Patent ID: 6987487

Claim:
A cellular base station antenna system, comprising: a. an elongated panel antenna adapted to be mounted vertically and having a front side and a back side, said antenna producing a beam, said antenna comprising: i. a feed system configured to supply signals to an arrangement of spaced first, second, third and fourth radiating elements on the front side of the panel antenna; and ii. an electromechanical phase adjustment system, comprising: 1. a first mechanical phase shifting component located on the back side of the panel antenna and in said feed system; 2. said first phase shifting component including a first stationary transmission line of arcuate configuration component coupled at opposed ends to the first and second radiating elements, and a signal-conducting moveable first wiper component configured to wipe across said first transmission line component and thereby shorten the signal path to one of said first and second coupled radiating elements while lengthening the signal path to the other of said coupled radiating elements; 3. a second mechanical phase shifting component located on the back side of the panel antenna and in said feed system; 4. said second phase shifting component including a second stationary transmission line component of arcuate configuration coupled at opposed ends to the third and fourth radiating elements, and a signal-conducting moveable second wiper component configured to wipe across said second transmission line component and thereby shorten the signal path to one of said third and fourth coupled radiating elements while lengthening the signal path to the other of said coupled radiating elements; 5. a motor supported by said panel antenna below said first and second phase shifting components at the bottom of the panel antenna; 6. a mechanical linkage coupling said motor to said first and second wiper components, said linkage including an elongated member between said motor at the bottom of the panel antenna and said first and second moveable wiper components and coupled to at least one pivotally mounted wiper arm supporting at least one of said first and second moveable wiper components such that activation of said motor causes said elongated member to move in a lengthwise direction along said panel antenna, causes said first and second wiper components to simultaneously wipe arcuately across said transmission line components, and causes the fixed elevation of the beam to change in relation to the direction and magnitude of the movement of said elongated member; and b. a beam elevation control system, comprising: i. a motor controller located remotely from said antenna and coupled to said motor; ii. said motor controller being configured to transmit beam elevation commands to said motor and to thereby make adjustments in beam elevation.