Calibration Coupling Network Device for Array Antenna

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of antenna calibration, and relates to a calibration coupling network device for an array antenna, which includes a PCB board and multiple groups of radio frequency coupling modules. A main port and multiple pair ports are provided on the PCB board. The multiple pair ports are respectively connected to the multiple groups of radio frequency coupling modules. A connector is connected to the main port. A printed circuit is provided on the PCB board, and the printed circuit connects the main port and the multiple pair ports. A calibration cable is provided between the main port and the connector. The present invention has the advantages of being able to accurately and real-time monitor the amplitude and phase of each element unit and shielding the interference of external electromagnetic fields on the calibration coupling network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of mobile communication, and particularly relates to a calibration coupling network device for an array antenna. Background Art

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

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

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

[0005] (2) The calibration coupling network is easy to be conformal with the antenna and does not affect the overall structural characteristics;

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

[0007] The calibration of the phased array antenna is divided into external calibration and internal calibration. External calibration is suitable for applications with large spatial dimensions and low requirements for antenna calibration accuracy; the calibration network of internal calibration is integrated with the antenna, occupying less space and having high calibration accuracy. The phased array antenna in the present invention has high requirements for volume, weight and accuracy, so internal calibration is more suitable.

[0008] 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 into the calibration coupling network. The traditional calibration network uses microstrip or strip line forms to transmit coupling signals, but the loss and processing difficulty of microstrip or strip line are large, and the performance stability is not good. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In order to solve the problems in the above background art, the present invention provides a calibration network for an array antenna, which has the advantages of accurately and real-time monitoring the amplitude and phase of each element unit and shielding the interference of external electromagnetic fields on the calibration coupling network.

[0010] The present invention is realized through the following technical solutions:

[0011] A calibration coupling network device for an array antenna, comprising a PCB board and multiple groups of radio frequency coupling modules. The PCB board is provided with a main port and multiple docking ports, and the multiple docking ports are respectively connected to the multiple groups of radio frequency coupling modules. The main port is connected with a connector. The PCB board is provided with a printed circuit, and the printed circuit connects the main port and the multiple docking ports. A calibration cable is provided between the main port and the connector.

[0012] As a further description of the invention: The RF coupling module includes a semi-rigid cable, a bracket, a load, and a plurality of RF connectors. The load is connected to the semi-rigid cable, and the plurality of RF connectors are fixedly arranged on the bracket, and the plurality of RF connectors are all connected to the semi-rigid cable.

[0013] As a further description of the invention: The RF connector is provided with a coupling pin, a first RF interface, and a second RF interface. The first RF interface is used to connect to the dipole unit, and the second RF interface is used to connect to the power distribution network.

[0014] As a further description of the invention: A plurality of first coupling windows are provided on the semi-rigid cable, a plurality of second coupling windows are provided on the bracket, and the coupling pin passes through the second coupling window and the first coupling window to be connected to the semi-rigid cable.

[0015] As a further description of the invention: A plurality of first connection blocks are provided on either side of the bracket, the second coupling window is located between adjacent first connection blocks, a second connection block is provided on the RF connector, the first connection block is fixedly connected to the second connection block, and the RF connector is located between adjacent first connection blocks.

[0016] As a further description of the invention: It further includes a substrate, and the connector, the bracket, the RF connector, and the PCB board are all fixedly arranged on the substrate.

[0017] As a further description of the invention: A plurality of third connection blocks are provided on the bracket, the semi-rigid cable is located below the third connection blocks, and the third connection blocks are fixedly connected to the substrate.

[0018] As a further description of the invention: The plurality of RF coupling modules are arranged in parallel with each other, and the PCB board and the load are respectively arranged at both ends of the plurality of RF coupling modules.

[0019] As a further description of the invention: A third coupling window is provided on the RF connector, an insulating support is arranged in the third coupling window, and the coupling pin is arranged on the insulating support.

[0020] As a further description of the invention: The insulating support is cut in half, and the coupling pin is located in the cut.

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

[0022] 1. The calibration network is designed with a coaxial transmission method. It realizes the coupling of amplitude and phase information of each dipole unit through multiple pair interfaces, and transmits the information to the calibration port through a printed circuit and a coaxial cable assembly to achieve real-time calibration of each dipole unit. Compared with microstrip and stripline, it has the advantages of low loss, small change in coupling coefficient before and after environmental tests, and high reliability. In addition, the design profile of the coaxial transmission method is low, which is easy to conform to the overall shape of the antenna.

[0023] 2. When the array antenna works, it realizes the coupling of partial signals of each dipole unit through multiple coupling pins on the RF coupling module, and transmits the multiple coupled signals to the main port through a coaxial cable and a printed circuit, and then transmits them to the calibration port through a coaxial cable assembly, so as to realize the signal transmission of each dipole unit of the antenna to the calibration port for calibration by other modules. The coupled signals are transmitted by the coaxial transmission method, so it shields the interference of external electromagnetic fields to the calibration coupling network and works stably and reliably.

[0024] 3. The calibration network is arrayed by integrating multiple RF coupling modules. Compared with the conventional calibration network in the form of a PCB board, it has good maintainability and expandability.

[0025] 4. The calibration port is connected to the main port of the printed board through a cable assembly, so the calibration port can be arbitrarily arranged on the installation panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the back structure of the calibration coupling network device of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the calibration coupling network device of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the structure of the RF coupling module of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the combined structure of the RF coupling module bracket and the semi-rigid cable of the present invention

[0030] Figure 5 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the RF connector of the RF coupling module

[0031] Figure 6 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the PCB structure of the present invention.

[0032] DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0033] 11. Substrate; 12. RF coupling module; 121. RF connector; 1211. Coupling pin; 1212. First RF interface; 1213. Second RF interface; 1214. Second connection block; 1215. Third coupling window; 1216. Insulating support; 122. Semi-rigid cable; 1221. First coupling window; 123. Bracket; 1231. Second coupling window; 1232. First connection block; 1233. Third connection block; 124. Load; 13. PCB board; 131. Total port; 132. Pairing port; 14. Calibration cable; 15. Connector; 151. Calibration signal extraction port. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] In order to more clearly understand the above objects, features and advantages of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0035] 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 product of the present invention is usually 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 descriptive distinction and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0036] In addition, terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" do not mean that the components are required to be absolutely horizontal or hanging, but can 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 can be slightly inclined.

[0037] In the description of the present invention, it should also be noted that unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "set", "installed", "connected", "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components. 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.

[0038] Such as Figures 1 to 6As shown in the figure, a calibration coupling network device for an array antenna includes a PCB board 13, a substrate 11, and four groups of radio frequency coupling modules 12. The PCB board 13 and the four groups of radio frequency coupling modules 12 are both fixedly arranged on the substrate 11. The four groups of radio frequency coupling modules 12 are arranged parallel to each other. The PCB board 13 is used to connect the four groups of radio frequency coupling modules 12 in parallel.

[0039] The PCB board 13 is provided with a main port 131 and a plurality of mating ports 132. The plurality of mating ports 132 are respectively connected to multiple groups of radio frequency coupling modules 12. The main port 131 is connected to a connector 15. In this embodiment, there are four mating ports 132 corresponding to the four groups of radio frequency coupling modules 12. The connector 15 is fixedly arranged at the center position of any edge of the PCB board 13. In other embodiments, the connector 15 can be arranged at any position on the PCB board 13. The PCB board 13 is provided with a printed circuit, and the printed circuit connects the main port 131 and the plurality of mating ports 132. A calibration cable 14 is arranged between the main port 131 and the connector 15. The calibration cable 14 is used to transmit calibration signals. The connector 15 is provided with a calibration signal extraction port 151. The calibration signal extraction port 151 is used to externally connect a calibration device. The calibration cable 14 is a coaxial cable.

[0040] Each group of radio frequency coupling modules 12 includes a semi-rigid cable 122, a bracket 123, a load 124, and a plurality of radio frequency connectors 121. One end of the semi-rigid cable 122 is connected to the load 124, and the other end is connected to the mating port 132. The plurality of radio frequency connectors 121 are all fixedly arranged on the bracket 123. The plurality of radio frequency connectors 121 are all connected to the semi-rigid cable 122. The semi-rigid cable 122 is fixedly connected to the bracket 123. The bracket 123 is fixedly connected to the substrate 11 by screws. The bottom end of the radio frequency connector 121 is provided with an external thread for threaded connection with the substrate 11. The semi-rigid cable 122 is a coaxial cable.

[0041] The RF connector 121 is provided with a coupling pin 1211, a first RF interface 1212 and a second RF interface 1213. The first RF interface 1212 is used to connect to the dipole unit, and the second RF interface 1213 is used to connect to the power distribution network. The upper and lower module RF signal transmission is realized through the first RF pair interface 1212 and the second RF pair interface 1213. In this embodiment, a third coupling window 1215 is provided in the middle of the RF connector 121. An insulating support 1216 is provided in the third coupling window 1215. The coupling pin 1211 is arranged on the insulating support 1216 and is coaxially arranged with the insulating support 1216. In other embodiments, the insulating support 1216 can be cut in half. More specifically, the insulating support 1216 is divided into two halves along any plane where the axis is located, and the coupling pin 1211 is arranged in the slit to realize the detachable coupling pin 1211. The first RF interface 1212 is arranged at the top of the RF connector 121, and the second RF interface 1213 is arranged at the bottom of the RF connector 121. The coupling pin 1211 is manufactured by machining, with high coupling precision and good consistency.

[0042] A plurality of first connection blocks 1232 are arranged on either side of the bracket 123. A second connection block 1214 is arranged on the RF connector 121. The first connection block 1232 and the second connection block 1214 are fixedly connected by screws. The RF connector 121 is located between adjacent first connection blocks 1232. The semi-rigid cable is located on the opposite side of the bracket 123 where the first connection block 1232 is arranged. A plurality of third connection blocks 1233 are arranged on the bracket 123. The third connection blocks 1233 are located at the upper end of the opposite side of the bracket 123 where the first connection block 1232 is arranged. The semi-rigid cable 122 is located below the third connection block 1233. The third connection block 1233 and the substrate 11 are fixedly connected by bolts to fix the semi-rigid cable 122 between the third connection block 1233 and the substrate 11.

[0043] A plurality of second coupling windows are arranged on the bracket 123. A plurality of first coupling windows 1221 are arranged on the semi-rigid cable 122. The coupling pin 1211 penetrates through the second coupling window 1231 and the first coupling window 1221 to be connected to the semi-rigid cable 122. The second coupling window 1231 is located between adjacent first connection blocks 1232. In the embodiment where the insulating support 1216 is cut in half, the coupling pin 1211 can be directly replaced to realize the above functions.

[0044] At the same time, compared with the traditional calibration network that directly transmits the coupling signal in the form of microstrip or stripline, the present application uses the semi-rigid cable 122 to connect with the coupling pin 1211. During the production process, the RF connector 121 with coupling pins 1211 of different lengths and / or diameters can be installed to change the coupling degree of the coupling channel, which is convenient for the assembly of array antennas with different coupling degrees.

[0045] The working principle of the present invention is:

[0046] Multiple RF connectors 121 are respectively connected to the antenna element unit and the power divider network through the first RF interface 1212 and the second RF interface 1213 to realize the transmission of RF signals between the upper and lower modules. Then, multiple RF connectors 121 in each group couple the RF signals into the semi-rigid cable 122 through the coupling pins 1211. The semi-rigid cable 122 transmits this part of the coupled signal to the PCB board 13 through the pair interface 132. The PCB board 13 aggregates the part of the coupled signals transmitted by multiple groups of RF coupling modules 12 to the main port 131, and then transmits them to the connector 15 through the coaxial cable 14. The load 124 is used to absorb and consume the reverse coupled signals in the semi-rigid cable 122.

[0047] The above-given embodiments are preferred examples for implementing the present invention, and 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 calibration coupling network device for an array antenna, characterized in that It includes a PCB board (13) and multiple groups of radio frequency coupling modules (12). A main port (131) and multiple mating ports (132) are provided on the PCB board (13). The multiple mating ports (132) are respectively connected to the multiple groups of radio frequency coupling modules (12). A connector (15) is connected to the main port (131). A printed circuit is provided on the PCB board (13), and the printed circuit connects the main port (131) and the multiple mating ports (132). A calibration cable (14) is provided between the main port (131) and the connector (15). The radio frequency coupling module (12) includes a semi-rigid cable (122), a bracket (123), a load (124), and multiple radio frequency connectors (121). The load (124) is connected to the semi-rigid cable (122). The multiple radio frequency connectors (121) are fixedly arranged on the bracket (123), and the multiple radio frequency connectors (121) are all connected to the semi-rigid cable (122). The semi-rigid cable (122) is connected to the corresponding mating port (132). The radio frequency connector (121) is provided with a coupling pin (1211), a first radio frequency interface (1212), and a second radio frequency interface (1213). The first radio frequency interface (1212) is used to connect to the dipole unit, and the second radio frequency interface (1213) is used to connect to the power distribution network. Multiple first coupling windows (1221) are provided on the semi-rigid cable (122), and multiple second coupling windows (1231) are provided on the bracket (123). The coupling pin (1211) passes through the second coupling window (1231) and the first coupling window (1221) to be connected to the semi-rigid cable (122). Multiple first connection blocks (1232) are provided on either side of the bracket (123). The second coupling window (1231) is located between adjacent first connection blocks (1232). A second connection block (1214) is provided on the radio frequency connector (121). The first connection block (1232) is fixedly connected to the second connection block (1214), and the radio frequency connector (121) is located between adjacent first connection blocks (1232). A third coupling window (1215) is opened on the radio frequency connector (121), and an insulating support (1216) is arranged in the third coupling window (1215). The coupling pin (1211) is arranged on the insulating support (1216). The insulating support (1216) is cut in half, and the coupling pin (1211) is located in the slit.

2. The calibration coupling network device of the array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that It further includes a substrate (11). The connector (15), the bracket (123), the radio frequency connector (121), and the PCB board (13) are all fixedly arranged on the substrate (11).

3. The calibration coupling network device of the array antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that: Multiple third connection blocks (1233) are provided on the bracket (123). The semi-rigid cable (122) is located below the third connection blocks (1233). The third connection blocks (1233) are fixedly connected to the substrate (11).

4. The calibration coupling network device of the array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of the radio frequency coupling modules (12) are arranged in parallel with each other, and the PCB board (13) and the load (124) are respectively disposed at two ends of the plurality of the radio frequency coupling modules (12).

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