Downtilt control for multiple antenna arrays

1. Field of the Invention The downtilt angles of two (or more) variable-phase, phased-array antennas are simultaneously controlled by configuring each antenna with an integrated power-splitter/phase-shifter assembly that splits (and/or combines) power and shifts phase for signals transmitted (and/or received) by the antenna. Movable components in each of the integrated power-splitter/phase-shifter assemblies are connected to a common linkage, which is in turn configured to a common motor, which is controlled by a controller. Motion of the common motor is translated (e.g., by one or more gear boxes) into motion of the linkage, which moves the components within the integrated assemblies, thereby changing the electro-magnetic characteristics of a (e.g., microstrip) conductor within each integrated assembly to control the amount of phase shift applied to the signals. In one implementation, the movable components in the integrated assemblies are dielectric wedges that are sandwiched between the microstrip conductor and a ground plane, where movement of the wedges between the microstrip conductor and the ground plane changes the phase-shift angle applied to signals at that position along the microstrip conductor. The present invention is especially suitable for the separate uplink and downlink antenna arrays used in base stations of wireless communication networks.