Antennas and communication equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides an antenna and communication equipment, belonging to the field of communication technology. The antenna of the present invention includes: a dielectric layer having a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to each other along the thickness direction of the dielectric layer; a radiating layer arranged on the first surface of the dielectric layer and having at least one slit on the radiating layer; a first shielding layer arranged on the second surface of the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the radiating layer; a first insulating layer arranged on a side of the radiating layer away from the first surface of the dielectric layer; at least one switch unit arranged on a side of the first insulating layer away from the dielectric layer and arranged corresponding to the slit; the switch unit includes: a first electrode, a second insulating layer, at least one connecting portion, and a second electrode arranged in sequence along a direction away from the first insulating layer, the orthographic projections of the first electrode and the second electrode on the dielectric layer overlapping; the connecting portion is connected to the second electrode, and a certain gap is left between the second electrode and the first electrode; the orthographic projections of the second electrode and the slit on the dielectric layer at least partially overlap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of communication technology, and in particular relates to an antenna and communication equipment. Background Art

[0002] Radial line slot antennas are widely used in millimeter-wave microwave systems because they combine the advantages of low loss of waveguide slot arrays with the simple structure and low profile of microstrip antennas. Typically, radial line slot antennas consist of two upper and lower metal plates separated by less than half a wavelength, forming a radial waveguide. A designed slot is formed in the upper metal plate, enabling the realization of arbitrary polarization patterns or radiation characteristics. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art and provides an antenna and a communication device.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an antenna, comprising:

[0005] The dielectric layer has a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to each other along a thickness direction thereof;

[0006] a radiation layer, disposed on the first surface of the dielectric layer, and having at least one slit;

[0007] a first shielding layer, disposed on the second surface of the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the radiation layer;

[0008] Wherein, the antenna further includes:

[0009] a first insulating layer, disposed on a side of the radiation layer facing away from the first surface of the dielectric layer;

[0010] at least one switch unit, disposed on a side of the first insulating layer away from the dielectric layer and corresponding to the slit;

[0011] The switch unit includes: a first electrode, a second insulating layer, at least one connecting portion, and a second electrode arranged in sequence along a direction away from the first insulating layer, wherein the orthographic projections of the first electrode and the second electrode on the dielectric layer overlap; the connecting portion is connected to the second electrode, and a certain gap exists between the second electrode and the first electrode; the orthographic projections of the second electrode and the slit on the dielectric layer at least partially overlap.

[0012] The orthographic projection of the second electrode on the dielectric layer covers the center of the orthographic projection of the slit electrode on the dielectric layer.

[0013] In which, the first electrode includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode, and the orthographic projections of the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode on the dielectric layer are arranged on both sides of the length direction of the orthographic projection of the slit electrode on the dielectric layer; a connecting portion is provided on the interlayer insulating layer on at least one of the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode of each of the switching units.

[0014] Each of the switch units includes two connecting portions, which are respectively connected to two opposite ends of the second electrode in the length direction; the length direction of the second electrode in each switch unit intersects with the length direction of the slit corresponding to the switch unit.

[0015] Each of the switch units includes a connecting portion connected to one end of the second electrode in the length direction; the length direction of the second electrode in each of the switch units intersects with the length direction of the slit corresponding to the switch unit.

[0016] In which, the dielectric layer includes a first sub-dielectric layer and a second sub-dielectric layer; the surface of the first sub-dielectric layer facing away from the second sub-dielectric layer is used as the first surface of the dielectric layer; the surface of the second sub-dielectric layer facing away from the first sub-dielectric layer is used as the second surface of the dielectric layer; the slot antenna also includes a second shielding layer located between the first sub-dielectric layer and the second sub-dielectric layer; and there is a certain distance between the edge of the orthographic projection of the second shielding layer on the first sub-dielectric layer and the edge of the orthographic projection of the first shielding layer on the first sub-dielectric layer.

[0017] The orthographic projections of the center of the first shielding layer and the center of the second shielding layer on the first sub-dielectric layer overlap.

[0018] There are multiple slits, and the slits are arranged in any of the following ways:

[0019] Arranged in a spiral shape;

[0020] Arranged in concentric circles; arranged in a straight line.

[0021] The slot antenna further includes a feeding element for feeding the electromagnetic wave signal into the dielectric layer; the feeding point of the feeding element is located at the center of the radiation layer.

[0022] Wherein, the material of the dielectric layer includes glass.

[0023] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device comprising the above-mentioned antenna. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A top view of the antenna is shown.

[0026] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of an on-state of a switch unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the off state of a switch unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of another switch unit in an open state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the off state of another switch unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of another antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 8 for Figure 1-7 The simulation diagram of a switch unit in the antenna shown.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a top view of another antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A side view of the antenna is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this disclosure should have the usual meanings understood by people with ordinary skills in the field to which this disclosure belongs. The words "first", "second" and similar words used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "one", "an" or "the" do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the existence of at least one. Words such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connect" or "connected" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0036] It should be noted here that the structure of the antenna involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure includes but is not limited to a cylinder, a cuboid, a cube, etc. In the description of the following embodiments, the structure of the slit antenna is a cylinder as an example for illustration. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the material of the dielectric layer used in the slit antenna includes but is not limited to glass, that is, the dielectric layer can be made of glass; in fact, the material of the dielectric layer can also be quartz, polyimide, transparent optical adhesive, etc. Any insulating material that can form a flat surface structure. In addition, the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer is not limited, and the specific thickness used depends on the dielectric constant and the operating frequency of the antenna. In the following embodiments, the dielectric layer is taken as an example of a glass dielectric layer, but this does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an antenna. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A top view of the antenna shown; Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a switch unit 60 in an open state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the off state of a switch unit 60 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 1-4 As shown, the antenna includes a dielectric layer 10, a first shielding layer 30, a radiation layer 20, a first insulating layer 61, and at least one switch. The dielectric layer 10 includes a first surface and a second surface that are oppositely arranged. The first surface is also Figure 1The upper surface of the dielectric layer 10 in the dielectric layer 10, and the second surface is the lower surface of the dielectric layer 10. The radiation layer 20 is arranged on the first surface of the dielectric layer 10, and the radiation layer 20 has at least one slit 21. The first shielding layer 30 is arranged on the second surface of the dielectric layer 10 and is electrically connected to the radiation layer 20 arranged on the first surface of the dielectric layer 10. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a switch unit 60 can be arranged corresponding to a slit 21, for example, the switch unit 60 and the slit 21 are arranged one-to-one. Each switch unit 60 specifically includes a first electrode, a second insulating layer 63, at least one connecting portion 64, and a second electrode 65, which are arranged in sequence away from the first insulating layer 61; wherein the orthographic projections of the first electrode and the second electrode 65 on the dielectric layer 10 overlap; the connecting portion 64 is connected to the second electrode 65, and a certain gap is formed between the second electrode 65 and the first electrode; the second electrode 65 and the orthographic projection of the slit 21 on the dielectric layer 10 at least partially overlap. Of course, the slot antenna 21 further includes structures such as a feeding element 50 , wherein the feeding element 50 is used to feed electromagnetic waves into the dielectric layer 10 through the first shielding layer 30 .

[0038] It should be noted that the first shielding layer 30 and the radiation layer 20 may be electrically connected via a via hole 40 penetrating the edge region of the dielectric layer 10. There may be a plurality of via holes 40, and the plurality of via holes 40 may be arranged at intervals.

[0039] Since a switch unit 60 is provided on each slot 21 of the antenna in the embodiment of the present disclosure, and there is a certain gap between the first electrode and the second electrode 65 of the switch unit 60, when no voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode 65, the switch unit 60 is in an open state as shown in Figure 3, and the microwave signal fed by the feeding element 50 can be radiated through the slot 21; when a DC bias voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode 65, the second electrode 65 is pulled down to the surface of the slot 21 under the action of static electricity, and at this time, the switch unit 60 is in a closed state as shown in Figure 3. Figure 4 As shown, the microwave signal fed into the feeding element 50 cannot be fed out, that is, the switch acts as a shielding electrode. In addition, when there are multiple slots 21 and multiple switch units 60, a DC bias voltage can be selectively applied to the first and second electrodes 65 of some of the switch units 60 to enable some slots 21 to feed microwave signals and others to prevent them from feeding microwave signals, thereby adjusting the radiation direction of the microwave signal.

[0040] In some examples, the orthographic projection of the second electrode 65 in the switch unit 60 on the dielectric layer 10 overlaps the center of the orthographic projection of the slit 21 electrode on the dielectric layer 10. In this case, when a DC bias voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes 65 of the switch unit 60, the second electrode 65 covers the slit 21 under the action of electrostatic force, thereby shielding microwave signals. It should be noted that the orthographic projection of the second electrode 65 on the dielectric layer 10 generally does not overlap the orthographic projection of the slit 21 on the dielectric layer 10. Typically, the length of the slit 21 is much greater than the width of the second electrode 65.

[0041] In order to make the structure of the switch unit 60 in the embodiment of the present disclosure clearer, two specific structures of the switch units 60 are given below.

[0042] In one example, the switch unit 60 is a MEMS switch. The first electrode in the switch unit 60 includes a first sub-electrode 621 and a second sub-electrode 622. The orthographic projections of the first sub-electrode 621 and the second sub-electrode 622 on the dielectric layer 10 are located on either side of the lengthwise projection of the slit 21 electrode on the dielectric layer 10. The switch unit 60 includes two connecting portions 64, which are respectively connected to opposite ends of the second electrode 65 along the lengthwise direction. One connecting portion 64 is located on the second insulating layer 63 on the first sub-electrode 621, and the other connecting portion 64 is located on the second insulating layer 63 on the second sub-electrode 622. Both the first sub-electrode 621 and the second sub-electrode 622 overlap with the orthographic projections of the second electrode 65 on the dielectric layer 10. In some examples, the two connecting portions 64 and the second electrode 65 are integrally formed and can be formed through a single patterning process.

[0043] In another example, Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another switch unit 60 in an open state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an off state of another switch unit 60 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 and 6 The switch unit 60 shown is Figure 3 As shown, the structure of the switch unit 60 is substantially the same, the only difference being that the switch unit 60 includes only one connecting portion 64 . The other structures are the same as those shown in FIG. 3 , and thus will not be described again here.

[0044] It should be noted that for Figure 5 In the switch unit 60 shown in FIG. 1 , the second electrode 65 may not be provided with the second insulating layer 63 and the first electrode (second sub-electrode 622) below one end of the unprovided connection portion 64. In this case, as long as the DC bias voltage applied to the first sub-electrode 621 and the second electrode 65 is controlled, the switch unit 60 is in the off state, as shown in FIG. Figure 6As shown, the second electrode 65 can also be brought into contact with the slit 21 on the radiation layer 20 under the action of electrostatic force.

[0045] In some examples, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7 As shown, the dielectric layer 10 in the antenna includes a first sub-dielectric layer 11 and a second sub-dielectric layer 12. The slot antenna 21 also includes a second shielding layer 70 disposed between the first sub-dielectric layer 11 and the second sub-dielectric layer 12. The edge of the orthographic projection of the second shielding layer 70 on the first sub-dielectric layer 11 is a certain distance away from the edge of the orthographic projection of the first shielding layer 30 on the first dielectric layer 10. The surface of the first sub-dielectric layer 11 facing away from the second sub-dielectric layer 12 serves as the first surface of the dielectric layer 10; the surface of the second sub-dielectric layer 12 facing away from the first sub-dielectric layer 11 serves as the second surface of the dielectric layer 10. The radiating layer 20 forms the surface of the first sub-dielectric layer 11 facing away from the second sub-dielectric layer 12; the first shielding layer 30 forms the surface of the second sub-dielectric layer 12 facing away from the first sub-dielectric layer 11. The radiating layer 20 and the first shielding layer 30 are connected by a via 40 that penetrates the first and second sub-dielectric layers 11 and 12. The second shielding layer 70 can be formed on the surface of the first sub-dielectric layer 11 near the second sub-dielectric layer 12, or on the surface of the second sub-dielectric layer 12 near the first sub-dielectric layer 11. The following description uses the case where the second shielding layer 70 is formed on the surface of the first sub-dielectric layer 11 near the second sub-dielectric layer 12 as an example. The vias 40 in both the first and second sub-dielectric layers 11, 12 can be formed using TGV. The vias 40 can be metal vias, i.e., a metal conductive layer is formed on the inner wall of the vias 40, or the vias 40 are filled with metal. The radiating layer 20 and the second shielding layer 70 can be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the first sub-dielectric layer 11, respectively, using an electroplating process. The slits 21 in the radiating layer 20 can be formed using a patterning process. The first shielding layer 30 can be formed on the lower surface of the second sub-dielectric layer 12 using an electroplating process. The first and second sub-dielectric layers 11, 12 are aligned using a vacuum alignment process (VAS), ensuring extremely high alignment accuracy for the dual-layer feed layer. The thickness of dielectric layer 10 is determined by the operating frequency of slot antenna 21. The higher the frequency, the thinner the dielectric layer 10. That is, in the disclosed embodiment, the thickness of the first and second dielectric sub-layers 11, 12 of dielectric layer 10 can be designed based on the frequency of slot antenna 21. In the disclosed embodiment, both first and second dielectric sub-layers 11, 12 can be single-layer glass or multi-layer glass.

[0046] In the slot 21 antenna of this structure, there is no electrical connection between the second shielding layer 70 and the via 40. The second shielding layer 70 is mainly used to uniformly feed electromagnetic waves into the dielectric layer 10. Specifically, the electromagnetic waves fed by the feeding element 50 enter the second sub-dielectric layer 12, propagate along the radial direction of the slot 21 antenna along the center line of the second sub-dielectric layer 12, and then propagate from the edge of the second shielding layer 70 to the first sub-dielectric layer 11. In this way, the electromagnetic waves propagate from the center to the edge in the first sub-dielectric layer 11, and from the edge to the center in the second sub-dielectric layer 12, and are then radiated out from the slot 21 on the radiation layer 20, thereby making the transmission and radiation of the electromagnetic waves more uniform.

[0047] In some examples, the radiation layer 20 has multiple slits 21, and the multiple slits 21 are arranged in multiple circles. The slits 21 on each circle are evenly spaced, and the spacing between the slits 21 in any two adjacent circles is the same. In this way, the electromagnetic waves radiated by the slit 21 antenna of the embodiment of the present disclosure are uniform. It should be noted that, if Figure 2 As shown, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the structure of the slot antenna is a cylinder, so the circles of slots 21 are arranged in a circular shape. If the structure of the slot antenna is a cube, then the circles of slots 21 can be arranged in a square shape. Of course, if Figure 2 As shown, the radiating layer 20 is circular, and the slits 21 therein are arranged in a circular pattern, while the edge profile of the radiating layer 20 is square. In other words, the outline of the slot 21 antenna can be different from the shape of the radiating area, that is, different from the shape of the arrangement of the slits 21 in the radiating area.

[0048] It should be noted that the shape of the slit 21 is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure, and the slit 21 includes but is not limited to a straight shape.

[0049] In addition, the slits 21 are arranged concentrically, and the feeding point of the feeding element 50 corresponds to the center position of each slit 21. This arrangement is also for more uniform electromagnetic wave radiation.

[0050] In some examples, the radiating layer 20 includes multiple slits 21 arranged in a spiral pattern, with the spacing between any adjacent slits 21 being uniform along the direction of arrangement of the slits 21. It should be noted that when the slits 21 are arranged in a spiral pattern, the direction of arrangement of the slits 21 refers to the direction of the curve formed by connecting the centers of the slits 21. This ensures that the electromagnetic waves radiated by the slit 21 antenna of the disclosed embodiment are uniform.

[0051] In some embodiments, the feeding point of the feeding element 50 is located at the center of the first shielding layer 30 to facilitate uniform radiation of electromagnetic waves.

[0052] In some examples, the thickness of the dielectric layer 10 is about 100 μm to 10 mm, and the specific thickness design depends on the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer 10 and the operating frequency of the antenna.

[0053] In some examples, the feeding element 50 is specifically a probe, an opening is provided on the first shielding layer 30, and a half hole is provided at a position corresponding to the opening in the dielectric layer 10. The probe is fed into the half hole of the dielectric layer 10 through the opening on the first shielding layer 30, and the feeding element 50 is connected to the first shielding layer 30 by welding.

[0054] for Figure 1-7 The antenna shown in FIG. 1 is a two-dimensional scanning antenna because the slits 21 are arranged in concentric circles or spirals and the feeding element 50 is fed upward from the side of the first shielding layer 30. Figure 8 for Figure 9 The schematic diagram of the simulation of a switch unit 60 in the antenna shown is as follows (the simulation results can also be removed): when the switch unit 60 is in the open state, that is, there is a certain gap between the first electrode and the second electrode 65; the antenna can achieve a gain of -7.89dB; when the switch unit 60 is in the closed state, that is, the first electrode is placed on the slit 21 of the radiation layer 20; the antenna can achieve a gain of -15.88dB. The above results show that the radiation and shielding of microwaves can be achieved by controlling the state of the switch unit 60.

[0055] In some examples, Figure 9 is a top view of another antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 10 for Figure 9 Side view of the antenna; Figure 9 and 10 As shown, the slits 21 in the antenna are arranged side by side in a straight line, and a switch unit 60 is provided at the position corresponding to each slit 21. This antenna is a one-dimensional scanning antenna, and the feeding element 50 of this antenna can be arranged on the left and right sides of the antenna. Figure 9 and 10 The arrow in the figure indicates a method of feeding microwaves from the left side. The on and off states of the switch unit 60 can be realized in the same way as above, thereby realizing the radiation and shielding of microwaves.

[0056] In some examples, the first shielding layer 30, the second shielding layer 70, the radiation layer 20, the first electrode, the second electrode 65, and the connecting portion 64 are all made of metal materials. Specifically, the metal materials include, but are not limited to, low-resistance, low-loss metals such as copper, gold, and silver, and can be prepared by methods such as magnetron sputtering, thermal evaporation, and electroplating.

[0057] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device including the above-mentioned antenna. The effects of the communication device are the same as those of the above-mentioned antenna, and will not be repeated here.

[0058] It will be understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments for illustrating the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and substance of the present invention, and such modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An antenna, comprising: The dielectric layer has a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to each other along a thickness direction thereof; a radiation layer, disposed on the first surface of the dielectric layer, and having at least one slit; a first shielding layer, disposed on the second surface of the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the radiation layer; Wherein, the antenna further includes: a first insulating layer, disposed on a side of the radiation layer facing away from the first surface of the dielectric layer; at least one switch unit, disposed on a side of the first insulating layer away from the dielectric layer and corresponding to the slit; The switch unit includes: a first electrode, a second insulating layer, at least one connecting portion, and a second electrode arranged in sequence along a direction away from the first insulating layer, wherein the orthographic projections of the first electrode and the second electrode on the dielectric layer overlap; the connecting portion is connected to the second electrode, and a certain gap exists between the second electrode and the first electrode; the orthographic projections of the second electrode and the slit on the dielectric layer at least partially overlap.

2. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein The orthographic projection of the second electrode on the dielectric layer covers the center of the orthographic projection of the slit on the dielectric layer.

3. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein The first electrode includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode, and the orthographic projections of the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode on the dielectric layer are arranged on both sides of the length direction of the orthographic projection of the slit on the dielectric layer; a connecting portion is provided on the interlayer insulating layer on at least one of the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode of each of the switching units.

4. The antenna according to claim 3, wherein Each of the switch units includes two connecting portions, which are respectively connected to two opposite ends of the second electrode in the length direction; the length direction of the second electrode in each of the switch units intersects with the length direction of the slit corresponding to the switch unit.

5. The antenna according to claim 3, wherein Each of the switch units includes a connecting portion connected to one end of the second electrode in the length direction; the length direction of the second electrode in each of the switch units intersects with the length direction of the slit corresponding to the switch unit.

6. The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The dielectric layer includes a first sub-dielectric layer and a second sub-dielectric layer; the surface of the first sub-dielectric layer facing away from the second sub-dielectric layer is used as the first surface of the dielectric layer; the surface of the second sub-dielectric layer facing away from the first sub-dielectric layer is used as the second surface of the dielectric layer; the antenna also includes a second shielding layer located between the first sub-dielectric layer and the second sub-dielectric layer; and there is a certain distance between the edge of the orthographic projection of the second shielding layer on the first sub-dielectric layer and the edge of the orthographic projection of the first shielding layer on the first sub-dielectric layer.

7. The antenna according to claim 6, wherein The orthographic projections of the center of the first shielding layer and the center of the second shielding layer on the first sub-dielectric layer overlap.

8. The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: There are multiple slits, and the multiple slits are arranged in any of the following ways: Arranged in a spiral shape; Arranged in concentric circles; arranged in a straight line.

9. The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The antenna further comprises a feeding element for feeding electromagnetic wave signals into the dielectric layer; a feeding point of the feeding element is located at the center of the radiation layer.

10. The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The material of the dielectric layer includes glass.

11. A communication device comprising the antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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