Abstract: A base station antenna includes an internal radome and a multi-column antenna array antenna. The internal radome can be configured with a plurality of columns, each having an outwardly projecting peak segment and each neighboring column of the internal radome can be separated by a valley. Each outwardly projecting peak segment(s) is oriented to project toward a front of the base station antenna and is positioned medially aligned over a respective column of the multi-column antenna array to thereby reduce mutual coupling of respective elements and/or columns of elements and/or provide a common near field environment for each element and/or each column.

Abstract: Base station antennas include a main module that has a first backplane that includes a first reflector. A vertically-extending array of first radiating elements is mounted to extend forwardly from the first reflector, and at least one first RF port is coupled to the vertically-extending array of first radiating elements. These antennas further include a sub-module that is attached to the first backplane. The sub-module includes a second backplane that has a second reflector that is separate from the first reflector. A vertically-extending array of second radiating elements is mounted to extend forwardly from the second reflector and is transversely spaced-apart from the vertically-extending array of first radiating elements. A plurality of second RF ports are coupled to the vertically-extending array of second radiating elements. The vertically-extending array of first radiating elements and the vertically-extending array of second radiating elements are configured to serve a common sector of a base station.

Abstract: A base station antenna includes a radio frequency (RF) lens positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation from a radiating element, the RF lens including an RF energy focusing material and a first heat dissipation channel that extends through the RF energy focusing material of the RF lens and contains a cooling fluid.

Abstract: Base station antennas are provided herein. A base station antenna includes a multiband beam-former array having a plurality of vertical columns of radiating elements. In some embodiments, at least two of the vertical columns are commonly fed for a first frequency band of the multiband beam-former array that is lower than a second frequency band of the multiband beam-former array. Related methods of operation are also provided.

Abstract: Base station antennas include an externally accessible active antenna module releasably coupled to a recessed segment that is over a chamber in the base station antenna and that is longitudinally and laterally extending along and across a rear of a base station antenna housing. The base station antenna housing has a passive antenna assembly that cooperates with the active antenna module.

Abstract: According to methods of performing measurements to determine a distance to a passive-intermodulation (“PIM”) source, a first RF signal comprising a first frequency and a second RF signal comprising a second frequency may be applied to a device under test. A reference signal comprising a higher-order intermodulation-product of the first frequency and the second frequency may also be generated. An output signal from the device under test and the reference signal may be digitized and a calibration measurement may be applied. A phase difference between the device under test output and the reference signal may be determined. A plurality of phase differences may be determined for multiple first frequencies, and from the plurality of phase differences, a delay may be calculated, which may be multiplied by the velocity of propagation on the medium connecting the device under test to the test equipment to determine a distance to the PIM source.

Abstract: A base station antenna includes an internal radome and a multi-column antenna array antenna. The internal radome can be configured with a plurality of columns, each having an outwardly projecting peak segment and each neighboring column of the internal radome can be separated by a valley. Each outwardly projecting peak segment(s) is oriented to project toward a front of the base station antenna and is positioned medially aligned over a respective column of the multi-column antenna array to thereby reduce mutual coupling of respective elements and/or columns of elements and/or provide a common near field environment for each element and/or each column.

Abstract: Antenna systems are provided. An antenna system includes a beamforming array having a plurality of vertical columns of radiating elements that are each configured to transmit at least three antenna beams per polarization. Moreover, the antenna system includes a beamforming radio having a plurality of radio frequency ports per polarization that are coupled to and fewer than the vertical columns.

Abstract: Devices having bypassable radio frequency (RF) filters are provided. A device includes a bypassable RF filter and an adjustable-length RF transmission line that is coupled thereto. Moreover, the device includes a component that is coupled to the adjustable-length RF transmission line and is configured to change an electrical length of the adjustable-length RF transmission line between a first length and a second length. Related methods of bypassing the bypassable RF filter are also provided.

Abstract: Base station antennas include a main module that has a first backplane that includes a first reflector. A vertically-extending array of first radiating elements is mounted to extend forwardly from the first reflector, and at least one first RF port is coupled to the vertically-extending array of first radiating elements. These antennas further include a sub-module that is attached to the first backplane. The sub-module includes a second backplane that has a second reflector that is separate from the first reflector. A vertically-extending array of second radiating elements is mounted to extend forwardly from the second reflector and is transversely spaced-apart from the vertically-extending array of first radiating elements. A plurality of second RF ports are coupled to the vertically-extending array of second radiating elements. The vertically-extending array of first radiating elements and the vertically-extending array of second radiating elements are configured to serve a common sector of a base station.

Abstract: A base station antenna includes a radio frequency (RF) lens positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation from a radiating element, the RF lens including an RF energy focusing material and a first heat dissipation channel that extends through the RF energy focusing material of the RF lens and contains a cooling fluid.

Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a panel, a plurality of feed boards on the panel, each of the feed boards including at least one radiating element, a base-level adjustable phase shifter including a plurality of outputs, a first feed board adjustable phase shifter mounted on a first of the feed boards and a first cable that forms a transmission path between a first of the outputs of the base-level adjustable phase shifter and the first feed board.

Abstract: A base station antenna includes a first antenna having first and second spaced-apart columns of first radiating elements therein, which are configured to operate within a first frequency band. An active antenna system (AAS) is provided, which is configured to operate within a second, typically higher, frequency band. The AAS includes a second antenna within a space between the first and second columns of first radiating elements. These first radiating elements may include tilted feed stalks which support higher integration by enabling the first radiating elements to overhang at least a portion of the second antenna.

Abstract: Base station antennas include an externally accessible active antenna module releasably coupled to a recessed segment that is over a chamber in the base station antenna and that is longitudinally and laterally extending along and across a rear of a base station antenna housing. The base station antenna housing has a passive antenna assembly that cooperates with the active antenna module.

Abstract: Radiating elements of first and second linear arrays of radiating elements have respective feed stalks that can reside at an angle to provide a balanced dipole arm with an inner end portion laterally offset to be closer to a right or left side of the base station antenna and reflector than an outer end portion that faces a radome of the base station antenna. The feed stalk can include sheet metal legs and printed circuit boards providing an RF transmission line(s).

Abstract: Base station antennas include an externally accessible active antenna module releasably coupled to a recessed segment that is over a chamber in the base station antenna and that is longitudinally and laterally extending along and across a rear of a base station antenna housing. The base station antenna housing has a passive antenna assembly that cooperates with the active antenna module.

Abstract: Base station antennas include a main module that has a first backplane that includes a first reflector. A vertically-extending array of first radiating elements is mounted to extend forwardly from the first reflector, and at least one first RF port is coupled to the vertically-extending array of first radiating elements. These antennas further include a sub-module that is attached to the first backplane. The sub-module includes a second backplane that has a second reflector that is separate from the first reflector. A vertically-extending array of second radiating elements is mounted to extend forwardly from the second reflector and is transversely spaced-apart from the vertically-extending array of first radiating elements. A plurality of second RF ports are coupled to the vertically-extending array of second radiating elements. The vertically-extending array of first radiating elements and the vertically-extending array of second radiating elements are configured to serve a common sector of a base station.

Abstract: An integrated base station antenna includes a feed board having a plurality of columns of radiating elements mounted thereon and a plurality of phase shifters coupled to the plurality of columns of radiating elements mounted on a same side of the feed board as the plurality of columns of radiating elements.

Abstract: According to methods of performing measurements to determine a distance to a passive-intermodulation (“PIM”) source, a first RF signal comprising a first frequency and a second RF signal comprising a second frequency may be applied to a device under test. A reference signal comprising a higher-order intermodulation-product of the first frequency and the second frequency may also be generated. An output signal from the device under test and the reference signal may be digitized and a calibration measurement may be applied. A phase difference between the device under test output and the reference signal may be determined. A plurality of phase differences may be determined for multiple first frequencies, and from the plurality of phase differences, a delay may be calculated, which may be multiplied by the velocity of propagation on the medium connecting the device under test to the test equipment to determine a distance to the PIM source.

Abstract: Base station antennas are provided herein. A base station antenna includes a multiband beam-former array having a plurality of vertical columns of radiating elements. In some embodiments, at least two of the vertical columns are commonly fed for a first frequency band of the multiband beam-former array that is lower than a second frequency band of the multiband beam-former array. Related methods of operation are also provided.