Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6822618
-
Patent Number
6,822,618
-
Date Filed
Monday, March 17, 200321 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, November 23, 200419 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A dual polarized folded dipole antenna comprising: a first unit configured for transmitting and/or receiving signals in a first polarization direction; and a second unit configured for transmitting and/or receiving signals in a second polarization direction. Each unit includes an integrally formed feed section a radiator input section, and radiating section. The feed section is a microstrip feed section, and the radiator input section includes a balun transformer.The antenna has a coaxial to microstrip transition comprising a microstrip transmission line on a first side of the ground plane; and a coaxial transmission line on a second side of the ground plane opposite to the first side of the ground plane. A conductive ground transition body is in conductive engagement with the sleeve of the coaxial line; and a ground locking member applies a force to the ground transition body so as to force the ground transition body into conductive engagement with the ground plane. A conductive line transition body is provided in conductive engagement with the central conductor, and a line locking member apples a force to the line transition body so as to force the line transition body into conductive engagement with the microstrip line.Adjacent dipole ends are retained together by electrically insulating retaining elements. Each element comprises a body portion having a pair of sockets on opposite side of the body portion; and a pair of resilient members which each obstruct a respective socket and resiliently flex, when in use, to admit an end of a dipole into the socket.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
A first aspect of the present invention relates generally to folded dipole antennas. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a coaxial to microstrip transition. A third aspect of the present invention relates to a retaining element. All aspects of the invention are typically but not exclusively for use in wireless mobile communications systems
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 6,317,099 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,666 describe a folded dipole antenna with a ground plane; and a conductor having a microstrip feed section extending adjacent the ground plane and spaced therefrom by a dielectric, a radiator input section, and at least one radiating section integrally formed with the radiator input section and the feed section. The radiating section includes first and second ends, a fed dipole and a passive dipole, the fed dipole being connected to the radiator input section, the passive dipole being disposed in spaced relation to the fed dipole to form a gap, the passive dipole being shorted to the fed dipole at the first and second ends.
The radiating section is driven with a feed which is not completely balanced. An unbalanced feed can lead to unbalanced currents on the dipole arms which can cause beam skew in the plane of polarization (vertical pattern for a v-pol antenna, horizontal pattern for a h-pol antenna, vertical and horizontal patterns for a slant pol antenna), increased cross-polar isolation in the far field and increased coupling between polarizations for a dual polarized antenna.
A stripline folded dipole antenna is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,456. A disadvantage of a stripline arrangement is that a pair of ground planes is required, resulting in additional expense and bulk.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,529 describes a microstrip to coaxial side-launch transition. A microstrip transmission line is provided on a first side of a ground plane, and a coaxial transmission line is provided on a second side of the ground plane opposite to the first side of the ground plane. The coaxial transmission line has a central conductor directly soldered to the microstrip line. Direct soldering to the microstrip line has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the integrity of the joint cannot be guaranteed. Secondly, it is necessary to construct the microstrip line from a metal which allows the solder to flow. The coaxial cylindrical conductor sleeve is also directly soldered to the ground plane. Direct soldering to the ground plane has the disadvantages given above, and also the further disadvantage that the ground plane will act as a large heat sink, requiring a large amount of heat to be applied during soldering.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
An exemplary embodiment provides in a first aspect a dual polarized folded dipole antenna comprising:
a first unit configured for transmitting and/or receiving signals in a first polarization direction; and
a second unit configured for transmitting and/or receiving signals in a second polarization direction different to the first polarization direction,
wherein each unit includes a conductor having a feed section, a radiator input section, and at least one radiating section integrally formed with the radiator input ,section and the feed section, the radiating section including first and second ends, a fed dipole and a passive dipole, the fed dipole being connected to the radiator input section, the passive dipole being disposed in spaced relation to the fed dipole to form a gap, the passive dipole being shorted to the fed dipole at the first and second ends.
The exemplary embodiment provides in a second aspect a folded dipole antenna comprising:
a ground plane
a conductor having a feed section extending adjacent the ground plane and spaced therefrom by a dielectric, a radiator input section, and at least one radiating section integrally formed with the radiator input section and the feed section, the radiating section including first and second ends, a fed dipole and a passive dipole, the fed dipole being connected to the radiator input section, the passive dipole being disposed in spaced relation to the fed dipole to form a gap, the passive dipole being shorted to the fed dipole at the first and second ends,
wherein the feed section is a microstrip feed section having an adjacent ground plane on one side only, and
wherein the radiator input section includes a balun transformer.
The balun transformer provides a balanced feed and obviates the problems discussed above.
The exemplary embodiment provides in a third aspect a folded dipole antenna comprising:
a ground plane
a conductor having a feed section extending adjacent the ground plane and spaced therefrom by a dielectric, a radiator input section, and at least one radiating section integrally formed with the radiator input section and the feed section, the radiating section including first and second ends, a fed dipole and a passive dipole, the fed dipole being connected to the radiator input section, the passive dipole being disposed in spaced relation to the fed dipole to form a gap, the passive dipole being shorted to the fed dipole at the first and second ends,
wherein the feed section is a microstrip feed section having an adjacent ground plane on one side only, and
wherein the radiator input section includes a splitter, first and second feedlines which meet said feed section at said splitter so as to complete a closed loop including the first and second feedlines and the radiating section, and a phase delay element for introducing a phase difference between the first and second feedlines.
The exemplary embodiment provides in a fourth aspect a coaxial to microstrip transition comprising:
a ground plane;
a microstrip transmission line on a first side of the ground plane;
a coaxial transmission line on a second side of the ground plane opposite to the first side of the ground plane, the coaxial transmission line having a central conductor coupled to the microstrip line, a coaxial cylindrical conductor sleeve coupled to the ground plane, and a dielectric material between the central conductor and the sleeve,
a conductive ground transition body in conductive engagement with the sleeve; and
a ground locking member applying a force to the ground transition body so as to force the ground transition body into conductive engagement with the ground plane.
This construction obviates the need for a direct solder joint between the sleeve and the ground plane.
The exemplary embodiment provides in a fifth aspect a coaxial to microstrip transition comprising:
a ground plane;
a microstrip transmission line on a first side of the ground plane;
a coaxial transmission line on a second side of the ground plane opposite to the first side of the ground plane, the coaxial transmission line having a central conductor coupled to the microstrip line, a coaxial cylindrical conductor sleeve coupled to the ground plane, and a dielectric material between the central conductor and the sleeve,
a conductive line transition body in conductive engagement with the central conductor; and
a line locking member applying a force to the line transition body so as to force the line transition body into conductive engagement with the microstrip line.
This construction obviates the need for a direct solder joint between the central conductor and the microstrip line.
The exemplary embodiment provides in a sixth aspect a method of constructing a coaxial to microstrip transition, the method comprising:
arranging a microstrip transmission line on a first side of a ground plane;
arranging a coaxial transmission line on a second side of the ground plane opposite to the first side of the ground plane, the coaxial transmission line having a central conductor coupled to the microstrip line, a coaxial cylindrical conductor sleeve coupled to the ground plane, and a dielectric material between the central conductor and the sleeve,
arranging a conductive ground transition body in conductive engagement with the sleeve; and
applying a force to the ground transition body so as to force the ground transition body into conductive engagement with the ground plane.
The exemplary embodiment provides in a seventh aspect a method of constructing a coaxial to microstrip transition, the method comprising:
arranging a microstrip transmission line on a first side of a ground plane;
arranging a coaxial transmission line on a second side of the ground plane opposite to the first side of the ground plane, the coaxial transmission line having a central conductor coupled to the microstrip line, a coaxial cylindrical conductor sleeve coupled to the ground plane, and a dielectric material between the central conductor and the sleeve,
arranging a conductive line transition body in conductive engagement with the central conductor; and
applying a force to the line transition body so as to force the line transition body into conductive engagement with the microstrip line.
The exemplary embodiment provides in an eighth aspect an electrically insulating retaining element for retaining together adjacent ends of a pair of dipoles, the element comprising a body portion having a pair of sockets on opposite side of the body portion; and a pair of resilient members which each obstruct a respective socket and resiliently flex, when in use, to admit an end of a dipole into the socket.
The exemplary embodiment provides in a ninth aspect a dipole assembly comprising two or more dipoles having adjacent ends retained together by electrically insulating retaining elements, each element comprising a body portion having a pair of sockets on opposite side of the body portion; and a pair of resilient members which each obstruct a respective socket and resiliently flex, when in use, to admit an end of a dipole into the socket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Illustrative embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 1
is an isometric view of a dual polarization folded dipole antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a side view of the dual polarization folded dipole antenna of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is an isometric view of the +45° antenna unit;
FIG. 3A
is a cross-sectional view through a DC ground connection;
FIG. 4
is an isometric view of the −45° antenna unit;
FIG. 5
is an isometric view of a single radiating module of the antenna of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 6A
is an isometric view showing the method of fixing the antenna units to the ground plane, in the antenna of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 6B
is an isometric view of the dielectric spacer shown in
FIG. 6A
;
FIG. 6C
is a side view of the assembled ground plane, dielectric spacer and antenna unit;
FIG. 7A
is an isometric top view of the dielectric clip;
FIG. 7B
is an isometric bottom view of the dielectric clip;
FIG. 7C
is an isometric view of two adjacent radiating sections;
FIG. 7D
is an isometric view of the radiating sections with a clip inserted;
FIG. 8
is an isometric view of a dual polarization folded dipole antenna having a single radiating module, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9
is a side view of the coaxial to microstrip transition;
FIG. 10
is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial to microstrip transition of
FIG. 9
;
FIG. 11
is an exploded view of the coaxial to microstrip transition of
FIG. 9
;
FIG. 12
is a first perspective view of the coaxial to microstrip transition of
FIG. 9
;
FIG. 13
is a second perspective view of the coaxial to microstrip transition of
FIG. 9
;
FIG. 14
is a plan view of an alternative radiating section configuration. And
FIG. 15
is a schematic side view of a pair of base stations.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 and 2
show a slant polarized dual polarization folded dipole antenna
100
according to the invention. A reflector tray is formed by a ground plane
101
, lower and upper end walls
103
,
104
and side walls
102
. A +45° integrally formed microstrip antenna unit
300
(shown in
FIG. 3
) and a −45° integrally formed microstrip antenna unit
400
(shown in
FIG. 4
) are mounted adjacent, and substantially parallel to, the ground plane
101
, as described in detail below. Together, the radiating sections of the microstrip antenna units
300
,
400
form a number of generally circular radiating modules
500
which are spaced apart along an antenna axis. The antenna is generally mounted is use on a base station mast with the antenna axis oriented in a vertical direction. The +45° antenna unit
300
radiates with a polarization at +45° to the antenna axis, while the −45° antenna unit
400
radiates with a polarization at −45° to the antenna axis.
FIG. 3
shows the +45° microstrip antenna unit
300
. The antenna unit comprises a feed section
320
, radiator input sections (including dipole feed legs
324
and
325
, and phase delay lines
322
,
323
) and radiating sections
301
and
302
. The feed section, radiator input sections and radiating sections are formed integrally, by cutting or stamping from a flat sheet of conductive material such as, for example, a metal sheet comprised of aluminum, copper, brass or alloys thereof. Since the antenna unit is formed integrally, the number of mechanical contacts necessary is reduced, improving the intermodulation distortion (IMD) performance of the antenna
100
. The feed section
320
branches out from a single RF input section
340
(partially obscured) that is electrically connected to a coaxial transmission line (not shown in
FIGS. 1-4
) via a transition shown in detail in
FIGS. 9-13
and described in further detail below. The coaxial transmission line passes along the rear side of the ground plane
101
, through one of the slots
110
or
111
in the ground plane (shown in
FIG. 1
) and through one of the holes
120
or
121
in the lower end wall
103
. Many other paths for the transmission line may also be suitable. The transmission line is generally electrically connected to an RF device such as a transmitter or a receiver. In one embodiment, the RF input section
340
directly connects to the RF device. The feed section
320
also includes a DC ground connection, positioned at the end of a quarter wavelength stub
342
. The DC ground connection is shown in cross-section in FIG.
3
A. The stub
342
has a circular pad
341
at its end with a hole
344
. A bolt
343
passes through the hole
344
and a hole
345
in the ground plane
101
. A cylindrical metal spacer
346
has an external diameter greater than the internal diameters of the holes
344
,
345
and engages the pad
341
at one end and the ground plane
101
at the other end. The bolt
343
is threaded at its distal end and an internally threaded nut
346
compresses the pad
341
and the groundplane
101
together with a given torque to ensure a tight metal joint for good intermodulation performance.
The feed section
320
further includes a number of meandering phase delay lines
321
, to provide a desired phase relationship between the radiating sections
301
,
302
and between the modules
500
. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 3
, the meandering phase delay lines
321
are configured so that the all radiating sections
301
,
302
and all modules
500
are at the same phase. Alternatively the lines
321
may be configured to give a fixed phase difference (and hence downtilt) between the modules.
FIG. 4
shows the −45° microstrip antenna unit
400
. The unit is similar to the +45° antenna unit, and similar elements are given the same reference numerals, increased by
100
. For instance the equivalent to the +45° radiating sections
301
,
302
are −45° radiating sections
401
,
402
. It will be seen by a comparison of
FIGS. 3 and 4
that the +45° unit
300
and −45° unit
400
interlock together to form the dual-polarized modules
500
.
FIG. 5
shows an exemplary one of the radiating modules
500
. The radiating module comprises radiating sections
301
,
302
,
401
and
402
arranged in a circular “box” configuration around a central region. An alternative “square “box” configuration is shown in FIG.
14
. The radiating sections are similar in construction and only radiating section
302
will be described in full. Radiating section
302
includes a fed dipole (comprising a first quarter-wavelength monopole
304
and a second quarter-wavelength monopole
305
) and a passive dipole
306
, separated by a gap
331
. End sections of the conductor (concealed in
FIG. 5
beneath a clip
700
) at opposing ends of the gap
331
electrically short the monopoles
304
,
305
with the passive dipole
306
. The first quarter-wavelength monopole
304
is connected to the first dipole feed leg
324
at bend
330
. The first dipole feed leg
324
is connected to the feed section
320
at a splitter junction
326
. The second quarter-wavelength monopole
305
is connected to the second dipole feed leg
325
at bend
329
. The second dipole feed leg
325
is connected to a 180° phase delay line
322
at bend
327
. The phase delay line
322
is connected at its other end to the splitter junction
326
. The length of the phase delay line
322
is selected such that the dipole feed legs
324
and
325
have a phase difference of 180°, thus providing a balanced feed to the fed dipole. It will be appreciated that the feed legs
324
,
325
, radiating section and phase delay line
322
together define a closed loop. The phased line
322
and splitter junction
326
together act as a balun (a balanced to unbalanced transformer).
In a first alternative arrangement (not shown), the shorter feed path (that is, the feed path between the splitter junction
326
and the feed leg
324
) may include two quarter-wave separated open half-wavelength stubs, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,628. The stubs compensate or balance the phase across the frequency band of interest.
In a second alternative arrangement (not shown), the balun formed by the splitter junction
326
and phase delay line
322
may be replaced by a Schiffman coupler as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,456.
Together the dipole feed legs have an intrinsic impedance that is adjusted to match the radiating section
302
to the feed section. This impedance is adjusted, in part, by varying the width of the dipole feed legs
324
,
325
and the gap
332
. The bends are such that the dipole feed legs
324
and
325
are substantially perpendicular to the feed section
320
and the ground plane
101
, and the radiating section
302
is substantially parallel to the feed section
320
and the ground plane
101
. The radiating sections
301
,
302
,
401
and
402
are mechanically connected by dielectric clip
700
, which is further described below. This connection provides greater stability and strength, and ensures correct spacing of the radiating sections.
The microstrip antenna units
300
and
400
could be spaced from the ground plane
101
by any dielectric, such as air, foam, etc. In the preferred embodiment, the microstrip antenna units are spaced from the ground plane by air, and are fixed to the ground plane using dielectric spacers
600
shown in FIG.
6
A and in detail in
FIG. 6B
, although other types of dielectric support could also be used. Other possible dielectric supports include nuts and bolts with dielectric washers, screws with dielectric washers, etc.
The dielectric spacers
600
have a body portion
640
, stub
630
, and lugs
610
and
620
which fit into a slot
601
and a hole
602
respectively in the ground plane. The lug
610
comprises a neck
611
and a lower transverse elongate section
612
. The lug
620
comprises two legs having a lower sloping section
621
, a shoulder
622
and neck
623
. The legs are resilient so that they bend inwardly when forced through the hole
602
in the ground plane, and spring back when the shoulder
622
has passed through. To fix the dielectric spacer
600
to the ground plane
101
the elongate section
612
is passed through the slot
601
; the dielectric spacer is rotated through 90 degrees, such that the elongate section cannot pass back through the slot
601
; and the lug
620
is forced through the hole
602
. The shoulders
622
and elongate section
612
are spaced from the body portion
640
by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the ground plane so that the dielectric spacer and ground plane are fixed together when the shoulders and elongated section engage the back side of the ground plane. The stub
630
is received in a hole
603
in the feed section
320
or
420
. The top of the stub
630
is then deformed by heating such that the feed section
320
or
420
, body portion
640
and ground plane
101
are fixed together, as shown in the cross-section of FIG.
6
C.
FIG. 6C
also shows the air gap
650
between the air suspended microstrip feed section
320
and the ground plane
101
. The spacer
600
is precisely machined so as to maintain a desired gap.
The dielectric clip
700
is shown in more detail in
FIGS. 7A and 7B
. The clip comprises a body portion formed with a longitudinal rib
707
, and a pair of sockets
701
,
702
which receive the ends of the radiating sections
301
,
402
. Slots
703
,
704
are provided in the base of the sockets
701
,
702
. A pair of spring arms
705
,
706
extend transversely from the rib
707
. The spring arms
705
,
706
are identical and are each formed with a catch at their distal end including an angled ramp
710
and locking face
711
.
The clip is formed using a two-part mold, and the purpose of slots
703
,
704
is to enable the under-surface of spring arms
705
,
706
to be properly molded.
FIG. 7C
shows the ends of radiating sections
301
,
402
before the clip
700
is attached. The fed monopoles
304
,
305
are shorted to the passive dipole
306
by end sections
307
. The end section
307
has an inner edge
309
and inner face
308
. The clip
700
is mounted by pulling the radiating section
402
away to give sufficient clearance, and sliding the clip into place with the end section
307
received in the socket
701
as shown in FIG.
7
D. As the clip slides into place, the ramp
710
(which partially obstructs the socket) engages the end section
307
, causing the spring arm
705
to resiliently flex upwardly until the locking face
711
clears the inner edge
309
and snaps into engagement with the inner face
308
of the end section
307
.
The other radiating section
402
is then snapped into the opposite socket
702
in a similar manner. With the clip in place as shown in
FIG. 7C
, the longitudinal rib
707
maintains a precise spacing between the radiating sections
301
,
402
.
FIG. 8
shows a single dual polarization folded dipole antenna module
800
according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The ground plane and dielectric spacers are not shown. The antenna module
800
is identical to the module
500
shown in
FIG. 5
, except it is provided as a single self-contained module with inputs
840
and
841
.
In a variable downtilt antenna (not shown), a number of single modules
800
can be arranged in a line and ganged together with cables, circuit-board splitters, and variable differential phase shifters for adjusting the phase between the modules. For instance, the differential phase shifters described in US2002/0126059A1 and US2002/0135524A1 may be used.
The transition coupling the coaxial transmission line
360
with the RF input section
340
is shown in
FIGS. 9-13
. The coaxial transmission line
360
has a central conductor
361
and a cylindrical coaxial conductive sheath
362
separated from the central conductor by a dielectric
363
. An insulating jacket
364
encloses the sheath
362
.
A metal ground transition body
370
has a cylindrical bore
371
which receives the sheath
362
. The sheath
362
is soldered into the bore
371
by placing the cable into the bore, heating the joint and injecting solder through a hole
373
in the body
370
and into a gap
374
between the end of the body
370
and the jacket
364
. The outer body
370
has an outer flange formed with a chamfered surface
372
.
A metal transition ring
375
has a bore which receives the ground transition body
370
. The bore has a chamfered surface
376
which engages the chamfered surface
372
of the body
370
.
A plastic insulating washer
377
is provided between the transition ring
375
and the ground plane
101
. The ground plane
101
, washer
377
and transition ring
375
are provided with three holes which each receive an externally threaded shaft of a respective bolt
378
.
The central conductor
361
extends beyond the end of the sheath, and is received in a bore of a plastic insulating collar
380
. The collar
380
has a body portion received in a hole in the ground plane
101
, and an outwardly extending flange
381
which engages an inwardly extending flange
382
of the ground transition body
370
.
The three holes in the transition ring
375
are internally threaded so that when the bolts
378
are tightened, the chamfered surface
376
of the transition ring engages the chamfered surface
372
and forces the ground transition body
370
into conductive engagement with the ground plane
101
. The chamfered surfaces
372
,
376
also generate a sideways centering force which accurately centers the coaxial cable.
It should be noted that this arrangement does not require any direct soldering between the ground transition body
370
and the ground plane
101
.
A metal centre pin
385
is formed with a relatively wide base
386
which is hexagonal in cross-section, a relatively narrow shaft
385
which is externally threaded and circular in cross-section, and a shoulder
389
. The base
386
has a cup which receives the central conductor
361
, which is soldered in place. Soldering is performed by first placing a bead of solder in the cup, then inserting the conductor
361
, heating the joint and injecting solder through a hole
390
in the base
386
. The shaft
385
passes through a hole in the RF input section
340
, and through a metal locking washer
387
and hexagonal nut
388
.
When the nut
388
is tightened, the shoulder
389
is forced into conductive engagement with the RF input section
340
. The parts are precisely machined so as to provide a desired spacing between the ground plane
101
and RF input section
340
.
It should be noted that this arrangement does not require any direct soldering between the ground centre pin
385
and the RF input section
340
.
The transition employs a mechanical joint between the ground plane
101
and the transition body
370
, and between the centre pin base
386
and the RF input section. These mechanical joints are more repeatable than the solder joints shown in the prior art. The pressure of the mechanical joints can be accurately controlled by using a torque wrench to tighten the nut
388
and bolts
378
. The ground plane
101
and RF input section
340
can be formed from a metal such as Aluminium, which cannot form a solder. joint.
An alternative dipole box configuration is shown in FIG.
14
. In contrast to the “ring” structure shown in FIGS.
1
,
5
and
8
, the radiating sections
301
′,
302
′,
401
′,
402
′ are formed in a generally “square” structure. In common with the “ring”, structure, the radiating sections are arranged in a “box” configuration around a central region. In a further alternative configuration (not shown) the four dipoles may be arranged in a “cross” configuration with the radiating sections extending radially from a central point.
The antennas shown in the figures are designed for use in the “cellular” frequency band: that is 806-960 MHz. Alternatively the same design (typically the cabled together version with a PCB power splitter) may operate at 380-470 MHz. Another possible band is 1710-2170 MHz. However, it will be appreciated that the invention could be equally applicable in a number of other frequency bands.
The preferred field of the invention is shown in FIG.
15
. The antennas are typically incorporated in a mobile wireless communications cellular network including base stations
900
. The base stations include masts
901
, and antennas
902
mounted on the masts
901
which transmit and receive downlink and uplink signals to/from mobile devices
903
currently registered in a “cell” adjacent to the base station.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A dual polarized folded dipole antenna comprising:a first unit configured for transmitting and/or receiving signals in a first polarization direction; and a second unit configured for transmitting and/or receiving signals in a second polarization direction different to the first polarization direction, wherein each unit includes a conductor having a feed section, a radiator input section, and at least one radiating section integrally formed with the radiator input section and the feed section, the radiating section including first and second ends, a fed dipole and a passive dipole, the fed dipole being connected to the radiator input section, the passive dipole being disposed in spaced relation to the fed dipole to form a gap, the passive dipole being shorted to the fed dipole at the first and second ends.
- 2. A dual polarized folded dipole antenna according to claim 1 wherein the feed section is a microstrip feed section having an adjacent ground plane on one side only.
- 3. A dual polarized folded dipole antenna according to claim 1 further comprising a ground plane, wherein the feed section is an air suspended feed section separated from the ground plane by an air gap.
- 4. A dual polarized folded dipole antenna according to claim 1 wherein the antenna comprises a slant polarized antenna with two or more modules arranged along an antenna axis, wherein the first and second polarization directions are at an angle to the antenna axis.
- 5. A dual polarized folded dipole antenna according to claim 1 wherein the first unit includes a first pair of folded dipoles, the second unit includes a second pair of folded dipoles, each folded dipole including a respective radiator input section and a respective radiating section, and wherein the two pairs of radiating sections are arranged in a box configuration around a central region.
- 6. A dual polarized folded dipole antenna according to claim 5 wherein the box configuration is a ring configuration.
- 7. A dual polarized folded dipole antenna according to claim 5 wherein the box configuration is a square configuration.
- 8. A dual polarized folded dipole antenna according to claim 1 further comprising a ground plane, wherein the radiating sections extend substantially parallel with the ground plane.
- 9. A dual polarized folded dipole antenna according to claim 1 further comprising a ground plane, wherein the radiator input section includes a pair of feed legs which each extend substantially transversely to the ground plane.
- 10. A dual polarized folded dipole antenna according to claim 1 wherein the radiator input section includes a balun transformer.
- 11. A dual polarized folded dipole antenna according to claim 1 wherein the radiator input section includes a splitter, first and second feedlines which meet said feed section at said splitter so as to complete a closed loop including the first and second feedlines and the radiating section, and a phase delay element for introducing a phase difference between the first and second feedlines.
- 12. A folded dipole antenna comprising:a ground plane a conductor having a feed section extending adjacent the ground plane and spaced therefrom by a dielectric, a radiator input section, and at least one radiating section integrally formed with the radiator input section and the feed section, the radiating section including first and second ends, a fed dipole and a passive dipole, the fed dipole being connected to the radiator input section, the passive dipole being disposed in spaced relation to the fed dipole to form a gap, the passive dipole being shorted to the fed dipole at the first and second ends, wherein the feed section is a microstrip feed section having an adjacent ground plane on one side only, and wherein the radiator input section includes a balun transformer.
- 13. A folded dipole antenna according to claim 12 wherein the feed section is an air suspended feed section separated from the ground plane by an air gap.
- 14. A folded dipole antenna comprising:a ground plane a conductor having a feed section extending adjacent the ground plane and spaced therefrom by a dielectric, a radiator input section, and at least one radiating section integrally formed with the radiator input section and the feed section, the radiating section including first and second ends, a fed dipole and a passive dipole, the fed dipole being connected to the radiator input section, the passive dipole being disposed in spaced relation to the fed dipole to form a gap, the passive dipole being shorted to the fed dipole at the first and second ends, wherein the feed section is a microstrip feed section having an adjacent ground plane on one side only, and wherein the radiator input section includes a splitter, first and second feedlines which meet said feed section at said splitter so as to complete a closed loop including the first and second feedlines and the radiating section, and a phase delay element for introducing a phase difference between the first and second feedlines.
- 15. A folded dipole antenna according to claim 14 wherein the feed section is an air suspended feed section separated from the ground plane by an air gap.
- 16. A wireless mobile base station including an antenna according to claim 1.
- 17. A wireless mobile base station including an antenna according to claim 12.
- 18. A wireless mobile base station including an antenna according to claim 14.
US Referenced Citations (21)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
1 132 997 |
Aug 2002 |
EP |