CN1788389A - Aperiodic array antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

An antenna array that uses at least two passive antennas (110, 112) and one active antenna (120) disposed above a ground plane (140), but electrically isolated from the ground plane, and a respective resonant strip (1216) positioned beneath each passive antenna. The passive antenna elements are positioned about the active element, and each of the at least two passive antenna elements is individually set to a reflective or a transmissive mode to change the characteristics of an input/output beam pattern of the antenna apparatus.

Description

Aperiodic array antenna

Background technology

Various types of wireless communication systems can be used to provide radio communication between central base station (perhaps access point) and one or more far-end or mobile unit.Their institute's public affairs have plenty of the base station, the base station is normally one or more by computer-controlled wireless set, under the situation of voice communication, transceiver is interconnected to the land-based network such as PSTN (PSTN), and, then be interconnected to wireless lan (wlan) for data communication.The base station comprises the antenna assembly that is used for the forward link radio-frequency signal is transmitted into mobile unit.Antenna for base station also is responsible for receiving the reverse link radiofrequency signal that transmits from each mobile unit.Each mobile unit also comprises the antenna assembly that is used to receive forward link signal and transmits reverse link signals.Typical mobile unit is the digital cellular telephone machine or is coupled to radio modem or wireless adapter on the personal computer.

The antenna that is used to transmit on mobile unit with the common type of received signal is the non-directional monopole antenna.Such antenna is made of the solid conductor or the antenna element of the transceiver that is coupled to subscriber unit inside.Transceiver receives the reverse link signals that will be transmitted by the circuit in subscriber unit, and with the characteristic frequency of distributing to this subscriber unit signal is modulated on the antenna element.The forward link signal that is received under characteristic frequency by antenna element is by the transceiver demodulation and offer treatment circuit in the subscriber unit.In the wireless cellular system of a lot of types, a plurality of moving user units can transmit and received signal on same frequency, and use encryption algorithm to detect the signaling information that is directed to each subscriber unit on the basis of every unit.

The signal of launching from monopole antenna that is transmitted is non-directional in essence.That is, signal is launched with identical intensity on all directions in the plane of basic horizontal.Similarly, also be non-directional with monopole antenna unit received signal.The monopole antenna ability of detection signal in one direction detects ability and indifference from the identical or different signal of other direction with respect to it.

Summary of the invention

The wave beam that one aspect of the present invention relates in the portable set forms.In illustrative embodiment, can transmit or the active antenna unit of received RF (RF) signal is placed between two passive element array at least.Active antenna preferably departs from the imaginary line that is drawn between two passive element array, so that active cell is not positioned on the common plane of passive element array.In concrete the application, passive and active antenna unit is by placement parallel to each other, and antenna element has formed the triangle antenna array.More particularly, the active antenna formed angle of aerial array that is set at the summit can provide the horizontal sweeps of directional transmissions and 360 degree.Antenna element can be set up the formation obtuse angle.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to active and combination passive element array is set in portable antenna device.For example, comprise that passive and the aerial array of active antenna unit can be set at that hinge collapsible, that be easy to deposit is connected, in the panel of spring assist.When being opened, antenna assembly can form fixing or adjustable aerial array.

Usually the setting that can adjust the passive element array that is at least two is to change the I/O beam pattern by aerial array was produced.More particularly, each of at least two passive element array of aerial array can both be made as reflection or transmission mode individually, with the directivity of for example I/O beam pattern that changes corresponding wireless antenna device and the characteristic of angle beamwidth.Therefore, can be more easily the I/O beam pattern of cellular device be carried out orientation towards the specific objective receiver of for example base station, so that the gain that reduces the noise interference level and increase the respective antenna device.

When passive element array is set to reflective-mode, usually the RF signal is reflected away to adjust lobe pattern from passive antenna.On the contrary, when transmission mode, each passive element array allows the RF signal to pass through relatively undampedly, and supports the directivity of RF signal, has improved the wave beam transmission on specific direction.Based on the setting of at least two passive element array, can adjust the I/O beam pattern based on the specific orientation of for example aerial array.

Can be based on the characteristic of adjusting these at least two passive antennas through the control signal of weighting.That is, according to the weighting control signal that drives corresponding passive element array, at least two passive element array can be distinguished and reflect or transmission more or lessly.Therefore, the I/O wave beam of aerial array can optionally be doubled or be controlled so that be supported in beams directed on any direction almost.Can scan to find out the I/O beam pattern and be used to the best setting of transmitting or receiving.

In one application, at least one passive element array comprises two passive element array, and wherein each all can optionally be made as transmission or reflective-mode.The active antenna unit can be set between two passive element array.

To each other interval also can be according to use changing between active antenna unit and at least one passive element array.For example, according to operating frequency, at least two passive element array can relative to each other be opened with the active antenna unit interval.In one application, passive element array is set at apart from the about quarter-wave in active antenna unit and sentences the beams directed ability that improves.For the use in some compact portable formula cellular device, interval between active and at least one passive element array can be about 3.5 and 4.5 inches, and the interval of even now is less than the quarter-wave of the carrier frequency of the transmission of correspondence and received signal.

The present invention has lot of advantages with respect to prior art.For example, can adopt the combination of the active antenna unit that is set up angulation and at least two passive element array to adjust directionality, gain and the angle beamwidth of I/O beam pattern.Opposite with linear array, angle of the present invention aerial array does not comprise division or the spuious lobe as in the prior art.The several elements that comprise aerial array can be assembled in the compact portable formula cellular device at an easy rate.Therefore, comprise that compact cellular device according to the antenna assembly of principle of the present invention can spend less cost manufacturing and the benefit of the interference and the decay of reduction is provided, this be only use the standard active cell that is used to transmit and receive the RF signal can't obtain.

Another benefit that support forms according to the wave beam of principle of the present invention is the ability that communicates with the base station better.The directional properties of the beamformer output of portable set reduces power consumption.The foldable antenna device that comprises aerial array can more easily be packed up in order to transportation.

Another feature of aerial array of the present invention is to produce to spend the ability of directed high-gain directional diagram arbitrarily 360.Each directional diagram can have gain about equally.In addition, such aerial array can be supported the non-directional pattern, also is easy to when being integrated in the kneetop computer make.

Design concept comes from the demand of cellular radio antenna system for basic smart antenna.They are contained azimuth scan (electrical properties), low-cost (market consideration) and are easy to use the ability of (user interface).Suppose that antenna element is a non-directional, the ability that then scans space, whole azimuth needs three elements at least.For cost is minimum, two in three elements are made into passive.In order to be easy to use, array is aligned to obtuse triangle, and this makes that it almost is smooth, is convenient to collection.

The source provides the method that forms monodirectional beam from the minor shifts of the straight line of connection parasitic element.If not skew, then radiation pattern will have two identical main beams, is each positioned at a side of array.Monodirectional beam can provide wide the directivity of extra 3dB, and suppresses towards the interference of increasing at wave beam rear.Utilize this to be offset and form monodirectional beam to cover all azimuths.

The design's importance is the tediously long tabulation that it has satisfied the requirement of cellular communication antenna.

1.) wide cone of coverage: the azimuthal ability of this array scanning 360 degree is the wide cone of coverage of high-gain.In addition, this array has the non-directional pattern.

2.) high directivity: this array has finder and reflector, so it has formed the monodirectional beam of high orientation.Consider its size, the directivity of its about 6dBi is considered to higher.

3.) disturb inhibition: this has the single fact of handling main beam and at least one zero point by pattern and reaches satisfied.

4.) small size: the required minimum element number of non-directional cell array of scanning 360 degree is 3, so selected 3 for this obtuse triangle array.

5.) Zui Xiao mutual coupling loss: this array makes mutual coupling loss minimum by only using an active cell, so it does not have the loss port that will be coupled to.Two parasitic elements in the array are designed to very low loss scattering.The loss of parasitic element is basically in the load that it is connected to.Used load is harmless in theory element, for example switch, inductance and capacitor.Even actually, the loss of these elements is also very low, so eliminated the problem of high mutual coupling loss on electric in the very little array.

6.) Zui Xiao circuit loss: signal generating source is to the single active cell power supply that does not have the power distributed circuit, so the source circuit loss is in its minimum value.The parasitic element load is placed on the low-loss element of in fact as close as possible terminal, so parasitic element circuit loss also is minimum.

7.) gain: loss is minimized, so array is high efficiency, and its gain is higher than the full active array of similar size.

8.) high power handling ability: in full active array, all elements in the power supply circuits (power divider, phase shifter etc.) must be handled higher transmitter power.In this array,, do not use power divider because have only an active cell.In addition, phase shifter is handled by the element in the passive element array.Because the power that arrives parasitic element is by the space coupling, so passive element array is only handled the sub-fraction (being usually less than apart from active cell 0.1 10dB of wavelength place) of the power of active cell.So these elements can make its rated power reduce identical multiple.

9.) low cost: it is minimum only to use three elements cost to be dropped to.An active cell means and need not the power division element, so be not used in the cost of hardware except the cost of antenna self.Parasitic element only needs lower-cost low power switch and reactive load.Reactive load can be the short transmission line part that is printed on the same circuit board that constitutes antenna, so the cost of load is included in the antenna.Remaining cost is switch and controller.Switch and controller complexity are the functions of the quantity of required beam. position.The cost of their cost and other system is equivalent.But, in this array, only need two switches, different in this and the most of other systems above two.

10.) collection is convenient: array can be packed up easily is almost smooth obtuse triangle shape.It also can be fully smooth by harvest.Novel collection notion is described below, and wherein, closes the normal running of kneetop computer and also array is packed up.This feature makes array make things convenient for the user.

Also be intrinsic in the prior art antenna that other variety of issues use on the moving user unit of wireless communication system.Usually, the aerial array with scan capability is made of a lot of the antenna elements that are positioned at the ground plane top.For satisfying the portable subscriber unit that requires, ground plane must be smaller physically.For example, in cellular communications applications, ground plane is usually less than a wavelength of the signal that transmits or receive.Because little ground plane and be generally interaction between the antenna element of monopole element, even wave beam self by along the horizontal line orientation, also is lifted to above the horizon by the peak strength of the formed wave beam of array, for example, about 30 degree.Accordingly, hang down about 3dB along the strength ratio peak strength of horizontal wave beam.In general, subscriber unit is far away apart from the base station, so the incidence angle between subscriber unit and the base station approximately is zero.Ground plane will have to be far longer than the wavelength of the signal that transmits/receive so that the peak value wave beam can be pulled to horizontal line.For example, in the cellular system of 800MHz, the diameter of ground plane must be much larger than 14 inches, and in the personal communication service of working under 1900MHz (PCS) system (perhaps being operated in the WLAN under the similar frequencies), the ground plane diameter must be much larger than about 6.5 inches.Having so large-sized ground plane has hindered subscriber unit as portable set.

Use another disadvantage of the existing prior art antenna of smooth ground plane to be: when the ground plane size reduces, because external environment condition and antenna directly are coupled, it is responsive to environment high ground that array input impedance becomes, for example, when array is placed on metal surface or the desktop, that is, external environment condition becomes the part of antenna.If the size of ground plane is increased to enough sizes, this coupling problems is reduced to minimum.But, in a lot of the application, do not wish that the ground plane size is very big.The ground plane of abnormity has been used to the wave beam of monopole array is pulled to horizontal line.These special-shaped ground planes have bigger three-dimensional feature.That is, people expect to use the antenna structure that is not too big and too clumsy to push wave beam to horizontal line downwards.

The present invention has reduced the problem that aforementioned prior art antenna system is run into widely.The invention provides cheap aerial array, be used for and use together such as the moving user unit of wireless " with frequently " network communicating system of cdma cellular or WLAN communication network.The present invention uses and to be arranged on the ground plane top, but and at least two passive antennas and an active antenna of ground plane electric insulation, and the resonance band that is positioned at the correspondence below each passive antenna.Passive element array and resonance band are placed around active antenna, and the resonance band is coupled to corresponding parasitic element, so that by more effectively utilizing available ground plane area to improve antenna gain.In addition because active cell is above ground plane, so the susceptibility of aerial array reduced because the coupling between antenna and the external environmental factor has been minimized.

Specifically, the resonance band and the parasitic element of coupling have constituted uneven dipole antenna unit, so a plurality of dipole antenna units and active antenna unit have formed compound I/O wave beam jointly, this wave beam on the position can along with the substantially parallel horizon orientation of ground plane.In addition, each at least two passive element array can be set to reflection or transmission mode respectively, with the characteristic of the I/O beam pattern that changes antenna assembly.Parasitic element can center on the active antenna cell distribution in aperiodicity ground.

In one embodiment, the resonance band of parasitic element and coupling can form on a side of printed circuit board (PCB), and active cell is at opposite side.The thickness of circuit board provides the skew from linear structure, so that aperiodic structure to be provided.

Embodiments of the invention also can comprise one or more following features.Ground plane can be a cylinder, so that the upside of ground plane is the planar ends of cylinder, and the bottom side of ground plane is the opposite planar ends of cylinder.In this arrangement, each resonance band all is placed in each slit of ground plane.The wall of each slit and resonance band spaced, and fill the interval on wall and surface so that the non-head portion of resonance band and ground plane electric insulation with nonmetallic materials.

In other enforcement, ground plane is by quantitatively forming with the equal a plurality of flat boards of a plurality of resonance bands.Each flat board has outer rim and inner edge.The resonance band is along the alignment of each dull and stereotyped outer rim, and dull and stereotyped inner edge and link together at the center of ground plane, forms central junction surface with parallel with the axle of a resonance band basically axis.Active cell is along the axial alignment at central junction surface.The central authorities junction surface is to be convenient to antenna assembly is folded into hinge in the smooth compact unit.

In certain embodiments, each flat board comprises one deck first electric conducting material on the first nonmetal substrate and this substrate one side.The current-carrying part of ground plane is made of identical electric conducting material with the resonance band.Each flat board can comprise the second nonmetal substrate, is clipped in second electric conducting material between first substrate layer and second substrate layer, and one deck the 3rd electric conducting material on second nonmetal substrate one side.Can constituting of the current-carrying part of ground plane and resonance band by first electric conducting material and the 3rd electric conducting material.

Description of drawings

According to following more specifically description to the preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawing, aforementioned and other purposes of the present invention, feature and advantage will very clear, and in the accompanying drawings, same reference character is indicated the same section that runs through each view.Accompanying drawing is not necessarily pro rata, on the contrary, focuses on illustrating principle of the present invention.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram, is the fragmentary, perspective view according to the antenna assembly of some principle of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the perspective view according to the antenna assembly that is coupled to transceiver of some principle of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is the perspective view according to the collapsible or hinged antenna assembly of some principle of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram, is the fragmentary, perspective view according to the more detailed antenna assembly of some principle of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is the perspective view according to the hinged antenna assembly of some principle of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is the selectively controlled impedor block diagram of characteristic that is used to adjust passive element array according to some principle of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is the selectively controlled impedor block diagram of characteristic that is used to adjust passive element array according to some principle of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is the selectively controlled impedor block diagram of characteristic that is used to adjust passive element array according to some principle of the present invention;

Fig. 9 A and Fig. 9 B are the top views of the lobe pattern that produced by linear antenna arrays;

Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B are the top views by the directional beam that produces according to the antenna assembly of some principle of the present invention;

Figure 11 is top view and the end view by the directional beam that produces according to the antenna assembly of some principle of the present invention;

Figure 12 is top view and the end view by the directional beam that produces according to the antenna assembly of some principle of the present invention;

Figure 13 is top view and the end view by the directional beam that produces according to the antenna assembly of some principle of the present invention;

Figure 14 is top view and the end view by the directional beam that produces according to the antenna assembly of some principle of the present invention;

Figure 15 A is the perspective view according to the antenna display of being used by the moving user unit in the cellular system of some principle of the present invention;

Figure 15 B is the full sectional view of passive element array of the aerial array of Figure 15 A;

Figure 16 is the system-level diagram of electronic circuit that is used for the aerial array of control chart 15A;

Figure 17 A and 17B show another embodiment of the aperiodicity array of realizing on printed circuit board (PCB);

Figure 18 A is the perspective view according to another embodiment of the aerial array of some principle of the present invention;

Figure 18 B is the full sectional view of passive element array of the aerial array of Figure 18 A;

Figure 19 is the view of the aerial array among Figure 18 A that folds in the smooth compact unit;

Figure 20 is a plurality of layers an another kind of structure of aerial array flat board;

Figure 21 be according to some principle of the present invention have between aperiodicity across the perspective view of aerial array of passive element array.

Embodiment

Be the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the present invention below.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram, is the fragmentary, perspective view according to theantenna assembly 100 of some principle of the present invention; As shown in the figure,active antenna unit 120 is set between firstpassive element array 110 and second passive element array 112.As shown in the figure,active antenna unit 120 generally all is parallel monopole unit withpassive element array 110 and 112.But they are configured to relative to each other not be positioned at same vertical plane.For example, the angle beta that has a summit atactive cell 120 places by bottom at these elements between drawn line form.Usually, antenna element is configured such that angle beta is an obtuse angle, for example spend between 180degree 90, and near 180 degree.But the accurate amount of this angle can change according to using.

The quantity that should also be noted that inantenna assembly 100 many passive element array of using not necessarily only is two, and only is a kind of possible embodiment in the diagram of twopassive element array 110 shown in Fig. 1 and 112.By selecting the unit of varying number, can obtain different directional radiation pattern.

Active antenna unit 120 andpassive element array 110 and 112 can be fixed on the stayed surface 140.Butantenna assembly 100 can be designed such that antenna element partly or entirely is can pack up or adjustable.For example, part or all of antenna element can be by automatically, manually, electronically or mechanically adjust, so that the corresponding equipment that comprisesantenna assembly 100 is compact when not using, but still can work when opening and using (as shown in the figure).Therefore, antenna element can be of portable form, and avoids damaging when not using.

Surface 140 can be ground plane or other conductive plane, and perhaps it can be an insulating surface, such as the plastic housing of desktop that makes progress orarrangement antenna assembly 100.

Although all antenna elements, promptlyactive antenna unit 120 andpassive element array 110 and 112 are set to angulation β, and the actual location of a plurality of parasitic elements of principle can change according to using in view of the above.For example, each passive element array can with spaced apart 1/4th wavelength of its nearest neighbour.This can improve reception and transmission at the RF signal atactive antenna 120 places at interval.In an application, interelement interval from about one inch up to ten inches.

Passive element array 110 and 112 can be greater than or less than 1/4th wavelength at interval with active antenna unit 120.For example, be operated in the application of cell phone radio frequency at an antenna, eachpassive element array 110 and 112 can with 4 inches at interval of active antenna unit 120.Even when the interval of antenna unit be greater than or less thanantenna assembly 100 send and receive the RF signal carrier frequency wavelength four/for the moment,antenna assembly 100 still can communicate effectively.

Active antenna unit 120 can be a half-wave dipole antenna, and dipole or other produce the omnidirectional antenna device of axially outside RF (radio frequency) signal on all directions.Should be noted thatactive antenna unit 120 also can be a directional antenna assembly.But according to how passive element array 110,112 to be set, the part of the RF signal that is produced byactive antenna unit 120 can be reflected away from passive element array 110,112 at work.

Usually, can adjust passive element array 110,112 bycontrol unit 150, form radio frequency (RF) wave beam, when observing from the top, this wave beam can be along 360 possible arbitrarily degree orientations.For example,control unit 150 can optionally apply the impedance that weighted factor is adjusted eachpassive element array 110 and 112, controls the angle of their reflections.Based on selected weighting, the passive element array corresponding characteristics can be adjusted, so that their reflect more or reflect still less.In addition,passive element array 110 and 112 corresponding characteristics can be adjusted, so that their more transmissions or transmission still less.

The reflection of passive antenna or transmissive state depend on the circuit that is used to controlpassive element array 110 and 112.

Processing unit 170 is up with RF/and down-converter 160 is connected, so that transmit or receive the RF signal on active antenna unit 120.Usually, adopt technological means to be identified onantenna assembly 100 the signal transmission of for example coded digital grouping and receive optimum orientation and the angle beamwidth that the target device in the wireless communication system goes, wireless communication system is an example with cellular voice or data system or local area data network.Based on required setting, processing unit 170 is connected withcontrol unit 150, andcontrol unit 150 is optionally adjusted the characteristic ofpassive element array 110 and 112 conversely.Therefore, the personal computer device 305 that is connected withtransceiver device 650 can transmit and receiving data information on antenna assembly.

As discussed above, the I/O beam pattern ofantenna assembly 100 according to howpassive element array 110 and 112 is set changes.For example, when arbitrary passive element array is set as reflective-mode, be scattered or reflection in the opposite direction towards the incident RF signal of the passive element array orientation of correspondence.Otherwise when the passive element array of correspondence was set as transmission mode, the RF signal was transmitted bypassive element array 110 and 112.Therefore the characteristic of I/O beam pattern can be dynamically adjusted, and receives or transmit the RF signal better.

Fig. 2 is according to some principle of the present invention, can be set at the perspective view of the antenna assembly in the hinged panel.As shown in the figure,first panel 215 is connected tosecond panel 218 by hinge 225.Hinge 225 can be a spring assist so thatantenna assembly 235 on being placed to the plane time (it is 225 that original text may be wrongly write) open angulation β.Usually, can as books, open and close antenna assembly.

Active antenna unit 235 can be settled by the axis alonghinge 225, andpassive element array 110 and 112 is separately positioned on the flared part offirst panel 215 and second panel 218.Antenna assembly 235 can be bywire cable 146 andtransceiver device 650 couplings.

In one embodiment, hinge 225 comprises mechanical braking so thatfirst panel 215 andsecond panel 218 angulation β when being opened.In addition, panel also can be adjusted to one of a plurality of angles by the user.Usually,panel 215 and 218 also can be replaced by the flexible plastic film of turning up or rolling of being convenient to compact storage.In some applications, though only need to openframe antenna device 100 active parallel with passive antenna and form shown in angle beta.

Fig. 3 shows is to set level perspective view with the embodiment that fits into handbag 310 to antenna assembly 235.In addition,antenna assembly 235 can enough little inner surface with the portable computer 305 of packing into.

One aspect of the present invention relates to require efforts from a having toantenna assembly 235 of user is launched or be covered up to free, rather than common desired opening and closing handbag.

In an application,antenna assembly 235 is supported the RF communication of 2GHz.In such application, at non-compression or open position,panel 215 and 218 size can be 2.9 " * 1.7 " * 0.2 " magnitude.Whenantenna assembly 235 like this hours, it can be stored in the inside of laptop computer 305.For example, can get and decideantenna assembly 235 and be of a size of between the screen of the laptop computer 305 of packing into and keyboard handhold portion divide.

Becauseactive antenna unit 120 andpassive element array 110 and 112 formed arrays form straight line usually, the end-fire performance of this array is different with the performance of similar lineararray.Antenna assembly 235 can be worked under the non-directional pattern.

Fig. 4 is the more detailed view according to the electronic circuit of theantenna assembly 100 of some principle of the present invention and correspondence.

As described,passive element array 110 and 112 optionally is operated in one of two kinds of patterns: reflective-mode and transmission mode.Processor 170 andcontrol unit 150 can provide this control signal.

Eachpassive element array 110 and 112 all can be adjusted to different impedances.In reflective-mode, by be coupled to ground perceptually,passive element array 110 and 112 is extended equivalently.Otherwise, in transmission mode, by capacitive be coupled to ground,passive element array 110 and 112 is shortened equivalently.Therefore, be in reflective-mode by understanding which passive element array, which is in transmission mode, can determine the direction by the wave beam ofantenna assembly 100 controls.Usually, the direction of I/O beam pattern expands to/fromactive antenna unit 120, is projected in the transmission mode by passive element array, is offset passive element array in reflective-mode.

In this embodiment,antenna assembly 100 comprisesbaseplane 140, can fix twopassive element array 110 and 112 andactive antenna unit 120 on it.Baseplane 140 can comprise the adjustable impedance element.Fig. 5 shows the embodiment of hinge situation of the present invention, has wherein fixedpassive element array 110 and 112 andactive antenna unit 120.

Continuation is with reference to figure 4, according to the work ofantenna assembly 100, can be independently adjustable with theoptional impedance component 601 and 602 that corresponding passive element array is associated, and to be sent to or be received from the directivity of the signal oftransceiver device 650 with influence.By utilizingactive antenna unit 120 suitably to adjust phase place at each passive element array in the signal transport process, having formed can be towards the compound wave beam of goal orientation on the position.That is, best phase place setting is to make thatdevice 100 is eachpassive element array 110 and 112 at reradiation RF energy, helps to generate the phase place setting of directed reverse link signals.The result is directed to antenna assembly 100,235 on the direction of intended receiver base station with stronger reverse link signals.

The phase place setting that is used for the RF energy of reradiation transmission signals also makespassive element array 110 and 112 allowsource antenna unit 120 and optimally receives the forward link signal that sends from the base station.Because programmable essence of each passive element array and independently phase place setting, 120 places receive only the forward link signal that arrives at from the direction that is positioned at base station location more or less at active antenna.It is not other signals that send from similar position as forward link signal thatpassive element array 110 and 112 suppresses in itself.In other words, formed directional antenna beams by the phase place of adjusting each passive element array independently.The form of this isolation can reduce the interference between the user of a plurality of shared limited wireless bandwidth.Multipath attenuation also can be lowered.

The adjustable impedance element moves the phase place of reverse link signals in the mode that reradiation RF energy compatibility is set with the impedance that utilizes respectively and this specific optional impedance component is associated, and this impedance setting is imported 630 set as impedance Control.In one embodiment, subtracting 1 at the impedance state number with thequantity 2 of passive element array and eachoptional impedance component 601 and 602 multiplies each other and provides impedance Control input 730 on equal a lot of bar lines.For example, ifoptional impedance component 601 and 602 has two states, two lines are arranged then.In addition, can adopt the serial code method of state to reduce the quantity of control line.The decoding circuit that is arranged onbaseplane 140 or the panel 215,218 can be used to the control command of decoding.

By moving phase place from the reradiation RF energy that is transmitted signal of eachparasitic element 110 and 112, be transmitted signal some part will with other parts that are transmitted signal homophase more.In this manner, signal each other more the part of homophase will be combined to form stronger compound wave beam.By usingoptional impedance component 601 and 602, determined the direction that stronger compound wave beam will be transmitted for respectively eachantenna element 110 and 112 phase-shift phases that provided, as top according to reflection and transmission described.

As noted above like that, byoptional impedance component 601 and 602 reradiations that provided from the phase place of the RF energy of eachpassive element array 110 and 112 be provided with to from the base station or the forward link frequencies signal that receives of other transfer equipment have similar physical action.That is, when eachpassive element array 110 and 112 reradiation RF energy, because the position of eachpassive element array 110 and 112 onbaseplane 140, the signal of Jie Shouing is out of phase at first each other separately.Optional impedance component 601 and 602 carries out the phase place adjustment to each signal that receives.Adjustment makes the signal homophase that is reversed radiation of each signal and other.Therefore, when each signal is received byactive antenna unit 120, the composite received signal at 120 places, active antenna unit will be more accurate stronger on the direction of base station.

For impedance being set for best each theoptional impedance component 601 and 602 in theantenna assembly 100,optional impedance component 601 and 602 controlling value are provided by control unit 150 (Fig. 1).Usually, in a preferred embodiment, whentransceiver device 650 neither transmitted data also by its reception data byantenna assembly 100,control unit 150 was determined the impedance setting that these are best at idling cycle.During this period, sent continuously from the base station such as the predetermined received signals of forward link pilot signal, and eachpassive element array 110 and 112 andactive antenna unit 120 on receive.That is, during idling cycle, adjust optional impedance component, for example energy or other link quality factor maximums by making received signals optimized the reception from the pilot signal of base station.This provides best impedance setting for the specific angle that arrives at.

Like this, processor 170 is received as eachpassive element array 110 and 112 based on the optimization of current pilot signal and has determined optimum phase place setting.Provide and be provided with optimum impedance with preprocessor 170 for eachoptional impedance component 601 and 602.Whenantenna assembly 100 entered active mode for transmission or received signal between base station andreceiver apparatus 650,optional impedance component 601 and 602 impedance setting still were provided with during cycle free time formerly.

Providing before phase place (being impedance) that processor 170 carried out is provided with the detailed description of calculating, should understand once more, principle of the present invention is a part based on the position of base station with respect to arbitrary portable or moving user unit (being transceiver device 650) in itself near circumference.That is, if describe a circle around moving user unit, and between any two positions, suppose that diverse location has the minimum size of space for once, then the base station can be arranged in any one of a lot of different possible angle positions.For example suppose that accuracy is 1 degree, then exists 360 different possible phase places that combination is set at antenna assembly 100.Each phase place is provided with combination can be considered to one group of two resistance value, and each theoptional impedance component 601 and 602 that is connected electrically to eachpassive element array 110 and 112 respectively accounts for one.Should be noted thattransceiver device 650 may comprise the active antenna unit or the passive element array of any right quantity.

Generally speaking, at least two kinds of different methods that find the optimum impedance value are arranged.In first method,control unit 150 carries out one type optimization searching, wherein all possible impedance combination is attempted.Each impedance is provided with (in the case, each in being provided with at a plurality of angles), and two precalculated resistance values are read in by the memory storage locations fromcontrol unit 150 for example, are applied to eachoptional impedance component 601 and 602 then.Detect the response at receiver place then by control unit 150.After having tested all possible angle, one that for example has (for example, the ENERGY E c of the ENERGY E b of every bit or each chip is to the ratio of whole interference Io) optimum receiver response of being weighed by the highest signal to noise ratio can be used to transmit or receive the RF signal.

In the second approach, other resistance value remains unchanged and determines it individually by allowing each resistance value to change.This perturbation motion method arrives the optimum value of two impedances each in being provided with iteratively.

Fig. 6 is the embodiment ofoptional impedance component 601, and it is coupled to its corresponding passive element array 110.Optional impedance component 601 comprises switch 801a, capacitive load 805a and inductive load 810a.As shown in the figure, capacitive load 805a and inductive load 810a all are connected to ground plane.

Switch 801a is the single-pole double-throw switch (SPDT) by the signal controlling on the control line 630.When the signal on thecontrol line 630 is in first state (for example numeral ' 1 '), switch 801apassive element array 110 electrical couplings to capacitive load 805a.Capacitive load makespassive element array 110 shorter equivalently.When the signal on thecontrol line 630 is in second state (for example numeral ' 0 '), to inductive load 810a, this makespassive element array 110 longer equivalently to switch 801a, therefore, is reflectivitypassive element array 110 electrical couplings.

Fig. 7 is another embodiment that is coupled to theoptional impedance component 601 of its corresponding passive element array 110.In this embodiment,optional impedance component 601 comprises SPMT (hilted broadsword is thrown more) the switch 801b that is connected to several different such discrete impedance elements, and each impedance component all has a plurality of predetermined values.

Switch 801b is the single pole multiple throw of being controlled by binary-coded decimal system (BCD) signal on four control lines 630.Article four, the electrode 803 of the signal command switch 801b on thecontrol line 630 is connected electrically to 16 topassive element array 110 and selects an impedance component.As shown in the figure, only provide 9 impedance components to be used for coupledpassive antenna unit 110.

Optional impedance component can comprise capacitive element 805b, inductive element 810b and delay line components 815.In the impedance component each on electric between switch 801b and ground plane.

In the present embodiment, capacitive element 805b comprises three electric capacity: C1, C2 and C3.Each capacitor has different electric capacity so thatpassive element array 110 has different transmissivities when being connected to passive element array 110.For example, the capacitance of capacitive element 805b may differ an order of magnitude each other.

Similarly, inductive element 810b can comprise three inductance: L1, L2 and L3.Inductive element 810b can have the inductance value that differs an order of magnitude each other so that provide different reflectivity forpassive element array 110 when being connected toparasitic element 110.

Similarly, delay line components 815 comprises three different lines: D1, D2 and D3.It is that increment produces phase shift that the size of delay line 815 can be decided to be in by the signal ofpassive element array 110 reradiations with for example 30 degree.

In another embodiment, switch 801b can be a double-point double-throw switch, with various combination that the impedance of being coupled topassive element array 110 is provided so that the various combinations of impedance to be provided.Like this,passive element array 110 can be used to various phase angles the RF energy reflection to provide directional beam to allowantenna assembly 100 with various angles to active antenna unit 120.In a kind of situation, control unit 150 (i) is selected first kind of impedance combination, is provided received beam with an angle and second kind of impedance component combination (ii) is provided byantenna assembly 100, provides the transmission wave beam byantenna assembly 100 with second angle.Should be appreciated that otheroptional impedance component 602 places of selecting being combined in of optional impedance component 805b, 810b and 815 to be coupled to otherpassive element array 112 are made respectively in a similar fashion.

The other technologies embodiment of switch 801b is possible.For example, switch 801b can be constituted with various by a plurality of single-pole single-throw switch (SPST)s.Switch 801b also can be made of the solid-state switch such as GaAs switch or pin diode switch and control with typical way.Can imagine that such switch comprises that optional impedance component characteristic is to eliminate discrete impedance or delay line components.Another embodiment comprises microelectronic mechanical switch (MEMS), and it plays the effect of mechanical switch, but has very fast response time and minimum profile.

Fig. 8 is another embodiment that is connected to theoptional impedance component 601 of passive element array 110.In this embodiment,optional impedance component 601 is made of variodenser 801c.The control of the analog signal on the controlledline 630 of variodenser 801c.In another embodiment, variodenser 801c is by the BCD signal controlling on the digital control line.As shown in the figure, variodenser 801c is connected to ground plane.Variodenser 801c allows the phase shift selective power of analogue type is applied on the passive element array 601.Should be appreciated that in this embodiment, eachpassive element array 110 all is connected to corresponding variodenser, so that provide in fact infinite many phase shifts by the in fact infinite many optional resistance values of variodenser.Like this,antenna assembly 100 can provide the directional beam on any direction in fact; For example, spending with 1 in 180 degree of circumference is increment.

Fig. 9 A and Fig. 9 B are the top views of linear antenna arrays.Usually, radiation pattern is symmetrical along the axis of array.Like this, the part of launching beam has been wasted at least, because it does not have definite object.Therefore gain is lowered, and half of the beam energy shown in Fig. 9 A pointed to the direction opposite with target.And when receiving mode, back lobe might be received harmful interference signal.Fig. 9 B illustrates linear array and has produced the lobe of dividing two forks.

Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B all show the directional beam that is used for transmitting and receiving on according to asymmetric (promptly aperiodic) array of some principle of the present invention wireless signal.When the impedance ofpassive element array 110 and 112 is set as reflective-mode, can form simple beam with high-gain by antenna assembly 100.Active antenna unit 120 provides space phase eliminating back lobe from the little displacement on the plane that comprisespassive element array 110 and 112, otherwise this lobe will be received interference signal.Adjusting passive element array 110,112 has rightly formed and has had the narrower wave beam of high-gain and directivity.This structure can improve gain with the coefficient of 3dB (decibel).

In one embodiment,aerial array 100 is carried out tuning so that launch best and have 6.9 at about 800MHz (megahertz) " * 4 " * 0.5 " size.That is, passive element array 110,112 can be spaced apart about 4 ", each antenna element has roughly 7 " height.Active antenna unit 120 can be from imaginary line spaced apart 0.5 drawn between each passive element array 110,112 ".

Figure 11 shows the directional beam that can obtain by the effective impedance of adjusting each passive element array 110,112 to Figure 14.Azimuthal plane illustrates the top view as the lobe pattern of overlooking aerial array downwards that is orientated among the figure.Elevation plane shows the end view of the lobe pattern that is produced by antenna assembly 100,235.As shown in the figure, the scope ofobtainable directivity 5 and 7dBi between, and front and back are than between 6 and 29.Notice that each figure indicates the impedance setting of each passive antenna 110,112 that is used for producing corresponding directional beam.

Figure 11.Pattern is penetrated on the right.Shown in array emulation under 800MHz.Array is wide by 4 ", thick 0.5 ", formed 152 angles of spending.Element is high by 6.9 ".Load impedance is illustrated as Z1 and Z2.3 ohm is equivalent loss resistance.With 100 ohm, capacitive, wave beam forms at right flank.Directivity is 5.33dBi, and gain is 5.08dBi.The azimuth pattern illustrates in the left side, and elevation angle pattern illustrates on the right side.Before and after than being 6dB.

Figure 12.The left side is penetrated.The reactance ofZ 1 and Z2 is modified to 25 ohm, perception.Pattern point is in the left side.The 800MHz directivity is 5.25dB, gains to be 4.64dB.

Figure 13.The end-fire pattern.Another short circuit obtains this pattern by one of two parasitic elements open circuits (switch electronic by 500 ohm is represented).The 800MHz directivity is 6.49dBi, and gain is 5.42dBi.Can improve gain with better impedance matching.Before and after than being 10dB.

Figure 14.Skew end-fire pattern.When impedance is further handled, can be so that the emission pattern points to the arbitrary orientation angular direction.An example is that Z1 is a capacitive, and Z2 is by short circuit.Pattern points to about 25 degree in skew end-fire the right.Directivity is 7dBi, and gain is 6.73dBi.Before and after than being 29dB.

Described in the discussion of front, the quantity of passive element array depends on specific application, and twopassive element array 110 of use as shown in Figure 1 and 112 just for illustrative purposes.

Figure 17 A and 17B show another embodiment of aperiodic antenna device 100.Herein, twopassive element array 110 and 112 are formed on a side of printed circuit board (PCB) 700, andactive cell 120 is formed on an other side.The thickness of printed circuit board (PCB) provides the required skew from accurate planar alignment.In this embodiment,impedance component 601 and 602, even also have the part oftransceiver 606 to be arranged on easily on the printed circuit board (PCB) 700.(, having eliminated the details of control line etc. in this embodiment) for clear

In this specific embodiment, also show ground structure 708 and corresponding resonance figure 710 and 712.Ground structure 708 has been brought into play in the above the function of the ground plane of describing among early the embodiment.

Resonance figure 710 and 712 provides the extra transmitting mirror picture ofparasitic element 110 and 112 respectively.Like this, in fact each parasitic element has become monopole, and its mirror image occurs as dipole element.In fact, passive radiated element 110,112 is not a dipole, but has the monopole of its corresponding resonance mirror image.The importance of this difference is that this specific embodiment does not need to be used for feed or loaded balun.

Shown in Figure 17 B, the thickness of printed circuit board (PCB) providesparasitic element 110 and 112 with respect to the difference ofactive cell 120 on the plan position approach, thereby has formed angle beta, as shown in the figure.

In a preferred embodiment, ground structure 718 andactive cell 120 the same the same sides that also are positioned at circuit board 700.Ground structure 708 and 718 helps to have eliminated between the target, such as the influence that closes on impedance between the staff.Should be appreciated that from this diagram resonance structure 710 and 712 preferably is connected to ground structure 708, perhaps be connected to its part.Resonance figure 710 and 712 roughly is a quarter-wave, has the free end of energy resonance.In other embodiments, this can be 1/2nd wavelength also, has the short-circuit end that required resonance is provided.

In addition, though resonance structure 710 and 712 is illustrated as straight rectangle part, they also may be implemented as crooked line or other required singular configurations.Importantly they provide the resonance structure of a part that is connected to ground plane, so that balance corresponding inparasitic element 110 or 112 monopole that brings.

In another embodiment, can be embodied as required dipole element to antenna element in an opposite side of printed circuit board (PCB) 700.

It can in all sorts of ways and realize the interval of parasitic element, as long as can provide required aperiodicity interval with respect to active cell.For example, consider the arc of circumference, parasitic element can be positioned on the arc, and center part is opened from the misalignment of arc.

By another example, Figure 15 A shows the antenna assembly 1110 with the singleactive antenna 120 that is centered on by fivepassive element array 110/112.In thepassive element array 110/112 each is all aspassive element array 110 orpassive element array 112 work according to principle of early describing and technology.That is,, then will play the effect ofpassive element array 112 in the passive element array of its any side if one ofpassive element array 110/112 is denoted aspassive element array 110.

To finish and the signal transmission of base station 1112 and the device that receives, subscriber unit 1111 for example is coupled to the laptop computer 1114 of wireless cellular modem to antenna assembly 1110 as subscriber unit 1111 nationalitys.Subscriber unit provides wireless data and/or voice service, and can be connected to network to for example equipment of laptop computer 1114 or PDA(Personal Digital Assistant) etc. by base station 1112, network can be PSTN (PSTN), packet switched computer network, or other data network, for example internet or privately owned Intranet.Base station 1112 can be on a lot of different communication protocols and network communicate, communication protocol such as basic I SDN are if perhaps network is the ethernet network of internet for example, then or even TCP/IP.Subscriber unit can move in itself, and can with propagate into another one from a position when communicate by letter in base station 1112.In typical case, a lot of user's access units 1111 are positioned at the zone that surrounds base station 1112, and enjoy the service of public base station.But other arrangement also is possible.

Those skilled in the art also should be appreciated that, Figure 15 A can be a standard cellular type communication system, be assigned with such as CDMA, TDMA, GSM or other radio channel, be used between base station 1112 and subscriber unit 1114, transmitting the system of data and/or voice signal.In a preferred embodiment, Figure 15 A is the system of similar CDMA, uses for example United States Patent (USP) NO.6, defined code division multiplexing principle in 151,332.

Antenna assembly 1110 comprises the bottom surface or the ground plane 1120 of cylindricality, bottom surface or be fixed withsource antenna unit 120 above the ground plane 1120 and fivepassive element array 110/112.As shown in the figure, antenna assembly 1110 is coupled to laptop computer 1114 (not drawn on scale).Antenna assembly 1110 allows laptop computers 1114 by 1112 forward link signals that send 1130 and be sent to the reverse link signals 1132 of going base station 1112 and carry out radio communication from the base station.

In the embodiment shown, antenna element is arranged on the ground plane 1120 in the mode of disperseing as shown in the figure.That is, embodiment comprises five passive element array of asymmetricly opening round ground plane 1120 spaced around 110/112, and is positioned at the active antenna unit with corresponding position, ground plane 1120 centers.

Attentiveness is turned to Figure 16, show the block diagram of the electronic circuit of control user access unit 1111.User's access unit 1111 comprises antenna assembly or array 1110 and electronic circuit component 1142.Active antenna unit 120 is directly connected to electronic circuit component 1142 by duplexer filter 1162, and eachpassive element array 110/112 then is connected to delayer 1158, variable or lumped impedance element 1157 and switch 1159.

Wireless signal is communicated by letter between base station 1112 and active antenna unit 120.Conversely,active antenna unit 120 offers electronic circuit component 1142 to signal or from electronic circuit component 1142 received signals.Passive element array 110/112 or reflected signal, or signal is directed to active antenna unit 120.As shown in figure 16, controller 1172 can provide delayer 1158, impedance component 1157 and the switch 1159 that control signal 1178 is used to controlpassive element array 110/112.

At direction of transfer, the radiofrequency signal that electronic circuit component 1142 is provided is directly feed into theactive antenna unit 120 that sends signal to base station 1112.

At receive direction, electronic circuit component 1142 receives radio signals fromactive antenna unit 120 at duplexer filter 1162 places, and duplexer filter 1162 offers radio receiver 1164 to the signal that receives.Radio receiver 1164 offers the signal through demodulation the decoding circuit 1166 of removing modulating-coding.For example, such decoder can be worked in mode well known in the prior art, so that remove the coding of code division multiple access (CDMA) type, isolate the various signals at particular subscriber unit, the coding of code division multiple access (CDMA) type may relate to use pseudo noise code and/or Walsh (Walsh) sign indicating number.Signal through decoding is fed to data caching circuit 1168 subsequently, and data caching circuit 1168 is fed to data interface circuit 1170 to the signal through decoding more then.Data interface circuit 1170 can offer typical computer interface to signal then, for example can be USB (USB), PCMCIA style interface, serial line interface or other and known computer interfaces laptop computer 1114 compatibilities.Controller 1172 can be from data-interface from the message interface circuit 1174 receives message and/or message is sent to message interface circuit 1174, tuning with the work of control decoder 1166, encoder 1174 and transmitter 1176 and receiver 1164.

With reference now to Figure 15 B,, eachpassive element array 110/112 all is fixed to the top of ground plane 1120.Transmit feeder line 1182 and be connected towireless antenna unit 110/112 and delay line 1158 at base drive point 1183, delay line 1158 is connected to variable again or lumped impedance element 1157 and switch 1159.Passive element array 110/112 and transmission feeder line 1182 and ground plane 1120 electric insulations.Delay line 1158, variable or lumped impedance element 1157 and switch 1159 are positioned at ground plane 1120, but also with the ground plane electric insulation.Conveyer line 1182 provides the path that arrivespassive element array 110/112 for control signal.

Be placed in that the resonance bands 1190 in the formed slit 1192 are positioned at eachpassive element array 110/112 below on the ground plane 1120.The size of slit 1192 is more bigger to limit interval 1194 than resonance band 1190.Ground plane 1120 is arrived by electrical couplings in resonance band 1190 tops 1196.But, 1194 filled at interval with nonmetallic materials, for example similarly be the PCB material of polystyrene or polytetrafluoroethylene, so that make the non-head portion 1198 and ground plane 1120 electric insulations of resonance band 1190.

Passive element array 110/112 is all become by for example copper with corresponding resonance band 1190.For application at pcs band wide (1850MHz is to 1990MHz), the length ofpassive element array 110/112 be approximately workingsignal wavelength 1/4th, thickness is approximately 1/10th of wavelength.Each resonance band also all is approximately long quarter-wave, and 1/10th wavelength are thick.The bottom of resonance band 1190 is positioned at the height " h " of about 1/8th wavelength in top, bottom of ground plane 1120 to be located, although the bottom of resonance band 1190 can almost contact with the bottom of ground plane 1120.

In the use, signal is sent toactive antenna unit 120, and also 120 receptions from the active antenna unit, so that aerial array 1110 can communicate with base station 1112.The curved exterior surface 1200 of ground plane 1120 pulls down the wave beam that is formed by aerial array 1110 to horizontal line, because the surface normal of curved surface 1200 points to horizontal line.Because resonance band 1190 exists,passive element array 110/112 and corresponding resonance band 1190 are coupled, and form the uneven dipole antenna of equivalence.Like this, the combination ofpassive element array 110/112 and resonance band 1190 provides the ability of array beams along the further orientation of horizontal line, does not need to sacrifice the beams directed ability of aerial array 1110 so the size of ground plane 1120 can be reduced.In fact as uneven dipole antenna unit array, aerial array 1110 can form has the horizon of being no more than 10 degree and even still less, for example is no more than the wave beam of the peak value beam strengths of 0 degree just.

In addition, the coupling ofpassive element array 110/112 and resonance band 1190 has increased the effective area of antenna, thereby has improved gain.And, becauseantenna element 110/112 is fixed on the top of ground plane 1120, aerial array has reduced the sensitiveness of external environmental factor (for example when antenna is placed on the metal table top), because the direct coupling ofantenna element 110/112 and these factors has been minimized.

Aerial array also can be realized with the ground plane of non-cylinder.For example, theaerial array 120 of theground plane 1202 that constitutes by 6flat boards 1204 of having as shown in Figure 18 A.7 antenna elements are to be fixed on theground plane 1202 with similar mode shown in the figure.Promptly, this embodiment comprises 6 passive finder/reflector elements 110/112, they are opened around the spaced around ofground plane 1202, and the outer rim that is positioned at eachflat board 1204 is more than 1208, and the 7thactive cell 120 is placed on the position with the center correspondence of ground plane 1202.Theinner edge 1207 of eachflat board 1204 is bonded together at theinner edge 1207 of the center ofground plane 1202 quilt and other and forms hinge 1209.Hinge 1209 can be a spring assist, so that make the dull and stereotyped smooth compact unit of 1204 collapsible formation (Figure 19), thereby makes aerial array be convenient to transportation.

It is concrete that eachantenna element 110/112 is fixed on the top ofground plane 1202 with reference to figure 18B, but andground plane 1202 electricinsulations.Antenna element 110/112 is put 1212 places at base drive and is connected to transmission feeder line 1210.Eachflat board 1204 is equipped with delay line 1214 and the switch 1216 that is connected to lump or variable impedance element 1215, and delay line 1214 and switch 1216 are connected toantenna element 110/112.Transmit feeder line 1210, delay line 1214, lump or variable impedance element 1215 and switch 1216 play with reference to the identical effect of the transmission feeder line 1182 of figure 15A and the described embodiment of Figure 15 B, delay line 1158, variable or lumped impedance element 1157 and switch 1159.

Eachflat board 1204 also is equipped with the resonance band of placing along dull and stereotyped 1204 outer rim 1,2081216.Ground plane 1202 is arrived by top section 1203 electrical couplings in resonance band 1216 tops 1220.

Eachflat board 1204 all comprises the nonmetal dielectric substrate of being made by the PCB material that for example similarly is polystyrene or polytetrafluoroethylene 1222.Use for PCS, substrate has about 1/3rd the height of wavelength of working signal and the width of 1/10th wavelength, approximately be 0.03 inch thick.With printed circuit board (PCB) (PCB) technology, be approximately 0.0015 inch copper by deposition thickness on a side 1218 of substrate 1222, then bronzing is carved into required form, generateground plane 1202 and resonance band 1216.Like this,ground plane 1202, resonance band 1216 and top section 1203 have formed the continuous copper layer that surrounds the interior zone 1224 of substrate 1222.In addition, having a height is the thin zone 1226 of " h1 ", and the bottom of resonance band 1216 and dull and stereotyped 1204 bottom are separated.The PCB technology also is used to printing transmission feeder 1210, delay line 1214, lump or variable impedance element 1215 and switch 1216 on an opposite side of substrate 1222.Antenna element 110/112 and resonance band 1216 approximately are long 1/4th wavelength, and 1/10th wavelength are wide.

With reference now to Figure 20,, shows dull and stereotyped 1204 another kind layout.Here,electric conducting material 1304, for example copper is sandwiched between two the substrate 1302A and 1302B that is made by dielectric substance.In the substrate 1302A and the 1302B outside, corresponding conductive material layer 1306A and 1306B are arranged respectively.Interiorelectric conducting material 1304 is used to the conveyer line activity ofantenna element 110/112, delay line 1214, lump or variable impedance element 1215 and switch 1216, and they are embedded in one of substrate 1302A or 1302B usually.Outer electric conducting material 1306A and 1306B have played the effect ofground plane 1202 and resonance band 1216.

Element 110/112 shown in Figure 15 A and Figure 18 A is when using in practice, and preferably non-uniform spacing is opened, and not necessarily has same shape byaerial array 1110 or 1201 formed wave beam on all directions like this.

In some cases,aerial array 1110 or 1201 physically stop by the computer screen 1115 of laptop computer 1114 that as shown in figure 21, perhaps array may be stopped by other object.The zone 3000 that these of array are blocked needs less antenna element, so in these zones, the interval of antenna element can be bigger.Therefore, the interval of the element on an opposite side 3002 of array can be less.In the specific region of array, use more parasitic element, perhaps higher component density, aerial array is not reduced the influence of graing lobe by can not gaining with higher frequency work, can cover wideer frequency band on this regional direction.

When by in the zone 3002 that more closely is distributed in array as the base station among Figure 21 1112 with respect to some element of the array of the geographic area orientation with more communication terminal shown in the position of aerial array 1110 time, the non-uniform spacing or the aperiodicity interval ofarray 1110 or 1201parasitic element 110/112 also provide more performance.By have lower side lobe levels on selected direction, the performance of aerial array is improved.

Also need remember, among described in the above some embodiment, particularly eachpassive element array 110 and 112 is connected to those of corresponding variodenser therein, and by the in fact infinite many optional resistance values of variodenser, aerial array provides in fact infinite many phase shifts.Like this, in fact theaerial array 1110 or 1201 with theparasitic element 110/112 that is connected to this variodenser can provide the directional beam along any direction, for example, on the circumference of 180 degree once being increment.Have the ability of so careful adjustment radiation direction, makeaerial array 1110 or 1201 have the parasitic element of non-uniform Distribution, thereby be acyclic, increased another dimension control aerial array.

Notice that embodiment described above only is for illustrative purposes, but not limitation of the present invention.For example, although the aerial array shown in Figure 15 A and18A 1110 and 1201passive element array 110/112 and respective delay line, impedance component and switch are associated respectively, can comeoperating unit 110/112 with previously described any apparatus and process.Specifically, can with any beforeaerial array 1110 and 1201 is discussed described technology and equipment in theunit 110/112 each is switched between transmission mode and reflective-mode.

Though with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention it has been carried out concrete description and displaying, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that and to make various variations in form and details and do not depart from the scope of the present invention that is defined by the following claims.

Claims (17)

1. one kind is used for the antenna assembly that uses in the wireless communication user unit, comprising: at least two passive element array and an active antenna unit; Passive element array is placed in around the active antenna, so that passive element array is not positioned at least one and the public plane of active cell, and make at least two passive element array each all can be made as reflection or transmission mode characteristic independently with the I/O beam pattern that changes antenna assembly.

2. the described antenna assembly of claim 1, the resonance band that also comprises the correspondence that is positioned at each parasitic element below, each passive element array and corresponding resonance band constituted uneven dipole antenna unit, thereby formed can be by the compound I/O directional beam along the horizontal line orientation for a plurality of dipole antenna unit.

3. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 1 also comprises being set at the ground plane that closes at least a portion antenna element.

4. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein, ground plane is a cylinder, the upside of ground plane is the planar ends of cylinder, and the bottom side of ground plane is the opposite planar ends of cylinder.

5. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein, each resonance band is placed in the slit of correspondence of ground plane, and the wall of each slit is spaced with corresponding resonance band, and fill so that the non-head portion of resonance band and ground plane electric insulation with nonmetallic materials in the gap on wall and surface.

6. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 3 also comprises: the ground plane that is made of a plurality of flat boards that equate with a plurality of resonance band numbers.

7. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein, each flat board has outer rim and inner edge, the resonance band is along corresponding dull and stereotyped outer rim alignment, dull and stereotyped inner edge is bonded together at the ground plane center, formation has the central junction surface with the axis of the substantially parallel axes of resonance band, and active cell is along the axial alignment at central junction surface.

8. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein, central junction surface is to be convenient to antenna assembly is folded into hinge in the smooth compact unit.

9. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein, each flat board comprises one deck first electric conducting material on the first nonmetal substrate and first substrate, one side, the current-carrying part of ground plane and resonance band are made of first electric conducting material.

10. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein, each flat board comprises the second nonmetal substrate, is clipped in second electric conducting material between first substrate layer and second substrate layer, and one deck the 3rd electric conducting material on the opposite side of the second nonmetal substrate, the current-carrying part of ground plane and resonance band are made of first electric conducting material and the 3rd electric conducting material respectively.

11. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein, it is 0 to spend to 10 degree that directional beam rise to surpass horizontal angle.

12. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, passive element array distributes around active antenna unit aperiodicity ground.

13. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, passive element array forms in a side of printed circuit board (PCB), and active cell forms at the opposite side of printed circuit board (PCB).

14. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 13 comprises that also closing on each parasitic element places, and and corresponding parasitic element be positioned at the resonance figure of correspondence of the same side of printed circuit board (PCB).

15. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 13 also comprises and closes on the ground structure that parasitic element is placed.

16. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 13 also comprises and closes on the ground structure that active cell is placed.

17. antenna assembly as claimed in claim 13, the wherein parasitic element of resonance figure balance correspondence.

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