A mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna

Abstract

The present invention discloses a mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna, which includes a network grid layer, an array antenna body and a mechanical adjustment mechanism arranged in sequence from top to bottom; the array antenna body includes a metal tabletop, and a one-to-four in-phase power distribution network formed by using slot gap waveguide - ridge gap waveguide - slot gap waveguide is arranged on the metal tabletop; four circular radiation cavities are arranged within the area of the metal tabletop, and the four circular radiation cavities are symmetrically distributed around the center; a cylindrical polarization column is arranged in each circular radiation cavity, the lower end of the cylindrical polarization column penetrates through the bottom surface of the metal tabletop and extends towards the outside of the bottom surface of the metal tabletop; the output end of the mechanical adjustment mechanism is connected to the extended end of the cylindrical polarization column and is used to drive the cylindrical polarization column to rotate; the present invention has the characteristics of high gain, large power capacity, low assembly and installation precision, low cost and strong reliability, and has the advantage of continuously adjustable polarization direction from left-handed circular polarization to right-handed circular polarization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of antennas, and particularly relates to a mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna. Background Art

[0002] An antenna is a key device in a wireless communication system, which plays a role in the energy conversion between guiding electromagnetic waves and radiating electromagnetic waves; compared with a linear polarization antenna, a circular polarization antenna has advantages such as suppressing cloud and rain interference, reducing the Faraday rotation effect, and relaxing the relative positions of receiving and transmitting antennas; a polarization reconfigurable antenna can change its own polarization characteristics without changing the operating frequency and radiation pattern; in the field of satellite communication, circular polarization waves with different rotation directions are usually used to achieve the receiving and transmitting functions; a polarization reconfigurable antenna can flexibly switch the polarization rotation direction and can change the receiving and transmitting states of the antenna according to actual needs.

[0003] Currently, existing polarization reconfigurable antennas generally have a microstrip slot or substrate integrated waveguide structure, and use the switching of radio frequency switches or radio frequency diode modes to achieve the change of the radiation pattern and operating frequency performance of the antenna; however, with the increase in frequency, the costs of high-performance dielectric substrates and radio frequency devices are relatively high, and their environmental adaptability and stability are relatively low. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aiming at the technical problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna to solve the technical problems that the existing polarization reconfigurable antennas have relatively high costs, and relatively low environmental adaptability and stability.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] The present invention provides a mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna, which includes a network grid layer, an array antenna body, and a mechanical adjustment mechanism arranged in sequence from top to bottom;

[0007] The array antenna body includes a metal tabletop, on which a one-to-four in-phase power distribution network formed by a slot gap waveguide - ridge gap waveguide - slot gap waveguide is arranged; metal pins are periodically arranged on the top surface of the metal tabletop;

[0008] Four circular radiation cavities are arranged in the area of the metal tabletop, and the four circular radiation cavities are centrosymmetrically distributed; a cylindrical polarization column is arranged in each circular radiation cavity, and the axis of the cylindrical polarization column is parallel to the central axis of the circular radiation cavity; the lower end of the cylindrical polarization column penetrates through the bottom surface of the metal tabletop and extends towards the outside of the bottom surface of the metal tabletop;

[0009] The output end of the mechanical adjustment mechanism is connected to the extended end of the cylindrical polarization column; wherein, the mechanical adjustment mechanism is used to drive the cylindrical polarization column to rotate around the central axis of the circular radiation cavity and along the inner circumferential surface of the circular radiation cavity.

[0010] Further, a first slot gap waveguide, a ridge gap waveguide, and two second slot gap waveguides are arranged on the metal tabletop; the first slot gap waveguide, the ridge gap waveguide, and the two second slot gap waveguides form a one-to-four in-phase power distribution network;

[0011] Wherein, the first slot gap waveguide serves as the input port of the one-to-four in-phase power distribution network; the first slot gap waveguide transitions to the middle of the ridge of the ridge gap waveguide to form a one-to-two power distribution network; the two second slot gap waveguides are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the ridge gap waveguide, and both ends of the ridge gap waveguide are respectively inserted into the middle of the two second slot gap waveguides to form a one-to-two power distribution network.

[0012] Further, a preset-size air gap narrowing is arranged in the first slot gap waveguide; wherein, the air gap narrowing serves as a slot gap equivalent capacitance structure.

[0013] Further, the bottom end of the metal nail is connected to the top surface of the metal tabletop, and an air gap is arranged between the top end of the metal nail and the bottom surface of the network grid layer.

[0014] Further, the metal nail adopts a columnar structure with a square cross-section; the side length of the cross-section of the metal nail is 1 mm, the height of the metal nail is 2.4 mm, and the periodic distance between adjacent two metal nails is 2 mm; the height dimension of the air gap is 0.1 mm.

[0015] Further, the mechanical adjustment mechanism includes a driving force module and four driven modules; the driving force module is arranged below the center of the bottom surface of the metal tabletop; the structures of the four driven modules are the same and are evenly distributed around the driving force module;

[0016] The output end of the driving force module is connected to the input ends of the four driven modules, and the output ends of the four driven modules are respectively connected to the extended ends of the four cylindrical polarization columns; wherein, the driving force module is used to input the rotational power for driving the cylindrical polarization column; the driven module is used to transfer the rotational power for driving the cylindrical polarization column to the corresponding cylindrical polarization column to drive the cylindrical polarization column to rotate.

[0017] Further, the active power module includes an active power turntable, an active bearing, an active gear, and an active shaft; the active shaft is vertically arranged below the center of the bottom surface of the metal tabletop, and the active power turntable is arranged at the bottom end of the active shaft; the active bearing and the active gear are sequentially sleeved on the outside of the active shaft; wherein, the active bearing is arranged near one end of the active power turntable, and the active gear is located in the middle of the active shaft;

[0018] The driven module includes a driven bearing, a driven gear, a driven shaft, and a rotating tabletop; the driven shaft is vertically arranged below the bottom surface of the metal tabletop, and the driven shaft is arranged parallel to the active shaft; the driven bearing is sleeved on the outside of the bottom end of the driven shaft, and the driven gear is sleeved on the outside of the middle of the driven shaft; wherein, the active gear and the driven gear are meshed with each other;

[0019] The rotating tabletop is horizontally arranged at the top end of the driven shaft; wherein, the center of the lower end surface of the rotating tabletop is connected to the top end of the driven shaft, and the upper end surface of the rotating tabletop is fixed to the extending end of one of the cylindrical polarization columns; wherein, the connection point of the cylindrical polarization column and the rotating tabletop is arranged deviating from the center of the rotating tabletop.

[0020] Further, a key connection is adopted between the rotating tabletop and the cylindrical polarization column.

[0021] Further, circular radiation spaces are periodically arranged on the network grid layer; the circular radiation spaces are separated by a square metal wall grid.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0023] The present invention provides a mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna. By arranging a one-to-four in-phase power distribution network formed by a slot gap waveguide - ridge gap waveguide - slot gap waveguide on a metal tabletop; by arranging four circular radiation cavities in the surface area of the metal tabletop, realizing the feeding of electromagnetic energy with equal amplitude and in the same phase into the circular radiation cavities; by loading a cylindrical polarization column in each circular radiation cavity and perturbing the electric field by the cylindrical polarization column to meet the circular polarization radiation condition; by driving the cylindrical polarization column to rotate through a mechanical adjustment mechanism, realizing the control of the position of the cylindrical polarization column relative to the circular radiation cavity, and further realizing the change of the circular polarization rotation direction of the antenna; having the characteristics of high gain, high efficiency, large power capacity, low assembly and installation precision, low cost, and strong reliability; at the same time, having the advantage of continuously adjustable polarization direction from left-handed circular polarization to right-handed circular polarization.

[0024] Furthermore, by setting an air gap narrowing on the first slot gap waveguide and using the air gap narrowing as the slot gap equivalent capacitance structure, the matching performance of the power distribution network can be effectively improved, thereby enhancing the matching performance of the antenna.

[0025] Furthermore, the mechanical adjustment mechanism adopts a combination of an active force module and four driven modules. The four driven modules are used to drive and adjust the four cylindrical polarization columns respectively, ensuring precise adjustment of the positions of the cylindrical polarization columns and effectively guaranteeing the reliability of the antenna.

[0026] Furthermore, both the active force module and the driven modules adopt a combination form of bearings, rotating shafts and gears, with simple structures, clear power transmission routes and strong reliability, and both the assembly precision requirements and costs are relatively low. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2 is a top view schematic diagram of the array antenna body in the embodiment;

[0029] Figure 3 is a side view of the mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment;

[0030] Figure 4 is a simulation structure diagram of the scattering parameters and axial ratio of the mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment;

[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the positions of the cylindrical polarization columns when the mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment radiates left-handed circularly polarized waves;

[0032] Figure 6 is the circular polarization mode radiation pattern at 12.5 GHz and φ = 0° when the mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment radiates left-handed circularly polarized waves;

[0033] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the positions of the cylindrical polarization columns when the mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment radiates right-handed circularly polarized waves;

[0034] Figure 8 is the circular polarization mode radiation pattern at 12.5 GHz and φ = 0° when the mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment radiates right-handed circularly polarized waves;

[0035] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the positions of the cylindrical polarization columns when the mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment radiates horizontally polarized waves;

[0036] Figure 10 When the mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment radiates horizontally polarized waves, it is the circular polarization pattern radiation pattern at 12.5 GHz and φ = 0°.

[0037] Among them, 1 is the network grid layer, 2 is the array antenna body, and 3 is the mechanical adjustment mechanism; 21 is the metal tabletop, 22 is the metal nail, 23 is the first slot gap waveguide, 24 is the ridge gap waveguide, 25 is the second slot gap waveguide, and 26 is the circular radiation cavity; 231 is the slot gap equivalent capacitance structure; 261 is the cylindrical polarization column; 31 is the driving force turntable, 32 is the driving bearing, 33 is the driven bearing, 34 is the driving gear, 35 is the driven gear, 36 is the driving shaft, 37 is the driven shaft, and 38 is the rotating tabletop. Specific implementation manner

[0038] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects solved by the present invention clearer, the following specific embodiments are used to further elaborate on the present invention. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0039] Embodiment

[0040] As shown in the attached Figure 1-3 As shown, this embodiment provides a mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna, which includes a network grid layer 1, an array antenna body 2 and a mechanical adjustment mechanism 3 arranged in sequence from top to bottom; the network grid layer 1 is used to reduce the grating lobe level of the far-field pattern; the array antenna body 2 includes a power distribution network and four circular radiation cavities, and the power distribution network is designed by using the gap waveguide technology, and a cylindrical polarization column is arranged in each circular radiation cavity; the mechanical adjustment mechanism 3 is used to adjust the position of the cylindrical polarization column in the cylindrical radiation cavity to change the radiation circular polarization rotation direction of the array antenna body.

[0041] In this embodiment, circular radiation spaces are periodically arranged on the network grid layer 1, and the circular radiation spaces correspond to the circular radiation cavities in the array antenna body 2 one by one, and the circular radiation spaces are separated by a square metal wall grid; among them, by adjusting the height and width of the square metal wall grid, the grating lobe level of electromagnetic waves in the far field can be effectively reduced, and the antenna gain can be increased.

[0042] In this embodiment, the array antenna body 2 includes a metal tabletop 21, and a one-to-four in-phase power distribution network formed by using a slot gap waveguide - ridge gap waveguide - slot gap waveguide is arranged on the metal tabletop 21; specifically, a first slot gap waveguide 23, a ridge gap waveguide 24, and two second slot gap waveguides 25 are arranged on the metal tabletop 21; the first slot gap waveguide 23, the ridge gap waveguide 24, and the two second slot gap waveguides 25 constitute the one-to-four in-phase power distribution network; wherein, the first slot gap waveguide 23 serves as the input port of the one-to-four in-phase power distribution network; the first slot gap waveguide 23 transitions to the middle of the ridge of the ridge gap waveguide 24 to form a one-to-two power distribution network; the two second slot gap waveguides 25 are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the ridge gap waveguide 24, and both ends of the ridge gap waveguide 24 are respectively inserted into the middle of the two second slot gap waveguides 25 to form a one-to-two power distribution network; preferably, an air gap narrowing with a preset size is arranged in the first slot gap waveguide 23, and the air gap narrowing serves as a slot gap equivalent capacitance structure 231; wherein, both the first slot gap waveguide 23 and the second slot gap waveguide 25 adopt an E-plane slot gap waveguide; the reason for adopting the E-plane slot gap waveguide is that compared with the traditional H-plane slot gap waveguide, the utilization rate of the horizontal space of the antenna is higher, so that the distance between radiation units is smaller; by arranging a ridge gap waveguide between the first slot gap waveguide 23 and the second slot gap waveguide 25 to utilize the one-to-two conversion from the slot gap waveguide to the ridge gap waveguide, the phase inversion generated by the E-plane slot gap waveguide during one-to-two power distribution can be avoided; at the same time, by arranging an air gap narrowing on the first slot gap waveguide and using the air gap narrowing as a slot gap equivalent capacitance structure, the matching performance of the power distribution network can be effectively improved, thereby improving the matching performance of the antenna; preferably, the width of the E-plane slot gap waveguide is 2 mm and the height is 10.67 mm.

[0043] Metal pins 22 are periodically arranged on the top surface of the metal tabletop 21. The bottom end of the metal pin 22 is connected to the top surface of the metal tabletop 21, and an air gap is arranged between the top end of the metal pin 22 and the ground of the network grid layer 1; wherein, the metal pin 22 adopts a columnar structure with a square cross-section; the side length of the cross-section of the metal pin 22 is 1 mm, and the height of the metal pin 22 is 2.4 mm; the periodic distance between two adjacent metal pins 22 is 2 mm, and the height dimension of the air gap is 0.1 mm.

[0044] Within the surface area of the metal tabletop 21, four circular radiation cavities 26 are provided, and the four circular radiation cavities 26 are symmetrically distributed about the center; wherein, the upper end of the circular radiation cavity 26 communicates with the top surface of the metal tabletop 21, and the lower end of the circular radiation cavity 26 communicates with the bottom surface of the metal tabletop 21; a cylindrical polarization column 261 is provided in each circular radiation cavity 26, and the axis of the cylindrical polarization column 261 is arranged parallel to the central axis of the circular radiation cavity 26; the lower end of the cylindrical polarization column 261 penetrates through the bottom surface of the metal tabletop 21 and extends towards the outside of the bottom surface of the metal tabletop 21; wherein, the radius of the circular radiation cavity 26 is related to the radiation frequency; preferably, the diameter of the circular radiation cavity is 9 mm; the circular polarization rotation direction of the antenna can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the polarization column. When the connection line between the cylindrical polarization column and the central axis of the circular radiation cavity is offset counterclockwise by 45° from the slot gap waveguide direction, the antenna radiates left-handed circularly polarized waves.

[0045] In this embodiment, the output end of the mechanical adjustment mechanism 3 is connected to the extension end of the cylindrical polarization column 261; the mechanical adjustment mechanism 3 is used to drive the cylindrical polarization column 261 to rotate around the central axis of the circular radiation cavity 261 and along the inner circumferential surface of the circular radiation cavity 26; the mechanical adjustment mechanism 3 includes a driving force module and four driven modules, and the driving force module is arranged below the center of the bottom surface of the metal tabletop 21; the structures of the four driven modules are the same and are uniformly arranged around the driving force module; the output end of the driving force module is connected to the input ends of the four driven modules, and the output ends of the four driven modules are respectively connected to the extension ends of the four cylindrical polarization columns 261; the driving force module is used to input the rotational power for driving the cylindrical polarization column 261; the driven module is used to transmit the rotational power for driving the cylindrical polarization column 261 to the corresponding cylindrical polarization column 261 to drive the cylindrical polarization column 261 to rotate.

[0046] Specifically, the driving force module includes a driving force turntable 31, a driving bearing 32, a driving gear 34 and a driving shaft 36; the driving shaft 36 is vertically arranged below the center of the bottom surface of the metal tabletop 21, and the central axis of the driving shaft 36 coincides with the central axis of the metal tabletop 21; the driving force turntable 31 is arranged at the bottom end of the driving shaft 36, and the driving bearing 32 and the driving gear 34 are sequentially sleeved on the outside of the driving shaft 36; wherein, the driving bearing 32 is arranged at one end close to the driving force turntable 31, the driving gear 34 is located in the middle of the driving shaft 36, and the outer ring of the driving gear 34 is connected to the four driven modules.

[0047] Specifically, the driven module includes a driven bearing 33, a driven gear 35, a driven shaft 37, and a rotating table 38. The driven shaft 37 is vertically arranged below the bottom surface of the metal table 21. The driven shaft 37 is arranged parallel to the driving shaft 37, and the central axis of the driven shaft 37 coincides with the central axis of the circular radiation cavity 26. The driven bearing 33 is sleeved on the outer side of the bottom end of the driven shaft 37, and the driven gear 35 is sleeved on the outer side of the middle part of the driven shaft 37. Among them, the driving gear 34 is meshed with the driven gear 35. The rotating table 38 is horizontally arranged at the top end of the driven shaft 37. Among them, the center of the lower end surface of the rotating table 38 is connected to the top end of the driven shaft 37, and the upper end surface of the rotating table 38 is fixed to the extending end of one of the cylindrical polarization columns 261. Among them, the connection point between the cylindrical polarization column 261 and the rotating table 38 is set off from the center of the rotating table 38, and a key connection is adopted between the rotating table 38 and the cylindrical polarization column 261.

[0048] In this embodiment, by rotating the driving force turntable 31, the driving gear 34 on the driving shaft 36 is driven to rotate by the driving force turntable 31. Since the driving gear 34 rotates, the four driven gears 35 meshed with the driving gear 34 can be driven to rotate synchronously, and then the four driven shafts 37 rotate. Since the driven shaft 37 is fixedly connected to the rotating table 38, and the rotating table 38 is fixedly connected to the cylindrical polarization column 261, the cylindrical polarization column 261 can be driven to rotate by the rotating table. Among them, the driving bearing, the driven bearing, the driving gear, and the driven gear all adopt standard systems, which are convenient for processing. The driving gear and the driven gear both adopt standard spur cylindrical gears. The number of teeth of the driving gear is 16. The number of teeth of the driven gear is 13, the module is 1.25, and the pressure angle is 20°. The driving bearing and the driven bearing both adopt deep groove ball bearings. The driven bearing adopts a 604GB276 - 94 type bearing, with an inner diameter of 4mm, an outer diameter of 12mm, and a width of 4mm. The driving bearing adopts a 606GB 276 - 94 type bearing, with an inner diameter of 6mm, an outer diameter of 17mm, and a width of 6mm. It should be noted that during use, the driving bearing and the driven bearing are both fixed on the equipment housing to realize the fixed installation of the mechanical adjustment mechanism.

[0049] Working principle:

[0050] In the mechanical adjustment polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in this embodiment, during use, electromagnetic energy is fed into the first slot gap waveguide, and the first power split of one into two is completed from the first slot gap waveguide to the ridge gap waveguide. Then, the second power split of one into two is completed from the ridge gap waveguide to the second slot gap waveguide, and the electromagnetic energy enters four circular radiation cavities, finally realizing the one-for-four entry of electromagnetic energy from the feeding position into the four circular radiation cavities. By arranging a cylindrical polarization column in each circular radiation cavity and perturbing the electromagnetic energy with the cylindrical polarization column, the circular polarization radiation adjustment is satisfied. By rotating the driving force turntable, the rotation of the driving force turntable drives the driving gear to rotate through the driving shaft during the rotation process. Due to the meshing of the driving gear and the driven gear, the driven shaft is driven to rotate. When the driven shaft rotates, it drives the rotating table to rotate, and then drives the cylindrical polarization column to rotate around the central axis of the circular radiation cavity, so as to play a role in changing the radiation performance of the antenna, realizing the switching of the polarization rotation direction of the antenna according to actual needs and switching the transceiver mode of the antenna.

[0051] Manufacturing method:

[0052] In the mechanical adjustment polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in this embodiment, during processing, according to the structural design requirements, the antenna substrate is processed by the additive manufacturing process of the stereolithography technology, and then the surface of the antenna substrate is treated by the electroplating copper process to realize surface metallization, obtaining the mechanical adjustment polarization reconfigurable array antenna. By adopting the above manufacturing process, the antenna has a light weight and reduces the mechanical burden of the system. Compared with the traditional numerical control mechanical milling processing method, the processing cost is significantly reduced.

[0053] As shown in the Figure 4 appendix, Figure 4 the scattering parameter and axial ratio simulation structure diagram of the mechanical adjustment polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment are given; it can be seen from the Figure 4 appendix that for the mechanical adjustment polarization reconfigurable array antenna, under the conditions of 11.74 GHz - 12.38 GHz and -10 dB, the impedance bandwidth of the antenna is 5.3%; under the conditions of 11.68 GHz - 12.37 GHz and 3 dB, the axial ratio bandwidth of the antenna is 5.7%.

[0054] As shown in the Figure 5-6 appendix, Figure 5 the position schematic diagram of the cylindrical polarization column when the mechanical adjustment polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment radiates left-handed circularly polarized waves is given; the circular polarization mode radiation pattern at 12.5 GHz and φ = 0° when the mechanical adjustment polarization reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment radiates left-handed circularly polarized waves is given in the Figure 6 appendix; it can be seen from the Figure 5-6It can be seen that the left - hand circular polarization gain of this antenna is 16.1 dB, the half - power beamwidth is 23°, the sidelobe level is - 12 dB, and the cross - polarization level is less than - 30 dB. It has excellent radiation characteristics such as high gain, high circular polarization purity, and low polarization level.

[0055] As shown in the Figure 7-8 appendix, the Figure 7 schematic diagram of the position of the cylindrical polarization column when the mechanically - adjustable polarization - reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment radiates right - hand circular polarization waves is given in the Figure 8 appendix. The circular polarization mode radiation pattern at 12.5 GHz and φ = 0° when the mechanically - adjustable polarization - reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment radiates right - hand circular polarization waves is given in the Figure 7-8 appendix. It can be seen that the left - hand circular polarization gain of this antenna is 16.1 dB, the half - power beamwidth is 23°, the sidelobe level is - 12 dB, and the cross - polarization level is less than - 30 dB. It has excellent radiation characteristics such as high gain, high circular polarization purity, and low polarization level.

[0056] As shown in the Figure 9-10 appendix, the Figure 9 schematic diagram of the position of the cylindrical polarization column when the mechanically - adjustable polarization - reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment radiates horizontally - polarized waves is given in the Figure 10 appendix. The circular polarization mode radiation pattern at 12.5 GHz and φ = 0° when the mechanically - adjustable polarization - reconfigurable array antenna described in the embodiment radiates horizontally - polarized waves is given in the Figure 9-10 appendix. It can be seen that the left - hand circular polarization gain of this antenna is 16.3 dB, the half - power beamwidth is 23.3°, the sidelobe level is - 11.7 dB, and the cross - polarization level is less than - 50 dB. It has excellent radiation characteristics such as high gain and low cross - polarization level.

[0057] The mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna of the present invention includes a network grid layer, an array antenna body, and a mechanical adjustment mechanism. The array antenna body is provided with a power distribution network formed by a slot gap waveguide and a ridge gap waveguide, and a circular radiation cavity. A cylindrical polarization column is arranged in each circular radiation cavity, and the cylindrical polarization column is connected to the mechanical adjustment mechanism to drive the rotation of the cylindrical polarization column by using the mechanical adjustment mechanism. In the array antenna body, energy is fed in from a wave port, and power is divided from one to two from the slot gap waveguide to the ridge gap waveguide, and then the second power distribution is completed from the ridge gap waveguide to the slot gap waveguide, so that the power enters the cylindrical radiation unit from one to four at the feeding position. Then, through the perturbation of the electromagnetic field energy by the polarization column, the circular polarization radiation condition is satisfied. In the mechanical adjustment mechanism, by rotating the active force turntable, the active gear on the active shaft drives the driven gear on the driven shaft to rotate, and then the driven shaft rotates. The rotating table surface on the driven shaft is connected to the cylindrical polarization column by a key, so that the cylindrical polarization column rotates around the central axis of the circular radiation cavity, thereby changing the radiation performance of the antenna.

[0058] The mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna of the present invention has a working frequency band of the Ku band, realizing the comprehensive utilization of the advantages of gap waveguide technology and mechanical adjustment reconfigurability. Electromagnetic energy is fed into the slot gap waveguide and transmitted in phase to the ridge gap waveguide. A one-to-four power distribution network is composed of the slot gap waveguide and the ridge gap waveguide to realize the feeding of electromagnetic energy with equal amplitude and in phase into the circular radiation cavity. By loading a cylindrical polarization column in the circular radiation cavity and using the cylindrical polarization column to perturb the electric field, the circular polarization radiation condition is satisfied. Among them, there is only one cylindrical polarization column in each circular radiation cavity to facilitate the impedance matching of the antenna. The position of the cylindrical polarization column relative to the circular radiation cavity is controlled by using the mechanical adjustment mechanism to achieve the purpose of changing the circular polarization rotation direction of the antenna. Among them, the cylindrical polarization column is connected to the mechanical adjustment mechanism, and by rotating the active force turntable, the position of the cylindrical polarization column is controlled, so as to switch the circular polarization rotation direction of the antenna.

[0059] In the present invention, by using the gap waveguide technology, there is no need for close electrical contact between metals, reducing the assembly accuracy and cost. The all-metal structure improves the antenna efficiency. The mechanical adjustment device has low cost and high stability. At the same time, by rotating the active force turntable of the mechanical part, the active gear on the active shaft is driven to rotate. The active gear drives the driven gear to rotate the driven shaft, and the driven shaft is connected to the cylindrical platform surface, realizing the control of the position of the cylindrical polarization column relative to the circular radiation cavity by using the mechanical adjustment mechanism, so that the antenna continuously changes from radiating left-handed circularly polarized waves to linearly polarized waves to radiating right-handed circularly polarized waves, meeting the need to switch the polarization rotation direction of the antenna according to actual conditions and switching the transceiver mode of the antenna. Therefore, the array antenna has the advantages of high gain, high efficiency, low cost, high stability, etc.

[0060] The above embodiments are only one of the implementation manners capable of implementing the technical solution of the present invention. The scope of protection required by the present invention is not limited solely by this embodiment, but also includes any changes, substitutions, and other implementation manners that are readily conceivable by any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna, characterized in that, it includes a network grid layer (1), an array antenna body (2), and a mechanical adjustment mechanism (3) arranged in sequence from top to bottom; the array antenna body (2) includes a metal tabletop (21), and a one-to-four in-phase power distribution network formed by using slot-gap waveguide - ridge-gap waveguide - slot-gap waveguide is arranged on the metal tabletop (21); metal pins (22) are periodically arranged on the top surface of the metal tabletop (21); four circular radiation cavities (26) are arranged within the area of the metal tabletop (21), and the four circular radiation cavities (26) are symmetrically distributed around the center; a cylindrical polarization column (261) is arranged in each circular radiation cavity (26), and the axis of the cylindrical polarization column (261) is arranged parallel to the central axis of the circular radiation cavity (26); the lower end of the cylindrical polarization column (261) penetrates through the bottom surface of the metal tabletop (21) and extends towards the outside of the bottom surface of the metal tabletop (21); the output end of the mechanical adjustment mechanism (3) is connected to the extended end of the cylindrical polarization column (261); wherein, the mechanical adjustment mechanism (3) is used to drive the cylindrical polarization column (261) to rotate around the central axis of the circular radiation cavity (26) and along the inner circumferential surface of the circular radiation cavity (26); a first slot-gap waveguide (23), a ridge-gap waveguide (24), and two second slot-gap waveguides (25) are arranged on the metal tabletop (21); the first slot-gap waveguide (23), the ridge-gap waveguide (24), and the two second slot-gap waveguides (25) constitute a one-to-four in-phase power distribution network; wherein, the first slot-gap waveguide (23) serves as the input port of the one-to-four in-phase power distribution network; the first slot-gap waveguide (23) transitions to the middle of the ridge of the ridge-gap waveguide (24) to form a one-to-two power distribution network; the two second slot-gap waveguides (25) are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the ridge-gap waveguide (24), and both ends of the ridge-gap waveguide (24) are respectively inserted into the middle of the two second slot-gap waveguides (25) to form a one-to-two power distribution network.

2. The mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, a preset-size air-gap narrowing is arranged in the first slot-gap waveguide (23); wherein, the air-gap narrowing serves as a slot-gap equivalent capacitance structure (231).

3. The mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, the bottom end of the metal pin (22) is connected to the top surface of the metal tabletop (21), and an air gap is arranged between the top end of the metal pin (22) and the bottom surface of the network grid layer (1).

4. The mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that, The metal nail (22) adopts a columnar structure with a square cross-section; the side length of the cross-section of the metal nail (22) is 1 mm, the height of the metal nail (22) is 2.4 mm, and the periodic distance between adjacent two metal nails (22) is 2 mm; the height dimension of the air gap is 0.1 mm.

5. A mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical adjustment mechanism (3) includes a driving force module and four driven modules; the driving force module is arranged below the center of the bottom surface of the metal tabletop (21); the structures of the four driven modules are the same and are evenly arranged around the driving force module; the output end of the driving force module is connected to the input ends of the four driven modules, and the output ends of the four driven modules are respectively connected to the extension ends of the four cylindrical polarization columns (261); wherein, the driving force module is used for inputting and driving the rotational power of the cylindrical polarization column (261); the driven module is used for transmitting the rotational power of driving the cylindrical polarization column (261) to the corresponding cylindrical polarization column (261) to drive the cylindrical polarization column (261) to rotate.

6. A mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that the driving force module includes a driving force turntable (31), a driving bearing (32), a driving gear (34) and a driving shaft (36); the driving shaft (36) is vertically arranged below the center of the bottom surface of the metal tabletop (21), and the driving force turntable (31) is arranged at the bottom end of the driving shaft (36); the driving bearing (32) and the driving gear (34) are sequentially sleeved on the outer side of the driving shaft (36); wherein, the driving bearing (32) is arranged at one end close to the driving force turntable (31), and the driving gear (34) is located in the middle of the driving shaft (36); the driven module includes a driven bearing (33), a driven gear (35), a driven shaft (37) and a rotating tabletop (38); the driven shaft (37) is vertically arranged below the bottom surface of the metal tabletop (21), and the driven shaft (37) is arranged parallel to the driving shaft (36); the driven bearing (33) is sleeved on the outer side of the bottom end of the driven shaft (37), and the driven gear (35) is sleeved on the outer side of the middle of the driven shaft (37); wherein, the driving gear (34) and the driven gear (35) are meshed with each other; the rotating tabletop (38) is horizontally arranged at the top end of the driven shaft (37); wherein, the center of the lower end surface of the rotating tabletop (38) is connected to the top end of the driven shaft (37), and the upper end surface of the rotating tabletop (38) is fixed to the extension end of one of the cylindrical polarization columns (261); wherein, the connection point of the cylindrical polarization column (261) and the rotating tabletop (38) is arranged deviating from the center of the rotating tabletop (38).

7. A mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna according to claim 6, characterized in that A key connection is adopted between the rotating tabletop (38) and the cylindrical polarization column (261).

8. A mechanically adjustable polarization reconfigurable array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that circular radiation spaces are periodically arranged on the network grid layer (1); the circular radiation spaces are separated by a square metal wall grid.

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