EP1723693B1 - Antenna with variable misalignment comprising at least one phase-changing element - Google Patents

Antenna with variable misalignment comprising at least one phase-changing element Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1723693B1
EP1723693B1 EP05728084.4A EP05728084A EP1723693B1 EP 1723693 B1 EP1723693 B1 EP 1723693B1 EP 05728084 A EP05728084 A EP 05728084A EP 1723693 B1 EP1723693 B1 EP 1723693B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
variable
depointing
antenna according
support
antenna
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Active
Application number
EP05728084.4A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1723693A2 (en
Inventor
Anthony Pallone
Frank Soulie
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Jaybeam Wireless SAS
Jaybeam Ltd
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Jaybeam Wireless SAS
Jaybeam Ltd
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Publication of EP1723693A2 publication Critical patent/EP1723693A2/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
    • H01Q3/30—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array
    • H01Q3/32—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array by mechanical means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01P—WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
    • H01P1/00—Auxiliary devices
    • H01P1/18—Phase-shifters
    • H01P1/184—Strip line phase-shifters
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/24—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set
    • H01Q1/241—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM
    • H01Q1/246—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for base stations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
    • H01Q3/30—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a variable electric depointing antenna comprising at least one phase shifting element.
  • radiofrequency communication systems of the mobile telephony type, the propagation of the signal representative of the voice of a user is effected from the antenna of the mobile telephone to a base station.
  • This signal is then routed by a wired network, for example, to another base station, which transmits the signal to the correspondent.
  • Each base station also called relay antenna, covers a portion of territory called "cell”.
  • a coverage area is therefore composed of a set of cells forming a mesh network of base station.
  • This misalignment of the maximum radiation is obtained by adjusting in a known manner the relative amplitudes and the relative phases between the electrical signals supplying each radiating element of an antenna, which comprises at least two radiating elements superimposed vertically one above the other.
  • the values imposed on these amplitudes and phases advantageously make it possible to impose the direction of the maximum radiation, to attenuate unwanted secondary lobes and to fill radiation holes in certain directions.
  • the adjustment of the relative phases of the electrical signals is obtained by the implementation of bulky and expensive mechanical elements.
  • These elements include, for example, sliding parts having the shape of a circular arc, connected to power supply cables, the rotation of one of the parts for varying the phase of the electrical signal.
  • These mechanical elements increase the weight of the base stations.
  • the volume of these elements usually requires them to also be placed on the face of the support receiving the radiating elements, this face can not be fully metallized, or requires to increase the thickness of the antenna to accommodate these elements behind this face receiving the radiating elements.
  • base station antennas of cellular networks today are very often double-polarized, generally + 45 °.
  • the source part comprising the radiating elements is either doubled, with at least two radiating elements for each polarization, or it comprises radiating elements which are themselves double-polarized. In the latter case, each radiating element has two accesses, one by polarization.
  • the lobe forming circuit which comprises radio circuits for distributing the energy between the antenna access and the different radiating elements so that the network association of these elements forms the lobe of desired radiation, is doubled to maintain the isolation between the signals of each polarization.
  • the objective of the present invention is to propose an antenna with variable electric misalignment comprising at least one phase-shifting element, simple in its design and in its operating mode, inexpensive and allowing an embodiment "any printed circuit" of the antenna, c that is, the lobe formation circuit is made from feed lines and dividers etched on such a printed circuit board.
  • phase-shifting elements also make it possible, by a particularly compact arrangement, to group on the same face of the printed circuit both the phase-shifting elements and the supply circuits of the elementary sources, including in the case of a double-polarized antenna, which keeps the other side of the fully metallized printed circuit. This is the most favorable situation to realize the source part comprising the radiating elements.
  • This arrangement of the phase-shifting elements promotes the association of a phase shifter element by radiating element, which makes the control of the radiation pattern and its important parameters (side lobe level, filling of holes in the radiation pattern, precision of the pointing of the maximum radiation) easier.
  • Another object of the invention is to simultaneously control all the phase-shifting elements by means of a single command while respecting the law of relative phase variation between the elementary antennas.
  • This unique control thus allows easy adjustment of the radiation misalignment angle.
  • This adjustment can then be adjusted either manually at the level of the antenna itself, or motorized by incorporating a motor at the antenna and adjoining means for measuring the position.
  • the drive control signals may come either from equipment installed at the base station equipped with the antenna, or from a remote management center using one of the many means telecommunication system for transmitting the information necessary for controlling the engine.
  • the invention relates to an antenna having a radiation pattern having at least one main lobe axis defining an angle of inclination with respect to the earth's surface and phase variation means for modifying the angle of inclination.
  • phase-shifting element having an input transmission line and an output transmission line, the transmission lines being printed lines
  • a mobile radio coupling means of the input and output transmission lines the coupling means comprising a first and a second arm, an insulator placed between each of the transmission lines and the corresponding arm of the mobile radio coupling means
  • the mobile radio coupling means comprising a substrate having a surface on which are placed the first and second arm, the surface of the substrate comprising the first and second arms being placed opposite the surface of the main printed circuit, the input and output transmission lines being parallel and the mobile radio coupling means comprising a coupling circuit having the shape substantially of a U, the mobile radio coupling means being arranged on a plate of a phase shifting carriage, the antenna comprising an elongated support having a longitudinal main lobe axis
  • the phase variation means comprise means for displacing each radio coupling means of each phase shifting element and a single control means for the displacement means, the displacement means for each coupling means.
  • radio frequency of each phase shifter element and the control means being arranged such that a displacement of the control means along the longitudinal main axis of the support causes, via the means of displacement, a displacement transverse to the longitudinal main axis of the support of each of the mobile radio coupling means simultaneously.
  • the figure 1 has a phase shifter element 1.
  • the operating principle of this phase shifter element 1 is based on a printed line whose variable length causes a variation of electric path traveled by an electrical signal between the signal output of the line and the same signal to the input of the transmission line. This variation of electrical path thus causes a variable delay in the transmission of the signal and therefore a variable phase difference between the signal at the output of the line and the same signal at the input of the transmission line.
  • This phase-shifting element 1 comprises an input transmission line 2 and an output transmission line 3, said transmission lines 2, 3 being lines printed on the surface of a main printed circuit board 4. These lines are therefore fixed by relative to the main printed circuit 4.
  • the characteristic impedance of these transmission lines 2, 3 which will generally be taken equal to 50 ohms, is determined by the width of the ribbon engraved on the main printed circuit 4 to produce the printed line 2, 3, depending on the thickness of the printed circuit 4 and the dielectric constant of its material according to rules well known to those skilled in the art, it being understood that the opposite face of the printed circuit is metalized.
  • transmission lines 2, 3 are completed by a mobile radio coupling means 5 of the input 2 and output 3 transmission lines, said coupling means comprising a first and a second arm 6, 7.
  • the transmission lines 2, 3 are transmission input and output 2, 3 are parallel and the mobile radio coupling means 5 comprises a coupling circuit having the shape substantially of a U.
  • This coupling circuit preferably comprises a printed line. The first and second parallel sides of the U then form respectively the first 6 and second arms 7 of the mobile radio coupling means 5.
  • the electrical path has a range of variation between a first position where the first 6 and second arms respectively 7 and 7 respectively cover the input and output transmission lines 2 and 3 thus defining a minimum electrical path, and a second position where the first 6 and second 7 arms are respectively placed in the extension of the input 2 and output 3 transmission lines thus defining a maximum electrical path.
  • phase shifter element 1 In the production of such a phase shifter element 1, the desired phase variation dynamics is obtained by adjusting the lengths of the input and output transmission lines 2 and 2, respectively. first and second arms 6, 7 of the radio coupling means 5. If it is desired to have a greater dynamic than the space available for moving the mobile radio coupling means 5, at least two phase-shifting elements 1 can to be coupled.
  • the distance between the input 2 and output 3 transmission lines is preferably minimized to maintain a compact arrangement. But if these lines 2, 3 are too close to each other, a radio coupling can be established between them, and they are no longer comparable to conventional transmission lines. This coupling will have a negative effect on their adaptation with respect to the characteristic impedance, on their insertion loss and on the linearity of the phase shift obtained with respect to the displacement. These transmission lines 2, 3 are therefore placed so as not to be radio-coupled.
  • the contact of the first and second arms 6, 7 with respectively the input and output transmission lines 2, 3 forms the electrical continuity.
  • the electrical continuity between the mobile radio coupling means 5 and the lines transmission 2, 3 is no longer provided by a metal-metal contact, but by radio coupling (capacitive effect) between the portions of lines which are superimposed on one another.
  • This insulator 8 must have a very small thickness to achieve the best possible coupling.
  • this insulator can be made from thin sheet of insulating material, for example, made of nylon, teflon, or other.
  • Another embodiment of this insulator is to cover one of the printed circuit boards, preferably the mobile radio coupling means 5, with a varnish layer according to the usual techniques for varnishing the printed circuits.
  • the mobile radio coupling means 5 is produced by etching on a substrate, for example a printed circuit, which ensures a mechanical strength of the first and second arms 6, 7. This surface of the substrate on which is engraved the mobile radio coupling means 5, is placed opposite the surface of the main printed circuit 4.
  • An antenna 9 having a radiation pattern having at least one major lobe axis defining an angle of inclination with respect to the earth's surface.
  • This antenna 9 is entirely housed in a hood 10, a radome, in the form of a sleeve, said hood being closed at its ends by the upper plug 11 and the lower plug 12.
  • the antenna 9 is double cross polarized and therefore comprises two accesses and the two corresponding connectors 13 and 14 are fixed on the lower plug 12.
  • the antenna 9 comprises a support 15 of elongated shape having a longitudinal main axis, a front face 16 and a rear face 17, as well as at least two radiating elements 18 placed along the front face 16 of the support. Generally, when the antenna 9 is in place, this longitudinal main axis is vertical.
  • the antenna includes also at least one lobe forming circuit 19 disposed on the support 15.
  • the lobe forming circuit 19 comprises phase variation means 20 for modifying the angle of inclination of the main lobe axis, in other words the maximum radiation of the antenna 9.
  • phase variation means 20 comprise at least one phase shifter element 1 as described above.
  • the figure 2 is a schematic representation of the antenna according to a particular embodiment.
  • the cover 10 of the antenna 9 is partially disengaged to make visible the radiating elements 18 placed along the front face 16 of the longitudinal support 15.
  • the support 15 is a printed circuit whose front face 16 is metallized, the formation circuit lobe 19 being placed on the rear face of the printed circuit board 1.
  • This embodiment of the antenna object of the figure 2 has twelve radiating elements 18, but the principle described here also applies to antennas 9 having more or fewer elements, the minimum being 2 to provide electrical misalignment by action on the signal phase.
  • the figure 3 represents the same antenna as the Figure 2 but seen from behind.
  • An upper plate 21 and a lower plate 22 serve to fix the antenna on a support structure for its operational use.
  • the longitudinal support 15 making the entire height of the antenna 9 is a main printed circuit, said support being made in one piece or in several parts.
  • the figure 4 shows a partial and exploded view of the lobe formation circuits 19 and the printed circuit in the case of a dual polarization antenna.
  • a first group 23 comprises the parallel input and output transmission lines 2, 3 of a first phase-shifting element 1.
  • a second group 24 having the parallel transmission lines 2, 3 of a second phase shifter element 1, which corresponds to the lobe forming circuit 19 for forming the second polarization lobe.
  • a longitudinal half left for example, corresponds to the lobe forming circuit 19 for one of the accesses of polarization
  • the other longitudinal half symmetrical with the first, corresponds to the same functions for the other polarization.
  • phase variation means 20 is preferably connected to a single radiating element 18.
  • certain phase-changing means 20 may each comprise two phase-shifting elements. 1, an input gate 25 and an output gate 26.
  • the phase-shifting elements 1 are connected in series by the output transmission line 3 of the first phase-shifting element 1 and the input transmission line 2 of the second phase-shifting element 1
  • the input gate 25 is then constituted by the input transmission line of the first phase-shifting element 1
  • the output gate 26 is constituted by the output transmission line of the second phase-shifting element 1, said input gate 25 being connected to a supply line 27 and said outlet door 26 being connected to the corresponding radiating element 18.
  • the feed line 27 constitutes a part of the lobe forming circuit 19.
  • This line 27 comprises sections of different characteristic impedance line, and T junction to feed, for example, four successive radiating elements with the relative amplitudes. desired.
  • This line 27 is itself connected to the rest of the lobe forming circuit by a coaxial cable, just like the other groups of four radiating elements of the printed circuit.
  • the feed line 27 could also feed a group of six or more radiating elements.
  • This embodiment of the lobe forming circuit 19 by a mixed technique using coaxial cables and feed lines 27 as described above makes it possible to limit the overall losses of the lobe formation circuit 19 since a coaxial cable may have less losses per meter that a printed line, even if the printed circuit uses a dielectric of very good quality.
  • the phase variation means 20 comprise displacement means 28 of each mobile radio coupling means 5 of each phase shifter element 1 and a single control means 29 of the displacement means 28.
  • the displacement means 28 of FIG. each radio coupling means 5 and the control means 29 are arranged such that movement of the control means 29 along the longitudinal main axis of the support 15 causes, via the displacement means 28, a transverse displacement relative to the longitudinal main axis of the support 15 of each of the mobile radio coupling means 5 simultaneously.
  • Each moving means 28 includes guide means 30 for holding the radio coupling means 5 against the printed circuit forming the support 15.
  • These guide means 30 comprise a bottom 31 and side walls 32, said bottom 31 having a recess 33 forming a guide rail and means for fixing said guide means 30 on the printed circuit.
  • These include pins 34 for clipping the guide means 30 in holes made for this purpose in the printed circuit, which provides a simple and effective assembly means.
  • Each of the guiding means 30 is made for example of injected plastic material.
  • the mobile radio coupling means 5 are constituted by movable phase shifting carriages 35 which, after fixing the guiding means 30 are trapped between the bottom 31 of the guide means 30 and the printed circuit.
  • Each phase shifting carriage 35 comprises, for example, a plate to which is fixed a radio coupling circuit advantageously made on a printed circuit.
  • the printed circuit can be glued to said plate or fixed by a double-sided adhesive.
  • the displacement movement of each of the phase shifting carriages 35 is guided by the guiding means 30 which only allow transverse displacement of the phase shifter carriages 35 with respect to the longitudinal main axis of the support 15.
  • the plates of the phase shifter carriages 35 comprise an orifice 36 through which guide pins 37 come to drive them in motion. These guide pins 37 have at one end an extension fixed to the orifice 36 and at the other end a pin 38.
  • the control means 29 comprises a first fixed plate 39, connected to the support 15 vis-à-vis the rear face 17 of the support and spaced from the latter, and a second plate 40 mounted in the first plate 39 in a sliding manner according to the main longitudinal axis of the support 15.
  • This second plate 40 comprises means cooperating with the displacement means 28 of each of the phase shifter elements 1 to move transversely each of the moving phase shifting carriages 35 and therefore each radio coupling means 5 during a displacement of the second plate 40 along the longitudinal main axis of the support 15.
  • pulleys 41 are placed on some of the pins 38. The second plate 40 is then placed on these pulleys 41.
  • Each pin 38 is engaged in an oblique slot 42 formed in the second movable plate 40 of the control means 29.
  • the inclination of each of the oblique slots 42 is adjusted so that the relative movements between the guide pins 37 correspond to the relative variations of the phase-shifts between the various radiating elements 18 necessary to detach the radiation lobe from the antenna 9.
  • the different inclinations of the oblique slots 42 formed in the second movable plate 40 advantageously allow a large latitude in the adjustment of the relative movements of the phase-shifting elements.
  • the first and second plates are for example metal sheets each formed in one piece. Of course, these plates could also consist of several elements joined together, for example by means of rods.
  • These guide pins 37 are themselves guided by a slot 43 made in the first plate 39 which is fixed to the printed circuit.
  • This slot 43 has a cylindrical recess 44 which allows to engage the guiding pins 37 in said slot 44 at a notch made in these pins.
  • Each guiding pin 37 is driven by the oblique slot 42 corresponding formed in the second movable plate 40 in which is engaged the pin 38 of the guiding pin 37.
  • the second plate 40 also has at one of its ends an actuating rod 45 which can be connected to an actuating device.
  • This actuating rod 45 is, for example, a threaded rod.
  • the actuating device is either manual action on the actuating rod 45 made accessible from outside the antenna, or advantageously comprises a motor and positioning means for determining the position of the rod, for example, a position sensor, said positioning means emitting position signals of the actuating rod.
  • this actuating device 45 also comprises an electronic management unit for processing the position signals of the actuating rod 45 emitted by the positioning means. When this electronic unit is placed in the variable misalignment antenna, it has an interface, wired or wireless, for receiving the control instructions and / or transmitting the position of the operating status rod or signals. alarm.

Description

La présente invention concerne une antenne à dépointage électrique variable comportant au moins un élément déphaseur.The present invention relates to a variable electric depointing antenna comprising at least one phase shifting element.

Dans les systèmes de communication radiofréquence, du type téléphonie mobile, la propagation du signal représentatif de la voix d'un utilisateur s'effectue de l'antenne du téléphone mobile vers une station de base. Ce signal est ensuite acheminé par un réseau filaire, par exemple, vers une autre station de base, qui transmet le signal jusqu'au correspondant. Chaque station de base, encore appelée antenne relais, couvre une portion de territoire dénommée "cellule". Une zone de couverture est donc constituée d'un ensemble de cellules formant un réseau maillé de station de base.In radiofrequency communication systems, of the mobile telephony type, the propagation of the signal representative of the voice of a user is effected from the antenna of the mobile telephone to a base station. This signal is then routed by a wired network, for example, to another base station, which transmits the signal to the correspondent. Each base station, also called relay antenna, covers a portion of territory called "cell". A coverage area is therefore composed of a set of cells forming a mesh network of base station.

Dans ces réseaux, on peut rechercher à limiter la portée radio d'une antenne en dépointant vers le bas son maximum de rayonnement pour ne pas interférer avec les cellules adjacentes. Ce dépointage du maximum de rayonnement est obtenu en ajustant de manière connue les amplitudes relatives et les phases relatives entre les signaux électriques alimentant chaque élément rayonnant d'une antenne, laquelle comprend au moins deux éléments rayonnants superposés verticalement les uns au-dessus des autres. Les valeurs imposées à ces amplitudes et phases permettent avantageusement d'imposer la direction du maximum de rayonnement, d'atténuer des lobes secondaires indésirables et de combler des trous de rayonnement dans certaines directions.In these networks, one can seek to limit the radio range of an antenna by pointing down its maximum radiation so as not to interfere with adjacent cells. This misalignment of the maximum radiation is obtained by adjusting in a known manner the relative amplitudes and the relative phases between the electrical signals supplying each radiating element of an antenna, which comprises at least two radiating elements superimposed vertically one above the other. The values imposed on these amplitudes and phases advantageously make it possible to impose the direction of the maximum radiation, to attenuate unwanted secondary lobes and to fill radiation holes in certain directions.

La réalisation de telles antennes avec un dépointage variable a fait l'objet de nombreuses avancées ces dernières années. Une telle antenne est par exemple décrite dans le document WO 03/036759 A .The realization of such antennas with variable misalignment has been the subject of many advances in recent years. Such an antenna is for example described in the document WO 03/036759 A .

Cependant, l'ajustement des phases relatives des signaux électriques est obtenu par la mise en oeuvre d'éléments mécaniques volumineux et coûteux. Ces éléments comprennent, par exemple, des parties coulissantes ayant la forme d'arc circulaire, reliées à des câbles d'alimentation électrique, la rotation d'une des parties permettant de varier la phase du signal électrique. Ces éléments mécaniques augmentent le poids des stations de base. En outre, le volume de ces éléments impose en général de les disposer également sur la face du support recevant les éléments rayonnants, cette face ne pouvant alors être totalement métallisée, ou alors impose d'augmenter l'épaisseur de l'antenne pour loger ces éléments derrière cette face recevant les éléments rayonnants.However, the adjustment of the relative phases of the electrical signals is obtained by the implementation of bulky and expensive mechanical elements. These elements include, for example, sliding parts having the shape of a circular arc, connected to power supply cables, the rotation of one of the parts for varying the phase of the electrical signal. These mechanical elements increase the weight of the base stations. In addition, the volume of these elements usually requires them to also be placed on the face of the support receiving the radiating elements, this face can not be fully metallized, or requires to increase the thickness of the antenna to accommodate these elements behind this face receiving the radiating elements.

De plus, les antennes de station de base de réseaux cellulaires sont aujourd'hui très souvent à double polarisation, en général + 45°. Dans ce cas, la partie source comprenant les éléments rayonnants est soit doublée, avec au moins deux éléments rayonnants pour chaque polarisation, soit elle comporte des éléments rayonnants qui sont eux-mêmes à double polarisation. Dans ce dernier cas, chaque élément rayonnant a deux accès, un par polarisation.In addition, base station antennas of cellular networks today are very often double-polarized, generally + 45 °. In this case, the source part comprising the radiating elements is either doubled, with at least two radiating elements for each polarization, or it comprises radiating elements which are themselves double-polarized. In the latter case, each radiating element has two accesses, one by polarization.

Dans ces antennes à double polarisation, le circuit de formation de lobe qui comporte des circuits radioélectriques destinés à répartir l'énergie entre l'accès de l'antenne et les différents éléments rayonnants pour que l'association en réseau de ces éléments forme le lobe de rayonnement désiré, est doublée pour conserver l'isolation entre les signaux de chaque polarisation.In these dual polarization antennas, the lobe forming circuit which comprises radio circuits for distributing the energy between the antenna access and the different radiating elements so that the network association of these elements forms the lobe of desired radiation, is doubled to maintain the isolation between the signals of each polarization.

Dans les versions à dépointage électrique variable de ces antennes à double polarisation, il est nécessaire de rechercher la même valeur de dépointage pour les lobes de rayonnement correspondant à chacune des deux polarisations. Il convient donc d'ajuster en même temps les moyens de variation de phase propres à chacun des deux circuits de formation de lobe.In versions with variable electrical misalignment of these dual polarization antennas, it is necessary to look for the same misalignment value for the radiation lobes corresponding to each of the two polarizations. It is therefore necessary to adjust at the same time the phase variation means specific to each of the two lobe forming circuits.

L'objectif de la présente invention est de proposer une antenne à dépointage électrique variable comportant au moins un élément déphaseur, simple dans sa conception et dans son mode opératoire, peu onéreuse et permettant une réalisation "tout circuit imprimé" de l'antenne, c'est-à-dire que le circuit de formation de lobe est réalisé à partir de lignes d'alimentation et de diviseurs gravés sur un tel circuit imprimé.The objective of the present invention is to propose an antenna with variable electric misalignment comprising at least one phase-shifting element, simple in its design and in its operating mode, inexpensive and allowing an embodiment "any printed circuit" of the antenna, c that is, the lobe formation circuit is made from feed lines and dividers etched on such a printed circuit board.

Ces éléments déphaseurs permettent également par un agencement particulièrement compact de regrouper sur une même face du circuit imprimé à la fois les éléments déphaseurs et les circuits d'alimentation des sources élémentaires, y compris dans le cas d'une antenne à double polarisation, ce qui permet de conserver l'autre face du circuit imprimé entièrement métallisée. C'est la situation la plus favorable pour y réaliser la partie source comportant les éléments rayonnants. Cet agencement des éléments déphaseurs favorise l'association d'un élément déphaseur par élément rayonnant, ce qui rend le contrôle du diagramme de rayonnement et de ses paramètres importants (niveau lobes secondaires, comblement de trous dans le diagramme de rayonnement, précision du pointage du maximum de rayonnement) plus aisé.These phase-shifting elements also make it possible, by a particularly compact arrangement, to group on the same face of the printed circuit both the phase-shifting elements and the supply circuits of the elementary sources, including in the case of a double-polarized antenna, which keeps the other side of the fully metallized printed circuit. This is the most favorable situation to realize the source part comprising the radiating elements. This arrangement of the phase-shifting elements promotes the association of a phase shifter element by radiating element, which makes the control of the radiation pattern and its important parameters (side lobe level, filling of holes in the radiation pattern, precision of the pointing of the maximum radiation) easier.

Un autre objectif de l'invention est de commander simultanément tous les éléments déphaseurs au moyen d'une commande unique tout en respectant la loi de variation relative de phase entre les antennes élémentaires. Cette commande unique permet ainsi un réglage aisé de l'angle de dépointage du rayonnement. Ce réglage peut alors être ajusté soit de façon manuelle au niveau de l'antenne elle-même, soit de façon motorisée par incorporation d'un moteur au niveau de l'antenne et en lui adjoignant des moyens de mesure de la position. Dans le cas d'un ajustement motorisé, les signaux de pilotage de la motorisation peuvent provenir soit d'un équipement installé au niveau de la station de base équipée de l'antenne, soit d'un centre de gestion distant utilisant un des nombreux moyens de télécommunication existant pour transmettre les informations nécessaires au pilotage de la motorisation.Another object of the invention is to simultaneously control all the phase-shifting elements by means of a single command while respecting the law of relative phase variation between the elementary antennas. This unique control thus allows easy adjustment of the radiation misalignment angle. This adjustment can then be adjusted either manually at the level of the antenna itself, or motorized by incorporating a motor at the antenna and adjoining means for measuring the position. In the case of a motorized adjustment, the drive control signals may come either from equipment installed at the base station equipped with the antenna, or from a remote management center using one of the many means telecommunication system for transmitting the information necessary for controlling the engine.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne une antenne ayant un diagramme de rayonnement présentant au moins un axe principal de lobe définissant un angle d'inclinaison par rapport à la surface terrestre et des moyens de variation de phase pour modifier l'angle d'inclinaison qui comprennent au moins un élément déphaseur, ayant une ligne de transmission d'entrée et une ligne de transmission de sortie, les lignes de transmission étant des lignes imprimées, un moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile des lignes de transmission d'entrée et de sortie, le moyen de couplage comportant un premier et un deuxième bras, un isolant placé entre chacune des lignes de transmission et le bras correspondant du moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile, le moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile comprenant un substrat ayant une surface sur laquelle sont placés les premier et deuxième bras, la surface du substrat comportant les premier et deuxième bras étant placée en regard de la surface du circuit imprimé principal, les lignes de transmission d'entrée et de sortie étant parallèles et le moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile comprenant un circuit de couplage ayant la forme sensiblement d'un U, le moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile étant disposé sur une plaque d'un chariot déphaseur, l' antenne comprenant un support de forme allongée ayant un axe principal longitudinal, une face avant et une face arrière, au moins deux éléments rayonnants placés le long de la face avant du support et au moins un circuit de formation de lobe disposé sur le support.For this purpose, the invention relates to an antenna having a radiation pattern having at least one main lobe axis defining an angle of inclination with respect to the earth's surface and phase variation means for modifying the angle of inclination. which comprise at least one phase-shifting element, having an input transmission line and an output transmission line, the transmission lines being printed lines, a mobile radio coupling means of the input and output transmission lines, the coupling means comprising a first and a second arm, an insulator placed between each of the transmission lines and the corresponding arm of the mobile radio coupling means, the mobile radio coupling means comprising a substrate having a surface on which are placed the first and second arm, the surface of the substrate comprising the first and second arms being placed opposite the surface of the main printed circuit, the input and output transmission lines being parallel and the mobile radio coupling means comprising a coupling circuit having the shape substantially of a U, the mobile radio coupling means being arranged on a plate of a phase shifting carriage, the antenna comprising an elongated support having a longitudinal main axis, a front face and a rear face, at least two radiating elements placed along the front face of the support and at least one lobe forming circuit arranged on the support.

Selon l'invention, les moyens de variation de phase comportent des moyens de déplacement de chaque moyen de couplage radioélectrique de chaque élément déphaseur et un moyen de commande unique des moyens de déplacement, les moyens de déplacement de chaque moyen de couplage radioélectrique de chaque élément déphaseur et le moyen de commande étant agencés de telle sorte qu'un déplacement du moyen de commande selon l'axe principal longitudinal du support provoque, par l'intermédiaire des moyens de déplacement, un déplacement transversal par rapport à l'axe principal longitudinal du support de chacun des moyens de couplage radioélectrique mobiles de façon simultanée.According to the invention, the phase variation means comprise means for displacing each radio coupling means of each phase shifting element and a single control means for the displacement means, the displacement means for each coupling means. radio frequency of each phase shifter element and the control means being arranged such that a displacement of the control means along the longitudinal main axis of the support causes, via the means of displacement, a displacement transverse to the longitudinal main axis of the support of each of the mobile radio coupling means simultaneously.

Dans différents modes de réalisation possibles, la présente invention concerne également les caractéristiques qui ressortiront au cours de la description qui va suivre et qui devront être considérées isolément ou selon toutes leurs combinaisons techniquement possibles :

  • le support est un circuit imprimé dont la face avant est métallisée, le circuit de formation de lobe étant placé sur la face arrière du circuit imprimé,
  • chacun des moyens de variation de phase est relié à un seul élément rayonnant,
  • les moyens de variation de phase comprennent chacun un premier élément déphaseur, une porte d'entrée et une porte de sortie, la porte d'entrée étant constituée par la ligne de transmission d'entrée du premier élément déphaseur et la porte de sortie étant constituée par la ligne de transmission de sortie du premier élément déphaseur, la porte d'entrée étant reliée à une ligne d'alimentation et la porte de sortie étant reliée à l'élément rayonnant correspondant,
  • au moins un des moyens de variation de phase comprend en outre un deuxième élément déphaseur, lesdits premier et deuxième éléments déphaseurs étant connectés en série par la ligne de transmission de sortie du premier élément déphaseur et la ligne de transmission d'entrée du deuxième élément déphaseur, la porte d'entrée est constituée par la ligne de transmission d'entrée du premier élément déphaseur et la porte de sortie est alors constituée par la ligne de transmission de sortie du deuxième élément déphaseur, la porte d'entrée étant reliée à une ligne d'alimentation et la porte de sortie étant reliée à l'élément rayonnant correspondant,
  • la ligne d'alimentation comporte des tronçons de largeurs différentes et est une ligne imprimée,
  • au moins deux éléments rayonnants sont ainsi reliés à cette ligne d'alimentation,
  • le moyen de commande comprend une première plaque fixe, reliée au support en vis-à-vis de la face arrière du support et espacée de cette dernière, et une deuxième plaque montée dans la première plaque de manière coulissante selon l'axe principal longitudinal du support, la deuxième plaque comportant des moyens coopérant avec les moyens de déplacement de chacun des moyens de couplage radioélectriques mobiles de chacun des éléments déphaseurs pour déplacer transversalement chacun des moyens de couplage radioélectrique mobiles lors d'un déplacement de la deuxième plaque suivant l'axe principal longitudinal du support,
  • la deuxième plaque comporte à une de ses extrémités une tige d'actionnement pouvant être reliée à un dispositif d'actionnement,
  • le dispositif d'actionnement comprend un moteur, et des moyens de positionnement pour déterminer la position de la tige, lesdits moyens de positionnement émettant des signaux de position.
  • le dispositif d'actionnement comprend en outre une unité électronique de gestion pour traiter les signaux de position de la tige d'actionnement, l'unité électronique comportant une interface, filaire ou sans fil, pour recevoir des instructions de commande et/ou émettre la position de la tige d'actionnement,
  • chaque moyen de déplacement comprend des moyens de guidage permettant de maintenir le moyen de couplage radioélectrique contre le circuit imprimé,
  • les moyens de guidage comprennent un fond et des parois latérales, le fond comportant un évidement formant un rail de guidage et des moyens pour fixer les moyens de guidage sur le circuit imprimé,
  • chaque moyen de déplacement comprend un pion de guidage présentant à une première extrémité un prolongement relié au moyen de couplage radioélectrique et à l'autre extrémité un téton, engagé dans une fente oblique ménagée dans la deuxième plaque mobile des moyens de commande,
  • l'antenne comprend deux circuits de formation de lobe de façon à présenter un diagramme de rayonnement comportant deux lobes ayant des polarisations différentes,
  • les éléments rayonnants sont des éléments rayonnants à double polarisation.
In various possible embodiments, the present invention also relates to the features which will emerge during the following description, which should be considered in isolation or in all their technically possible combinations:
  • the support is a printed circuit whose front face is metallized, the lobe forming circuit being placed on the rear face of the printed circuit,
  • each of the phase variation means is connected to a single radiating element,
  • the phase variation means each comprise a first phase-shifting element, an input gate and an exit gate, the entrance gate being constituted by the input transmission line of the first phase-shifting element and the exit gate being constituted by by the output transmission line of the first phase shifter element, the input gate being connected to a power supply line and the output gate being connected to the corresponding radiating element,
  • at least one of the phase variation means further comprises a second phase-shifting element, said first and second phase-shifting elements being connected in series by the output transmission line of the first phase-shifting element and the input transmission line of the second phase-shifting element the input gate is constituted by the input transmission line of the first phase-shifting element and the output gate is then constituted by the output transmission line of the second phase-shifting element, the input gate being connected to a line power supply and the output gate being connected to the corresponding radiating element,
  • the feed line has sections of different widths and is a printed line,
  • at least two radiating elements are thus connected to this feed line,
  • the control means comprises a first fixed plate, connected to the support vis-à-vis the rear face of the support and spaced from the latter, and a second plate mounted in the first plate slidably along the longitudinal main axis of the support, the second plate comprising means cooperating with the displacement means of each of the mobile radio coupling means of each of the phase-shifting elements for transversely displacing each of the mobile radio coupling means during a displacement of the second plate along the axis longitudinal main of the support,
  • the second plate comprises at one of its ends an actuating rod that can be connected to an actuating device,
  • the actuating device comprises a motor, and positioning means for determining the position of the rod, said positioning means emitting position signals.
  • the actuating device further comprises an electronic management unit for processing the position signals of the actuating rod, the electronic unit having an interface, wired or wireless, for receiving control instructions and / or transmitting the position of the actuating rod,
  • each moving means comprises guiding means for maintaining the radio coupling means against the printed circuit,
  • the guide means comprise a bottom and side walls, the bottom having a recess forming a guide rail and means for fixing the guide means on the printed circuit,
  • each moving means comprises a guide pin having at one end an extension connected to the radio coupling means and at the other end a pin engaged in an oblique slot in the second movable plate of the control means,
  • the antenna comprises two lobe forming circuits so as to present a radiation pattern comprising two lobes having different polarizations,
  • the radiating elements are radiating elements with double polarization.

L'invention sera décrite plus en détail en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels:

  • la figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'un élément déphaseur ;
  • la figure 2 est une représentation schématique d'une antenne, selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, le capot de l'antenne étant partiellement dégagé pour rendre visible les éléments rayonnants placés le long de la face avant d'un support longitudinal;
  • la figure 3 est une représentation schématique de la face arrière de l'antenne de la Figure 2, laissant apparaître le moyen de commande des moyens de déplacement de chacun des éléments déphaseurs, selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 4 est une représentation schématique d'une vue partielle et éclatée du circuit de formation de lobe, selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention;
The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a schematic representation of a phase shifter element;
  • the figure 2 is a schematic representation of an antenna, according to one embodiment of the invention, the hood of the antenna being partially cleared to make visible the radiating elements placed along the front face of a longitudinal support;
  • the figure 3 is a schematic representation of the back side of the antenna of the Figure 2 , revealing the means for controlling the displacement means of each of the phase-shifting elements, according to one embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 4 is a schematic representation of a partial and exploded view of the lobe formation circuit according to one embodiment of the invention;

La figure 1 présente un élément déphaseur 1. Le principe de fonctionnement de cet élément déphaseur 1 repose sur une ligne imprimée dont la longueur variable provoque une variation de chemin électrique parcouru par un signal électrique entre le signal en sortie de la ligne et ce même signal à l'entrée de la ligne de transmission. Cette variation de chemin électrique provoque ainsi un retard variable dans la transmission du signal et donc un déphasage variable entre le signal en sortie de la ligne et ce même signal à l'entrée de la ligne de transmission.The figure 1 has a phase shifter element 1. The operating principle of this phase shifter element 1 is based on a printed line whose variable length causes a variation of electric path traveled by an electrical signal between the signal output of the line and the same signal to the input of the transmission line. This variation of electrical path thus causes a variable delay in the transmission of the signal and therefore a variable phase difference between the signal at the output of the line and the same signal at the input of the transmission line.

Cet élément déphaseur 1 comprend une ligne de transmission d'entrée 2 et une ligne de transmission de sortie 3, lesdites lignes de transmission 2, 3 étant des lignes imprimées à la surface d'un circuit imprimé principal 4. Ces lignes sont donc fixes par rapport au circuit imprimé principal 4. L'impédance caractéristique de ces lignes de transmission 2, 3 qui sera en général prise égale à 50 ohms, est déterminée par la largeur du ruban gravé sur le circuit imprimé principal 4 pour réaliser la ligne imprimée 2, 3, en fonction de l'épaisseur du circuit imprimé 4 et de la constante diélectrique de son matériau suivant des règles bien connues de l'homme du métier, étant entendu que la face opposée du circuit imprimé est métalisée.This phase-shifting element 1 comprises an input transmission line 2 and an output transmission line 3, said transmission lines 2, 3 being lines printed on the surface of a main printed circuit board 4. These lines are therefore fixed by relative to the main printed circuit 4. The characteristic impedance of these transmission lines 2, 3 which will generally be taken equal to 50 ohms, is determined by the width of the ribbon engraved on the main printed circuit 4 to produce the printed line 2, 3, depending on the thickness of the printed circuit 4 and the dielectric constant of its material according to rules well known to those skilled in the art, it being understood that the opposite face of the printed circuit is metalized.

Ces lignes de transmission 2, 3 sont complétées par un moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile 5 des lignes de transmission d'entrée 2 et de sortie 3, ledit moyen de couplage comportant un premier et un deuxième bras 6, 7. Avantageusement, les lignes de transmission d'entrée et de sortie 2, 3 sont parallèles et le moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile 5 comprend un circuit de couplage ayant la forme sensiblement d'un U. Ce circuit de couplage comprend, préférentiellement, une ligne imprimée. Les premier et deuxième cotés parallèles du U forment alors respectivement les premier 6 et deuxième bras 7 du moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile 5.These transmission lines 2, 3 are completed by a mobile radio coupling means 5 of the input 2 and output 3 transmission lines, said coupling means comprising a first and a second arm 6, 7. Advantageously, the transmission lines 2, 3 are transmission input and output 2, 3 are parallel and the mobile radio coupling means 5 comprises a coupling circuit having the shape substantially of a U. This coupling circuit preferably comprises a printed line. The first and second parallel sides of the U then form respectively the first 6 and second arms 7 of the mobile radio coupling means 5.

Le chemin électrique présente un domaine de variation entre une première position où les premier 6 et deuxième 7 bras recouvrent respectivement et entièrement les lignes de transmission d'entrée 2 et de sortie 3 définissant ainsi un chemin électrique minimal, et une deuxième position où les premier 6 et deuxième 7 bras sont respectivement placés dans le prolongement des lignes de transmission d'entrée 2 et de sortie 3 définissant ainsi un chemin électrique maximal. Pour conserver à l'ensemble des lignes de transmission 2, 3 fixes et au moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile 5 une impédance caractéristique constante et assurer ainsi un déphasage proportionnel au déplacement, il faut que le couplage entre les lignes de transmission d'entrée et de sortie 2, 3 d'une part et les bras respectifs 6, 7 du moyen de couplage radioélectrique 5 d'autre part reste élevé. Ceci définit l'écartement maximum que le moyen de couplage 5 peut avoir par rapport aux lignes de transmission d'entrée 2 et de sortie 3, et donc le déphasage maximal que l'on peut obtenir.The electrical path has a range of variation between a first position where the first 6 and second arms respectively 7 and 7 respectively cover the input and output transmission lines 2 and 3 thus defining a minimum electrical path, and a second position where the first 6 and second 7 arms are respectively placed in the extension of the input 2 and output 3 transmission lines thus defining a maximum electrical path. In order to keep all the fixed transmission lines 2, 3 and by means of mobile radio coupling 5 a constant characteristic impedance and thus to provide a phase shift proportional to the displacement, it is necessary that the coupling between the input transmission lines and the output 2, 3 on the one hand and the respective arms 6, 7 of the radio coupling means 5 on the other hand remains high. This defines the maximum gap that the coupling means 5 can have with respect to the input 2 and output 3 transmission lines, and therefore the maximum phase shift that can be obtained.

Dans la réalisation d'un tel élément déphaseur 1, la dynamique de variation de phase désirée est obtenue en ajustant les longueurs d'une part des lignes de transmission d'entrée 2 et de sortie 3, et d'autre part, les longueurs des premier et deuxième bras 6, 7 du moyen de couplage radioélectrique 5. S'il est désiré une dynamique plus importante que ne le permet l'espace disponible pour déplacer le moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile 5, deux éléments déphaseurs 1, au moins, peuvent être couplés.In the production of such a phase shifter element 1, the desired phase variation dynamics is obtained by adjusting the lengths of the input and output transmission lines 2 and 2, respectively. first and second arms 6, 7 of the radio coupling means 5. If it is desired to have a greater dynamic than the space available for moving the mobile radio coupling means 5, at least two phase-shifting elements 1 can to be coupled.

La distance séparant les lignes de transmission d'entrée 2 et de sortie 3 est de préférence rendue minimale pour conserver un agencement compact. Mais si ces lignes 2, 3 sont trop proches l'une de l'autre, un couplage radio peut s'établir entre elles, et elles ne sont plus alors assimilables à des lignes de transmission classiques. Ce couplage influera négativement sur leur adaptation par rapport à l'impédance caractéristique, sur leur perte d'insertion et sur la linéarité du déphasage obtenu par rapport au déplacement. Ces lignes de transmission 2, 3 sont donc placées de sorte à ne pas être couplées radioélectriquement.The distance between the input 2 and output 3 transmission lines is preferably minimized to maintain a compact arrangement. But if these lines 2, 3 are too close to each other, a radio coupling can be established between them, and they are no longer comparable to conventional transmission lines. This coupling will have a negative effect on their adaptation with respect to the characteristic impedance, on their insertion loss and on the linearity of the phase shift obtained with respect to the displacement. These transmission lines 2, 3 are therefore placed so as not to be radio-coupled.

Le contact des premier et deuxième bras 6, 7 avec respectivement les lignes de transmission d'entrée et de sortie 2, 3 forme la continuité électrique. Cependant dans les antennes de station de base, il est préférable d'éviter tout contact entre deux parties métalliques non solidaires entre elles pour ne pas donner naissance au phénomène d'intermodulation passive. Aussi, il convient d'intercaler un isolant 8 de faible épaisseur entre le moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile 5 et les lignes de transmission 2, 3 de l'élément déphaseur 1. La continuité électrique entre le moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile 5 et les lignes de transmission 2, 3 n'est plus assurée par un contact métal-métal, mais par couplage radioélectrique (effet capacitif) entre les parties de lignes qui sont superposées l'une sur l'autre. Cet isolant 8 doit avoir une épaisseur très faible pour réaliser le meilleur couplage possible. Il peut être réalisé à partir de fine feuille de matière isolante, par exemple, réalisée en nylon, téflon, ou autre. Un autre mode de réalisation de cet isolant est de recouvrir un des circuits imprimés, préférentiellement le moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile 5, d'une couche de vernis suivant les techniques habituelles de vernissage des circuits imprimés.The contact of the first and second arms 6, 7 with respectively the input and output transmission lines 2, 3 forms the electrical continuity. However, in the base station antennas, it is preferable to avoid any contact between two non-integral metal parts so as not to give rise to the passive intermodulation phenomenon. Also, it is necessary to insert a thin insulator 8 between the mobile radio coupling means 5 and the transmission lines 2, 3 of the phase shifter element 1. The electrical continuity between the mobile radio coupling means 5 and the lines transmission 2, 3 is no longer provided by a metal-metal contact, but by radio coupling (capacitive effect) between the portions of lines which are superimposed on one another. This insulator 8 must have a very small thickness to achieve the best possible coupling. It can be made from thin sheet of insulating material, for example, made of nylon, teflon, or other. Another embodiment of this insulator is to cover one of the printed circuit boards, preferably the mobile radio coupling means 5, with a varnish layer according to the usual techniques for varnishing the printed circuits.

D'un point de vue pratique, le moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile 5 est réalisée par gravure sur un substrat, par exemple un circuit imprimé, ce qui assure une tenue mécanique des premier et deuxième bras 6, 7. Cette surface du substrat sur laquelle est gravé le moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile 5, est placée en regard de la surface du circuit imprimé principal 4.From a practical point of view, the mobile radio coupling means 5 is produced by etching on a substrate, for example a printed circuit, which ensures a mechanical strength of the first and second arms 6, 7. This surface of the substrate on which is engraved the mobile radio coupling means 5, is placed opposite the surface of the main printed circuit 4.

L'invention concerne une antenne 9 présentant un diagramme de rayonnement ayant au moins un axe principal de lobe définissant un angle d'inclinaison par rapport à la surface terrestre. Cette antenne 9 est entièrement logée dans un capot 10, un radôme, en forme de fourreau, ledit capot étant fermé à ses extrémités par le bouchon supérieur 11 et le bouchon inférieur 12. Avantageusement, l'antenne 9 est à double polarisation croisée et elle comporte donc deux accès et les deux connecteurs correspondants 13 et 14 sont fixés sur le bouchon inférieur 12. L'antenne 9 comprend un support 15 de forme allongée ayant un axe principal longitudinal, une face avant 16 et une face arrière 17, ainsi qu'au moins deux éléments rayonnants 18 placés le long de la face avant 16 du support. Généralement, lorsque l'antenne 9 est en place, cet axe principal longitudinal est vertical. L'antenne comprend également au moins un circuit de formation de lobe 19 disposé sur le support 15.An antenna 9 having a radiation pattern having at least one major lobe axis defining an angle of inclination with respect to the earth's surface. This antenna 9 is entirely housed in a hood 10, a radome, in the form of a sleeve, said hood being closed at its ends by the upper plug 11 and the lower plug 12. Advantageously, the antenna 9 is double cross polarized and therefore comprises two accesses and the two corresponding connectors 13 and 14 are fixed on the lower plug 12. The antenna 9 comprises a support 15 of elongated shape having a longitudinal main axis, a front face 16 and a rear face 17, as well as at least two radiating elements 18 placed along the front face 16 of the support. Generally, when the antenna 9 is in place, this longitudinal main axis is vertical. The antenna includes also at least one lobe forming circuit 19 disposed on the support 15.

Le circuit de formation de lobe 19 comprend des moyens de variation de phase 20 pour modifier l'angle d'inclinaison de l'axe principal de lobe, autrement dit du maximum de rayonnement de l'antenne 9. Ces moyens de variation de phase 20 comprennent au moins un élément déphaseur 1 tel que décrit précédemment.The lobe forming circuit 19 comprises phase variation means 20 for modifying the angle of inclination of the main lobe axis, in other words the maximum radiation of the antenna 9. These phase variation means 20 comprise at least one phase shifter element 1 as described above.

La figure 2 est une représentation schématique de l'antenne selon un mode de réalisation particulier. Le capot 10 de l'antenne 9 est partiellement dégagé pour rendre visible les éléments rayonnants 18 placés le long de la face avant 16 du support longitudinal 15. Le support 15 est un circuit imprimé dont la face avant 16 est métallisée, le circuit de formation de lobe 19 étant placé sur la face arrière du circuit imprimé 1. Cette réalisation de l'antenne objet de la figure 2 comporte douze éléments rayonnants 18, mais le principe décrit ici s'applique aussi à des antennes 9 ayant plus ou moins d'éléments, le minimum étant 2 pour assurer un dépointage électrique par action sur la phase de signaux.The figure 2 is a schematic representation of the antenna according to a particular embodiment. The cover 10 of the antenna 9 is partially disengaged to make visible the radiating elements 18 placed along the front face 16 of the longitudinal support 15. The support 15 is a printed circuit whose front face 16 is metallized, the formation circuit lobe 19 being placed on the rear face of the printed circuit board 1. This embodiment of the antenna object of the figure 2 has twelve radiating elements 18, but the principle described here also applies to antennas 9 having more or fewer elements, the minimum being 2 to provide electrical misalignment by action on the signal phase.

La figure 3 représente la même antenne qu'à la Figure 2 mais vue de l'arrière. Une plaque supérieure 21 et une plaque inférieure 22 servent à la fixation de l'antenne sur une structure support pour son utilisation opérationnelle.The figure 3 represents the same antenna as the Figure 2 but seen from behind. An upper plate 21 and a lower plate 22 serve to fix the antenna on a support structure for its operational use.

Le support longitudinal 15 faisant toute la hauteur de l'antenne 9 est un circuit imprimé principal, ledit support étant réalisé en une seule pièce ou en plusieurs pièces.The longitudinal support 15 making the entire height of the antenna 9 is a main printed circuit, said support being made in one piece or in several parts.

La figure 4 présente une vue partielle et éclatée des circuits de formation de lobe 19 et du circuit imprimé dans le cas d'une antenne à double polarisation. Parmi les différentes pistes gravées sur ce circuit, un premier groupe 23 comprend les lignes de transmission parallèles d'entrée et de sortie 2, 3 d'un premier élément déphaseur 1. Opposées à ce premier groupe 23, au même niveau du circuit imprimé, se trouve un deuxième groupe 24 comportant les lignes de transmission parallèles 2, 3 d'un deuxième élément déphaseur 1, lequel correspond au circuit de formation de lobe 19 servant à la formation du lobe de seconde polarisation.The figure 4 shows a partial and exploded view of the lobe formation circuits 19 and the printed circuit in the case of a dual polarization antenna. Among the different tracks etched on this circuit, a first group 23 comprises the parallel input and output transmission lines 2, 3 of a first phase-shifting element 1. Opposed to this first group 23, at the same level of the printed circuit, there is a second group 24 having the parallel transmission lines 2, 3 of a second phase shifter element 1, which corresponds to the lobe forming circuit 19 for forming the second polarization lobe.

Tout le long du circuit imprimé, une moitié longitudinale, gauche par exemple, correspond au circuit de formation de lobe 19 pour un des accès de polarisation, et l'autre moitié longitudinale, symétrique de la première, correspond aux mêmes fonctions pour l'autre polarisation.Throughout the printed circuit, a longitudinal half, left for example, corresponds to the lobe forming circuit 19 for one of the accesses of polarization, and the other longitudinal half, symmetrical with the first, corresponds to the same functions for the other polarization.

Chacun des moyens de variation de phase 20 est préférentiellement relié à un seul élément rayonnant 18. Pour augmenter la dynamique des éléments déphaseurs 1 tout en conservant un agencement compact des éléments déphaseurs 1, certains moyens de variation de phase 20 peuvent comprendre chacun deux éléments déphaseurs 1, une porte d'entrée 25 et une porte de sortie 26. Les éléments déphaseurs 1 sont connectés en série par la ligne de transmission de sortie 3 du premier élément déphaseur 1 et la ligne de transmission d'entrée 2 du deuxième élément déphaseur 1. La porte d'entrée 25 est alors constituée par la ligne de transmission d'entrée du premier élément déphaseur 1 et la porte de sortie 26 est constituée par la ligne de transmission de sortie du deuxième élément déphaseur 1, ladite porte d'entrée 25 étant reliée à une ligne d'alimentation 27 et ladite porte de sortie 26 étant reliée à l'élément rayonnant 18 correspondant.Each of the phase variation means 20 is preferably connected to a single radiating element 18. In order to increase the dynamics of the phase-shifting elements 1 while maintaining a compact arrangement of the phase-shifting elements 1, certain phase-changing means 20 may each comprise two phase-shifting elements. 1, an input gate 25 and an output gate 26. The phase-shifting elements 1 are connected in series by the output transmission line 3 of the first phase-shifting element 1 and the input transmission line 2 of the second phase-shifting element 1 The input gate 25 is then constituted by the input transmission line of the first phase-shifting element 1 and the output gate 26 is constituted by the output transmission line of the second phase-shifting element 1, said input gate 25 being connected to a supply line 27 and said outlet door 26 being connected to the corresponding radiating element 18.

La ligne d'alimentation 27 constitue une partie du circuit de formation de lobe 19. Cette ligne 27 comprend des tronçons de ligne d'impédance caractéristique différente, et de jonction en T pour alimenter, par exemple, quatre éléments rayonnants successifs avec les amplitudes relatives désirées.The feed line 27 constitutes a part of the lobe forming circuit 19. This line 27 comprises sections of different characteristic impedance line, and T junction to feed, for example, four successive radiating elements with the relative amplitudes. desired.

Cette ligne 27 est elle-même connectée au reste du circuit de formation de lobe par un câble coaxial, tout comme les autres groupes de quatre éléments rayonnants du circuit imprimé. La ligne d'alimentation 27 pourrait également alimenter un groupe de six éléments rayonnants, voire plus.This line 27 is itself connected to the rest of the lobe forming circuit by a coaxial cable, just like the other groups of four radiating elements of the printed circuit. The feed line 27 could also feed a group of six or more radiating elements.

Cette réalisation du circuit de formation de lobe 19 par une technique mixte utilisant des câbles coaxiaux et des lignes d'alimentation 27 telles que décrites ci-dessus permet de limiter les pertes globales du circuit de formation de lobe 19 car un câble coaxial peut présenter moins de pertes au mètre qu'une ligne imprimée, même si le circuit imprimé utilise un diélectrique de très bonne qualité.This embodiment of the lobe forming circuit 19 by a mixed technique using coaxial cables and feed lines 27 as described above makes it possible to limit the overall losses of the lobe formation circuit 19 since a coaxial cable may have less losses per meter that a printed line, even if the printed circuit uses a dielectric of very good quality.

Selon l'invention, les moyens de variation de phase 20 comportent des moyens de déplacement 28 de chaque moyen de couplage radioélectrique mobile 5 de chaque élément déphaseur 1 et un moyen de commande 29 unique des moyens de déplacement 28. Les moyens de déplacement 28 de chaque moyen de couplage radioélectrique 5 et le moyen de commande 29 sont agencés de telle sorte qu'un déplacement du moyen de commande 29 selon l'axe principal longitudinal du support 15 provoque, par l'intermédiaire des moyens de déplacement 28, un déplacement transversal par rapport à l'axe principal longitudinal du support 15 de chacun des moyens de couplage radioélectrique mobiles 5 de façon simultanée.According to the invention, the phase variation means 20 comprise displacement means 28 of each mobile radio coupling means 5 of each phase shifter element 1 and a single control means 29 of the displacement means 28. The displacement means 28 of FIG. each radio coupling means 5 and the control means 29 are arranged such that movement of the control means 29 along the longitudinal main axis of the support 15 causes, via the displacement means 28, a transverse displacement relative to the longitudinal main axis of the support 15 of each of the mobile radio coupling means 5 simultaneously.

Chaque moyen de déplacement 28 comprend des moyens de guidage 30 permettant de maintenir le moyen de couplage radioélectrique 5 contre le circuit imprimé formant le support 15. Ces moyens de guidage 30 comprennent un fond 31 et des parois latérales 32, ledit fond 31 comportant un évidement 33 formant un rail de guidage et des moyens pour fixer lesdits moyens de guidage 30 sur le circuit imprimé. Ces derniers comprennent des picots 34 permettant de clipser les moyens de guidage 30 dans des trous réalisés à cet effet dans le circuit imprimé, ce qui offre un moyen d'assemblage simple et efficace. Chacun des moyens de guidage 30 est réalisé par exemple en matière plastique injectée.Each moving means 28 includes guide means 30 for holding the radio coupling means 5 against the printed circuit forming the support 15. These guide means 30 comprise a bottom 31 and side walls 32, said bottom 31 having a recess 33 forming a guide rail and means for fixing said guide means 30 on the printed circuit. These include pins 34 for clipping the guide means 30 in holes made for this purpose in the printed circuit, which provides a simple and effective assembly means. Each of the guiding means 30 is made for example of injected plastic material.

Dans la réalisation représentée, les moyens de couplage radioélectrique mobiles 5 sont constitués par des chariots déphaseurs mobiles 35 qui, après fixation des moyens de guidage 30 sont emprisonnés entre le fond 31 des moyens de guidage 30 et le circuit imprimé. Chaque chariot déphaseur 35 comprend, par exemple, une plaque à laquelle est fixé un circuit de couplage radioélectrique réalisé avantageusement sur un circuit imprimé. Pour cela, le circuit imprimé peut être collé sur ladite plaque ou fixé par un adhésif double face. Le mouvement de déplacement de chacun des chariots déphaseurs 35 est guidé par les moyens de guidage 30 qui n'autorisent qu'un déplacement transversal des chariots déphaseurs 35 par rapport à l'axe principal longitudinal du support 15. Les plaques des chariots déphaseurs 35 comportent un orifice 36 par lequel des pions de guidage 37 viennent les entraîner en déplacement. Ces pions de guidage 37 présentent à une première extrémité un prolongement fixé à l'orifice 36 et à l'autre extrémité un téton 38.In the embodiment shown, the mobile radio coupling means 5 are constituted by movable phase shifting carriages 35 which, after fixing the guiding means 30 are trapped between the bottom 31 of the guide means 30 and the printed circuit. Each phase shifting carriage 35 comprises, for example, a plate to which is fixed a radio coupling circuit advantageously made on a printed circuit. For this, the printed circuit can be glued to said plate or fixed by a double-sided adhesive. The displacement movement of each of the phase shifting carriages 35 is guided by the guiding means 30 which only allow transverse displacement of the phase shifter carriages 35 with respect to the longitudinal main axis of the support 15. The plates of the phase shifter carriages 35 comprise an orifice 36 through which guide pins 37 come to drive them in motion. These guide pins 37 have at one end an extension fixed to the orifice 36 and at the other end a pin 38.

Le moyen de commande 29 comprend une première plaque fixe 39, reliée au support 15 en vis-à-vis de la face arrière 17 du support et espacée de cette dernière, et une deuxième plaque 40 montée dans la première plaque 39 de manière coulissante selon l'axe principal longitudinal du support 15. Cette deuxième plaque 40 comporte des moyens coopérant avec les moyens de déplacement 28 de chacun des éléments déphaseurs 1 pour déplacer transversalement chacun des chariots déphaseurs mobiles 35 et donc chacun des moyens de couplage radioélectrique 5 lors d'un déplacement de la deuxième plaque 40 suivant l'axe principal longitudinal du support 15. Pour faciliter le déplacement de la deuxième plaque 40, des poulies 41 sont placées sur certains des tétons 38. La deuxième plaque 40 est alors posée sur ces poulies 41.The control means 29 comprises a first fixed plate 39, connected to the support 15 vis-à-vis the rear face 17 of the support and spaced from the latter, and a second plate 40 mounted in the first plate 39 in a sliding manner according to the main longitudinal axis of the support 15. This second plate 40 comprises means cooperating with the displacement means 28 of each of the phase shifter elements 1 to move transversely each of the moving phase shifting carriages 35 and therefore each radio coupling means 5 during a displacement of the second plate 40 along the longitudinal main axis of the support 15. To facilitate the movement of the second plate 40, pulleys 41 are placed on some of the pins 38. The second plate 40 is then placed on these pulleys 41.

Chaque téton 38 est engagé dans une fente oblique 42 ménagée dans la deuxième plaque mobile 40 des moyens de commande 29. L'inclinaison de chacune des fentes obliques 42 est ajustée pour que les mouvements relatifs entre les pions de guidage 37 correspondent aux variations relatives des déphasages entre les différents éléments rayonnants 18 nécessaires pour dépointer le lobe de rayonnement de l'antenne 9. Les inclinaisons différentes des fentes obliques 42 ménagées dans la deuxième plaque mobile 40 autorisent avantageusement une grande latitude dans le réglage des mouvements relatifs des éléments déphaseurs.Each pin 38 is engaged in an oblique slot 42 formed in the second movable plate 40 of the control means 29. The inclination of each of the oblique slots 42 is adjusted so that the relative movements between the guide pins 37 correspond to the relative variations of the phase-shifts between the various radiating elements 18 necessary to detach the radiation lobe from the antenna 9. The different inclinations of the oblique slots 42 formed in the second movable plate 40 advantageously allow a large latitude in the adjustment of the relative movements of the phase-shifting elements.

Les première et deuxième plaques sont par exemple des tôles métalliques formées chacune d'une seule pièce. Bien évidemment, ces plaques pourraient également être constituées de plusieurs éléments solidarisés entre eux, par exemple au moyen de tiges.The first and second plates are for example metal sheets each formed in one piece. Of course, these plates could also consist of several elements joined together, for example by means of rods.

Ces pions de guidage 37 sont eux-mêmes guidés par une fente 43 réalisée dans la première plaque 39 qui est fixée au circuit imprimé. Cette fente 43 comporte un évidement cylindrique 44 qui permet d'engager les pions de guidage 37 dans ladite fente 44 au niveau d'une encoche réalisée dans ces pions. Chaque pion de guidage 37 est entraîné par la fente oblique 42 correspondante ménagée dans la deuxième plaque mobile 40 dans laquelle est engagée le téton 38 du pion de guidage 37.These guide pins 37 are themselves guided by a slot 43 made in the first plate 39 which is fixed to the printed circuit. This slot 43 has a cylindrical recess 44 which allows to engage the guiding pins 37 in said slot 44 at a notch made in these pins. Each guiding pin 37 is driven by the oblique slot 42 corresponding formed in the second movable plate 40 in which is engaged the pin 38 of the guiding pin 37.

La deuxième plaque 40 comporte également à une de ses extrémités une tige d'actionnement 45 pouvant être reliée à un dispositif d'actionnement. Cette tige d'actionnement 45, est par exemple, une tige filetée. Le dispositif d'actionnement est soit manuel par action sur la tige d'actionnement 45 rendue accessible depuis l'extérieur de l'antenne, soit avantageusement comporte un moteur et des moyens de positionnement pour déterminer la position de la tige, par exemple, un capteur de position, lesdits moyens de positionnement émettant des signaux de position de la tige d'actionnement. Avantageusement, ce dispositif d'actionnement 45 comprend également une unité électronique de gestion pour traiter les signaux de position de la tige d'actionnement 45 émis par les moyens de positionnement. Lorsque cette unité électronique est placée dans l'antenne à dépointage variable, elle comporte une interface, filaire ou sans fil, pour recevoir les instructions de commande et/ou émettre la position de la tige ou des signaux d'état de fonctionnement et d'alarme.The second plate 40 also has at one of its ends an actuating rod 45 which can be connected to an actuating device. This actuating rod 45 is, for example, a threaded rod. The actuating device is either manual action on the actuating rod 45 made accessible from outside the antenna, or advantageously comprises a motor and positioning means for determining the position of the rod, for example, a position sensor, said positioning means emitting position signals of the actuating rod. Advantageously, this actuating device 45 also comprises an electronic management unit for processing the position signals of the actuating rod 45 emitted by the positioning means. When this electronic unit is placed in the variable misalignment antenna, it has an interface, wired or wireless, for receiving the control instructions and / or transmitting the position of the operating status rod or signals. alarm.

Claims (16)

  1. A variable depointing antenna having a radiation pattern exhibiting at least a main lobe axis defining downtilt angle with respect to the earth's surface and phase adjustment means (20) to modify downtilt angle which comprise at least one phasing element (1) having one input transmission line (2) and one output transmission line (3), said transmission lines (2, 3) being printed lines, one radioelectric mobile coupling means (5) for coupling input (2) and output (3) transmission lines, said coupling means comprising a first (6) and a second (7) arm, an insulator (8) placed between each of said corresponding transmission lines (2, 3) and the corresponding arm (6,7) of the radioelectric mobile coupling means (5), said radioelectric mobile coupling means (5) comprising a substrate having a surface on which are placed the first and second arms (6, 7), said substrate surface which comprises said first and second arms (6, 7) being placed opposite the surface of the main printed circuit (4), said input (2) and output (3) transmission lines being parallel and the radioelectric mobile coupling means (5) comprising a coupling circuit having almost a U form, said radioelectric mobile coupling means (5) is arranged on a plate of a phasing carriage (35), said antenna (9) comprising a support (15) of elongated shape having a longitudinal main axis, a front face (16) and a rear face (17), at least two radiating elements (18) placed along the front face on the support (15) and at least one lobe formation circuit (19) arranged on support (15),
    the phase adjustment means (20) including displacement means (28) for each radioelectric coupling means (5) of each phasing element (1) and a single control means (29) of the displacement means (28),
    antenna characterised in that the displacement means (28) of each radioelectric coupling means (5) of each phasing element and the control means (29) are laid out so that a displacement of the control means (29) along the longitudinal main axis of the support (15) induces simultaneously, by dint of the displacement means (28), a transversal displacement relative to the longitudinal main axis of the support (15) of each mobile radioelectric coupling means (5).
  2. A variable depointing antenna according to claim 1, characterised in that the support (15) is a printed circuit the front face of which is metallized, the lobe formation circuit (19) being placed on the rear face of the printed circuit.
  3. A variable depointing antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each of the phase adjustment means (20) is connected to a single radiating element (18).
  4. A variable depointing antenna according to claim 3, characterised in that the phase adjustment means (20) include each a first phasing element (1), an input gate (25) and an output gate (26), said input gate (25) being formed of the input transmission line of the first phasing element and the output gate being formed of the output transmission line of the first phasing element, said input gate (25) being connected to a feed line (27) and said output gate (26) being connected to the corresponding radiating element (18).
  5. A variable depointing antenna according to claim 4, characterised in that at least one phase adjustment means (20) comprises moreover a second phasing element (1), said first and second phasing elements (1) being connected in series by the output transmission line of the first phasing element and the input transmission line of the second phasing element and in that the input gate (25) is formed of the input transmission line of the first phasing element (1) and the output gate (26) is then formed of the output transmission line of the second phasing element (1), said input gate (25) being connected to a feed line (27) and said output gate (26) being connected to the corresponding radiating element (18).
  6. A variable depointing antenna according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the feed line (27) includes sections of different widths and is a printed line.
  7. A variable depointing antenna according to any of the claims 4 to 6, characterised in that at least two radiating elements (18) are connected to said feed (27).
  8. A variable depointing antenna according to claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the control means (29) comprises a first fixed plate (39), connected to the support opposite the rear face (17) of the support and spaced apart therefrom, and a second plate (40) installed in the first plate (39) slidingly along the longitudinal main axis of the support (15), said second plate (40) comprising means co-operating with the displacement means (28) of each mobile radioelectric coupling means (5) of each phasing element (1) for transversal displacement of each mobile radioelectric coupling means (5) when moving the second plate (40) along the longitudinal main axis of the support.
  9. A variable depointing antenna according to claim 8, characterised in that the second plate (40) includes at one of its ends an actuating rod (45) which can be connected to an actuating device.
  10. A variable depointing antenna according to claim 9, characterised in that the actuating device comprises a motor, and positioning means to determine the position of the rod, said positioning means transmitting position signals.
  11. A variable depointing antenna according to claim 10, characterised in that the actuating device comprises moreover an electronic management unit to process said position signals of the actuating rod, said electronic unit comprising an interface, with or without a wire, to receive operating instructions and/or transmit the position of the actuating rod (45).
  12. A variable depointing antenna according to any of the claims 1 to 11, characterised in that each displacement means (28) comprises guiding means (30) enabling to maintain the radioelectric coupling means against the printed circuit (21).
  13. A variable depointing antenna according to claim 12, characterised in that said guiding means (30) include a bottom (31) and side walls (32), said bottom (31) comprising a recess (33) forming a guiding rail and means (34) to fix said guiding means (30) on the printed circuit (4, 15).
  14. A variable depointing antenna according to claim 13, characterised in that each displacement means (28) comprises a guiding stud (37) exhibiting at a first end an extension connected to the radioelectric coupling means (5) and at the other end a nipple (38), engaged in a slanted slot (42) provided in the second mobile plate (40) of the control means (29).
  15. A variable depointing antenna according to any of the claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the antenna (9) comprises two lobe formation circuits (19) in order to exhibit a radiation diagram comprising two lobes having different polarisations.
  16. A variable depointing antenna according to claim 15, characterised in that the radiating elements (18) are double polarisation radiating elements.
EP05728084.4A 2004-02-25 2005-02-25 Antenna with variable misalignment comprising at least one phase-changing element Active EP1723693B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0450352A FR2866756B1 (en) 2004-02-25 2004-02-25 DEHASTER ELEMENT AND VARIABLE DETACHING ANTENNA COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SUCH ELEMENT
PCT/FR2005/050129 WO2005086286A2 (en) 2004-02-25 2005-02-25 Antenna with variable misalignment comprising at least one phase-changing element

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EP1723693A2 EP1723693A2 (en) 2006-11-22
EP1723693B1 true EP1723693B1 (en) 2018-10-31

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US (1) US7068236B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1723693B1 (en)
DE (2) DE112005000436B4 (en)
ES (1) ES2708836T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2866756B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005086286A2 (en)

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DE112005003860A5 (en) 2014-07-10
US7068236B2 (en) 2006-06-27
US20050184827A1 (en) 2005-08-25
WO2005086286A3 (en) 2005-12-15
FR2866756B1 (en) 2006-06-09
DE112005003860B4 (en) 2023-02-23
WO2005086286A2 (en) 2005-09-15
DE112005000436B4 (en) 2014-05-08
FR2866756A1 (en) 2005-08-26
DE112005000436T5 (en) 2007-02-01
EP1723693A2 (en) 2006-11-22
ES2708836T3 (en) 2019-04-11

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