Beam steering unit, beam steering controller and antenna system

Abstract

The application discloses a beam steering unit, a beam steering controller and an antenna system. The beam steering unit comprises: a first metal layer comprising a first base, four first spiral inductors arranged on the first base, any two adjacent first spiral inductors being mutually symmetrical, and two end-adjacent first spiral inductors being connected; a second metal layer comprising a second base, four second spiral inductors arranged on the second base, the four second spiral inductors being arranged in a central symmetry and the ends of each second spiral inductor being connected at a central point of the second base; and a third metal layer comprising a third base, four third spiral inductors arranged on the third base, any two adjacent third spiral inductors being mutually symmetrical, and two end-adjacent third spiral inductors being connected. The application can effectively reduce the deployment cost of the antenna system and improve the aperture efficiency of the antenna system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to, but is not limited to, the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a beam control unit, a beam modulator, and an antenna system. Background Technology

[0002] With increasingly scarce wireless spectrum resources, their efficient utilization is the core of modern communication systems. In many application scenarios, such as converged communication base stations, a single platform often needs to support multiple services simultaneously, such as wide-area broadcast services that require wide beam coverage (e.g., digital television, FM broadcasting) and directional communication services that require narrow beam focusing (e.g., point-to-point relay, hotspot area coverage enhancement).

[0003] The current conventional solution is to deploy multiple independent antennas, each responsible for beam coverage of a specific service. This approach results in a large system, high hardware costs, severe electromagnetic interference between antennas, and difficulty in flexible adjustments once deployed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a beam control unit, a beam controller, and an antenna system, which can effectively reduce the deployment cost of the antenna system and improve the aperture efficiency of the antenna system.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a beam control unit, including:

[0006] A first metal layer, the first metal layer includes a first base, and four first spiral inductors are disposed on the first base, any two adjacent first spiral inductors are symmetrical to each other, and two adjacent first spiral inductors at their ends are connected.

[0007] The second metal layer includes a second base, on which four second spiral inductors are disposed. The four second spiral inductors are arranged symmetrically at the center and the ends of each second spiral inductor are connected at the center point of the second base.

[0008] The third metal layer includes a third base, on which four third spiral inductors are disposed. Any two adjacent third spiral inductors are symmetrical to each other, and two adjacent third spiral inductors at their ends are connected.

[0009] A first dielectric layer for electrical isolation is disposed between the first metal layer and the second metal layer, and a second dielectric layer for electrical isolation is disposed between the second metal layer and the third metal layer, wherein the first metal layer, the first dielectric layer, the second metal layer, the second dielectric layer, and the third metal layer are sequentially bonded from top to bottom.

[0010] The beam control unit according to the first aspect of this application has at least the following advantages: by symmetrically arranging the first, second, and third metal layers along the horizontal and vertical axes at the center point of the beam control unit, the dependence on the polarization direction is eliminated. Furthermore, by setting a different inductor arrangement in the second metal layer compared to the first and third metal layers, the beam control unit can support multiple services. The stacked arrangement of the metal layers effectively reduces the antenna deployment difficulty and cost.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the beam control unit further includes a first inductor patch, the first inductor patch being disposed on the first metal layer and connected to the first spiral inductor;

[0012] And / or,

[0013] The first inductor patch is disposed on the second metal layer and connected to the second spiral inductor;

[0014] And / or,

[0015] The first inductor patch is disposed on the third metal layer and connected to the third spiral inductor.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the beam control unit further includes:

[0017] The fourth metal layer includes a fourth base, and the fourth base is provided with two first metal strips that are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides;

[0018] The fifth metal layer includes a fifth base, and four second metal strips are symmetrically arranged along the center of the fifth base;

[0019] The sixth metal layer includes a sixth base, and the sixth base is provided with two third metal strips that are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides;

[0020] The fourth metal layer is disposed between the first dielectric layer and the second metal layer. A third dielectric layer for electrical isolation is disposed between the fourth metal layer and the second metal layer. The first metal layer and the first dielectric layer have a first through-hole. The first metal strip is connected to the first spiral inductor through the first through-hole. The fifth metal layer is disposed between the second dielectric layer and the third metal layer. A fourth dielectric layer for electrical isolation is disposed between the fifth metal layer and the third metal layer. The second metal layer and the second dielectric layer have a second through-hole. The second metal strip is connected to the second spiral inductor through the second through-hole. The sixth metal layer is disposed at the bottom of the third metal layer. A fifth dielectric layer for electrical isolation is disposed between the third metal layer and the sixth metal layer. The third metal layer and the fifth dielectric layer have a third through-hole. The third metal strip is connected to the third spiral inductor through the third through-hole.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the beam control unit further includes a second inductor patch.

[0022] The second inductor patch is disposed on the fourth metal layer and connected to the first metal strip;

[0023] And / or,

[0024] The second inductor patch is disposed on the fifth metal layer and connected to the second metal strip;

[0025] And / or,

[0026] The second inductor patch is disposed on the sixth metal layer and connected to the third metal strip.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the first metal strip extends along a first direction, and the two ends of the first metal strip are respectively connected to the beginning end of the first spiral inductor in the first direction.

[0028] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the first end of the second metal strip is located directly below the first end of the second spiral inductor, and the end of the second metal strip is located on the side of the fifth base.

[0029] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the third metal strip extends along a first direction, and the two ends of the third metal strip are respectively connected to the beginning end of the third spiral inductor in the first direction.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) components.

[0031] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a beam modulator, including the beam modulation unit provided in the first aspect embodiment above.

[0032] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an antenna system including the beam modulator provided in the second aspect of the embodiments above.

[0033] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the description, claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0034] The accompanying drawings are provided to further understand the technical solutions of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the technical solutions of the present invention, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a beam control unit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 2 A partial schematic diagram of a beam control unit provided for another embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a beam control unit provided in another embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0039] It is understandable that although functional modules are divided in the device schematic diagram and a logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the steps shown or described may be performed in a different order than the module division in the device or the order in the flowchart. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, or the aforementioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0040] With increasingly scarce wireless spectrum resources, their efficient utilization is the core of modern communication systems. In many application scenarios, such as converged communication base stations, a single platform often needs to support multiple services simultaneously, such as wide-area broadcast services that require wide beam coverage (e.g., digital television, FM broadcasting) and directional communication services that require narrow beam focusing (e.g., point-to-point relay, hotspot area coverage enhancement).

[0041] The current conventional solution is to deploy multiple independent antennas, each responsible for beam coverage of a specific service. This approach results in a large system, high hardware costs, severe electromagnetic interference between antennas, and difficulty in flexible adjustments once deployed.

[0042] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a beam control unit, a beam modulator, and an antenna system. By symmetrically arranging the first, second, and third metal layers along the horizontal and vertical axes at the center point of the beam control unit, the dependence on polarization direction is eliminated. Furthermore, by setting a different inductor arrangement in the second metal layer compared to the first and third metal layers, the beam control unit can support multiple services. This layered arrangement of metal layers effectively reduces the difficulty and cost of antenna deployment.

[0043] Firstly, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a beam control unit provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0044] It is understood that the beam control unit includes a first metal layer 100, a second metal layer 200, and a third metal layer 300. The first metal layer 100 includes a first base, on which four first spiral inductors 110 are disposed, any two adjacent first spiral inductors 110 are symmetrical to each other, and the ends of two adjacent first spiral inductors 110 are connected. The second metal layer 200 includes a second base, on which four second spiral inductors 210 are disposed, the four second spiral inductors 210 are arranged symmetrically around a center, and the ends of each second spiral inductor 210 are connected at the center point of the second base. The third metal layer 300 includes a third base, on which four third spiral inductors 310 are disposed, any two adjacent third spiral inductors 310 are symmetrical to each other, and the ends of two adjacent third spiral inductors 310 are connected. The first base, the second base, and the third base are all PCB circuit boards. The first spiral inductor 110 is a metal pattern set on the first base, the second spiral inductor 210 is a metal pattern set on the second base, and the third spiral inductor 310 is a metal pattern set on the third base. By setting symmetrical first metal layer 100 and third metal layer 300 and setting 90° rotationally symmetrical second metal layer 200, the effective electrical length and coupling strength of the unit can be kept to a minimum when electromagnetic waves are incident from different angles, which can effectively improve angular stability. That is, when the incident angle increases from 0° to 60°, the characteristics of the electromagnetic wave remain basically unchanged. It can ensure that the physical structure of the unit is similar regardless of the polarization direction of the incident electromagnetic wave, thereby eliminating its dependence on the polarization direction from the source. In addition, by setting a symmetrical first metal layer 100 and a third metal layer 300 and a 90° rotationally symmetrical second metal layer 200, the beam control unit exhibits a high degree of insensitivity to the polarization mode of the electromagnetic wave, avoiding performance degradation or signal distortion caused by changes in the polarization state of the incident wave, and ensuring the stability of communication and detection quality.

[0045] Specifically, by providing a first dielectric layer 400 for electrical isolation between the first metal layer 100 and the second metal layer 200, and providing a second dielectric layer 500 for electrical isolation between the second metal layer 200 and the third metal layer 300, short circuits between the metal layers can be effectively prevented.

[0046] It should be noted that the resonant frequency required by the beam control unit varies depending on the operating scenario. Therefore, a first inductor patch can be provided on the first metal layer 100, the second metal layer 200, and the third metal layer 300. Specifically, when the first inductor patch is provided on the first metal layer 100, it is connected to the first spiral inductor 110; when it is provided on the second metal layer 200, it is connected to the second spiral inductor 210; and when it is provided on the third metal layer 300, it is connected to the third spiral inductor 310. Furthermore, to ensure the symmetry of the beam control unit, if the first metal layer 100 has a first inductor patch, the third metal layer 300 also needs to have a first inductor patch, and the first metal layer 100 and the third metal layer 300 after the first inductor patch is provided are symmetrical.

[0047] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 2 This is a partial schematic diagram of a beam control unit provided in another embodiment of this application. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a beam control unit provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0048] Understandably, since the first metal layer 100, the second metal layer 200, and the third metal layer 300 are all provided with multiple spiral inductors, there are few expandable positions available to increase the first inductor patch. Therefore, the beam control unit also includes a fourth metal layer 600, a fifth metal layer 700, and a sixth metal layer 800. The fourth metal layer 600 includes a fourth base, which is provided with two symmetrical first metal strips 610. The fifth metal layer 700 includes a fifth base, which is provided with four second metal strips 710 symmetrically arranged along the center of the fifth base. The sixth metal layer 800 includes a sixth base, which is provided with two symmetrical third metal strips 810. The fourth base, the fifth base, and the sixth base are all PCB circuit boards. A fourth metal layer 600 is disposed between the first dielectric layer 400 and the second metal layer 200. A third dielectric layer 900 for electrical isolation is disposed between the fourth metal layer 600 and the second metal layer 200. A first through-hole 410 is provided between the first metal layer 100 and the first dielectric layer 400. A first metal strip 610 is connected to a first spiral inductor 110 through the first through-hole 410. A fifth metal layer 700 is disposed between the second dielectric layer 500 and the third metal layer 300. A third dielectric layer 900 for electrical isolation is disposed between the fifth metal layer 700 and the third metal layer 300. A fourth dielectric layer 1000, a second metal layer 200, and a second dielectric layer 500 are provided with a second through hole 510. A second metal strip 710 is connected to a second spiral inductor 210 through the second through hole 510. A sixth metal layer 800 is disposed at the bottom of a third metal layer 300. A fifth dielectric layer 1100 for electrical isolation is disposed between the third metal layer 300 and the sixth metal layer 800. A third through hole 1110 is provided between the third metal layer 300 and the fifth dielectric layer 1100. The third metal strip 810 is connected to the third spiral inductor 310 through the third through hole 1110. The first metal layer, the first dielectric layer, the fourth metal layer, the third dielectric layer, the second metal layer, the fourth dielectric layer, the fifth metal layer, the second dielectric layer, the third metal layer, the fifth dielectric layer, and the sixth metal layer are sequentially bonded from top to bottom.

[0049] Specifically, the first through-hole 410, the second through-hole 510, and the third through-hole 1110 are all metal through-holes. The first through-hole 410 is located at the center of the first spiral inductor 110, the second through-hole 510 is located at the center of the second spiral inductor 210, and the third through-hole 1110 is located at the center of the third spiral inductor 310. The first spiral inductors 110 connected to the beginning and end of the same first metal strip 610 are not connected to each other; the third spiral inductors 310 connected to the beginning and end of the same third metal strip 810 are not connected to each other; the beginning of each second metal strip 710 is connected to a second spiral inductor 210, and the end of the second metal strip 710 extends to the edge of the fifth metal layer 700.

[0050] It should be noted that the first dielectric layer 400, the second dielectric layer 500, the third dielectric layer 900, and the fourth dielectric layer 1000 are made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0051] It should be noted that the beam control unit requires different resonant frequencies to cope with different working scenarios. Therefore, second inductor patches can be set on the fourth metal layer 600, the fifth metal layer 700, and the sixth metal layer 800. Specifically, when the second inductor patch is set on the fourth metal layer 600, it is connected to the first metal strip 610; when it is set on the fifth metal layer 700, it is connected to the second metal strip 710; and when it is set on the sixth metal layer 800, it is connected to the third metal strip 810. Furthermore, to ensure the symmetry of the beam control unit, if the fourth metal layer 600 has a second inductor patch, the sixth metal layer 800 also needs to have a second inductor patch. The first metal layer 100 and the fourth metal layer 600 after the second inductor patch is set are symmetrical to the third metal layer 300 and the sixth metal layer 800.

[0052] Specifically, in some embodiments, the distance between the center points of any two adjacent first spiral inductors in the first metal layer 100 is 4 mm, and the radius of the first through-hole 410 is 0.2 mm. In the third metal layer 300, the distance between the center points of any two adjacent third spiral inductors is 4 mm, and the radius of the third through-hole 1110 is 0.2 mm. The lengths of the first and third metal strips are both 4 mm. In the second metal layer 200, the distance between the center points of two opposing second spiral inductors is 5.3 mm, and the length of the second metal strip is 2 mm. When TE and TM waves illuminate the beam control unit from top to bottom, a second-order transmission pole exists in the 1.7-2.1 GHz frequency band, and two transmission zeros exist in the 2.515-2.675 GHz frequency band. Similarly, when TM waves illuminate from top to bottom, a second-order transmission pole exists in the 1.7-2.1 GHz frequency band, and two transmission zeros exist in the 2.515-2.675 GHz frequency band. That is, regardless of whether it is TE wave or TM wave illumination, the 1.7-2.1GHz band can maintain the waveform or narrow the beam, while the 2.515-2.675GHz band can widen the beam.

[0053] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a beam modulator, including the beam control unit provided in the first aspect embodiment above. The beam modulator includes multiple uniformly arranged beam control units. By setting a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and a third metal layer symmetrically along the horizontal and vertical axes at the center point of the beam control unit, dependence on polarization direction is eliminated. Furthermore, by setting a different inductor arrangement in the second metal layer compared to the first and third metal layers, the beam control unit can support multiple services. This layered arrangement of metal layers effectively reduces the deployment difficulty and cost of the antenna.

[0054] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an antenna system including a beam modulator, an element, and a metal base as provided in the second aspect of the embodiments above. The element is mounted on the metal base, and the beam modulator is mounted around or on top of the element.

[0055] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is 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.

[0056] The above is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of this application. However, this application is not limited to the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of this application. All such equivalent modifications or substitutions are included within the scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A beam control unit, characterized in that, include: A first metal layer, the first metal layer includes a first base, and four first spiral inductors are disposed on the first base, any two adjacent first spiral inductors are symmetrical to each other, and two adjacent first spiral inductors at their ends are connected. The second metal layer includes a second base, on which four second spiral inductors are disposed. The four second spiral inductors are arranged symmetrically at the center and the ends of each second spiral inductor are connected at the center point of the second base. The third metal layer includes a third base, on which four third spiral inductors are disposed, any two adjacent third spiral inductors are symmetrical to each other, and the two adjacent third spiral inductors at their ends are connected. The first metal layer and the second metal layer are provided with a first dielectric layer for electrical isolation, and the second metal layer and the third metal layer are provided with a second dielectric layer for electrical isolation. The first metal layer, the first dielectric layer, the second metal layer, the second dielectric layer, and the third metal layer are sequentially bonded from top to bottom. The first metal layer and the third metal layer are symmetrically arranged and the second metal layer is 90° rotatably symmetrically arranged.

2. The beam control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The beam control unit further includes a first inductor patch, which is disposed on the first metal layer and connected to the first spiral inductor. And / or, The first inductor patch is disposed on the second metal layer and connected to the second spiral inductor; And / or, The first inductor patch is disposed on the third metal layer and connected to the third spiral inductor.

3. The beam control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The beam control unit also includes: The fourth metal layer includes a fourth base, and the fourth base is provided with two first metal strips that are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides; The fifth metal layer includes a fifth base, and four second metal strips are symmetrically arranged along the center of the fifth base; The sixth metal layer includes a sixth base, and the sixth base is provided with two third metal strips that are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides; The fourth metal layer is disposed between the first dielectric layer and the second metal layer. A third dielectric layer for electrical isolation is disposed between the fourth metal layer and the second metal layer. The first metal layer and the first dielectric layer have a first through-hole. The first metal strip is connected to the first spiral inductor through the first through-hole. The fifth metal layer is disposed between the second dielectric layer and the third metal layer. A fourth dielectric layer for electrical isolation is disposed between the fifth metal layer and the third metal layer. The second metal layer and the second dielectric layer have a second through-hole. The second metal strip is connected to the second spiral inductor through the second through-hole. The sixth metal layer is disposed at the bottom of the third metal layer. A fifth dielectric layer for electrical isolation is disposed between the third metal layer and the sixth metal layer. The third metal layer and the fifth dielectric layer have a third through-hole. The third metal strip is connected to the third spiral inductor through the third through-hole.

4. The beam control unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The beam control unit also includes a second inductor patch. The second inductor patch is disposed on the fourth metal layer and connected to the first metal strip; And / or, The second inductor patch is disposed on the fifth metal layer and connected to the second metal strip; And / or, The second inductor patch is disposed on the sixth metal layer and connected to the third metal strip.

5. The beam control unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first metal strip extends along a first direction, and both ends of the first metal strip are respectively connected to the beginning end of the first spiral inductor in the first direction.

6. The beam control unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first end of the second metal strip is located directly below the first end of the second spiral inductor, and the second end of the second metal strip is located on the side of the fifth base.

7. The beam control unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The third metal strip extends along the first direction, and its two ends are respectively connected to the beginning of the third spiral inductor in the first direction.

8. The beam control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

9. A beam modulator, characterized in that, The beam modulator includes a beam control unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the beam modulator comprises a plurality of beam control units arranged uniformly.

10. An antenna system, characterized in that, Includes the beam modulator as described in claim 9.

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