A gapped waveguide antenna array, a frequency tuning kit, and a frequency correction method

Abstract

This invention discloses a gapped waveguide antenna array, a frequency tuning kit, and a frequency correction method. The gapped waveguide antenna array includes a gapped layer that transitions from a first surface to a second surface along its thickness direction. The gapped layer has coupling holes. Both the first and second surfaces are provided with frame borders and multiple pins. A first cover plate is connected to the frame border of the first surface and has a radiation window. A second cover plate is connected to the frame border of the second surface and has a waveguide window. Multiple tuning dielectric blocks are included and can contact the pins of the gapped layer. The tuning dielectric blocks are replaceable. By providing replaceable tuning dielectric blocks, the frequency offset of the entire gapped waveguide antenna array can be adjusted according to actual conditions. Therefore, even if thermal or mechanical deformation occurs in the waveguide structure during production or use, the frequency offset can be compensated for later, maintaining high stability and reliability of the system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a gapped waveguide antenna array, a frequency tuning kit, and a frequency correction method. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of 6G technology, low-altitude economy and low-altitude intelligent connectivity have become key application scenarios. The application of drones in surveying and exploration, emergency communication, logistics and transportation is becoming increasingly widespread. These complex mission requirements and dynamically changing flight environments require drone antennas to have high mobility, low latency and large capacity communication capabilities.

[0003] Traditional metal waveguide array antennas are favored in this field due to their low loss, high gain, and high power capacity. To better meet the weight and size requirements of UAV platforms, dielectric metallized waveguide array antennas are being further adopted to reduce weight. However, the hollow structure of the waveguide necessitates a layered processing and welding method for the array antenna, requiring high-precision machining to ensure accuracy, which increases the antenna's processing cost and cycle time. On the other hand, the electromagnetic sealing performance of metal waveguides depends on strict assembly processes, making gaps prone to electromagnetic leakage, and the high-temperature furnace treatment during welding can potentially damage the antenna substrate.

[0004] In contrast, gapped waveguide antennas create electromagnetic bandgap by designing periodic structures (such as bed of nails or aperture arrays) on a metal surface. These air gaps guide electromagnetic wave propagation, achieving a non-contact waveguide mechanism. This eliminates the reliance on precise contact, significantly reducing fabrication difficulty. Combined with the natural heat dissipation characteristics of air gaps, they can support high-power transmission and wide-bandwidth operation, making them an ideal alternative to traditional metal waveguide slotted arrays. However, despite the numerous advantages of gapped waveguides in applications, in lightweight applications using dielectric metallization, thermal expansion and mechanical warping of the dielectric can easily cause inconsistencies in the air gap. This can disrupt the integrity of the electromagnetic bandgap, introducing mode conversion, increased transmission loss, and even radiated interference, affecting system stability and reliability. Therefore, ensuring the consistency of gapped waveguide array antenna structure fabrication while correcting frequency shifts caused by fabrication errors to improve system robustness has become a key research focus in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the aforementioned technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this application proposes a gapped waveguide antenna array with higher system stability and reliability.

[0006] This application also proposes a frequency tuning kit having the above-mentioned gapped waveguide antenna array, and a frequency correction method based on the above-mentioned gapped waveguide antenna array.

[0007] According to a first aspect embodiment of the present application, a gapped waveguide antenna array includes:

[0008] A gap layer that transitions from a first surface to a second surface along its thickness direction, the gap layer having a coupling hole extending from the first surface to the second surface, and both the first surface and the second surface having a frame and a plurality of pins disposed within the frame;

[0009] A first cover plate is connected to the frame of the first surface and covers the first surface; the first cover plate has a radiation window.

[0010] A second cover plate is connected to the frame of the second surface and covers the second surface; the second cover plate has a waveguide window.

[0011] There are multiple tuning media blocks, a portion of which pass through the first cover plate and contact the pins on the first surface of the gap layer, and another portion of which pass through the second cover plate and contact the pins on the second surface of the gap layer.

[0012] The tuning dielectric block can be replaced to accommodate tuning dielectric blocks with different dielectric constants.

[0013] The gap waveguide antenna array according to the embodiments of this application has at least the following beneficial effects: by setting replaceable tuning dielectric blocks, the frequency offset of the entire gap waveguide antenna array can be adjusted according to the actual situation, so that even if the waveguide structure undergoes thermal or mechanical deformation during the production process or use, the frequency offset can be compensated in the later stage, so that the system maintains high stability and reliability.

[0014] According to some embodiments of this application, the first cover plate has a first mounting hole, the second cover plate has a second mounting hole, a portion of the tuning medium block is detachably inserted into the first mounting hole to contact the pin on the first surface of the gap layer, and another portion of the tuning medium block is detachably inserted into the second mounting hole to contact the pin on the second surface of the gap layer.

[0015] According to some embodiments of this application, in the tuning dielectric block that contacts the pin of the first surface of the gap layer, the tuning dielectric block encloses a waveguide space, and the radiation window is located within the waveguide space.

[0016] According to some embodiments of this application, the number of radiation windows is multiple and arranged in a matrix.

[0017] According to some embodiments of this application, the central axis of the tuning medium block is coaxial with the central axis of the pin that contacts it.

[0018] According to some embodiments of this application, gaps are reserved between the first cover plate and the pin, and between the second cover plate and the pin.

[0019] According to some embodiments of this application, the first cover plate has a blind groove on the side facing the gap layer, and the blind groove is directly opposite the coupling hole.

[0020] According to some embodiments of this application, the surfaces of the gap layer, the first cover plate, and the second cover plate are all metallized.

[0021] According to a second aspect of this application, a frequency tuning kit includes a tuning dielectric block storage library and the aforementioned gap waveguide antenna array. The tuning dielectric block storage library stores a plurality of tuning dielectric blocks with different dielectric constants. Each tuning dielectric block can be mounted to at least one of the first cover plate and the second cover plate to compensate for the frequency offset of the gap waveguide antenna array.

[0022] The frequency correction method according to a third aspect embodiment of this application, which is based on the above-described frequency tuning kit, includes the following steps:

[0023] S100. Install the gapped waveguide antenna array, wherein a portion of the tuning dielectric block contacts the pins on the first surface of the gapped layer, and another portion of the tuning dielectric block contacts the pins on the second surface of the gapped layer;

[0024] S200. Test the gapped waveguide antenna array and detect the frequency shift of the gapped waveguide antenna array;

[0025] S300. Summarize the frequency offset of the gap waveguide antenna array, establish a simulation database on the frequency offset correction of the tuning dielectric block combination, and provide a reference;

[0026] S400. Based on the frequency offset of the gap waveguide antenna array and the simulation database, select the tuning dielectric block with different dielectric constants from the tuning dielectric block storage library, and replace the selected tuning dielectric block in the gap waveguide antenna array;

[0027] S500. Repeat steps S100 to S400 until the frequency offset of the gap waveguide antenna array is suppressed and meets the operating requirements.

[0028] The frequency correction method according to the embodiments of this application has at least the following beneficial effects: by setting up a tuning dielectric block storage library, multiple tuning dielectric blocks with different dielectric constants can be prepared, thereby replacing the tuning dielectric blocks according to different application scenarios to compensate for frequency offset.

[0029] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the technical solutions disclosed in this application and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments disclosed in this application to explain the technical solutions of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions disclosed in this application.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a disassembled view of a first embodiment of the gapped waveguide antenna array according to the first aspect of this application;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a gap waveguide antenna array according to the first aspect of this application;

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first surface of the gap layer in the gap waveguide antenna array according to the first aspect of this application;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second surface of the gap layer in the gap waveguide antenna array according to the first aspect of this application;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the first cover plate in the gap waveguide antenna array according to the first aspect of this application;

[0036] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the back structure of the first cover plate in the gap waveguide antenna array according to the first aspect of this application;

[0037] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second cover plate in the gap waveguide antenna array according to the first aspect of this application;

[0038] Figure 8 This is a graph showing the relationship between return loss and dielectric constant of the tuning dielectric block in a first embodiment of the gap waveguide antenna array according to the first aspect of this application.

[0039] Figure 9 This is a disassembled view of a second embodiment of the gapped waveguide antenna array according to the first aspect of this application;

[0040] Figure 10 This is a graph showing the relationship between return loss and dielectric constant of the tuning dielectric block in a second embodiment of the gap waveguide antenna array according to the first aspect of this application.

[0041] Reference numerals: 100-gap layer, 110-first surface, 120-second surface, 130-coupling hole, 140-frame, 150-pin, 160-gap layer fixing hole, 200-first cover plate, 210-radiation window, 220-first mounting hole, 230-blind slot, 240-first cover plate fixing hole, 300-second cover plate, 310-waveguide window, 320-second mounting hole, 330-second cover plate fixing hole, 400-tuning medium block. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0043] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0044] In the description of this application, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0045] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly defined, terms such as "setup," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this application in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0046] In the description of this application, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0047] Reference Figure 1and Figure 2 The gapped waveguide antenna array in the first aspect embodiment of this application includes a gapped layer 100, a first cover plate 200, a second cover plate 300, and a tuning dielectric block 400. The gapped layer 100 has multiple pins 150 forming an air waveguide space between the pins 150 and the cover plate. The first cover plate 200 and the gapped layer 100 form one waveguide space, and the second cover plate 300 and the gapped layer 100 form another waveguide space. The tuning dielectric block 400 is mounted on the first cover plate 200 and the second cover plate 300, and the tuning dielectric block 400 can contact the pins 150 on the gapped layer 100 to influence the frequency shift of the entire gapped waveguide antenna array.

[0048] Specifically, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The gap layer 100 transitions from the first surface 110 to the second surface 120 along its thickness direction. The gap layer 100 has a coupling hole 130 extending from the first surface 110 to the second surface 120, allowing signals to communicate between the first surface 110 and the second surface 120 through the coupling hole 130. Both the first surface 110 and the second surface 120 are provided with a frame 140 and multiple pins 150 disposed within the frame 140. The frame 140 defines the range of the waveguide space, and the pins 150 within the frame 140 can influence signal transmission, thus guiding the signal. The pins 150 can have a prismatic, cylindrical, or elliptical cylindrical shape, and the number and placement of the pins 150 can be adjusted according to actual conditions to obtain the desired waveguide effect.

[0049] The first cover plate 200 is connected to and covers the frame 140 of the first surface 110 to prevent signal loss from the waveguide space. (Refer to...) Figure 5 The first cover plate 200 has a radiation window 210 for radiating or receiving signals.

[0050] Furthermore, referring to Figure 6 The first cover plate 200 also has a blind slot 230 on the side facing the gap layer 100, and the blind slot 230 is directly opposite the coupling hole 130. The blind slot 230 can improve the upward propagation efficiency of the signal from the coupling hole 130.

[0051] The second cover plate 300 is connected to and covers the frame 140 of the second surface 120 to prevent signal loss from the waveguide space. (Refer to...) Figure 7 The second cover plate 300 has a waveguide window 310 for connecting to the feed end and transmitting signals.

[0052] There are multiple tuning dielectric blocks 400. Some of the tuning dielectric blocks 400 pass through the first cover plate 200 and contact the pins 150 on the first surface 110 of the gap layer 100, while others pass through the second cover plate 300 and contact the pins 150 on the second surface 120 of the gap layer 100. It is worth noting that the tuning dielectric blocks 400 can be replaced with those of different dielectric constants. By replacing the tuning dielectric blocks 400 with those of different dielectric constants, the frequency shift of the signal can be changed, thereby ensuring that the signal frequency remains within a preset range and improving the stability of this gap waveguide antenna array.

[0053] Furthermore, the first cover plate 200 has a first mounting hole 220, and the second cover plate 300 has a second mounting hole 320. A portion of the tuning medium block 400 is detachably inserted into the first mounting hole 220, with its end extending from the first cover plate 200 and contacting the pin 150 on the first surface 110 of the gap layer 100; another portion of the tuning medium block 400 is detachably inserted into the second mounting hole 320, with its end extending from the second cover plate 300 and contacting the pin 150 on the second surface 120 of the gap layer 100.

[0054] For the detachable connection between the tuning medium block 400 and the first mounting hole 220 or the second mounting hole 320, plug-in connection, threaded connection, snap-fit ​​connection or other detachable connection methods can be adopted, which will not be elaborated here.

[0055] Furthermore, the central axis of the tuning medium block 400 is coaxial with the central axis of the pin 150 that contacts it. Moreover, the projection of the contact surface between the tuning medium block 400 and the pin 150 is located within the projection of the contact surface between the pin 150 and the tuning medium block 400.

[0056] Furthermore, gaps are reserved between the first cover plate 200 and the pin 150, and between the second cover plate 300 and the pin 150, to reserve space for signal transmission.

[0057] Furthermore, the body material of the gap layer 100, the first cover plate 200 and the second cover plate 300 can be lightweight materials such as plastic, and the surface is metallized. This achieves the waveguide propagation mode without making the gap waveguide antenna array too bulky due to full metallization, thus having the advantage of lightweight design.

[0058] Furthermore, the gap layer 100 is provided with a gap layer fixing hole 160, the first cover plate 200 is provided with a first cover plate fixing hole 240, and the second cover plate 300 is provided with a second cover plate fixing hole 330. This gap waveguide antenna array also includes a connector that passes through the first cover plate fixing hole 240, the gap layer fixing hole 160, and the second cover plate fixing hole 330 to connect the first cover plate 200, the gap layer 100, and the second cover plate 300. Specifically, the connector can be a screw or a pin.

[0059] Specifically, in the tuning dielectric block 400 that contacts the pin 150 of the first surface 110 of the gap layer 100, each tuning dielectric block 400 together encloses a waveguide space, and the radiation window 210 is located in the waveguide space, so that the signal can interact with the outside world through the radiation window 210.

[0060] Furthermore, there are multiple radiation windows 210 arranged in a matrix, and each radiation window 210 is located within the waveguide space enclosed by the tuning dielectric block 400. The specific number of radiation windows 210 can be increased or decreased according to actual needs.

[0061] For different numbers of radiation windows 210, changing the dielectric constant of the tuning dielectric block 400 can affect the operating frequency of the entire gap waveguide antenna array, thereby adjusting the antenna resonant frequency. (Refer to...) Figure 1 In the first embodiment of this gap waveguide antenna array, the number of radiation windows 210 is four. (Refer to...) Figure 8 The effects of different dielectric constants Er of the tuning dielectric block 400 on the operating frequency of a gap waveguide antenna array with four radiation windows 210 were compared. The simulation results show that the higher the dielectric constant of the tuning dielectric block 400, the lower the operating frequency of the gap waveguide antenna array. When the dielectric constant Er increases from 2 to 8, the antenna resonant frequency decreases from 13.7 GHz to 13.2 GHz.

[0062] Reference Figure 9 In the second embodiment of this gap waveguide antenna array, the number of radiation windows 210 is sixteen. (Refer to...) Figure 10 The effects of different dielectric constants Er of the tuning dielectric block 400 on the operating frequency of a gap waveguide antenna array with sixteen radiation windows 210 were compared. The simulation results show that the higher the dielectric constant of the tuning dielectric block 400, the lower the operating frequency of the gap waveguide antenna will be. When Er increases from 2 to 6, the resonant frequency of the antenna decreases from 14.7 GHz to 13.9 GHz.

[0063] In summary, the structure proposed in this embodiment not only ensures the stability of the gap height and the overall structure, but also corrects the antenna frequency shift caused by processing errors by replacing the tuning dielectric block 400 with a different dielectric constant, without changing the circuit, thus improving the system robustness.

[0064] A frequency tuning kit according to a second aspect embodiment of this application includes a tuning dielectric block storage library and the aforementioned gapped waveguide antenna array. The tuning dielectric block storage library stores multiple tuning dielectric blocks 400 with different dielectric constants. Users can select a tuning dielectric block 400 with a corresponding dielectric constant according to actual needs. Each tuning dielectric block 400 can be installed on at least one of the first cover plate 200 and the second cover plate 300 to compensate for the frequency offset of the gapped waveguide antenna array.

[0065] A frequency correction method according to a third aspect embodiment of this application, which is based on the above-mentioned frequency tuning kit, includes the following steps:

[0066] S100. Install the gap waveguide antenna array, with a portion of the tuning dielectric block 400 contacting the pin 150 of the first surface 110 of the gap layer 100, and another portion of the tuning dielectric block 400 contacting the pin 150 of the second surface 120 of the gap layer 100.

[0067] S200. Test the gapped waveguide antenna array and detect its frequency shift.

[0068] S300. Summarize the frequency offset of the gap waveguide antenna array, establish a simulation database on the frequency offset correction of the tuning dielectric block 400 combination, and provide a reference;

[0069] S400. Based on the frequency offset of the gap waveguide antenna array and the simulation database, select tuning dielectric blocks 400 with different dielectric constants from the tuning dielectric block storage library, and replace the selected tuning dielectric blocks 400 in the gap waveguide antenna array.

[0070] S500. Repeat steps S100 to S400 until the frequency offset of the gap waveguide antenna array is suppressed and meets the operating requirements.

[0071] The embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of this application. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

Claims

1. A gapped waveguide antenna array, characterized in that, include: A gap layer that transitions from a first surface to a second surface along its thickness direction, the gap layer having a coupling hole extending from the first surface to the second surface, and both the first surface and the second surface having a frame and a plurality of pins disposed within the frame; A first cover plate is connected to the frame of the first surface and covers the first surface; the first cover plate has a radiation window. A second cover plate is connected to the frame of the second surface and covers the second surface; the second cover plate has a waveguide window. There are multiple tuning media blocks, a portion of which pass through the first cover plate and contact the pins on the first surface of the gap layer, and another portion of which pass through the second cover plate and contact the pins on the second surface of the gap layer. The tuning dielectric block can be replaced to accommodate tuning dielectric blocks with different dielectric constants.

2. The gapped waveguide antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cover plate has a first mounting hole, and the second cover plate has a second mounting hole. A portion of the tuning medium block is detachably inserted into the first mounting hole to contact the pin on the first surface of the gap layer, and another portion of the tuning medium block is detachably inserted into the second mounting hole to contact the pin on the second surface of the gap layer.

3. The gapped waveguide antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the tuning dielectric block that contacts the pin on the first surface of the gap layer, the tuning dielectric block encloses a waveguide space, and the radiation window is located within the waveguide space.

4. The gapped waveguide antenna array according to claim 3, characterized in that: The number of radiation windows is multiple and arranged in a matrix.

5. The gapped waveguide antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central axis of the tuning medium block is coaxial with the central axis of the pin that contacts it.

6. The gapped waveguide antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are gaps between the first cover plate and the pin, and between the second cover plate and the pin.

7. The gapped waveguide antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cover plate has a blind groove on the side facing the gap layer, and the blind groove is directly opposite the coupling hole.

8. The gapped waveguide antenna array according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The surfaces of the gap layer, the first cover plate, and the second cover plate are all metallized.

9. A frequency tuning kit, characterized in that, The device includes a tuning dielectric block storage library and a gap waveguide antenna array as described in any one of claims 1 to 8. The tuning dielectric block storage library stores a plurality of tuning dielectric blocks with different dielectric constants, and each of the tuning dielectric blocks can be mounted to at least one of the first cover plate and the second cover plate to compensate for the frequency offset of the gap waveguide antenna array.

10. A frequency correction method, based on the frequency tuning kit of claim 9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S100. Install the gapped waveguide antenna array, wherein a portion of the tuning dielectric block contacts the pins on the first surface of the gapped layer, and another portion of the tuning dielectric block contacts the pins on the second surface of the gapped layer; S200. Test the gapped waveguide antenna array and detect the frequency shift of the gapped waveguide antenna array; S300. Summarize the frequency offset of the gap waveguide antenna array, establish a simulation database on the frequency offset correction of the tuning dielectric block combination, and provide a reference; S400. Based on the frequency offset of the gap waveguide antenna array and the simulation database, select the tuning dielectric block with different dielectric constants from the tuning dielectric block storage library, and replace the selected tuning dielectric block in the gap waveguide antenna array; S500. Repeat steps S100 to S400 until the frequency offset of the gap waveguide antenna array is suppressed and meets the operating requirements.

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