Antennas and antenna systems

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an antenna and an antenna system, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The antenna comprises a feeding network and a plurality of antenna units electrically connected with the feeding network; the feeding network comprises n-order transmission components, the number of each order of transmission components is 2 n‑1 When n=1, the first transmission line and the second transmission line of each transmission component are respectively electrically connected with two different antenna units; when n>1, the first transmission line and the second transmission line of the transmission component located at the n-order are respectively connected with two antenna units, and the antenna units connected by the first transmission line and the second transmission line are different; the first transmission line and the second transmission line of the transmission component located at the i-order are respectively electrically connected with two different main paths located at the i+1-order, and the main paths connected by each first transmission line and each second transmission line are different; wherein, 1≤i The transmission component also comprises a phase shift unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure belongs to the field of communication technology, and specifically relates to an antenna and an antenna system. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of communications, traditional massive MIMO or phased array antennas, considering factors such as cost, size, and power consumption, typically employ antenna subarrays. Each phase shifter controls two or more antenna elements, forming an antenna subarray, which is then combined with different numbers of subarrays to create the final array antenna. For example... Figure 1 As shown, in this architecture, the antenna unit, phase shifting unit, and feed network are relatively independent. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and to provide an antenna and antenna system.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide an antenna comprising: a feed network and a plurality of antenna elements electrically connected to the feed network; the feed network includes n-order transmission components, wherein the number of transmission components in each order is 2. n-1 There are n components; n ≥ 1, and n is an integer; each of the transmission components includes a first power supply unit, a first transmission line, and a second transmission line; the first power supply unit has a main path, a first branch path, and a second branch path, and both the first branch path and the second branch path are electrically connected to the main path path; the first branch path of the transmission component is electrically connected to the first transmission line, and the second branch path is electrically connected to the second transmission line path.

[0005] When n=1, the first transmission line and the second transmission line of each of the transmission components are electrically connected to two different antenna elements, and the antenna elements connected to each of the first transmission lines and each of the second transmission lines are different.

[0006] When n > 1, the first and second transmission lines of the transmission component at the nth order are electrically connected to two different antenna elements, and the antenna elements connected to each first transmission line and each second transmission line are different; the first and second transmission lines of the transmission component at the i-th order are electrically connected to two different main paths at the (i+1)-th order, and the main paths connected to each first transmission line and each second transmission line are different; where 1 ≤ i < n, and i is an integer; where...

[0007] At least a portion of the transmission components further includes a phase-shifting unit; for a transmission component including a phase-shifting unit, the two ends of the first trunk line of the phase-shifting unit are electrically connected to the first branch and the first transmission line, respectively, and the two ends of the second trunk line are electrically connected to the second branch and the second transmission line, respectively.

[0008] The phase-shifting unit further includes a first dielectric substrate and a second dielectric substrate disposed opposite to each other, a plurality of patch electrodes disposed at intervals, and an adjustable dielectric layer;

[0009] The adjustable dielectric layer in the phase-shifting unit is disposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate; the first trunk line and the second trunk line are disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate near the adjustable dielectric layer; the patch electrode is disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate near the adjustable dielectric layer.

[0010] In the phase-shifting unit, a plurality of patch electrodes are arranged side by side in the extension direction of the first trunk line, and both the first trunk line and the second trunk line overlap at least with the orthographic projection of the plurality of patch electrodes on the first dielectric substrate.

[0011] The phase-shifting unit further includes a first dielectric substrate and a second dielectric substrate disposed opposite to each other, a first branch, a second branch, and an adjustable dielectric layer;

[0012] The adjustable dielectric layer in the phase-shifting unit is disposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate; the first trunk line and the first branch are disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate near the adjustable dielectric layer, and the second trunk line and the second branch are disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate near the adjustable dielectric layer; the first branch is connected to the side of the extension direction of the first trunk line, and the second branch is connected to the side of the extension direction of the second trunk line.

[0013] For one of the phase-shifting units, the orthographic projections of one of the first branches and one of the second branches on the first dielectric substrate at least partially overlap, defining an overlapping region, and the overlapping region is located between the orthographic projections of the first trunk line and the second trunk line on the first dielectric substrate.

[0014] The phase-shifting unit further includes a first dielectric substrate and a second dielectric substrate disposed opposite to each other, as well as a first sub-reference electrode, a second sub-reference electrode, a third sub-reference electrode, a plurality of spaced-apart patch electrodes and an adjustable dielectric layer.

[0015] The tunable dielectric layer in the phase-shifting unit is disposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate; the first sub-reference electrode, the second sub-reference electrode, the third sub-reference electrode, the first trunk line, and the second trunk line are disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate near the tunable dielectric layer; the first trunk line is located between the first sub-reference electrode and the second sub-reference electrode, and the second trunk line is located between the second sub-reference electrode and the third sub-reference electrode; the patch electrode is disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate near the tunable dielectric layer;

[0016] In the phase-shifting unit, a plurality of patch electrodes are arranged side by side in the extension direction of the first trunk line, and the first sub-reference electrode, the second sub-reference electrode, the third sub-reference electrode, the first trunk line, and the second trunk line all overlap with the orthographic projection of the plurality of patch electrodes on the first dielectric substrate.

[0017] The antenna further includes a reference electrode layer disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate opposite to the tunable dielectric layer; the first sub-reference electrode, the second sub-reference electrode, and the third sub-reference electrode are all electrically connected to the reference electrode layer through vias penetrating the first dielectric substrate.

[0018] The antenna further includes a third dielectric substrate and a reference electrode layer; the third dielectric substrate is disposed on the side of the reference electrode layer opposite to the first dielectric substrate; the first feed unit, the first transmission line and the second transmission line of the transmission assembly are disposed on the side of the third dielectric substrate opposite to the reference electrode layer.

[0019] The reference electrode layer has a first opening, a second opening, a third opening, and a fourth opening. For a transmission assembly including the phase-shifting unit, a first end of a first trunk line is coupled to a first branch of the first feed unit via the first opening; a second end of the first trunk line is coupled to the first transmission line via the second opening; a first end of a second trunk line is coupled to a second branch of the first feed unit via the third opening; and a second end of the second trunk line is coupled to the second transmission line via the fourth opening.

[0020] The antenna unit is disposed on the side of the third dielectric substrate opposite to the dielectric layer.

[0021] The third dielectric substrate includes a printed circuit board.

[0022] At least a portion of the first power supply structure includes a balun component.

[0023] The main road, the first branch road, and the second branch road of the balun component are an integral structure, and one of the first branch road and the second branch road is a straight line, while the other is a meandering line.

[0024] An interlayer insulating layer is disposed on the side of the reference electrode layer facing away from the third dielectric substrate. The main path of the balun assembly is disposed on the side of the interlayer insulating layer facing away from the third dielectric substrate. The first branch and the second branch of the balun assembly are disposed on the side of the third dielectric substrate facing away from the interlayer insulating layer. The orthographic projection of the main path on the third dielectric substrate is located between the orthographic projections of the first branch and the second branch on the third dielectric substrate. A fifth opening is disposed on the reference electrode layer. The extension direction of the fifth opening intersects the extension direction of the main path. The orthographic projections of the main path, the first branch, and the third branch on the third dielectric substrate all pass through the orthographic projection of the fifth opening on the third dielectric substrate. One of the first branch and the second branch is a straight line, and the other is a meandering line.

[0025] An interlayer insulating layer is disposed on the side of the reference electrode layer facing away from the third dielectric substrate. The main path of the balun assembly is disposed on the side of the interlayer insulating layer facing away from the third dielectric substrate. The first branch and the second branch of the balun assembly are disposed on the side of the third dielectric substrate facing away from the interlayer insulating layer. The orthographic projection of a portion of the main path structure onto the third dielectric substrate is located between the orthographic projections of portions of the first branch and the second branch onto the third dielectric substrate. A fifth opening is disposed on the reference electrode layer. The main path, the first branch, and the second branch all include portions whose orthographic projections onto the third dielectric substrate pass through the fifth opening. The main path, the first branch, and the second branch are all meandering lines.

[0026] The main road, the first branch road, and the second branch road of the balun component are integrated into one structure, and the main road, the first branch road, and the second branch road all adopt a meandering line, and the line width of the first branch road and the second branch road are different.

[0027] The method further includes a reference electrode layer, which is disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate away from the tunable dielectric layer; the first feed unit, the first transmission line, and the second transmission line are all disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate close to the tunable dielectric layer.

[0028] The antenna unit is disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate near the tunable dielectric layer.

[0029] The antenna unit is disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate opposite to the tunable dielectric layer.

[0030] In this transmission component, at least the first branch and the second branch of the phase-shifting unit have unequal line lengths, the first transmission line and the second transmission line have unequal line lengths, and the difference in line length between the first branch and the second branch is equal to the difference in line length between the second transmission line and the first transmission line.

[0031] The spacing between two antenna elements connected to the same transmission component is half a wavelength.

[0032] The antenna element includes any one of a radiating antenna, a symmetrical dipole, and a slot antenna.

[0033] Each of the aforementioned transmission components includes the phase-shifting unit.

[0034] The antenna includes multiple transmission components; all transmission components in at least one of the multiple transmission components include the phase shifting unit, some transmission components in at least one of the multiple transmission components include the phase shifting unit, and none of the transmission components in at least one of the multiple transmission components are provided with the phase shifting unit.

[0035] The antenna includes multiple stages of the transmission components; in some stages of the multiple stages, all the transmission components include the phase-shifting unit, while in other stages, all the transmission components do not have the phase-shifting unit.

[0036] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide an antenna system comprising any of the antennas described above.

[0037] The antenna system further includes:

[0038] A transceiver unit is used to send or receive signals.

[0039] A radio frequency transceiver, connected to the transceiver unit, is used to modulate the signal transmitted by the transceiver unit, or to demodulate the signal received by the transparent antenna and then transmit it to the transceiver unit.

[0040] A signal amplifier, connected to the radio frequency transceiver, is used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal output by the radio frequency transceiver or the signal received by the transparent antenna;

[0041] A power amplifier, connected to the radio frequency transceiver, is used to amplify the power of the signal output by the radio frequency transceiver or the signal received by the transparent antenna;

[0042] The filtering unit is connected to both the signal amplifier and the power amplifier, and is also connected to the transparent antenna. It is used to filter the received signal and send it to the antenna, or to filter the signal received by the transparent antenna. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the existing antenna architecture.

[0044] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an existing phase shifter.

[0045] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a transmission component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a phase-shifting unit according to a first example of an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0048] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of AA'.

[0049] Figure 7 For having Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the first branch, the second branch, the first trunk line, and the second trunk line in the transmission component of the phase-shifting unit.

[0050] Figure 8 For having Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the first transmission line, the second transmission line, the first trunk line, and the second trunk line in the transmission component of the phase shifting unit.

[0051] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a phase-shifting unit according to a second example of an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0052] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of BB'.

[0053] Figure 11 For having Figure 9 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the first branch, the second branch, the first trunk line, and the second trunk line in the transmission component of the phase-shifting unit.

[0054] Figure 12 For having Figure 9 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the first transmission line, the second transmission line, the first trunk line, and the second trunk line in the transmission component of the phase shifting unit.

[0055] Figure 13This is a schematic diagram of a phase-shifting unit according to a third example of an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0056] Figure 14 for Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of CC'.

[0057] Figure 15 For having Figure 14 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the first branch, the second branch, the first trunk line, and the second trunk line in the transmission component of the phase-shifting unit.

[0058] Figure 16 For having Figure 14 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the first transmission line, the second transmission line, the first trunk line, and the second trunk line in the transmission component of the phase shifting unit.

[0059] Figure 17 A schematic diagram of feeding an antenna element to a transmission component with a phase-shifting unit.

[0060] Figure 18 A schematic diagram of a first example balun assembly used in an antenna according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0061] Figure 19 A schematic diagram of a second example balun assembly used in an antenna according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0062] Figure 20 A schematic diagram of a third example of a balun assembly used in an antenna according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0063] Figure 21 and Figure 22 A schematic diagram of a fourth example of a balun assembly used in an antenna according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0064] Figure 23 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna architecture for a second example of an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0065] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna architecture for a third example of an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0066] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna architecture for a fourth example of an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0067] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0068] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this disclosure shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms “first,” “second,” and similar terms used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, the terms “an,” “a,” or “the,” and similar terms do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. The terms “including,” “comprising,” or “containing,” and similar terms mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. The terms “connected,” “linked,” or similar terms are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. The terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” and “right,” etc., are used only to indicate relative positional relationships, and these relative positional relationships may change accordingly when the absolute position of the described objects changes.

[0069] A balun (balun-unbalance) is a three-port device used in microwave and radio frequency (RF) devices. It acts as an RF transmission line transformer, converting matched inputs to differential inputs. It can be used to drive differential lines, amplifiers, broadband antennas, balanced mixers, balanced frequency multipliers and modulators, phase shifters, and any circuit design requiring equal amplitude and 180° phase difference between the two lines. Specifically, the two outputs of the balun have equal amplitudes but opposite phases. In the frequency domain, this represents a 180° phase difference between the two outputs; in the time domain, it means that the voltage of one balanced output is the negative of the other balanced output.

[0070] The main characteristic of differential liquid crystal phase shifters is that they operate in differential mode, resulting in higher phase shifting efficiency compared to single-line phase shifters. However, to provide differential signals, a balun component 201 and a balun component 202 need to be added at the input and output terminals of the phase shifter, respectively. Figure 2 As shown, completing the unbalanced-balanced-unbalanced signal conversion means that additional volume and insertion loss are required besides the phase shifter 203. This disclosure proposes a phased array antenna architecture based on a differential liquid crystal phase shifter by effectively combining the differential liquid crystal phase shifter with the power divider feed network of the array antenna. Compared to simply replacing the phase shifter in a traditional phased array with a liquid crystal phase shifter, this architecture offers advantages in terms of loss, cost, and volume. Furthermore, since it is based on TFT-LCD technology, it can be molded on the substrate in one step, providing greater design freedom for the array antenna without increasing implementation complexity and cost compared to phased arrays using traditional phase shifters.

[0071] Firstly, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission component 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; as shown Figure 3 and 4 As shown, this disclosure provides an antenna including a feed network 10 and a plurality of antenna elements 30 electrically connected to the feed network 10. The feed network 10 includes n-order transmission components 100. The number of each order transmission component 100 is 2. n-1 There are n components; n ≥ 1, and n is an integer. Each transmission component 100 includes a first power supply unit, a first transmission line 102, and a second transmission line 103. The first power supply unit has a main path 101a, a first branch 101b, and a second branch 101c, and both the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c are electrically connected to the main path 101a; the first branch 101b in the transmission component 100 is electrically connected to the first transmission line 102, and the second branch 101c is electrically connected to the second transmission line 103.

[0072] In the antenna of this embodiment, when n=1, the first transmission line and the second transmission line of each transmission component are electrically connected to two different antenna elements, and the antenna elements connected to each first transmission line and each second transmission line are different. When n>1, the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 of the transmission component 100 at the nth order are electrically connected to two different antenna elements 30, and the antenna elements 30 connected to each first transmission line 102 and each second transmission line 103 are different. The first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 of the transmission component 100 at the i-th order are electrically connected to two different main paths 101a at the i+1-th order, and the main paths 101a connected to each first transmission line 102 and each second transmission line 103 are different; where 1≤i<n, and i is an integer.

[0073] For example: Figure 3 As shown, when n=3, the first-order transmission structure includes one transmission component 100, the second-order transmission structure includes two transmission components 100, and the third-order transmission structure includes four transmission components 100. Specifically, the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 in the first-order transmission component 100 are respectively connected to the main path 101a of the first feed unit of the two second-order transmission components 100. The first transmission lines 102 and the second transmission lines 103 (two first transmission lines 102 and two second transmission lines 103) of the two second-order transmission components 100 are respectively connected to the main path 101a of the first feed unit of the four third-order transmission components 100. The first transmission lines 102 and the second transmission lines 103 (four first transmission lines 102 and four second transmission lines 103) of the four third-order transmission components 100 are respectively connected to eight antenna elements 30.

[0074] Specifically, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the transmission components 100 includes a phase-shifting unit 20. For a transmission component 100 including a phase-shifting unit 20, the two ends of the first main line 21 of the phase-shifting unit 20 are electrically connected to the first branch 101b and the first transmission line 102, respectively, and the two ends of the second main line 22 are electrically connected to the second branch 101c and the second transmission line 103, respectively. That is, when the antenna transmits a microwave signal, the microwave signal fed into the main line 101a of the first feed unit of the transmission component 100 is transmitted to the phase-shifting unit 20 via the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c. After phase shifting by the phase-shifting unit 20, it is then fed out via the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103. When the antenna receives a microwave signal, the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 of the transmission component 100 feed the microwave signal into the phase shifting unit 20. After being phase-shifted by the phase shifting unit 20, the signal is combined by the first feeding unit, the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c and fed out by the main line 101a.

[0075] In the antenna of this embodiment, the phase shifting unit 20 is integrated into the antenna feed network 10, which not only gives full play to the efficient phase shifting function of the dual-line phase shifting unit 20, but also avoids the additional losses introduced by the separate power splitting / combining of the feed unit in the feed network 10.

[0076] In the antenna of this disclosure embodiment, the phase shifting unit 20 can be any form of differential-mode dual-line phase shifter. The phase shifting unit 20 in this disclosure embodiment will be described below with reference to specific examples. The tunable dielectric layer in the phase shifting unit includes, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal layer; in this disclosure embodiment, a liquid crystal layer is used as an example for description.

[0077] The first example, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the phase-shifting unit 20 of a first example of an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 6 for Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of AA'; as shown Figure 5 and 6As shown, the phase-shifting unit 20 includes a first dielectric substrate 40 and a second dielectric substrate 50 disposed opposite to each other, a first trunk line 21, a second trunk line 22, a plurality of spaced-apart patch electrodes 23, and a liquid crystal layer 60. The liquid crystal layer 60 is formed between the first dielectric substrate 40 and the second dielectric substrate 50. The first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 extend in the same direction, and both are disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 near the liquid crystal layer 60. The plurality of spaced-apart patch electrodes 23 are arranged side-by-side along the extension direction of the first trunk line 21, and are disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate 50 near the liquid crystal layer 60. The orthographic projections of the two opposite ends of the patch electrodes 23 along their extension directions onto the first dielectric substrate 40 overlap with the orthographic projections of the first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 onto the first dielectric substrate 40, respectively. In this case, the overlapping areas of the first main line 21 and the second main line 22 with the patch electrode 23 form a capacitor region. By applying different voltages to the first main line 21, the second main line 22 and the patch electrode 23, an electric field is formed in the overlapping area of ​​the first main line 21 and the patch electrode 23, and an electric field is also formed in the overlapping area of ​​the second main line 22 and the patch electrode 23. This changes the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal molecules in the overlapping areas of the first main line 21 and the patch electrode 23 and the second main line 22 and the patch electrode 23, thereby achieving phase shifting of the microwave signal.

[0078] It should be noted that, Figure 6 The illustrated phase-shifting unit 20 also includes a reference electrode layer 70. In practice, the operation of the phase-shifting unit 20 does not depend on the reference electrode layer 70. However, when the phase-shifting unit 20 is integrated into an antenna, one or more reference electrode layers 70 are necessary. Of course, if the antenna itself integrates a reference electrode layer 70, the reference electrode layer 70 of the phase-shifting unit 20 can be shared with the reference electrode layer 70 in the antenna. The reference electrode layer 70 can be disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 facing away from the liquid crystal layer 60, or it can be disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate 50 facing away from the liquid crystal layer 60. Furthermore, the reference electrode layer 70 includes, but is not limited to, a ground layer. It is sufficient that the reference electrode layer 70 forms a current loop with the first main line 21 and the patch electrode 23, and also forms a current loop with the second main line 22 and the patch electrode 23.

[0079] In some examples, the patch electrodes 23 in the phase shifting unit 20 can be electrically connected together via connecting electrodes 24. In this case, when the phase shifting unit 20 is working, the patch electrodes 23 can be applied with the same bias voltage, which facilitates control. The orthographic projection of the connecting electrode 24 on the first dielectric substrate 40 does not overlap with the orthographic projections of the first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 on the first dielectric substrate 40.

[0080] In some examples, the patch electrodes 23 in the phase-shifting unit 20 are arranged periodically, for example, the spacing between the patch electrodes 23 is equal. In some examples, the areas of the overlapping regions of the patch electrodes 23 and the orthographic projections of the first main line 21 on the first dielectric substrate 40 are all equal; and / or, the areas of the overlapping regions of the patch electrodes 23 and the orthographic projections of the second main line 22 on the first dielectric substrate 40 are all equal. This arrangement facilitates the control of the phase-shifting unit 20. Furthermore, the widths of the patch electrodes 23 can all be equal, and the lengths of the patch electrodes 23 can also be equal.

[0081] In some examples, the first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 in the phase shifting unit 20 can both be straight transmission lines. The extension directions of the first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 can be parallel to each other. This arrangement helps to miniaturize the phase shifting unit 20, which in turn helps to achieve high integration of the antenna. Of course, the first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 can also be curved. The shape of the first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 is not limited in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0082] In some examples, when the first feed unit, the first transmission line 102, and the second transmission line 103 in the transmission assembly 100 are disposed on the first dielectric substrate 40 along with the first trunk line 21, the first branch 101b, the first trunk line 21, and the first transmission line 102 in the first feed unit can be an integral structure, and the second branch 101c, the second trunk line 22, and the second transmission line 103 in the first feed unit can also be an integral structure. Additionally, in this case, the reference electrode layer 70 can be disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate 50 facing away from the liquid crystal layer 60. The antenna element 30 in the antenna can be disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 close to the liquid crystal layer 60, or it can be disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 facing away from the liquid crystal layer 60. When the antenna element 30 is disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 close to the liquid crystal layer 60, each antenna element 30 can be directly electrically connected to the corresponding first transmission line 102 or second transmission line 103 in the nth-order transmission assembly 100. When the antenna unit 30 is disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 away from the liquid crystal layer 60, each antenna unit 30 can be directly electrically connected to the first transmission line 102 or the second transmission line 103 in the corresponding nth-order transmission component 100 through a via penetrating the first dielectric substrate 40, or can be electrically connected to the first transmission line 102 or the second transmission line 103 in the corresponding nth-order transmission component 100 through coupling.

[0083] In some examples, when the first power supply unit, the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 are disposed on different dielectric substrates from the first trunk line 21, the first branch 101b of the first power supply unit and the first transmission line 102 can be electrically connected to the first trunk line 21 by means including but not limited to soldering or coupling. Similarly, the second branch 101c of the first power supply unit and the second transmission line 103 can be electrically connected to the second trunk line 22 by means including but not limited to soldering or coupling.

[0084] For example: Figure 7 For having Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the first branch 101b, the second branch 101c, the first trunk line 21, and the second trunk line 22 in the transmission component 100 of the phase shifting unit 20; Figure 8 For having Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the first transmission line 102, the second transmission line 103, the first trunk line 21, and the second trunk line 22 in the transmission component 100 of the phase shifting unit 20; as shown. Figure 7 and 8 As shown, the antenna also includes a third dielectric substrate 80, a reference electrode layer 70 disposed between the first dielectric substrate 40 and the third dielectric substrate 80, and the first feed unit, the first transmission line 102, and the second transmission line 103 of the transmission assembly 100 are all disposed on the third dielectric substrate 80. The reference electrode layer 70 is provided with a first opening 701, a second opening 702, a third opening 703, and a fourth opening 704. The first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 each include a first end and a second end disposed opposite to each other along their respective extension directions. For a transmission assembly 100 having a phase shifting unit 20, the first end of the first trunk line 21 is coupled to the first branch 101b of the first feed unit through the first opening 701, and the second end of the first trunk line 21 is coupled to the first transmission line 102 through the second opening 702; the first end of the second trunk line 22 is coupled to the second branch 101c of the first feed unit through the third opening 703, and the second end of the second trunk line 22 is coupled to the second transmission line 103 through the fourth opening 704.

[0085] Second example: Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the phase-shifting unit 20 in a second example of an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0086] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of BB'; as shown Figure 9 and 10As shown, the phase-shifting unit 20 includes a first dielectric substrate 40 and a second dielectric substrate 50 disposed opposite to each other, a first trunk line 21, a second trunk line 22, a first branch 25, a second branch 26, and a liquid crystal layer 60. The liquid crystal layer 60 is disposed between the first dielectric substrate 40 and the second dielectric substrate 50. The first branch 25 is connected to one side of the first trunk line 21 in its extension direction, and both the first trunk line 21 and the first branch 25 are disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 near the liquid crystal layer 60. The second branch 26 is connected to one side of the second trunk line 22 in its extension direction, and both the second trunk line 22 and the second branch 26 are disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate 50 near the liquid crystal layer 60. The orthographic projections of one first branch 25 and one second branch 26 onto the first dielectric substrate 40 at least partially overlap, defining an overlapping region (i.e., a capacitance region), and the overlapping region is located between the orthographic projections of the first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 onto the first dielectric substrate 40. By applying bias voltage to the first main line 21 and the second main line 22, an electric field is formed in the capacitor region, thereby changing the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal molecules and achieving phase shifting of the microwave signal.

[0087] It should be noted that, Figure 10 The reference electrode layer 70 is still shown in the figure. The setting principle of the reference electrode layer 70 is the same as that in the first example, so it will not be described again here.

[0088] In some examples, there are multiple first branches 25 and multiple second branches 26, and each first branch 25 and each second branch 26 is arranged in a one-to-one correspondence. Furthermore, the multiple first branches 25 are arranged periodically, and similarly, the multiple second branches 26 are also arranged periodically. For example, the spacing between each first branch 25 is equal; the spacing between each second branch 26 is equal. In some examples, the overlapping areas of the orthographic projections of each first branch 25 and each second branch 26 onto the first dielectric substrate 40 are equal. For example, the widths of each first branch 25 and each second branch 26 are equal; of course, the lengths of each first branch 25 and each second branch 26 can also be equal.

[0089] In some examples, the first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 in the phase shifting unit 20 can both be straight transmission lines. The extension directions of the first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 can be parallel to each other. This arrangement helps to miniaturize the phase shifting unit 20, which in turn helps to achieve high integration of the antenna. Of course, the first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 can also be curved. The shape of the first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 is not limited in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0090] In some examples, the first feed unit, the first transmission line 102, and the second transmission line 103 can be disposed on the same layer as the first trunk line 21 or on the same layer as the second trunk line 22. Taking the first feed unit, the first transmission line 102, and the second transmission line 103 disposed on the same layer as the first trunk line 21 as an example, in this case, the first branch 101b of the first feed unit, the first trunk line 21, and the first transmission line 102 can be an integral structure. The two ends of the second trunk line 22 overlap with the orthographic projections of the second branch 101c and the second transmission line 103 of the first feed unit on the first dielectric substrate 40, so as to realize the electrical connection between the second trunk line 22 and the second branch 101c and the second transmission line 103. In addition, in this case, the reference electrode layer 70 can be disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate 50 away from the liquid crystal layer 60. The antenna element 30 in the antenna can be disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 close to the liquid crystal layer 60 or on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 away from the liquid crystal layer 60. When the antenna unit 30 is disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 close to the liquid crystal layer 60, each antenna unit 30 can be directly electrically connected to the first transmission line 102 or the second transmission line 103 in the corresponding nth-order transmission component 100. When the antenna unit 30 is disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 away from the liquid crystal layer 60, each antenna unit 30 can be directly electrically connected to the first transmission line 102 or the second transmission line 103 in the corresponding nth-order transmission component 100 through a via penetrating the first dielectric substrate 40, or it can be electrically connected to the first transmission line 102 or the second transmission line 103 in the corresponding nth-order transmission component 100 through coupling.

[0091] In some examples, the first power supply unit, the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 are disposed on different dielectric substrates as the first trunk line 21. The first branch 101b of the first power supply unit and the first transmission line 102 can be electrically connected to the first trunk line 21 by means including but not limited to welding or coupling. Similarly, the second branch 101c of the first power supply unit and the second transmission line 103 can be electrically connected to the second trunk line 22 by means including but not limited to welding or coupling.

[0092] For example: Figure 11 For having Figure 9 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the first branch 101b, the second branch 101c, the first trunk line 21, and the second trunk line 22 in the transmission component 100 of the phase shifting unit 20; Figure 12 For having Figure 9 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the first transmission line 102, the second transmission line 103, the first trunk line 21, and the second trunk line 22 in the transmission component 100 of the phase shifting unit 20; as shown. Figure 11 and12 As shown, the antenna also includes a third dielectric substrate 80, a reference electrode layer 70 disposed between the first dielectric substrate 40 and the third dielectric substrate 80, and the first feed unit, the first transmission line 102, and the second transmission line 103 of the transmission assembly 100 are all disposed on the third dielectric substrate 80. The reference electrode layer 70 is provided with a first opening 701, a second opening 702, a third opening 703, and a fourth opening 704. The first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 each include a first end and a second end disposed opposite to each other along their respective extension directions. For a transmission assembly 100 having a phase shifting unit 20, the first end of the first trunk line 21 is coupled to the first branch 101b of the first feed unit through the first opening 701, and the second end of the first trunk line 21 is coupled to the first transmission line 102 through the second opening 702; the first end of the second trunk line 22 is coupled to the second branch 101c of the first feed unit through the third opening 703, and the second end of the second trunk line 22 is coupled to the second transmission line 103 through the fourth opening 704.

[0093] Third example: Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the phase-shifting unit 20 according to a third example of an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 14 for Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of CC'; as shown Figure 13 and 14 As shown, the phase-shifting unit 20 includes a first dielectric substrate 40 and a second dielectric substrate 50 disposed opposite to each other, a first main line 21, a second main line 22, a first sub-reference electrode 27, a second sub-reference electrode 28, a third sub-reference electrode 29, a plurality of spaced-apart patch electrodes 23, and a liquid crystal layer 60. The liquid crystal layer 60 is disposed between the first dielectric substrate 40 and the second dielectric substrate 50. The first sub-reference electrode 27, the second sub-reference electrode 28, the third sub-reference electrode 29, the first main line 21, and the second main line 22 are disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 near the liquid crystal layer 60; the first main line 21 is located between the first sub-reference electrode 27 and the second sub-reference electrode 28, and the second main line 22 is located between the second sub-reference electrode 28 and the third sub-reference electrode 29; the patch electrodes 23 are disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate 50 near the liquid crystal layer 60. Multiple patch electrodes 23 are arranged side by side in the extension direction of the first trunk line 21. The first sub-reference electrode 27, the second sub-reference electrode 28, the third sub-reference electrode 29, the first trunk line 21, and the second trunk line 22 all overlap with the orthographic projection of the multiple patch electrodes 23 on the first dielectric substrate 40.

[0094] In some examples, the first main line 21, the second main line 22, the first sub-reference electrode 27, the second sub-reference electrode 28, and the third sub-reference electrode 29 can all be straight segments, and they can constitute a coplanar waveguide transmission line. The extending directions of the first main line 21, the second main line 22, the first sub-reference electrode 27, the second sub-reference electrode 28, and the third sub-reference electrode 29 can be parallel to each other. Of course, the first main line 21 and the second main line 22 can also be curved, and the shapes of the first main line 21 and the second main line 22 are not limited in this embodiment.

[0095] It should be noted that, Figure 14 The reference electrode layer 70 is still shown in the figure. The setting principle of the reference electrode layer 70 is the same as that in the first example, so it will not be described again here.

[0096] In some examples, continue to refer to Figure 14 The first sub-reference electrode 27, the second sub-reference electrode 28, and the third sub-reference electrode 29 can be applied with the same potential as the reference electrode layer 70. For example, the first sub-reference electrode 27, the second sub-reference electrode 28, and the third sub-reference electrode 29 are electrically connected to the reference electrode layer 70 through vias penetrating the first dielectric substrate 40. Specifically, the first sub-reference electrode 27 can be electrically connected to the reference electrode layer 70 through one or more vias; similarly, the second sub-reference electrode 28 and the third sub-reference electrode 29 can also be electrically connected to the reference electrode layer 70 through one or more vias.

[0097] Furthermore, the first feed unit, first transmission line 102, and second transmission line 103 of the transmission component 100 in the antenna can be arranged in the same layer as the first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22. The first branch 101b, the first trunk line 21, and the first transmission line 102 in the first feed unit can be an integral structure, and the second branch 101c, the second trunk line 22, and the second transmission line 103 in the first feed unit can also be an integral structure. In this case, the antenna element 30 in the antenna can be disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 near the liquid crystal layer 60, or it can be disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate 50 near / away from the liquid crystal layer 60. When the antenna element 30 is disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 40 near the liquid crystal layer 60, each antenna element 30 can be directly electrically connected to the corresponding first transmission line 102 or second transmission line 103 in the transmission component 100 located at the nth order through a via penetrating the first dielectric substrate 40. When the antenna unit 30 is disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate 50 close to / away from the liquid crystal layer 60, each antenna unit 30 can be electrically connected to the first transmission line 102 or the second transmission line 103 in the corresponding transmission component 100 located at the nth order through coupling.

[0098] When the first power supply unit, the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 are disposed on different dielectric substrates from the first trunk line 21, the first branch 101b of the first power supply unit and the first transmission line 102 can be electrically connected to the first trunk line 21 by means including but not limited to welding or coupling. Similarly, the second branch 101c of the first power supply unit and the second transmission line 103 can be electrically connected to the second trunk line 22 by means including but not limited to welding or coupling.

[0099] For example: Figure 15 For having Figure 14 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the first branch 101b, the second branch 101c, the first trunk line 21, and the second trunk line 22 in the transmission component 100 of the phase shifting unit 20; Figure 16 For having Figure 14 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the first transmission line 102, the second transmission line 103, the first trunk line 21, and the second trunk line 22 in the transmission component 100 of the phase shifting unit 20; as shown. Figure 15 and 16As shown, the antenna also includes a third dielectric substrate 80, a reference electrode layer 70 disposed between the first dielectric substrate 40 and the third dielectric substrate 80, and the first feed unit, the first transmission line 102, and the second transmission line 103 of the transmission assembly 100 are all disposed on the third dielectric substrate 80. The reference electrode layer 70 is provided with a first opening 701, a second opening 702, a third opening 703, and a fourth opening 704. The first trunk line 21 and the second trunk line 22 each include a first end and a second end disposed opposite to each other along their respective extension directions. For a transmission assembly 100 having a phase shifting unit 20, the first end of the first trunk line 21 is coupled to the first branch 101b of the first feed unit through the first opening 701, and the second end of the first trunk line 21 is coupled to the first transmission line 102 through the second opening 702; the first end of the second trunk line 22 is coupled to the second branch 101c of the first feed unit through the third opening 703, and the second end of the second trunk line 22 is coupled to the second transmission line 103 through the fourth opening 704.

[0100] It should be noted that the above only provides three exemplary architectures of phase shifting units 20, and some exemplary configurations of the transmission component 100 and antenna unit 30 in the antenna unit 30 when using these three phase shifting units 20. These configurations do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0101] In some examples, the antenna can be any of the antenna architectures described above, and the first feed unit in the transmission component 100 can be a 1-to-2 power divider. The first branch 101b and the second branch 101c of the first feed unit in the transmission component 100 have unequal lengths, as do the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103, and the length difference between the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c is equal to the length difference between the second transmission line 103 and the first transmission line 102. The length difference between the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c determines the phase difference of the microwave signals transmitted by the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c; similarly, the length difference between the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 also determines the phase difference of the microwave signals transmitted by the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103. For example, the difference in line length between the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c causes the microwave signals transmitted by the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c to be 180° out of phase. Similarly, the difference in line length between the second transmission line 103 and the first transmission line 102 causes the microwave signals transmitted by the second transmission line 103 and the first transmission line 102 to be 180° out of phase. Taking the antenna receiving microwave signals as an example, the microwave signal fed in by the main branch 101a is transmitted by the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c, resulting in a 180° phase difference between the transmitted microwave signals. After being restored by the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103, the microwave signals fed out by the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 are equal in amplitude and phase.

[0102] Specifically, Figure 17 A schematic diagram showing the power supply of the transmission assembly 100 with phase-shifting unit 20 to the antenna unit 30; as shown. Figure 17 As shown, the first feeding unit is a 1-to-2 power divider. The first branch 101b, through a half-wavelength winding, achieves a 180° phase difference with the second branch 101c. After passing through the phase-shifting unit 20, the microwave signal fed into the first branch 101b directly powers the antenna element 30 via the first transmission line 102. Similarly, the microwave signal fed into the second branch 101c, after passing through the phase-shifting unit 20, is then fed to the adjacent antenna element 30 via the second transmission line 103, which is wound with a half-wavelength. Before powering their respective antenna elements, the microwave signals transmitted by the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 are of equal amplitude and phase. In this configuration, the spacing between adjacent antenna elements 30 can be approximately half a wavelength.

[0103] In some examples, the first feed unit may employ a balun assembly. Several specific structures of balun assemblies are given below and will be described in detail below. Of course, the antenna of this disclosure embodiment includes not only the above-described structures, but also a third dielectric substrate 80 and a reference electrode layer 70.

[0104] The first example, Figure 18 An example of a balun assembly used in an antenna according to an embodiment of this disclosure; as shown Figure 18 As shown, the third dielectric substrate 80 has a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to each other. A reference electrode layer 70 is disposed on the first surface of the third dielectric substrate 80, and a balun assembly is disposed on the second surface of the third dielectric substrate 80. The first branch 101b and the second branch 101c of the balun assembly are both directly connected to the main branch 101a. For example, the main branch 101a, the first branch 101b, and the second branch 101c of the balun assembly are integral structures. In this type of balun assembly, the first branch 101b includes a meandering line to achieve a 180° phase difference between the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c.

[0105] The second example, Figure 19 A schematic diagram of a second example balun assembly used in an antenna according to an embodiment of this disclosure; as shown Figure 19 As shown, the third dielectric substrate 80 has a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to each other. The reference electrode layer 70 has a fifth opening 705. An interlayer insulating layer is disposed on the side of the reference electrode layer 70 away from the third dielectric substrate 80. The main path 101a of the balun assembly is disposed on the side of the interlayer insulating layer away from the reference electrode layer 70, and the extending direction of the main path 101a intersects the extending direction of the fifth opening 705. The first branch 101b and the second branch 101c of the balun assembly are both disposed on the second surface of the third dielectric substrate 80, and the extending directions of the main body portions of the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c also intersect the extending direction of the fifth opening 705. The orthographic projections of the main path 101a, the first branch path 101b, and the second branch path 101c on the third dielectric substrate 80 all intersect with the orthographic projection of the fifth opening 705 on the reference electrode layer 70 on the third dielectric substrate 80, and the orthographic projections of the first branch path 101b and the second branch path 101c on the third dielectric substrate 80 limit the orthographic projection of the main path 101a on the third dielectric substrate 80 between the two. In this type of balun assembly, the first branch 101b includes a meandering line, and the intersection of the first branch 101b and the orthographic projection of the fifth opening 705 on the third dielectric substrate 80 is the first intersection point N1, and the intersection of the second branch 101c and the orthographic projection of the fifth opening 705 on the third dielectric substrate 80 is the second intersection point N2. Both the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c include a first end and a second end. The line length between the first intersection point N1 of the first branch 101b and the second end of the first branch 101b is L1, and the line length between the second intersection point N2 of the second branch 101c and the second end of the second branch 101c is L2. L1 and L2 differ by half a wavelength so that the first branch 101b has a 180° phase difference compared to the second branch 101c.

[0106] The third example, Figure 20 A schematic diagram of a third example balun assembly used in an antenna according to an embodiment of this disclosure; as shown Figure 20 As shown, the structure of this type of balun assembly is largely the same as that of the balun assembly in the second example, except that the main path 101a, the first branch path 101b, and the second branch path 101c in the balun assembly all include meandering lines. Each of the main path 101a, the first branch path 101b, and the second branch path 101c includes a first end and a second end. The orthographic projections of the first branch path 101b, the second branch path 101c, and the main path 101a onto the third dielectric substrate 80 and the orthographic projections of the fifth opening 705 onto the third dielectric substrate 80 are respectively at the first intersection point N1, the second intersection point N2, and the third intersection point N3. The orthographic projections of the first end of the first branch path 101b and the first end of the second branch path 101c onto the third dielectric substrate 80 are located on different sides of the orthographic projection of the fifth opening 705 onto the third dielectric substrate 80. The orthographic projections of the first end of the main path 101a and the first end of the second branch path 101c onto the third dielectric substrate 80 are located on the same side of the orthographic projection of the fifth opening 705 onto the third dielectric substrate 80. The length of the line from the second end of the main path 101a to the third intersection point N3 is L3. The length of the line from the first end of the first branch 101b to the first intersection point N1 is L4. The length of the line from the first end of the second branch 101c to the second intersection point N2 is L5. L3, L4, and L5 are all approximately one-quarter wavelength. The length of the line from the first intersection point N1 of the first branch 101b to the second end of the first branch 101b is L1. The length of the line from the second intersection point N2 of the second branch 101c to the second end of the second branch 101c is L2. L1 and L2 are approximately equal.

[0107] Fourth example: Figure 21 and Figure 22 A schematic diagram of a fourth example balun assembly used in an antenna according to an embodiment of this disclosure; as shown Figure 21 As shown, the structure of this type of balun component is roughly the same as that of the balun component in the first example, the only difference being that both the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c of the balun component use meandering lines. By adjusting the bending method and line width of the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c, a phase difference of 180° can be achieved between the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c. Similarly, as... Figure 22 As shown, the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c are connected to form a closed-loop meandering line with two ports. By changing the line width of the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c, the first branch 101b and the second branch 101c can obtain a phase difference of 180°.

[0108] It should be noted that the above are only examples of a few exemplary balun components. However, it should be understood that balun components include not only the above exemplary structures, but any three-port balun component can be applied to the antenna of the present disclosure embodiment. Therefore, the above exemplary balun components do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present disclosure embodiment.

[0109] In some examples, the antenna element 30 in this embodiment can be a radiating antenna, which can be a radiating patch of any shape, such as circular, rectangular, or rhomboid. Of course, the antenna element 30 in this embodiment can also be other forms of antenna element 30, such as a symmetrical dipole or a slot antenna. Furthermore, the placement of the antenna element 30 is as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0110] In some examples, the first dielectric substrate 40 and the second dielectric substrate 50 in embodiments of this disclosure can be glass substrates, plastics, etc. The third dielectric substrate 80 in embodiments of this disclosure can be a printed circuit board (PCB), etc.

[0111] In some examples, the antenna in this disclosure embodiment includes a multi-order transmission structure, such as a 3rd order or more order transmission structure. In one example, each transmission component in the antenna includes a phase-shifting unit. In one example, all transmission components in at least one order of the multi-order transmission assembly include the phase-shifting unit, some transmission components in at least one order include phase-shifting units, and none of the transmission components in at least one order have phase-shifting units. In one example, all transmission components in some orders of the multi-order transmission assembly include the phase-shifting unit, while all transmission components in another order do not have the phase-shifting unit. It should be noted that the above are only some examples. For those transmission components that need to have phase-shifting units, the specific limitations can be made according to the phase shift requirements of the antenna. In this disclosure embodiment, the specific location of the phase-shifting unit is not specifically limited.

[0112] To better illustrate the antenna architecture of the embodiments of this disclosure, several exemplary antenna architectures are given below. The antenna feed network 10, including a third-order transmission component 100, is described as an example. The phase-shifting unit 20 in the antenna can be any of the phase-shifting units 20 described above; only one is shown in the figure. Figure 5 The phase-shifting unit 20 shown is an example. The figure uses the first feed unit in the transmission assembly 100 with the phase-shifting unit 20 as an example. Figure 18 The balun component shown has a 180° phase difference between the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 in the corresponding transmission component 100.

[0113] First example: such as Figure 3As shown, each transmission component 100 of the antenna's feed network 10 includes a first feed unit, a phase shifting unit 20, a first transmission line 102, and a second transmission line 103. The first-order transmission structure includes one transmission component 100, the second-order transmission structure includes two transmission components 100, and the third-order transmission structure includes four transmission components 100. Specifically, the first branch 101b of the first feed unit of each transmission component 100 is connected to the first end of the first trunk line 21 of the phase shifting unit 20, the second end of the first trunk line 21 is connected to the first transmission line 102, the second branch 101c of the first feed unit is connected to the first end of the second trunk line 22 of the phase shifting unit 20, and the second end of the second trunk line 22 is connected to the second transmission line 103. The first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 in the first-order transmission component 100 are respectively connected to the main path 101a of the first feed unit of the two second-order transmission components 100. The first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 (two first transmission lines 102 and two second transmission lines 103) of the two second-order transmission components 100 are respectively connected to the main path 101a of the first feed unit of the four third-order transmission components 100. The first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 (four first transmission lines 102 and four second transmission lines 103) of the four third-order transmission components 100 are respectively connected to eight antenna elements 30.

[0114] Second example: Figure 23 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna architecture of a second example embodiment of this disclosure; as shown... Figure 23 As shown, this antenna has a similar structure to the antenna in the first example, except that the second-order transmission component 100 does not include the phase-shifting unit 20. The first branch 101b and the first transmission line 102 of the first feed unit are integrated, as are the second branch 101c and the second transmission line 103. Furthermore, the first branch 101b, the first transmission line 102, the second branch 101c, and the second transmission line 103 all do not include delay lines and are all straight segments. The remaining structure is the same as in the first example, and therefore will not be repeated here.

[0115] Third example: Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna architecture of a third example of an embodiment of this disclosure; as shown... Figure 24 As shown, this antenna has a similar structure to the antenna in the second example, the only difference being the second and fourth transmission components 100 from left to right in the third-order transmission component 100. These second and fourth transmission components 100 from left to right do not include the phase-shifting unit 20, and the first transmission line 102 and the second transmission line 103 have the same length, meaning there is no 180° phase difference. The remaining structure is the same as in the second example, and therefore will not be repeated here.

[0116] Fourth example: Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna architecture of a fourth example embodiment of this disclosure; as shown... Figure 25 As shown, this antenna has a similar structure to the antenna in the first example, except that the fourth-order transmission component 100 does not include the phase-shifting unit 20. The first branch 101b and the first transmission line 102 of the first feed unit are integrated, as are the second branch 101c and the second transmission line 103. Furthermore, the first branch 101b, the first transmission line 102, the second branch 101c, and the second transmission line 103 all do not include delay lines and are all straight segments. The remaining structure is the same as in the first example, and therefore will not be repeated here.

[0117] It should be noted that only four exemplary antenna architectures are given above. In actual products, the specific architecture of each transmission component 100 can be designed according to the requirements of phase shift, and will not be listed one by one here.

[0118] Secondly, this disclosure provides an antenna system that may include the antenna described above. The antenna system provided in this disclosure also includes a transceiver unit, a radio frequency transceiver, a signal amplifier, a power amplifier, and a filtering unit. The antenna in the antenna system can function as either a transmitting antenna or a receiving antenna. The transceiver unit may include a baseband and a receiving end. The baseband provides signals in at least one frequency band, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G signals, and transmits the signals in at least one frequency band to the radio frequency transceiver. After receiving the signal, the antenna in the antenna system can process it through the filtering unit, power amplifier, signal amplifier, and radio frequency transceiver before transmitting it to the receiving end in the transmitting unit. The receiving end may be, for example, a smart gateway.

[0119] Furthermore, the RF transceiver is connected to the transceiver unit and is used to modulate the signals transmitted by the transceiver unit, or to demodulate the signals received by the antenna before transmitting them to the transceiver unit. Specifically, the RF transceiver may include a transmitting circuit, a receiving circuit, a modulation circuit, and a demodulation circuit. After the transmitting circuit receives various types of signals provided by the baseband, the modulation circuit can modulate the various types of signals provided by the baseband and then send them to the antenna. The antenna receives the signals and transmits them to the receiving circuit of the RF transceiver. The receiving circuit then transmits the signals to the demodulation circuit, which demodulates the signals and transmits them to the receiving end.

[0120] Furthermore, the RF transceiver is connected to a signal amplifier and a power amplifier, which are then connected to a filtering unit. The filtering unit is connected to at least one antenna. During signal transmission, the signal amplifier improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the RF transceiver's output signal before transmitting it to the filtering unit; the power amplifier amplifies the power of the RF transceiver's output signal before transmitting it to the filtering unit. The filtering unit may include a duplexer and a filtering circuit. The filtering unit combines the signals output from the signal amplifier and power amplifier, filters out clutter, and transmits them to the antenna, which then radiates the signal. During signal reception, the antenna receives the signal and transmits it to the filtering unit. The filtering unit filters out clutter from the received signal before transmitting it to the signal amplifier and power amplifier. The signal amplifier increases the gain of the received signal, improving the SNR; the power amplifier amplifies the power of the received signal. The received signal is then processed by the power amplifier and signal amplifier before being transmitted to the RF transceiver, which in turn transmits it to the transceiver unit.

[0121] In some examples, the signal amplifier may include various types of signal amplifiers, such as low-noise amplifiers, without limitation.

[0122] In some examples, the antenna system provided in this disclosure also includes a power management unit connected to a power amplifier and providing the power amplifier with a voltage for amplifying the signal.

[0123] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary implementations used to illustrate the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An antenna comprising: A feed network and multiple antenna elements electrically connected to the feed network; the feed network includes n-order transmission components, with each order containing 2 transmission components. n-1 There are n components; n ≥ 1, and n is an integer; each of the transmission components includes a first power supply unit, a first transmission line, and a second transmission line; the first power supply unit has a main path, a first branch path, and a second branch path, and both the first branch path and the second branch path are electrically connected to the main path path; the first branch path of the transmission component is electrically connected to the first transmission line, and the second branch path is electrically connected to the second transmission line path. When n=1, the first transmission line and the second transmission line of the transmission component are electrically connected to two different antenna elements, and the antenna elements connected to the first transmission line and the second transmission line are all different; wherein, the transmission component further includes a differential mode dual-line phase shifting unit; When n > 1, the first and second transmission lines of the transmission component at the nth order are electrically connected to two different antenna elements, and the antenna elements connected to each first transmission line and each second transmission line are different; the first and second transmission lines of the transmission component at the i-th order are electrically connected to two different main paths at the i+1-th order, and the main paths connected to each first transmission line and each second transmission line are different; where 1 ≤ i < n, and i is an integer; wherein at least some of the transmission components further include differential-mode dual-line phase-shifting units; For a transmission assembly including a differential dual-line phase shifting unit, the two ends of the first trunk line of the differential dual-line phase shifting unit are electrically connected to the first branch and the first transmission line, respectively, and the two ends of the second trunk line are electrically connected to the second branch and the second transmission line, respectively. In a transmission assembly having at least the differential-mode dual-line phase-shifting unit, the lengths of the first branch and the second branch are unequal, the lengths of the first transmission line and the second transmission line are unequal, and the difference in length between the first branch and the second branch is equal to the difference in length between the second transmission line and the first transmission line.

2. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The differential-mode dual-line phase-shifting unit further includes a first dielectric substrate and a second dielectric substrate disposed opposite to each other, a plurality of patch electrodes disposed at intervals, and an adjustable dielectric layer; The adjustable dielectric layer in the differential-mode dual-line phase-shifting unit is disposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate; the first trunk line and the second trunk line are disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate near the adjustable dielectric layer; the patch electrode is disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate near the adjustable dielectric layer. In the differential-mode dual-line phase-shifting unit, a plurality of patch electrodes are arranged side by side in the extension direction of the first trunk line, and both the first trunk line and the second trunk line at least partially overlap with the orthographic projection of the plurality of patch electrodes on the first dielectric substrate.

3. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The differential-mode bilinear phase-shifting unit further includes a first dielectric substrate and a second dielectric substrate disposed opposite to each other, a first branch, a second branch, and an adjustable dielectric layer; The adjustable dielectric layer in the differential-mode dual-line phase-shifting unit is disposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate; the first trunk line and the first branch are disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate near the adjustable dielectric layer, and the second trunk line and the second branch are disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate near the adjustable dielectric layer; the first branch is connected to one side of the extension direction of the first trunk line, and the second branch is connected to one side of the extension direction of the second trunk line. For one of the differential-mode dual-line phase-shifting units, the orthographic projections of one of the first branches and one of the second branches on the first dielectric substrate at least partially overlap, defining an overlap region, and the overlap region is located between the orthographic projections of the first trunk line and the second trunk line on the first dielectric substrate.

4. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The differential mode dual-line phase shifting unit further includes a first dielectric substrate and a second dielectric substrate disposed opposite to each other, as well as a first sub-reference electrode, a second sub-reference electrode, a third sub-reference electrode, a plurality of spaced-apart patch electrodes and an adjustable dielectric layer; The adjustable dielectric layer in the differential-mode dual-line phase-shifting unit is disposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate; the first sub-reference electrode, the second sub-reference electrode, the third sub-reference electrode, the first trunk line, and the second trunk line are disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate near the adjustable dielectric layer; the first trunk line is located between the first sub-reference electrode and the second sub-reference electrode, and the second trunk line is located between the second sub-reference electrode and the third sub-reference electrode; the patch electrode is disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate near the adjustable dielectric layer; In the differential-mode dual-line phase-shifting unit, a plurality of patch electrodes are arranged side by side in the extension direction of the first trunk line, and the first sub-reference electrode, the second sub-reference electrode, the third sub-reference electrode, the first trunk line, and the second trunk line all at least partially overlap with the orthographic projection of the plurality of patch electrodes on the first dielectric substrate.

5. The antenna according to claim 4, wherein, It also includes a reference electrode layer disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate opposite to the tunable dielectric layer; the first sub-reference electrode, the second sub-reference electrode, and the third sub-reference electrode are all electrically connected to the reference electrode layer through vias penetrating the first dielectric substrate.

6. The antenna according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein, It also includes a third dielectric substrate and a reference electrode layer; the third dielectric substrate is disposed on the side of the reference electrode layer away from the first dielectric substrate; the first power supply unit, the first transmission line and the second transmission line of the transmission assembly are disposed on the side of the third dielectric substrate away from the reference electrode layer.

7. The antenna according to claim 6, wherein, The reference electrode layer has a first opening, a second opening, a third opening, and a fourth opening; for a transmission assembly including the differential-mode dual-line phase-shifting unit, the first end of the first trunk line is coupled to the first branch of the first feed unit through the first opening; the second end of the first trunk line is coupled to the first transmission line through the second opening. The first end of the second main line is coupled to the second branch of the first feeder unit through the third opening; the second end of the second main line is coupled to the second transmission line through the fourth opening.

8. The antenna according to claim 6, wherein, The antenna unit is disposed on the side of the third dielectric substrate opposite to the tunable dielectric layer.

9. The antenna according to claim 6, wherein, The third dielectric substrate includes a printed circuit board.

10. The antenna according to claim 6, wherein, At least a portion of the first power supply unit uses a balun component.

11. The antenna according to claim 10, wherein, The main road, the first branch road, and the second branch road are an integral structure, constituting the balun component, wherein one of the first branch road and the second branch road is a straight line, and the other is a meandering line.

12. The antenna according to claim 11, wherein, An interlayer insulating layer is provided on the side of the reference electrode layer away from the third dielectric substrate. The main circuit of the balun assembly is provided on the side of the interlayer insulating layer away from the third dielectric substrate. The first branch and the second branch of the balun assembly are provided on the side of the third dielectric substrate away from the interlayer insulating layer. The orthographic projection of the main circuit on the third dielectric substrate is located between the orthographic projections of the first branch and the second branch on the third dielectric substrate. A fifth opening is provided on the reference electrode layer. The extension direction of the fifth opening intersects the extension direction of the main path. The orthographic projections of the main path, the first branch path, and the second branch path on the third dielectric substrate all pass through the orthographic projection of the fifth opening path on the third dielectric substrate. One of the first branch path and the second branch path is a straight line, and the other is a meandering line.

13. The antenna according to claim 11, wherein, An interlayer insulating layer is provided on the side of the reference electrode layer away from the third dielectric substrate. The main circuit of the balun assembly is provided on the side of the interlayer insulating layer away from the third dielectric substrate. The first branch and the second branch of the balun assembly are provided on the side of the third dielectric substrate away from the interlayer insulating layer. The orthographic projection of a portion of the main circuit structure on the third dielectric substrate is located between the orthographic projections of a portion of the first branch and a portion of the second branch structure on the third dielectric substrate. The reference electrode layer has a fifth opening; the main path, the first branch path, and the second branch path all include portions whose orthogonal projections on the third dielectric substrate pass through the fifth opening; the main path, the first branch path, and the second branch path are all meandering lines.

14. The antenna according to claim 10, wherein, The main road, the first branch road, and the second branch road are an integral structure that constitutes the balun component. The main road, the first branch road, and the second branch road all adopt a meandering line, and the line widths of the first branch road and the second branch road are different.

15. The antenna according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein, It also includes a reference electrode layer, which is disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate away from the tunable dielectric layer; the first power supply unit, the first transmission line and the second transmission line are all disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate close to the tunable dielectric layer.

16. The antenna according to claim 15, wherein, The antenna unit is disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate near the tunable dielectric layer.

17. The antenna according to claim 15, wherein, The antenna unit is disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate opposite to the tunable dielectric layer.

18. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The spacing between two antenna elements connected to the same transmission component is half a wavelength.

19. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The antenna element includes either a symmetrical dipole or a slot antenna.

20. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the aforementioned transmission components includes the differential dual-line phase shifting unit.

21. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The antenna includes multiple stages of the transmission components; all transmission components in at least one stage of the multiple stages include the differential dual-line phase shifting unit, some transmission components in at least one stage include the differential dual-line phase shifting unit, and none of the transmission components in at least one stage are provided with the differential dual-line phase shifting unit.

22. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The antenna includes multiple stages of the transmission components; in some stages of the multiple stages, all the transmission components include the differential dual-line phase shifting unit, while in other stages, all the transmission components do not have the differential dual-line phase shifting unit.

23. An antenna system comprising the antenna according to any one of claims 1-22.

24. The antenna system according to claim 23, wherein, Also includes: A transceiver unit is used to send or receive signals. A radio frequency transceiver, connected to the transceiver unit, is used to modulate the signal transmitted by the transceiver unit, or to demodulate the signal received by the antenna and then transmit it to the transceiver unit. A signal amplifier, connected to the radio frequency transceiver, is used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal output by the radio frequency transceiver or the signal received by the antenna; A power amplifier, connected to the radio frequency transceiver, is used to amplify the power of the signal output by the radio frequency transceiver or the signal received by the antenna; The filtering unit is connected to both the signal amplifier and the power amplifier, and is also connected to the antenna. It is used to filter the received signal and send it to the antenna, or to filter the signal received by the antenna.

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