Phased array radiation array antenna and calibration network for the antenna

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of communication technologies, and relates to a low-profile calibration network for a phased array radiation array antenna, which includes a PCB board and multiple groups of calibration coupling windows arranged on the PCB board. The PCB board is provided with a main port, multiple groups of dielectric waveguide channels, and multiple load interfaces. The dielectric waveguide channels connect the main port, the calibration coupling windows, and the load interfaces. The calibration coupling windows are used to couple partial information collected by the antenna elements and transmit it to the main port through dielectric waveguide through-holes, and it has the advantages of being able to accurately and real-time monitor the amplitude and phase of each antenna element and being easy to conformal with the antenna.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of communication technologies, and particularly relates to a phased array radiation array antenna and a calibration network for the antenna. Background Art

[0002] For a phased array antenna, the amplitude-phase monitoring of channels is related to the accuracy of antenna performance such as the beam shape and beam pointing angle during the operation of the antenna. The real-time amplitude-phase calibration of the T / R components can be completed by collecting data through the calibration coupling network, realizing precise amplitude-phase control.

[0003] The design principles of the calibration coupling network mainly include:

[0004] (1) The calibration coupling network shall not affect the antenna performance;

[0005] (2) The calibration coupling network shall be conformal with the antenna easily and shall not affect the overall structural characteristics;

[0006] (3) The calibration coupling network shall not be affected by the outside world and the performance of the calibration network itself shall be stable.

[0007] Meanwhile, in order to calibrate the amplitude and phase of each unit of the antenna in real time, it is necessary to couple a part of the amplitude and phase information of the units on the antenna aperture surface into the calibration coupling network. The traditional calibration network uses microstrip or stripline forms to transmit coupling signals, but the microstrip or stripline has large losses and processing difficulties, and the performance stability is not good. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In order to solve the problems in the above background art, the present invention provides a phased array radiation array antenna and a calibration network for the antenna, which have the advantages of being able to accurately and real-time monitor the amplitude and phase of each element unit, being easily conformal with the antenna, and setting the calibration network inside the array antenna so that the transmitted signal is enclosed in the dielectric cavity and is not easily affected by external interference.

[0009] On the one hand, the present invention provides a low-profile calibration network for a phased array radiation array antenna, which is realized by the following technical solutions:

[0010] A low-profile calibration network for a phased array radiation array antenna includes a PCB board and multiple groups of calibration coupling windows arranged on the PCB board. The PCB board is provided with a main port, multiple groups of dielectric waveguide channels, and multiple load interfaces. The dielectric waveguide channels connect the main port, the calibration coupling windows, and the load interfaces. The calibration coupling windows are used to couple part of the information collected by the element units and transmit it to the main port through dielectric waveguide vias.

[0011] As a further description of the invention: Multiple calibration coupling windows within each group of calibration coupling windows are connected in series through a group of dielectric waveguide channels. After being connected in parallel between multiple groups of dielectric waveguide channels, they are connected to the total port. Each group of calibration coupling windows is connected in series with one of the load interfaces through a dielectric waveguide channel.

[0012] As a further description of the invention: The PCB board includes two metal layers and a dielectric substrate disposed between the two metal layers. Multiple pairs of metallized vias for forming a dielectric integrated waveguide are provided on the PCB board.

[0013] As a further description of the invention: It further includes multiple groups of element unit relief holes provided on the PCB board, and the element unit relief holes are used to avoid the element units.

[0014] As a further description of the invention: The calibration network is made in the form of a substrate integrated waveguide.

[0015] On the other hand, the present invention provides a phased array radiation array antenna, which is realized through the following technical solutions:

[0016] A phased radiation array antenna includes the low-profile calibration network for the phased array radiation array antenna.

[0017] As a further description of the invention: The calibration network is disposed within the array antenna, and the calibration network is attached to the array antenna surface together.

[0018] As a further description of the invention: It further includes an antenna body, a pressure plate, and multiple element units. The calibration network is disposed between the antenna body and the pressure plate, and the element units are electrically connected to the calibration network through calibration coupling windows.

[0019] As a further description of the invention: The antenna body is provided with multiple resonant cavities. A coupling window is provided at the bottom of the resonant cavity. The element units are placed within the resonant cavities, and the coupling windows are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the calibration coupling windows.

[0020] As a further description of the invention: Multiple RF feed ports corresponding to the element units are provided on the pressure plate. The element units penetrate through the antenna body and the element unit relief holes and are connected to the RF feed ports within the pressure plate.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0022] 1. The calibration network is designed using the SIW (Substrate Integrated Waveguide) method. The amplitude and phase information of each array unit are coupled through multiple array unit holes, and transmitted to the main port through the printed circuit to achieve real-time calibration of each array unit. Compared with microstrip and stripline, it has the advantages of low loss, small change in coupling coefficient before and after environmental testing, and high reliability. The SIW design has a low profile and is easy to conform to the overall antenna.

[0023] 2. When the array antenna is working, part of the signal of each array unit is coupled through the coupling window, and multiple coupled signals are transmitted to the main port through the dielectric substrate integrated waveguide, and then transmitted to the external calibration module through the main port, so that the signal of each array unit of the antenna is transmitted to the main port and calibrated through other modules, and the calibration network is set in the array antenna, so that the transmission signal is enclosed in the dielectric cavity and is not easily affected by external interference. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a top view of the PCB board of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a bottom view of the PCB board of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the array antenna of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 It is a bottom view of the antenna body of the present invention, intended to show the coupling window.

[0028] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the array antenna of the present invention.

[0029] Description of Reference Numerals

[0030] 1. PCB board; 11. Array unit clearance hole; 12. Main port; 13. Load interface; 14. Metallized through hole; 15. Calibration coupling window; 2. Antenna body; 21. Array unit; 22. Resonant cavity; 23. Coupling window; 3. Press plate; 31. RF feed port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to more clearly understand the above-mentioned purpose, features and advantages of the present invention, the present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the inventive product is customarily placed during use. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention 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 should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used for distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0033] In addition, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc. do not mean that the components are required to be absolutely horizontal or hanging vertically, but may be slightly inclined. For example, "horizontal" only means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical", and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but may be slightly inclined.

[0034] In the description of the present invention, it should also be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set", "installed", "connected", "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0035] As Figures 1 to 2 shown, a low-profile calibration network for a phased array radiation array antenna, characterized in that it includes a PCB board 1 and multiple groups of calibration coupling windows 15 arranged on the PCB board 1. A main port 12, multiple groups of dielectric waveguide channels, and multiple load interfaces 13 are arranged on the PCB board 1. The dielectric waveguide channels connect the main port 12, the calibration coupling windows 15, and the load interfaces 13. The calibration coupling windows 15 are used to couple part of the information collected by the dipole element 21 and transmit it to the main port 12 through the dielectric waveguide through holes. Specifically, there are four groups of calibration coupling windows 15, and each group has four calibration coupling windows 15. Corresponding load interfaces 13 are provided with four. The load interfaces 13 and the main port 12 are arranged at both ends of multiple groups of calibration coupling windows 15 and are located at the edge of the PCB board 1. The main port 12 is located at the center position of its corresponding edge. The load interfaces 13 are used to connect loads, and the main port 12 is used to externally connect a calibration module.

[0036] In each group of calibration coupling windows 15, multiple calibration coupling windows 15 are connected in series through a group of dielectric waveguide channels. After the multiple groups of dielectric waveguide channels are connected in parallel, they are connected to the main port 12. Each group of calibration coupling windows 15 is connected in series with a load interface 13 through a dielectric waveguide channel. Specifically, that is, the four coupling windows 23 in each group of calibration coupling windows 15 and the corresponding load interfaces 13 are connected in series through a dielectric waveguide channel. After the multiple groups of dielectric waveguide channels are connected in parallel, the multiple groups of calibration coupling windows 15 are connected in parallel.

[0037] The PCB board 1 includes two metal layers and a dielectric substrate disposed between the two metal layers. Multiple metallized vias 14 for forming a dielectric integrated waveguide are provided on the PCB board 1. Multiple sets of element unit relief holes 11 are provided on the PCB board 1. The element unit relief holes 11 are used to avoid the element units 21. The calibration network is made in the form of a substrate integrated waveguide. Specifically, the metal layer is made of copper. The multiple metallized vias 14 are arranged at equal intervals. The multiple metallized vias 14 are arranged along the edge of each set of element unit relief holes 11. Sixteen calibration coupling windows 15 are provided.

[0038] As Figures 3 to 5 shown, a phased array radiation array antenna includes a calibration network, an antenna body 2, a pressure plate 3, and multiple element units 21. The calibration network is disposed inside the array antenna. The calibration network is attached to the array antenna surface. The calibration network is disposed between the antenna body 2 and the pressure plate 3. The element units 21 are electrically connected to the calibration network through the calibration coupling windows 15. Specifically, the calibration network is welded to the antenna body 2. The antenna body 2 and the pressure plate 3 are fixedly connected by screws.

[0039] The antenna body 2 is provided with multiple resonant cavities 22. A coupling window 23 is provided at the bottom of the resonant cavity 22. The element units 21 are placed inside the resonant cavities 22. The coupling windows 23 are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the calibration coupling windows 15. Multiple RF feed ports 31 corresponding to the element units 21 are provided on the pressure plate 3. The element units 21 pass through the antenna body 2 and the element unit relief holes 11 and are connected to the RF feed ports 31 inside the pressure plate 3. Specifically, 4×4 resonant cavities are provided corresponding to the element units 21. The resonant cavities are set to be rectangular. Sixteen RF feed ports 31 corresponding to the element units 21 are provided. The RF feed ports 31 are the normal communication ports for the corresponding element units.

[0040] The above-given embodiments are the better examples for implementing the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Any non-essential addition or replacement made by those skilled in the art according to the technical features of the technical solution of the present invention falls within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A low-profile calibration network for a phased array radiation array antenna, characterized in that: It includes a PCB board (1) and multiple groups of calibration coupling windows (15) arranged on the PCB board (1). A main port (12), multiple groups of dielectric waveguide channels, and multiple load interfaces (13) are arranged on the PCB board (1). The dielectric waveguide channels connect the main port (12), the calibration coupling windows (15), and the load interfaces (13). The calibration coupling windows (15) are used to couple partial information collected by the dipole units (21) and transmit it to the main port (12) through the dielectric waveguide channels.

2. The low-profile calibration network for a phased array radiating array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: Multiple calibration coupling windows (15) within each group of calibration coupling windows (15) are connected in series through a group of dielectric waveguide channels. The multiple groups of dielectric waveguide channels are connected in parallel and then connected to the main port (12). Each group of calibration coupling windows (15) is connected in series with one of the load interfaces (13) through a dielectric waveguide channel.

3. The low-profile calibration network for a phased array radiating array antenna according to claim 1, wherein: The PCB board (1) includes two metal layers and a dielectric substrate arranged between the two metal layers. Multiple pairs of metallized vias (14) for forming dielectric integrated waveguides are arranged on the PCB board (1).

4. The low-profile calibration network for a phased array radiating array antenna according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes multiple groups of dipole unit clearance holes (11) arranged on the PCB board (1). The dipole unit clearance holes (11) are used to avoid the dipole units (21).

5. The low-profile calibration network for a phased array radiating array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The calibration network is made in the substrate integrated waveguide mode.

6. A phased array radiation array antenna, characterized in that: It includes the low-profile calibration network for a phased array radiation array antenna according to any one of claims 1-5.

7. The phased array radiation array antenna according to claim 6, wherein: The calibration network is arranged inside the array antenna, and the calibration network is attached to the array antenna surface together.

8. The phased array radiation array antenna according to claim 6, wherein: It also includes an antenna body (2), a pressing plate (3), and multiple dipole units (21). The calibration network is arranged between the antenna body (2) and the pressing plate (3). The dipole units (21) are electrically connected to the calibration network through the calibration coupling windows (15).

9. The phased array radiation array antenna according to claim 8, wherein: The antenna body (2) is provided with multiple resonant cavities (22). A coupling window (23) is arranged at the bottom of the resonant cavity (22). The dipole units (21) are arranged inside the resonant cavities (22). The coupling windows (23) are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the calibration coupling windows (15).

10. The phased array radiation array antenna according to claim 8, characterized in that: Multiple radio frequency feed ports (31) corresponding to the dipole units (21) are arranged on the pressing plate (3). The dipole units (21) pass through the antenna body (2) and the dipole unit clearance holes (11) and are connected to the radio frequency feed ports (31) inside the pressing plate (3).

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