Radio Frequency Controller and a Communication Module having the Same

Abstract

A radio frequency connector is disclosed, comprising: an outer conductor having a hollow housing with outer electrical contacts at its ends; and an inner conductor comprising a central body configured to be installed inside the outer conductor and spaced from the outer conductor with an annular space therebetween. In each end region of the central body of the inner conductor, an elastic connection assembly is provided for electrically connecting the central body to a component to be connected. The elastic connection assembly comprises a male joint and a female joint which mate with each other to form an abutment connection, the male joint or the female joint having elasticity in a radial direction in the area of the abutment connection, one of the male joint and the female joint being provided on the central body, and the other of the male joint and the female joint being provided on the component to be connected. The central body of the inner conductor is directly connected to the component to be connected by means of the elastic connection assembly, without involving the outer conductor. A communication module comprising the above-said radio frequency connector is also disclosed.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. A radio frequency connector comprising: an outer conductor having a hollow housing with outer electrical contacts at its ends; and an inner conductor comprising a central body configured to be installed inside the outer conductor and spaced from the outer conductor with an annular space therebetween; wherein, in each end region of the central body of the inner conductor, an elastic connection assembly is provided for electrically connecting the central body to a component to be connected, wherein the elastic connection assembly comprises a male joint and a female joint which mate with each other to form an abutment connection, the male joint or the female joint having elasticity in a radial direction in the area of the abutment connection, one of the male joint and the female joint being provided on the central body, and the other of the male joint and the female joint being provided on the component to be connected, and wherein the central body of the inner conductor is directly connected to the component to be connected by means of the elastic connection assembly, without involving the outer conductor.

18. The radio frequency connector according to claim 17, wherein the inner conductor has male joints on both ends of the central body or female joints on both ends of the central body.

19. The radio frequency connector according to claim 17, wherein the female joint has a mating cavity and the male joint has a plurality of elastic strips spaced by a plurality of dividing grooves in the circumferential direction, each of the elastic strips curving outwards in the radial direction such that a circular bulge portion is formed as an abutment portion which is inserted into the mating cavity through its opening and form the abutment connection with an inner wall of the mating cavity.

20. The radio frequency connector according to claim 19, wherein the opening of the mating cavity has an enlarged guiding portion for guiding the insertion of the male joint into the mating cavity.

21. The radio frequency connector according to claim 19, wherein the female joint is provided on the component to be connected, and has a base with a face that is opposite from the opening of the mating cavity and configured for forming planar connection with the component to be connected.

22. The radio frequency connector according to claim 17, wherein the female joint has a plurality of elastic strips spaced by a plurality of dividing grooves in the circumferential direction, each of the elastic strips curving inwards in the radial direction such that a neck portion with a reduced circumference is formed as a clamping ring which is configured to abut against an outer circumferential surface of a main body of the male joint.

23. The radio frequency connector according to claim 22, wherein the male joint is provided on the component to be connected, and has a support base with a face which is configured for forming planar connection with the component to be connected.

24. The radio frequency connector according to claim 17, wherein the male joint or the female joint that is provided on the component to be connected is in the form of a structural element welded to the component to be connected or is integrally formed with the component to be connected.

25. The radio frequency connector according to claim 17, wherein the central body and the male joint or the female joint provided on the end of the central body are formed as an integral piece by a sheet metal processing.

26. The radio frequency connector according to claim 17, wherein the outer conductor further comprises a conductive gasket and/or conductive glue that is placed in a recess formed at an end of the housing and works as the outer electrical contact.

27. The radio frequency connector according to claim 26, wherein the conductive gasket comprises a ring-like metal spring with a plurality of elastic electrical contacts which are equally spaced in the circumferential direction and are configured to allow elastic deformation in the axial direction of the outer conductor.

28. The radio frequency connector according to claim 27, wherein the conductive glue is placed around the periphery of the metal spring.

29. The radio frequency connector according to claim 17, wherein the component to be connected is a printed circuit board, and the housing of the outer conductor is integrally formed with an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) cover provided on the printed circuit board.

30. The radio frequency connector according to claim 17, further comprising a dielectric insulator placed in the annular space between the inner conductor and the outer conductor, and the central body of the inner conductor is directly connected to the component to be connected by means of the elastic connection assembly without involving the dielectric insulator.

31. The radio frequency connector according to claim 17, wherein no dielectric insulator is provided in the annular space between the inner conductor and the outer conductor.

32. A communication module comprising: a first component to be connected, wherein the first component to be connected is a printed circuit board; a second component to be connected, wherein the second component to be connected is another printed circuit board or a cavity filter; and a radio-frequency connector which is provided between the first and second components and connects the two to form a signal transmission loop, wherein the radio-frequency connector comprises: an outer conductor having a hollow housing with outer electrical contacts at its ends; and an inner conductor comprising a central body configured to be installed inside the outer conductor and spaced from the outer conductor with an annular space therebetween; wherein, in each end region of the central body of the inner conductor, an elastic connection assembly is provided for electrically connecting the central body to the first or the second component, wherein the elastic connection assembly comprises a male joint and a female joint which mate with each other to form an abutment connection, the male joint or the female joint having elasticity in a radial direction in the area of the abutment connection, one of the male joint and the female joint being provided on the central body, and the other of the male joint and the female joint being provided on the first or the second component, and wherein the central body of the inner conductor is directly connected to the first or the second component by means of the elastic connection assembly, without involving the outer conductor.

33. The communication module according to claim 32, wherein the inner conductor has male joints on both ends of the central body or female joints on both ends of the central body.

34. The communication module according to claim 32, wherein the female joint has a mating cavity and the male joint has a plurality of elastic strips spaced by a plurality of dividing grooves in the circumferential direction, each of the elastic strips curving outwards in the radial direction such that a circular bulge portion is formed as an abutment portion which is inserted into the mating cavity through its opening and form the abutment connection with an inner wall of the mating cavity.

35. The communication module according to claim 34, wherein the opening of the mating cavity has an enlarged guiding portion for guiding the insertion of the male joint into the mating cavity.

36. The communication module according to claim 34, wherein the female joint is provided on the first or the second component, and has a base with a face that is opposite from the opening of the mating cavity and configured for forming planar connection with the first or the second component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] These and other objects, features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which are to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0033] FIG. 1A shows a sectional view of an RF connector according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure mounted between a first PCB and a second PCB;

[0034] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a board connector in the form of a male joint of an elastic connection assembly of the RF connector according to the first embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of a main part of an inner conductor of the RF connector of the first embodiment, which is provided with female joints at its ends;

[0036] FIG. 1D shows a perspective view of a conductive gasket for the RF connector of the first embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 1E shows a perspective view of a copper spring for the RF connector of the first embodiment;

[0038] FIG. 2A shows a sectional view of an RF connector according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure mounted between a first PCB and a second PCB;

[0039] FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a board connector in the form of a female joint of an elastic connection assembly of the RF connector according to the second embodiment;

[0040] FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of a main part of an inner conductor of the RF connector of the second embodiment, which is provided with male joints at its ends;

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an RF connector according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, which has a dielectric insulator provided between an outer conductor and an inner conductor;

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of an RF connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, which is applied for the connection between a first PCB and a second PCB with through-holes provided thereon as female joints;

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of an RF connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, which is applied for the connection between a PCB and a cavity filter having a recess provided thereon as a female joint.

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of an RF connector according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, which is applied for the connection between a PCB and a cavity filter having a cavity with a protrusion integrally protruding from the bottom of the cavity as a male joint.

[0045] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of an RF connector according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure for a board-to-board connection, in which a metal sleeve integrally formed on an EMC cover is used as a metal sleeve of an outer conductor; and

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of an RF connector according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure for a board-to-board connection, in which conductive gaskets are placed around copper springs for stable current transmission between the outer conductor and the PCBs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these embodiments are discussed only for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and thus implement the present disclosure, rather than suggesting any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure. Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment of the disclosure. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the disclosure.

[0048] Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0049] Generally, applications of an RF connector can be classified into following two types: a board-to-board application, in which the RF connector is mounted between two PCBs; and a board-to-cavity application, in which the RF connector is mounted between a PCB and a cavity filter. For clearly illustrating the RF connector of the present disclosure, the board-to-board application and the board-to-cavity application are explained separately as follows:

Board-to-Board Application

First Embodiment

[0050] FIG. 1A shows an RF connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The RF connector 1 comprises an outer conductor 11 which is electrically connected with the first and second PCBs 2 by electrical contacts at its ends, and an inner conductor 12 comprising a central body 121 and elastic connection assemblies 122 provided in each end region of the central body 121 for electrically connecting the central body 121 to the PCBs 2. The outer conductor 11 has a hollow housing which is embodied as a metal sleeve 110. At each end of the metal sleeve 110, a recess 111 is formed and communicates with a central bore of the metal sleeve 110, thereby forming a stepped hole. A ring of conductive material 112 is placed in each recess 111, working as outer electrical contacts abutting against contact pads of each PCB board 2. The inner conductor 12 is installed in a central bore of the metal sleeve 110 and spaced from an inner wall of the metal sleeve 110, thereby an annular space is formed therebetween. Each elastic connection assembly 122 comprises a male joint 122a and a female joint 122b which mate to each other to form an abutment connection. At least one of the male joint 122a and the female joint 122b has elasticity in a radial direction in the area of the abutment connection.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 1B, it can be seen that the male joint 122a, which works as a board connector, is embodied as a rivet-like component, comprising a support base 1221a with a planar face 12210a configured for forming planar connection with the PCB board 2, and a pin-shaped element 1222a protruding from the support base 1221a as a main body of the male joint 122a. The support base 1221a can be soldered to the PCB board 2 directly with the planar face 12210a abutting against the PCB board 2. Referring to FIG. 1C, the female joint 122b provided on each end of the central body 121 is embodied as a grasping part, which comprises a plurality of elastic strips 1222b spaced by a plurality of dividing grooves in the circumferential direction, each of the elastic strips 1222b curving inwards in the radial direction such that a neck portion 1222b1 with a reduced circumference is formed as a clamping ring which is configured to abut against an outer circumferential surface of the pin-shaped element 1222a of the male joint 122a. With the provision of the elastic strips 1222b, elastic force provided thereby may help to adapt to the pin-shaped element 1222a with different diameters and also enables easy insertion of the pin-shaped element 1222a into the female joint 122b or easy extraction of the pin-shaped element 1222a from the female joint 122b.

[0052] Preferably, the female joint 122b has a horn-like guiding skirt 1222b2 provided in the end area of the elastic strips 1222b and extending outwards from the neck portion 1222b1. This horn-like guiding skirt 1222b2 may help to guide the insertion of the pin-shaped element 1222a of the male joint 122a into the neck portion 1222b1 of the female joint 122b.

[0053] As can be seen from FIG. 1C, the female joints 122b are integrally formed with the central body 121 into an integral piece. This integral piece can be formed by a sheet metal processing, such as deep drawing, cutting, bending, punching or welding. Therefore, the overall cost of the RF connector can be greatly reduced.

[0054] As can be seen from FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the inner conductor 12 is actually a 3-piece part as a whole, providing the central electrical connection between the first and second PCBs 2. And this central electrical connection can be achieved independently, without involving any operations regarding the outer conductor 11. That is to say, no matter whether the outer conductor is arranged in place or not, the inner conductor 12 can be assembled well and put into a position ready for realizing the central electrical connection between the two PCBs 2.

[0055] As indicated with respect to FIG. 1A, a ring of conductive material 112 is placed in the recess 111 at each end of the metal sleeve 110. The conductive material 112 can be embodied as a conductive gasket 112′ (which is shown clearly in FIG. 1D), conductive glue, or a ring-like metal spring 112″ (for example, a copper spring as shown in FIG. 1E). The metal spring 112″ may comprise a plurality of elastic electrical contacts 1121″ which are equally spaced in the circumferential direction and are configured to allow elastic deformation in the axial direction of the metal sleeve 110. Once the conductive materials 112 in the recesses 111 are compressed and thus abut against predetermined portions of the PCBs, an outer electrical connection is formed thereby. It can be easily understood that, the conductive gasket, the conductive glue and the metal spring can be used either alone or in combination.

[0056] During the working of the RF connector 1 according to the first embodiment, the current will transmit through the inner conductor 12, and then goes back via conductive materials 112 and the metal sleeve 11 (as shown by the arrows in FIG. 2A), forming a signal transmission loop.

Second Embodiment

[0057] FIG. 2A shows a second embodiment of an RF connector 1 of the present disclosure. As compared with the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the RF connector differs only in the configuration of the elastic connection assembly 122′.

[0058] Specifically, in the second embodiment of the RF connector 1, the male joint 122a′ of the elastic connection assembly 122′ is provided at the end of the central body 121, and the female joint 122b′ is provided on the PCB board 2 as a board connector in the form of a barrel-shaped component having a mating cavity 1221b′ (as shown in FIG. 2B). The mating cavity 1221b′ has an opening 1222b′ for the insertion of the male joint 122a′. The male joint 122a′, as shown in FIG. 2C, comprises a plurality of elastic strips 1222a′ spaced by a plurality of dividing grooves in the circumferential direction. Each of the elastic strips 1222a′ curves outwards in the radial direction such that a circular bulge portion 1222a1′ is formed as an abutment portion which is inserted into the mating cavity 1221b′ of the female joint 122b′ via the opening 1222b′ and forms an abutment connection with an inner wall of the mating cavity 1221b′. Preferably, near the opening 1222b′ of the mating cavity 1221b′, there is an enlarged guiding portion 1223b′ formed by an end portion of the wall of the mating cavity for guiding the insertion of the male joint 122a′ into the interior of the mating cavity 1221b′. The female joint 122b′ has a base 1224b′ with a planar face 12240b′ that is opposite from the opening 1222b′ and configured for forming planar connection with the PCB 2. With this planar face 12240b′, the female joint 122b′ can be soldered to the PCB 2 directly.

[0059] As can be seen from FIG. 2C, the male joints 122a′ are integrally formed with the central body 121 into an integral piece. This integral piece can be formed by a sheet metal processing, such as deep drawing, cutting, bending, punching or welding. Therefore, the overall cost of the RF connector can be greatly reduced.

[0060] As can be seen from FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the inner conductor 12 is configured as a 3-piece part as a whole. The inner conductor 12 can be electrically connected with the PCBs 2 via the mating of the male joints 122a′ and female joints 122b′ soldered on the PCBs 2. The inner conductor 12 can be well assembled independently, without involving any operations regarding the outer conductor 11.

Third Embodiment

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of an RF connector 1 of the present disclosure. As compared with the second embodiment, the third embodiment of the RF connector 1 uses a metal spring 112″ (rather than a conductive gasket 112′) as the conductive material 112 and also adds a dielectric insulator 13 in the annular space between the inner conductor 12 and the outer conductor 11.

[0062] Generally speaking, the dielectric insulator 13 is not mandatorily needed. But in cases that impedance matching optimization or installation robustness calls for special attention, the dielectric insulator 13 could be flexibly designed with various forms and shapes and mounted around the central body 121 of the inner conductor 12 accordingly.

Fourth Embodiment

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of an RF connector 1 of the present disclosure. As compared with the second embodiment, the fourth embodiment of the RF connector differs in the configuration of the female joint 122b″.

[0064] Specifically, through-holes are formed in each PCB 2 and function as the mating cavities of the female joints 122b″. For reliable connection between the female joint 122a″ and the male joint 122b″, a metal coating or a metal layer 1220b″ may be applied to inner wall of the through-holes.

[0065] Although it is shown in FIG. 4 that through-holes formed on the PCBs 2 can function as the mating cavities of the female joint, it is easily conceivable that other forms of hollow structure, for example, blind holes, grooves or notches, can be provided in the PCBs as well to provide female joints for mating with the male joints 122a″.

Board-to-Cavity Application

[0066] RF connectors are also widely applied in the connection scenario between a PCB and a cavity filter in a radio base station product.

[0067] Similar to the board-to-board application, the board-to-cavity application also uses an inner conductor to provide a central electrical connection between the PCB and the metal cavity part of the cavity filter, and uses an outer conductor (consisting of a compressed conductive material and a metal sleeve) to provide an outer electrical connection between the PCB and the metal cavity part of the cavity filter.

Fifth Embodiment

[0068] FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of an RF connector 1 of the present disclosure. A cavity filter 3 has at least a cavity 122b′″ inherently formed on its metal part. The cavity 122b′″ can be used directly as a female joint of the elastic connection assembly 122′″ for the RF connector 1, without the need of separately providing an addition element as a female joint. In this case, a male joint 122a′″ is designed correspondingly to have a circular bulge portion 1222a1′″ which can be inserted into the cavity 122b′″ through its opening and forms an abutment connection with an inner wall of the cavity 122b′″.

Sixth Embodiment

[0069] FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of an RF connector 1 of the present disclosure. On a side of the metal cavity part of the cavity filter 3 facing the PCB 2, there is a cavity 1220a″″ formed with a protrusion 1221a″″ extending from the bottom of the cavity 1220a″″. For matching with this particular male joint 122a″″ comprising the cavity 1220a″″ and the protrusion 1221a″″, a female joint 122b″″ is designed in the form of a grasping part. Once the female joint 122b″″ is inserted into the cavity 1220a″″, the protrusion 1221a″″ slides into the grasping part in the meantime. As a result, the clamping ring of the grasping part abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 1221a″″ under the action of the elastic force of the elastic connection assembly 122″″. In this case, the protrusion 1221a″″ can be used directly as a pin-shaped main body of the male joint, without the need of separately providing an additional element as the male joint.

Seventh Embodiment

[0070] FIG. 7 shows a seventh embodiment of an RF connector 1 of the present disclosure. As compared with the second embodiment, the seventh embodiment of the RF connector differs in the configuration of the metal sleeve 110 of the outer conductor 11.

[0071] In the radio station, there will always be metal part designed surrounding the radio transmitting channel due to the EMI shielding consideration. Taking the advantage of an EMC cover 4, the seventh embodiment develops a special outer electrical connection instead of using a separate outer conductor itself. In the seventh embodiment, the metal sleeve 110 is formed integrally on the EMC cover 4. Hence, it is possible to integrate a plurality of metal sleeves into a single EMC cover using a die casting technology, therefore improving production efficiency and reducing production cost.

Eighth Embodiment

[0072] FIG. 8 shows an eighth embodiment of an RF connector 1 of the present disclosure. As compared with the seventh embodiment, the eighth embodiment of the RF connector differs in the arrangement of conductive materials 112 in a recess 111 formed at the end of the metal sleeve 110.

[0073] Specifically, a conductive gasket 112′ is placed in the recess 111 and extends around the periphery of a metal spring 112″, for the purpose of shielding. Meanwhile, the metal spring 112″, for example, a copper spring, is placed in such a manner that the elastic contacts 1121″ thereof can abut against the contact pad on the PCB 2 and realize the electrical connection therebetween.

Other Embodiments

[0074] Although it is shown in all the above embodiments of RF connector 1 that the joints provided at both ends of the central body 121 are of the same configuration, it is easily conceivable that they can be designed in different configurations. For example, one joint at a first end of the central body 121 is in the form of a grasping part (as shown in FIG. 1C) for grasping a pin-shaped portion of a male joint on the PCB or cavity filter, and the other joint at the second end of the central body 121 is formed with a bulging portion (as shown in FIG. 2C) for forming an abutment connection with a female joint on the PCB or cavity filter. Matching joints for each joint at the end of the central body 121 can be provided accordingly in view of the specific configuration of the PCB or the cavity filter to be connected.

[0075] Also, no matter whether a dielectric insulator is provided in the annular space between the metal sleeve 110 of the outer conductor 11 and the central body 121 of the inner conductor 12 or not, the central body 121 of the inner conductor 12 can be directly connected to the PCB(s) or the cavity filter by means of the elastic connection assembly, without involving the outer conductor or the dielectric insulator. In other words, when assembling the RF connector 1 of the present disclosure, it is not necessary that both the central body of the inner conductor and metal sleeve of the outer conductor should be handled at the same time. For example, the operator can put the central body of the inner conductor in a right place for the matching of the female and male joints, without taking the handling of the metal sleeve or the dielectric insulator (if any) into consideration. Thus, there is no need to consider concentricity issue occurring with the inner conductor and the outer conductor, and the soldering defects caused by low co-planarity in the board connectors of the existing RF connectors can be eliminated. Therefore, the RF connector of the present disclosure allows easy and flexible assembling and improved durability or lengthened life span.

[0076] References in the present disclosure to “an embodiment”, “another embodiment” and so on, indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0077] It should be understood that, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed terms.

[0078] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and/or combinations thereof. The terms “connect”, “connects”, “connecting” and/or “connected” used herein cover the direct and/or indirect connection between two elements.

[0079] The present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or any generalization thereof. Various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, any and all modifications will still fall within the scope of the non-Limiting and exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.