A wide bandwidth, wide angle scanning array radiator

Abstract

The application discloses a broadband wide-angle scanning array radiator, which comprises a plurality of composite array radiator units, the plurality of composite array radiator units are arranged into an array radiator through small-interval group array, the composite array radiator unit is composed of an electric dipole type radiator unit and a magnetic dipole type radiator unit, the electric dipole type radiator unit is arranged as a wideband slot line type antenna, the magnetic dipole type radiator unit is arranged as a wideband ridge horn type antenna with a narrow E-plane aperture, the wideband slot line type antenna is arranged on the middle cross section of the E-plane direction of the wideband ridge horn type antenna, and the radiation aperture of the wideband slot line type antenna is exposed to the aperture of the ridge horn type antenna. Through the combination of the electric dipole type antenna and the magnetic dipole type antenna, the wideband wide-angle scanning of two polarization components can be realized by using the wide-beam-width characteristics of the H-plane pattern (vertical polarization) of the electric dipole type antenna and the E-plane pattern (horizontal polarization) of the magnetic dipole type antenna, and the defects of the current traditional design are eliminated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electromagnetic fields and microwave technology, and in particular to a wide bandwidth scanning array radiator. Background Technology

[0002] In the fields of radar reconnaissance and jamming, electronically scanned arrays with wide bandwidth and scanning angle are widely used. The beam coverage of an electronically scanned array depends on the array radiator. Currently, the radiators used in electronically scanned arrays are mostly narrow-aperture horn arrays and slotted wire antenna arrays. Narrow-aperture horn antenna arrays adapt to polarization diversity by adding a polarization radome to the array radiator aperture, while slotted wire antenna arrays adapt to polarization diversity by using radiator elements angled at 45 degrees. 0 Polarization placement method or adding a polarization shield to the radiator aperture. The method of adding a polarization shield to the radiator aperture has the disadvantage of a large difference between the vertical and horizontal polarization components during wide-angle scanning due to changes in the incident angle; the radiator element polarization is angled at 45 degrees. 0 The placement method has the drawback of large differences in the radiation patterns of the vertical and horizontal polarization components, which cannot solve the wide bandwidth and angle scanning requirements of the two polarization components. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, considering that the mainstream polarization characteristics of radar antennas are currently horizontal and vertical polarization, and that wide-bandwidth angle-scanning electronic arrays are adaptable to polarization diversity, this invention proposes a wide-bandwidth angle-scanning array radiator. By combining electric dipole and magnetic dipole antennas, and utilizing the wide beamwidth characteristics of the H-plane radiation pattern (vertical polarization) of the electric dipole antenna and the E-plane radiation pattern (horizontal polarization) of the magnetic dipole antenna, wide-bandwidth angle scanning of both polarization components can be achieved, eliminating the shortcomings of current traditional designs.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0005] A wideband wide-angle scanning array radiator includes multiple composite array radiating elements, which are arranged in a small-pitch array to form the array radiator. Each composite array radiating element is composed of electric dipole radiating elements and magnetic dipole radiating elements. The electric dipole radiating elements are configured as wideband slot wire antennas, and the magnetic dipole radiating elements are configured as wideband ridge horn antennas with narrow apertures in the E-plane. The wideband slot wire antenna is disposed on the mid-section surface of the wideband ridge horn antenna in the E-plane direction, and the radiating aperture of the wideband slot wire antenna is exposed above the aperture of the ridge horn antenna.

[0006] Furthermore, the tail metal region of the broadband slotted antenna is shared with the wide wall of the broadband ridge horn antenna.

[0007] Furthermore, the aperture portion of the broadband ridge horn antenna is provided with a metal spacer, which is perpendicular to, or orthogonal to, the electric field of the main mode inside the broadband ridge horn antenna.

[0008] Furthermore, multiple metal spacers are provided, the number of which corresponds to the aperture size of the aperture portion of the broadband ridge horn antenna.

[0009] Furthermore, the broadband slotted antenna and the broadband slotted antenna are synthesized through a synthesis network.

[0010] Furthermore, the broadband slotted antenna and the broadband slotted antenna are polarized through a switching network.

[0011] Furthermore, array elements are provided as virtual elements along the array edge of the array radiator.

[0012] Furthermore, the array radiator and the corresponding back-end electronic scanning network or beam constitute a wide bandwidth angle scanning array.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0014] (1) The slot wire antenna is placed on the cross section in the E-plane direction of the narrow aperture horn antenna. The polarization of the electromagnetic waves radiated by the slot wire antenna and the polarization of the electromagnetic waves radiated by the horn antenna are orthogonal, thus eliminating the mutual interference between the two types of antennas.

[0015] (2) The slotted wire antenna is placed on the mid-section of the ridge horn antenna. Its radiating aperture is exposed on the horn aperture. The rear metal surface is perpendicular to the main mode electric field inside the ridge horn antenna. The influence of the slotted wire antenna on the radiation characteristics of the ridge horn antenna can be ignored. However, the field mode excited by the electromagnetic wave radiated by the slotted wire antenna in the narrow aperture ridge horn antenna is suppressed by the cutoff characteristics of the ridge horn, which enhances the unidirectionality of the radiation of the slotted wire antenna.

[0016] (3) The cutoff frequency of the main mode in the narrow side direction of the ridge horn antenna can be increased by more than 2 times by metal spacers, which solves the problem of suppressing electromagnetic waves radiated by slotted antennas inside the ridge horn antenna.

[0017] (4) The bandwidth of the array radiator depends on the design bandwidth of slotted wire antennas and E-plane narrow-aperture ridge horn antennas. In engineering, the technology of designing bandwidth better than 3:1 is mature.

[0018] (5) When slotted wire antennas and narrow-aperture ridge horn antennas are combined internally, the polarization characteristics of the composite radiator element change with frequency at -45°. 0 Linear polarization, -45 0 Elliptic polarization (left / right rotation), circular polarization (left / right rotation), +45 0 Elliptic polarization (left / right rotation) and +450 Variations in linear polarization can adapt to the current diversity of radar antenna polarization; slotted antennas and narrow-aperture ridge horn antennas can also adapt to the diversity of radar antenna polarization by selecting horizontal / vertical polarization internally through a switching network.

[0019] (6) The E-plane aperture of narrow-aperture ridge horn antennas is no greater than 0.5 wavelengths, and the E-plane radiation pattern guarantees ±45° coverage; the H-plane radiation pattern of slotted antennas can guarantee ±45° azimuth coverage. The spacing between array element radiators is within 0.5 high-frequency wavelengths, which ensures that no grating lobes appear when the two polarization components of the array radiator are scanned within the ±45° azimuth range, thus ensuring the wide bandwidth and azimuth angle characteristics of the array radiator. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 These are three-view diagrams illustrating the principle structure of the array radiator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 These are three-view diagrams illustrating the principle structure of the array radiator in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a typical scanning horizontal polarization pattern of the array radiator in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a typical scanning vertical polarization pattern of the array radiator in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0024] Figure label:

[0025] H1~Hn——Serial numbers of E-plane narrow-aperture broadband ridge horn antennas;

[0026] V1~Vn——Serial numbers of broadband slotted antennas;

[0027] H_Pol — Horizontal polarization;

[0028] V_Pol — Vertical polarization;

[0029] 1—E-plane narrow-aperture broadband ridge horn antenna;

[0030] 2—Wideband slotted antennas;

[0031] 3 - Metal spacer. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of the present invention, specific embodiments are now described. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention; that is, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the invention, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a wide bandwidth angle scanning array radiator. It employs a composite array radiating element composed of electric dipole-type radiating elements and magnetic dipole-type radiating elements. Multiple composite array radiating elements are arranged in a small-pitch array (half-wavelength at the high-frequency end) to form the wide bandwidth angle scanning array radiator. Specifically, the electric dipole-type radiating element is configured as a wideband slotted wire antenna 2, and the magnetic dipole-type radiating element is configured as a wideband ridge horn antenna 1 with a narrow aperture in the E-plane. The wideband slotted wire antenna 2 is disposed on the mid-section surface of the wideband ridge horn antenna 1 in the E-plane direction, and the radiating aperture of the wideband slotted wire antenna 2 protrudes from the aperture of the ridge horn antenna.

[0035] Preferably, the broadband slotted antenna 2 and the broadband slotted antenna 2 are combined by a combining network, or the horizontal polarization / vertical polarization is selected by a switching network.

[0036] Preferably, array elements (connected to matched loads) are provided at the array edge of the array radiator as virtual elements to improve the consistency of the radiation characteristics of the array element radiator.

[0037] Preferably, the array radiator and the corresponding back-end electronic scanning network or beam constitute a wide bandwidth angle scanning array.

[0038] Example 2

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a wide bandwidth wide-angle scanning array radiator. It employs a composite array radiating unit formed by combining electric dipole-type radiating elements and magnetic dipole-type radiating elements. Multiple composite array radiating elements are arranged in a small-pitch array (half-wavelength at the high-frequency end) to form the wide bandwidth wide-angle scanning array radiator. Specifically, the electric dipole-type radiating element is configured as a wideband slotted wire antenna 2, and the magnetic dipole-type radiating element is configured as a wideband ridge horn antenna 1 with a narrow aperture in the E-plane. The tail metal region of the wideband slotted wire antenna 2 shares the wide wall of the wideband ridge horn antenna 1, and the radiating aperture of the wideband slotted wire antenna 2 protrudes from the aperture of the ridge horn antenna 1. A metal spacer 3 is provided on the aperture portion of the wideband ridge horn antenna 1, and the metal spacer 3 is perpendicular (or orthogonal) to the electric field of the main mode inside the wideband ridge horn antenna 1.

[0040] Preferably, multiple metal spacers 3 are provided, the number of which corresponds to the aperture size of the broadband ridge horn antenna 1.

[0041] Preferably, the broadband slotted antenna 2 and the broadband slotted antenna 2 are combined by a combining network, or the horizontal polarization / vertical polarization is selected by a switching network.

[0042] Preferably, array elements (connected to matched loads) are provided at the array edge of the array radiator as virtual elements to improve the consistency of the radiation characteristics of the array element radiator.

[0043] Preferably, the array radiator and the corresponding back-end electronic scanning network or beam constitute a wide bandwidth angle scanning array.

[0044] Specifically, according to Figure 2 The schematic diagram illustrates the implementation of an 8-element matrix (excluding virtual elements) with a 3:1 bandwidth, as shown below. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The images show the horizontal and vertical polarization patterns at the high frequencies, respectively. It can be seen that the horizontal polarization unit (magnetic dipole) has a strong orientation, resulting in slight differences between the horizontal and vertical polarization patterns.

[0045] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the forms disclosed herein and should not be construed as excluding other embodiments. It can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments, and can be altered within the scope of the concept described herein through the above teachings or related technologies or knowledge. Modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wide bandwidth and wide angle scanning array radiator, characterized in that, It includes multiple composite array radiating elements, which are arranged in a small-pitch array to form an array radiator. The composite array radiating elements are composed of electric dipole radiating elements and magnetic dipole radiating elements. The electric dipole radiating elements are configured as broadband slot wire antennas, and the magnetic dipole radiating elements are configured as broadband ridge horn antennas with narrow apertures in the E-plane. The broadband slot wire antenna is disposed on the mid-section of the broadband ridge horn antenna in the E-plane direction, and the radiating aperture of the broadband slot wire antenna is exposed above the aperture of the ridge horn antenna. The tail metal region of the broadband slotted antenna is shared with the wide wall of the broadband ridge horn antenna. The aperture portion of the broadband ridge horn antenna is provided with a metal spacer, which is perpendicular to, or orthogonal to, the electric field of the main mode inside the broadband ridge horn antenna. Multiple metal spacers are provided, and their number corresponds to the aperture size of the broadband ridge horn antenna.

2. The wide bandwidth and wide angle scanning array radiator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The broadband slotted antenna and the broadband slotted antenna are synthesized through a synthesis network.

3. The wide bandwidth and wide angle scanning array radiator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The broadband slotted antenna and the broadband slotted antenna are polarized through a switching network.

4. The wide bandwidth and wide angle scanning array radiator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The array edge of the array radiator is provided with array elements as virtual elements.

5. The wide bandwidth and wide angle scanning array radiator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The array radiator and the corresponding back-end electronic scanning network or beam constitute a wide bandwidth angle scanning array.

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