Phased array antenna system with variable electrical tilt
First Claim
1. A phased array antenna system with variable electrical tilt and including an array of antenna elements comprising:
- a) a divider for dividing a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal into first and second signals, b) a variable phase shifter for introducing a variable relative phase shift between the first and second signals, c) a phase to power converter for converting the relatively phase shifted first and second signals into signals whose powers are a function of the relative phase shift, d) first and second power splitters for dividing the converted signals into at least two sets of divided signals, the total number of divided signals in the sets being at least equal to the number of antenna elements in the array, e) power to phase converters for combining pairs of divided signals from different power splitters to provide vector sum and difference components with appropriate phase for supply to respective pairs of antenna elements located at like distances with respect to an array centre.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A phased array antenna system with variable electrical tilt comprises an array (60) of antenna elements (60L1) etc. incorporating a divider (44) dividing a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal into two signals between which a phase shifter (46) introduces a variable phase shift. A phase to power converter (50) converts the phase shifted signals into signals with powers dependent on the phase shift. Power splitters (52, 54) divide the converted signals into two sets of divided signals with total number equal to the number of antenna elements in the array. Power to phase converters (561) etc. combine pairs of divided signals from different power splitters (52, 54) this provides vector sum and difference components with appropriate phase for supply to respective pairs of antenna elements (60U1, 60L1) etc. located equidistant from an array centre. Adjustment of the phase shift provided by phase shifter (46) changes the angle of electrical tilt of the antenna array (60).
21 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A phased array antenna system with variable electrical tilt and including an array of antenna elements comprising:
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a) a divider for dividing a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal into first and second signals, b) a variable phase shifter for introducing a variable relative phase shift between the first and second signals, c) a phase to power converter for converting the relatively phase shifted first and second signals into signals whose powers are a function of the relative phase shift, d) first and second power splitters for dividing the converted signals into at least two sets of divided signals, the total number of divided signals in the sets being at least equal to the number of antenna elements in the array, e) power to phase converters for combining pairs of divided signals from different power splitters to provide vector sum and difference components with appropriate phase for supply to respective pairs of antenna elements located at like distances with respect to an array centre. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 23)
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12. A method of providing variable electrical tilt in a phased array antenna system including an array antenna elements wherein the method comprising the steps of:
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a) dividing a radio frequency carrier signal into first and second signals, b) introducing a variable relative phase shift between the first and second signals, c) converting the relatively phase shifted first and second signals into signals whose powers are a function of the relative phase shift, d) using power splitters to divide the converted signals into at least two sets of divided signals, the total number of divided signals in the sets being at least equal to the number of antenna elements in the array, e) combining pairs of divided signals from different power splitters to provide vector sum and difference components with appropriate phase and supplying the components to respective pairs of antenna elements located at like distances with respect to an array centre. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification