Cable-free network structure and antenna system

Abstract

The invention provides a cable-free network structure and an antenna system, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The cable-free network structure comprises a reflecting plate; the first phase shifting module comprises a power division phase shifting network and a corresponding first phase shifting medium group, the power division phase shifting network is provided with a first input port and a plurality of first output ports, the first input port is used for receiving signals, and the plurality of first output ports are used for outputting equal phase differences; the second phase shifting module comprises a plurality of two-way power dividers and corresponding second phase shifting medium groups, each two-way power divider comprises a second input port and two second output ports, the second input ports are connected with the first output ports, and the second output ports are used for sending signals; and the transmission mechanism respectively drives the first phase shifting medium group and the second phase shifting medium group to move at a preset displacement ratio so as to realize equal-phase-difference output in the same period. The cable-free network structure provided by the invention can simply realize equal-phase-difference output in the same period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a cable-free network structure and antenna system. Background Art

[0002] In the fields of radar, satellite communications, and 5G communications, in order to achieve precise beam steering and signal enhancement in the target direction, it is necessary to control the antenna array to output with equal phase differences.

[0003] The phase shifter is the core device for adjusting the phase of the antenna unit signal. The analog phase shifter has high precision. It applies a continuously adjustable phase delay to the signal by adjusting the physical length of the signal transmission path (such as the delay line length) or changing the propagation characteristics of the signal (such as the phase velocity), thereby achieving precise phase difference control.

[0004] Existing analog phase shifters generally introduce phase changes by adding adjustable loads (such as PIN diodes and variable capacitors) in the signal transmission path and adjusting the load impedance. This method of achieving equal phase difference outputs in the same cycle requires the design of specific control parameters and the configuration of appropriate adjustable loads, so the control process is relatively complicated. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a cable-free network structure that can simply achieve equal phase difference output within the same cycle.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to improve the regulation accuracy and reduce the losses.

[0007] An object of the second aspect of the present invention is to provide an antenna system comprising the above-mentioned cable-free network structure.

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention provides a cable-free network structure, comprising:

[0009] Reflective panels;

[0010] A first phase shift module includes a power division phase shift network and a corresponding first phase shift medium group, wherein the power division phase shift network has a first input port and a plurality of first output ports, wherein the first input port is used to receive signals, and the plurality of first output ports are used to output signals with equal phase differences;

[0011] A second phase shifting module, comprising a plurality of two power dividers and corresponding second phase shifting medium groups, each of the two power dividers comprising a second input port and two second output ports, the second input port is connected to the first output port, and the second output port is used to send a signal;

[0012] The transmission mechanism drives the first phase shift medium group and the second phase shift medium group to move at a preset displacement ratio to achieve equal phase difference output in the same period.

[0013] Furthermore, the phases of the first phase-shifting medium group and the second phase-shifting medium group that change per unit moving distance are equal.

[0014] Furthermore, the transmission mechanism comprises:

[0015] First gear;

[0016] a second gear meshing with the first gear;

[0017] a first rack meshing with the first gear;

[0018] a second rack meshing with the second gear;

[0019] A first pull rod, fixedly connected to the first rack;

[0020] A second pull rod, fixedly connected to the second rack;

[0021] a driving source for driving one of the first gear, the second gear, the first rack and the second rack;

[0022] One of the first pull rod and the second pull rod is fixedly connected to the first phase-shifting medium group, and the other is fixedly connected to the second phase-shifting medium group.

[0023] Furthermore, the reflector includes a first cavity and a second cavity stacked along a first direction, respectively used to accommodate the first phase shifting module and the second phase shifting module, and the first cavity and the second cavity both extend along a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0024] Furthermore, the reflective plate also includes reflective baffles arranged on both sides of the first cavity and the second cavity in the third direction, the third direction, the second direction and the first direction are perpendicular to each other, and the two reflective baffles are respectively provided with a first slide rail and a second slide rail extending along the second direction, which respectively cooperate with the first rack and the second rack.

[0025] Furthermore, the transmission mechanism further comprises:

[0026] A gear sleeve, used for setting and protecting the first gear and the second gear;

[0027] A transmission fixing member is used to connect the gear sleeve and the reflective baffle.

[0028] Further, the first rack and the second rack pass through the gear sleeve.

[0029] Furthermore, the power division and phase shifting network is fixed in the first cavity via a first fixing medium, and the plurality of power dividers are fixed in the second cavity via a second fixing medium.

[0030] In particular, an embodiment of the present invention also provides an antenna system, comprising multiple radiating units and the cableless network structure described in any one of the above items, wherein the first input port of the cableless network structure is connected to the antenna main feed, and each of the radiating units is connected to the second output port.

[0031] The present application provides a solution for achieving equal phase difference output through a mechanical transmission mechanism. For a given phase-shifting medium, the solution only needs to adjust the transmission mechanism to output a specific displacement ratio. This is easy to implement for a mechanical transmission mechanism and there are many implementation methods. Therefore, the present application achieves stable output of equal phase difference in a cable-free network structure through a simple structure.

[0032] Furthermore, this mechanical adjustment scheme has the characteristics of high precision and continuous adjustment, is not limited by the discrete characteristics and nonlinear effects of electronic components, and because it does not rely on electronic devices, it can avoid phase instability caused by problems such as thermal drift and electrical aging. In addition, this mechanical adjustment method does not introduce additional resistance or active device loss in the transmission path, so the insertion loss is low.

[0033] Furthermore, on the one hand, the gear sleeve can install the first gear and the second gear, and wrap the first gear and the second gear inside it to play a protective and aesthetic role. On the other hand, the first rack and the second rack also pass through the gear sleeve, so the gear sleeve can play a certain guiding and positioning role for the first rack and the second rack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is a connection diagram of a cable-free network structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a first phase shift module of a cable-free network structure;

[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a first phase shifting medium of a first phase shifting module;

[0037] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a second phase shifting module of a cable-free network structure;

[0038] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a first phase shift medium group of a second phase shift module;

[0039] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the decomposed structure of a transmission mechanism of a cable-free network structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of an antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a reflector of an antenna system;

[0042] Fig. 9 is a connection diagram of an antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Reference numerals:

[0044] 100-cableless network structure, 10-reflection plate, 101-window, 11-first cavity, 12-second cavity, 13-reflection baffle, 14-first slide rail, 15-second slide rail, 20-first phase shift module, 21-power division phase shift network, 211-first input port, 212-first output port, 22-first phase shift medium group, 221-first phase shift medium, 222-second phase shift medium, 23-first fixed medium, 30-second phase shift module, 31 -two power dividers, 311-second input port, 312-second output port, 32-second phase-shifting medium group, 321-third phase-shifting medium, 33-second fixed medium, 40-transmission mechanism, 41-first gear, 42-second gear, 43-first rack, 44-second rack, 45-first pull rod, 46-second pull rod, 47-gear sleeve, 48-transmission fixing part, 200-antenna system, 50-radiation unit, 51-feeding pin, 60-pin. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the connotation of the present application, so the present application is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0046] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another component, it may be directly on the other component or there may also be a central component. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it may be directly connected to the other component or there may be a central component at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in the specification of this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation method.

[0047] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0048] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being “above” or “below” a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly in contact with the second feature, or the first feature and the second feature are in contact indirectly through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being “above”, “above”, or “above” a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being “below”, “below”, or “below” a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0049] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in the specification of this application have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" used in the specification of this application includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0050] Figure 1 is a connection diagram of a cable-free network structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first phase shift module 20 of the cable-free network structure 100. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first phase shifting medium 221 of the first phase shifting module 20. Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second phase shift module 30 of the cable-free network structure 100. Figure 5 yes Figure 4Schematic diagram of the structure of the first phase shifting medium group 22 of the second phase shifting module 30. Figure 7 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an antenna system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the cable-free network structure 100 includes a reflector 10 (see Figure 7 ), a first phase shifting module 20, a second phase shifting module 30 and a transmission mechanism 40. Figure 2 As shown, the first phase shift module 20 includes a power division phase shift network 21 and a corresponding first phase shift medium group 22. The power division phase shift network 21 has a first input port 211 and a plurality of first output ports 212. The first input port 211 is used to receive signals, and the plurality of first output ports 212 are used to output signals with equal phase differences. Figure 4 As shown, the second phase shift module 30 includes a plurality of two-phase splitters 31 and their corresponding second phase shift medium groups 32, each of which includes a second input port 311 and two second output ports 312, the second input port 311 is connected to the first output port 212, and the second output port 312 is used to send signals. The transmission mechanism 40 drives the first phase shift medium group 22 and the second phase shift medium group 32 to move at a preset displacement ratio, so as to achieve equal phase difference output within the same cycle. The cable-free network structure 100 of this embodiment can be used in radar systems, communication systems or optical systems. The purpose of the transmission mechanism 40 is to drive the first phase shift medium group 22 and the second phase shift medium group 32 to move at a preset displacement ratio, and finally achieve equal phase difference output within the same cycle, which can be achieved by different driving modes and / or different phase changes under unit displacement. For example, the multiple first output ports 212 of the power division phase shift network 21 respectively perform phase changes of 3X, 2X, X, 0, -X, -2X, etc., and the two second output ports 312 of the two power dividers 31 can perform phase changes of Y and -Y. The phases of the two second output ports 312 of the first two power dividers 31 are 3X+Y and 3X-Y, respectively, and the phases of the two second output ports 312 of the second two power dividers 31 are 2X+Y and 2X-Y, respectively. In order to achieve equal phase difference output, it is necessary to satisfy (3X+Y)-(3X-Y)=(3X-Y)-(2X+Y), and the simplified formula is X=4Y. Therefore, when designing the transmission mechanism 40, it is sufficient to satisfy the phase change of X=4Y. For example, the phase that can be changed per unit moving distance of the first phase-shifting medium group 22 is 4 times that of the second phase-shifting medium 222, and the first phase-shifting medium group 22 and the second phase-shifting medium 222 are driven to move synchronously; or the phases that can be changed per unit moving distance of the first phase-shifting medium group 22 and the second phase-shifting medium group 32 are equal, and the first phase-shifting medium group 22 and the second phase-shifting medium 222 are driven to move with a displacement ratio of 4 to 1. For example, while the first linear motor drives the first phase-shifting medium 221 to move S, the second linear motor drives the first phase-shifting medium 221 to move 4S. Of course, the corresponding displacement ratio can also be achieved by designing the transmission mechanism 40.

[0051] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structural connection of the transmission mechanism 40 of the cable-free network structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment, the transmission mechanism 40 includes a first gear 41, a second gear 42, a first rack 43, a second rack 44, a first pull rod 45, a second pull rod 46 and a driving source (not shown). The first gear 41 is meshed with the second gear 42, the first gear 41 is also meshed with the first rack 43, and the second gear 42 is meshed with the second rack 44. The first pull rod 45 is fixedly connected to the first rack 43, and the second pull rod 46 is fixedly connected to the second rack 44. The driving source can be used to drive one of the first gear 41, the second gear 42, the first rack 43 and the second rack 44. When the driving source is connected to the first rack 43 or the second rack 44, the driving source is a linear motor that outputs linear displacement; when the driving source is connected to the first gear 41 or the second gear 42, the driving source is a motor that outputs torque. One of the first pull rod 45 and the second pull rod 46 is fixedly connected to the first phase-shifting medium group 22, and the other is fixedly connected to the second phase-shifting medium group 32.

[0052] In one embodiment, the first phase shifting medium group 22 includes a plurality of first phase shifting media 221 (see Figure 3 ), the second phase shifting medium group 32 includes three second phase shifting media 222 and one third phase shifting medium 321 (see Figure 4 The driving source is connected to the first rack 43, the first pull rod 45 is connected to each phase shift medium of the first phase shift medium group 22, the phases of the first phase shift medium group 22 and the second phase shift medium group 32 per unit moving distance are equal, the gear ratio of the first gear 41 to the second gear 42 is 4 to 1, and the displacement ratio of the first rack 43 to the second rack 44 is 4 to 1.

[0053] The present application provides a solution for achieving equal phase difference output through a mechanical transmission mechanism 40. For a given phase-shifting medium, the solution only needs to adjust the transmission mechanism 40 to output a specific displacement ratio. This is easy to implement for the mechanical transmission mechanism 40, and there are many implementation methods. Therefore, the present application achieves stable output of equal phase difference of the cable-free network structure 100 through a simple structure. This mechanical adjustment solution has the characteristics of high precision and continuous adjustment, is not limited by the discrete characteristics and nonlinear effects of electronic components, and because it does not rely on electronic devices, it can avoid phase instability caused by problems such as thermal drift and electrical aging. In addition, this mechanical adjustment method does not introduce additional resistance or active device loss in the transmission path, so the insertion loss is low.

[0054] Figure 8 yes Figure 7A cross-sectional view of the reflector 10 of the antenna system 200 in FIG. In one embodiment, the reflector 10 may be a centrally symmetrical metal pultruded structure, including a first cavity 11 and a second cavity 12 stacked along a first direction, respectively used to accommodate a first phase shift module 20 and a second phase shift module 30, and the first cavity 11 and the second cavity 12 both extend along a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The power division phase shift network 21 is fixed in the first cavity 11 through a first fixed medium 23, and a plurality of two power dividers 31 are fixed in the second cavity 12 through a second fixed medium 33. The reflector 10 also includes a reflective baffle 13 disposed on both sides of the first cavity 11 and the second cavity 12 in a third direction, and the third direction, the second direction and the first direction are perpendicular to each other. The two reflective baffles 13 are respectively provided with a first slide rail 14 and a second slide rail 15 extending in the second direction, respectively cooperating with a first rack 43 and a second rack 44, that is, the first rack 43 can move at the first slide rail 14, and the second rack 44 can move at the second slide rail 15. The number of the first cavity 11 and the second cavity 12 that can be arranged on a reflector 10 can be set according to the requirements, such as Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, the number of the first cavity 11 and the second cavity 12 are both 2. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 7 , the transmission mechanism 40 further includes a gear sleeve 47 and a transmission fixing member 48. The gear sleeve 47 is used to set and protect the first gear 41 and the second gear 42. The transmission fixing member 48 is used to connect the gear sleeve 47 and the reflection baffle 13. The first rack 43 and the second rack 44 pass through the gear sleeve 47.

[0055] In this embodiment, the gear sleeve 47 can install the first gear 41 and the second gear 42, and wrap the first gear 41 and the second gear 42 inside to protect and beautify it. On the other hand, the first rack 43 and the second rack 44 also pass through the gear sleeve 47, so the gear sleeve 47 can play a certain guiding and positioning role for the first rack 43 and the second rack 44.

[0056] like Fig. 9 As shown, when the cableless network structure 100 is used for the antenna system 200, the antenna main feed of the antenna system 200 is connected to the first input port 211 of the cableless network structure 100, and each radiation unit 50 of the antenna system 200 is connected to each second output port 312. Specifically, the radiation unit 50 is a vibrator, which is fixed to the front of the reflector 10 (i.e., the side of the reflector 10 close to the second cavity 12) by screws, and each vibrator includes a feeding needle 51, which passes through the window hole 101 at the reflector 10 and contacts the second output port 312 of the second power divider 31, and is connected by soldering. The second input port 311 of the second power divider 31 is connected to the first output port 212 of the power division phase shift network 21 through the pin 60.

[0057] The antenna system 200 of this embodiment adjusts the phase output by mechanical means, and can achieve equal phase difference output within the same period, so it has the characteristics of high precision, stability, and low loss, and can accurately achieve precise beam control and signal enhancement in the target direction.

[0058] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A cable-free network structure, characterized in that: include: Reflective panels; A first phase shift module includes a power division phase shift network and a corresponding first phase shift medium group, wherein the power division phase shift network has a first input port and a plurality of first output ports, wherein the first input port is used to receive signals, and the plurality of first output ports are used to output signals with equal phase differences; A second phase shifting module, comprising a plurality of two power dividers and corresponding second phase shifting medium groups, each of the two power dividers comprising a second input port and two second output ports, the second input port is connected to the first output port, and the second output port is used to send a signal; The transmission mechanism drives the first phase shift medium group and the second phase shift medium group to move at a preset displacement ratio to achieve equal phase difference output in the same period; The phase changes per unit moving distance of the first phase-shifting medium group and the second phase-shifting medium group are equal; The transmission mechanism comprises: First gear; a second gear meshing with the first gear; a first rack meshing with the first gear; a second rack meshing with the second gear; A first pull rod, fixedly connected to the first rack; A second pull rod, fixedly connected to the second rack; a driving source for driving one of the first gear, the second gear, the first rack and the second rack; One of the first pull rod and the second pull rod is fixedly connected to the first phase-shifting medium group, and the other is fixedly connected to the second phase-shifting medium group.

2. The cable-free network structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reflector includes a first cavity and a second cavity stacked along a first direction, which are used to accommodate the first phase shift module and the second phase shift module respectively. The first cavity and the second cavity both extend along a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The cable-free network structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reflective plate also includes reflective baffles arranged on both sides of the first cavity and the second cavity in the third direction, the third direction, the second direction and the first direction are perpendicular to each other, and the two reflective baffles are respectively provided with a first slide rail and a second slide rail extending along the second direction, which respectively cooperate with the first rack and the second rack.

4. The cable-free network structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The transmission mechanism also includes: A gear sleeve, used for setting and protecting the first gear and the second gear; A transmission fixing member is used to connect the gear sleeve and the reflective baffle.

5. The cable-free network structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first rack and the second rack pass through the gear sleeve.

6. The cable-free network structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The power division and phase shifting network is fixed in the first cavity through a first fixing medium, and the plurality of power dividers are fixed in the second cavity through a second fixing medium.

7. An antenna system, characterized in that: It comprises a plurality of radiating units and the cableless network structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first input port of the cableless network structure is connected to the main feed of the antenna, and each of the radiating units is connected to the second output port.

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