Satellite antenna structure and satellite communication device

Abstract

The utility model provides a satellite antenna structure and a satellite communication device, and relates to the technical field of satellite communication. The satellite antenna structure provided by the utility model comprises a plurality of antenna array surfaces, the angles of the plurality of antenna array surfaces are different, and the plurality of antenna array surfaces can work independently; each antenna array surface is used for forming a beam coverage area; according to the invention, the corresponding wave beam coverage areas are respectively formed at different angles through the plurality of antenna array planes, so that the whole airspace is correspondingly divided into the plurality of sub airspaces, the coverage of the whole airspace is realized, the scanning range is improved, the angle required by each antenna array plane during scanning is reduced, the scanning loss generated during large-angle scanning is reduced, and the scanning efficiency is improved. The antenna gain is improved; and secondly, the plurality of antenna array surfaces can independently work to generate wave beams, so that the satellite antenna structure can generate a plurality of wave beams at the same time, thereby obtaining a wider wave beam coverage range at the same time, and improving the scanning efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of satellite communication technology, and in particular to a satellite antenna structure and a satellite communication device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the increasing demand for orbit determination accuracy and intersatellite communication capacity, space laser communication has developed rapidly due to its advantages such as large communication capacity, high transmission rate, good security, light structure and economical equipment. However, laser links still have inherent limitations such as long capture time, difficulty in networking and broadcasting communications, making intersatellite microwave communications with faster link establishment another option. However, the current common single-array antenna microwave links also have problems with limited frequency bands and insufficient communication capabilities. When the system requires large-angle scanning, the directional beam will have non-negligible scanning losses, which will lead to a decrease in the gain and anti-interference of the entire array. In addition, the beam scanning range of traditional planar arrays is too narrow and cannot achieve full airspace coverage. Utility Model Content

[0003] Based on this, the present application provides a satellite antenna structure and a satellite communication device that can achieve full airspace coverage while maintaining good gain.

[0004] The present application provides a satellite antenna structure, characterized in that it includes:

[0005] There are multiple antenna arrays, each of which has different orientations and can work independently.

[0006] Each of the antenna array faces is used to form a beam coverage area, and the beam coverage areas formed by the multiple antenna array faces jointly cover the airspace.

[0007] Optionally, the antenna array surface includes a top antenna sub-array surface and a side antenna sub-array surface; wherein,

[0008] The array normal of the top antenna sub-array is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and is used to generate a beam to cover the airspace in the vertical direction;

[0009] The side antenna sub-array surface is arranged in the circumference of the top antenna sub-array surface, and the surface normal line of the side antenna sub-array surface and the surface normal line of the top antenna sub-array surface have an angle, which is used to achieve airspace coverage together with the top antenna sub-array surface.

[0010] Optionally, there are multiple side antenna sub-array surfaces, and the multiple side antenna sub-array surfaces are adjacent end to end.

[0011] Optionally, an overlapping area is formed between adjacent beam coverage areas formed by two adjacent antenna array surfaces among the plurality of antenna array surfaces.

[0012] Optionally, the overlapping area is located between beam coverage areas generated by two adjacent side antenna sub-array surfaces, and between beam coverage areas generated by adjacent side antenna sub-array surfaces and the top antenna sub-array surface.

[0013] Optionally, the antenna array includes an antenna unit, a TR chip, a digital control chip and a wave-controlled power supply, and the antenna unit, the TR chip, the digital control chip and the wave-controlled power supply adopt a radio frequency multi-layer hybrid board to achieve integrated digital-analog hybrid integration.

[0014] Optionally, the antenna array is a phased array antenna.

[0015] Optionally, the antenna array surface is used to receive and transmit signals, and the antenna array surface transmits right-hand circularly polarized waves and receives left-hand circularly polarized waves.

[0016] The satellite communication device provided in the present application includes the satellite antenna structure described in the present application.

[0017] Optionally, it also includes a main control unit connected to the antenna array surface;

[0018] The main control unit includes a beam control module and an array resource allocation module. The beam control module is used to control the beam pointing; the array resource allocation module is used to select and allocate the antenna array when the target is located in the overlapping area.

[0019] Optionally, it also includes a mounting keel for mounting the antenna array surface;

[0020] Wherein, the plurality of antenna array surfaces are respectively arranged on the mounting keel, and the orientations of the plurality of antenna array surfaces are all different.

[0021] Optionally, the mounting keel is provided with a rotating mechanism for driving the mounting keel to rotate.

[0022] The satellite antenna structure and satellite communication device provided by the present application form corresponding beam coverage areas at different angles through multiple antenna array surfaces, thereby dividing the entire airspace into multiple sub-airspaces respectively, and achieving coverage of the entire airspace, thereby improving the scanning range, and at the same time reducing the angle required for each antenna array surface to scan, so as to reduce the scanning loss caused by large-angle scanning and improve the antenna gain; secondly, multiple antenna array surfaces can work independently to generate beams, so that the satellite antenna structure of the present application can generate multiple beams at the same time, thereby obtaining a wider beam coverage range at the same time and improving scanning efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without exceeding the scope of protection required by the present application.

[0024] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a satellite antenna structure of a first embodiment provided by the present application;

[0025] Figure 2 It is a side view of the satellite antenna structure beam coverage of the first embodiment provided by the present application;

[0026] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the deployment of the beam coverage of the satellite antenna structure of the first embodiment provided by the present application;

[0027] Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a satellite antenna structure of a second embodiment provided by the present application;

[0028] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the deployment of the beam coverage of the satellite antenna structure of the second embodiment provided in the present application.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals: 1, antenna array surface; 11, top antenna sub-array surface; 12, side antenna sub-array surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0031] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first", "second", etc. may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0032] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or mutual communication; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0033] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0034] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A satellite antenna structure provided in the present application includes a plurality of antenna array surfaces 1, wherein the plurality of antenna array surfaces 1 have different orientations and can work independently; each antenna array surface 1 is used to form a beam coverage area, and the beam coverage areas formed by the plurality of antenna array surfaces 1 jointly cover the airspace.

[0035] Corresponding beam coverage areas are formed at different angles by using multiple antenna array surfaces 1, thereby dividing the entire airspace into multiple sub-airspaces, and achieving coverage of the entire airspace, thereby improving the scanning range and reducing the angle required for each antenna array surface to scan, so as to reduce the scanning loss caused by large-angle scanning and improve the antenna gain; secondly, multiple antenna array surfaces 1 can work independently to generate beams, so that the satellite antenna structure of the present application can generate multiple beams at the same time, thereby obtaining a wider beam coverage range at the same time and improving scanning efficiency.

[0036] During the scanning process, since multiple antenna arrays 1 at different angles jointly cover the entire airspace, the satellite antenna structure does not need to move or rotate when scanning or tracking the target. It only needs to switch to the antenna array 1 with the corresponding angle and direction according to the target position to achieve target scanning and tracking.

[0037] As an optional embodiment, the antenna array surface 1 includes a top antenna sub-array surface 11 and a side antenna sub-array surface 12; wherein, the array normal of the top antenna sub-array surface 11 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and is used to generate a beam to cover the airspace in the vertical direction; the side antenna sub-array surface 12 is arranged in the circumference of the top antenna sub-array surface 11, and the array normal of the side antenna sub-array surface 12 has an angle with the array normal of the top antenna sub-array surface 11, and is used to achieve airspace coverage together with the top antenna sub-array surface 11.

[0038] As an optional implementation, there are multiple side antenna sub-array surfaces 12, and the multiple side antenna sub-array surfaces 12 are adjacent end to end.

[0039] The top antenna sub-array surface 11 generates a beam covering the airspace in the vertical direction. The side antenna sub-array surfaces 12 are arranged in the circumference of the top antenna sub-array surface 11. The multiple side antenna sub-array surfaces 12 are adjacent to each other end to end, so that the side antenna sub-array surfaces 12 and the top antenna sub-array surface 11 can jointly achieve full coverage of the airspace.

[0040] refer to Figure 3 As an optional implementation, an overlapping area is formed between adjacent beam coverage areas formed by two adjacent antenna array surfaces 1 among the multiple antenna array surfaces 1.

[0041] As an optional implementation, the overlapping area is located between the beam coverage areas generated by two adjacent side antenna sub-array surfaces 12 and between the beam coverage areas generated by adjacent side antenna sub-array surfaces 12 and top antenna sub-array surfaces 11.

[0042] The overlapping area improves the flexibility of selecting the antenna array surface 1 at the locations where the two side antenna sub-array surfaces 12 are adjacent, and where the side antenna sub-array surface 12 and the top antenna sub-array surface 11 are adjacent and are far from the array surface normal and have increased losses, thereby further improving the full coverage of the airspace and the efficiency of scanning and communication.

[0043] refer to Figure 1 As an optional implementation, the antenna array 1 includes an antenna unit, a TR chip, a digital control chip and a wave control power supply. The antenna unit, TR chip, digital control chip and wave control power supply adopt a radio frequency multi-layer hybrid board to achieve integrated digital-analog hybrid integration.

[0044] The antenna array 1 of this application is formed by using an antenna unit, a TR chip, a digital control chip and a wave control power supply to achieve integrated digital-analog hybrid integration using a radio frequency multi-layer hybrid board, thereby reducing the cross-section of the antenna array 1 and further reducing the volume and weight of the antenna array 1.

[0045] As an optional implementation, the antenna array 1 is a phased array antenna.

[0046] As an optional implementation, the antenna array surface 1 is used to receive and transmit signals, and the antenna array surface 1 transmits right-hand circularly polarized waves and receives left-hand circularly polarized waves.

[0047] The satellite communication device provided by the present application includes the satellite antenna structure of the present application.

[0048] As an optional implementation, it also includes a main control unit connected to the antenna array 1; the main control unit includes a beam control module and an array resource allocation module, the beam control module is used to control the beam pointing; the array resource allocation module is used to select and allocate the antenna array 1 when the target is located in the overlapping area.

[0049] By controlling the beam direction through the beam control module, the beam can determine and lock the target within the beam coverage area, improving the accuracy of scanning and the effect of information transmission. When the target is located in the overlapping area, firstly, all antenna array faces 1 generate beams at the same time to perform a large-scale scan, so as to determine the location of the target, and judge the beam coverage area corresponding to the antenna array face 1 where the target falls according to the position of the target satellite, and obtain the numbers of all antenna array faces 1 corresponding to the area, and select the best antenna array face 1, that is, the antenna array face 1 closest to the target, according to the principle of the distance between the target and the normal line of the antenna array face 1, the closer to the normal line, the smaller the scanning loss and the higher the array gain, through the array resource allocation module. If the resources of the antenna array face 1 closest to the target are not enough to provide the target's demand value, the suboptimal antenna array face 1 is selected for allocation, and the allocated antenna array face 1 "handshakes" with the target to establish communication.

[0050] As an optional implementation, it also includes a mounting keel for mounting the antenna array surface 1; wherein a plurality of antenna array surfaces 1 are respectively arranged on the mounting keel, and the orientations of the plurality of antenna array surfaces 1 are all different.

[0051] As an optional implementation, the installation keel is provided with a rotating mechanism for driving the installation keel to rotate.

[0052] If necessary, the installation keel can be driven to rotate through a rotating mechanism, thereby rotating the satellite antenna structure of the present application, so that a specific single antenna array face 1 can move with the tracking target, so that the tracking target can always remain within the beam coverage area of ​​the single antenna array face 1.

[0053] In some embodiments, Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, there are five antenna array faces 1, each of which is rectangular, and the five antenna array faces 1 together form a conformal array of right quadrangular prisms.

[0054] For example, the antenna array surface 1 includes a top antenna sub-array surface 11 and four side antenna sub-array surfaces 12;

[0055] The scanning angle range of each antenna array face 1 is ±60°. The scanning cone angles of two adjacent antenna array faces 1 intersect to form an overlapping area with an intersection angle of 30°. The five antenna array faces 1 jointly complete the coverage within the range of spatial pitch angle: 0<θ≤118.95° and azimuth 0≤φ<360°, and each antenna array face 1 can work independently and can generate 5 beams working simultaneously.

[0056] In some embodiments, Figure 4-Figure 5 As shown, there are six antenna array faces 1, each of which is an equilateral pentagon, and the six antenna array faces 1 together form a hexagonal array, wherein the six antenna array faces 1 include one top antenna sub-array face 11 and five side antenna sub-array faces 12;

[0057] For example, the spatial angle between the normal lines of each two adjacent pentagonal antenna array faces 1 is 63.4°, the scanning angle range of the antenna array face 1 is ±45°, and the scanning cone angles of two adjacent antenna array faces 1 intersect to form an overlapping area with an intersection angle of 26.6°. The six antenna array faces 1 together complete the spatial pitch angle: 0°≤θ≤108.4°, and the azimuth angle: Coverage within the range.

[0058] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail above. Specific examples are used herein to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and its core idea of ​​the present application. At the same time, changes or deformations made by those skilled in the art based on the ideas of the present application, the specific implementation methods and the scope of application of the present application, all belong to the scope of protection of the present application. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation on the present application.

Claims

1. A satellite antenna structure, characterized in that: include: There are multiple antenna arrays, each of which has different orientations and can work independently. Each of the antenna array faces is used to form a beam coverage area, and the beam coverage areas formed by multiple antenna array faces jointly cover the airspace.

2. The satellite antenna structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The antenna array surface includes a top antenna sub-array surface and a side antenna sub-array surface; wherein, The array normal of the top antenna sub-array is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and is used to generate a beam to cover the airspace in the vertical direction; The side antenna sub-array surface is arranged in the circumference of the top antenna sub-array surface, and the surface normal line of the side antenna sub-array surface and the surface normal line of the top antenna sub-array surface have an angle, which is used to achieve airspace coverage together with the top antenna sub-array surface.

3. The satellite antenna structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: There are multiple side antenna sub-array surfaces, and the multiple side antenna sub-array surfaces are adjacent end to end.

4. The satellite antenna structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: An overlapping area is formed between adjacent beam coverage areas formed by two adjacent antenna array surfaces among the plurality of antenna array surfaces.

5. The satellite antenna structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The overlapping area is located between the beam coverage areas generated by two adjacent side antenna sub-array surfaces, and between the beam coverage areas generated by the adjacent side antenna sub-array surfaces and the top antenna sub-array surface.

6. The satellite antenna structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The antenna array includes an antenna unit, a TR chip, a digital control chip and a wave-controlled power supply. The antenna unit, the TR chip, the digital control chip and the wave-controlled power supply adopt a radio frequency multi-layer hybrid board to achieve integrated digital-analog hybrid integration.

7. The satellite antenna structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The antenna array is a phased array antenna.

8. The satellite antenna structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The antenna array surface is used for receiving and transmitting signals, and the antenna array surface transmits right-hand circularly polarized waves and receives left-hand circularly polarized waves.

9. A satellite communication device, characterized in that: A satellite antenna structure comprising any one of claims 1-8.

10. The satellite communication device according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes a main control unit connected to the antenna array surface; The main control unit includes a beam control module and an array resource allocation module. The beam control module is used to control the beam pointing; the array resource allocation module is used to select and allocate the antenna array when the target is located in the overlapping area.

11. The satellite communication device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: It also includes a mounting keel for mounting the antenna array surface; Wherein, the plurality of antenna array surfaces are respectively arranged on the mounting keel, and the orientations of the plurality of antenna array surfaces are all different.

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