CA2191956A1 - Microstrip antenna array - Google Patents
Microstrip antenna arrayInfo
- Publication number
- CA2191956A1 CA2191956A1 CA 2191956 CA2191956A CA2191956A1 CA 2191956 A1 CA2191956 A1 CA 2191956A1 CA 2191956 CA2191956 CA 2191956 CA 2191956 A CA2191956 A CA 2191956A CA 2191956 A1 CA2191956 A1 CA 2191956A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- antenna
- beamforming
- microstrip
- patches
- antenna according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q13/00—Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
- H01Q13/20—Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
- H01Q13/206—Microstrip transmission line antennas
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
- H01Q1/36—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith
- H01Q1/38—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
- H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
- H01Q3/28—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the amplitude
Landscapes
- Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
Abstract
An antenna for a base station in a mobile radio communication system with at least one base station and at least one mobile station is disclosed. The antenna comprises a microstrip antenna array with a matrix of microstrip patches with at least two columns and two rows. In addition, a plurality of amplifiers is provided wherein each power amplifier is connected to a different column of microstrip patches. Finally, beamformers are connected to each power amplifier for determining a direction and shape of narrow antenna lobes generated by the columns of microstrip patches.
Description
~ Wo 95/34102 2 1 9 1 9 5 6 PCT~FA' ~t ~
MICROSr~P ANTE~ ARRAY
F;. l~t of th~ Inv.onti~n The present invention rclates to an aDtenna for use in a base station in a cellular ~ system, and more ~uli. ~JI~I~ to a microstrip antenna array S which improves a base station's p~ . by increasing ant~ nna gain and by reducing ,. ~ ,. "- ~ problems.
R~. kv.(,~. ,.l of the Invention The cellular industry has made ph~nr~m~n~l strides in cnmm~AiAl operations in the United States as well as the rest of the world. The number of cellular users 10 in major ".. ;A~Iy~ltl- ~ areas ha5 far eA~ceeded .~ an~ is u ~t~ system capacity. If this trend continues, the effects of the rapid growth will soon be achieved even in the smaUest markets. IDnovative solutions are thus requi~d to meet these increasing capacity needs as well as to maintain high quality service and avoid raising prices. Flual~u ulc, as the number of ce~lular users increases, the 15 problems associated with co channd ~ ' ' become of incre~d ;~
Flgurc 1 illustrates ten cells Cl-ClO in a typical cdlular mohile radio c-~ ." ". ~...., system. Normally, a cellular mobile radio system would be ; " ,~ t ~1 WitD more than ten ceUs. However, for thc pA~poses of simplicity, the present invention can be e~plained ~Ising the simplified ~ Luu iUustrated in 20 Flgure l. For each cell, CI~lO, there is a base station Bl-B10 with the same reference number as thc ~ g cell. F~gure 1 illustratcs thc base stations as situated in the ~icinity of the cell center and having o ~ t:"~ It~ antennas.
Fgurc 1 also illushates nine mobile stations Ml-M9 which are movable within a cell and from one cell to anothcr. In a typical cellular radio system, there 25 would normally be more than nine ce3Iular mobile stations. In fact, there aretypically many times the number of mobile stations as there are basc stations.
However, for the purpose ûf e~plaining the present invention, the reduced Dumberof mobile stations is sufficient.
, . . ~ ~ _ = _ _ _ _ _ . . . _ .
~ WO 95134101 2 l 9 1 9 5 6 PCI/SEg5/006~3 Also iaustrated in Flgure 1 is a mobile sw;tching center MSC. The mobile switching center MSC illustrated in Figure 1 is connected to all ten base stations Bl-B10 by cables. The mobile switrhing center MSC is also comnected by cables to a fixed switching telephone network or sirnilar fL~ed networl~ All cables from theS mobile switching center MSC to the base stations Bl-B10 and cables to the fL~ed networl~ are not iaustrated.
Iu addition to the mobile switching center MSC illustrated, there may be another mobile switcbing center comnected by cables to base stations other than tnose illustrated in Figure 1. Instead of cables, other means, for e~ample, fL~ed radio 10 linlcs may also be used to connect base stations to the mobile switching center. The mobile switching center MSC, the base stations and the mobile stations are aa computer contrdled.
In traditional cellular mobile radio systerns, as illustrated in Figure 1, each base station has an u~ f~liG~I or d~ectional antenna for l.... ~ 1 ,g signals a~u~L~Ju~ tbe area covered by the base station. As a result, signals for paTticular mobile stations are broadcast throughout the entire coverage area regardless of &e ~ative positions of the mobile stations. In the base station, the transmitter may have one power amplifier per carrier frequency. The amplified signals are combined and connected to a common antenna which has a wide azimuth beam with for e~ample 120 or 360 degrees coverage. Due to the wide beamwidth of the common antenna, the anteDna gain is low and there is no spatu11 selectivity which results in h.t~f~cc proble;ns.
More recent techniques have focused on using ]inear power amplifiers which are suitable for amplifying a combined signal from several carrier ~ which then feeds the combined signal to a common antenna which also has a wide azimuthbeam. However, these systems also suffer fTom ~..c..~ problems.
Another type of antenna that has been developed is the micTostTip antenna, which is illustrated in Figure 2. Basically, the microstrip antenna consists of a ~ ~du. li~ patch 10 formed on a dielectric substrate 12, and a ground plane 14 at a 30 distance from the patch 10. The ground plane can be formed on the opposite side of , WO 951~4102 2 1 9 1 9 5 6 P~T/SF~'S'~
the substrate 12, or the spacing between the patch and the ground plane can be completely or partially filled with air, foam, or some other dielectric material.
Using well l~nown stripline tecMology, the antenna elements can be etched onto acopper-laminated board. A number of elements can then be located on the same S laminate. The dements are fed in series, in parallel or both by a feed network of coMecting Enes 16, m the same layer as the dements or in an other layer.
Frequency and impedaDCe ~ of the microstrip antemia are a function of the antenna size, ~he input feed location, and the pernutivity of the substrate. In addition, the p~ l .; l ;. . . sensitivity of the anteMa can be dther verLical or I0 horizontal or both depe~ding upon the layout of the conductive pa~ches 10.
E~owever, the use of rnicros~rip anteMas has been limited because of thdr inherently na~ow opera~ng bandwidth. Microstrip antenna dements have a relatively narrow bandwidth, typically 2-~ percent. Coverage of a wider frequency band can be achieved through the use of staclced elements or slot-coupled elements.
In an attempt to reduce the fading variations in the recéived signal, today's base stations use spatial diversity wherdn two receiving antennas are typically sepa~d by 20 or 30 wc~ Ls. However, the receiver diversity used today is less attractive with narrow beamJ high gain antennas since they are more e~pensive and larger, giviJng both visual problems aDd rnounting probleLDs.
20 Sl~mm~Ty of th~ Invention It is an object of the present invention to improve the y r~ of a base station by increasing the antenna gain at the base station while reducing problems. It is another object of the p~sent invention to rna~e the tecMology oflinear power amplifiers avaiiable for use in base stations. It is another object of the 25 present invention to provide p~l, ;, li. diversity in a base station that can, for e~ample, replace space diversity Al~_..L,. .._ .,t~
According to one ~ of the present inventioD, an antama for a base station in a mobile radio c - .~ . system with at least one base station and at least cne mobile station is disclosed. The anterma comprises a microstrip anteDna ;
~ WO 95134102 2 1 9 1 9 5 6 ~ 5 -,', array wi& a matri~ of microstrip patches with at least two columns and two rows.In addition, a plurality of amplifiers is provided wherein each power amplifier is cormected to a different column of microstrip patches. Finally, ~ ,r -, ~g means~ are connected to each power amplificr for d ' ~ ' ,, a direction and shapc of 5 narrow anter~a lobes generated by &e columns of microstrip patches.
According to another . .1~1;.. ~ of the present invention, an antenna for a b~ station and a mobile radio ~ system is disclosed. Thc antenna comprises a microstrip antenna array comprising a matri~ of microstrip patches wi&
at least two columns and two rows. A plurality of low noise amplifiers are used for 10 filtering and amplifying &e signals received by &e microstrip antenna array, wherein each low noise amplificr is coMected to a different column of rnicrostrip patches. 1~ ~ .., r.... - - ..g means are coMected to each low noise amplifier for d ~ .~ .,..,g a dircction and shape of narrow anteMa lobes generated by the columns of microstrip patches.
15 ~nf f De~tion of th~ Drawin~
The above and fur~ler ob~~ts and novd features of the present invention will fi~lly appear fiom the following description from the samc as that in cormection wi&
the ac~...~.~ ~ drawings. It is to be l~n~l~. however, tbat the drawings are for the pmpose of illustration only, and arc not intended as a definition of &e limits 20 of the present invention.
Flgure 1 illustrates a portion of a cellular mobile ~~ ----- -- - -Q~ system having cells, a mobile switching center, base stations, and mobile stations.
Figure 2 illustrates a microstrip antenna.
Fgure 3 illustrates a microstrip antenna array according to one f ~ ",.
25 of the present invention.
FlgUre 4 illustrates another microstrip antenna array according to another ,-mh~1imf nt of the present invention.
Figure S illustrates ano&er microstrip anteMa array according to another l~lilllclll of thepresen~ invention.
.
_ .. .. _ : . , . .: ....... . .... . ....... i .. ... .. . . .. .... . ... . . _ - 21 ql 956 ~ WO 95/34102 PCI~/SE95/00623 Figuae 6 illustrates another microstrip antenna array according to anothar "1 ~ ", . 1 of the prescnt invantion.
De~ikrTD~ n of the Disclosure The present invention is primarily intended for use in base stations in cellular5 co,.... G ~G.,.. systans, although it will be understood by those sl~lled in the art that the present invantion can be used in other various ~ a ) T- ( ~
According to one e L " of the present invention, a microstrip antenna array, as illustrated in Figure 3, can be used to increase the gain of the signals from the base station while lowaing ' throughout the system. The aGtenna 10 array 30 consisls of a ma~ of microstrip patches 32 which are formed above a common ground plane 34. The elements in each column are connected either in pa~allel, saies, or both, by connecting lines 40. While Fgure 3 illustrates si~
columns and four rows of patches, it will be ' ~ by one si~lled in the art that the anta~na array can consist of any plurality of columns and rows. Each column of 1~ patches is connected to a diffaent power amp]ifiar 36 in the transmit direction and a diffaent low noise amplifier 42 in the receive dircction as illustrated in Figure 4.
In addition, each column of patches can also be connected to a plurality of powar arnplifias in the transmit direction and a plurality of low noise amplifiers in the reverse direction. r G - . - -- c, the columns of patches can also be connected to 20 linear powar amplifiers. The powar amplifiers and the low noise amplifias areconnected to a ~ r ~- ~ g apparatus 38 which creates antenna beams with desired sh~Lpes in desired directions. The antenna array can generate a plurality of narrow azimuth beams or lobes, where the direction and sha~e of the antenna beams are d~ t ~ ..G~I d in the ~- - r~. ~ C, apparatus 38 by signal amplitude and phase relations 25 between different columns. As a result, the base station can use the narro~v beams, which have a highar gain, to broadcast and receive signals from the mobile stations in the base station's covery~e area.
Another important ~ . is the desire to suppress the sidelobes for each an~enna beam. The be~.. ru.. ,.g can be ,.,1.'l ". ,t i in a variety of ways ~ .
~ WO9s/34102 2 1 9 ~ ~5 6 ~ 1.
such as digital 1~ - r.~ , analog~ ~ r- 1 - ~~ or by a L~ - ,r,, , ma~
such as a Butlier matrL~. Analog ' - - - r ~ ~ st~r the beam by ~ ~ ~.J~ ~ ng a frequency ~ t ' time delay, while digital, ' ~ l, usuaUiy involves a phase delay that is eqiuivalent to the time delay at an operating frequeoicy.
A digital 1~ -- r.,.. .g system usuaUiy has a relative1iy simple receiver for each element, which down~.onvelts the frequency into I and t2 ~n-phase and quadlature) channdis for an A/D converter. Real-time ~ - - f. , ~ - ~" talkes place by Liyl~ g tbese complt~ pa~s of samples by ~.~ r ~ weights in "il ly/~ integrated cir~ts. The array output is formed from ~-1 ~ay output~~ VDNDe !;h~D( /A~'~tCn 3'0 10 where Vn = comple~ SiigD~ from n~ channd, Wn = weigh~ng ccefficient, c~(d~ steering phaseslhift, and C" = cor~cctioDi factor 5 t'~rrrr~innc may be rliecessay for several reasons. T~e reasons include errors in the po~itioDi of the element, t~ c effects and the difference in behavior between those elements embedded in tbie array and those near the edge.
Thus, by shaping and directing the narrow anteDna beams, a plurality of narrow beams can be used to ~ ' 'y cover a large sector using the same 20 antemla array. The present invention can use an adaptive algorithm for selecting the most feasible wdght functions for the antenna. One such adaptive algorithm is disclosed in U.S. Patent AppL~ on No. 08/95,~4 filed February l0, 1994 which is ~ herein by reference.
Jn the antenna array, the patches in each column are polarized. The 25 p,~1~,;,~l;"" cain bc eitber vertical or horeontal, or have dual pol~h;~lio.. witbi two orthogonal p~t ,; l, "~ c~ 'Ihc two orthogonal c - A ' can for exatnple be ver~cal and horeontal or diagonal ~1 " i~Liv" ~-llyo..~ . In the .
- ~ 21 ql q56 Vl~ dual p,~n. ,, AO~ he two orthogonal polarized signals are combined separately for each co nDm~ And conDected to separated chaDnels in the radio UDit.
The step of combining the signafs can use any of fhe known combining schemes, for 5 e~ample, selection diversity, ma~imum ratio combining, etc. The arbitrary elliptical p~,n. ~ I state can then be ob amed in both ~he t~ansmit and receive virections~
As fading variations are ;" ~ f for fwo orthogonal p,~ AU~ , pO~ vll diversi~y can be used f o embrace the possibility to furrher suppress interferers Anri reduce tbe fading variations. This will remove the necessity f o use space diversity.
10 rl-l~,~vlc, due to ~he high aDtsnna gam in the distributed power A111~ r;~
the prcseDt mvention reduces the operate power level from each power amplifier, thus easing the ~ "~ vn fhe linear power amplifier technology.
The system cam also have the amplifiers and the bf ."r...,..".~ apparafus L ' as illustrated im Figures 5 and 6. The amplifiers amplify ~he signals in 15 the channels fhat cnrr~r- nrl to specific antenDa be~uDs wherein ~he shape and directions of fhe beams are determmed by the b~A llr,.. ;,.g apparatus weights at that instance. The l ' system has the advaDtage tbfat fhe ..,-'- ~.. .,~1. :
channels do not require cohereDt amplifiers. In addition, fault detec~ioD of an amplifier is easy since each amplifier is associated with a specific chalmel. However, 20 as descnbed above, by yv~iliv~ the amplifiers between the antenn~ elements and the b~'A.. r.. -;,.~ apparatus, the system loss m the 1;~- .. r~.. ;.. g apparatus is reduced, the output power levels are rf~duced due to the distnbuted power A,..l~liri. -li..., and there e~ists the possibility for graceful ~ ,.A~ i.. of system p. r.. A.. ~e when amplifier faults occur.
It will be r~ ' ' ~ by those of ordinary sk~l m the art that the present inveDtion can be embodied in the other specific forms without departing from thespirit or cen~ral character thereof. The presently disclosed ~...ho~ are therefore considered im all respects to be illusb ative and not restrictive. The scope of the inveution is indicated by the appending claims rather than the foregoing ~1r ~rripti~m 30 and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents f hereof are intended to be embraced therein.
.~,
MICROSr~P ANTE~ ARRAY
F;. l~t of th~ Inv.onti~n The present invention rclates to an aDtenna for use in a base station in a cellular ~ system, and more ~uli. ~JI~I~ to a microstrip antenna array S which improves a base station's p~ . by increasing ant~ nna gain and by reducing ,. ~ ,. "- ~ problems.
R~. kv.(,~. ,.l of the Invention The cellular industry has made ph~nr~m~n~l strides in cnmm~AiAl operations in the United States as well as the rest of the world. The number of cellular users 10 in major ".. ;A~Iy~ltl- ~ areas ha5 far eA~ceeded .~ an~ is u ~t~ system capacity. If this trend continues, the effects of the rapid growth will soon be achieved even in the smaUest markets. IDnovative solutions are thus requi~d to meet these increasing capacity needs as well as to maintain high quality service and avoid raising prices. Flual~u ulc, as the number of ce~lular users increases, the 15 problems associated with co channd ~ ' ' become of incre~d ;~
Flgurc 1 illustrates ten cells Cl-ClO in a typical cdlular mohile radio c-~ ." ". ~...., system. Normally, a cellular mobile radio system would be ; " ,~ t ~1 WitD more than ten ceUs. However, for thc pA~poses of simplicity, the present invention can be e~plained ~Ising the simplified ~ Luu iUustrated in 20 Flgure l. For each cell, CI~lO, there is a base station Bl-B10 with the same reference number as thc ~ g cell. F~gure 1 illustratcs thc base stations as situated in the ~icinity of the cell center and having o ~ t:"~ It~ antennas.
Fgurc 1 also illushates nine mobile stations Ml-M9 which are movable within a cell and from one cell to anothcr. In a typical cellular radio system, there 25 would normally be more than nine ce3Iular mobile stations. In fact, there aretypically many times the number of mobile stations as there are basc stations.
However, for the purpose ûf e~plaining the present invention, the reduced Dumberof mobile stations is sufficient.
, . . ~ ~ _ = _ _ _ _ _ . . . _ .
~ WO 95134101 2 l 9 1 9 5 6 PCI/SEg5/006~3 Also iaustrated in Flgure 1 is a mobile sw;tching center MSC. The mobile switching center MSC illustrated in Figure 1 is connected to all ten base stations Bl-B10 by cables. The mobile switrhing center MSC is also comnected by cables to a fixed switching telephone network or sirnilar fL~ed networl~ All cables from theS mobile switching center MSC to the base stations Bl-B10 and cables to the fL~ed networl~ are not iaustrated.
Iu addition to the mobile switching center MSC illustrated, there may be another mobile switcbing center comnected by cables to base stations other than tnose illustrated in Figure 1. Instead of cables, other means, for e~ample, fL~ed radio 10 linlcs may also be used to connect base stations to the mobile switching center. The mobile switching center MSC, the base stations and the mobile stations are aa computer contrdled.
In traditional cellular mobile radio systerns, as illustrated in Figure 1, each base station has an u~ f~liG~I or d~ectional antenna for l.... ~ 1 ,g signals a~u~L~Ju~ tbe area covered by the base station. As a result, signals for paTticular mobile stations are broadcast throughout the entire coverage area regardless of &e ~ative positions of the mobile stations. In the base station, the transmitter may have one power amplifier per carrier frequency. The amplified signals are combined and connected to a common antenna which has a wide azimuth beam with for e~ample 120 or 360 degrees coverage. Due to the wide beamwidth of the common antenna, the anteDna gain is low and there is no spatu11 selectivity which results in h.t~f~cc proble;ns.
More recent techniques have focused on using ]inear power amplifiers which are suitable for amplifying a combined signal from several carrier ~ which then feeds the combined signal to a common antenna which also has a wide azimuthbeam. However, these systems also suffer fTom ~..c..~ problems.
Another type of antenna that has been developed is the micTostTip antenna, which is illustrated in Figure 2. Basically, the microstrip antenna consists of a ~ ~du. li~ patch 10 formed on a dielectric substrate 12, and a ground plane 14 at a 30 distance from the patch 10. The ground plane can be formed on the opposite side of , WO 951~4102 2 1 9 1 9 5 6 P~T/SF~'S'~
the substrate 12, or the spacing between the patch and the ground plane can be completely or partially filled with air, foam, or some other dielectric material.
Using well l~nown stripline tecMology, the antenna elements can be etched onto acopper-laminated board. A number of elements can then be located on the same S laminate. The dements are fed in series, in parallel or both by a feed network of coMecting Enes 16, m the same layer as the dements or in an other layer.
Frequency and impedaDCe ~ of the microstrip antemia are a function of the antenna size, ~he input feed location, and the pernutivity of the substrate. In addition, the p~ l .; l ;. . . sensitivity of the anteMa can be dther verLical or I0 horizontal or both depe~ding upon the layout of the conductive pa~ches 10.
E~owever, the use of rnicros~rip anteMas has been limited because of thdr inherently na~ow opera~ng bandwidth. Microstrip antenna dements have a relatively narrow bandwidth, typically 2-~ percent. Coverage of a wider frequency band can be achieved through the use of staclced elements or slot-coupled elements.
In an attempt to reduce the fading variations in the recéived signal, today's base stations use spatial diversity wherdn two receiving antennas are typically sepa~d by 20 or 30 wc~ Ls. However, the receiver diversity used today is less attractive with narrow beamJ high gain antennas since they are more e~pensive and larger, giviJng both visual problems aDd rnounting probleLDs.
20 Sl~mm~Ty of th~ Invention It is an object of the present invention to improve the y r~ of a base station by increasing the antenna gain at the base station while reducing problems. It is another object of the p~sent invention to rna~e the tecMology oflinear power amplifiers avaiiable for use in base stations. It is another object of the 25 present invention to provide p~l, ;, li. diversity in a base station that can, for e~ample, replace space diversity Al~_..L,. .._ .,t~
According to one ~ of the present inventioD, an antama for a base station in a mobile radio c - .~ . system with at least one base station and at least cne mobile station is disclosed. The anterma comprises a microstrip anteDna ;
~ WO 95134102 2 1 9 1 9 5 6 ~ 5 -,', array wi& a matri~ of microstrip patches with at least two columns and two rows.In addition, a plurality of amplifiers is provided wherein each power amplifier is cormected to a different column of microstrip patches. Finally, ~ ,r -, ~g means~ are connected to each power amplificr for d ' ~ ' ,, a direction and shapc of 5 narrow anter~a lobes generated by &e columns of microstrip patches.
According to another . .1~1;.. ~ of the present invention, an antenna for a b~ station and a mobile radio ~ system is disclosed. Thc antenna comprises a microstrip antenna array comprising a matri~ of microstrip patches wi&
at least two columns and two rows. A plurality of low noise amplifiers are used for 10 filtering and amplifying &e signals received by &e microstrip antenna array, wherein each low noise amplificr is coMected to a different column of rnicrostrip patches. 1~ ~ .., r.... - - ..g means are coMected to each low noise amplifier for d ~ .~ .,..,g a dircction and shape of narrow anteMa lobes generated by the columns of microstrip patches.
15 ~nf f De~tion of th~ Drawin~
The above and fur~ler ob~~ts and novd features of the present invention will fi~lly appear fiom the following description from the samc as that in cormection wi&
the ac~...~.~ ~ drawings. It is to be l~n~l~. however, tbat the drawings are for the pmpose of illustration only, and arc not intended as a definition of &e limits 20 of the present invention.
Flgure 1 illustrates a portion of a cellular mobile ~~ ----- -- - -Q~ system having cells, a mobile switching center, base stations, and mobile stations.
Figure 2 illustrates a microstrip antenna.
Fgure 3 illustrates a microstrip antenna array according to one f ~ ",.
25 of the present invention.
FlgUre 4 illustrates another microstrip antenna array according to another ,-mh~1imf nt of the present invention.
Figure S illustrates ano&er microstrip anteMa array according to another l~lilllclll of thepresen~ invention.
.
_ .. .. _ : . , . .: ....... . .... . ....... i .. ... .. . . .. .... . ... . . _ - 21 ql 956 ~ WO 95/34102 PCI~/SE95/00623 Figuae 6 illustrates another microstrip antenna array according to anothar "1 ~ ", . 1 of the prescnt invantion.
De~ikrTD~ n of the Disclosure The present invention is primarily intended for use in base stations in cellular5 co,.... G ~G.,.. systans, although it will be understood by those sl~lled in the art that the present invantion can be used in other various ~ a ) T- ( ~
According to one e L " of the present invention, a microstrip antenna array, as illustrated in Figure 3, can be used to increase the gain of the signals from the base station while lowaing ' throughout the system. The aGtenna 10 array 30 consisls of a ma~ of microstrip patches 32 which are formed above a common ground plane 34. The elements in each column are connected either in pa~allel, saies, or both, by connecting lines 40. While Fgure 3 illustrates si~
columns and four rows of patches, it will be ' ~ by one si~lled in the art that the anta~na array can consist of any plurality of columns and rows. Each column of 1~ patches is connected to a diffaent power amp]ifiar 36 in the transmit direction and a diffaent low noise amplifier 42 in the receive dircction as illustrated in Figure 4.
In addition, each column of patches can also be connected to a plurality of powar arnplifias in the transmit direction and a plurality of low noise amplifiers in the reverse direction. r G - . - -- c, the columns of patches can also be connected to 20 linear powar amplifiers. The powar amplifiers and the low noise amplifias areconnected to a ~ r ~- ~ g apparatus 38 which creates antenna beams with desired sh~Lpes in desired directions. The antenna array can generate a plurality of narrow azimuth beams or lobes, where the direction and sha~e of the antenna beams are d~ t ~ ..G~I d in the ~- - r~. ~ C, apparatus 38 by signal amplitude and phase relations 25 between different columns. As a result, the base station can use the narro~v beams, which have a highar gain, to broadcast and receive signals from the mobile stations in the base station's covery~e area.
Another important ~ . is the desire to suppress the sidelobes for each an~enna beam. The be~.. ru.. ,.g can be ,.,1.'l ". ,t i in a variety of ways ~ .
~ WO9s/34102 2 1 9 ~ ~5 6 ~ 1.
such as digital 1~ - r.~ , analog~ ~ r- 1 - ~~ or by a L~ - ,r,, , ma~
such as a Butlier matrL~. Analog ' - - - r ~ ~ st~r the beam by ~ ~ ~.J~ ~ ng a frequency ~ t ' time delay, while digital, ' ~ l, usuaUiy involves a phase delay that is eqiuivalent to the time delay at an operating frequeoicy.
A digital 1~ -- r.,.. .g system usuaUiy has a relative1iy simple receiver for each element, which down~.onvelts the frequency into I and t2 ~n-phase and quadlature) channdis for an A/D converter. Real-time ~ - - f. , ~ - ~" talkes place by Liyl~ g tbese complt~ pa~s of samples by ~.~ r ~ weights in "il ly/~ integrated cir~ts. The array output is formed from ~-1 ~ay output~~ VDNDe !;h~D( /A~'~tCn 3'0 10 where Vn = comple~ SiigD~ from n~ channd, Wn = weigh~ng ccefficient, c~(d~ steering phaseslhift, and C" = cor~cctioDi factor 5 t'~rrrr~innc may be rliecessay for several reasons. T~e reasons include errors in the po~itioDi of the element, t~ c effects and the difference in behavior between those elements embedded in tbie array and those near the edge.
Thus, by shaping and directing the narrow anteDna beams, a plurality of narrow beams can be used to ~ ' 'y cover a large sector using the same 20 antemla array. The present invention can use an adaptive algorithm for selecting the most feasible wdght functions for the antenna. One such adaptive algorithm is disclosed in U.S. Patent AppL~ on No. 08/95,~4 filed February l0, 1994 which is ~ herein by reference.
Jn the antenna array, the patches in each column are polarized. The 25 p,~1~,;,~l;"" cain bc eitber vertical or horeontal, or have dual pol~h;~lio.. witbi two orthogonal p~t ,; l, "~ c~ 'Ihc two orthogonal c - A ' can for exatnple be ver~cal and horeontal or diagonal ~1 " i~Liv" ~-llyo..~ . In the .
- ~ 21 ql q56 Vl~ dual p,~n. ,, AO~ he two orthogonal polarized signals are combined separately for each co nDm~ And conDected to separated chaDnels in the radio UDit.
The step of combining the signafs can use any of fhe known combining schemes, for 5 e~ample, selection diversity, ma~imum ratio combining, etc. The arbitrary elliptical p~,n. ~ I state can then be ob amed in both ~he t~ansmit and receive virections~
As fading variations are ;" ~ f for fwo orthogonal p,~ AU~ , pO~ vll diversi~y can be used f o embrace the possibility to furrher suppress interferers Anri reduce tbe fading variations. This will remove the necessity f o use space diversity.
10 rl-l~,~vlc, due to ~he high aDtsnna gam in the distributed power A111~ r;~
the prcseDt mvention reduces the operate power level from each power amplifier, thus easing the ~ "~ vn fhe linear power amplifier technology.
The system cam also have the amplifiers and the bf ."r...,..".~ apparafus L ' as illustrated im Figures 5 and 6. The amplifiers amplify ~he signals in 15 the channels fhat cnrr~r- nrl to specific antenDa be~uDs wherein ~he shape and directions of fhe beams are determmed by the b~A llr,.. ;,.g apparatus weights at that instance. The l ' system has the advaDtage tbfat fhe ..,-'- ~.. .,~1. :
channels do not require cohereDt amplifiers. In addition, fault detec~ioD of an amplifier is easy since each amplifier is associated with a specific chalmel. However, 20 as descnbed above, by yv~iliv~ the amplifiers between the antenn~ elements and the b~'A.. r.. -;,.~ apparatus, the system loss m the 1;~- .. r~.. ;.. g apparatus is reduced, the output power levels are rf~duced due to the distnbuted power A,..l~liri. -li..., and there e~ists the possibility for graceful ~ ,.A~ i.. of system p. r.. A.. ~e when amplifier faults occur.
It will be r~ ' ' ~ by those of ordinary sk~l m the art that the present inveDtion can be embodied in the other specific forms without departing from thespirit or cen~ral character thereof. The presently disclosed ~...ho~ are therefore considered im all respects to be illusb ative and not restrictive. The scope of the inveution is indicated by the appending claims rather than the foregoing ~1r ~rripti~m 30 and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents f hereof are intended to be embraced therein.
.~,
Claims (24)
1. An antenna for a base station in a mobile radio communication system with at least one base station and at least one mobile station, comprising:
a microstrip antenna array comprising a matrix of microstrip patches with at least two columns and two rows;
a plurality of power amplifiers, wherein at least one power amplifier is connected to each column of said microstrip patches; and beamforming means connected to each power amplifier for establishing a direction and a shape of each of a plurality of narrow antenna beams emitted by said columns of microstrip patches, wherein at least one of said narrow antenna beams has two orthogonally polarized beam components, and wherein at least one of a plurality of communication signals transmitted by said antenna is transmitted using both of said components simultaneously.
a microstrip antenna array comprising a matrix of microstrip patches with at least two columns and two rows;
a plurality of power amplifiers, wherein at least one power amplifier is connected to each column of said microstrip patches; and beamforming means connected to each power amplifier for establishing a direction and a shape of each of a plurality of narrow antenna beams emitted by said columns of microstrip patches, wherein at least one of said narrow antenna beams has two orthogonally polarized beam components, and wherein at least one of a plurality of communication signals transmitted by said antenna is transmitted using both of said components simultaneously.
2. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein signals to be emitted using orthogonally polarized beam components are given an amplitude relation and a relative phaseshift such that an emitted beam comprising said components has an arbitrary elliptical polarization state.
3. An antenna according to claim 1, wherein a first column of microstrip patches comprises patches having vertical polarization and a second column of microstrip patches comprises patches having horizontal polarization.
4. An antenna according to claim 1, wherein said microstrip patches within each column are tapered for elevation pattern shape.
5. An antenna according to claim 1, wherein said beamforming is implemented through analog beamforming.
6. An antenna according to claim 1, wherein said beamforming is implemented through digital beamforming.
7. An antenna according to claim 1, wherein said beamforming is implemented through a beamforming matrix.
8. An antenna according to claim 10, wherein said beamforming matrix is a Butler matrix.
9. An antenna according to claim 1, wherein each column of said microstrip patches is connected to a plurality of power amplifiers.
10. An antenna for a base station in a mobile radio communication system with at least one base station and at least one mobile station, comprising:
a microstrip antenna array comprising a matrix of microstrip patches with at least two columns and two rows;
a plurality of low noise amplifiers, wherein at least one low noise amplifier is connected to each column of said microstrip patches; and beamforming means connected to each low noise amplifier for establishing a direction and a shape of each of a plurality of narrow antenna beams received by said columns of microstrip patches, wherein at least one of said narrow antenna beams has two orthogonally polarized beam components, and wherein at least one of a plurality of communication signals received by said antenna is received using both of said components simultaneously.
a microstrip antenna array comprising a matrix of microstrip patches with at least two columns and two rows;
a plurality of low noise amplifiers, wherein at least one low noise amplifier is connected to each column of said microstrip patches; and beamforming means connected to each low noise amplifier for establishing a direction and a shape of each of a plurality of narrow antenna beams received by said columns of microstrip patches, wherein at least one of said narrow antenna beams has two orthogonally polarized beam components, and wherein at least one of a plurality of communication signals received by said antenna is received using both of said components simultaneously.
11. An antenna according to claim 10, wherein signals received using orthogonally polarized beam components are given an amplitude relation and a relative phaseshift such that a received beam comprising said components has an arbitrary elliptical polarization state.
12. An antenna according to claim 10, wherein a first column of said microstrip patches comprises patches having vertical polarization and a second column of microstrip patches comprises patches having horizontal polarization.
13. An antenna according to claim 10, wherein said microstrip patches within each column are tapered for elevation pattern shape.
14. An antenna according to claim 10, wherein said beam forming is implemented through analog beamforming.
15. An antenna according to claim 10, wherein said beamforming is implemented through digital beamforming.
16. An antenna according to claim 10, wherein said beamforming is implemented through a beamforming matrix.
17. An antenna according to claim 16, wherein said beamforming matrix is a Butler matrix.
18. An antenna according to claim 10, wherein each column of microstrip patches is connected to a plurality of low noise amplifiers.
19. An antenna according to claim 1, wherein said antenna array is used for both transmitting and receiving signals.
20. An antenna according to claim 19, wherein said antenna array has separate columns for transmitting and receiving on a same substrate.
21. An antenna according to claim 10, wherein said antenna array is used for both transmitting and receiving signals.
22. An antenna according to claim 21, wherein said antenna array has separate columns for transmitting and receiving on a same substrate.
23. An antenna for a base station in a mobile radio communication system with at least ore base station and at least one mobile station, comprising:
a microstrip antenna array comprising a matrix of microstrip patches with at least two columns and two rows;
beamforming means connected to each column of said antenna array for establishing a direction and a shape of each of a plurality of narrow antenna beams emitted by said columns of microstrip patches, wherein at least one of said narrow antenna beams has two orthogonally polarized beam components, and wherein at least one of a plurality of communication signals transmitted by said antenna is transmitted using both of said components simultaneously, and a plurality of power amplifiers, wherein at least one power amplifier is connected to each input of said beamforming means for amplifying particular emitted antenna beams.
a microstrip antenna array comprising a matrix of microstrip patches with at least two columns and two rows;
beamforming means connected to each column of said antenna array for establishing a direction and a shape of each of a plurality of narrow antenna beams emitted by said columns of microstrip patches, wherein at least one of said narrow antenna beams has two orthogonally polarized beam components, and wherein at least one of a plurality of communication signals transmitted by said antenna is transmitted using both of said components simultaneously, and a plurality of power amplifiers, wherein at least one power amplifier is connected to each input of said beamforming means for amplifying particular emitted antenna beams.
24. An antenna for a base station in a mobile radio communication system with at least one base station and at least one mobile station, comprising:
a microstrip antenna array comprising a matrix of microstrip patches with at least two columns and two rows;
beamforming means connected to each column of said antenna array for establishing a direction and a shape of each of a plurality of narrow antenna beams received by said columns of microstrip patches, wherein at least one of said narrow antenna beams has two orthogonally polarized beam components, and wherein at least one of a plurality of communication signals received by said antenna is received using both of said components simultaneously; and a plurality of low noise amplifiers, wherein at least one low noise amplifier is connected to each output of said beamforming means for amplifying particular received antenna beams.
a microstrip antenna array comprising a matrix of microstrip patches with at least two columns and two rows;
beamforming means connected to each column of said antenna array for establishing a direction and a shape of each of a plurality of narrow antenna beams received by said columns of microstrip patches, wherein at least one of said narrow antenna beams has two orthogonally polarized beam components, and wherein at least one of a plurality of communication signals received by said antenna is received using both of said components simultaneously; and a plurality of low noise amplifiers, wherein at least one low noise amplifier is connected to each output of said beamforming means for amplifying particular received antenna beams.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US25348494A | 1994-06-03 | 1994-06-03 | |
| US08/253,484 | 1994-06-03 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2191956A1 true CA2191956A1 (en) | 1995-12-14 |
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ID=22960472
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2191956 Abandoned CA2191956A1 (en) | 1994-06-03 | 1995-05-31 | Microstrip antenna array |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0763264A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH10501661A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1150498A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU686388B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2191956A1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI964562A0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995034102A1 (en) |
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| FI962217A (en) * | 1996-05-27 | 1997-11-28 | Nokia Telecommunications Oy | Method of optimizing the coverage area by changing the antenna pattern |
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| US6104935A (en) * | 1997-05-05 | 2000-08-15 | Nortel Networks Corporation | Down link beam forming architecture for heavily overlapped beam configuration |
| US6167286A (en) * | 1997-06-05 | 2000-12-26 | Nortel Networks Corporation | Multi-beam antenna system for cellular radio base stations |
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| US6094165A (en) * | 1997-07-31 | 2000-07-25 | Nortel Networks Corporation | Combined multi-beam and sector coverage antenna array |
| SE9703104L (en) | 1997-08-28 | 1999-03-01 | Ericsson Telefon Ab L M | Method and apparatus for determining the position of a mobile station |
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| US6621469B2 (en) | 1999-04-26 | 2003-09-16 | Andrew Corporation | Transmit/receive distributed antenna systems |
| US6362787B1 (en) | 1999-04-26 | 2002-03-26 | Andrew Corporation | Lightning protection for an active antenna using patch/microstrip elements |
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| US6304214B1 (en) * | 1999-05-07 | 2001-10-16 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Antenna array system having coherent and noncoherent reception characteristics |
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| US6608599B2 (en) * | 2001-10-26 | 2003-08-19 | Qualcomm, Incorporated | Printed conductive mesh dipole antenna and method |
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| CN101420066B (en) * | 2008-11-21 | 2013-04-17 | 中国电子科技集团公司第三十八研究所 | Wideband single layer microstrip patch antenna |
| CN101867084A (en) * | 2010-06-10 | 2010-10-20 | 西北工业大学 | Novel embedded composite material intelligent skin antenna structure |
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| US9905922B2 (en) * | 2011-08-31 | 2018-02-27 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Wireless device with 3-D antenna system |
| CN102571258B (en) * | 2012-01-31 | 2016-04-20 | 成都立鑫新技术科技有限公司 | Mobile phone isolator |
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| CN108134216B (en) * | 2017-12-29 | 2024-02-06 | 广东博纬通信科技有限公司 | Antenna array simulating beam forming |
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| GB8902421D0 (en) * | 1989-02-03 | 1989-03-22 | Secr Defence | Antenna array |
| US5132694A (en) * | 1989-06-29 | 1992-07-21 | Ball Corporation | Multiple-beam array antenna |
| DE69020319T2 (en) * | 1989-12-11 | 1996-03-14 | Toyoda Chuo Kenkyusho Kk | Mobile antenna system. |
-
1995
- 1995-05-31 CA CA 2191956 patent/CA2191956A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-05-31 CN CN 95193420 patent/CN1150498A/en active Pending
- 1995-05-31 EP EP95920361A patent/EP0763264A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1995-05-31 WO PCT/SE1995/000623 patent/WO1995034102A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1995-05-31 AU AU25835/95A patent/AU686388B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-05-31 JP JP8500750A patent/JPH10501661A/en active Pending
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1996
- 1996-11-14 FI FI964562A patent/FI964562A0/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FI964562A (en) | 1996-11-14 |
| CN1150498A (en) | 1997-05-21 |
| EP0763264A1 (en) | 1997-03-19 |
| MX9605822A (en) | 1998-05-31 |
| FI964562A0 (en) | 1996-11-14 |
| JPH10501661A (en) | 1998-02-10 |
| WO1995034102A1 (en) | 1995-12-14 |
| AU686388B2 (en) | 1998-02-05 |
| AU2583595A (en) | 1996-01-04 |
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