A dual-polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna

Abstract

The present invention discloses a dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna. The present invention arranges a varactor diode on a first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and a second periodic antenna radiation structure plate, and uses a microcontroller to control the capacitance value of the varactor diode, thereby controlling the beam scanning range of the dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna. The present invention combines the linearly polarized waves radiated by the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate, and uses a microcontroller to independently control the varactor diode in each sub-wavelength structure in the first and second periodic antenna radiation structure plates, thereby expanding the beam scanning range, thereby realizing a dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning antenna; the present invention uses a regulated varactor diode to realize electrically controlled beam scanning, does not need to switch the operating frequency or use a phase shifter to perform beam scanning, and has a simple structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna. Background Art

[0002] The commercialization of the fifth generation mobile communication system (5G) has put forward many high-performance requirements for the communication system. Antenna is the key part of the communication equipment for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves. Its technical optimization and breakthrough will improve the performance of the entire communication system. Traditional beam scanning antennas generally use switching operating frequencies or phase shifters to achieve beam scanning. However, using the above method to achieve beam scanning will make the beam scanning antenna structure complex and will bring about the occupation of a wider frequency band, resulting in a small beam scanning range of the entire antenna system and an increase in the size and cost of the beam scanning antenna. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna to solve the problem of small beam scanning range of traditional beam scanning antennas.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following solutions:

[0005] A dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna, comprising: a first periodic antenna radiation structure plate, a second periodic antenna radiation structure plate, a varactor diode, an inductor and a microcontroller; the varactor diode comprises a first varactor diode and a second varactor diode; the inductor comprises a first inductor and a second inductor;

[0006] The upper end surface of the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate is provided with a plurality of the first variable capacitance diodes; the lower end surface of the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate is provided with a plurality of the first inductors; the upper end surface of the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate is provided with a plurality of the second inductors; the lower end surface of the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate is provided with a plurality of the second variable capacitance diodes; the inductors are used to pass AC RF signals and block DC signals;

[0007] The varactor diode and the inductor are both connected to the microcontroller; the microcontroller is used to control the capacitance value of the varactor diode, thereby controlling the beam scanning range of the dual-polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna.

[0008] Optionally, the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate includes multiple x-polarization periodic antenna radiation units, and the multiple x-polarization periodic antenna radiation units are arranged in sequence; the upper side of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit has a first groove with different depths; the upper end surface of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit is provided with multiple first varactor diodes, and the first varactor diode is provided between two first grooves; the lower end surface of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit is provided with multiple first inductors, and the position of each first inductor corresponds to one first varactor diode.

[0009] Optionally, the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate includes multiple y-polarization periodic antenna radiation units, and the multiple y-polarization periodic antenna radiation units are arranged in sequence; the upper end surface of the y-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit is provided with multiple second inductors; the lower side of the y-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit has multiple second grooves of the same depth, and the second varactor is arranged between two second grooves; the lower end surface of the y-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit is provided with multiple second varactor, and the position of each second inductor corresponds to a second varactor.

[0010] Optionally, the dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna further includes: a first dielectric substrate, a second dielectric substrate and a metal floor;

[0011] The microcontroller, the first dielectric substrate, the metal floor and the second dielectric substrate are arranged in sequence from bottom to top; the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate are laid on the upper surface of the second dielectric substrate, and the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate are arranged opposite to each other; the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate are both parallel to the metal floor.

[0012] Optionally, metal vias are provided on the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate, the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate, the first dielectric substrate, the metal floor and the second dielectric substrate; and the varactor diode and the inductor are connected to the microcontroller through the metal vias.

[0013] Optionally, it also includes: a feeding part; the two end surfaces of the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate are respectively connected to one of the feeding parts; the two end surfaces of the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate are respectively connected to one of the feeding parts.

[0014] Optionally, the material of the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and the material of the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate are metal materials.

[0015] Optionally, the microcontroller includes: a single chip microcomputer and a field programmable gate array; the single chip microcomputer is connected to the field programmable gate array; the field programmable gate array is connected to the varactor diode and the inductor respectively.

[0016] Optionally, the microcontroller provides a DC voltage of 0V, 3.3V or 5V to the varactor diode to adjust the capacitance value of the varactor diode.

[0017] According to the specific embodiments provided by the present invention, the present invention discloses the following technical effects:

[0018] The present invention discloses a dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna. The present invention arranges a varactor diode on a first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and a second periodic antenna radiation structure plate, and uses a microcontroller to control the capacitance value of the varactor diode, thereby controlling the beam scanning range of the dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna. The present invention combines the linearly polarized waves radiated by the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate, and uses a microcontroller to independently control the varactor diode in each sub-wavelength structure in the first and second periodic antenna radiation structure plates, thereby expanding the beam scanning range, thereby realizing a dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning antenna; the present invention uses a regulated varactor diode to realize electrically controlled beam scanning, does not need to switch the operating frequency or use a phase shifter to perform beam scanning, and has a simple structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0020] Figure 1 A top view of the dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna provided by the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit provided by the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the y-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit provided by the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 A side view of the dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna provided by the present invention.

[0024] Explanation of symbols:

[0025] 1 first periodic antenna radiation structure plate, 1-1 first varactor diode, 1-2 metal via, 1-3x polarization periodic antenna radiation unit, 1-4 first inductor, 1-5 first matching groove, 2 second periodic antenna radiation structure plate, 2-1 second varactor diode, 2-2 second inductor, 2-3y polarization periodic antenna radiation unit, 2-4 second matching groove; 3 feeding part, 3-1 feeding branch, 4 second dielectric substrate, 5 metal floor, 6 first dielectric substrate, 7 microcontroller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] The object of the present invention is to provide a dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna to solve the problem of small beam scanning range of traditional beam scanning antennas.

[0028] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0029] Figure 1 A top view of the dual-polarized electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna provided by the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, a dual-polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna includes: a first periodic antenna radiation structure plate 1, a second periodic antenna radiation structure plate 2, a varactor, an inductor and a microcontroller 7; the varactor includes a first varactor 1-1 and a second varactor 2-1; the inductor includes a first inductor 1-4 and a second inductor 2-2.

[0030] The upper end surface of the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate 1 is provided with a plurality of the first variable capacitance diodes 1-1; the lower end surface of the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate 1 is provided with a plurality of the first inductors 1-4; the upper end surface of the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate 2 is provided with a plurality of the second inductors 2-2; the lower end surface of the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate 2 is provided with a plurality of the second variable capacitance diodes 2-1; the inductors are used to pass AC RF signals and block DC signals;

[0031] The varactor diode and the inductor are both connected to the microcontroller 7; the microcontroller 7 is used to control the capacitance value of the varactor diode, thereby controlling the beam scanning range of the dual-polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit provided by the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate 1 includes a plurality of x-polarization periodic antenna radiation units 1-3, and the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit 1-3 radiates polarized waves along the x direction. The plurality of x-polarization periodic antenna radiation units 1-3 are arranged in sequence; the upper side of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit 1-3 is provided with a first groove of different depths; the upper end surface of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit 1-3 is provided with a plurality of the first varactor diodes 1-1, and the first varactor diode 1-1 is provided between two of the first grooves; the lower end surface of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit 1-3 is provided with a plurality of the first inductors 1-4, and the position of each of the first inductors 1-4 corresponds to one of the first varactor diodes 1-1.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the Y-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit provided by the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate 2 includes a plurality of y-polarized periodic antenna radiation units 2-3, and the y-polarized periodic antenna radiation unit 2-3 radiates y-polarized waves orthogonal to the x-direction polarized waves. The plurality of y-polarized periodic antenna radiation units 2-3 are arranged in sequence; the upper end surface of the y-polarized periodic antenna radiation unit 2-3 is provided with a plurality of the second inductors 2-2; the lower side of the y-polarized periodic antenna radiation unit 2-3 has a plurality of second grooves of the same depth, and the second varactor 2-1 is provided between two of the second grooves; the lower end surface of the y-polarized periodic antenna radiation unit 2-3 is provided with a plurality of the second varactor 2-1, and the position of each second inductor 2-2 corresponds to a second varactor 2-1.

[0034] Figure 4 A side view of the dual-polarized electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna provided by the present invention. Figure 1 , 4 As shown, the dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna also includes: a feeding part 3, a first dielectric substrate 6, a matching load, a second dielectric substrate 4 and a metal floor 5;

[0035] The two end surfaces of the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate 1 are respectively connected to one of the feed parts 3; the two end surfaces of the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate 2 are respectively connected to one of the feed parts 3. In practical applications, the left end surface of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit 1-3 on the leftmost end surface is connected to the feed part 3, and the right end surface of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit 1-3 on the rightmost end surface is connected to the feed part 3. The left end surface of the y-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit 2-3 on the leftmost end surface is connected to the feed part 3, and the right end surface of the y-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit 2-3 on the rightmost end surface is connected to the feed part 3. The x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit 1-3 includes a groove structure, which is characterized in that the groove depth is non-uniform, and the y-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit 2-3 includes a groove structure, which is characterized in that the groove depth is uniform. The feeding part 3 includes a feeding branch 3-1, and the feeding branch 3-1 includes a feeding branch horizontal part and a feeding branch cylindrical part. The feeding branch cylindrical part is arranged on the two end surfaces of the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate 1 and the two end surfaces of the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate 2; the cylindrical part of the feeding branch is provided with a coaxial line core, and the feeding part 3 uses the coaxial line core for feeding; the matching groove includes a first matching groove 1-5 and a second matching groove 2-4; the first matching groove 1-5 is connected to the two end surfaces of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit 1-3, and the second matching groove 2-4 is connected to the two end surfaces of the y-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit 2-3; the feeding part 3 is arranged on an end surface of the feeding branch 3-1 away from the matching groove.

[0036] The microcontroller 7, the first dielectric substrate 6, the metal floor 5 and the second dielectric substrate 4 are arranged in sequence from bottom to top; the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate 1 and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate 2 are laid on the upper surface of the second dielectric substrate 4, and the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate 1 and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate 2 are arranged opposite to each other. In practical applications, the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate 1 and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate 2 are applied to the upper surface of the second dielectric substrate 4; the second dielectric substrate 4 is applied to the upper surface of the metal floor 5; the metal floor 5 is applied to the upper surface of the first dielectric substrate 6; the first dielectric substrate 6 is applied to the upper surface of the microcontroller 7. Figure 1 In the figure, the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate 1 and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate 2 are composed of about 10 modulation periods (x and y polarization periodic antenna radiation units), each modulation period contains 7-8 sub-wavelength units, these sub-wavelength units are loaded with varactor diodes, and the bias voltage of each varactor diode can be independently controlled, which brings great flexibility to the antenna design while also bringing higher complexity to the implementation. Its control routing is very complex, and a highly integrated microcontroller 7 is required to achieve reliable and convenient control. Figure 2As shown, the varactor diode 1-1 is connected to the bottom microcontroller 7 through the metal via 1-3. Since a large number of I / O ports are required and the real-time requirement is high, the microcontroller 7 is composed of a single-chip microcomputer and an FPGA (field programmable gate array); the varactor diode is separately provided with a 0 / 3.3V / 5V DC voltage through the microcontroller 7.

[0037] The dielectric substrate of the present invention is a cuboid. Increasing the height of the dielectric substrate can increase the bandwidth of the electrically controlled beam scanning antenna, and increasing the number of x- and y-polarization period antenna radiation units can increase the gain of the electrically controlled beam scanning antenna.

[0038] The first periodic antenna radiation structure plate 1, the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate 2, the first dielectric substrate 6, the metal floor 5 and the second dielectric substrate 4 are all provided with metal vias 1-2; the varactor diode and the inductor are both connected to the microcontroller 7 through the metal vias 1-2.

[0039] The material of the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate 1 and the material of the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate 2 are metal materials.

[0040] The microcontroller 7 includes: a single chip microcomputer and a field programmable gate array; the single chip microcomputer is connected to the field programmable gate array; the field programmable gate array is connected to the variable capacitance diode and the inductor respectively.

[0041] The microcontroller 7 provides a DC voltage of 0V, 3.3V or 5V to the varactor diode to adjust the capacitance value of the varactor diode. The microcontroller 7 is used to control each varactor diode, and its output voltage is 0V, 3.3V or 5V. Therefore, each varactor diode can only provide two capacitance values. By using different diodes, for example, the capacitance values ​​of the SMV 14 series varactor diodes are 0.56pF, 1.17pF, 1.72pF and 3.77pF respectively when the same 5V bias is added. The solution provided by the present invention has the advantages of digital coding control and a large phase adjustment range.

[0042] The present invention arranges a varactor diode on the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate, and uses a microcontroller to control the capacitance value of the varactor diode, thereby controlling the beam scanning range of the dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna. The present invention combines the linearly polarized waves radiated by the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate, and uses a microcontroller to independently control the varactor diode in each sub-wavelength structure in the first and second periodic antenna radiation structure plates, thereby expanding the beam scanning range.

[0043] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other.

[0044] The principles and implementation methods of the present invention are described in this article using specific examples. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and core idea of ​​the present invention. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of ​​the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

Claims

1. A dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna, characterized in that: include: A first periodic antenna radiation structure plate, a second periodic antenna radiation structure plate, a varactor diode, an inductor and a microcontroller; the varactor diode includes a first varactor diode and a second varactor diode; the inductor includes a first inductor and a second inductor; The upper end surface of the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate is provided with a plurality of the first variable capacitance diodes; the lower end surface of the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate is provided with a plurality of the first inductors; The upper end surface of the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate is provided with a plurality of the second inductors; the lower end surface of the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate is provided with a plurality of the second varactor diodes; the inductors are used to pass AC radio frequency signals and block DC signals; The varactor diode and the inductor are both connected to the microcontroller; the microcontroller is used to control the capacitance value of the varactor diode, thereby controlling the beam scanning range of the dual-polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna; The first periodic antenna radiation structure plate comprises a plurality of x-polarization periodic antenna radiation units, and the plurality of x-polarization periodic antenna radiation units are arranged in sequence; the upper side of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit is provided with a first groove of different depths; the upper end surface of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit is provided with a plurality of the first varactor diodes, and the first varactor diode is provided between two of the first grooves; the lower end surface of the x-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit is provided with a plurality of the first inductors, and the position of each of the first inductors corresponds to one of the first varactor diodes; The second periodic antenna radiation structure plate includes multiple y-polarization periodic antenna radiation units, and the multiple y-polarization periodic antenna radiation units are arranged in sequence; the upper end surface of the y-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit is provided with multiple second inductors; the lower side of the y-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit has multiple second grooves of the same depth, and the second varactor is arranged between two second grooves; the lower end surface of the y-polarization periodic antenna radiation unit is provided with multiple second varactor, and the position of each second inductor corresponds to a second varactor.

2. The dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: a first dielectric substrate, a second dielectric substrate and a metal floor; The microcontroller, the first dielectric substrate, the metal floor and the second dielectric substrate are arranged in sequence from bottom to top; the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate are laid on the upper surface of the second dielectric substrate, and the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate are arranged opposite to each other; the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate are both parallel to the metal floor.

3. The dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first periodic antenna radiation structure plate, the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate, the first dielectric substrate, the metal floor and the second dielectric substrate are all provided with metal vias; the varactor diode and the inductor are both connected to the microcontroller through the metal vias.

4. The dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: Feeding part; two end surfaces of the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate are respectively connected to one of the feeding parts; The two end surfaces of the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate are respectively connected to one of the feeding parts.

5. The dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the first periodic antenna radiation structure plate and the material of the second periodic antenna radiation structure plate are metal materials.

6. The dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microcontroller comprises: a single chip microcomputer and a field programmable gate array; the single chip microcomputer is connected to the field programmable gate array; the field programmable gate array is connected to the variable capacitance diode and the inductor respectively.

7. The dual-linear polarization electrically controlled beam scanning leaky wave antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microcontroller provides a direct current voltage of 0V, 3.3V or 5V to the varactor diode to adjust the capacitance value of the varactor diode.

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