An end-fire antenna

Abstract

The application discloses an end-fire antenna, comprising an antenna board, at least two sub-antennas are arranged at the top end of the antenna board, a feed network layer is arranged at the bottom end of the antenna board, at least two feed columns are arranged in the antenna board, the feed columns correspond to the sub-antennas one by one, the feed columns penetrate through the antenna board and connect the sub-antennas and the feed network layer. The feed network layer transmits high-frequency current to the corresponding sub-antennas through the feed columns, matches the required amplitude and phase for the sub-antennas, and finally converts the high-frequency current into electromagnetic waves, forms strong directional end-radiation in space, and makes the end-fire antenna have good end-fire characteristics.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of antenna technology, and more specifically, to an end-fire antenna. Background Technology

[0002] High-speed aircraft have become a research hotspot for major military powers worldwide due to their high speed and strong high-altitude, high-speed penetration capabilities. These aircraft primarily utilize aerodynamic shapes for high-speed flight. To enable communication without compromising the aerodynamic shape, higher demands are placed on the end-firing antennas mounted on the sides of the aircraft, requiring them to be small in size, thin, and capable of end-radiation.

[0003] However, small and thin end-fire antennas have a wide beamwidth, poor front-to-back pattern contrast, and unclear directivity. When placed on the mounting platform, they are also easily affected by the surrounding electromagnetic environment, which brings great difficulties to the design of end-fire antennas.

[0004] Therefore, how to meet the requirements of high-speed aircraft for the installation of end-fire antennas and the directionality of end-radiation has become a problem that those in the field must consider. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies and provide an end-fire antenna that can solve the problems of existing end-fire antennas being difficult to install, having weak end-radiation directivity, and having poor front-to-back ratio.

[0006] The objective of this application is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] In a first aspect, this application proposes an end-fire antenna, comprising:

[0008] An antenna board, wherein at least two sub-antennas are provided at the top of the antenna board, a feed network layer is provided at the bottom of the antenna board, and at least two feed posts are provided in the antenna board;

[0009] Each feed post corresponds to a sub-antenna, the feed post passes through the antenna plate, and connects the sub-antenna and the feed network layer.

[0010] Optionally, the end-fire antenna further includes an RF connector electrically connected to the feed network layer, the RF connector being used to provide high-frequency current to the feed network layer.

[0011] Optionally, the end-fire antenna is embedded in the mounting platform, and the top of the antenna plate is configured to engage with and conform to the contour of the mounting platform.

[0012] Optionally, the sub-antennas are arranged along the radiation direction, and the spacing between the sub-antennas is less than or equal to 0.5 times the free space wavelength.

[0013] Optionally, the dielectric material of the antenna plate is a low-loss dielectric material.

[0014] Optionally, the height of the antenna plate is Where λ low For the low-frequency free-space wavelength, ε r is the dielectric constant.

[0015] Optionally, the sub-antenna may be a microstrip antenna.

[0016] The main solution and its various further alternatives described above can be freely combined to form multiple solutions, all of which are solutions that can be adopted and are claimed in this application; furthermore, the (non-conflicting alternatives) can also be freely combined with each other and with other alternatives. Those skilled in the art, after understanding the solution of this application, will realize from the prior art and common general knowledge that there are many combinations, all of which are technical solutions to be protected by this application, and will not be exhaustively listed here.

[0017] This application discloses an end-fire antenna, including an antenna plate. At least two sub-antennas are disposed at the top of the antenna plate, and a feed network layer is disposed at the bottom of the antenna plate. At least two feed posts are disposed within the antenna plate, each corresponding to a sub-antenna. The feed posts penetrate the antenna plate and connect the sub-antennas and the feed network layer. The feed network layer transmits high-frequency current through the feed posts to the corresponding sub-antennas, matching the sub-antennas with the required amplitude and phase. Finally, the end-fire antenna converts the high-frequency current into electromagnetic waves, forming highly directional end-fire radiation in space, thus giving the end-fire antenna excellent end-fire characteristics. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of an end-fire antenna provided in an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0019] Figure 2 A top view of an end-fire antenna provided in an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0020] Figure 3 This illustration shows a schematic diagram of an end-fire antenna provided in an embodiment of this application mounted on an installation platform.

[0021] Figure 4 This illustration shows another schematic diagram of the end-fire antenna provided in an embodiment of this application mounted on an installation platform.

[0022] Figure 5 The gain patterns of the end-fire antenna provided in this application at different frequencies in the E-plane are shown.

[0023] Figure 6 The gain patterns of the H-plane of the end-fire antenna provided in this application embodiment are shown at different frequencies.

[0024] Icons: 101-Antenna board; 102-Sub-antenna; 103-Feed network layer; 104-Feed post; 105-RF connector. Detailed Implementation

[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. This application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various 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, unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0026] Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0027] In existing technologies, end-fire antennas using printed slotted wire antennas mounted on the surface of a cylinder are not conducive to installation due to the protruding antenna platform. End-fire antennas using logarithmic monopole arrays have an overall protruding shape and do not meet the requirement of thinness. While end-fire antennas using graded dielectric blocks as radiators can meet the thinness requirement, the antenna length is relatively long, and the front-to-back aspect ratio of the low-frequency end-fire pattern is very poor. Therefore, existing technologies cannot simultaneously meet the requirements of good installation and strong end-fire radiation directivity for end-fire antennas in high-speed aircraft.

[0028] This application provides an end-fire antenna to solve the above problems, and the end-fire antenna will be described in detail below.

[0029] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This paper illustrates a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an end-fire antenna according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 As shown, the end-fire antenna includes an antenna plate 101, a sub-antenna 102, a feed network layer 103, and a feed post 104. The sub-antenna 102 is disposed at the top of the antenna plate 101, the feed network layer 103 is disposed at the bottom of the antenna plate 101, and the connection between the feed network layer 103 and the antenna plate 101 can be adhesive. The feed post 104 is disposed inside the antenna plate 101, passing through the inside of the antenna plate 101, and serves as a connector between the sub-antenna 102 and the feed network layer 103. The feed network layer 103 is a multi-port balanced feed network, and has the characteristics of being thin and easy to integrate.

[0030] In addition, the feed network layer 103 can be optimized based on factors such as the mutual coupling between sub-antennas 102, the influence of the mounting platform, and the radiation direction, and can provide a precise and stable phase difference between ports.

[0031] The number of sub-antennas 102 is at least two, and both are microstrip antennas. Since the feed posts 104 need to connect to the sub-antennas 102, and each feed post 104 corresponds one-to-one with a sub-antenna 102, the number of feed posts 104 is the same as the number of sub-antennas 102. In this embodiment, Figure 1 The description uses two sub-antennas 102 and two feed posts 104. It is worth noting that the number of sub-antennas 102 and feed posts 104 can also be selected according to actual needs. For example, three or four sub-antennas and feed posts 104 can be used. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0032] also Figure 1 The end-fire antenna in this application uses two sub-antennas 102, which will be used to describe the end-fire antenna in the following description, but this does not limit the scope of this application.

[0033] Each sub-antenna 102 can operate independently, and each sub-antenna 102 has the characteristics of wide operating bandwidth and low profile. Furthermore, the radiation performance of each sub-antenna 102 can be selected, specifically either end-radiation or omnidirectional radiation.

[0034] Optionally, the sub-antennas 102 are arranged along the radiation direction, and the spacing between the sub-antennas 102 is less than or equal to 0.5 times the free space wavelength.

[0035] Because it has multiple sub-antennas 102, each sub-antenna 102 can be arranged to extend along the radiation direction of the antenna, and the sub-antennas 102 are parallel to each other and spaced apart, with the spacing between the sub-antennas 102 being less than or equal to 0.5 times the free space wavelength. Figure 1 Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 The diagram shows a top view of an end-fire antenna provided in an embodiment of this application. Two sub-antennas 102 are distributed at the top of an antenna plate 101. Since the radiation direction of the antenna is towards the length direction of the antenna plate 101, the two sub-antennas 102 are arranged along the length direction of the antenna plate 101. The two sub-antennas 102 are parallel to each other and have a gap between them. The distance from the center of one sub-antenna 102 to the center of the other sub-antenna is less than or equal to 0.5 times the free space wavelength. It is worth noting that the spacing between each sub-antenna may be the same or different, depending on the actual needs, but the spacing cannot be greater than 0.5 times the free space wavelength.

[0036] In addition, please refer to again Figure 1The end-fire antenna in this embodiment further includes an RF connector 105, which is electrically connected to the feed network layer 103 and is used to provide high-frequency current to the feed network layer 103.

[0037] After the RF connector 105 feeds high-frequency current into the feed network layer 103, the feed network layer 103 sends the high-frequency current to the corresponding sub-antenna through the feed post 104, sets the required amplitude and phase, and finally the end-fire antenna converts the high-frequency current into electromagnetic waves, forming end-direction radiation in space.

[0038] Optionally, the end-fire antenna is embedded in the mounting platform, and the top of the antenna plate 101 is configured to engage and conform to the contour of the mounting platform.

[0039] The connection between the end-fire antenna and the mounting platform can be mechanical. However, since each mounting platform is different, and their outer surfaces vary, to ensure a tight fit between the end-fire antenna and the mounting platform without affecting its operation, the top of the antenna plate 101 needs to be designed to conform to the contour of the mounting platform. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 This illustration shows a schematic diagram of an end-fire antenna provided in an embodiment of this application mounted on an installation platform. Figure 4 This illustration shows another schematic diagram of the end-fire antenna provided in an embodiment of this application mounted on an installation platform. Figure 3 The mounting platform is planar, therefore the top of the end-fire antenna is also planar. Figure 4 The mounting platform is curved, so the top of the end-fire antenna is also curved. Additionally, the bottom of the end-fire antenna can also be curved in this case. Furthermore, when the mounting platform is cylindrical or conical, the top of the end-fire antenna can be correspondingly curved.

[0040] Furthermore, the antenna plate 101 uses a low-loss dielectric material. The loss tangent of the antenna plate 101 is less than 0.01, and its dielectric constant is between 2 and 20. Verification has shown that end-fire antennas with a dielectric constant between 3 and 8 perform better.

[0041] Optionally, the height of the antenna plate 101 is Where λ low For the low-frequency free-space wavelength, ε r The dielectric constant is given. Furthermore, the length of the end-fire antenna should be less than or equal to 0.5 times the high-frequency free-space wavelength, while the width is... to

[0042] It is worth noting that in order to ensure a wider operating bandwidth and a lower profile for the end-fire antenna, better impedance matching can be achieved through methods such as loading the end of the resistor, loading the matching circuit, and loading the parasitic circuit piece.

[0043] When the end-fire antenna is at different frequencies, its E-plane and H-plane are as follows: Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, Figure 5 The image shows the gain patterns of the end-fire antenna provided in this application at different frequencies in the E-plane. Figure 6 The end-fire antenna provided in this application is shown with gain patterns in the H-plane at different frequencies, demonstrating that it has good end-fire characteristics across the entire frequency band.

[0044] Compared with the prior art, the embodiments of this application have the following beneficial effects:

[0045] (1) The feed network layer can control the phase superposition of the sub-antenna space, solving the technical problems of excessively wide beamwidth of small-sized end-fire antennas, large influence of the installation platform, and poor front-to-back ratio.

[0046] (2) Due to the use of low-loss dielectric materials and the integrated design of sub-antenna and feed network layer, the thickness of end-fire antenna can be reduced.

[0047] (3) The end-fire antenna and feed network layer can be set according to the conditions of the installation plane, and can be better applied to various aircraft.

[0048] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An end-fire antenna, characterized in that, include: An antenna plate, wherein at least two sub-antennas are provided at the top end of the antenna plate, a feed network layer is provided at the bottom end of the antenna plate, at least two feed pillars are provided in the antenna plate, the sub-antennas are arranged along the radiation direction, and the spacing between the sub-antennas is less than or equal to 0.5 times the free space wavelength; Each feed post corresponds to a sub-antenna, the feed post passes through the antenna plate, and connects the sub-antenna and the feed network layer; The end-fire antenna also includes an RF connector, which is electrically connected to the feed network layer and is used to provide high-frequency current to the feed network layer. The end-fire antenna is embedded in the mounting platform, and the top of the antenna plate is configured to engage with and conform to the contour of the mounting platform. The height of the antenna plate is 0.

05. Up to 0.1 ,in For low-frequency free-space wavelengths, is the dielectric constant.

2. The end-fire antenna as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The dielectric material of the antenna plate is a low-loss dielectric material.

3. The end-fire antenna as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sub-antenna is a microstrip antenna.

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