Radiator assembly

A radiator assembly for a base station antenna has a longitudinal central axis and two dipoles cross-arranged around the longitudinal central axis. Each dipole has two dipole arms and each dipole arm is equipped with a hook-like feeder made of a metal sheet and having a free end portion. The hook-like feeder is capacitively coupled with an associated dipole arm. The radiator assembly is compact and is easy to manufacture and assemble.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202010931976.6, filed Sep. 8, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth fully herein.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to the communication field, and in particular relates to a radiator assembly for a base station antenna.

BACKGROUND

A large number of base stations are involved in a mobile communication network, various base stations may comprise base station antennas, and the base station antennas are used to receive and/or transmit radio frequency signals. A base station antenna may comprise a plurality of radiator assemblies, which may also be referred to as radiating elements or antenna elements. The miniaturization of the sizes of radiator assemblies is desirable.

SUMMARY

An object of the disclosure is to provide a compact radiator assembly for a base station antenna.

The object is achieved by a radiator assembly for a base station antenna, the radiator assembly has one longitudinal central axis and two dipoles cross-arranged around the longitudinal central axis, and each dipole has two dipole arms, wherein each dipole arm is equipped with a hook-like feeder made of a metal sheet and having a free end portion, and the hook-like feeder is capacitively coupled with an associated dipole arm.

In some embodiments, each dipole arm may be made of a metal sheet, and the dipole arm may comprise a feeder stem extending longitudinally and a radiating portion extending transversely by reference to the longitudinal central axis.

In some embodiments, the radiator assembly may comprise a feeder stem consisting of a printed circuit board (PCB), and the dipole arms may be formed on another common PCB.

In some embodiments, each hook-like feeder may be mounted radially inside or outside the feeder stem by reference to the longitudinal central axis.

In some embodiments, a pair of hook-like feeders placed opposite to each other may be mounted radially inside or outside the feeder stem by reference to the longitudinal central axis.

In some embodiments, the hook-like feeders may be mounted radially inside the feeder stems by reference to the longitudinal central axis.

In some embodiments, the hook-like feeders may be mounted radially outside the feeder stems by reference to the longitudinal central axis.

In some embodiments, a first pair of hook-like feeders placed opposite to each other may be mounted radially inside the feeder stems and a second pair of hook-like feeders placed opposite to each other may be mounted radially outside the feeder stems by reference to the longitudinal central axis.

In some embodiments, each hook-like feeder may comprise a first leg, a second leg and a connecting segment connecting the first leg and the second leg, the first leg may be configured to be electrically connected to a feeder panel through an end portion of the first leg, and the second leg may have the free end portion.

In some embodiments, the first leg and the second leg may extend longitudinally by reference to the longitudinal central axis, the first leg may be located in the area of the feeder stem of the dipole arm adjacent to the associated dipole arm, the second leg may be located in the area of the feeder stem of the associated dipole arm in the circumferential direction of the radiator assembly, and the connecting segment may cross the feeder stem of the adjacent dipole arm and the feeder stem of the associated dipole arm.

In some embodiments, each feeder stem may be planar.

In some embodiments, each feeder stem may be bent.

In some embodiments, each hook-like feeder may be planar.

In some embodiments, each hook-like feeder may be bent.

In some embodiments, the first leg may be parallel to the feeder stem of the adjacent dipole arm, the second leg may be parallel to the feeder stem of the associated dipole arm, and the connecting segment may be bent.

In some embodiments, the first leg and the second leg may form a right angle.

In some embodiments, each feeder stem may be configured to be bent and may comprise a plurality of planar sections extending longitudinally, and each hook-like feeder may be configured to be planar, wherein the first leg may be parallel to one planar section of the feeder stem of the adjacent dipole arm, and the second leg may be parallel to one planar section of the feeder stem of the associated dipole arm.

In some embodiments, each feeder stem may be C-shaped and each feeder stem may comprise three side-by-side planar sections extending longitudinally in the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis.

In some embodiments, the radiator assembly may comprise a common radiator support, the radiator support is configured to be mounted on a panel assembly having a reflecting panel and a feeder panel, and the dipole arms may be mounted on the common radiator support.

In some embodiments, the hook-like feeders mounted radially outside the feeder stems may be mounted on the common radiator support.

In some embodiments, the radiator assembly may comprise a central support, and the central support may be mounted at the center of the common radiator support.

In some embodiments, the hook-like feeders mounted radially inside the feeder stems may be mounted on the central support.

In some embodiments, the central support may have a top component.

In some embodiments, the top component may go beyond the radiating portions of the dipole arms by reference to the longitudinal central axis.

In some embodiments, the central support may have a top component, a columnar body and a bottom component, and the top component and the bottom component may be connected to the body.

In some embodiments, the top component may have at least a claw element, for example, a plurality of claw elements, configured to hold hook-like feeders.

In some embodiments, the bottom component may have at least a claw element, for example, a plurality of claw elements, configured to hold hook-like feeders.

In some embodiments, the top component may have at least a snap hook configured to detachably and longitudinally fix hook-like feeders.

In some embodiments, the bottom component may have at least a snap hook configured to detachably and longitudinally fix hook-like feeders.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a radiator assembly for a base station antenna is proposed, the radiator assembly comprising first through fourth dipole arms arranged to define a cross shape, where each dipole arm includes a longitudinally-extending feeder stem and a transversely-extending radiating portion, first through fourth hook-like feeders, wherein at least some of the feeder stems or at least some of the hook-like feeders include at least two longitudinally-extending bends.

In some embodiments, each hook-like feeder may include the at least two longitudinally-extending bends, and at least first and second of the hook-like feeders may be positioned outside a rectangle defined by the feeder stems when viewed in plan view.

In some embodiments, third and fourth of the hook-like feeders may be positioned inside the rectangle defined by the feeder stems when viewed in plan view.

In some embodiments, each feeder stem may include the at least two longitudinally-extending bends, and each hook-like feeder may be positioned radially outside a respective one of the feeder stems.

In some embodiments, each longitudinally-extending bend may define a 45 degree angle.

The technical characteristics mentioned above, the technical characteristics to be mentioned below, and the technical characteristics which may be obtained from the drawings may be combined arbitrarily as long as these technical characteristics do not conflict with each other. All technically feasible characteristic combinations are technical contents stated in the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The general structure of the radiator assembly for a base station antenna in some embodiments of the present invention is described below with reference toFIGS.1and2, whereinFIG.1is an exploded view of the radiator assembly in a first embodiment, andFIG.2is a perspective view of the radiator assembly in the assembled state in a second embodiment of the present invention. The first and second embodiments mainly differ in the outline of a support table18of the radiator support. The first and second embodiments may be the same in other aspects.

The radiator assembly may have a longitudinal central axis (not shown in the drawings) and two dipoles cross-arranged around the longitudinal central axis. Each dipole may have two dipole arms1. Each dipole arm1may be made of metal, and may be separate from the other dipole arms. Alternatively, the dipole arms1may be formed on a common PCB. Each dipole arm1may comprise a single piece or may comprise multiple pieces.

Each dipole arm1may be equipped with a hook-like feeder2made of a metal sheet. Through one end, the hook-like feeder2may be electrically connected to the feeder panel (e.g., a printed circuit board feeder panel) of a panel assembly6only locally described inFIGS.1and2, and has a free end portion and is capacitively coupled with an associated dipole arm1. The panel assembly may further comprise a reflecting panel. The hook-like feeder may be, for example, galvanically connected to the conductive traces of the feeder panel, and may be capacitively coupled with an associated dipole arm so that radio frequency signals can be transmitted between the feeder panel and the dipole arm via the hook-like feeder.

The radiator assembly may comprise a common radiator support3. The radiator support may be mounted to extend forwardly from the panel assembly, and the dipole arms1may be mounted on the common radiator support3.

The radiator assembly may comprise a central support4that is mounted at the center of the radiator support3. The radiator support3may have a central recess20for accommodating the central support4. The central support4may have a top component21(seeFIG.6A). A parasitic element5may be mounted on the top component21, and the parasitic element5is configured to adapt to the electrical properties of the radiator assembly.

FIG.3is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dipole arm1. The dipole arm may be made of a metal, for example, formed by stamping a metal sheet. The dipole arm1may comprise a radiating portion11and a feeder stem12. By reference to the longitudinal central axis of the radiator assembly, the feeder stem12may extend longitudinally, for example, parallel to the longitudinal central axis, and the radiating portion11may extend on a transverse plane transverse to the longitudinal central axis. The radiating portion11may have at least a lappet11abent from the transverse plane to increase the bandwidth of the radiator assembly. Two exemplary lappets11acan be seen inFIG.3.

FIG.4is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pair of hook-like feeders2. The pair of hook-like feeders2may respectively match a dipole arm1. Each hook-like feeder2may be made of a metal, for example, formed by stamping a metal sheet. Each hook-like feeder2may comprise a first leg13, a second leg14, and a connecting segment15connecting the first leg13and the second leg14. The first leg13may be electrically connected to the feeder panel of the panel assembly6through an end portion16of the first leg13. The second leg14may have a free end portion17. Each hook-like feeder2may be configured to be capacitively coupled to the associated dipole arm1to transmit radio frequency signals. Each hook-like feeder2may be mounted radially inside or outside the feeder stem12.

FIGS.8A and8Bare schematic views of two different structures and layouts of the hook-like feeders2and the feeder stems12which are viewed from the top along the longitudinal central axis of the radiator assembly, and the two figures describe the sections of the feeder stems12and the projections of the hook-like feeders2along the longitudinal central axis of the radiator assembly.

As shown inFIG.8A, each feeder stem12may be planar, and each hook-like feeder2may be bent. A first pair of hook-like feeders2positioned opposite to each other may be mounted radially inside the feeder stems12, and a second pair of hook-like feeders2positioned opposite to each other may be mounted radially outside the feeder stems12. By reference to the longitudinal central axis of the radiator assembly, the first leg13and the second leg14may extend longitudinally. In the circumferential direction of the radiator assembly, the first leg13may be located in the area of the feeder stem of the dipole arm adjacent to the associated dipole arm, the second leg14may be located in the area of the feeder stem of the associated dipole arm, and the connecting segment15may cross the feeder stem of the adjacent dipole arm and the feeder stem of the associated dipole arm.

As shown inFIG.8B, each feeder stem12may be bent, and each hook-like feeder may be planar. In a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis, each feeder stem12may be C-shaped and each feeder stem12may comprise three planar sections extending longitudinally, and each hook-like feeder2may be configured to be planar, wherein the first leg13may be parallel to one planar section29of the feeder stem12of the adjacent dipole arm1, and the second leg14may be parallel to one planar section30of the feeder stem12of the associated dipole arm1, and the connecting segment15may cross the feeder stem of the adjacent dipole arm and the feeder stem of the associated dipole arm. The hook-like feeders2may be mounted radially outside the feeder stems12. In addition, it is possible that the hook-like feeders2may be mounted radially inside the feeder stems12.

FIGS.5A and5Bare perspective views of the radiator support3at different angles of view. The radiator support3may have a support table18and a strut19. The radiator support3may have a central recess20for accommodating the central support4which will be described in detail later. The radiating portions11of the dipole arms1may be supported and fixed on the support table18of the radiator support3. The strut19may be fixed on the panel assembly6with a plurality of fasteners (not shown in the drawings). The hook-like feeders2mounted radially outside the feeder stems12may be directly mounted on the radiator support3.

FIGS.6A and6Bare perspective views of the central support4at different angles of view. The central support4may have a top component21, a columnar body22and a bottom component23, and the top component and the bottom component are connected to the body. The top component21may have a plurality of claws24on the top surface and the claws may be configured to fix the parasitic element5. The top component21may have one or more claws25on its lower side. The bottom component23may have one or more claws26. The claws25and the claws26may be configured to fix the hook-like feeders2mounted radially inside the feeder stems12. For each hook-like feeder2mounted radially inside the feeder stem, the central support4may have at least three corresponding claws25,26, for example, two claws25and two claws26. The central support4may have snap hooks configured to detachably and longitudinally fix the central support4. For example, the top component and the bottom component may have a plurality of snap hooks27,28, respectively.

FIG.7is an outline view of the dipole arms of the radiator assembly in a third embodiment of the present invention. Only the plan view of the dipole arms1is described inFIG.7. Each radiating portion11may be configured to be roughly triangular and the four radiating portions11may form an outline of a rough square in whole. The inductors that are shown on the dipole arms may be implemented as narrow meandered metal sections (e.g., U-shaped metal sections) that connect wide metal segments of the dipole arms.

It will be understood that, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” and “include” (and variants thereof), when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Like reference numbers signify like elements throughout the description of the figures.

The thicknesses of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Further, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “coupled to” or “connected to” another element, the element may be formed directly on, coupled to or connected to the other element, or there may be one or more intervening elements therebetween. In contrast, terms such as “directly on,” “directly coupled to” and “directly connected to,” when used herein, indicate that no intervening elements are present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (i.e., “between” versus “directly between”, “attached” versus “directly attached,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”, etc.).

Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” and the like are used herein to describe the relationship of one element, layer or region to another element, layer or region as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

It will also be appreciated that all example embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any way.

Finally, it is to be noted that, the above-described embodiments are merely for understanding the present invention but not constitute a limit on the protection scope of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, modifications may be made on the basis of the above-described embodiments, and these modifications do not depart from the protection scope of the present invention.