Conformal antenna capable of self-measuring deformation

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of conformal antenna that can realize self deformation measurement, the conformal antenna includes fiber grating layer and antenna layer, wherein fiber grating layer is combined by optical fiber string, fiber grating layer is closely attached to antenna layer, and antenna layer includes multiple antenna units.The present application solves the technical problem that the use of grating sensor for antenna deformation measurement will affect the antenna radiation performance in the prior art, realizes the self deformation measurement of antenna, and the deformation measurement system will not affect the working performance of antenna.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of antenna technology, and more specifically to a conformal antenna capable of self-deformation measurement. Background Technology

[0002] Conformal array antenna elements are attached to non-planar carriers, forming a smart skin on the carrier. Compared to traditional area arrays, conformal arrays offer superior aerodynamic performance, a wider beam scanning range, and the ability to perfectly conform to the carrier without affecting its streamlined shape and stealth characteristics. Therefore, they are widely used in missiles, rockets, aircraft, and ships. However, in the operating environment of conformal array antennas, deformation often occurs due to uncontrollable factors, leading to severe performance degradation or even malfunction. Common causes include thermal effects, vibration, and installation errors. To address the performance degradation caused by conformal array antenna deformation, it is necessary to acquire accurate deformation information in real time, laying the foundation for deformation reconstruction and amplitude / phase compensation.

[0003] Depending on the measurement method, monitoring of structural deformation can be divided into two categories: non-contact scanning measurement and contact sensor measurement. Non-contact measurement generally utilizes computer graphics technology, such as laser scanning and photography, to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the markers on the object being measured by attaching markers to the surface and taking advantage of the rectilinear propagation of light. The deformation of the object is then obtained by comparing the coordinates before and after the measurement. However, this method is complex to calibrate and install, the photographic equipment in the measurement system is heavy, and it can affect the aerodynamic performance of the antenna mounting platform, making it unsuitable for many applications. In contrast, measurement methods where the measuring element is in contact with the object being measured use sensors to measure physical quantities at individual points on the surface of the object, such as surface strain values ​​and accelerations at multiple points, reconstructing the overall deformation curve of the object to obtain the structural deformation.

[0004] Traditional strain-based deformation reconstruction schemes measure the surface strain of the object under test using resistance strain gauges. When the object's structure deforms, the grating region of the resistance strain gauge stretches or compresses accordingly, changing its resistance value. The strain information at the measured point is obtained through a certain conversion. This method is relatively low-cost, but multiple strain gauges require multiple sets of wires and signal amplifiers, adding unnecessary loads. Furthermore, the wires and strain gauges themselves are made of metallic materials, causing electromagnetic coupling interference to the antenna element. Therefore, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors are increasingly used to measure the strain value at the measured point. FBG sensors represent a new generation of methods for measuring nodal strain values. Because FBG fiber strain sensor systems offer significant advantages in strain measurement, such as lightweight overall structure, high material flexibility, high measurement accuracy, and resistance to electromagnetic coupling and interference, they are more suitable for deformation reconstruction problems in conformal array antennas. Zhou Jinzhu's team at Xi'an University of Electronic Science and Technology designed a modular flexible smart antenna that places a fiber Bragg grating strain sensor between two layers of polyimide film and integrates it with the radio frequency functional layer, achieving real-time measurement of antenna deformation. However, the polyimide film covering the antenna array and bonded to the antenna layer via a prepreg can affect the antenna's radiation performance, necessitating integrated design and increasing the complexity of the antenna design. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the integration method of the fiber Bragg grating stress sensor and conformal array antenna to reduce the impact of the fiber Bragg grating on the antenna's radiation performance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a conformal antenna capable of self-deformation measurement, solving the technical problem that using grating sensors to measure antenna deformation in the prior art would affect the antenna radiation performance.

[0006] This specification provides the following technical solution in its embodiments: a conformal antenna capable of self-deformation measurement, characterized in that the conformal antenna comprises: a fiber optic grating layer, which is composed of fiber strings; and an antenna layer, on which the fiber optic grating layer is tightly attached, and the antenna layer comprises multiple antenna elements.

[0007] Furthermore, the fiber string includes: a grating sensor used to measure the deformation of the antenna layer; and an optical fiber, on which the grating sensor is connected in series to form the fiber string.

[0008] Furthermore, the grating sensor and the antenna layer are integrated through surface-mount packaging to form an integrated structure.

[0009] Furthermore, the integrated structure includes: an antenna layer including multiple monitored points; a grating region, which is a structure with a grating etched inside the grating sensor, the grating sensor being laid on the multiple monitored points of the antenna layer, and the surface of the grating region being coated with a curing adhesive and an epoxy resin, wherein the epoxy resin is coated on the outside of the curing adhesive.

[0010] Furthermore, the grating sensor is encapsulated between the radiating patches of adjacent antenna elements.

[0011] Furthermore, the grating sensor adopts a uniform and / or non-uniform sensor distribution method.

[0012] Furthermore, the antenna layer is formed by tightly bonding a single layer or multiple layers of dielectric substrates.

[0013] Furthermore, the antenna layer is a planar array antenna or a curved array antenna.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects achieved by at least one of the above-mentioned technical solutions adopted in the embodiments of this specification include at least the following: by providing a conformal antenna capable of self-deformation measurement, comprising a fiber optic grating layer and an antenna layer, wherein the fiber optic grating layer is composed of fiber strings, the fiber optic grating layer is tightly attached to the antenna layer, and the antenna layer includes multiple antenna elements. This achieves self-deformation measurement of the antenna, and the deformation measurement system does not affect the antenna's operating performance. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the conformal antenna structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the fiber grating layer structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the integrated structure of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution of the grating sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an antenna array model according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the antenna unit structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7 This is an active standing wave curve of the central element of the antenna array in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The figure includes the following labels: 1. Fiber Bragg grating layer; 2. Antenna layer; 3. Fiber optic string; 4. Grating sensor; 5. Fiber optic; 6. Grating area; 7. Curing adhesive; 8. Epoxy resin adhesive; 9. Antenna element radiating patch; 10. Antenna element; 11. Feed radiating block; 12. Feed interface layer; 13. Metal grid. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of this application. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this application from the content disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. This application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this application. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a conformal antenna capable of self-deformation measurement. The conformal antenna includes: a fiber grating layer 1, which is composed of fiber strings 3; and an antenna layer 2, on which the fiber grating layer 1 is tightly attached. The antenna layer 2 includes multiple antenna elements 10.

[0027] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the fiber string 3 includes: a grating sensor 4, which is used to measure the deformation of the antenna layer 2; and an optical fiber 5, on which the grating sensor 4 is connected in series to form the fiber string 3.

[0028] Specifically, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the fiber grating layer 1, which includes several fiber strings 3. Each fiber string 3 is composed of several grating sensors 4 with different center wavelengths connected in series via fiber 5. The number of grating sensors 4 depends mainly on the bandwidth of the light source and the dynamic range of the measured parameter.

[0029] Furthermore, the grating sensor 4 and the antenna layer 2 are integrated through surface-mount packaging to form an integrated structure.

[0030] Furthermore, the integrated structure includes: an antenna layer 2, including multiple monitored points; a grating region 6, the grating region 6 being a structure with a grating etched inside the grating sensor 4, the grating sensor 4 being laid on the multiple monitored points of the antenna layer 2, and the surface of the grating region 6 being coated with a curing adhesive 7 and an epoxy resin adhesive 8, wherein the epoxy resin adhesive 8 is coated on the outside of the curing adhesive 7.

[0031] Specifically, each grating sensor 4 is integrated with the antenna layer 2 via surface-mount packaging. For example... Figure 3 As shown, to ensure sufficient contact between the grating region 6 and the antenna layer 2, a grating sensor 4 with its coating already peeled off is selected. The grating region 6 is a structure in which a grating is etched inside the grating sensor 4. The grating region 6 is then laid on the corresponding monitoring point in the antenna layer 2, and a curing adhesive 7 is applied to the grating region 6 for initial fixation. After the curing adhesive 7 has completely dried, epoxy resin adhesive 8 is applied to its outer side. The purpose of this is to shield crosstalk caused by external stress and to protect the inner curing adhesive 7 from the influence of the external corrosive environment.

[0032] Furthermore, the grating sensor 4 is encapsulated between the radiating patches 9 of the adjacent antenna elements.

[0033] Furthermore, the grating sensor 4 adopts a uniform and / or non-uniform sensor distribution method.

[0034] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, to avoid affecting the antenna radiation performance, the grating sensor 4 is encapsulated in the middle region of the radiating patches 9 of two adjacent antenna elements. Optionally, the spatial distribution of the grating sensor 4 can be uniform (e.g., Figure 4 (as shown in (a)) or non-uniform distribution (such as...) Figure 4 Various sensor distribution methods are shown in (b) and others.

[0035] Preferably, the antenna layer 2 is formed by tightly bonding a single layer or multiple layers of dielectric substrate.

[0036] Preferably, antenna layer 2 is a planar array antenna or a curved array antenna.

[0037] Specifically, in this embodiment, the antenna layer 2 is formed by tightly pressing together one or more dielectric substrates, and can be either a planar array antenna or a curved array antenna.

[0038] Preferably, in this embodiment, antenna layer 2 is composed of 81 antenna elements 10 arranged in a 9×9 pattern, as shown in the array model. Figure 5As shown in the figure. A schematic diagram of the antenna element 10 is shown below. Figure 6 As shown, the antenna element 10 includes: a feed radiating block 11, a feed interface layer 12, and a metal grid 13. The feed radiating block 11 is embedded in the metal grid 13, and a coaxial connector passes through the feed interface layer 12 to connect to the feed radiating block 11, thereby exciting the antenna to radiate energy. The grating sensor 4 uses... Figure 4 The uniformly distributed pattern shown in (a) is adhered to the upper surface of the metal grid 13.

[0039] Furthermore, such as Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 The active standing wave (VSWR) curves of the central element of the antenna array before and after bonding fiber Bragg grating layer 1 are shown. Figure 7 It is known that after bonding the fiber grating layer 1, the active standing wave of the central element of the antenna array is basically unaffected in the states of no scanning, 60° E-plane scanning, and 60° H-plane scanning. Therefore, the conformal antenna capable of self-deformation measurement provided in this application can achieve antenna self-deformation measurement without affecting the antenna's own radiation performance.

[0040] In summary, the conformal antenna capable of self-deformation measurement provided in this application embodiment has at least the following technical effects compared with the prior art: by using an adhesive surface-mount packaging process, the fiber grating is fixed to the surface of the array antenna, the bonding point is located in the area between the radiating patches of adjacent antenna elements, the surface of the radiating patch is not blocked by a dielectric, does not affect the antenna radiation performance, and can realize the self-deformation measurement of the conformal array antenna.

[0041] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A conformal antenna capable of self-deformation measurement, characterized in that, The conformal antenna includes: Fiber Bragg grating layer (1), which is composed of fiber strings (3); The antenna layer (2) and the fiber grating layer (1) are closely attached to the antenna layer (2). The antenna layer (2) includes multiple antenna elements (10). The integrated structure of the antenna layer (2) and the grating sensor (4) of the fiber string (3) includes: Antenna layer (2) includes multiple monitored points; The grating area (6) is a structure with a grating engraved inside the grating sensor (4). The grating sensor (4) is laid on the multiple monitored points of the antenna layer (2). The surface of the grating area (6) is coated with a curing adhesive (7) and an epoxy resin adhesive (8), wherein the epoxy resin adhesive (8) is coated on the outside of the curing adhesive (7). The grating sensor (4) is encapsulated between adjacent antenna unit radiating patches (9).

2. A conformal antenna capable of self-deformation measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that, Fiber string (3) includes: A grating sensor (4) is used to measure the deformation of the antenna layer (2); An optical fiber (5) and a grating sensor (4) are connected in series on the optical fiber (5) to form an optical fiber string (3).

3. A conformal antenna capable of self-deformation measurement according to claim 2, characterized in that, The grating sensor (4) and the antenna layer (2) are integrated through surface mount packaging to form an integrated structure.

4. A conformal antenna capable of self-deformation measurement according to claim 3, characterized in that, The grating sensor (4) adopts a uniform and / or non-uniform sensor distribution method.

5. A conformal antenna capable of self-deformation measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that, The antenna layer (2) is formed by tightly bonding a single or multiple dielectric substrates.

6. A conformal antenna capable of self-deformation measurement according to claim 5, characterized in that, The antenna layer (2) is a planar array antenna or a curved array antenna.

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