CN211045673U - Radio frequency signal transmission device for base station antenna, phase shifter and base station antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a radio frequency signal transmission device for a base station antenna, wherein the radio frequency signal transmission device comprises a printed circuit board comprising a dielectric layer, a metal pattern layer on a first main surface of the dielectric layer, and a ground layer on a second main surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the metal pattern layer comprises a transmission line deformation section for enhancing an anti-surge current capability, and the ground layer comprises a slot configured to at least partially compensate a characteristic impedance change due to the transmission line deformation section. According to the utility model discloses a radio frequency signal transmission device has simple structure and manufacturing method to can realize carrying out characteristic impedance matching when strengthening anti surge current ability. Furthermore, according to the utility model discloses a radio frequency signal transmission device still has the advantage that the PIM performance is improved. The disclosure also relates to a phase shifter for a base station antenna and a base station antenna.

Description

Radio frequency signal transmission device for base station antenna, phase shifter and base station antenna

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to radio communications. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency signal transmission apparatus for a base station antenna, a phase shifter, and a base station antenna.

Background

In mobile communication networks, the feed network in the base station antenna is vulnerable to "inrush currents". Surge current is a transient current, voltage fluctuation that can damage the circuitry in the antenna. The surge current generation means includes, for example, lightning discharge, power system failure (e.g., operation of a circuit breaker, short-circuit failure, input and removal of a load, etc.), electrostatic discharge, and the like. Therefore, providing sufficient "inrush current" protection for a base station antenna is a technical problem that needs to be solved by those skilled in the art.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a radio frequency signal transmission device, a phase shifter and a base station antenna that overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency signal transmission device for a base station antenna, wherein the radio frequency signal transmission device includes a printed circuit board including a dielectric layer, a metal pattern layer on a first major surface of the dielectric layer, and a ground layer on a second major surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the metal pattern layer includes a transmission line deformation section for enhancing an anti-surge current capability, and the ground layer includes a slot configured to at least partially compensate for a characteristic impedance change caused by the transmission line deformation section. According to the utility model discloses a radio frequency signal transmission device has simple structure and manufacturing method to can realize carrying out characteristic impedance matching when strengthening anti surge current ability. Furthermore, according to the utility model discloses a radio frequency signal transmission device still has the advantage that the PIM performance is improved.

In some embodiments, the transmission line deformation section is configured as a transmission line widening section.

In some embodiments, the transmission line deformation section comprises an input section and/or an output section for radio frequency signals.

In some embodiments, the slot at least partially overlaps the transmission line deformation section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the printed circuit board.

In some embodiments, the slot extends along the transmission line deformation section.

In some embodiments, the slot extends along substantially the entire length of the transmission line deformation section.

In some embodiments, the shape of the slot is rectangular or circular.

In some embodiments, the metal pattern layer comprises a power divider comprising a first input section, a first output section and a second output section, wherein the first input section, the first output section and the second output section of the power divider are configured as the respective transmission line deformation sections.

In some embodiments, the ground plane includes a first slot assigned to the first input section, a second slot assigned to the first output section, and a third slot assigned to the second output section.

In some embodiments, the first, second and third slots are spaced apart from one another.

In some embodiments, the first slot extends along the first input section and at least partially overlaps the first input section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the printed circuit board; the second slot extends along the first output section, at least partially overlapping the first output section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the printed circuit board; the third slot extends along the second output section, at least partially overlapping the second output section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the printed circuit board.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency signal transmission device is capable of withstanding at least 10kA of inrush current strength.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency signal transmission device is a phase shifter, filter, multiplexer, or duplexer.

The disclosure also relates to a phase shifter for a base station antenna, wherein the phase shifter comprises a first printed circuit board and a movable part, the first printed circuit board including a dielectric layer, a metal pattern layer on a first major surface of the dielectric layer, and a ground layer on a second major surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the metal pattern layer comprises an input section connected with a radio frequency input end and at least one output section connected with at least one corresponding radio frequency output end, wherein the movable member is configured to adjust the phase of at least some radio frequency signal sub-components of a radio frequency signal input at the radio frequency input, wherein the input section is configured as a first transmission line deformation section for enhancing surge current resistance, the ground layer includes a slot associated with the first transmission line deformation segment, the slot configured to at least partially compensate for characteristic impedance variations due to the first transmission line deformation segment.

In some embodiments, the first transmission line deformation section is configured as a widened transmission line section.

In some embodiments, the slot at least partially overlaps the first transmission line deformation section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the first printed circuit board.

In some embodiments, the groove extends along the first transmission line deforming section.

In some embodiments, the groove extends substantially following the entire trajectory of the deformed section of the first transmission line.

In some embodiments, a first output section in the metal pattern layer is configured as a second transmission line deformation section, the first output section enabling one sub-component of the radio frequency signal to be transmitted to one output terminal without undergoing an adjustable phase shift.

In some embodiments, the ground layer includes a first slot associated with the input section and a second slot associated with the first output section, the first and second slots configured to at least partially compensate for characteristic impedance changes due to the first and second transmission line deformation sections, respectively.

In some embodiments, the first and second slots are spaced apart from each other.

In some embodiments, the first slot extends along the input section and at least partially overlaps the input section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the printed circuit board; the second slot extends along the first output section, at least partially overlapping the first output section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the printed circuit board.

In some embodiments, a second output section in the metal pattern layer is configured as a third transmission line deformation section, the second output section transmitting one sub-component of the radio frequency signal to one output terminal with being subjected to an adjustable phase shift.

In some embodiments, the phase shifter is capable of withstanding at least 10kA of inrush current strength.

In some embodiments, the movable member is configured as a slider rotatable over the metal pattern layer for adjusting a phase shift experienced by the radio frequency signal between the input and the respective output.

In some embodiments, the phase shifters are configured as slide-plate shifters, trombone shifters, or sliding medium phase shifters.

The disclosure also relates to a base station antenna with a radio frequency signal transmission arrangement according to any of claims 1-13 and/or with a phase shifter according to any of claims 14-26.

The present disclosure also relates to a radio frequency signal transmission device for a base station antenna, wherein the radio frequency signal transmission device comprises a printed circuit board comprising a dielectric layer, a metal pattern layer on a first main surface of the dielectric layer and a ground layer on a second main surface of the dielectric layer, the metal pattern layer of the radio frequency signal transmission device comprises a transmission line widening section having a width larger than at least one other transmission line section on the printed circuit board, and the ground layer comprises a slot below the transmission line widening section, in which slot metallic material is removed.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency signal transmission device is a transformer, and the transmission line widening section is disposed along the input section of the power splitter.

In some embodiments, the slot extends substantially along the length of the transmission line widened section.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosed subject technology will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed subject technology. The advantages of the subject technology of the present disclosure will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the subject technology of the present disclosure as claimed.

Drawings

Various aspects of the disclosure will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which:

figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a microstrip line power divider;

fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a microstrip line power divider according to an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 3 shows a comparison of the performance of the microstrip line power divider of figure 1 and the microstrip line power divider of figure 2 in terms of reflection coefficient and transmission coefficient;

figure 4 shows a comparison of the performance of the microstrip line power divider of figure 1 and the microstrip line power divider of figure 2 in terms of surface loss density;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a phase shifter;

fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, the embodiments described below are intended to provide a more complete disclosure of the present disclosure, and to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. It is also to be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide further additional embodiments.

It should be understood that like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views. In the drawings, the size of some of the features may be varied for clarity.

It is to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. All terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the specification have the meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art unless otherwise defined. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

As used in this specification, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprising," "including," and "containing" when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features. The term "and/or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The terms "between X and Y" and "between about X and Y" as used in the specification should be construed to include X and Y. The term "between about X and Y" as used herein means "between about X and about Y" and the term "from about X to Y" as used herein means "from about X to about Y".

In the description, when an element is referred to as being "on," "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" to, or "contacting" another element, etc., another element may be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled to, or contacting the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly attached to," directly connected to, "directly coupled to," or "directly contacting" another element, there are no intervening elements present. In the description, one feature is disposed "adjacent" another feature, and may mean that one feature has a portion overlapping with or above or below an adjacent feature.

In the specification, spatial relations such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "high", "low", and the like may explain the relation of one feature to another feature in the drawings. It will be understood that the spatial relationship terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, features originally described as "below" other features may be described as "above" other features when the device in the figures is inverted. The device may also be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the relative spatial relationships may be interpreted accordingly.

Printed Circuit Board (PCB) microstrip lines are widely used for transmission lines of the feed network of base station antennas. The feed network is an important component in the base station antenna, which is used to connect the antenna ports with the array of radiating elements. The feed network includes a plurality of Radio Frequency (RF) signal transmission paths and implements functions such as characteristic impedance matching. The feed network is closely related to the radiation performance of the antenna, and directly influences the parameters of the antenna array, such as standing wave ratio, radiation efficiency, beam pointing and the like. In the design of a feed network for a base station antenna, the characteristics of the feed network, such as characteristic impedance matching, amplitude phase distribution and the like, are concerned so as to reduce the loss of radio frequency signals, improve the radiation efficiency and obtain good antenna directional pattern characteristics.

Characteristic impedance is an important parameter in wireless communication systems. During signal transmission, if the characteristic impedance on the transmission path changes, the radio frequency signal is reflected at the position of impedance discontinuity. This reflection will create standing waves in the transmission path, resulting in a large amount of power being wasted on the reflected power. Therefore, it is desirable to achieve good matching of characteristic impedances during transmission of radio frequency signals.

Microstrip transmission lines, or "microstrips", comprise conductive signal lines running over a conductive ground plane. A dielectric material (e.g., PCB substrate, air, etc.) separates the conductive signal line from the conductive ground layer. The characteristic impedance of such a microstrip line is mainly determined by the transmission line width, thickness, dielectric material thickness, dielectric permittivity, and the like. For a feed network for a base station antenna, the conductive signal lines for microstrip line transmission lines in the feed network are typically designed to be thinner to reduce the size and cost of the feed network. However, a thinner microstrip transmission line is generally less tolerant to surge currents. For example, a thinner PCB-based microstrip transmission line may not be able to withstand surge current strengths of greater than 3 kA. In order to improve the stability and safety of the system as a whole, it is desirable that the feed network can withstand large surge currents.

According to the present invention, embodiments relate to a microstrip line-based radio frequency signal transmission device suitable for use in a feed network of a base station antenna, which may include a printed circuit board including a dielectric layer, a metal pattern layer on a first main surface of the dielectric layer, and a ground layer on a second main surface of the dielectric layer, the metal pattern layer including a radio frequency signal transmission path. In some embodiments, the radio frequency signal transmission means may be a power divider, a phase shifter, a duplexer, a multiplexer, or a filter, etc., in the feed network of the base station antenna.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a radio frequency signal transmission arrangement, which may be in the form of a microstrip line based power divider 1'. In the base station antenna system, the microstrip line power divider 1' may be configured to divide each radio frequency signal input thereto into a plurality of radio frequency signal sub-components according to a predetermined power division rule, and to supply the respective radio frequency signal sub-components to respective downstream radio frequency components. As shown in fig. 1, the microstrip line power divider 1 'may include a printed circuit board 10', the printed circuit board 10 'including a dielectric layer 11', a metal pattern layer 12 'on a first major surface of the dielectric layer 11', and a ground layer 13 'on a second major surface of the dielectric layer 11'. In fig. 1, a schematic perspective view of the microstrip line power divider 1 'is shown on the left side, and a schematic diagram of the ground layer 13' separated from the dielectric layer 11 'and the metal pattern layer 12' is shown on the right side. Among other things, the metal pattern layer 12 'may include an input port 121', a first output port 122 ', and a second output port 123', and an input section 124 ', a first output section 125', and a second output section 126 'extending between the input port 121' and the respective output ports 122 ', 123'. The input section 124 ', the first output section 125 ' and the second output section 126 ' may generally form a T-shape. The input port 121 'may be connected with the radio frequency signal input of the base station antenna or the output port of the upstream power divider and may feed the first sub-component of the radio frequency signal to the first output port 122' via the input section 124 'and the first output section 125'. The first output port 122' may feed the first sub-component of the radio frequency signal to a radiating element downstream of the base station antenna or to an input port of a downstream power divider. Likewise, the input port 121 ' feeds the second sub-component of the radio frequency signal to the second output port 123 ' via the respective input section 124 ' and second output section 126 ', the second output port 123 ' may then feed the second sub-component of the radio frequency signal to the radiating element downstream of the base station antenna or to the input port of the downstream power divider. The first and second subcomponents of the radio frequency signal may be distributed to respective shares of power according to the design of the power divider, e.g., the respective widths of the input section 124 ', the first output section 125 ' and the second output section 126 '.

In the example shown in fig. 1, the metal pattern layer 12 'includes an input section 124', a first output section 125 ', and a second output section 126'. It should be understood that more than two output transfer sections may be provided. In other embodiments, a plurality of power dividers in parallel and/or in series may be included in the metal pattern layer 12'.

Fig. 2 shows a microstrip line based power divider 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly to fig. 1, a schematic perspective view of the microstrip line-based power divider 1 is shown on the left side of fig. 2, and a schematic view in which the ground layer 13 is separated from the dielectric layer 11 and the metal layer 12 is shown on the right side. In order to enhance the ability to withstand surge currents, the metal pattern layer 12 of the power divider of fig. 2 may include at least one transmission line deformation section.

In some embodiments, the transmission line deformation section may be mainly located at a section where power is converged in the radio frequency signal transmission path, for example, an input section of the radio frequency signal in the power divider.

In some embodiments, the transmission line deformation section may be configured as a transmission line widening section, for example, widening a conventional transmission line width by 2 times, 3 times, 4 times, or 5 times, in order to enhance its surge current resistance. In some embodiments, the average width of the input section and each output transmission line of the microstrip line power divider 1 according to embodiments of the present invention is at least five times that of the conventional design. Accordingly, the microstrip line power divider 1 of the embodiment of fig. 2 is capable of withstanding surge current strengths of more than 10kA, relative to the surge current strengths of up to 3kA that can be tolerated by the microstrip line power divider 1' of conventional design. In other embodiments, to enhance the surge current resistance, the metal portion (e.g., the input section 124) of the corresponding transmission line segment may be thickened, or the dielectric material thickness or dielectric permittivity may be changed, etc.

As shown in fig. 2, the transmission line deformation section in the metal pattern layer 12 in this embodiment may include an input section 124, a first output section 125, and a second output section 126. The widths of the conductive traces of input section 124, first output section 125, and second output section 126 are greater than the widths of the corresponding conductive traces in the transmission line of fig. 1. Here, the width of the transmission line may take its average width into consideration. In some embodiments, the average width of the widened input section 124 and output transmission sections 125, 126 is at least two, three, four or five times the average width of the input section 124 ' and output transmission sections 125 ', 126 ' in fig. 1. By increasing the width of the transmission line, the stability of the power divider 1 as a whole is improved, so that the power divider 1 can bear larger surge current.

However, the deformation (here, widening) of the transmission line deformation section changes the characteristic impedance of the transmission line deformation section (for example, the characteristic impedance may become small), thereby affecting the impedance matching of the feeding network, increasing the return loss, and causing the transmission efficiency of the radio frequency signal to be lowered. To alleviate this, the ground plane 13 may comprise slots 130 assigned to respective transmission line deformation sections. The slot 130 includes an area in which metal material is removed from the ground layer and is configured to adjust a characteristic impedance on the radio frequency signal transmission path so as to compensate for a change in the characteristic impedance due to the deformed section of the transmission line. In some embodiments, the slot 130 and the associated transmission line deformation section at least partially have an overlap in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the printed circuit board 10. In some embodiments, the slot 130 extends (below) along the deployed transmission line deformation segment, and in some embodiments may extend substantially along the entire length of the deployed transmission line deformation segment.

In order to realize characteristic impedance matching of the power divider while widening the transmission line, as shown in the lower right side of fig. 2, three slots, i.e., a first slot 131, a second slot 132, and a third slot 133, may be opened in the ground layer according to this embodiment.

In the embodiment of fig. 2, a first slot 131 extends along the input section 124 in the ground plane 13, a second slot 132 extends along the first output section 125 in the ground plane 13, and a third slot 133 extends along the second output section 126 in the ground plane 13. In some embodiments, each slot may extend along the entire length of the respective transmission line being provided. The slots 131, 132, 133 serve to adjust the characteristic impedance and may make it easier to adjust the radio frequency performance of the antenna, e.g. S-parameters of the power divider, such as reflection parameters and/or power transmission parameters, by changing the size, shape and/or position of the first, second and/or third slots 131, 132, 133. Furthermore, each slot extends along the associated transmission line to help maintain the characteristic impedance consistent across the transmission line, further reducing return loss.

The three slots 131, 132, 133 are sized, shaped and positioned so as to enable the characteristic impedance of the respective transmission line to be adjusted so as to compensate for the characteristic impedance variation caused by the widening of the transmission line. By appropriately providing the slots on the ground layer 13, a desired impedance matching can be achieved, so that a good impedance matching can be maintained while the surge current resistance of the power divider 1 is improved.

It should be understood that in other embodiments, the size, shape, number and location of the slots 130 on the ground plane 13 may be different from that shown in fig. 2 according to actual needs. For example, in some embodiments, only one slot 130 may be provided on the ground layer 13, the slot 130 overlapping with at least one of the transmission lines in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the printed circuit board. For example, in some embodiments, the shape of the slot 130 may be rectangular, circular, oblong, and the like. In some embodiments, the number of slots 130 may be two, four, or more. In some embodiments, the number of slots 130 is the same as the sum of the number of transmission lines, and may at least partially overlap each transmission line. In some embodiments, the plurality of slots 130 are spaced apart from one another when the number of slots 130 is more than one.

The transmission line width in the metal pattern layer 12 of the microstrip line power divider 1 can be set according to the surge current resistance (for example, capable of withstanding 10kA surge current) to be realized. Subsequently, the shape, size, number, and position of the slots 130 in the ground layer 13 may be set according to the overall characteristic impedance desired to be achieved by the microstrip line power divider 1. It should be understood that the combination of the shape, size, number and position of the slots 130 that can achieve the overall characteristic impedance desired by the microstrip line power divider 1 is not exclusive.

In the field of radio frequency communication, reflection loss (return loss) is an important criterion for evaluating the quality of characteristic impedance matching. As described above, during transmission of radio frequency signals, the radio frequency signals are reflected at locations where the characteristic impedance on the transmission line is discontinuous. Therefore, if the measurement result of the reflection loss is substantially the same as before the transmission line width of the metal pattern layer is not changed, it can be determined that the desired characteristic impedance has been achieved.

A comparative graph between the reflection coefficient and the transmission coefficient between the microstrip line power divider 1' of fig. 1 and the microstrip line power divider 1 of fig. 2 is shown in fig. 3. In fig. 3, the dashed line corresponds to the performance of the microstrip line power divider 1' of fig. 1, and the solid line corresponds to the performance of the microstrip line power divider 1 according to the embodiment of fig. 2. As shown, the reflection coefficient of the microstrip line power splitter 1 according to the embodiment of fig. 2 is substantially the same as the power splitter 1' of fig. 1, the reflection coefficient at higher frequencies being even lower than that of the prior art design. Furthermore, as can be seen from fig. 3, the transmission coefficients of the microstrip line power divider 1 according to the embodiment of fig. 2 are substantially the same as those of the power divider 1' of fig. 1, i.e., the modification of the microstrip line power divider does not significantly affect the power division of the power divider.

A comparative plot of the surface loss density of the microstrip line power splitter 1' of figure 1 and the microstrip line power splitter 1 according to the embodiment of figure 2 is shown in figure 4. In fig. 4, the dashed line corresponds to the performance of the microstrip line power divider 1' of fig. 1, and the solid line corresponds to the performance of the microstrip line power divider 1 according to the embodiment of fig. 2. As shown, the microstrip line power divider 1 according to the embodiment of fig. 2 has a widened transmission line and has a lower surface loss density than the microstrip line power divider 1' of fig. 1. Thus, the widened transmission line may also improve the Passive Intermodulation (PIM) performance of the power splitter.

Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a radio-frequency signal transmission device according to the invention, wherein the radio-frequency signal transmission device is a phase shifter for a base station antenna. The phase shifter can be used to adjust antenna beam pattern characteristics generated by the array of radiating elements (e.g., can be used to adjust the downtilt angle of the antenna beam).

The phase shifters according to various embodiments of the present invention may be configured as various types of phase shifters, for example, may be slide-type phase shifters, trombone-type phase shifters, or sliding-medium phase shifters.

A phase shifter according to some embodiments of the invention is next exemplarily described with the aid of fig. 5 and 6. As shown in fig. 5, a widely used electromechanical "slide" type phase shifter 2 'is shown, such a phase shifter 2' comprising a first printed circuit board 20 'and a movable member 30'. The first printed circuit board 20 'includes a dielectric layer 21', a metal pattern layer 22 'on a first main surface of the dielectric layer 21' and a ground layer (not shown in fig. 5) on a second main surface of the dielectric layer 21 ', the metal pattern layer 22' including an input section 222 'connected to the input terminal 221' and a first output section 224 'connected to the first output terminal 223', a second output section 226 'connected to the second output terminal 225', a third output section 228 'connected to the third output terminal 227', a fourth output section 230 'connected to the fourth output terminal 229', and a fifth output section 232 'connected to the fifth output terminal 231'. The movable member 30 'is configured as a slider rotatable above the metal pattern layer 22'. The phase shifter may split a radio frequency signal input thereto into a plurality of radio frequency signal sub-components and may adjust phases associated with the radio frequency signal sub-components to adjust the antenna beam pattern characteristics. It is understood that in other embodiments, the metal pattern layer 22' may include any suitable number of input sections and any suitable number of output sections. It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments, the movable member 30' may be configured in other known forms to adjust the phase shift applied to the sub-components of the radio frequency signal.

The slider phase shifter 2 ' is configured to transfer at least one sub-component of an input radio frequency signal received at the metal-pattern layer 22 ' to the slider 30 '. The radio frequency signal sub-components passed to slide 30 'may be further distributed across slide 30' and coupled from slide 30 'back to metal pattern layer 22' along a plurality of arcuate phase shifted transmission lines. The ends of each phase shifting transmission line may be connected to a respective radiating element or a respective group of radiating elements. By physically (mechanically) rotating the slide 30 'over the metal-pattern layer 22', the position at which the radio-frequency signal sub-component is coupled back to the metal-pattern layer 22 'can be changed, thereby changing the length of the corresponding transmission path through the phase shifter 2'. The length of the respective transmission path from the phase shifter 2' to the associated radiating element is changed for each sub-component of the radio frequency signal. This change in path length results in a change in the phase of the corresponding radio frequency signal sub-component.

The metal pattern layer 22' may include a transmission line deformation section for enhancing resistance to surge current. For example, the transmission line segment of the metal pattern layer 22' that transmits the largest amount of signals may be configured as the transmission line deformation segment. For example, in the embodiment of fig. 6, the input section 222 and the first output section 224 of the metal pattern layer 22 may be configured as transmission line deformation sections, e.g., widened sections, in the case that the other elements correspond to the respective elements in fig. 5. It should be understood that in fig. 6, elements that are the same as or similar to elements in fig. 5 are indicated by the reference numerals of fig. 5 with the prime "'" removed. In some embodiments, the first output section 224 transmits the radio frequency signal sub-components to an output without undergoing adjustable phase shifts. By widening some transmission lines, the overall safety of the phase shifter 2 is improved, so that the phase shifter 2 can bear larger surge current. It should be understood that in other embodiments, other signal transmission line segments in the metal pattern layer 22 may also be configured as transmission line deformation segments.

In order to achieve characteristic impedance matching of the phase shifter 2 while employing a widened transmission line, the ground layer 23 as shown in fig. 6 may include respective slots 240 assigned to the transmission line deformation sections, the slots 240 being configured to compensate for impedance changes due to the respective transmission line deformation sections. In some embodiments, each slot 240 may at least partially overlap with the assigned transmission line deformation section in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the first printed circuit board 20. In some embodiments, the slot 240 extends along the deployed transmission line deformation segment, and may extend along substantially the entire length of the deployed transmission line deformation segment.

As shown in the right side of fig. 6, in this embodiment, the ground layer 23 includes a first slot 241 assigned to the input section 222 and a second slot 242 assigned to the first output section 224, and the first slot 241 and the second slot 242 are configured to compensate for characteristic impedance changes caused by the respective transmission line deformation sections while maintaining good performance of transmission and distribution of radio frequency signals. Similarly, the widened transmission line enables the phase shifter 2 to have improved PIM performance. In other embodiments, the corresponding transmission line may be thickened in order to enhance the surge current resistance. The first and second slots 241, 242 extend along the associated transmission line deformation section, and the first and second slots 241, 242 are spaced apart from each other.

In some embodiments, only the input section 222 and/or the first output section 224 are configured as transmission line widening sections, enabling better inrush current resistance on input and output transmission sections that typically carry greater power. In other embodiments, other input and/or output transmission sections may also be configured as widened transmission lines.

According to the utility model discloses a radio frequency signal transmission device has simple structure and manufacturing method to can realize carrying out characteristic impedance matching when strengthening anti surge current ability. Furthermore, according to the utility model discloses a radio frequency signal transmission device still has the advantage that the PIM performance is improved. It should be understood that the radio frequency signal transmission device according to the present invention can be applied to a power divider, a phase shifter, a filter, a duplexer, and other radio frequency signal transmission devices.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure without substantially departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims. The disclosure is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Claims (9)

1. A radio frequency signal transmission device for a base station antenna, comprising a printed circuit board including a dielectric layer, a metal pattern layer on a first major surface of the dielectric layer, and a ground layer on a second major surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the metal pattern layer includes a transmission line deformation section for enhancing resistance to inrush current, and the ground layer includes a slot configured to at least partially compensate for a characteristic impedance change due to the transmission line deformation section.

2. The radio frequency signal transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission line deformation section is configured as a transmission line widening section; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the transmission line deformation section comprises an input section and/or an output section for radio frequency signals; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the slot at least partially overlaps the transmission line deformation section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the printed circuit board; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the slot extends along a transmission line deformation segment; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the slot extends substantially along the entire length of the transmission line deformation section; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the shape of the groove is rectangular or circular; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the metal pattern layer includes a power divider including a first input section, a first output section, and a second output section, wherein the first input section, the first output section, and the second output section of the power divider are configured as the transmission line deformation sections, respectively.

3. The radio frequency signal transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the ground layer includes a first slot assigned to the first input section, a second slot assigned to the first output section, and a third slot assigned to the second output section; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the first, second and third slots are spaced apart from one another; and/or the first slot extends along the first input section and at least partially overlaps the first input section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the printed circuit board;

the second slot extends along the first output section, at least partially overlapping the first output section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the printed circuit board; and

the third slot extends along the second output section, at least partially overlapping the second output section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the printed circuit board; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the radio frequency signal transmission device can bear the surge current intensity of at least 10 kA; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the radio frequency signal transmission device is a phase shifter, a filter, a multiplexer or a duplexer.

4. Phase shifter for a base station antenna, characterized in that the phase shifter comprises a first printed circuit board and a movable part, the first printed circuit board including a dielectric layer, a metal pattern layer on a first major surface of the dielectric layer, and a ground layer on a second major surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the metal pattern layer comprises an input section connected with a radio frequency input end and at least one output section connected with at least one corresponding radio frequency output end, wherein the movable member is configured to adjust the phase of at least some radio frequency signal sub-components of a radio frequency signal input at the radio frequency input, wherein the input section is configured as a first transmission line deformation section for enhancing surge current resistance, the ground layer includes a slot associated with the first transmission line deformation segment, the slot configured to at least partially compensate for characteristic impedance variations due to the first transmission line deformation segment.

5. The phase shifter of claim 4, wherein the first transmission line deformation section is configured as a widened transmission line section; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the slot at least partially overlaps the first transmission line deformation section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the first printed circuit board; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the groove extends along the first transmission line deformation section; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the groove extends substantially following the entire trajectory of the deformed section of the first transmission line; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

a first output section in the metal pattern layer is configured as a second transmission line deformation section, and the first output section enables one sub-component of the radio frequency signal to be transmitted to one output end without undergoing adjustable phase shift; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the ground layer includes a first slot assigned to the input section and a second slot assigned to the first output section, the first and second slots being configured to at least partially compensate for characteristic impedance changes due to the first and second transmission line deformation sections, respectively; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the first and second slots are spaced apart from each other; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the first slot extends along the input section and at least partially overlaps the input section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the printed circuit board; and

the second slot extends along the first output section, at least partially overlapping the first output section in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface of the printed circuit board.

6. The phase shifter according to claim 4, wherein a second output section in the metal pattern layer is configured as a third transmission line deformation section, the second output section transmitting one sub-component of the radio frequency signal to one output terminal with being subjected to an adjustable phase shift; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the phase shifter can bear the surge current intensity of at least 10 kA; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the movable part is configured as a slider rotatable over the metal pattern layer for adjusting a phase shift experienced by the radio frequency signal between the input and the respective output; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the phase shifter is composed of a sliding sheet type phase shifter, a long-size phase shifter or a sliding medium phase shifter.

7. Base station antenna, characterized in that the base station antenna has a radio frequency signal transmission arrangement according to any of claims 1-3 and/or the base station antenna has a phase shifter according to any of claims 4-6.

8. A radio frequency signal transmission device for a base station antenna, characterized in that the radio frequency signal transmission device comprises a printed circuit board comprising a dielectric layer, a metal pattern layer on a first main surface of the dielectric layer and a ground layer on a second main surface of the dielectric layer, the metal pattern layer of the radio frequency signal transmission device comprises a transmission line widening section having a width larger than at least one other transmission line section on the printed circuit board, and the ground layer comprises a slot below the transmission line widening section, in which slot metallic material is removed.

9. The radio frequency signal transmission apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the radio frequency signal transmission apparatus is a transformer, and the transmission line widening section is provided along an input section of the power divider; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the slot extends substantially along the length of the transmission line widened section.

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