CN110661102A

CN110661102A - Phase shifting device and base station antenna

Info

Publication number: CN110661102A
Application number: CN201910930665.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 赖佩贤; 薛锋章; 郑之伦
Original assignee: South China University of Technology SCUT; Comba Telecom Technology Guangzhou Ltd
Current assignee: South China University of Technology SCUT; Comba Telecom Technology Guangzhou Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-29
Filing date: 2019-09-29
Publication date: 2020-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-29
Also published as: CN110661102B

Abstract

The invention relates to a phase-shifting device, which comprises a cavity, a first phase-shifting assembly and a second phase-shifting assembly. The first phase shift assembly comprises a first phase shift circuit and a plurality of combining circuits. The multi-path signals can be respectively input from the first input port and the second input port, are subjected to phase shift processing by the first phase shift circuit and the second phase shift circuit, then enter the combining circuit from the plurality of first output ports and the plurality of second output ports, and finally are output to the corresponding radiation units from the plurality of combining output ends. The phase shifting device is equivalent to integrating the combiner and the phase shifter into the cavity, so that the phase shifting device has the advantages of simple structure, high integration level and the like. When the antenna is applied to the base station antenna, only a plurality of combining output ends are connected with the radiation unit, the number of required cables can be obviously reduced, and the welding is simpler and more convenient, so that the weight and the cost can be reduced, and the miniaturization of the base station antenna is favorably realized. In addition, the invention also provides a base station antenna.

Description

Phase shifting device and base station antenna

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of mobile communication, in particular to a phase shifting device and a base station antenna.

Background

With the update of mobile communication, the performance index and the utility function of the base station antenna as a key device of the mobile communication network are continuously improved. Currently, 4G is widely used, 5G is also under study and test, 2G and 3G are still used, and multi-system network coexistence continues for a long time. The multi-frequency antenna can simultaneously cover a plurality of frequency bands, gives consideration to different communication standards, and utilizes frequency spectrum resources to a greater extent, thereby being widely applied.

In order to realize the signal transceiving of a plurality of different frequency bands, the multi-frequency antenna needs to be matched with a plurality of phase shifters which independently work in different frequency bands. The increase of the number of phase shifters will lead to the increase of connecting cables and complex connecting manner, thus leading to the increase of the volume of the base station antenna, which is not beneficial to the miniaturization development of the base station antenna.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, it is desirable to provide a phase shifting device and a base station antenna which are advantageous for realizing miniaturization of a base station.

A phase shifting device comprising:

the cavity is internally provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities;

the first phase shifting assembly and the second phase shifting assembly are respectively accommodated in the accommodating cavities, the first phase shifting assembly comprises a first phase shifting circuit and a plurality of combining circuits, the first phase shifting circuit is provided with a first input port and a plurality of first output ports, each combining circuit is provided with at least two combining input ends and a combining output end, and each first output port is electrically connected with one combining input end of the corresponding combining circuit;

the second phase shift assembly comprises a second phase shift circuit, the second phase shift circuit is provided with a second input port and a plurality of second output ports, and each second output port is electrically connected with the other combining input end of the corresponding combining circuit.

In one embodiment, the first phase shift assembly includes a first circuit board, and the first phase shift circuit and the plurality of combining circuits are integrated on the first circuit board.

In one embodiment, the second phase shifting assembly includes a second circuit board on which the second phase shifting circuit is integrated.

In one embodiment, the first phase shift element includes a first movable dielectric plate that is adjustable in position relative to the first phase shift circuit, and the second phase shift element includes a second movable dielectric plate that is adjustable in position relative to the second phase shift circuit.

In one embodiment, one of the combining input ends and the plurality of second output ports of each combining circuit are led out to the outer wall of the accommodating cavity, and each second output port is electrically connected with the corresponding combining input end through a coaxial cable located outside the cavity.

In one embodiment, each accommodating cavity extends along the longitudinal direction of the cavity, and the accommodating cavities are stacked in the thickness direction of the cavity.

In one embodiment, the number of the accommodating cavities is two, and the first phase shifting assembly and the second phase shifting assembly are both one and are respectively accommodated in the two accommodating cavities.

In one embodiment, each of the accommodating cavities extends along a longitudinal direction of the cavity, the accommodating cavities are divided into a plurality of layers in a thickness direction of the cavity, each layer includes two accommodating cavities arranged in parallel, one accommodating cavity of each layer accommodates the first phase shifting assembly, and the other accommodating cavity accommodates the second phase shifting assembly.

In one embodiment, the accommodating cavities are four and divided into two layers, and the number of the first phase shifting assemblies and the number of the second phase shifting assemblies are two.

In the phase shifting device, multiple paths of signals can be respectively input from the first input port and the second input port, are subjected to phase shifting treatment by the first phase shifting circuit and the second phase shifting circuit, then enter the combining circuit from the plurality of first output ports and the plurality of second output ports, and finally are output to the corresponding radiation units from the plurality of combining output ports. The phase shifting device is equivalent to integrating the combiner and the phase shifter into the cavity, so that the phase shifting device has the advantages of simple structure, high integration level and the like. When the antenna is applied to the base station antenna, only a plurality of combining output ends are connected with the radiation unit, the number of required cables can be obviously reduced, and the welding is simpler and more convenient, so that the weight and the cost can be reduced, and the miniaturization of the base station antenna is favorably realized.

A base station antenna, comprising:

a plurality of radiating elements; and

the phase shifting device according to any of the above preferred embodiments, wherein the plurality of radiation units are electrically connected to the combining output terminals of the plurality of combining circuits, respectively.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a phase shifting device taken perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a chamber according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the phase shifting apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a phase shifting device taken perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the chamber in another embodiment;

fig. 4 is an exploded view of the phase shifting device shown in fig. 3.

Detailed Description

To facilitate an understanding of the invention, the invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "secured to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. When an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and the like as used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Referring to fig. 1, the present invention provides a phase shifting apparatus 100 and a base station antenna. The base station antenna includes a phase shifting device 100 and a plurality of radiation units (not shown). The plurality of radiation units form an antenna array, and the electromagnetic wave signals are processed by the phase shifter 100 and transmitted to the plurality of radiation units for emission.

Referring to fig. 2, a phase shift device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cavity 110, a first phase shift element 120, and a second phase shift element 130.

The chamber 110 is generally in the shape of a long bar and is formed of a metal material. The cavity 110 is formed therein with a plurality of receiving cavities 111. Specifically, the space inside the cavity 110 may be divided into a plurality of accommodating cavities 111 by partitions (not shown), and the partitions may be integrally formed with the cavity 110. The receiving cavity 111 is also generally in a strip shape and extends along the longitudinal direction of the cavity 110. The plurality of accommodating cavities 111 are distributed in the cavity 110 in various ways.

In one embodiment, the plurality of receiving cavities 111 are stacked in a thickness direction of the cavity 110. Such as the receiving cavities 111a and 111b shown in fig. 2. In another embodiment, a plurality of accommodating cavities 111 may be arranged in parallel in the cavity 110. Such as the receiving

cavities

111c and 111d shown in fig. 3.

The first phase shifter element 120 and the second phase shifter element 130 are respectively accommodated in the plurality of accommodating cavities 111. The number of the first phase shifting elements 120 and the number of the second phase shifting elements 130 may be one or more, and the number of the accommodating cavities 111 is not less than the sum of the number of the first phase shifting elements 120 and the number of the second phase shifting elements 130, so as to ensure that each of the first phase shifting elements 120 and the second phase shifting elements 130 corresponds to a single accommodating cavity 111. The first phase shifter element 120 and the second phase shifter element 130 can independently operate in different frequency bands. Therefore, the phase shifting apparatus 100 can be used for inputting at least two signals with different frequency bands.

The first phase shift module 120 includes a first phase shift circuit 121 and a plurality of combining circuits 123. The first phase shifting circuit 121 and the plurality of combining circuits 123 may be microstrip line structures. The first phase shift circuit 121 generally includes power dividing circuits, filter circuits, and other power modules. The first phase shift circuit 121 has a first input port 101 and a plurality of first output ports 102. Signals can be input from the first input port 101, and the plurality of first output ports 102 can output signals with different phases by changing the electrical length of the first phase shift circuit 121.

Further, each combining circuit 123 has at least two combining input ends 301 and a combining output end 302, and each first output port 102 is electrically connected to one combining input end 301 of the corresponding combining circuit 123. Specifically, the number of the combining circuits 123 is the same as the number of the first output ports 102, one combining circuit 123 is disposed at the end of each first output port 102, and the signals output through the first output ports 102 enter the corresponding combining circuits 123 and are output by the combining output ends 302 of the multiple combining circuits 123. That is, the first phase shifting assembly 120 integrates the functions of a conventional phase shifter and combiner.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first phase shift assembly 120 includes a first circuit board 125, and the first phase shift circuit 121 and the plurality of combining circuits 123 are integrated on the first circuit board 125. The first circuit board 125 can perform a bearing function, and the integration level of the first phase shifting circuit 121 and the plurality of combining circuits 123 is higher, which is beneficial to reducing the volume of the first phase shifting assembly 120.

The phase shift of the first phase shift assembly 120 can be realized by a dielectric sliding type or a conductor sliding type. In the present embodiment, the first phase shift assembly 120 employs a dielectric sliding type phase shift. That is, the first phase shift section 120 includes a first movable dielectric plate 127 whose position is adjustable with respect to the first phase shift circuit 121.

Specifically, the first movable dielectric plate 127 can be movably mounted on the first circuit board 125 or the inner wall of the accommodating cavity 111. By moving the first movable dielectric plate 127, the electrical length of the first phase shift circuit 121 can be changed, thereby achieving phase shift. The medium sliding type phase shift structure is compact, and is beneficial to reducing the volume of the first phase shift assembly 120. In order to improve the phase shifting efficiency, the first movable dielectric plate 127 is a double layer and is respectively located at two sides of the first phase shifting circuit 121.

Second phase shifting component 130 includes a second phase shifting circuit 131. The second phase shift circuit 131 has the same structure and function as the first phase shift circuit 121. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the second phase shift assembly 130 includes a second circuit board 123, and the second phase shift circuit 131 is integrated on the second circuit board 133. The second phase shift circuit 131 has a second input port 201 and a plurality of second output ports 202. Signals can be input from the second input port 201, and the plurality of second output ports 202 can output signals with different phases by changing the electrical length of the second phase shift circuit 131.

In this embodiment, the second phase shifting block 130 includes a second movable dielectric plate 135 that is positionally adjustable relative to the second phase shifting circuit 131. Specifically, the second movable medium plate 135 may be mounted on the second circuit board 133, or may be mounted on an inner wall of the accommodating cavity 111. The second phase shift assembly 130 and the first phase shift assembly 120 use the same medium for sliding phase shift, so it is also beneficial to reduce the volume of the second phase shift assembly 130.

Moreover, in order to improve the phase shifting efficiency, the second movable dielectric plate 135 is also a double layer and is respectively located at two sides of the second phase shifting circuit 131.

Further, the number of the second output ports 202 corresponds to the number of the combining circuits 123. Each second output port 202 is electrically connected to another combining input terminal 301 of the corresponding combining circuit 123, and the signal output through the second output port 202 enters the corresponding combining circuit 123 and is output by the combining output terminals 302 of the combining circuits 123. That is, the first phase shift circuit 121 and the second phase shift circuit 131 have a common output port, i.e., a plurality of combining output terminals 302. The signals input from the first input port 101 and the second input port 201 are processed and finally output from the plurality of combined output terminals 302.

Taking fig. 2 as an example, the first phase shift circuit 121 has five

first output ports

102, 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d and 102 e. Correspondingly, there are 5 combining circuits 123. Each combining circuit 123 has two combining input terminals 301 and one combining output terminal 302, and the combining output terminals 302 are 302a, 302b, 302c, 302d and 302e, respectively. The second phase shift circuit 131 has five

second output ports

202, 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d and 202 e.

102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, and 102e are sequentially electrically connected to one of the combining input terminals 301 of the five combining

circuits

123, and 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, and 202e are sequentially electrically connected to another combining input terminal 301 of the five combining circuits 123, that is, 301a, 301b, 301c, 301d, and 301 e; the five combining

output terminals

302a, 302b, 302c, 302d, and 302e constitute a common output port.

In the above-described base station antenna, the plurality of radiation elements are electrically connected to the coupling output terminals 302 of the plurality of coupling circuits 123, respectively. Therefore, multiple paths of signals can finally enter the radiation unit from the common output port, and the base station antenna can realize the transceiving of electromagnetic wave signals of multiple different frequency bands.

Since the phase shifter 100 is equivalent to integrating the combiner and the phase shifter into the cavity 110, the phase shifter has the advantages of simple structure, high integration level, and the like. When the antenna is applied to a base station antenna, only the plurality of combining output ends 302 are connected with the radiation unit, the number of required cables can be obviously reduced, and the welding is simpler and more convenient, so that the weight and the cost can be reduced, and the miniaturization of the base station antenna is favorably realized.

Moreover, because the welding spots are reduced and the structure is simplified, the intermodulation performance of the base station antenna can be obviously improved.

In this embodiment, one of the combining input ends 301 and the plurality of second output ports 202 of each combining circuit 123 are led out to the outer wall of the accommodating cavity 111, and each second output port 202 is electrically connected to the corresponding combining input end 301 through a coaxial cable (not shown) located outside the cavity 110.

Specifically, pads respectively connected to the combining input terminal 301 and the second output terminal 202 may be disposed on an outer wall of the cavity 110, and the second output terminal 202 may be electrically connected to the corresponding combining input terminal 301 by soldering a coaxial cable on the corresponding pads. The soldering of the coaxial cable is performed outside the cavity 110, and the soldered coaxial cable is also located outside the cavity 110. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform operations such as punching, wire-leading, etc. inside the cavity 110, which facilitates the assembly of the phase shift device 100 and simplifies the structure thereof.

The number and layout of the first phase shifting elements 120 and the second phase shifting elements 130 in the phase shifting apparatus 100 can be adjusted according to the requirement of the operating frequency band of the base station antenna.

Referring to fig. 1 to fig. 2 again, in an embodiment, there are two accommodating cavities 111, and the two accommodating cavities 111 are stacked. The first phase shift assembly 120 and the second phase shift assembly 130 are both one and are respectively accommodated in the two accommodating cavities 111.

The two accommodating cavities 111 are stacked, so that the width of the cavity 110 can be effectively reduced. At this time, the phase shifting apparatus 100 can realize the simultaneous input and output of two sets of signals in different frequency bands.

It should be noted that, in other embodiments, the number of the accommodating cavity 111, the first phase shift assembly 120 and the second phase shift assembly 130 can be adjusted. For example, to achieve simultaneous input and output of three signals, the combining circuit 123 has three combining input terminals 301, two second phase-shifting elements 130 are provided, and one first phase-shifting element 120 is provided.

The accommodating cavity 111 has three layers, the first phase shift element 120 can be accommodated in the accommodating cavity 111 in the middle, and the two second phase shift elements 130 can be accommodated in the accommodating cavities 111 at both sides. The first output port 101 of the first phase shift element 120 is still electrically connected to one of the combining input terminals 301 of the corresponding combining circuit 123, and the second output ports 202 of the two second phase shift elements 130 are respectively electrically connected to the other two combining input terminals 301 of the corresponding combining circuit 123. At this time, the phase shifting apparatus 100 can realize simultaneous input and output of three signals with different frequency bands.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, in another embodiment, each of the accommodating cavities 111 extends along a longitudinal direction of the cavity 110, and the accommodating cavities 111 are divided into a plurality of layers in a thickness direction of the cavity 110, each layer includes two accommodating cavities 111 arranged in parallel, one accommodating cavity 111 of each layer accommodates the first phase shift assembly 120, and the other accommodating cavity 111 accommodates the second phase shift assembly 130.

Specifically, first phase shifting block 120 and second phase shifting block 130 in each layer are connected in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. Since each layer is provided with the first phase shift element 120 and the second phase shift element 130, each layer of the cavity 110 can realize signal input and output of two different frequency bands. Moreover, each layer does not interfere with each other.

That is, the phase shift device 100 in the present embodiment is obtained by stacking the phase shift devices in the previous embodiment. Thus, the frequency band of the signals that can be simultaneously input and output can be further expanded without changing the circuit connection method, and the application range of the phase shift device 100 can be expanded.

Further, in this embodiment, the accommodating cavity 111 is divided into two layers, and two first phase shift assemblies 120 and two second phase shift assemblies 130 are provided.

Specifically, the four accommodating cavities 111 are 111c, 111d, 111e and 111f, respectively. 111c and 111d are located in the same layer (the upper layer shown in the figure), and a first phase shift element 120 and a second phase shift element 130 are respectively disposed therein. 111e and 111f are located in the same layer (lower layer shown in the figure), and a first phase shift element 120 and a second phase shift element 130 are respectively disposed therein. The upper layer and the lower layer are not interfered with each other, and the first phase shift element 120 and the second phase shift element 130 are connected in the same manner in the upper layer and the lower layer.

It is noted that only first phase shifting block 120 and second phase shifting block 130 are shown in FIG. 4 for one layer.

In this case, the phase shifter 100 in this embodiment can realize simultaneous input and output of four signals. In general, the frequency band of signals input by the upper layer is the same as that of signals input by the lower layer, so that the dual-polarized antenna array can be fed.

In the phase shifting apparatus 100, multiple signals can be respectively input through the first input port 101 and the second input port 201, phase-shifted by the first phase shifting circuit 121 and the second phase shifting circuit 131, and then enter the combining circuit 123 through the plurality of first output ports 102 and the plurality of second output ports 202, and finally output to the corresponding radiation units through the plurality of combining output ports 302. The phase shifting device 100 is equivalent to integrating the combiner and the phase shifter into the cavity 110, and thus has the advantages of simple structure, high integration level, and the like. When the antenna is applied to a base station antenna, only the plurality of combining output ends 302 are connected with the radiation unit, the number of required cables can be obviously reduced, and the welding is simpler and more convenient, so that the weight and the cost can be reduced, and the miniaturization of the base station antenna is favorably realized.

The technical features of the embodiments described above may be arbitrarily combined, and for the sake of brevity, all possible combinations of the technical features in the embodiments described above are not described, but should be considered as being within the scope of the present specification as long as there is no contradiction between the combinations of the technical features.

The above-mentioned embodiments only express several embodiments of the present invention, and the description thereof is more specific and detailed, but not construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be noted that, for a person skilled in the art, several variations and modifications can be made without departing from the inventive concept, which falls within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present patent shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A phase shifting device, comprising:

the cavity is internally provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities;

2. The phase shifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first phase shifting assembly comprises a first circuit board, and the first phase shifting circuit and the plurality of combining circuits are integrated on the first circuit board.

3. The phase shifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second phase shifting assembly comprises a second circuit board, the second phase shifting circuit being integrated on the second circuit board.

4. The phase shifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first phase shifting element comprises a first movable dielectric plate that is adjustable in position relative to the first phase shifting circuit, and the second phase shifting element comprises a second movable dielectric plate that is adjustable in position relative to the second phase shifting circuit.

5. The phase shifting device of claim 1, wherein one of the combining input ends and the plurality of second output ports of each combining circuit are led out to an outer wall of the accommodating cavity, and each second output port is electrically connected to the corresponding combining input end through a coaxial cable located outside the cavity.

6. The phase shifting device according to claim 1, wherein each of the accommodating cavities extends in a longitudinal direction of the cavity, and a plurality of the accommodating cavities are stacked in a thickness direction of the cavity.

7. The phase shifting device according to claim 6, wherein there are two accommodating cavities, and one of the first phase shifting assembly and the second phase shifting assembly is accommodated in each of the two accommodating cavities.

8. The phase shifting device according to claim 1, wherein each of the accommodating cavities extends along a longitudinal direction of the cavity, and the accommodating cavities are divided into a plurality of layers in a thickness direction of the cavity, each layer includes two accommodating cavities arranged in parallel, and one of the accommodating cavities of each layer accommodates the first phase shifting element, and the other accommodating cavity accommodates the second phase shifting element.

9. The phase shifting device according to claim 8, wherein the accommodating cavities are four and divided into two layers, and the number of the first phase shifting assembly and the number of the second phase shifting assembly are two.

10. A base station antenna, comprising:

a plurality of radiating elements; and

the phase shifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of radiation elements are electrically connected to the combining output terminals of the plurality of combining circuits, respectively.