Patent Description:
<NUM> mobile communication technology has already accumulated after several years of development. <NUM> antenna generally uses large-scale array antenna with multiple signal channels, so the number of corresponding components, such as RF component and radiation unit, is also further increased. The current main <NUM> large-scale array antenna mainly uses sheet metal, die-casting, or PCB oscillator as radiation unit, and is fed by PCB board. In addition, additional RF component (such as RF component) is welded and installed on the back of the antenna to achieve the corresponding antenna index.

Several necessary components of the existing antenna are generally assembled separately, and finally assembled into the whole machine by screws and rivets. Because there are many components of the array antenna, the assembly way of existing antenna is not only complex, but also leads to the large size and weight of the whole antenna.

Chinese patent application published No. <CIT> discloses an active antenna unit for a base station, wherein the active antenna unit comprises a filter component comprising a plurality of filter units. The base station antenna includes an antenna substrate and N sets of antenna element groups. The N sets of antenna element groups are arranged in an array on the first main surface of the antenna substrate, and the base station antenna is disposed above the filter component. Each set of the antenna element groups is connected to the corresponding filter unit through the same power dividing line.

Chinese patent application published No. <CIT> discloses an integrated Massive MIMO antenna including a reflector, one side of which is provided with a power distribution network PCB board, and the other side of the reflector is provided with a calibration network PCB board, a power distribution network PCB board, a reflection board, and a calibration network PCB. The document further describes antenna performance test points, filter performance test points and antenna performance test points for the integrated Massive MIMO antenna.

Based on this, it is necessary to provide an array antenna with light weight.

In one embodiment, the dielectric substrate comprises a feed substrate and a radiation substrate disposed on one side of the feed substrate and integrally formed with the feed substrate, wherein, the feed network line layer is formed on a surface of the feed substrate, the radiation substrate is coated with a metal layer on a surface to form the radiation unit.

In one embodiment, the feed network line layer is disposed on a surface of the feed substrate facing away from the radiation unit.

Alternatively, the feed network line layer is disposed on a surface of the feed substrate facing the radiation unit.

In one embodiment, the array antenna further comprises a circuit board, wherein, the plurality of dielectric filter modules are integrated in the circuit board, and the outputs of the plurality of dielectric filter modules are electrically connected to the feed network line layer through the circuit board.

In one embodiment, the circuit board is provided with RF connectors and feed pins corresponding to the plurality of dielectric filter modules on opposite sides, wherein, the feed network line layer is formed with feed holes, the feed pins are inserted in the feed holes to electrically connect the plurality of dielectric filter modules to the feed network line layer.

In one embodiment, the dielectric substrate is formed with raised ribs on a surface toward the reflective plate, and the ribs are abutted against the reflective plate.

In one embodiment, the shield is coated with a conductive adhesive on an end surface of the opening.

In the above array antenna, the feed network line layer can be formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate by means of coating, etc. Therefore, it is equivalent to integrating the feed network and radiation unit of the conventional antenna on the dielectric substrate. When assembling, there is no need to weld and screw the feed network, which helps to simplify the structure. Further, the shielding cavity provides shielding to the dielectric filter module inside, so multiple dielectric filter modules with the shielding cavity can be functionally equivalent to the traditional multiple dielectric filters. Moreover, each shielding cavity houses at least two dielectric filter modules, so the number of shielding cavities can be much less than the number of dielectric filter module. Compared with the traditional way of directly mounting dielectric filters, more metal shielding cavities can be omitted. Therefore, the above array antenna can achieve light weight.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the present application, the present application will be more fully described below with reference to the relevant accompanying drawings. Preferred embodiments of the present application are given in the accompanying drawings. However, the application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided for the purpose of providing a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the disclosure of the present application.

It is noted that when an element is considered to be "fixed" to another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may also be a centered element. When an element is considered to be "attached" to another element, it can be directly attached to another element or there may also be a centered element. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are used for illustrative purposes only.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the application. The terms used herein in the specification of the present application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the application. The term "and/or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, an array antenna <NUM> in the preferred embodiment of the present application includes an antenna oscillator module <NUM>, a shielding cavity <NUM>, and a dielectric filter module <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the antenna oscillator module <NUM> includes a dielectric substrate <NUM>, a feed network line layer <NUM>, and a radiation unit <NUM>. The antenna oscillator module <NUM> generally has multiple signal channels. For example, there are common <NUM> channels, <NUM> channels. Each signal channel contains at least one radiation unit <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the embodiment, the number of radiation unit <NUM> is <NUM>, and each signal channel contains three radiation units <NUM>. Therefore, the array antenna <NUM> is a <NUM>-channel antenna.

The dielectric substrate <NUM> is a one-piece structure, and its material can be plastic, resin, etc. Usually, the dielectric substrate <NUM> is molded in one piece by injection molding. The feed network line layer <NUM> is formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate <NUM>. The feed network line layer <NUM> can integrate functional circuit such as divider circuit, filter circuit, etc., which can be used to feed the radiation unit <NUM>, and is therefore equivalent to a conventional feed network. Specifically, the feed network line layer <NUM> can be formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate <NUM> by means of selective plating, LDS (laser direct forming technology) and other surface metal forming, and can be made of copper, silver and other good conductors.

The radiation unit <NUM> is used for receiving and radiating electromagnetic wave signals outward, generally using a dual-polarized radiation unit. The radiation unit <NUM> is provided on one side of the dielectric substrate <NUM>, and is fed by the feed network line layer <NUM>. Among them, the feed network line layer <NUM> can be directly fed to the radiation unit <NUM>, can also be coupled to the radiation unit <NUM> for feed. Specifically, when the feed network line layer <NUM> is formed, a feed structure line layer <NUM> may also be formed on the dielectric substrate <NUM> at the same time, and the feed structure line layer <NUM> is supported by the dielectric substrate <NUM>, which is equivalent to the traditional feed balun and feed column.

Each array antenna <NUM> may include only one antenna oscillator module <NUM>, that is, multiple radiation units <NUM> are disposed on the same dielectric substrate <NUM>; may also include a plurality of antenna oscillator module <NUM>, that is, the plurality of radiation units <NUM> are disposed on different dielectric substrate <NUM> and then joined together. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, specifically in this embodiment, each array antenna <NUM> includes <NUM> antenna oscillator modules <NUM>, and each dielectric substrate <NUM> is provided with <NUM> radiation units <NUM>. <NUM> dielectric substrate <NUM> are joined each other, thereby forming an antenna oscillator module <NUM> with <NUM> radiation units <NUM>.

The radiation unit <NUM> can be in the form of metal oscillator structure, PCB oscillator structure, plastic metallization oscillator and metal laminate structure. Referring again to <FIG> and <FIG>, in one embodiment, the dielectric substrate <NUM> includes a feed substrate <NUM> and a radiation substrate <NUM> located on one side of the feed substrate <NUM> and integrally formed with the feed substrate <NUM>. The feed network line layer <NUM> is formed on the surface of the feed substrate <NUM>, and the surface of the radiation substrate <NUM> is coated with a metal layer (not marked in the figure) to form the radiation unit <NUM>.

Specifically, the metal layer can also be formed by means of selective plating, LDS (laser direct forming technology) and other surface metal forming way. The radiation substrate <NUM> supports the metal layer, and forms the radiation unit <NUM> together with the metal layer together. At this time, the radiation unit <NUM> and the dielectric substrate <NUM> constitute a one-piece structure. In other words, the traditional radiation unit and feed network can be integrated on the dielectric substrate <NUM>, so the structure of the antenna oscillator module <NUM> can be simplified, and its volume and weight can be significantly reduced.

The radiation substrate <NUM> can be a hollow column-shaped projection formed by a local recess from the feed substrate <NUM>. The metal layer forming the radiation unit <NUM> is attached to the outer surface of the column-shaped projection. Specifically, the hollow column-shaped projection may be cube-shaped or cylindrical, i.e., its cross-section is rectangular or circular. Wherein, the feed structure line layer <NUM> may be supported by the inner wall of the column-shaped projection and extend along the inner wall toward the radiation unit <NUM>. By making a local recess in the feed substrate <NUM> to form the support structure of the radiation unit <NUM>, the structure of the dielectric substrate <NUM> can be made more reasonable and the yield rate of injection molding is better.

Further, the feed network line layer <NUM> can be located either on the same or different side of the dielectric substrate <NUM> as the radiation unit <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in one embodiment, the feed network line layer <NUM> is located on the surface of the feed substrate <NUM> facing away from the radiation unit <NUM>. Meanwhile, the feed network line layer <NUM> may be integrally formed with the feed structure line layer <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in another embodiment, the feed network line layer <NUM> is disposed on a surface of the feed substrate <NUM> toward the radiation unit <NUM>. Meanwhile, the feed network line layer <NUM> may be electrically connected to the feed structure line layer <NUM> by opening a metallized perforation.

Referring again to <FIG>, a shielding cavity <NUM> is formed on one side of the dielectric substrate <NUM> facing away from the radiation unit <NUM>. The shielding cavity <NUM> may be a closed cavity structure mounted on one side of the dielectric substrate <NUM> by welding, screwing, etc.; the shielding cavity <NUM> may also be a cavity structure with a shielding function obtained by forming integrally with the dielectric substrate <NUM> and metallizing the surface; the shielding cavity <NUM> may also be a closed cavity structure formed by a semi-closed structure cooperating with the dielectric substrate <NUM>. The shielding cavity <NUM> can play the role of electrostatic shielding, equivalent to the metal shielding cavity of traditional dielectric filter.

In this embodiment, the array antenna <NUM> also includes a reflective plate <NUM>, the reflective plate <NUM> is affixed to the side of the dielectric substrate <NUM> facing away from the radiation unit <NUM>.

Specifically, the reflective plate <NUM> is generally a metal reflective plate, which can reflect the electromagnetic wave signal several times, thus enhancing the efficiency of signal transmitting and receiving of the radiation unit <NUM>. The surface profile of the reflective plate <NUM> is generally substantially the same as the surface profile of the dielectric substrate <NUM>, and the surfaces of both are disposed opposite each other. The reflective plate <NUM> can be screwed, welded and other ways to achieve installation with the dielectric substrate <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, in one embodiment, a raised rib <NUM> is formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate <NUM> facing the reflective plate <NUM>, and the rib <NUM> abuts the reflective plate <NUM>.

Specifically, the rib <NUM> is formed on the feed substrate <NUM>. The rib <NUM> may be distributed in a circular pattern on the surface of the feed substrate <NUM> or may extend in a straight line on the surface of the feed substrate <NUM>. On the one hand, the rib <NUM> may serve to strengthen the mechanical strength of the feed substrate <NUM>. On the other hand, the rib <NUM> may support the reflective plate <NUM> so as to maintain a stable gap between the reflective plate <NUM> and the feed substrate <NUM>. When the feed network line layer <NUM> is located on the side of the feed substrate <NUM> facing away from the radiation unit <NUM>, it can ensure the isolation of the feed network line layer <NUM> from the reflective plate <NUM>.

Further, in this embodiment, the array antenna <NUM> also includes a shield <NUM> with an opening on one side, and the shield <NUM> is covered on the surface of the reflector plate <NUM> facing away from the antenna oscillator module <NUM> and cooperates with the reflective plate <NUM> to form the shielding cavity <NUM>.

Specifically, the shield <NUM> can be in the shape of a cube, a hemisphere or a semi-cylindrical shape, etc., with an opening on one side. The shield <NUM> can be formed directly from the metal material; or it can be formed by the dielectric material first, and then the surface of the dielectric material can be metallized. The shield <NUM> is generally fastened to the reflective plate <NUM> by screws. At this time, the reflective plate <NUM> acts as a sidewall of the shielding cavity <NUM>. Therefore, the shield <NUM> can also omit a sidewall compared with the conventional metal shielding cavity, so the weight can be further reduced.

Referring together to <FIG>, specifically in this embodiment, the end surface of the opening of the shield <NUM> is covered with a conductive adhesive <NUM>. The conductive adhesive <NUM> can make good contact with the edge of the opening of the shield <NUM>, thus ensuring the shielding effect of the shielding cavity <NUM>.

The dielectric filter module <NUM> is equivalent to the filter body structure after the traditional dielectric filter omitting the metal shielding cavity. There are multiple dielectric filter modules <NUM>, and the output of each dielectric filter module <NUM> is electrically connected to the feed network line layer <NUM>. The dielectric filter module <NUM> is used to filter the electromagnetic wave signal received or radiated by each radiation unit <NUM>. Thus, the dielectric filter modules <NUM> correspond to the number of signal channels of the array antenna <NUM>. For example, if the array antenna <NUM> shown in <FIG> has <NUM> signal channels, the number of dielectric filter modules <NUM> is <NUM>.

Further, a plurality of dielectric filter modules <NUM> are provided in the shielding cavity <NUM>, and each shielding cavity <NUM> houses at least two dielectric filter modules <NUM>. Depending on the size of the antenna, one or more shielding cavities <NUM> may be included in each array antenna <NUM>. For example, the array antenna <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes two shielding cavities <NUM>, each shielding cavity <NUM> contains <NUM> filter modules <NUM>.

In other words, one shielding cavity <NUM> can provide electrostatic shielding effect on a plurality of dielectric filter modules <NUM>, so the number of shielding cavities <NUM> can be much less than the number of dielectric filter modules <NUM>. In conventional technology, for <NUM>-channel antenna, <NUM> filters need to be installed, and each filter has a metal shielding cavity. In this scheme, for <NUM>-channel array antenna <NUM>, only two shielding cavities <NUM> need to be installed. Therefore, compared with the traditional way, the array antenna <NUM> can omit more metal shielding cavities, thus simplifying the installation operation and reducing the weight.

Referring again to <FIG>, specifically in this embodiment, the inner wall of the shield <NUM> is provided with a conductive foam <NUM> that abuts the dielectric filter module <NUM>.

The conductive foam <NUM> extends along the length of the shield <NUM>, thus covering all the dielectric filter modules <NUM> in the shielding cavity <NUM>. Thus, the conductive foam <NUM> connects the shield <NUM> to the surface of each dielectric filter module <NUM>, so that each dielectric filter module <NUM> is well grounded, thus suppressing high frequency clutter caused by surface current radiation.

In this embodiment, the array antenna <NUM> also includes a circuit board <NUM>, a plurality of dielectric filter modules <NUM> are integrated in the circuit board <NUM>, and the outputs of the plurality of dielectric filter modules <NUM> are electrically connected to the feed network line layer <NUM> through the circuit board <NUM>.

The plurality of dielectric filter modules <NUM> can be positioned and soldered on the circuit board <NUM> first, and then the circuit board <NUM> integrated with the dielectric filter modules <NUM> as a whole is connected to the feed network line layer <NUM>. Therefore, it is only necessary to align the circuit board <NUM> as a whole with the feed network line layer <NUM>, instead of repeating the positioning of each dielectric filter module <NUM>, so it can make the assembly more convenient. Among them, the number of circuit boards <NUM> can be the same as the number of shielding cavities <NUM>, or all dielectric filter modules <NUM> can be integrated on the same circuit board <NUM>.

The array antenna <NUM> shown in <FIG> has <NUM> circuit boards <NUM>, and each circuit board <NUM> has <NUM> dielectric filter modules <NUM> integrated thereon. The shielding cavity <NUM> holds the corresponding circuit board <NUM> on the reflective plate <NUM>.

Further, in this embodiment, the circuit board <NUM> is provided with a RF connector <NUM> and a feed pin <NUM> on opposite sides, and the RF connector <NUM> and feed pin <NUM> correspond to the plurality of dielectric filter modules <NUM> one by one. The feed network line layer <NUM> is formed with feed holes (not shown), and the feed pin <NUM> is inserted in the feed hole to electrically connect the plurality of dielectric filter modules <NUM> to the feed network line layer <NUM>.

Specifically, the RF connector <NUM> and the feed pin <NUM> are connected to the input and output of the corresponding dielectric filter module <NUM>, respectively. The feed hole on the feed network line layer <NUM> may be metallized via hole that is electrically conductive. Moreover, the position of the feed hole corresponds to the position of the feed pin <NUM>. The reflective plate <NUM> is provided with avoidance hole for avoidance of the feed pin <NUM> (not shown). Upon assembling, the feed pin <NUM> is inserted into the corresponding feed hole, the positioning and installation of the board <NUM> is quickly realized, so the assembly is more convenient.

The RF connector <NUM> can be used with the plug interface of the coaxial feed to facilitate the connection between the dielectric filter module <NUM> and the signal transceiver device of the base station. Among them, the RF connector <NUM> generally protrudes to the outside of the shielding cavity <NUM>, and the side wall of the shielding cavity <NUM> is opened with a through hole <NUM> for RF connector <NUM> to pass through.

The array antenna <NUM> described above, the feed network line layer <NUM> may be formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate <NUM> by means of coating, etc. Therefore, it is equivalent to integrating the feed network and radiation unit <NUM> of the conventional antenna on the dielectric substrate <NUM>. When assembling, there is no need to weld and screw the feed network and other operations, which helps to simplify the structure. Further, the shielding cavity <NUM> provides shielding to the dielectric filter module <NUM> inside, so the plurality of dielectric filter modules <NUM> with the shielding cavity <NUM> can be functionally equivalent to the traditional multiple dielectric filters. Moreover, each shielding cavity <NUM> houses at least two dielectric filter modules <NUM>, so the number of shielding cavities <NUM> can be much less than the number of dielectric filter modules <NUM>. Compared with the traditional way of directly mounting dielectric filters, a larger number of metal shielding cavities can be omitted. As a result, the above array antenna <NUM> can achieve light weight.

Each technical feature of the above described embodiment can be combined in any way, for the sake of concise description, not all possible combinations of each technical feature of the above described embodiment are described. However, as long as the combination of these technical features are not contradictory, it should be considered as the scope of this description.

Claim 1:
An array antenna (<NUM>), comprising:
an antenna oscillator module (<NUM>) including a dielectric substrate (<NUM>), a feed network line layer (<NUM>) formed on a surface of the dielectric substrate (<NUM>) and a plurality of radiation units (<NUM>) disposed on one side of the dielectric substrate (<NUM>) and fed by the feed network line layer (<NUM>);
a shielding cavity (<NUM>) formed on one side of the dielectric substrate (<NUM>) facing away from the radiation unit (<NUM>); and
a plurality of dielectric filter modules (<NUM>) disposed within the shielding cavity (<NUM>), and each shielding cavity (<NUM>) housing at least two of the dielectric filter modules (<NUM>), an output of each of the dielectric filter modules (<NUM>) being electrically connected to the feed network line layer (<NUM>);
a reflective plate (<NUM>) affixed to one side of the dielectric substrate (<NUM>) facing away from the radiation unit (<NUM>);
a shield (<NUM>) with an opening on one side, wherein, the shield (<NUM>) is provided on a surface of the reflective plate (<NUM>) facing away from the antenna oscillator module (<NUM>) and cooperating with the reflective plate (<NUM>) to form the shielding cavity (<NUM>);
wherein, an inner wall of the shield (<NUM>) is provided with a conductive foam (<NUM>) abutting against the dielectric filter module (<NUM>).