Antenna assemblies and array antennas

Abstract

The application discloses an antenna assembly and an array antenna. The antenna assembly comprises an excitation unit, a plurality of parasitic units and a plurality of connecting units. The excitation unit comprises a feed, an open-circuit stub group and a short-circuit stub group. The open-circuit stub group and the short-circuit stub group are arranged in parallel at the feed. The short-circuit stub group comprises a first stub, a second stub and a short-circuit stub. One end of the first stub and one end of the second stub are connected to the feed. The short-circuit stub is connected between the first stub and the second stub. The plurality of parasitic units are arranged on the circumferential side of the excitation unit and are arranged at intervals between any two adjacent parasitic units. The length of at least part of the parasitic units is adjustable. The parasitic units have geometric center positions. Each connecting unit is connected between the short-circuit stub and the parasitic unit. The antenna assembly can adjust the width of the beam, thereby meeting the scanning coverage of a distant target and a wide field of view nearby. The antenna assembly has the advantages of light weight and small wind resistance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of antenna technology, and more specifically, to an antenna assembly and an array antenna including the antenna assembly. Background Technology

[0002] In low-frequency radar applications on ocean-going vessels, considering factors such as radar size, weight, and wind resistance, antennas are typically designed with a single antenna element or an array of few antenna elements. Therefore, current shipborne low-frequency radars mostly use linear antennas (such as Yagi antennas) to cover radar signals with a fixed beam.

[0003] In related technologies, the width of the elevation beam of a ship's radar determines its effectiveness in searching for air targets, such as... Figure 1 As shown, when the elevation beamwidth of the radar antenna is narrow, the radar can see targets further away, but there is a blind spot for closer targets; when the elevation beamwidth of the radar antenna is wide, the radar has a wider field of view, but the gain is insufficient for distant targets.

[0004] Low-frequency fixed-beam linear antennas, due to their fixed beamwidth on the elevation plane, cannot simultaneously cover both distant targets and a wider field of view at close range. This reduces the ship's scanning range and its ability to observe and identify obstacles and targets in the surrounding area. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in the related art.

[0006] To address this, this invention provides an antenna assembly capable of adjusting the beamwidth to achieve scanning coverage of distant targets and a wider field of view at close range, while also offering advantages such as light weight and low wind resistance.

[0007] This invention also proposes an array antenna including the above-described antenna components.

[0008] The antenna assembly of this invention includes:

[0009] An excitation unit includes a power supply point, an open-circuit section group, and a short-circuit section group. The open-circuit section group and the short-circuit section group are arranged in parallel at the power supply point. The short-circuit section group includes a first branch, a second branch, and a short-circuit branch. The first branch and the second branch are arranged in parallel, and one end of the first branch and one end of the second branch are both connected to the power supply point. One end of the short-circuit branch is connected to the other end of the first branch, and the other end of the short-circuit branch is connected to the other end of the second branch.

[0010] Multiple parasitic units are disposed around the excitation unit, and any two adjacent parasitic units are spaced apart. The length of at least some of the parasitic units is adjustable, and each parasitic unit has a geometric center position.

[0011] Multiple connection units, one end of each connection unit is connected to the short-circuited stub, and the other end of each connection unit is connected to the parasitic unit.

[0012] The antenna assembly of this invention can adjust the beamwidth to meet the scanning coverage of distant targets and a wider field of view at close range, and has the advantages of being lightweight and having low wind resistance.

[0013] In some embodiments, there are multiple short-circuit groups, which are arranged in parallel at the power supply point and are spaced apart circumferentially along the power supply point.

[0014] In some embodiments, the open-circuit section group includes a third branch and a fourth branch, the third branch and the fourth branch being arranged opposite to each other at the power supply point, the third branch being connected to the power supply point and extending to one side of the power supply point, and the fourth branch being connected to the power supply point and extending to the other side of the power supply point.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first branch, the second branch, the short-circuit branch, the third branch, and the fourth branch are located in the same plane.

[0016] In some embodiments, there are multiple open circuit sections, which are arranged in parallel at the power supply point and are spaced apart circumferentially along the power supply point.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first branch includes a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment, the second segment being connected between the first segment and the third segment, and the second branch includes a fourth segment, a fifth segment, and a sixth segment, the fifth segment being connected between the fourth segment and the sixth segment;

[0018] The first segment and the fourth segment are arranged opposite to each other, and the short-circuit stub is connected between the first segment and the fourth segment. The third segment and the sixth segment are arranged opposite to each other, and the power supply point is located between the third segment and the sixth segment. The distance between the first segment and the fourth segment is greater than the distance between the third segment and the sixth segment.

[0019] In some embodiments, the second segment and the fifth segment are arranged opposite to each other, and the distance between the second segment and the fifth segment gradually decreases along the direction closer to the power supply.

[0020] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the parasitic unit is provided with a switch for switching the parasitic unit on and off to adjust the beamwidth of the antenna assembly.

[0021] In some embodiments, the parasitic unit is rod-shaped, strip-shaped, sheet-shaped, ring-shaped, arc-shaped, or hollow;

[0022] And / or, each of the connecting units is connected to the geometric center location of the parasitic unit.

[0023] The array antenna of this invention includes a plurality of antenna components as described in any of the above embodiments, and the plurality of antenna components are arranged in an array. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the current operational status of radar on ships.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the antenna assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the excitation unit.

[0027] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the parasitic unit.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an antenna assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an antenna assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a simulation diagram of the beamwidth switching variation of the antenna assembly of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of an array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure label:

[0033] Antenna assembly 100;

[0034] Excitation unit 1; Power supply unit 11; Open circuit section group 12; Third branch 121; Fourth branch 122; Short circuit section group 13; First branch 131; First segment 1311; Second segment 1312; Third segment 1313; Second branch 132; Fourth segment 1321; Fifth segment 1322; Sixth segment 1323; Short circuit branch 133;

[0035] Parasitic unit 2. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the antenna assembly 100 of this embodiment includes an excitation unit 1, a plurality of parasitic units 2 and a plurality of connection units (not shown).

[0038] The excitation unit 1 includes a power supply 11, an open-circuit section group 12, and a short-circuit section group 13. The power supply 11 is the location where the excitation unit 1 is connected to the feed line. The open-circuit section group 12 and the short-circuit section group 13 are arranged in parallel at the power supply 11. The open-circuit section group 12 can achieve low-frequency matching of the antenna, while the short-circuit section group 13 can improve the antenna gain and radiation efficiency, and can also achieve width matching of the antenna input port.

[0039] The short-circuit section group 13 includes a first branch 131, a second branch 132, and a short-circuit branch 133. One end of the first branch 131 and one end of the second branch 132 are both connected to the power supply point 11. One end of the short-circuit branch 133 is connected to the other end of the first branch 131, and the other end of the short-circuit branch 133 is connected to the other end of the second branch 132.

[0040] For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the first branch 131 and the second branch 132 can both extend generally in the left-right direction. The first branch 131 can be located above the second branch 132, and the right end of the first branch 131 and the right end of the second branch 132 can both be connected to the power supply point 11. The short-circuit branch 133 can extend generally in the up-down direction, and the top end of the short-circuit branch 133 can be connected to the left end of the first branch 131, and the bottom end of the short-circuit branch 133 can be connected to the left end of the second branch 132.

[0041] Multiple parasitic units 2 are disposed around the excitation unit 1, with any two adjacent parasitic units 2 spaced apart. The length of at least some of the parasitic units 2 is adjustable, and each parasitic unit 2 has a geometric center position. For example, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the parasitic unit 2 can be rod-shaped, and the parasitic units 2 can be arranged at intervals along the circumference of the excitation unit 1, and the length of each parasitic unit 2 can be adjusted.

[0042] Specifically, a mechanical telescopic device can be installed on each parasitic unit 2. For example, the mechanical telescopic device may include a first rod and a second rod, which can be inserted and fitted together. In use, the telescopic adjustment of the parasitic unit 2 can be achieved by inserting the first rod into the second rod or pulling the first rod out of the second rod.

[0043] It should be noted that the geometric center of parasitic unit 2 is the same as the center of the parasitic unit 2. For example, when parasitic unit 2 is rod-shaped, the geometric center is the midpoint of parasitic unit 2, and when parasitic unit 2 is annular, the geometric center is the center of the circle.

[0044] The number of connecting units can be the same as the number of parasitic units 2. One end of each connecting unit is connected to the short-circuit stub 133 of the corresponding short-circuit section group 13, and the other end of each connecting unit can be connected to the geometric center of the corresponding parasitic unit 2. The connecting units have no direct impact on the antenna radiation and can serve to support and fix the parasitic unit 2.

[0045] In the antenna assembly 100 of this embodiment, during use, the parasitic unit 2 can be stretched and adjusted to change the shape of the antenna, thereby adjusting the beamwidth of the antenna. This allows the antenna assembly 100 to adjust the beamwidth, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the antenna beam can be switched to a narrow beam or a wide beam. This satisfies the scanning coverage of distant targets and a wide field of view at close range. That is, when scanning different field of view ranges, the overall shape of the antenna assembly 100 can be changed by the extension and retraction of multiple parasitic units 2, so that the antenna assembly 100 can adapt to the scanning needs of detection targets at different distances.

[0046] In addition, the antenna assembly 100 of the present invention also has the advantages of simple overall structure, light weight and low wind resistance, which facilitates the processing of the antenna assembly 100, reduces costs, and facilitates the mass production and popularization of the antenna assembly 100.

[0047] In some embodiments, there are multiple short-circuit groups 13, which are arranged in parallel at the power supply 11 and are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the power supply 11.

[0048] For example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, there can be two short-circuit section groups 13. One short-circuit section group 13 can be located on the left side of the power supply point 11, and the other short-circuit section group 13 can be located on the right side of the power supply point 11. The two short-circuit section groups 13 can be arranged in a mirror symmetrical manner with respect to the power supply point 11.

[0049] It should be noted that, as Figure 3 As shown, the two short-circuit assemblies 13 can be integrally formed, that is, the two first branches 131 of the two short-circuit assemblies 13 can be connected into one piece in the left-right direction, and the two second branches 132 of the two short-circuit assemblies 13 can be connected into one piece in the left-right direction. This enables the integration of the short-circuit assemblies 13, facilitating installation and assembly.

[0050] It is understood that in some other embodiments, the number of short-circuit group 13 may also be three, four, five, six, etc. In this case, multiple short-circuit group 13 can be arranged around the power supply 11 and at intervals along the circumference of the power supply 11.

[0051] In some embodiments, the open-circuit section group 12 includes a third branch 121 and a fourth branch 122, which are arranged opposite to each other at the power supply point 11. The third branch 121 is connected to the power supply point 11 and extends to one side of the power supply point 11, while the fourth branch 122 is connected to the power supply point 11 and extends to the other side of the power supply point 11.

[0052] For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, both the third branch 121 and the fourth branch 122 can be straight rods. The third branch 121 can be connected to the upper side of the feed point 11 and can extend upwards from the feed point 11, while the fourth branch 122 can be connected to the lower side of the feed point 11 and can extend downwards from the feed point 11. The third branch 121 and the fourth branch 122 can be arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to the feed point 11. In use, low-frequency electromagnetic waves can be matched with the third branch 121 and the fourth branch 122, thereby enhancing the scanning and monitoring of low-frequency electromagnetic waves by the antenna assembly 100.

[0053] In some embodiments, the first branch 131, the second branch 132, the short-circuit branch 133, the third branch 121, and the fourth branch 122 are located in the same plane. For example, as... Figure 3 As shown, the open-circuit group 12 and each short-circuit group 13 are located in the same vertical plane, which allows the antenna assembly 100 to have a larger span, thus facilitating the monitoring of a wider scanning range.

[0054] In some embodiments, there are multiple open-circuit segment groups 12, which are arranged in parallel at the feed point 11 and spaced apart circumferentially along the feed point 11. For example, there may be two, three, four, five, or other numbers of open-circuit segment groups 12. The third branches 121 of the multiple open-circuit segment groups 12 may all be connected above the feed point 11 and spaced apart circumferentially, and the fourth branches 122 of the multiple open-circuit segment groups 12 may all be connected below the feed point 11 and spaced apart circumferentially. This can further enhance the matching of low-frequency electromagnetic waves.

[0055] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the first branch 131 includes a first segment 1311, a second segment 1312, and a third segment 1313, all of which can be rod-shaped, with the second segment 1312 connecting the first segment 1311 and the third segment 1313. The second branch 132 includes a fourth segment 1321, a fifth segment 1322, and a sixth segment 1323, all of which can be rod-shaped, with the fifth segment 1322 connecting the fourth segment 1321 and the sixth segment 1323.

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown, the first segment 1311 and the fourth segment 1321 can be arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction, and the short-circuit stub 133 connects the first segment 1311 and the fourth segment 1321. The third segment 1313 and the sixth segment 1323 can be arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction, and the feed point 11 is located between the third segment 1313 and the sixth segment 1323. The vertical spacing between the first segment 1311 and the fourth segment 1321 is greater than the vertical spacing between the third segment 1313 and the sixth segment 1323. This results in a relatively narrow short-circuit stub group 13 near the feed point 11, which helps to ensure impedance matching of the antenna feed and antenna matching within the broadband.

[0057] In some embodiments, the second segment 1312 and the fifth segment 1322 are arranged opposite to each other, and the spacing between the second segment 1312 and the fifth segment 1322 gradually decreases along the direction close to the feed point 11. For example, as Figure 3 As shown, the second segment 1312 and the fifth segment 1322 can be arranged facing each other in the vertical direction. When the short-circuit group 13 is located on the right side of the feed point 11, the distance between the second segment 1312 and the fifth segment 1322 can gradually decrease from right to left. This allows the distance between the first segment 1311 (fourth segment 1321) and the third segment 1313 (sixth segment 1323) to change slowly, avoiding a step-like abrupt change, which is beneficial to the performance stability of the antenna assembly 100 during use.

[0058] In some embodiments, at least some of the parasitic units 2 are provided with switches (not shown), which are used to switch the parasitic units 2 on and off to adjust the beamwidth of the antenna assembly 100. For example, each parasitic unit 2 can be equipped with a switch, which can be a diode, an electronic switch, etc. In use, the on / off state of each parasitic unit 2 can be adjusted by opening and closing the switches. By arranging and combining different on / off states of multiple parasitic units 2, the state of the antenna assembly 100 can be adjusted, and thus the antenna beamwidth can also be adjusted, meeting the scanning needs of the antenna assembly 100 for targets at different distances.

[0059] In some embodiments, the parasitic unit 2 is rod-shaped, strip-shaped, sheet-shaped, ring-shaped, arc-shaped, hollow, etc.

[0060] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, there are multiple parasitic units 2, which can be arranged at circumferential intervals along the excitation unit 1 and only in a circle along the circumference of the excitation unit 1. In other embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, a small number of parasitic units 2 can be arranged on one side of the excitation unit 1, while a larger number of parasitic units 2 can be arranged on the other side of the excitation unit 1. In this case, multiple parasitic units 2 can be arranged in a matrix.

[0061] The array antenna of an embodiment of the present invention is described below.

[0062] The array antenna of this embodiment includes a plurality of antenna components 100, each of which can be the antenna component 100 described in any of the above embodiments, and the plurality of antenna components 100 are arranged in an array. For example, Figure 8 As shown, there can be four antenna components 100, which can be arranged in a 2x2 array. In other embodiments, the array antenna may also include two, three, five, six, seven, or other numbers of antenna components 100. The combination of multiple antenna components 100 can achieve the desired high gain.

[0063] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0064] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0065] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0066] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0067] In this invention, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0068] Although the above embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Any changes, modifications, substitutions and variations made to the above embodiments by those skilled in the art are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An antenna assembly, characterized in that, include: An excitation unit includes a power supply point, an open-circuit section group, and a short-circuit section group. The open-circuit section group and the short-circuit section group are arranged in parallel at the power supply point. The short-circuit section group includes a first branch, a second branch, and a short-circuit branch. The first branch and the second branch are arranged in parallel, and one end of the first branch and one end of the second branch are both connected to the power supply point. One end of the short-circuit branch is connected to the other end of the first branch, and the other end of the short-circuit branch is connected to the other end of the second branch. The open-circuit section group includes a third branch and a fourth branch. The third branch and the fourth branch are arranged opposite to each other at the power supply point. The third branch is connected to the power supply point and extends to one side of the power supply point, and the fourth branch is connected to the power supply point and extends to the other side of the power supply point. The first branch, the second branch, the short-circuit branch, the third branch, and the fourth branch are located in the same plane. Multiple parasitic units are disposed around the excitation unit, and any two adjacent parasitic units are spaced apart. The length of at least some of the parasitic units is adjustable, and each parasitic unit has a geometric center position. Multiple connection units, one end of each connection unit is connected to the short-circuited stub, and the other end of each connection unit is connected to the parasitic unit.

2. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple short-circuit sections, which are arranged in parallel at the power supply point and are spaced apart circumferentially along the power supply point.

3. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple open circuit sections, which are arranged in parallel at the power supply point and are spaced apart circumferentially along the power supply point.

4. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first branch includes a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment; the second segment is connected between the first segment and the third segment; the second branch includes a fourth segment, a fifth segment, and a sixth segment; the fifth segment is connected between the fourth segment and the sixth segment. The first segment and the fourth segment are arranged opposite to each other, and the short-circuit stub is connected between the first segment and the fourth segment. The third segment and the sixth segment are arranged opposite to each other, and the power supply point is located between the third segment and the sixth segment. The distance between the first segment and the fourth segment is greater than the distance between the third segment and the sixth segment.

5. The antenna assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second segment and the fifth segment are arranged opposite to each other, and the distance between the second segment and the fifth segment gradually decreases along the direction closer to the power supply point.

6. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least some of the parasitic units are provided with switches, which are used to switch the parasitic units on and off to adjust the beamwidth of the antenna assembly.

7. The antenna assembly according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The parasitic unit is rod-shaped, strip-shaped, sheet-shaped, ring-shaped, arc-shaped, or hollow; And / or, each of the connecting units is connected to the geometric center location of the parasitic unit.

8. An array antenna, characterized in that, It includes a plurality of antenna components as described in any one of claims 1-7 above, and the plurality of antenna components are arranged in an array.

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