WO2015185150A1

WO2015185150A1 - A combined two dual carrier radio link

Info

Publication number: WO2015185150A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/061781
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonas Flodin; Thomas SELLIN
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2014-06-06
Filing date: 2014-06-06
Publication date: 2015-12-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wireless communication node (1) comprising an antenna arrangement (2), a transition arrangement (3), and a first and second dual carrier radio arrangement (4, 5) which in turn comprise a first and second radio waveguide port (6, 7), respective a third and fourth radio waveguide port (8). The transition arrangement (3) comprises a first and second power divider/combiner component (10, 11). The first power divider/combiner component (10) comprises a first and second transfer waveguide port (12, 13) and a first common waveguide port (14), and the second power divider/combiner component (11) comprises a third and fourth transfer waveguide port (15, 16) and a second common waveguide port (17). The transition arrangement (3) comprises an ortho-mode transducer (18) with a first and second OMT waveguide port (19, 20) and a circular waveguide port (21), The first radio waveguide port (6) is directly connected to the first transfer waveguide port (12), the second radio waveguide port (7) is directly connected to the third transfer waveguide port (15), the third radio waveguide port (8) is directly connected to the second transfer waveguide port (13), and the fourth radio waveguide port (9) is directly connected to the fourth transfer waveguide port (16). The common waveguide ports (14, 17) are directly connected to the corresponding OMT waveguide ports (19, 20).

Description

TITLE

A COMBINED TWO DUAL CARRIER RADIO LINK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a wireless communication node comprising an antenna arrangement, a transition arrangement, a first dual carrier radio arrangement and a second dual carrier radio arrangement. The transition arrangement is adapted to provide a signal transition between the dual carrier radio arrangements and the antenna arrangement. The first dual carrier radio arrangement comprises a first radio waveguide port and a second radio waveguide port, and the second dual carrier radio arrangement comprises a third radio waveguide port and a fourth radio waveguide port.

The present invention relates to a transition arrangement adapted to provide a signal transition between dual carrier radio arrangements and an antenna arrangement with an antenna port.

BACKGROUND

Today most microwave radios on the market are single carrier radios and most links are using only one polarization. With a need for increased capacity, the demand for dual polarized systems, with mutually orthogonal polarizations, is increasing since dual polarization doubles the capacity of the link without using any more spectrum. Two single carrier radios are connected to a dual polarized antenna, one radio per polarization, via an ortho-mode transducer (OMT).

An OMT is a device forming part of an antenna feed, which is used to combine or separate orthogonally polarized signals. In practice, an OMT is a three port waveguide device, where two of these ports are used for transferring signals dedicated to the respective orthogonal polarizations, and the third port is connected to the antenna port, transferring a combination of the two orthogonally polarized signals. To get a more compact installation, dual carrier radios have started to appear, where two carriers have been integrated into the same radio housing. By connecting two dual carrier radios to a dual polarized antenna, the capacity can be doubled twice (i.e. four times a single carrier / single polarized system). However, today such installations are complex with several drawbacks, being quite complex with multiple flex/twist waveguides to connect radio, power splitters and antennas. Such installations take up a lot of tower space, and flex/twist waveguides have losses, are not robust, and constitute relatively expensive components. Such components are also time consuming, and thus costly, to install.

In view of the above, it is desirable to provide a node with a transition arrangement between two dual carrier radios and an antenna interface which provides enhanced robustness, lower losses, less complexity, being easier to mount and install, and which is more compact than prior such arrangements.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a transition arrangement between two dual carrier radios and an antenna interface which provides enhanced robustness, lower losses, less complexity, being easier to mount and install, and which is more compact than prior such arrangements.

Said object is obtained by means of a wireless communication node comprising an antenna arrangement, a transition arrangement, a first dual carrier radio arrangement and a second dual carrier radio arrangement. The transition arrangement is adapted to provide a signal transition between the dual carrier radio arrangements and the antenna arrangement. The first dual carrier radio arrangement comprises a first radio waveguide port and a second radio waveguide port, and the second dual carrier radio arrangement comprises a third radio waveguide port and a fourth radio waveguide port.

The transition arrangement further comprises a first power divider/combiner component and a second power divider/combiner component. The first power divider/combiner component comprises a first transfer waveguide port, a second transfer waveguide port and a first common waveguide port, and the second power divider/combiner component comprises a third transfer waveguide port, a fourth transfer waveguide port and a second common waveguide port. Each power divider/combiner component is arranged for transfer of signals between the corresponding common waveguide port and the corresponding transfer waveguide ports. The transition arrangement furthermore comprises an ortho-mode transducer (OMT) with a first OMT waveguide port, a second OMT waveguide port and a circular waveguide port. The OMT is arranged for transfer of signals at a first polarization between the first OMT waveguide port and the circular waveguide port, and for transfer of signals at a second polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization, between the second OMT waveguide port and the circular waveguide port. The first radio waveguide port is directly connected to the first transfer waveguide port, and the second radio waveguide port is directly connected to the third transfer waveguide port. Furthermore, the third radio waveguide port is directly connected to the second transfer waveguide port, and the fourth radio waveguide port is directly connected to the fourth transfer waveguide port. The first common waveguide port is directly connected to the first OMT waveguide port and the second common waveguide port is directly connected to the second OMT waveguide port.

According to an example, the antenna arrangement comprises an antenna port, where the circular waveguide port is directly connected to the antenna port.

According to another example, the first transfer waveguide port is arranged to transfer signals of a first frequency band at the first polarization via the antenna arrangement, and the second transfer waveguide port is arranged to transfer signals of a third frequency band at the first polarization via the antenna arrangement. Furthermore, the third transfer waveguide port is arranged to transfer signals of a second frequency band at the second polarization via the antenna arrangement, and the fourth transfer waveguide port is arranged to transfer signals of a fourth frequency band at the second polarization via the antenna arrangement. Said object is also obtained by means of a transition arrangement adapted to provide a signal transition between dual carrier radio arrangements and an antenna arrangement with an antenna port. The transition arrangement comprises a first power divider/combiner component and a second power divider/combiner component. The first power divider/combiner component comprises a first transfer waveguide port, a second transfer waveguide port and a first common waveguide port, and the second power divider/combiner component comprises a third transfer waveguide port, a fourth transfer waveguide port and a second common waveguide port. Each power divider/combiner component is arranged for transfer of signals between the corresponding common waveguide port and the corresponding transfer waveguide ports. The transition arrangement furthermore comprises an ortho-mode transducer (OMT) with a first OMT waveguide port, a second OMT waveguide port and a circular waveguide port. The OMT is arranged for transfer of signals at a first polarization between the first OMT waveguide port and the circular waveguide port, and for transfer of signals at a second polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization, between the second OMT waveguide port and the circular waveguide port. The first common waveguide port is directly connected to the first OMT waveguide port and the second common waveguide port is directly connected to the second OMT waveguide port.

According to an example, the first transfer waveguide port is adapted to be directly connected to a first radio waveguide port of a first dual carrier radio arrangement, and the second transfer waveguide port is adapted to be directly connected to a third radio waveguide port of the second dual carrier radio arrangement. Furthermore, the third transfer waveguide port is adapted to be directly connected to a second radio waveguide port of a first dual carrier radio arrangement, and the fourth transfer waveguide port is adapted to be directly connected to a fourth radio waveguide port of the second dual carrier radio arrangement.

Other examples are disclosed in the dependent claims.

A number of advantages are obtained by means of the present invention: - mechanically robust;

- compact, thus being easy to handle, having a reduced visual impact, presenting a reduced wind load and incurring site reduced costs;

- lowered cost, since mounting is facilitated by having only one item to mount, and since relatively expensive components are dispensed with; and

- lowered losses, due to having eliminated lossy components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described more in detail with reference to the appended drawings, where:

Figure 1 schematically shows a wireless communication node;

Figure 2 schematically shows first exploded view of a transition arrangement according to the present invention, together with an antenna arrangement and dual carrier radios;

Figure 3 schematically shows second exploded view of the transition arrangement according to the present invention, together with an antenna arrangement and dual carrier radios;

Figure 4 schematically shows third exploded view of the transition arrangement according to the present invention, together with an antenna arrangement and dual carrier radios;

Figure 5a schematically shows first exploded view of the transition arrangement according to the present invention;

Figure 5b schematically shows second exploded view of the transition arrangement according to the present invention; and

Figure 6 schematically shows dual carrier radio arrangements, the transition arrangement, an antenna arrangement, and how they are connected to each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to Figure 1 , there is a node 1 in a wireless communication system; a wireless communication node 1 . The wireless communication node 1 comprises an antenna arrangement 2, a transition arrangement 3, a first dual carrier radio arrangement 4 and a second dual carrier radio arrangement 5. The transition arrangement 3 is adapted to provide a signal transition between the dual carrier radio arrangements 4, 5 and the antenna arrangement 2, and is mounted in a frame 23. The antenna arrangement 2 is here constituted by a reflector antenna, having a circular antenna port 22.

The node further comprises a mast 24 and a holding arrangement 25, where the holding arrangement 25 is adapted to attach the antenna arrangement 2, the transition arrangement 3 and the dual carrier radio arrangements 4, 5 to the mast 24. In this example, the holding arrangement 25 is attached to the antenna arrangement 2, where the other parts are directly or indirectly attached to the antenna arrangement 2. Other types of attachment are of course conceivable, for example the holding arrangement 25 may be attached to the frame 23 instead. As shown in Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4, showing a first, second and third exploded view of the transition arrangement 3 and the dual carrier radio arrangements 4, 5, the first dual carrier radio arrangement 4 comprises a first radio waveguide port 6 and a second radio waveguide port 7. The second dual carrier radio arrangement 5 further comprises a third radio waveguide port 8 and a fourth radio waveguide port 9.

With reference also to Figure 5a and Figure 5b, showing exploded perspective views of the transition arrangement 3, the transition arrangement 3 comprises an ortho- mode transducer 18 (OMT) with a first OMT waveguide port 19, a second OMT waveguide port 20 and a circular waveguide port 21 , where the OMT 18 is arranged for transfer of signals at a first polarization P1 between the first OMT waveguide port 19 and the circular waveguide port 21 , and for transfer of signals at a second polarization P2, orthogonal to the first polarization P1 , between the second OMT waveguide port 20 and the circular waveguide port 21 . The circular waveguide port 21 is directly connected to the antenna port 22.

With reference also to Figure 6, schematically showing the dual carrier radio arrangements 4, 5, the transition arrangement 3, the antenna arrangement 2 and how they are connected to each other, the first dual carrier radio arrangement 4 is arranged for transmitting and receiving signals at two frequency bands; at a first frequency band fi via the first radio waveguide port 6 and at a second frequency band f₂ via the second radio waveguide port 7. Correspondingly, the second dual carrier radio arrangement 5 is arranged for transmitting and receiving signals at two frequency bands; at a third frequency band h via the third radio waveguide port 8 and at a fourth frequency band f₄ via the forth radio waveguide port 9.

All frequency bands fi , h, h, may be more or less spectrally separated; for example the first frequency band fi may equal the third frequency band h, and the the second frequency band h may equal the fourth frequency band f₄, where the first frequency band fi and the second frequency band f₂ are spectrally separated. Alternatively, all frequency bands fi , h, h, may be completely spectrally separated. All frequency bands fi , h, may also be equal, which for example may be suitable in the case where one of the dual carrier radio arrangements 4, 5 constitutes a back-up function that is engaged in the case of malfunction of the other dual carrier radio arrangement. This is referred to as a 2x(1 +1 ) protected system. Otherwise, without a back-up function, both dual carrier radio arrangements 4, 5 are used at the same time, which is referred to as a 4+0 unprotected system.

According to the present invention, the transition arrangement 3 further comprises a first power divider 10 and a second power divider 1 1 , each power divider 10, 1 1 being in the form of waveguide components of a previously well-known kind. The first power divider 10 comprises a first transfer waveguide port 12, a second transfer waveguide port 13 and a first common waveguide port 14, and the second power divider 1 1 comprises a third transfer waveguide port 15, a fourth transfer waveguide port 16 and a second common waveguide port 17. Each power divider 10, 1 1 is arranged for transfer of signals to the corresponding common waveguide port 14, 17 from the corresponding transfer waveguide ports 12, 13; 15, 16. The first radio waveguide port 6 is directly connected to the first transfer waveguide port 12, the second radio waveguide port 7 is directly connected to the third transfer waveguide port 15, the third radio waveguide port 8 is directly connected to the second transfer waveguide port 13, and the fourth radio waveguide port 9 is directly connected to the fourth transfer waveguide port 16. Furthermore, the first common waveguide port 14 is directly connected to the first OMT waveguide port 19 and the second common waveguide port 17 is directly connected to the second OMT waveguide port 20.

The first transfer waveguide port 12 is arranged to transfer signals of the first frequency band fi at the first polarization P1 via the antenna arrangement 2, and the second transfer waveguide port 13 is arranged to transfer signals of the third frequency band at the first polarization P1 via the antenna arrangement 2. Furthermore, the third transfer waveguide port 15 is arranged to transfer signals of the second frequency band f2 at the second polarization P2 via the antenna arrangement 2, and the fourth transfer waveguide port 16 is arranged to transfer signals of the fourth frequency band f₄ at the second polarization P2 via the antenna arrangement 2.

In this way, a very compact design is obtained, the present invention lying in that the inventors have realized that the above mounting of waveguide parts 10, 1 1 , 18 of the transition arrangement 3, and the above mounting of the dual carrier radio arrangements 4, 5 and the antenna arrangement to the transition arrangement 3 confers a large number of advantages over the existing solutions for providing a transition arrangement at a wireless communication node adapted for two dual carrier radios.

The present invention is not limited to the example described above, but may vary within the scope of the appended claims. For example, at least one of the waveguide components may be made in a metal or, alternatively, formed in a plastic material and covered by an electrically conducting coating. These components are thus at least partly electrically conducting. The number of parts constituting each waveguide component may vary. For example, the power divider 10, 1 1 may be formed as an integrated unit.

In case of a 4+0 unprotected system, the power dividers 10, 1 1 are normally symmetrical. In case of a 2x(1 +1 ) protected system then the power dividers 10, 1 1 are normally asymmetrical. However, deviations from the above may of course occur.

Each power divider 10, 1 1 has a reciprocal functionality such that it may function as a power combiner as well, such that the power dividers generally are constituted by a first power divider/combiner component 10 and a second power divider/combiner component 1 1 . These components are well-known in the art, and may for example be constituted by directional couplers. Each power divider/combiner 10, 1 1 component is thus also arranged for transfer of signals from the corresponding common waveguide port 14, 17 to the corresponding transfer waveguide ports 12, 13; 15, 16, and thus, generally, each power divider/combiner component 10, 1 1 is arranged for transfer of signals between the corresponding common waveguide port 14, 17 and the corresponding transfer waveguide ports 12, 13; 15, 16.

All waveguide components may be mounted by means of screws, but other types of mounting is conceivable such as conductive glue, solder or press-fit. A number of guiding pins may optionally be used to acquire a desired fit.

The present invention relates to a transition arrangement 3 in itself, and also to a node 1 that comprises the transition arrangement 3.

The radio waveguide ports 6, 7, 8, 9, the transfer waveguide ports 12, 13; 15, 16, the common waveguide ports 14, 17, and the OMT waveguide ports 19, 20 are all in the form of rectangular waveguide ports. These waveguide ports are shown to have a certain orientation in the Figures, but this is only an example. These waveguide ports can be oriented in other directions as well, but waveguide ports that are connected to each other should have matching orientations.

Expressions such as "orthogonal" are not to be interpreted as mathematically exact, but within what is practically obtainable within this field of technology.

Claims

1 . A wireless communication node (1 ) comprising an antenna arrangement

(2), a transition arrangement (3), a first dual carrier radio arrangement (4) and a second dual carrier radio arrangement (5), where the transition arrangement (3) is adapted to provide a signal transition between the dual carrier radio arrangements (4, 5) and the antenna arrangement (2), where the first dual carrier radio arrangement (4) comprises a first radio waveguide port (6) and a second radio waveguide port (7), and where the second dual carrier radio arrangement (5) comprises a third radio waveguide port (8) and a fourth radio waveguide port (9), characterized in that the transition arrangement (3) further comprises a first power divider/combiner component (10) and a second power divider/combiner component (1 1 ), the first power divider/combiner component (10) comprising a first transfer waveguide port (12), a second transfer waveguide port (13) and a first common waveguide port (14), and the second power divider/combiner component (1 1 ) comprising a third transfer waveguide port (15), a fourth transfer waveguide port (16) and a second common waveguide port (17), where each power divider/combiner component (10, 1 1 ) is arranged for transfer of signals between the corresponding common waveguide port (14, 17) and the corresponding transfer waveguide ports (12, 13; 15, 16), where furthermore the transition arrangement (3) comprises an ortho-mode transducer (18), OMT, with a first OMT waveguide port (19), a second OMT waveguide port (20) and a circular waveguide port (21 ), where the OMT (18) is arranged for transfer of signals at a first polarization (P1 ) between the first OMT waveguide port (19) and the circular waveguide port (21 ), and for transfer of signals at a second polarization (P2), orthogonal to the first polarization (P1 ), between the second OMT waveguide port (20) and the circular waveguide port (21 ), where the first radio waveguide port (6) is directly connected to the first transfer waveguide port (12), the second radio waveguide port (7) is directly connected to the third transfer waveguide port (15), the third radio waveguide port (8) is directly connected to the second transfer waveguide port (13), and the fourth radio waveguide port (9) is directly connected to the fourth transfer waveguide port (16), and where the first common waveguide port (14) is directly connected to the first OMT waveguide port (19) and the second common waveguide port (17) is directly connected to the second OMT waveguide port (20).

2. A node according to claim 1 , characterized in that the antenna arrangement (2) comprises an antenna port (22), where the circular waveguide port (21 ) is directly connected to the antenna port (22).

3. A node according to claim 2, characterized in that the first transfer waveguide port (12) is arranged to transfer signals of a first frequency band (fi ) at the first polarization (P1 ) via the antenna arrangement (2), the second transfer waveguide port (13) is arranged to transfer signals of a third frequency band (fs) at the first polarization (P1 ) via the antenna arrangement (2), the third transfer waveguide port (15) is arranged to transfer signals of a second frequency band ( ) at the second polarization (P2) via the antenna arrangement (2), and that the fourth transfer waveguide port (16) is arranged to transfer signals of a fourth frequency band (f ) at the second polarization (P2) via the antenna arrangement (2).

4. A transition arrangement (3) adapted to provide a signal transition between dual carrier radio arrangements (4, 5) and an antenna arrangement (2) with an antenna port (22), characterized in that the transition arrangement (1 ) comprises a first power divider/combiner component (10) and a second power divider/combiner component (1 1 ), the first power divider/combiner component (10) comprising a first transfer waveguide port (12), a second transfer waveguide port (13) and a first common waveguide port (14), and the second power divider/combiner component (1 1 ) comprising a third transfer waveguide port (15), a fourth transfer waveguide port (16) and a second common waveguide port (17), where each power divider/combiner component (10, 1 1 ) is arranged for transfer of signals between the corresponding common waveguide port (14, 17) and the corresponding transfer waveguide ports (12, 13; 15, 16), where furthermore the transition arrangement (3) comprises an ortho-mode transducer (18), OMT, with a first OMT waveguide port (19), a second OMT waveguide port (20) and a circular waveguide port (21 ), where the OMT (18) is arranged for transfer of signals at a first polarization (P1 ) between the first OMT waveguide port (19) and the circular waveguide port (21 ), and for transfer of signals at a second polarization (P2), orthogonal to the first polarization (P1 ), between the second OMT waveguide port (20) and the circular waveguide port (21 ), where the first common waveguide port (15) is directly connected to the first OMT waveguide port (19) and the second common waveguide port (17) is directly connected to the second OMT waveguide port (20).

5. A transition arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the first transfer waveguide port (12) is adapted to be directly connected to a first radio waveguide port (6) of a first dual carrier radio arrangement (4), the second transfer waveguide port (13) is adapted to be directly connected to a third radio waveguide port (8) of the second dual carrier radio arrangement (5), the third transfer waveguide port (15) is adapted to be directly connected to a second radio waveguide port (7) of a first dual carrier radio arrangement (4), and that the fourth transfer waveguide port (16) is adapted to be directly connected to a fourth radio waveguide port (9) of the second dual carrier radio arrangement (5).

6. A transition arrangement according to any one of the claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the circular waveguide port (21 ) is directly connected to the antenna port (22) of said antenna arrangement (2).

7. A transition arrangement according to any one of the claims 4 - 6, characterized in that the first transfer waveguide port (12) is arranged to transfer signals of a first frequency band (fi ) at the first polarization (P1 ) via the antenna arrangement (2), the second transfer waveguide port (13) is arranged to transfer signals of a third frequency band (f₃) at the first polarization (P1 ) via the antenna arrangement (2), the third transfer waveguide port (15) is arranged to transfer signals of a second frequency band (h) at the second polarization (P2) via the antenna arrangement (2), and that the fourth transfer waveguide port (16) is arranged to transfer signals of a fourth frequency band (f₄) at the second polarization (P2) via the antenna arrangement (2).