Beamwidth control of base station antennas employing reflectors and directors

The effects of reflectors and directors on the radiation pattern of a base station antenna are studied. A ±45° linear-polarized cross-dipole with an operating band from 1.7 GHz to 2.7 GHz is designed as an example. The antenna is then encircled by a conducting wall constructed using vertical reflectors to control its horizontal half-power beam-width (HPBW). Subsequently, cross-directors are placed above the antenna, which provides another solution to control the HPBW. A parametric study is conducted, and the findings can serve as design guidelines for the design of wide band base station antennas.