Multi-band cellular basestation antenna

A base station equipped with a dual band antenna comprising a first set of radiating elements operable at a first frequency range having a centre-band wavelength λ1 and a centre-band frequency f1;

• a second set of radiating elements operable at a second frequency range having a centre-band wavelength λ2 and a centre-band frequency f2;
• and a ground plane;
• wherein the centre-band frequency f1 of the first frequency range is of the order of ¼-¾ of the centre-band frequency f2 of the second frequency range;
• wherein the first set of radiating elements is arranged in two columns spaced less than λ1 apart;
• wherein the second set of radiating elements are interleaved around the two columns of the first set of radiating elements, the second set of radiating elements being spaced less than λ2 apart;
• and
• wherein the elements are spaced apart from the around plane.

A method of operating a dual band antenna, said antenna comprising:

• a first set of radiating elements operable at a first frequency range having a centre-band wavelength λ1 and centre-band frequency f1;
• a second set of radiating elements operable at a second frequency range having a centre-band wavelength λ2 and a centre-band frequency f2;
• and a ground plane;
• wherein the centre-band frequency f1 of the first frequency range is of the order of ¼-¾ of the centre-band frequency f2 of the second frequency range;
• wherein the first set of radiating elements is arranged in two columns spaced less than λ1 apart;
• wherein the second set of radiating elements are interleaved around the two columns of the first radiating elements, the second set of radiating elements being spaced less than λ2 apart;
• and
• wherein the first and second sets of elements are spaced apart from the ground plane;
• wherein, in a transmit mode, the method comprises the steps of feeding signals to either of the first and second sets of radiating elements;
• and
• wherein, in a receive mode, the method comprises the steps of receiving incoming signals using either of the first and second sets of radiating elements.