KR102182657B1 - Phase-adjustable sector antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sector antenna capable of adjusting a phase. The sector antenna of the present invention is configured to be able to monitor a signal phase difference due to a feed cable from an antenna device to each antenna port and adjust the signal phase difference for each port in an antenna structure such as the 4T4R, 8T8R or the like having a plurality of antenna ports. Therefore, by adjusting the phase of each port to minimize the in-phase or the phase difference, the antenna as a whole is capable of optimal power feeding, and thereby, desired characteristics can be obtained.

Description

Phase-adjustable sector antenna {Phase-adjustable sector antenna}

The present invention relates mainly to a sector antenna applied to a base station antenna for mobile communication, and more particularly, to a sector antenna capable of monitoring a phase difference for each antenna port and adjusting the difference.

Mainly in mobile communication base station antennas, so-called polarization diversity is implemented as a method of improving signal interference or fade between adjacent antennas during signal transmission and reception.In particular, two linear polarizations (+45) orthogonal to one antenna °, -45°) can be manufactured in a small scale, and installation and maintenance costs are known to have economic benefits.

In fact, the dual polarized antenna is developed and applied as antennas of various shapes and structures.

Meanwhile, the MIMO application technology increases transmission capacity or adjusts beam characteristics by using a plurality of antenna ports. For example, in the case of a dual polarized antenna device for mobile communication, four or more ports are usually used, and each port can be used for separate transmission and reception, or it can be used to increase the beam gain by bundling some or all of them or to create the necessary beam tilt. have.

1 illustrates a typical four-port (4T4R) antenna element 1. Reference numeral 2 denotes a column in which a plurality of elements 3 are arranged in a row 10, and in this case, two columns 2 are each two ports, i.e. Since AP4) is provided, the antenna elements 1 all have 4-ports AP1-AP4. In this case, in order to obtain the required antenna characteristics, the phase between each port and the antenna device should be the same or there should be no difference as much as possible.

In the case where the antenna and the equipment are integrated as in the recent 5G smart antenna device, since the phase of each port can be used in accordance with the internal calibration circuit of the equipment in the first place, there may be no problem. However, in general, when the antenna and the equipment are separated, even if the phase is adjusted between each port in the equipment, a phase difference occurs due to the feed cable between the equipment and each port, so it is very difficult to implement the desired characteristics or beam shape. it's difficult.

For example, when two or more signal components in the same polarization have a phase difference between each other, the two signals affect each other on the field, so that a part or a significant part of the main beam signal may be canceled, which causes a significant loss in beam synthesis. It will be caused. That is, in transmitting and receiving the feed signal of each port through the antenna, if the phase is different while being the same polarization, the combined signal may have a large loss due to the phase difference.

<Prior technical literature>

Publication Patent Publication No. 2005-0006769

Public Patent Publication No. 2006-0071770

Public Patent Publication No. 2009-0081753

Registered Patent Publication No. 1855139

The present invention is proposed to solve the problems of the conventional antenna or antenna device described above. An object of the present invention is to include a path capable of monitoring and adjusting the signal phase difference by the feed cable from the antenna equipment to each antenna port, and accordingly, by adjusting the phase of each port, in-phase or phase difference is minimized. It is intended to provide a sector antenna capable of optimal power feeding and thus obtaining desired antenna characteristics.

The sector antenna of the present invention:

In an antenna including two or more columns composed of an array of elements, each column having an element portion having antenna ports of +45° and -45°, and a connection portion having a plurality of feed connectors for feeding each port,

A test-board having a power supply pattern connected to each port and a corresponding connector at both ends, a coupler formed on each pattern, and a distribution circuit extending to one terminal by a coupler between the couplers; And

Test-port to which the device for monitoring the terminal output combined signal is connected, a phase shifter provided between each connector and a pattern, provided corresponding to each phase, and varying the phase shifter based on the monitor data of the device A phase adjustment unit including a controller;

Includes.

Separately configured antenna equipment has a plurality of equipment ports connected to each of the connectors by a feed cable.

In the above structure:

When the feed signal through each of the feed cables is supplied to each antenna port through the pattern of the test-board;

A portion of each signal is coupled via the coupler-distribution circuit-terminal; The combined signal is output as data from the monitor device through the test port;

When it is determined that it is necessary based on the data, the phase of the signal for each port is adjusted by controlling the phase adjuster;

I can do it.

In this way, the phase of the signal for each port can be adjusted, and preferably, loss of the combined signal can be reduced by minimizing the phase difference or in-phase for each port.

The test-board and the phase control unit may be configured as one module.

Additionally,

The phase adjustment unit:

Further comprising a display connected to the test port;

When the level of the combined signal falls below a certain level due to the phase difference for each port, the state is displayed on the display;

Thus, while checking the display unit, if it is determined that it is necessary, by controlling the phase adjuster to adjust the phase of the signal for each antenna port;

I can do it.

Preferably, the display unit is an LED, and when the level of the combined signal falls below a certain level, it is assumed to be displayed in an off state.

The sector antenna according to the present invention is configured to monitor a phase difference of a signal due to a feed cable from an antenna device to each antenna port and to adjust for each port. Accordingly, by adjusting the phase of each port to be in-phase or to minimize the phase difference, the antenna as a whole can be optimally powered, thereby obtaining desired characteristics.

On the one hand, the sector antenna comprises the Test-board and the phase control unit as a single module or by further configuring the level indicator of the combined signal, for example, the use of an existing antenna, the length of the feed cable, the strength of the feed power, the installation space. It has the effect of flexibly responding to various on-site situations, such as the need for wide-ranging cooperation and temporary measures.

1 is a view showing a general antenna element.
2 is a block diagram of a sector antenna according to the present invention.
3 is a circuit diagram of FIG. 2.
Figure 4 is a block diagram of the Test-board of Figure 2;
5 is a view for explaining the operation of FIG. 2.
6 is a view for explaining another embodiment (module) of FIG. 2.
7 is a view showing an additional configuration (display unit) to FIG. 2;

Features and effects of the'phase-adjustable sector antenna' (hereinafter,'sector antenna') of the present invention described or not described above will become more apparent through the description of the embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. . In FIG. 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a sector antenna according to the present invention.

2 to 4, the sector antenna 100 according to the present invention includes an antenna element unit 10 and a connection unit 20, a test-board 30, and a phase control unit 40.

Specifically, the element unit 10 includes a column 12 configured by arranging one or more double polarized antenna elements 11 in series in a plurality of rows of two or more, where each column 12 Is to have two antenna ports (AP1-2, AP3-4) corresponding to +45° and -45°. As shown in the drawing, the column 12 of the present embodiment is composed of 10-array elements 11 in a row, and the antenna unit 10 includes a total of 2-columns 12 and 4-ports (AP1-AP4). Consists of

Therefore, in this embodiment, the sector antenna 100 is a so-called '4T4R' antenna. However, the present invention is not limited to the number of the antenna elements 11 or the columns 12, for example, in another embodiment, the sector antenna 100 may be designed to expand or contract as needed, such as '8T8R'. Yes, of course. In addition, as shown in the figure, a phase adjuster PS for varying the magnitude and phase of a supplied signal for each polarization (+45°, -45°) of the element 11 constituting the column 12 may be provided. .

Specifically, the connection unit 20 is configured to include a plurality of antenna connectors AC1 to AC4 for feeding each port AP1 to AP4. In this embodiment, the connection part 20 is configured by using the antenna lower cap, and the upper cap or cover surrounding the element part 10 is combined to form one antenna case.

However, the above configuration of the element unit 10 and the connection unit 20 is a general configuration in the antenna field, and is not special in the present invention.

The present invention includes the above-described element unit 10 and the connection unit 20, and a specially designed Test-board 30 and a phase control unit 40 are appropriately arranged therein to provide a phase for each antenna port (AC1-AC4). It is what makes it possible to adjust.

The test-board 30 is configured to check the signal phase difference between the antenna ports AP1-AP4 by an external feed cable (refer to CA1-CA4 in FIG. 5), and at the same time, each column ( It is designed so that power supply and signal transmission to the element 11 of 12) can be performed.

Specifically, the test-board 30 has a plurality of cables connected to each port (AP1-AP4) of the column 12 at one end and a connector (AC1-AC4) corresponding to each port (AP1-AP4) at the other end. A dielectric formed including a pattern 31 of and a distribution circuit 35 extended to one terminal 34 by a coupler 32 formed on each pattern 31 and a coupler 33 between the couplers 32 It's a board. Accordingly, the test-board 30 may detect signals input to each of the columns 12, combine them through a power combiner 33, and output the combined signals to one terminal 34 port.

The phase control unit 40 includes a test-port 41 connected to the test-board 30 terminal 34, and a phase shifter provided between the antenna connectors AC1-AC4 and the pattern 31 ( 42), and a plurality of controllers 43 provided corresponding to each phase unit 42. In this embodiment, the control unit 40 is configured using the connection unit 20, and a separate device capable of monitoring the combined signal output from the terminal 24 is connected to the test-port 41.

Here, the phase shifter 41 itself is known, and for example, those disclosed under the name'phase shifter' in Patent Nos. 1075983 and 1223747 of the present applicant may be applied without limitation. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the controller 43 is composed of four adjustment knobs 44a-44d corresponding to each antenna port AP1-AP4, and each phase device ( 41) and the phase adjustment for each port (AP1-AP4) accordingly. For reference, reference numeral 45 in the drawing is a knob for adjusting vertical tilt.

Referring to FIG. 5, a separate monitor device 50 is connected to the test-port 41 of the phase control unit 40. In this embodiment, the monitor device 50 is a so-called spectrum device, but may include any device that processes the combined signal transmitted through the terminal 34 and the test-port 41. On the other hand, the antenna equipment 60 is also provided separately, and the equipment 60 has a plurality of equipment ports (EP1-EP4) connected to each feed cable (CA1-CA4) corresponding to each connector (AC1-AC4). Have.

for example,

When the feed signal through each of the feed cables CA1-CA4 is supplied to each antenna port AP1-AP4 through the pattern 21 of the test-board 20;

A portion of each signal is coupled via the coupler (32)-distribution circuit (35)-terminal (34); The combined signal is displayed as specific data, ie, visible data such as spectrum or level, in the monitor device 50 through the test port 41;

When it is determined that the phase adjustment is necessary based on the data, the phase of the signal for each antenna port AP1-AP4 is adjusted by controlling the phase adjustment unit 40;

I can do it.

For example,

When the level of the combined signal displayed on the monitor device 50 does not reach a desired level or the spectrum is unstable;

It is determined to be due to a phase difference for each of the ports AP1-AP4;

At this time, the antenna ports AP1 and AP2 are used as a reference of +45° and -45°, and the phase controller 43 corresponding to the other ports AP3 and AP4 is varied to make the combined signal to the maximum value on the spectrum and other data;

By adjusting the phase of the signal for each antenna port (AP1-AP4) to an optimized state,

As a result, a maximum and stable signal can be obtained.

The phase of the signal for each port (AP1-AP4) can be adjusted in the above manner, and preferably, the coupling loss due to the phase difference is minimized by making it in-phase or minimizing the phase difference for each port (AP1-AP4). can do.

In the present embodiment, the phase control unit 40 controls the phase controller 42 for each port AP1-AP4 according to a manual operation method of the knobs 44a-44d constituting the controller 43. However, in another example, the controller 43 may be implemented in an automated manner by configuring the phase controller 40 to control the phase controller 42 through an algorithm of a computer system between the phase adjustment unit 40 and the monitor device 50.

In the above, it is assumed that the test-board 30, the phase adjustment unit 40, and the connection unit 20 are included in the antenna case and the sector antenna 100 is configured, but the above configurations 30, 40, 20 A module ('M') that includes all of the) can be separately manufactured, and can be organically mounted on the outside by using an antenna that is already installed and used.

Reference numeral'M' in FIGS. 3 and 6 denotes the configuration of the module, wherein the module (M) represents the configuration of the test-board 30 and the phase adjustment unit 40, and a predetermined connector AC1- All the configurations of the connection part 20 including AC4) are included. Further, cable ports P1-P4 are formed on one side of the module M as an interface connected to each port AP1-AP4 of the antenna element unit 10.

The module (M) may be mounted between, for example, an antenna (case) and the equipment 60 that are already installed and used. At this time, it is assumed that each feed connector and antenna port of the above-described conventional antenna are directly connected, and thus, each cable port (P1-AC4) and each cable port (P1-AC4) and each cable port (P1-AC4) via the test-board (30) pattern 31 Through P4), power supply for each port (AP1-AP4) becomes possible.

In this way, even when the test-board 30 and the control unit 40 are designed using one module (M), the signal phase adjustment method for each antenna port (AP1-AP4) is the same as in the above embodiment. . In other words, even in this case:

When the feed signal through each of the feed cables CA1-CA4 is supplied to each antenna port AP1-AP4 via the pattern 21 of the test-board 30;

A portion of each signal is coupled via the coupler (32)-distribution circuit (35)-terminal (34); The combined signal is displayed as specific data, ie, visible data such as spectrum or level, in the monitor device 50 through the test port 41;

When it is determined that the phase adjustment is necessary based on the data, the phase of the signal for each antenna port AP1-AP4 is adjusted by controlling the phase adjustment unit 40;

It can be done.

Referring to FIG. 7, the control unit 40 further includes a display unit 46 which is preferably connected to the test-port 41 and responds to an extraction coupling signal from the test-port 41. Specifically, the display unit 46 is composed of an LED.

For example, when the level of the combined signal is higher than a certain level, the display unit 46 is turned on, and it can be seen that the phases between the antenna ports AP1-AP4 are well matched. Conversely, when the level of the combined signal falls below a certain level, the display unit 46 is turned off, which is determined to be due to a difference in phase between the antenna ports AP1-AP4.

In this way, it is simple and easy to know that the phase adjustment is necessary only by checking the display unit 46 without looking at the monitor device 50, and necessary measures can be taken.

In fact, the necessity or condition of phase adjustment according to the degree of phase difference and increase or decrease in signal level, etc., will be more accurately grasped by the test device 50, but in the field, it is inconvenient to immediately check and take measures thereof due to the length of the feed cable. Or difficult. Therefore, by allowing only the state of the display unit 46 to be visually checked and adjusted accordingly, for example, it is possible to flexibly respond to various field situations such as the long and short length of the feed cable, the strength of the feed power, the narrow space of the installation space, the need for temporary measures, etc. .

100. Sector Antenna
10. Element
11. Device 12. Column
20. Connection
30. Test-Board
31. Pattern 32. Coupler
33. Combiner 34. Terminal
35. Distribution circuit
40. Phase Control
41. Test-Port 42. Sanggi Lee
43. Controller 44a-44d. Knob
46. Display
50. Monitor device
60. Antenna Equipment
AP1-AP4. Antenna port
AC1-AC4. Feed connector
EP1-EP4. Equipment port
CA1-CA4. Feed cable
P1-P4. Cable port
M. module

Claims (9)

Two or more columns 12 composed of an element array are provided, and each column provides an element unit 10 having +45° and -45° antenna ports (AP1-AP4), and power supply for each port (AP1-AP4). In the antenna including a connection portion 20 having a plurality of power supply connectors (AC1-AC4) for,
A plurality of feed patterns 31 to which each port (AP1-AP4) and corresponding connectors (AC1-AC4) are connected at both ends, a coupler 32 formed on each pattern 31 and a coupler 33 between the coupler 32 A test-board 30 having a distribution circuit 35 extending to one terminal 34 by means of a test board 30;
The test port 41 to which the device 50 for monitoring the output combined signal of the terminal 34 is connected, the phase shifter 42 provided between each connector (AC1-AC4) and the pattern 31, and each phase phase device 42 A phase adjustment unit 40 including a controller 43 provided corresponding to the device 50 and for varying the phase shifter 42 based on the monitor data of the device 50;
Including,
When the feed signal through each feed cable (CA1-CA4) is supplied to each antenna port (AP1-AP4) through the test-board (30) pattern 31;
Part of each signal is coupled via the coupler 32-distribution circuit 35-terminal 34, and the combined signal is visually displayed as data in the monitor device 50 through the test port 41. Displayed;
Thus, when it is determined that phase adjustment is necessary while monitoring the data, the phase adjustment unit 40 controls the controller 43 to adjust the phase of the signal for each antenna port (AP1-AP4);
A sector antenna capable of phase adjustment, characterized in that.
The method of claim 1,
The antenna equipment 60 is separately provided, and the equipment 60 has a plurality of equipment ports EP1-EP4 that are connected with a feed cable CA1-CA4 corresponding to each connector AC1-AC4. Sector antenna with adjustable phase.
delete The method of claim 1,
The controller 43 is a sector antenna capable of phase adjustment, characterized in that it is driven by a manual adjustment method having knobs (44a-44b).
The method of claim 1,
The controller 43 is a sector antenna capable of phase adjustment, characterized in that it is driven in an automatic adjustment method through an algorithm of a computer system between the phase adjustment unit 40 and the monitor device 50.
The method of claim 1,
A signal phase for each port (AP1-AP4) is in-phase or is adjusted to minimize a phase difference.
The method of claim 1,
One module (M) comprising the test-board (30), the phase adjustment portion (40) and the connection portion (20) is configured, the module (M) is:
A cable port (P1-P4) connected from the power supply connector (AC1-AC4) to each port (AP1-AP4) side of the element unit 10 through the pattern 31 of the test-board 30;
Including,
A sector antenna capable of phase adjustment, characterized in that.
The method of claim 1,
The phase adjustment unit 40 includes a display unit 46 connected to the test-port 41;
When the level of the combined signal falls below a certain level due to the phase difference between the ports AP1-AP4, the state is displayed on the display unit 46;
Adapted to regulate the controller 43;
A sector antenna capable of phase adjustment, characterized in that.
The method of claim 8,
The display unit 46 is an LED, and when the level of the combined signal falls below a certain level, it is displayed in an off state.

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