Dual-frequency co-boresight antenna

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a kind of dual-frequency common aperture antenna, it is related to wireless communication technical field, the antenna includes: self reconfigurable transmission line, low-frequency band feed network, high-frequency band feed network and radiating structure, self reconfigurable transmission line includes: equivalent as magnetic dipole's radiating aperture, radiating structure includes: low-frequency band electric monopole, high-frequency band electric monopole and equivalent as magnetic dipole's radiating aperture.Low-frequency band feed network is connected with self reconfigurable transmission line by low-frequency band switching structure, and low-frequency band electric monopole and radiating aperture as low-frequency band radiating structure are fed;High-frequency band feed network is connected with self reconfigurable transmission line, and high-frequency band electric monopole and radiating aperture as high-frequency band radiating structure are fed. Wherein, radiating aperture and low-frequency band electric monopole and high-frequency band electric monopole form magnetic electric monopole and radiate, overall structure is simple and compact, reduce the space occupied by antenna even entire antenna system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and more specifically, to a dual-band common-aperture antenna. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of wireless communication technology, on the one hand, there is a growing demand for expanding the spectrum range and increasing requirements for multi-frequency operation; on the other hand, higher demands are being placed on the miniaturization and integration of wireless communication systems. Common-aperture antennas, which can integrate antennas of different frequencies and types simultaneously, can further reduce the size occupied by antenna equipment, thereby reducing the overall system size, and will be an inevitable trend in future development.

[0003] Most existing common-aperture antennas overlap, interleave, or nest antennas of different frequency bands, using different feeding structures for different frequency bands. While this can reduce the antenna size to some extent, different feeding structures are not conducive to further reducing the antenna size. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this application embodiment is to provide a dual-band common aperture antenna, which includes: a self-reconfigurable transmission line, a low-frequency band feed network, a high-frequency band feed network, and a radiating structure; by providing a common radiating aperture for both the low-frequency and high-frequency band radiating structures through a terminal-opening self-reconfigurable transmission line, the radiating aperture can be equivalent to a magnetic dipole, and forms a magnetoelectric monopole with the low-frequency and high-frequency band electric monopoles of the radiating structure for radiation. The low-frequency band electric monopole adopts a top-loaded method, which reduces the antenna profile and the antenna size, thereby solving the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a dual-band common-aperture antenna, comprising: a self-reconfigurable transmission line, a low-frequency band feed network, a high-frequency band feed network, and a radiating structure; the radiating structure comprises: a low-frequency band electric monopole, a high-frequency band electric monopole, and a radiating aperture equivalent to a magnetic dipole; the self-reconfigurable transmission line comprises: a radiating aperture equivalent to a magnetic dipole; the low-frequency band feed network is connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line via a low-frequency band transition structure, and is used to feed the low-frequency band radiating structure, i.e., the low-frequency band electric monopole and the radiating aperture; the high-frequency band feed network is connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line, and is used to feed the high-frequency band radiating structure, i.e., the high-frequency band electric monopole and the radiating aperture; wherein, the radiating aperture, the low-frequency band electric monopole, and the high-frequency band electric monopole form a magnetoelectric monopole for radiation.

[0006] In the above implementation process, the magnetoelectric monopole common aperture antenna can operate in both low-frequency and high-frequency bands. The common aperture design can reduce the size of the antenna. At the same time, the formed magnetoelectric monopole, as a radiating element, has good radiation characteristics and can achieve stable gain. The overall structure is simple and compact, reducing the space occupied by the antenna and even the entire antenna system.

[0007] Optionally, the antenna further includes: a dielectric substrate and a copper-clad layer; the dielectric substrate includes: a first dielectric substrate layer, a second dielectric substrate layer, a third dielectric substrate layer, and a fourth dielectric substrate layer; the first dielectric substrate layer, the second dielectric substrate layer, the third dielectric substrate layer, and the fourth dielectric substrate layer are sequentially disposed from bottom to top through an intermediate adhesive separator; the copper-clad layer includes: a first copper-clad layer and a second copper-clad layer; the first copper-clad layer is disposed on the lower surface of the first dielectric substrate layer and the adhesive separator, and the second copper-clad layer is disposed on the upper surface of the first dielectric substrate layer and the adhesive separator; wherein, the area defined by the first dielectric substrate layer, the adhesive separator, the first copper-clad layer, and the second copper-clad layer constitutes the self-reconfigurable transmission line; the terminal opening of the area constitutes the radiation aperture.

[0008] In the above implementation process, the addition of the dielectric substrate, copper cladding, and adhesive constitutes the multi-layer structure of the antenna, making the antenna structure more compact. On the one hand, this reduces the space occupied by the antenna and even the entire system. On the other hand, all the substructures of the antenna are integrated in the dielectric substrate, which is easy to implement using PCB technology, greatly saving processing costs in the fabrication of microwave and millimeter-wave devices.

[0009] Optionally, the low-frequency feed network includes a microstrip line; the low-frequency feed network is integrated in the second dielectric substrate layer, and the tail end of the low-frequency feed network is connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line via a coaxial line of a low-frequency transition structure.

[0010] In the above implementation process, by setting up a transition structure in the form of a low-frequency microstrip line-coaxial line-self-reconfigurable transmission line, separate feeding for different frequency bands such as high-frequency and low-frequency bands is achieved. The coaxial feeding method has low insertion loss, and impedance matching can be easily achieved by changing the position of the coaxial feeding point.

[0011] Optionally, a blocking metal post is provided at the end of the self-reconfigurable transmission line to block the reverse transmission of electromagnetic wave energy.

[0012] In the above implementation, the height of the metal pillar can be equal to the height of the metal pillar that constitutes the substrate integrated waveguide of the self-reconfigurable transmission line, thereby preventing electromagnetic waves from propagating backward.

[0013] Optionally, the antenna further includes a low-frequency test adapter structure; the low-frequency test adapter structure is integrated in the region defined by the second dielectric substrate layer, the third dielectric substrate layer, the fourth dielectric substrate layer and the intermediate adhesive separator, and the low-frequency test adapter structure is connected to the first end of the low-frequency band feed network to provide power to the low-frequency band feed network.

[0014] In the above implementation process, the gain, S-parameters, and radiation pattern of the low-frequency band can be tested through the low-frequency band test adapter structure.

[0015] Optionally, the low-frequency power supply network includes a first low-frequency input port, a first low-frequency output port, and a second low-frequency output port; the low-frequency test adapter structure includes a central metal pillar and peripheral metal pillars; the first low-frequency input port is connected to the low-frequency test adapter structure via the central metal pillar; the first low-frequency output port, the second low-frequency output port, and the self-reconfigurable transmission line are connected to the low-frequency adapter structure.

[0016] In the above implementation process, by using a low-frequency test adapter structure for testing, it was verified that the reflection coefficient of the low-frequency band is less than -10dB in the frequency range of 10.3GHz to 11.7GHz, and the maximum gain is 6.7dBi.

[0017] Optionally, the high-frequency feed network includes: a substrate integrated waveguide; the antenna further includes: a high-frequency test adapter structure; the high-frequency feed network is integrated in the first dielectric substrate layer and the adhesive separator layer, the tail end of the high-frequency feed network is connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line; the head end of the high-frequency feed network is connected to the high-frequency test adapter structure to provide power to the high-frequency feed network.

[0018] In the above implementation process, the high-frequency test adapter structure can be used to test the gain, S-parameters, and radiation pattern in the high-frequency band.

[0019] Optionally, the high-frequency power supply network includes a first high-frequency input port, a first high-frequency output port, a second high-frequency output port, a third high-frequency output port, and a fourth high-frequency output port; the first high-frequency input port is connected to the high-frequency test adapter structure; and the first high-frequency output port, the second high-frequency output port, the third high-frequency output port, and the fourth high-frequency output port are connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line.

[0020] In the above implementation process, by using a high-frequency test adapter structure, it was verified that the reflection coefficient of the high-frequency band is less than -10dB in the frequency range of 31.8GHz to 38.1GHz, and the maximum gain is 11.2dBi.

[0021] Optionally, the low-frequency band electrical monopole includes a metal disk; the metal disk is loaded on top of the low-frequency band electrical monopole to reduce the antenna profile.

[0022] In the above implementation process, loading a metal disk can make the current distribution of the electric monopole more uniform, which is similar to increasing the length of the electric monopole, reducing the antenna profile and decreasing the antenna size.

[0023] Optionally, the antenna further includes a U-shaped metal wall, the height of which is the same as the height of the low-frequency band electric monopole, to block electromagnetic wave energy interference in the opposite direction.

[0024] In the above process, the U-shaped metal wall blocks electromagnetic radiation interference in the opposite direction of the magnetoelectric monopole.

[0025] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 A system block diagram of a dual-band common-aperture antenna provided in this application embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a dual-band common-aperture antenna provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 3 A side view of the low-frequency electrical monopole region of a dual-frequency common-aperture antenna provided in this application embodiment;

[0030] Figure 4 A side view of a low-frequency microstrip line-coaxial line-self-reconfigurable transmission line transition structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a partial top view of a low-frequency band transition structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 6 A top view of a low-frequency power supply network-low-frequency test adapter structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 7A top view of a high-frequency feeder network-high-frequency test adapter structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a top view of a radial structure provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0035] Icons: 01-Dual-band common-aperture antenna; 10-Self-reconfigurable transmission line; 20-Low-frequency feed network; 21-Microstrip line; 22-Low-frequency test adapter structure; 23-Coaxial cable; 24-Low-frequency adapter structure; 25-Blocking metal pillar; 30-High-frequency feed network; 31-Substrate integrated waveguide; 32-High-frequency test adapter structure; 40-Radiating structure; 41-Low-frequency electrical monopole; 42-High-frequency electrical monopole; 11-Radiating aperture; 50-Dielectric substrate; 51-First dielectric substrate layer; 52-Second dielectric substrate layer; 53-Third dielectric substrate layer; 54-Fourth dielectric substrate layer; 55-Adhesive separator; 60-Copper cladding layer; 61-First copper cladding layer; 62-Second copper cladding layer; 70-U-shaped metal wall. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely represents selected embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. The terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element. The terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0038] The inventors of this application have noted that most existing common-aperture antennas overlap, interleave, or nest antennas of different frequency bands, using different feeding structures for each band. While this can reduce antenna size to some extent, the different feeding structures hinder further reduction in antenna size. Therefore, this application designs a novel dual-frequency common-aperture magnetoelectric monopole antenna array. This design is based on a self-reconfigurable transmission line structure. The self-reconfigurable transmission line can simultaneously serve as the feeding structure for different frequency bands and provide radiation apertures for different frequency bands, which is beneficial for reducing antenna size. The self-reconfigurable transmission line with an open terminal is equivalent to a magnetic dipole, and the metal via embedded in the dielectric substrate serves as an electric monopole, forming a magnetoelectric monopole antenna. The low-frequency electric monopole uses a top-loading method to reduce the antenna profile, thereby further reducing the antenna size. Based on this, the dual-frequency common-aperture antenna 01 provided in this application is described in detail below.

[0039] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This application provides a system block diagram of a dual-band common-aperture antenna 01. The antenna includes: a self-reconfigurable transmission line 10, a low-frequency band feed network 20, a high-frequency band feed network 30, and a radiating structure 40. The self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 includes a radiating aperture 11 equivalent to a magnetic dipole. The radiating structure 40 includes a low-frequency band electric monopole 41, a high-frequency band electric monopole 42, and a radiating aperture 11 equivalent to a magnetic dipole. The low-frequency band feed network 20 is connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 via a low-frequency band transition structure and is used to feed the low-frequency band electric monopole 41 and the radiating aperture 11. The high-frequency band feed network 30 is connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 and is used to feed the high-frequency band electric monopole 42 and the radiating aperture 11. The radiating aperture 11, the low-frequency band electric monopole 41, and the high-frequency band electric monopole 42 form a magnetoelectric monopole for radiation.

[0040] For example, the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10, as a novel dual-frequency transmission line, is a transmission line whose operating frequency can be adjusted within a certain range according to different boundary conditions at different frequencies, while keeping other parameters constant. The terminal opening of the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 can be equivalent to a magnetic dipole, providing a radiation aperture 11 for the antenna and simultaneously serving as a feed structure for antennas in different frequency bands. For example, the self-reconfigurable dual-frequency transmission line structure may include a substrate integrated waveguide and an electromagnetic bandgap structure composed of periodically discontinuous metal pillars integrated in the substrate integrated waveguide. The metal pillars are in contact with the lower surface of the substrate integrated waveguide and have a gap between them and the upper surface. In a certain frequency band (low frequency band), electromagnetic waves can propagate in the gap between the electromagnetic bandgap structure and the upper surface of the substrate integrated waveguide; in a certain frequency band (high frequency band), the electromagnetic bandgap structure exhibits band-stop characteristics, preventing electromagnetic waves from propagating along its surface. The self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 can be equivalent to two waveguides, with electromagnetic waves propagating in the left and right waveguides respectively.

[0041] The radiating structure 40 may include low-frequency electrical monopoles 41 and high-frequency electrical monopoles 42, and may also include a radiating aperture 11, i.e., a self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 as part of the radiating structure 40. The combination of low-frequency electrical monopoles 41, high-frequency electrical monopoles 42, and radiating aperture 11 can simultaneously serve as the radiating structure 40 of the dual-frequency common-aperture antenna 01. Specifically, the low-frequency electrical monopoles 41 may be metal pillars embedded in the dielectric substrate 50, and the number may be two, which together with the radiating aperture 11 form the low-frequency radiating structure; similarly, the high-frequency electrical monopoles 42 may also be metal pillars embedded in the dielectric substrate 50, and the number may be four, which together with the radiating aperture 11 form the high-frequency radiating structure. Therefore, the radiating structure 40 may include a 1×2 array with a higher low-frequency band height and a 1×4 array with a lower high-frequency band height. Ultimately, the low-frequency electric monopole 41 and the high-frequency electric monopole 42 in the radiating structure 40, together with the radiating aperture 11 which is equivalent to a magnetic dipole, form a magnetoelectric monopole antenna for radiation.

[0042] The low-frequency band transition structure 24 may include an integrated structure consisting of a low-frequency band feed network 20, a coaxial cable 23, and a self-reconfigurable transmission line 10. For convenient antenna testing, the first end of the low-frequency band feed network 20 can be connected to a low-frequency band test adapter, and the last end can be connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 via the coaxial cable 23 of the low-frequency band transition structure 24 to feed the magnetoelectric monopole antenna composed of the radiating aperture 11 and the low-frequency electric monopole 41. The frequency range of the low-frequency band being tested can be 10.3 GHz to 11.7 GHz. The first end of the high-frequency band feed network 30 can be connected to a high-frequency test adapter, and the last end can be fed to the magnetoelectric monopole antenna composed of the radiating aperture 11 and the high-frequency electric monopole 42 via the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10. The frequency range of the high-frequency band being tested can be 31.8 GHz to 38.1 GHz.

[0043] The magnetoelectric monopole common aperture antenna 01 can operate in both low and high frequency bands. The common aperture design can reduce the size of the antenna. At the same time, the formed magnetoelectric monopole serves as a radiating element, which has good radiation characteristics and can achieve stable gain. The overall structure is simple and compact, reducing the space occupied by the antenna and even the entire system.

[0044] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 The diagram shows a three-dimensional schematic of a dual-frequency common-aperture antenna 01, which also includes a dielectric substrate 50 and a copper-clad layer 60.

[0045] The dielectric substrate 50 includes a first dielectric substrate layer 51, a second dielectric substrate layer 52, a third dielectric substrate layer 53, and a fourth dielectric substrate layer 54. The first dielectric substrate layer 51, the second dielectric substrate layer 52, the third dielectric substrate layer 53, and the fourth dielectric substrate layer 54 are sequentially disposed from bottom to top through an intermediate adhesive separator 55. The copper clad layer 60 includes a first copper clad layer 61 and a second copper clad layer 62. The first copper clad layer 61 is disposed on the lower surface of the first dielectric substrate layer 51 and the adhesive separator 55, and the second copper clad layer 62 is disposed on the upper surface of the first dielectric substrate layer 51 and the adhesive separator 55. The area defined by the first dielectric substrate layer 51, the adhesive separator 55, the first copper clad layer 61, and the second copper clad layer 62 constitutes a self-reconfigurable transmission line 10, and the terminal opening of the area constitutes a radiation aperture 11.

[0046] For example, the antenna includes a dielectric substrate 50 and a copper-clad layer 60. The antenna can be a multilayer structure, consisting of a first dielectric substrate layer 51, a second dielectric substrate layer 52, a third dielectric substrate layer 53, and a fourth dielectric substrate layer 54 from bottom to top. The substrates can be bonded together with dielectric adhesive, thereby forming a first dielectric adhesive spacer layer 55, a second dielectric adhesive spacer layer 55, and a third dielectric adhesive spacer layer 55 from bottom to top. The dielectric substrate 50 can be made of Rogers 4350B, the dielectric adhesive can be made of Rogers 4450B, and the thickness of the copper-clad layer 60 can be 0.035 mm.

[0047] like Figure 3The diagram shows a side view of the low-frequency band electrical monopole 41 region of the dual-band common-aperture antenna 01. Optionally, a first copper-clad layer 61 is disposed on the lower surface of the first dielectric substrate layer 51, and a first dielectric adhesive spacer 55 is disposed on the upper surface of the first dielectric substrate layer 51. The upper surface of the first dielectric adhesive spacer 55 can be a second copper-clad layer 62, and the upper surface of the second copper-clad layer 62 can be a second dielectric substrate layer 52. A self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 can be integrated into the first copper-clad layer 61, the first dielectric substrate layer 51, the first dielectric adhesive spacer 55, and the second copper-clad layer 62, forming a region defined by the first dielectric substrate layer 51, the adhesive spacer 55, the first copper-clad layer 61, and the second copper-clad layer 62. Multiple rows of metal pillars can be embedded in this region, and the terminal openings of the multiple rows of metal pillars in this region form the radiation aperture 11. The self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 with an open terminal provides radiation apertures 11 for different frequency bands in the radiation structure 40. The low-frequency electric monopole 41 is located in the middle of the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10, and the high-frequency electric monopole 42 is located in the middle of the two equivalent waveguides.

[0048] The high-frequency band electric monopole 42 can be integrated into the second dielectric substrate layer 52, the second dielectric adhesive separator layer 55, and the third dielectric substrate layer 53, and its lower end can be connected to the second copper-clad layer 62 of the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10. The low-frequency band electric monopole 41 can be integrated into the second dielectric substrate layer 52, the third dielectric substrate layer 53, the fourth dielectric substrate layer 54, the second dielectric adhesive separator layer 55, and the third dielectric adhesive separator layer 55, and its lower end can also be connected to the second copper-clad layer 62 of the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10. The thickness of the first dielectric substrate layer 51 can be 0.762 mm, the thickness of the second dielectric substrate layer 52 can be 0.254 mm, the thickness of the third dielectric substrate layer 53 can be 0.762 mm, the thickness of the fourth dielectric substrate layer 54 can be 1.524 mm, and the thicknesses of the first dielectric adhesive separator layer 55, the second dielectric adhesive separator layer 55, and the third dielectric adhesive separator layer 55 can all be 0.202 mm.

[0049] The addition of the dielectric substrate 50, copper cladding layer 60, and adhesive constitutes the multi-layer structure of the antenna, making its structure compact. This reduces the space occupied by the antenna and the entire system. Furthermore, since all substructures of the antenna are integrated into the dielectric substrate, it is easy to fabricate using PCB technology, greatly saving processing costs in microwave and millimeter-wave device manufacturing.

[0050] In one embodiment, the low-frequency feed network 20 includes a microstrip line 21; the low-frequency feed network 20 is integrated in a second dielectric substrate layer 52, and the tail end of the low-frequency feed network 20 is connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 via a coaxial line 23 of the low-frequency transition structure 24.

[0051] For example, the microstrip line 21 can be a microwave transmission line consisting of a single conductor strip supported on a dielectric substrate, suitable for fabricating planar transmission lines for microwave integrated circuits. The microstrip line 21 can be a conventional 1-to-2 power divider or a multiplexer, wherein the 1-to-2 power divider consists of a stripline structure with an input line and two output lines. Since the power reflected from the output ports is dissipated in the resistors, the output ports are generally isolated from each other.

[0052] like Figure 4 The diagram shows a side view of a low-frequency band transition structure 24 consisting of a low-frequency microstrip line 21, a coaxial line 23, and a self-reconfigurable transmission line 10. The end of the microstrip line 21 is connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 via the coaxial line 23. Specifically, the coaxial line 23 can be a metal pillar connecting the dielectric substrate 50 and the feed port at corresponding positions on the coaxial feed point, enabling coaxial feeding. This allows energy to be transferred from the microstrip line 21 to the coaxial line 23 and then to the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10. This structure, in the form of microstrip line 21-coaxial line 23-self-reconfigurable transmission line 10, serves as a transition structure for a low-frequency antenna, separating the feed ports of the low-frequency and high-frequency bands. The low-frequency band transition structure 24 can be a two-layer structure bonded together with dielectric adhesive. Specifically, the microstrip line 21 is integrated into the second dielectric substrate layer 52, and the coaxial line 23 is embedded in the second dielectric substrate layer 52 and the upper adhesive separator layer 55.

[0053] By setting up a transition structure in the form of microstrip line 21-coaxial line 23-self-reconfigurable transmission line 10, separate feeding for different frequency bands such as high-frequency and low-frequency bands is achieved. The coaxial feeding method results in low insertion loss, and impedance matching can be easily achieved by changing the position of the coaxial feeding point.

[0054] In one embodiment, a blocking metal post 25 is provided at the end of the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 to block the reverse transmission of electromagnetic wave energy.

[0055] For example, the height of the blocking metal pillar 25 can be equal to the height of the first dielectric substrate layer 51 plus the height of the first dielectric adhesive separator 55, that is, the height of the metal pillar of the substrate integrated waveguide of the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10, in order to prevent electromagnetic waves from propagating backward. Optionally, the low-frequency transition structure 24 of the microstrip line 21-coaxial line 23-self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 can be a two-layer structure bonded together by dielectric adhesive, that is, the microstrip line 21 is integrated in the second dielectric substrate layer 52, and the coaxial line 23 is embedded in the second dielectric substrate layer 52 and the upper adhesive separator 55. Figure 5 As shown, multiple metal through holes or metal pillars can be provided behind the output end of the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 of the low-frequency band transition structure 24. Preferably, the number of blocking metal pillars 25 is 4, so as to better prevent electromagnetic waves from being transmitted backward.

[0056] In one embodiment, the antenna further includes a low-frequency test adapter structure 22. The low-frequency test adapter structure 22 is integrated in the region defined by the second dielectric substrate layer 52, the third dielectric substrate layer 53, the fourth dielectric substrate layer 54 and the intermediate adhesive spacer layer 55. The low-frequency test adapter structure 22 is connected to the beginning of the microstrip line 21 to provide power to the low-frequency feed network 20.

[0057] For example, the low-frequency test adapter structure 22 is used to test the operating characteristics of a low-frequency band antenna array. Optionally: as... Figure 6 The diagram shows a top view of the low-frequency power supply network - low-frequency test adapter structure 22. The low-frequency test adapter structure 22 is located at the input port of the first end of the one-to-two low-frequency band power supply network 20. Its structure may include a central metal hole and a ring of metal pillars around it. The central metal pillar can hold the probes of the connector used for testing, and the surrounding metal pillars serve as the outer diameter of the coaxial line. The metal pillars of the low-frequency test adapter structure 22 are integrated into the area defined by the second dielectric substrate layer 52, the third dielectric substrate layer 53, the fourth dielectric substrate layer 54, and the intermediate adhesive separator layer 55, to establish a connection with the microstrip line 21 and the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 for energy transmission.

[0058] The low-frequency test adapter can be equivalent to a coaxial cable. The metal hole in the middle can be used as the inner diameter of the coaxial cable. The bottom end is connected to the microstrip line 21 of the low-frequency feed network 20. The metal holes around it can be used as the outer diameter of the coaxial cable. The bottom end can be connected to the copper-clad metal layer 60 of the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10, which serves as the ground plane, so that energy can be transferred to the low-frequency feed network 20 through the coaxial cable.

[0059] By utilizing a low-frequency test adapter structure, it is possible to test the gain, S-parameters, and radiation pattern in the low-frequency band.

[0060] In one embodiment, please continue reading Figure 6 The low-frequency power supply network 20 includes a first low-frequency input port, a first low-frequency output port, and a second low-frequency output port; the low-frequency test adapter structure 22 includes a central metal column and an outer metal column; the first low-frequency input port is connected to the low-frequency test adapter structure 22 through the central metal column; the first low-frequency output port and the second low-frequency output port are connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 through a coaxial cable adapter.

[0061] For example, the low-frequency feed network 20 is a 1-to-2 power divider with one input and two outputs. The low-frequency test adapter structure 22 includes a metal hole at the center and a ring of metal pillars around the perimeter. The metal pillar at the center can hold the probe of the connector used for testing and can serve as the inner diameter of the coaxial line 23. Its bottom end is connected to the microstrip line 21 of the low-frequency feed network 20. The number of the surrounding metal pillars is preferably 7, which can serve as the outer diameter of the coaxial line 23. Their bottom ends can be connected to the second copper layer 62 of the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10, which serves as the ground plane. The metal hole at the center can be integrated into the second dielectric adhesive layer 55, the third dielectric substrate layer 53, the third dielectric adhesive layer 55 and the fourth dielectric substrate layer 54, and its lower end can be connected to the microstrip line 21; the seven surrounding metal holes can be integrated into the second dielectric substrate layer 52, the second dielectric adhesive layer 55, the third dielectric substrate layer 53, the third dielectric adhesive layer 55 and the fourth dielectric substrate layer 54, and their lower ends can be connected to the second copper cladding layer 62 of the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10.

[0062] The test was conducted using this low-frequency test adapter structure, with the low-frequency feed port serving as the first low-frequency input port. It was verified that the reflection coefficient was less than -10dB in the 10.3GHz–11.7GHz frequency range, and the maximum gain in the low-frequency band was 6.7dBi.

[0063] In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 This is a top view of a high-frequency feed network 30 and a high-frequency test adapter structure 32 provided in an embodiment of this application. The high-frequency feed network 30 includes a substrate integrated waveguide 31; the antenna also includes a high-frequency test adapter structure 32; the high-frequency feed network 30 is integrated in a first dielectric substrate layer 51 and an adhesive separator layer 55; the tail end of the high-frequency feed network 30 is connected to a self-reconfigurable transmission line 10; the head end of the high-frequency feed network 30 is connected to the high-frequency test adapter structure 32 to provide power to the high-frequency feed network 30.

[0064] Exemplarily, the substrate integrated waveguide 31 can be a transmission line between microstrip and dielectric-filled waveguides. As a new form of microwave transmission line, it utilizes metal vias to realize the waveguide's field propagation mode on the dielectric substrate. The high-frequency test adapter structure 32 is used to test the operating characteristics of the high-frequency antenna. Optionally, multiple metal pillars embedded in the dielectric substrate 50 and the metal layers on the upper and lower surfaces of the dielectric substrate 50 constitute the substrate integrated waveguide 31 structure of the high-frequency feed network 30. The self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 and the high-frequency substrate integrated waveguide 31 feed network can both be integrated in the bottommost first dielectric substrate layer 51 and the first adhesive separator 55. The first end of the high-frequency feed network 30 is connected to the high-frequency test adapter structure 32. The diameter of the metal pillars used to constitute the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10 and the substrate integrated waveguide 31 can be 0.4 mm, and the period can be 0.7 mm.

[0065] In one embodiment, please continue reading Figure 7 The high-frequency power supply network 30 includes a first high-frequency input port, a first high-frequency output port, a second high-frequency output port, a third high-frequency output port, and a fourth high-frequency output port; the first high-frequency input port is connected to the high-frequency test adapter structure 32; the first high-frequency output port, the second high-frequency output port, the third high-frequency output port, and the fourth high-frequency output port are connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10.

[0066] For example, Figure 7 The 1-to-4 high-frequency feed network 30 can refer to one input port and four output ports. Therefore, the four-way waveguide structure formed by the metal pillars embedded in the first dielectric substrate layer 51 and the first adhesive layer 55, and the first copper-clad layer 61 and the second copper-clad layer 62 on the upper and lower surfaces of the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10, together constitute the substrate integrated waveguide 31. That is, the 1-to-4 high-frequency feed network 30 is integrated in the first dielectric substrate layer 51 and the first dielectric adhesive layer. The transition structure from the substrate integrated waveguide 31 used for high-frequency testing to the standard rectangular waveguide is integrated in the first dielectric substrate layer 51, the first dielectric adhesive layer 55, the first copper-clad layer 61, and the second copper-clad layer 62.

[0067] The connection method between the input terminal of the high-frequency feed network 30 and the high-frequency test adapter structure 32 can be as follows: First, short-circuit the end of the substrate integrated waveguide 31 of the high-frequency feed network 30, and open a rectangular slot in the lower metal layer. Introduce a rectangular patch in the slot. By adjusting the size of the slot and the patch, as well as the width of the substrate integrated waveguide 31 and the position of the patch relative to the slot, the matching performance can be improved.

[0068] The dual-band common-aperture antenna 01 was tested using the high-frequency test adapter structure 32, with the high-frequency feed port serving as the first high-frequency input port. The tested reflection coefficient was less than -10 dB in the frequency range of 31.8 GHz to 38.1 GHz. Simultaneously, the coupling coefficients of the common-aperture antenna 01 in both the high-frequency and low-frequency bands were less than -30 dB across the entire frequency band. The maximum gain in the tested high-frequency band was 11.2 dBi.

[0069] In one embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, Figure 8 This is a top view of a radiating structure 40 provided in an embodiment of this application. The low-frequency band electrical monopole 41 includes a metal disk; the metal disk is loaded on top of the low-frequency band electrical monopole 41 to reduce the antenna profile.

[0070] For example, Figure 8The diagram shows a portion of the metal pillars of the self-reconfigurable transmission line 10, a portion of the substrate integrated waveguide 31, a low-frequency electrical monopole 41, and a high-frequency electrical monopole 42. The high-frequency electrical monopole 42 can be integrated into the second dielectric substrate layer 52, the second adhesive separator layer 55, and the third dielectric substrate layer 50. Similarly, the low-frequency electrical monopole 41 can be integrated into the second dielectric substrate layer 52, the second adhesive separator layer 55, the third dielectric substrate layer 50, the third adhesive separator layer 55, and the fourth dielectric substrate layer 50. In other words, the low-frequency electrical monopole 41 has a higher height, while the high-frequency electrical monopole 42 has a lower height.

[0071] The low-frequency electric monopole 41 can be topped with a metal disk or other top loading structure. With the top loading structure, the total height of the low-frequency electric monopole 41 can be 2.944 mm, and its diameter can be 0.4 mm. The diameter of the top loading structure can be 1.3 mm. The high-frequency electric monopole 42 can have a height of 1.218 mm and a diameter of 0.4 mm. Adding a metal disk makes the current distribution of the electric monopole more uniform, similar to increasing the length of the electric monopole, thus reducing the antenna's profile and size.

[0072] In one embodiment, the antenna further includes a U-shaped metal wall 70, the height of which is the same as the height of the low-frequency band electric monopole 41, to block electromagnetic wave energy interference in the opposite direction.

[0073] For example, the U-shaped metal wall 70 can be a ring of metal pillars disposed near the periphery of the electric monopole to block electromagnetic radiation interference from the magnetoelectric monopole in the opposite direction. Figure 2 As shown, the U-shaped metal wall 70 shared by magnetoelectric monopole antennas of different frequency bands can be integrated into the second dielectric substrate layer 52, the second adhesive spacer layer 55, the third dielectric substrate layer 50, the third adhesive spacer layer 55, and the fourth dielectric substrate layer 50. Since the low-frequency electric monopole 41 can also be integrated into the second dielectric substrate layer 52, the second adhesive spacer layer 55, the third dielectric substrate layer 50, the third adhesive spacer layer 55, and the fourth dielectric substrate layer 50, the height of the U-shaped metal wall 70 can be the same as the height of the low-frequency electric monopole 41.

[0074] In this document, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations.

[0075] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A dual-frequency common-aperture antenna, characterized in that, The antenna includes: a self-reconfigurable transmission line, a low-frequency band switching structure, a low-frequency band feed network, a high-frequency band feed network, and a radiating structure; The self-reconfigurable transmission line includes: a radiation aperture equivalent to a magnetic dipole; The radiation structure includes: a low-frequency electric monopole, a high-frequency electric monopole, and a radiation aperture equivalent to a magnetic dipole; The low-frequency band feed network is connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line via a low-frequency band transition structure and is used to feed the low-frequency band electric monopole and radiating aperture; the high-frequency band feed network is connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line and is used to feed the high-frequency band electric monopole and radiating aperture. The radiation aperture, together with the low-frequency electric monopole and the high-frequency electric monopole, forms a magnetoelectric monopole for radiation. The antenna further includes: a dielectric substrate and a copper-clad layer; The dielectric substrate includes: a first dielectric substrate layer, a second dielectric substrate layer, a third dielectric substrate layer, and a fourth dielectric substrate layer; the first dielectric substrate layer, the second dielectric substrate layer, the third dielectric substrate layer, and the fourth dielectric substrate layer are sequentially disposed from bottom to top through an intermediate adhesive separator; The copper clad layer includes: a first copper clad layer and a second copper clad layer; the first copper clad layer is disposed on the lower surface of the first dielectric substrate layer and the adhesive separator, and the second copper clad layer is disposed on the upper surface of the first dielectric substrate layer and the adhesive separator. The region defined by the first dielectric substrate layer, the adhesive separator, the first copper cladding layer, and the second copper cladding layer constitutes the self-reconfigurable transmission line; the terminal opening of the region constitutes the radiation aperture. The low-frequency feed network includes a microstrip line; the low-frequency feed network is integrated in the second dielectric substrate layer, and the tail end of the low-frequency feed network is connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line via a coaxial line of a low-frequency transition structure. The antenna further includes a low-frequency test adapter structure; the low-frequency test adapter structure is integrated in the region defined by the second dielectric substrate layer, the third dielectric substrate layer, the fourth dielectric substrate layer and the intermediate adhesive separator, and the low-frequency test adapter structure is connected to the first end of the low-frequency band feed network to provide power to the low-frequency band feed network; The high-frequency feed network includes: a substrate integrated waveguide; the antenna also includes: a high-frequency test adapter structure; The high-frequency power supply network is integrated in the first dielectric substrate layer and the adhesive separator layer. The tail end of the high-frequency power supply network is connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line. The head end of the high-frequency power supply network is connected to the high-frequency test adapter structure to provide power to the high-frequency power supply network. The high-frequency power supply network includes a first high-frequency input port, a first high-frequency output port, a second high-frequency output port, a third high-frequency output port, and a fourth high-frequency output port. The first high-frequency input port is connected to the high-frequency test adapter structure; the first high-frequency output port, the second high-frequency output port, the third high-frequency output port, and the fourth high-frequency output port are connected to the self-reconfigurable transmission line.

2. The antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, A blocking metal post is provided at the end of the self-reconfigurable transmission line to block the reverse transmission of electromagnetic wave energy.

3. The antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The low-frequency power supply network includes a first low-frequency input port, a first low-frequency output port, and a second low-frequency output port; The low-frequency test adapter structure includes: a central metal pillar and an outer metal pillar; The first low-frequency input port is connected to the low-frequency test adapter structure via a central metal column; the first low-frequency output port, the second low-frequency output port, and the self-reconfigurable transmission line are connected via a low-frequency band adapter structure.

4. The antenna according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The low-frequency band electric monopole includes a metal disk; the metal disk is loaded on top of the low-frequency band electric monopole to reduce the antenna profile.

5. The antenna according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The antenna also includes a U-shaped metal wall, the height of which is the same as the height of the low-frequency band electric monopole, to block electromagnetic wave energy interference in the opposite direction.

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