An ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission unit and its array

Abstract

The present invention discloses an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission unit and its array, comprising a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and a dielectric layer, with the dielectric layer disposed between the first and second metal layers. The first metal layer includes a radiating patch etched with a π-shaped slot, and a radio frequency switch disposed on the π-shaped slot. The radio frequency switch is reversed to change the state of electromagnetic waves radiated by the radiating patch. The second metal layer includes a receiving patch etched with an L-shaped slot. The first metal layer is connected to the second metal layer via a metal column. The first and second metal layers form a polarization rotation structure such that the polarization of the electromagnetic waves radiated by the first metal layer is perpendicular to the polarization of the electromagnetic waves received by the second metal layer. The reconfigurable transmission unit can be formed by using these two metal layers, the first and second metal layers. The structure is simple and easy to process, which helps to simplify design and reduce costs. The unit can be widely used in the field of antenna technology.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission unit and an array thereof. Background Art

[0002] High-gain antennas with beam-scanning capabilities play a key role in military and civilian systems such as radar detection, satellite communications, and navigation guidance. However, traditional active phased array antennas suffer from high cost and power consumption, which limits their large-scale deployment and application. Current transmission array antennas often use a transceiver structure. This structure is generally composed of a receiving metal layer, a ground layer, a transmission metal layer, and a bias line layer for control. A reconfigurable transmission array structure often requires at least four metal layers, resulting in a complex antenna array structure and high cost. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission unit and its array, which only requires two metal layers to complete the design of the reconfigurable transmission array, has a simple structure and is easy to process, which helps to simplify the design and reduce costs.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission unit, comprising a first metal layer, a second metal layer and a dielectric layer, wherein the first metal layer is arranged parallel to the second metal layer, and the dielectric layer is arranged between the first metal layer and the second metal layer; the first metal layer includes a radiation patch, wherein the radiation patch is etched with a π-shaped gap, and the π-shaped gap is used to divide the first metal layer into a first area within the π-shaped gap and a second area outside the π-shaped gap; a first radio frequency switch and a second radio frequency switch are provided between the first area and the second area, and the on-off state of the first radio frequency switch and the second radio frequency switch is changed by controlling the positive and negative voltage input to the first area to change the on-off state of the radiation patch to change the state of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the radiation patch, and the on-off state of the first radio frequency switch is different from the on-off state of the second radio frequency; the second metal layer includes a receiving patch, wherein the receiving patch is etched with an L-shaped gap, and the L-shaped gap is used to adjust the resonant frequency, the first metal layer is connected to the second metal layer through a metal column, and the first metal layer and the second metal layer form a polarization rotation structure, so that the radiated electromagnetic wave of the first metal layer is perpendicular to the polarization of the received electromagnetic wave of the second metal layer.

[0005] Optionally, a bias circuit is further provided on the dielectric layer, and a radio frequency inductor is provided on the bias circuit. The radio frequency inductor is used to isolate radio frequency signals and input direct current signals into the second metal layer through the metal pillar.

[0006] Optionally, the π-shaped gap includes a first T-shaped foot gap and a second T-shaped foot gap, the first area is formed between the first T-shaped foot gap and the second T-shaped foot gap, a bias point is set in the middle of the first area, and the first area is connected to the bias circuit through the bias point.

[0007] Optionally, the first RF switch element is connected to two sides of the first T-leg gap in a forward direction, and the second RF switch element is connected to two sides of the second T-leg gap in a reverse direction.

[0008] Optionally, an isolation capacitor is further provided on the bias circuit, and the isolation capacitor is used to isolate a DC voltage signal between two adjacent reconfigurable transmission units.

[0009] Optionally, the receiving patch is a first rectangular patch, and two L-shaped gaps symmetrically along the center line are etched on both sides of the first rectangular patch.

[0010] Optionally, the radiation patch is a second rectangular patch, and the second rectangular patch is etched with the π-shaped gap along the long end of the first side.

[0011] Optionally, the second metal layer is symmetrically provided with a plurality of bias lines, and the metal pillars are connected to different bias lines, thereby transmitting DC signals of different voltages to control the phases of the reconfigurable transmission units connected to different bias lines.

[0012] Optionally, the length and width of the dielectric layer are both 0.25λ0-0.5λ0, where λ0 is the free space wavelength at a center frequency of 4 GHz.

[0013] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission array, comprising the above-mentioned reconfigurable transmission unit, wherein the reconfigurable transmission array is composed of a plurality of the reconfigurable transmission units.

[0014] Implementation of the embodiments of the present invention includes the following beneficial effects: The embodiments of the present invention provide an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission unit and an array thereof, comprising a first metal layer, a second metal layer and a dielectric layer, wherein the first metal layer and the second metal layer are arranged in parallel, and the dielectric layer is arranged between the first metal layer and the second metal layer; the first metal layer includes a radiation patch, wherein the radiation patch is etched with a π-shaped gap, and the π-shaped gap is used to divide the first metal layer into a first area within the π-shaped gap and a second area outside the π-shaped gap; a first radio frequency switch and a second radio frequency switch are provided between the first area and the second area, and the on-off state of the first radio frequency switch and the second radio frequency switch is changed by controlling the positive and negative voltage input to the first area, so as to change the state of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the radiation patch, and the on-off state of the first radio frequency switch is different from the on-off state of the second radio frequency; the second metal layer includes a receiving patch, wherein the receiving patch is etched with an L-shaped gap, and the L-shaped gap is used to adjust the resonant frequency; the first metal layer is connected to the second metal layer through a metal column, and the first metal layer and the second metal layer form a polarization rotation structure, so that the radiated electromagnetic wave of the first metal layer is polarized perpendicular to the polarization of the received electromagnetic wave of the second metal layer. A reconfigurable transmission unit can be formed by two metal layers, the first metal layer and the second metal layer, which has a simple structure and is easy to process, thus helping to simplify design and reduce costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission unit provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a first metal layer of an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission unit provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a second metal layer of an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission unit provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 is a graph showing changes in transmission phase and transmission amplitude versus frequency of an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission unit provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a beam E-plane scanning diagram of an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission array provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a beam H-plane scanning diagram of an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission array provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 7Schematic diagram of the structure of an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission array provided by an embodiment of the present invention: (a) is a three-dimensional structure diagram of the array, and (b) is a transmission surface structure diagram;

[0022] Figure numerals: first metal layer (1), second metal layer (2), isolation capacitor (3), radio frequency inductor (4), dielectric layer (5), bias line (6), π-shaped gap (7), metal column (8), L-shaped gap (9), bias line (10), radio frequency switch (11), feed source (12), first region (13), second region (14). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The step numbers in the following embodiments are provided for ease of description only and do not limit the order of the steps. The order of execution of the steps in the embodiments can be adaptively adjusted based on the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0024] like Figure 1-3 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission unit, comprising a first metal layer (1), a second metal layer (2) and a dielectric layer (5), wherein the first metal layer (1) and the second metal layer (2) are arranged in parallel, and a dielectric layer (5) is arranged between the first metal layer (1) and the second metal layer (2); the first metal layer (1) comprises a radiation patch, wherein the radiation patch is etched with a π-shaped gap (7), and the π-shaped gap (7) is used to divide the first metal layer (1) into a first area (13) within the π-shaped gap (7) and a second area (14) outside the π-shaped gap, and a first radio frequency switch and a second radio frequency switch are arranged between the first area (13) and the second area (14). The radio frequency switch changes the on-off state of the first radio frequency switch and the second radio frequency switch by controlling the positive or negative voltage input to the first region, thereby changing the state of electromagnetic waves radiated by the radiation patch, wherein the on-off state of the first radio frequency switch is different from the on-off state of the second radio frequency switch; the second metal layer (2) includes a receiving patch, the receiving patch is etched with an L-shaped slot (9), and the L-shaped slot (9) is used to adjust the resonant frequency; the first metal layer (1) is connected to the second metal layer (2) through a metal column (8), and the first metal layer (1) and the second metal layer (2) form a polarization rotation structure, so that the radiated electromagnetic wave of the first metal layer (1) and the received electromagnetic wave of the second metal layer (2) are polarized perpendicularly.

[0025] Specifically, the reconfigurable transmission unit is composed of a first metal layer (1), a second metal layer (2) and a dielectric layer (5), wherein the first metal layer (1) is arranged on the upper surface (first surface) of the dielectric layer (5), and the second metal layer (2) is arranged on the lower surface (second surface) of the dielectric layer (5); the first metal layer (1) and the second metal layer (2) are arranged parallel to and orthogonal to each other with respect to the dielectric layer. A "π"-shaped gap (7) is etched on the radiation patch, and then, according to the current reversal principle, the on and off of the first radio frequency switch and the second radio frequency switch of the radio frequency switch (11) are controlled to reverse the short circuit and open circuit states at both ends of the gap. The "π"-shaped gap (7) divides the first metal layer (1) into a first area (13) within the "π"-shaped gap (7) and a second area (14) outside the "π"-shaped gap (7). A first radio frequency switch and a second radio frequency switch are arranged between the first area (13) and the second area (14). By controlling the input of the first radio frequency switch (11), the first radio frequency switch (13) and the second radio frequency switch (14) are controlled to reverse the short circuit and open circuit states at both ends of the gap. The positive or negative voltage of a region changes the on-off state of the first radio frequency switch and the second radio frequency switch, thereby changing the state of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the radiation patch, so that the ultra-thin reconfigurable transmission unit has a stable 180° phase difference within a wider working frequency band; the second metal layer (2) belongs to the receiving layer and is used to receive electromagnetic waves. An L-shaped gap (9) is etched on the receiving patch for adjusting the resonant frequency. The first metal layer (1) and the second metal layer (2) together constitute a polarization rotation structure, so that the polarization of the received electromagnetic wave is perpendicular to that of the radiated electromagnetic wave.

[0026] In order to ensure that the structural performance is not affected, a high-impedance thin metal wire is added as a bias circuit (10) for DC voltage control, wherein the π-shaped gap (7) includes two T-shaped structures, and a bias point is set in the middle of the first T-shaped foot gap and the second T-shaped foot gap of the two T-shaped structures. The bias point is vertically connected to the bias circuit, that is, the bias point is placed in the middle where the electric field is weaker, and an isolation capacitor (3) is used to isolate the DC voltage signals of two adjacent reconfigurable transmission units. After passing through the choke effect of an RF inductor (4), the RF signal is isolated and the DC signal is guided to the second metal layer through the metal column (8) for unified control.

[0027] The specific shapes of the two T-leg gaps of the π-shaped gap (7) and the inclination angles of the legs are not limited here and can be set according to requirements; the two T-shaped structures isolate the first area (13) in the middle of the rectangular patch separately, and the rectangular patches on both sides of the T-leg gap are connected through two radio frequency switching elements. The DC voltage on the bias circuit (10) switches the two radio frequency switching elements on and off. The radio frequency switching elements use diodes, and the two diodes are connected forward and reverse respectively, that is, the switching directions of the two diodes on both sides are opposite. The first T-leg gap is turned on from the first area to the second area, and the second T-leg gap is turned on from the second area to the first area; thus, the on-off of the two diodes can be controlled by controlling the positive and negative currents, and then the positive and negative voltages can be controlled, thereby obtaining a radiated electromagnetic wave with a phase difference stable at 180°.

[0028] Reference Figure 1 Optionally, a bias circuit (10) is further provided on the dielectric layer (5), and a radio frequency inductor (4) is provided on the bias circuit (10), and the radio frequency inductor (4) is used to isolate the radio frequency signal and input the direct current signal into the second metal layer through the metal column (8).

[0029] Reference Figure 3 Optionally, the receiving patch adopts a first rectangular patch, and two L-shaped gaps (9) symmetrically along the center line are etched on both sides of the first rectangular patch.

[0030] Reference Figure 3 Specifically, setting a symmetrical L-shaped gap makes the first rectangular patch perform better when receiving electromagnetic waves, and increases the flexibility when adjusting the performance. The L-shaped gap is symmetrically set on the left and right sides of the first rectangular patch, and the specific positions on both sides can be set as needed; the L-shaped gap changes the current path of the first rectangular patch input to the second metal layer, from to reaching the preset resonant frequency, and the preset resonant frequency value can be changed by adjusting the size of the L-shaped gap.

[0031] Optionally, the radiation patch adopts a second rectangular patch, and a π-shaped gap is etched along the long end of the first side of the second rectangular patch.

[0032] Specifically, the bias circuit (10) is arranged parallel to the second rectangular patch, and the second rectangular patch is etched with a π-shaped gap along the first long side. The middle of the first T-shaped leg gap and the second T-shaped leg gap of the π-shaped gap is vertically connected to the bias circuit (10). The first T-shaped leg gap and the second T-shaped leg gap separate the first long side of the second rectangular patch, thereby forming an independent small rectangular patch. The DC current signal on the bias circuit (10) is transmitted to the small rectangular patch isolated by the π-shaped gap on the second rectangular patch, and the current direction is controlled by the positive and negative diodes. The symmetrically designed π-shaped gap has more stable performance, and the DC signal reaches the isolated middle small rectangular patch without affecting the operation of the entire second rectangular patch. The second metal layer of the first rectangular patch and the first metal layer of the second rectangular patch together constitute a polarization rotation structure. The polarization rotation structure is used to polarize the electromagnetic wave received by the first rectangular patch and the electromagnetic wave radiated by the second rectangular patch perpendicularly. The electromagnetic waves after the perpendicular polarization have a more stable phase difference.

[0033] Reference Figure 1 Optionally, the second metal layer (2) is symmetrically provided with a plurality of bias lines (6), and the metal pillars (8) are connected to different bias lines (6), thereby transmitting DC signals of different voltages to control the phases of the reconfigurable transmission units connected to the different bias lines.

[0034] Specifically, the metal pillar (8) can be connected to four different bias lines (6), the specific number of which is not limited here and can be set according to needs. By allowing the metal pillar (8) to reach different bias lines (6), that is, the metal pillars (8) of different reconfigurable transmission units reach different bias lines (6), DC voltage signals of different magnitudes can be output respectively to control the phases of different reconfigurable transmission units, thereby achieving the effect of independently controlling each reconfigurable transmission unit.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 Optionally, the length and width of the dielectric layer are both 0.25λ0-0.5λ0, where λ0 is the free space wavelength at the center frequency of 4 GHz.

[0036] In a specific embodiment, the width and length of the dielectric layer (5) are both 0.31λ0, where λ0 is the free space wavelength at the center frequency of 4 GHz. The dielectric plate used is F4B220, with a dielectric constant ε r =2.2, the loss tangent tanδ is about 0.0015.

[0037] Reference Figure 5 and 6 By applying positive and negative voltages to the RF switch to control on and off, a 180° phase difference is consistently maintained between State 1 and State 2, resulting in single-bit phase control at the unit level. Phase configuration based on phased array principles enables the ultra-thin reconfigurable transmissive array to achieve two-dimensional scanning beams (due to the symmetry of the structure, only half of the scanning results are shown), confirming the feasibility of the proposed solution.

[0038] Implementation of the embodiments of the present invention includes the following beneficial effects: The embodiments of the present invention provide an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission unit and an array thereof, comprising a first metal layer, a second metal layer and a dielectric layer, wherein the first metal layer and the second metal layer are arranged in parallel, and the dielectric layer is arranged between the first metal layer and the second metal layer; the first metal layer includes a radiation patch, wherein the radiation patch is etched with a π-shaped gap, and the π-shaped gap is used to divide the first metal layer into a first area within the π-shaped gap and a second area outside the π-shaped gap; a first radio frequency switch and a second radio frequency switch are provided between the first area and the second area, and the on-off state of the first radio frequency switch and the second radio frequency switch is changed by controlling the positive and negative voltage input to the first area, so as to change the state of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the radiation patch, and the on-off state of the first radio frequency switch is different from the on-off state of the second radio frequency; the second metal layer includes a receiving patch, wherein the receiving patch is etched with an L-shaped gap, and the L-shaped gap is used to adjust the resonant frequency; the first metal layer is connected to the second metal layer through a metal column, and the first metal layer and the second metal layer form a polarization rotation structure, so that the radiated electromagnetic wave of the first metal layer is polarized perpendicular to the polarization of the received electromagnetic wave of the second metal layer. A reconfigurable transmission unit can be formed by two metal layers, the first metal layer and the second metal layer, which has a simple structure and is easy to process, thus helping to simplify design and reduce costs.

[0039] Reference Figure 7 In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission array, comprising the above-mentioned reconfigurable transmission unit, wherein the reconfigurable transmission array is composed of a plurality of the reconfigurable transmission units.

[0040] Specifically, an ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission array disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention is composed of reconfigurable units with a 180° phase difference control. The ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission array of this embodiment uses a low-gain electromagnetic dipole antenna as an air-fed feed source (12), so that the focal diameter ratio is only 0.42, thereby reducing the overall profile of the array.

[0041] The above is a specific description of the preferred implementation of the present invention, but the invention is not limited to the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or substitutions without violating the spirit of the present invention. These equivalent modifications or substitutions are all included in the scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. An ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission unit, characterized in that: The present invention comprises a first metal layer, a second metal layer and a dielectric layer, wherein the first metal layer is arranged in parallel with the second metal layer, and the dielectric layer is arranged between the first metal layer and the second metal layer; the first metal layer comprises a radiating patch, wherein the radiating patch is etched with a π-shaped gap, wherein the π-shaped gap is used to divide the first metal layer into a first area within the π-shaped gap and a second area outside the π-shaped gap; a first radio frequency switch and a second radio frequency switch are arranged between the first area and the second area; the on-off state of the first radio frequency switch and the second radio frequency switch is changed by controlling the positive and negative voltage input to the first area, so as to change the state of electromagnetic waves radiated by the radiating patch; the on-off state of the first radio frequency switch is different from the on-off state of the second radio frequency; the second metal layer comprises a receiving patch, wherein the receiving patch is etched with an L-shaped gap, wherein the L-shaped gap is used to adjust the resonant frequency; the first metal layer is connected to the second metal layer through a metal column, and the first metal layer and the second metal layer form a polarization rotation structure, so that the radiated electromagnetic wave of the first metal layer is polarized perpendicular to the received electromagnetic wave of the second metal layer.

2. The reconfigurable transmission unit according to claim 1, wherein: A bias circuit is also provided on the dielectric layer, and an RF inductor is provided on the bias circuit. The bias circuit is electrically connected to the first region of the first metal layer. The RF inductor is used to isolate the RF signal and input the DC signal into the second metal layer through the metal column.

3. The reconfigurable transmission unit according to claim 2, wherein: The π-shaped gap includes a first T-shaped foot gap and a second T-shaped foot gap, the first area is formed between the first T-shaped foot gap and the second T-shaped foot gap, a bias point is set in the middle of the first area, and the first area is connected to the bias circuit through the bias point.

4. The reconfigurable transmission unit according to claim 3, wherein: The first radio frequency switch element is connected to two sides of the first T-leg gap in a forward direction, and the second radio frequency switch element is connected to two sides of the second T-leg gap in a reverse direction.

5. The reconfigurable transmission unit according to claim 2, wherein: An isolation capacitor is further provided on the bias circuit, and the isolation capacitor is used to isolate the DC voltage signal between two adjacent reconfigurable transmission units.

6. The reconfigurable transmission unit according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving patch is a first rectangular patch, and two L-shaped gaps symmetrically along the center line are etched on both sides of the first rectangular patch.

7. The reconfigurable transmission unit according to claim 6, wherein: The radiation patch adopts a second rectangular patch, and the second rectangular patch is etched with the π-shaped gap along the long end of the first side.

8. The reconfigurable transmission unit according to claim 1, wherein: The second metal layer is symmetrically provided with a plurality of bias lines, and the metal pillars are connected to different bias lines, thereby transmitting DC signals of different voltages to control the phases of the reconfigurable transmission units connected to different bias lines.

9. The reconfigurable transmission unit according to claim 1, wherein: The length and width of the dielectric layer are both 0.25λ0-0.5λ0, where λ0 is the free space wavelength at a center frequency of 4 GHz.

10. An ultra-thin broadband reconfigurable transmission array, comprising the reconfigurable transmission unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The reconfigurable transmission array is composed of a plurality of the reconfigurable transmission units.

Images