A spin orbit torque based reconfigurable antenna

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of antennas and relates to a spin-controlled array antenna based on spin-orbital torque, which comprises input patches, a connecting structure, antenna units and a substrate; the input patches are two, one corresponding end of which is connected with an external input source to input an alternating current signal, and the other corresponding end of which is connected with the connecting structure; the connecting structure comprises a plurality of branches to respectively connect different antenna units; the antenna units are a plurality to form a spin-controlled array; the input patches, the connecting structure, the antenna units and the substrate adopt different materials to generate the transfer of spin-orbital torque between the connecting structure and the antenna units by using the ferromagnetic resonance principle, excite spin waves, and convert the spin waves into electromagnetic waves by the antenna units and radiate them out. The application can realize extreme miniaturization on the premise of maintaining the performance of the antenna.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid iteration of 6G communication, the Internet of Things, and aerospace, the performance requirements of array antennas, as a core component of wireless communication systems, are constantly being upgraded. Currently, various electronic devices are developing rapidly towards high-density integration, miniaturization, and high performance, especially in scenarios such as microsatellite payloads, portable IoT terminals, and millimeter-wave communication modules, which place extremely stringent requirements on the size, integration, radiation stability, and impedance matching performance of array antennas.

[0003] Currently, the array antennas used in the field of wireless communication are still mainly of traditional types, including microstrip array antennas, patch array antennas, and slot array antennas. The core design of these traditional array antennas relies on the direct radiation and reception of electromagnetic waves to achieve signal transmission. Their structural design often adopts the method of multi-unit splicing and power supply network linkage, and relies on conventional dielectric substrates (such as FR4, sapphire, etc.) to build the overall structure.

[0004] However, existing array antennas still face a series of prominent problems that urgently need to be solved. Their inherent shortcomings have become key bottlenecks restricting the development of the industry, and their current application status is no longer suitable for the needs of the aforementioned high-end scenarios.

[0005] 1) Large size, low integration, and poor adaptability: The unit size of traditional array antennas is positively correlated with the operating wavelength. Due to wavelength characteristics, even after structural optimization, the overall size is still difficult to reduce significantly. At the same time, the array layout is cumbersome and the structure is not compact enough. Its substrate materials are mostly incompatible with CMOS technology, making it difficult to integrate with traditional transistors, logic circuits, etc. on a single chip. It cannot adapt to high-density integration scenarios and the installation requirements of micro devices, which greatly limits its application in high-end fields such as 6G and the Internet of Things.

[0006] 2) Single technical path and difficult to overcome performance bottlenecks: Traditional array antennas all rely on the technical path of direct electromagnetic wave radiation. Their performance improvement has reached its limit, and it is difficult to ensure radiation performance and signal transmission efficiency while reducing size. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque to address the above-mentioned technical problems, which can achieve extreme miniaturization while maintaining antenna performance.

[0008] A spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque includes: an input patch, a connection structure, an antenna element, and a substrate; The input patch has two terminals: one terminal is connected to an external input source to input an alternating current signal, and the other terminal is connected to the connection structure. The connection structure includes multiple branches to connect different antenna elements respectively; There are multiple antenna elements to form a spin-controlled array; The input patch, the connection structure, the antenna unit, and the substrate are made of different materials to utilize the principle of ferromagnetic resonance to generate a spin-orbit torque transfer between the connection structure and the antenna unit, thereby exciting a spin wave. The antenna unit converts the spin wave into an electromagnetic wave and radiates it out.

[0009] In one embodiment, it further includes: an impedance matching structure disposed between the two input patches; The impedance matching structure includes two or more strips spaced apart, with each corresponding end of the strip connected to two input patches, and the strip closest to the connection structure is connected to the connection structure.

[0010] In one embodiment, the impedance matching structure comprises two parallel strips spaced apart.

[0011] In one embodiment, the strip connects to the input patch at a position close to the connection structure.

[0012] In one embodiment, the connection structure includes a first branch and a plurality of second branches; The first branch is vertically disposed on the impedance matching structure; Multiple second branches are arranged in parallel at intervals, and the midpoint of each second branch is perpendicularly located on the first branch. In one embodiment, the length ratio of the first branch to the second branch satisfies 8:5, and the width ratio of the first branch to the second branch satisfies 3:1.

[0013] In one embodiment, antenna elements located on the same second stub are grouped together; The same group of antenna elements are placed on one side of the corresponding second stub to maintain the stability of the antenna pattern; All antenna elements are located on the same side of different second branches to avoid antenna pattern distortion.

[0014] In one embodiment, both input patches are rectangular and are arranged parallel to each other with a gap between them; The ratio of the distance between two input patches to the width of the input patch satisfies: [3:13, 3:10].

[0015] In one embodiment, the antenna unit includes: a feed line and a radiating patch; One end of the feeder wire is connected to the connection structure, and the other end is connected to the radiating patch.

[0016] In one embodiment, the input patch, the impedance matching structure, and the connection structure are all made of heavy metal materials, and the antenna element is made of magnetic material.

[0017] The aforementioned spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbital torque incorporates an impedance matching structure, a connection structure, and array antenna elements. Different materials are used in each component to generate spin orbital torque for spin control. This achieves an integrated spin-controlled array antenna that combines spin wave excitation, signal transmission, and directional radiation. It breaks through the design concept and technical bottlenecks of existing array antennas that rely on direct electromagnetic wave radiation. While maintaining antenna performance, it achieves extreme miniaturization, ensures good resonance and radiation performance, and improves signal transmission efficiency and stability. This results in high stability and high integration, and is of great significance for the development and application of antennas in micro portable electronic devices, IoT terminals, and aerospace micro-payloads. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque in one embodiment; Figure 2 This is a detailed schematic diagram of a spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque in one embodiment; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an antenna element of a spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque in one embodiment; Figure 4 As one embodiment, the S-axis of a spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque is... 11 Line graph; Figure 5 This is a gain curve of a spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque in one embodiment; Figure 6 This is a radiation pattern of a spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque in the H-plane at 9 GHz, as shown in one embodiment. Figure 7 This is a spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque in one embodiment, showing the H-plane radiation pattern at 11 GHz. Figure 8 This is the H-plane radiation pattern of a spin-orbit torque-based spin array antenna in one embodiment at 13 GHz.

[0019] Figure label: Substrate 1, input patch 2, impedance matching structure 3, connection structure 4, antenna element 5, feed line 51, radiating patch 52. Detailed Implementation

[0020] 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. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0021] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0022] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this application is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. In the description of this application, "multiple sets" means at least two sets, such as two sets, three sets, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0023] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, a physical connection, or a wireless communication connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two elements or the interaction between two elements, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0024] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments of this application can be combined with each other, but only if they are based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0025] This application provides a spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque, such as... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in one embodiment, it includes: an input patch, a connection structure, an antenna element, and a substrate. The input patch, the connection structure, and the antenna unit are connected in sequence, and the input patch, the connection structure, and the antenna unit are all located on the substrate (the input patch, the connection structure, and the antenna unit are all located on the upper surface of the substrate).

[0026] There are two input pads. One corresponding terminal is connected to an external input source to form a pad structure for inputting alternating current signals, and the other corresponding terminal is connected to the connection structure.

[0027] The connection structure includes multiple branches to connect different antenna elements respectively.

[0028] There are multiple antenna elements to form a spin array (spin array structure); the antenna element includes: a feed line and a radiating patch; one end of the feed line is connected to the connecting structure, and the other end is connected to the radiating patch, which radiates electromagnetic waves.

[0029] The substrate is a support component that provides support and loading space for the overall antenna structure.

[0030] The input patch, connection structure, antenna element, and substrate are made of different materials to utilize the principle of ferromagnetic resonance to generate a spin-orbit torque transfer between the connection structure and the antenna element, thereby exciting a spin wave. The antenna element converts the spin wave into an electromagnetic wave and radiates it out.

[0031] In this embodiment, preferably, the connection structure includes a first stub and multiple second stubs; the first stub is simultaneously connected to two input patches or perpendicularly disposed on the impedance matching structure; the multiple second stubs are arranged in parallel at intervals, and the midpoint of each second stub is perpendicularly disposed on the first stub; each second stub is provided with multiple antenna elements to achieve an array design with extremely small size. The arrangement of the connection structure forms an axisymmetric structure, which can stably transmit alternating current signals and smoothly excite each antenna element, further improving signal stability and further optimizing impedance matching to avoid distortion of the radiation pattern in forward radiation. More preferably, the ratio of the length of the first stub to the length of the second stub (with the long side of the first stub as the length direction of the first stub, the long side of the second stub as the length direction of the second stub, and the length direction of the first stub being perpendicular to the length direction of the second stub) satisfies 8:5, and the ratio of the width of the first stub to the width of the second stub satisfies 3:1, so as to accurately optimize the spin wave excitation effect, suppress ineffective mutual interference between waveguides, and improve the antenna's working stability and electromagnetic utilization efficiency.

[0032] More preferably, the ratio of the distance between the second stub and the input patch to the length of the second stub satisfies 2:25, so as to suppress parasitic parameter interference of the input patch, optimize the overall impedance matching characteristics, eliminate non-target resonance interference, and effectively stabilize and extend the antenna operating bandwidth.

[0033] More preferably, antenna elements located on the same second stub are grouped together; the same group of antenna elements are located on one side of the corresponding second stub to maintain antenna pattern stability; all antenna elements are located on the same side of different second stubs to avoid antenna pattern distortion.

[0034] In another embodiment, the device further includes: an impedance matching structure disposed on the upper surface of the substrate; the impedance matching structure is disposed between two input patches and includes two or more spaced strips; the two corresponding ends of the strips are respectively connected to the two input patches, and the strips closer to the connecting structure are connected to the connecting structure. The impedance matching structure can significantly improve the impedance matching performance of the antenna, expand the antenna bandwidth, achieve good impedance matching over a wide frequency band, and reduce signal transmission loss.

[0035] Preferably, the impedance matching structure includes two parallel strips spaced apart to uniformly regulate the parasitic parameters and coupling parameters of the structure, balance the electromagnetic coupling between waveguides, stabilize the impedance matching effect, reduce signal reflection and transmission loss, ensure efficient transmission of microwave signals, improve the working stability of the antenna, avoid coupling imbalance, impedance disorder and field distribution distortion, and ensure the high-frequency transmission and spin excitation performance of the antenna.

[0036] More preferably, the two strips are connected to the input patch near the connection structure to further optimize the antenna impedance matching, further expand the antenna bandwidth, achieve two resonant points, and ensure that the antenna can complete performance testing through the connection vector network, reducing the difficulty and cost of performance verification.

[0037] In another embodiment, the input patch, impedance matching structure, and connection structure are all made of heavy metal materials, and the antenna element is made of magnetic material to optimize spin signal transmission efficiency and reduce overall device loss. For example, the input patch, impedance matching structure, and connection structure are all made of platinum (Pt), the antenna element is made of magnetic material, and the substrate is made of silicon (Si). Relying on the process compatibility, cost controllability, performance adjustability, high integration, and industrial maturity of silicon material, a foundation is provided for the monolithic integration and large-scale mass production of spin array antennas. Specifically, micro-nano fabrication processes (existing technology) can be directly adopted, utilizing mature CMOS processes and 300mm silicon wafer production lines. There is no need to build new dedicated production lines, no increase in manufacturing costs, and it is easy to achieve large-scale mass production and practical application.

[0038] Preferably, both input patches are rectangular and arranged in parallel with a gap between them; the ratio of the distance between the two input patches to the width of the input patch (with the length direction of the second branch as the width direction of the input patch) satisfies: [3:13, 3:10], so as to match the standard RF interface impedance, suppress signal reflection and transmission loss, improve signal stability, realize efficient microwave energy transmission, optimize the overall power feeding performance, and ensure the stable operation of the spin antenna.

[0039] More preferably, the dimensions of the two input patches are adapted to the SMA connectors so that the positive and negative terminals of the external input source can be connected respectively through the SMA connectors, ensuring smooth input of AC signals and realizing a stable connection between the spin array antenna and the vector network.

[0040] More preferably, the two input patches are of different sizes to form an asymmetrical pad structure.

[0041] The working process of this application is as follows: the alternating current signal is input through the input patch, passes through the impedance matching structure and the connection structure, and generates a spin orbit torque transfer between the connection structure and the antenna element, which excites a spin wave. The antenna element converts the spin wave into an electromagnetic wave, and finally the electromagnetic wave is transmitted to the radiating patch of the antenna element and radiated out through the radiating patch, thus completing the signal transmission and radiation.

[0042] The aforementioned spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbital torque incorporates an impedance matching structure, a connection structure, and array antenna elements. Different materials are used in each component to generate spin orbital torque for spin control. This achieves an integrated spin-controlled array antenna that combines spin wave excitation, signal transmission, and directional radiation. It breaks through the design concept and technical bottlenecks of existing array antennas that rely on direct electromagnetic wave radiation. While maintaining antenna performance, it achieves extreme miniaturization, ensures good resonance and radiation performance, and improves signal transmission efficiency and stability. This results in high stability and high integration, and is of great significance for the development and application of antennas in micro portable electronic devices, IoT terminals, and aerospace micro-payloads.

[0043] Specifically, this application has the following beneficial effects: 1. This application employs spin technology and utilizes the principle of ferromagnetic resonance to overcome the limitations of traditional array antennas, such as the direct correlation between size and wavelength, and the contradiction between size and performance. This significantly reduces the antenna size, achieving extreme miniaturization (radiating patch size is only 10×10µm). 2 (Approximately 0.000052% of conventional antennas in the same frequency band), while utilizing antenna elements to achieve efficient conversion between spin waves and electromagnetic waves, and using connection structures to achieve torque transfer, thereby improving the efficiency and stability of signal transmission, providing a new path for array antennas to achieve both extreme miniaturization and high performance.

[0044] 2. This application achieves extreme miniaturization of the array antenna and adopts an array layout, which is compact in structure and has the advantage of high integration. It is easy to conformally integrate with CMOS circuits, integrated chips and other structures, making it easy to carry and fully adaptable to high-density integrated communication scenarios with extremely high space requirements, such as micro portable devices, 6G / terahertz communication, Internet of Things, and micro satellite payloads.

[0045] 3. This application achieves extreme miniaturization while possessing excellent radiation and resonance performance. The antenna operates at a relatively low frequency. 11 The parameters are all below -10dB within the range of 7.97-13.9GHz, and there are two obvious resonant points at 11.3GHz and 13.5GHz within the operating frequency band. The resonance depth is large, resulting in high signal transmission efficiency and good stability. The impedance matching structure and connection structure settings significantly improve the antenna gain (the antenna gain within the operating frequency band is greater than -5dB, which is 40dB higher than that of a common antenna of the same size), reduce gain fluctuations, and the H-plane radiation pattern exhibits directional radiation characteristics without distortion as the frequency increases. The directional radiation capability is accurate, and the radiation performance is stable, which can meet the practical application requirements of wireless communication.

[0046] 4. The combination of the features in this application enables a spin-controlled array antenna that operates using spin waves, achieving both miniaturization and high performance. This improves anti-interference capabilities, enhances resonance depth and notch characteristics, effectively suppresses various interference signals in complex communication environments, and further improves communication stability.

[0047] 5. The array antenna has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, uses readily available materials, has low processing costs, and is highly compatible with micro-nano fabrication processes. It is easy to scale up production and promote practical applications, and is suitable for the field of micro-communication, especially for micro portable electronic devices, 6G, millimeter-wave communication, IoT terminals, aerospace micro-payloads and other scenarios.

[0048] In one specific embodiment, the spin array antenna of this application was simulated and analyzed using the electromagnetic full-wave simulation software CST, and its structural parameters and S... 11 The parameters, gain, and radiation pattern were studied.

[0049] like Figure 4 As shown, S 11 The parameters are all below -10dB between 7.97 and 13.9 GHz, with two distinct resonant points at 11.3 GHz and 13.5 GHz, and the S at 11.3 GHz... 11 The S value at 13.5 GHz is -33.9 dB. 11 The value of -22.3dB proves that the antenna has good resonant performance and can be applied in wireless communication.

[0050] like Figure 5 As shown, the antenna gain is greater than -5dB in the operating frequency band. It is worth noting that although the gain is less than 0 in some frequency bands, the gain of this application has been improved by about 40dB compared with the gain of conventional antennas of the same size (less than -40dB), which proves that the antenna can work normally in the operating frequency band and has good gain characteristics.

[0051] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the H-plane radiation pattern of the antenna at different frequencies within the operating frequency band shows that the antenna exhibits directional radiation in the H-plane. As the frequency increases, the antenna pattern does not become distorted, proving that the antenna radiation performance is stable.

[0052] The contents not described in detail in this specification are existing technologies known to those skilled in the art.

[0053] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0054] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended application documents.

Claims

1. A spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbital torque, characterized in that, include: Input patch, connection structure, antenna unit and substrate; The input patch has two terminals: one terminal is connected to an external input source to input an alternating current signal, and the other terminal is connected to the connection structure. The connection structure includes multiple branches to connect different antenna elements respectively; There are multiple antenna elements to form a spin-controlled array; The input patch, the connection structure, the antenna unit, and the substrate are made of different materials to utilize the principle of ferromagnetic resonance to generate a spin-orbit torque transfer between the connection structure and the antenna unit, thereby exciting a spin wave. The antenna unit converts the spin wave into an electromagnetic wave and radiates it out.

2. The spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Consider the impedance matching structure between the two input patches; The impedance matching structure includes two or more strips spaced apart, with each corresponding end of the strip connected to two input patches, and the strip closest to the connection structure is connected to the connection structure.

3. A spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbital torque according to claim 2, characterized in that, The impedance matching structure comprises two parallel strips spaced apart.

4. A spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbital torque according to claim 3, characterized in that, The strip connects to the input patch near the connection structure.

5. A spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbital torque according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The connection structure includes a first branch and multiple second branches; The first branch is vertically disposed on the impedance matching structure; Multiple second branches are arranged in parallel at intervals, and the midpoint of each second branch is perpendicularly located on the first branch.

6. A spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbital torque according to claim 5, characterized in that, The ratio of the length of the first branch to the length of the second branch is 8:5, and the ratio of the width of the first branch to the width of the second branch is 3:

1.

7. A spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque according to claim 5, characterized in that, Antenna elements located on the same second stub are grouped together; The same group of antenna elements are placed on one side of the corresponding second stub to maintain the stability of the antenna pattern; All antenna elements are located on the same side of different second branches to avoid antenna pattern distortion.

8. A spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Both input patches are rectangular and set parallel to each other; The ratio of the distance between two input patches to the width of the input patch satisfies: [3:13, 3:10].

9. A spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The antenna unit includes: a feed line and a radiating patch; One end of the feeder wire is connected to the connection structure, and the other end is connected to the radiating patch.

10. A spin-controlled array antenna based on spin orbit torque according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The input patch, the impedance matching structure, and the connection structure are all made of heavy metal materials, and the antenna element is made of magnetic material.

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