WO2021244047A1

WO2021244047A1 - Multi-beam antenna

Info

Publication number: WO2021244047A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/073888
Authority: WO
Inventors: 刘晴宇; 曾骏; 曾志; 高天成; 王学民; 邱小凯
Original assignee: 摩比天线技术（深圳）有限公司; 摩比科技（深圳）有限公司; 摩比通讯技术（吉安）有限公司; 摩比科技(西安)有限公司; 深圳市晟煜智慧科技网络有限公司; 西安摩比天线技术工程有限公司
Priority date: 2020-06-01
Filing date: 2021-01-27
Publication date: 2021-12-09
Also published as: CN111682321A

Abstract

The present invention provides a multi-beam antenna, comprising an antenna array, a first feed network, and a second feed network. The antenna array is formed by mixing and arraying multiple first subarrays and multiple second subarrays; the first subarray is fed by the first feed network or the second feed network; the second subarray is fed by the second feed network or the first feed network; the first feed network comprises a first phase shift network, a phase balance circuit, and a first subarray feed network which are electrically connected in sequence; the second feed network comprises a second phase shift network and a second subarray feed network which are electrically connected in sequence. In this way, according to the present invention, the span of a horizontal wave width of a single beam can be converged within a reasonable range, thereby improving the coverage quality of the multi-beam antenna.

Description

Multi-beam antenna

Technical field

The present invention relates to the technical field of mobile communication base station antennas, in particular to a multi-beam antenna.

Background technique

With the rapid development of mobile communication technology, mobile communication networks have entered an era where 2G, 3G, and 4G coexist and 4G and 5G coexist for a long time. Mobile network users are increasing. Instant messaging, mobile payment and other consumer Internet fields, image transmission, short video Broadband applications such as transmission are developing vigorously. Conventional three-sector antenna network solutions are gradually failing to meet user needs, and are facing challenges such as insufficient network coverage, interference from neighboring cells, shortage of sky resources, and limited spectrum resources.

A multi-beam antenna is an antenna that can split multiple cells on a horizontal plane with a single antenna. Currently, it is more common in dual-beam antennas, three-beam antennas, and five-beam antennas. Compared with traditional single-beam antennas of the same length, the coverage of multi-beam antennas has the following characteristics: (1) Back-to-back frequency reuse without additional frequency resources; (2) Higher gain, better coverage, and capacity Higher; (3) Lateral level drops faster and less soft handover; (4) Excellent front-to-rear ratio and less interference; (5) Simple partitioning and easy antenna replacement; 6. Save tower top resources and reduce energy consumption And site construction costs. Therefore, with the advent of the 5G era, multi-beam antennas have become an important branch of the development trend of base station antennas, and are often used to replace existing network antennas in hotspot cells to improve network coverage capacity and effectiveness.

In the prior art, the single-beam horizontal wave width span of the wide-band multi-beam antenna is often too large, such as about 40-22° in the range of 1710-2690MHz, and the corresponding coverage area of 1800MHz, 2100MHz and 2600MHz decreases with the reduction of the horizontal wave width. However, when the horizontal wave width of 1800MHz is too wide, the corresponding coverage area is too large, resulting in over-area coverage. When the horizontal wave width of 2600MHz is too narrow, the corresponding coverage area is too small, resulting in a coverage hole. 2600MHz users fall back to the 1800MHz network, causing 1800MHz network congestion and poor user experience. At the same time, excessive beam deflection causes uneven coverage.

In summary, the existing technology obviously has inconvenience and defects in actual use, so it is necessary to improve it.

Summary of the invention

In view of the above-mentioned defects, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a multi-beam antenna, which can converge the horizontal wave width span of a single beam to a reasonable range and improve the coverage quality of the multi-beam antenna.

In order to achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a multi-beam antenna, including an antenna array, a first feeding network, and a second feeding network; the antenna array is composed of a plurality of first sub-arrays and a plurality of second sub-array hybrid groups. The first sub-array is fed by the first feeder network or the second feeder network, and the second sub-array is fed by the second feeder network or the first feeder Network feeding; the first feeding network includes a first phase-shifting network, a phase balance circuit, and a first sub-array feeding network that are electrically connected in sequence, and the second feeding network includes a second electrically connected in turn Phase shift network and second sub-array feed network.

According to the multi-beam antenna of the present invention, the antenna array is composed of a plurality of first sub-array groups and a plurality of second sub-array groups arranged at intervals in sequence, and the first sub-array group includes at least one of the first sub-array groups. Sub-array; the second sub-array group includes at least one of the second sub-array.

According to the multi-beam antenna of the present invention, the first sub-array is composed of 8 radiating elements in pairs in a horizontal direction; the second sub-array is composed of 6 radiating elements in pairs in a horizontal direction.

According to the multi-beam antenna of the present invention, the first sub-array feed network includes at least one first group of primary bridges, a first group of power splitters, and a first group of secondary bridges electrically connected in sequence; The second sub-array feed network includes at least one second group of primary bridges, a second group of power dividers, and a second group of secondary bridges electrically connected in sequence.

According to the multi-beam antenna of the present invention, the first sub-array feed network includes a first group of one-stage 3dB bridges, two first groups of one-to-two power dividers, and two first groups of one-to-two power splitters that are electrically connected in sequence. A set of two-stage 3dB electric bridges; the two output ends of the first set of one-stage 3dB electric bridges are respectively connected to the input ends of the first set of one-to-two power dividers to form four output signals; The four-way output signal is divided into two high-amplitude output signals and two low-amplitude output signals, which are respectively connected to the two input ends of the first group of two-level 3dB bridges, and finally the four-way output The signals are respectively connected to the input ends of the radiation units of the first sub-array.

According to the multi-beam antenna of the present invention, the power ratio of the first group of one-to-two power dividers increases with increasing frequency, and the slope is controllable, and the power ratio ranges from 1:1 to 1:10.

According to the multi-beam antenna of the present invention, the phase balance circuit corresponding to the first sub-array respectively causes the four output signals to have an equal phase balance of 90-145°.

According to the multi-beam antenna of the present invention, the second sub-array feed network includes a second group of first-level 3dB bridges, a second group of one-to-two power splitters and a second group of electrical connection in sequence. Two-stage 3dB electric bridge; one output end of the second set of one-stage 3dB electric bridges is connected to the input end of the second set of one-to-two power dividers, and the other of the second set of one-stage 3dB electric bridges The output terminal is connected to one input terminal of the second group of two-stage 3dB electric bridge; one input terminal of the second group of one-to-two power divider is connected to the other input of the second group of two-stage 3dB electric bridge The other input terminal of the second group of one-to-two power dividers is directly connected to the input terminal of the radiation unit of the second sub-array to form three output signals; and then the three output signals are divided into High-amplitude output signal, mid-amplitude output signal, and low-amplitude output signal, connecting the high-amplitude output signal and the low-amplitude output signal to the two inputs of the second set of one-stage 3dB bridge Finally, the three output signals are respectively connected to the input terminals of the radiation unit of the second sub-array.

According to the multi-beam antenna of the present invention, the power ratio of the second group of one-to-two power dividers becomes larger as the frequency increases, and the slope is controllable, and the power ratio ranges from 1:1 to 1:6.

According to the multi-beam antenna of the present invention, the phase balance circuit corresponding to the second sub-array respectively causes the three output signals to have an equal phase balance of 90-145°.

The multi-beam antenna of the present invention is composed of a plurality of sub-array hybrid arrays. The corresponding sub-array feed network is composed of a bridge, a power splitter and a bridge connected in sequence. Several sub-array feed networks have corresponding phase balance circuits. The input end of the antenna feeds the corresponding radiating element of the sub-array via the phase shift network, the phase balance circuit and the sub-array feed network. The input signal of the radiating unit has the characteristics that the amplitude slope and phase slope change with frequency, so that the amplitude ratio is smaller at low frequency and larger at high frequency; the phase difference is smaller at low frequency and larger at high frequency. Therefore, the multi-beam antenna can converge the single-beam horizontal plane wave width to around 33° in the ultra-wideband range, converge the single-beam horizontal plane wave width span to a reasonable range, and avoid the corresponding coverage area when the horizontal plane wave width is too wide. This leads to cross-area coverage, and when the horizontal wave width is too narrow, the corresponding coverage area is too small, which leads to the problem of coverage holes, thereby improving the coverage quality of the multi-beam antenna. In addition, the sub-array feed network and the phase balance circuit of the multi-beam antenna of the present invention are flexible in design, convenient in layout, and beneficial to improving the productivity of the antenna and controlling the cost.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of the preferred multi-beam antenna of the present invention;

2 is a schematic diagram of the first preferred antenna array of the preferred multi-beam antenna of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a second antenna array of the preferred multi-beam antenna of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the first feeding network of the preferred multi-beam antenna of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the second feeding network of the preferred multi-beam antenna of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the first sub-array feeding network of the multi-beam antenna of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the second sub-array feeding network of the multi-beam antenna of the present invention.

Reference number

Antenna array 10; The first sub-array 11;

The second sub-array 12; the first feeder network 20;

The first phase shift network 21; The phase balance circuit 22;

The first sub-array feeder network 23; The first group of first-level 3dB bridges 231;

The first group of one-to-two power splitters 232; The first group of two-stage 3dB bridges 233;

The second feeder network 30; The second phase shift network 31;

The second sub-array feeder network 32; The second group of primary 3dB bridges 321;

The second group of one-to-two power splitter 322; The second group of two-stage 3dB bridge 323;

Multi-beam antenna 100.

detailed description

In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the following further describes the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described here are only used to explain the present invention, but not used to limit the present invention.

It should be noted that references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "exemplary embodiment", etc. in this specification mean that the described embodiment may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but not every The embodiment must include these specific features, structures, or characteristics. In addition, such expressions do not refer to the same embodiment. Further, when describing specific features, structures or characteristics in conjunction with embodiments, whether there is a clear description or not, it has been shown that combining such features, structures or characteristics into other embodiments is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art. .

In addition, certain words are used in the specification and subsequent claims to refer to specific components or parts. Those with ordinary knowledge in the field should understand that manufacturers can use different nouns or terms to refer to the same component or part. This specification and the subsequent claims do not use differences in names as a way to distinguish components or parts, but use differences in functions of components or parts as a criterion for distinguishing. The "including" and "including" mentioned in the entire specification and the subsequent claims are open-ended terms, so they should be interpreted as "including but not limited to". In addition, the term "connection" here includes any direct and indirect electrical connection means. Indirect electrical connection means include connection through other devices.

FIG. 1 shows the circuit structure of the preferred multi-beam antenna of the present invention. The multi-beam antenna 100 includes an antenna array 10, a first feeding network 20 and a second feeding network 30. The antenna array 10 is formed by a mixed array of M first sub-arrays 11 and N second sub-arrays 12, where M≥1 and N≥1. The first sub-array 11 is fed by the first feeding network 20 or the second feeding network 30, and the second sub-array 12 is fed by the second feeding network 30 or the first feeding network 20. That is, the present invention includes at least two cases: the first is that the first sub-array 11 is fed by the first feeder network 20, and the second sub-array 12 is fed by the second feeder network 30; or, the first sub-array is fed by the second feeder network 30; The array 11 is fed by the second feeding network 30, and the second sub-array 12 is fed by the first feeding network 20.

The first feeder network 20 includes a first phase shift network 21, a phase balance circuit 22, and a first sub-array feeder network 23 electrically connected in sequence, and the second feeder network 30 includes a second shifter network electrically connected in sequence. The phase network 31 and the second sub-array feed network 32.

The multi-beam antenna 100 of the present invention is composed of multiple sub-array hybrid arrays. The corresponding sub-array feed network is composed of a bridge, a power divider, and a bridge connected in sequence. Several sub-array feed networks have corresponding phase balance circuits. The input end of the beam antenna 100 feeds the corresponding radiating unit of the sub-array via a phase shift network, a phase balance circuit, and a sub-array feeding network; the input signal of the radiating unit has the characteristics that both amplitude slope and phase slope change with frequency. Therefore, the multi-beam antenna 100 can be in the ultra-wideband range, such as 1710-2690MHz, so that its single-beam horizontal plane wave width converges to around 33°, and the beam points to around 30°, covering 60° sectors, which can avoid the problems of existing multi-beam antennas. When the horizontal wave width is too wide, the corresponding coverage area is too large, resulting in cross-area coverage, and when the horizontal wave width is too narrow, the corresponding coverage area is too small, resulting in coverage holes, thereby improving the coverage quality of the multi-beam antenna.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first sub-array 11 is preferably composed of 8 radiation units in two groups in a horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the second sub-array 12 is preferably composed of 6 radiating elements in groups of two in a horizontal direction. Obviously, the structure of the first sub-array 11 and the second sub-array 12 of the present invention is not limited to the sub-array structure shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, and different structures can be flexibly set according to actual needs.

Preferably, the antenna array 10 is composed of a plurality of first sub-array groups and a plurality of second sub-array groups arranged at intervals in sequence, and the first sub-array group includes at least one first sub-array 11. The second sub-array group includes at least one second sub-array 12. Figure 2 shows the preferred first antenna array of the present invention. From the top (left), the first antenna array consists of two first sub-arrays (ie, first sub-array group 1), and three first sub-arrays. Two sub-arrays (that is, the second sub-array group 1) and one first sub-array (that is, the first sub-array group 2) are arranged at intervals in sequence. As shown in Fig. 3, the second type of antenna array, starting from the upper end (left), consists of one first sub-array (that is, the first sub-array group 1), and three second sub-arrays ( That is, the second sub-array group 1), a first sub-array (that is, the first sub-array group 2), and a second sub-array (that is, the second sub-array group 2) are sequentially arranged at intervals. Obviously, the structure of the antenna array 10 of the present invention is not limited to the antenna array structure shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, and different structures can be flexibly set according to actual needs.

Preferably, the first sub-array feed network 23 includes at least one first group of primary bridges, a first group of power dividers, and a first group of secondary bridges electrically connected in sequence. The second sub-array feed network 32 includes at least one second group of primary bridges, a second group of power dividers, and a second group of secondary bridges electrically connected in sequence.

4 is a schematic diagram of the first feeding network of the preferred multi-beam antenna of the present invention. The first feeding network 20 includes a first phase shifting network 21, a phase balancing circuit 22 and a first sub-array feeding that are electrically connected in sequence The network 23, the input end of the multi-beam antenna 100 feeds power to the corresponding radiating unit of the sub-array via the first phase-shifting network 21, the phase-balancing circuit 22, and the first sub-array feeding network 23.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the second feeding network of the preferred multi-beam antenna of the present invention. The second feeding network 30 includes a second phase shifting network 31 and a second sub-array feeding network 32 electrically connected in sequence. The input end of the multi-beam antenna 100 feeds the corresponding radiating element of the sub-array via the second phase shift network 31 and the second sub-array feeding network 32.

6 is a schematic diagram of the first sub-array feed network of the multi-beam antenna of the present invention. The first sub-array feed network 23 includes a first group of first-level 3dB bridges 231 electrically connected in sequence, and two first Group one-to-two power divider 232 and two first group of two-stage 3dB bridges 233. The first group of one-stage 3dB bridge 231 has two input terminals 1 and 2, two

output terminals

3 and 4, and the two

output terminals

3 and 4 are respectively connected to the input terminal of the first group of one-to-two power divider 232 , Thus forming four output signals 5-8. Then divide the four output signals 5 to 8 into two groups according to the amplitude, and divide them into two

output signals

5 and 7 with high amplitude and two

output signals

6 and 8 with low amplitude. They are respectively connected to the first group of secondary 3dB power. Two

input terminals

5 and 6, 7 and 8 of the bridge 233, and finally four

output signals

9 and 10, 11 and 12 are respectively connected to the input terminals of the radiating element of the first sub-array 11.

Preferably, the power ratio of the first group of one-to-two power dividers 232 increases as the frequency increases, and the slope is controllable, and the power ratio ranges from 1:1 to 1:10.

Preferably, the phase balance circuit 22 corresponding to the first sub-array 11 respectively causes the four output signals to have equal difference phase balances of 90-145°, so that the four outputs are finally output to the radiating unit of the first sub-array 11 The phase difference of the signal at 1710MHz is close to 90°. For example, 0°, -90°, -180°, -270°. The phase difference of 2690MHz is close to -115°, such as 0°, -115°, -230°, -345°; the power ratio of 1710MHz is 1:1:1:1, and the power ratio of 2690MHz is 1:6:6:1 .

7 is a schematic diagram of the second sub-array feed network of the multi-beam antenna of the present invention. The second sub-array feed network 32 includes a second group of first-level 3dB bridges 321 electrically connected in sequence, and a second group One-to-two power divider 322 and a second set of two-stage 3dB bridge 323. The second group of one-stage 3dB bridges 321 has two input terminals 1 and 2, and two

output terminals

3 and 4. One output terminal 4 of the second group of one-stage 3dB electric bridge 321 is connected to the input terminal of the second group of one-to-two power divider 322, and the other output terminal 3 of the second group of one-stage 3dB electric bridge 321 is connected to the second group One input terminal of the second level 3dB bridge 323. One input end of the second group of one-to-two power divider 322 is connected to the other input end of the second group of two-level 3dB bridge 323, and the other input end of the second group of one-to-two power divider 322 is directly connected to the The input terminals of the radiation unit of the two sub-arrays 12 form three

output signals

3, 5 and 6. Then the three

output signals

3, 5 and 6 are combined according to the amplitude, and divided into high amplitude output signal 3, medium amplitude output signal 6 and low amplitude output signal 5, and the high amplitude output signal 3 and the low amplitude output signal The signal 5 is connected to the two

input terminals

3 and 5 of the second group of the first-level 3dB bridge 321, and finally the three output signals 6-8 are respectively connected to the input terminals of the radiating element of the second sub-array 12.

Preferably, the power ratio of the second group of one-to-two power dividers 322 increases as the frequency increases, and the slope is controllable, and the power ratio ranges from 1:1 to 1:6.

Preferably, the phase balance circuit 22 corresponding to the second sub-array 12 respectively causes the three output signals to have equal difference phase balances of 90-145°, so that the final output to the three outputs of the radiating unit of the second sub-array 12 The phase difference of the signal at 1710MHz is close to 100°. For example, the phase difference of 0°, -100°, -200°, 2690MHz is close to -125°. For example, 0°, -125°, -250°; the power ratio of 1710MHz is 1:2:1, and the power ratio of 2690MHz is 4:1:4.

In summary, the multi-beam antenna of the present invention is composed of multiple sub-array hybrid arrays, and the corresponding sub-array feed network is composed of a bridge, a power splitter, and a bridge connected in sequence, and several sub-array feed networks have corresponding phases. Balance circuit, the input end of the multi-beam antenna feeds power to the corresponding radiating element of the sub-array via the phase shift network, the phase balance circuit and the sub-array feed network. The input signal of the radiating unit has the characteristics that the amplitude slope and phase slope change with frequency, so that the amplitude ratio is smaller at low frequency and larger at high frequency; the phase difference is smaller at low frequency and larger at high frequency. Therefore, the multi-beam antenna can converge the single-beam horizontal plane wave width to around 33° in the ultra-wideband range, converge the single-beam horizontal plane wave width span to a reasonable range, and avoid the corresponding coverage area when the horizontal plane wave width is too wide. This leads to cross-area coverage, and when the horizontal wave width is too narrow, the corresponding coverage area is too small, which leads to the problem of coverage holes, thereby improving the coverage quality of the multi-beam antenna. In addition, the sub-array feed network and phase balance circuit of the multi-beam antenna of the present invention have flexible design and convenient layout, which is beneficial to improve the productivity of the antenna and control the cost.

Of course, the present invention can also have various other embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications according to the present invention, but these corresponding All changes and deformations shall belong to the protection scope of the appended claims of the present invention.

Claims

A multi-beam antenna, which is characterized by comprising an antenna array, a first feeding network, and a second feeding network; the antenna array is formed by a mixed array of a plurality of first sub-arrays and a plurality of second sub-arrays; The first sub-array is fed by the first feeder network or the second feeder network, and the second sub-array is fed by the second feeder network or the first feeder network; The first feeder network includes a first phase-shifting network, a phase balance circuit, and a first sub-array feeder network that are electrically connected in sequence, and the second feeder network includes a second phase-shifting network that is electrically connected in sequence and The second sub-array feed network.
The multi-beam antenna according to claim 1, wherein the antenna array is composed of a plurality of first sub-array groups and a plurality of second sub-array groups arranged at intervals in sequence, and the first sub-array group includes at least One said first sub-array; said second sub-array group includes at least one said second sub-array.
The multi-beam antenna according to claim 1, wherein the first sub-array is composed of 8 radiating elements in pairs in a horizontal direction; and the second sub-array is composed of 6 radiation elements in pairs in a horizontal direction. Consists of a radiating unit.
The multi-beam antenna according to claim 1, wherein the first sub-array feed network comprises at least one first group of first-level bridges, a first group of power splitters, and a first group of first-level bridges electrically connected in sequence. Second-level electric bridge; the second sub-array feed network includes at least one second group of first-level bridges, second group of power dividers, and second group of second-level bridges electrically connected in sequence.
The multi-beam antenna according to claim 4, wherein the first sub-array feed network comprises a first group of one-level 3dB bridges electrically connected in sequence, and two first groups of one-to-two power-dividing bridges. The two output ends of the first group of first-level 3dB bridges are respectively connected to the input ends of the first group of one-to-two power dividers, forming four channels Output signal; and then divide the four output signals into two high-amplitude output signals and two low-amplitude output signals, which are respectively connected to the two input ends of the first group of two-level 3dB bridges, and finally The four output signals are respectively connected to the input ends of the radiation unit of the first sub-array.
The multi-beam antenna according to claim 5, wherein the power ratio of the first group of one-to-two power dividers increases with increasing frequency, and the slope is controllable, and the power ratio ranges from 1:1 to 1:10.
The multi-beam antenna according to claim 5, wherein the phase balance circuit corresponding to the first sub-array respectively causes the four output signals to generate equal difference phase balance of 90-145°.
The multi-beam antenna according to claim 4, wherein the second sub-array feed network comprises a second group of one-level 3dB bridges and a second group of one-to-two power dividers electrically connected in sequence And a second group of two-stage 3dB electric bridges; one output end of the second group of one-stage 3dB electric bridges is connected to the input end of the second group of one-to-two power dividers, and the second group of one-stage 3dB The other output terminal of the electric bridge is connected to an input terminal of the second group of two-stage 3dB electric bridge; one input terminal of the second group of one-to-two power dividers is connected to the second group of two-stage 3dB electric bridges. The other input end of the bridge, the other input end of the second group of one-to-two power divider is directly connected to the input end of the radiating element of the second sub-array to form three output signals; The three-channel output signal is divided into a high-amplitude output signal, an output signal with a medium amplitude, and a low-amplitude output signal, and the high-amplitude output signal and the low-amplitude output signal are connected to the second group of first-level 3dB circuits. Two input ends of the bridge, and finally the three output signals are respectively connected to the input ends of the radiation unit of the second sub-array.
The multi-beam antenna according to claim 8, wherein the power ratio of the second group of one-to-two power dividers increases with increasing frequency, and the slope is controllable, and the power ratio ranges from 1:1 to 1:6.
8. The multi-beam antenna according to claim 8, wherein the phase balance circuit corresponding to the second sub-array respectively causes the three output signals to have an equal phase balance of 90-145°.