A multi-beam anti-jamming phased array antenna

Abstract

This invention discloses a multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna, belonging to the field of communication antenna technology. It includes an antenna array, a radio frequency (RF) component unit, a thermal control unit, and an anti-interference digital processing unit connected sequentially from top to bottom. The anti-interference digital processing unit and the control unit are located on the same layer. A frequency conversion unit and a power supply module are respectively installed on both sides of the RF component unit. The RF component unit is connected to the anti-interference digital processing unit; the control unit is communicatively connected to the RF component unit; the control unit communicates with the anti-interference digital processing unit to switch between anti-interference and non-anti-interference modes and monitor the operating status of the anti-interference digital processing unit. This application synthesizes a linearly polarized signal by combining two circularly polarized signals, thus ensuring stable signal gain within a 360° azimuth off-axis angle ±60° scanning range and significantly reducing gain loss, thereby achieving high-precision and high-stability polarization tracking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication antenna technology, and specifically to a multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna. Background Technology

[0002] Satellite communication boasts advantages such as long transmission distance, wide coverage, and independence from terrain. Whether in mountains, hills, rivers, deserts, or grasslands, voice, data, and image communication can be conducted within the satellite beam coverage area. Furthermore, it offers high communication quality, stable channels, low error rates, flexible networking options, and communication costs independent of distance. Therefore, satellite communication has become a primary means of wireless communication, playing an increasingly important role in modern information transmission.

[0003] Traditional satellite communication earth stations are generally fixed or portable, unlike general wireless communication systems which have the ability to achieve real-time communication while in motion. For example, on moving trains or cars, due to road undulations, bumps, and turns, the vehicle's position and direction are constantly changing, making it impossible for the antennas mounted on these vehicles to maintain real-time alignment with the satellite and receive satellite signals. To solve the problem of "stable satellite communication while in motion," "communication on the move" technology has emerged, and it is also applicable to "communication while stationary" scenarios.

[0004] Traditional on-the-move antennas have low tracking speeds and are relatively large and heavy; moreover, a single antenna cannot track multiple targets simultaneously. The introduction of multi-beam phased array antenna technology has effectively solved the inherent shortcomings of traditional on-the-move antenna systems.

[0005] Satellite signal tracking mainly involves polarization tracking and azimuth tracking. A common polarization matching method for polarization tracking is to synthesize a directionally controllable linear polarization signal from two mutually perpendicular in-phase linear polarization signals. The direction of the synthesized linear polarization wave is adjusted by controlling the amplitudes of the two linear polarization signals. However, this method requires attenuators to adjust the amplitude of the linear polarization signals, resulting in significant power loss. Furthermore, in pursuit of maximum gain, power stability within the scanning range is low, and the accuracy of the synthesized linear polarization is also low due to the low precision of the attenuator adjustment.

[0006] Traditional mobile phased array antennas can only track one target and lack anti-interference capabilities. For simultaneous tracking of multiple targets in one frequency band, or multiple frequency bands with simultaneous tracking of multiple targets in each band, multiple mobile phased array systems need to operate simultaneously to meet the tracking requirements. Furthermore, a separate anti-interference system is required to prevent interference signals from entering, thus increasing the overall system cost, weight, and size. The specific problem this invention aims to solve is how to simultaneously track n targets in one frequency band, or multiple frequency bands with simultaneous tracking of n targets in each band, while resisting m interference signals, where n≥2 and m≥1. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna, comprising, from top to bottom, an antenna array surface, a radio frequency component unit, a thermal control unit, an anti-interference digital processing unit, and a control unit.

[0008] The anti-interference digital processing unit and the control unit are located on the same layer, and a frequency conversion unit and a power supply module are respectively installed on both sides of the radio frequency component unit.

[0009] The radio frequency component unit is connected to the anti-interference digital processing unit;

[0010] The control unit is communicatively connected to the radio frequency component unit, controls the phase shifters of the radio frequency component unit in each frequency band, realizes scanning within a 360° azimuth off-axis angle ±60° range, performs multi-beam scanning, and monitors the working status of the radio frequency component unit.

[0011] The control unit communicates with the anti-interference digital processing unit to switch between anti-interference mode and non-anti-interference mode, and monitors the working status of the anti-interference digital processing unit.

[0012] Furthermore, each frequency band element in the antenna array includes a left-hand circularly polarized feed and a right-hand circularly polarized feed;

[0013] Both the left-hand circular polarization and the right-hand circular polarization are vertically connected to the radio frequency component unit;

[0014] Both the left-hand circular polarization and the right-hand circular polarization can simultaneously achieve n beams and resist m interferences, where n≥2, that is, at least 2 beams, and m≥1;

[0015] The multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna is not limited to anti-interference applications with multiple beams in one frequency band, but can be extended to anti-interference applications with multiple beams in multiple frequency bands. That is, it is applicable to applications with n beams in each of the left and right rotations in a frequency bands to resist m interferences, and it is also applicable to applications with n beams in a frequency bands to resist m interferences. Its application scenarios can be used not only for "stationary communication" but also for "mobile communication" in different scenarios, where a≥1.

[0016] Furthermore, each of the antenna arrays comprises m+1 equal subarrays.

[0017] Furthermore, the radio frequency component unit includes a receiving component, a frequency conversion component, a local oscillator module, and a phase shifter;

[0018] The receiving component includes a left-handed receiving module and a right-handed receiving module, with n*(m+1) left-handed and right-handed receiving modules, each of which consists of n LNA channel units.

[0019] Furthermore, each LNA channel unit performs low-noise amplification, filtering, and attenuation control on the beam radio frequency signal received by the antenna, then divides it into n signals. Each signal after power division is phase-controlled, and the signals of the corresponding beam are combined and sent to the frequency conversion component.

[0020] Furthermore, the frequency conversion component includes n*(m+1) left-hand rotary frequency conversion channels and n*(m+1) right-hand rotary frequency conversion channels. The left-hand rotary frequency conversion channels and the right-hand rotary frequency conversion channels are used to down-convert the radio frequency signal to an intermediate frequency signal and amplify and filter the intermediate frequency signal before outputting it.

[0021] Furthermore, the local oscillator module mainly provides local oscillator signals for the 2n*(m+1) channels of the frequency conversion components.

[0022] Furthermore, the anti-interference digital processing unit is vertically connected to the radio frequency component unit. The anti-interference digital processing unit is used to receive m+1 subarray n beam signals, and in the anti-interference mode, each beam has m interference suppression functions and combines the left-hand rotation signals of the m+1 subarrays into one output, and combines the right-hand rotation signals of the m+1 subarrays into one output.

[0023] In non-interference-resistant mode, the left-hand rotating signals of m+1 subarrays are combined into one output, and the right-hand rotating signals of m+1 subarrays are combined into one output.

[0024] Furthermore, the control unit communicates with the radio frequency component unit via a serial port, and the control unit controls the phase shifter to shift the phase, thereby achieving the pointing and tracking of the n beams of the phased array antenna.

[0025] Furthermore, the frequency conversion unit includes: a channelization unit, a frequency conversion module, and a local oscillator control unit;

[0026] The channelization unit divides the n left-handed and n right-handed beam signals input from the radio frequency component unit into k channels, and outputs a total of 2k channels to the frequency conversion module, where K≥2.

[0027] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0028] This application synthesizes a linear polarization signal by setting two circular polarization signals, which can ensure a stable signal gain within a scanning range of 360° azimuth and ±60° off-axis angle, and can significantly reduce gain loss, thereby achieving high-precision and high-stability polarization tracking.

[0029] This application can achieve simultaneous tracking of n targets in one frequency band or simultaneous tracking of n targets in multiple frequency bands, with each beam resisting m interferences, and seamless switching between left and right rotation polarization to achieve seamless target tracking. n≥2, m≥1, applicable to phased array products in the fields of communication and navigation, with strong scalability.

[0030] This application is not limited to anti-interference applications with multiple beams in one frequency band, but can be extended to anti-interference applications with multiple beams in multiple frequency bands. That is, it is applicable to anti-interference applications with n beams in each of the left and right rotations in a frequency band, and also applicable to anti-interference applications with n beams in a single polarization in a frequency band and m interference. Its application scenarios can be used not only for "stationary communication" but also for "mobile communication" and other different scenarios to achieve rapid and simultaneous tracking of multiple targets, where a≥1, n≥2, m≥1.

[0031] This application does not require increasing the number of array surfaces or array elements. It adopts a hybrid digital-analog method to achieve independent scanning and tracking of targets with multiple beams while simultaneously resisting multiple interferences. It solves the problems of large size, low integration, and single function of multi-beam anti-interference phased array antennas. It is suitable for multi-beam anti-interference / non-anti-interference applications in one or more frequency bands. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the principle framework of a multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure label:

[0036] 1 is the antenna array, 2 is the radio frequency component unit, 3 is the thermal control unit, 4 is the anti-interference digital processing unit, 5 is the control unit, 6 is the frequency conversion module, and 7 is the power supply module. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0038] See Figures 1 to 2 ,like Figures 1 to 2As shown, a multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna includes, from top to bottom, an antenna array 1, a radio frequency component unit 2, a thermal control unit 3, an anti-interference digital processing unit 4, and a control unit 5.

[0039] The anti-interference digital processing unit 4 and the control unit 5 are arranged on the same layer, and the frequency conversion unit 6 and the power module 7 are respectively installed on both sides of the radio frequency component unit.

[0040] The radio frequency component unit 2 is connected to the anti-interference digital processing unit 4;

[0041] The control unit 5 is communicatively connected to the radio frequency component unit 2, and controls the phase shifters of each frequency band radio frequency component unit to achieve scanning within a 360° azimuth off-axis angle ±60° range, while performing multi-beam scanning and monitoring the working status of the radio frequency component unit 2.

[0042] The control unit 5 communicates with the anti-interference digital processing unit 4 to switch between anti-interference mode and non-anti-interference mode, and monitors the working status of the anti-interference digital processing unit.

[0043] It should be noted that the antenna array radiates signals; the radio frequency component unit is vertically interconnected with the antenna array, mainly to amplify the input signal from the radio frequency signal port with low noise, and after phase shifting and down-conversion, send it to the anti-interference digital processing unit.

[0044] The thermal control unit uses a heat spreader for heat dissipation and serves as the main mounting component of the entire system. The anti-interference digital processing unit is vertically interconnected with the RF component unit and mounted on the upper and lower sides of the heat spreader of the thermal control unit. Its main function is to receive m+1 subarrays and n beam signals from the RF component unit, and through anti-interference, combine each beam of the left-handed signal from the m+1 subarrays into one output for the frequency converter module, and combine each beam of the right-handed signal from the m+1 subarrays into one output for the frequency converter unit.

[0045] The frequency conversion unit and the anti-interference digital processing unit are connected by a cable. The left-hand and right-hand n-channel signals generated by the main anti-interference digital processing unit are channelized into left-hand and right-hand k-channels, and the signals are down-converted to 70MHz±20MHz before being sent to the subsequent signal processing unit.

[0046] The control unit communicates with the RF component unit via a serial port. It mainly controls the phase shifting and beamforming of the RF component unit's phase shifter, enabling beam pointing and tracking while simultaneously monitoring the RF component unit's operating status.

[0047] The control unit communicates with the anti-interference digital processing unit via a serial port, mainly to switch between anti-interference function and non-anti-interference mode, as well as to monitor the working status of the anti-interference digital processing unit.

[0048] from Figure 2As can be seen, the module of the present invention contains 7 modules, of which three modules adopt a vertical interconnection structure architecture, and one module serves as the main body for installation and heat dissipation of the entire system. The entire system is installed compactly, which greatly improves the space utilization rate.

[0049] It is worth noting that the thermal control unit uses a heat spreader for heat dissipation and serves as the main mounting component of the entire system. The heat spreader provides a small space and excellent heat dissipation performance for high heat-dissipating components and digital control boards, ensuring uniform temperature and temperature changes in each module. Combined with fan cooling, it meets the temperature resistance requirements of the components.

[0050] The thermal control unit, as the main body of the entire system installation, mounts the radio frequency component unit on the heat spreader plate with screws, the anti-interference digital processing unit and the control unit are mounted on the bottom of the heat spreader plate with screws, and the frequency converter unit and the power module are hung on the side of the heat spreader plate with screws.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present invention, each frequency band element in the antenna array 1 includes a left-hand circularly polarized feed and a right-hand circularly polarized feed;

[0052] Both the left-hand circular polarization and the right-hand circular polarization are vertically connected to the radio frequency component unit 2;

[0053] Both the left-hand circular polarization and the right-hand circular polarization can simultaneously have n beams and resist m interferences, where n≥2, that is, at least 2 beams, and m≥1;

[0054] The multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna is not limited to anti-interference applications with multiple beams in one frequency band, but can be extended to anti-interference applications with multiple beams in multiple frequency bands. That is, it is applicable to applications with n beams in each of the left and right rotations in a frequency bands to resist m interferences, and it is also applicable to applications with n beams in a frequency bands to resist m interferences. Its application scenarios can be used not only for "stationary communication" but also for "mobile communication" in different scenarios, where a≥1.

[0055] It should be noted that the multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna of this application can achieve simultaneous tracking of n targets in one frequency band or simultaneous tracking of n targets in multiple frequency bands and anti-m interference. From the perspectives of functional implementation, electrical performance, manufacturing difficulty, system thermal control, control, and cost analysis, this antenna architecture is the best architecture for multi-beam anti-interference phased array antennas. This architecture greatly improves the space utilization rate, n≥2, m≥1.

[0056] The antenna array consists of multiple antenna elements, which are designed with dual circular polarization. Each antenna element has two feeds, one left-hand circular polarization and one right-hand circular polarization.

[0057] The antenna array is implemented using a multi-layer coupled microstrip antenna. A fixed element spacing is used according to the scanning angle to be covered. The element spacing is determined by calculation according to the formula. The signal is radiated into space through each element and synthesized into a beam in the required direction.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present invention, each antenna array comprises m+1 equal subarrays.

[0059] In one embodiment of the present invention, the radio frequency component unit 2 includes a receiving component, a frequency conversion component, a local oscillator module, and a phase shifter;

[0060] The receiving component includes a left-handed receiving module and a right-handed receiving module, with n*(m+1) left-handed and right-handed receiving modules, each of which consists of n LNA channel units.

[0061] In one embodiment of the present invention, each LNA channel unit performs low-noise amplification, filtering, and attenuation control on the beam radio frequency signal received by the antenna, then divides the signal into n signals. Each signal after power division is subjected to signal phase control, and the signals of the corresponding beam are combined and sent to the frequency conversion component.

[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the frequency conversion component includes n*(m+1) left-hand rotary frequency conversion channels and n*(m+1) right-hand rotary frequency conversion channels. The left-hand rotary frequency conversion channels and the right-hand rotary frequency conversion channels are used to down-convert the radio frequency signal to an intermediate frequency signal and amplify and filter the intermediate frequency signal before outputting it.

[0063] It should be noted that the frequency converter mainly downconverts the radio frequency signal to an intermediate frequency signal ((900MHz~3500M)±500MHz), and then amplifies and filters the intermediate frequency signal before outputting it.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present invention, the local oscillator module mainly provides local oscillator signals for 2n*(m+1) channels of the frequency conversion components.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present invention, the anti-interference digital processing unit 4 is vertically connected to the radio frequency component unit 2. The anti-interference digital processing unit 4 is used to receive m+1 subarray n beam signals, and in the anti-interference mode, each beam has m interference resistance functions and combines the left-hand rotating signals of the m+1 subarray into one output, and combines the right-hand rotating signals of the m+1 subarray into one output.

[0066] In non-interference-resistant mode, the left-hand rotating signals of m+1 subarrays are combined into one output, and the right-hand rotating signals of m+1 subarrays are combined into one output.

[0067] It should be noted that the anti-interference digital processing unit adopts a DSP+FPGA architecture hardware platform, which has a fast processing speed and rich external interfaces. With the anti-interference function loaded and the antenna array divided into m+1 subarrays, each beam can simultaneously resist m interference functions, where m≥1.

[0068] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 5 is connected to the radio frequency component unit 2 via a serial port. The control unit 5 controls the phase shifter to shift the phase, thereby realizing the pointing and tracking of n beams of the phased array antenna.

[0069] It should be noted that the control unit's main control board is installed under the heat spreader and communicates with the radio frequency component unit and the anti-interference digital processing unit via a serial port.

[0070] The control unit receives combined inertial navigation information via serial port, calculates the position information in real time, and calculates the beam pointing information by combining the ephemeris information. Then, it controls the digitally controlled phase shifter in the radio frequency component unit to achieve beam pointing. It can be used not only for "stationary communication" but also for "mobile communication" and other different scenarios to achieve rapid and simultaneous tracking of multiple targets.

[0071] Specifically, the pointing and tracking of the antenna's n beams are controlled by controlling the phase shifter of the RF component unit. Temperature changes in the RF component unit, reported by the RF component unit, are used to control the switching between anti-interference and non-anti-interference modes of the anti-interference digital processing unit.

[0072] Temperature changes in the anti-interference digital processing unit are detected by receiving temperature information reported by the anti-interference digital processing unit.

[0073] In one embodiment of the present invention, the frequency conversion unit 6 includes: a channelization unit, a frequency conversion module, and a local oscillator control unit;

[0074] The channelization unit divides the n left-handed and n right-handed beam signals input from the radio frequency component unit 2 into k channels, and outputs a total of 2k channels to the frequency conversion module, where K≥2.

[0075] It should be noted that left-hand rotation corresponds to k channels and right-hand rotation corresponds to k channels, for a total of 2k channels output to the frequency converter module, where n≥2 and k≥2.

[0076] The frequency converter module converts the input 2k channel signals into an intermediate frequency of 70MHz±20MHz, which is then filtered, amplified, and output to the baseband processing unit. The left-hand k channels and the right-hand k channels are paired up and share the local oscillator.

[0077] The local oscillator control unit mainly provides the corresponding local oscillator for the frequency converter module, communicates with the system master controller, responds to commands to control the module accordingly, and performs filtering and voltage regulation of the input power supply, providing the corresponding power supply for the frequency converter module and the channelization unit.

[0078] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna, comprising, from top to bottom, an antenna array (1), a radio frequency component unit (2), a thermal control unit (3), an anti-interference digital processing unit (4), and a control unit (5). The anti-interference digital processing unit (4) and the control unit (5) are disposed on the same layer, and a frequency conversion unit (6) and a power supply module (7) are respectively installed on both sides of the radio frequency component unit (2); characterized in that, The radio frequency component unit (2) is connected to the anti-interference digital processing unit (4); The control unit (5) is connected to the radio frequency component unit (2) to control the phase shifters of the radio frequency component unit in each frequency band, realize the scanning of the azimuth 360° off-axis angle ±60° range, perform multi-beam scanning at the same time, and monitor the working status of the radio frequency component unit (2). The control unit (5) communicates with the anti-interference digital processing unit (4) to switch between anti-interference mode and non-anti-interference mode, and monitors the working status of the anti-interference digital processing unit (4). The radio frequency component unit (2) includes a receiving component, a frequency conversion component, a local oscillator module, and a phase shifter; The receiving component includes a left-handed receiving module and a right-handed receiving module, and there are n*(m+1) left-handed receiving modules and right-handed receiving modules. Each left-handed receiving module and right-handed receiving module consists of n LNA channel units. The anti-interference digital processing unit (4) is vertically connected to the radio frequency component unit (2). The anti-interference digital processing unit (4) is used to receive n beam signals of m+1 subarrays. In the anti-interference mode, each beam has m anti-interference functions and combines the left-hand rotation signal of m+1 subarrays into one output and combines the right-hand rotation signal of m+1 subarrays into one output. In non-interference-resistant mode, each beam of the left-hand rotating signal of the m+1 subarray is combined into one output, and each beam of the right-hand rotating signal of the m+1 subarray is combined into one output. The anti-interference digital processing unit adopts a DSP+FPGA architecture hardware platform, which has fast processing speed and rich external interfaces. The anti-interference function is combined with the m+1 sub-arrays evenly divided by the antenna array to realize the simultaneous anti-interference function of each beam, where m≥1. The control unit (5) is connected to the radio frequency component unit (2) via a serial port. The control unit (5) controls the phase shifter to shift the phase, thereby enabling the n beams of the phased array antenna to be pointed and tracked. The control unit's main control board is installed under the heat spreader and communicates with the radio frequency component unit and the anti-interference digital processing unit via a serial port. The control unit receives combined inertial navigation information via serial port, calculates the position information in real time, and calculates the beam pointing information by combining the ephemeris information. Then, it controls the digitally controlled phase shifter in the radio frequency component unit to achieve beam pointing, enabling rapid and simultaneous tracking of multiple targets in both stationary and moving tracking scenarios.

2. The multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each frequency band element in the antenna array (1) includes a left-hand circularly polarized feed and a right-hand circularly polarized feed; Both the left-hand circular polarization feed and the right-hand circular polarization feed are vertically connected to the radio frequency component unit (2); Both the left-hand circular polarization feed and the right-hand circular polarization feed simultaneously achieve n beams and resist m interferences, where n≥2, i.e., at least 2 beams, and m≥1. The multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna is not limited to anti-interference applications with multiple beams in one frequency band, but is extended to anti-interference applications with multiple beams in multiple frequency bands. That is, it is applicable to applications with n beams in each of the left and right rotations in a frequency bands to resist m interferences, and it is also applicable to applications with n beams in a frequency bands to resist m interferences. Its application scenarios are not only for "stationary communication" but also for "mobile communication" in different scenarios, where a≥1.

3. The multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each LNA channel unit performs low-noise amplification, filtering, and attenuation control on the beam radio frequency signal received by the antenna, then divides it into n signals. Each signal after power division is phase controlled, and the signals of the corresponding beam are combined and sent to the frequency conversion component.

4. The multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frequency conversion component includes n*(m+1) left-hand rotary frequency conversion channels and n*(m+1) right-hand rotary frequency conversion channels. The left-hand rotary frequency conversion channels and the right-hand rotary frequency conversion channels are used to down-convert the radio frequency signal to an intermediate frequency signal and amplify and filter the intermediate frequency signal before outputting it.

5. The multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The local oscillator module provides local oscillator signals for the 2n*(m+1) channels of the frequency converter components.

6. The multi-beam anti-interference phased array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frequency conversion unit (6) includes: a channelization unit, a frequency conversion module, and a local oscillator control unit; The channelization unit divides the n left-handed and n right-handed beam signals input from the radio frequency component unit (2) into k channels, and outputs a total of 2k channels to the frequency conversion module, where k≥2.

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