Omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar subarray distribution

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of spaceflight measurement and control phased-array antennas, aims to solve the problems that an existing antenna is few in tracking measurement and control flying targets and limited in beam scanning range, and provides a planar subarray distributed omnidirectional phased-array antenna which comprises an antenna framework, a wave control system and a plurality of antenna subarrays. The antenna framework is provided with a plurality of windows, each window is internally provided with an antenna sub-array, and the windows are matched with the antenna sub-arrays; each antenna sub-array comprises a beam forming network, a duplexer, a multi-channel TR, a signal processing module and n * n antenna array elements arranged in an array, and n is an integer greater than or equal to 2; the wave control system is arranged in the antenna skeleton and is used for performing in-phase superposition on signal energy of each antenna array element in different target projection areas on an expected point and performing phase-shifting shunt control to realize full-airspace multi-beam signal receiving and transmitting; the omnidirectional phased-array antenna is wide in beam scanning range and can realize multi-target measurement and control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of aerospace measurement and control phased array antennas, and in particular to an omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution. Background Art

[0002] Traditional parabolic antennas can usually only complete the tracking and control of one flying target in a single mission, while the scanning range of the flat-panel phased array antenna beam is limited. When the beam pointing exceeds the airspace range of 60° normal angle, it needs to rely on the mechanical rotation of the antenna array to achieve it, and the beam pointing conversion is slow. With the rapid increase in the number of spacecraft targets, the advantages of phased array measurement and control systems that support full airspace multi-target measurement and control and can be transported are becoming more and more obvious. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention aims to provide an omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution, so as to solve the problems of the existing antenna tracking, measuring and controlling flying targets being few and the beam scanning range being limited.

[0004] The present invention is achieved by adopting the following technical solutions:

[0005] The present invention provides an omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution, comprising an antenna frame, a beam control system and a plurality of antenna sub-arrays;

[0006] Wherein, the antenna frame includes a hollow spherical crown and a cylinder, the spherical crown is buckled on the top of the cylinder, the spherical crown is fixedly connected to the cylinder, or the spherical crown and the cylinder are integrally formed;

[0007] The antenna frame is provided with a plurality of windows, each of which is equipped with an antenna subarray, and the windows are adapted to the antenna subarray;

[0008] The antenna subarray includes a beamforming network, a duplexer, a multi-channel TR, a signal processing module, and n×n antenna array elements arranged in an array, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2;

[0009] The beamforming network, the duplexer, the multi-channel TR, and the signal processing module are sequentially stacked and assembled into a whole, the antenna array element is installed on the top surface of the beamforming network, and the antenna subarray can complete the digital processing of the radio frequency analog signal;

[0010] The wave control system is arranged inside the antenna frame. The wave control system is used to superimpose the signal energy of each antenna array element in different target projection areas at the desired point in phase, and perform phase shift branch control to realize full-space multi-beam signal reception and transmission.

[0011] As the preferred technical solution:

[0012] The periphery of the window on the outer surface of the antenna frame is cut to be flush with the top surface of the antenna subarray, and the outer surface of the antenna frame and the top surface of each antenna subarray form a complete antenna array reflective surface.

[0013] The top surface of the antenna subarray refers to the top surface of the beamforming network.

[0014] As the preferred technical solution:

[0015] The window adopts an embedded structure, and the antenna subarrays are embedded in the window installed on the antenna frame from the inside to the outside.

[0016] As the preferred technical solution:

[0017] The beamforming network is a flat plate structure.

[0018] As the preferred technical solution:

[0019] The spherical cap is a hemisphere, and the radius R of the hemisphere is equal to that of the cylinder.

[0020] As the preferred technical solution:

[0021] The antenna frame is provided with multiple layers of windows, and the windows of each layer are evenly arranged on the circumference with the axis of the cylinder as the center line, and an antenna subarray is installed at each window.

[0022] As the preferred technical solution:

[0023] The antenna frame is equipped with i layers of antenna subarrays, where i=1, 2, 3, 4...m, m is an integer, and the number of antenna subarrays corresponding to the number of layers is y. i , the angle between the vertical lines of the top centers of two adjacent antenna subarrays in the i-th layer is σ i =360° / y i The total number of antenna subarrays y=y1+y2+…+y i +…+y m , the total number of antenna array elements Y = n×n×y.

[0024] As the preferred technical solution:

[0025] Among them, R is 950mm, n is 4, i is 6, y is 74, and Y is 1184.

[0026] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0027] 1. The antenna frame of the present invention adopts a structural form in which a spherical crown and a cylinder are connected. Not only does it have a large outer surface area, but it also covers multiple directions. After the present invention installs multiple antenna sub-arrays on the antenna frame, an omnidirectional phased array antenna is formed. The beam scanning range is wide and multi-target measurement and control can be achieved. There is no need to adjust the beam pointing by mechanical rotation. After installation, it can continuously realize full-airspace multi-beam signal reception and transmission, and it can be transported flexibly, which is very convenient.

[0028] 2. The present invention sets up a beam control system inside the antenna frame, superimposes the signal energy of each antenna array element in different target projection areas in phase at the desired point, and performs phase shift and branch control to obtain multiple independent beams with full gain and the same aperture. The transmit beamforming and receive beamforming are inverse processes to each other, realizing full-space multi-beam signal transmission and reception, and the consistency of beam gain is high.

[0029] 3. The present invention embeds the antenna subarray from the inside to the outside into a window installed on the antenna frame, and processes the outer surface of the antenna frame around the window to make it flush with the top surface of the antenna subarray, so that the outer surface of the antenna frame and the top surface of each antenna subarray form a complete antenna array reflection surface, thereby improving gain and directivity, reducing mutual coupling effects, improving structural stability, simplifying installation and maintenance, and improving system integration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution described in the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution described in the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the antenna array reflection surface and the target projection area described in the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the antenna skeleton described in the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the parts of the antenna subarray described in the present invention.

[0035] Icons: 1-antenna skeleton, 2-beam control system, 3-antenna subarray, 4-spherical crown, 5-cylinder, 6-window, 7-beam synthesis network, 8-duplexer, 9-multi-channel TR, 10-signal processing module, 11-antenna array element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] Example 1

[0038] like Figure 1-Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment proposes an omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution, including an antenna frame 1, a beam control system 2 and multiple antenna sub-arrays 3.

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, the antenna frame 1 adopts a structural form in which a spherical cap 4 and a cylinder 5 are connected. Specifically, the antenna frame 1 includes a hollow spherical cap 4 and a cylinder 5. The spherical cap 4 is buckled on the top of the cylinder 5 to close the top of the cylinder 5. The spherical cap 4 is fixedly connected to the cylinder 5, or the spherical cap 4 is integrally formed with the cylinder 5. The spherical cap 4 can be a hemisphere.

[0040] In this embodiment, the radius of the hemisphere is equal to that of the cylinder 5, both of which are 950 mm. The antenna frame 1 adopts an integrated molding design and is manufactured by casting aluminum alloy in whole or in sections and then locally finishing it using a large machining center. The overall rigidity is relatively large, and the important dimensions, shapes and position accuracy are relatively high.

[0041] The antenna frame 1 is provided with a plurality of windows 6 , each of which has an antenna subarray 3 installed therein. The shape and size of the window 6 are adapted to the shape and size of the antenna subarray 3 .

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, the antenna subarray 3 is a modular planar tile-type integrated subarray, each of which includes n×n (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2) antenna array elements 11 arranged in an array, a beam synthesis network 7, a duplexer 8, a multi-channel TR9 and a signal processing module 10, and the antenna subarray 3 can complete the digital processing of radio frequency analog signals.

[0043] The beamforming network 7 , the duplexer 8 , the multi-channel TR 9 and the signal processing module 10 are stacked and assembled together in sequence. The beamforming network 7 is a flat plate structure, and the antenna array element 11 is installed on the top surface of the beamforming network 7 .

[0044] In this embodiment, each of the antenna sub-arrays 3 includes 4×4 antenna array elements 11 arranged in an array.

[0045] The window 6 adopts an embedded structure, and the antenna subarray 3 is embedded in the window 6 from the inside of the antenna frame 1 to the outside, so as to be installed on the antenna frame 1. The embedded structure means that the window 6 is designed to enable the antenna subarray 3 to be embedded and installed on the antenna frame 1 from the inside to the outside.

[0046] The periphery of the window 6 on the outer surface of the antenna frame 1 is cut to be flush with the top surface of the antenna subarray 3, so that the outer surface of the antenna frame 1 and the top surface of each antenna subarray 3 form a complete antenna array surface reflection surface. The top surface of the antenna subarray 3 refers to the top surface of the beamforming network 7. The antenna array element 11 is exposed on the antenna array surface reflection surface.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the antenna frame 1 is provided with multiple layers of windows 6, and the windows 6 of each layer are evenly arranged on the circumference with the axis of the cylinder 5 as the center line, and an antenna subarray 3 is installed at each window 6, thereby achieving uniform arrangement of the antenna subarray 3 on the antenna frame 1.

[0048] The antenna frame 1 is provided with i layers of windows 6, wherein i=1, 2, 3, 4...m, and m is an integer. Therefore, the antenna frame 1 is provided with i layers of antenna subarrays 3. The number of windows 6 and antenna subarrays 3 corresponding to the number of layers is y. i The total number of antenna subarrays 3 is y=y1+y2+…+y i +…+y m , the total number of antenna array elements 11 Y = n × n × y; the angle between the vertical lines of the top surfaces of two adjacent antenna sub-arrays 3 in the i-th layer is σ i =360° / y i .

[0049] In this embodiment, the antenna skeleton 1 is provided with 6 layers of windows 6, and the number of windows 6 in each layer from top to bottom is 1, 7, 13, 17, 18, and 18 respectively. Therefore, the number of antenna subarrays 3 in each layer is 1, 7, 13, 17, 18, and 18 respectively, the total number of antenna subarrays 3 is 74, and the total number of antenna array elements 11 is 1184. The included angles of the vertical lines of the centers of the top surfaces of two adjacent antenna subarrays 3 in each layer of antenna subarrays 3 are 360°, 51.43°, 27.69°, 21.18°, 20°, and 20° respectively.

[0050] The beam control system 2 is arranged inside the antenna frame 1. The beam control system 2 is used to superimpose the signal energy of each antenna array element 11 in different target projection areas in phase at the desired point, and perform phase shift branching control to obtain multiple independent beams with full gain and the same aperture. The transmit beamforming and receive beamforming are inverse processes to each other, realizing full-space multi-beam signal transmission and reception, and the consistency of beam gain is high.

[0051] In this embodiment, the wave control system 2 may include a controller, a phase shifter, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital signal processor, a memory, a communication interface, etc.

[0052] The controller is used to perform overall beam control and management, including receiving commands from users or systems, calculating required phase and amplitude values, sending control signals to each antenna array element, etc. Common controllers include microprocessors, DSPs (digital signal processors), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), etc.

[0053] The phase shifter is used to adjust the phase of each antenna array element to achieve beam direction control. Common phase shifters include analog phase shifters and digital phase shifters.

[0054] The power amplifier is used to amplify the transmission signal to ensure that the signal has enough power to be transmitted to a distant place. Common power amplifiers include linear amplifiers and nonlinear amplifiers.

[0055] The low noise amplifier is used to amplify a received weak signal while maintaining low noise.

[0056] The analog-to-digital converter is used to convert the received analog signal into a digital signal for digital signal processing.

[0057] The digital signal processor is used to execute digital signal processing algorithms, including filtering, down-conversion, demodulation, etc.

[0058] The memory is used to store beam control parameters, configuration data and intermediate calculation results.

[0059] The communication interface is used to exchange data with an external system or device, including receiving commands and sending data.

[0060] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution, characterized in that: It includes an antenna frame, a beam control system and multiple antenna sub-arrays; Wherein, the antenna frame includes a hollow spherical crown and a cylinder, the spherical crown is buckled on the top of the cylinder, the spherical crown is fixedly connected to the cylinder, or the spherical crown and the cylinder are integrally formed; The antenna frame is provided with a plurality of windows, each of which is equipped with an antenna subarray, and the windows are adapted to the antenna subarray; The antenna subarray includes a beamforming network, a duplexer, a multi-channel TR, a signal processing module, and n×n antenna array elements arranged in an array, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2; The beamforming network, the duplexer, the multi-channel TR, and the signal processing module are sequentially stacked and assembled into a whole, the antenna array element is installed on the top surface of the beamforming network, and the antenna subarray can complete the digital processing of the radio frequency analog signal; The wave control system is arranged inside the antenna frame. The wave control system is used to superimpose the signal energy of each antenna array element in different target projection areas at the desired point in phase, and perform phase shift branch control to realize full-space multi-beam signal reception and transmission.

2. The omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution according to claim 1, characterized in that: The periphery of the window on the outer surface of the antenna frame is cut to be flush with the top surface of the antenna subarray, and the outer surface of the antenna frame and the top surface of each antenna subarray form a complete antenna array reflective surface.

3. The omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution according to claim 1, characterized in that: The window adopts an embedded structure, and the antenna subarrays are embedded in the window installed on the antenna frame from the inside to the outside.

4. The omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution according to claim 1, characterized in that: The beamforming network is a flat plate structure.

5. The omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spherical cap is a hemisphere, and the radius R of the hemisphere is equal to that of the cylinder.

6. The omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution according to claim 5, characterized in that: The antenna frame is provided with multiple layers of windows, and the windows of each layer are evenly arranged on the circumference with the axis of the cylinder as the center line, and an antenna subarray is installed at each window.

7. The omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution according to claim 6, characterized in that: The antenna frame is equipped with i layers of antenna subarrays, where i=1, 2, 3, 4...m, m is an integer, and the number of antenna subarrays corresponding to the number of layers is y. i , the angle between the vertical lines of the top centers of two adjacent antenna subarrays in the i-th layer is σ i =360° / y i The total number of antenna subarrays y=y1+y2+…+y i +…+y m , the total number of antenna array elements Y = n×n×y.

8. The omnidirectional phased array antenna with planar sub-array distribution according to claim 7, characterized in that: in, R is 950mm, n is 4, i is 6, y is 74, and Y is 1184.

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