WO2023284957A1

WO2023284957A1 - Multi-output and flexible base station antenna drive system

Info

Publication number: WO2023284957A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/069674
Authority: WO
Inventors: Liansong WANG; Johann Baptist OBERMAIER; Christian Helbig; Qiangguo Zhou; Bernhard Rist; Serban REBEGEA; Tekin ÖLMEZ; Dieter Zierhut
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2021-07-15
Filing date: 2021-07-15
Publication date: 2023-01-19

Abstract

An antenna apparatus, including multiple actuator units and multiple antenna panel units each movably coupled to one of the multiple actuator units. A central control unit adapted to transmit separate maneuvering instructions to each of the multiple actuator units via a common communication cable. A power source directly and independently powering each of the multiple actuator units via a different power cable.

Description

MULTI-OUTPUT AND FLEXIBLE BASE STATION ANTENNA DRIVE SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure, in some embodiments thereof, relates to an antenna apparatus and, more specifically, but not exclusively, to a selection, a supply of power and a control applied to an antenna panel unit included in the antenna apparatus.

It is possible to either mechanically tilt an antenna element to alter the direction of radiation or reception of radio frequency (RF) signals. In a base station antenna that may include multiple antenna elements, a common source of mechanical movement or motion may typically applied to all of the antenna elements at once from a gearbox for example. The common source of mechanical movement or motion applied to the antenna element is an example of providing a mechanical tilt to the antenna elements.

It is also possible to electrically steer the beam direction radiated from an antenna or a RF signal received by switching the antenna elements or by changing the relative phases of the

RF signals driving the element. For example, with respect to electrical steering, antennas may often include phase shifters for adjusting the phase of signals supplied to or received from radiating elements of an antenna. Adjustment of phase of signals may be used for electrically steering of beam angle of signals, to provide an electrical tilt to the antenna elements, for example.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus, a system, a computer program product, and a method for an antenna apparatus that includes multiple actuator units and multiple respective antenna panel units. The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

According to a first aspect, a control unit including a control algorithm, is configured to transmit separate maneuvering instructions to each of the actuator units via a common communication cable. The control algorithm enables a power source to directly and to independently power each of the of actuator units via a different power cable. The power source may be hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, magnetic or mechanical. The maneuvering instruction messages include maneuvering instructions. The maneuvering instructions selectively tilt some of the antenna panel units at different angles. The maneuvering instructions also include shifting a phase of at least some of the antenna panel units to steer the beam angle of signals transmitted or received by an antenna panel unit.

A benefit of the first aspect is that an antenna panel unit is independently controlled and selected from other antenna panel units. Further, when multiple actuator units are located inside an antenna panel unit and moveably attached to respective antenna components of the antenna panel unit. Appropriate linear movements and rotational movements, and a combination thereof, may enable a tilt of each component in an antenna panel unit. The tilt may be independent of the other components in the antenna panel unit. Therefore, components with their own separate actuator unit, which is separately controllable, provide separate linear movements or rotations to each component within an antenna panel unit.

A further benefit of the first aspect may be for example after an installation and a subsequent period of use of the antenna apparatus. The antenna apparatus may be subject to a positional displacement due to an adverse weather event for example. The positional displacement may mean that an antenna panel unit is not receiving the strongest signal for example. Accordingly, instead of resorting to re-alignment of the antenna apparatus and/or an antenna panel unit by maintenance personnel. The feature of applying maneuvering instructions to selectively tilt some of the antenna panel units at different angles or components of the antenna panel unit at different angles may provide time saving and cost benefits in the operation of the antenna apparatus.

According to a second aspect, the actuator units may be Memory metal alloy (SMA) drives. Memory metal alloy (SMA) drives have good mechanical properties and are often corrosion resistant which makes them most appropriate for an antenna apparatus located on a mast or located on the side of a building/ building roof for example.

According to a third aspect, adjustment of phase of signals by phase shifters may be used for electrically steering of beam angle of signals from antenna elements included in an antenna apparatus, to provide an electrical tilt to the antenna elements in an antenna panel unit.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the disclosure, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the disclosure are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the disclosure. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a is a plan drawing of an antenna apparatus, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a is a perspective drawing of an antenna apparatus, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 A is a plan view and an end view of an actuator attached to an antenna panel unit, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3B is a plan view of an actuator attached to an antenna panel unit, a partial side view of an actuator and components attached to and included in an antenna panel unit, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a drawing of a base station, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart drawing of a method that may be applied to antenna apparatuses described herein, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a drawing of a base station, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a plan drawing of a phase shifter, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a plan drawing of a phase shifter, in accordance with some embodiments; FIG. 9A is a side schematic view of power splits at nodes and path lengths PL of a phase shifter electrically connected to antenna apparatus, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 9B is a side schematic view of power splits at nodes and path lengths PL of a phase shifter electrically connected to antenna apparatus, in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 10 is a plan drawing of a phase shifter attached to an antenna system, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure, in some embodiments thereof, relates to an antenna apparatus and, more specifically, but not exclusively, to a selection, supply of power and a control applied to an antenna panel unit included in the antenna apparatus.

By way of introduction, base station antennas include multiple antenna panel units mounted to a mast. The antenna panel units often include multiple antennas and antenna components mounted within an antenna panel unit. A desired feature is to provide a correct mounting of an antenna panel unit with respect to its position, in order for example, to transmit a signal in the right propagational direction to a receiver, so that the receiver receives the strongest signal. Similarly, the correct mounting of the antenna panel unit with respect to its position, for a receiver to receive a signal in the right propagational direction from a transmitter, so that the receiver receives the strongest signal. Often during operation of a base station antenna, a tilt movement common to and applied to all the antenna panel units is applied to all of the antenna panel units via a common gearbox to achieve the desired feature. The tilt movement, however, may be not appropriate for some of the antenna panel units. According to features described below, appropriate linear movements and rotational movements, and a combination thereof, may enable a tilt of each antenna panel separately and a further tilt movement of a component in an antenna panel separate to other components. The further tilt movement may include an adjustment of phase of a signal to steer a beam angle of the signal, to provide an electrical tilt to the antenna elements in antenna panel unit. The further tilt movement may include a mechanical movement to provide a mechanical tilt to the antenna elements in antenna panel unit and/or the antenna panel itself.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

The present disclosure may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present disclosure.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.

The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present disclosure.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a plan drawing of an antenna apparatus 100, in accordance with some embodiments. In the description that follows, components of antenna apparatus 100 may be mounted to a frame 112 or to other support structures attached to frame 112. A control unit 102 connects electrically to multiple actuator units 108-108n via a control cable 104 (shown by dashed line). Control cable 104 is common to actuator units 108-108n, control cable 104 conveys separate maneuvering instructions from controller 102 to control each individual activator 108 separately. Control unit 102 further connects electrically to multiple actuator units 108-108n by respective multiple power lines 106- I06n. Control unit 102 may be a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic controller (PLC) or digital signal processor (DSP). A power supply unit (PSU) 114 may be included or attached separately to control unit 102. PSU 114 directly and independently supplies an appropriate level of electrical power to each multiple actuator unit 108-108n via respective power lines 106-106n. The appropriate level of electrical power may be direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) as required by each actuator unit 108-108n. Actuator units 108-108n are attached to multiple respective antenna panel units 110-1 lOn.

Components (not shown) in each of antenna panel units 110-1 10h are enabled to be moved or tilted in each antenna panel unit 1 10 by a respective actuator 108. Actuators 108 in general may provide a linear motion or a rotational motion to each antenna panel unit 110 separately. An actuator 108 may be located inside an antenna panel unit 110. The movement of an antenna panel unit 110 and/or tilt of each component in an antenna panel unit 110 is independent of the movement of other antenna panel units 110 and/or other components in other antenna panel units 110. A memory metal alloy (SMA) drive may utilized to implement an actuator 108. SMA drives may be classed according to the type of motion they provide; linear or rotational, or the type of power used to drive the mechanism of the SMA drive; hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, magnetic or mechanical. An example of a linear SMA drive is the Dash4™ - Linear Shape Memory Alloy Actuator from MIGA Motor Company, 953 North 2nd Street Silverton Oregon, 97381 United States.

Antenna panel units 110-11 On may be located laterally parallel to each other as shown. Antenna panel units 110-110h may include multiple phase shifters. The phase shifters may be analogue phase shifters or digital phase shifters. Antenna panel units 110-110h may be multiple analogue phase shifter antennas or digital phase shifter antennas.

Reference is also made to FIG. 2, which is a perspective drawing of an antenna apparatus 200, in accordance with some embodiments. Antenna apparatus 200 is similar to antenna apparatus 100 with respect to components of antenna apparatus 200 being mounted to a frame 112 or other support structures attached to frame 112. A control unit 202 connects electrically to multiple actuator units 208 via a control cable 104. Control unit 202 may be a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic controller (PLC) or digital signal processor (DSP). Control cable 104 (shown by white line) is connected in common to actuator units 208. Actuator units 208 are attached to multiple respective antenna panel units 110. Control cable 104 conveys maneuvering instructions from controller 202 to control each individual activator unit 208 separately from other activator units 208. Control unit 202 further connects electrically to multiple actuator units 208 by respective multiple select cables 206 to select a particular actuator unit 208 from other activator units 208.

In antenna apparatus 100 multiple actuator units 108-108n are powered electrically by power supply unit (PSU 114) via respective multiple power lines 106-106n. However, in antenna apparatus 200, multiple actuator units 208 are powered pneumatically by air pump 204 via air line 206. Air line 206 is connected commonly to actuators 208. Antenna panel units 110 and/ or components (not shown) in each of antenna panel units 1 10 are enabled under control of control unit 202 to be moved or tilted by a respective actuator 208. An actuator 208 or an actuator 108 may be located in and antenna panel 110. Actuators 108/ 208 in general may provide a linear motion or a rotational motion to antenna panel units 110 or inside antenna panel units 110.

In sum, both antenna apparatus 100 and antenna apparatus 200, therefore, provide a separate control signal and a selection of a specific antenna panel unit 110 to receive and utilize a maneuvering power. Whereas the other antenna panel units 110 and other components in antenna panel units 110 may be controlled by control unit 102 to not utilize the maneuvering power. The maneuvering power to actuators 108 and 208 as shown In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are electrical power or pneumatic power respectively. Other sources of maneuvering powers may be hydraulic or magnetic for example.

Reference is also made to FIG. 3A, which shows a plan view 300a and end view 300b of an actuator 108 attached to an antenna panel unit 110, in accordance with some embodiments. Antenna panel unit 110 may include multiple antenna components Cl, C2 and C3. Antenna components Cl, C2 and C3 may be multiple phase shifters. The phase shifters may be analogue phase shifters or digital phase shifters. Antenna components Cl, C2 and C3 may be multiple analogue or digital phase shifter antennas. Antenna components Cl, C2 and C3 may for example be reflective, driven and directive elements of an antenna for example.

Actuator 108 and/or 208(not shown) is shown coupled to provide a rotational movement to antenna panel unit 110. Antenna panel 110 is therefore, rotational with a rotation R3 in the X, Y plane around the Z-axis. The rotation R3 with respect to the X-axis (designated as zero degrees) when anti clockwise is at angle +b. The rotation R3 with respect to the X-axis when clockwise is at angle -b. For example if component C3 is fixed to antenna panel 110, rotation R3 of antenna panel unit 110 will also rotate component C3 with rotation R3 in the X, Y plane around the Z axis.

Plan view 300a also shows a component C2 movably attached to an actuator 108a. Actuator 108a is included and mounted inside antenna panel unit 110. Component C2 is therefore, rotational with a rotation R2 in the X, Y plane around the Z-axis. If antenna panel unit 110 is in fixed in position as shown, the rotation R2 with respect to the X axis (designated as zero degrees) when anti clockwise is at the same angle +b and the rotation R2 with respect to the X axis when clockwise is at the same angle -b. If antenna panel unit 110 is not fixed to frame 112, rotations R2 and R3 around the Z-axis may be at another ± angle and at angle ±b respectively. Both of another ± angle and angle ±b are with respect to the X-axis. Rotations R2 and R3 around the Z-axis to enable a tilt of each component Cl, C2 and C3 in an antenna panel unit 110 may be independent of each other. Further, the tilt may be independent of the movement of other antenna panel units 110 and/or other components Cl, C2 and C3 in other antenna panel units 110.

Plan view 300a further shows a component Cl movably attached to an actuator 108c. Actuator 108c is included and mounted inside antenna panel unit 110. Component Cl is therefore, rotational with a rotation R1 in the X, Z plane around the Y-axis. The rotation R1 with respect to the X axis (designated as zero degrees) when anti clockwise is at the same angle +a and the rotation R2 with respect to the X axis when clockwise is at the same angle -a as shown by view 304a.

Rotations Rl, R2 and R3 to enable atilt of each component Cl, C2 and C3 in an antenna panel unit 110 may be independent of each other. Further, the tilt is independent of the movement of other antenna panel units 110 and/or other components Cl, C2 and C3 in other antenna panel units 110.

Reference is also made to FIG. 3B, which shows a plan view 302a of an actuator 108 attached to an antenna panel unit 110, a partial side view 302b of an actuator 108 and components Cl, C2 and C3 attached to and included in an antenna panel unit 110, in accordance with some embodiments. Actuator 108 and/or 208(not shown) is shown coupled to provide a linear movement LI to antenna panel unit 110.

Antenna panel unit 110 is therefore, movable with the linear movement LI in parallel with the Z-axis. Where antenna panel 110 is fixed to frame 112, component C3 can receive linear movement LI. Plan view 302a also shows a component C2 movably attached to an actuator 108b. Actuator 108b is included and mounted inside antenna panel unit 110. Component C2 is therefore, movable with the linear movement L2 in parallel with the Z-axis. Linear movements L2 and L3 around the Z-axis enable a tilt of each component Cl, C2 and C3 in an antenna panel unit 110 which may be independent of each other. Further, the tilt is independent of the movement of other antenna panel units 110 and/or other components Cl, C2 and C3 in other antenna panel units 110.

Plan view 302a and partial side view 302b further show component Cl movably attached to an actuator 108c. Actuator 108c is included and mounted inside antenna panel unit 110. Component Cl is therefore, moved or tilted with a linear motion LI in the Y, Z plane around the Z-axis. Linear movements LI, L2 and L3 enable a tilt or movement of each component Cl, C2 and C3 in an antenna panel unit 110, which may be independent of each other. Further, the tilt or movement is independent of the movement of other antenna panel units 110 and/or other components Cl, C2 and C3 in other antenna panel units 110.

Reference is also made to FIG. 4, which shows a drawing of a base station 400, in accordance with some embodiments. Base station 400 includes a mast 42 mounted to base or platform 44. Transceiver 40 connects to antenna apparatus 100 or antenna apparatus 200 (not shown) by a coaxial cable 46. Antenna apparatus 100 may be movably mounted to mast 42 and is shown mounted at the apex of mast 42. Relative to the X-axis antenna apparatus 100 may be rotated about the apex by an angle d to track satellite SI that may be in a moving orbit. The angle d may therefore be a reference to the amount of tilt required for antenna apparatus 100. A possible location of where antenna apparatus 100 is tilted to is shown by dashed line. Antenna panel unit l lOe may be directed to satellite S2 at an angle y independently of other antenna panel units 100, whereas another antenna panel 110 is shown directed to satellite SI at angle d. A movement of a new position of satellite S2 from point p i to p2. The new position of satellite S2 at p2 enclosed and indicated by a dotted line around satellite S2.

Therefore, according to embodiments above described above, a tilt of an antenna panel unit 100 is independently controlled and selected from other antenna panel units 100. Further, linear movements (LI, L2, L3) and rotations (Rl, R2, R3), and a combination thereof, may enable a tilt of each component Cl, C2 and C3 in an antenna panel unit 110. The tilt may be independent of each Cl, C2 and C3 in the antenna panel unit 110. When an antenna panel unit 100 includes multiple components of the same type, linear movement L3 or rotation R3 to components C3 may be from actuator 108. Components C3 may have their own separate actuator 108, which is separately controllable to provide separate linear movement L3 or rotation R3 to each component C3.

Reference is also made to FIG. 5, which shows a flow chart drawing of a method 500, method 500 may be applied, to antenna apparatuses 100/ 200, in accordance with some embodiments. In the description, which follows, by way of non-limiting example, reference is made to base station 400. From herein onwards, descriptions reference antenna apparatus 100 for sake of brevity but may equally apply to antenna apparatus 200 unless stated otherwise.

At step 500, multiple instructions to maneuver antenna apparatus 100 are computed by a control algorithm of controller 102, thereby providing a control loop for antenna apparatus 100. The control loop may be an open or a closed control loop. The closed control loop may utilize a feedback used to make decisions about changes to the control signal that drives antenna apparatus 100. The control signal may include on-off or proportional control signals. However, derivative and/or integral signals may be added to improve response of antenna apparatus 100 with respect to accuracy of position of antenna apparatus 100 relative to positions of satellite SI and satellite S2 at point pi or point p2. In step 500, the feedback in the closed control loop, may for example, be responsive to received signal strength of satellite S2 so that the tilt of antenna apparatus 100 may be tilted at angle d which maximizes signal strength received by transceiver 40.

Further, in step 500, in terms of the plane of the Z-axis and the X-axis, antenna panel unit 1 lOe may be independently rotated from the other antenna panels 110 by use of actuator 108. The reason for the use of actuator 108 is that satellite S2 has moved form point pi to point p2, so that angle y now equals angle d. However, with respect to the plane of the Y-axis and the Z-axis, component C2 may be less laterally displaced in the plane at point p2 compared to point pi. Therefore, yet further in step 500, calculations may be made so that actuator 108b may be utilized to provide lateral movement L2 to component C2. Lateral movement L2 to component C2 compensates for the movement of satellite S2 from pi to p2. Therefore, component C2 may be further tilted to maximize signal strength received by transceiver 40. Further, the feedback in the closed control loop, for example, may be responsive to the standing wave ratio (SWR) of a signal transmitted from transceiver 40 by an active element of antenna panel unit 1 lOe. A further lateral or rotational movement under control of the control algorithm applied to component C2, may adjust the electrical length of the active element responsive to achieving a lower SWR of the signal transmitted from transceiver 40.

At step 502, the multiple instructions to maneuver antenna apparatus 100 calculated in step 500, may be transmitted over common communication cable 104. So that for example, a tilt of a panel unit 100 is independently controlled and selected from other antenna panel units 100. Further, linear movements (LI, L2, L3) and rotations (Rl, R2, R3), and a combination thereof, may enable a tilt of each component Cl, C2 and C3 in an antenna panel unit 110. The tilt may be independent of each Cl, C2 and C3 in the antenna panel unit 110. When an antenna panel unit 100 includes multiple components of the same type, linear movement L3 or rotation R3 to components C3 may be from actuator 108. Components C3 may have their own separate actuator 108, which is separately controllable to provide separate linear movement L3 or rotation R3 to each component C3. Further, by way of example in step 502, it is also possible to electrically steer the beam direction radiated from antenna panel unit 100 or a radio frequency (RF) signal received by switching the antenna elements of antenna panel unit 100 or by changing the relative phases of the RF signals driving the antennae element. For example, with respect to electrical steering, antennas in antenna panel unit 100 may often include phase shifters for adjusting the phase of signals supplied to or received from radiating elements of an antenna in antenna panel unit 100. Adjustment of phase of signals may be used for electrically steering of beam angle of signals, to provide an electrical tilt to the antenna elements in antenna panel unit 100, for example.

Descriptions of the figures that follow include further details of step 502 and how adjustment of phase of signals may be used for electrically steering of beam angle of signals, to provide an electrical tilt to the antenna elements in antenna panel unit 100, for example.

Reference is also made to FIG. 6, which shows a drawing of a base station, in accordance with some embodiments. The base station includes a mast 42 mounted to base or platform 44 parallel to the Z-axis. Transceiver 40 connects to antenna apparatus 100 or antenna apparatus 200 (not shown) by a coaxial cable (not shown). Antenna apparatus 100 may be movably mounted to mast 42 and/or fixed to mast 42. Antenna apparatus 100 includes antenna elements that allow for adjustment of phase of signals to steer electrically a beam angle of signals transmitted from antenna apparatus 100. The upward and downward electrical steering of two beams BD1 and BD2 are shown by arrow 60. Beams BD1 and BD2 are shown electrically tilted to the positions of persons PR1 and PR2 respectively. Where person PR2 requires a lower electrical tilt of antenna apparatus. Lateral displacement of beams BD1 and BD2 in the XY plane may be made by further beam steering of signals and/ or by mechanical tilting as described in descriptions above.

Reference is also made to FIG. 7, which shows a plan drawing of a phase shifter 70, in accordance with some embodiments. Phase shifter 70 is an example of a rotary movement type of phase shifter, with parts mounted to plate 70. The rotary movement applied to phase shifter 70 may be from actuator 108 that supply rotations Rl, R2 and R3 as described above. The amount of rotation being under control of a control algorithm of control unit 102. The rotary movement in that rotary arm AR1 rotates about point P, shown by double arrow Ral. Rotary arm AR1 includes two radial arms where one radial arm is shorter than the other radial arm. The shorter radial arm terminate with wiper contact WC2 and the longer arm with wiper contact WC1. Wiper contacts WC2 and WC1 electrically contact to feed traces F2 and FI respectively. Input port IP1 electrically connects to output port OP1 via feed trace FI. Input port IP2 electrically connects to output port OP4 via feed trace F2. Output ports OP2 and OP3 electrically connect to the center point of arm AR1 via respective feed traces F4 and F3. By way of example, a signal path length PL1 is shown in solid white line between input port IP1 and output ports OP2 and OP3. If arm AR 1 is turned left towards input port IP1 to where the dashed line DL1 is, signal path length PL1 is shortened but the signal path between input port IP2 and output ports OP2 and OP3 is lengthened. If arm AR1 is turned right towards output port OP1 to where the dashed line DL2 is, signal path length PL1 is lengthened but the path between input port IP2 and output ports OP2 and OP3 is shortened. The alteration of the signal path lengths between output and input ports of phase shifter 70 allow for adjustment of phases of signals from input ports to output ports. The adjustment of phases of signals are used to steer electrically beam angle of beams BD1 and BD2 transmitted from antenna apparatus 100 for example.

Reference is also made to FIG. 8, which shows a plan drawing of a phase shifter 800, in accordance with some embodiments. Phase shifter 800 is an example of a linear movement type of phase shifter, with parts mounted to plate 89. Phase shifter 800 includes multiple feed traces FI, F2 and F3 in a lower portion of phase shifter 800 which are mounted to plate 89. The lower portion includes auxiliary power dividers 84, 86 and 88. In the middle of phase shifter 800 is main power divider 82. The upper portion of phase shifter 800 includes feed traces F4, F5 and F6 which are symmetrical to feed traces FI, F2 and F3. The upper portion therefore includes similar auxiliary power dividers like auxiliary power dividers 84, 86 and 88.

Underneath feed traces FI, F2 and F3 and main power divider 82 is a dielectric substrate 80. The underside of dielectric 80 is mounted to linear slides 87 (shown by dashed lines) that are mounted to plate 89. Dielectric 80 is therefore, linearly moveable up and down in parallel underneath feed traces FI, F2 and F3, main power divider 82 and feed traces F4, F5 and F6 as shown by double arrow LI. The presence or absence of dielectric substrate 80 under the feedlines in general shortens or lengthens the electrical length of the feedlines and hence the phases of the signals in the feed lines. The alteration of the electrical length therefore, allows for adjustment of phases of signals in the upper and lower portions of phase shifter 800. The adjustment of phases of signals are used to steer electrically beam angle of beams BD1 and BD2 transmitted from antenna apparatus 100 for example. The linear movement applied to phase shifter 800 may be from actuator 108 that supplies linear movements LI, L2 and L3 as described above. Reference is also made to FIG. 9A, which shows a side schematic view of power splits at nodes N and path lengths PL of phase shifter 800 electrically connected to antenna apparatus 100, in accordance with some embodiments. NodeNl is a first split of the main power of signal S by use of main power divider 82 and auxiliary power divider 88 for the lower portion of phase shifter 800 and similarly for the upper portion. Dielectric 80 is located substantially central with respect to the upper and lower portion of phase shifter 800 and main power divider 82 so that path length PL4 is the same length as path length PL1. A second split of power is at node N2 with use of auxiliary power dividers 84 and 86 and similarly at node N6 for the upper portion of phase shifter 800. Power shifter 800 connects electrically to multiple antennas in antenna apparatus 100 at nodes N7 and N5 in the upper portion and nodes N3 and N4 in the lower portion. Again with dielectric 80 located substantially central, path length PL5 is the same as path length PL2 and path length PL3 is the same as path length PL6. The equal paths lengths and phases means that beam BM1 is emitted parallel to antenna apparatus 100 and perpendicular to line 91.

Reference is also made to FIG. 9B, which shows a side schematic view of power splits at nodes N and path lengths PL of phase shifter 800 electrically connected to antenna apparatus 100, in accordance with some embodiments. The side schematic view is because of moving dielectric 80 into the lower portion of phase shifter 800. Whilst power may be equally split at each node N, linear movement LI applied to place dielectric 80 into the lower portion of phase shifter 800 alters electrical length and phase of each path length. Consequently, compared to FIG 9A, in the lower portion, path lengths PL4’, PL5’ and PL6’ are longer than respective path lengths PL4, PL5 and PL6. In the upper portion path lengths PLF and PL2’ are shorter than respective path lengths PL1 and PL2 and path length PL3’ is shorter than respective path length PL3. The unequal path lengths means that beam BML is emitted tilted down at angle f and is an example of an electrical tilt using linear movement. Movement of dielectric 80 into upper portion of phase shifter 800 means that beam BML is emitted tilted up.

Reference is also made to FIG. 10, which shows a plan drawing of a phase shifter 1000 attached to an antenna system 1001, in accordance with some embodiments. The antenna system includes connector Coni to provide a signal input SI to phase shifter 1000. Phase shifter 1000 includes multiple feed traces and a linear movement of dielectric 80 and multiple feed network outputs Fnl-Fni. Multiple power dividers 11 are electrically connected to two dipoles 10 and to respective feed network outputs Fnl-Fni. Movement of dielectric substrate 80 causes a left lateral electrical tilt to beam BM2 as shown. Further lateral movement of dielectric 80 may make beam BM2 perpendicular to the horizontal side of antenna system 1001. Yet further movement of dielectric substrate 80 causes a right lateral electrical tilt to beam BM2. The linear movement applied to phase shifter 1000 may be from actuator 108 that supply linear movements LI, L2 and L3 as described above.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application many relevant technologies will be developed and the scope of the term of this application is intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

As used herein the term “about” refers to ± 10 %.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", “having” and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to". This term encompasses the terms "consisting of and "consisting essentially of.

The phrase "consisting essentially of means that the composition or method may include additional ingredients and/or steps, but only if the additional ingredients and/or steps do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition or method.

As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

The word “optionally” is used herein to mean “is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments”. Any particular embodiment of the disclosure may include a plurality of “optional” features unless such features conflict.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this disclosure may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

It is appreciated that certain features of the disclosure, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the disclosure, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the disclosure. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

It is the intent of the applicant(s) that all publications, patents and patent applications referred to in this specification are to be incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually noted when referenced that it is to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting. In addition, any priority document(s) of this application is/are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its/their entirety.

Claims

1. An antenna apparatus, comprising: a plurality of actuator units; a plurality of antenna panel units each movably coupled to one of the plurality of actuator units; a central control unit adapted to transmit separate maneuvering instructions to each of the plurality of actuator units via a common communication cable; and a power source directly and independently powering each of the plurality of actuator units via a different power cable.

2. The antenna apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antenna panel units are a plurality of phase shifters.

3. The antenna apparatus of any of the previous claims, wherein the plurality of actuator units are a plurality of Memory metal alloy (SMA) drives.

4. The antenna apparatus of any of the previous claims, wherein the plurality of antenna panel units are parallel to one another.

5. The antenna apparatus of any of the previous claims, wherein the plurality of antenna panel units are supported by a common structure frame.

6. The antenna apparatus of any of the previous claims, further comprising an air pump fluidly coupled to an air valve at each of the plurality of actuator units for separately and controllably providing maneuvering power to each of the plurality of antenna panel units.

7. The antenna apparatus of any of the previous claims, wherein some of the plurality of antenna panel units comprise digital phase shifter antennas others of the plurality of antenna panel units comprise analog phase shifter antennas.

8. A method of operating an antenna apparatus, comprising: a control unit computing at least one transmission comprising a plurality of maneuvering instructions messages; transmitting the at least one transmission over a common communication cable to control a plurality of actuator units each movably coupled to one of a plurality of antenna panel units; wherein the plurality of maneuvering instructions messages comprises maneuvering instructions to tilt at least some of the plurality of antenna panel units at different angles or to shift differently a phase of at least some of plurality of antenna panel units.