The present invention relates to the field of mobile communications antenna and more particularly, to a dual polarization array antenna and radiation units thereof.
For a conventional dual polarization radiation unit, it is typical that two polarized radiation oscillators have the consistent structural size and shape. Moreover, each radiation oscillator is disposed in a same plane. In other words, the two polarized radiation oscillators will overlap each other if rotated 90 degree relative to each other. Though this design to certain extent improves radiation performance consistency of two polarizations, considering avoidance of interference caused by power feeding, rather than disposed in a same plane, feeding ports of two polarizations have to be disposed in different planes. Due to difference in height of the feeding ports and difference in other correspondingly produced boundary conditions, radiation performance value of the two polarizations of an array antenna consisted of above mentioned several consistent radiation units will show certain difference.
With the continued widening of working frequency of mobile antenna, in particular when operated at ultra wide frequency (for example at 1710˜2690 MHz), inconsistency of two polarizations becomes significant for either single radiation unit or array antenna. For instance, at a same frequency, important parameters of two polarizations such as H-Plane Half Power beam-width, front to rear ratio, cross polarization discrimination, polarization consistency, and H-plane beam deflection exhibit obvious inconsistency. In addition, this kind of inconsistency will be increased with increase of electrical down-tilt angle of electrically adjustable antenna and is difficult to be eliminated.
At present, to improve network quality and uniform covering of uplink and downlink of network by network operators, high requirements have been proposed for consistency of radiation performance of two polarizations of base station antenna. Radiation units and array antenna consisted of them will almost not meet these requirements of network operators.
If the radiation oscillators of two polarizations are located in a plane at the same height, coupling between two polarizations in a single radiation unit will be increased, and coupling between two polarizations of the array antenna will be increased as well, thus resulting in difficulty in improvement of isolation of wide frequency band array antenna.
Given above situations, person of the art faces challenges on how to maintain uniformity of both radiation performance and isolation of two polarizations.
One object of the invention is to provide a dual polarization array antenna for improving uniformity of both radiation performance and isolation of two polarizations.
Another object of the invention is to provide a dual polarization radiation unit which forms the dual polarization array antenna aforementioned.
A dual polarization array antenna includes a plurality of radiation units disposed in an array on a reflecting board of the dual polarization array antenna, each radiation unit being provided with two pairs of radiation oscillators mounted in an orthogonal polarization position.
At least one radiation unit is used as a first radiation unit, a first pair of the radiation oscillators of the first radiation unit is used for radiating a first polarization signal, and a second pair of radiation oscillators thereof is used for radiating a second polarization signal;
At least one radiation unit is used as a second radiation unit, a first pair of the radiation oscillators of the second radiation unit is used for radiating a second polarization signal, and a second pair of radiation oscillators thereof is used for radiating a first polarization signal; and
On a perpendicular direction of the reflecting board and based on the reflecting board, the first pairs of radiation oscillators of the first radiation unit and the second radiation unit are higher than the second pairs of radiation oscillators.
A dual polarization radiation unit, comprising two pairs of radiation oscillators mounted in an orthogonal polarization position, one pair of the radiation oscillators being used for radiating signal of one polarization, while the other pair of the radiation oscillators being used for radiating signal of another polarization. A reflecting board on which the radiation unit is mounted is taken as datum; along said vertical direction, one pair of radiation oscillators are higher than the other pair of radiation oscillators.
The present invention has the following good effects.
At first, two pairs of radiation oscillators of the dual polarization radiation unit for radiating signals of two polarizations are disposed in first and second space layers with different height respectively, thus improving isolation between two polarizations, and increasing non-relevance between two polarizations.
Secondly, as the two pairs of radiation oscillators of the above radiation unit locate in space layers of different height, non-relevance between two polarizations of the radiation unit is enhanced.
Thirdly, inconsistency between two polarizations of the first radiation unit can counterbalance inconsistency between two polarizations of the second radiation unit, thereby greatly increasing radiation performance consistency of polarizations of the entire array antenna. As a result, H-Plane Half Power beam-width, cross polarization discrimination and the like are also improved.
Moreover, as the isolation of the first and second radiation units and is quietly higher than a general radiation unit, the overall isolation of the array antenna is also increased.
A dual polarization array antenna and radiation units thereof will be described in greater detail in conjunction with accompanied
A dual polarization array antenna includes a reflecting board 30 on which a plurality of radiation units. It is noted that as used herein, the term“a plurality of” means either odd number of or even number of. Each radiation unit is a dual polarization radiation unit having two pairs of radiation oscillators mounted in an orthogonal polarization position, each pair of the oscillators is used for radiating signal of one kind polarization.
As shown in
One radiation unit is defined as a first radiation unit 10. One pair of radiation oscillators of the unit 10 serves to radiate signal of a first polarization. For example, for a ±45° dual polarization radiation unit, +45° polarized signal may be radiated and accordingly, this pair of radiation oscillators is defined as a first pair of radiation oscillators 11 and, this pair of radiation oscillators 11 locates in a first space layer H1. Another pair of radiation oscillators of the radiation unit 10 is for radiation of signal of a second polarization. For example, for a ±45° dual polarization radiation unit, −45° polarized signal may be radiated and accordingly, this pair of radiation oscillators is defined as a second pair of radiation oscillators 12 and, this pair of radiation oscillators 12 locates in a second space layer H2. It is noted that the above space layers H1 and H2 are in fact virtual and only for illustrating shape.
The reflecting board 30 is taken as datum. Along a vertical direction of the board 30, the first space layer H1 is at least partially higher than the second space layer H2. Specifically, the first space layer H1 is separated from the second space layer H2 along the vertical direction of the board 30. In addition, the first space layer H1 is entirely higher than the second space layer H2. Or, the first space layer H1 may partially overlaps the second space layer H2 along the vertical direction of the board 30 and, the top surface of the first space layer H1 is higher than that of the second space layer H2.
The first radiation unit 10 includes a balun 13 for physically supporting two pairs of radiation oscillators 11, 12. In particular the balun 13 may be a post. In this balun 13, a slit 132 is defined and extended downwardly along a bisector of an angle formed by intersection of two adjacent radiation oscillators. The slit 132 is intended for realizing shifting of power feeding between unbalanced coaxial cable and balanced radiation oscillators. Each slit 132 has a length of a quarter of working wavelength of central working frequency.
On the balun 13, a balun arm 131 is disposed in a region between two adjacent slits 132. A feeding port 135 is formed on the balun arm 131. Two feeding ports 135 of the same polarization are at the same height. The feeding ports 135 of the same polarization have the function of connecting a feeding sheet 134 which works to feeding power. The feeding sheet 134 is isolated from the balun arm 135 by an insulated dielectric block so as to realize isolation therebetween. The feeding ports 135 of the first polarization are higher than feeding ports 135 of the second polarization. As such, the feeding sheet 134 connecting the two feeding ports 135 of the first polarization is also higher than the feeding sheet 134 connecting the two feeding ports 135 of the second polarization. The feeding sheets 134 of two polarizations cross each other and a distance is maintained therebetween along the vertical direction of the reflecting board 30, thus further reducing feeding interference between two polarizations of the first radiation unit 10.
Moreover, for meeting specific requirements of antenna performance, protruded branches may be formed on the balun arm 131 for adjusting standing wave of the radiation unit. As the first space layer H1 of the radiation unit 10 is at least partially higher than the second space layer H2 along the vertical direction of the reflecting board 30, the height of balun arms 131 of corresponding radiation oscillators varies.
The shape of respective radiation oscillators of the first radiation unit 10 projected on the reflecting board 30 may be rectangular, circle, diamond, triangle, circular shape or other irregular shape. The radiation oscillator 10 may be formed by any one of the following means: solid, cutting off, forming branches locally, forming dielectric locally, partially protruding, or partially recessing. The shape and fabrication of the radiation oscillator 10 may be determined based on radiation performance of the antenna, in consideration of the reflecting board 30. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.
Take the reflecting board 30 as the datum. The pair of radiation oscillators 11 may have the same height along the vertical direction of the board 30 as shown in
As shown in
Or, the radiation aperture plane of the first and second pairs of radiation oscillators 11 and 12 may be inclined with respect to the reflecting board 30. In particular, one end of each of the first and second pairs of radiation oscillators 11 and 12 is secured with the balun arm 131. If the top portion of the balun arm 131 is parallel with the reflecting board 30, another end of each of the first and second pairs of radiation oscillators 11 and 12 is curved and inclined towards the reflecting board 30, as shown in
Furthermore, the radiation oscillators may have the same or different height. The radiation aperture plane of these oscillators may be parallel with the reflecting board 30 or be inclined with it. As shown in
Regarding the first radiation unit 10, as the first space layer H1 into which the first pair of radiation oscillators 11 locates is at least partially higher than the second space layer H2 into which the second pair of radiation oscillators 12 locates along the vertical direction of the reflecting board 30, the height of balun arms 131 of corresponding radiation oscillators varies. Correspondingly, the balun arms 131 corresponding to respective radiation oscillators are also of the different height. In addition, the height of feeding ports 135 of different polarization is also different. Any difference in height of space layers, balun arms or feeding ports or their combination may increase difference between two polarizations of the first radiation unit 10, and reduce coupling between two polarizations, thus leading to high isolation.
At least one radiation unit of the dual polarization array antenna has the following structure and shape. One radiation unit is defined as a second radiation unit 20. The differences of unit 20 over the first radiation unit 10 will be described in detail, and other identical features will be omitted here from due to similar structure, shape and technical effects of the second radiation unit 20 with the first radiation unit 10.
As indicated in
A feeding port 235 with a second polarization of the second radiation unit 20 is higher than the feeding port 235 with a first polarization. As such, a feeding sheet 234 for connecting two feeding ports 235 of the second polarization together is higher that the feeding sheet 234 for connecting two feeding ports 235 of the first polarization together. The feeding sheets 234 of different polarization cross each other and a distance is maintained therebetween along the vertical direction of the reflecting board 30, thus further reducing feeding interference between two polarizations of the second radiation unit 20.
Regarding the second radiation unit 20, as the first space layer H1 into which the first pair of radiation oscillators 21 locates is at least partially higher than the second space layer H2 into which the second pair of radiation oscillators 22 locates along the vertical direction of the reflecting board 30, the height of balun arms 231 of corresponding radiation oscillators varies.
In addition, the height of feeding ports 235 of different polarization is also different. Any difference in height of space layers, balun arms or feeding ports or their combination may increase difference between two polarizations, and reduce coupling between two polarizations, thus leading to high isolation.
In this dual polarization array antenna, a symmetrical reference line is presented on the reflecting board 30. The plurality of radiation units of the antenna is arranged along said reference line. The symmetry means symmetry about an axis or a center. In addition this reference line is only virtual and indeed not disposed on the reflecting board 30.
The virtual reference line may be straight lines as shown in
On this reflecting board 30 and along the virtual reference line, only the first radiation unit 10 and second radiation unit 20 may be disposed. Or, in addition to the first radiation unit 10 and second radiation unit 20, a third radiation unit with different structure from the units 10 and 20 and for radiating signals of two polarizations may be provided.
The radiation unit normally is centrally symmetrical. The mounting location of the radiation unit on the reference line maybe determined by geometry center of the unit normally projected on a projection plane of the reflecting board 30.
In consistency between two polarizations of the first radiation unit 10 may counterbalance inconsistency between two polarizations of the second radiation unit 20, thereby improving consistency in radiation performance of different polarizations of the entire antenna. As a result, H-Plane Half Power beam-width, cross polarization discrimination and the like are also improved. Moreover, as the isolation of the first and second radiation units 10 and 20 is quietly higher than a general radiation unit, the overall isolation of the array antenna is also increased.
In this embodiment, no matter whether the number of the first radiation units 10 is identical to that of the second radiation units 20, cancellation of inconsistency of one polarization is at least partially realized as long as there are a first radiation unit 10 and second radiation unit 20.
In this embodiment, to better cancel in consistency of one polarization between the first radiation unit 10 and second radiation unit 20, as shown in
Alternatively, as shown in
Alternatively, as shown in
Alternatively, as shown in
Alternatively, as shown in
Arrangement manners P1-P6 are given below and these manners may be used along or in combination.
According to manner P1, a first radiation unit 10, a second radiation unit 20, a first radiation unit 10 and a second radiation unit 20 are sequentially arranged on the reflecting board 30 along the straight reference line from left to right or from right to left (as shown in
According to manner P2, a first radiation unit 10, a second radiation unit 20, a second radiation unit 20 and a first radiation unit 10 are sequentially arranged on the reflecting board 30 along the straight reference line from left to right (as shown in
According to manner P3, a second radiation unit 20, a first radiation unit 10, a first radiation unit 10 and a second radiation unit 20 are sequentially arranged on the reflecting board 30 along the straight reference line from left to right (as shown in
According to manner P4, a first radiation unit 10, a second radiation unit 20, a first radiation unit 10 and a first radiation unit 10 are sequentially arranged on the reflecting board 30 along the straight reference line from left to right or from right to left (as shown in
According to manner P5, a second radiation unit 20, a first radiation unit 10, a second radiation unit 20 and a second radiation unit 20 are sequentially arranged on the reflecting board 30 along the straight reference line from left to right or from right to left.
According to manner P6, a first radiation unit 10, a second radiation unit 20, a first radiation unit 10 and a second radiation unit 20 are sequentially arranged on the reflecting board 30 along the S-curved reference line from left to right or from right to left (as shown in
The first radiation units 10 and second radiation units 20 are disposed on the reflecting board 30 in a manner by which inconsistency of the same polarization is at least partially eliminated. Specifically, the radiation units of the dual polarization array antenna are consisted of at least a first radiation unit 10 and a second radiation unit 20. Or it may be consisted of at least a first radiation unit 10, at least a second radiation unit 20, and several other types of radiation units. Herein, other types of radiation units are defined as the third radiation units.
According to another embodiment and as shown in
The terms “first” and “second” as used herein are intended for distinguishing between different components and may not be understood as having limitation to sequence of the components.
Though various embodiments of the invention have been illustrated above, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, variations and improvements made upon the illustrative embodiments fall within the scope of the invention, and the scope of the invention is only limited by the accompanying claims and their equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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201310229651.3 | Jun 2013 | CN | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/CN2014/076358 | 4/28/2014 | WO | 00 |