ANTENNA APPARATUS FOR BASE STATION

The present invention relates to an antenna apparatus for a base station and, specifically, to an antenna apparatus comprising: a repeater; an antenna module installed to be tiltable and steerable with respect to the front surface of the repeater; and an antenna clamping unit for mediating the installation of the antenna module with respect to the repeater, wherein the antenna clamping unit is provided to conceal a wire cable which electrically connects the repeater and the antenna module, thereby preventing deterioration of aesthetics of an installation place and maximizing space utilization.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an antenna apparatus for a base station, and more particularly, to an antenna apparatus for a base station, which includes a clamping unit that improves the beauty of the antenna apparatus by preventing the exposure of the appearance of a cable and that is also provided to enable a beam tilting operation of an antenna module itself.

BACKGROUND ART

In a mobile communication system, a “base station” refers to a system that relays radio waves of a portable terminal within a cell. The base station is basically installed at the rooftop of a building, etc. and relays radio waves of a portable terminal. Accordingly, the base station is present in a cell unit. Such a base station controls the transmission of incoming and outgoing signals, the designation of a communication channel, the monitoring of a communication channel, etc. in a cell unit in addition to an interface function between a portable terminal and a switching office. In an antenna apparatus that is adopted in the base station, a control antenna that is capable of beam tilting vertically or horizontally and that has many advantages has been supplied.

As a mobile communication service becomes popular, the supply of an antenna apparatus that provides a wireless network environment in which services can be provided more stably is expanded. In the mobile communication service, recently, the use of the 5G mobile communication technology via 3 generation (3G) and 4G from 2G that enables only a wired call tends to be expanded.

FIG.1is a perspective view of an appearance illustrating an antenna apparatus for a base station according to a conventional embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the antenna apparatus for a base station according to the conventional embodiment has been installed in the outside (an outdoor place), and has a structure in which an antenna module10is mounted on a support pole11that stands upright by fixing brackets30and31, a repeater12is mounted under the antenna module10by fixing brackets32and33, and the antenna module10and the repeater12are electrically connected by using multiple cables14. The fixing brackets30and31have a structure in which the fixing brackets are disposed at upper and lower parts of the antenna module10, respectively, and are fixed to the support pole11and the fixing brackets are disposed at upper and lower parts of the repeater12, respectively, and are fixed to the support pole11. The fixing brackets30to33each play a part in fixing by using a fastener, for example, a screw, a bolt, or a nut.

However, the conventional antenna apparatus for a base station has a structure in which the conventional antenna apparatus is installed essentially through the medium of the support pole11and installed in the outside (an outdoor place), and has a structure in which the antenna module10is mounted on a relatively upper side of the support pole11and the repeater12, for example, an RRH is mounted on a relatively lower side of the support pole11and then the antenna module and the repeater are connected by using the cables14. Accordingly, the conventional antenna apparatus has a problem in that the conventional antenna apparatus degrades its beauty because the cable14is exposed to the outside.

The problem identically occurs although the conventional antenna apparatus is installed indoors (i.e., in-building), in particular, if the repeater12and the antenna module10have an electrical connection structure using the cables14as separation types although not illustrated. In the case of the in-building installation, there is a greater need to prevent the degradation of the beauty.

Recently, in order to prevent the problem that degrades the beauty irrespective of outdoor installation and indoor installation, although not illustrated, a structure in which the antenna module is coupled to a front part of the repeater and an electrical connection between the repeater and the antenna module is performed by using a method, such as a socket pin connection, not the cable connection is adopted.

However, even in this case, a structure in which the repeater is also tilted for the beam tilting of the antenna module needs to be adopted. This may result in a problem in that a space rental cost is increased because the structure occupies a large tilting space.

Furthermore, recently, an antenna apparatus for a base station, which is installed in an outdoor or indoor sidewalk where portable terminal users frequently move, tends to be designed by sufficiently considering an element that is compact so that the antenna apparatus occupies a small space as described above and that minimizes the degradation of the beauty.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present disclosure has been contrived to solve the technical problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an antenna apparatus for a base station, which can prevent the exposure of the appearance of a cable while having an electrical connection structure using the cable not a socket pin connection structure.

Furthermore, another object of the present disclosure is to provide an antenna apparatus for a base station, which includes an antenna clamping unit that enables the tilting of an antenna module solely even without a tilting operation of a repeater by maintaining a cable connection structure.

Furthermore, still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an antenna apparatus for a base station, which has a structure in which in-building installation, such as a wall surface and ceiling of an interior (a house), is easy.

Objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned object, and the other objects not described above may be evidently understood from the following description by those skilled in the art.

Technical Solution

An antenna apparatus for a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a repeater, an antenna module installed on the front of a repeater in a way to be capable of tilting and steering operations, and an antenna clamping unit configured to mediate the installation of the antenna module in the repeater. The antenna clamping unit may conceal a wire cable that electrically connects the repeater and the antenna module.

In this case, the antenna clamping unit may include a fixing part opened in forward and backward directions and fixed to the front of the repeater, and a moving part having a rear end received and coupled to an internal space of the fixing part and a front end subjected to tilting and steering operations in all directions including an up and down direction and a horizontal direction.

Furthermore, the rear end of the moving part may be prevented from being externally detached by the front end of the fixing part.

Furthermore, the antenna clamping unit may further include a moving lock part configured to fix the moving part to the fixing part after the moving part is subjected to the tilting and steering operations.

Furthermore, a gasket groove may be formed within the front end of the fixing part, and a gasket ring configured to form a friction force between the fixing part and the moving part may be interposed in the gasket groove.

Furthermore, the fixing part may be formed in a cylindrical shape that has been opened in the forward and backward directions.

Furthermore, the rear end of the moving part may be received within the fixing part and formed in a semi-sphere shape that has been opened in the forward and backward directions.

Furthermore, the wire cable may be provided in a wire shape longer than a straight line distance between the front end connection point of the repeater and a rear end connection point of the antenna module. A marginal length portion of the wire cable may be received in an internal space of the fixing part.

Furthermore, at least two antenna modules may be installed in one repeater. The antenna clamping unit may be provided in accordance with the number of antenna modules installed in the repeater.

Furthermore, the repeater may be closely attached and installed on an indoor or outdoor wall surface of a building vertically.

Furthermore, the repeater may be closely attached and installed on the bottom of a structure, corresponding to an indoor or outdoor ceiling, horizontally.

Furthermore, the repeater may be buried and installed within ceiling finishing materials of a structure corresponding to an indoor or outdoor ceiling.

Furthermore, the antenna clamping unit may include an extension part vertically disposed in the repeater, at least one fixing part provided at an end of the extension part, and a moving part provided so that the antenna module is coupled to each fixing part, wherein a rear end of the moving part may be received and coupled to an internal space of the fixing part and an external end of the moving part may be subjected to tilting and steering operations in all directions including an up and down direction and a horizontal direction.

Furthermore, the repeater may be buried and installed within ceiling finishing materials of a structure corresponding to an indoor or outdoor ceiling, and may be installed to have a number corresponding to specifications of transmitters and receivers of an antenna module installed in the antenna clamping unit.

Furthermore, when the number of repeaters is two or more, the extension part, fixing part, and moving part of the antenna clamping unit may be provided in accordance with the number of repeaters.

Furthermore, when the number of repeaters is two or more, in the antenna clamping unit, one extension part may be provided, and the fixing part and the moving part may be provided in accordance with the number of repeaters.

Furthermore, when the number of repeaters is two or more, if the repeater is buried and installed within ceiling finishing materials of a structure corresponding to an indoor or outdoor ceiling, the extension part may be fixed to penetrate the inside and outside of the ceiling finishing materials so that the wire cable is concealed and installed.

Advantageous Effects

According to the antenna apparatus for a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the following various effects can be achieved.

First, there is an effect in that the degradation of the beauty of the antenna apparatus upon in-building installation can be prevented because the wire cable that performs an electrical connection function between the repeater and the antenna module can be prevented from being exposed to the outside through the antenna clamping unit.

Second, there is an effect in that a rise of a space rental cost can be prevented because the repeater can perform tilting and steering operations on the antenna module only in the state in which the repeater has been fixed.

Third, there is an effect in that installation suitability can be improved because the antenna apparatus has a structure for easy in-building installation, such as a wall surface and ceiling of an interior (a house).

BEST MODEL

Hereinafter, embodiments of an antenna apparatus for a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components have the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that a detailed description of the related well-known configuration or function hinders understanding of an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Furthermore, in describing components of an embodiment of the present disclosure, terms, such as a first, a second, A, B, (a), and (b), may be used. Such terms are used only to distinguish one component from another component, and the essence, order, or sequence of a corresponding component is not limited by the terms. All terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those commonly understood by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present disclosure an embodiment pertains, unless defined otherwise in the specification. Terms, such as those commonly used and defined in dictionaries, should be construed as having the same meanings as those in the context of a related technology, and are not construed as having ideal or excessively formal meanings unless explicitly defined otherwise in the specification.

FIG.2is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of an antenna apparatus for a base station according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.3is an exploded perspective view ofFIG.2.FIG.4is a front view ofFIG.2and is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A.FIG.5is a cross-sectional view illustrating some of the components ofFIG.4, which illustrates an antenna clamping unit.FIG.6is a side view ofFIG.2.

An antenna apparatus100for a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a repeater120and an antenna module110that are installed at a predetermined place, as referred inFIGS.2to6. In this case, the predetermined place at which the antenna apparatus100for a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is installed is limited to the indoor or outdoor wall surface or ceiling of a building, and the antenna apparatus may be formed to have a structure in which a shape of at least the repeater120, among components described later, is suitable for in-building installation.

The antenna module110may denote an antenna module having at least one frequency band. Furthermore, the repeater120is a remote radio head (RRH), and refers to a transmission/reception apparatus between an antenna and a base station, which is connected to the antenna for each frequency band that is provided to the antenna module110.

The repeater120is a repeater that performs functions for receiving and amplifying or retransmitting a weakened signal between a base station of a mobile communication system and a mobile communication terminal or standardizing a distorted waveform of a signal and adjusting the timing of a signal again, etc.

In the antenna apparatus100for a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in general, although not illustrated in the drawings, the repeater120is first mounted on the indoor or outdoor wall surface of a building. The antenna module110may be mounted on the front of the repeater120in a way to be tiltable and steerable through the medium of an antenna clamping unit200described later.

However, an embodiment of the present disclosure does not need to be essentially mounted on the wall surface of an interior as referred inFIGS.2to6, and may be naturally installed on the ceiling of an interior (a house) as referred inFIG.8Aand subsequent drawings. This will be described more specifically later.

As referred inFIG.4, the antenna module110may include an antenna housing111, and a radome113that is provided to cover the front of the antenna housing111and that forms a predetermined space between the radome and the antenna housing111.

An antenna board115having a printed circuit board form is installed in the predetermined space of the antenna housing111. Multiple radiating elements may be mounted and disposed on the front of the antenna board115. The radiating element that is mounted and disposed in the antenna board115may be different depending on the type of antenna. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, however, an example in which a dipole element117has been adopted is described. However, the radiating element does not need to be essentially provided as the dipole element, and may be provided as a patch element having a patch type.

Meanwhile, the antenna apparatus100for a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the antenna clamping unit200that mediates the coupling of the front of the repeater120as referred inFIGS.2to6.

More specifically, as referred inFIGS.2to6, the repeater120includes an installation panel part121that is closely attached and installed on the wall surface of an interior and a housing part123that is installed ahead of the installation panel part121and that has a predetermined space between the installation panel part and the installation panel part. Various internal components may be installed in the predetermined space.

The internal components that are installed within the repeater120may include a main board, two power amplifying units (PAUs), and a power supplying unit (PSU), although not illustrated.

Multiple heat sink pins125may be integrally formed on the front of the housing part123of the repeater120. System heat that is generated from the predetermined space may be discharged to the outside through the multiple heat sink pins125.

Meanwhile, an installation groove part127in which some of the multiple heat sink pins125has been deleted in the form of a surface having a quadrangular shape is provided on the front of the housing part123. The antenna clamping unit200may be coupled to the installation groove part127by using multiple assembly screws215. However, the installation groove part127that has been deleted in the form of the surface having the quadrangular shape does not need to be essentially provided on the front of the housing part123for the installation of the antenna clamping unit200. As in another embodiment100′ that is referred inFIG.9and subsequent drawings described later, the installation groove part127may be formed in a shape of a circle that is suitable for a shape of an end corresponding to each connection portion of the antenna clamping unit200or in a shape of a coupling stage having any other form.

In this case, the antenna clamping unit200may include a fixing part210provided in a cylindrical shape that has been opened in forward and backward directions and a moving part220having a rear end inserted and installed at an opened front part of the fixing part210and having a front end coupled to the antenna module110.

The rear end of the moving part220, which is received and installed within the fixing part210, is formed approximately in the form of a hemisphere having the rear opened, and may be installed to be caught by a front end of the fixing part210so that the moving part220is not detached toward the outside (in particular, the front).

Furthermore, the moving part220has the front and the rear opened and communicates with an internal space of the fixing part210. A wire cable C that performs an electrical connection between the repeater120and the antenna module110may be installed in the internal space in which the fixing part210and the moving part220communicate with each other.

In this case, the wire cable C may be provided in the form of a wire that is longer than a straight line distance between at least a front end connection point of the repeater120and a rear end connection point of the antenna module110so that tilting and steering operations of the antenna module110, which are described later, are possible. A marginal length portion of the wire cable C may be received in the internal space of the fixing part210in the state in which the twisting of the wire cable has been prevented. Accordingly, the wire cable C is installed to be concealed from the outside. The degradation of the beauty can be prevented.

The moving part220may perform tilting and steering operations so that the moving part maintains a predetermined angle to the fixing part210in all directions including an up and down direction or a horizontal direction. In this case, the term “tilting operation” is a concept including all operations of the upper part and lower part of the antenna module110swinging in forward and backward directions. The term “steering operation” is a concept including all operations of a left end and right end of the antenna module110swinging in the horizontal direction.

In the antenna apparatus100for a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the moving part220may be provided so that only any one of the tilting operation and steering operation of the antenna module110is not performed, but both the tilting operation and the steering operation are performed simultaneously.

More specifically, the front end of the moving part220may be subjected to the tilting and steering operations at a predetermined angle in all directions, including the up and down direction or the horizontal direction, centering around an arbitrary reference point of the rear end of the moving part220, which has been received in the fixing part210.

As the front end of the moving part220is subjected to the tilting and steering operations, the antenna module110coupled to the front end is also capable of a tilting operation and a steering operation. The adjustment of the directivity of the antenna module110can be performed in a direction that is desired by a designer.

In this case, the tilting and steering operations of the moving part220may be performed in the state in which some friction force is present between the moving part220and the fixing part210. To this end, a friction pad (or a friction member) that forms a predetermined friction force between the fixing part210and the moving part220may be further provided on an internal surface of the fixing part210or an external surface of the rear end of the moving part220.

However, a member for providing the friction force between the moving part220and the fixing part210is not essentially limited to the friction pad. That is, as referred inFIG.5, a gasket groove218may be formed inside the front end of the fixing part210and a gasket ring219made of an elastic material (e.g., a rubber material) may be interposed in the gasket groove218, so that a friction force may be formed between the moving part220and the fixing part210. The gasket ring219that is interposed in the gasket groove218forms the friction force between the moving part220and the fixing part210. Accordingly, the moving part220can be finely adjusted when performing a tilting or steering operation and can also perform a waterproof function for preventing an external alien substance, such as rainwater, from entering the moving part.

Meanwhile, although not illustrated in the drawings, the antenna clamping unit200may further include a moving lock part that fixes the moving part220to the fixing part210at a moving fixing point after the moving part220is subjected to tilting and steering operations at a predetermined angle to the fixing part210.

Any means may be adopted as the moving lock part if the means is a component for fixing the moving part220to the fixing part210. For example, the moving lock part may be implemented by a fixing bolt that interferes with any part of the moving part220, etc. through the outside of the fixing part210in which the rear end of the moving part220has been received. In this case, the fixing bolt may be provided as a blunt bolt (a bolt not having a heat part), and may be installed to not protrude to the outside of the fixing part210.

As described above, according to the antenna apparatus100for a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there are advantages in that by the antenna clamping unit200, the beauty can be prevented from being degraded by sublating the exposure of the wire cable C that connects the repeater120and the antenna module110to the outside and space utilization can be maximized because only the antenna module110is subjected to tilting and steering operations and tilting and steering operations of the repeater120are not performed.

FIGS.7A to7Care a perspective view, an exploded perspective view, and a side view illustrating embodiments in which the specifications of the repeater, among the components ofFIG.2, are different.

As referred inFIGS.7A to7C, in the antenna apparatus100for a base station according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the antenna module110has the same specifications to which the dipole type (or the patch antenna elements) has been applied in common, but only the specifications of the repeater120may be different.

More specifically, compared to the repeater120referred inFIGS.2to6, the width of the repeater120in the horizontal direction, which has been referred inFIGS.7A to7C, may be relatively small, but the length of the repeater120in the up and down direction may be provided to have relatively great specifications. In this case, it is preferred that a location where the antenna module110is installed is set as a proper location by considering the weight and tilting operation and steering operation of the antenna module110.

In particular, there can be provided an advantage in that two or more antenna modules110are installed up and down in that the length of the repeater120in the up and down direction, which has been referred inFIGS.7A to7C, is formed to be relatively great.

FIGS.8A to8Dare a perspective view (FIG.8A), an exploded perspective view (FIG.8B), a front view (FIG.8C), and a partial cutaway perspective view (FIG.8D) illustrating the appearance of an antenna apparatus for a base station, which has been installed on a ceiling surface of a house, according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

As referred inFIGS.8A to8D, the antenna apparatus100for a base station according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may be installed not only on the wall surface of an interior, such as that referred inFIGS.2to7C, but in a structure (e.g., ceiling finishing materials), such as an indoor or outdoor ceiling surface of a building.

In this case, as referred inFIGS.8A to8D, the repeater120may be lengthily disposed in a left and right direction (a horizontal direction). After any one of width ends of the repeater120is fixed to the bottom of ceiling finishing materials that form a ceiling through the medium of an installation bracket150C for a ceiling, the antenna module110may be installed on the front side of the repeater120as described above.

However, the repeater120is not essentially limited to be lengthily disposed in the horizontal direction, and the repeater may be lengthily disposed in the up and down direction depending on an embodiment.

Furthermore, as a fourth embodiment and a fifth embodiment described later, in an embodiment in which the repeater120is installed to be buried in the ceiling finishing materials that form the ceiling as referred inFIG.11and subsequent drawings, it is said to be natural that a portion corresponding to the installation panel part121of the repeater120may be closely attached and disposed on an internal surface (a top surface) of the ceiling finishing materials. This will be described more specifically later.

FIG.9is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of an antenna apparatus for a base station, which has been installed on a wall surface of an indoor or outdoor building, according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.10is an exploded perspective view ofFIG.9

The aforementioned antenna apparatus100for a base station according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, which has been referred inFIGS.2to7C, has been implemented as an embodiment in which a single antenna module110has been installed in one repeater120.

However, the present disclosure should not be essentially limited to the embodiment in which only the single antenna module110is installed in the one repeater120as in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As referred inFIGS.9and10, it is said to be natural that two or more (i.e., multiple) antenna modules (refer to reference numerals “110A and110B” inFIGS.9and10) may be installed in one repeater120.

This means that when the number of repeaters120is two or more, the extension part230, fixing part210, and moving part220of the antenna clamping unit200may also be provided in accordance with the number of repeaters120.

In this case, if the two antenna modules110A and110B are installed in one repeater120, a main board, two power amplifying units (PAUs), and a power supplying unit (PSU) may be provided within the one repeater120in a way to correspond to the number of antenna modules so that an independent transmission and reception function is performed by each of the antenna modules110A and110B.

Furthermore, likewise, the antenna clamping unit200may be provided in accordance with the number of antenna modules110A and110B (refer to reference numerals “200A and200B” inFIGS.9and10). This has a meaning that runs contrary to the fact that the antenna clamping unit200is provided in accordance with the number of repeaters120.

However, in the antenna apparatus100for a base station according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, which has been referred inFIGS.2to7C, the opened rear end of the fixing part210is directly installed on the front of the housing part123of the repeater120. In contrast, in the antenna apparatus100′ for a base station according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, which has been referred inFIGS.9and10, the antenna clamping units200A and200B may each further include an extension part230at which the fixing part210is disposed in parallel to the front of the housing part123of the repeater120so that the fixing part is spaced apart from the housing part and that is extended and provided to be connected to a repeater-side coupling stage127′ that has been formed at the opened front end of the fixing part210on one side thereof and on the front of the housing part123.

In this case, a fastening stage229having a ring shape may be provided at the opened front end of the moving part220. The fastening stage229of the moving part220may be firmly fastened to an antenna-side coupling stage119that is provided on the rear of each of the antenna modules110A and110B by using a fastening screw (not illustrated), etc.

Such a repeater120can be easily mounted on an indoor or outdoor wall surface W through the medium of an installation bracket150W and fastening members129that are fastened to the installation bracket, such as multiple bolts.

As described above, the antenna apparatus100′ for a base station according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure can create advantages in that the multiple antenna modules110A and110B may be implemented in one repeater120so that the directivity of each of the multiple antenna modules is adjusted by implementing beam tilting and steering operations of each of the multiple antenna modules110A and110B in a desired direction and the degradation of the beauty of the antenna apparatus can be prevented by sublating the exposure of the wire cable C to a maximum extent while the antenna apparatus is compact.

FIG.11is a modified example ofFIGS.8A to8D, and is a downward perspective view (a) and upward perspective view (b) of an antenna apparatus for a base station according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.12is a partial cutaway perspective view ofFIG.11(a)

As in the second embodiment100of the present disclosure, which has been referred inFIGS.8A to8D, an antenna apparatus100′ for a base station according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure may be installed on the ceiling of an interior (house) or in a structure similar to a ceiling even in the case of an outdoor structure, and may have at least the repeater buried and installed within a structure (e.g., ceiling finishing materials) corresponding to a ceiling in order to improve the beauty of appearance.

More specifically, referring toFIGS.11and12, the repeater120may be seated and installed through the medium of the installation bracket150C so that a portion of the repeater120corresponding to the installation panel part121is closely attached to an internal surface (a top surface) of ceiling finishing materials, that is, a structure corresponding to a ceiling. The multiple antenna modules110A and110B may be installed in the installation panel part121of the repeater120through the extension part230of the moving part220in order to enable an electrical connection through the wire cable C.

In this case, it is preferred that a penetration part H formed so that a portion corresponding to the extension part230of each of the antenna clamping units200A and200B penetrates the penetration part in an up and down direction is provided in ceiling finishing materials, that is, a structure corresponding to a ceiling, for the penetration and connection of the wire cable C.

As described above, the antenna apparatus100′ for a base station according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure has an advantage in that the degradation of the beauty can be prevented to a maximum extent by prohibiting the exposure of the repeater120to the outside in addition to the exposure of the appearance of the wire cable C because at least the repeater120is buried and installed within a structure, such as a ceiling. In this case, the antenna modules110A and110B are exposed to the outside. In terms of directivity adjustment through a tilting operation and a steering operation, there is no difference from the antenna apparatus100for a base station according to the first embodiment and second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS.13A and13Bare other modified examples ofFIGS.8A to8D, and are a downward partial cutaway perspective view and upward partial cutaway perspective view of an antenna apparatus for a base station according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

The antenna apparatuses100and100′ for a base station according to the first to fourth embodiments of the present disclosure have been described on the premise that the antenna modules110,110A, and110B are installed in the antenna clamping units200,200A, and200B, respectively. However, one antenna module110does not need to be essentially installed in one antenna clamping unit200. As referred inFIGS.13A and13B, multiple antenna modules110A to110C may be installed in one antenna clamping unit200.

That is, this means that when the number of repeaters120is two or more, the number of extension parts230is one and the fixing parts210and the moving parts220may be provided in accordance with the number of repeaters120in the antenna clamping unit200.

More specifically, as referred inFIGS.13A and13B, the antenna clamping unit200may include a single extension part230that is vertically coupled to the installation panel part121of the repeater120through a ceiling, three fixing parts210A,210B, and210C that are provided to extend from the single extension part230and that are provided to have at least two antenna modules (three in the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, refer to reference numerals100A to100C) installed therein, and three moving parts (refer to reference numerals220A,220B, and220C) connected to the three fixing parts210A,210B, and210C, respectively, in a way to be capable of tilting and steering operations.

As described above, the directivity of each of the antenna modules110A,110B, and110C can be adjusted through tilting and steering operations in a desired direction through the three fixing parts210A,210B, and210C and moving parts220A,220B, and220C that are extended and formed with respect to the single extension part230. There is provided an advantage in that the antenna apparatus for a base station, which is generally compact while preventing the degradation of the beauty, can be installed.

In this case, it may be said to be natural that an upper part of the single extension part230may be directly coupled to one surface of the repeater120through the penetration part H formed in the ceiling finishing materials that constitutes the ceiling.

More specifically, if the number of repeaters120is two or more, when the repeaters are buried and installed within ceiling finishing materials of a structure corresponding to an indoor or outdoor ceiling, the extension part230may be fixed to penetrate the inside and outside of the ceiling finishing materials so that the wire cable C is concealed and installed.

FIGS.14to16are a downward perspective view (a) and upward perspective view (b) illustrating a cable connection form of a multi-antenna module for a single antenna clamping unit within a ceiling.

In embodiments of the antenna apparatus for a base station according to the present disclosure, multiple antenna modules110A″ to110C″ may be installed in one antenna clamping unit200. In this case, if each of the antenna modules110A″ to110C″ has 4T4R specifications so that four transmitters (4T) and four receivers (4R) function in each antenna substrate (not illustrated), the repeater120having a number corresponding to the specifications of the antenna modules110A″ to110C″ is required.

For example, as referred inFIG.14, if the specifications of the repeater120have been adopted for 8T8R, two repeaters are not essentially required. If two antenna modules110A″ and110B″ each having 4T4R specifications are installed at the bottom of a ceiling, it may be said to be natural that only one repeater120for 8T8R may be installed within a ceiling.

Furthermore, as referred inFIG.15, three antenna modules110A″,110B″, and110C″ do not need to be essentially installed in one antenna clamping unit200, and only two antenna modules110A″ and110B″ may be installed. In this case, if the specifications of the antenna modules110A″ and110B″ each have 4T4R, two repeaters120(refer to reference numerals120A and120B) for 4T4R, which correspond to the same specifications, may be installed within a ceiling.

Furthermore, as referred inFIG.16, as a case in which three antenna modules110A″,110B″, and110C″ have been installed in one antenna clamping unit200so that the three antenna modules are exposed to the bottom of a ceiling, if each of the antenna modules has the 4T4R specifications, three repeaters120A,120B, and120C corresponding to the 4T4R specifications may be installed within the ceiling.

In this case, connecting terminals122ato122dto which the wire cables C each corresponding to each of the transmitters and each of the receivers (4T4R) are connected may be provided at the end of each of the three repeaters120A,120B, and120C in a length direction thereof. The four wire cables C which are connected to the connecting terminals122ato122d, respectively, may be connected in a bundle unit, and may be electrically connected to each of the antenna modules110A″,110B″, and110C″ through the penetration part H that has been formed to penetrate the ceiling up and down in the state in which each wire cable has been concealed against the outside through the extension part230of the antenna clamping unit200.

Such an installation characteristic of the wire cable C may be likewise applied to the cases ofFIGS.14and15.

As described above, the directivities of the antenna modules110A″ to110C″ can be adjusted in a desired direction through tilting and steering operations of two or more (preferably, three or more) moving parts220that have been coupled to a single extension part230and a single fixing part210. There is provided an advantage in that the antenna apparatus for a base station, which is generally compact while preventing the degradation of the beauty, can be installed.

The antenna apparatus for a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, an embodiment of the present disclosure is not essentially limited to the aforementioned embodiment, and may include various modifications and implementations within an equivalent range thereof by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Accordingly, the true range of a right of the present disclosure will be said to be defined by the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure provides the antenna apparatus for a base station, which has a structure that prevents the exposure of the appearance of a cable, enables the tilting of the antenna module solely even without a tilting operation of the repeater, and facilitates in-building installation, such as a wall surface and ceiling of an interior (a house), etc. while having an electrical connection structure using the cable not a socket pin connection structure.