A millimeter wave antenna

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of millimeter-wave radar and discloses a millimeter-wave antenna. The millimeter-wave antenna of this invention includes a feed line and multiple antenna elements connected to the feed line. The multiple antenna elements include a feed-end antenna element and a terminal antenna element connected to the feed line's feed end and end, as well as one or more trapezoidal antenna elements. The millimeter-wave antenna of this invention has a wide antenna bandwidth; the antenna linear arrays can be very close together, which is beneficial for selecting smaller element spacing during antenna linear array layout design. Furthermore, when forming a planar array, reducing the spacing between adjacent antenna linear arrays can reduce the lateral dimension of the antenna planar array.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of millimeter-wave radar, and particularly to a millimeter-wave antenna. Background Technology

[0002] Millimeter-wave radar, due to its long detection range, high detection accuracy, and strong angular resolution, has become a primary sensor in ADAS systems. Among its components, the antenna, as a crucial element, has always been a key design focus. Currently, microstrip antennas are widely used in millimeter-wave radar due to their low cost and ease of integration; however, the stability and consistency of antenna performance directly impact the cost and production efficiency of millimeter-wave radar. Therefore, designing antennas that are easy to manufacture and have stable performance is a key design priority for millimeter-wave radar antennas.

[0003] In existing technologies, traditional comb antennas have relatively narrow bandwidths and require strict control over antenna size tolerances and EA values ​​for interior and exterior angles, which is not conducive to mass production of antennas and the control of antenna performance consistency.

[0004] Therefore, a new millimeter-wave antenna is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a millimeter-wave antenna in an attempt to solve or at least alleviate the problems mentioned above.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a millimeter-wave antenna is provided, comprising: a feed line and a plurality of antenna elements connected to the feed line, wherein the plurality of antenna elements includes a feed-end antenna element and a terminal antenna element connected to a feed end and a terminal antenna element connected to the feed line, and one or more trapezoidal antenna elements.

[0007] Optionally, in the millimeter-wave antenna according to the present invention, the feed-end antenna element and the end antenna element are rectangular patches.

[0008] Optionally, in the millimeter-wave antenna according to the present invention, the trapezoidal antenna element includes an isosceles trapezoidal patch, an upper rectangular patch, and a lower rectangular patch. The upper rectangular patch and the lower rectangular patch have the same length. The width of the upper rectangular patch is the same as the width of the upper base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch and is connected to the upper base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch. The width of the lower rectangular patch is the same as the width of the lower base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch and is connected to the lower base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch.

[0009] Optionally, in the millimeter-wave antenna according to the present invention, the lengths of the upper rectangular patch and the lower rectangular patch range from 0.16 mm to 0.24 mm.

[0010] Optionally, in the millimeter-wave antenna according to the invention, in one or more trapezoidal antenna elements, the lower base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch in each trapezoidal antenna element is the same as the first included angle between the two sides.

[0011] Optionally, in the millimeter-wave antenna according to the invention, each antenna element has the same second included angle with the feed line, the second included angle ranging from 45° to 90°.

[0012] Optionally, in the millimeter-wave antenna according to the present invention, the plurality of antenna elements further includes a center antenna element, which is a rectangular patch.

[0013] Optionally, in the millimeter-wave antenna according to the present invention, if the feed line connects an odd number of m antenna elements, the median antenna element is the (m+1) / 2th antenna element; if the feed line connects an even number of m antenna elements, the median antenna element is the m / 2th and m / 2+1th antenna elements.

[0014] Optionally, in the millimeter-wave antenna according to the present invention, the feed network connects to multiple antenna arrays through multiple output ports, each output port is connected to one antenna array, the multiple antenna arrays connected by the feed network constitute an antenna array, and the feed network is adapted to change the current amplitude and phase output by each output port so that the current amplitude of the antenna array connected to each output port satisfies the corresponding distribution.

[0015] Optionally, in the millimeter-wave antenna according to the invention, the feed line is also adapted to control the phase of the current fed into each antenna element by adjusting the distance between each antenna element, so that the antenna array radiates in a specific direction.

[0016] This invention discloses a millimeter-wave antenna comprising a feed line and multiple antenna elements connected to the feed line. The multiple antenna elements include a feed-end antenna element and a terminal antenna element connected to the feed line's feed end and end, and one or more trapezoidal antenna elements. The millimeter-wave antenna of this invention has a wide bandwidth; the antenna arrays can be very close together, which is advantageous for selecting smaller element spacing during antenna array layout design. Furthermore, when forming a planar array, reducing the spacing between adjacent antenna arrays can reduce the lateral dimension of the antenna array. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To achieve the foregoing and related objectives, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in conjunction with the following description and accompanying drawings. These aspects indicate various ways in which the principles disclosed herein may be practiced, and all aspects and their equivalents are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed subject matter. The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout this disclosure, the same reference numerals generally refer to the same parts or elements.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an antenna array according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a trapezoidal antenna array element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an antenna array according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an antenna linear array according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an antenna linear array according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the antenna orientation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0024] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing scattering parameters according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0025] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a tiny array element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals generally refer to the same parts or elements.

[0027] Millimeter-wave radar, due to its long detection range, high detection accuracy, and strong angular resolution, has become a primary sensor in ADAS systems. Among its components, the antenna, as a crucial element, has always been a key design focus. Currently, microstrip antennas are widely used in millimeter-wave radar due to their low cost and ease of integration; however, the stability and consistency of antenna performance directly impact the cost and production efficiency of millimeter-wave radar. Therefore, designing antennas that are easy to manufacture and have stable performance is a key design priority for millimeter-wave radar antennas.

[0028] In existing technologies, traditional comb antennas have relatively narrow bandwidths and require strict control over antenna size tolerances and EA values ​​for interior and exterior angles, which is not conducive to mass production of antennas and the control of antenna performance consistency.

[0029] Therefore, the present invention provides a millimeter-wave antenna with wide bandwidth, good antenna performance stability and consistency, and also overcomes the problem of strict requirements for the inner and outer angle EA values ​​during processing.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the millimeter-wave antenna of the present invention includes a feed line and a plurality of antenna elements connected to the feed line, which together form an antenna linear array. The plurality of antenna elements are distributed on both sides of the feed line at a preset spacing, and the preset spacing between every two antenna elements may be the same or different.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a feed line (K) and a plurality of antenna elements connected to the feed line can be arranged on a dielectric substrate (S). Each antenna element can be implemented as a patch, wherein the feed-end antenna element and the terminal antenna element can be implemented as a rectangular patch, and the trapezoidal antenna element can be implemented as a trapezoidal patch.

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an antenna linear array according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, as follows. Figure 1 As shown, the millimeter-wave antenna includes a feed line 101, with an antenna element 102 at the feed end and an antenna element 111 at the end of the feed line 101, namely, the feed-end antenna element 102 and the end antenna element 111. The feed-end antenna element 102 and the end antenna element 111 are rectangular patches, which can be denoted as Rs and Rm, respectively.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when actually setting up an antenna array, the number of antenna array elements (m) that can be connected by the feed line is not less than 3, that is, m≥3, and there are m-2 trapezoidal antenna array elements between the feed end antenna array element (Rs) and the end antenna array element (Rm).

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, between the feed antenna element 102 and the terminal antenna element 111, there are multiple trapezoidal antenna elements 103-110 along the feed line 101. The multiple trapezoidal antenna elements 103-110 have similar shapes but different widths. Each trapezoidal antenna element consists of an isosceles trapezoid and two rectangles with the same width as the base of the trapezoid.

[0035] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a trapezoidal antenna array element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2As shown, the trapezoidal antenna element includes an isosceles trapezoidal patch (D) and two upper rectangular patches (Dk) and a lower rectangular patch (Dm), each with the same width as the upper and lower bases of the isosceles trapezoidal patch. The upper and lower rectangular patches have the same length (L). According to one embodiment of the invention, the lengths of the upper and lower rectangular patches can specifically range from 0.16mm to 0.24mm. The upper base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch is the shorter base and is connected to the upper rectangular patch, while the lower base is the longer base and is connected to the lower rectangular patch. The widths of the upper and lower rectangular patches are parallel to the base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch.

[0036] Back Figure 1 In trapezoidal antenna elements 103-110, the lower base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch in each trapezoidal antenna element has the same first angle (Theta) as the two sides. According to one embodiment of the invention, the angle range can specifically be 70°-80°. The isosceles trapezoidal patches in every two trapezoidal antenna elements are similar trapezoids. The trapezoidal antenna elements are connected to the feed line through an upper rectangular patch. The second angle between each antenna element and the feed line is the same, that is, the second angle (phi) between the central axis perpendicular to the two bases of each isosceles trapezoidal patch and the feed line is equal, and is the same as the second angle between the long side of the feed-end antenna element and the terminal antenna element and the feed line. The long side of the feed-end antenna element and the terminal antenna element refers to the side that connects to the feed line and forms an angle. According to one embodiment of the invention, the range of the second angle can specifically be 45°-90°. Figure 1 As shown, the second angle between the feed antenna element and the end antenna element and the feed line is the same as the second angle between the trapezoidal antenna element and the feed line. Figure 1 The second included angle shown is 90°.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the length of the longer side of the feed antenna element and the terminal antenna element is less than the total length of the trapezoidal antenna element. The total length of the trapezoidal antenna element is the sum of the height (h) of the isosceles trapezoidal patch and the length (L) of the two rectangular patches (upper rectangular patch and lower rectangular patch) whose two bases are connected. The height of the isosceles trapezoidal patch is the distance between the upper and lower bases of the isosceles trapezoidal patch. The total length of the trapezoidal antenna element = height (h) of the isosceles trapezoidal patch + length (L) of the upper rectangular patch + length (L) of the lower rectangular patch, that is, the total length of the trapezoidal antenna element = h + 2L.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the antenna array elements connected to the feed line are alternately distributed on both sides of the feed line. The present invention adjusts the current amplitude fed into these antennas by controlling the width (w) of the upper base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch and the width of the rectangular antenna array elements (feed end antenna array elements and terminal antenna array elements) so that the current amplitude follows a specific distribution, thereby achieving effective suppression of sidelobes.

[0039] Specifically, the width (w) of the upper base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch is also the width of the upper rectangular patch. The wider the width (w) and the width of the rectangular patch, the greater the current fed into the antenna elements. By adjusting the width of these antenna elements, the magnitude of the current fed into each antenna element can be controlled, allowing the current of the antenna elements to follow a specific distribution from the center to both sides. For example, if the main lobe-to-side lobe level ratio of the antenna is required to be SLL, then the current amplitude ratio of each element from the center to both sides (with the center antenna element as the middle position, and the antenna elements symmetrical left and right) that meets the main lobe-to-side lobe level ratio SLL requirement is first calculated using Chebyshev polynomials. The impedances of the corresponding antenna elements satisfy I1*R1=I2*R2=...=Ii*Ri, where Ii represents the current amplitude fed into the i-th antenna element and Ri represents the impedance of the i-th antenna element. The impedance ratio of the corresponding elements can be calculated. After determining the narrowest element width that is easy to manufacture, the impedance of the narrowest element is calculated using the characteristic impedance calculation formula of microstrip lines. Then, the impedance of each element can be calculated by combining the calculated impedance ratio of each element. Finally, the width of each element can be calculated using the characteristic impedance calculation formula of microstrip lines, thereby controlling the width of each element to adjust the current amplitude fed into these antennas.

[0040] The present invention also adjusts the resonant frequency of the antenna array elements by changing the length of the antenna array elements and widens the bandwidth of the antenna; the present invention also adjusts the phase of the feed antenna array elements by adjusting the distance between these antenna array elements, thereby realizing the control of the antenna beam pointing.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the millimeter-wave antenna of the present invention can maintain the length (L) of the two rectangular patches in each trapezoidal antenna element and the first angle (Theta) between the lower base and the two sides of the isosceles trapezoidal patch unchanged. The resonant frequency of the antenna array can be adjusted by adjusting the height (h) of the isosceles trapezoidal patch (D) and the lengths (Rs and Rm) of the rectangular patches at both ends of the feed line. Since the antenna needs to radiate electromagnetic waves of a specific frequency, the length of its array elements must be in a certain proportion to the wavelength at that frequency. Therefore, the longer the height (h) and the lengths (Rs and Rm) are, the lower the resonant frequency, and the shorter the lengths are, the higher the resonant frequency.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the millimeter-wave antenna of the present invention can control the current amplitude fed into each antenna element by adjusting the width (w) of the upper rectangular patch (Dk) in each trapezoidal antenna element and the width of the two rectangular patches (Rs and Rm) at both ends of the feed line, so that it conforms to a specific distribution (e.g., Chebyshev distribution, Taylor distribution, triangular distribution, etc.), thereby achieving effective control of the sidelobe level in the elevation direction.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, by adjusting the distance between each antenna element and controlling the phase of the current fed into each antenna element, the antenna array radiates in the desired direction, so that the beam pointing of the antenna in the elevation direction presents a specific angle in the elevation direction, thereby further realizing the M-element antenna linear array of the present invention.

[0044] Since electromagnetic waves propagate periodically in the feed line (i.e., microstrip line), when the feed line length is equal to the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave at that frequency in the medium corresponding to that microstrip line, the phase of the electromagnetic wave at the start and end of the feed line is the same (i.e., exactly one cycle, with a phase difference of 360°). Therefore, the phase of the current at the end of the feed line can be controlled by using the length of the feed line between adjacent array elements (i.e., the element spacing).

[0045] Furthermore, the reflection of electromagnetic waves at the connection between the feed line and each array element will also affect the phase of the current fed into each antenna array element. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the array element spacing and the reflection at the connection between the feed line and the array element to adjust the phase of the current fed into each array element, so as to achieve phase weighting of each array element and achieve the purpose of controlling the beam pointing of the antenna in elevation.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention further constructs a sub-feed network based on multiple antenna linear arrays; wherein the sub-feed network connects multiple antenna linear arrays through multiple output ports, and each output port connects to one antenna linear array, that is, the sub-feed network is a one-to-many (N) sub-feed network, connected to N antenna linear arrays. The present invention can effectively control the sidelobe level in the horizontal direction by controlling the current amplitude and phase output by each output port of the sub-feed network, so that the current amplitude of the antenna linear array connected to each output port satisfies a specified distribution (e.g., Chebyshev distribution, Taylor distribution, triangular distribution, etc.), thereby making the current phase meet specific requirements, and further achieving effective control of the beam pointing in the horizontal direction, constructing an M*N element antenna array, which includes N antenna linear arrays, and each antenna linear array includes M antenna elements.

[0047] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an antenna array according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 The antenna array shown is a 10*2 element antenna array, which includes two antenna linear arrays, each of which includes 10 antenna elements.

[0048] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the antenna orientation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided. Figure 6 As shown, for Figure 3 The antenna array shown was tested, and the results were as follows: Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the antenna direction.

[0049] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating scattering parameters according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. For example... Figure 7 As shown, for Figure 7 The antenna array shown was tested, and the results were as follows: Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the scattering parameters (S) shown.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the millimeter-wave antenna of the present invention includes a feed line and a plurality of antenna elements connected to the feed line. In actual antenna array configuration, the number (m) of antenna elements that the feed line can connect to is not less than 5, i.e., m≥5. When the number of antenna elements connected to the feed line is odd, i.e., when the feed line connects to an odd number of antenna elements, the plurality of antenna elements are distributed on both sides of the feed line according to a preset spacing, and the preset spacing between every two antenna elements can be the same or different. There is one antenna element at the feed end and one at the end of the feed line, i.e., the feed end antenna element and the end antenna element. The feed end antenna element and the end antenna element are rectangular patches, which can be denoted as Rs and Rm, respectively. The median antenna element connected to the feed line, i.e., the median number of antenna elements connected to the feed line, is also a rectangular patch, which can be denoted as Rz0. If the number of antenna elements connected to the feed line is an odd number m, then the median antenna element is the (m+1) / 2th antenna element connected to the feed line.

[0051] Between the feed antenna element (Rs) and the terminal antenna element (Rm), there are m-3 trapezoidal antenna elements. Each trapezoidal antenna element includes an isosceles trapezoidal patch (D) and two upper rectangular patches (Dk) and lower rectangular patches (Dm), each with the same width as the upper and lower bases of the isosceles trapezoidal patch. The upper and lower rectangular patches have the same length (L). According to one embodiment of the invention, the lengths of the upper and lower rectangular patches can specifically range from 0.16mm to 0.24mm. The upper base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch is the shorter base and is connected to the upper rectangular patch, while the lower base is the longer base and is connected to the lower rectangular patch. The widths of the upper and lower rectangular patches are parallel to the bases of the isosceles trapezoidal patch.

[0052] In each of the multiple trapezoidal antenna elements, the lower base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch is the same as the first included angle (Theta) between the two sides. According to one embodiment of the invention, the angle range can specifically be 70°-80°. The isosceles trapezoidal patches in every two trapezoidal antenna elements are similar trapezoids. The trapezoidal antenna elements are connected to the feed line via an upper rectangular patch. The second included angle between each antenna element and the feed line is the same, that is, the second included angle (phi) between the central axis perpendicular to the two base sides of each isosceles trapezoidal patch and the feed line is equal to the second included angle between the long side of the feed-end antenna element and the end antenna element and the feed line. The long side of the feed-end antenna element and the end antenna element refers to the side that connects to the feed line and forms an included angle. According to one embodiment of the invention, the range of the second included angle can specifically be 45°-90°.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the length of the longer side of the feed antenna element and the terminal antenna element is less than the total length of the trapezoidal antenna element. The total length of the trapezoidal antenna element is the sum of the height (h) of the isosceles trapezoidal patch and the length (L) of the two rectangular patches (upper rectangular patch and lower rectangular patch) whose two bases are connected. The height of the isosceles trapezoidal patch is the distance between the upper and lower bases of the isosceles trapezoidal patch. The total length of the trapezoidal antenna element = height (h) of the isosceles trapezoidal patch + length (L) of the upper rectangular patch + length (L) of the lower rectangular patch, that is, the total length of the trapezoidal antenna element = h + 2L.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the millimeter-wave antenna of the present invention includes a feed line and a plurality of antenna elements connected to the feed line. In actual antenna array configuration, the number (m) of antenna elements that the feed line can connect to is not less than 5, i.e., m≥5. When the number of antenna elements connected to the feed line is even, i.e., when the feed line connects to an even number of antenna elements, the plurality of antenna elements are distributed on both sides of the feed line according to a preset spacing, and the preset spacing between every two antenna elements can be the same or different. There is one antenna element at the feed end and one at the end of the feed line, i.e., the feed end antenna element and the end antenna element. The feed end antenna element and the end antenna element are rectangular patches, which can be denoted as Rs and Rm, respectively. The median antenna element connected to the feed line, i.e., the median number of antenna elements connected to the feed line in sequence, is also a rectangular patch, which can be denoted as Rz1 and Rz2. If the number of antenna elements connected to the feed line is an even number m, then the median antenna element is the m / 2th and m / 2+1th antenna elements connected.

[0055] Between the feed antenna element (Rs) and the terminal antenna element (Rm), there are m-3 trapezoidal antenna elements. Each trapezoidal antenna element includes an isosceles trapezoidal patch (D) and two upper rectangular patches (Dk) and lower rectangular patches (Dm), each with the same width as the upper and lower bases of the isosceles trapezoidal patch. The upper and lower rectangular patches have the same length (L). According to one embodiment of the invention, the lengths of the upper and lower rectangular patches can specifically range from 0.16mm to 0.24mm. The upper base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch is the shorter base and is connected to the upper rectangular patch, while the lower base is the longer base and is connected to the lower rectangular patch. The widths of the upper and lower rectangular patches are parallel to the bases of the isosceles trapezoidal patch.

[0056] In each of the multiple trapezoidal antenna elements, the lower base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch is the same as the first included angle (Theta) between the two sides. According to one embodiment of the invention, the angle range can specifically be 70°-80°. The isosceles trapezoidal patches in every two trapezoidal antenna elements are similar trapezoids. The trapezoidal antenna elements are connected to the feed line via an upper rectangular patch. The second included angle between each antenna element and the feed line is the same, that is, the second included angle (phi) between the central axis perpendicular to the two base sides of each isosceles trapezoidal patch and the feed line is equal to the second included angle between the long side of the feed-end antenna element and the end antenna element and the feed line. The long side of the feed-end antenna element and the end antenna element refers to the side that connects to the feed line and forms an included angle. According to one embodiment of the invention, the range of the second included angle can specifically be 45°-90°.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the length of the longer side of the feed antenna element and the terminal antenna element is less than the total length of the trapezoidal antenna element. The total length of the trapezoidal antenna element is the sum of the height (h) of the isosceles trapezoidal patch and the length (L) of the two rectangular patches (upper rectangular patch and lower rectangular patch) whose two bases are connected. The height of the isosceles trapezoidal patch is the distance between the upper and lower bases of the isosceles trapezoidal patch. The total length of the trapezoidal antenna element = height (h) of the isosceles trapezoidal patch + length (L) of the upper rectangular patch + length (L) of the lower rectangular patch, that is, the total length of the trapezoidal antenna element = h + 2L.

[0058] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an antenna linear array according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 As shown, the antenna array includes an even number of antenna elements, specifically 8 antenna elements. Among them, 4 antenna elements are the feed-end antenna elements and the end-path antenna elements. The middle antenna elements connected to the feed line, i.e., the middle number of antenna elements connected to the feed line in sequence, are also rectangular patches, which can be denoted as Rz1 and Rz2. That is, the 4th and 5th antenna elements are the middle antenna elements, which are also rectangular patches.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the antenna elements connected to the feed line are alternately distributed on both sides of the feed line. The present invention adjusts the current amplitude fed into these antennas by controlling the width (w) of the upper base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch and the width of the rectangular antenna elements (feed-end antenna elements and terminal antenna elements), so that the current amplitude follows a specific distribution, thereby achieving effective suppression of sidelobes; and adjusts the resonant frequency of the antenna elements by changing the length of the antenna elements, thereby widening the bandwidth of the antenna; the present invention also adjusts the phase of the fed antenna elements by adjusting the distance between these antenna elements, thereby achieving control of the antenna beam pointing.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the millimeter-wave antenna of the present invention can keep the length (L) of the two rectangular patches in each trapezoidal antenna element and the first angle (Theta) between the lower base and the two sides of the isosceles trapezoidal patch unchanged, and adjust the resonant frequency of the antenna array by adjusting the height (h) of the isosceles trapezoidal patch (D) and the length of the rectangular patches (Rs and Rm) at both ends of the feed line.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the millimeter-wave antenna of the present invention can control the current amplitude fed into each antenna element by adjusting the width (w) of the upper rectangular patch (Dk) in each trapezoidal antenna element and the width of the two rectangular patches (Rs and Rm) at both ends of the feed line, so that it conforms to a specific distribution (e.g., Chebyshev distribution, Taylor distribution, triangular distribution, etc.), thereby achieving effective control of the sidelobe level in the elevation direction.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the present invention, by adjusting the distance between each antenna element and controlling the phase of the current fed into each antenna element, the antenna array radiates in the desired direction, so that the beam pointing of the antenna in the elevation direction presents a specific angle in the elevation direction, thereby further realizing the M-element antenna linear array of the present invention.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention further constructs a sub-feed network based on multiple antenna linear arrays; wherein the sub-feed network connects multiple antenna linear arrays through multiple output ports, and each output port connects to one antenna linear array, that is, the sub-feed network is a one-to-many (N) sub-feed network, connected to N antenna linear arrays. The present invention can effectively control the sidelobe level in the horizontal direction by controlling the current amplitude and phase output by each output port of the sub-feed network, so that the current amplitude of the antenna linear array connected to each output port satisfies a specified distribution (e.g., Chebyshev distribution, Taylor distribution, triangular distribution, etc.), thereby making the current phase meet specific requirements, and further achieving effective control of the beam pointing in the horizontal direction, constructing an M*N element antenna array, which includes N antenna linear arrays, and each antenna linear array includes M antenna elements.

[0064] Figure 5A schematic diagram of an antenna linear array according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 As shown, the antenna array includes an even number of antenna elements, specifically 8 antenna elements. Four of these are feed-end antenna elements and terminal antenna elements. The median antenna element connected to the feed line (i.e., the median number of antenna elements connected to the feed line) is also a rectangular patch, denoted as Rz1 and Rz2. The 4th and 5th antenna elements are the median antenna elements, also rectangular patches. The second angle (phi) between each antenna element and the feed line is set to 60°.

[0065] The millimeter-wave antenna of this invention offers a wide bandwidth. Its rectangular patch design overcomes the problem of narrow end elements hindering fabrication, and it exhibits good antenna performance stability and consistency. The millimeter-wave antenna of this invention also features a wide bandwidth; the antenna linear arrays can be positioned very close together, which facilitates the selection of smaller element spacing during antenna linear array layout design. Furthermore, by reducing the spacing between adjacent antenna linear arrays when forming a planar array, the lateral dimension of the antenna planar array can be reduced.

[0066] A trapezoidal antenna array element can be viewed as being composed of multiple tiny array elements of unequal lengths perpendicular to the base of a trapezoid. Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a tiny array element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0067] like Figure 8 As shown, each micro-element of different length corresponds to a resonant frequency. Multiple micro-elements of different lengths will have multiple different resonant frequencies. The combination of these different resonant frequencies broadens the bandwidth. The EA value primarily affects the length of the micro-elements in the trapezoidal antenna array. Changes in the length of these micro-elements affect their corresponding resonant frequencies, thus affecting the resonant frequency of the entire trapezoidal antenna array, and further affecting the resonant frequency of the entire antenna array. However, because the trapezoidal antenna array broadens the bandwidth of the antenna array, for the same operating frequency band (i.e., the frequency range required for the antenna to operate, where the antenna's operating bandwidth is less than its actual bandwidth), the wider the actual bandwidth of the antenna, the greater the allowable range of antenna resonant frequency variation, and consequently, the greater the range of EA value variation.

[0068] Therefore, the antenna of the present invention has a high tolerance for the square corner value (EA value) of the inner and outer angles, which is beneficial to the antenna manufacturing process. At the same time, it is easy to measure the size of the antenna, thereby effectively controlling the stability and consistency of the antenna performance.

[0069] Numerous specific details are set forth in the specification provided herein. However, it will be understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0070] Similarly, it should be understood that, in order to streamline this disclosure and aid in understanding one or more of the various aspects of the invention, in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. However, this method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the following claims, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, wherein each claim itself is a separate embodiment of the invention.

[0071] Those skilled in the art will understand that the modules, units, or groups of devices in the examples disclosed herein can be arranged in the device as described in this embodiment, or alternatively, can be located in one or more devices different from the device in this example. The modules in the foregoing examples can be combined into a single module or, in addition, can be divided into multiple sub-modules.

[0072] Those skilled in the art will understand that modules in the device of the embodiments can be adaptively changed and placed in one or more devices different from that embodiment. Modules, units, or groups in the embodiments can be combined into a single module, unit, or group, and further, they can be divided into multiple sub-modules, sub-units, or sub-groups. Except where at least some of such features and / or processes or units are mutually exclusive, any combination can be used to combine all features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and all processes or units of any method or device so disclosed. Unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature that serves the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

[0073] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments.

[0074] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal numbers such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to describe ordinary objects merely indicates different instances of similar objects and is not intended to imply that the objects being described must have a given order in time, space, ordering, or any other manner.

[0075] Although the invention has been described with reference to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand from the foregoing description that other embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the invention described herein. Furthermore, it should be noted that the language used in this specification has been chosen primarily for readability and instructional purposes, and not for the purpose of interpreting or limiting the subject matter of the invention. Therefore, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. The disclosure of the invention is illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A millimeter wave antenna, comprising: A feed line and multiple antenna elements connected to the feed line, wherein the multiple antenna elements include a feed-end antenna element and an end antenna element connected to the feed end and the end of the feed line, and one or more trapezoidal antenna elements; the trapezoidal antenna elements include an isosceles trapezoidal patch, an upper rectangular patch and a lower rectangular patch, the upper rectangular patch and the lower rectangular patch having the same length, the width of the upper rectangular patch being the same as the width of the upper base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch, and being connected to the upper base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch; the width of the lower rectangular patch being the same as the width of the lower base of the isosceles trapezoid, and being connected to the lower base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch; The length of the long side of the feed antenna element and the terminal antenna element is less than the total length of the trapezoidal antenna element. The total length of the trapezoidal antenna element is the sum of the height of the isosceles trapezoidal patch and the length of the upper rectangular patch and the length of the lower rectangular patch. The height of the isosceles trapezoidal patch is the distance between the upper and lower bases of the isosceles trapezoidal patch. The plurality of antenna array elements also includes a center antenna array element, which is a rectangular patch; if the feed line connects an odd number of m antenna array elements, then the center antenna array element is the (m+1) / 2th antenna array element; if the feed line connects an even number of m antenna array elements, then the center antenna array element is the m / 2th and m / 2+1th antenna array elements; The current fed into each antenna array element and the impedance of the corresponding antenna array element satisfy , Ii represents the current amplitude fed into the i-th antenna array element, and Ri represents the impedance of the i-th antenna array element.

2. The millimeter-wave antenna as described in claim 1, wherein, The feed-end antenna array element and the end antenna array element are rectangular patches.

3. The millimeter-wave antenna as described in claim 2, wherein, The lengths of the upper and lower rectangular patches range from 0.16mm to 0.24mm.

4. The millimeter-wave antenna as described in claim 2, wherein, In the one or more trapezoidal antenna elements, the lower base of the isosceles trapezoidal patch in each trapezoidal antenna element is the same as the first included angle between the two sides.

5. The millimeter-wave antenna as described in claim 1, wherein, Each antenna element has the same second included angle with the feed line, and the second included angle ranges from 45° to 90°.

6. The millimeter-wave antenna as described in claim 1, wherein, The feeder network connects to multiple antenna arrays through multiple output ports, with each output port connected to one antenna array. The multiple antenna arrays connected by the feeder network constitute an antenna array. The feeder network is adapted to change the current amplitude and phase output from each output port so that the current amplitude of the antenna array connected to each output port meets the corresponding distribution.

7. The millimeter-wave antenna as described in claim 1, wherein, The feed line is also adapted to control the phase of the current fed into each antenna element by adjusting the distance between each antenna element, so that the antenna array radiates in a specific direction.

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