Transparent antenna phase array

Abstract

A transparent antenna phased array. The transparent antenna phased array includes a transparent dielectric layer and a plurality of antenna elements. The transparent dielectric layer includes at least two transparent material layers. Each antenna element includes an antenna conductive layer, a feed transmission line conductive layer, and a main ground via conductive layer. The antenna conductive layer is disposed in one of these transparent material layers. The feed transmission line conductive layer is disposed in one of these transparent material layers. The main ground via conductive layer is disposed in one of these transparent material layers and is located between the antenna conductive layer and the feed transmission line conductive layer. The antenna conductive layer, the feed transmission line conductive layer, and the main ground via conductive layer form a mesh structure. These transparent material layers separate the antenna conductive layer from the main ground via conductive layer, and also separate the feed transmission line conductive layer from the main ground via conductive layer.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to an antenna phased array, and more particularly to a transparent antenna phased array. [Previous Technology]

[0002] In current communication systems, most communication devices need to have the ability to communicate anytime and anywhere without geographical restrictions. However, when the transmission distance is long and the signal attenuation is severe, the antenna needs to provide ultra-high gain performance in order to deliver the signal.

[0003] In some communication applications, antennas need to have the ability to track movement. Furthermore, when electromagnetic waves pass through the air or ionosphere, their polarization direction may change, reducing the efficiency of antenna transmission. Therefore, improving the gain, tracking, and radiation capabilities of the transmission system is a key area of ​​focus for the industry. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] This disclosure relates to a transparent antenna phased array, which utilizes array design, electromagnetic coupling technology, beamforming, circular polarization radiation and other designs to give the transparent antenna characteristics such as ultra-high gain, directivity and circular polarization radiation capability.

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a transparent antenna phased array is proposed. The transparent antenna phased array includes a transparent dielectric layer and a plurality of antenna elements. The transparent dielectric layer includes at least two transparent material layers. Each antenna element includes an antenna conductive layer, a feed transmission line conductive layer, and a main ground via conductive layer. The antenna conductive layer is disposed in one of these transparent material layers. The feed transmission line conductive layer is disposed in one of these transparent material layers. The main ground via conductive layer is disposed in one of these transparent material layers and is located between the antenna conductive layer and the feed transmission line conductive layer. The antenna conductive layer, the feed transmission line conductive layer, and the main ground via conductive layer are in a mesh structure. These transparent material layers separate the antenna conductive layer from the main ground via conductive layer, and also separate the feed transmission line conductive layer from the main ground via conductive layer.

[0006] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a transparent antenna phased array is proposed. The transparent antenna phased array includes a transparent dielectric layer, a plurality of antenna elements, and a first phase shifting element. The plurality of antenna elements are disposed on the transparent dielectric layer. These antenna elements are at least divided into a first group and a second group. Each antenna element has a mesh structure. Each antenna element in the first group has a first feed path extending in a first direction. Each antenna element in the second group has a second feed path extending in a second direction. The second direction is different from the first direction. The first phase shifting element is connected to the second feed path.

[0007] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a transparent antenna phased array is proposed. The transparent antenna phased array includes a transparent dielectric layer, a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of beamforming circuits, and at least one feed combining network. The plurality of antenna elements are arrayed on the transparent dielectric layer. Each antenna element has a mesh structure. The plurality of beamforming circuits are disposed on the transparent dielectric layer. Each beamforming circuit is connected to a portion of these antenna elements. The feed combining network is connected to these beamforming circuits.

[0008] In order to better understand the above and other aspects of this disclosure, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

Implementation Method

[0010] The technical terms used in this specification are based on common terminology in the field. Where this specification provides explanations or definitions for certain terms, the interpretation of those terms shall be based on the explanations or definitions provided in this specification. Each embodiment disclosed herein has one or more technical features. Where feasible, those skilled in the art may selectively implement some or all of the technical features in any embodiment, or selectively combine some or all of the technical features in these embodiments.

[0011] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a transparent antenna phased array 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 shows a top view of a transparent antenna phased array 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the transparent antenna phased array 100 includes a transparent dielectric layer 110, a plurality of antenna elements 120, and a first phase shifting element 131. The transparent dielectric layer 110 includes at least two transparent material layers 111 and 112.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, antenna element 120 is disposed on transparent dielectric layer 110. Each antenna element 120 includes an antenna conductive layer 121, a feed transmission line conductive layer 122, and a main ground via conductive layer 123. Antenna conductive layer 121 is disposed on one of these transparent material layers 111 and 112. Feed transmission line conductive layer 122 is disposed on one of these transparent material layers 111 and 112. Main ground via conductive layer 123 is disposed on one of these transparent material layers 111 and 112. Transparent material layers 111 and 112 separate antenna conductive layer 121 from main ground via conductive layer 123, and also separate feed transmission line conductive layer 122 from main ground via conductive layer 123.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the main ground via conductive layer 123 is located between the antenna conductive layer 121 and the feed transmission line conductive layer 122. Each main ground via conductive layer 123 has an opening 123h, which is located between the antenna conductive layer 121 and the feed transmission line conductive layer 122, allowing the antenna conductive layer 121 and the feed transmission line conductive layer 122 to be connected by electromagnetic coupling. The antenna conductive layer 121, the feed transmission line conductive layer 122, and the main ground via conductive layer 123 form a mesh structure MS, and their materials may include, but are not limited to, metals, to increase the light transmittance of the antenna.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, these antenna elements 120 are divided into a first group G1 and a second group G2. Each antenna element 120 has a grid-like structure MS (shown in Figure 1). Each antenna element 120 in the first group G1 has a first feed path FP1 extending in a first direction D1. Each antenna element 120 in the second group G2 has a second feed path FP2 extending in a second direction D2. The second direction D2 is different from the first direction D1. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are substantially 180 degrees apart (phase compensation should be performed for different operating frequencies if possible).

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the first phase offset unit 131 is connected to these second feed paths FP2. The first phase offset unit 131 is used to provide a 180-degree phase offset (if possible, phase compensation should be performed for different operating frequencies). After the first phase offset unit 131 shifts the phase of the second feed path FP2 by 180 degrees, the phase after the shift will be the same as the phase of the first feed path FP1.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, these antenna elements 120 are arranged on several substantially parallel extension lines L120, and these antenna elements 120 arranged on two adjacent extension lines L120 are arranged in a cross-arranged / interlaced manner.

[0017] In detail, the antenna elements 120 arranged on two adjacent extension lines L120 are arranged at different projection positions. For example, the antenna elements 120 of the first group G1 are arranged alternately from the first column to the last column in the order of right, left, right, left, ... The antenna elements 120 of the second group G2 are arranged alternately from the first column to the last column in the order of left, right, left, right, ... The four antenna elements 120 within the dashed box in Figure 2 form a 2x2 topology.

[0018] Please refer to Figure 3, which shows a top view of a transparent antenna phased array 200 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In another embodiment, the antenna elements 120 of the transparent antenna phased array 200 are arranged on several substantially parallel extension lines L120, and the antenna elements 120 arranged on three adjacent extension lines L120 are arranged at different projection positions. For example, the antenna elements 120 of the first group G1 are arranged sequentially from the first column to the last column in the order of right, center, left, right, center, left, ..., and the antenna elements 120 of the second group G2 are arranged sequentially from the first column to the last column in the order of left, center, right, left, center, right, .... The first feed path FP1 of the antenna elements 120 of the first group G1 extends in a first direction D1, and the second feed path FP2 of the antenna elements 120 of the second group G2 extends in a second direction D2 to the first phase shift unit 131. The six antenna elements 120 within the dashed box in Figure 3 form a 3x2 topology.

[0019] Please refer to Figure 4, which shows a top view of a transparent antenna phased array 300 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In another embodiment, the antenna elements 120 of the transparent antenna phased array 300 are arranged on several substantially parallel extension lines L120, and the antenna elements 120 arranged on four adjacent extension lines L120 are arranged at different projection positions. For example, based on the 3x2 topology of the transparent antenna phased array 200, the transparent antenna phased array 300 adds a new set of antenna elements 120 in the middle, so that the eight antenna elements 120 within the dashed box in Figure 4 form a 4x2 topology.

[0020] Please refer to Figure 5, which shows a top view of a transparent antenna phased array 400 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment of Figure 5, the transparent antenna phased array 400 further includes a second phase shift unit 132 and a third phase shift unit 133. The second phase shift unit 132 is connected to a third feed path FP3. The third phase shift unit 133 is connected to a fourth feed path FP4.

[0021] As shown in Figure 5, the antenna elements 120 of the transparent antenna phased array 400 are divided into a first group G1, a second group G2, a third group G3 and a fourth group G4. The first group G1, the second group G2, the third group G3 and the fourth group G4 are arranged around a rectangle (not shown).

[0022] Each antenna element 120 of the first group G1 has a first feed path FP1 extending in a first direction D1. Each antenna element 120 of the second group G2 has a second feed path FP2 extending in a second direction D2. Each antenna element 120 of the third group G3 has a third feed path FP3 extending in a third direction D3. Each antenna element 120 of the fourth group G4 has a fourth feed path FP4 extending in a fourth direction D4. The first direction D1, the second direction D2, the third direction D3, and the fourth direction D4 are different. The first direction D1 and the fourth direction D4 are 90 degrees apart, the fourth direction D4 and the second direction D2 are 90 degrees apart, the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 are 90 degrees apart, and the third direction D3 and the first direction D1 are 90 degrees apart.

[0023] As shown in Figure 5, the first phase offset unit 131 provides a 180-degree phase offset (phase compensation is required for different operating frequencies if possible), the second phase offset unit 132 provides a 270-degree phase offset, and the third phase offset unit 133 provides a 90-degree phase offset. Through the aforementioned phase offset method, antenna elements 120 in different directions will be located in the same phase after phase offset.

[0024] Please refer to Figure 6, which shows a top view of a transparent antenna phased array 500 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the third group G3 and the fourth group G4 of the antenna elements 120 of the transparent antenna phased array 500 are located between the first group G1 and the second group G2. That is, in this embodiment, the antenna elements 120 of the third group G3 and the antenna elements 120 of the fourth group G4 are concentrated towards the center, without leaving any blank space in the middle. This arrangement can effectively save space in the transparent antenna phased array 500.

[0025] Please refer to Figure 7, which illustrates a schematic diagram of an antenna element 120 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The antenna element 120 can be a linearly polarized structure or a circularly polarized structure. Taking a circularly polarized structure as an example, the antenna element 120 can adopt a 1x1 array circularly polarized structure, a 1x2 array circularly polarized structure, a 2x2 array circularly polarized structure, or a 4x4 array circularly polarized structure. The 1x1 array circularly polarized structure consists of one antenna conductive layer 121 connected to one feed transmission line conductive layer 122. The 1x2 array circularly polarized structure consists of two antenna conductive layers 121 connected to one feed transmission line conductive layer 122, and these antenna conductive layers 121 are arranged 180 degrees apart. The 2x2 array circularly polarized structure consists of four antenna conductive layers 121 connected to one feed transmission line conductive layer 122, and each antenna conductive layer 121 is arranged by rotating 90 degrees sequentially. The circular polarization structure of the 4x4 array is formed by rotating four 2x2 arrays sequentially by 90 degrees, and then connecting the four 2x2 arrays in series with a feed transmission line conductive layer 122 to form a 4x4 array.

[0026] Figure 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a beamforming circuit 130 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The transparent antenna phased arrays 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 of various embodiments of the present disclosure may further include one or more beamforming circuits 130. After the antenna element 120 feeds a signal to the beamforming circuit 130, it uses digital beamforming, analog beamforming, or hybrid beamforming to change the pointing direction D9 of the field pattern. Taking Figure 8 as an example, the phase shifter 139 provides a specific phase shift to each antenna element 120 to adjust the pointing direction D9 of the field pattern.

[0027] Figure 9 illustrates a top view of a transparent antenna phased array 600 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure and a schematic diagram of the connection between the beamforming circuit 130 and the feed synthesizer network 140. In another embodiment, the transparent antenna phased array 600 includes a plurality of beamforming circuits 130 and a feed synthesizer network 140. Each beamforming circuit 130 is connected to a portion of the antenna elements 120. Taking Figure 9 as an example, each beamforming circuit 130 is connected to the connection ports of eight antenna elements 120 respectively. The feed synthesizer network 140 connects to these beamforming circuits 130.

[0028] Figure 10 illustrates a top view of a transparent antenna phased array 700 according to another embodiment of this disclosure, and a schematic diagram of the connection between the beamforming circuit 130 and the feed combining network 140. In the embodiment of Figure 10, each antenna element 120 is, for example, a circularly polarized structure of a 4x4 array. Multiple antenna elements 120 are arranged into four 16x16 arrays to form a transparent antenna phased array 700 with 1024 antennas. Four beamforming circuits 130 are individually connected to 16 antenna elements 120. The feed combining network 140 is connected to the four beamforming circuits 130. These antenna elements 120 form a transparent antenna phased array 700 with 1024 antennas.

[0029] Figure 11 illustrates a top view of a transparent antenna phased array 800 according to another embodiment of this disclosure, and a schematic diagram of the connection between the beamforming circuit 130 and the feed combining networks 140 and 150. In the embodiment of Figure 11, each antenna element 120 is, for example, a circularly polarized structure of a 2x2 array. Each beamforming circuit 130 is connected to eight antenna elements 120, then four beamforming circuits 130 are connected by one feed combining network 140, and then eight feed combining networks 140 are connected by feed combining network 150. These antenna elements 120 form a transparent antenna phased array 800 with a total of 1024 antennas.

[0030] Figure 12 illustrates a top view of a transparent antenna phased array 900 according to another embodiment of this disclosure, and a schematic diagram of the connection between the beamforming circuit 130 and the feed combining network 140, 150. In the embodiment of Figure 12, each antenna element 120 is, for example, a circularly polarized structure of a 4x4 array. The 16 antenna elements 120 on the left form a first group G1', the 16 antenna elements 120 on the right form a second group G2', the 16 antenna elements 120 on the upper side form a third group G3', and the 16 antenna elements 120 on the lower side form a fourth group G4'. The 16 antenna elements 120 in the middle form a fifth group G5'. The antenna elements 120 of the first group G1', second group G2', third group G3', and fourth group G4' are arranged in an alternating manner. The first group G1', second group G2', third group G3', and fourth group G4' all form a 16x16 topology. The antenna elements 120 of the fifth group G5' are arranged in an array. The fifth group G5' forms a 32x32 topology. The 16 antenna elements 120 of the first group G1' are connected to a beamforming circuit 130, the 16 antenna elements 120 of the second group G2' are connected to a beamforming circuit 130, the 16 antenna elements 120 of the third group G3' are connected to a beamforming circuit 130, and the 16 antenna elements 120 of the fourth group G4' are connected to a beamforming circuit 130. The four beamforming circuits 130 are connected to a feed combining network 140, and the fifth group G5' is connected to another feed combining network 140', and then connected to a feed combining network 150. These antenna elements 120 form a transparent antenna phased array 900 with 2048 antennas.

[0031] Please refer to Figures 13A and 13B. Figure 13A shows a top view of a transparent antenna phased array 1000 according to another embodiment of this disclosure, and Figure 13B shows a schematic diagram of the connection between the beamforming circuit 130 and the feed combining network 140, 150, and 160 of the transparent antenna phased array 1000 in Figure 13A. The feed combining network 160 is, for example, a combiner or a switch. In the embodiment of Figures 13A and 13B, two sets of transparent antenna phased arrays 800' and 800" are connected to the feed combining network 160. The transparent antenna phased array 800' is, for example, the transparent antenna phased array 800 in Figure 11, and the transparent antenna phased array 800" is, for example, the transparent antenna phased array 800 in Figure 11 rotated by 0 degrees or 90 degrees. These antenna elements 120 form a transparent antenna phased array 1000 with 2048 antennas.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 14, which illustrates the connection between the beamforming circuit 130 and the antenna unit 120 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The beamforming circuit 130 and other circuits (such as the power management circuit 170) are disposed on a dielectric layer 190. The dielectric layer 190 is, for example, a circuit board or an insulating material layer. The dielectric layer 190 is disposed on the transparent dielectric layer 110 and the antenna unit 120. A wiring layer (RDL) 180 is disposed on a first surface 190a and a second surface 190b of the dielectric layer 190, and the wiring layer 180 disposed on the first surface 190a and the second surface 190b is connected through a conductive via 191 penetrating the dielectric layer 190. Through the configuration of the wiring layer 180, the beamforming circuit 130 and the power management circuit 170 are connected to the antenna unit 120.

[0033] The various transparent antenna phased arrays proposed in the above embodiments utilize array design, electromagnetic coupling technology, beamforming, circular polarization radiation and other designs to enable the transparent antenna to have characteristics such as ultra-high gain, directivity and circular polarization radiation capability.

[0034] The foregoing disclosure provides different features for implementing some embodiments or examples of this disclosure. Specific examples of components and configurations described above (e.g., mentioned values ​​or names) are used to simplify / illustrate some embodiments of this disclosure. Of course, these components and configurations are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in various instances of some embodiments of this disclosure. This repetition is for simplicity and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed.

[0035] In summary, although this disclosure has been presented above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit this disclosure. Those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure shall be determined by the appended claims. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0009] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a transparent antenna phased array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 shows a top view of a transparent antenna phased array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 shows a top view of a transparent antenna phased array according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 shows a top view of a transparent antenna phased array according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 shows a top view of a transparent antenna phased array according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 shows a top view of a transparent antenna phased array according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of an antenna element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of a beamforming circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 shows a top view of a transparent antenna phased array according to another embodiment of the present disclosure and a schematic diagram of the connection between the beamforming circuit and the feed combining network. Figure 10 shows a top view of a transparent antenna phased array according to another embodiment of the present disclosure and a schematic diagram of the connection between the beamforming circuit and the feed combining network. Figure 11 illustrates a top view of a transparent antenna phased array according to another embodiment of this disclosure and a schematic diagram of the connection between the beamforming circuit and the feed synthesizer network. Figure 12 illustrates a top view of a transparent antenna phased array according to another embodiment of this disclosure and a schematic diagram of the connection between the beamforming circuit and the feed synthesizer network. Figure 13A illustrates a top view of a transparent antenna phased array according to another embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 13B illustrates a schematic diagram of the connection between the beamforming circuit and the feed synthesizer network of the transparent antenna phased array in Figure 13A. Figure 14 illustrates an example of the connection method between the beamforming circuit and the antenna element according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A transparent antenna phased array, comprising: A transparent dielectric layer, comprising at least two transparent material layers; The device comprises a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element including: an antenna conductive layer disposed on one of the transparent material layers; a feed transmission line conductive layer disposed on one of the transparent material layers; and a main ground via conductive layer disposed on one of the transparent material layers and located between the antenna conductive layer and the feed transmission line conductive layer. The antenna conductive layer, the feed transmission line conductive layer, and the main ground via conductive layer are in a mesh structure. The transparent material layers separate the antenna conductive layer from the main ground via conductive layer and also separate the feed transmission line conductive layer from the main ground via conductive layer. Each antenna conductive layer, each via of each feed transmission line conductive layer, and each main ground via conductive layer overlaps along a straight line.

2. The transparent antenna phased array as described in claim 1, wherein each of the openings is located between the antenna conductive layer and the feed transmission line conductive layer.

3. The transparent antenna phased array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna elements are arranged on a plurality of substantially parallel extension lines, and the antenna elements arranged on two adjacent extension lines are cross-arranged.

4. The transparent antenna phased array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna elements are arranged on a plurality of substantially parallel extension lines, and the antenna elements arranged on two adjacent extension lines are arranged at different projection positions.

5. The transparent antenna phased array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna elements are arranged on a plurality of substantially parallel extension lines, and the antenna elements arranged on three adjacent extension lines are arranged at different projection positions.

6. The transparent antenna phased array as described in claim 1, wherein each antenna element has a linear polarization structure or a circular polarization structure.

7. A transparent antenna phased array, comprising: A transparent dielectric layer; A plurality of antenna elements are disposed on the transparent dielectric layer. These antenna elements are at least divided into a first group, a second group, a third group, and a fourth group. Each antenna element has a mesh structure. Each antenna element in the first group has a first feed path extending in a first direction. Each antenna element in the second group has a second feed path extending in a second direction, which is different from the first direction. Each antenna element in the third group has a third feed path extending in a third direction. Each antenna element in the fourth group has a fourth feed path extending in a fourth direction, where the first, second, third, and fourth directions are different. A first phase shifting unit is connected to the second feed path.

8. The transparent antenna phased array as described in claim 7, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially 180 degrees apart.

9. The transparent antenna phased array as described in claim 7, wherein the first phase offset unit is used to provide a phase offset of 180 degrees.

10. The transparent antenna phased array as claimed in claim 7, wherein the antenna elements are arranged on a plurality of substantially parallel extension lines, and the antenna elements arranged on two adjacent extension lines are cross-arranged.

11. The transparent antenna phased array as claimed in claim 7, wherein the antenna elements are arranged on a plurality of substantially parallel extension lines, and the antenna elements arranged on two adjacent extension lines are arranged at different projection positions.

12. The transparent antenna phased array as claimed in claim 7, wherein the antenna elements are arranged on a plurality of substantially parallel extension lines, and the antenna elements arranged on three adjacent extension lines are arranged at different projection positions.

13. The transparent antenna phased array as described in claim 7, wherein the first direction is 90 degrees away from the fourth direction, the fourth direction is 90 degrees away from the third direction, and the third direction is 90 degrees away from the first direction.

14. The transparent antenna phased array as described in claim 7, further comprising: A second phase offset unit is connected to the third feed paths; and a third phase offset unit is connected to the fourth feed paths.

15. The transparent antenna phased array as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second phase offset unit is used to provide a phase offset of 270 degrees and the third phase offset unit is used to provide a phase offset of 90 degrees.

16. The transparent antenna phased array as described in claim 7, wherein the first group, the second group, the third group and the fourth group are arranged around a rectangle.

17. The transparent antenna phased array as described in claim 7, wherein the third group and the fourth group are located between the first group and the second group.

18. The transparent antenna phased array as described in claim 7, further comprising: A plurality of beamforming circuits are disposed on the transparent dielectric layer, each beamforming circuit being connected to a portion of the antenna elements; and a feed combining network is connected to the beamforming circuits.

19. A transparent antenna phased array, comprising: A transparent dielectric layer; A plurality of antenna elements are arrayed on the transparent dielectric layer, each antenna element having a mesh-like structure; a plurality of beamforming circuits are disposed on the transparent dielectric layer, each beamforming circuit being connected to a portion of the antenna elements; a plurality of first feed combining networks; and a second feed combining network, wherein in the transparent antenna phased array, each of the first feed combining networks connects a portion of the beamforming circuits, and the second feed combining network connects the first feed combining networks.

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