Lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna

Abstract

The present invention provides a lightweight, low-profile tightly coupled printed dipole antenna, comprising a metal floor and a plurality of antenna units, each of which is sequentially coupled and arranged; the antenna unit comprises a dipole layer, a first dielectric plate, a loading patch layer, a second dielectric plate and an integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer layer by layer; the dipole layer comprises two first dipole arms and a metal back plate; the integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer comprises a second dipole arm and a balun which are symmetrically arranged and have the same shape as the first region of the first dipole arm; the loading patch layer comprises two loading patches; two metal holes are provided between the loading patch layer and the integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer, and the loading patches are connected and matched with the microstrip line. The antenna can meet the requirements of the radar system for lightweight, low profile and large bandwidth.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of radar antennas, and in particular to a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna. Background Art

[0002] In order to meet the requirements of load size and weight in phased array radar systems, it is necessary to design antenna radiating units that are lightweight, low-profile, have excellent radiation performance, and have a large working bandwidth. Among various antenna forms, printed dipole antennas have the characteristics of light weight, simple processing, and low cost. At the same time, they have good compatibility with tight coupling technology, which can effectively achieve large bandwidth and reduce the size of the antenna. The existing methods generally use the overlapping of dipole arms to achieve tight coupling between units, and achieve feeding by matching the balun structure. The traditional balun structure is independent of the antenna and requires a larger size to obtain good performance. At the same time, it increases the design difficulty and unit weight, making it difficult to meet project requirements. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna to meet the requirements of the radar system for lightweight, low profile, and large bandwidth.

[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna, comprising: a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna, characterized in that it comprises: a metal floor; a plurality of antenna units, each of which is sequentially coupled and arranged and arranged on the metal floor; the antenna units sequentially comprise a dipole layer, a first dielectric plate, a loading patch layer, a second dielectric plate, and an integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer; the dipole layer comprises two first dipole arms and a metal backplane, the first dipole arms are printed on the metal backplane; the integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer comprises two dipole balun integrated structures and a microstrip line, the dipole balun integrated structure comprises a second dipole arm which has the same shape as the first region of the first dipole arm and is symmetrically arranged, a partial region of the second dipole arm overlaps with the second region of the first dipole arm, and the dipole balun integrated structure further comprises a balun, which is arranged on one side of the second dipole arm; the loading patch layer comprises two loading patches; two metal holes are arranged between the loading patch layer and the integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer, and the loading patches and the microstrip line are connected and matched one by one.

[0005] Optionally, two triangular chamfers are symmetrically provided inwardly between the first region and the second region of the first vibrator arm.

[0006] Optionally, the triangular chamfer is arranged on a symmetry line between the first region of the first vibrator arm and the vibrator balun integrated structure, and the metal back plate and a region adjacent to the triangular chamfer are hollowed out.

[0007] Optionally, the plane position of the metal hole overlaps with the junction of the triangular chamfers symmetrically opened on the first vibrator arm.

[0008] Optionally, the metal back plate of the oscillator layer is connected to the metal floor, and the microstrip line is connected to an external coaxial feed line.

[0009] Optionally, chamfers are provided at the connections and turning points of the microstrip line.

[0010] Optionally, except for the first vibrator arm, the vibrator balun integrated structure, the loading patch, the metal backplane and the microstrip line, the rest of the vibrator layer, the first dielectric plate, the loading patch layer, the second dielectric plate and the integrated feeding vibrator balun structure layer are hollowed out.

[0011] At least one of the above technical solutions adopted in the embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0012] A lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is composed of a plurality of antenna units coupled and arranged in sequence, wherein the antenna units sequentially include a dipole layer, a first dielectric plate, a loading patch layer, a second dielectric plate, and an integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer, wherein the dipole layer includes two connected dipoles, and tight coupling between units is achieved by overlapping dipole arms; the integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer includes two baluns connected by microstrip lines, and unbalanced-balanced feeding is achieved by integrating an integrated balun while reducing the size and weight of the antenna, thereby meeting the requirements of the radar system for lightweight, low profile, and large bandwidth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference will now be made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of the structure of a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0015] Figure 1B A schematic structural plan view of a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0016] Figure 2A A schematic diagram of a dipole layer of a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown;

[0017] Figure 2B A schematic diagram of a loading patch layer of a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown;

[0018] Figure 2C A schematic diagram of an integrated feeding dipole balun structure of a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a partial structure of a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a double-layer dielectric plate of a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown;

[0021] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a combination of a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0022] Description of reference numerals:

[0023] 1-first oscillator arm; 2-metal back plate; 3-loading patch; 4-second oscillator arm; 5-balun; 6-microstrip line; 7-first dielectric layer; 8-second dielectric layer; 9-metal hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are exemplary only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In the following detailed description, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may also be implemented without these specific details. In addition, in the following description, descriptions of known structures and technologies are omitted to avoid unnecessary confusion of the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0025] The terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The terms "comprise", "include", etc. used herein indicate the existence of the features, steps, operations and / or components, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations or components.

[0026] All terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. It should be noted that the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the context of this specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly rigid manner.

[0027] Figure 1A and 1B A schematic diagram of a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0028] like Figure 1A and 1B As shown, the antenna unit provided in this embodiment is in the form of a dipole as a basic form, each antenna unit is composed of two dipoles, and the polarization mode is horizontal polarization. The two dipoles are arranged on a metal floor to achieve balanced capacitance and inductance.

[0029] The antenna unit includes a dipole layer, a first dielectric plate, a loading patch layer, a second dielectric plate 8 and an integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer in sequence; the first dielectric plate 7 and the second dielectric plate 8 constitute a double-layer dielectric structure, the dipole layer is printed on the outer side of the first dielectric plate 7, the loading patch layer is printed on the inner side opposite to the first dielectric plate 7 and the second dielectric plate 8, and the second dielectric plate 8 is printed on the outer side of the second dielectric plate 8.

[0030] Figure 2A , 2B 2C schematically illustrate, in sequence, a schematic diagram of a dipole layer, a loading patch layer, and an integrated feeding dipole balun structure of a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] like Figure 2A As shown, the vibrator layer includes two first vibrator arms 1 and a metal back plate 2. The first vibrator arms 1 are printed on the metal back plate 2. The upper end in the figure is divided into the first vibrator arm 1, and the lower part connecting the two vibrator arms is the metal back plate 2.

[0032] like Figure 2C As shown, two dipole balun integrated structures and a microstrip line 6, the dipole balun integrated structure includes a second dipole arm 4 that is symmetrically arranged with the same shape as the first region of the first dipole arm 1, a portion of the second dipole arm 4 overlaps the second region of the first dipole arm 1, and the dipole balun integrated structure also includes a balun 5, which is arranged on one side of the second dipole arm 4. The structure integrates the balun 5 and the dipole arm into an integrated structure, which can optimize impedance matching. The unbalanced feeding of the coaxial line is converted into balanced feeding of the microstrip line 6 through the balun structure.

[0033] like Figure 2B As shown, the loading patch layer includes two loading patches 3, a set of baluns 5, a vibrator and the loading patch 3 to form a horizontally polarized dipole. Two metal holes 9 are provided between the loading patch layer and the integrated feeding vibrator balun structure layer to connect and match the loading patch 3 and the microstrip line 6 one by one. The metal back plate 2 of the vibrator layer is connected to the metal floor, and the microstrip line 6 is connected to the external coaxial feed line.

[0034] In this embodiment, according to Figures 1, 2A, 2B and 2C, a single dipole is composed of a vibrator and a balun 5 to form a "T"-shaped structure. Specifically, two triangular chamfers are symmetrically opened inward at one end of the first vibrator arm 1; the vibrator regions on both sides of the two triangular chamfers are connected by a metal back plate 2, and the vibrator is divided into a first region and a second region, and the area of ​​the first region is larger than the second region. The shape of the second vibrator on the vibrator balun integrated structure is the same as the first region of the first vibrator, and is symmetrically arranged with the first region of the first vibrator, and part of the region overlaps with the second region of the first vibrator in space. The triangular chamfer is arranged on the symmetry line between the first region of the first vibrator arm 1 and the vibrator balun integrated structure, and the area adjacent to the triangular chamfer of the metal back plate 2 is hollowed out, so that after the vibrator layer and the integrated feeding vibrator balun layer are arranged correspondingly, two symmetrical T-shaped structures can be formed, and the metal back plate 2 in the middle of the T-shaped structure is hollowed out.

[0035] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the partial structure of a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, the plane position of the metal hole 9 overlaps with the junction of the triangular chamfers symmetrically opened on the first dipole arm 1, and is located between the loading patch layer and the integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer, wherein the metal through hole 9 does not contact the first dipole arm and the second dipole arm on the left and right sides. Figure 3 The microstrip line and the integrated structure of the oscillator balun belong to the same integrated feeding oscillator balun structure layer, and are only connected to the loading patch through the metal hole 9, and are not connected to the integrated structure of the oscillator balun.

[0037] The triangular chamfer on the oscillator can achieve broadband impedance matching between dipoles. By adjusting the distance between the dipoles and loading patch 3, the coupling between the two dipoles is strengthened to achieve broadband impedance matching. Specifically, reducing the distance between the dipoles and increasing the size of the loading patch 3 will strengthen the coupling between the units, and proper coupling can enhance the impedance matching degree. In practical applications, the unit spacing and patch size can be appropriately adjusted according to the matching relationship.

[0038] In this embodiment, the turning point of the microstrip line or the dipole arm is provided with a chamfer, and can also be subjected to fine processing such as gradient, so as to further optimize the impedance matching.

[0039] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a double-layer dielectric plate of a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0040] like Figure 4As shown, the embodiment of the present disclosure adopts an integral printing form, using a double-layer high dielectric constant plate, alternately stacked with three layers of metal printing, and the finished product thickness is only 1.0mm. Except for the area where the first dipole arm 1, the dipole balun integrated structure, the loading patch 3, the metal backplane 2 and the microstrip line 6 are located, the dipole layer, the first dielectric plate 7, the loading patch layer, the second dielectric plate 8 and the integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer are hollowed out. Figure 1B The metal back plate 2, microstrip line 6, and loading patch 3 of the oscillator layer have the same wiring direction, and the rest of the parts are hollowed out. The antenna hollows out the entire structure to make it lightweight, ensuring a wide bandwidth while greatly reducing the antenna profile and overall weight. It also has a simple structure, is easy to process, and has a low cost.

[0041] Since the dipole is fed by an unbalanced transmission line from coaxial to microstrip, the disclosed embodiment provides an integrated feeding balun with wide bandwidth and low loss performance to perform balanced-unbalanced conversion to solve the feeding problem and realize the impedance transformation between the short dipole unit and the standard coaxial line. The disclosed embodiment integrates the integrated balun structure into the antenna impedance matching network, adopts an overall printing form, prints three layers of metal balance structure through two layers of dielectric plates with different thicknesses, adjusts and matches the connections of each layer through metal through holes, and performs chamfering and gradient refinement processing at the connection and turning point of the microstrip line 6 to further optimize the impedance matching. At the same time, by fine-tuning the size of each part of the patch, the large-angle scanning capability in the array is guaranteed, and one-dimensional ±60° phase scanning can be achieved.

[0042] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a combination of a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0043] like Figure 5 As shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna, comprising: a plurality of antenna units, each antenna unit being coupled and arranged in sequence. By closely arranging the units and utilizing the coupling between the units to offset the inductive effect caused by the reflective floor, the array bandwidth can be expanded eventually. It should be noted that due to the characteristics of electromagnetic radiation, there is coupling between the units of the array antenna. The traditional design idea is to minimize coupling and avoid mutual influence between the units. The antenna provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure can strengthen and utilize the coupling between the units by reducing the distance between the units and loading the patch 3.

[0044] Through simulation and error testing, it is proved that a lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure can achieve good impedance matching and directional pattern characteristics within a bandwidth range of 220-280MHz. Under periodic boundary conditions, when simulating an infinite one-element linear array scanning 0° and 60°, within the entire bandwidth range of 220-280MHz, the reflection coefficient of the port is less than 1.5 when pointing at 0°, and the reflection coefficient of the port is less than 3 when pointing at 60°.

[0045] According to the lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, tight coupling between units is achieved by overlapping the dipole arms. The integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer includes two dipole balun integrated structures. The integrated integrated balun is used to achieve unbalanced-balanced feeding while reducing the size and weight of the antenna, which can meet the requirements of the radar system for lightweight, low profile and large bandwidth.

[0046] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the features described in the various embodiments and / or claims of the present disclosure may be combined and / or combined in a variety of ways, even if such combinations and / or combinations are not explicitly described in the present disclosure. In particular, the features described in the various embodiments and / or claims of the present disclosure may be combined and / or combined in a variety of ways without departing from the spirit and teachings of the present disclosure. All of these combinations and / or combinations fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] Although the present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but should be determined not only by the appended claims, but also by the equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna, characterized in that: include: Metal flooring; A plurality of antenna units, each of which is coupled and arranged in sequence and disposed on the metal floor; The antenna unit comprises a dipole layer, a first dielectric plate, a loading patch layer, a second dielectric plate and an integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer in sequence; The vibrator layer includes two first vibrator arms and a metal back plate, wherein the first vibrator arms are printed on the metal back plate; The integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer includes two dipole balun integrated structures and a microstrip line, the dipole balun integrated structure includes a second dipole arm which has the same shape as the first region of the first dipole arm and is symmetrically arranged, a partial region of the second dipole arm overlaps with the second region of the first dipole arm, and the dipole balun integrated structure also includes a balun arranged on one side of the second dipole arm; The loading patch layer includes two loading patches; Two metal holes are arranged between the loading patch layer and the integrated feeding oscillator balun structure layer to connect and match the loading patch and the microstrip line in a one-to-one correspondence.

2. The lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two triangular chamfers are symmetrically formed inwardly between the first region and the second region of the first vibrator arm.

3. The lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that: The triangular chamfer is arranged on a symmetry line between the first region of the first vibrator arm and the vibrator balun integrated structure, and a region of the metal back plate adjacent to the triangular chamfer is hollowed out.

4. The lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plane position of the metal hole overlaps with the junction of the triangular chamfers symmetrically opened on the first vibrator arm.

5. The lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal back plate of the oscillator layer is connected to the metal floor, and the microstrip line is connected to an external coaxial feed line.

6. The lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection and turning points of the microstrip line are provided with chamfers.

7. The lightweight, low-profile, tightly coupled printed dipole antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: Except for the first dipole arm, the dipole balun integrated structure, the loading patch, the metal backplane and the microstrip line area, the rest of the dipole layer, the first dielectric plate, the loading patch layer, the second dielectric plate and the integrated feeding dipole balun structure layer are hollowed out.

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