WO2023044283A1 - Systèmes d'antennes de station de base ayant des antennes de station de base modulaires avec des réseaux interconnectés - Google Patents

Systèmes d'antennes de station de base ayant des antennes de station de base modulaires avec des réseaux interconnectés Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023044283A1
WO2023044283A1 PCT/US2022/076282 US2022076282W WO2023044283A1 WO 2023044283 A1 WO2023044283 A1 WO 2023044283A1 US 2022076282 W US2022076282 W US 2022076282W WO 2023044283 A1 WO2023044283 A1 WO 2023044283A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
base station
radiating elements
station antenna
band
passive linear
Prior art date
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PCT/US2022/076282
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English (en)
Inventor
Mohamed Nadder HAMDY
Peter Bisiules
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Commscope Technologies Llc
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Publication of WO2023044283A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023044283A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/42—Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q5/00—Arrangements for simultaneous operation of antennas on two or more different wavebands, e.g. dual-band or multi-band arrangements
    • H01Q5/40—Imbricated or interleaved structures; Combined or electromagnetically coupled arrangements, e.g. comprising two or more non-connected fed radiating elements
    • H01Q5/42—Imbricated or interleaved structures; Combined or electromagnetically coupled arrangements, e.g. comprising two or more non-connected fed radiating elements using two or more imbricated arrays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q5/00—Arrangements for simultaneous operation of antennas on two or more different wavebands, e.g. dual-band or multi-band arrangements
    • H01Q5/40—Imbricated or interleaved structures; Combined or electromagnetically coupled arrangements, e.g. comprising two or more non-connected fed radiating elements
    • H01Q5/48—Combinations of two or more dipole type antennas
    • 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
    • H01Q1/1207—Supports; Mounting means for fastening a rigid aerial element
    • H01Q1/1228—Supports; Mounting means for fastening a rigid aerial element on a boom

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to radio communications and, more particularly, to base station antenna systems that support communications in multiple frequency bands.
  • a geographic area is divided into a series of regions that are referred to as "cells" which are served by respective base stations.
  • the base station may include one or more antennas that are configured to provide two-way radio frequency (“RF") communications with mobile subscribers that are within the cell served by the base station.
  • RF radio frequency
  • each cell is divided into “sectors.”
  • the base station antennas are mounted on a tower or other raised structure, with the radiation patterns (also referred to herein as "antenna beams”) that are generated by the base station antennas directed outwardly.
  • a common base station configuration is the three sector configuration in which the cell is divided into three 120o sectors in the azimuth plane. A base station antenna is provided for each sector.
  • each base station antenna typically have a Half Power Beamwidth ("HPBW") in the azimuth (horizontal) plane of about 65o so that the antenna beams provide good coverage throughout a 120o sector.
  • HPBW Half Power Beamwidth
  • each base station antenna will include one or more vertically-extending columns of radiating elements (which may be straight columns or may include some horizontal stagger) that are typically referred to as "linear arrays.”
  • Each radiating element may have a HPBW of approximately 65o.
  • the elevation HPBW of the antenna beam may be narrowed to be significantly less than 65o, with the amount of narrowing increasing with the length of the column in the vertical direction.
  • the radiating elements in a linear array are spaced apart from adjacent radiating elements at a fixed distance that is based on the operating frequency band of the radiating elements and performance requirements for the array.
  • the number of radiating elements included in the linear array may then be selected so that the linear array will have a length that generates antenna beams having a desired elevation beamwidth.
  • the desired elevation beamwidth for the antenna beams generated by a linear array of radiating elements will depend upon the size and geography of the cell in which the base station antenna is deployed, and the proximity of other cells in the cellular network. Generally, as the distance to neighboring cells increases, the desired elevation beamwidth decreases.
  • base station antenna manufacturers In order to meet cellular operator requirements for elevation beamwidth and gain, base station antenna manufacturers typically sell multiple versions of many base station antenna models that have different array lengths and hence generate antenna beams having different elevation beamwidths. For example, in some cases, it may be desirable to have a small elevation beamwidth (e.g., 10-15 degrees) in order to increase the antenna gain and/or to reduce spillover of the antenna beam into adjacent cells (as such spillover appears as interference in the adjacent cells). This requires relatively long linear arrays having larger numbers of radiating elements. In other cases, larger elevation beamwidths are acceptable, allowing the use of shorter linear arrays that have fewer radiating elements. [0006] In order to accommodate the increasing volume of cellular communications, new frequency bands are being made available for cellular service.
  • One way to accommodate service in a new frequency band is to deploy an additional base station antenna that includes one or more arrays of radiating elements that are configured to operate in the new frequency band.
  • an additional base station antenna that includes one or more arrays of radiating elements that are configured to operate in the new frequency band.
  • a separate installation charge typically applies for each base station antenna mounted on an antenna tower, and hence increasing the number of antennas typically results in increased costs.
  • cellular operators often lease space on antenna towers, and there is typically a separate leasing charge for each item of equipment mounted on the antenna tower.
  • local ordinances and/or zoning regulations may limit the number of base station antennas that can be mounted on an antenna tower, and hence additional antenna towers may need to be erected if the number of base station antennas required exceeds the number permitted by the local zoning ordinances.
  • base station antennas that include one or more arrays of "high-band" radiating elements that operate in higher frequency bands, such as some or all of the 3.3-4.2 GHz and/or the 5.1-5.8 GHz frequency bands.
  • the high-band arrays are often implemented as multi-column arrays of radiating elements that can be configured to perform active beamforming.
  • Solutions have also been proposed where two base station antennas are mounted in a vertically-stacked arrangement to support service in multiple frequency bands.
  • U.S. Patent Publication No.2019/0123426 (“the '426 publication”) discloses deploying first and second base station antennas that are mounted together in a vertically stacked arrangement.
  • the first base station antenna is a conventional dual-band base station antenna that includes low-band and mid-band arrays of radiating elements
  • the second base station antenna is a beamforming antenna that operates in a higher frequency band.
  • Modular solutions have also been proposed in which two antennas are mounted together where at least one of the arrays of radiating elements spans both antennas. Such an approach is disclosed in in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2021/0195687 (“the '687 publication”), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • antenna systems are provided that include a bottom passive antenna and an upper active antenna that may be mounted in a vertically-stacked arrangement.
  • base station antenna systems include two modules: a first base station antenna and a second base station antenna.
  • the first base station antenna includes a first RF port, a first housing that includes a first radome, a first passive linear array of radiating elements mounted within the first housing and coupled to the first RF port.
  • the second base station antenna includes a second housing that includes a second radome, a second RF port, a third RF port, a second passive linear array of radiating elements mounted within the second housing and coupled to the second and third RF ports, a third passive linear array of radiating elements mounted within the second housing, and an RF transmission line that couples the third passive linear array of radiating elements to the first RF port.
  • the first and second RF ports may be mounted on a back surface of the first housing.
  • the first and second base station antennas may be mounted in a vertically-stacked arrangement.
  • the base station antenna may further include a remote radio head mounted behind the second base station antenna.
  • the first housing may include a field removeable bottom end cap.
  • the second housing may include a top end cap that is configured to structurally engage the first housing.
  • a horizontal width of the first radome may be substantially the same as a horizontal width of the second radome.
  • the first passive linear array of radiating elements and the third passive linear array of radiating elements may operate together as a single array of radiating elements that spans the first base station antenna and the second base station antenna.
  • the first passive linear array of radiating elements may comprise low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band
  • the third passive linear array of radiating elements may comprise low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band
  • the second passive linear array of radiating elements may comprise mid-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 1427-2690 MHz frequency band.
  • base station antennas include first through twelfth RF ports, a housing that includes a radome, a first passive linear array of mid-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 1427-2690 MHz frequency band mounted within the housing and coupled to the first and second RF ports, a second passive linear array of mid-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 1427-2690 MHz frequency band mounted within the housing and coupled to the third and fourth RF ports, a third passive linear array of low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band mounted within the housing, where a first subset of the low-band radiating elements in the third passive linear array is coupled to the fifth and sixth RF ports and a second subset of the low-band radiating elements in the third passive linear array is coupled to the seventh and eighth RF ports, and a fourth passive linear array of low-band radiating elements
  • the first through fourth RF ports may be mounted on a back surface of the housing.
  • the fifth through twelfth RF ports may be mounted on a back surface of the housing.
  • the base station antenna may further include a control port mounted on a back surface of the housing.
  • a number of mid-band radiating elements in each of the first and second passive linear arrays may be at least twice a number of low-band radiating elements in either the third or fourth passive linear arrays.
  • a number of mid-band radiating elements in each of the first and second passive linear arrays may be at least three times a number of low-band radiating elements in either the third or fourth passive linear arrays.
  • the housing may include a field removeable bottom end cap.
  • the above-described base station antenna may be provided in combination with a second base station antenna to form a base station antenna system.
  • the second base station antenna may include a second housing that includes a second radome, thirteenth through sixteenth RF ports, a fifth passive linear array of, for example, low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band mounted within the second housing and coupled to the thirteenth and fourteenth RF ports via a first phase shifter and a second phase shifter, and a sixth passive linear array of, for example, low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617- 960 MHz frequency band mounted within the second housing and coupled to the fifteenth and sixteenth RF ports via a third phase shifter and a fourth phase shifter.
  • a fifth passive linear array of, for example, low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band mounted within the second housing and coupled to the thirteenth and fourteenth RF ports via a first phase shifter and a second phase shifter
  • the base station antenna system may further include a first cable that connects a first output of the first phase shifter to the fifth RF port, a second cable that connects a second output of the first phase shifter to the sixth RF port, a third cable that connects a first output of the second phase shifter to the seventh RF port, and a fourth cable that connects a second output of the second phase shifter to the eighth RF port.
  • the base station antenna system may still further comprise a fifth cable that connects a first output of the third phase shifter to the ninth RF port, a sixth cable that connects a second output of the third phase shifter to the tenth RF port, a seventh cable that connects a first output of the fourth phase shifter to the eleventh RF port, and an eighth cable that connects a second output of the fourth phase shifter to the twelfth RF port.
  • the first and second base station antennas may be mounted in a vertically-stacked arrangement.
  • the base station antenna system may further comprise a remote radio head mounted behind the second base station antenna.
  • a base station antenna system that includes a first base station antenna and a second base station antenna.
  • the first base station antenna is deployed for use at a base station, the first base station antenna including first and second passive linear arrays of mid-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 1427-2690 MHz frequency band and third and fourth linear arrays of low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band.
  • a mid-band radio is mounted on the first base station antenna. The mid-band radio is connected to the first and second passive linear arrays of mid-band radiating elements.
  • the first and second passive linear arrays of mid-band radiating elements are used to support operation of the base station without connecting the third and fourth linear arrays of low-band radiating elements to any radio.
  • the second base station antenna is mounted for use at the base station, the second base station antenna including fifth and sixth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band.
  • a low-band radio to is connected the third through sixth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements.
  • the first and second base station antennas may be deployed in a vertically-stacked arrangement.
  • deploying the second base station antennas may comprise connecting an output port of a first phase shifter in the second base station antenna to the third passive linear array of radiating elements, connecting an output port of a second phase shifter in the second base station antenna to the third passive linear array of radiating elements, connecting an output port of a third phase shifter in the second base station antenna to the fourth passive linear array of radiating elements, and connecting an output port of a fourth phase shifter in the second base station antenna to the fourth passive linear array of radiating elements.
  • the method may further comprise replacing the second base station antenna with a third base station antenna that includes seventh and eighth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band.
  • a first number of radiating elements in each of the seventh and eighth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements may be less than a second number of radiating elements in each of the fifth and sixth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements.
  • the third base station antenna may further include a multi- column array of radiating elements.
  • FIG.1 is a front view of a base station antenna system according to embodiments of the present invention that includes lower and upper passive base station antennas.
  • FIG.2 is a rear perspective view of the base station antenna system of FIG.1.
  • FIG.3 is a schematic front view of the base station antenna system of FIG.1 with the radomes of the two base station antennas removed.
  • FIG.4 is a schematic block diagram of the feed network for one of the low-band linear arrays included in the base station antenna system of FIG.1.
  • FIG.5 is a schematic rear view of the upper passive base station antenna of the base station antenna system of FIG.1.
  • FIG.6 is a schematic rear view of the lower passive base station antenna of the base station antenna system of FIG.1.
  • FIGS.7A-7C are a series of schematic front views illustrating how the modular base station antenna systems according to embodiments of the present invention may provide flexibility to cellular operators to deploy the necessary base station antennas while reducing capital and operating expenses.
  • FIG.8 is a flow chart of a method of deploying and operating base station antenna systems according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG.4 is a flow chart of a method of deploying and operating base station antenna systems according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • Such elements may be referred to individually by their full reference numeral, and may be referred to collectively by the first part of their reference numeral (i.e., the part prior to the hyphen).
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0044] Most of the operating frequency bands or "spectrum" used by cellular operators are licensed (usually via auctions) from government entities such as the Federal Communications Commission in the United States. Cellular operators purchase licenses to spectrum in particular frequency bands and geographic regions from the government entity, and the cellular operator that purchases a license is the only operator allowed to use these frequency bands in the specified geographic region, thus allowing the cellular operator to ensure a low interference environment.
  • the base station antennas that operate in the mid-band frequency ranges are typically relatively small, passive antennas that are cheaper than both passive base station antennas that operate in the low-band frequency ranges and the active (i.e., beamforming) base station antennas that are used in the high-band frequency ranges.
  • passive antennas that are cheaper than both passive base station antennas that operate in the low-band frequency ranges and the active (i.e., beamforming) base station antennas that are used in the high-band frequency ranges.
  • active (i.e., beamforming) base station antennas that are used in the high-band frequency ranges.
  • mid-band antennas have the benefit of being less expensive to purchase, deploy and operate, buildings tend to block RF signals in the mid-band frequency range much more than low-band RF signals, and hence cellular operators that only provide service in the mid-band frequency range may struggle to provide acceptable service within buildings, and particularly within larger concrete and steel based office buildings due to the density of the building materials and the greater distances that the RF signals must penetrate to reach the center of such buildings.
  • these cellular operators typically plan to later purchase spectrum in the low-band frequency range to supplement their mid-band service. Unfortunately, this may result in a difficult decision for the cellular operator in terms of near-term and far-term expenditures.
  • mid-band antennas In particular, if minimizing current expense is the driving factor, then the cellular operator will purchase standalone mid-band antennas. As discussed above, these antennas may be small and relatively inexpensive, and typically have lower installation and tower leasing costs. Thus, this approach minimizes initial capital expenditures while also reducing operating costs in the near-term (through lower tower leasing costs). However, when low-band service is eventually added, it is necessary to then purchase a multi-band antenna that supports both low-band and mid-band service and to mount this antenna in place of the original mid-band antenna (another option is to simply add a separate low-band antenna, but tower leasing costs typically make this option impractical). This results in additional capital expenditures (the new multi-band antenna) and additional installation costs, both of which can be significant.
  • the cellular operator may initially purchase and install a multi-band antenna in view of the plans for later offering service in the low-band frequency range. This reduces later capital and installation costs, but results in increased initial capital costs and much higher tower leasing costs, since the tower leasing costs are based on the size/weight of the antenna. Moreover, the cellular operator cannot be sure as to when low-band spectrum will be available for purchase later, so potentially the increased tower leasing costs could extend for many years.
  • modular interleaved passive antenna systems are provided that include a first passive base station antenna and a second passive base station antenna.
  • the first passive base station antenna may include one or more complete passive linear arrays of radiating elements.
  • the first passive base station antenna may include two passive linear arrays of mid-band radiating elements.
  • the first passive base station antenna may further include a portion of at least one low-band passive linear array of radiating elements.
  • the first passive base station antenna may also include the upper (or lower) portions of two linear arrays of low-band radiating elements.
  • the second passive base station antenna may include the remaining portions of the one or more passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements.
  • the second passive base station antenna may also optionally include additional arrays of radiating elements, such as additional passive mid-band linear arrays or passive or active high-band arrays.
  • a cellular operator that is a new entrant into the market may initially purchase only the first passive base station antenna, and may use this antenna to support service in the mid-band frequency range.
  • Capital expense is kept low since the first passive base station antenna is readily inexpensive to purchase and install, and the only components of the first base station antenna that are initially unused are a small number of low-band radiating elements. Operating expenses are also kept low since the cellular operator only has to pay leasing costs for a relatively small base station antenna.
  • the cellular operator acquires spectrum in the low-band frequency range, the operator can purchase and install the second passive base station antenna.
  • the second passive base station antenna may be mounted directly below the first passive base station antenna, and jumper cable or other connections may be used to connect the low-band radiating elements in the first passive base station antenna to the second passive base station antenna.
  • the base station antenna system may comprise a first base station antenna and a second base station antenna.
  • the first base station antenna may be initially deployed and operated, and the second base station antenna may only be deployed at a later time after, for example, the cellular operator obtains a license to spectrum in the low-band frequency range.
  • the first base station antenna may include twelve RF ports and four passive linear arrays of radiating elements.
  • the first and second passive linear arrays may each include mid-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 1427-2690 MHz frequency band, and the third and fourth passive linear arrays may each include low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band.
  • the first passive linear array is coupled to the first and second RF ports (since dual-polarized radiating elements are used, and hence antenna beams are generated at two orthogonal polarizations) and the second passive linear array is similarly coupled to the third and fourth RF ports.
  • the third passive linear array includes a first subset of one or more radiating elements that are coupled to the fifth and sixth RF ports and a second subset of one or more radiating elements that are coupled to the seventh and eighth RF ports.
  • the fourth passive linear array similarly includes a first subset of one or more radiating elements that are coupled to the ninth and tenth RF ports and a second subset of one or more radiating elements that are coupled to the eleventh and twelfth RF ports.
  • base station antenna systems include a first base station antenna and a second base station antenna that may be deployed in a vertically- stacked arrangement.
  • the first base station antenna may include a first housing that includes a first radome, a first RF port, and a first passive linear array of radiating elements that is mounted within the first housing and coupled to the first RF port.
  • the second base station antenna may include a second housing that includes a second radome, second and third RF ports, a second passive linear array of radiating elements that is mounted within the second housing and coupled to the second and third RF ports, a third passive linear array of radiating elements that is mounted within the second housing, and an RF transmission line that couples the third passive linear array of radiating elements to the first RF port of the first base station antenna.
  • the first base station antenna is deployed for use at a base station, the first base station antenna including first and second passive linear arrays of mid-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 1427-2690 MHz frequency band and third and fourth linear arrays of low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band.
  • a mid-band radio is mounted on the first base station antenna. The mid-band radio is connected to the first and second passive linear arrays of mid-band radiating elements. The first and second passive linear arrays of mid-band radiating elements are used to support operation of the base station without connecting the third and fourth linear arrays of low-band radiating elements to any radio.
  • the second base station antenna is deployed for use at the base station in conjunction with the first base station antenna.
  • the second base station antenna may be deployed, for example, after the cellular operator obtains a license to spectrum in the low-band frequency range.
  • the first and second base station antennas may be mounted in a vertically- stacked arrangement.
  • the second base station antenna includes fifth and sixth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band.
  • One or more low-band radios are connected to the third through sixth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements so that the first and second base station antennas may together be used to provide service in the low-band frequency range.
  • the second base station antenna may be replaced with a third base station antenna that includes seventh and eighth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band.
  • a first number of radiating elements in each of the seventh and eighth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements may be less than a second number of radiating elements in each of the fifth and sixth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements.
  • the third base station antenna may also include a multi- column array of radiating elements, for example, for passive beamforming.
  • FIGS.1-6 illustrate a base station antenna system 100 according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
  • the base station antenna system 100 includes a first base station antenna 200 and a second base station antenna 300.
  • the base station antenna system 100 will be described using terms that assume that the base station antennas 200, 300 are mounted on a tower or other structure with the longitudinal axis of each antenna 200, 300 extending along a vertical axis and the front surface of each antenna 200, 300 facing outwardly from the tower.
  • the first base station antenna 200 may be mounted on top of the second base station antenna 300 so that the two antennas 200, 300 are in a vertically- stacked arrangement.
  • the first base station antenna 200 may be in direct contact with the second base station antenna 300 or may be separated from the first base station antenna 200 by a small gap such as a gap that is less than six inches, less than four inches, less two inches, less than one inch, or less than one-half of an inch in various embodiments.
  • the first and second base station antennas 200, 300 may (but need not) each have the same width (or at least approximately the same width). As a result, the two base station antennas 200, 300 may appear as a single antenna when viewed from the front.
  • the first base station antenna 200 has a housing that includes a radome 210, a bottom end cap 212 and a top end cap 214.
  • the radome 210 may extend around the entire circumference of the first base station antenna 200 to form a tube or may have a front wall and a pair of side walls that connect to a backplate of an internal frame of the first base station antenna 200.
  • the bottom end cap 212 or the top end cap 214 may be formed integrally with the radome 210, although more typically both end caps 212, 214 are implemented as separate elements that are mated with the radome 210.
  • One or more mounting brackets 216 may be provided on the rear side of the first base station antenna 200 which may be used to mount the antenna 200 to, for example, an antenna mount on an antenna tower.
  • the first base station antenna 200 is typically mounted in a vertical configuration (i.e., its longitudinal axis may be generally perpendicular to a plane defined by the horizon) when the antenna 200 is mounted for normal operation.
  • a radio 202 may be mounted on the back surface of the first base station antenna 200.
  • the radio 202 may be mounted separately from the first base station antenna 200 and connected to the first base station antenna 200 by coaxial cables.
  • the radio 202 may be a passive radio that generates RF signals in some or all of the 1427-2690 MHz mid-band frequency range or in some or all of the 3.1-5.8 GHz high-band frequency range in some embodiments.
  • the second base station antenna 300 includes a housing that comprises a radome 310, a bottom end cap 312 and a top end cap 314.
  • the radome 310 may extend around the entire circumference of the second base station antenna 300 to form a tube or may have a front wall and a pair of side walls that connect to a backplate of an internal frame of the second base station antenna 300.
  • the top end cap 314 may, in some embodiments, be formed integrally with the radome 310.
  • a plurality of RF connector ports 324, 334 are mounted in the bottom end cap 312. The RF connector ports 324, 334 may be connected to external remote radio heads (not shown) via coaxial cables (not shown).
  • Mounting brackets 316 may be used to mount the second base station antenna 300 on an antenna mount or other mounting structure.
  • the second base station antenna 300 is also mounted in a vertical configuration.
  • FIG.3 is a schematic front view of the antenna system 100 with the radomes 210, 310 of the first and second base station antennas 200, 300 removed.
  • the first base station antenna 200 includes a main backplane 218 that includes a generally flat, metallic surface and optional sidewalls.
  • Four linear arrays of radiating elements are mounted to extend forwardly from the backplane 218. These linear arrays include two linear arrays 230-1, 230-2 of mid-band radiating elements 232, as well as two linear arrays 220-1, 220-2 of low-band radiating elements 222.
  • the base station antenna system 100 is designed so that the two linear arrays 220-1, 220-2 of low- band radiating elements 222 act as the upper portions of respective linear arrays of low-band radiating elements 222 that are provided in the second base station antenna 300, as will be described in detail below.
  • the low-band and mid-band radiating elements 222, 232 are mounted to extend forwardly from the backplane 218 and may, for example, each be implemented as a slant +/- 45o cross-dipole radiating element.
  • the low-band radiating elements 222 may be configured to transmit and receive RF signals in, for example, the 617-960 MHz frequency range or a portion thereof (e.g., the 617-896 MHz frequency band, the 696-960 MHz frequency band, etc.).
  • the mid-band radiating elements 232 may be configured to transmit and receive RF signals in, for example, the 1427-2690 MHz frequency range or a portion thereof (e.g., the 1710-2200 MHz frequency band, the 2300-2690 MHz frequency band, etc.).
  • the two mid-band linear arrays 230- 1, 230-2 extend down the center of the backplane 218 and are mounted in between the two low- band linear arrays 220-1, 220-2.
  • the backplane 218 may serve as both a structural component of base station antenna 200 and as a ground plane and reflector for the radiating elements 222, 232 mounted thereon.
  • Various mechanical and electronic components of the antenna 200 such as phase shifters, remote electronic tilt units, mechanical linkages, controllers, diplexers, and the like, may be mounted behind the backplane 218. As these components are conventional, further description thereof will be omitted.
  • FIG.5 is a schematic rear view of the first base station antenna 200. As shown in FIG.5, the first base station antenna 200 includes four mid-band RF connector ports 234-1 through 234-4. The mid-band RF connector ports 234-1 through 234-4 extend from the back wall of the housing.
  • the first and second mid-band RF connector ports 234-1, 234-2 may be connected to the first mid-band linear array 230-1.
  • the first mid-band RF connector port 234-1 may be connected to the -450 dipole radiators of the mid- band radiating elements 232 in the first mid-band linear array 230-1 through a feed network that includes a power divider (which splits mid-band RF signals input at the first mid-band RF connector port 234-1 into a plurality of sub-components) and an adjustable phase shifter (which can be used to impart a phase progression across the sub-components of the RF signal output from the power divider).
  • a power divider which splits mid-band RF signals input at the first mid-band RF connector port 234-1 into a plurality of sub-components
  • an adjustable phase shifter which can be used to impart a phase progression across the sub-components of the RF signal output from the power divider.
  • the power divider and adjustable phase shifter are not shown in the figures, but may have the same design as the power divider and phase shifter discussed below with reference to FIG.4.
  • Each output of the phase shifter is coupled to one or more of the -450 dipole radiators of the mid-band radiating elements 232 in the first mid-band linear array 230-1, typically via a feed board (which may include a power divider if the output is coupled to multiple radiating elements 232).
  • the second mid-band RF connector port 234-2 may be connected to the +450 dipole radiators of the mid-band radiating elements 232 in the first mid-band linear array 230-1 in a similar fashion.
  • the third and fourth mid-band RF connector ports 234-3, 234-4 may be connected to the -450 dipole radiators and the +450 dipole radiators, respectively, of the mid- band radiating elements 232 in the second mid-band linear array 230-2 in the exact same fashion.
  • the first base station antenna 200 further includes eight low-band RF connector ports 224-1 through 224-8.
  • the low-band RF connector ports 224-1 through 224-8 also extend through the back wall of the housing. Coaxial cables may be used to connect the eight low-band RF connector ports 224-1 through 224-8 to corresponding connector ports 324-5 through 324-12 on the second base station antenna 300, as will be described in detail later below.
  • One or more control ports 204 may also be provided on the back surface of the first base station antenna 200. Cabling connection(s) may extend from the base station to these control ports 204 so that control signals (e.g., AISG signals) may be input to the first base station antenna 200 through the control ports 204.
  • control signals e.g., AISG signals
  • the number of mid-band radiating elements 232 in each of the first and second mid-band linear array 230-1, 230-2 may be at least twice a number of low- band radiating elements 222 included in either of the first or second low-band linear arrays 220- 1, 220-2.
  • the number of mid-band radiating elements 232 in each of the first and second mid-band linear array 230-1, 230-2 may be at least three times the number of low-band radiating elements 222 included in either the first or second low-band linear arrays 220-1, 220-2.
  • the second base station antenna 300 includes a main backplane 318 that includes a generally flat, metallic surface and optional sidewalls.
  • Four linear arrays of radiating elements are mounted to extend forwardly from the backplane 318. These linear arrays include two linear arrays 320-1, 320-2 of low-band radiating elements 322 as well as two linear arrays 330-1, 330-2 of mid-band radiating elements 332.
  • the low-band and mid- band radiating elements 322, 332 are mounted to extend forwardly from the backplane 318 and may, for example, each be implemented as a slant +/- 45o cross-dipole radiating element.
  • the low-band radiating elements 322 may be configured to transmit and receive signals, for example, the 617-960 MHz frequency range or a portion thereof (e.g., the 617-896 MHz frequency band, the 696-960 MHz frequency band, etc.).
  • the mid-band radiating elements 332 may be configured to transmit and receive signals in, for example, the 1427-2690 MHz frequency range or a portion thereof (e.g., the 1710-2200 MHz frequency band, the 2300-2690 MHz frequency band, etc.).
  • the two mid-band linear arrays 330-1, 330-2 extend down the center of the backplane 318 and are mounted in between the two low-band linear arrays 320-1, 320-2.
  • the backplane 318 may serve as both a structural component of the second base station antenna 300 and as a ground plane and reflector for the radiating elements 322, 332 mounted thereon.
  • Various mechanical and electronic components of the second base station antenna 300 (not visible in FIG.3) such as phase shifters, remote electronic tilt units, mechanical linkages, controllers, diplexers, and the like, may be mounted behind the backplane 318.
  • FIG.6 is a schematic rear view of the second base station antenna 300.
  • the second base station antenna 300 includes four mid-band RF connector ports 334-1 through 334-4.
  • the four mid-band RF connector ports 334-1 through 334-4 may be mounted in the bottom end cap 312. Coaxial cables may be used to connect the first four mid- band RF connector ports 334-1 through 334-4 to corresponding ports of a mid-band radio (or of two low-band radios).
  • the first and second mid-band RF connector ports 334-1, 334-2 may be connected to the first mid-band linear array 330-1.
  • the first mid-band RF connector port 334-1 may be connected to the -450 dipole radiators of the mid-band radiating elements 332 in the first mid-band linear array 330-1 through a feed network that includes a power divider (which splits mid-band RF signals input at the first mid-band RF connector port 334-1 into a plurality of sub-components) and an adjustable phase shifter (which can be used to impart a phase progression across the sub-components of the RF signal output from the power divider). Each output of the phase shifter is coupled to one or more of the -450 dipole radiators of the mid-band radiating elements 332 in the first mid-band linear array 330-1.
  • a power divider which splits mid-band RF signals input at the first mid-band RF connector port 334-1 into a plurality of sub-components
  • an adjustable phase shifter which can be used to impart a phase progression across the sub-components of the RF signal output from the power divider.
  • the second mid-band RF connector port 334-2 may be connected to the +450 dipole radiators of the mid- band radiating elements 332 in the first mid-band linear array 330-1 in a similar fashion.
  • the third and fourth mid-band RF connector ports 334-3, 334-4 may be connected to the -450 dipole radiators and the +450 dipole radiators, respectively, of the mid-band radiating elements 332 in the second mid-band linear array 330-2 in the exact same fashion.
  • the second base station antenna 300 further includes twelve low-band RF connector ports 324-1 through 324-12.
  • the first four low-band RF connector ports 324-1 through 324-4 are mounted in the bottom end cap 312 of the second base station antenna 300.
  • Coaxial cables may be used to connect the first four low-band RF connector ports 324-1 through 324-4 to corresponding ports of a low-band radio (or of two low-band radios).
  • the fifth through twelfth low-band connector ports 324-5 through 324-12 are mounted to extend through the back wall of the housing of the second base station antenna 300.
  • Coaxial cables may be used to connect the fifth through twelfth RF low-band connector ports 324-5 through 324-12 to the respective first through eighth low-band connector ports 224-1 through 224-8 on the first base station antenna 200.
  • the first linear array 320-1 of low-band radiating elements 322 in the second base station antenna 300 and the first linear array 220-1 of low-band radiating elements 222 in the first base station antenna 200 are configured to work together to operate as a single array of low-band radiating elements. This can be accomplished by feeding the low-band radiating elements 222, 322 in the two low-band arrays 220-1, 320-1 from the same RF sources.
  • the second linear array 320-2 of low-band radiating elements 322 in the second base station antenna 300 and the second linear array 220-2 of low-band radiating elements 222 in the first base station antenna 200 are also configured to work together to operate as a single array of low-band radiating elements.
  • FIG.4 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates the feed network for first polarization RF signals (e.g., -45o polarization RF signals) for the composite low-band linear array 120-1 that comprises a combination of low-band linear arrays 220-1 and 320-1.
  • first polarization RF signals e.g., -45o polarization RF signals
  • RF connector port 324-1 of the second base station antenna 300 is connected (e.g., by a coaxial cable 350) to a phase shifter/power divider unit 352.
  • the phase shifter/power divider unit 352 splits the RF signal into five sub-components and applies a phase taper across those sub-components that is based on a setting of the phase shifter power/divider unit 352, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the phase taper (if any) that is applied may be used to electronically change the elevation or "tilt" angle of the antenna beam formed by the first polarization radiators of the radiating elements 322 of linear array 320-1 and of the radiating elements 222 of linear array 220-1.
  • the low-band radiating elements 222, 322 are mounted on feedboards 226, 326.
  • low-band radiating elements 322-1 and 322-2 are mounted on a first feedboard 326-1
  • low-band radiating elements 322-3 and 322-4 are mounted on a second feedboard 326-2
  • low-band radiating element 322- 5 is mounted on a third feedboard 326-3.
  • Each feedboard 326 couples an RF signal input thereto to the one or more radiating elements 322 that are mounted on the feedboard 326.
  • feedboard 326-1 splits an RF signal input thereto into two sub-components and couples the two sub-components of the RF signal to the respective radiating elements 322-1, 322-2.
  • a feedboard 326 that only includes a single radiating element 322 may couple the entirety of the RF signals input thereto to the radiating element 322 mounted thereon.
  • three of the outputs of the phase shifter/power divider unit 352 are connected by coaxial feed cables 354 to the three feedboards 326 for linear array 320-1.
  • the remaining two outputs of phase shifter/power divider unit 352 are connected (either directly or indirectly) to a respective pair of RF connector ports 324-5, 324- 6.
  • Coaxial jumper cables may be used to connect the pair of RF connector ports 324-5, 324-6 to a corresponding pair of RF connector ports 224-1, 224-2 on the back of the first base station antenna 200.
  • the first low-band RF connector port 224-1 is connected by a first coaxial feed cable 250-1 to a first feedboard 226-1 on which low-band radiating elements 222-1 and 222-2 are mounted
  • the second low-band connector port 224-2 is connected by a second coaxial feed cable 250-2 to a second feedboard 226-2 on which low-band radiating element 222- 3 is mounted.
  • low-band radiating elements 322-1 through 322-5 of the second base station antenna 300 and low-band radiating elements 222-1 through 222-3 of the first base station antenna 200 are all connected to RF connector port 224-1 through phase shifter/power divider unit 352.
  • these radiating elements act as a composite low-band linear array 120-1 to form a composite antenna beam.
  • RF connector port 324-2 of the second base station antenna 300 is connected in the same fashion to the +450 dipole radiators of radiating elements 322-1 through 322-5 in the second base station antenna 300 and to the +450 dipole radiators of radiating elements 222-1 through 222-3 in the first base station antenna 200.
  • FIGS.1-6 illustrate one example of a base station antenna system 100 according to embodiments of the present invention, and that many modifications may be made thereto.
  • the mid-band arrays in one or both of the base station antennas 200, 300 may be replaced with arrays of high-band radiating elements.
  • the number of low-band, mid-band and/or high-band arrays may be varied from what is shown (including omitting certain types of arrays), as may the number of radiating elements included in each array.
  • one or both of the base station antennas 200, 300 may include four arrays of mid-band radiating elements or two arrays of mid-band radiating elements and two arrays of high-band radiating elements in other example embodiments.
  • different arrays may span the two base station antennas and/or the arrays may be arranged differently from what is shown.
  • FIGS.5 and 6 illustrate various of the RF connector ports 224, 324, 234, 334 being implemented using cluster connectors in which four connector ports are ganged together and can be installed as push-on connectors. It will be appreciated, however, that other types of RF connector ports may be used in other embodiments.
  • the second base station antenna 300 may be mounted on top of the first base station antenna 200 in other embodiments instead of the other way around.
  • the first base station antenna 200 includes a field replaceable bottom end cap 212.
  • the field replaceable bottom end cap 212 may be included on base station antenna 200 when it is initially deployed as a standalone antenna.
  • the bottom end cap 212 may be removed, and a different bottom end cap may be installed that mates better with the second base station antenna 300 or the top end cap 314 of the second base station antenna 300 may also serve as a bottom end cap for the first base station antenna 200.
  • the first base station antenna 200 may have a non-field replaceable end cap that is used both when the first base station antenna 200 is used as a standalone antenna and when it is used as part of a larger base station antenna system 100.
  • FIGS.7A-7C are a series of schematic front views illustrating how the modular base station antenna systems according to embodiments of the present invention may provide flexibility to cellular operators to deploy the necessary base station antennas while reducing capital and operating expenses.
  • FIG.7A a first deployment scenario is illustrated where the first base station antenna 200 is initially deployed as a standalone antenna.
  • the first deployment scenario may occur, for example, when a cellular operator only has leased spectrum in a particular geographic location in the mid-band (1427-2690 MHz) or high-band (3300-4200 or 5100-5800 MHz) frequency bands.
  • the cellular operator may lease spectrum in the geographic location in the low-band (617-960 MHz) frequency band.
  • the cellular operator can deploy the second base station antenna 300 which may be mounted in close proximity (where close proximity includes direct contact) to the first base station antenna 200 (e.g., mounted directly below or directly above the first base station antenna 200).
  • Coaxial cables may be used to connect RF connector ports 224 on the first base station antenna 200 to RF connector ports 324 on the second base station antenna 300 so that composite low-band arrays 120-1, 120-2 are formed that span both antennas 200, 300.
  • the second deployment scenario may represent an initial deployment scenario, or may occur after the first deployment scenario discussed above in FIG.7A.
  • a full base station antenna system 100 has already been deployed (i.e., mounted on an antenna tower or other mounting structure and put into use).
  • the deployed base station antenna system 100 has a second base station antenna 300 that has a first length (e.g., 2 meters).
  • the length of the second base station antenna 300 may be based on the number of radiating elements 322 included in each low-band array 320 included in the second base station antenna system 300. Thereafter, the cellular operator may elect to replace the second base station antenna 300 with a different second base station antenna 300' that has a second, different length.
  • the second deployment scenario may arise where a cellular operator initially has a fairly sparse network (at least in the low-band frequency range) in the geographic area where the base station antenna system 100 is deployed, such that neighboring base stations are relatively far away. Under these circumstances, relatively high gain low-band antenna arrays may provide the best service, requiring relatively larger numbers of radiating elements in each array.
  • the third deployment scenario may represent an initial deployment scenario, or may occur after the first deployment scenario discussed above in FIG.7A.
  • a full base station antenna system 100 has already been deployed (i.e., mounted on an antenna tower or other mounting structure and put into use).
  • the cellular operator may lease spectrum in an additional frequency band.
  • the cellular operator leases spectrum in the high-band frequency range.
  • FIG.8 is a flow chart of a method of deploying a base station antenna system that includes a first base station antenna and a second base station antenna.
  • first base station antenna being deployed for use at a base station
  • the first base station antenna including first and second passive linear arrays of mid-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 1427-2690 MHz frequency band and third and fourth linear arrays of low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band (Block 400).
  • a mid-band radio is mounted on the first base station antenna (Block 410).
  • the mid-band radio is connected to the first and second passive linear arrays of mid-band radiating elements (Block 420).
  • the first and second passive linear arrays of mid-band radiating elements are then used to support operation of the base station without connecting the third and fourth linear arrays of low-band radiating elements to any radio (Block 430). Thereafter, the second base station antenna is deployed for use at the base station, the second base station antenna including fifth and sixth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band (Block 440).
  • a low-band radio is connected to the third through sixth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements (Block 450).
  • the second base station antenna may be replaced with a third base station antenna that includes seventh and eighth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band (Block 460).
  • a third base station antenna that includes seventh and eighth passive linear arrays of low-band radiating elements that are configured to operate in all or part of the 617-960 MHz frequency band (Block 460).

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des systèmes d'antenne de station de base qui comprennent une première antenne de station de base et une seconde antenne de station de base. La première antenne de station de base comprend un premier port RF, un premier boîtier, un premier réseau linéaire passif d'éléments rayonnants montés à l'intérieur du premier boîtier et couplés au premier port RF. La seconde antenne de station de base comprend un second boîtier, un deuxième port RF, un troisième port RF, un second réseau linéaire passif d'éléments rayonnants montés à l'intérieur du second boîtier et couplés aux deuxième et troisième ports RF, un troisième réseau linéaire passif d'éléments rayonnants montés à l'intérieur du deuxième boîtier, et une ligne de transmission RF qui couple le troisième réseau linéaire passif d'éléments rayonnants au premier port RF.
PCT/US2022/076282 2021-09-20 2022-09-12 Systèmes d'antennes de station de base ayant des antennes de station de base modulaires avec des réseaux interconnectés WO2023044283A1 (fr)

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US63/246,136 2021-09-20

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140242930A1 (en) * 2013-02-22 2014-08-28 Quintel Technology Limited Multi-array antenna
US20180026379A1 (en) * 2016-07-19 2018-01-25 Quintel Technology Limited Base station antenna system with enhanced array spacing
US20210195687A1 (en) * 2019-12-18 2021-06-24 Commscope Technologies Llc Base station antenna units having arrays spanning multiple antennas that are connected by jumper cables
US20210218156A1 (en) * 2018-10-05 2021-07-15 Commscope Technologies Llc Reconfigurable multi-band base station antennas having self-contained sub-modules
US20210265722A1 (en) * 2020-02-24 2021-08-26 Commscope Technologies Llc Connectivity and field replaceability of radios mounted on base station antennas

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140242930A1 (en) * 2013-02-22 2014-08-28 Quintel Technology Limited Multi-array antenna
US20180026379A1 (en) * 2016-07-19 2018-01-25 Quintel Technology Limited Base station antenna system with enhanced array spacing
US20210218156A1 (en) * 2018-10-05 2021-07-15 Commscope Technologies Llc Reconfigurable multi-band base station antennas having self-contained sub-modules
US20210195687A1 (en) * 2019-12-18 2021-06-24 Commscope Technologies Llc Base station antenna units having arrays spanning multiple antennas that are connected by jumper cables
US20210265722A1 (en) * 2020-02-24 2021-08-26 Commscope Technologies Llc Connectivity and field replaceability of radios mounted on base station antennas

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