HF combiner for a mobile radio site, HF combiner arrangement having two HF combiners for a mobile radio site, and such a mobile radio site

An HF combiner includes a housing having a common terminal and n signal line terminals. The n signal line terminals are coupled to the common terminal within the housing via one of n filter paths in each case. A circuit board arrangement is used for outcoupling and separately transmitting low-frequency signals, and includes a common terminal contact and n signal line terminal contacts. Each of the n signal line terminal contacts is electrically connected or connectable to the common terminal contact via one of n bypass lines in each case. For this purpose, a control device controls n signal line switching devices. When an AISG signal is detected at one of the n signal line terminal contacts, the control device is designed to electrically connect the particular one of the n signal line terminal contacts, at which the AISG signal has been detected, to the common terminal contact.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to DE Patent Application No. 10 2018 102 056.2 filed Jan. 30, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The technology herein relates to an HF combiner, which may also be referred to as a mobile radio combiner, and which may be used for setting up a mobile radio site. The technology herein further relates to an HF combiner arrangement having two such HF combiners, and to a corresponding mobile radio site in which at least two HF combiners or at least one HF combiner arrangement are/is used.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

HF combiners are used to combine mobile radio signals from different mobile radio bands, i.e. having different frequency ranges, to allow the mobile radio signals to be transmitted to an antenna mast via a shared cable to the antennas. A cable, also referred to as a feeder cable, is costly to manufacture due to the fact that it must have very good electrical properties (for example, with regard to dielectric losses). For this reason, attempts are made to transmit as many different mobile radio bands as possible via one feeder cable. Such a combination, or separation of mobile radio bands, is achieved using HF combiners. An HF combiner includes multiple signal line terminals that are connected to the various base stations. A base station receives a digital data stream, conditions it, and outputs it in an HF signal. The HF combiner combines HF signals of different frequencies from various base stations, and outputs them to a common terminal to which one end of the feeder cable is connected. The electrical functional units are connected at the other end of the feeder cable. The term “electrical functional units” is understood to mean not only the antennas themselves, but often also other components such as phase shifters, remote electrical tilt (RET) units, and dual tower mounted amplifiers (DTMAs). To allow operation and control of these further components of the electrical functional units, the particular base station also outputs a supply voltage (DC signal) and control signals (AISG signals). These antenna interface standard group (AISG) signals are transmitted at a frequency of 2.176 MHz, using an on/off keying method. Data rates of 9.6 kbps, 38.4 kbps, or 115.2 kbps, for example, may thus be achieved. The bandwidth of an AISG signal is preferably 200 kHz or less. The level of the on/off keying signal is +5 dBm (on signal), for example, and −40 dBm (off signal), for example.

Different filter paths are used in order for the HF combiners used to be able to transmit different mobile radio bands (different frequency ranges) at the individual signal line terminals to a common terminal to which the feeder cable is connected. This also ensures that signals that are received from a feeder cable are output to the correct signal line terminals. The signals to be sent from the base station may be transmitted via the same feeder cable that also transmits the signals to be received by the base station. However, different feeder cables, and thus different combiners, may also be used here for uplink and downlink. The filter paths are implemented in particular as band-pass filters, for which reason a DC signal and an AISG signal, which are necessary for controlling the above-mentioned electrical functional units, cannot be transmitted via these filter paths. For this reason, there are bypass lines that run outside the filter paths. The DC signal and the AISG signal are transmitted via these bypass lines. The bypass lines are outcoupled at the signal line terminals and coupled back in at the common terminal. Low-pass filters are provided here so that the particular HF signals of the mobile radio bands are also not outcoupled.

A base station has in particular two terminals. The MAIN signal is output or received at one terminal, and the DIV signal is output or received at another terminal. Both signals are phase-shifted by 90°, and are output or received, for example, by different dipoles of a vector dipole or dipole square. The frequency range is the same. However, the base station outputs an AISG signal at only one of the terminals.

In previous HF combiners from the prior art, individual signal line terminals are fixedly connected to the common terminal via bypass lines. In this case, DC signals and AISG signals can be transmitted only from a signal line terminal to the common terminal. Since a signal line terminal, due to the filter path to which it is connected, is used for connecting only one mobile radio band, various HF combiners are necessary to be able to transmit the AISG signals from each base station, via the feeder cable, to the electrical functional units to be controlled. This complicates manufacture of the HF combiners, and there is always the risk that faulty cabling will occur in setting up a mobile radio site, and the mobile radio site cannot be placed in operation.

In principle, consideration could be given to connecting the particular signal line, in which a DC signal is initially present, to the common terminal via a corresponding low-frequency outcoupling. However, here as well the problem would arise that for the case that the base stations are operational in a different time sequence and output a DC signal in a different time sequence, the interconnection of the signal line terminal to the common terminal would be faulty. In this case, the HF combiner also would no longer correct this interconnection when an AISG signal from another base station, which is not allowed until later, is then suddenly present at a different signal line terminal.

Aspects of the present technology, therefore, provide an HF combiner that is suitable for setting up a mobile radio site, even though MAIN signals or DIV signals from different base stations are present at its signal line terminals, and the particular signal line terminal at which an AISG signal is present is not defined beforehand.

The object is achieved by an HF combiner, by an HF combiner arrangement, and by a mobile radio site. Refinements of the HF combiner and refinements of the HF combiner arrangement are also contemplated.

The HF combiner according to example non-limiting embodiments includes a housing on which a common terminal and n signal line terminals (where n≥2) are situated. The n signal line terminals are connected and/or coupled to the common terminal within the housing via one of n filter paths in each case. The filter paths are in particular band-pass filters via which the mobile radio signals may be transmitted from the particular signal line terminal to the common terminal, or from the common terminal to the particular signal line terminal. In addition, a circuit board arrangement is provided. The circuit board arrangement is used for transmitting the outcoupled low-frequency signals (DC signal and AISG signal). For this purpose, the circuit board arrangement has a common terminal contact that is galvanically connected to the common terminal via a low-pass filter. In addition, the circuit board arrangement has n signal line terminal contacts, each of the n signal line terminal contacts being galvanically connected to the particular signal line terminal via a low-pass filter. In the simplest case, the terminal contacts are soldering points or plugs on the circuit board arrangement. The n signal line terminal contacts are hereby connected or connectable to the common terminal contact via n bypass lines. These bypass lines converge at the common terminal contact. Furthermore, there is an electronics unit that has a control device, a detector device, and at least n signal line switching devices. Each of these signal line switching devices includes a first switching unit. One of these switching units is situated in each of the n bypass lines, the switching units upon actuation being designed to disconnect or connect the particular surroundings line, in the latter case the signal line terminal contact in question being electrically connected to the common terminal contact. An AISG signal, which is present at the signal line terminal contact in question, is then transmitted to the common terminal contact. The transmission takes place in a conversion-free manner. This means that the AISG signal is not converted via additional modems (signal converters) into a different protocol. The bypass line for transmitting the AISG signal between the signal line terminal contact in question and the common terminal contact is therefore modem-free. The transmission takes place in this case preferably in a completely passive manner. This means that the signal is not changed, i.e. not amplified, for example. The connection between the signal line terminal contact in question and the common terminal contact is preferably low resistance. The detector device, which preferably includes n signal line detector devices, is connected or coupled either to the particular signal line terminal contact, or in each case between one of the n signal line terminals and the first switching unit. The detector device, in a BTS operating state, is designed to detect whether an AISG signal is present at one of the n signal line terminal contacts. For such a detection, the control device or the detector device is designed to control the first switching unit in the particular one of the n bypass lines in such a way that the first switching unit electrically connects the particular one of the n signal line terminal contacts, at which the AISG signal has been detected, to the common terminal contact. The AISG signal (low resistance) is transmitted from the signal line terminal contact in question to the common terminal contact by means of this electrical connection.

It is particularly advantageous that a detector device is provided with which an AISG signal can be detected at one of the n signal line terminal contacts. This result is then used to relay this AISG signal via the particular first switching unit to the common terminal contact, so that the signal is available at the common terminal. In this case, it does not matter whether the AISG signal is supplied to the first or second or third signal line terminal of the HF combiner. A BTS operating state is understood to mean that the HF combiner is connected to the base stations. The particular signal line terminals are therefore (at least indirectly) connected to the connections of the base stations, whereas the common terminal is connected to the feeder cable. The HF combiner is therefore situated “on the base” and not “on top of the antenna mast.”

A combiner having bypass lines is also disclosed in US 2017/257207 A1 and is connected to corresponding ports. A “bias tee” separates each of the bypass lines into an AISG line and a DC line, only AISG signals being transmitted via the AISG line and only DC signals via the DC line. In contrast to the solution according to example non-limiting embodiments, in which the detector device detects an AISG signal, in this case only detection of a DC signal takes place. If a DC signal is detected, the DC line is connected to the common terminal. In contrast, the AISG line associated with the same port is not connected electrically to the common terminal, as in the solution according to example non-limiting embodiments, but is galvanically separated by two modems. A first modem converts the AISG signal on the AISG line, which modem comprises an OOK modulation (on-off keying), into a TTL signal. The second modem converts the TTL signal back into an AISG signal and outputs it at the common terminal. The use of such modems means that no electrical connection is established for transmitting the AISG signal between the respective port and the common terminal.

The detector device can detect the presence of an AISG signal via a galvanic connection or via a (capacitive or inductive) coupling. This is described by the wording “connected” or “coupled.”

In one preferred embodiment of the HF combiner according to example non-limiting embodiments, the detector device is additionally connected or coupled either to the common terminal contact or between the common terminal and the n signal line switching devices. The detector device preferably has a common detector device. The detector device is designed to detect whether a DC signal is present at one of the n signal line terminal contacts. The detector device is also designed to detect whether a DC signal is present at the common terminal contact. When the control device is started, i.e. in particular when it is first supplied with power following a de-energised state, it assumes a starting operating state. From this starting operating state the control device may switch either into the BTS operating state or into an ANT operating state. In the BTS operating state, the control device changes over when the detector device detects a DC signal at one of the n signal line terminal contacts. In contrast, the control device changes over to the ANT operating state when the detector device detects a DC signal at the common terminal contact. The HF combiner according to example non-limiting embodiments may thus be universally used. It independently detects whether it is situated at the base stations, or on top of the antenna mast for the electrical functional units. Thus, only one HF combiner is necessary, which independently detects its particular location and purpose of use and appropriately adjusts its functionality. The ANT operating state is understood to mean that the HF combiner is connected to the electrical functional units. The particular signal line terminals are therefore directly connected, for example, to the connections of the antennas. An indirect connection may result from connecting the signal line terminals to the connections of single-band DTMAs or dual-band DTMAs, which in turn are connected to the antennas. The common terminal is hereby connected to the feeder cable. The HF combiner is therefore situated “on the antenna mast” and not “below on the base stations”.

As discussed at the outset, the base stations include at least two terminals. In a first terminal the MAIN signal is output or received, and in a second terminal the DIV signal is output or received. Both signals are present in the same frequency range, but phase-shifted by 90° relative to one another. For this reason, the two signals cannot be transmitted via the same feeder cable. Therefore, at least two HF combiners are required, which are connected to different feeder cables. Due to the corresponding transmission power outputs, these HF combiners preferably have a cavity design. The housing includes a housing base, the circuit board arrangement spaced apart from the housing base, and a circumferential housing wall between the housing base and the circuit board arrangement, thus delimiting a corresponding receiving space. For each filter path, at least one resonator inner conductor is provided that is galvanically connected to the housing base of the housing and extends in the axial direction from the housing base in the direction of the circuit board arrangement, and ends at a distance from the circuit board arrangement and/or is galvanically separated therefrom. The individual filter paths in which at least one resonator inner conductor is situated in each case are separated (decoupled), at least partially, from one another by a wall that is galvanically connected to the housing and extends in the direction of the circuit board arrangement and preferably is likewise galvanically connected thereto. Such a housing is preferably manufactured in an (aluminium) (pressure) casting process. Alternatively or additionally, a milling process may also be used. The individual HF combiners are then also closed with a cover assembly.

Since the MAIN signal and the DIV signal of a base station must be transmitted via two different HF combiners, in one refinement according to example non-limiting embodiments an HF combiner arrangement is described. This HF combiner arrangement includes a first and a second HF combiner having a cavity design. To reduce costs, according to example non-limiting embodiments the use of such housing covers has been dispensed with. The first and the second HF combiner are placed one on top of the other, wherein the circuit board arrangement electrically or electromagnetically separates the receiving space of the first HF combiner from the receiving space of the second HF combiner, and conversely. In particular, the end-face sides of the housing walls of the two HF combiners rest one on top of the other, wherein the circuit board arrangement separates the respective receiving spaces from one another. In this way an HF combiner arrangement may be provided in a particularly cost-effective manner, and in each case has n signal line terminals for the MAIN signal from n mobile radio bands, and n signal line terminals for the DIV signal from n mobile radio bands. On the other hand, there are two common terminals for connecting two feeder cables, which in turn are connected to the electrical functional units on the antenna mast. A design using strip conductor technology or microstrip conductor technology would also be possible.

The HF combiner according to example non-limiting embodiments and the HF combiner arrangement according to example non-limiting embodiments are used in mobile radio sites. A mobile radio site is understood to mean the combination of base stations, HF combiners, feeder cables, and electrical functional units (DB-DTMA, for example), in addition to the actual antenna elements on the antenna mast. Such a mobile radio site preferably includes at least two of the HF combiners according to example non-limiting embodiments or at least one of the HF combiner arrangements according to example non-limiting embodiments. In addition, n base stations are provided which are operable in different mobile radio bands. For example, different mobile radio standards (LTE, UMTS, GSM, for example) may also be used. Each of the n base stations includes at least two signal terminals, the n base stations being designed for transmitting and/or receiving a MAIN signal at a first signal terminal, and the n base stations being designed for transmitting and/or receiving a DIV signal at a second signal terminal. The first signal terminals of the n base stations are electrically connected to the n signal line terminals of the first HF combiner or of the first HF combiner of the first HF combiner arrangement. On the other hand, the second signal terminals of the n base stations are electrically connected to the n signal line terminals of the second HF combiner or of the second HF combiner of the first HF combiner arrangement. A first feeder cable at its first end is electrically connected to the common terminal of the first HF combiner or to the common terminal of the first HF combiner of the first HF combiner arrangement. A second feeder cable at its first end is electrically connected to the common terminal of the second HF combiner or to the common terminal of the second HF combiner of the first HF combiner arrangement. As discussed above, appropriate electrical functional units may be connected at the second end of the feeder cables.

Regardless of when the particular base station outputs its AISG signal, this signal is switched through by the HF combiner according to example non-limiting embodiments to the corresponding feeder cable. This AISG signal is therefore available at the second end of the particular feeder cable, and may be used for controlling the electrical functional units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS

The HF combiner1according to example non-limiting embodiments is described in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B.FIG. 1shows an electronics unit2that is situated on a circuit board arrangement11and via which the low-frequency signals are outcoupled and once again incoupled.FIGS. 2A to 2Dshow another embodiment of the electronics unit2.FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4Cshow one embodiment of the HF combiner arrangement3according to example non-limiting embodiments. Different embodiments of a mobile radio site4are shown inFIGS. 5, 6, and 7.

FIG. 3Ais a top view of an HF combiner1having a cavity design, with a housing cover10removed (seeFIG. 3B) and the circuit board arrangement11removed (seeFIG. 3B). The HF combiner1includes a housing5that has a housing base6, the circuit board arrangement11spaced apart from the housing base6, and a circumferential housing wall7between the housing base6and the circuit board arrangement11. The circumferential housing wall7surrounds a receiving space15.

A common terminal8and signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9nare mounted on the housing5, in particular on the circumferential housing wall7. In particular, there are at least two signal line terminals91,92, as also shown in the drawings. However, in principle there could also be more signal line terminals91,92, in particular with n≥2, n≥3, or n≥4. The n signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9nare preferably situated on a first side of the circumferential housing wall7, whereas the common terminal8is situated on an oppositely situated second side of the circumferential housing wall7.

In the description, for many elements the subscript character “n” is provided in addition to the reference numeral, although this is not indicated in the drawings for space reasons. The subscript character “n” is preferably provided upon its first use in order to clarify that there may be more than two of these elements. In particular, the HF combiner1according to example non-limiting embodiments, as shown, may be designed as a dual-band combiner with n=2. However, the HF combiner may also be designed as a triple-band combiner (n=3) or as a quad-band combiner (n=4).

The n signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9nare connected and/or coupled to the common terminal8within the housing5via one of n filter paths121,122, . . . ,12nin each case.

Situated in each filter path121,122, . . . ,12nis at least one resonator inner conductor13that is galvanically connected to the housing base6of the housing5and extends in the axial direction from the housing base6in the direction of the circuit board arrangement11, and ends at a distance from the circuit board arrangement11and/or is galvanically separated therefrom.

The individual filter paths121,122, . . . ,12n, in which at least one resonator inner conductor13is situated in each case, are separated, at least partially, from one another by a wall14. This wall14is galvanically connected to the housing base6and extends in the direction of the circuit board arrangement11. This wall14prevents undesirable coupling between the individual filter paths121,122, . . . ,12n.

The wall14may include additional wall segments14awhich delimit the width of the filter paths121,122, . . . ,12nfrom the common terminal8towards the respective signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9n. Individual resonator chambers are thus formed in which in particular the resonator inner conductors13are situated. The coupling of the resonator chambers with one another may be adjusted by means of these wall segments14a.

The common terminal8protrudes into the receiving space15within the housing5, and includes a coupling device8a. A capacitive, inductive, or also galvanic coupling of the common terminal8with the (first, for example) resonator inner conductor13is thus possible. In particular, coupling takes place for the resonator inner conductor13that is closest to the common terminal8. A capacitive coupling is shown in the embodiments.

The same also applies for the n signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9n, which likewise have corresponding coupling connections91a,92a, . . . ,9na.

Mobile radio signals are supplied to the respective filter paths121,122, . . . ,12nor are received therefrom via these coupling connections8a,91a,92a, . . .9na.

However, only high-frequency signals (>300 MHz, for example) can be transmitted via these filter paths121,122, . . . ,12n. Low-frequency signals (AISG signals, for example) and DC signals cannot be transmitted via these filter paths. Such signals are outcoupled at the particular signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9nor at the common terminal8and are conducted via corresponding bypass lines201,202, . . . ,20nin order to be coupled back into the common terminal8or into the particular signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9n.

These bypass lines201,202, . . . ,20nare situated on the separate circuit board arrangement11(seeFIG. 1). For this purpose, the circuit board arrangement has a common terminal contact18and n signal line terminal contacts191,192, . . . ,19n. Each of these signal line terminal contacts191,192, . . . ,19nis galvanically connected to the corresponding signal line terminal91,92, . . . ,9n. This connection is established in each case via a connection cable in which at least one low-pass filter17is also situated, as shown by the coil inFIG. 3A, for example. This low-pass filter17ensures that no mobile radio signals can also be outcoupled. However, DC signals and AISG signals may be transmitted via the low-pass filter17.

The common terminal8and the n signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9nare suitable for connecting coaxial cables. An outer conductor of such a coaxial cable is electroconductively connected to the housing5of the HF combiner1. An inner conductor of such a coaxial cable is galvanically connected to the particular coupling connections8a,91a,92a, . . .9na.

According toFIG. 1, each of the n signal line terminal contacts191,192, . . .19nis connected or connectable to the common terminal contact18via one of the n bypass lines201,202, . . . ,20nin each case. This connection is low resistance. The line resistance is in particular less than 3Ω, 2Ω, or less than 1Ω.

The electronics unit2includes a control device30and a detector device16. This detector device16can detect in particular a DC signal, an AISG signal, and a short circuit at each of the n signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9n, or a DC signal and a short circuit at the common terminal8. The short circuit may be detected via a shunt resistor, for example. Contactless measurement would also be possible. The DC signal and the AISG signal may be detected by A/D converters and/or comparators, for example. For example, an A/D converter having n inputs for each signal line terminal91,92, . . . ,9nand another input for the common terminal would be sufficient. This would apply to the measurement of the DC signal and of the AISG signal. It would also be possible to use only one A/D converter or one comparator for measuring all DC signals and all AISG signals. In this case, the respective signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9nand the respective common terminal8would have to be connected in very quick succession, via corresponding multiplex switches, for the measurement with the A/D converter or the comparator.

However, it is shown in the embodiments that the detector device16is preferably formed by n signal line detector devices311,312, . . . ,31nand one common detector device33. Therefore, the following discussion always refers to the n signal line detector devices311,312, . . . ,31nand the common detector device33. Everything discussed with regard to the n signal line detector devices311,312, . . . ,31nand the common detector device33therefore also applies to the detector device16.

In the embodiments, the electronics unit2therefore includes the control device30, the detector device16having the n signal line detector devices311,312, . . . ,31n, and the common detector device33and at least n signal line switching devices321,322, . . . ,32n.

The n signal line switching devices321,322, . . . ,32neach include a first switching unit321a,322a. . . ,32na. The respective, at least one first switching unit321,322is situated in each of the n bypass lines201,202.

Each of then signal line detector devices311,312is connected or coupled to the respective one of the n signal line terminal contacts191,192. The n signal line detector devices could also be connected or coupled between one of the n signal line terminals91,92and the respective first switching unit321a,322a.

The n signal line detector devices311,312, in a BTS operating state, are designed to detect whether an AISG signal is present at one of the n signal line terminal contacts191,192. For this purpose, the n signal line detector devices311,312include an AISG detector unit311a,312a, . . . ,31na. In the embodiment, the signal line detector devices311,312in each case also include a DC detector unit311b,312b, . . . ,31nband a short circuit detector unit311c,312c, . . . ,31nc.

The common detector device33preferably includes a DC detector unit33aand a short circuit detector unit33b.

When an AISG signal is detected at the respective signal terminal contact191,192, the control device30or the respective one of the n signal line detector devices311,312is designed to control the first switching unit321aor312ain the respective bypass line201,202in such a way that the first switching unit electrically connects the particular one of the n signal line terminal contacts191,192, at which the AISG signal has been detected, to the common terminal contact18. This connection preferably has low resistance. This preferably takes place only in the BTS operating state.

The electronics unit2also has a common signal splitter35and n terminal signal splitters361,362, . . . ,36n. The common signal splitter35and the n terminal signal splitters361,362, . . . ,36neach include a first, a second, and a third terminal, and are designed to divide a mixed signal (superimposed signal), composed of a DC signal and an AISG signal, that is present at the first terminal, and to output the DC signal at the second terminal and output the AISG signal at the third terminal. The common signal splitter and the n terminal signal splitters are also designed to combine a DC signal that is present at the second terminal, and an AISG signal that is present at the third terminal, and output them as a mixed signal at the first terminal.

The common signal splitter35at its first terminal is electrically connected to the common terminal contact18. Each of the n terminal signal splitters361,362, . . . ,36nat its first terminal is connected to the respective signal line terminal contact191,192, . . . ,19n, as the result of which each of the n bypass lines201,202, . . . ,20nis divided into an AISG line segment201a,202a, . . . ,20naand a DC line segment201b,202b, . . . ,20nb. The respective second terminals of the n terminal signal splitters361,362are electrically connected to one another and to the second terminal of the common signal splitter35. This connection is also low resistance. The same also applies for the third terminals of the n terminal signal splitters361,362. These are likewise electrically connected to one another and to the third terminal of the common signal splitter35. This connection is also low resistance. Thus, on the one hand all AISG line segments201a,202a, and on the other hand all DC line segments201b,202b, are electrically connected to one another.

The common signal splitter35and the terminal signal splitters361,362may also be referred to as crossovers, which divide a mixed signal in question based on the frequencies that are present, and appropriately output it to the second and third terminals.

In the embodiment shown, the first switching unit321a,322aof the respective signal line switching device321,322is situated in each of the AISG line segments201a,202a. When this first switching unit321a,322ais actuated, the respective AISG line segment201a,202ais disconnected or connected.

It is also shown inFIG. 1that the n signal line switching devices321,322in each case include at least one second switching unit321b,322b, . . . ,32nb. In each case a second switching unit321b,322bof one of the n signal line switching devices321,322is situated in each DC line segment201b,202b. When the second switching unit321b,322bis actuated, the corresponding DC line segment201b,202bis disconnected or connected.

The first switching unit321a,322aas well as the second switching unit321b,322bare in particular each formed by a relay. Bistable relays are preferably used. These relays maintain their switching state even when they are not acted on by a voltage. As a result, the power consumption of the HF combiner1for the electronics unit2is reduced. Semiconductor elements such as CMOS switches, TRIACS, or an arrangement made up of two MOSFETs or microswitches may also be used. However, relays are preferred due to the better protection from lightning.

The common detector device33is preferably connected or coupled to the common terminal contact18. The common detector device could also be connected or coupled between the common terminal8and the n signal line switching devices321,322or the common signal splitter35.

In particular a shunt resistor is used for measuring a short circuit. An outcoupling, in particular by means of a voltage divider, may be used for measuring a DC signal and/or an AISG signal.

The signal line detector devices311,312can detect a DC signal at the respective signal line terminal contact191,192. This takes place in particular via the respective DC detector unit311b,312b. The common detector device33is likewise designed to detect whether a DC signal is present at the common terminal contact18. This takes place once again via the DC detector unit33a. The common detector device33and also the respective signal line detector device311,312transmit their measuring results, in the form of analogue or digital values, to the control device30.

When the control device30is started, it assumes a starting operating state. From there, it changes over into the BTS operating state when one of the signal line detector devices311,312detects a DC signal at one of the signal line terminal contacts191,192. This is an indication that the HF combiner1is supplied with power from the particular base station50a,50b, . . .50n.

In addition, the control device30is designed to change from the starting operating state into an ANT operating state. This takes place when the common detector device33detects a DC signal at the common terminal contact18. In this case, it is to be assumed that the HF combiner1is supplied with electrical energy via the common terminal8, which indicates that the HF combiner1is situated on the antenna mast, and not at the base stations50a,50b.

The control device30in the starting operating state is designed in particular to control the n signal line switching devices321,322in such a way that the n bypass lines201,202are disconnected, as the result of which the n signal line terminal contacts191,192are electrically disconnected from the common terminal contact18. In this case, it may be detected in a particularly easy manner whether a DC signal is present at the common terminal contact18or at one of the signal line terminal contacts191,192in order to select the appropriate operating state.

The control device30in the BTS operating state is designed to electrically connect the particular one of the n signal line terminal contacts191,192, at which a DC signal has first been detected, to the common terminal contact18by controlling the corresponding signal line switching device321,322. The control device30is also designed to electrically disconnect the other signal line terminal contacts191,192, at which a DC signal has not been detected until later, from the common terminal contact18by controlling the corresponding signal line switching devices321,322. In this way, the situation is avoided that differences in potential cause a current flow between the individual signal terminal contacts191,192, which could damage the base stations50a,50b. In this case, preferably only the second switching unit321b,322bof the corresponding signal line switching devices321,322is actuated. As a result, the corresponding signal line terminal contact191,192is electrically connected to the common terminal contact18solely via the respective DC line segment201b,202b.

In the BTS operating state, for the case that an AISG signal is detected at one of the n signal line terminal contacts191,192, the control device30is also designed in particular so that the corresponding signal line switching device321,322is controlled by the control device30that the signal line switching device electrically connects the respective signal line terminal contact191,192to the common terminal contact18, so that the AISG signal is also present at the common terminal contact18. In particular only the corresponding first switching unit321a,322ais hereby actuated. In this case, it is possible that a DC signal is supplied from a first signal line terminal contact191to the common terminal contact18, whereas an AISG signal is transmitted from a second signal line terminal contact192to the common terminal contact18.

However, for the case that both an AISG signal and a DC signal are detected at a single signal line terminal contact191,192, the control device30or also the corresponding signal line detector device311,312is directly capable of controlling the corresponding signal line switching device321,322in such a way that the latter electrically connects the corresponding signal line terminal contact191,192(at which the AISG signal and the DC signal are present) to the common terminal contact18. This connection is low resistance. The control device30is also able to control all other activated signal line switching devices321,322in such a way that the latter disconnect an electrical connection between their respective signal line terminal contacts191,192and the common terminal contact18.

Such a changeover takes place in particular without interruption. Therefore, a DC signal is always present at the common terminal contact18.FIGS. 2A to 2Dshow a circuit portion of the electronics unit2via which such an interruption-free changeover may be achieved.

FIG. 2Ashows that a DC signal is present at the first signal line terminal contact191. This signal has been detected and the second switching unit321bhas subsequently been controlled in such a way that it establishes an electrical connection between the first signal line terminal contact191and the common terminal contact18. The terminal signal splitters361,362and the common signal splitter35are indicated only via the dotted-line conductor track. The electronics unit2, i.e. the HF combiner1, in this case also includes n signal line terminal diodes371,372, . . . ,37n, wherein each of the n signal line terminal diodes371,372, . . . ,37nwith its anode is electrically connected to the respective DC line segment201b,202b, . . .20nbbetween the respective signal line terminal contact191,192, . . . ,19n, or between the respective terminal signal splitter361,362, . . . ,36nand the respective second switching unit321b,322b, . . . ,32nb. In contrast, the signal line terminal diodes371,372, . . . ,37nwith their cathodes are electrically connected to one another. In addition, a common terminal diode38is also provided, which with its anode is connected to the electrically interconnected DC line segments201b,202b, . . . ,20nbat the output of the respective second switching unit321b,322b, . . . ,32nb. The cathode of the common terminal diode38is directly or indirectly connected to the common terminal contact18. An indirect connection is present when the cathode of the common terminal diode38is electrically connected, for example, to the second terminal of the common signal splitter35.

Furthermore, a changeover switch39is also provided. The changeover switch includes at least one first terminal that is electrically connected to the cathode of the common terminal diode38. A second terminal is connected to the anode of the common terminal diode38. All DC line segments201b,202b, . . . ,20nbare combined at this second terminal. A third terminal of the changeover switch39is electrically connected to the cathodes of all signal line terminal diodes371,372, . . . ,37n.

In a first switching state of the changeover switch39, the changeover switch connects its first terminal to its second terminal. This situation is shown inFIG. 2A. This first switching state is assumed in particular when a DC signal has been detected at a signal line terminal contact191,192, . . . ,19n, and this DC signal is switched to the common terminal contact18by controlling the respective second switching unit321b,322b, . . . ,32nb. Due to the higher resistance of the common terminal diode38, most of the current flows across the changeover switch39.

If a DC signal and an AISG signal are subsequently detected at another signal line terminal contact191,192, . . . ,19n(in the present case, at the second signal line terminal contact192), not only the AISG signal, but preferably also the DC signal is switched through without interruption to the common terminal contact18. However, the possibility of a current flow taking place between two signal line terminal contacts191,192, . . . ,19nmust be avoided, since otherwise the particular base stations50a,50bare short-circuited. In this case, instead of switching through the DC signal from the first signal line terminal contact191, only the DC signal from the second signal line terminal contact192should be switched through to the common terminal contact18. To achieve such a change, the changeover switch39assumes a second switching state. In this second switching state, the changeover switch connects its first terminal to its third terminal (seeFIG. 2B).

In this case, the current flow takes place on the one hand through the common terminal diode38and the second switching unit321bof the first signal line switching device321, and on the other hand, through the first and second signal line terminal diodes371,372. It would also be possible for the changeover switch39to assume an intermediate switching state, and in this intermediate switching state to connect its first terminal neither to its second terminal nor to its third terminal. In this case, the current flow would take place solely across the common terminal diode38. A direct current flow between the signal line terminal contacts191,192is not possible due to the signal line terminal diodes371,372. The second switching unit322bof the second signal line switching device322is still open here. After the intermediate switching state, the changeover switch39goes into its second switching state.

As soon as the changeover switch39has assumed its second switching state, the second switching unit321bof the first signal line switching device321may be opened. In this case, the transmission of the DC signal takes place solely via the two signal line terminal diodes371,372and the changeover switch39. After the second switching unit321bof the first signal line switching device321has opened, the second switching unit322bof the second signal line switching device322can be closed. This state is shown inFIG. 2C. A DC signal additionally flows across the second switching unit322bof the second signal line switching device322and the common terminal diode38.

The changeover switch39then once again assumes its first switching state (seeFIG. 2D). The transmission of the DC signal in this switching state once again takes place primarily via the changeover switch39and the second switching unit322bof the second signal line switching device322. The control of the changeover switch39preferably takes place via the control device30. The changeover switch39is in particular a relay, preferably a single pole/double throw relay.

In principle, it is the case in particular that at no time (in the BTS operating state) is more than one second switching unit321b,322b, . . . ,32nbclosed (in particular when a DC signal has been detected at the corresponding signal line terminal contacts191,192, . . . ,19n). Of course, this is different in the ANT operating state. In the BTS operating state, the same may also apply for the first switching units321a,322a, . . . ,32na.

In this case, the AISG signal and the DC signal are transmitted to the common terminal contact18solely from a single signal line terminal contact191,192. The control device30or the corresponding signal line detector device311,312controls the first switching unit321a,322aas well as the second switching unit321b,322bof the corresponding signal line switching device321,322. This prevents the base station50a,50b, which for example has been started first, from being responsible for the entire power supply to all electrical functional units on the antenna mast. According to example non-limiting embodiments, in this case each base station50a,50Bsupplies only a portion of the electrical functional units.

For the case that an AISG signal is detected at two signal line terminal contacts191,192, the corresponding signal line switching devices321,322are preferably controlled in such a way that they disconnect the corresponding signal line terminal contacts191,192, at least for the AISG signal and preferably likewise for the DC signal, from the common terminal contact18. In this case, no AISG signal would be present at the common terminal contact18.

The common detector device33is preferably also designed to detect whether a short circuit is present at the common terminal contact18. In this case, the control device30is designed to connect the corresponding signal line terminal contact191,192to the common terminal contact18only when no short circuit has been detected by the common detector device33. This applies in particular for the respective first and second switching unit321a,322a,311b,322b. Such a short circuit may occur, for example, when antenna elements54are directly connected to the signal line terminal contact191,192of the HF combiner1on the antenna side.

The signal line detector devices311,312are also designed to detect a short circuit at their respective signal line terminal contacts191,192. The control device30, in the ANT operating state, is then designed to electrically connect the common terminal contact18only to those n signal line terminal contacts191,192at which no short circuit has been detected. For the other signal line terminal contacts191,192, the connection is interrupted by controlling the corresponding signal line switching devices321,322.

For the case that the control device30is in the ANT operating state, the first as well as the second switching units321a,332a,321b,322bmay be controlled in such a way that the common terminal contact18is connected to all signal line terminal contacts191,192that are not affected by a short circuit. In this case, an AISG signal that is present at the common terminal contact18is output at all signal line terminal contacts191,192. This is not a problem, since the AISG protocol allows addressing of the individual AISG-capable electrical functional units. In contrast, the second switching units321b,322bcan all establish an electrical connection with the signal line terminal contacts191,192that are not affected by a short circuit, as the result of which a DC signal can be transmitted to these signal line terminal contacts.

The control device30in the BTS operating state and also in the ANT operating state is designed to monitor a level for the DC signals at the common terminal contact18and/or the respective signal line terminal contacts191,192. If the level falls below a certain settable threshold value (for example, below 35 V, 30 V, 25 V, 20 V, 15 V, 10 V), the corresponding signal line switching devices321,322, or all of them, are then controlled in such a way that they interrupt the electrical connection. This is meaningful in particular when the corresponding base stations50a,50bare switched off. As a result, when the base station50a,50bis restarted, the signal line switching devices321,322are set in such a way that the electrical connection between the common terminal contact18and the n signal line terminal contacts191,192is interrupted (see bistable relay).

The electronics unit2shown inFIG. 1is preferably situated on the circuit board arrangement11.

As described above, the control device30in the BTS operating state, when an AISG signal is detected at one of the n signal line terminal contacts191,192, is designed to transmit or switch through the AISG signal to the common terminal contact18by controlling the corresponding signal line switching devices321,322. However, this preferably takes place so rapidly that even the first bit, in particular the first on/off keying pulse of the AISG signal designed as an on/off keying signal, is transmittable by more than 70%, 80%, 90% to the common terminal contact18. An on/off keying pulse may also be referred to as an on/off keying burst. Namely, the electrical functional unit in question is then still able to completely detect the command transmitted by the AISG signal and subsequently implement it. The corresponding signal line detector device311,312and the AISG detector unit311aor312atherein may include a comparator, for example, whose threshold is set in such a way that the signal level of the on/off keying signal is reliably detected, and a change in the signal level at the comparator outlet takes place when this threshold is exceeded within a very short period of time. This change may then be detected by the control device30. In this case, the control of the corresponding signal line switching device321,322or of the first switching unit321a,322amay also take place directly via the respective AISG detector unit311aor312a.

InFIG. 1the arrows preferably indicate the direction in which information and switching pulses are transmitted from and to the control device30. In principle, an information transfer in both directions would also be conceivable.

FIG. 4Ashows an example of the design of the HF combiner arrangement3according to example non-limiting embodiments. The HF combiner arrangement includes a first and a second HF combiner1a,1b, which may be designed as described at the outset. Only the housing cover10, shown inFIG. 3B, is not necessary. The corresponding receiving spaces15of the first HF combiner1aare electrically or electromagnetically separated from the receiving space15of the second HF combiner1bby the circuit board arrangement11. The circuit board arrangement11is shown between the HF combiners1aand1binFIG. 4A. The first and the second HF combiner1a,1bare placed one on top of the other in an inverted manner, so that the respective receiving spaces15are opposite one another.

The circuit board arrangements11of the first and the second HF combiner1a,1binclude a circuit board11a,11b, respectively. The respective electronics unit2of the first and the second HF combiner1a,1bis situated only on a first side of the respective circuit board11a,11b. The first sides of the circuit boards11a,11bare situated opposite one another, a second side of the respective circuit board11a,11bbeing coated with a metal layer. The respective electronics unit2is therefore situated in a spacing gap40between the two circuit boards11a,11b. In principle, the two circuit boards11a,11b, as discussed below, may be situated within the circumferential housing wall7of the respective HF combiner1a,1b. However, they may also rest on the end-face side41of the circumferential housing wall7of the respective HF combiner1a,1b, the spacing gap40preferably being surrounded by a housing that prevents the incoupling of interfering radiation sources from outside the HF combiner arrangement3.

Another embodiment of the HF combiner arrangement3according to example non-limiting embodiments is described with reference toFIGS. 4B and 4C. These drawings show a cross section of the first and second HF combiners1a,1b, with only the sectioned portions being illustrated (for example, the common terminal8of the first HF combiner1a, not sectioned, is omitted). The circuit board arrangement11of the first and the second HF combiner1a,1bhas a shared circuit board11or is designed as a shared circuit board11. The electronics unit2of the first HF combiner1aand the electronics unit2of the second HF combiner1bare situated on a first side111of this shared circuit board11. The opposite second side112of the shared circuit board11is preferably provided with a metal layer. The shared circuit board11has the common terminal contact18and the signal line terminal contacts191,192of the first and the second HF combiner1a,1b. In addition, a shielding cover42is situated between the first side111of the shared circuit board11and the first HF combiner1a, so that the first side111of the shared circuit board11is electrically or electromagnetically separated or decoupled from the receiving space15of the first HF combiner1a. It would also be possible for a further shielding cover to likewise be situated between the second side112of the shared circuit board11and the second HF combiner1b.

The connection, in particular the soldering, of the low-pass filters17to the shared circuit board11takes place in particular in the disassembled state. In principle, for this purpose an appropriate connection cable may be correspondingly longer than shown inFIGS. 4B and 4C. The soldering point on the shared circuit board11is also referred to as a signal line terminal contact191,192or as a common terminal contact18.

The circumferential housing wall7of the first HF combiner1aincludes the end-face side41, a portion of the end-face side41that adjoins the receiving space15being offset in the direction of the housing base6, thus forming a first support shoulder43. The same also applies for the circumferential housing wall41of the second HF combiner11b. The shared circuit board11rests on the second support shoulder43of the second HF combiner1b, and the shielding cover42rests on the first support shoulder43of the first HF combiner1a.

For the case that two separate circuit boards11a,11bare used (seeFIG. 4A), the circuit board11aof the first HF combiner1arests on the first support shoulder43of the first HF combiner1a, and the circuit board11bof the second HF combiner1brests on the second support shoulder43of the second HF combiner1b.

In other words, the respective circumferential housing wall7of the first or second HF combiner1a,1bhas a step- or shoulder-shaped recess at the portion of the circumferential housing wall7that adjoins the respective receiving space15.

In addition, a flange-shaped projection44is preferably formed on the circumferential housing wall7of the first and the second HF combiner11a,11bin the region of the respective end-face side41. The flange-shaped projections44, which protrude outside the housing5, come to rest one on top of the other in the assembled state of the HF combiner arrangement3, so that the two HF combiners1a,1bare fixed to one another via a screw connection45. This connection is hereby shielded from high frequency. In principle, an additional sealing element could also be introduced here.

Due to the design made up of two HF combiners1a,1b, the HF combiner arrangement3according to example non-limiting embodiments also involves an inventive concept, according to which the electronics unit2, as described in conjunction with the respective HF combiner1a,1b, is dispensed with. This inventive concept is independently described in claims18and19; in this case, claim18does not necessarily have to back-reference claim1. Only the individual bypass lines201,202from the respective signal line terminal contact191,192towards the common terminal contacts18would be situated on the particular circuit board arrangement11(or the shared circuit board11). The corresponding electronics unit2would not be necessary for this purpose. The connection could then be static.

FIG. 5shows another embodiment which describes a mobile radio site4according to example non-limiting embodiments in greater detail. The mobile radio site4includes two HF combiners1,1a,1bas described forFIGS. 1, 3A, and 3B, for example. It would also be possible for the mobile radio side4to include at least one first HF combiner arrangement3,3a, as described forFIG. 4A, 4B, or4C.

n base stations50a,50b, . . .50nare provided, the n base station50a,50bbeing operable in different mobile radio bands (2100 MHz, 1800 MHz, for example).FIG. 5shows that different mobile radio standards (UMTS and LTE) may also be used by the base stations50a,50b.

Each of the n base stations50a,50bhas two signal terminals50a1,50a2,50b1,50b2, the base stations50a,50bbeing designed to transmit and/or receive a MAIN signal at the first signal terminal50a1,50b1, and the base stations50a,50balso being designed to transmit and/or receive a DIV signal at the second signal terminal50a2,50b2.

The first signal terminals50a1,50b1of the base station50a,50bare electrically connected to the signal line terminals91,92of the first HF combiner1,1aor of the first HF combiner1aof the first HF combiner arrangement3,3a. In contrast, the second signal terminals50a2,50b2of the base station50a,50bare connected to the signal line terminals91,92of the second HF combiner1,1bor of the second HF combiner1bof the first HF combiner arrangement3,3a.

In addition, a first and a second feeder cable51a,51bare provided. The first feeder cable51aat its first end is electrically connected to the common terminal8of the first HF combiner1,1aor to the common terminal8of the first HF combiner1aof the first HF combiner arrangement3,3a. The second feeder cable51bat its first end is electrically connected to the common terminal8of the second HF combiner1,1bor to the common terminal8of the second HF combiner1bof the first HF combiner arrangement3,3a.

A second end of the first feeder cable51ais connected to a first terminal52aof a dual-band DTMA52. A second end of the second feeder cable51bis connected to a second terminal52bof the dual-band DTMA52.

InFIG. 5, the first and second HF combiners1,1a,1bor the first and second HF combiners1a,1bof the first HF combiner arrangement3,3aare operated in the BTS operating state, since feeding with a DC signal from the respective base station50a,50btakes place via the corresponding signal line terminal91,92.

The base stations50a,50bat their connections50a1,50a2,50b1,50b2may emit either no signal, a DC signal, an AISG signal, or an AISG+DC signal. Only one AISG signal is output for each base station50a,50b.

The connection of the HF combiners1,1a,1bto the respective base station50a,50bis preferably such that an AISG signal is present in each case only at one signal line terminal91,92of the respective HF combiner1,1a,1b. This situation is shown inFIG. 5.

The control device30determines the presence of an AISG signal and connects the appropriate bypass line201,202from the signal line terminal contact191,192to the common terminal contact18. As a result, the ASIG signal is also available at the electrical function device52.

FIG. 6shows another embodiment of the mobile radio site4according to example non-limiting embodiments. In contrast toFIG. 5, n single-band DTMAs531,532, not dual-band DTMAs52, are used. The design, including the connection of the first and the second feeder cable51a,51bto the first and the second HF combiner1,1a,1bor to the first and second HF combiners1a,1bof the first HF combiner arrangement3,3a, corresponds to the design as described forFIG. 5.

However,FIG. 6also shows the use of a third and a fourth HF combiner1c,1dor a second HF combiner arrangement3,3b. A common terminal8of the HF combiner1cor a common terminal8of the third HF combiner1cof the second HF combiner arrangement3,3bis electrically connected to a second end of the first feeder cable51a. A common terminal8of the fourth HF combiner1,1dor a common terminal8of the fourth HF combiner1dof the second HF combiner arrangement3,3bis electrically connected to a second end of the second feeder cable51b. The third and fourth HF combiners1c,1dare designed corresponding toFIGS. 1 to 3.

The n signal line terminals91,92of the third HF combiner1,1cor the n signal line terminals91,92of the third HF combiner1cof the second HF combiner arrangement3,3bare electrically connected to first terminals531a,532aof the single-band DTMAs531,532. The signal line terminals91,92of the fourth HF combiner1,1dor the signal line terminals91,92of the fourth HF combiner1dof the second HF combiner arrangement3,3bare electrically connected to second terminals531b,532bof the single-band DTMAs531,532.

The third and fourth combiners1,1c,1dor the third and fourth combiners1c,1dof the second HF combiner arrangement3,3bare operated in the ANT operating state, since the feeding with a DC signal takes place via the respective feeder cable51a,51bat the common terminal8.

All four HF combiners1,1a,1b,1c,1dpreferably have identical designs. During operation, i.e. after the HF combiners are supplied with power, the particular configuration, i.e. the BTS operating state or the ANT operating state, is loaded. Overall, a very flexible approach for mobile radio sites4may be provided by use of the universal HF combiner1according to example non-limiting embodiments.

FIG. 7shows another embodiment of the mobile radio site4according to example non-limiting embodiments. This mobile radio site essentially corresponds to that fromFIG. 6. In contrast, there is only one single-band DTMA531. This single-band DTMA via its connections531a,531bis connected to the first signal line terminals91of the third and fourth combiners1,1c,1d. In contrast, antenna elements54are directly situated at the second signal line terminals92of the third and the fourth combiner1,1c,1d. In this case, no DC signal can be switched to the second signal line terminals92of the third and the fourth combiner1,1c,1d.

In the following, some particularly significant embodiments are highlighted individually.

In a particular embodiment, the HF combiner1includes the following feature:the control device30is designed to establish the electrical connection by controlling the first switching units321a,322a, . . . ,32naand the second switching units321b,322b, . . . ,32nbof the respective signal line switching devices321,322, . . . ,32n, as the result of which an AISG signal is transmittable from the common terminal contact18to the respective signal line terminal contacts191,192, . . . ,19n.

In a further embodiment, the HF combiner1includes the following features:the detector device includes:a) n signal line detector devices311,312, . . . ,31n, wherein each of the n signal line detector devices311,312, . . . ,31n:1) is connected or coupled to one of the n signal line terminal contacts191,192, . . . ,19n; or2) is connected or coupled between one of the n signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9nand one of the n signal line switching devices321,322, . . . ,32n;and/orb) a common detector device33that:1) is connected or coupled to the common terminal contact18; or2) is connected or coupled between the common terminal8and the n signal line switching devices321,322, . . . ,32n.

In another embodiment, the HF combiner1includes the following feature:the electronics unit2is situated on the circuit board arrangement11.

In an additional embodiment, the HF combiner1includes the following feature:the HF combiner is designed using strip conductor technology.

In a further embodiment, the HF combiner arrangement3includes the following features:the circumferential housing wall7of the first HF combiner1;1aincludes an end-face side41, a portion of the end-face side41that adjoins the receiving space15being offset in the direction of the housing base6, thus forming a first support shoulder43; and/orthe circumferential housing wall11of the second HF combiner1;1bincludes an end-face side41, a portion of the end-face side41that adjoins the receiving space15being offset in the direction of the housing base6, thus forming a second support shoulder43;the circuit board11aof the first HF combiner1;1arests on the first end-face side43and/or the circuit board11bof the second HF combiner1;1brests on the second end-face side43; or the shared circuit board11rests on the second end-face side43and/or the shielding cover42rests on the first end-face side43.

In particular embodiment, the mobile radio site4includes the following features:a second end of the first feeder cable51ais connected to a first terminal52aof a dual-band DTMA52;a second end of the second feeder cable51bis connected to a second terminal52bof the dual-band DTMA52.

In another embodiment, the mobile radio site4includes the following features:a third and a fourth HF combiner1;1c,1dor a second HF combiner arrangement3;3bare provided;n single-band DTMAs531,532, . . . ,53nand/or multiple antenna elements54are provided;a common terminal8of the third HF combiner1;1cor a common terminal8of the third HF combiner1;1cof the second HF combiner arrangement3;3bis electrically connected to a second end of the first feeder cable51a;a common terminal8of the fourth HF combiner1;1dor a common terminal8of the fourth HF combiner1;1dof the second HF combiner arrangement3;3bis electrically connected to a second end of the second feeder cable51b;the n signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9nof the third HF combiner1;1cor the n signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9nof the third HF combiner1;1cof the second HF combiner arrangement3;3bare electrically connected to:a) first terminals531a;532a, . . . ,53naof the n single-band DTMAs531,532, . . . ,53n; orb) to an antenna element54in each case;the n signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9nof the fourth HF combiner1;1dor the n signal line terminals91,92, . . . ,9nof the fourth HF combiner1;1dof the second HF combiner arrangement3,3bare electrically connected to:a) second terminals531b;532b, . . . ,53nbof the n single-band DTMAs531,532, . . . ,53d, orb) to an antenna element54in each case

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Within the scope of the invention, all described and/or illustrated features may be arbitrarily combined with one another.