Interleaved array antenna

Abstract

An interleaved array antenna includes at least two antenna groups, each of which includes a plurality of identical antenna elements, and the antenna elements of different antenna groups have different sizes. The antenna elements in the antenna groups are arranged in an interleaved manner, and two adjacent antenna elements in the same antenna group are arranged in an upside-down manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an array antenna, and more particularly to an interleaved array antenna. Background Technology

[0002] An array antenna is an antenna that combines the effects of multiple antenna elements arranged according to a fixed rule. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 This is a diagram of the architecture of an existing series-fed array antenna. In a series-fed array antenna, the feed and input directions of each antenna element are fixed in the same direction, and the feed and input ends of each antenna element have the same relative relationship on the feed and input planes. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the serial feed array antenna 10 includes five antenna elements 100-140. The feed input / output terminals of each antenna element 100-140 are located to the left of each antenna element 100-140, and the relative positions of the feed input / output terminals of each antenna element 100-140 are all at the center of the feed input / output surfaces 100a-140a. The coupling terminals on the right side of antenna elements 100-130 are coupled to the feed input / output terminals of antenna elements 110-140 via microstrip lines to transmit signals.

[0003] However, since the antenna radiation of the above-mentioned serial feed array antenna 10 is mainly synthesized in the x-direction array mode, while the y-direction is coupled and superimposed by the antenna characteristics of each antenna element 100 to 140, when it is used in vehicle radar to detect obstacles, a detection blind zone may occur due to insufficient detection angle in the y-direction. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides an interleaved array antenna, which has a relatively wide radiation angle perpendicular to the extension direction of the array antenna, and at the same time has an array combining effect in the extension direction of the array antenna, and can also reduce the area occupied by wiring through proper arrangement.

[0005] From one perspective, the description of this invention provides an interleaved array antenna, which includes a first type of antenna group and a second type of antenna group. The first type of antenna group includes a plurality of first antennas having a first size, wherein each first antenna has a first antenna feed end at a first corner and a first antenna coupling end at a second corner; the second type of antenna group includes a plurality of second antennas having a second size, wherein each second antenna has a second antenna feed end at a third corner and a second antenna coupling end at a fourth corner. The aforementioned first corner is different from the second corner, the third corner is different from the fourth corner, and the first size is different from the second size. In the first antenna, adjacent leading and trailing first antennas are coupled together via a central second antenna in the second antennas; the input signal sequentially passes through the first antenna feed end of the leading first antenna, the first antenna coupling end of the leading first antenna, the second antenna feed end of the central second antenna, the second antenna coupling end of the central second antenna, and the first antenna feed end of the trailing first antenna to reach the first antenna coupling end of the trailing first antenna. In the second antenna, adjacent first and second antennas are coupled together via the central first antenna. The input signal sequentially passes through the second antenna feed terminal of the first second antenna, the second antenna coupling terminal of the first second antenna, the first antenna feed terminal of the central first antenna, the first antenna coupling terminal of the central first antenna, and the second antenna feed terminal of the second second antenna to reach the second antenna coupling terminal of the second second antenna. Furthermore, adjacent first antennas are flipped vertically, and adjacent second antennas are flipped vertically, with each first antenna and second antenna having an even number of edges.

[0006] In one embodiment, the first corner and the second corner do not share an edge, while the third corner and the fourth corner do share an edge.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first antenna is a patch antenna and the second antenna is a microstrip antenna.

[0008] Because the interleaved array antenna provided by this invention can provide an antenna radiation angle greater than 90 degrees at close range, and antennas of different sizes can respectively meet the requirements of wide-angle characteristics and antenna gain adjustment, the horizontal radiation angle is relatively wide. In addition, through proper arrangement, the interleaved array antenna provided by this invention can also reduce the area occupied by wiring, so under the same wiring area limitation, it can provide a higher antenna gain than a general series-fed array antenna. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a diagram of the architecture of a series-fed array antenna used in existing technology.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an interleaved array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of antenna flipping in an interleaved array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram of an interleaved array antenna according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram of an interleaved array antenna according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4C This is a schematic diagram of an interleaved array antenna according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the architecture of an antenna array composed of interleaved array antennas according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram of the antenna field pattern of a serial feed array antenna consisting of six antennas.

[0017] Figure 6B for Figure 2 The diagram shows the antenna field pattern of the interleaved array antenna.

[0018] Figure 7A This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the detection angle and the detection distance of a serially fed array antenna.

[0019] Figure 7B for Figure 2 The diagram shows the relationship between the detection angle and the detection distance of the interleaved array antenna.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0021] 10: Serial feed array antenna

[0022] 20, 40, 40a, 40b: Interleaved array antennas

[0023] 100~140, 400~450, 400a~450a, 400b~450b: Antenna

[0024] 100a~140a: Feed-in / out surface

[0025] 200, 240, 280: First antenna

[0026] 220, 260: The second line

[0027] C1, C3: First antenna coupling terminals

[0028] C2, C4: Second antenna coupling terminals

[0029] I1, I3, I5: First antenna feed point

[0030] I2, I4: Second antenna feed-in terminals

[0031] IN: Input signal

[0032] X: Dashed line

[0033] x, y: Direction Detailed Implementation

[0034] Please refer to Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an interleaved array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the interleaved array antenna 20 includes a first type of antenna group and a second type of antenna group. The first type of antenna group includes first antennas 200, 240, and 280 of the same size, and the second type of antenna group includes second antennas 220 and 260 of the same size. As shown in the figure, the dimensions (hereinafter referred to as the first dimensions) of the first antennas 200, 240, and 280 are not the same as the dimensions (hereinafter referred to as the second dimensions) of the second antennas 220 and 260. More specifically, in this embodiment, the lengths of the first antennas 200, 240, and 280 in the x-direction (i.e., the extension direction of the array antenna) are not the same as the lengths of the second antennas 220 and 260 in the x-direction of the figure, while the lengths of the first antennas 200, 240, and 280 in the y-direction (i.e., perpendicular to the extension direction of the array antenna) are the same as the lengths of the second antennas 220 and 260 in the y-direction of the figure. However, the present invention only requires that the dimensions of the first antennas 200, 240, and 280 are different from the x-axis dimensions of the second antennas 220 and 260, and is not limited to... Figure 2 The dimensional relationships are shown.

[0035] In this invention, a first antenna feed terminal is provided at one corner (hereinafter referred to as the first corner) and a first antenna coupling terminal is provided at the other corner (hereinafter referred to as the second corner); simultaneously, a second antenna feed terminal is provided at one corner (hereinafter referred to as the third corner) and a second antenna coupling terminal is provided at the other corner (hereinafter referred to as the fourth corner) of each second antenna. Figure 2Taking the example shown, the first antenna 200 has a first antenna feed terminal I1 in the lower left corner and a first antenna coupling terminal C1 in the upper right corner; the first antenna 240 has a first antenna feed terminal I3 in the upper left corner and a first antenna coupling terminal C3 in the lower right corner; the first antenna 280 has a first antenna feed terminal I5 in the lower left corner and a first antenna coupling terminal C5 in the upper right corner; the second antenna 220 has a second antenna feed terminal I2 in the lower left corner and a second antenna coupling terminal C2 in the lower right corner; the second antenna 260 has a second antenna feed terminal I4 in the upper left corner and a second antenna coupling terminal C4 in the upper right corner.

[0036] It must be noted that although the first antenna 200 and the first antenna 240 appear to be different antennas, these two first antennas 200 and 240 can actually be implemented using the same antenna through different configuration methods. Please refer to... Figure 3 The antenna on the left is... Figure 2 The first antenna 200 shown is exactly the same, while the antenna on the right is the same as... Figure 2 The first antenna 240 shown is exactly the same. When... Figure 3 The left-side antenna (equivalent to the first antenna 200) is flipped up and down along the direction of the interleaved array antenna 20 (i.e., the x-direction) as the axis to obtain... Figure 3 The antenna on the right (equivalent to the first antenna 240). Therefore, antenna 200 and antenna 240 can actually be obtained by flipping the same antenna up and down axially.

[0037] Similarly, antennas 220 and 260 can also adopt the same... Figure 3 The same method is achieved by flipping the same antenna up and down axially.

[0038] Please continue to refer to Figure 2In this embodiment, the first type of antenna group and the second type of antenna group are arranged in an alternating manner, that is, a second antenna is set between every two first antennas, and a first antenna is set between every two second antennas. Specifically, a second antenna 220 is set between the first antenna 200 and the first antenna 240 so that the first antenna 200 and the first antenna 240 are coupled together to the second antenna 220 via a transmission line. At this time, the first antenna 200 can be referred to as the leading first antenna, the first antenna 240 as the trailing first antenna, and the second antenna 220 as the central second antenna. After this, a second antenna 260 is set between the first antenna 240 and the first antenna 280 so that the first antenna 240 and the first antenna 280 are coupled together to the second antenna 260 via a transmission line. Coupled together, the first antenna 240 can be referred to as the leading first antenna, the first antenna 280 as the trailing first antenna, and the second antenna 260 as the centering second antenna. Similarly, a first antenna 240 is arranged between the second antennas 220 and 260 so that the second antennas 220 and 260 are coupled to the first antenna 240 via a transmission line. In this case, the second antenna 220 can be referred to as the leading second antenna, the second antenna 260 as the trailing second antenna, and the first antenna 240 as the centering first antenna. With the above architecture, when the input signal IN is provided to the interleaved array antenna 20, the input signal IN will sequentially pass through the first antenna feed terminal I1, the first antenna coupling terminal C1, the second antenna feed terminal I2, the second antenna coupling terminal C2, the first antenna feed terminal I3, the first antenna coupling terminal C3, the second antenna feed terminal I4, the second antenna coupling terminal C4, and the first antenna feed terminal I1 to reach the first antenna 280.

[0039] To enable those skilled in the art to more easily derive other applicable interleaved array antennas from this specification, please refer to the following references. Figure 4A . Figure 4A This is a diagram illustrating the architecture of an antenna array composed of interleaved array antennas according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4AAs shown, the interleaved array antenna 40 contains three types of antenna groups. The first type of antenna group includes antennas 400 and 430, the second type includes antennas 410 and 440, and the third type includes antennas 420 and 450. The first, second, and third types of antenna groups have different sizes; that is, antennas 400, 410, and 420 have different sizes. The antennas in each type of antenna group have the same size; that is, antennas 400 and 430 have the same size, antennas 410 and 440 have the same size, and antennas 420 and 450 have the same size. Furthermore, two adjacent antennas in the same type of antenna group (e.g., antennas 400 and 430, antennas 410 and 440, and antennas 420 and 450) can be obtained by flipping each other up and down about the extension direction of the interleaved array antenna 40.

[0040] Figure 4B The illustrated embodiments and Figure 4A The illustrated embodiments are somewhat similar. Please refer to... Figure 4B In this embodiment, the interleaved array antenna 40a also contains three types of antenna groups. Figure 4A The ones shown are different. Figure 4B The first type of antennas (including antennas 400a and 430a), the second type of antenna group (including antennas 410a and 440a), and the third type of antenna group (including antennas 420a and 450a) in the interleaved array antenna 40a shown are all hexagonal. Antennas 400a and 430a have the same dimensions, antennas 410a and 440a have the same dimensions, and antennas 420a and 450a have the same dimensions. It is worth mentioning that... Figure 4A The first type of antenna, the second type of antenna group, and the third type of antenna group in the diagram are linearly polarized, while... Figure 4B The polarization of the first, second, and third type antenna groups changes to elliptical or circular polarization due to the change in shape. Designers can modify the appearance of different first, second, and third type antenna groups by controlling their antenna characteristics, thereby altering the physical characteristics (such as polarization or polarization direction) to suit specific needs. Figure 4C The shapes of antennas 400b to 450b in the interlaced array antenna 40b shown are similar to... Figure 4B The shape shown is slightly different, and this shape causes its polarization to become either elliptical or circular. Such shape changes do not affect the implementation of the technology provided by this invention and should therefore fall within the scope of this invention.

[0041] In summary, in this invention, an interleaved array antenna can comprise two or more antenna groups of different types. These different types of antenna groups have different sizes, and antennas within the same type of antenna group have the same size and can be any even-numbered polygon with four or more sides. Furthermore, adjacent antennas within the same type of antenna group (e.g., ...) Figure 2 The first antenna 200, first antenna 240, first antenna 240, first antenna 280, second antenna 220, and second antenna 260 are set in a flip-up manner.

[0042] Furthermore, while the positions of the antenna feed and antenna coupling terminals are relatively fixed within the same type of antenna group, the design of the antenna feed and antenna coupling terminals for different types of antenna groups can be varied by those skilled in the art according to different practical needs. For example, please refer to... Figure 2 Although the first antenna feed terminal I1 and the first antenna coupling terminal I2 of the first antenna 200 are located diagonally (that is, the first corner and the second corner do not share any edge), in other cases, the first corner and the second corner can also be configured to share one side, for example... Figure 4A Antennas 410 and 440 are shown. Generally, when selecting the locations for the antenna feed and antenna coupling terminals, the area occupied by multiple interleaved array antennas combined into an antenna array can be considered as one factor. For example, please refer to... Figure 5 By appropriately selecting and setting the positions of the antenna feed end and the antenna coupling end, when multiple interleaved array antennas are combined into an antenna array, the wiring space can be well utilized so that the antenna array can provide the same radiation intensity with a smaller area.

[0043] During simulations, it was found that the interleaved array antenna provided by this invention offers a wider radiation field than a typical series-fed array antenna. Please refer to... Figure 6A and Figure 6B ,in Figure 6A A serially fed array antenna consisting of six antennas ( Figure 1 The antenna pattern is shown for a series-feed array antenna consisting of five antennas. Figure 6B For Figure 2 The antenna field pattern of the interleaved array antenna is shown. According to... Figure 6A and Figure 6BAs shown, although the radiation angle of 3dB also falls approximately between +39 degrees and -39 degrees, the radiation intensity of a serial feed array antenna decreases rapidly with increasing angle after exceeding 3dB, while the radiation intensity of an interleaved array antenna decreases only slightly after exceeding 3dB. Therefore, it is more suitable for wide-bandwidth and wide-angle applications, such as automotive radar.

[0044] Furthermore, in actual measurements, it was found that the interleaved array antenna provided by this invention offers a wider measurement range. Please refer to... Figure 7A and Figure 7B ,in Figure 7A A serially fed array antenna consisting of four antennas ( Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the detection angle and the detection distance for a series-feed array antenna consisting of five antennas. Figure 7B For Figure 2 The diagram shows the relationship between the detection angle and detection distance of the interleaved array antenna. According to... Figure 7A and Figure 7B A serial feed array antenna can provide a detection range of more than 10 meters between +60 degrees and -60 degrees, while an interleaved array antenna can provide a detection range of more than 10 meters between +80 degrees and -80 degrees. Therefore, the interleaved array antenna can obviously provide a better measurement range, and when applied to automotive radar, it can detect obstacles in a wider range.

[0045] Based on the above description, the interleaved array antenna provided by this invention can provide a larger antenna radiation angle at close range. Furthermore, through proper arrangement, the interleaved array antenna provided by this invention can minimize the area occupied by wiring, thus providing a higher antenna gain than a typical serial feed array antenna within the same wiring area constraint.

Claims

1. An interleaved array antenna, characterized in that, include: A first type of antenna group includes a plurality of first antennas having a first size, wherein each of the plurality of first antennas has a first antenna feed terminal at a first corner and each of the plurality of first antennas has a first antenna coupling terminal at a second corner, the first corner being different from the second corner; A second type of antenna group includes a plurality of second antennas having a second size, wherein each of the plurality of second antennas has a second antenna feed end at a third corner, and each of the plurality of second antennas has a second antenna coupling end at a fourth corner, and the third corner is different from the fourth corner. The first dimension is different from the second dimension. In this configuration, adjacent first antennas (one in front and one in back) among the plurality of first antennas are coupled together via a central second antenna among the plurality of second antennas. An input signal sequentially passes through the feed terminal of the first antenna of the first antenna in front, the coupling terminal of the first antenna of the first antenna in front, the feed terminal of the second antenna of the central second antenna, the coupling terminal of the second antenna of the central second antenna, and the feed terminal of the first antenna of the first antenna of the first antenna in back, before reaching the coupling terminal of the first antenna of the first antenna of back. Among the plurality of second antennas, an adjacent first second antenna and a second second antenna located at the front and rear are coupled together via a central first antenna among the plurality of first antennas. The input signal sequentially passes through the second antenna feed terminal of the first second antenna, the second antenna coupling terminal of the first second antenna, the first antenna feed terminal of the central first antenna, the first antenna coupling terminal of the central first antenna, and the second antenna feed terminal of the rear second antenna to reach the second antenna coupling terminal of the rear second antenna. In this configuration, adjacent first antennas positioned at the front and rear are flipped vertically around a first axis, such that the feed ends of the first antennas of the front and rear first antennas are positioned on opposite sides of the first axis. Furthermore, adjacent second antennas are also flipped vertically. Each of the plurality of first antennas and each of the plurality of second antennas has an even number of edges. The first corner and the second corner do not share an edge, while the third corner and the fourth corner do share an edge.

2. The interleaved array antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first antennas is a patch antenna and each of the plurality of second antennas is a microstrip antenna.

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