the two ports of such a dual polarized radiator and / or such a dual polarized group radiator arrangement can no longer be activated and / or deactivated separately, but only together. Usually, however, the two ports of such an antenna are not required separately. This reduces the complexity of the circuitry for deactivating and / or activating a dual polarized radiator and / or a dual polarized group radiator arrangement.

The antenna according to the invention also advantageously has ports or radiators and / or group radiator arrangements connected to them for transmitting and / or receiving in different frequency bands. In particular, the antenna according to the invention can have radiators or group radiator arrangements with different center frequencies.

In particular, the antenna can have ports and / or radiators for more than three, preferably more than four, frequency bands. For example, the antenna is a penta-band antenna; H. an antenna with ports for five different frequency bands. In one possible embodiment, the antenna can have at least one phased array arrangement for each frequency band.

The number of frequency bands with which the antenna can be operated can preferably be changed by activating and / or deactivating ports of the antenna. In particular, the antenna can have ports and / or radiators for more than three, preferably more than four frequency bands, the ports being able to be deactivated and / or activated for at least one and preferably for more than one frequency band.

If an operator of a base station therefore initially only needs ports for a smaller number of frequency bands, the antenna is delivered in a configuration in which the other ports are deactivated. If the operator, or another operator, needs additional frequency bands during operation, the ports that were initially deactivated can be activated using the configuration function.

Furthermore, the antenna can each have a plurality of phased array arrangements for individual frequency bands or for all frequency bands. In particular, the antenna can have several phased array arrangements for at least one frequency band have, wherein the ports of at least one and preferably several of these phased array arrangements can be deactivated and / or activated.

Such a configuration with several phased array arrangements for the same frequency band thus makes it possible to increase the capacity of the antenna in a frequency band by activating a further phased array arrangement, for example in order to be able to connect several base stations to the same antenna.

The antenna can have one or more radiators and / or group radiator arrangements, the ports of which cannot be deactivated and / or activated. These represent the basic equipment of the antenna. In addition, however, the antenna has one or more radiators and / or group radiator arrangements, the ports of which can be deactivated and / or activated and therefore deactivated and / or activated to change the functional scope of the antenna.

The plurality of radiators and / or group radiator arrangements of the antenna are preferably arranged in a single antenna housing. The ports also preferably have connection elements for connecting high-frequency cables such as sockets, for example, which are arranged on the housing. Phase shifters for setting the angle of inclination of the phased array arrangements are preferably also provided in the housing.

The radiators of a group radiator arrangement are preferably arranged vertically in a column one above the other. Furthermore, several such columns of radiators can be arranged next to one another. Furthermore, the radiators of different frequency bands can be nested in one another. The radiators are preferably arranged on a common carrier arrangement. In particular, the carrier arrangement can be a common reflector for the radiators.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one switch that can be mechanically adjusted from a first switch position to a second switch position is provided for deactivating and / or activating the ports. Such a mechanical switch allows high-frequency signals to be switched easily. According to the invention, the adjustment of the switch can be controlled via the antenna control, the configuration function in particular having access to the adjustment of the switch.

The switch preferably deactivates the port in the first switch position, while the port connects to at least one radiator in the second switch position.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two adjustable switches are mechanically coupled to one another and / or integrated into one another and can only be adjusted together. Such two switches are preferably used for activating and / or deactivating the two ports of a dual polarized radiator and / or a dual polarized group radiator arrangement. In particular, the two switches can deactivate the two ports in the first switch position and connect the ports to the dual-polarized radiator and / or the dual-polarized phased array in the second switch position.

In the following, possible configurations of a switch, as it can be used according to the invention for deactivating and / or activating a port, are described in more detail. If several switches are used, then preferably several and more preferably all switches are designed as described below.

The switch can have a rotatably mounted pickup which, in the first switching position, disconnects a connection to a first signal line and, in the second switching position, establishes a connection to a first signal line. The first signal line can be connected to a first line section of the switch are in connection, which in the second switching position capacitively couples via a dielectric layer to a line section of the consumer. The first signal line preferably connects the switch to a radiator.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the consumer is electrically coupled to a second signal line, in particular capacitively, via a coupling point arranged in the area of its axis of rotation. This second signal line is preferably connected to the port.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the consumer in the first switching position establishes a connection to a termination, in particular by the consumer in the first switching position capacitively coupling with a second line section of the switch which is connected to a termination.

There are several options for implementing such a termination: For example, a 50 Ω termination can be used. Appropriate adaptation does not result in any reflection. Alternatively, a short circuit can be used as a termination. The short-circuited line creates total reflection. Alternatively, an open line can also be used as a termination. The open end is preferably shielded in order to prevent interaction with the antenna. This also creates total reflection at the open end.

With the termination according to the invention, a deactivated port can be recognized by the base station. In particular, a VSWR alarm is triggered when the base station is connected to a deactivated port and this is supplied with power.

According to the invention, the termination can be integrated in the switch or can be designed as a separate component which is connected to the switch, in particular in the case of the cable.

The switch preferably has a closed housing. This can, for example, consist of an electrically conductive material or be coated with such a material.

The switch according to the invention is preferably actuated via an electrically controllable actuator. In particular, it can thus be an electromechanical actuator. For example, an electromechanical linear actuator and / or an electric motor, in particular with a gear, can be used as the actuator.

The switch is preferably operated via an actuator which is also used to adjust at least one phase shifter of the antenna. This has the advantage that no additional actuator is required to adjust the switch, but an actuator that is required in any case to adjust a phase shifter can be used.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the antenna can have a plurality of phase shifters which can be adjusted via a single actuator. Preferably, the actuator can be selectively connected to one of the phase shifters via a switching device in order to adjust it.

The switching device preferably has a plurality of separate drives for adjusting the phase shifters, the drives each being connected to at least one phase shifter via a drive mechanism.

According to the invention, the actuator and / or the switching device is preferably also used to actuate one or more switches for deactivating and / or activating ports.

The switching device and / or the drive mechanism, which connects the switching device to the phase shifters, can be designed as shown in FIG DE 10 2011 009 600 B3 by the same applicant. Reference is made in full to the content of this application.

In a first variant of the present invention, the switch and at least one phase shifter can be adjusted together by means of a common drive mechanism which is actuated by the actuator. The switch and the at least one phase shifter can preferably be assigned to the same group of radiators. In particular, the switch can be used to activate and / or deactivate a phased array arrangement formed by a group of emitters, while the phase shifter, which is actuated with the switch via the common drive mechanism, is used to adjust the angle of inclination of the phased array arrangement. In a preferred embodiment, the drive mechanism is driven by an output of the switching device described above.

The common drive mechanism preferably adjusts the switch between the first and the second switching position in a first adjustment range and adjusts the phase shifter in a second adjustment range. A first adjustment range of the drive mechanism is used to operate the switch, a second to adjust the angle of inclination.

The connection between the drive mechanism and the switch preferably has a freewheel in the second adjustment range in order to adjust the phase shifter by further actuation of the drive mechanism without the switch being actuated. The freewheel ensures that the switch remains in the second switch position in which the port is activated, while the angle of inclination is changed by creating the phase shifter by adjusting the drive mechanism in the second adjustment range.

Furthermore, the connection between the drive mechanism and the phase shifter in the first adjustment range can have a freewheel in order to adjust the switch by actuating the drive mechanism. This freewheel ensures that the phase shifter is not adjusted any further while the port is deactivated by pressing the switch.

Alternatively, however, the phase shifter can also be adjusted together with the switch in the first adjustment range. In this case, the phase shifter has an adjustment range which, although it cannot be used to change the angle of inclination of the activated radiators, is merely swept over when the switch is moved from the second switch position to the first switch position. However, this means that a freewheel can be dispensed with.

The common drive mechanism can be, for example, a push rod which is connected to both the switch and the phase shifter via eccentrics and / or drivers. Alternatively, the drive mechanism can be a gear unit that connects an output shaft to both the switch and the phase shifter.

If, as shown above, a switching device is used in order to be able to adjust several phase shifters via the same actuator, then in the exemplary embodiment just described the switch and the phase shifter are preferably connected to the same output of the switching device. The use of the switch therefore does not require any additional drives on the switching device.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the switch and the phase shifter (s) can each be adjusted by means of a separate drive mechanism. Preferably, these drive mechanisms can each be selectively connected to the actuator via a switchover device. In this case, a switch and a phase shifter, which are assigned to the same group of radiators, can be adjusted using separate drive mechanisms.

Adjusting the switch and the phase shifter thus requires switching over the switching device between the corresponding output drives. In particular, the drive mechanism for the switch and the drive mechanism for the phase shifter are coupled to separate drives of the switching device. This simplifies the drive mechanism for the switch or the phase shifter, since freewheels are no longer required. However, the use of the switch requires an additional output on the switching device.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the functional elements can include communication interfaces for communication between the antenna controller and an external controller, where at least one and preferably several of the communication interfaces can be selectively deactivated and / or activated by the configuration function. This also makes it possible for the antenna hardware to be delivered from the factory with a full set of communication interfaces, although the communication interfaces that are not required by the operator are initially deactivated and only activated when they are actually required.

An activated communication interface preferably allows the angle of inclination of at least one phased array of the antenna to be controlled and / or antenna data to be read out.

The communication interfaces can be AISG interfaces, for example. AISG is a standardized protocol for communication with an antenna controller.

In a preferred embodiment, the communication interfaces are assigned to the ports of the antenna and enable communication via the signal lines used to transmit the signals to the radiators. As a result, the high-frequency lines which are used to transmit the signals, in particular the mobile radio signals to the radiators, can also be used at the same time to transmit the data signals for communication with the antenna controller. In particular, the communication points can each include a bias T, which separates the mobile radio transmission signals and the communication data from one another.

In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the communication interfaces can be integrated into the ports of the antenna, so that by connecting a high-frequency line to a port of the antenna, communication with the communication interface integrated in the port can take place as soon as it has been activated. In contrast to the usual Bias-T, these no longer have to be inserted separately into the high-frequency line, but are already integrated into the ports of the antenna.

In one possible embodiment, however, one or more of the communication interfaces can also have a separate connection with which they can be connected in a wired manner, for example to an external controller. In particular, the connection can only be used for communication with the antenna control.

Furthermore, the antenna control can comprise a control matrix which defines which communication interface can be used to access which components of the antenna. The control matrix can preferably be configured using the configuration function. In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the antenna comprises several phased array arrangements which, depending on the configuration of the control matrix, can be accessed separately via different communication interfaces and / or jointly via a communication interface. In one possible configuration of the control matrix, several phased array arrangements can be accessed via just one communication interface, and in particular their angle of inclination can be adjusted and / or their data can be read out. In an alternative configuration of the control matrix, however, separate communication interfaces can be set up in such a way that only one or more phased array arrays assigned to these communication interfaces can be accessed via them, but not other phased array arrays assigned to another communication interface. The functional elements of the antenna preferably include ports via which the antenna radiators are supplied with signals, and communication interfaces, at least one port and at least one communication interface being able to be deactivated and / or activated by the configuration function. The communication interface is preferably assigned to the port.

The activation of the port can preferably take place independently of the activation of the communication interface. In particular, this enables a port to be activated while the communication interface assigned to it remains deactivated. In this case, the aforementioned control matrix can preferably be configured in such a way that an antenna which is supplied with signals via an activated port while the communication interface assigned to the port is deactivated can be accessed via another communication interface. Furthermore, a communication interface can be deactivated independently of the deactivation of the associated port.

Preferably, however, a communication interface can only be activated if the associated port has also been activated. In an alternative embodiment, the deactivation and activation of the communication interfaces can take place independently of the deactivation and activation of the ports.

The control matrix is preferably designed in such a way that radiators or group radiator arrangements which are assigned to a deactivated port cannot be accessed via any of the communication interfaces.

The antenna according to the invention preferably has a plurality of ports and a plurality of communication interfaces which can be deactivated and / or activated by the configuration function. The communication interfaces are preferably each assigned to the ports. The activation of the ports is preferably carried out independently of the activation of the communication interfaces.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the functional elements comprise at least one sensor which can be deactivated and / or activated by the configuration function. This makes it possible to equip the antenna with such a sensor regardless of whether the operator actually needs a sensor. If the sensor is then required, the sensor can be activated.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, different data from the sensor can be selectively deactivated and / or activated, and / or the data from different sensors can be selectively deactivated and / or activated. Depending on the specific wishes of the operator, different data can be made available through activation. The data can preferably be read out by means of the external control, for which purpose the external control can communicate with the antenna control.

The sensor or sensors can in particular be an inclination sensor and / or a position sensor and / or a temperature sensor and / or a humidity sensor. The data of an inclination sensor and / or position sensor can be used in particular when setting up and / or checking the correct setting up of an antenna. The data from a temperature sensor and / or a humidity sensor can be used, for example, for weather forecasts.

The configuration function of the antenna control according to the invention is implemented via a configuration file which is stored in the antenna control and can be changed by the external control. The change in the configuration and thus the activation and / or deactivation of functional elements is therefore preferably carried out via a software update, in the course of which the configuration file is changed.

The configuration function also includes an authentication function, which enables unauthorized deactivation and / or activation the functional elements prevented. This ensures that only authorized bodies can access the configuration of the antenna. The authentication function can work with software signatures and / or software keys.

Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the antenna controller has a communication interface via which the external controller can access the configuration function.

In one possible embodiment, at least one communication interface can be provided via which the external controller can access the configuration function and which cannot be deactivated and / or which is not assigned to a port. Alternatively or additionally, at least one communication interface can be provided via which the external controller can access the configuration function, this communication interface having a separate connection. Alternatively or additionally, an external controller can access the configuration function via all activated communication interfaces.

An antenna according to the invention can be connected to one or more base stations in order to transmit and receive mobile radio signals. If the antenna is connected to several base stations, these can be operated by the same service provider, but also by different service providers.

The antenna according to the invention is preferably a passive antenna, i. H. the antenna does not have any amplifiers arranged between the ports and the radiators. In a possible alternative embodiment, however, the antenna according to the invention can also be an active antenna.

The present invention comprises a base station arrangement with at least one base station and at least one antenna as described above. The at least one base station is preferably connected to at least one port of the antenna according to the invention via high-frequency cables.

In one possible embodiment, at least a first and a second base station are provided, which are each connected separately to ports of the antenna. Different phased array arrangements arranged in the antenna are preferably supplied separately with mobile radio signals via the first and the second base station.

It is furthermore preferably provided that the first and the second base station communicate with the antenna controller via separate communication interfaces of the antenna. The first and the second base station can preferably only access the radiators and / or group radiator arrangements of the antenna which are assigned to this base station and which are supplied with mobile radio signals from this base station. The communication interfaces are preferably assigned to the ports. In particular, this embodiment allows at least a first and a second service provider to share the antenna.

• Betrieb der Antenne unter Verwendung einer ersten Untergruppe von Funktionselementen, insbesondere einer ersten Untergruppe von Ports und/oder Kommunikationsschnittstellen,
• Zugreifen auf die Konfigurationsfunktion der Antenne, und Freischalten einer zweiten Untergruppe von Funktionselementen der Antennen, insbesondere über eine externe Steuerung,
• Betrieb der Antennen unter Verwendung der ersten und der zweiten Untergruppe von Funktionselementen.

The present invention further comprises a method for operating an antenna or a base station arrangement as described above. In particular, the method is used to send and / or receive mobile radio signals. The procedure consists of the following steps:

• Operation of the antenna using a first subgroup of functional elements, in particular a first subgroup of ports and / or communication interfaces,
• Access to the configuration function of the antenna, and activation of a second subgroup of functional elements of the antennas, in particular via an external controller,
• Operating the antennas using the first and second subgroups of functional elements.

With the method according to the invention, the configuration can thus be changed during operation of the antenna in such a way that further functional elements can be used.

In particular, additional ports and / or additional communication interfaces can be activated. The additional ports are preferably used for sending and / or receiving in a further cellular radio frequency band. Alternatively or additionally, a further base station can be connected to the second subgroup of functional elements, in particular the further ports. As an alternative or in addition, additional communication interfaces can also be activated.

In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the communication interfaces can each have a ping function, by means of which the signal propagation time between the external controller and the communication interface can be measured.

The external control can be, for example, a portable device which is connected on site via a cable to a corresponding connection of the antenna or wirelessly via a corresponding communication interface. In particular, the external control can be an antenna line device. The external control can alternatively or additionally communicate with the antenna control via the mobile radio base station.

In one possible embodiment, the communication between the external controller and the antenna controller can take place via a cable which is used exclusively for communication between the antenna controller and the external controller.

Alternatively or additionally, the communication between the external control and the antenna control can take place via communication signals which are exchanged together with the mobile radio signals on the high-frequency cables provided between the base station and the antenna.

The present invention will now be illustrated in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments and drawings.

Show:

Figure 1:

an embodiment of a base station arrangement according to the invention with an antenna according to the invention,

Figure 2:

a first embodiment of a switch according to the invention for activating and / or deactivating a functional element, wherein the switch can be actuated together with a phase shifter via a common drive mechanism, and

Figure 3:

a second embodiment of a switch according to the invention for activating and / or deactivating a functional element, wherein the switch and a phase shifter assigned to it can be actuated via separate drive mechanisms.

In Figure 1 an embodiment of a base station arrangement according to the invention is shown in which an embodiment of an antenna 1 according to the invention is used. The antenna 1 has a plurality of radiators 2, which are connected to base stations 4 and 4 'via ports 3 of the antenna 1 and high-frequency lines 12. The antenna receives high-frequency transmission signals from the base stations and transmits them via the radiators 2. Conversely, the radiators 2 receive mobile radio signals from terminals.

The antenna 30 has a housing, in the interior of which the radiators 2 are arranged. The ports 3, which are designed as sockets for connection to the high-frequency cables, are provided on the housing 30.

As in Figures 1 and 2 Shown schematically, a plurality of radiators 2 of the antenna are combined to form a group radiator arrangement 31 in the exemplary embodiment. The individual radiators 2 of such a group radiator arrangement 31 are supplied with mobile radio signals via a common port 3. The radiators of the group radiator arrangement 31 are preferably arranged one above the other in at least one vertical column. In order to adjust the angle of inclination (tilt) of the phased array arrangement 31, the individual emitters of the phased array arrangement are connected to the port via one or more phase shifters 14. The angle of inclination of the antenna can be adjusted electrically by adjusting the phase difference between the individual radiators of the group radiator arrangement.

In the exemplary embodiment, the radiators 2 are dual-polarized radiators. A radiator is therefore assigned two separate ports for its two polarizations. In the same way, two ports for the two polarizations of the radiators forming the phased array are assigned to a phased array arrangement 31. As a port in the sense of the present invention, the connection of a radiator or a radiator group combined to form a group radiator arrangement is to be understood.

The antenna 1 has an antenna control 5, via which the setting of the angle of inclination of the phased array arrangements can be controlled. In the exemplary embodiment, the antenna has at least one electromotive actuator 15 which is connected to the phase shifters via one or more drive mechanisms in order to adjust them. The actuator 15 is activated by the antenna control 5.

The antenna control 5 has a communication interface 10 via which it can be connected to an external control 9.

The in Figure 1 The connection between the external controller 9 and the antenna controller 5 takes place via a cable 11. In the exemplary embodiment, the external controller 9 is an antenna line device. An AISG interface is used as the communication interface. In particular, the antenna control 5 has an AISG socket, via which it can be connected to the external control 9. Alternatively, the communication between the antenna control 5 and the external control 9 can also take place wirelessly, for example via known wireless interfaces such as ZigBee, Bluetooth or WiFi.

As an alternative or in addition, however, the communication between the antenna control 5 and the external control 9 can also take place via the high-frequency cables. The corresponding communication interfaces are shown in more detail below. Furthermore, the external control can also be integrated into the base station 4 and / or 4 'and / or permit remote maintenance.

In the exemplary embodiment, the antenna 1 has a plurality of phased array arrangements 31 for different mobile radio frequency bands. For example, the antenna can have phased array arrangements for 3, 4 or 5 mobile radio frequency bands. In possible exemplary embodiments, the antenna can have only one phased array arrangement per mobile radio frequency band, but also two or more phased antenna arrays for the same mobile radio frequency band in other exemplary embodiments.

The radiators 2 of the antenna, or the ports 3 via which the radiators 2 are supplied with mobile radio signals, form functional elements of the antenna according to the invention.

As further functional elements, the antenna according to the invention has several communication interfaces 6 which allow communication with the antenna controller 5.

In a possible, non-illustrated embodiment of the present invention, these further communication interfaces could be designed in the same way as the communication interface 10 and comprise a socket via which a cable used solely for communication with the communication interface can be connected to the antenna controller 5.

In the preferred, in Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, however, the communication with the communication interfaces 6 takes place via the high-frequency signal lines 12 connected to the ports 3.

As in Figure 1 As shown in the enlarged illustration on the left, the communication interface 6 separates the signals applied via the high-frequency signal lines 12, on the one hand, into the high-frequency mobile radio signals, which are passed on to the radiators 2 via the high-frequency signal line 8, and into the communication signals, which are passed over the communication signal line 7 to the antenna control 5 become. Conversely, the communication signals coming from the antenna control 5 are superimposed on the high-frequency signals coming from the radiators. For example, the communication signals can be modulated onto a carrier frequency in the communication interface 6 for transmission via the high-frequency signal lines 12, which is outside the mobile radio frequency range.

In particular, the communication interfaces can be AISG interfaces. As just described, these are preferably designed as bias-T, ie they allow communication via the high-frequency signal lines 12.

The in Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment, the communication interfaces are integrated in the ports 3 of the antenna, ie no separate consumers arranged in or on the high-frequency signal lines are required to establish communication. Rather, the communication interfaces are already part of the antenna. As a result, the high-frequency signal lines 12 only have to be connected to the ports 3 in order to also be able to communicate with the communication interfaces 6 of the antenna. The inventive integration of the communication interfaces 6 into the ports 3 does not necessarily mean that the bias T has to be arranged directly in the area of the socket for connecting the high-frequency lines. Rather, it can also be arranged elsewhere within the antenna.

As further functional elements, the antenna according to the invention comprises a sensor arrangement 16 with at least one sensor. This is also connected to the antenna control 5.

According to the invention, it is provided that the antenna controller 5 has a configuration function via which at least one functional element can be deactivated and / or activated. The functional element can in particular be a port 3, a communication interface 6, and / or a sensor 16. The configuration function thus enables the antenna to be fully equipped and supplied in terms of hardware. If a customer does not initially need all of the functional elements, the functional elements that are not required are deactivated at the factory. However, by means of the configuration function according to the invention, these can be activated in further operation, so that the operator can access the further functional elements if he does need them in further operation after appropriate activation. The activation option also allows another operator, for example, to access functional elements that are not used by a first operator.

For example, on the hardware side, the antenna can be designed as a penta band antenna with five frequency bands and ten ports. Of these five Frequency bands, however, can initially have one or more frequency bands deactivated. For example, the antenna can be delivered as a triple-band antenna with three frequency bands and thus six activated ports. The remaining two frequency bands and thus the four remaining ports can later be activated by the external control if they are required.

Two exemplary embodiments of how the ports can be deactivated or activated will now be described on the basis of FIG Figures 2 and 3 described in more detail. In both exemplary embodiments, the ports are switched on and off via a switch 13 which is switched via an electromechanical actuator 15.

In the exemplary embodiment, the switch is arranged between port 3 and the radiator or radiators which are supplied with high-frequency signals from port 3. In particular, the switch can be arranged between the port 3 and a phase shifter 14, via which a plurality of radiators 2 are interconnected to form a group radiator arrangement.

The switch is a 1-to-2 switch; H. a switch which optionally connects a first connection 32 to a second connection 21 or a third connection 22. The first connection 32 is connected to the port 3, the third connection 22 with the radiators, which are supplied with mobile radio signals from the port. In a first switch position, the switch deactivates port 3, i. H. it separates the high-frequency signal connection between port 3 and the radiator or radiators assigned to this port. In the second switch position, on the other hand, the switch connects port 3 to the radiator (s) assigned to the port.

The switch has a rotatably mounted pickup 20, which is electrically coupled to the first connection 32 in the area of its axis of rotation, in particular is capacitively coupled. In the first switching position, a line section 20 of the consumer is electrically coupled to the second connection 21, preferably likewise capacitively. In the second switching position, a line section of the On the other hand, the consumer 20 to the third connection 22. This coupling is also preferably carried out capacitively. By rotating the pickup 20 from the first to the second switching position, the electrical coupling of the first connection to the second connection can therefore be canceled and an electrical coupling to the third connection can be established.

The switch is thus constructed in a manner similar to that known from phase shifters. Instead of the line sections which are swept over by the consumer to change the phase shift, however, the switch has two separate line sections, the first line section, which forms the second connection 21, being coupled to the consumer 20 in the first switch position, and the second line section, which forms the third connection 22, couples in the second switching position to the consumer, the first and the second line section being electrically isolated from one another. The switch is now switched by moving the pickup from the first switch position to the second switch position.

The second connection 21 of the switch is connected to a termination 24. The termination can be integrated in the switch or as an additional box built separately from the switch. As a result of the termination, a base station, if it is signal-connected to a deactivated port and supplies it with power, can use a VSWR alarm to determine that a deactivated port is connected and is being supplied with power. This allows the base station to recognize whether the ports that are connected to the base station are deactivated or activated.

1. a) 50 Ω Abschluss. Durch entsprechende Anpassung entsteht keine Reflexion.
2. b) Kurzschluss, d. h. die Signalleitung ist im Bereich des Abschlusses kurzgeschlossen. Hierdurch entsteht eine Totalreflexion, welche den VSWR-Alarm erzeugt.
3. c) Offene Leitung. Die offene Leitung ist bevorzugt abgeschirmt, um Wechselwirkungen mit der Antenne zu verhindern. Auch hier ergibt sich eine Totalreflexion am offenen Ende, welche einen VSWR-Alarm erzeugt.

There are three main options for completing the degree:

1. a) 50 Ω termination. Appropriate adaptation does not result in any reflection.
2. b) Short circuit, ie the signal line is short-circuited in the area of the termination. This creates a total reflection, which generates the VSWR alarm.
3. c) Open line. The open line is preferably shielded to prevent interaction with the antenna. Here, too, there is total reflection at the open end, which generates a VSWR alarm.

The switch is preferably accommodated in a closed housing. The housing is preferably made of metal or has a metallized layer.

The switch 13 is switched over in both exemplary embodiments via a drive mechanism 17 which connects the switch to an electromechanical actuator 15. The electromechanical actuator 15 is activated via the antenna control in order to move the switch from the first to the second switching position or back, and thus to enable or disable the port.

A push rod 17 can be used as the drive mechanism, for example, which moves an eccentric 19 via a driver 18, which in turn is connected to the collector 20. As an alternative or in addition, a transmission can be used to adjust the pickup 20.

The phase shifter 14 also has a pickup arm 25, which is electrically, in particular capacitively, connected to a first connection in the area of its axis of rotation. This connection is connected to the third connection 22 of the switch via the signal line 23. The phase shifter also has conductor track sections 26 which couple capacitively with a conductor track section of the pickup arm 25. The radiators 2 of a group radiator arrangement are connected to the two ends of such a conductor track section 26 via signal lines 27. Depending on the position of the pickup arm, the signal path is reduced on the one hand and enlarged on the other, or vice versa. This allows the phase shift between the individual radiators of the phased array to be changed. The phase shifter preferably has two or more conductor track sections 26 which are each connected separately to radiators. The conductor track sections preferably have a different one Distance to the axis of rotation of the pickup arm 25. The conductor track sections preferably run in an arc around the axis of rotation.

The phase shifter is also preferably moved via an electromechanical actuator 15.

In an embodiment of the present invention that is not shown, a separate electromechanical actuator 15 can be used for adjusting the switch 13 and the phase shifter 14. However, the same electromechanical actuator 15 is preferably used both for adjusting the switch and for adjusting the phase shifter.

In Fig. 2 and 3 two exemplary embodiments are shown of how such an adjustment of the switch and phase shifter can take place via just one electromechanical actuator.

The in Fig. 2 The illustrated embodiment, the switch 13 and the phase shifter 14, which are assigned to the same phased array 31, are connected to the drive 15 via a common drive mechanism 17. For example, a common push rod can be provided, which is coupled to eccentrics 19 of the phase shifter 14 and the switch 13 via separate pickups 18.

By moving the common drive mechanism, in particular the push rod 17, both the switch 13 and the phase shifter 14 can be adjusted. In particular, the switch can be switched in a first adjustment range and the phase shift of the phased array arrangement 31 can be adjusted in a second adjustment range.

The in Fig. 2 The embodiment shown, the phase shifter is adjusted both via the first and the second adjustment range. The position P1 is a rest position in which the switch 13 is open and the port is deactivated. If the switch is now moved from the open position to the closed position via the common drive mechanism 17, the phase shifter is moved into position P2 at the same time. The position P2 is therefore the starting position of the usable range of the phase shifter, ie the minimum or the maximum tilt value.

By further actuation of the common drive mechanism, the angle of inclination or the tilt value can then be set by moving the phase shifter between positions P2 and P3. The position P3 is the end position of the usable phase shifter range and thus represents the end tilt value, i.e. H. the maximum tilt value or the minimum tilt value.

While the phase shifter is being adjusted in its usable range, i.e. between position P2 and position P3, switch 13 remains in its second, closed switch position. For this purpose, the connection between the common mechanism and the pickup arm 20 has a freewheel for this adjustment range.

In a further embodiment not shown in detail, the phase shifter can also be equipped with a freewheel. In particular, the freewheel can be designed in such a way that the pickup arm 25 of the phase shifter 14 is not moved while the switch is being moved from its first, open switch position to its second, closed switch position. As a result, the entire adjustment range of the phase shifter from position P1 to position P3 can be used to adjust the phase shift between the radiators.

In one possible exemplary embodiment, the common drive mechanism 17 can be connected to the electromechanical actuator 15 via a switchover device 27. The switching device can have a drive shaft with which it is connected to the electromechanical actuator 15, as well as a plurality of output shafts which can optionally be brought into operative connection with the drive shaft. The other output shafts the switching device 27 can be used to adjust further switches and / or phase shifters of the antenna, so that the switches and / or phase shifters of several phased array arrangements of the antenna can be adjusted via just one electromechanical actuator 15. The switchover arrangement 27 is also activated by the antenna control 5. In particular, the switchover arrangement can be designed as shown in FIG DE 10 2011 009 600 B3 is known.

In Fig. 3 a further embodiment is shown, which differs from that in Fig. 2 The exemplary embodiment shown only differs in that two separate drive mechanisms 17 'and 17 "are used to switch the switch on the one hand and to adjust the phase shifter on the other hand, which can alternatively be connected to the electromechanical actuator 15. For this purpose, the two drive mechanisms 17' and 17" are also used two separate drives of the switching arrangement 27 already described above. Push rods, which are coupled to eccentrics 19 of the switch or of the phase shifter via the drivers 18, and / or gears or lever arrangements can again be used as drive mechanisms.

The in Fig. 2 Thus, only one output of the switching arrangement 27 is required for controlling the switch and the phase shifter of a phased array arrangement, but a somewhat more complex drive mechanism. The in Fig. 3 In contrast, the illustrated embodiment example requires two separate drives of the switching arrangement 27 for the switch and the phase shifter of a phased array arrangement 31. For this, the drive mechanisms can be designed more simply.

According to the present invention, the two ports assigned to the orthogonal polarizations of a radiator or a phased array arrangement are preferably switched jointly. In particular, the switches for the two polarizations can be mechanically coupled to one another for this purpose and switched via the same drive mechanism. In the same way, the phase shifters be coupled to each other for the two polarizations and controlled via the same drive mechanism.

In one possible embodiment, the two switches for the two ports of a phased array arrangement can be arranged in a stacked manner, the axes of rotation of the two switches being aligned with one another and the consumers being mechanically coupled to one another. In the same way, the phase shifters can also be arranged in a stack, their axes of rotation being aligned with one another and preferably mechanically coupled to one another.

The antenna according to the invention can have one or more phased array arrangements which cannot be deactivated and are directly connected to the ports without the interposition of a switch. In particular, this can be the basic version of the antenna, which is usually used by every user. On the other hand, one or more further phased array arrangements can be deactivated and / or activated. In an alternative embodiment, however, all ports of the antenna can also be deactivated and / or activated.

In addition to deactivating or activating ports, the configuration function of the antenna controller 5 according to the invention also allows deactivating or activating the communication interfaces 6 assigned to ports 3. In particular, the communication interfaces are installed and active as standard for this purpose. The antenna control 5 ignores or blocks the communication signals of communication interfaces that have not been activated. In particular, no communication is possible between the antenna controller 5 and communication interfaces that have not been activated, and thus in particular no movement of the phase shifters and no other data services.

However, through the configuration function, the communication interfaces can then be activated accordingly, so that communication is now possible becomes possible with the antenna control 5 via the respective communication interface.

The ports and the communication interfaces can be activated independently of one another via the configuration function. In particular, a communication interface assigned to an activated port can remain deactivated or must be activated separately.

Furthermore, the antenna control can comprise a matrix which defines which communication interfaces can be used to access which phased array arrangements 31. In particular, it can be specified via the matrix that several phased array arrangements can be accessed via a communication interface, i.e. that in particular the inclination angle of several phased array arrangements can be set via a common communication interface and / or that the corresponding antenna data for several phased array arrangements can be read out via a common communication interface . Alternatively or additionally, it can be specified via the matrix that only a first subgroup of radiators or group radiator arrangements of the antenna can be accessed via a first communication interface, and only a second subgroup of radiators or group radiator arrangements via a second communication interface. This allows the antenna, as in Fig. 1 shown, can be used by two base stations 4 and 4 'at the same time, especially when the base stations are operated by different service providers. In particular, the respective service providers can use the matrix to control the radiators or group radiator arrangements assigned to their base station in such a way as if the antenna had no further radiators and / or group radiator arrangements. One base station therefore does not see the other base station.

The setting via which communication interface can be used to access which radiators and / or antennas is made by configuring the matrix accordingly using the configuration function.

Due to the possibility of controlling several phased array systems via one communication interface, a user may not need an activated communication interface for every activated port. Therefore, the communication interfaces of additionally activated ports can in principle remain deactivated.

However, the communication interfaces preferably have a ping function which allows the transit time of the communication signals and / or the mobile radio transmission signals to be measured. It can therefore be advantageous to have an activated communication interface for all ports. If an operator therefore needs further communication interfaces, these can be activated separately using the configuration function.

According to the invention, the sensor 16 or one of the sensors of the sensor arrangement 16 can also be activated and / or deactivated as a further functional element. If an operator therefore needs additional sensor information, this can be enabled using the configuration function. The sensor can be, for example, an inclination and / or position sensor. Alternatively or additionally, a temperature and / or humidity sensor can be provided. For example, only the position sensor can be enabled. If further data is required, the remaining sensors and / or data sets can also be released. In this way, additional services of the sensor can be activated and deactivated again via the configuration function.

Regardless of which functional elements can be activated and / or deactivated via the configuration function, the activation and / or deactivation of functional elements can be done via a software update of the antenna control software respectively. For example, in one possible exemplary embodiment, the configuration function can be implemented via a configuration file which is stored in a memory of the antenna controller 5 and is read out by the antenna controller. Corresponding changes to the configuration can thus be made by changing or exchanging the configuration file.

The configuration file preferably includes all of the information required to configure the antenna, d. H. in particular to the activated and / or deactivated ports, communication interfaces and / or sensors. Furthermore, the configuration file can also contain the configuration of the matrix, i. H. the assignment of the communication interfaces to the radiators and / or phased array arrangements.

In addition to updating the configuration file, the activation and / or deactivation of functional elements can, however, also be implemented in software in another way. It is crucial that the configuration function can be accessed via the external control.

An authentication function is preferably implemented on the antenna control, which ensures that access to the configuration function is only possible by authorized users. In particular, a software signature can be provided for this, which must have a configuration file in order to be able to be loaded onto the antenna control and / or to be taken into account by the latter.

The antenna control has in particular a microprocessor and a memory on which a software program and / or the configuration file are stored. The software program is preferably designed in such a way that it configures the antenna together with the configuration file and thus provides the configuration function according to the invention.

As a result of the configuration according to the invention, considerably fewer equipment lines are required for the hardware of the antenna, and thus the production costs are reduced by reducing the number of variants. Furthermore, further functional elements can be made available to users flexibly and without exchanging the antenna as soon as they are required.

Claims (16)

1. Antenna having an antenna controller and a plurality of radiators, and having a plurality of functional elements, wherein the antenna controller comprises a configuration function which can be accessed via an external controller and via which at least one functional element can be deactivated and/or activated, characterised in that the configuration function is implemented via a configuration file which is stored in the antenna controller and can be changed by the external controller, wherein the configuration function comprises an authentication function which prevents unauthorised deactivation and/or activation of the functional elements.
2. Antenna according to claim 1, wherein the functional elements comprise ports via which the radiators of the antenna are supplied with signals, wherein at least one port and preferably a plurality of ports can be selectively deactivated and/or activated via the configuration function, and/or wherein a plurality of radiators of the antenna are interconnected to form at least one group radiator array, in particular via a phase shifter, wherein at least one port of the group radiator array can be deactivated and/or activated by the configuration function, wherein the antenna preferably comprises a plurality of group radiator arrays of which the ports can be deactivated and/or activated by the configuration function, and/or wherein the radiators and/or the group radiator arrays are preferably designed for transmitting and/or receiving in different frequency bands and/or have different centre frequencies.
3. Antenna according to claim 2, wherein at least one switch which can be mechanically adjusted from a first switch position to a second switch position is provided for deactivating and/or activating the ports, wherein the adjustment can be controlled via the antenna controller, and wherein the switch for deactivating and/or activating a port preferably deactivates the port in the first switch position and connects the port to at least one radiator in the second switch position.
4. Antenna according to claim 3, wherein the switch comprises a rotatably mounted pickup which, in the first switch position, separates a connection to a first signal line and, in the second switch position, establishes a connection to the first signal line, for which purpose the first signal line is preferably connected to a first line section of the switch which, in the second switch position, is capacitively coupled to a line section of the pickup via a dielectric layer, wherein the pickup is preferably electrically coupled to a second signal line via a coupling point arranged in the region of its axis of rotation, and/or wherein the pickup preferably establishes a connection to a termination in the first switch position, in particular by the pickup capacitively coupling in the first switch position to a second line section of the switch which is connected to a termination.
5. Antenna according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the switch is actuated via an actuator which is also used to adjust at least one phase shifter of the antenna, wherein the antenna preferably comprises a plurality of phase shifters, and the actuator can be selectively connected to one of the phase shifters via a switch-over device in order to adjust it, wherein the switch-over device preferably comprises a plurality of separate outputs for adjusting the phase shifters, wherein the outputs are each connected to at least one phase shifter via a drive mechanism.
6. Antenna according to claim 5, wherein the switch and at least one phase shifter are adjusted together by means of a common drive mechanism which is actuated by the actuator, wherein the drive mechanism is preferably driven by an output of the switch-over device, and/or wherein the switch and the at least one phase shifter are associated with the same group of radiators, and/or wherein the drive mechanism preferably adjusts the switch between the first and the second switch position in a first adjustment range and adjusts the phase shifter in a second adjustment range, wherein the connection between the drive mechanism and the switch preferably comprises a freewheel in the second adjustment range in order to adjust the phase shifter by further actuation of the drive mechanism while the switch remains in the second switch position, and/or wherein the connection between the drive mechanism and the phase shifter preferably comprises a freewheel in the first adjustment range in order to adjust the switch by actuation of the drive mechanism without adjusting the phase shifter, and/or wherein the phase shifter is preferably also adjusted in the first adjustment range.
7. Antenna according to claim 5, wherein the switch and the phase shifter(s) are each adjusted by means of a separate drive mechanism, wherein said drive mechanisms can each be selectively connected to the actuator via a switch-over device, wherein the switch and the at least one phase shifter are preferably associated with the same group of radiators and/or wherein the drive mechanism for the switch and the drive mechanism for the phase shifter are preferably coupled to separate outputs of the switch-over device.
8. Antenna according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional elements comprise communication interfaces for communication between the antenna controller and an external controller, wherein at least one and preferably a plurality of the communication interfaces can be selectively deactivated and/or activated by the configuration function, wherein the communication interfaces are preferably associated with the ports of the antenna and allow communication via the signal lines used to transmit the signals to the radiators, wherein the communication interfaces further preferably each comprise a bias tee.
9. Antenna according to claim 8, wherein the communication interfaces are preferably integrated into the ports of the antenna so that, by connecting a high-frequency line to a port of the antenna, communication with the communication interface integrated into the port can take place as soon as said interface has been activated, and/or wherein the antenna controller comprises a control matrix which specifies which components of the antenna can be accessed via which communication interface, wherein the control matrix is configurable via the configuration function, wherein the antenna preferably comprises a plurality of group radiator arrays which, depending on the configuration of the control matrix, can be accessed separately via different communication interfaces and/or can be accessed jointly via one communication interface.
10. Antenna according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional elements comprise ports via which the radiators of the antenna are supplied with signals, and comprise communication interfaces, wherein at least one port and at least one communication interface which is preferably associated with the port can be deactivated and/or activated by the configuration function, wherein the activation of the port preferably takes place independently of the activation of the communication interface, wherein, further preferably, a plurality of ports and a plurality of communication interfaces which are preferably associated with the ports can be deactivated and/or activated by the configuration function, wherein the activation of the ports preferably takes place independently of the activation of the communication interfaces.
11. Antenna according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional elements comprise at least one sensor which can be deactivated and/or activated by the configuration function, wherein preferably different data from the sensor can be deactivated and/or activated selectively or the data from different sensors can be deactivated and/or activated selectively, wherein said sensor is preferably an inclination sensor and/or position sensor and/or temperature sensor and/or humidity sensor, and/or wherein the sensor is preferably rigidly connected to a support arrangement for the radiators.
12. Antenna according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna controller comprises a communication interface via which the external controller can access the configuration function, wherein at least one communication interface is preferably provided via which the external controller can access the configuration function and which cannot be deactivated and/or is not associated with any port, and/or wherein the external controller can access the configuration function via all of the activated communication interfaces.
13. Antenna according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna is a mobile radio antenna, in particular a mobile radio antenna for a mobile radio base station.
14. Base station arrangement comprising at least one base station and at least one antenna according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a first and a second base station are preferably provided which are each connected separately to ports of the antenna, and wherein, further preferably, the first and the second base station communicate with the antenna controller via separate communication interfaces of the antenna which are preferably associated with the ports.
15. Method for operating an antenna according to one of claims 1 to 13, or a base station arrangement according to claim 14, in particular for transmitting and/or receiving mobile radio signals, comprising the steps of:

    - operating the antenna using a first subgroup of functional elements,

    - accessing the configuration function of the antenna, and activating a second subgroup of functional elements of the antenna,

    - operating the antenna using the first and the second subgroup of functional elements.
16. Method according to claim 15, wherein additional ports and/or additional communication interfaces are activated, wherein the additional ports are preferably used for transmitting and/or receiving in a further mobile radio frequency band, and/or wherein a further base station is connected to the second subgroup of functional elements.

Images