ANTENNA ASSEMBLY, ANTENNA, AND SMALL-CELL BASE STATION

Abstract

 Embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna component, where the antenna component is applied to a small cell device. The antenna component includes a radiation patch, and at least two grounding structures and a feeding structure that are located on a same side of the radiation patch, where the grounding structures are disposed, symmetrically relative to the feeding structure, on the radiation patch. An antenna on which the antenna component is disposed features a small size and even signal coverage, so that a signal coverage effect of the small cell device can be improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to wireless communications technologies, and in particular, to an antenna component, an antenna, and a small cell device.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Some blind spot areas and hot spot areas in a coverage area of a macro base station can be seamlessly covered by flexibly deploying a small cell (small-cell base station) device, for example, an indoor small cell product, in the coverage area of the macro base station. This increases a network access rate of a user in an edge coverage area of the macro base station, and increases a network capacity. A small cell device is different from the macro base station in a base station form, and needs to meet a miniaturization requirement in terms of specification, size, weight, and the like.

[0003] In the prior art, more built-in antennas are used in indoor small cell products, intending to provide omnidirectional coverage. This has a relatively high requirement on an antenna pattern roundness. A size of a base station continuously decreases, and therefore, a conventional distributed antenna system (DAS, distributed antenna system) can no longer meet a base station miniaturization requirement.

SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna component and an antenna, so that sizes are small and a good signal coverage effect is achieved.

[0005] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an antenna component, where the antenna component is used in a small cell device, and the antenna component includes a radiation patch, a feeding structure, and at least two grounding structures, where one end of the feeding structure is connected to the radiation patch, one end of each of the grounding structures is connected to the radiation patch, and the feeding structure and the grounding structures are located on a same side of the radiation patch; and the at least two grounding structures are disposed, symmetrically relative to the feeding structure, on the radiation patch.

[0006] In a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the feeding structure includes a first structure and a second structure, where one end of the first structure is connected to the radiation patch, the second structure is connected to the other end of the first structure, and a projected area of the first structure is greater than a projected area of the second structure.

[0007] With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the projected area of the first structure is N times the projected area of the second structure, and N is an integer greater than 1.

[0008] With reference to any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in a third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the first structure is a metal cylinder, and the second structure is a metal cylinder or a rectangular metal sheet.

[0009] With reference to any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, a height of the grounding structures is directly proportional to an operating bandwidth of an antenna on which the antenna component is disposed, and a height of the antenna component is greater than the height of the grounding structures.

[0010] With reference to any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, a shape of the radiation patch is a centrosymmetrical or axisymmetrical pattern.

[0011] With reference to any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in a sixth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, a quantity of the grounding structures is directly proportional to an operating frequency band of the antenna on which the antenna component is disposed.

[0012] With reference to any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in a seventh possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the feeding structure is located in a central area of the radiation patch, and the central area is an area using a center point of the radiation patch as a center and one-tenth a wavelength as a diameter, where the wavelength is an electromagnetic wavelength corresponding to the operating frequency band of the antenna on which the antenna component is disposed.

[0013] With reference to any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in an eighth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the at least two grounding structures are located in an edge area of the radiation patch, and the edge area is an area that is one-tenth the wavelength away from an edge of the radiation patch, where the wavelength is the electromagnetic wavelength corresponding to the operating frequency band of the antenna on which the antenna component is disposed.

[0014] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an antenna, where the antenna is used in a small cell device, and includes any antenna component according to the first aspect and a reflection panel, where a grounding structure of the antenna component is connected to the reflection panel, there is a gap between a feeding structure of the antenna component and the reflection panel, a projected area of the reflection panel is greater than a projected area of a radiation patch of the antenna component, and the projected area of the reflection panel includes the projected area of the radiation patch.

[0015] In a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the gap between the feeding structure of the antenna component and the reflection panel ranges from 0.5 to 1 mm.

[0016] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a small cell device, including the antenna according to the second aspect.

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna component, which applies to a small cell device. The antenna component includes a radiation patch, and at least two grounding structures and a feeding structure that are located on a same side of the radiation patch, where the grounding structures are disposed, symmetrically relative to the feeding structure, on the radiation patch. The embodiments of the present invention further provide an antenna on which the antenna component is disposed and a small cell device. The antenna on which the antenna component is disposed features a small size and even signal coverage, so that a signal coverage effect of the small cell device can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or the prior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show some embodiments of the present invention, and persons of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an antenna component according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of another antenna component according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of another antenna component according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of another antenna component according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a small cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0020] An antenna component described in the embodiments of the present invention applies to multiple communications systems, for example, current 2G and 3G communications systems and a next-generation communications system, such as a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM, Global System for Mobile Communications), a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS, General Packet Radio Service) system, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA, Code Division Multiple Access) system, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA, Time Division Multiple Access) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access Wireless (WCDMA, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access Wireless) system, a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) system, a Long Term Evolution (LTE, Long Term Evolution), and a subsequently evolved LTE system.

[0021] The antenna component or an antenna provided in the embodiments of the present invention applies to multiple types of communications devices that need to receive or transmit a signal, for example, may be used in a base station device. The base station device described in the embodiments of the present invention may be a base transceiver station (BTS, Base Transceiver Station) in a GSM system, a NodeB (NodeB) in a WCDMA system, an evolved NodeB (e-NodeB, evolved NodeB) in an LTE communications system, or a similar device in a subsequently evolved LTE communications system. Specifically, the antenna component or the antenna provided in the embodiments of the present invention may be configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in a base station, for example, be installed in an apparatus such as a transmitter or a remote radio unit (RRU, remote radio unit) in the base station.

[0022] Particularly, because of a small size, the antenna component or the antenna provided in the embodiments of the present invention applies to a small cell device, for example, may be used in a built-in antenna of an indoor small cell product.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a front view of an antenna component 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The antenna component 1 may be used in a small cell device.

[0024] The antenna component 1 includes a radiation patch 11, a feeding structure 12, a first grounding structure 131, and a second grounding structure 132. As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the feeding structure 12 is connected to the radiation patch 11, one end of the first grounding structure 131 and one end of the second grounding structure 132 are separately connected to the radiation patch 11, and the feeding structure 12, the first grounding structure 131, and the second grounding structure 132 are located on a same side of the radiation patch 11.

[0025] The first grounding structure 131 and the second grounding structure 132 are disposed, symmetrically relative to the feeding structure 12, on the radiation patch 11.

[0026] Optionally, the feeding structure 12, the first grounding structure 131, and the second grounding structure 132 may be parallel to each other. Optionally, any one or more of the feeding structure 12, the first grounding structure 131, or the second grounding structure 132 may slightly tilt or have a slight radian or bevel, and this does not affect performance of the antenna component 1 provided in this embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Optionally, the radiation patch 11 may be a metal sheet of a centrosymmetrical or axisymmetrical shape, or a metal sheet of an approximately centrosymmetrical or axisymmetrical shape. In the two cases, the feeding structure 12 may be disposed at a center point of the radiation patch 11 or in an area close to the center point. Optionally, the center point may be a geometric center of the radiation patch 11. Optionally, the radiation patch 11 may be a metal sheet of an irregular shape. In this case, the feeding structure may be disposed at a geometric center of the metal sheet of an irregular shape or in an area close to the geometric center.

[0028] In actual application, a shape of the radiation patch may be properly tailored according to a condition such as an installation location of the antenna component or a requirement on an antenna size, provided that antenna performance is not affected. For example, a round radiation patch is tailored into a sector. However, a symmetrical shape of the radiation patch needs to be maintained as far as possible, to facilitate even signal coverage.

[0029] It can be understood that the geometric center includes a mathematical location such as an orthocenter, a barycenter, an inner center, or a circumcenter. If the radiation patch is of a regular shape, for example, an equilateral triangle, the foregoing geometric centers are overlapped. Persons skilled in the art may select, according to an experiment or experience, a proper geometric center location or a nearby location of the geometric center location for installing the feeding structure 12. This is not limited in the present invention.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the radiation patch 11 may be a round metal sheet. Although not shown in FIG. 1, alternatively, the radiation patch 11 may be a metal shape of any other shape, for example, a triangle or a rectangle. This is not limited in the present invention.

[0031] In an implementation manner, the feeding structure 12 is located in a central area 14 of the radiation patch 11, and the central area 14 is an area using a center point of the radiation patch 11 as a center and one-tenth a wavelength (λ) as a diameter.

[0032] The wavelength is an electromagnetic wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency band of an antenna on which the antenna component is disposed.

[0033] It can be understood that the feeding structure 12 may be disposed at any location in the foregoing central area 14. For example, the feeding structure 12 may be installed at the center point of the radiation patch 11, as shown in FIG. 1, or may be installed at a location that is not the center point and that is at most one-twentieth the wavelength away from the center point, that is, a location close to the center point. This is not limited in the present invention.

[0034] It should be noted that "symmetrically disposed" described in this embodiment of the present invention means that multiple grounding structures are basically evenly distributed, with a center at the feeding structure, around the feeding structure. "Basically evenly" means that a specific deviation is allowed for a relative location between each grounding structure and the feeding structure, including that: distances from the grounding structures to the feeding structure are basically equal, for example, deviations of at most 30% are allowed for distances from the grounding structures to the feeding structure; and that angles between lines that connect every two neighboring grounding structures to the feeding structure are basically equal, for example, deviations of at most 30% are allowed for the angles between lines that connect every two neighboring grounding structures to the feeding structure. It can be understood that any combination of a distance deviation and an angle deviation, within an allowed range, between the grounding structures and the feeding structure falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing allowed distance deviation or angle deviation does not affect a technical effect of the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0035] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 1, the first grounding structure 131 and the second grounding structure 132 are respectively located on two sides of the feeding structure 12, and are aligned with the feeding structure 12. Distances a1 and a2 from the first grounding structure 131 and the second grounding structure 132 to the feeding structure 12 are equal. Angles A1 and A2 between lines that respectively connect the first grounding structure 131 and the second grounding structure 132 to the feeding structure 12 are equal: A1=A2=180°. That is, the first grounding structure 131 and the second grounding structure 132 are distributed, axisymmetrically or centrosymmetrically relative to the feeding structure 12, on the radiation patch 11.

[0036] Optionally, the first grounding structure 131 and the second grounding structure 132 may be distributed in an edge area 15 of the radiation patch 12. The edge area 15 is an annular area between an edge of the radiation patch and a line that is one-tenth the wavelength away from the edge of the radiation patch.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the feeding structure 12 may be a cylindrical metal structure, that is, a metal cylinder, or an approximately cylindrical metal structure. Optionally, a diameter of the metal cylinder may be any value in [2 mm, 5 mm].

[0038] Optionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, the feeding structure 12 may be a rectangular metal sheet or an approximately rectangular metal sheet. Optionally, a width of the rectangular metal sheet may be any value in [2 mm, 5 mm].

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the first grounding structure 131 and the second grounding structure 132 may be metal cylinders or approximately cylindrical metal structures. Optionally, a diameter of either of the metal cylinders may be any value in [2 mm, 5 mm].

[0040] Optionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, the first grounding structure 131 or the second grounding structure 132 may be a rectangular metal sheet or an approximately rectangular metal sheet. Optionally, a width of the rectangular metal sheet may be any value in [2 mm, 5 mm].

[0041] Optionally, a height of the first grounding structure 131 or the second grounding structure 132 may be determined according to a bandwidth and an operating frequency band of an antenna on which the antenna component 1 is disposed. Optionally, the height of the first grounding structure 131 or the second grounding structure 132 is directly proportional to the bandwidth of the antenna. A height of the antenna component 1 is greater than a height of the grounding structure, and is a sum of the height of the grounding structure and a thickness of the radiation patch. Because the radiation patch 11 is a metal sheet, the height of the antenna component 1 may be determined by the height of the first grounding structure 131 and the height of the second grounding structure 132. That is, the height of the antenna component is the same as the height of the grounding structure. Therefore, the height of the grounding structure may be determined according to the bandwidth and the operating frequency band of the antenna. The height of the antenna component 1 is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention. For example, the heights of the first grounding structure 131 and the second grounding structure 132 may be set to 10 mm. Because the feeding structure 12 cannot be directly grounded, the height of the feeding structure 12 may be set to be 0.55 mm to 1 mm less than the height of the grounding structures, for example, may be set to 9.5 mm.

[0042] It can be understood that the first grounding structure 131 and the second grounding structure 132 may be of an equal height.

[0043] It can be understood that the first grounding structure 131 and the second grounding structure 132 may be metal structures of a same shape, for example, both are metal cylinders or rectangular metal sheets, or may be metal structures of different shapes, for example, one is a metal cylinder and the other is a rectangular metal sheet, provided that the heights of the two grounding structures are basically the same, and the two grounding structures are distributed symmetrically relative to the feeding structure. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention. It can be understood that, alternatively, the first grounding structure 131 or the second grounding structure 132 may be of an approximately cylindrical or rectangular shape. Performance of the antenna component 1 provided in this embodiment of the present invention is not affected by the slightly irregular shape.

[0044] Optionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, the antenna component 1 may include at least three grounding structures. As shown in FIG. 2, a first grounding structure 131', a second grounding structure 132', and a third grounding structure 133' are distributed, symmetrically relative to the feeding structure 12, on the radiation patch 11.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the first grounding structure 131', the second grounding structure 132', and the third grounding structure 133' are evenly distributed in the edge area 15, and the feeding structure 12 is located in the central area 14. Distances from the first grounding structure 131', the second grounding structure 132', and the third grounding structure 133' to the feeding structure 12 are respectively b1, b2, and b3, which meet b1=b2=b3. Angles between lines that connect the first grounding structure 131', the second grounding structure 132', and the third grounding structure 133' to the feeding structure 12 are respectively B1, B2, and B3, which meet B1=B2=B3=120°. That is, lines that connect the three grounding structures may form an equilateral triangle.

[0046] Optionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, lines that connect the first grounding structure 131', the second grounding structure 132', and the third grounding structure 133' may form an approximate equilateral triangle, that is, b1≈b2≈b3 and B1≈B2≈B3 are allowed. For details, refer to related description in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Details are not described herein again.

[0047] In this embodiment, a projected point of the feeding structure 12 may be located at or close to a center point of the equilateral triangle.

[0048] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, when the antenna component 1 includes four grounding structures 16, lines that connect the four grounding structures 16 form a square. Optionally, lines that connect the four grounding structures 16 may form an approximate square. A projected point of the feeding structure 12 is located at or close to a center point of the square. For details, refer to related description in other embodiments of the present invention. Details are not described herein again.

[0049] In this embodiment of the present invention, an area of the radiation patch 11 is related to an operating frequency band of an antenna. Specifically, the area of the radiation patch 11 is directly proportional to a wavelength of a signal, and the wavelength is inversely proportional to a frequency. Therefore, the area of the radiation patch 11 can be smaller when an operating frequency band of an antenna is higher. For example, when an antenna in which the antenna component 1 is used operates on a frequency band from 1.7 GHz to 2.1 GHz, a diameter of the radiation patch 11 may be selected from [30 mm, 40 mm]; or when an antenna operates on a frequency band from 2.3 GHz to 2.6 GHz, a diameter of the radiation patch 11 may be selected from [20 mm, 30 mm]. Persons skilled in the art may dispose a radiation patch of a proper area according to an actual requirement on antenna performance. This is not limited in the present invention.

[0050] It should be noted that a quantity of the grounding structures is related to the operating frequency band of the antenna on which the antenna component is disposed. Optionally, the operating frequency band of the antenna on which the antenna component is disposed is more likely to be in a high-frequency portion when there are more grounding structures. That is, the quantity of the grounding structures is directly proportional to the operating frequency band of the antenna. Based on the inverse proportional relationship between the area of the radiation patch and the operating frequency band of the antenna, when there is a relatively large quantity of grounding structures, the area of the radiation patch needs to be increased, so as to ensure that the antenna can properly operate on a specific relatively low frequency band. Therefore, a quantity of grounding structures may be determined according to an actual performance requirement of the antenna component. Considering an antenna miniaturization requirement, two, three, or four grounding structures may be disposed.

[0051] The following describes an application effect of the antenna component provided in this embodiment of the present invention by using an example. In this example, a diameter of a round radiation patch on the antenna component is 35 mm, a height of a grounding structure is 10 mm, a height of a feeding structure is 9.5 mm, and both the grounding structure and the feeding structure are metal cylinders with a diameter of 1 mm. A gain test shows that an antenna in which the antenna component is used has a standing wave ratio of less than 2.5, a relative bandwidth of 12%, a gain of about 2 dB, and an antenna pattern roundness (antenna pattern roundness) of 3.4 dB. The antenna can achieve a good transmission effect on a 1.8 GHz or 1.9 GHz or 2.1 GHz or 2.3 GHz or 2.6 GHz frequency band.

[0052] The antenna component provided in this embodiment of the present invention applies to a small cell device. The antenna component includes a radiation patch, and at least two grounding structures and a feeding structure that are located on a same side of the radiation patch, where the grounding structures are disposed, symmetrically relative to the feeding structure, on the radiation patch. An antenna on which the antenna component provided in this embodiment is disposed features a small size and even signal coverage, so that a signal coverage effect of the small cell device can be improved.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a front view of another antenna component 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The antenna component 2 may be used in a small cell device.

[0054] The antenna component 2 includes a radiation patch 21, a feeding structure 22, a first grounding structure 231, and a second grounding structure 232. The feeding structure 22 is connected to the radiation patch 21, and the first grounding structure 231 and the second grounding structure 232 are separately connected to the radiation patch 21. The feeding structure 22 is located in a central area 24 of radiation patch 21.

[0055] For arrangement of locations of the components and connection relationships between the components, refer to description in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Details are not described herein again.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, the feeding structure 22 in the antenna component 2 includes a first structure 221 and a second structure 222. The first structure 221 is connected to the radiation patch 21, and the second structure 222 is connected to the first structure 221. A projected area of the first structure 221 is greater than a projected area of the second structure 222.

[0057] It can be understood that neither a shape of the first structure 221 nor a shape of the second structure 222 is limited in this embodiment of the present invention. The first structure 221 may be a structure of a regular shape, such as a cylinder, a cuboid, or a cube. The second structure 222 may be a structure of a regular shape, such as a cylinder or a rectangular sheet. Optionally, the first structure 221 or the second structure 222 may be another structure approximate to one of the foregoing regular shapes. Materials of both the first structure 221 and the second structure 222 are metal materials.

[0058] A size of the projected area of the first structure 221 is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention, provided that the projected area of the first structure 221 is greater than the projected area of the second structure 222. Optionally, the projected area of the first structure 221 may be N times the projected area of the second structure 222 (N is an integer greater than 1). A larger difference between the projected areas of the two structures indicates a stronger capacitive character and inductive character between the first structure 221 and a reference ground, where the reference ground is a reflection panel of an antenna on which the antenna component is disposed. In addition, an operating frequency band and a bandwidth of the antenna on which the antenna component 2 is disposed need to be considered, so as to properly determine the projected area of the first structure 221.

[0059] For example, the first structure 221 may be a metal cylinder with a diameter ranging from 10 mm to 17 mm. The second structure 222 may be a metal cylinder a diameter ranging from 1 mm to 3 mm, or the second structure 222 may be a rectangular metal sheet with a width ranging from 2 mm to 5 mm.

[0060] Neither a height of the first structure 221 nor a height of the second structure 222 is limited in this embodiment of the present invention. The height of the first structure 221 and the height of the second structure 222 may be equal, that is, both are 1/2 of an overall height of the feeding structure 22.

[0061] The following describes an actual effect of the antenna component provided in this embodiment of the present invention by using an example. In this example, a diameter of a round radiation patch on the antenna component is 35 mm, a height of a grounding structure is 15 mm, an overall height of a feeding structure is 14.5 mm, and the grounding structure is a metal cylinder with a diameter of 1 mm. A first structure that is in the feeding structure and that is connected to the radiation patch is a metal cylinder with a diameter of 10 mm, and a second structure in the feeding structure is a metal cylinder with a diameter of 1 mm. A gain test shows that an antenna in which the antenna component is used has a standing wave ratio of less than 2.5 and a relative bandwidth of 23%. When a relative bandwidth is relatively high, an antenna pattern roundness of the antenna varies very slightly according to a frequency, and is less than 3.5 dB on a frequency band from 1.7 GHz to 2.2 GHz. The antenna can achieve a good transmission effect on a frequency band from 1.7 GHz to 2.1 GHz or from 2.3 GHz to 2.6 GHz.

[0062] Optionally, in this embodiment, there may be more than two grounding structures. For a manner of disposing the grounding structures, refer to related description in other embodiments of the present invention. Details are not described herein again.

[0063] Use of the antenna component provided in this embodiment of the present invention increases a contact area between a feeding structure and a radiation panel. This enhances a capacitive character and an inductive character between the feeding structure and a reference ground, and expands a bandwidth range of an antenna, thereby achieving a good signal coverage effect in a wider bandwidth range.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a front view of an antenna 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The antenna 3 may be used in a small cell device.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, the antenna 3 includes an antenna component 31 and a reflection panel 32. The antenna component 31 may be the antenna component according to any embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the antenna component 31 may be the antenna component according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0066] The antenna component 31 is connected to the reflection panel 32 by using a grounding structure 311, there is a gap between a feeding structure 312 of the antenna component 31 and the reflection panel 32, a projected area of the reflection panel 32 is greater than a projected area of a radiation patch 313 of the antenna component 31, and the projected area of the reflection panel 32 includes the projected area of the radiation patch 313.

[0067] A shape of the reflection panel 32 is not limited, for example, may be a rectangle, a circle, or another regular or irregular pattern. A material of the reflection panel is a metal material.

[0068] Specifically, one end of a grounding structure 311 of the antenna component 31 is connected to a radiation panel 313 of the antenna component 31, and the other end of the grounding structure 311 is connected to the reflection panel 32. One end of the feeding structure 312 is connected to the radiation panel 313 of the antenna component 31, and there is a gap between the other end of the feeding structure 312 and the reflection panel 32. For example, the gap ranges from 0.5 mm to 1 mm. That is, a height of the feeding structure 312 is 0.5 mm to 1 mm less than a height of the grounding structure 311.

[0069] Optionally, the antenna 3 may be connected to a radio frequency portion of the small cell device by using a coaxial cable or a microstrip, and is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal. An external conductor of the coaxial cable or the microstrip may be welded to the reflection panel 32, and an inner conductor of the coaxial cable or the microstrip may be connected to the antenna component 31 by means of welding.

[0070] Optionally, the antenna 3 may be an omnidirectional antenna.

[0071] The antenna provided in this embodiment of the present invention applies to a small cell device. In the antenna, grounding structures are disposed, symmetrically relative to a feeding structure, on a radiation patch. The antenna features a small size and even signal coverage, so that a signal coverage effect of a small cell device can be improved.

[0072] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a small cell device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] The small cell device 4 includes a built-in antenna 41, and the built-in antenna 41 may be the antenna shown in FIG. 5.

[0074] The small cell device 4 may further include a radio frequency unit 42 connected to the built-in antenna 41, and the radio frequency unit 42 is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal to the built-in antenna 41.

[0075] Optionally, the built-in antenna 41 may be connected to the radio frequency unit 42 by using a coaxial cable or a microstrip.

[0076] The small cell device 4may be a device such as a micro cell (micro cell) base station, a pico cell (pico cell) base station, or an access point (AP, access point). This is not limited in the present invention.

[0077] By using the small cell device provided in this embodiment of the present invention, in a built-in antenna of the small cell device, grounding structures are disposed, symmetrically relative to a feeding structure, on a radiation patch. The antenna features a small size and even signal coverage, so that a signal coverage effect of a small cell device can be improved.

[0078] Finally, it should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merely intended for describing the technical solutions of the present invention, but not for limiting the present invention. Although the present invention is described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, persons of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they may still make modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent replacements to some or all technical features thereof, without departing from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An antenna component, used in a small cell device, wherein the antenna component comprises a radiation patch, a feeding structure, and at least two grounding structures, wherein:

one end of the feeding structure is connected to the radiation patch, one end of each of the grounding structures is connected to the radiation patch, and the feeding structure and the grounding structures are located on a same side of the radiation patch; and

the at least two grounding structures are disposed, symmetrically relative to the feeding structure, on the radiation patch.

2. The antenna component according to claim 1, wherein the feeding structure comprises a first structure and a second structure, wherein one end of the first structure is connected to the radiation patch, the second structure is connected to the other end of the first structure, and a projected area of the first structure is greater than a projected area of the second structure.

3. The antenna component according to claim 2, wherein the projected area of the first structure is N times the projected area of the second structure, and N is an integer greater than 1.

4. The antenna component according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first structure is a metal cylinder, and the second structure is a metal cylinder or a rectangular metal sheet.

5. The antenna component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a height of the grounding structures is directly proportional to an operating bandwidth of an antenna on which the antenna component is disposed, and a height of the antenna component is greater than the height of the grounding structures.

6. The antenna component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a shape of the radiation patch is a centrosymmetrical or axisymmetrical pattern.

7. The antenna component according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a quantity of the grounding structures is directly proportional to an operating frequency band of the antenna on which the antenna component is disposed.

8. The antenna component according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:

the feeding structure is located in a central area of the radiation patch, and the central area is an area using a center point of the radiation patch as a center and one-tenth a wavelength as a diameter, wherein the wavelength is an electromagnetic wavelength corresponding to the operating frequency band of the antenna on which the antenna component is disposed.

9. The antenna component according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein:

the at least two grounding structures are located in an edge area of the radiation patch, and the edge area is an area between an edge of the radiation patch and a line that is one-tenth the wavelength away from the edge of the radiation patch, wherein the wavelength is the electromagnetic wavelength corresponding to the operating frequency band of the antenna on which the antenna component is disposed.

10. An antenna, used in a small cell device, comprising the antenna component according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a reflection panel, wherein:

a grounding structure of the antenna component is connected to the reflection panel, there is a gap between a feeding structure of the antenna component and the reflection panel, a projected area of the reflection panel is greater than a projected area of a radiation patch of the antenna component, and the projected area of the reflection panel comprises the projected area of the radiation patch.

11. The antenna according to claim 10, wherein the gap between the feeding structure of the antenna component and the reflection panel ranges from 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

12. A small cell device, comprising the antenna according to claim 10 or 11.

Drawing