EP1695417B1 - Antenna comprising at least one dipole or a dipole-like radiator arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an antenna or antenna array comprising at least one dipole or a dipole-like radiator arrangement or radiator structure (11) and a reflector (3). Said antenna or antenna array has the following characteristics: the radiator arrangement (11) encompasses an electrically conductive support device (15) that is connected in a capacitively and/or galvanically contactless manner to the electrically conductive reflector (3); an electrically conductive rod-shaped coupling element (21) which extends perpendicular to the reflector plane is provided on the front face of the reflector (3); the support device (15) can be placed on said rod-shaped coupling element (21) with the aid of an internal axial bore in such a way that the support device (15) and the rod-shaped coupling element (21) are capacitively coupled without being in galvanic contact; the antenna is fed by means of a coaxial cable (31) whose outer conductor is connected to the reflector and/or the rod-shaped coupling element (21) and whose inner conductor is galvanically or capacitively connected to an opposite half-dipole.

Description

The invention relates to an antenna array with a plurality of dipole-like radiator arrangements according to the preamble of claim 1.

Dipole radiators are for example from the Vorveröffentlichungen DE 197 22 742 A as well as the DE 196 27 015 A known. The dipole radiators can have a conventional dipole structure or, for example, consist of a crossed dipole arrangement or a dipole square, etc. A so-called vector cross dipole is eg from the prior publication WO 00/39894 known. The structure seems to be comparable to a dipole square. Due to the specific design of the dipole radiator according to this prior publication, however, a cross-dipole structure is ultimately created in electrical terms, so that the antenna element thus formed can radiate and receive in two polarizations oriented perpendicular to one another.

All of these prior publications as well as the other dipole structures well known to the average person skilled in the art are also included in the content of the present application.

While all generations of dipole radiators or dipole-like radiators have heretofore been positioned on the reflector to be electrically, i. have been galvanically connected to the reflector has already been proposed in a non-prepublished patent application to couple such a radiator element capacitively on the reflector sheet. With interposition of e.g. a non-conductive element, in particular dielectric or with the formation of a non-conductive contact portion on the radiator or its carrier device, on which the radiator is placed on the reflector plate, can thereby realize a clearly reproducible electrical positioning of the radiator on the reflector, since the after State of the art possibly occurring intermodulation problems are avoided. For with a mechanical attachment of dipole or dipole-like radiator elements on the reflector sheet according to the prior art, these were usually mounted by means of screws or other connection mechanisms on the reflector sheet, which set depending on the mounting accuracy different contact conditions, with the result that intermodulation problems could occur that expressed themselves differently.

It must also be considered that in the majority of cases, the dipoles or dipole-like radiator placed on the reflector plate and from the back of the reflector by screwing one or more screws be attached. However, if, for example, the contact pressure also decreases due to the effects of heat, the contact conditions change, as a result of which the performance of such an antenna element decreases significantly.

According to the above-mentioned non-prepublished application, while avoiding an electrical-galvanic contact while achieving a capacitive coupling, the further advantage is realized that no voltage potential can occur between the dipole and the reflector. Because of the differently selected materials for a dipole radiator or the support device for a dipole radiator and the material of the reflector conventionally occurs otherwise an electrochemical stress, which can lead to contact corrosion. Since this is avoided according to the invention, there is also a greater choice of materials to be used for the dipole and / or the reflector.

From the DE 36 39 106 A1 a combination antenna has become known in which an inner conductor is capacitively coupled with a tubular antenna conductor 19 while avoiding a galvanic-electrical connection.

From the US 4,254,422 a dipole antenna with a coaxial structure is known to be known, which comprises a so-called primary element (inner conductor) which is surrounded by a so-called secondary element (coaxial outer conductor). As a result, the two dipole halves are formed. This previously known dipole arrangement is fed via a coaxial feed line. As in particular from Fig. 2 This prior publication is to be seen is the outer conductor the feed line with the coaxial outer conductor of a dipole half and the inner conductor with the coaxial outer conductor of the second dipole half directly electrically connected, wherein both coaxial outer conductor of the two dipole halves are not electrically connected to each other.

According to the US 3,740,754 A For the feeding of a dipole of an antenna arrangement, two coaxial lines are used whose inner conductors are connected together at the feed point of the dipole. In this prior art coaxial feed systems, no capacitive feed coupling is provided.

Object of the present invention is to provide a further improved antenna with a capacitive coupling for feeding this system, in particular with a capacitive coupling between a radiator or its carrier device and an associated conductive reflector or a conductive reflector surface, for example, with the outer conductor of a coaxial feeder cable is connected.

The object is achieved according to the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The present invention provides a significant improvement over all conventional antennas known in the art. In this case, the present invention represents a further further improvement also over the above-mentioned non-prepublished solution, according to the already a capacitive coupling of the antenna was provided on the reflector.

According to the invention, an electrically conductive coupling element which rises in the form of a bar from the reflector is now provided, which is electrically-galvanically connected to the reflector plate. The actual emitter device can be placed on top of this, as a rule the carrier device carrying the dipole-shaped emitter or the dipole-shaped emitter structure, which has an axial recess with which the carrier device can be placed on the rod-shaped coupling element. Although the rod-shaped coupling element is immersed in the axial recess of the support means and usually comes to lie coaxially in the axial recess of the support means, the rod-shaped coupling element is electrically-galvanically separated from the conductive support means. As a result, inter alia, a capacitive and / or optionally an inductive outer conductor coupling between the reflector and the coupling element, which is preferably electrically-galvanically connected to the reflector, is realized on the one hand and the electrically conductive part of the carrier device.

In a preferred embodiment, the electrically conductive rod-shaped coupling element is designed as a tubular body which can be soldered, welded or otherwise secured to the reflector plate. Then, only acting as an insulator hollow cylindrical sleeve or other spacers shown is pushed onto the rod-shaped coupling element, preferably at the lower end of this working as a dielectric sleeve, a flange is formed, to which the conductive support means of the radiator structure can be postponed.

In one embodiment of the invention, however, air can also be used as a dielectric. For this purpose, it merely has to be ensured that the attached electrically conductive carrier device does not come into electrical-galvanic contact with the reflector and / or the rod-shaped coupling element electrically connected to the reflector due to certain spacers.

In principle, it is also possible to form the electrical support device itself from non-conductive material, for example plastic, and to cover it only on the outside with an electrically conductive overcoat. Then, the support device can be placed snugly or preferably with little play on the electrically conductive rod-shaped coupling element, which can be ensured by the length of the rod-shaped coupling elements that the front end lower end of the support means adjacent to the reflector can not come into contact with this and or here also an insulating layer is formed or provided or the end wall of the carrier device is not provided with an electrical outer layer at this point.

As mentioned, the rod-shaped coupling element is preferably made hollow or hollow cylindrical. For this purpose, axially aligned, a corresponding recess is provided in the reflector. This opens up the possibility of connecting the outer conductor of a coaxial cable on the reflector back to feed the radiator arrangement on the reflector plate and / or on the optionally projecting on the underside of the tubular extension of the electrically conductive rod-shaped coupling element (usually electrically-galvanically connect, for example by soldering), and of it electrically separated to pass the inner conductor coaxially through the rod-shaped coupling element to the top, there to connect the inner conductor in a suitable manner, that is to connect electrically usually with the opposite dipole half.

In a further development of the invention may be provided for the inner conductor in the rod-shaped coupling element there fixedly integrated electrical rod-shaped element, so that the inner conductor is connected lying down. The inner conductor can also be laid directly as an elongated cable-shaped inner conductor through the rod-shaped element preferably with the interposition of an insulator upwards.

It is also possible, however, to lay an inner conductor as a whole through the rod-shaped element and to connect the outer conductor lying on top of the rod-shaped element and separated from the inner conductor to extend the generally opposite dipole half or in the immediate vicinity of the electrical contact of the outer conductor to electrically contact with an electrical connection bracket that connects to the opposite half of the dipole.

In principle, however, a reversal of the coupling principle is possible. The coupling element can namely be formed as an outer pot part, which is galvanically connected to the reflector. Herein, the support portion of the dipole is positioned internally by an insulator, by air, or by any other suitable means to realize the coupling, referred to primarily as capacitive outer conductor coupling. Further diverse, partly in the description still discussed in detail modifications are possible.

Finally, it is also possible in a preferred embodiment of the invention to make the Innenleiterkontaktierung also capacitive.

Figur 1:

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines einspaltigen Antennenarrays mit drei vertikal übereinander angeordneten dualpolarisierten Strahlern;

Figur 1a:

eine Seitenansicht auf die Strahleranordnung, deren Sockel direkt unter Herstellung eines elektrisch-galvanischen Kontaktes mit dem Reflektor kontaktiert ist;

Figur 1b:

eine schematische Draufsicht auf die dualpolarisierte Dipolstrahleranordnung nach Figur 1a;

Figur 2:

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines einzelnen in Figur 1 verwendeten Strahlers vor einem Reflektor;

Figur 3:

eine schematische rückwärtige Ansicht auf den Reflektor, und zwar auf die Stelle, an der an der gegenüberliegenden Seite ein Strahler gemäß Figur 1 montiert ist;

Figur 4:

eine schematische axiale Querschnittsdarstellung durch einen Strahler gemäß Figur 2 gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Figur 4a:

ein abgewandeltes Ausführungsbeispiel mit einer elektrisch-galvanischen Innenleiterverbindung zu einer Dipolhälfte;

Figur 5:

eine schematische axiale Querschnittsdarstellung durch einen Strahler gemäß Figur 2 gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Figur 6:

eine schematische axiale Querschnittsdarstellung durch einen Strahler gemäß Figur 2 gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform;

Figur 7:

eine schematische axiale Querschnittsdarstellung durch einen Strahler gemäß Figur 2 gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform;

Figur 7a:

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung der am Reflektor elektrisch leitend angeschlossenen Koppelelemente und eines aufzusetzenden Sockels sowie ferner vorgesehener rohrförmiger Isolatorelementen;

Figur 7b:

eine entsprechende perspektivische Darstellung nach der Montage des Sockels und der Isolatoren;

Figur 7c:

eine entsprechende perspektivische Darstellung einer Strahleranordnung mit Trägereinrichtung;

Figur 7d:

eine entsprechende perspektivische Darstellung bei endgültig aufgesetztem Strahlerelement;

Figur 7e:

eine explosionsartige perspektivische Darstellung der in den Figuren 7a bis 7d auf dem Reflektor montierten Strahleranordnung,

Figur 8:

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines abgewandelten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Dipolstrahlers; und

Figur 9:

eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen in lediglich einer Polarisationsebene strahlenden Dipol gemäß Figur 8, der gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung mit einer vor allem kapazitiven und/oder induktiven Außenleiterkopplung angeschlossen ist.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. Show in detail:

FIG. 1:

a schematic perspective view of a single-column antenna array with three vertically stacked dual-polarized radiators;

FIG. 1a

a side view of the radiator assembly whose base is contacted directly to make an electrical-galvanic contact with the reflector;

FIG. 1b

a schematic plan view of the dual polarized Dipolstrahleranordnung according to FIG. 1a ;

FIG. 2:

a schematic perspective view of a single in FIG. 1 used spotlight in front of a reflector;

FIG. 3:

a schematic rear view of the reflector, to the point at which on the opposite side of a radiator according to FIG. 1 is mounted;

FIG. 4:

a schematic axial cross-sectional view through a radiator according to FIG. 2 according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 4a

a modified embodiment with an electrically-galvanic inner conductor connection to a dipole half;

FIG. 5:

a schematic axial cross-sectional view through a radiator according to FIG. 2 according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 6:

a schematic axial cross-sectional view through a radiator according to FIG. 2 according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 7:

a schematic axial cross-sectional view through a radiator according to FIG. 2 according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 7a:

a schematic perspective view of the reflector electrically connected to the coupling elements and a aufzusetzenden base and further provided tubular insulator elements;

FIG. 7b:

a corresponding perspective view after the mounting of the base and the insulators;

FIG. 7c:

a corresponding perspective view of a radiator arrangement with support means;

FIG. 7d:

a corresponding perspective view at final mounted radiator element;

FIG. 7e:

an explosive perspective view of the in the FIGS. 7a to 7d on the reflector mounted radiator assembly,

FIG. 8:

a schematic side view of a modified embodiment of a dipole radiator; and

FIG. 9:

a schematic plan view of a radiant in only one plane of polarization dipole according to FIG. 8 , which is connected according to the present invention with a mainly capacitive and / or inductive outer conductor coupling.

The invention will be described below with reference to a so-called vector dipole, the basic structure of which from the WO 00/39894 is known, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated by reference. However, the invention can be implemented in all dipoles, for example, in cross-shaped dipoles or simple dipoles, as for example from the DE 197 22 742 A1 , of the DE 198 23 749 A1 , of the DE 101 50 150 A1 or for example the US 5,710,569 are known.

In FIG. 1 an antenna arrangement 1 is shown in a schematic representation with a reflector or reflector plate 3. The reflector 3, for example in the manner of a reflector sheet, can preferably be offset further inwards at its two opposite longitudinal sides 5 or from there a reflector boundary 3 'may be provided, which may for example be aligned perpendicular to the plane of the reflector sheet 3 or in a deviating from a right angle, oblique angle.

Usually, a plurality of dipoles or dipole-like radiators are arranged on such a reflector sheet 3 in the vertical direction offset from one another. The radiator or emitter assemblies 11 may consist of single band emitters, dual band emitters, triple band emitters or, in general, multi band emitters or the like. In today's generation of antennas, preference is given to using dual-band radiators or even triple-band radiators, which can also transmit and / or receive in two orthogonally oriented polarizations, and which are preferably at a ± 45 ° angle to the horizontal or Vertical are aligned. It is in particular on the Vorveröffentlichungen DE 197 22 742 A such as DE 196 27 015 A referenced show and describe the different antennas with different radiator arrangements. All of these radiator and radiator elements and modifications thereof can be used and used in the context of the present invention. Therefore, therefore, it is also possible to use radiators with a true dipole structure, like a crossed dipole, a dipole square, or in the manner of its so-called vector dipole, as described, for example, in US Pat WO 00/39894 are known. All of these types of radiators and modifications are incorporated herein by reference to the above prior publications.

In FIGS. 1a and 1b is a schematic side view and a schematic plan view basically a vector dipole shown how he made the WO 00/39894 is known. There, the balancing 15, that is, a support device 15 is mounted directly on the reflector 3 electrically-galvanic. FIGS. 1a and 1b serve here only to illustrate the basic structure of a corresponding vector dipole, as it can be used in the context of the invention with reference to the following figures.

In the Figures 2 and 3 is shown in greater detail in different representations, a first inventive radiator assembly 11 on a reflector 3. The radiator assembly 11 has in principle a structure on, as he from the WO 00/39894 known and described in detail there. Reference is therefore made in its entirety to the disclosure content of the above publication and made the content of this application. It is known that the radiator assembly 11 according to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3 Although designed in a schematic plan view like a dipole square, due to the specific training but sends and receives in electrical terms as a Kreuzdipol. In FIG. 1 In this case, with respect to a radiator arrangement 11, the two polarization directions 12a and 12b are shown, which are perpendicular to one another and formed by the diagonal radiator arrangement 11 which is formed more quadratically in plan view. The respective 180 ° opposite structures according to the radiator assembly 11 act insofar as dipole halves of two cross-shaped arranged dipoles.

A dipole radiator arrangement 11 thus formed is held and mounted on the reflector 3 via an associated carrier device or carrier 15. The in this embodiment four dipole halves 13 (which are arranged crosswise to each other) and the associated support means 15 consist of electrically conductive material, usually metal or a corresponding metal alloy. However, the dipole halves or the associated carrier device or parts thereof can also consist of a non-conductive material, for example plastic, in which case the corresponding parts can be coated and / or coated with a conductive layer.

In the perspective view according to FIG. 2 It can also be seen that the radiator which is cross-shaped in electrical terms has a support which is approximately square in horizontal cross-section or a square support means 15 which is provided with slots 15d ending in top-bottom, in the embodiment shown just before the reflector. These slits 15d are aligned with the slits 11c, which respectively separate two adjacent dipole halves of two orthogonal polarizations. Through the slits 15d in the common carrier device 15 for the entire radiator arrangement (ie for both polarizations), the associated symmetrization 15e of the respective dipole structure is formed in each case. The length of the slots and thus the length of the symmetrization formed thereby can vary, with a value around λ / 4 often being suitable for a particular frequency. The mentioned slots 15d in the support means 15 (the symmetrization) do not go to the floor, but usually end at a small distance above the floor, ie above the reflector plane, so that the support structure here a mechanical short circuit with respect to the four otherwise separate Has supporting sections.

In order to ensure now a capacitive and / or inductive coupling on the reflector plate 3, that is to provide an electrically non-contact connection, a rod-shaped coupling element 21 is mounted on the reflector 3 ( FIGS. 4 to 7 ), ie, in the illustrated embodiment to produce an electrical-galvanic connection with the reflector 3. Both the reflector and the rod-shaped coupling element may consist of non-conductive material. In this case, the corresponding parts are coated with a conductive layer. It must be ensured that the electrically conductive layer of the coupling element and the corresponding conductive layer are electrically connected to the reflector. If the reflector is conductive overall, the corresponding conductive layer of the coupling element must be connected to the reflector in total electrically conductive.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rod-shaped coupling element 21 is tubular or cylindrical designed and inserted through a aligned with this rod-shaped coupling element 21 bore 23 of the back 3a of the reflector until a corresponding step portion 21b of the hollow cylindrical coupling element 21 abuts on the rear side of the reflector 3 , In other words, the outer circumference of the portion 21b of the coupling element 21 below the stepped shoulder 21b is wider than the bore 23, so that the cylindrical coupling element 21 can only be pushed into the bore 23 until the aforementioned stepped shoulder 21b abuts the reflector on the back. In this position, the coupling element 21 is preferably connected by soldering electrically-galvanically with the reflector 3 preferably consisting of a reflector sheet. On this rod-shaped coupling element 21 then a hollow cylindrical insulator 25 is attached, wherein the inner diameter and the inner cross section of the insulator 25 is preferably adapted to the outer cross section and the outer shape of the rod-shaped coupling element 21. In other words, in the case of a hollow-cylindrical coupling element 21, the insulator is also designed in the shape of a hollow cylinder and sits more or less at least almost free of play or only with little play on the coupling element 21.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow cylindrical insulator 25 is lying down, so adjacent to the reflector 3 with a peripheral edge or flange 25 a provided, over which the insulator 25 rests on the front or front side 3b of the reflector.

Now only the radiator structure with its support means 15, in the interior of which an axial bore 15a is introduced, must be plugged onto the insulator 25 provided with an axial inner recess. In this case, the inner diameter and the inner cross-sectional shape of the axial bore 15a is in turn adapted to the outer dimension and the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the insulator 25, so that the support device can be attached to the insulator 25 at least approximately free of play or only with little play.

Preferably, the support device is pushed with its axial bore 15a so far on the insulator 25 until the support means 15 rests with its the reflector 3 underlying lower end face 15b now on the insulator 25 belonging non-conductive edge or flange 25a. It can therefore be seen that for the attachment and assembly of the radiator assembly 11, a soldering operation for fixing the support means on the reflector 3 is not necessary.

Likewise, the axial length ratios could be such that when mounting the radiator whose support means 15 is pushed so far on the insulator 25 until the side facing away from the reflector 3 upper end face 25b at a corresponding upper, the reflector 3 facing stop 15c of the radiator arrangement or strikes the associated support means, in such a way that the lower end face 15b of the support means 15 ends at least at a minimum distance in front of the reflector 3 and there the reflector 3 can not contact.

Finally, in the exemplary embodiment shown, a centering or fixing base 22, which surrounds the carrier device 15 of the radiator device 11 and is mounted on the reflector, is also provided, which likewise holds the carrier device in the desired fixing position. For this purpose, the insulator base 22 is provided with a corresponding inner receptacle and a support portion 22a, so that the patch usually conductive support means 15 of the radiator assembly 11 can not come into electrical contact with the reflector 3 electrically. The base 22 or the base support means 22 may then be provided, for example, with latching or centering zones, which pass through the reflector through corresponding bores or punched holes and can therefore be easily placed in the manner of a snap connection on the reflector and attached thereto. Such a base centering 22 is also particularly suitable when no insulator 25 is used, so that thereby the carrier device 15th can be anchored in non-electrically galvanic contact with the rod-shaped coupling element 21 in front of the reflector 3.

In principle, however, the support means 15 may also be designed such that its lower end face facing the reflector 3 and possibly adjacent thereto is not made conductive in a certain height rising axially from this end face, or is provided with a non-conductive coating in order to avoid an electrical-galvanic contacting with the reflector plate or reflector 3 here. In this case, could also be dispensed with the mentioned Fixiersockel 22.

For a better understanding, reference is made below to the perspective illustrations according to FIG FIGS. 7a to 7e received.

In Figure 7a is shown in fragmentary perspective view of the reflector 3, on which four coupling elements 21 are arranged sitting in a tubular configuration. As explained, these conductive coupling elements 21 are electrically-galvanically connected to the reflector 3. The rod or tubular coupling elements 21 sit in plan view at the vertices of a square.

Attached thereto is an electrically non-conductive base 22, in which four circular openings 22 a are introduced, so that this base 22 can be pushed onto the tubular coupling elements 21 until the base rests with its underside on the reflector top.

In the recesses 22a are in Figure 7a shown four separate tubular or hollow cylindrical insulators 25 attached, which come to lie with its lower end edge either in the region of the recesses 22a in the base 22 or pass through the openings 22a provided in the base 22 and then rest with their lower end faces on the reflector surface.

FIG. 7b shows the state when the base 22 and the tubular insulators 25 are plugged onto the coupling elements 21.

Subsequently, we the radiator assembly 11 with its support means 15 (ie their symmetry) plugged onto the tubular insulators 25, which then come to lie in the corresponding tubular recesses in the support means 15 of the radiator assembly 11. The bottom of the support means 15 comes to lie within the base 22 and the base edge, as in FIG. 7d can be seen.

In Figure 7e is again the entire arrangement and the structure reproduced in explosive perspective view.

By means of the described measures, a capacitive outer conductor coupling 29 is realized, wherein the two coupling parts effecting the capacitive outer conductor couplings 29 firstly surround the electrically-galvanically connected coupling element 21 with the reflector and, secondly, the supporting device 15 or the axial bore 15a and the carrier device Section of the support means 15 consists, as can be seen from the embodiment is parallel to the coupling element 21 comes to rest. It is in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, a coaxial capacitive coupling, in which the hollow cylindrical coupling element 21 is arranged inside, to which outside and this coupling element 21 in the circumferential direction orbiting the corresponding portion of the support means 15 comes to rest.

The aforementioned coupling is especially capacitive when the longitudinal extent of the hollow cylindrical coupling elements 21 starting from the reflector 3 is small in relation to the wavelength. In this case, the coupling is essentially capacitive and an inductive component is negligible. From a length of 0.1 wavelength (λ), however, make high-frequency effects noticeable. The current, which flows from one end (terminal end of the coupling element 21 on the reflector) to the open end, undergoes a phase rotation via this path. At 0.25 wavelengths (λ), the phase rotation is 90 °. The current minimum at the open end of the coupling elements 21 leads to a maximum current at the opposite end (terminal end), and the maximum voltage at the open end of the coupling elements 21 results in a voltage minimum at the opposite end. With axial longitudinal extensions which are greater than 0.25 of the wavelength (λ), or with an increase in the frequency, the ideal short circuit is removed again, with the input impedance now having an inductive reactance. At half wavelength, the input impedance is again idle, which has little practical significance for the present application.

For the sake of completeness, it is noted that the electrically conductive or with an electrically conductive Surface provided rod-shaped coupling element 21 could also be capacitively connected to the underside of the reflector 3, which is desired in the present case but less advantageous.

In order to possibly fix the antenna arrangement 1 to be mounted merely by being slid on the reflector, it is possible, for example, to attach a projecting lug to the lower side of the carrier device 15, which preferably snaps into a corresponding recess in the reflector. As a result, a simple snap connection can be created. For removal, the nose engaging behind the reflector then merely has to be bent in order to lift the antenna arrangement upwards again away from the rod-shaped coupling element 21.

In order to connect the radiator arrangement functionally, it is merely necessary, for example, to prepare a coaxial cable 31 at the coaxial cable end 31a on the rear side of the reflector 3, ie, for example, to electrically connect a correspondingly stripped section of the outer conductor 31b to the conductive coupling element 21, for example by soldering. The coaxial cable 31 can be laid parallel to the rear side of the reflector and a radial opening or hole in the over the rear side of the reflector downwardly projecting portion of the rod-shaped coupling element into this region of the stepped shoulder 21b into it and be electrically connected there. A corresponding axially projecting portion of the inner conductor 31c can then be soldered to a prepared inner conductor section 37 below, which is designed in the embodiment shown in the manner of an inverted L and of above is inserted coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the coupling element 21 in a corresponding recess 21a of the rod-shaped coupling element 21 from the upper open end side thereof. The upper end section 37a of this inner conductor structure which brings about a connection with the opposite dipole half 13, 11a then comes to rest in a corresponding transverse recess 39 in the dipole radiator structure and can be electrically-galvanically connected at its free end to a soldering point. The solder joint 38 is located in the embodiment according to FIG. 4 at an upper projection 41a of a frontally closed electrically conductive hollow cylinder 41, which sits in a further axial bore 41b of the support means 15 and is thus electrically conductively connected.

wobei λ jeweils eine Wellenlänge des zu übertragenden Frequenzbandes ist, vorzugsweise die Mitte des jeweils zu übertragenden Frequenzbandes.The length of the carrier device and / or the length of the rod-shaped coupling element 21 is approximately λ / 4 ± <30% thereof, ie approximately $$\mathrm{\lambda }\mathrm{/}\mathrm{4}\mathrm{*}\left(\mathrm{1}\mathrm{\pm }\mathrm{<}\mathrm{0}\mathrm{.}\mathrm{3}\right)$$

where λ is each a wavelength of the frequency band to be transmitted, preferably the center of each frequency band to be transmitted.

As from the sectional view according to FIG. 4 It can be seen, the top side closed cylinder 41, which is electrically conductive in total, or at least electrically conductive sections, dimensioned and arranged so that its peripheral surface and upper end face and the protruding pin 41a with the dipole structure or the associated support means 15 not electrogalvanically connected is. However, the hollow cylinder 41 is preferably electrically-galvanically connected to the reflector plate on its underside via a peripheral collar 41c. Since the length of this hollow cylinder 41 is preferably by λ / 4 ± preferably less than 30% thereof, this means that overhead ultimately the inner conductor 31c of the coaxial feed cable with the associated dipole half, so in the area on the hollow cylinder 41 overhead manner of a short circuit is connected, which is transformed at the foot of the hollow cylinder, where it is electrically connected to the reflector 3, into an open circuit. Conversely, the structure also leads to an idle at the upper end of the hollow cylinder is transformed in a short circuit at the bottom of the hollow cylinder.

Deviating from the embodiment according to FIG. 4 but could be made at the solder joint 38 and a direct electrical-galvanic connection to the associated dipole half, so that deviating from the dipole 4, the associated dipole half on the inner conductor portion 37 with the inner conductor 31c of the coaxial feed cable is not capacitive and / or inductive, but directly electrically galvanically connected. This is based on FIG. 4a shown. There, namely, the inner conductor portion 37 is connected with its end portion 37a directly at the inner terminal end of an associated dipole half 11a, that is connected electrically-galvanically by means of, for example, a solder joint. To achieve a high degree of symmetry, the support 15 below the end portion 37a but also provided with an axial longitudinal bore, in which also in this embodiment, the electrically conductive cylinder or hollow cylinder 41 is inserted and to his foot is contacted with the reflector 3 electrically-galvanic. This cylinder 41 is otherwise not electrically contacted by means of a metallic connecting bridge with the carrier 15.

In a dual polarized dipole structure corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 3 is the construction, as he is based on the cross-sectional view according to FIG. 4 was explained in a 90 offset by another perpendicular to the reflector plane sectional view, since in a dual polarized dipole structure four axial holes 15a are provided in the support means 15, with two capacitive outer conductor couplings 29th

Based on FIG. 5 a modification is shown insofar as here a capacitive inner conductor coupling is provided, in which an inner conductor portion 37b is immersed in the hollow cylinder 41 open at the top and free ends there. In other words, therefore, the inner conductor section 37 is provided with its approximately rod-shaped, guided through the hollow coupling element 21 line section and the adjoining upper substantially parallel to the reflector plane extending further line section 37a with a second inner conductor section 37b, the appropriate length in the Axial bore 41b of the support device 15 is immersed. The hollow cylinder 41 is also not electrically-galvanically connected to the electrically conductive support means 15, but sits electrically-galvanically connected only on the reflector 3, so that an idle at the upper end of the hollow cylinder 41 transformed into a virtual short circuit at the bottom of the hollow cylinder 41 is, and vice versa, a virtual short circuit at the top of the hollow cylinder in an idle at the foot in the area of the reflector 3 is transformed.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 6 is different from FIG. 1 shown that there the coaxial feed cable 31 is laid in the axial bore of the hollow coupling element 21 from the rear side of the reflector 3 through the hole 21 a formed there through. In this case, a corresponding stripped section at the end 31a of the coaxial cable is exposed, so that the local outer conductor section 31b, for example, at the contact point 32 (contact ring 32), for example by soldering now at the upper end of the rod-shaped hollow cylindrical coupling element 21 is electrically connected and electrically connected thereto ,

An upwardly projecting inner conductor portion 31c is then electrically connected via a line bracket 42 with the respective opposite dipole half 11a, 13, for example, at one with FIG. 4 Comparable solder joint 38 at one provided therein frontally closed hollow cylinder assembly 41st

Based on FIG. 7 is merely shown that the basis of FIG. 6 described electrical connection possibility of the outer conductor at the upper end of the coupling element 21 is also possible if the inner conductor is in turn capacitively coupled to the opposite dipole half. For this purpose, the mentioned bracket 42 is electrically connected to a corresponding inner conductor 37b, as is fundamentally based on FIG. 5 was explained.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 is next to the coaxial feed cable 31 Yet another coaxial feed cable 31 'shown in the embodiment shown according to FIGS. 6 and 7 is used to feed the two other dipole halves, which are perpendicular to the first dipole halves. In other words, the feed cable 31 is used to feed the associated dipole halves, which, for example, according to FIG. 1 radiate in the polarization plane 12a, the coaxial feed cable 31 'serves to feed the offset by 90 ° dipole halves that send or receive according to the polarization plane 12b.

Finally, based on the FIGS. 6 and 7 also shown that at the FIGS. 4 and 5 mentioned stop 21b in the mounted position does not have to come to rest on the rear side 3a of the reflector 3 in the mounted position, but that a correspondingly reversed aligned stop 21b on the coupling element 21 may also be formed so that the coupling element 21b from above into the hole 23 of the reflector 3 can be inserted until the circumferentially or in parts in the circumferential direction radially projecting stop 21b abuts the reflector top 3b of the reflector 3.

Hereinafter, the schematic side view according to FIG. 8 and the plan view according to FIG. 9 Reference is made, in which a radiating only in a plane of polarization radiator assembly 11 is shown, which consists of a dipole 11 with two diametrically opposite dipole halves 11a and 11b.

Based on FIGS. 8 and 9 is merely intended to illustrate that the described inventive, in particular capacitive and / or possibly also inductive Coupling is possible even with a simple dipole radiator.

Components with the same reference numerals to the preceding embodiments indicate insofar at least functionally identical parts. In this respect, reference is made to the preceding exemplary embodiments.

Claims (24)

1. Antenna array having a plurality of antenna element arrangements (11) which are similar to dipoles, on a conductive reflector (3) having the following features:

   (a) at least one antenna element arrangement (11) which is similar to a dipole has two dipole halves (13; 11a, 11b) of a dipole, which are fed from a feed line (31), as well as a mount device (15) to which these dipole halves (13; 11a, 11b) are fitted,

   (b) the dipole halves (13; 11a, 11b) are held and mounted on the reflector (3) via the mount device (15),

   (c) the mount device (15) is electrically conductive, and

   (d) the mount device (15) has an axial hole (15a), which is associated with one dipole half (13; 11a, 11b), in the interior,
   characterized by the following further features:

   (e) an electrically conductive coupling element (21) which is in the form of a rod, is associated with the axial hole (15a) and extends transversely with respect to the reflector plane is provided on the front face (3b) of the reflector (3) and is electrically conductively connected to the reflector (3),

   (f) the mount device (15) is fitted with its axial hole (15a) on the associated coupling element (21), which is in the form of a rod, such that the mount device (15) and the reflector (3) are coupled via a capacitive coupling (29) between the coupling element (21), which is in the form of a rod, and the associated axial hole (15a), avoiding electrically conductive contact,

   (g) one dipole half (13; 11a) is fed via the capacitive coupling (29) between the associated coupling element (21) and the associated axial hole (15a) from one conductor (31b) of the feed line (31), which is electrically conductively connected to the coupling element (21), and

   (h) the other dipole half (13; 11b) is fed via an inner conductor (31c), which is the other conductor (31c) of the feed line (31) or is connected to it, and runs through an axial recess (21a) in the coupling element (21) which is associated with the first dipole half (11a).
2. Antenna array according to Claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element (21) which is in the form of a rod and accommodates the inner conductor (31c) is cylindrical.
3. Antenna array according to Claim 2, characterized in that the coupling element (21) which is in the form of a rod and accommodates the inner conductor (31c) is hollow-cylindrical.
4. Antenna array according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that a hole (23) is incorporated in the reflector (3) such that it is axially aligned with the coupling element (21) which is in the form of a rod and accommodates the inner conductor (31c), through which hole (23) part of the length of the coupling element (21) which is in the form of a rod passes through the reflector (3).
5. Antenna array according to Claim 4, characterized in that a radially projecting projection or a circumferential step (21a) is formed on the coupling element (21) which accommodates the inner conductor (31c), so that part of the length of the coupling element (21) which is in the form of a rod can be inserted through the hole (23) in the reflector (3) until it reaches a stop or the step (21a) on the reflector (3).
6. Antenna array according to Claim 5, characterized in that the coupling element (21) which accommodates the inner conductor (31c) can be inserted into the hole (23) from the rearward face (3a) of the reflector (3) or from the front face (3b) of the reflector (3), so that the radially projecting stop or step (21a) comes to rest on the rear face (3a) or on the front face (3b), respectively, of the reflector (3).
7. Antenna array according to one of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that the capacitive coupling (29) is in the form of air as the dielectric.
8. Antenna array according to Claim 7, characterized in that the at least one antenna element arrangement (11) and the associated mount device (15) are fixed by means of an electrically non-conductive cap (22) which can be placed on the reflector (3), above which that area or section which can be placed on the electrically non-conductive cap (22) and faces the reflector (3), in particular the end face (15b) of the mount device (15) is positioned in front of the reflector (3) such that it engages over the coupling elements (21) which are in the form of a rod, in a relative position in which no contact is made (Figures 2, 7a, 7b).
9. Antenna array according to one of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that an isolator (25), which is provided with an axial recess and onto which the associated axial hole (15a) in the mount device (15) is pushed, is placed onto the coupling element (21) which is in the form of a rod and accommodates the inner conductor (31c) (Figures 7a, 7b).
10. Antenna array according to Claim 8, characterized in that, on the side facing the reflector (3), the electrically non-conductive cap (22) has an edge or flange (25a) which projects at least partially radially and on which the mount device (15) rests.
11. Antenna array according to Claim 9, characterized in that the length of the hollow isolator (25) is greater than the insertion depth with which the mount device (15) of the at least one antenna element arrangement (11) can be placed on the coupling element (21), such that the stop which faces away from the reflector (3) on the coupling element (21) abuts against a stop, which faces the reflector (3), on the at least one antenna element arrangement (11) or the associated mount device (15), such that the mount device (15) comes to rest at at least a short distance in front of the plane of the reflector (3) in the mounted state.
12. Antenna array according to Claim 8, characterized in that the electrically non-conductive cap (22) is in the form of a cap centering device which is mounted on the reflector (3) and accommodates, and holds, the mount device (15) of the at least one antenna element arrangement (11) such that it is centered, without any electrical connection to the reflector (3).
13. Antenna array according to one of Claims 1 to 12,
    characterized in that the feed line (31) is a coaxial cable, the outer conductor (31b) of which is electrically conductively connected, preferably by means of soldering, to the lower end of the coupling element (21) which is provided with an axial recess.
14. Antenna array according to Claim 13, characterized in that the outer conductor (31b) is electrically conductively connected on the rear face (3a) of the reflector (3) to that section (21b) of the coupling element (21) which projects as far as the rear face of the reflector (3).
15. Antenna array according to one of Claims 13 or 14,
    characterized in that the inner conductor (31c) of the coaxial cable (31) is electrically conductively connected to the lower end of the coupling element (21), to be precise to an inner conductor section (37) which passes through the coupling element (21) which is provided with an axial recess.
16. Antenna array according to one of Claims 1 to 12,
    characterized in that the outer conductor (31b) of the coaxial cable (31) is electrically conductively connected, preferably by means of soldering, to the end, remote from the reflector (3), of the coupling element (21) which is provided with an axial recess.
17. Antenna array according to Claim 13 or 16, characterized in that the inner conductor (31c) of the coaxial cable (31) is electrically conductively connected to the end, remote from the reflector, of the coupling element (21) by means of an electrical line connection, via which an electrical connection can be produced to the respective opposite dipole half (13).
18. Antenna array according to Claim 13 or 16,
    characterized in that the inner conductor (31c) of the coaxial cable (31) is electrically conductively connected to the respective opposite dipole half.
19. Antenna array according to one of Claims 1 to 18,
    characterized in that the mount device has a second axial hole (41b), which is associated with the other dipole half (11b), in the interior (Figure 4).
20. Antenna array according to Claim 19, characterized in that an electrically conductive coupling element (41) which is in the form of a rod is provided in the second axial hole (41b) and is electrically conductively connected to the reflector (3).
21. Antenna array according to Claim 20 in conjunction with Claim 13 or 16, characterized in that the coupling element is in the form of a hollow cylinder, and a subsection (37b) of the inner conductor (31c) enters it and ends freely there, such that the inner conductor (31c) of the coaxial cable (31) is capacitively connected to the opposite dipole half (Figures 4-7).
22. Antenna array according to Claim 19, characterized in that the at least one antenna element arrangement (11) which is similar to a dipole has a second dipole, which is offset with respect to the first dipole and is identical to it, thus forming a dual-polarized dipole structure in which four axial holes (15a) are provided in the mount device (15) and are correspondingly associated with the four dipole halves offset through 90°, with an electrically conductive coupling element (21) being provided in each of at least two axial holes (15a), which are offset through 90°, in the mount device (15) such that the two dipoles are fed appropriately from two feed lines (31, 31'), thus forming an antenna element arrangement (11) which is cruciform at least from the electrical point of view (Figures 1, 7e).
23. Antenna array according to Claim 22, characterized in that an electrically conductive coupling element (21) is provided in each of the four axial holes (15a) which are provided in the mount device (15) (Figure 7e).
24. Antenna array according to Claim 21 or 23,
    characterized in that the configuration of the at least one antenna element arrangement and of the mount device (15) is symmetrical, and a symmetrical configuration is provided for two dipole halves (11a, 11b) in each case of a dipole, such that each of the two dipole halves (11a, 11b) is associated with a respective axial hole in the mount device (15), with the coupling element (21) which is provided for the capacitive coupling (29) being arranged in one axial hole, and a further hollow-cylindrical coupling element (41) which is provided for the capacitive coupling of the inner conductor (31c) being positioned in the respective other axial hole which is parallel to it, which a subsection (37b) of the inner conductor (31c) enters, and ends there (Figures 5, 7e).

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