BRPI0619778A2 - variable beam control antenna on mobile communication base station - Google Patents

Abstract

CONTROLLED VARIABLE BEAM ANTENNA ON THE STATION BASED ON MOBILE COMMUNICATION. An antenna is provided for a mobile communication base station. In a variable beam control antenna at a mobile base station, at least two irradiation portions are arranged vertically, each having a reflector with at least one radiator installed therein. At least one power generator provides rotational force via an external control signal, and a force transfer portion transfers the rotational force generated from the power generator to at least one reflector and thereby rotates the at least one reflector. . In accordance with the present invention, the variable beam control antenna can be manufactured inexpensively and allows for the easy automatic optimization required for a recent mobile communication network because it is configured to be a single column antenna capable of controlling a horizontal beam width.

Description

ΑΝΤΕΝΑ VARIABLE BEAM CONTROL IN THE STATION BASED ON MOBILE COMMUNICATION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Campó of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an antenna in a mobile communication base station, and especially to a variable beam control antenna configured to control the horizontal beam width of the antenna as well as the horizontal adjustment.

2. Description? Related Technique

Although a fixed antenna has been used as a base station antenna in a mobile communication system at an early stage of development, in recent years a vertical downward tilt antenna has been widely used because of its advantages. This vertical variable downward tilt antenna adjusts the phase in a vertical arrangement by use of a phase switch, thereby controlling the antenna beam vertically according to the overall excess of a cell site.

In recent years, a technique has been developed for horizontally adjusting antenna beams in sector directions according to subscriber distribution within a cell site. For the purpose of horizontal control of the antenna beams, two ways are considered: horizontal beam electrical control through phase electrical control of a signal provided to each column and horizontal mechanical regulation using a 1 column antenna.

Because the mechanical beam control scheme is favorable in terms of antenna size and cost and has the electrical advantage of not causing horizontal lateral lobe, it is widely used. Needless to say, the vertical beam control scheme is made by means of a separate operation and thus is applicable to both vertical tilt and horizontal adjustment.

The use of an antenna equipped with two-dimensional tilt control and horizontal control functions enables dynamic network optimization according to subscriber distribution. However, problems can occur in a real cell location using only two-dimensional beam control. In the most typical sector configuration, that is, a 120-degree three-sector configuration, when the horizontal adjustment direction is adjusted according to subscriber distribution, shading may occur, or an overlap zone increases between sectors. Consequently, for adjustment of the horizontal trim direction, changing the horizontal beam width is required to suppress shading and minimize the overlap zone.

Easy and cost-effective implementation of the horizontal beam width shift function to date has been very difficult. Conventionally, the horizontal beam width is changed in three ways.

One is to adjust the angle and length of a reflector on a single-column antenna. This is a classic method used for a vertical polarization antenna. If example is disclosed in "Ref. Mobile Antenna System Handbook, K. Fujimoto and J.R. James pp. 133-134". However, distinct drawbacks of the horizontal beam width shift method is that an antenna becomes too large due to a valid reflector length and the isolation and cross polarization of a widely used dual polarization antenna are degraded.

Another way to change the horizontal beam width is a typical antenna technique in which a three or more column antenna is implemented horizontally such that the antenna beam width is changed by controlling the distribution ratio and phase. of each column.

An example of this technique is found in Korean Patent Application 2003-7000418, entitled wCellular Antenna "and filed by" Andrew Corporation. "This method is not feasible for marketing to a mobile communication base station.

Although a predetermined beam width is realized using a one-column or two-column antenna, in a typical mobile communication base station, the above-mentioned technique requires at least one three-column antenna. Therefore, the size and cost of the antenna is increased. In addition, to change the distribution and phase ratio, expensive and high loss parts are used, thereby decreasing antenna gain.

Therefore, an antenna employing this method is used for military purposes.

The other way is that an antenna of two or more columns is implemented horizontally and the horizontal adjustment directions of the reflectors in the columns are controlled to mechanically cross each other to thereby control the beam width. In practice, it is difficult to form a typical antenna beam suitable for a sector with this type of antenna. An example of this technique is found in Korean Patent Application 2003-95761 entitled "Apparatus for Controlling Antenna Beam in a Mobile Communication Base Station" and filed by the present applicant. When a wide beam width is obtained by changing the antenna beam width, waves are created in the forward direction of the antenna and a different radiation pattern than "Sharp Roll-off" increases an overlap zone between sectors. This method also requires at least one two-column antenna.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a single-column antenna configured to control horizontal beam width.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a variable beam control antenna in a mobile base station, which is a single column antenna configured to control horizontal beam width and thereby be suitable for superior, low function. cost and network optimization.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a variable beam control antenna in a mobile communication base station which is a single column antenna configured to control horizontal beam width and horizontal regulation.

The above objectives are achieved by providing a variable beam control antenna at a mobile communication base station. At the antenna, at least two irradiation portions are arranged vertically to have the same rotational center, each having a reflector with at least one radiator installed therein. At least one power generator provides rotational force via an external control signal, and a force transfer portion transfers the rotational force generated from the power generator to at least one reflector and thereby rotates the at least one reflector. .

It is preferred that the antenna further include a second force generator to provide rotational force to rotate the entire irradiation portions and a second force transfer portion to transfer the rotational force generated from the second force generator to the radiators and thereby rotate the entire radiators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a variable beam control antenna mounted on a mobile communication base station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates an example of

rotational positions of the reflectors on the antenna illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a variable beam control antenna mounted on a mobile communication base station according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is an exemplary view of the results of an antenna beam width control simulation illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an exemplary view of the results of an antenna beam width control simulation illustrated in Figure 3;

Figures 6A, 6B and 6C are perspective views illustrating an important portion of a variable beam control antenna in a mobile communication base station in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the bottom of a second radiator in the important portion of the antenna illustrated in Figures 6A, 6B and 6C; and

Figures 8A and 8B are exemplary views of a modified antenna from the antenna illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. Details such as specific components are described in the following description, and it is apparent to those skilled in the art that details are provided for a comprehensive understanding of the present invention and thus variations or modifications may be made within the scope thereof. of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a variable beam control antenna mounted on a mobile communication base station according to an embodiment of the present invention and Figure 2 schematically illustrates an example of the rotational positions of the reflectors on the antenna illustrated in Figure 1. .

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an antenna for changing the horizontal beam width according to one embodiment of the present invention is of a one-column antenna structure. It has three separate irradiation portions in a vertical direction. That is, a first irradiation portion 10, a second irradiation portion 20, and a third irradiation portion 20 are configured separately.

Each irradiation portion is configured to have a reflector with antenna devices including at least one radiator appropriately disposed thereon for receiving and transmitting radio signals for mobile communications.

In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the first irradiation portion 10 is provided with first reflector 11 including first, second and third reflectors 111, 112 and 113. The second irradiation portion 20 is provided with a second reflector 21 including fourth, fifth and third. sixth reflectors 211, 212 and 213. The third irradiation portion 30 is provided with third reflector 31 including seventh, eighth and ninth reflectors 311, 312 and 313.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the first, second and third reflectors 11, 21 and 31 are configured to rotate about the same rotational center in the first, second and third irradiation portions 10, 20 and 30. Or they may be configured. to rotate about different rotational centers, roughly outside the common rotational center.

First, second, and third power generators 13, 23, and 33 are provided to generate rotational force for the first, second, and third reflectors 11, 21, and 31 in response to an external control signal. They can be engines.

First, second, and third force transfer portions 12, 22, and 32 are provided for transferring rotational force generated from the first, second, and third power generators 12, 23, and 33 to the first, second, and third reflectors 11, 21. and 31 and thereby rotate them. The first, second and third force transfer portions 12, 22 and 32 are configured to include a plurality of gears, a shaft and a bearing.

The external control signal that controls the operation of the first, second and third power generators 13, 23 and 33 may be provided by cable or wirelessly from a source, i.e. from near the antenna, a body of base station (not shown), or a base station controller.

When a tall building is constructed or a new base station is built in a nearby area, or when the irradiation environment changes due to a temporary increase in number calls, for optimal cell planning, an appropriate control signal is applied to the first one. , second and third power generators 13, 23 and 33, thereby rotating the first, second and third reflectors 11, 21 and 31 to an appropriate degree.

In the antenna having the configuration described above, the first, second and third irradiation portions 10, 20 and 30 are contained in a protective dome 50 serving as a housing which is sealed with top and bottom caps (not shown). Thus, the protective dome 50 makes the first, second and third irradiation portions 10, 20 and 30 appear collectively with a single antenna.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a variable beam control antenna mounted on a mobile communication base station according to another embodiment of the present invention. The antenna is identical to the antenna illustrated in Figure 1 in configuration and principle. Although the radiators in the first, second and third reflectors 11, 21 and 31 are of a columnar array structure in the antenna of Figure 1, the radiators are arranged in two columns in the reflectors in the second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 3

Figure 4 is an exemplary view of the results of an antenna beam width control simulation illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 5 in an exemplary view of the results of an antenna beam width control simulation illustrated in Figure 3. With Referring to Figures 4 and 5, variations in a horizontal beam width according to the rotational angles (directions) of the first and third reflectors 11 and 31 with respect to the second reflector 21 in the middle are shown and observed. good beam formation is obtained. The simulation results shown in Figures 4 and 5 are summarized in Table 1 and Table 2 below.

(Table 1)

<table> table see original document page 10 </column> </row> <table> (Table 2)

<table> table see original document page 10 </column> </row> <table> The variable beam control antenna for a mobile base station according to the first, and second, embodiments of the present invention can variably control the horizontal beam width by appropriate control of the mutual rotational directions of the first, second and third irradiation portions 10, 20 and 30 arranged vertically in a column, and may form a beam with fewer undulations in the forward direction of the antenna.

Although it has been described that the first, second and third irradiation portions 10, 20 and 30 are provided with their respective first, second, and third force generators 13, 23 and 33 to rotate the first, second and third reflectors 11, 21. and 31, it may be further considered that the first, second and third reflectors 11, 21 and 31 are partially or wholly rotated by use of a single force generator and a force transfer portion with a plurality of gears and an axis. of gear to transfer force generated from the force generator to the first, second and third irradiation portions 10, 20 and 30 partially or in full.

6A, 6B and 6C are perspective views illustrating an important portion of a variable beam control antenna in a mobile communication base station in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

Specifically, Figure 6A illustrates the rear of the important portion of the antenna viewed from the upper left side, Figure 6B illustrates the rear of the important portion of the antenna viewed from the lower right side, and Figure 6C illustrates the rear of the antenna portion. of the important portion of the antenna viewed from a lower height was relative to that on the upper left. In Figure 6C, a power generator is not shown. Figure 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the bottom of a second radiator in the important portion of the antenna illustrated in Figures 6A, 6B and 6C, equivalent to a front view of the important portion of the antenna from the upper left.

Referring to Figure 6A to Figure 7, like the antennas illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, this antenna has three separate vertical irradiation portions and first, second and third reflectors 11 ', 21' and 31 'arranged relative to the same center. rotational As in the first embodiment, the first, second and third reflectors 11 ', 21' and 31 'may not have the same rotational center.

The second reflector 21 'is fixed to a protective dome (not shown) by fixing guides 440a and 44b of Figure 7 and the first and second reflectors 11' and 31 'are rotatably installed.

A power generator 33 'including a motor is installed under the third reflector 31' and the rotational axis of the motor is connected to the third reflector 31 'by a gear, so that the third reflector 31' is rotated along with the rotation. of the engine.

In this structure, the first reflector 11 'is configured to rotate in the opposite direction together with the rotation of the

third reflector 31 'through a power transfer portion with a plurality of gears and a gear shaft. First through fifth gears 411 through 415 and gear shaft 416 collectively form the force transfer portion.

The first gear is fixed to an upper end portion of the third reflector 31 'so that it can rotate together with the rotation of the third reflector 31'. Second gear 412 is installed to rotate in engagement with first gear 411 and third gear 413 is installed to rotate in engagement with second gear 412. Fifth gear 415 is attached to a lower end portion of first reflector 11 'of whereby the first reflector 11 'can rotate together with the rotation of the fifth gear 415. The second gear 414 is installed to rotate in engagement with the fifth gear 415.

The third gear 413 is connected to the fourth gear 414 via gear shaft 416. When the third gear 413 rotates, that gear shaft 416 thereby rotates the fourth gear 414 in turn.

When the third reflector 33 'rotates by driving the power generator 33', the first to fifth gears 411 to 415 rotate in sequence. Consequently, the first reflector 11 'rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation of the third reflector 33'.

In such a variable beam control antenna according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the first and second reflectors 11 'and 31' interact mutually with respect to the second reflector 21 'and thereby rotate in opposite directions. Therefore, the horizontal beam width can be variably controlled. However, in Figure 6A to Figure 7, support rods 430 are provided in appropriate positions to securely support the second reflector 21 '. Figures 8A and 8B are exemplary views of a modified antenna from the antenna illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B. Figure 8A illustrates the rear of an important portion of the antenna viewed from the upper left and Figure 8B illustrates the rear of an important portion of the antenna viewed from the lower right. Referring to Figures 8A and 8B, this antenna is almost identical in configuration to the antenna of the third embodiment. It has a second power generator 53 with a motor (not shown) for rotating the first, second and third reflectors 11 ', 21' and 31 'full for horizontal dimming control as well as a horizontal beam width, and a second force transfer portion 52.

The second power generator 53 operates in response to an external control signal. It is provided with a motor for rotating the first, second and third reflectors 11 ', 21' and 31 'integers. The second force transfer portion 52 is provided for a lower portion of a fixed structure of the force generator 33 '. Thereby, the rotational axis of the motor in the second power generator 53 is connected to the fixed frame of the power generator 33 'by means of a gear, so that the fixed structure is rotated along with the motor rotation. Therefore, the rotation of the fixed structure in the power generator 33 'leads to the rotation of the first, second and third reflectors 11', 21 'and 31' integers.

Although it has been described that the second reflector 21 'is fixed to the protective dome (not shown) by the fixing guides 440a and 440b of Figure 7, in Figures 6A, 6B and 6C, the second reflector 21' is rotatably installed and mode is not attached to a protective dome in the antenna configuration shown in Figures 8A and 8B.

In the modified antenna, the first, second and third reflectors 11 ', 21' and 31 'are completely rotated so that the horizontal adjustment of the antenna can be variably controlled.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in shape and detail may be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept and scope of the invention.

For example, while it has been described that the antenna according to the embodiments of the present invention has three separate irradiation portions, it may be further considered as other embodiments that it has two, four, or more irradiation portions. This radiator configuration can be properly designed considering the vertical lateral lobe characteristics, implementation complexity, and cost.

In addition, although the irradiation portions are configured to rotate using a force generator and a force transfer portion, that is, by means of a mechanical horizontal beam width shift scheme, a width shift scheme. Instead, the horizontal beam width can be adopted, in which the horizontal beam width of the antenna is controlled by controlling the phases of signals transmitted from the radiating portion radiators, such as an electrical horizontal regulation scheme that controls the horizontal adjustment.

Therefore, various changes in shape and detail may be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

As described above, the variable beam control antenna for a mobile base station in accordance with the present invention can be manufactured at low cost and allows easy automatic optimization required for a recent mobile wireless network because it is configured to be a single-column antenna capable of controlling a horizontal beam width. While conventionally, many antenna types with different beam widths are required for base station sectors, the single antenna easily changes its beam width in the present invention.

In addition, this single column antenna can control the horizontal adjustment as well as the horizontal beam width.

Claims (12)

1. A variable beam control antenna in a mobile communication base station, characterized in that it comprises: at least two vertically arranged radiating portions, each having a reflector with at least one radiator installed therein; at least one power generator for providing rotational force via an external control signal; and a force transfer portion for transferring the rotational force generated from the power generator to at least one reflector and thereby rotating at least one reflector. Variable beam control antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflectors are installed within a protective dome serving as a housing, sealed with upper and lower caps. Variable beam control antenna according to Claim 1, characterized in that the reflectors have the same rotational center. Variable beam control antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflectors have different rotational centers. Variable beam control antenna according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the irradiators are arranged in one column or two columns in the reflectors. Variable beam control antenna according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, further comprising: a second force generator for providing rotational force to generate the entire irradiation portions; and a second force transfer portion for transferring the rotational force generated from the second power generator to the radiators and thereby rotating the entire radiators. 7. Variable beam control antenna in a mobile communication base station, characterized in that it comprises: first, second and third portions of two vertically arranged radiators, each having a reflector with at least one radiator installed on it ; a force generator for providing rotational force to generate the reflector of the third irradiation portion via an external control signal; and a force transfer portion for generating the reflector of the first irradiation portion in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the reflector of the third irradiation portion together with the rotation of the reflector of the third irradiation portion. Variable beam control antenna according to claim 7, characterized in that the force transfer portion comprises: a first gear attached to a reflector end portion of the third irradiation portion to rotate along with the rotation of the reflector of the third irradiation portion; a second gear to rotate together with the rotation of the first gear; a third gear to rotate together with the rotation of the second gear; a gear shaft for rotating together with the rotation of the third gear; a fourth gear to rotate along with the rotation of the gear shaft; and a fifth gear attached to a reflector end portion of the first irradiation portion to rotate together with the rotation of the fourth gear and thereby rotate the reflector of the first irradiation portion. Variable beam control antenna according to claim 7, characterized in that the reflectors are installed within a protective dome serving as a housing, sealed with upper and lower caps. Variable beam control antenna according to any one of claims 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that the irradiators are arranged in one column or two columns in the reflectors. Variable beam control antenna according to any one of claims 7, 8 or 9, further comprising: a second force generator for providing rotational force for rotating the entire irradiation portions, force generator, and force transfer portion; and a second force transfer portion for transferring the rotational force generated from the second force generator to at least the force transfer portion and thereby rotating the entire irradiation portions, force generator, and force transfer portion. . 12. A variable beam control antenna in a mobile communication base station, characterized in that it comprises: at least two vertically arranged irradiation portions, each having a reflector with at least one radiator installed thereon; a variable phase switch for controlling the phase of signals provided to the radiating portions in response to an external control signal; and a power generator for generating power to operate the variable phase switch via the external control signal.