Multiple antenna system for mobile telephony
11631935 · 2023-04-18
Assignee
Inventors
- Georg Tischler (Stephanskirchen, DE)
- Stephan Dandlberger (Rosenheim, DE)
- Thorge Ralf (Vaihingen / Enz, DE)
Cpc classification
H01Q21/08
ELECTRICITY
International classification
H01Q1/52
ELECTRICITY
H01Q21/08
ELECTRICITY
Abstract
A multiple antenna system comprises at least two dipole-type radiators with first and second radiator elements, respectively, which are arranged at a distance from a reflector arrangement. A phase shifter arrangement with a phase shifter adjustment device is connected to the first and second radiator elements to adjust the phase relationships between the first radiator elements and between the second radiator elements. A decoupling arrangement is coupled to a decoupling adjustment device. The decoupling adjustment device is mechanically coupled to the phase shifter adjustment device, so that when the phase shifter adjustment device is moved, the decoupling arrangement: is changeable in its length, width and/or shape; or is changeable in its position, whereby the change of position is accelerated or only partially synchronized with the adjusting movement of the phase-shifting device; or is changeable in its position, wherein the decoupling arrangement is arranged within at least one of the radiators.
Claims
1. A multiple antenna system for mobile communication, comprising the following features: at least one group of at least two dual-polarized dipole-type radiators is provided, wherein each dipole-type radiator comprises first and second radiator elements, the first radiator elements are configured to transmit and/or receive in a first polarization plane and the second radiator elements are configured to transmit and/or receive in a second polarization plane, both polarization planes being oriented perpendicular to each other; a reflector arrangement is provided and the at least one group of at least two dipole-type radiators is arranged on the same side of the reflector arrangement; a phase shifter arrangement is provided which is connected to the first and second radiator elements and the phase shifter arrangement is configured to: a) adjust the phase relationships between the at least two first radiator elements with respect to each other; and b) adjust the phase relationships between the at least two second radiator elements; at least one phase shifter adjustment device is provided, which is mechanically in contact with the phase shifter arrangement and is configured to adjust the phase shifter arrangement; and at least one decoupling arrangement is provided, which is arranged on the same side of the reflector arrangement as the group of at least two dipole-type radiators; characterized by the following features: at least one decoupling adjustment device is provided, which is coupled to the at least one decoupling arrangement; and the at least one decoupling adjustment device is mechanically coupled to the phase shifter adjustment device, so that in the event of an adjustment movement of the phase shifter adjustment device, the at least one decoupling arrangement device: a) is adjustable in width by moving, in a width direction, a first decoupling surface of the at least two decoupling surfaces comprised in the at least one decoupling arrangement device and/or is adjustable in shape by rotating the first decoupling surface of the at least two decoupling surfaces against a second decoupling surface of the at least two decoupling surfaces; or b) is changeable in its position, whereby the change of position is accelerated or only partially synchronized with the adjusting movement of the phase shifter adjustment device; or c) is changeable in its position, wherein the at least one decoupling arrangement is arranged within at least one of the at least two radiators.
2. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 1, characterized by the following feature: the phase shifter adjustment device consists of or comprises an adjustment rod which is movable along its longitudinal axis and/or rotatable around its longitudinal axis to provide the adjustment movement.
3. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 2, characterized by the following features: the at least one decoupling arrangement: is movable by the decoupling adjustment device only along a certain path of movement or over a certain angular range of rotation of the at least one adjustment rod of the phase shifter adjustment device synchronously therewith, whereby the position of the decoupling arrangement changes; or is adjustable with respect to its distance from the reflector arrangement within the at least one of the at least two radiators, whereby the position of the decoupling arrangement changes.
4. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 3, characterized by the following features: the at least two decoupling surfaces are galvanically connected to each other; or a dielectric is arranged between the at least two decoupling surfaces; or a free space is formed between the at least two decoupling surfaces.
5. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 3, characterized by the following features: both decoupling surfaces are of the same or different size; and/or the decoupling surfaces have the shape of a: a) n-corner with n≥3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10; or b) oval; or c) circle; or d) n-polygons; or are approximated to such a shape.
6. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 3, characterized by the following feature: both decoupling surfaces run approximately parallel to the reflector arrangement and/or the radiator plane of one or more of the at least two radiators.
7. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 3, characterized by the following features: the decoupling adjustment device comprises a shifting element; the shifting element comprises a first end and a second end; the first end of the shifting element is connected to the first decoupling surface; the second decoupling surface is arranged stationary; and the second end of the shifting element is connected to the adjustment rod, so that during an adjustment movement of the adjustment rod the at least two decoupling surfaces are moved or rotated relative to one another.
8. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 3, characterized by the following features: the decoupling adjustment device comprises a shifting element; the shifting element comprises a first end and a second end; the first end of the shifting element is: a) connected to the first decoupling surface, wherein the second decoupling surface is arranged stationary; or b) connected to the decoupling arrangement; the adjustment rod comprises a first driving element which is arranged on and projects from the adjustment rod; and the first driving element is arranged on the adjustment rod at such a position that it comes into engagement with the shifting element only in the last 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10% or 5% of the movement path, i.e. the adjusting movement along a first movement direction of the adjustment rod, whereby only in this region of the movement path the: a) two decoupling surfaces are moved or rotated relative to each other; or b) decoupling arrangement is movable synchronously with the adjustment rod only in this region of the movement path of the adjustment rod.
9. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 8, characterized by the following features: the adjustment rod comprises a second driving element which is arranged on the adjustment rod and projects from it; the second driving element is arranged along the longitudinal axis of the adjustment rod at a distance from the first driving element; and the second driving element is arranged on the adjustment rod at such a position that it engages with the shifting element only along a second movement direction of the adjustment rod, which is in opposite direction of to the first movement direction, whereby the: a) two decoupling surfaces are moved or rotated relative to each other; or b) decoupling arrangement is movable synchronously with the adjustment rod only in this region of the movement path of the adjustment rod.
10. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 3, characterized by the following features: the decoupling adjustment device comprises a gear wheel arrangement; the adjustment rod comprises: 1) teeth, which are arranged offset to each other along the longitudinal axis of the adjustment rod; or 2) several screw threads extending along the longitudinal axis of the adjustment rod; and the gear wheel arrangement is permanently in engagement with the adjustment rod and with the first decoupling surface, wherein the second decoupling surface is arranged stationary, wherein the two decoupling surfaces can be moved or rotated relative to one another by displacing or rotating the adjustment rod.
11. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 3, characterized by the following features: the decoupling adjustment device comprises a gear wheel arrangement; the adjustment rod comprises teeth which are arranged offset to each other along the longitudinal axis of the adjustment rod; and the gear wheel arrangement only comes into engagement with the teeth in the first or last 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10% or 5% of the movement path of the adjustment rod along a first movement direction of the adjustment rod, whereby only in this region of the movement path the: i. two decoupling surfaces are moveable or rotatable relative to one another; or ii. decoupling arrangement is movable synchronously with the adjustment rod only in this region of the movement path of the adjustment rod.
12. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 3, characterized by the following features: the decoupling adjustment device comprises a gear wheel arrangement; the adjustment rod comprises: 1) teeth, which are arranged offset to each other along the longitudinal axis of the adjustment rod; or 2) several screw threads extending along the longitudinal axis of the adjustment rod; and the gear wheel arrangement comprises at least one eccentric gear wheel which is at least indirectly in engagement with the adjustment rod, whereby the: i. two decoupling surfaces are acceleratedly moveable or rotatable relative to each other; or ii. decoupling arrangement is adjustable in its position in an accelerated manner.
13. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 1, characterized by the following feature: the decoupling arrangement is enlarged by more than 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or by more than 100% in plan view with respect to its length and/or width.
14. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 2, characterized by the following features: at least one of the at least two dipole-type radiators comprises a balancing and/or support arrangement; the balancing and/or support arrangement is arranged with its first end on the reflector arrangement; a second end of the balancing and/or support arrangement, which is opposite the first end, is further spaced apart from the reflector arrangement; radiating surfaces of the radiating elements are arranged at the second end of the balancing and/or support arrangement; the balancing and/or support arrangement encloses a receiving room extending from the first end to the second end; the decoupling arrangement is partially or predominantly or completely arranged in the receiving room; and the decoupling adjustment device is in contact with the decoupling arrangement and the at least one adjustment rod, so that when the adjustment rod is moved or rotated, the distance of at least one decoupling arrangement to the reflector arrangement is changeable.
15. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 14, characterized by the following features: the decoupling adjustment device comprises a shifting element; the shifting element comprises a first end and a second end; the first end of the shifting element is a) hinged to the decoupling arrangement; or b) arranged below the decoupling arrangement on the latter; and the second end of the shifting element is hinged to the adjustment rod.
16. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 15, characterized by the following feature: the shifting element, which is arranged with its first end below the decoupling arrangement, comes into engagement with the decoupling arrangement only in the last 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10% or 5% of the movement path along a first movement direction of the adjustment rod, whereby the first end of the shifting element presses the decoupling arrangement from below in the direction of the radiator plane only in this region of the movement path.
17. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 15, characterized by the following features: a guiding arrangement is provided; and the decoupling arrangement is guided by the guiding arrangement only along a straight line.
18. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 2, characterized by the following features: at least one of the at least two dipole-type radiators comprises a balancing and/or support arrangement; the balancing and/or support arrangement is arranged with its first end on the reflector arrangement; a second end of the balancing and/or support arrangement, which is opposite the first end, is further spaced apart from the reflector arrangement; radiating surfaces of the radiating elements are arranged at the second end of the balancing and/or support arrangement; the balancing and/or support arrangement encloses a receiving room extending from the first end to the second end; the balancing and/or support arrangement comprises at least one balancing slot which extends from the second end over a partial length or over the entire length of the balancing and/or support arrangement towards the first end, whereby the receiving room is accessible from outside the radiator; and the decoupling adjustment device is in contact with the decoupling arrangement and the at least one adjustment rod in such a way that when the adjustment rod is moved or rotated, the at least one decoupling arrangement can be pushed into the receiving room from outside the radiator via the at least one balancing slot.
19. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 1, characterized by the following feature: the decoupling adjustment device is predominantly arranged on a second side of the reflector arrangement, the second side being free of radiators.
20. The multiple antenna system for mobile communication according to claim 1, characterized by the following feature: a spring device is provided and arranged on the decoupling arrangement in such a way that the decoupling adjustment device must overcome a spring force of the spring device in order to change the width and/or shape or the position of the decoupling arrangement.
Description
(1) Various embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings as examples. The same subject-matter has the same reference signs. The corresponding figures of the drawing show in detail:
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(17) The multi-antenna system 1 comprises at least one group of at least two dual-polarized, circular-polarized, ±45°-polarized or elliptically polarized dipole-type radiators 2, wherein each dipole-type radiator 2 comprises first radiator elements 2a and second radiator elements 2b. The first radiator elements 2a are configured to transmit and/or receive in a first polarization plane, whereas the second radiator elements 2b are configured to transmit and/or receive in a second polarization plane. Both polarization planes are aligned perpendicular to each other. The decoupling of these polarization planes is to be ensured by the present invention also for different phase relationships between the respective first radiator elements 2a of the different radiators 2 and the respective second radiator elements 2b of the different radiators 2.
(18) Furthermore, a reflector arrangement 3 is provided, on which the at least two dipole-type radiators 2 are arranged. The dipole-type radiators 2 or preferably all dipole-type radiators 2 are arranged on the same side of the reflector arrangement 3.
(19) Furthermore, a phase shifter arrangement 4 is provided, which is connected to the first and second radiator elements 2a, 2b. The phase shifter arrangement 4 is configured to adjust the phase relationship between the at least two first radiator elements 2a and between the at least two second radiator elements 2b.
(20) For this purpose, the phase shifter arrangement 4 comprises a feed connection 4a for one polarization plane and various radiator connections 4b for connection to the first radiator elements 2a or to the second radiator elements 2b. The phase shifter arrangement 4 shown in
(21) Furthermore, at least one phase shifter adjustment device 5 is provided, which is mechanically in contact with the phase shifter arrangement 4 and which is configured to adjust the phase shifter arrangement 4, i.e. in particular to adjust the phase relationships between the first radiator elements 2a with respect to one another and the second radiator elements 2b with respect to one another, whereby the directional characteristic (down-tilt) can be changed. The phase shifter adjustment device 5 causes the pointer 4c of the phase shifter arrangement 4 to be moved accordingly, whereby the applied signal at the feed connection 4a is output with a different delay at the radiator connections 4b.
(22) In
(23) This movement and/or rotation of the phase shifter adjustment device 5, which in this case is the adjustment rod 6, is preferably done by an electrically driven motor 7. This motor 7 can then be controlled by the mobile network operator of the multiple antenna system 1.
(24) In order to improve the decoupling depending on the phase relationship of the first radiator elements 2a to each other and the second radiator elements 2b to each other, a decoupling arrangement 8 is provided, which is arranged on the same side of the reflector arrangement 3 as the group of at least two dipole-type radiators 2. The decoupling arrangement 8 consists of or comprises a dielectric material and/or is electrically conductive. In the latter case it may, for example, consist of or comprise a metal.
(25) Furthermore, at least one decoupling adjustment device 9 is provided, which is coupled with the at least one decoupling arrangement 8. This coupling can be mechanical (e.g. by gears) or magnetic. A movement of the decoupling adjustment device 9 leads (preferably always) to a movement of the decoupling arrangement 8.
(26) The at least one decoupling adjustment device 9 is in turn mechanically coupled to the phase shifter adjustment device 5, so that in the event of an adjustment movement of the phase shifter adjustment device 5 the at least one decoupling arrangement 8 either: a) is variable in length, width and/or shape; or b) is variable in position, wherein the change of position is accelerated or only partially synchronous with the total displacement of the phase shifting device 5; or c) is changeable in its position, wherein the at least one decoupling arrangement 8 is arranged within at least one of the at least two radiators 2.
(27) The at least one decoupling arrangement 8 comprises at least two decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b as shown in
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(30) In
(31) The at least two decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b of the at least one decoupling arrangement 8 overlap in plan view more before the moving and/or rotating of the at least two decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b than after the moving and/or rotating.
(32) Between the at least two decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b a dielectric 10 is preferably arranged. The dielectric 10 is preferably a foil. In principle, the decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b could also be coated with a dielectric layer, which forms the dielectric.
(33) It is also possible that a free space is formed between the at least two decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b, thus separating them from each other. In principle, it is also possible that the at least two decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b are galvanically connected to each other.
(34) The at least two decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b can themselves consist of a dielectric or a conductive material.
(35) Both decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b are preferably the same size. They could also be of different sizes. The decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b preferably have the shape of an n-corner with n≥3, 4, 5, etc. They could also have the shape of an oval, a circle or an n-polygon or be approximated to such a shape.
(36) Both decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b are spaced from the reflector arrangement 3. Preferably, they are located between the reflector arrangement 3 and the radiator plane of the at least two dipole-type radiators 2. At least one of the decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b can also be arranged at the height of the radiator plane.
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(39) Preferably, only one of the at least two decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b is moved or rotated, whereas the other decoupling surface 8b, 8a is arranged permanently stationary.
(40) In
(41) In
(42) It is not shown that the multiple antenna system 1 also comprises a spring device. This can be arranged at the decoupling arrangement 8 in such a way that the decoupling adjustment device 9 must overcome a spring force of the spring force device in order to change the length, width and/or shape or the position of the decoupling arrangement 8. Without such an application of force by the decoupling adjustment device 9, the spring device causes the at least two decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b to be moved and/or rotated back into a starting position.
(43) Preferably the at least one decoupling arrangement 8 is movable by the decoupling adjustment device 9 only along a certain path of movement or over a certain angular range of rotation of the at least one adjustment rod 6 of the phase shifter adjustment device 5 synchronously therewith, whereby its position or its shape and/or size changes only in this region or only in this path. With regard to
(44) In an embodiment not shown, the decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b are rotated or moved as soon as the adjustment rod 6 is moved. For this purpose the decoupling adjustment device 9 comprises a shifting element 11, which has a first and a second end 11a, 11b. The first end 11a of this shifting element 11 is connected to the first decoupling surfaces 8a, whereas the second decoupling surface 8b is arranged stationary. The second end 11b of the shifting element 11 is, however, connected to the adjustment rod 6, so that with each adjustment movement of the adjustment rod 6 the at least two decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b are moved or rotated against each other. The shifting element 11 and the adjustment rod 6 can for example consist of a single work piece or the shifting element 11 can be screwed, connected or welded or soldered to the adjustment rod 6. In this case, there is a synchronous movement between a part of the decoupling adjustment device 8 (i.e. between the first decoupling surface 8a) and an adjustment movement of the adjustment rod 6. Such a construction is shown in
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(46) This construction has the advantage that only shortly before reaching the maximum or minimum down tilt angle an additional decoupling takes place, whereby in this region the polarization planes are then particularly well decoupled from each other.
(47) In
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(49) Referring to
(50) In
(51) In the embodiment of
(52) It would also be possible that the gear wheel arrangement of the decoupling adjustment device 9 comprises at least one eccentric gear wheel which is in engagement (indirectly or directly) with the adjustment rod 6, whereby the at least two decoupling surfaces 8a, 8b can be moved or rotated against each other in an accelerated manner or whereby the entire decoupling arrangement 8 can be adjusted in its position in an accelerated manner. The acceleration a is greater than zero or less than zero. At this point in time, the adjustment rod 6 preferably moves at a constant speed or with a different acceleration.
(53) In the following, it will be explained how a structure of the multiple antenna system 1 can look like, where the decoupling arrangement 8 is arranged within at least one of the two radiators 2. Reference is made to
(54) At least one of the at least two dipole-type radiators 2 comprises a balancing and/or support arrangement 15, which is arranged with its first end 15a at the reflector arrangement 3. A second end 15b of the balancing and/or support arrangement 15, which is opposite the first end 15a, is further away from the reflector arrangement 3. Radiator surfaces 17 of the radiator elements 2a, 2b are arranged at the second end 15b of the balancing and/or support arrangement 15. The balancing and/or support arrangement 15 encloses a receiving room 16, which extends from the first end 15a to the second end 15b. The decoupling arrangement 8 is arranged (in particular predominantly or completely) in the receiving room 16. The decoupling adjustment device 9 is in contact with the decoupling arrangement 8 and the at least one adjustment rod 6, so that when the adjustment rod 6 is moved or rotated, the at least one decoupling arrangement 8 can be changed in its distance to the reflector arrangement 3 within the balancing and/or support arrangement 15.
(55) In
(56) The decoupling adjustment device 9 comprises a shifting element 11, which comprises a first end 11a and a second end 11b. The first end of the shifting element is hinged to the decoupling arrangement 8 and is attached or fixated underneath the decoupling arrangement 8 to the decoupling arrangement 8. The second end 11b of the shifting element 11 is then again hinged to the adjustment rod 6. By means of the decoupling adjustment device 9, a linear movement of the adjustment rod 6 along its longitudinal axis 5a can therefore be converted into a lifting movement of the decoupling arrangement 8 within the balancing and/or support arrangement 15.
(57) In principle, it would also be possible that a guiding arrangement is still provided, whereby the decoupling arrangement is only guided along a straight line by the guiding arrangement. This straight line is perpendicular to the reflector arrangement 3.
(58) The decoupling adjustment device 9 is preferably mainly located on a second side of the reflector arrangement 3, which is free of the dipole-type radiators 2.
(59) Also for
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(62) The decoupling arrangement 8 is preferably arranged at the same distance from the radiator elements 2a, 2b of both radiators 2, 3.
(63) The radiator 2 according to
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(65) In contrast,
(66) The invention is not limited to the embodiments described. Within the scope of the invention, all described and/or depicted features can be combined with each other in arbitrary ways.