KR20220068564A - Remote Electrical Tilt Module, Bias-Tee Module and Base Station Antenna, Including The Same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a base station antenna comprising: a plurality of antenna devices; a phase shifter for adjusting beam tilt formed by the plurality of antenna devices; an RET module for driving a motor by receiving a combined signal and separating the same into a DC power signal, which is to be supplied to at least one motor for adjusting the phase of the phase shifter, and a control signal for controlling the at least one motor, and inserted into a predetermined position of the base station antenna; and at least one bias-tee module for receiving an integrated signal from the main body of a base station and separating the same into a combined signal and an RF signal to transmit the separated combined signal to the RET module. The at least one bias-tee module has an RET combining connector protruding from a predetermined position on a side surface to be coupled to at least one bias-tee combining connector, which protrudes from a predetermined position on a side surface of the RET module, and to transmit the combined signal, which has been separated from the integrated signal, to the RET module if the RET module is inserted into the predetermined position of the base station antenna. Therefore, provided are an RET module, a bias-tee module and a base station antenna including the same, wherein the maintenance, repairs and management thereof are easy.

Description

Remote Electrical Tilt Module, Bias-Tee Module and Base Station Antenna, Including The Same

The present invention relates to a RET module, a bias module, and a base station antenna including the same, and to a RET module and a bias module that are easy to maintain and repair, and to a base station antenna including the same.

In a communication system, the base station antenna is often located at a high altitude to secure required coverage, and for this reason, the base station body and the base station antenna are frequently spaced apart from each other at a distance.

In addition, the base station antenna should not act as interference to neighboring base stations, and the beam should not be affected by changes in the surrounding topology, such as the addition of a new base station or a new building, so that the quality of the wireless communication service provided is not deteriorated. needs to be tilted.

Initially, the operator moved to the base station antenna and manually tilted the beam of the antenna in a mechanical manner, but a method of electrically adjusting the beam tilt of the antenna has been proposed. And as the beam tilt of the antenna can be adjusted in an electrical way, the operator does not move to the base station antenna at present, but transmits a control signal using a control device from a remote location such as the base station body, thereby controlling the beam tilt of the antenna This method has been proposed and is mainly used. A method of controlling an antenna beam tilt at a remote location is called RET (Remote Electric Tilt), and a device provided in a base station antenna to perform RET is called a RET module.

The beam tilt of the base station antenna may be adjusted by driving a phase shifter provided inside the antenna. Therefore, the RET module includes at least one motor for applying a driving force to the phase shifter, and drives the motor according to a control signal applied from the control device to drive the phase shifter, thereby adjusting the beam tilt of the base station antenna. Therefore, in order to control the RET module, a DC power signal that is power for driving the motor and a control signal for controlling the driving of the motor must be applied together to the RET module. That is, at least two signals must be applied to the RET module.

On the other hand, the RF signal radiated from the base station antenna must be transmitted through the base station body. Therefore, at least three lines are required between the base station antenna and the base station body provided with the control device so that all of the DC power signal, the control signal, and the RF signal can be transmitted.

However, as described above, since the base station body and the base station antenna are spaced apart from each other, there is a problem in that it is inefficient to connect the base station body and the base station antenna through a plurality of lines.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0039413 (published on April 25, 2012)

An object of the present invention is to provide a RET module and bias module that are easy to maintain and manage, and a base station antenna including the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a RET module and bias module that are configured independently of each other to facilitate mutual coupling and disassembly, and a base station antenna including the same.

RET module according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, at least one motor is disposed therein, the RET housing is inserted and fixed in the RET insertion groove formed at a predetermined position of the base station antenna; and a side surface of the RET housing protrudes from a predetermined position, and when the RET housing is inserted and fixed into the RET insertion groove, it is engaged with the RET coupling connector of at least one bias module pre-arranged in the base station antenna, the and at least one bias tee coupling connector receiving a coupling signal in which a DC power signal for driving the at least one motor and a control signal for controlling the at least one motor are combined from at least one bias tee module.

Each of the at least one bias tee coupling connector is formed to protrude in the direction of the at least one bias tee module disposed on the base station antenna, and the coupling terminal coupled to the coupling terminal of the RET coupling connector is connected to the RET housing to the base station antenna. It may be formed in the insertion direction.

The RET module is disposed inside the RET housing, receives the combined signal, separates the DC power signal and the control signal, and drives the at least one motor according to the separated DC power signal and the control signal control circuitry; and at least one driving gear coupled to the rotation shaft of each of the at least one motor to rotate according to the driving of the motor, and to mesh with the gear of the phase shifter of the base station antenna when the RET housing is inserted and fixed in the RET insertion groove. may include more.

The RET module may further include an individual signal connector for receiving each of the DC power signal and the control signal as individual signals and transmitting them to the control circuit unit.

A bias tee module according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a bias tee housing disposed at a predetermined position inside the base station antenna; A combined signal formed to protrude from one surface of the bias housing to the outside of the base station antenna, a DC power signal for driving at least one motor of the RET module and a control signal for controlling the at least one motor are combined; an integrated signal connector to which an integrated signal in which an RF signal is integrated is applied; and at least one bias tee coupling connector formed to protrude from a predetermined position on the side of the bias tee housing, and protrude from a predetermined position on the side of the RET module when the RET module is inserted into a predetermined position of the base station antenna and a RET coupling connector coupled to and transmitting a coupled signal separated from the integrated signal to the RET module.

A base station antenna according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a plurality of antenna elements; a phase shifter for adjusting a beam tilt formed by the plurality of antenna elements; A DC power signal for receiving a combined signal and supplying to at least one motor for adjusting the phase of the phase shifter and a control signal for controlling the at least one motor are separated to drive the motor, and the base station antenna RET module inserted into a predetermined position; and at least one bias module receiving the combined signal from the base station body, separating the combined signal and the RF signal, and transferring the separated combined signal to the RET module, wherein the at least one bias module is the RET When the module is inserted into a predetermined position of the base station antenna, it is engaged with at least one bias coupling connector formed to protrude from a predetermined position on the side of the RET module to transmit the combined signal separated from the integrated signal to the RET module A RET mating connector is formed to protrude from a side predetermined position.

Therefore, in the RET module and the bias module and the base station antenna including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention, the RET module and the bias module are each independently configured, and a connector for transmitting a signal to the outside is formed, so that the mutual coupling and As it is configured to be easily dismantled, the DC power signal, the control signal, and the RF signal can be applied individually as well as as an integrated signal, so that the beam tilt of the base station antenna can be adjusted in a desired way. In addition, due to its mechanically driven structure, it is convenient to replace the RET module, which has a relatively high probability of failure, so maintenance and repair are easy. This can greatly increase the reliability of the base station antenna.

1 to 3 are diagrams for explaining a RET module and a bias module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining a structure in which the RET module and the bias module shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are inserted and disposed in the base station antenna.
6 shows a schematic configuration of the RET module shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 .
7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining a RET module and a bias module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a view for explaining a structure in which the RET module and the bias module shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are inserted and disposed in the base station antenna.
10 shows a schematic configuration of the RET module shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 .

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by describing preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms, and is not limited to the described embodiments. In addition, in order to clearly explain the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same members.

Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it does not exclude other components, unless otherwise stated, meaning that other components may be further included. In addition, terms such as "...unit", "...group", "module", and "block" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which is hardware, software, or hardware. and a combination of software.

1 to 3 are diagrams for explaining a RET module and a bias module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are the RET module and the bias module shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are base station antennas. It is a view for explaining a structure inserted and disposed in the, FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the RET module shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 .

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the RET module 100 and the bias module 200 are separated, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of coupling connectors between the RET module 100 and the bias module 200 . And FIG. 3 shows a state in which the RET module 100 and the bias module 200 are coupled to each other through a coupling connector.

1 to 5 , the RET module 100 according to the present embodiment has a RET housing 110 and at least one driving gear 120 , a bias coupling connector 130 , and an individual signal connector in terms of an external structure. It is configured to include a unit 140 .

The RET housing 110 constitutes the outer shape of the RET module 100, and at least one motor for applying a driving force to the phase shifter of the base station antenna 300 in response to a DC power signal and a control signal therein. A circuit may be arranged for supplying and controlling the driving of the at least one motor in response to the control signal.

Here, the RET housing 110 has a shape corresponding to the RET insertion groove 310 of the base station antenna 300 so that it can be inserted and fixed at a predetermined position of the base station antenna 300 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 . is implemented as At this time, at least a portion of the lower surface 111 of the RET housing 110 may be formed to be larger than the cross-section of the RET housing 110 so that the depth into which the RET module 100 is inserted is limited, and combined with the base station antenna 300 A fastening hole for fastening may be formed.

In particular, in this embodiment, the lower surface 111 of the RET housing 110 is coupled to the RET coupling connector 230 of the bias T module 200 to receive a signal applied from the bias T module 200 inside the RET module 100 . It may be formed in an expanded structure so that the bias tee coupling connector 130 for transferring to the RET housing 110 can be disposed on the side surface.

And at least one driving gear 120 is formed to protrude from the RET housing 110 in a direction to be inserted into the base station antenna 300 . At least one driving gear 120 is connected to the driving shaft of the motor disposed inside the RET housing 110, respectively, and is rotationally driven according to the driving of the motor. In addition, each of the at least one driving gear 120 is formed to mesh with the gear formed in advance in the phase shifter to be driven in the base station antenna 300 when the RET module 100 is inserted into the base station antenna 300 . Therefore, when the motor of the RET module 100 is driven to rotate, each of the at least one driving gear 120 transmits the rotational force of the motor to the phase shifter arm through the gear of the phase shifter, so that the arm of the phase shifter rotates to change the phase to adjust.

The base station antenna 300 may include a plurality of phase shifters, and since the phase of each of the plurality of phase shifters should be able to be adjusted individually, the driving gear 120 may also be provided in plurality as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 . can However, depending on the structure of the driving gear 120 , the phases of the plurality of phase shifters may be individually adjusted with a smaller number than that of the phase shifters.

The biased coupling connector 130 is disposed on an area extended in the direction in which the biased module 200 is disposed on the lower surface 111 of the RET housing 110 , and the coupling terminal is the RET of the biased module 200 . The coupling terminal of the coupling connector 230 may be formed to face an upper direction in which it is located. In some cases, the biased coupling connector 130 may be implemented as a connector having a right angle structure so that the coupling terminal protrudes from a predetermined position on the side of the RET housing 110 so that the coupling terminal faces upward.

Accordingly, when the RET module 100 is inserted into the base station antenna 300, it is coupled to the RET coupling connector 230 of the bias module 200 disposed in advance at a predetermined position of the base station antenna 300 and is electrically connected. Thus, the combined signal applied from the bias module 200 is transferred to the RET module 100 .

The individual signal connector unit 140 receives individual signals such as a DC power signal and a control signal, which are separately separated from each other, directly from the outside without going through the bias module 200, and sends the applied individual signals back to the RET module of another base station antenna. It is a configuration that is added to deliver it to others. The individual signal connector unit 140 may include an individual signal input connector 141 and an individual signal output connector 142 . The individual signal input connector 141 individually receives a DC power signal and a control signal from a control device (not shown) of the base station body or a RET module of another base station antenna, and transmits the received DC power signal and control signal to the inside of the RET module 100, and outputs individual signals The connector 142 outputs the individual signal to be transmitted to the RET module when the individual signal transferred into the RET module 100 is a signal for another RET module. That is, the individual signal output connector 142 may be provided to enable the RET module 100 to serve as a repeater for transmitting individual signals.

Meanwhile, the biased module 200 may externally include a biased housing 210 , an integrated signal connector 220 , a RET coupling connector 230 , and an RF connector 240 .

The bias housing 210 constitutes the exterior of the bias module 200 and separates the combined signal to be transmitted to the RET module 100 and the RF signal to be transmitted to the base station antenna 300 from the integrated signal applied from the base station body therein. A circuit may be arranged for When an integrated signal of a predetermined format is applied, the bias module 200 separates the combined signal into a combined signal and an RF signal according to a predetermined method. Here, the combined signal is a signal in which a DC power signal and a control signal are combined. For example, the combined signal may be a signal in which a control signal of an On-Off Keying (OOK) signal format is combined with a DC power signal.

And at a predetermined position on the side of the bias tee housing 210, a connector protrusion hole is formed so that the RET coupling connector 230 protrudes and is disposed, or a coupling connector of a planar structure extending in the vertical direction from the side of the bias tee housing 210 A deployment area may be formed.

The integrated signal connector 220 is biased housing ( 200 ) so that it can protrude to the outside of the base station antenna after the bias tee module 200 is disposed at a predetermined position inside the base station antenna so that the integrated signal transmitted from the base station body can be applied 210) is formed on the lower surface.

The RET mating connector 230 protrudes from a predetermined position on the side of the bias tee housing 210 , and the mating terminal is a mating terminal of the bias tee connector 130 so as to be easily coupled to the mating terminal of the bias tee connector 130 . formed in a direction corresponding to the direction. That is, the mating terminal of the RET mating connector 230 faces the mating terminal of the RET mating connector 230 oriented in the upper direction, and is formed to face the lower direction. It can also be implemented as a connector.

The biased coupling connector 130 and the RET coupling connector 230 are connectors that are coupled to each other in pairs, wherein the biased coupling connector 130 is implemented as a female connector, and the RET coupling connector 230 is Although the case in which a male connector is implemented is illustrated, the implementation may be reversed. In addition, although it is shown here on the assumption that it is implemented as a coaxial connector as an example, it may be implemented as a different type of connector in some cases.

Since the bias coupling connector 130 and the RET coupling connector 230 are implemented as a connector having a structure that can be coupled to each other in pairs, in the present invention, when the RET module 100 is inserted into the base station antenna 300 and mounted, the bias The tee module 200 is electrically connected to the bias tee coupling connector 130 of the RET module 100 . Accordingly, the RET coupling connector 230 transmits the combined signal separated from the integrated signal by the biased module 100 to the RET module 100 through the biased coupling connector 130 .

Meanwhile, the RF connector 240 is connected to the RF cable 320 to transmit the RF signal separated from the integrated signal by the bias module 100 to the base station antenna 300 .

The base station antenna 300 may include a plurality of antenna elements, and includes a plurality of phase shifters for adjusting a phase of each of the plurality of antenna elements. In addition, a plurality of phase shifters adjust the phase to adjust the tilt of the emitted beam.

The phases of the plurality of phase shifters are adjusted according to the rotation of the phase shifter arm, and the phase shifter arm rotates by rotation of the gear of the phase shifter meshing with at least one driving gear 120 of the RET module 100 . Therefore, the beam tilt of the base station antenna 300 may be adjusted according to the rotation of the motor that transmits the rotational force to the at least one driving gear 120 of the RET module 100 .

As a result, the RET module 100 may control the beam tilt of the base station antenna 300 by driving the motor by receiving a DC power signal that is power for driving the motor and a control signal for controlling the driving of the motor.

Therefore, when the RET module 100 is configured to receive the DC power signal and the control signal separately to adjust the beam tilt of the base station antenna 300, and the RF signal is also separately applied to the base station antenna, the bias module 200 is may be excluded.

However, as described above, it is very inefficient to arrange a plurality of lines for transmitting a DC power signal, a control signal, and an RF signal, respectively, between the base station body and the base station antenna 300, which are spaced apart from each other.

Therefore, here, instead of disposing a plurality of lines between the base station body and the base station antenna 300 as described above, the DC power signal and the control signal and RF By receiving the integrated signal in which all the signals are integrated, the bias module 200 is disposed to separate and transmit the integrated signal into a combined signal and an RF signal in which a DC power signal and a control signal are combined.

However, even if the bias module 200 is disposed in the base station antenna 300 , the base station body must also have a corresponding structure in order to transmit the integrated signal through one line. However, in some cases, while the RET module 100 and the bias module 200 are both provided in the base station antenna 300, the base station body may not have a configuration for transmitting an integrated signal.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the individual signal input connector 141 is formed in the RET module 100 so that the RET module 100 can receive individual DC power signals and control signals as in the prior art. In this way, when the RET module 100 module and the bias module 200 are both provided in the base station antenna 300, the RET module 100 when the DC power signal, the control signal and the RF signal are individually applied from the base station body. ) receives the DC power signal and the control signal directly, and when the DC power signal, the control signal, and the RF signal are applied as an integrated signal, the bias module 200 separates the combined signal into the combined signal and the RF signal. Since it is configured to pass the combined signal to the RET module 100 , the base station antenna 300 can respond to both the aggregate signal and the individual signal.

And when the base station body transmits the DC power signal and the control signal using separate lines for each of the plurality of RET modules 100, the number of lines corresponding to the number of RET modules 100 is required, so this is also Inefficient. The individual signal output connector 142 is a configuration provided to improve this inefficiency.

A plurality of RET modules 100 are connected in series from the base station body through individual lines, and the serially connected RET modules 100 each have a DC power signal and a control signal applied through an individual signal input connector 141 for their own. If it is determined whether the signal is a signal or a signal for another RET module 100 and is not a signal for itself, the transmitted signal is transmitted to another RET module through the individual signal output connector 142 . That is, each of the plurality of RET modules 100 may serve as a repeater for transmitting signals for other RET modules, and for this purpose, an individual signal output connector 142 may be provided.

Meanwhile, a RET insertion groove 310 into which the RET module 100 is inserted and fixed is formed on the lower surface of the base station antenna 300 . That is, in this embodiment, the RET module 100 is configured to be detachable from the base station antenna 300 .

When the RET module 100 of FIG. 6 is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 , the RET module 100 includes a signal separation unit 410 , a regulator 420 , a signal processing unit 430 in the RET housing 110 , It may include a motor driving unit 440 and a motor unit 450 .

The signal separation unit 410 receives the combined signal transferred from the bias T module 200 through the RET coupling connector 230 and the bias T coupling connector 130, and converts the combined signal applied in a predetermined manner to a DC power signal. and control signal. Then, the separated DC power signal is transferred to the regulator 420 , and a control signal is transferred to the signal processing unit 430 .

The regulator 420 receives the DC power signal, converts it to a predetermined voltage level, and outputs the converted voltage. For example, the regulator 420 applies a DC power signal to a circuit driving power of a first voltage level (eg, 5V) for driving the signal processing unit 430 and a second voltage level for driving a plurality of motors of the motor unit 450 . (For example, 12V) may be converted into motor driving power and output.

In addition, the regulator 420 may receive a DC power signal directly from the individual signal input connector 141 without going through the signal separation unit 410 , convert it to a predetermined voltage level, and output it.

The signal processing unit 430 receives a control signal through the signal separation unit 410 or the individual signal input connector 141 , and outputs a control command for controlling the motor driving unit 440 according to the applied control signal.

The motor driving unit 440 controls the motor driving power applied from the regulator 420 in response to a control command applied from the signal processing unit 430 to a voltage (or current) applied to at least one motor of the motor unit 450 . control to drive the motor.

In FIG. 6 , all other components except for the motor unit 450 may be viewed as a control circuit unit for driving the motor unit 450 according to the coupling signal. That is, the RET module 100 can be viewed as including a motor unit 450 and a control circuit unit inside the RET housing 110 .

If the RET module 100 and the bias module 200 are simply arranged in the base station antenna 300, the RET module 100 and the bias module 200 are electrically connected to each other and only a combined signal is transmitted. The biased coupling connector 130 and the RET coupling connector 230 are unnecessary, and there is no need to form the RET insertion groove 310 .

However, in the case of the bias module 200, since it has only an electrical circuit configuration that receives an integrated signal and separates the combined signal and the RF signal, the failure probability is low, whereas in the case of the RET module 100, as described above, at least one Since it includes a physical mechanism such as a motor and at least one driving gear 120 and electronic components having a lifespan, the probability of occurrence of a failure is relatively high. Therefore, in order to improve the convenience of maintenance and repair of the base station antenna 300 , it is preferable to configure the RET module 100 to be detachably attached to a predetermined position of the base station antenna 300 .

Accordingly, the RET insertion groove 310 is formed on the lower surface of the base station antenna 300 of this embodiment so that the RET module 100 can be easily detached from the base station antenna 300 . However, as the RET module 100 is configured in a detachable structure, when the RET module 100 is inserted and coupled to the base station antenna 300 , it should be configured to receive a coupling signal from the bias module 200 . To this end, the bias tee coupling connector 130 of the RET module 100 is disposed so that the coupling terminal faces upward on the lower side of the RET housing 110 , and the RET coupling connector 230 of the bias tee module 200 . is arranged such that the coupling terminal faces downward at a predetermined position on the side of the bias housing 210 . That is, in this embodiment, the bias coupling connector 130 and the RET coupling connector 230 are inserted into the RET insertion groove 310 of the base station antenna 300 by the RET module 100 configured to be detachably attached to the base station antenna 300 . It is configured in a structure that is coupled to each other, so that a coupling signal can be transmitted from the bias module 200 to the RET module 100 without a separate operation.

As a result, the convenience of repair or replacement of the RET module 100 can be greatly improved.

7 and 8 are views for explaining a RET module and a bias module according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an arrangement in which the RET module and the bias module shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are inserted into the base station antenna. It is a diagram for explaining the structure to be used, and FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of the RET module shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 .

7 illustrates a state in which the RET module 500 and the two bias modules 600 and 700 are separated, and FIG. 8 shows the RET module 500 and the two bias modules 600 and 700 are coupled connectors. A state in which they are coupled to each other is shown.

8 shows a structure in which the RET module 500 is inserted and coupled to the base station antenna 800 in which the bias modules 600 and 700 are installed, and FIG. 9 shows the bias modules 600 and 700 and the RET module 500. A base station antenna 800 in this combined arrangement is shown.

In FIGS. 7 to 9 , the RET module 500 , the bias modules 600 and 700 , and the base station antenna 800 each have similar configurations to those of FIGS. 1 to 5 . However, in FIGS. 1 to 5 , one biased module 200 is disposed on one side of the RET module 100 and is electrically connected through the biased coupling connector 130 and the RET coupled connector 230 , Here, two bias modules 600 and 700 are disposed on both sides of the RET module 500 .

In a communication system, due to various factors, the base station body corresponding to the base station antenna needs to be changed due to the change of coverage corresponding to each base station, etc., may occur. In addition, in some cases, a plurality of base stations may be configured to alternately use one base station antenna.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 , if only one bias module 200 is provided in the base station antenna 300 , the integrated signal connector of the bias module 200 according to the change of the corresponding base station body. There is a hassle that the cable connected to 220 has to be replaced.

Accordingly, in FIGS. 7 to 9, a plurality of bias modules 600 and 700 are provided in advance in the base station antenna 800, and each of the plurality of bias modules 600 and 700 converts the combined signal separated from the integrated signal into the RET module. By configuring it to transmit to 500 , it is possible to respond to various changes in the usage environment of the base station antenna 800 .

7 to 9 illustrate a case in which two biased modules 600 and 700 are provided as an example, and the configuration of each of the two biased modules 600 and 700 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 . Since it is the same as the module 200, it will not be described in detail here.

And the RET module 500 is also basically the same as the RET module 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 . However, the RET module 500 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 is coupled to the two bias tee modules 600 and 700 to receive a coupling signal from each of the two bias tee coupling connectors 531 and 532 . is formed, and on the lower surface 511 of the RET housing 510, the two bias-tee coupling connectors 531 and 532 can be arranged in an area extended in the direction in which the two bias-tee modules 600 and 700 are disposed. can be formed.

Here, the two biasing modules 600 and 700 are illustrated on the assumption that they are disposed at positions symmetrical to each other on both sides of the RET module 500, but the arrangement positions of the two biased modules 600 and 700 are various. It may be changed, and the two bias tee coupling connectors 531 and 532 protrude from the side of the RET housing 510 in a direction in which the two bias tee modules 600 and 700 are disposed. And the two bias tee coupling connectors 531 and 532 are RET coupling connectors 630 of the two bias tee modules 600 and 700 formed so that the coupling terminal faces downward at a predetermined position on the side of the bias tee housing 210 . , 730 , the coupling terminals of each of the two biased coupling connectors 531 and 532 on the side of the RET housing 510 are formed to face upward.

Other than in the RET module 500, the rest of the configuration is the same as that of FIGS. 1 to 5, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 10 , the RET module 500 includes a signal separation unit 910, a regulator 920, a signal processing unit 930, and a motor driving unit in the RET housing 510 like the RET module 100 of FIG. 940) and a motor unit 950 may be included.

Here, the signal separation unit 910 includes a first separation unit 911 and a second separation unit 912 unlike the signal separation unit 410 of FIG. 6 . In FIG. 10 , the signal separation unit 910 including the first and second separation units 911 and 912 converts the combined signals applied from the two bias modules 600 and 700 into a DC power signal and a control signal, respectively. in order to separate That is, the signal separation unit 910 includes a number of separation units corresponding to the number of biased modules 600 and 700 to be coupled, and separates the combined signal applied from each biased module 600 and 700 with the DC power signal, respectively. separated by a control signal. In addition, the first and second separation units 911 and 912 transmit the separated DC power signal and control signal to the regulator 920 and the signal processing unit 930 , respectively.

The configuration and operation of the remaining regulator 920 , the signal processing unit 930 , the motor driving unit 940 , and the motor unit 950 are the regulator 420 , the signal processing unit 430 , the motor driving unit 440 and the motor unit of FIG. 6 . (450), so it is not described here.

Also in FIG. 10 , the RET module 500 can be viewed as including a motor unit 950 and a control circuit unit for controlling the motor unit 950 inside the RET housing 510 .

As a result, the RET module 500 shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 can adjust the beam tilt of the base station antenna 800 by receiving the combined signal separated from the integrated signal from each of the plurality of bias modules 600 and 700 . . At this time, since each of the plurality of bias modules 600 and 700 may receive an integrated signal from a different base station body, the base station antenna 800 may be used in various conditions. In addition, even when there are a plurality of bias modules 600 and 700 , the commonly used RET module 500 can be easily detached from the base station antenna 800 , and the RET module 500 is connected to the base station antenna 800 . Only by being inserted into the RET insertion groove 810 of the bias tee connector (531, 532) and the RET coupling connector (630, 730) are coupled, the RET module 500 is a plurality of bias tee modules (600, 700) A binding signal may be applied from

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings, which is only exemplary, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom.

Accordingly, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

100, 500: RET module 110, 510: RET housing
111, 511: lower surface 120, 520: drive gear
130, 531, 532: Bias Tee Mating Connectors
140, 540: individual signal connector section 142, 542: individual signal input connector
142, 542: individual signal output connectors
200, 600, 700: biased module 210, 610, 710: biased housing
230, 620, 720: integrated signal connector 210, 610, 710: RET mating connector
240, 640, 740: RF connector 300, 800: base station antenna
310, 810: RET insertion groove 320, 820: RF cable

Claims (16)

At least one motor is disposed therein, the RET housing is inserted and fixed in the RET insertion groove formed at a predetermined position of the base station antenna; and
The side of the RET housing is formed to protrude from a predetermined position, and when the RET housing is inserted and fixed into the RET insertion groove, it is engaged with the RET coupling connector of at least one bias module pre-arranged in the base station antenna, the at least RET module comprising at least one bias-tee coupling connector receiving a coupling signal in which a DC power signal for driving the at least one motor and a control signal for controlling the at least one motor are combined from one bias-tee module . The method of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one bias-tee coupling connector comprises:
The RET module is formed to protrude in the direction of the at least one bias tee module disposed on the base station antenna, and the coupling terminal coupled to the coupling terminal of the RET coupling connector is formed in a direction in which the RET housing is inserted into the base station antenna. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein each of the at least one bias-tee coupling connector comprises:
RET module implemented as a coaxial connector corresponding to the RET coupling connector. The method of claim 1, wherein the RET module is
a control circuit unit disposed inside the RET housing, receiving the combined signal, separating the DC power signal and the control signal, and driving the at least one motor according to the separated DC power signal and the control signal; and
At least one driving gear coupled to the rotation shaft of each of the at least one motor rotates according to the driving of the motor, and when the RET housing is inserted and fixed in the RET insertion groove, at least one driving gear meshing with the gear of the phase shifter of the base station antenna is further added Included RET module. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the RET module is
The RET module further comprising an individual signal connector for receiving each of the DC power signal and the control signal as an individual signal and transmitting the received to the control circuit unit. a bias tee housing disposed at a predetermined position inside the base station antenna;
A combined signal formed to protrude from one surface of the bias housing to the outside of the base station antenna, a DC power signal for driving at least one motor of the RET module and a control signal for controlling the at least one motor are combined; an integrated signal connector to which an integrated signal in which an RF signal is integrated is applied; and
At least one bias tee coupling connector formed to protrude from a predetermined position on the side of the bias housing and protrude from a predetermined position on the side of the RET module when the RET module is inserted into a predetermined position of the base station antenna; Bias T module comprising a RET coupling connector that is fastened to transfer the coupled signal separated from the integrated signal to the RET module. The method of claim 6, wherein the RET mating connector is
The bias tee module is formed to protrude in the direction of the RET module inserted into the base station antenna, and the coupling terminal coupled to the coupling terminal of the bias tee coupling connector is formed in a direction opposite to the direction in which the RET module is inserted. The method of claim 6, wherein the bias module is
Bias tee module further comprising an RF connector for outputting an RF signal separated from the integrated signal. In the base station antenna of a communication system,
a plurality of antenna elements;
a phase shifter for adjusting a beam tilt formed by the plurality of antenna elements;
A DC power signal for receiving a combined signal and supplying to at least one motor for adjusting the phase of the phase shifter and a control signal for controlling the at least one motor are separated to drive the motor, and the base station antenna RET module inserted into a predetermined position;
At least one bias module for receiving an integrated signal from the base station body, separating the combined signal and the RF signal, and transmitting the separated combined signal to the RET module,
the at least one bias module
When the RET module is inserted at a predetermined position of the base station antenna, it is engaged with at least one bias coupling connector formed to protrude from the side of the RET module at a predetermined position to transfer the combined signal separated from the integrated signal to the RET module. A base station antenna in which a RET coupling connector that transmits is formed to protrude from a predetermined position on the side. The method of claim 9, wherein the base station antenna
A base station antenna in which a RET insertion groove is formed at a predetermined position so that the RET module is inserted at a position adjacent to the at least one bias tee module. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the RET module is
The at least one motor is disposed therein, the RET housing is inserted and fixed in the RET insertion groove; and
The side surface of the RET housing is formed to protrude from a predetermined position, and when the RET housing is inserted and fixed into the RET insertion groove, it is engaged with the RET coupling connector of the at least one bias module pre-arranged in the base station antenna, the The base station antenna further comprising at least one bias-tee coupling connector to which the coupling signal is applied. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the at least one bias-tee mating connector comprises:
The base station antenna is formed to protrude in the direction of the at least one bias module disposed in the base station antenna, and the coupling terminal coupled to the coupling terminal of the RET coupling connector is formed in a direction in which the RET housing is inserted into the base station antenna. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the RET module is
a control circuit unit disposed inside the RET housing, receiving the combined signal, separating the DC power signal and the control signal, and driving the at least one motor according to the separated DC power signal and the control signal; and
At least one driving gear coupled to the rotation shaft of each of the at least one motor rotates according to the driving of the motor, and when the RET housing is inserted and fixed in the RET insertion groove, at least one driving gear meshing with the gear of the phase shifter of the base station antenna is further added Including base station antenna. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the RET module is
The base station antenna further comprising an individual signal connector for receiving each of the DC power signal and the control signal as individual signals and transmitting them to the control circuit unit. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the bias module
a bias tee housing disposed at a predetermined position inside the base station antenna;
an integrated signal connector protruding from one surface of the bias housing to the outside of the base station antenna to receive the integrated signal; and
The base station antenna further comprising an RF connector for outputting an RF signal separated from the integrated signal. The method of claim 9, wherein the RET mating connector is
The base station antenna is formed to protrude in the direction of the RET module inserted into the base station antenna, and the coupling terminal coupled to the coupling terminal of the bias-tee coupling connector is formed in a direction opposite to the direction in which the RET module is inserted.

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