Radar waveguide antenna

Abstract

This invention discloses a radar waveguide antenna, comprising an upper cover layer, a lower base layer, a microstrip structure, a metal ridge structure, and a periodic pin structure. The upper cover layer has a dielectric layer and a metal layer fixed on the front side of the dielectric layer. The lower base layer is parallel to the upper cover layer and is arranged opposite to and at intervals from the back side of the dielectric layer. The microstrip structure is located on the back side of the dielectric layer and transmits energy or electromagnetic waves. The metal ridge structure and the periodic pin structure are both located on the side of the lower base layer facing the dielectric layer. Several pins in the periodic pin structure are also periodically arranged next to the metal ridge structure. The metal layer, the metal ridge structure, the periodic pin structure, and the lower base layer together constitute a gap waveguide structure capable of energy conversion with the microstrip structure. In particular, one end of the metal ridge structure is in seamless contact with the microstrip structure. This radar waveguide antenna has advantages such as high energy transmission efficiency, wide operating bandwidth, novel and reasonable structure, and ease of fabrication.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of antenna structure technology, and in particular to a radar waveguide antenna. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, waveguides are an important component of antenna structures, playing a role in transmitting energy or electromagnetic waves. Gap waveguides, as a novel waveguide structure, possess characteristics such as low loss and ease of integration, making them suitable for antenna structures operating at high frequencies.

[0003] In current common slotted waveguide antenna structures, energy transfer between the microstrip structure and the slotted waveguide structure is achieved through coupled feeding. Specifically, the microstrip structure is mounted on a circuit board and coupled to the slotted waveguide structure, transmitting energy or electromagnetic waves into it. However, the gap between the microstrip structure and the slotted waveguide structure in existing slotted waveguide antenna structures not only leads to energy loss during transmission, reducing energy transfer efficiency, but also increases the fabrication precision and processing difficulty, thus posing significant challenges to performance improvement and manufacturing.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention is hereby proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the above-mentioned defects, the present invention provides a radar waveguide antenna with advantages such as high energy transmission efficiency, wide operating bandwidth, novel and reasonable structure, and ease of processing and manufacturing.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is as follows: a radar waveguide antenna, comprising an upper cover layer, a lower base layer, a microstrip structure, a metal ridge structure, and a periodic pin structure. The upper cover layer has a dielectric layer and a metal layer fixedly covered on the front side of the dielectric layer. The lower base layer is parallel to the upper cover layer and is also arranged opposite to and at intervals from the back side of the dielectric layer. The microstrip structure is disposed on the back side of the dielectric layer and is used to transmit energy or electromagnetic waves. The metal ridge structure and the periodic pin structure are both disposed on the side of the lower base layer facing the dielectric layer, and a plurality of pins in the periodic pin structure are periodically arranged next to the metal ridge structure. In addition, the metal layer, the metal ridge structure, the periodic pin structure, and the lower base layer together constitute a gap waveguide structure, which can perform energy conversion with the microstrip structure. One end of the metal ridge structure is in seamless contact with the microstrip structure.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, a power divider structure is provided at the other end of the metal ridge structure;

[0008] The bottom plate layer is provided with a waveguide radiation port, which is connected to the power divider structure so that energy or electromagnetic waves are distributed by the power divider structure and output from the waveguide radiation port.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, the metal ridge structure includes a ridge body, which is elongated and one end of the ridge body in the length direction is in close, seamless contact with the microstrip structure. The remaining part of the ridge body, except for one end in the length direction, forms a gap with the back side of the dielectric layer. In addition, the other end of the ridge body in the length direction is integrally connected to the power divider structure.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, based on the state in which the upper cover plate layer and the lower bottom plate layer are arranged in parallel, the height of one end of the spine main body in the length direction is greater than the height of the remaining part of the spine main body.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, a plurality of pins are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the spine body in the width direction.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the power divider structure includes a first branch ridge, at least two second branch ridges, and a plurality of third branch ridges. The first branch ridge and the at least two second branch ridges are both T-shaped structures formed by integrally connecting a first ridge segment and a second ridge segment. The first ridge segment of the first branch ridge is integrally connected to the other end of the ridge body in the length direction. The first ridge segments of the at least two second branch ridges are integrally connected to the second ridge segments of the first branch ridge. The plurality of third branch ridges are all strip-shaped and are respectively integrally connected to the second ridge segments of the at least two second branch ridges.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, a plurality of pins are respectively arranged around the first branch ridge, at least two second branch ridges and a plurality of third branch ridges.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, a gap is formed between each of the pins and the back side of the medium layer.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention, there are multiple metal ridge structures, and the multiple metal ridge structures do not intersect each other;

[0016] Correspondingly, there are also multiple microstrip structures, which do not intersect each other and are in close, seamless contact with one end of the spine body of the multiple metal spine structures along the length direction.

[0017] As a further improvement of the present invention, the waveguide radiation port is formed by slotting on the bottom plate layer; and the number of the waveguide radiation ports is consistent with the number of the power divider structures, and they are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: Compared with the prior art, the radar waveguide antenna provided by this invention has the following advantages: 1) By designing a seamless contact between one end of the metal ridge structure and the microstrip structure, the energy conversion capability between the metal ridge structure and the microstrip structure can be greatly improved, thereby increasing the transmission efficiency of energy or electromagnetic waves and improving the working performance of the radar waveguide antenna; on the other hand, it also reduces the assembly precision requirements of the radar waveguide antenna (because the gap size between the metal ridge structure and the microstrip structure does not need to be considered), thereby simplifying the manufacturing process of the radar waveguide antenna and making it easier to produce. 2) By designing the upper surface of the ridge body of the metal ridge structure as a non-horizontal plane, the working bandwidth can be effectively widened, further improving the working performance of the radar waveguide antenna. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a partial top view of the radar waveguide antenna described in this invention.

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 An enlarged schematic diagram showing the connection between the metal ridge structure and the power divider structure shown in the figure;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a partial perspective view of the radar waveguide antenna described in this invention.

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the radar waveguide antenna from a first-angle (vertical) perspective.

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the radar waveguide antenna from a second perspective (lateral).

[0024] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the following explanations are provided:

[0025] 1. Top cover plate layer; 10. Dielectric layer; 11. Metal layer; 2. Bottom plate layer;

[0026] 20. Waveguide radiating port; 3. Microstrip structure; 4. Ridge body; 5. Pin; 6. Power divider structure; 61. First branch ridge; 62. Second branch ridge; 63. Third branch ridge; 610. First ridge segment; 611. Second ridge segment. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Example:

[0029] Please see the appendix Figure 1 To be continued Figure 5 As shown, this invention provides a radar waveguide antenna, including an upper cover layer 1, a lower base layer 2, a microstrip structure 3, a metal ridge structure, and a periodic pin structure. The upper cover layer 1 has a dielectric layer 10 and a metal layer 11. The dielectric layer 10 has a front and a back side arranged back-to-back. The metal layer 11 is fixedly disposed on the front side of the dielectric layer 10 and is made of copper, serving as the ground plane for the PCB board. The lower base layer 2 is parallel to the upper cover layer 1 and is also opposite to and spaced from the back side of the dielectric layer 10. The microstrip structure 3 is disposed on the back side of the dielectric layer 10. Structure 3 is used to transmit energy or electromagnetic waves. Both the metal ridge structure and the periodic pin structure are located on the side of the lower base plate layer 2 facing the dielectric layer 10. Simultaneously, several pins 5 in the periodic pin structure are periodically arranged next to the metal ridge structure (to suppress the propagation of energy or electromagnetic waves in other directions). Furthermore, the metal layer 11, the metal ridge structure, the periodic pin structure, and the lower base plate layer 2 together constitute a gap waveguide structure. This gap waveguide structure can perform energy conversion with the microstrip structure 3, allowing energy or electromagnetic waves to be output from the microstrip structure 3 and input into the gap waveguide structure. Specifically, in this invention, one end of the metal ridge structure is in seamless contact with the microstrip structure 3. By designing a seamless contact between one end of the metal ridge structure and the microstrip structure 3, the energy conversion capability between the metal ridge structure and the microstrip structure can be greatly improved, thereby significantly increasing the transmission efficiency of energy or electromagnetic waves and improving the working performance of the radar waveguide antenna. On the other hand, it can also reduce the assembly precision requirements of the radar waveguide antenna (because there is no need to consider the gap size between the metal ridge structure and the microstrip structure), thus simplifying the manufacturing process of the radar waveguide antenna and making it easier to produce.

[0030] In summary, compared with existing technologies, the radar waveguide antenna of this invention has advantages such as high energy transmission efficiency, novel and reasonable structure, and ease of fabrication. The specific structure of the radar waveguide antenna of this invention will be further described in detail below.

[0031] First, see the appendix. Figure 1 and attached Figure 2As shown, a power divider structure 6 is provided at the other end of the metal ridge structure. The power divider structure 6 is used to distribute the output energy. The lower base plate layer 2 is made of metal and has a waveguide radiation port 20. Further, the waveguide radiation port 20 is formed by slotting in the lower base plate layer 2. The waveguide radiation port 20 is connected to the power divider structure 6 so that energy or electromagnetic waves are distributed by the power divider structure 6 and then output from the waveguide radiation port 20. By placing the waveguide radiation port on the lower base plate layer 2 to form back-side radiation, good integration of the radar waveguide antenna can be achieved.

[0032] Then, the specific structure of the metal ridge structure described in this invention and its connection relationship with the microstrip structure 3 and the power divider structure 6 will be described in detail. (See appendix) Figure 1 To be continued Figure 5 As shown, the metal ridge structure includes a ridge body 4, which is elongated. More preferably, according to product design requirements, the ridge body 4 can be designed as a straight elongated strip or as an elongated curved strip, such as an L-shaped strip, a V-shaped strip, or an S-shaped strip. One end of the ridge body 4 in the length direction is in close, seamless contact with the microstrip structure 3. The remaining part of the ridge body 4, except for one end in the length direction, forms a gap with the back of the dielectric layer 10. More preferably, the height of the gap is no greater than one-quarter of the waveguide wavelength. In addition, the other end of the ridge body 4 in the length direction is integrally connected to the power divider structure 6.

[0033] Based on the above connection relationship between the ridge body 4, the microstrip structure 3, and the upper cover layer 1, it can be seen that: taking the upper cover layer 1 and the lower bottom plate layer 2 as a reference, the height of one end of the ridge body 4 in the length direction is greater than the height of the rest of the ridge body 4, indicating that the upper surface of the ridge body 4 is a non-horizontal plane (see Appendix for details). Figure 4 Furthermore, the upper surface of the ridge body 4 can be a stepped surface, with the highest height at one end of the ridge body 4 along its length; or the upper surface of the ridge body 4 can be an inclined surface that gradually slopes downwards from one end to the other along its length; and so on. By designing the upper surface of the ridge body 4 as a non-horizontal surface, the operating bandwidth of the radar waveguide antenna can be widened.

[0034] Furthermore, based on the shape of the ridge body 4, the pins 5 surrounding it are arranged as follows: a plurality of pins 5 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the ridge body 4 in the width direction. The pins 5 are preferably cylindrical, cuboid, or other shapes, and the spacing between two adjacent pins 5 can be preferably controlled to be 0.5 to 1 mm.

[0035] See attached for more details. Figure 1 and attached Figure 2 As shown, the power divider structure 6 includes a first branch ridge 61, at least two second branch ridges 62, and multiple third branch ridges 63. The first branch ridge 61 and the at least two second branch ridges 62 are both T-shaped structures formed by integrally connecting a first ridge segment 610 and a second ridge segment 611. The first ridge segment 610 of the first branch ridge 61 is integrally connected to the other end of the ridge body 4 along its length. The first ridge segments 610 of the at least two second branch ridges 62 are integrally connected to the second ridge segments 611 of the first branch ridge 61. The multiple third branch ridges 63 are strip-shaped and are respectively integrally connected to the second ridge segments 611 of the at least two second branch ridges 62. By cascading multiple T-shaped branch ridges and multiple strip-shaped branch ridges, a power divider that divides from one branch to multiple branches (shown in the attached figure as a 1-to-4 power divider) can be formed, realizing the distribution of output energy.

[0036] Further preferably, based on the shape of the power divider structure 6, a plurality of pins 5 are respectively arranged around the first branch ridge 61, at least two second branch ridges 62 and a plurality of third branch ridges 63. The shape and spacing of the pins 5 are the same as described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0037] In addition, in this embodiment, a gap is formed between each of the pins 5 and the back surface of the dielectric layer 10. More preferably, the height of the gap can be controlled to be no greater than one-quarter of the waveguide wavelength. Of course, depending on product design requirements, it can also be designed so that there is no gap between each of the pins 5 and the back surface of the dielectric layer 10.

[0038] See attached for more details. Figure 1 As shown, there are multiple metal ridge structures, and these multiple metal ridge structures do not intersect each other, that is, they are arranged independently of each other; the specific layout of the multiple metal ridge structures can be determined according to the product design requirements.

[0039] Correspondingly, there are multiple microstrip structures 3, which do not intersect each other (i.e., are arranged independently). Each microstrip structure 3 also makes tight, seamless contact with one end of the ridge body 4 of the metal ridge structure along its length. Regarding the specific structure of the microstrip structure 3, it can be a microstrip line structure or a combination of microstrip lines and microstrip patches; both are conventional techniques in this field and will not be detailed here. Furthermore, the microstrip structure 3 can be formed on the back side of the dielectric layer 10 through etching or by bonding, depending on the product design requirements. It is also understood that the microstrip structure 3 is connected to an external power supply unit.

[0040] Furthermore, based on the arrangement of the waveguide radiating ports 20 (i.e., the waveguide radiating ports 20 are located on the lower base plate layer 2), they can be well coordinated with the layout of multiple metal ridge structures to better form an array layout, enabling the radar waveguide antenna to achieve good integration. In addition, the number of waveguide radiating ports 20 is consistent with the number of power divider structures 6, and they are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence; that is, based on the multiple metal ridge structures, the number of power divider structures 6 and the number of waveguide radiating ports 20 are also multiple.

[0041] In summary, by improving the metal ridge structure, the connection relationship between the metal ridge structure and the microstrip structure, and the waveguide radiating port structure in the radar waveguide antenna, this invention enables the radar waveguide antenna to have advantages such as high energy transmission efficiency, wide operating bandwidth, good integration, novel and reasonable structure, and easy processing and manufacturing.

[0042] Many specific details have been set forth in the foregoing description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed above. Furthermore, any person skilled in the art can make many possible variations and modifications to the technical solutions of the present invention, or modify them into equivalent embodiments, using the methods and techniques disclosed above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention, without departing from the content of the present invention, shall still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A radar waveguide antenna, comprising an upper cover layer (1), a lower base layer (2), a microstrip structure (3), a metal ridge structure, and a periodic pin structure, wherein the upper cover layer (1) has a dielectric layer (10) and a metal layer (11) fixedly disposed on the front side of the dielectric layer (10); the lower base layer (2) is parallel to the upper cover layer (1) and is also arranged opposite to and spaced apart from the back side of the dielectric layer (10); the microstrip structure (3) is disposed on the back side of the dielectric layer (10) and is used with... For transmitting energy or electromagnetic waves; the metal ridge structure and the pin periodic structure are both located on the side of the lower base plate layer (2) facing the dielectric layer (10), and several pins (5) in the pin periodic structure are also periodically arranged next to the metal ridge structure; in addition, the metal layer (11), the metal ridge structure, the pin periodic structure and the lower base plate layer (2) together constitute a gap waveguide structure, which can perform energy conversion with the microstrip structure (3); characterized in that: The metal ridge structure includes a ridge body (4), which is long and narrow. One end of the ridge body (4) in the length direction is in close and seamless contact with the microstrip structure (3). The remaining part of the ridge body (4) except for one end in the length direction forms a gap with the back of the dielectric layer (10), and the height of the gap is not greater than one-quarter of the waveguide wavelength. In addition, the other end of the spine body (4) is integrally connected to a power divider structure (6) in the length direction. The bottom plate layer (2) is provided with a waveguide radiation port (20) to form back radiation. The waveguide radiation port (20) is connected to the power divider structure (6) so that energy or electromagnetic waves are distributed by the power divider structure (6) and output from the waveguide radiation port (20).

2. The radar waveguide antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: Based on the state in which the upper cover plate layer (1) and the lower bottom plate layer (2) are arranged in parallel, the height of one end of the spine body part (4) in the length direction is greater than the height of the rest of the spine body part (4).

3. The radar waveguide antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: Multiple pins (5) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the spine body (4) in the width direction.

4. The radar waveguide antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power divider structure (6) includes a first branch ridge (61), at least two second branch ridges (62) and a plurality of third branch ridges (63). The first branch ridge (61) and the at least two second branch ridges (62) are both T-shaped structures formed by integrally connecting a first ridge segment (610) and a second ridge segment (611). The first ridge segment (610) of the first branch ridge (61) is integrally connected to the other end of the spine body (4) in the length direction. The first ridge segment (610) of the at least two second branch ridges (62) is integrally connected to the second ridge segment (611) of the first branch ridge (61). The plurality of third branch ridges (63) are all strip-shaped and are integrally connected to the second ridge segment (611) of the at least two second branch ridges (62).

5. The radar waveguide antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that: A plurality of pins (5) are respectively arranged around the first branch ridge (61), at least two second branch ridges (62) and a plurality of third branch ridges (63).

6. The radar waveguide antenna according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that: A gap is formed between each of the pins (5) and the back of the medium layer (10).

7. The radar waveguide antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple metal ridge structures, and the multiple metal ridge structures do not intersect each other; Correspondingly, there are multiple microstrip structures (3), and the multiple microstrip structures (3) do not intersect each other, and are respectively in close and seamless contact with one end of the spine body (4) of the multiple metal spine structures in the length direction.

8. The radar waveguide antenna according to claim 7, characterized in that: The waveguide radiation port (20) is made by slotting on the bottom plate layer (2); and the number of the waveguide radiation ports (20) is consistent with the number of the power divider structure (6) and they are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence.

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