Interlaced multiband antenna arrays

• US 8,228,256 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2011
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fractus SA
• Inventors: Puente Baliarda, Carles, Romeu Robert, Jordi, Blanch Boris, Sebastian
• Primary Examiner(s): Wimer, Michael C
• Application Number:
  US13/044,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20110156986A1
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700.MS, 343/844, 343/853
• US Class Current: 343/844
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/061 Two dimensional planar arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/062 using dipole aerials; H01Q21/067, H01Q21/068 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/08 the units being spaced along or adjacent to a rectilinear path waveguide fed H01Q21/0037
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/30 Combinations of separate antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/42 using two or more imbricated arrays H01Q5/49 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/24 Cell structures

Abstract

Antenna arrays which can work simultaneously in various frequency bands thanks to the physical disposition of the elements which constitute them, and also the multiband behavior of some elements situated strategically in the array. The configuration of the array is described based on the juxtaposition or interleaving of various conventional mono-band arrays working in the different bands of interest. In those positions in which elements of different multiband arrays come together, a multiband antenna is employed which covers the different working frequency bands. The advantages with respect to the classic configuration of using one array for each frequency band are: saving in cost of the global radiating system and its installation (one array replaces several), and its size and visual and environmental impact are reduced in the case of base stations and repeater stations for communication systems.

Claims

1. An interlaced multiband antenna array comprising:

a plurality of antenna elements;

wherein the interlaced multiband antenna array is configured to simultaneously cover a plurality of licensed cellular frequency bands;

wherein positions of the plurality of antenna elements result from juxtaposition of at least a first antenna array operating in a first frequency band, and a second antenna array operating in a second frequency band;

wherein the first antenna array comprises a plurality of first-band antenna elements, and the second antenna array comprises a plurality of second-band antenna elements;

wherein the plurality of licensed frequency bands of the interlaced multiband antenna array includes said first frequency band and said second frequency band;

wherein the interlaced multiband antenna array employs a single multiband antenna element in positions where said first-band antenna element and said second-band antenna element come together; and

wherein the single multiband antenna element simultaneously covers at least said first frequency band and said second frequency band.

2. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 1, wherein a number of the plurality of antenna elements, a spatial distribution of the plurality of antenna elements relative to wavelength, and a current phase and amplitude of the plurality of antenna elements is adjusted to shape a first radiation pattern specific to said first frequency band and to shape a second radiation pattern specific to said second frequency band.

3. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 1, wherein a number of the plurality of antenna elements, a spatial distribution of the plurality of antenna elements relative to wavelength, and a current phase and amplitude of the plurality of antenna elements is adjusted to shape a radiation pattern common to said first frequency band and said second frequency band.

4. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 1, wherein a first distribution network is employed to excite all of the plurality of antenna elements of the interlaced multiband antenna array operating in said first frequency band, and a second distribution network is employed to excite all of the plurality of antenna elements of the interlaced multiband antenna array operating in said second frequency band.

5. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 1, wherein a distribution network is employed to excite all of the plurality of antenna elements operating in said first frequency band and said second frequency band.

6. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 1, wherein a spacing between antenna elements operating in the first band is less than 0.9 wavelength.

7. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 1, wherein a spacing between antenna elements operating in said second band is less than one wavelength.

8. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 1, wherein the interlaced multiband antenna array has double linear polarization at +45 degree and −

45 degree with respect to a longitudinal axis of the interlaced multiband antenna array.

9. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 8, wherein an independent distribution network is employed to excite all of the plurality of antenna elements of each of the polarizations.

10. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 8, wherein an independent distribution network is employed to excite all of the plurality of antenna elements of the interlaced multiband antenna array at each of said first frequency band and said second frequency band and polarizations.

11. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 1, wherein at least one first-band antenna element of the first antenna array is repositioned to coincide with a nearest second-band antenna element of the second antenna array.

12. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 1, wherein a geometrical arrangement of the plurality of first-band antenna elements of the first antenna array defines a first length along a first direction;

wherein a geometrical arrangement of the plurality of second-band antenna elements of the second antenna array defines a second length along said first direction; and

wherein a ratio between the second length and the first length is not inversely proportional to a ratio between a central frequency of said second frequency band and a central frequency of said first frequency band.

13. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 1, wherein a first operating frequency for said first frequency band is situated around 900 MHz, and a second operating frequency for said second frequency band is situated around 1800 MHz.

14. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 1, wherein a first operating frequency for said first frequency band is situated around 850 MHz, and a second operating frequency for said second frequency band is situated around 1900 MHz.

15. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 1, wherein a first operating frequency for said first frequency band is situated around 1800 MHz, and a second operating frequency for said second frequency band is situated around 2100 MHz.

16. The interlace multiband antenna array of claim 1, wherein a first operating band of said first frequency band is an operating band of a GSM service and a second operating band of said second frequency band is an operating band of a UMTS service.

17. An interlaced multiband antenna array comprising:

a plurality of antenna elements;

wherein the interlaced multiband antenna array is configured to simultaneously cover a plurality of licensed cellular frequency bands;

wherein positions of the plurality of antenna elements result from juxtaposition of at least a first antenna array operating in a first frequency band, a second antenna array operating in a second frequency band, and a third antenna array operating in a third frequency band;

wherein the first antenna array comprises a plurality of first-band antenna elements, the second antenna array comprises a plurality of second-band antenna elements, and the third antenna array comprises a plurality of third-band antenna elements;

wherein the plurality of licensed frequency bands of the interlaced multiband antenna array include said first frequency band, said second frequency band, and said third frequency band;

wherein the interlaced multiband antenna array employs a single multiband antenna element in positions where at least two of said first-band antenna element, said second-band antenna element and said third-band antenna element come together; and

wherein the multiband antenna element simultaneously covers at least two of said first frequency band, said second frequency band and said third frequency band.

18. An interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 17, wherein a number of the plurality of antenna elements, a spatial distribution of the plurality of antenna elements relative to wavelength, and a current phase and amplitude of the plurality of antenna elements is adjusted to shape a radiation pattern common to said first frequency band, said second frequency band and said third frequency band.

19. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 17, wherein a distribution network is employed to excite all of the plurality of antenna elements operating in said first frequency band, said second frequency band and said third frequency band.

20. The interlaced multiband antenna array of claim 17, wherein the interlaced multiband antenna array has double linear polarization at +45 degree and −

45 degree with respect to a longitudinal axis of the interlaced multiband antenna array.