CN116491022A

CN116491022A - Phase shifter and antenna device

Info

Publication number: CN116491022A
Application number: CN202080107053.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 邓宏俊; 张书铭
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
Priority date: 2020-11-11
Filing date: 2020-11-11
Publication date: 2023-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-11
Also published as: WO2022099502A1; CN116491022B

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a phase shifter and an antenna apparatus. The phase shifter includes a chassis, a slide assembly, and a drive assembly. The chassis includes a first electrical connection assembly and a second electrical connection assembly. The first electrical connection assembly and the second electrical connection assembly are spaced apart from one another. The slide assembly includes a first electrical member and a second electrical member. The first electrical member and the second electrical member are separate from each other and have different lengths. The drive assembly is configured to drive the slide assembly to selectively couple one of the first and second electrical members to the first and second electrical connection assemblies of the chassis. Example embodiments of the present disclosure may implement phase shifters and antenna devices with improved accuracy and reduced cost.

Description

Phase shifter and antenna device

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and in particular, to phase shifters, antenna devices, and communication apparatuses.

Background

In the field of communications, phase Shifters (PS) are commonly used in antenna devices to improve beam scanning range and accuracy. By means of the phase shifter, the number of antenna elements in the antenna device can be reduced due to the reduction of antenna elements, and the cost and power consumption of the antenna device can be reduced accordingly.

In recent antenna technology, various phase shifters have been proposed. For example, a digital phase shifter may include diodes and other peripheral circuitry to phase shift a signal. Another proposed PS includes a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB), a second PCB parallel to the first PCB, and a third PCB bent between the first PCB and the second PCB to be coupled to ends of the first PCB and the second PCB. The phase shifter may continuously shift the phase of the signal by moving the first PCB or the second PCB in parallel directions. There remains a need for improved solutions for phase shifters.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a phase shifter and an antenna apparatus including the same.

In a first aspect, a phase shifter is provided. The phase shifter includes a chassis, a slide assembly, and a drive assembly. The chassis includes a first electrical connection assembly and a second electrical connection assembly. The first electrical connection assembly and the second electrical connection assembly are spaced apart from one another. The slide assembly includes a first electrical member and a second electrical member. The first and second electrical members are spaced apart from each other and have different lengths. The drive assembly is configured to drive the slide assembly to selectively couple one of the first and second electrical members to the first and second electrical connection assemblies of the chassis.

In a second aspect, an antenna device is provided. The antenna device comprises an antenna array and a phase shifter of the first aspect. The phase shifter is electrically coupled to the antenna array.

In a third aspect, a base station is provided. The base station comprises the antenna device of the second aspect.

It should be understood that the summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description.

Drawings

Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication network in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an antenna device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a phase shifter according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a chassis (pass) of the phase shifter of fig. 3, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an elastic beam of the phase shifter of fig. 3, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a spring foot of the phase shifter of fig. 3, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a sliding assembly of the phase shifter of fig. 3, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a drive assembly of the phase shifter of fig. 3, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the drive assembly of FIG. 8, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a phase shifter in a first state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the phase shifter of fig. 10, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a phase shifter in a second state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a torsion spring in a phase shifter according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of a torsion spring in a first state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of a torsion spring in a second state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 16 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter in a first state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 17 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter in a second state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 18 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter in a third state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 19 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 20 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 illustrates a top view of a slide assembly in a chassis according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 22 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

fig. 23 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

The same or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements.

Detailed Description

Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and to assist those skilled in the art in understanding and practicing the present disclosure without placing any limitation on the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein may be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

In the following description and claims, 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 disclosure belongs.

References in the present disclosure to "one embodiment," "some example embodiments," and "example embodiments," etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with some example embodiments, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first" and "second," etc. may be used to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," "including," "includes" and/or "including" when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Various phase shifters have been implemented in antenna devices to adjust the phase of signals. In one example, the digital phase shifter includes diodes and other peripheral circuitry. This requires an additional controller to control the operation of the circuit, thereby increasing cost and power consumption. In another example, the phase shifter includes a first PCB, a second PCB, and a third PCB bent between the first PCB and the second PCB. By moving one of the first PCB and the second PCB, it can adjust the signal phase. However, in this case, the motion is continuous, and it is difficult to achieve consistency and accuracy of the phase adjustment.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an improved phase shifter and an antenna apparatus including the same are provided. The phase shifter includes a chassis having a separate connection assembly, a slide assembly having a separate component, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly may be configured to drive the slide assembly to slide in the chassis such that one of the separate components may be electrically coupled to the separate connection assembly to form an electrical path for signal transmission. Because the separate components have different signal transmission lengths, signals transmitted through the different components may have different phases. Thus, by selecting different components, the phase of the signal may be shifted or adjusted accordingly. The separate members may be predetermined and constant. Thus, the phase shift is consistent and accurate. Furthermore, the phase shifter reduces cost and power consumption without diodes and other peripheral circuitry.

The principles and embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Referring initially to fig. 1, fig. 1 illustrates an example communication system 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The system 100 may include at least one communication device, such as a network appliance 112. The network device 112 may have at least one antenna device 1 to serve the region 102 (also referred to as cell 102) using different frequency bands in the Uplink (UL) and/or Downlink (DL). Such a frequency band may also be referred to as an operating frequency band of the network device. In some example embodiments, the network device 112 may be a base station. Alternatively, the antenna device 1 may be deployed in other communication devices.

The system 100 also includes one or more terminal devices, such as terminal device 120. As long as the terminal device is located within the cell, the terminal device 120 is able to connect and communicate with the network device 112 in UL and DL. In a communication system, UL refers to a link in a direction from a terminal device to a network device, and DL refers to a link in a direction from a network device to a terminal device.

It should be understood that the number of network devices and terminal devices is for illustration purposes only and is not limiting. The system 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. Although not shown, it is to be understood that one or more terminal devices can be located in cell 102.

Communication in communication system 100 may be implemented in accordance with any suitable communication protocol(s) including, but not limited to, first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), and fifth generation (5G) and future generations of cellular communication protocols, wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and/or any other protocol currently known or to be developed in the future. Further, the communication may utilize any suitable wireless communication technology including, but not limited to: code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), frequency Division Duplex (FDD), time Division Duplex (TDD), multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), discrete fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and/or any other technique currently known or developed in the future.

Referring now to fig. 2, fig. 2 shows a block diagram of an antenna device 1 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The antenna 1 comprises a substrate 6, a filter 5 on the substrate 6, a phase shifter 7 on the filter 5, and an antenna array. In one embodiment, the antenna array comprises an antenna plate 4, the antenna plate 4 having a plurality of Antenna Elements (AE) 3 on its top surface and on a phase shifter 7. The antenna 1 may further include a cover 2, the cover 2 for covering the filter 5, the phase shifter 7, the antenna board 4, and the plurality of AEs 3.

In some example embodiments, the substrate 6 may be a power amplifier, a power supply unit, or a PCB, which is capable of supporting the antenna device 1. In the case where a signal is transmitted from the network device 112, the signal passes through the substrate 6 to the filter 5 to be filtered, and then to the phase shifter 7. Then, the phase of the signal is shifted and coupled to the antenna board 4 to be transmitted by AE 3. In the event that the signal is received by the network device 112, the signal will be transmitted in the opposite direction. Although a stacked configuration of antenna devices is shown in fig. 2, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. The antenna device 1 may have other configurations and in some examples one or more of these blocks may be omitted.

Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a phase shifter 10 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The phase shifter 10 may be an example implementation of the phase shifter 7 of fig. 2. The phase shifter 10 includes a chassis 20, the chassis 20 including a first electrical connection assembly and a second electrical connection assembly. The first electrical connection assembly and the second electrical connection assembly are spaced apart from one another. In some example embodiments, the first electrical connection assembly and the second electrical connection assembly may be spring beams and/or spring feet.

The phase shifter 10 further includes a sliding assembly 30, the sliding assembly 30 including a first electrical component and a second electrical component. The first and second electrical members are spaced apart from each other and have different lengths. During signal communication, one of the first and second electrical members is electrically coupled to the first and second electrical connection assemblies such that signals may be transmitted from one of the first and second electrical connection assemblies to the other of the first and second electrical connection assemblies through the first or second electrical members.

The phase shifter 10 further includes a drive assembly 40, the drive assembly 40 being configured to drive the slide assembly 30 to selectively couple one of the first and second electrical components to the first and second electrical connection assemblies of the chassis 20. The drive assembly 40 of the phase shifter 10 may be controlled by an actuator (not shown) to appropriately drive the slide assembly 30 to select the desired signal path so that the signal may be in the desired phase. Details of the configuration of the phase shifter 10 will be described below with reference to fig. 4 to 18. Although the phase shifter 10 is shown, it is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. Other configurations of phase shifters are also possible. For example, fig. 19-23 illustrate different configurations of phase shifters.

In contrast to conventional digital phase shifters, the phase shifter 10 does not require diodes and peripheral circuitry. Therefore, the cost and power consumption of the phase shifter 10 can be greatly reduced. Further, since the chassis 20, the slide assembly 30, and the drive component 40 are substantially at the same level, the phase shifter 10 may have a reduced thickness and size compared to a phase shifter having a conventional stacked configuration. Furthermore, the phase shifter 10 is more accurate than conventional continuous phase shifting, as will be described in more detail below with reference to fig. 7.

Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the chassis 20 of the phase shifter 10 of fig. 3, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. In some example embodiments, the chassis 20 includes a chassis body 21 made of an insulating material, and three phase shift units. Each phase shifting unit comprises a cavity 24. The cavity 24 is provided in the chassis body 21 and is adapted to receive a portion of the sliding assembly 30, and the size of the cavity 24 is larger than the above portion of the sliding assembly 30 in one direction so that the portion can slide in that direction. The first electrical connection assembly 22 extends from the first outer side of the chassis body 21 into the cavity 24. The second electrical connection assembly extends from the other cavity of the chassis body 21 into the cavity 24. Although three phase shifting units are shown, one or more phase shifting units are possible.

Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the spring beam 23 of the phase shifter 10 of fig. 3, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The spring beams 23 may be electrical connection assemblies that extend between the cavities of the chassis 20. The spring beam 23 comprises a body 233, two spring contacts 231 and 232. The spring beams 23 are made of conductive materials including, but not limited to, metals, metallized polymers, and the like. Although a spring beam is shown, it is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. Other electrical coupling mechanisms are possible as long as they are capable of reliably electrically coupling to the components of the slide assembly 30.

Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the spring leg 22 of the phase shifter of fig. 3, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The spring leg 22 includes a body 221, a spring contact 222, and a weld 223. In some examples, the weld 223 may be elastic. The spring legs 22 are made of a conductive material including, but not limited to, metal, metallized polymer, and the like. Although a resilient foot is shown, it is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. Other electrical coupling mechanisms are possible as long as they can be reliably coupled to the components of the slide assembly 30 and other electrical devices.

Fig. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a sliding assembly 30 of the phase shifter of fig. 3, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. In some example embodiments, the sliding assembly 30 includes a sliding plate 31 having a first surface, and the sliding plate 31 may be made of a polymer or PCB. The first electrical member 32 and the second electrical member 33 are provided on the first surface of the slide plate 31. In some example embodiments, the first and second electrical members 32 and 33 have the shape of a strip, and they are made of a continuous conductive material and fixed on the surface of the sliding plate 31 by printing or plating.

In some other example embodiments, there may be additional electrical members on the first surface of the sliding plate 31, and the first electrical member 32 and the second electrical member 33 may have other shapes as long as they have different signal transmission durations. The further electrical components have different lengths so that they can provide different phases for the signals. In some example embodiments, the first electrical member 32 is shorter than the second electrical member 33. The electrical component may have two electrical contact pads (one at a first end of the electrical component and the other at a second end of the electrical component), and an electrical wire between the two electrical contact pads. Because the electrical components have a determined or fixed length, respectively, the phase difference of the signals transmitted through the electrical components is constant.

The phase shifter 10 is more accurate than the continuous shifting in some conventional methods because the phase shifter 10 includes discrete and fixed signal paths in the phase shifter, such as the first electrical member 32 and the second electrical member 33. Furthermore, since the phase shift is determined by the length difference between the electrical components, and the electrical components can be manufactured with high uniformity for all phase shifters in the antenna device, the antenna device can have highly aligned phase shifters. It further improves the accuracy of the phase shift.

The slide assembly 30 further includes a cantilever 34, the cantilever 34 being secured to the slide plate 31 at a first end of the cantilever 34 and including a pin 35 at a second end of the cantilever 34. The second end is opposite the first end. There is a hole 36 in the cantilever 34, the hole 36 receiving a pin of a torsion spring, as described below with reference to fig. 14-16. The pin 35 is designed to match the path of the drive assembly 40 such that the pin 35 can flexibly move in the path to force the slide assembly 30 to slide in the cavity 24 of the chassis 20. Although the slide assembly 30 is shown in fig. 7, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. Other sliding assemblies are also possible. For example, fig. 21 and 23 illustrate different sliding assemblies, which will be described below.

Fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a drive assembly 40 of the phase shifter of fig. 3, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The drive assembly 40 comprises a drive body 41 made of a rigid material. The drive assembly 40 further comprises a path 42 provided in the drive body 41 and extending along the drive body 41. In some example embodiments, the path 42 has a smooth inner surface such that the pin 35 may move flexibly and smoothly in the path 42. This reduces the burden on the actuator to actuate the drive assembly 40. Alternatively, the drive assembly 40 may have other configurations, such as the configuration shown in FIG. 23.

Fig. 9 illustrates a top view of the drive assembly 40 of fig. 8, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The path 42 includes a first groove 421, a second groove 422 parallel to the first groove 421, and a third groove 423 obliquely connected to the first groove 421 and the second groove 422. To facilitate movement of the pin 35 in the path 42, the angle between the third groove 423 and one of the first groove 421 and the second groove 422 is designed to be sufficiently large. For example, the angle may be between 145 ° and 180 °. Other angles are possible as long as the pin 35 is able to move flexibly and smoothly along the path 42.

Fig. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a phase shifter in a first state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. With the pin 35 moved into the second recess 422 or positioned in the second recess 422, the drive component 40 drives the slide assembly 30 to couple the first electrical member 32 to the first and second electrical connection components of the chassis 20. For example, the first electrical member 32 moves upward to be located below the spring leg 22 and the spring beam 23, thereby forming a tight electrical connection with the spring leg 22 and the spring beam 23. The pressure of the spring feet 22 and the spring beams 23 keeps the spring feet 22 and the spring beams 23 tightly connected to the first electrical member 32.

Fig. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the phase shifter of fig. 10, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The first electrical member 32 moves under the spring foot 22 and the spring beam 23. The curved shape of the ends of the elastic leg 22 and the elastic beam 23 is used to smoothly contact the first electrical member 32. This may reduce the burden on the actuator, as the actuator may actuate the drive assembly 40 with less force.

Fig. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a phase shifter in a second state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. With the pins 35 of the three pins moving from the second recess 422 into the first recess 421, the drive component 40 drives the slide assembly 30 to couple the second electrical member 33 to the first and second electrical connection components of the chassis 20. For example, the second electrical member 33 moves upward to be located under the spring leg 22 and the spring beam 23 to form a tight electrical connection with the spring leg 22 and the spring beam 23. The pressure of the spring feet 22 and the spring beams 23 keeps the spring feet 22 and the spring beams 23 tightly connected with the second electrical member 33.

A second of the three pins is located in a third groove 423 in fig. 12. Thus, the end of the elastic beam is located at the region between the first and second electrical members, and in this intermediate case, the end of the elastic beam is also not in electrical contact with any electrical member. As the drive assembly 40 further drives the slide assembly 30, the second pin will slide into either the first groove 421 or the second groove 422, and the spring beam will electrically contact one of the electrical components of the slide assembly 30. In fig. 12, the third of the three pins is still located in the second recess and the first electrical member 32 is electrically connected with the spring foot and the spring beam.

Fig. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a torsion spring 50 in the phase shifter 10 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Torsion spring 50 is coupled to slide assembly 30 and chassis 20. For example, the torsion spring may have two pins at both ends, and these pins are adapted to be inserted into the holes 25 and 36. Other coupling mechanisms are also possible. For example, a first end of the torsion spring 50 may be welded to the chassis 20 and a second end of the torsion spring 50 may be welded to the slide assembly 30.

The torsion spring 50 is configured to move the sliding assembly 30 in a first direction with the first electrical member 32 coupled to the first and second electrical connection components of the chassis 20. The torsion spring 50 is also configured to move the sliding assembly 30 in a second direction opposite the first direction with the second electrical member 33 coupled to the first and second electrical connection components of the chassis 20. By using the torsion spring 50, there is a torsion force applied by the torsion spring 50 that pushes or pulls the sliding assembly 30 upward or downward so that the first and second electrical members 32 and 33 can be properly and effectively connected with the first and second electrical connection assemblies of the chassis 20.

Fig. 14 illustrates a top view of a torsion spring 50 in a first state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The torsion spring 50 includes a spring body 51, two legs 52 and 55, and two pins 53 and 54. As shown in fig. 14, the torsion spring 50 is in a free state.

Fig. 15 illustrates a top view of a torsion spring 50 in a second state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The angle between the two legs 52 and 55 of the torsion spring 50 is reduced compared to the free state. This indicates that the torsion spring 50 is in a compressed state. In this compressed state, a pushing force may be generated to push or pull the slide assembly 30 upward or downward, as described below with respect to fig. 16-18.

Fig. 16 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter in a first state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. A torsion spring 50 is connected to the slide assembly 30 and the chassis 20. For example, the pins of the torsion spring 50 are inserted into the holes of the sliding assembly 30 and the chassis 20. The drive assembly 40 drives the slide assembly 30 to couple the first electrical member 32 with the first and second electrical connection assemblies. In this case, the torsion force of the torsion spring 50 always pulls the sliding assembly 30 downward so that the first electrical member 32 is coupled with the first and second electrical connection assemblies.

Fig. 17 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter in a second state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The drive assembly 40 drives the slide assembly 30 such that the first and second electrical connection assemblies of the chassis are located at a position between the first and second electrical members 32, 33. In this case, the torsion spring 50 is in an unstable state, and the torsion force of the torsion spring 50 pushes the slide assembly 30 to move up or down based on the movement direction.

Fig. 18 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter in a third state according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The drive assembly 40 drives the slide assembly 30 to couple the second electrical member 33 with the first and second electrical connection assemblies. In this case, the torsion force of the torsion spring 50 pushes the sliding assembly 30 upward so that the second electrical member 33 is coupled with the first electrical connection assembly and the second electrical connection assembly.

Thus, the torsion spring 50 serves to avoid an intermediate unstable state to ensure that one of the first and second electrical members 32 and 33 is properly and effectively coupled with the first and second electrical connection assemblies of the chassis 20. This may avoid potential disconnection and may accordingly reduce malfunction of the antenna device 1.

Fig. 19 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The chassis 20A of the phase shifter includes one phase shift unit instead of the three phase shift units shown in fig. 3. Based on the movement of the drive assembly 40A, the slide assembly 30 may slide in the cavity of the chassis 20A to selectively couple one of the electrical components to the first and second electrical connection assemblies. The operation of the phase shifter is similar to the phase shifter 10 and the description thereof is omitted here for the sake of brevity.

Fig. 20 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The chassis 20B of the phase shifter includes five phase shift units instead of the three phase shift units shown in fig. 3. Based on the movement of the drive component 40B, the plurality of slide assemblies 30 may slide in corresponding cavities of the chassis 20B such that each of the plurality of slide assemblies 30 may selectively couple one of its electrical members to the first and second electrical connection components. The operation of the phase shifter is similar to that of the phase shifter 10, and the description thereof is omitted here for brevity. The phase shifter has an enhanced phase shifting capability compared to the phase shifter 10 because it increases the number of phase shifting elements.

Fig. 21 illustrates a top view of a slide assembly 30A in a chassis according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The sliding assembly 30A includes three electrical components 32, 33 and 39 having different lengths to provide three different phases for the signals. Alternatively, in some example embodiments, the sliding assembly 30A may include more electrical components having different lengths to provide more phase to the signal. In some example embodiments, the drive assembly of the phase shifter may have corresponding gears to match three or more electrical components having different lengths. Furthermore, there may be more than one torsion spring to match three or more electrical components.

Fig. 22 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The phase shifter includes five phase shifting units in the chassis, five corresponding slide assemblies, and a drive assembly 40C. The driving assembly may have a staggered pattern of first grooves 421 and second grooves 422 connected by a third groove. The first groove 421 and the second groove 422 are arranged in parallel. This provides a more flexible phase shift combination.

Fig. 23 illustrates a top view of a phase shifter according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The chassis of the phase shifter includes a similar structure to the chassis 20B of fig. 20, and a description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. The sliding assembly comprises a sliding plate 31 having a first surface. The first electrical member 32 and the second electrical member 33 are provided on the first surface of the slide plate 31.

The slide assembly also includes a cantilever 34, the cantilever 34 coupled to the slide plate 31 at a first end of the cantilever 34 and including a recess at a second end of the cantilever 34 opposite the first end. The phase shifter also includes a drive assembly 40. The drive assembly includes a drive beam 70, the drive beam 70 being configured to move through the recess in a direction perpendicular to the cantilever 34. The drive assembly further comprises a first projection 71 on a first side of the drive beam 70 and a second projection 72 on a second side of the drive beam 70. The second side is opposite to the first side. In some example embodiments, the first and second bosses 71, 72 have a hemispherical shape, and the radius of the hemisphere is substantially equal to the sliding distance of the sliding assembly in the cavity of the chassis. Alternatively, the bumps 71 and 72 may have other shapes. The recess of the slide assembly is configured to receive the drive beam 70, and one of the first and second projections 71, 72. The lugs 71 and 72 can smoothly move into the recesses and effectively move the slide assembly up or down.

With the second tab 72 moved into the recess, the drive assembly drives the slide assembly upward such that the second electrical member 33 is electrically coupled with the first and second electrical connections of the chassis. With the first tab 71 moved into the recess, the drive assembly drives the slide assembly downward such that the first electrical member 32 is electrically coupled with the first and second electrical connections of the chassis. With the configuration of fig. 23, the thickness of the phase shifter can be further reduced because the pins of the sliding assembly are not required.

Moreover, although operations are described in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Also, while the above discussion contains several specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A phase shifter (10), comprising:

a chassis (20) comprising a first electrical connection assembly and a second electrical connection assembly, the first and second electrical connection assemblies being arranged spaced apart from each other;

a sliding assembly (30) comprising a first electrical member (32) and a second electrical member (33), the first and second electrical members being arranged separate from each other and having different lengths; and

a drive assembly (40) configured to drive the slide assembly (30) to selectively couple one of the first and second electrical members (32, 33) to the first and second electrical connection assemblies of the chassis (20).

2. The phase shifter (10) of claim 1, wherein the chassis (20) further comprises:

a chassis body (21); and

a cavity (24) is provided in the chassis body (21) and adapted to accommodate a portion of the sliding assembly (30).

3. The phase shifter (10) of claim 2, wherein:

the first electrical connection assembly extends from a first outer side of the chassis body (21) into the cavity (24); and is also provided with

The second electrical connection assembly extends from a second outer side of the chassis body (21) into the cavity (24).

4. The phase shifter (10) of claim 1, wherein the sliding assembly (30) further comprises:

a sliding plate (31) having a first surface, the first electrical member (32) and the second electrical member (33) being provided on the first surface of the sliding plate (31); and

-a cantilever (34) coupled to the sliding plate (31) at a first end of the cantilever (34) and comprising a pin (35) at a second end of the cantilever (34), the second end being opposite to the first end.

5. The phase shifter (10) of claim 4, wherein the drive assembly (40) comprises:

a driving body (41); and

-a path (42) comprising a first groove (421), a second groove (422) parallel to the first groove (421), and a third groove (423) connected obliquely to the first and second grooves (421, 422), the path (42) being provided in the drive body (41) and extending along the drive body (41).

6. The phase shifter (10) of claim 5, wherein the drive assembly (40) is configured to:

driving the sliding assembly (30) with the pin (35) in the first recess (421) to couple the second electrical member (33) to the first and second electrical connection components of the chassis (20); and is also provided with

The slide assembly (30) is driven with the pin (35) in the second recess (422) to couple the first electrical component (32) to the first and second electrical connection assemblies of the chassis (20).

7. The phase shifter (10) of claim 1, wherein the sliding assembly (30) further comprises:

-a cantilever (34) coupled to the sliding plate (31) at a first end of the cantilever (34) and comprising a recess at a second end of the cantilever (34), the second end being opposite to the first end.

8. The phase shifter (10) of claim 7, wherein the drive assembly (40) comprises:

a drive beam (70) configured to move through the recess in a direction perpendicular to the cantilever (34);

a first bump (71) on a first side of the drive beam (70); and

a second bump (72) on a second side of the drive beam (70), the second side being opposite the first side.

9. The phase shifter (10) of claim 1, further comprising a torsion spring (50) coupled to the sliding assembly (30) and the chassis (20), the torsion spring (50) configured to:

moving the slide assembly (30) in a first direction with the first electrical member (32) coupled to the first and second electrical connection assemblies of the chassis (20); and is also provided with

The slide assembly (30) is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction with the second electrical member (33) coupled to the first and second electrical connection assemblies of the chassis (20).

10. The phase shifter (10) of claim 9, wherein:

the chassis (20) further comprises a first hole (25);

the slide assembly further includes a second aperture (36); and is also provided with

The torsion spring (50) comprises a first spring pin (53) adapted to be inserted into the first hole (26) and a second spring pin (54) adapted to be inserted into the second hole (36).

11. The phase shifter (10) of claim 1, wherein:

the first electrical connection assembly comprises a spring beam (23);

the second electrical connection assembly comprises a resilient foot (22); and is also provided with

The first and second electrical members (32, 33) have the shape of strips.

12. The phase shifter (10) of claim 1, wherein the sliding assembly (30) includes a third electrical member (39), the third electrical member (39) being separate from the first and second electrical members (32, 33) and having a different length than the first and second electrical members (32, 33).

13. An antenna device (1) comprising:

a phase shifter according to any preceding claim; and

an antenna array electrically coupled to the phase shifter.

14. The antenna device (1) according to claim 13, further comprising:

-a filter (5) electrically coupled to the phase shifter (7, 10); and

-an antenna cover (2) for covering the filter (5), the antenna array and the phase shifters (7, 10);

wherein the antenna array comprises an antenna plate comprising an array of antenna elements.

15. A base station (112) comprising an antenna device according to claim 13 or 14.