An integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna

Abstract

The present invention discloses an integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna, which includes: a plurality of fully functional digital active sub-array antennas, a frame, an air duct and a fan. The plurality of digital active sub-array antennas are arranged in a tile-like manner and embedded in the frame. The air duct is installed on the rear side of the frame and is opposite to the position of the digital active antenna, and the fan is connected to the air duct. The plurality of digital active sub-array antennas of the digital array antenna of the present invention are arranged and integrated in an array. By adding or reducing digital active sub-array antennas, the expansion of array antennas of different scales and forms is achieved; the digital array antenna adopts a linear forward installation and an external rearward air duct for heat dissipation, which is convenient for the maintenance and repair of the array antenna; a composite sealing ring is used inside the digital active sub-array antenna and between the digital active sub-array antenna and the frame to achieve water sealing and electromagnetic shielding. The array antenna system of the present invention has the advantages of high integration, small profile size, good platform adaptability, good extensibility, simple structural system, and convenient installation and maintenance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of wireless communications, and in particular relates to an integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing integration of wireless communication devices, tile array antennas have been increasingly used. Traditional phased array antennas generally adopt a brick-type structure, in which the modules are connected by cables, adapter backplanes or integrated layers. The modules of brick-type array antennas are vertically integrated, that is, integrated in the thickness direction, and their liquid cooling or air cooling heat dissipation structure is generally integrated inside the antenna. There are problems such as long R&D cycle, large cross-sectional dimensions, poor scalability, complex structure, and difficulty in installation and maintenance. Specifically, they are as follows: (1) Brick-type array antennas generally use sub-arrays and replaceable units to improve system integration and scalability. There is interconnection / cascading of signal, data, power supply and other transmission distribution between sub-arrays and replaceable units. When expanding the system, many subsystems need to be redesigned, resulting in a long new product development cycle and high cost. (2) In order to control the weight and size of the replaceable units, many replaceable units do not have complete functions, making debugging and testing difficult, and product development and development difficult. The cycle is long; (3) The cross-sectional dimensions of the brick-type array antenna are large, and conformal array design cannot be achieved; (4) The internal component modules of the brick-type array antenna generally use built-in liquid cooling or built-in air cooling to solve the heat dissipation problem of high-power devices. However, built-in liquid cooling is prone to risks such as complex cooling pipes, corrosion and blockage of cold plates, uneven flow, and short circuits caused by leakage of liquid cooling connectors and pipes. Built-in air cooling has problems such as electromagnetic shielding, moisture, salt spray, dust, and noise. In addition, when the brick-type array antenna system is expanded, the cooling system generally needs to be redesigned; (5) Brick-type array antennas generally adopt a combination of forward installation and maintenance of antenna units and rear installation and maintenance of component modules, which has a complex structure and is difficult to maintain. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, in order to overcome the defects of the brick-type array antenna system in the prior art, such as long expansion period, high cost, incomplete functions of replaceable units, large cross-sectional dimensions, problems with the heat dissipation system and difficulty in subsequent maintenance, the present invention provides an integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna.

[0004] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna, the array antenna comprising: a plurality of independently designed digital active sub-array antennas, a frame, an air duct and a fan, the plurality of digital active sub-array antennas are arranged in a tile-like manner and embedded in the frame, the air duct is installed on the rear side of the frame and is opposite to the position of the digital active antenna, and the fan is connected to the air duct.

[0005] Preferably, the digital active subarray antenna comprises: a low-profile antenna layer, a filter layer, an amplifying frequency conversion layer, a digital sampling layer and a subarray frame; in order from top to bottom, the low-profile antenna layer, the filter layer, the amplifying frequency conversion layer and the digital acquisition layer are integrated and installed on the subarray frame layer by layer; the low-profile antenna layer, the filter layer, the amplifying frequency conversion layer and the digital acquisition layer are blindly connected by using RF connectors inside each layer.

[0006] Preferably, the low-profile antenna layer consists of an integral radome located on the outside and an array of sub-array units located on the inside of the radome; the filter layer, amplification and frequency conversion layer, and digital acquisition layer all adopt a tile array arrangement, and the tile array arrangement corresponds to the sub-array unit array in the low-profile antenna layer.

[0007] Preferably, the size of the amplifying frequency conversion layer and the digital sampling layer is smaller than the size of the low-profile antenna layer.

[0008] Preferably, waterproof conductive sealing rings are provided between the low-profile antenna layer and the subarray frame, and between the amplification and frequency conversion layer and the subarray frame.

[0009] Preferably, the digital active sub-array antenna uses optical fiber to transmit digital signals.

[0010] Preferably, in the array antenna, the distance between any two adjacent digital active sub-array antennas satisfies: the lateral distance between any two adjacent sub-array units between the two adjacent digital active sub-array antennas is equal to the lateral distance between the sub-array units in a single digital active sub-array antenna; and the longitudinal distance between any two adjacent sub-array units between the two adjacent digital active sub-array antennas is equal to the longitudinal distance between the sub-array units in a single digital active sub-array antenna.

[0011] Preferably, the array antenna is a planar array antenna, a cylindrical array antenna or a spherical array antenna.

[0012] Preferably, the air duct is an integrated external air duct or an assembled external air duct.

[0013] Preferably, a waterproof conductive sealing ring is used to seal between the digital active subarray antenna and the frame.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna disclosed by the present invention, the array antenna adopts a plurality of digital active sub-array antennas with complete functions to be integrated in a certain arrangement, and the expansion of tile-type planar array antennas or conformal array antennas of different scales and forms can be realized by adding or reducing digital active sub-array antennas, and the system has high integration, small profile size, good platform adaptability and expansibility; the digital array antenna adopts the design of forward installation and maintenance of digital active sub-array antennas and external rear air duct heat dissipation, and this design is convenient for the maintenance, repair and expansion of the array antenna, and a composite sealing ring is adopted inside the digital active sub-array antenna and between it and the external frame to realize water sealing and electromagnetic shielding. In summary, the integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna system of the present invention has the advantages of high integration, small profile size, good platform adaptability, good expansibility, simple structural system and convenient installation and maintenance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a front schematic diagram of an integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the back side of the integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the front view of the digital active sub-array antenna in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the back side of the digital active sub-array antenna in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 An exploded diagram of a digital active subarray antenna in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 7 It is a partial schematic diagram of an integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna integrated with 32 digital active sub-array antennas in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Fig. 9 It is an integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna in a semi-cylindrical shape in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of an exploded structure of a low-profile antenna layer in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] In the figure: 1. digital active subarray antenna 2. frame 3. air duct 4. fan 5. waterproof conductive sealing ring I 101. low-profile antenna layer 102. filter layer 103. amplification and frequency conversion layer 104. digital sampling layer 105. subarray frame 106. waterproof conductive sealing ring II 107. RF connector 1011. antenna cover 1012. subarray unit 1021. filter group 1012-1. array radiation patch 1012-2. foam dielectric layer 1012-3. orthogonal feed arm 1012-4. microstrip bridge 1012-5. reflector 1012-6. RF connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described herein are intended to help readers understand the principles of the present invention, and should be understood that the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to such specific statements and embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various other specific variations and combinations that do not deviate from the essence of the present invention based on the technical revelations disclosed by the present invention, and these variations and combinations are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] A kind of Figures 1 to 3 The integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna shown in the figure comprises: a plurality of independently designed digital active sub-array antennas 1, a frame 2, an air duct 3 and a fan 4, wherein the plurality of digital active sub-array antennas 1 are arranged in a tile-like manner and embedded in the frame 2. Figure 1 Shown and Figure 3 As shown, the digital active subarray antenna 1 is installed forward on the array antenna for maintenance.

[0029] According to actual needs, the array antenna of the present invention can be expanded into tile-type planar array antennas or conformal array antennas of different scales and forms by adding or reducing digital active sub-array antennas 1. As an embodiment, Figure 1 The figure shows a planar digital array antenna integrated with 20 digital active sub-array antennas 1. Figure 8 The figure shows a planar digital array antenna integrated with 32 digital active sub-array antennas 1. Fig. 9 What is shown is a cylindrical digital array antenna integrated with 28 digital active sub-array antennas 1. Similarly, the array antenna of the present invention can also be expanded into different shapes such as a sphere according to actual needs.

[0030] Since the digital active subarray antenna 1 not only has a complete structural maintenance unit, but also is a module with complete telecommunication functions, it can be debugged and tested separately, so it can be used to conveniently implement the expansion of the array antenna, and also facilitate the later maintenance and repair of the array antenna.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the air duct 3 is integrated and installed on the rear side of the frame 2 and is opposite to the position of the digital active sub-array antenna 1. The air duct 3 is connected to the fan 4 to dissipate heat for the digital active sub-array antenna 1. It can be seen from the figure that the array antenna system adopts an external rear air duct for heat dissipation. Figure 2 The air duct 3 shown is an integrated external air duct. Figure 8 The assembled external air duct 3 is shown. This design avoids the complicated liquid cooling system, the risks of cold plate corrosion, leakage and short circuit, and the like, and there are no problems with moisture, corrosion, sand and dust in the built-in air duct.

[0032] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the digital active subarray antenna 1 comprises: a low-profile antenna layer 101, a filter layer 102, an amplifying frequency conversion layer 103, a digital sampling layer 104 and a subarray frame 105; wherein the low-profile antenna layer 101 is composed of an integral antenna cover 1011 located on the outside and subarray units 1012 arranged in an array on the inside of the antenna cover 1011; the filter layer 102, the amplifying frequency conversion layer 103 and the digital sampling layer 104 are all arranged in a tile array, and the tile array arrangement corresponds to the array of subarray units 1012 in the low-profile antenna layer 101; as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As described above, the filter layer 102 includes a plurality of filter groups 1021 arranged in a tile array, wherein the number and arrangement of the filter groups 1021 correspond one-to-one to the subarray units 1012. The components in the digital active subarray antenna 1 are sequentially and integratedly installed layer by layer on the subarray frame 105, including the low-profile antenna layer 101, the filter layer 102, the amplifying and frequency-converting layer 103, and the digital sampling layer 104, from top to bottom, and the low-profile antenna layer 101, the filter layer 102, the amplifying and frequency-converting layer 103, and the digital sampling layer 104 are connected by blind plugging using the RF connector 107.

[0033] As an example, Figure 6 As shown, a waterproof conductive sealing ring II 106 is provided between the low-profile antenna layer 101 and the subarray frame 105, and between the amplifying frequency conversion layer 130 and the subarray frame 105. In addition, the provision of the three layers of composite waterproof conductive sealing rings simultaneously completes waterproof sealing and electromagnetic shielding, and makes installation, repair and maintenance convenient.

[0034] The digital active sub-array antenna 1 is an independently designed module with highly integrated telecommunication functions. It can be independently debugged and tested, which is convenient for parallel development and production of the system, as well as for the later expansion, maintenance and repair of the integrated digital array antenna. If the digital array antenna needs maintenance or repair, it is only necessary to remove the digital active sub-array antenna 1 to be maintained or repaired, without affecting the overall performance. At the same time, its system structure is simple and the cross-sectional size is small, which is also convenient for integrating tile-type planar array antennas or conformal array antennas.

[0035] As an example, Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the sizes of the amplified frequency conversion layer 103 and the digital sampling layer 104 are designed to be smaller than the size of the low-profile antenna layer 101, so that the digital active sub-array antenna 1 can be installed as a whole in the antenna frame 2, which facilitates the forward installation and maintenance of the digital active sub-array antenna 1.

[0036] The above sub-array unit 1012, such as Fig.10 As shown, it includes an array radiation patch 1012-1, an orthogonal feeding arm 1012-3, a foam medium layer 1012-2 embedded in the grid of the orthogonal feeding arm 1012-3 and playing a supporting role, a microstrip winding 1012-4 with a serpentine winding arranged in an array, a reflector 1012-5 and a radio frequency connector 1012-6 inserted into the reflector 1012-5; wherein the radiation patch 1012-1, the grid array of the orthogonal feeding arm 1012-3 and the serpentine winding of the microstrip bridge 1012-4 are all in one-to-one correspondence, and the subarray unit 1012 is the core part of the low-profile antenna layer 101, which realizes the transmission or reception of signals.

[0037] The digital active subarray antenna 1 uses optical fiber to transmit digital signals and realizes interconnection in the digital domain, avoiding a complex radio frequency power division network and can be directly expanded in terms of both algorithm and structure.

[0038] In the present invention, the distance between any two adjacent digital active sub-array antennas 1 satisfies: the distance between two adjacent sub-array units 1012 between two adjacent digital active sub-array antennas 1 is equal to the distance between the sub-array units 1012 in a single digital active sub-array antenna 1, such as Figure 7 shown.

Claims

1. An integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna, characterized in that: The array antenna comprises: a plurality of independently designed digital active sub-array antennas, a frame, an air duct and a fan, wherein the plurality of digital active sub-array antennas are arranged in a tile-like manner and embedded in the frame, the air duct is installed at the rear side of the frame and is opposite to the position of the digital active antenna, and the fan is connected to the air duct; The digital active subarray antenna comprises: a low-profile antenna layer, a filter layer, an amplifying frequency conversion layer, a digital sampling layer and a subarray frame; in order from top to bottom, the low-profile antenna layer, the filter layer, the amplifying frequency conversion layer and the digital acquisition layer are integrated and installed layer by layer on the subarray frame; the low-profile antenna layer, the filter layer, the amplifying frequency conversion layer and the digital acquisition layer are internally connected by blind plugging with radio frequency connectors; The low-profile antenna layer is composed of an integral radome located on the outside and an array of sub-array units located on the inside of the radome; the filter layer, the amplification frequency conversion layer and the digital acquisition layer are all arranged in a tile array, and the tile array arrangement corresponds to the sub-array unit array in the low-profile antenna layer; In the array antenna, the distance between any two adjacent digital active sub-array antennas satisfies: the lateral distance between any two adjacent sub-array units between the two adjacent digital active sub-array antennas is equal to the lateral distance between sub-array units in a single digital active sub-array antenna; the longitudinal distance between any two adjacent sub-array units between the two adjacent digital active sub-array antennas is equal to the longitudinal distance between sub-array units in a single digital active sub-array antenna; The subarray unit comprises an array radiation patch, an orthogonal feed arm, a foam medium layer embedded in the orthogonal feed arm grid and playing a supporting role, a microstrip winding with array-arranged serpentine windings, a reflector and a radio frequency connector inserted into the reflector, which are arranged in order from top to bottom; wherein the radiation patch, the grid array of the orthogonal feed arm and the serpentine winding of the microstrip bridge all correspond to each other one by one.

2. The integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The size of the amplifying frequency conversion layer and the digital sampling layer is smaller than the size of the low-profile antenna layer.

3. The integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: A waterproof conductive sealing ring is arranged between the low-profile antenna layer and the subarray frame, and between the amplifying frequency conversion layer and the subarray frame.

4. The integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The digital active sub-array antenna uses optical fiber to transmit digital signals.

5. The integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The array antenna is a planar array antenna, a cylindrical array antenna or a spherical array antenna.

6. The integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air duct is an integrated external air duct or an assembled external air duct.

7. The integrated low-profile tile-type digital array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: A waterproof conductive sealing ring is used to seal between the digital active subarray antenna and the frame.

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