Standard sub-array for receiving tiled phased array of Q / V-band low-orbit satellites

Abstract

The present invention discloses a standard subarray for receiving tiled phased arrays of low-orbit satellites in the Q / V frequency band. The subarray includes: an antenna cover, an antenna array surface, a tiled phased array receiving module, a synthesis network and a shell; the antenna cover adopts an electromagnetic metamaterial that can effectively improve the circular polarization axial ratio of large-angle scanning; the antenna array surface includes multiple antenna units; the tiled phased array receiving module is based on a multi-channel multifunctional chip, and the chip integrates amplification, phase shifting and attenuation functions. The present invention has the characteristics of flexible beam switching, simultaneous multi-beams, large-angle scanning of low circular polarization axial ratio, high integration and reliability, and modularization. It can be freely spliced, which provides convenience for constructing phased arrays of any scale.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of satellite communications and relates to a Q / V frequency band low-orbit satellite tile-type phased array receiving standard sub-array. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of satellite communications, phased arrays are increasingly being used due to their advantages in multi-beam, fast tracking and scanning, and high reliability. At present, international commercial satellite communication payloads have gradually moved towards the higher frequency Ka band while continuing to use the traditional C and Ku bands. It is foreseeable that the demand for commercial satellite bandwidth resources will continue to grow in the future, and the resources in the Ka band will become increasingly crowded. As the demand for communication capacity continues to increase, the demand for bandwidth for data transmission continues to increase, and the development of Q / V band communication payload technology is imminent.

[0003] In practical applications, phased array radar generates multiple directional beams in time to illuminate and track multiple targets. This traditional radar only illuminates one target at a time. If two targets are close within the radar azimuth range at a certain time, a wider beam can be emitted to illuminate both targets. However, this method is no longer applicable when used to observe multiple targets in different azimuths at the same time.

[0004] In satellite communications, due to the existence of the ionosphere, the Faraday rotation effect will occur when electromagnetic waves pass through, and circularly polarized waves can effectively overcome the influence of the Faraday rotation effect, so circularly polarized antennas are often used in satellite communications. Axial ratio is an important performance indicator of circularly polarized antennas. It represents the purity of circular polarization. The bandwidth with an axial ratio of no more than 3dB is defined as the circular polarization bandwidth of the antenna. It is an important indicator to measure the difference in signal gain of the whole machine in different directions, so it is very important to improve the large-angle axial ratio of circularly polarized antennas. The radome is a structure that protects the antenna system from the influence of the external environment. It has good electromagnetic wave penetration characteristics in electrical performance and can withstand the effects of harsh external environments in mechanical performance. Outdoor antennas are usually placed in the open air for work and are directly attacked by storms, ice and snow, dust and solar radiation in nature. Since the radome is a protective barrier in front of the antenna system, the focus of existing radome research is on wave transmittance and lightweight. There are few records on how to design the radome structure and materials to ensure good circular polarization axial ratio characteristics during large-angle scanning. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the problem of observing multiple targets in different directions at the same time and how to ensure good circular polarization axial ratio characteristics during large-angle scanning, the present invention provides a Q / V band low-orbit satellite tile phased array receiving standard subarray.

[0006] In order to achieve the above purpose, the present invention proposes the following scheme:

[0007] A Q / V band low-orbit satellite tile-type phased array receiving standard subarray, comprising: a radome, an antenna array surface, a tile-type phased array receiving module and a housing;

[0008] The radome, the antenna array surface, and the tile-type phased array receiving module are arranged in sequence from top to bottom, and the antenna array surface and the tile-type phased array receiving module are all located inside the shell;

[0009] The antenna cover includes a cover body and a plurality of metal ring groups embedded in the cover body and arranged in a rectangular periodic pattern, wherein the periodically arranged metal ring groups construct an electromagnetic metamaterial;

[0010] The antenna array includes N orthogonal slot coupling-fed multi-layer patch broadband microstrip circularly polarized antenna units, where N ≥ 16;

[0011] The tile-type phased array receiving module (3) comprises M phased array receiving submodules, each of which comprises N / M low noise amplifiers, N / M multifunctional chips and H sets of N / M-way-in-1 synthesizers; wherein M≥1, H≥2, and the values ​​of M and N must ensure that N / M is a positive integer;

[0012] N / M low noise amplifiers correspond to N / M multifunctional chips one by one, and are used to receive the signals sent by the antenna units and amplify them before inputting them into the multifunctional chips;

[0013] Each multifunctional chip includes a 1-way H power divider and H parallel signal processing channels, each of which integrates an amplifier, phase shifter, attenuator and equalizer;

[0014] The 1-to-H-way power divider in each multifunctional chip divides the signal output by the antenna unit into H-way signals, and then processes them through the H-way signal processing channel to output H-way signals. The H-way signals of all multifunctional chips are numbered in sequence and output to H sets of N / M-way-to-1 synthesizers for same-numbered beam combination;

[0015] The M phased array receiving submodules output H×M combined beam signals, and each combined beam signal is output in sequence.

[0016] Furthermore, when M≥2, the subarray also includes a synthesis network arranged below the tile-type phased array receiving module, and the synthesis network includes H sets of M-way synthesizers for combining 1; the input of the H sets of M-way synthesizers for combining 1 is an H×M-way combined beam signal, and the output of the H sets of M-way synthesizers for combining 1 is an H-way secondary combined beam signal.

[0017] Furthermore, the above-mentioned metal ring group includes three layers of hexagonal metal rings of different sizes, and the three layers of hexagonal metal rings have different embedded heights. The small ring is farthest from the antenna array surface, and the large ring is closest to the antenna array surface; the outer dimensions of the metal ring group gradually increase with the distance from the center of the antenna array surface.

[0018] Furthermore, in the above antenna array, 2×2 antenna units are used as an array submodule, and the four antenna units in the array submodule are rotated 90° in sequence.

[0019] Furthermore, a single antenna unit includes an antenna part, a feeder part and a circular polarization structure part from top to bottom.

[0020] Furthermore, the antenna part includes a secondary radiating surface, a main radiating surface, a dielectric cavity, a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer; the dielectric cavity is used to increase the antenna bandwidth; the secondary radiating surface is arranged on the first dielectric layer, and the main radiating surface is arranged on the second dielectric layer.

[0021] Further, the feeder section includes a first floor having two orthogonal rectangular slots, two orthogonal feeders, a third dielectric layer, a fourth dielectric layer and a second floor;

[0022] The first floor, the third dielectric layer, two orthogonal feed lines, the fourth dielectric layer and the second floor are arranged in order from top to bottom;

[0023] Metallized vias are designed on the third dielectric layer (2123) and the fourth dielectric layer (2124) to surround two orthogonal feed lines to form a substrate integrated waveguide cavity.

[0024] Furthermore, the circular polarization structure includes a fifth dielectric layer, a 3dB bridge, a sixth dielectric layer and a third ground layer which are arranged in sequence from top to bottom; the 3dB bridge is a stripline structure.

[0025] Furthermore, the housing is provided with H radio frequency interfaces for outputting secondary beam combining signals and a power supply and control interface for providing power supply and control signals.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0027] 1. The present invention has the characteristics of flexible beam switching and simultaneous multi-beam. The antenna array of the present invention is composed of a multi-layer patch broadband microstrip circularly polarized antenna unit fed by multiple orthogonal slot coupling, and is combined with a tile-type phased array receiving module composed of multiple phased array receiving submodules, which can realize the observation of multiple targets in different directions at the same time, greatly improving the observation efficiency of the antenna.

[0028] 2. The present invention has the characteristics of large-angle scanning with low circular polarization axial ratio. The present invention adopts a plurality of metal ring groups and a cover body arranged in a rectangular periodic pattern to form an antenna cover, and constructs an electromagnetic metamaterial through a plurality of metal ring groups arranged periodically inside the antenna cover, which compensates for the phase difference between array elements during large-angle scanning and can effectively improve the performance of large-angle circular polarization axial ratio of beam scanning.

[0029] 3. The present invention has the characteristics of high reliability and easy maintenance. The present invention adopts a multifunctional chip solution. A phased array receiving submodule contains multiple multifunctional chips, which can effectively simplify the chip peripheral circuits and interconnection processes, reduce the chip circuit area, improve the component integration and comprehensive performance, reduce the space occupied by a single channel circuit of the component, and achieve high-density integration and low-cost design of tile-type components, solving the problem of limited lateral space of tile-type phased array antennas. At the same time, each subarray module is independent of each other and can be debugged separately. If a fault occurs, any subarray can be easily disassembled for repair or replacement, thereby improving the maintainability of the equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0031] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional exploded view of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the radome;

[0033] Figure 3 is a top view of the radome;

[0034] Figure 4 A three-dimensional exploded view of a single antenna unit;

[0035] Figure 5 A three-dimensional exploded view of the antenna submodule;

[0036] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the principle of the phased array receiving submodule;

[0037] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0038] 1-radome, 11-cover body, 12-metal ring group;

[0039] 2-antenna array surface; 21-antenna unit, 211-antenna part, 2111-slave radiation surface, 2112-main radiation surface, 2113-dielectric cavity, 2114-first dielectric layer, 2115-second dielectric layer, 212-feeder part, 2121-first floor, 2122-two orthogonal feeders, 2123-third dielectric layer, 2124 fourth dielectric layer, 2125-second floor, 213-circular polarization structure, 2131-fifth dielectric layer, 2132-3dB bridge, 2133-sixth dielectric layer, 2134-third floor;

[0040] 3- Tile-type phased array receiving module;

[0041] 4-synthetic network; 5-shell;

[0042] 6-RF interface; 7-power supply and control interface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings of the specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, but not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary persons in the art without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0044] In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention, but the present invention may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art may make similar generalizations without violating the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0045] At the same time, in the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms "upper, lower, inside and outside" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0046] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "install, connect, connect" should be understood in a broad sense, for example: it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection or an integral connection; it can also be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection or a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0047] like Figure 1As shown, a Q / V band low-orbit satellite tile phased array receiving standard subarray includes: a radome 1, an antenna array surface 2, a tile phased array receiving module 3, a synthesis network 4 and a shell 5;

[0048] The radome 1, the antenna array surface 2, the tile-type phased array receiving module 3, and the synthesis network 4 are arranged in sequence from top to bottom;

[0049] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown, the antenna cover 1 includes a cover body 11 and a plurality of metal ring groups 12 (the number of the metal ring groups in this embodiment is 16) embedded in the cover body 11 and periodically arranged in a matrix, and an electromagnetic metamaterial is constructed by the 16 periodically arranged metal ring groups; each metal ring group 12 includes three layers of hexagonal metal rings of different sizes, and the three layers of hexagonal metal rings are embedded at different heights, the small rings are farthest from the antenna array surface 2, and the large rings are closest to the antenna array surface 2; the outer dimensions of the 16 metal ring groups 12 gradually increase with the distance from the center of the antenna array surface 2, and the phase deviation caused by beam scanning can be compensated by adjusting the size of each metal ring group 12 to ensure good circular polarization axial ratio characteristics during large-angle scanning.

[0050] The antenna array 2 includes N orthogonal slot coupling-fed multi-layer patch broadband microstrip circularly polarized antenna units (the number of antenna units in this embodiment is 64), and each 2×2 antenna units serve as an array submodule (that is, the number of array submodules is 16);

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, the single antenna unit 21 includes an antenna portion 211 , a feeder portion 212 and a circular polarization structure portion 213 from top to bottom.

[0052] The antenna part 211 includes a radiation surface 2111 ( Figure 4 Medium circular piece), main radiation surface 2112 ( Figure 4 The dielectric cavity 2113 is used to increase the antenna bandwidth.

[0053] The feed line section 212 includes two orthogonal rectangular slots ( Figure 4 A1 and A2 are two orthogonal rectangular slots, a first floor 2121, two orthogonal feed lines 2122, a third dielectric layer 2123, a fourth dielectric layer 2124 and a second floor 2125. The first floor 2121 also serves as the floor of the antenna unit. Metallized vias are designed on the third dielectric layer 2123 and the fourth dielectric layer 2124 to surround the two orthogonal feed lines to form a substrate integrated waveguide cavity.

[0054] The circular polarization structure 213 includes a fifth dielectric layer 2131 , a 3dB bridge 2132 , a sixth dielectric layer 2133 and a third ground plane 2134 ;

[0055] The two orthogonal feed lines 2122 couple energy through two orthogonal rectangular slots to excite two orthogonal modes to achieve vertical and horizontal polarization working states. When the two orthogonal feed lines feed energy with equal amplitude and a phase difference of ±90°, the antenna unit works in a left-hand circular polarization or a right-hand circular polarization state. The antenna unit 21 achieves circular polarization characteristics through a 3dB bridge 2132 with a stripline structure.

[0056] Among them, the slave radiation surface 2111, the main radiation surface 2112, the first floor 2121, the two orthogonal feed lines 2122, the second floor 2125, the 3dB bridge 2132, and the third floor 2134 are 7 metal layers;

[0057] The dielectric cavity 2113 , the first dielectric layer 2114 , the second dielectric layer 2115 , the third dielectric layer 2123 , the fourth dielectric layer 2124 , the fifth dielectric layer 2131 , and the sixth dielectric layer 2133 constitute seven dielectric layers.

[0058] like Figure 5 As shown, in each array submodule, the four antenna units are rotated 90° in sequence, thereby widening and improving the circular polarization axial ratio characteristics in one step.

[0059] The tile-type phased array receiving module 3 includes M phased array receiving submodules (the number of the phased array receiving submodules in this embodiment is 4);

[0060] like Figure 6 As shown, each phased array receiving submodule includes N / M low noise amplifiers, N / M multifunctional chips, and H sets of N / M-way-in-1 synthesizers; (in this embodiment, since N=64, M=4, H=4, there are 16 low noise amplifiers and multifunctional chips in this embodiment, and 4 16-way-in-1 synthesizers);

[0061] The 16 low-noise amplifiers correspond to the 16 multi-function chips one by one. The low-noise amplifiers are used to receive the signals sent by the antenna units and amplify them before inputting them into the multi-function chips.

[0062] Each multifunctional chip includes a 1-to-4-way power divider and 4 parallel signal processing channels. Each signal processing channel integrates an amplifier, phase shifter, attenuator and equalizer.

[0063] The 1-to-4 power splitter in each multifunctional chip divides the signal output by the antenna unit into 4 channels, and then outputs 4 channels of signals after being processed by the 4-channel signal processing channels in the multifunctional chip. The 4-channel signals of all multifunctional chips are numbered in sequence and then output to 4 sets of 16-channel-to-1 synthesizers for same-numbered beam combination.

[0064] Finally, the four phased array receiving submodules output 16 combined beam signals, and each combined beam signal is output to the synthesis network according to the sequence number.

[0065] The synthesis network 4 includes H sets of M-way-into-1 synthesizers (in this embodiment, 4 sets of 4-way-into-1 synthesizers), and the 4 sets of 4-way-into-1 synthesizers combine the combined signals with the same number output by the 4 phased array receiving submodules again to form 4 secondary combined signals;

[0066] The shell 5 is a supporting body, and the antenna array 2, the tile-type phased array receiving module 3, and the synthesis network 4 are sequentially arranged inside the shell 5 from top to bottom. The shell 5 is provided with H RF interfaces 6 with SMP connectors (in this embodiment, the number of RF interfaces 6 is 4, and 4 secondary beam combining signals are output to the outside through one RF interface 6 respectively) and a power control interface 7 with a J30J connector.

[0067] The present embodiment is a tile-type phased array receiving standard sub-array that can be expanded by building blocks, freely spliced, flexibly designed, and conveniently constructs a phased array of any scale.

[0068] Based on the above description of the standard sub-array structure of the Q / V band low-orbit satellite tile phased array receiver, the working principle of the standard sub-array is introduced as follows:

[0069] The specific working process of the standard subarray is as follows:

[0070] The signal passes through the antenna cover 1 and reaches the antenna array surface, and is received by the antenna array surface 2. Each antenna unit 21 outputs a circularly polarized wave. Each multifunctional chip is connected to an antenna port output by an antenna unit 21. The multifunctional chip first performs power division, then phase shifts, attenuates and amplifies each channel, and then outputs 4 signals. The 4 signals are numbered in sequence.

[0071] The signals with the same output number from the 16 multifunctional chips are combined into one beam. Finally, one phased array receiving submodule outputs 4 combined beam signals. Then, the 4 phased array receiving submodules output 16 combined beam signals in total. Each combined beam signal is numbered in sequence.

[0072] The synthesis network 4 combines the combined beam signals with the same number output by the four phased array receiving submodules again to form four secondary combined beam signals, and each secondary combined beam signal is outputted externally through a radio frequency interface 6 .

[0073] It should be emphasized here that if the tile-type phased array receiving module 3 in this embodiment includes only one phased array receiving submodule, the synthesis network 4 is not required to perform secondary beam combining processing, and the tile-type phased array receiving module 3 directly outputs the signal to the outside through the radio frequency interface 6.

[0074] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A Q / V band low-orbit satellite tile phased array receiving standard subarray, characterized in that: include: A radome (1), an antenna array surface (2), a tile-type phased array receiving module (3) and a housing (5); The radome (1), the antenna array surface (2), and the tile-type phased array receiving module (3) are arranged in sequence from top to bottom, and the antenna array surface (2) and the tile-type phased array receiving module (3) are both located inside the housing (5); The antenna cover (1) comprises a cover body (11) and a plurality of metal ring groups (12) embedded in the cover body (11) and arranged in a rectangular periodic pattern, wherein the periodically arranged metal ring groups (12) construct an electromagnetic metamaterial; the metal ring groups (12) comprise three layers of hexagonal metal rings of different sizes, the three layers of hexagonal metal rings are embedded at different heights, the small rings are farthest from the antenna array surface (2), and the large rings are closest to the antenna array surface (2); the outer dimensions of the metal ring group (12) gradually increase as the distance away from the center of the antenna array surface (2) increases; The antenna array (2) includes N orthogonal slot coupling-fed multi-layer patch broadband microstrip circularly polarized antenna units (21), where N is ≥ 16; The tile-type phased array receiving module (3) comprises M phased array receiving submodules, each of which comprises N / M low noise amplifiers, N / M multifunctional chips and H sets of N / M-channel-in-1 synthesizers; in M≥1, H≥2, and the values ​​of M and N must ensure that N / M is a positive integer; N / M low noise amplifiers correspond to N / M multifunctional chips one by one, and are used to receive the signals sent by the antenna units and amplify them before inputting them into the multifunctional chips; Each multifunctional chip includes a 1-way H power divider and H parallel signal processing channels, each of which integrates an amplifier, phase shifter, attenuator and equalizer; The 1-to-H-way power divider in each multifunctional chip divides the signal output by the antenna unit into H-way signals, and then processes them through the H-way signal processing channel to output H-way signals. The H-way signals of all multifunctional chips are numbered in sequence and output to H sets of N / M-way-to-1 synthesizers for same-numbered beam combination; The M phased array receiving submodules output H×M combined beam signals, and each combined beam signal is output in sequence; When M≥2, the subarray further comprises a synthesis network (4) arranged below the tile-type phased array receiving module (3), the synthesis network comprising H sets of M-way-into-1 synthesizers; the H sets of M-way-into-1 synthesizer input is an H×M-way combined beam signal, and the H sets of M-way-into-1 synthesizer output is an H-way secondary combined beam signal.

2. The Q / V band low-orbit satellite tile phased array receiving standard sub-array as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: In the antenna array, 2×2 antenna units are used as an array submodule, and the four antenna units in the array submodule are rotated 90 degrees in sequence.

3. The Q / V band low-orbit satellite tile phased array receiving standard subarray as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The single antenna unit (21) comprises, from top to bottom, an antenna portion (211), a feeder portion (212) and a circular polarization structure portion (213).

4. The Q / V band low-orbit satellite tile phased array receiving standard sub-array as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The antenna part (211) comprises a secondary radiation surface (2111), a main radiation surface (2112), a dielectric cavity (2113), a first dielectric layer (2114) and a second dielectric layer (2115); the dielectric cavity (2113) is used to increase the bandwidth of the antenna; the secondary radiation surface (2111) is arranged on the first dielectric layer (2114), and the main radiation surface (2112) is arranged on the second dielectric layer (2115).

5. The Q / V band low-orbit satellite tile phased array receiving standard sub-array as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The feeder section (212) comprises a first floor (2121) having two orthogonal rectangular gaps, two orthogonal feeders (2122), a third dielectric layer (2123), a fourth dielectric layer (2124) and a second floor (2125); The first floor (2121), the third dielectric layer (2123), two orthogonal feed lines (2122), the fourth dielectric layer (2124) and the second floor (2125) are arranged in sequence from top to bottom; Metallized vias are designed on the third dielectric layer (2123) and the fourth dielectric layer (2124) to surround two orthogonal feed lines to form a substrate integrated waveguide cavity.

6. The Q / V band low-orbit satellite tile phased array receiving standard subarray as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The circular polarization structure (213) comprises a fifth dielectric layer (2131), a 3dB bridge (2132), a sixth dielectric layer (2133) and a third floor plate (2134) which are arranged in sequence from top to bottom; The 3dB bridge (2132) is a stripline structure.

7. The Q / V band low-orbit satellite tile phased array receiving standard subarray as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The housing is provided with H radio frequency interfaces (6) for outputting secondary beam combining signals and a power supply and control interface (7) for providing power supply and control signals.

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