CN112713402A

CN112713402A - Tilt adapter, antenna and method of operating an antenna

Info

Publication number: CN112713402A
Application number: CN202110066560.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 丁国民; M·L·齐默尔曼
Original assignee: Commscope Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Commscope Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2015-07-29
Filing date: 2016-07-29
Publication date: 2021-04-27
Also published as: CN106410409A; CN106410409B; EP3125366B1; EP3125366A1; ES2781705T3

Abstract

A tilt angle adapter is configured to facilitate a desired tilt angle of a first radio frequency band and a second radio frequency band of an antenna. The antenna supports two or more frequency bands, wherein the vertical tilt angle of each of the supported frequency bands is controlled separately by a coarse stage phase shift, but is controlled collectively by a fine stage phase shift. The invention also discloses an antenna comprising the tilt angle adapter and a method for operating the antenna.

Description

Tilt adapter, antenna and method of operating an antenna

The present application is a divisional application of the invention patent application having the application number "201610616203.2", the application date 2016, month 07, and day 29, and the title "tilt angle adaptor for a duplex antenna having a semi-independent tilt angle".

Technical Field

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to base station antennas, and more particularly to a mechanical arrangement for controlling semi-independent tilt angles of duplex antennas.

Background

Cellular mobile operators are using more spectrum bands and increasingly more spectrum within each band to accommodate increased subscriber traffic and to deploy new radio access technologies. Therefore, there is a great need for a duplex antenna that covers multiple closely spaced frequency bands (e.g., 790-862MHz and 880-960 MHz). Based on network coverage requirements, operators often need to adjust the vertical radiation pattern of the antenna, i.e. the cross section of the pattern in the vertical plane. The change in the vertical angle (also referred to as "tilt angle") of the main beam of the antenna is used to adjust the coverage area of the antenna when needed. Adjusting the beam tilt angle may be achieved mechanically and electrically. The mechanical tilt may be provided by physically steering the duplex antenna downward, while the electrical tilt may be provided by controlling the phase of the radiated signal of each radiating element such that the main beam moves downward. Mechanical and electrical tilt angles may be adjusted individually or in combination using remote control capabilities.

Network performance may be optimized if the tilt (e.g., power tilt) associated with each frequency band supported by the antenna is controlled completely independently. However, this independence can require a large number of duplexers and other components, adding significant cost and complexity to the production of a duplex antenna.

It would therefore be advantageous to have a cost-effective duplex antenna of low complexity and a mechanism for remotely controlling the duplex antenna that is capable of producing a high quality radiation pattern for each of the supported frequency bands.

Disclosure of Invention

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a tilt adapter configured to facilitate a desired tilt of a first Radio Frequency (RF) band and a second RF band of an antenna. The antenna supports two or more frequency bands, wherein the vertical tilt angle of each of the supported frequency bands is controlled separately by a coarse stage phase shift, but is controlled collectively by a fine stage phase shift.

In one aspect, the tilt adapter may include: a first rod coupled to at least one first coarse phase shifter; a second rod coupled to at least one second coarse phase shifter; a cross-link member operatively engaged to the first and second rods; a first rack coupled to the cross-linking member; and a second rack coupled to the first rack; at least one first trim phase shifter; and at least one second trim phase shifter. Lateral movement of the first rod or the second rod causes lateral movement of the second rack.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tilt angle adaptor, comprising: a first member coupled to a first phaser; a second member coupled to a second phaser; a cross-linking member operably engaged to both the first member and the second member and configured to move in response to movement of the first member or the second member; a third member coupled to a third phase shifter, wherein the third member is configured to move in response to movement of the cross-linking member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tilt angle adaptor, comprising: a first member coupled to a first phaser; a second member coupled to a second phaser; a cross-linking member operably engaged to both the first member and the second member and configured to move in response to movement of the first member and the second member; a third member coupled to a third phase shifter, wherein the third member is configured to move in response to movement of the cross-linking member; wherein the first phase shifter is configured to provide a first contribution at a first tilt angle associated with operation of a first radio frequency band, and wherein the second phase shifter is configured to provide a second contribution at a second tilt angle associated with operation of a second radio frequency band; and wherein the first contribution and the second contribution are independent of each other.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tilt angle adaptor, comprising: a first member coupled to a first phaser; a second member coupled to a second phaser; a cross-linking member configured to rotate in response to movement of the first member and the second member; a third member coupled to a third phaser, wherein the third member is configured to move laterally in response to rotation of the cross-linking member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for operating an antenna at a first radio frequency band and a second radio frequency band, the method comprising: receiving first and second radio frequency signals associated with the first and second radio frequency bands, respectively; applying a first tilt angle to the first radio frequency signal with a first mechanical-electrical phase shifter, thereby generating a plurality of first phase-shifted radio frequency signals; applying a second tilt angle to the second radio frequency signal with a second mechanical-electrical phase shifter, thereby generating a plurality of second phase-shifted radio frequency signals; and applying a third tilt angle to at least some of the plurality of first phase shifted radio frequency signals and at least some of the plurality of second phase shifted radio frequency signals with a third mechanical electrical phase shifter.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for operating an antenna at a first radio frequency band and a second radio frequency band, the method comprising: receiving first and second radio frequency signals associated with the first and second radio frequency bands, respectively; applying a first tilt angle to the first radio frequency signal with a first mechanical-electrical phase shifter, thereby generating a plurality of first phase-shifted radio frequency signals; applying a second tilt angle to the second radio frequency signal with a second mechanical-electrical phase shifter, thereby generating a plurality of second phase-shifted radio frequency signals; and applying a third tilt angle to at least some of the plurality of first phase shifted radio frequency signals and at least some of the plurality of second phase shifted radio frequency signals with a third mechanical electrical phase shifter, wherein an amount of the third tilt angle is smaller than at least one of an amount of the first tilt angle and an amount of the second tilt angle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for operating an antenna at a first radio frequency band and a second radio frequency band, the method comprising: receiving first and second radio frequency signals associated with the first and second radio frequency bands, respectively; applying a first tilt angle to the first radio frequency signal with a first mechanical-electrical phase shifter, thereby generating a plurality of first phase-shifted radio frequency signals; applying a second tilt angle to the second radio frequency signal with a second mechanical-electrical phase shifter, thereby generating a plurality of second phase-shifted radio frequency signals; and employing a third mechanical-electrical phase shifter to apply a third tilt angle to at least some of the plurality of first phase-shifted radio frequency signals and at least some of the plurality of second phase-shifted radio frequency signals to produce a plurality of third phase-shifted radio frequency signals, wherein an amount of the third tilt angle is based on the amount of the first tilt angle and the amount of the second tilt angle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna comprising: a plurality of radiating elements; a first coarse tuning phase shifter; a second coarse tuning phase shifter; a first fine tuning phase shifter; a second fine-tuning phase shifter; and a tilt angle adapter configured to adjust a first fine phase shifter and a second fine phase shifter based on adjustments made to the first coarse phase shifter and the second coarse phase shifter, wherein the tilt angle adapter comprises a cross-linked member that moves in response to movement of a first member coupled to the first coarse phase shifter and movement of a second member coupled to the second coarse phase shifter, wherein a first adjustable element of the first fine phase shifter and a second adjustable element of the second fine phase shifter are operably connected with the cross-linked member such that movement of the cross-linked member is configured to move the first adjustable element and the second adjustable element, and wherein the first fine phase shifter is configured to apply a tilt angle that is less than a tilt angle applied by the first coarse phase shifter, and wherein the second fine phase shifter is configured to apply a tilt angle that is less than a tilt angle applied by the second coarse phase shifter.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna comprising: a plurality of radiating elements; a first coarse tuning phase shifter; a second coarse tuning phase shifter; a first fine tuning phase shifter; a second fine-tuning phase shifter; and a tilt angle adapter configured to adjust a first fine phase shifter and a second fine phase shifter based on adjustments made to the first coarse phase shifter and the second coarse phase shifter, wherein the tilt angle adapter includes a cross-link member that rotates in response to movement of a first member coupled to the first coarse phase shifter and movement of a second member coupled to the second coarse phase shifter, the rotational movement of the cross-link member configured to move the first adjustable element laterally, the first adjustable element connected to the cross-link member.

Drawings

The following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of one example of a duplex antenna with a simple design;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of another example of a duplex antenna with a more complex design;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a further example of a duplex antenna according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a duplex antenna using a wiper blade arc and a sliding dielectric phase shifter in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

fig. 5A is a schematic diagram of an example of a duplex antenna having a length of 1.0 meter with first and second frequency bands having the same desired downtilt of 4 ° in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

fig. 5B is a schematic diagram of an example of a duplex antenna having a length of 1.0 meter with first and second frequency bands having the same desired downtilt of 8 ° in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

fig. 5C is a schematic diagram of an example of a duplex antenna having a length of 1.0 meter with a first frequency band having a desired down tilt of 4 ° and a second frequency band having a desired down tilt of 8 °, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a backside of the duplex antenna of fig. 5A-5C, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a tilt adapter according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the front side of the duplex antenna of fig. 6, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and is

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a fine phase shifter according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "lower," "bottom," "upper," and "top" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terms "a," "an," and "the" are not limited to one element, but rather should be read to mean "at least one," unless specifically set forth herein. The term includes the above-mentioned words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. It should also be understood that the terms "about," "approximately," "substantially," and similar terms, as used herein when referring to dimensions or characteristics of elements of the invention, mean that the described dimensions/characteristics are not strictly boundaries or parameters and do not exclude functionally similar minor variations therefrom. At the very least, such reference to include numerical parameters would include variations that would not alter the least significant digit using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.).

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a duplex antenna 100. As shown, the duplex antenna 100 includes first and second first

stage phase shifters

101, 103 coupled to inputs of

respective duplexers

105, 107. Each output of the

respective duplexers

105, 107 may be coupled to a sub-array of

radiating elements

109, 111, resulting in a fixed tilt angle within the sub-array of

radiating elements

109, 111. With a few duplexers, the duplex antenna 100 has simplicity and can be relatively inexpensive to implement. Unfortunately, the quality of the radiation pattern produced by the duplex antenna 100 may suffer because some of the phase offsets are fixed.

For example, as shown in the configuration of the four-radiating-element duplex antenna 200 shown in fig. 2, a higher-quality pattern can be achieved when the electrical tilt angle of each frequency band is controlled completely independently. As shown, each

radiating element

201, 203, 205, 207 is coupled to a

respective duplexer

209, 211, 213, 215, while each of the respective duplexers is coupled to an output of each of

phase shifters

217, 219. When the dual polarization function is used, the number of duplexers can be doubled. Such duplex antennas may increase in complexity and cost due to the greater length. For example, duplex antennas having respective lengths of 1.4, 2.0 and 2.7 meters may require 10, 16 and 20 duplexers, respectively, to produce a high quality radiation pattern for each of the supported frequency bands.

As is apparent from the description in connection with fig. 1 and 2, for better performance it may be desirable for the duplex antenna to have an individually controllable tilt angle for each supported frequency band. While a completely individually controllable tilt angle may be desirable, there may be a significant correlation between (or among) the respective vertical tilt angle ranges of each supported frequency band of the duplex antenna, due at least in part to the dependence of the frequency band tilt angle ranges on the mounting height of the antenna supporting that frequency band. More specifically, the higher the antenna is mounted above the ground, the greater this tilt angle may be required for acceptable operation.

By targeting a duplex antenna for processing two or more frequency bands, several aspects of the present disclosure can utilize the tilt correlation discussed above, wherein the vertical tilt of each of the supporting frequency bands can be independently controlled by a coarse stage phase shift, but commonly controlled by a fine stage phase shift. Thus, aspects of the present disclosure may achieve an elevation pattern with similar quality to the duplex antenna 200 of fig. 2 above, but with low cost, light weight, and simplicity similar to the duplex antenna 100 of fig. 1 above.

Referring now to fig. 3, a duplex antenna 300 may include, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure: first and second coarse

tuning phase shifters

301, 303, first and

second duplexers

305, 307, first and second fine

tuning phase shifters

309, 311, and radiating

elements

313, 315. As discussed herein, each of the radiating elements may refer to a single radiating element or a sub-array of multiple radiating elements. First coarse phase shifter 301 may be set to a tilt value α that may provide a first contribution at a first tilt angle associated with a first frequency band, and second coarse phase shifter 311 may be set to a tilt value β that may provide a second contribution at a second tilt angle associated with a second frequency band. For example, the first coarse phase shifter 301 may be configured to receive an RF signal in a first frequency band (e.g., 790-862MHz) and split the RF signal into varying phase signals based on a set tilt value α. For example, one of the varying phase signals may have a first phase and another of the varying phase signals may have a second phase different from the first phase. The second coarse phase shifter 311 may be configured to receive an RF signal in a second frequency band (e.g., 880-962MHz) and split the RF signal into varying phase signals in a manner similar to that of the first coarse phase shifter 301.

Duplexers

305, 307 may be configured to dually communicate the varying phase signals output from

coarse phase shifters

301, 311. For example, duplexer 305 may be configured to receive one or more varying phase signals output from first coarse tuning phase shifter 301 and one or more varying phase signals output from second coarse tuning phase shifter 303. The output from each of the

duplexers

305, 307 may direct communication signals according to the first and second frequency bands.

The output from each of the first and

second duplexers

305, 307 may be connected to the input of first and second

trim phase shifters

309, 311, respectively. The first and second

trim phase shifters

309, 311 may be configured to provide a phase shift among the

radiation elements

313, 315. The first and second fine

tuning phase shifters

309, 311 may allow operating all of the supported frequency bands of the duplex antenna with the same effect. More specifically, the first and second

trim phase shifters

309, 311 may be configured to provide phase shifts based on an average or (α ° + β °)/2 of the set tilt values α ° and β ° of the supported frequency bands. To help suppress side lobes of the generated radiation pattern, each of the coarse and fine phase shifters may include a power divider (such as, for example, a Wilkinson power divider, not shown) to achieve a tapered amplitude distribution (e.g., a straight phase advance) across the radiating

elements

313, 315.

Referring now to fig. 4, the first and second

coarse phase shifters

401, 403 of the duplex antenna 400 may, for example, be in the form of wiper blade arc phase shifters such as those described in U.S. patent No.7463190, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. Wiper blade arc phase shifters may be preferred for coarse phase shifting due, at least in part, to their ability to produce large phase shifts in a small amount of area. The first and second

trim phase shifters

409, 411 may be in the form of sliding dielectric phase shifters or wiper blade arc phase shifters (as known in the art) to achieve a tilt angle value of (α ° + β °)/2 (as discussed above). Sliding dielectric phase shifters may be preferred, at least in part, because sliding dielectric phase shifters tend to allow different power levels across the respective outputs (which may be advantageous to achieve tapering across the aperture of a duplex antenna). Other types of phase shifters, as known in the art, may be used in accordance with the spirit of the present disclosure. Similar to the duplex antenna 400, in accordance with several aspects of the present disclosure, to help suppress side lobes of the generated radiation pattern, each of the coarse and fine phase shifters may include a power divider (such as, for example, a Wilkinson power divider, not shown) to achieve a tapered amplitude distribution across the sub-arrays of radiating

elements

413, 415.

Several aspects of the present disclosure may relate to various antenna lengths, which may include the use of additional components (e.g., duplexers and phase shifters with additional outputs). For example, fig. 5A-5C are examples of a duplex antenna 500. As shown, the duplex antenna 500 may include: first and second coarse

tuning phase shifters

501, 503, first and

second duplexers

505, 507, first and second fine

tuning phase shifters

509, 511, and radiating

elements

502, 504, 506, 508.

First coarse phase shifter 501 may be set to a tilt value α that may provide a first contribution at a first tilt angle associated with a first frequency band, and second coarse phase shifter 503 may be set to a tilt value β that may provide a second contribution at a second tilt angle associated with a second frequency band. For example, the first coarse phase shifter 501 may be configured to receive an RF signal in a first frequency band and split the RF signal into varying phase signals based on a set tilt value α. For example, one of the variable phase signals may have a first phase and another of the variable phase signals may have a second phase different from the first phase. The second coarse phase shifter 503 may be configured to receive an RF signal in a second frequency band and may split the RF signal into varying phase signals in a manner similar to that of the first coarse phase shifter 501.

Duplexers

505, 507 may be configured to dually communicate the varying phase shifted signals output from

coarse phase shifters

501, 503. For example, duplexer 505 may be configured to receive one or more varying phase signals output from first coarse phase shifter 501 and one or more varying phase signals output from second coarse phase shifter 503.

The output from each of the

duplexers

505, 507 may direct communication signals responsive to the first frequency band and the second frequency band. The output of each of the first and

second duplexers

505, 507 may be coupled to the input of first and second

trim phase shifters

509, 511, respectively. The first and second

trim phase shifters

509, 511 may be configured to provide a phase shift among the radiating

elements

502, 504, 506, 508. The first and second fine

tuning phase shifters

509, 511 may allow operating all of the supported frequency bands of the duplex antenna with the same effect. More specifically, the first and second

fine phase shifters

509, 511 may be configured to provide phase shifts based on a combination of the set tilt angle values α and β of the respective

coarse phase shifters

501, 503. This combination may for example comprise the average of the set inclination values α ° and β ° or (α ° + β °)/2 of the supported frequency bands. To help suppress side lobes of the generated radiation pattern, each of the

coarse phase shifters

501, 503 and

fine phase shifters

509, 511 may include a power divider (such as, for example, a Wilkinson power divider, not shown) to achieve a tapered amplitude distribution across the radiating

elements

502, 504, 506, 508.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the tilt value θ may be related to a phase shift produced by each of the phase shifters. For example, phase shift sin (θ) S k, where S is the distance between radiating elements in degrees (wavelength 360 °), and k is the distance between phase shifter outputs measured in element spacing. For small values of downward inclination, sin (θ) × S ≈ θ ≈ sin (1) × S ≈ 0.0175 × θ S.

In the configurations shown in fig. 5A-5C, each

coarse phase shifter

501, 503 may include two separate element spaced outputs (i.e., k-2). For example, each

coarse phase shifter

501, 503 may shift every 2 radiating elements according to the duplex antenna 500 in fig. 5A-5C. Each

fine phase shifter

509, 511 may include outputs separated by one element interval (i.e., k ═ 1). For example, each

fine phase shifter

509, 511 may shift each radiating element according to the duplex antenna 500 in fig. 5A-5C. The distance S between the radiating elements may typically be between 250-300. However, according to the present invention, S may be other values outside this range. Sin (1) × S ≈ 5 ° in the case where the value of S is in the range of 250 ° -300 °. It should be noted that in accordance with the present disclosure, each of the

coarse phase shifters

501, 503 may include outputs that may be separated by less than or more than two element spacings. Further, it should be noted that in accordance with the present disclosure, each of the

fine phase shifters

509, 511 may include outputs separated by more than one element spacing. It should also be noted that, particularly for other configurations (e.g., duplex antennas 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, etc.), other coarse and fine phase shifters may include outputs separated by any number of element spacings in accordance with the spirit of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 5A, when the set tilt angle value for each frequency band is equal (e.g., α ═ β ═ 4 °), the duplex antenna may have a precision similar to that of each of the supported frequency bands having completely independent tilt angles. Therefore, using the above equation, the phase shift α × sin (1) × S × k ═ 4 × 5 ═ 2 ═ 40 ° is generated by the first coarse phase shifter 501. Thus, the first coarse phase shifter 501 may produce a pair of varying phase signals that vary in phase by 40 °. This change in phase shift may be achieved by having one of the outputs of the first coarse phase shifter 501 have a phase of-20 deg. and the other has a phase of +20 deg.. It should be noted, however, that other phase shifts may be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

In the case where α ═ β ═ 4 °, the first and second fine

tuning phase shifters

509, 511 may be configured to produce phase shifts based on a combination of set tilt values of the supported frequency bands of the duplex antenna. For example, the first and second

fine phase shifters

509, 511 may be configured to generate the phase shift based on an average of the set tilt angle value α ═ β ═ 4 °, which in this case would be 4 °. Thus, according to the above equation, the phase shift produced by each of the first and second fine

tuning phase shifters

509, 511 may be 20 °, which may result in a phase advance of 10 ° and +10 ° across the output of each of the first and second fine

tuning phase shifters

509, 511. Table 1 below provides a series of phase shifts applied to each of the radiating

elements

502, 504, 506, 508 as attributed to each phase shifter, and the total phase shift applied to each of the radiating

elements

502, 504, 506, 508 by this configuration.

TABLE 1

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 5B, if α ═ β ═ 8 °, the phase shift α × (sin (1) × (S) × (k) ═ 8 × (5) × (2) × (80 °) generated by the first and second

coarse phase shifters

501, 503. Thus, each of the first and second

coarse phase shifters

501, 503 may produce a phase shift of 80 °. For example, the output signals of the first and second

coarse phase shifters

501, 503 may have phases of-40 ° and +40 °, respectively. It should be noted, however, that other phase shifts may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. The first and second

fine phase shifters

509, 511 may be configured to produce a phase shift based on an average of the set tilt angle values α and β, which in this case would be 8 °. Thus, the phase shift produced by each of the first and second

fine phase shifters

509, 511 may be 40 ° according to the above equation, which may be achieved by having one of the output signals have a phase of-20 ° and the other of the output signals have a phase of +20 °. Table 2 below lists the phase shift applied to each of the radiating

elements

502, 504, 506, 508 and the total phase shift applied to each of the radiating

elements

502, 504, 506, 508 as attributed to each phase shifter.

TABLE 2

As shown in fig. 5C, performance may only degrade slightly, but may still be acceptable, when the desired tilt angles for the supported bands are different, according to aspects of the present disclosure. For example, in the case where the set tilt angle α is 4 ° and β is 8 °, the

fine phase shifters

509, 511 for the two support bands may be configured to generate phase shifts based on an average set tilt angle value, which in this case would be (α + β)/2-6 °. Thus, according to the equation above, the phase shift produced by each of the first and second

fine tuning shifters

509, 511 will be 6 x 5 x 1, which may result in a 30 ° phase shift, which may be achieved by a linear phase advance of-15 ° and +15 ° across the outputs of the first and second

fine tuning shifters

509, 511. Table 3 below lists the phase shift applied to each of the radiating

elements

502, 504, 506, 508 as attributed to each phase shifter and the total phase shift applied to each of the radiating

elements

502, 504, 506, 508 for this first frequency band having tilt values α -4 ° and β -8 °.

TABLE 3

Table 4 below lists the phase shift applied to each of the

radiation elements

502, 504, 506, 508 as attributed to each phase shifter and the total phase shift applied to each of the

radiation elements

502, 504, 506, 508 for the second frequency band having tilt values α -4 ° and β -8 °.

TABLE 4

Through analysis of the above data, the total phase shift of the radiating

elements

502, 504, 506, 508 of the dual-band implementation of the duplex antennas listed in tables 3 and 4 may be relatively close to the ideal phase shift of the radiating

elements

502, 504, 506, 508 (e.g., effectively a fully independent tilt implementation, as embodied in tables 1 and 2). Thus, aspects of the present disclosure may be able to achieve an elevation pattern that is similar in quality to more complex duplex antennas.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the backside of the duplex antenna 500. Each of the first and second coarse

tuning phase shifters

501, 503 may include two wiper blade

arc phase shifters

501a, 501b, respectively; 503a, 503 b. For example, the first phase shifter 501 may include: one wiper arc phase shifter 501a configured to adjust the phase shift for +45 ° polarization of the first frequency band; and another wiper arc phase shifter 501b configured to adjust the phase shift for-45 polarization of the first frequency band. Similarly, the second coarse phase shifter 503 may include: one wiper arc phase shifter 503a configured to adjust the phase shift for +45 ° polarization of the second frequency band; and another wiper arc phase shifter 503b configured to adjust the phase shift for-45 polarization of the second frequency band.

The first and second

coarse phase shifters

501, 503 may be connected to the respective first and second

frequency band inputs

601, 603 and the tilt angle adaptor 605 by

respective connection members

607, 609. More specifically, the connection member 607 may be connected to the first band input 601, the first phase shifter 501, and the first rod 611 of the tilt angle adapter 605. Similarly, the connecting member 609 may be connected to the second band input 603, the second phase shifter 503 and the second rod 613 of the tilt adapter 605.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a tilt angle adapter 605 that may be configured to achieve a desired tilt angle for the first and second frequency bands of operation of the duplex antenna 500. The pitch adapter 605 may include a chassis 615 defining a cavity within an interior thereof. Two opposing sidewalls 616 of the chassis 615 may include a plurality of corresponding openings 617 with which portions of the primary rack 619, the primary rod 611, and the secondary rod 613 may slidably engage.

The cross-linking member 621 may be pivotably connected to the first-stage rack 619, the first-stage rod 611, and the second-stage rod 613 at a position between the two opposing side walls 616. The cross-linking member 621 may include slots 623, 625 disposed at opposite ends of the cross-linking member 621.

Respective pins

627, 629 may be fixed to the first and

second stage rods

611, 613 and may extend from the first and

second stage rods

611, 613. The respective slots 623, 625 may allow movement of the

respective pins

627, 629 within the respective slots 623, 625.

Thus, lateral movement of the first stage lever 611 may cause movement of the pin 627 within the slot 623 and indeed rotational movement of the cross-linking member 621 about the pin 629 fixed to the second stage lever 613.

Rotational movement of the cross-linking member 621 may cause the center 629 of the cross-linking member 621 to move in the same lateral direction as the first stage bar 611. Lateral movement of the center 629 of the cross-link member 621 may in turn cause the first stage rack 619 to move a distance in the same lateral direction as the first stage bar 611. As discussed throughout, lateral motion may refer to linear motion along axis Y-Y.

Similarly, lateral movement of the second stage bar 613 may cause movement of the pin 629 within the slot 625 and indeed rotational movement about the cross-linking member 621 secured to the pin 627 of the first stage bar 611. Rotational movement of cross-linking member 621 may cause center 629 of cross-linking member 621 to move in the same lateral direction as second stage bar 613. Lateral movement of the center 629 of the cross-link member 621 may in turn cause the first stage rack 619 to move in the same lateral direction as the second stage rod 613.

The first stage rack 619 may be configured to move at a predetermined portion of the distance traveled by either of the first and second stage bars 611, 613. The predetermined portion may be 1/2 in order to achieve an average of the set tilt angle values a, β for the supported first and second frequency bands. In other words, the first stage gear rack 619 may be configured to move a lateral distance 1/2 of the distance that either of the first and second stage bars 611, 613 are moved.

The first stage rack 619 may be in meshing engagement with a first pinion 631, which may be coupled to a second pinion 633 by a shaft 635. The second pinion 633 may be in meshing engagement with the second stage rack 637. Thus, the above-described lateral movement of first stage rack 619 may cause lateral movement of second stage rack 637. The lateral movement of secondary rack 637 may be dependent on the gear ratio of primary rack 619 to secondary rack 633.

More specifically, upon lateral movement of the first stage rack 619, the first pinion 631 may rotate, and rotation of the first pinion may cause rotation of the shaft 635, which may drive rotation of the second pinion 633. Further, rotation of the second pinion may cause lateral movement of a second stage rack 637 disposed on a front side (e.g., opposite the back side) of the duplex antenna 500 and coupled to the

fine phase shifters

509, 511.

The various components of the tilt adapter 605 may be constructed of aluminum or any material suitable to withstand the normal operating conditions of the duplex antenna 500, such as other metallic or polymeric materials, without departing from the inventive concept.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a front side (e.g., opposite the back side) of a duplex antenna 500 with the radome removed. The duplex antenna 500 may include radiating

elements

502, 504, 506, 508, which may be first and/or second band radiating elements mounted to one of the feed plates 702. The

fine phase shifters

509, 511 may be integrated into one of the feed plates 702. The second stage rack 637 may be connected to an elongated rod 704 that may connect each of the

fine phase shifters

509, 511 to a wiper connecting rod 706, the opposite ends of which may be connected to respective wiper arms 708 (as shown in fig. 9) of the fine phase shifters 509, 511 (with an example of one of the

phase shifters

509 or 511 being shown in fig. 9). Thus, lateral movement of the secondary rack 637 can cause lateral movement of the elongate rod 704. Such lateral movement of the elongated rod 704 may cause movement of one or more wiper connection rods 706, resulting in movement of the respective wiper arms 708, causing the fine stage phase shifters to achieve a desired tilt angle level.

In operation, depending on the input of the desired tilt angle value α, the connecting member 607 may be moved laterally, causing the first coarse phase shifter 501 to provide a first contribution at a first tilt angle associated with a first frequency band. Upon input of a desired tilt angle value β, the connecting member 609 may move laterally, causing the second coarse phase shifter 503 to provide a second contribution at a second tilt angle associated with a second frequency band.

Lateral movement of the connecting

members

607, 609 may cause movement of the respective first and

second stage rods

611, 613. Movement of the first and/or

second stage rods

611, 613 may cause movement of the first stage rack 619, which, through the first pinion 631, shaft 635, and second pinion 633, may cause lateral movement of the second stage rack 637. Lateral movement of the second stage rack 637 may cause the first and second

fine phase shifters

509, 511 to provide phase shifts based on a combination of the set tilt angle values α and β of the respective

coarse phase shifters

501, 503.

It should be noted that different antenna types may include different numbers of radiating elements, which may result in different radiating element spacings and phase shifter arc radii. Accordingly, the coarse phase shifter and the fine phase shifter may be affected differently by such variations. For example, a longer length antenna may include a greater number of radiating elements, which may increase the distance between some phase shifter outputs measured in element spacing, while a shorter length antenna may include fewer radiating elements, which may result in a decrease in the distance between some phase shifter outputs. As discussed above, the phase shift value of the phase shifter may be proportional to the distance between each of the outputs of the phase shifter. For example, the phase shift value of the coarse phase shifter may depend on the total number of radiating elements in the duplex antenna, and thus, the coarse phase shift value may be increased or decreased based on the length of the duplex antenna. However, the phase shift value output from the trim phase shifter may not be similarly affected. For example, to account for a larger number of radiating elements, the duplex antenna may use an additional feed plate including an additional trim phase shifter to drive the radiating elements. Thus, the distance between the outputs of each of the fine phase shifters may not change, or may not change in the same manner as the outputs of the coarse phase shifters.

Because the coarse and fine phase shifters are affected differently by the type of duplex antenna in which they are implemented, one or more components of the tilt adapter to which they are connected may also need to be modified. To achieve the appropriate coarse and fine phase shifts for different antenna types, the transmission ratio may be adjusted to produce the desired movement of second stage rack 637 relative to first stage rack 619. For example, the diameter of the first pinion 631 and/or the second pinion 633 may be increased or decreased to account for different antenna types, such as other antenna types and arrangements discussed in U.S. patent application No.14/812339, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, the diameter of the first pinion gear 631 may be increased, which may increase the number of teeth along the periphery of the first pinion gear 631. Such modifications may result in increased gear ratios. Alternatively, the diameter of the first pinion 631 may be reduced, which may reduce the number of teeth along the periphery of the first pinion 631. Such modifications may result in a reduced gear ratio. The transmission ratio may be modified in other techniques in accordance with the spirit of the present disclosure.

As used herein, "input," "output," and some other terms or phrases refer to a transmission signal path. However, because the structures described herein may be passive components, the networks and components also perform interoperation in the receive signal path. Thus, the use of "input", "output", and some other terms is for clarity only and is not meant to imply that the duplex antenna is not operating simultaneously in both receive and transmit directions.

Various aspects of the present disclosure have now been discussed in detail; however, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these particular aspects. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tilt angle adapter, comprising:

a first member coupled to a first phaser;

a second member coupled to a second phaser;

a cross-linking member operably engaged to both the first member and the second member and configured to move in response to movement of the first member or the second member;

a third member coupled to a third phase shifter, wherein the third member is configured to move in response to movement of the cross-linking member.

2. The tilt adapter of claim 1, further comprising:

a rack coupled to the cross-linking member, wherein the third member is configured to move in response to movement of the rack.

3. The tilt adapter of claim 2, further comprising:

a first gear engaged with the rack; and

a second gear coupled to the first gear by a shaft,

wherein the third member is configured to be driven by the rack through the first and second gears.

4. The tilt adapter of claim 3, wherein the rack is a first rack, and wherein the third member is a second rack.

5. The tilt adapter of claim 2, wherein the rack is configured to move a distance that is a predetermined fraction of the distance that the first or second member moves.

6. The tilt adapter of claim 1, wherein the first and second phase shifters are independently adjustable.

7. The pitch adapter of claim 1, wherein the cross-link member is configured to rotate in response to movement of the first or second member, and wherein rotation of the cross-link member is configured to cause lateral movement of a center of the cross-link member.

8. The tilt adapter of claim 1, wherein the third member is further coupled to a fourth phase shifter.

9. The tilt angle adapter of claim 1, wherein the first phase shifter is configured to provide a first contribution at a first tilt angle associated with operation of a first radio frequency band, and wherein the second phase shifter is configured to provide a second contribution at a second tilt angle associated with operation of a second radio frequency band.

10. The tilt angle adapter of claim 9, wherein the third phase shifter is configured to provide a third contribution in the first and second tilt angles, preferably wherein the amount of the third contribution is based on lateral movement of the third member.