WO2024088178A1 - Phase shifter and base station antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application provides a phase shifter and a base station antenna. The phase shifter comprises a fixed line and a moving component movably provided relative to the fixed line, and further comprises a dielectric element. The dielectric element is located on a moving path of the moving component, and in a moving process of the moving component, the dielectric element and the moving component are independent of each other or overlapped. The phase shifter has a phase shift state and a detection state. In the phase shift state, the dielectric element and the moving component are independent of each other; and in the detection state, the dielectric element and the moving component are overlapped, and the detection state is used for detecting the correctness of cable connection of an input port of the phase shifter. According to the phase shifter and the base station antenna provided by the present application, the dielectric element is provided and the phase shifter has the phase shift state and the detection state, so that the correctness of cable connection of the input port can be detected, and wrong connection between a phase shifter cable and an RRU is prevented.

Description

Phase shifter and base station antenna

Related Applications

This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed on October 28, 2022, with application number 202211338292.0 and title “A Phase Shifter and Base Station Antenna”, the entire text of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a phase shifter and a base station antenna.

Background technique

With the development of mobile communication technology, 4G and 5G fusion antennas are the development trend of communication networks. The wavelength of electromagnetic waves in some frequency bands is too long, which will make the radiation unit of the antenna too large and difficult to support large-scale array antennas. Therefore, in the entire 5G network structure, there will still be a combination of baseband processing unit (Building Base band Unit, BBU) + radio remote unit (Radio Remote Unit, RRU) + traditional antenna.

The phase shifter is a key component in the antenna. It can control the relative phase change between the antenna radiating units and adjust the downtilt angle of the array antenna radiation beam. The phase shifter is connected to the RRU through cables. The cable layout of the multi-frequency antenna is complex. The multiple phase shifters in the array antenna are connected to the RRU through multiple cables, which is prone to connection errors.

Summary of the invention

The present disclosure provides a phase shifter and a base station antenna, which can solve the problem of complex cable layout of multi-frequency antennas in related technologies. Multiple phase shifters in an array antenna are connected to an RRU via multiple cables, which is prone to connection errors. The detection of phase shifter cable connections can be achieved.

The present disclosure provides a phase shifter, comprising: a fixed circuit and a moving component movably arranged relative to the fixed circuit, wherein the fixed circuit and the moving component form a phase shift unit, and further comprising a dielectric element, wherein the dielectric element is located on a moving path of the moving component, and during the movement of the moving component, the dielectric element and the moving component are independent of each other or overlap each other;

The phase shifter has a phase shift state and a detection state; in the phase shift state, the dielectric element and the moving part are independent of each other; in the detection state, there is an overlap between the dielectric element and the moving part, and the detection state is used to detect the correctness of the cable connection of the input port of the phase shifter.

Optionally, the fixed line is provided with a plurality of, and correspondingly, the moving part is provided with a plurality of, the plurality of fixed lines The phase shifting units are formed in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of moving parts, and at least one dielectric element is provided, and the at least one dielectric element corresponds to the same number of moving parts in a one-to-one correspondence.

Optionally, the moving path of the moving component is a straight line, and the at least one dielectric element is arranged at a starting position or an end position of the moving path of the moving component.

Optionally, the moving component is U-shaped, and includes two opposite coupling parts and a connecting part connected between the two coupling parts. In the detection state, the dielectric element overlaps with the connecting part.

Optionally, the fixed circuit is a stripline structure, the stripline structure is provided on a dielectric substrate, the fixed circuit includes a first stripline and a second stripline provided on both sides of the dielectric substrate, and the dielectric element is provided on one side or both sides of the dielectric substrate.

Optionally, the phase shifter also includes a detection system, the detection system includes a first detection module, the first detection module is arranged at the input port of the phase shifter, and is used to detect the real-time standing wave value and/or the real-time Smith chart value of the input port, and the detection system determines the correctness of the cable connection at the phase shifter input port based on the real-time standing wave value and/or the real-time Smith chart value.

Optionally, the detection system is used to determine that the input port cable is correctly connected if the real-time standing wave value is greater than a preset standing wave value and/or the real-time Smith chart value is greater than a preset Smith chart value in the detection state.

Optionally, the detection system also includes a second detection module, which is used to detect the real-time downtilt angle of the phase shifter. The detection system is used to determine that the input port of the phase shifter is correctly connected in the detection state if the real-time standing wave value is greater than a preset standing wave value, and/or the real-time Smith chart value is greater than a preset Smith chart value, and the real-time downtilt angle is consistent with the preset downtilt angle.

Optionally, the detection system further comprises an alarm device, and the alarm device is used to alarm when it is determined that the input port of the phase shifter is incorrectly connected.

The present disclosure also provides a base station antenna, comprising the above-mentioned phase shifter.

The phase shifter and base station antenna provided by the present disclosure are provided with a dielectric element so that the phase shifter has a phase shift state and a detection state. Thus, in the phase shift state, the dielectric element will not interfere with the phase shift adjustment of the moving part, thereby ensuring that the downtilt angle of the antenna is adjustable. In the detection state, the dielectric element covers at least part of the moving part, which causes the impedance mismatch of the phase shifter to generate greater reflected energy. The correctness of the input port cable connection can be detected through the increased reflected energy, thereby preventing the phase shifter cable from being incorrectly connected to the RRU.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the following drawings required to be used in the embodiment are described as follows: A brief introduction. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a first configuration of a phase shifter provided by the present disclosure;

FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a phase shifting unit provided by the present disclosure;

FIG3 is a first schematic diagram of a moving process of a moving component provided by the present disclosure;

FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a Smith chart of a phase shifter provided by the present disclosure in a phase shift state and a detection state;

FIG5 is a schematic diagram of standing wave curves of the phase shifter provided by the present disclosure in a phase shift state and a detection state;

FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a detection system provided by the present disclosure;

FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a second configuration of a phase shifter provided by the present disclosure;

FIG8 is a second schematic diagram of the moving process of the moving component provided by the present disclosure;

FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a third configuration of a phase shifter provided by the present disclosure;

FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a fourth configuration of a phase shifter provided by the present disclosure;

FIG11 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a phase shifter provided by the present disclosure having a microstrip line structure;

FIG12 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a phase shifter provided by the present disclosure having a stripline structure;

FIG13 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a phase shifter provided by the present disclosure having a stripline structure;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a base station antenna provided in the present disclosure.

Reference numerals:

10: dielectric substrate; 20: feeder line; 201: main power divider; B: dielectric element; B1: dielectric element at the first position; B2: dielectric element at the second position; C: moving part; C1: first moving part; C2: second moving part; g1: first fixed line; g11: first line; g12: second line; g2: second fixed line; C11: first coupling part; C12: second coupling part; C13: connection part; 1a: Smith chart in phase shift state; 2a: Smith chart in detection state when the fixed line is a stripline structure and a dielectric element is provided on one side of the dielectric substrate; 3a: The fixed line is a stripline structure 1a: Smith chart in the detection state when the fixed line is a stripline structure and dielectric elements are respectively arranged on both sides of the dielectric substrate; 1b: Standing wave curve in the phase shift state; 2b: Standing wave curve in the detection state when the fixed line is a stripline structure and dielectric elements are respectively arranged on one side of the dielectric substrate; 3b: Standing wave curve in the detection state when the fixed line is a stripline structure and dielectric elements are respectively arranged on both sides of the dielectric substrate; 30: Detection system; 21: Microstrip line structure; 22: Stripline structure; 40: Metal stratum; 50: Cavity; 60: Radiating unit array; 101: First phase shifter; 102: Second phase shifter; 103: Third phase shifter; 104: Fourth phase shifter.

Detailed ways

In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure more clear, the present disclosure will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The technical solutions in the disclosure are clearly and completely described. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the disclosure, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the disclosure.

In the description of the present application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present application, "plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

The phase shifter and base station antenna provided by the present disclosure are described below in conjunction with Figures 1 to 14.

Referring to Fig. 1, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a phase shifter, which includes: a fixed line and a moving component C that is movably arranged relative to the fixed line, wherein the fixed line and the moving component C form a phase shift unit. Through the movement of the moving component C, the moving component C will be displaced relative to the fixed line, thereby changing the transmission phase, playing the role of phase shifting to adjust the downtilt angle.

Furthermore, the phase shifter further comprises a dielectric element B, and the dielectric element B is located on the moving path of the moving component C, that is, when the moving component moves to a certain extent, the dielectric element may overlap with the moving component.

During the movement of the moving part C, the dielectric element B and the moving part C may be independent of each other or may overlap; accordingly, the phase shifter has a phase shift state and a detection state. In the phase shift state, the dielectric element B is independent of the moving part C; independence means that there is no overlap between the dielectric element and the moving part.

In the detection state, there is an overlap between the dielectric element B and the moving component C. In the detection state, the correctness of the cable connection of the input port of the phase shifter can be detected.

The phase shifter can be in a phase shift state and a detection state. During the movement of the moving component C, the moving component C and the dielectric element B are independent of each other and do not interfere with each other, and the phase shifter is in a phase shift state; in the phase shift state, the moving component C can move normally relative to the fixed line to adjust the phase shift, ensuring that the downtilt angle of the antenna is adjustable. During the movement of the moving component C, there is an overlap between the moving component C and the dielectric element B, and the phase shifter is in a detection state; in the detection state, the projections of the dielectric element B and the moving component C on the setting surface of the fixed line overlap, and the dielectric element B covers at least part of the moving component C.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the phase shifter is in the detection state, the moving component C will cause the characteristic impedance to decrease due to the overlap with the dielectric element B, so that the phase shifter will have an impedance mismatch, and the reflected energy of the phase shift unit will increase. Specifically, when the phase shifter is in the detection state, if it is detected that the reflected energy increases, it can be determined that the cable connection of the phase shifter input port is correct; if it is not detected that the reflected energy increases, it can be determined that the cable connection of the phase shifter input port is wrong.

The phase shifter provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure sets a dielectric element so that the dielectric element and the moving part can be independent of each other or overlap each other, so that in the phase shift state, the dielectric element will not interfere with the phase shift adjustment of the moving part, and the downtilt angle of the antenna can be adjusted. In the detection state, the dielectric element covers at least part of the moving part, which will cause the impedance mismatch of the phase shifter to increase the reflected energy. Then, the correctness of the input port cable connection can be determined by detecting the increase in reflected energy, thereby preventing the phase shifter cable from being incorrectly connected to the RRU.

According to some embodiments of the present application, a plurality of fixed circuits are provided in the phase shifter, and correspondingly, a plurality of the moving parts C are provided, and the plurality of fixed circuits correspond one-to-one with the plurality of the moving parts C to form a plurality of the phase shifting units; at least one dielectric element B is provided, and the at least one dielectric element B corresponds one-to-one with the same number of the moving parts C. For example, when there is one dielectric element B, one dielectric element B corresponds to one moving part C, and the dielectric element B is provided on the moving path of the moving part C, and can be independent of or overlapped with the moving part C.

When multiple dielectric elements B are provided, for example, when two dielectric elements B are provided, the two dielectric elements B correspond to the two moving parts C one by one, each dielectric element B is provided on the moving path of the corresponding moving part C, and each dielectric element B and the corresponding moving part C can be independent of each other or overlap. When any dielectric element B overlaps with the corresponding moving part C, it can be detected whether the input port cable connection is correct.

Referring to Figure 1, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the phase shifter includes two movable parts C, namely a first movable part C1 and a second movable part C2. The phase shifter includes a feeder circuit 20, and the feeder circuit 20 includes: a main power divider 201, a first fixed circuit g1, a second fixed circuit g2, an input port Pin, a first output port P1, a second output port P2 and a third output port P3. The second output port P2 is a non-phase-shifted port that does not produce a phase change. In practical applications, the second output port P2 can be removed according to the requirements of the array antenna, and only two phase-shifted output ports, namely P1 and P3, can be set. The first movable part C1 and the first fixed circuit g1 constitute a first phase shift unit, and the second movable part C2 and the second fixed circuit g2 constitute a second phase shift unit.

The first moving component C1 and the second moving component C2 can be connected to a transmission device (not shown in FIG. 1 ). Driven by the transmission device, the moving component C can move along the first direction and the second direction shown in FIG. 1 , and the first direction is opposite to the second direction. In this embodiment, the moving component C1 is taken as an example, and the moving component C1 is symmetrically arranged along the dotted line shown in FIG. 2 , and the symmetry axis of the moving component C1 is parallel to the first direction; when the moving component C1 moves along the first direction or the second direction, the physical length from the port P11 to the port P12 changes, and the transmission phase changes accordingly.

FIG3 is a first schematic diagram of the moving process of the moving part provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3, the phase shifter is in three states: A01, B01 and C01. The phase shifter is in a phase shifting state, i.e., a working state, from state A01 to state B01. From state B01 to state C01 is the detection state.

In the A01 state, the first movable component C1 of the phase shifter is at the D10 position, at which time the phase shifter is set to the initial position of the working state, and the electrical downtilt angle of the antenna is the smallest. Exemplarily, the downtilt angle of the array antenna is 2 degrees.

In the B01 state, the first movable part C1 of the phase shifter is at the D11 position. At this time, the phase shifter is set to the end position of the working state, and the electrical downtilt angle of the antenna is the largest. For example, the downtilt angle of the array antenna is 12 degrees. In other words, the phase shifter is at the initial position of the detection state at this time.

In the C01 state, the dielectric element B1 in the first position covers a portion of the second movable component C2.

From state A01 to state B01, the travel of the moving part C1 is set to D1. In this travel, the two moving parts are not covered by the dielectric element, the impedance matching effect of the phase shifter is good, and the reflection of the phase shifter to the transmission energy is low. From state B01 to state C01, the travel of the moving part C1 is set to D2. In this travel, the second moving part C2 is partially covered by the dielectric element B1 in the first position, and the covered area gradually increases. After the second moving part C2 is partially covered by the dielectric element, the characteristic impedance changes. This travel process can be used to detect the correctness of the input port cable connection.

It can be seen that [D10, D11] is the working state of the phase shifter, ensuring that the downtilt angle of the antenna is adjustable. [D11, D12] is the detection state of the phase shifter. In this stroke, the impedance mismatch can detect and ensure the accuracy of the input signal. In this embodiment, when the antenna works at the minimum downtilt angle, the moving part moves along the first direction. After moving a certain distance, the second moving part C2 is gradually covered by the dielectric element, and the phase shifter begins to implement the detection function.

Further, as shown in FIG1 , in this embodiment, the symmetry axes of the first movable component C1 and the second movable component C2 are on a straight line. That is, the moving paths of the multiple movable components C are on a straight line. The phase changes of the first output port P1 and the third output port P3 are equal and opposite. For example, if the phase change of the first output port P1 is 150°, the phase change of the second output port P3 is -150°. This setting facilitates the setting of the transmission device, that is, it is convenient to drive the two movable components C to move at the same time through a transmission device. In other embodiments, the moving paths of the multiple movable components C may not be on a straight line, and there is no specific limitation.

According to some embodiments of the present application, the moving path of the moving part C of the phase shifter is a straight line, and the dielectric element B is arranged at the starting position or the end position of the moving path of the moving part C. This arrangement is conducive to better distinguishing the phase shift state and the detection state, thereby realizing the two action processes of phase shift adjustment and detection.

1 and 3 , in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the dielectric element B1 at the first position is arranged at the end position of the moving path of the second moving component C2, that is, the dielectric element arranged at the end position of the moving path of the moving component C2 is the dielectric element B1 at the first position, and the dielectric element B1 at the first position overlaps with the moving component C2 at the end position of the movement of the moving component C2.

7 and 8, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the dielectric element B2 at the second position is arranged at the starting position of the moving path of the first moving component C01, that is, the dielectric element arranged at the starting position of the moving path of the moving component C01 is the dielectric element B2 at the second position, and the dielectric element B2 at the second position is at the starting position of the moving path of the moving component C01 and at the same position as the moving component C01. Overlapping, as the moving component C01 moves, the medium element B2 and the moving component C01 will be independent of each other.

Optionally, the first position is an end position of a moving path of the corresponding moving component, and the second position is a starting position of a moving path of the corresponding moving component.

According to some embodiments of the present application, the moving part C of the phase shifter is U-shaped, and the moving part C includes two opposite coupling parts and a connecting part connected between the two coupling parts. In the detection state, the dielectric element B overlaps with the connecting part. Optionally, when the second moving part C2 moves to the end position of its moving path, the dielectric element B1 completely covers the connecting part of the second moving part C2. Optionally, when the moving part C01 is at the starting position of its moving path, the dielectric element B2 completely covers the connecting part of the moving part C01.

Referring to FIG1 , the first movable component C1 and the second movable component C2 in the embodiment of the present disclosure are U-shaped. Referring to FIG2 , taking the first movable component C1 as an example, the first movable component C1 includes a first coupling portion C11, a second coupling portion C12, and a connecting portion C13. As shown in the dotted box in FIG1 , the feeder circuit 20 includes a first fixed circuit g1 electrically coupled to the first movable component C1, and a second fixed circuit g2 electrically coupled to the second movable component C2. As shown in FIG2 , the first fixed circuit g1 includes a first circuit g11 and a second circuit g12. Specifically, the first circuit g11 is coupled to the first coupling portion C11, and the second circuit g12 is coupled to the second coupling portion C12. The first circuit g11 and the second circuit g22 are transmission lines arranged up and down and parallel to each other, and the lengths are generally set to be equal. The coupling principle of the second fixed circuit g2 and the second movable component C2 is the same as above.

In this embodiment, the connection part C13 of the moving part is covered, and the covering includes full coverage or partial coverage. The connection part C13 of the U-shaped moving part is very sensitive to impedance matching, and a smaller mismatch will cause a larger reflection, which is beneficial to detection. In this embodiment, the dielectric element B is arranged to cover the connection part C13 of the U-shaped moving part, which is more sensitive to impedance matching. When the dielectric element B covers the U-shaped moving part, the characteristic impedance of the connection part C13 of the U-shaped moving part is reduced, and an impedance mismatch occurs in the phase shifter. As the coverage area increases, the mismatch becomes larger. The reflected energy of the phase shifter gradually increases with the stroke, so the reflected energy of the entire phase shifter also gradually increases synchronously.

In other embodiments, a connection portion C13 of the U-shaped moving component C may be provided, and both the first coupling portion C11 and the second coupling portion C12 may be covered by the dielectric element B. The dielectric element B may also be provided to cover only the first coupling portion C11 and/or the second coupling portion C12 of the U-shaped moving component C. In the detection state, the specific overlapping portion and the size of the overlapping area of the dielectric element and the moving component may be flexibly adjusted according to requirements.

According to some embodiments of the present application, when the feeding line 20 of the phase shifter is a stripline structure 22, the stripline structure 22 is arranged on a dielectric substrate 10, the feeding line 20 includes a first stripline and a second stripline arranged on both sides of the dielectric substrate 10, and the dielectric element B is arranged on one side or both sides of the dielectric substrate 10.

The phase shifter provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure may be set as a microstrip line structure or a stripline structure containing a cavity. As shown in FIG11 , when the feeding line of the phase shifter in the embodiment of the present disclosure is set as a microstrip line structure 21, the microstrip line structure 21 is arranged on a dielectric substrate 10. The dielectric substrate 10 is copper-clad on both sides, and one side is the microstrip line structure 21. The microstrip line structure 21, the dielectric substrate 10 and the metal ground layer 40 together constitute a microstrip line feed line. The microstrip line structure 21, the dielectric substrate 10 and the metal ground layer 40 can be formed by a printed circuit board (PCB) process. A moving part C is provided above the microstrip line structure 21, and a dielectric element B is provided above the moving part C. The dielectric element B is provided on one side of the dielectric substrate 10 where the microstrip line structure 21 is provided; and can be located on the side of the moving part C away from the dielectric substrate 10.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the feed line of the phase shifter in the embodiment of the present disclosure is set as a stripline structure 22. The stripline structure 22 can be set on the dielectric substrate 10, or the stripline structure 22 can be a metal sheet metal stripline structure. Wherein, when the stripline structure 22 is set on the dielectric substrate 10, the phase shifter also includes a cavity 50, the cavity 50 is pultruded, and the dielectric substrate 10 is double-sided copper clad. The stripline structure 22 on one side of the dielectric substrate 10 is a first stripline, and the stripline structure 22 on the other side of the dielectric substrate 10 is a second stripline. The first stripline and the second stripline are symmetrically arranged about the dielectric substrate, and the two are connected up and down through metallized vias (metallized vias, not shown in FIG. 12 ).

The dielectric substrate 10 and the stripline structures 22 on both sides together constitute a stripline feeder circuit. A moving component C is provided on one or both sides of the dielectric substrate 10. As shown in FIG12 , a dielectric element B may be provided on one side of the dielectric substrate 10, and a moving component C may be provided on the side of the dielectric substrate 10 on which the dielectric element B is provided. As shown in FIG13 , dielectric elements B may also be provided on both sides of the dielectric substrate 10, and the dielectric elements B on both sides may be snap-fitted together. Accordingly, the moving component C may be provided on one or both sides of the dielectric substrate 10.

When the stripline structure 22 is a metal sheet stripline structure, the dielectric substrate 10 may not be provided. In this case, the dielectric element B may be provided on one side or both sides of the metal sheet stripline structure.

The phase shifter provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to both microstrip lines and strip lines. Microstrip line phase shifters have large losses, only one-sided floor shielding, poor shielding effect, weak anti-interference ability, and are easily interfered by surrounding electromagnetic signals. Stripline phase shifters have small losses, double-sided floor shielding, good shielding effect, and are not easily affected by surrounding electromagnetic signals. They are suitable for environments with high anti-interference requirements. The two types of phase shifters can be applied to different scenarios.

As shown in Figure 4, it is a Smith chart of the moving parts and the fixed circuit in the phase shifter under different coupling effects, that is, a Smith chart. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the phase shifter is set to a stripline structure. By comparing the Smith chart 1a in the phase shift state, the Smith chart 2a in the detection state when the fixed circuit is a stripline structure and a dielectric element is provided on one side of the dielectric substrate, and the Smith chart 3a in the detection state when the fixed circuit is a stripline structure and dielectric elements are provided on both sides of the dielectric substrate, it can be seen that no matter the dielectric element B is provided on one side of the dielectric substrate 10 or the dielectric element B is provided on both sides of the dielectric substrate 10, the Smith chart of the phase shifter in the detection state is greatly different from the Smith chart in the phase shift state.

Correspondingly, as shown in FIG5 , it is the standing wave curve of the moving part and the fixed line in the phase shifter under different coupling effects. Here, standing wave is the abbreviation of voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR). Compare the standing wave curve 1b in the phase shift state, the standing wave curve 1c in the detection state when the fixed line is a stripline structure and a dielectric element is provided on one side of the dielectric substrate, and the fixed line is a stripline structure and a dielectric element is provided on one side of the dielectric substrate. The standing wave curve state 3b in the detection state when the wave curve 2b and the fixed line are stripline structures and dielectric elements are respectively provided on both sides of the dielectric substrate. It can be seen that no matter whether the dielectric element B is provided on one side of the dielectric substrate 10 or on both sides of the dielectric substrate 10, the standing wave of the phase shifter in the detection state is greatly different from the standing wave in the phase shifting state.

As can be seen from Figures 4 and 5, the shapes of the Smith charts vary greatly under different conditions, and the values of the impedances of the input ports vary greatly. In the detection state, although the Smith chart is far away from the center of the circle, the standing wave does not become too large, which is beneficial to protecting the microwave communication equipment at the next stage. That is, the phase shifter provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure can realize both phase shifting and cable connection detection by setting a dielectric element and forming a phase shift state and a detection state, and the detection structure is also beneficial to protecting the microwave communication equipment at the next stage during detection.

As shown in FIG7 , another schematic diagram of the phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, the phase shifter includes a feeder line 20, a dielectric element B2 at the second position, a first movable part C01, a second movable part C02, a third movable part C03, and a fourth movable part C04. The feeder line includes an input port Pin, a first output port P01, a second output port P02, a third output port P03, a fourth output port P04, a fifth output port P05, and a first phase shift unit S1, a second phase shift unit S2, a third phase shift unit S3, and a fourth phase shift unit S4. In the detection state, the dielectric element B2 at the second position covers at least a portion of the first movable part C01.

Optionally, the symmetry axes of the first movable component C01, the second movable component C02, the third movable component C03 and the fourth movable component C04 are arranged on a straight line to facilitate external force driving. The ratio of the phase change of the first output port P01, the second output port P02, the third output port P03, the fourth output port P04 and the fifth output port P05 can be set to 2:1:0:-1:-2, for example. In practical applications, the phase shift ratio can be changed according to the unit spacing of the radiation element to meet the needs of beamforming, and the specific ratio is not limited.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the dielectric element is arranged between the first movable component C01 and the second movable component C02. FIG. 8 shows that the phase shifter is in three states, namely, A02, B02 and C02. The phase shifter is in the detection state from state A02 to state B02, and is in the phase shift state from state B02 to state C02, that is, the phase shifter is in the working state. The phase shifter is in the first stroke from state A02 to state B02, that is, the first movement range. Within this stroke, the first movable component C01 moves from position D20 to position D21, and the phase shifter realizes the detection function. The phase shifter is in the second stroke from state B02 to state C02. Within this stroke, the first movable component C01 moves from position D21 to position D22, and the phase shifter realizes the function of adjustable inclination.

In the first stroke, the dielectric element B2 in the second position covers at least part of the first moving part C01, the phase shifter is in a slightly mismatched state, the reflected energy of the input port Pin is large, the standing wave is high, the Smith chart is far away from the center of the circle, and the curve diverges. In the second stroke, the dielectric element B2 in the second position does not cover the first moving part C01, the phase shifter is in a normal working state, the reflected energy of the input port Pin is small, the standing wave is low, the Smith chart is close to the center of the circle, and the curve converges.

In this embodiment, the dielectric element B2 at the second position is arranged between the first movable part C01 and the second movable part C02, and may cover or not cover the first movable part C01 during the movement of the movable part. In this embodiment, the number of dielectric elements is one, namely B2. In this embodiment, when the phase shifter is at the minimum downtilt angle, the first movable part C01 is covered by the dielectric element, and as the movable part gradually moves until the movable part and the dielectric element no longer overlap, the phase shifter enters the phase shift state. This embodiment is opposite to the embodiment shown in FIG1 , and the embodiment shown in FIG1 enters the detection state at the maximum downtilt angle.

It should be noted that the phase shifter provided in the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, three phase shifting units can be respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the non-phase shifting port; in engineering applications, the number can be increased or decreased according to actual needs. The number of dielectric elements can also be set to two, and the two dielectric elements can both be dielectric elements B2 in the second position. The two dielectric elements B2 in the second position are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the first movable component C01 and the second movable component C02, as shown in FIG9. At this time, the detection states of the two dielectric elements are performed synchronously, that is, the two dielectric elements enter the detection state at the same time and leave the detection state at the same time.

Referring to Fig. 10, when two dielectric elements are provided, one dielectric element can be set as dielectric element B1 at the first position, and the other dielectric element can be set as dielectric element B2 at the second position. The first position is located in the moving path of C03. The second position is set in the moving path of C01.

In this setting, the dielectric element B2 at the second position at the minimum downtilt angle is in the detection state, and the dielectric element B1 at the first position at the maximum downtilt angle enters the detection state, so that the phase shifter has two detection states, and the cable connection detection can be performed in both detection states.

Optionally, when there are multiple dielectric elements, the detection states of the multiple dielectric elements may be synchronized or asynchronous, without specific limitation, so that the phase shifter can have two states, namely, a phase shift state and a detection state, so as to achieve phase shifting and detection.

According to the phase shifter of some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 6, the phase shifter also includes a detection system 30, the detection system 30 includes a first detection module, the first detection module is arranged at the input port of the phase shifter, and is used to detect the real-time standing wave value and/or the real-time Smith chart value of the input port. The detection system determines the correctness of the cable connection of the phase shifter input port according to the real-time standing wave value and/or the real-time Smith chart value.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , it can be seen that the standing wave and the Smith chart of the phase shifter will undergo significant changes in the phase shift state and the detection state. Therefore, a first detection module can be set to detect the real-time standing wave value and/or the real-time Smith chart value at the input port, and judge whether the cable connection of the input port is correct according to the change of the real-time standing wave value and/or the real-time Smith chart value. Specifically, the correctness of the input port cable connection can be judged according to the real-time standing wave value, the correctness of the input port cable connection can be judged according to the real-time Smith chart value, and the correctness of the input port cable connection can be judged according to the real-time standing wave value and the real-time Smith chart value at the same time.

According to the phase shifter of some embodiments of the present application, the detection system is used to determine that the input port cable is correctly connected if the real-time standing wave value is greater than the preset standing wave value, and/or the real-time Smith chart value is greater than the preset Smith chart value in the detection state. That is, if the cable connection of the input port is correct, when the phase shifter is in the detection state, due to impedance mismatch, a large amount of reflected energy will be generated at the input port, which will cause the standing wave and Smith chart to increase; therefore, in the detection state, if it is detected that the real-time standing wave value is greater than the preset standing wave value, and/or the real-time Smith chart value is greater than the preset Smith chart value, it can be determined that the cable connection of the input port is correct.

Furthermore, the position of the moving component in the detection state can be known in advance, and then the moving component is moved to the detection state to compare the real-time standing wave value with the preset standing wave value, and/or, compare the real-time Smith chart value with the preset Smith chart value to determine the correctness of the cable connection.

The moving component can also be moved along the entire path, that is, the moving component is moved from the starting position to the end position, and the larger real-time standing wave value and/or real-time Smith chart value when the real-time standing wave value and/or the real-time Smith chart value jumps is detected, and then the real-time standing wave value is compared with the preset standing wave value, and/or the real-time Smith chart value and the preset Smith chart value, and the correctness of the cable connection is judged according to the comparison result.

According to the phase shifter of some embodiments of the present application, the detection system also includes a second detection module, which is used to detect the real-time downtilt angle of the phase shifter. The detection system is used to determine that the input port of the phase shifter is correctly connected in the detection state if the real-time standing wave value is greater than the preset standing wave value, and/or the real-time Smith chart value is greater than the preset Smith chart value, and the real-time downtilt angle is consistent with the preset downtilt angle.

That is, this embodiment adds a comparative judgment of the downtilt angle, further improving the accuracy of the judgment of the input port cable connection. That is, based on the judgment of the standing wave value and/or the Smith chart value, it is judged whether the real-time downtilt angle in the detection state is consistent with the preset downtilt angle. When the real-time standing wave value is greater than the preset standing wave value, and/or the real-time Smith chart value is greater than the preset Smith chart value, and the real-time downtilt angle is consistent with the preset downtilt angle, it is determined that the input port of the phase shifter is correctly connected.

The real-time downtilt angle is consistent with the preset downtilt angle, that is, the difference between the real-time downtilt angle and the preset downtilt angle is within the preset threshold range. Because when the dielectric element B is set, the value of the theoretical downtilt angle when the moving component C enters the detection state can be known in advance according to the setting position. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, when entering the detection state, the theoretical downtilt angle should be near the maximum downtilt angle, and the value of the theoretical downtilt angle can be set to the preset downtilt angle. The antenna in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 does not produce mismatch near the minimum tilt angle, and the jump of the standing wave occurs near the maximum tilt angle of the antenna, or in other words, the threshold of the standing wave corresponds to the maximum downtilt angle of the antenna. However, in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, no mismatch occurs near the maximum tilt angle, and the jump of the standing wave occurs near the minimum tilt angle of the antenna, or in other words, the threshold of the standing wave corresponds to the minimum downtilt angle of the antenna.

In actual testing, when the phase shifter enters the testing state and the standing wave and Smith chart values jump, the real-time downtilt angle can be detected, and it can be determined whether the real-time downtilt angle is consistent with the preset downtilt angle, thereby determining the correctness of the cable connection. The second detection module is used to detect the downtilt angle of the antenna, and can be a scale of the electrically adjustable antenna, through which the tilt angle value can be read; the second detection module can also be other structures that can detect the antenna tilt angle, and there is no specific limitation.

According to the phase shifter of some embodiments of the present application, in the detection state, when at least one of the real-time standing wave value is less than the preset standing wave value, the real-time Smith chart value is less than the preset Smith chart value, and the difference between the real-time downtilt angle and the preset downtilt angle is greater than the preset threshold range, it is determined that the input port cable connection of the phase shifter is wrong. The detection system also includes an alarm device, which is used to alarm when it is determined that the input port of the phase shifter is connected incorrectly. The alarm device can specifically send information to the management personnel for alarm, use a signal light for alarm, or use a speaker device for sound alarm, etc., and the specific alarm method is not limited.

As shown in FIG6 , in actual use of the phase shifter provided in this embodiment, a detection system can be set at the input port. The detection system includes a first detection module, a second detection module and a memory, and the memory stores data of standing waves and/or Smith charts of the phase shifter in different states. At the same time, a determination program is set in the detection system, and the determination program can inform the engineering personnel whether there is an error in the cable connection between the antenna input port and the RRU based on the numerical range of the standing waves and/or Smith charts at the working frequency.

In actual engineering applications, the threshold of the standing wave can be preset, or the Smith chart threshold of the phase shifter is stored in a memory, and a determination program is set. Obviously, the Smith chart values in the working state and the detection state are very different. The determination program can also make a determination based on the threshold. The preset Smith chart threshold can be the value of the real part or imaginary part of the impedance of the Smith chart.

Some embodiments of the present application also provide a base station antenna, including the phase shifter described in any of the above embodiments. The base station antenna also includes a radiation unit array 60, which is connected to multiple phase shifters, which are connected to RRUs, and which are connected to BBUs. Each output port of the phase shifter is connected to one or more radiation units; and each input port of the phase shifter is connected to a radio remote unit RRU.

Furthermore, the base station antenna also includes other configuration structures of the base station, such as a shell and other structures. Other specific configurations of the base station antenna are clear to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

Referring to FIG. 14 , the radiation element array 60 of the base station antenna shown in this embodiment includes two side-by-side radiation element subarrays. Each subarray includes at least three dual-polarization or single-polarization radiation elements. Optionally, each subarray is ±45° dual-polarization. The radiation element array 60 is connected to four phase shifters, namely, a first phase shifter 101, a second phase shifter 102, a third phase shifter 103, and a fourth phase shifter 104.

Specifically, each phase shifter includes at least two dielectric elements B, and one of the two dielectric elements B is set at the starting position of the moving path of the corresponding moving part C, and the other is set at the end position of the moving path of the corresponding moving part C. The phase shifter can form four physical states by adjusting the setting position of the dielectric element B, which are:

State 1: The dielectric element B does not overlap with the moving component C, and the antenna standing wave does not jump.

State 2, the dielectric element B is set at the starting point of the moving path of the moving component C. At this time, the antenna standing wave jump occurs at the minimum inclination angle.

State 3, the dielectric element B is set at the end position of the moving path of the moving component C. At this time, the antenna standing wave jump occurs at the maximum inclination angle.

State 4, dielectric element B is set at the starting point and end point of the moving path of the moving component C respectively. At this time, the antenna standing wave jump occurs at the maximum tilt angle and the minimum tilt angle, that is, the standing wave jump occurs at the maximum tilt angle and the minimum tilt angle.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 , the four phase shifters can be set in different states respectively. The memory of the detection system 30 stores the standing wave, reflection coefficient or Smith chart value of each state and the real-time tilt angle of the antenna. The determination program sets different thresholds, and determines whether the phase shifter input port cable is correctly connected to the RRU based on the thresholds and tilt angles, thereby ensuring the correctness of the transmission signal.

In this embodiment, the setting states of the four phase shifters can be different, that is, the setting states of any two phase shifters are different. The four phase shifters correspond to the four polarizations of the two subarrays, so each polarization can be distinguished, ensuring the correctness of the signal transmitted between the antenna and the RRU.

Optionally, referring to FIG14, the antenna is a dual-polarized antenna, and the setting states of the phase shifters corresponding to the same polarization modes in the two subarrays may be the same; and the setting states of the phase shifters corresponding to different polarization modes in the two subarrays may be different. That is, the setting states of the first phase shifter 101 and the fourth phase shifter 104 may be the same, the setting states of the second phase shifter 102 and the third phase shifter 103 may be the same, and the setting states of the first phase shifter 101 and the second phase shifter 102 may be different, so that different polarizations can be distinguished.

Further, referring to FIG1 , the phase shifter of the base station antenna according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a fixed feeder line, a movable feeder component, i.e., a mobile component, and a dielectric element. Signal transmission is performed between the mobile component and the feeder line through coupling. The mobile component moves along the first direction or the second direction relative to the feeder line, and the moving range includes the first moving range and the second moving range; the mobile component is covered by the dielectric element within the first moving range or the second moving range, and the reflected signal is transmitted to the input port of the phase shifter. The correctness of the connection is determined based on the signal reflection size of the input port, thereby solving the problem of signal errors in the transmission between the multi-frequency antenna and the RRU in the base station system.

The phase shifter is in a working state, i.e., a phase shifting state, within the first moving range, and is in a detection state within the second moving range; or, the phase shifter is in a detection state within the first moving range, and is in a working state, i.e., a phase shifting state, within the second moving range. In the detection state, the moving part is at least partially covered by the dielectric element. In the working state, the moving part is not covered by the dielectric element. In the covered and uncovered states, the characteristic impedance of the moving part is different.

When the first moving range is the working range and the second moving range is the detection range: within the first moving range, the dielectric element does not cover the moving part, the phase shifter is in the working state, and the downtilt angle of the antenna is adjustable. When the first moving range is the detection range and the second moving range is the working range: within the first range, the dielectric element covers at least part of the moving part, the phase shifter is in the detection state, and the correctness of the connection between the antenna and the RRU can be determined.

The shape of the dielectric element is any one of a rectangular, cylindrical, polygonal or irregular shape, and is not specifically limited. The dielectric element can be a plastic component, such as a polyphenylene oxide element (PPO) or polycarbonate (PC), and is not specifically limited.

Further, the dielectric element may be fixedly connected to the dielectric substrate, or the dielectric element may be movably connected to the dielectric substrate. When the dielectric element is movably arranged, the moving path of the dielectric element is arranged to overlap with the moving path of the moving component, so that the phase shifter is in a detection state in the overlapping state. The size, shape, number and relative dielectric constant of the dielectric element are not limited.

The phase shifter provided in this embodiment makes the signal of the input port of the phase shifter generate standing waves, and then it can be determined whether the cable of the input port is correctly connected according to the signal of the input port, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the antenna transmission signal. Specifically, when the dielectric element covers at least a partial part of the moving part, the standing wave jumps, and a threshold value can be set according to the jump value and the normal value. The size of the threshold value and the inclination position at which it occurs are different, and then it can be determined whether the cable of the input port is correctly connected according to the signal of the input port, thereby ensuring that the cable between the antenna and the RRU is correctly connected, and ensuring the accuracy of the antenna transmission signal.

This embodiment adopts the technical means of changing impedance matching, and the reflected energy generated is significantly less than the technical solution of grounding the transmission line in the related art. The reflected energy generated by the phase shifter of this embodiment is small, which can be detected by the detection equipment and can well protect the communication equipment of the next stage or reduce the use of the microwave attenuation device of the next stage. At the same time, the structural design is simple, and the dielectric element is easier to achieve the same function.

Furthermore, the description of the dielectric element covering the moving part in the above embodiments is not intended to limit the dielectric element to be arranged on the side of the moving part away from the fixed circuit. In the embodiments according to the present disclosure, the description of covering is mainly to illustrate that the dielectric element and the moving part have an overlapping portion; the dielectric element can be arranged on the side of the moving part away from the fixed circuit, or on the side of the moving part close to the fixed circuit. The specific arrangement position of the dielectric element is not limited, with the purpose of being able to produce an impedance mismatch effect when the dielectric element and the moving part have an overlapping portion.

The technical features of the above embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present disclosure, rather than to limit them. Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims (10)

1. A phase shifter, comprising: a fixed circuit and a moving component movably arranged relative to the fixed circuit, wherein the fixed circuit and the moving component form a phase shift unit, and further comprising a dielectric element, wherein the dielectric element is located on a moving path of the moving component, and during the movement of the moving component, the dielectric element and the moving component are independent of each other or overlap each other;

   The phase shifter has a phase shift state and a detection state; in the phase shift state, the dielectric element and the moving part are independent of each other; in the detection state, there is an overlap between the dielectric element and the moving part, and the detection state is used to detect the correctness of the cable connection of the input port of the phase shifter.
2. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein the fixed circuit is provided in plurality, and correspondingly, the movable parts are provided in plurality, and the plurality of fixed circuits correspond one-to-one with the plurality of movable parts to form a plurality of phase shifting units, and the dielectric element is provided in at least one, and the at least one dielectric element corresponds one-to-one with the same number of movable parts.
3. The phase shifter according to claim 2, wherein the moving path of the moving component is a straight line, and the at least one dielectric element is arranged at a starting position or an end position of the moving path of the moving component.
4. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the moving part is U-shaped, the moving part comprises two opposite coupling parts and a connecting part connected between the two coupling parts, and in the detection state, the dielectric element overlaps with the connecting part.
5. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fixed circuit is a stripline structure, the stripline structure is provided on a dielectric substrate, the fixed circuit includes a first stripline and a second stripline provided on both sides of the dielectric substrate, and the dielectric element is provided on one side or both sides of the dielectric substrate.
6. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further includes a detection system, the detection system including a first detection module, the first detection module is arranged at the input port of the phase shifter, and is used to detect a real-time standing wave value and/or a real-time Smith chart value of the input port, and the detection system determines the correctness of the cable connection of the phase shifter input port according to the real-time standing wave value and/or the real-time Smith chart value.
7. The phase shifter according to claim 6, wherein the detection system is used to determine that the input port cable is correctly connected if the real-time standing wave value is greater than a preset standing wave value and/or the real-time Smith chart value is greater than a preset Smith chart value in the detection state.
8. The phase shifter according to claim 7, wherein the detection system further comprises a second detection module, the second detection module is used to detect the real-time downtilt angle of the phase shifter, and the detection system is used to determine that the input port of the phase shifter is correctly connected in the detection state if the real-time standing wave value is greater than the preset standing wave value and/or the real-time Smith chart value is greater than the preset Smith chart value, and the real-time downtilt angle is consistent with the preset downtilt angle.
9. The phase shifter according to claim 6, wherein the detection system further comprises an alarm device, wherein the alarm device is used to alarm when it is determined that the input port of the phase shifter is incorrectly connected.
10. A base station antenna, comprising the phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 9.