Ka-band broadband antenna and array based on LTCC

Abstract

The present invention proposes a LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna and its array. The LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna includes a Vivaldi radiator and two metal half-frames that sandwich the Vivaldi radiator. The Vivaldi radiator is composed of an LTCC dielectric plate, two outermost metal layers attached to the LTCC dielectric plate, an innermost metal layer, and several intermediate metal layers. The outermost metal layer consists of a gradient radiating plate and a perforated grounding plate. The innermost metal layer consists of a balun feed network and a perforated grounding plate. The intermediate metal layer consists of a perforated grounding plate. The gradient radiating plates on the two outermost metal layers are connected by conductive vias, and the perforated grounding plates on multiple different layers are connected by conductive vias. This antenna can well meet the requirements of mobile communication systems and detection radar systems for the next generation of phased array antennas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic communication technology, and in particular to the field of phased array radar. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the communications field, the development of Ka-band communication systems is a key direction and trend. Ka-band phased array antennas offer a compact structure, a wide phased scanning range, high reliability, and modular design. Existing antennas that achieve these performance characteristics have the following main issues: First, because the antennas operate in the Ka-band, they require a compact structure, small element spacing, and strong coupling. Second, because the antennas operate in the Ka-band, they require high material requirements, high reliability, and stable performance. Third, they also require stable transmitted signals, sensitive received signals, miniaturization, and modularization. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to propose a Ka-band broadband antenna and its array based on LTCC in response to the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, which can well meet the requirements of mobile communication systems and detection radar systems for a new generation of phased array antennas.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problems includes: providing a LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna, including: a Vivaldi radiator, and two metal half-frames clamping the Vivaldi radiator therein; wherein the Vivaldi radiator is composed of an LTCC dielectric plate and two outermost metal layers attached to the LTCC dielectric plate, an innermost metal layer, and a plurality of intermediate metal layers; the outermost metal layer is composed of a gradient radiating plate and a perforated grounding plate; the intermediate metal layer is composed of a balun feeding network and a perforated grounding plate; the intermediate metal layer is composed of a perforated grounding plate; the gradient radiating plates located on the two outermost metal layers are connected by conductive holes, and the perforated grounding plates located on multiple different layers are connected by conductive holes.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem also includes: providing an LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna array, including an array composed of a plurality of the above-mentioned LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antennas.

[0006] Compared with the existing technology, the LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna and its array of the present invention, through the ingenious combination of the LTCC-based Vivaldi radiator and two metal half-frames, can well meet the requirements of mobile communication systems and detection radar systems for the new generation of phased array antennas. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1It is a schematic diagram of the combined three-dimensional structure of the LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded three-dimensional structure of the LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the outermost metal layer in the Vivaldi radiator of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the innermost metal layer in the Vivaldi radiator of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the intermediate layer metal in the Vivaldi radiator of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the combined three-dimensional structure of the LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna array of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a curve showing the relationship between the standing wave ratio and frequency of the LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna array of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 8 The center frequency gain pattern curve of the LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna array of the present invention.

[0015] Wherein, the description of the reference numerals is as follows: 100 L-shaped probe-coupled microstrip antenna array 10 L-shaped probe-coupled microstrip antenna 20 Reflection floor 1 Vivaldi radiator 11 LTCC dielectric board 12 Gradient radiation plate 13, 15, 17 Perforated ground plate 14 Balun feeding network 131, 151, 171 Slot 19 Slot structure 191 Circular slot line 193 Rectangular slot line 195 Gradient slot line 2 Metal half frame 21 Reflection plate 215 Top surface 22 Panel 23 Side panel DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In order to explain the structure and features of the present invention in detail, the following preferred embodiments are given and described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0017] See also Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the combined three-dimensional structure of the LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded three-dimensional structure of the LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna in the Vivaldi radiator of the present invention. Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the outermost metal layer of the present invention. Figure 4It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the innermost metal layer in the Vivaldi radiator of the present invention. Figure 5 This figure illustrates the structure of the intermediate metal layer in the Vivaldi radiator of the present invention. This invention proposes a LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna (also known as an antenna unit) 10, comprising a Vivaldi radiator 1 and two metal half-frames 2 that sandwich the radiator. Antenna 10 has a sandwich structure.

[0018] The Vivaldi radiator 1 is based on LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic) and consists of an LTCC dielectric plate 11, two outermost metal layers, an innermost metal layer, and several intermediate metal layers attached to the LTCC dielectric plate 11. In this embodiment, the LTCC used in the Vivaldi radiator 1 has a dielectric constant of 6. The metal material used in the Vivaldi radiator 1 is copper, silver, or gold.

[0019] Each metal half-frame 2 comprises a reflector 21, a panel 22 extending upward from the top surface 215 of the reflector 21, and two side panels 23. The side panels 23 are taller than the panel 22. The panel 22 and the two side panels 23 form an open frame structure with an opening facing the Vivaldi radiator 1. The openings of the two metal half-frames 2 face each other. This structure creates a predetermined gap between the panel 22 of each metal half-frame 2 and the two outermost metal layers of the Vivaldi radiator 1.

[0020] In the metal half-frame 2, the thickness of the panel 22 is determined by the manufacturing process, material, and the width of the Vivaldi radiator 1. The height of the panel 22 fluctuates within ±20% of the quarter wavelength corresponding to the low frequency of the antenna 10's operating band. The thickness of the side panels 23 is also determined by the manufacturing process, material, and the length of the Vivaldi radiator 1. The height of the side panels 23 is flush with the height of the Vivaldi radiator 1.

[0021] See also Figure 3 The outermost metal layer of the Vivaldi radiator 1 consists of two parts: a gradient radiating plate 12 and a perforated grounding plate 13. The perforated grounding plate 13 has two slots 131 formed in it. It's worth noting that the gradient radiating plate 12 and the perforated grounding plate 13 are an integral structure. The figure uses different labels for each part only to highlight the two parts.

[0022] See also Figure 4The innermost metal layer of the Vivaldi radiator 1 consists of two parts: a balun feed network 14 and a perforated ground plate 15. The perforated ground plate 15 has two slots 151. It's worth noting that the balun feed network 14 and the perforated ground plate 15 are not integral structures. The balun feed network 14 is a ribbon-like structure connected to the TR components below. The perforated ground plate 15 has slots for routing the balun feed network 14. The diagram uses different labels for each part simply to highlight the two parts.

[0023] See also Figure 5 The middle layer metal in the Vivaldi radiator 1 is composed of a perforated grounding plate 17.

Claims

1. A Ka-band broadband antenna based on LTCC, characterized in that: include: A Vivaldi radiator and two metal half-frames sandwiching the Vivaldi radiator therebetween; wherein the Vivaldi radiator is composed of an LTCC dielectric plate and two outermost metal layers attached to the LTCC dielectric plate, an innermost metal layer, and a plurality of intermediate metal layers; the outermost metal layer is composed of a gradient radiating plate and a perforated grounding plate; the innermost metal layer is composed of a balun feed network and a perforated grounding plate; and the intermediate metal layer is composed of a perforated grounding plate; the gradient radiating plates located on the two outermost metal layers are connected by conductive vias, and the perforated grounding plates located on multiple different layers are connected by conductive vias; The metal half-frame includes: a reflector, a panel extending upward from the top surface of the reflector, and two side panels; the panel and the two side panels enclose an open frame structure, the opening of the open frame structure facing the Vivaldi radiator; the openings of the open frame structures of the two metal half-frames are arranged to face each other; a gap is formed between the panels of the two metal half-frames and the two outermost metal layers of the Vivaldi radiator; The perforated grounding sheets located at different layers are identical; two identical slits are formed on the perforated grounding sheet, and the two identical slits are respectively distributed on both sides of the gradient radiating sheet; the height of the slits located on both sides of the gradient radiating sheet is the same as the height of the gradient radiating sheet; The perforated grounding plate with the balun feed network is provided with a slot for routing the balun feed network.

2. The LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gradient radiation sheets located on the two outermost metal layers are identical.

3. The LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna according to claim 1, wherein: The gradient radiation plate and the perforated grounding plate of the outermost metal layer are an integrated structure; the balun feeding network and the perforated grounding plate of the intermediate metal layer are an integrated structure.

4. The LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna according to claim 1, wherein: The LTCC used by the Vivaldi radiator has a dielectric constant of 6; the metal material used by the Vivaldi radiator is copper, silver or gold.

5. The LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The height of the side panel is greater than the height of the panel, and the height of the side panel is flush with the height of the Vivaldi radiator.

6. A LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna array, characterized by: The invention comprises an array composed of a plurality of LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antennas according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The LTCC-based Ka-band broadband antenna array according to claim 6, characterized in that: The array includes multiple antenna units arranged on the same reflecting floor; the reflecting floor is made up of multiple small plates.

Images