High integration low profile wideband wide-angle scanning printed electromagnetic dipole array antenna

Abstract

The application discloses a high-integration low-profile wide-bandwidth wide-angle scanning printed electromagnetic dipole array antenna, which comprises a radiation dipole layer and an integrated feed layer, the radiation dipole layer comprises a coupling cavity, a group of electric dipoles, magnetic dipoles and impedance matching structures arranged on a first surface of the coupling cavity, the integrated feed layer comprises a first dielectric plate, a metal ground plate printed on one surface of the first dielectric plate close to the radiation dipole layer, a feed strip line printed on one surface of the first dielectric plate away from the radiation dipole layer, and a feed conversion structure arranged on one surface of the first dielectric plate away from the radiation dipole layer, wherein the first dielectric plate and a second dielectric plate jointly form the feed conversion structure. The application has the advantages of simple structure, stability, realization of impedance bandwidth of more than 60% and guarantee of two-dimensional ±50° beam scanning design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of array antenna technology, specifically a highly integrated, low-profile, wide-bandwidth, angle-scanning printed electromagnetic dipole array antenna. Background Technology

[0002] Phased array systems have been widely used in communications, radar and other fields due to their fast beam scanning, multi-functionality and modularity. With the continuous development of various equipment, requirements such as large-angle scanning, modularity and integrated design have gradually become the mainstream requirements.

[0003] When faced with the design requirements of broadband array antennas with low profile, large scanning angle and high integration, microstrip patch antennas are a common choice. Broadband characteristics can be achieved through methods such as slot coupling, L-shaped feed line coupling, and back cavity loading. However, unnecessary resonance will occur during large-angle scanning at conventional spacing due to uneven feeding. This can only be corrected by continuously reducing the element spacing, which imposes a large limitation on the element spacing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to design a broadband printed electromagnetic dipole array antenna with requirements for high integration, low profile, and large scanning angle.

[0005] The technical solution to achieve the purpose of this invention is as follows: a highly integrated, low-profile, wide-bandwidth, wide-angle scanning printed electromagnetic dipole array antenna, comprising: a radiating dipole layer and an integrated feed layer, wherein the radiating dipole layer includes a coupling cavity and a set of electric dipoles, magnetic dipoles, and impedance matching structures disposed on a first surface of the coupling cavity, the integrated feed layer includes a first dielectric substrate, a metal ground plane printed on the side of the first dielectric substrate near the radiating dipole layer, a feed strip printed on the side of the first dielectric substrate away from the radiating dipole layer, and a feed conversion structure disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate away from the radiating dipole layer, wherein a base plate is disposed on the side of the feed conversion structure away from the first dielectric substrate, and a reflecting air cavity is formed between the feed conversion structure, the base plate, and the radiating dipole layer.

[0006] Preferably, the electric dipole is a rectangular metal patch, the magnetic dipole is a cross-shaped slot, the electric dipole is structurally separated by the magnetic dipole, and the impedance matching structure includes a rectangular slot disposed at the center of the electric dipole and a rectangular slot disposed on the magnetic dipole.

[0007] Preferably, the rectangular slots are provided on the branch slots of each cross-shaped slot, and the number of sets is 3.

[0008] Preferably, a metal short-circuit post runs through the coupling cavity and is in contact with the electric dipole.

[0009] Preferably, the coupling cavity is a dielectric plate.

[0010] Preferably, the power conversion structure includes two second dielectric plates arranged parallel to each other along two opposite sides of the first dielectric plate, as well as an electrical isolation post and a power supply probe penetrating through the second dielectric plates. The input energy is led to the power supply line through the power supply probe, and impedance matching is designed by adjusting the thickness of the second dielectric plates.

[0011] Preferably, the metal floor is provided with a zigzag coupling gap.

[0012] Preferably, the power supply line uses a microstrip feeder that splits into two to supply power to the coupling gap in parallel.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the significant advantages of this invention are as follows: the invention adopts an improved radiation structure and feed coupling slot, which increases the impedance bandwidth of the antenna and reduces the profile height of the antenna compared with the traditional structure; the integrated feed structure design makes the antenna easier to integrate with other modules, solving the defect that the traditional microstrip slot coupled feed structure cannot be integrated; by loading an electrically isolated pillar to limit the electromagnetic wave path, resonance under a large scanning frame is avoided to prevent damage to the antenna performance.

[0014] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna element structure of the present invention. Figure 1 (a) is the main view. Figure 1 (b) in the diagram represents the three-view drawing.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the array antenna structure of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is the beam scanning pattern of the array antenna of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the antenna unit structure of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] like Figure 1 , 4As shown, a novel highly integrated low-profile wideband scanning printed electromagnetic dipole array antenna unit structure includes a radiating dipole layer 1 and an integrated feed layer 2 arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The radiating dipole layer 1 is a single-layer printed circuit board, and the integrated feed layer 2 is a double-layer printed circuit board. The radiating dipole layer includes a coupling cavity 7, and a set of electric dipoles 3, magnetic dipoles 4, and impedance matching structure 5 disposed on the first surface of the coupling cavity 7. The integrated feed layer includes a first dielectric substrate, a metal ground plane 8 printed on the side of the first dielectric substrate near the radiating dipole layer 1, a feed strip 9 printed on the side of the first dielectric substrate away from the radiating dipole layer 1, and a feed conversion structure 11 disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate away from the radiating dipole layer 1. A base plate 12 is disposed on the side of the feed conversion structure 11 away from the first dielectric substrate. A reflecting air cavity is formed between the feed conversion structure 11, the base plate 12, and the radiating dipole layer 1. Compared to traditional microstrip line coupled feed, the integrated feed layer 2 has a higher degree of integration and can be interconnected with other printed circuit board modules at will.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the electric dipole 3 is a rectangular metal patch, and the magnetic dipole 4 is a cross-shaped slot. The electric dipole 3 is isolated by the magnetic dipole 4. The impedance matching structure 5 includes a rectangular slot disposed at the center of each rectangular metal patch and a rectangular slot disposed on the magnetic dipole 4. By etching the impedance matching structure matching slot and matching groove 5 on the patch to change and extend the current path, inductive and capacitive impedance adjustment points are introduced, achieving an impedance bandwidth of over 60% for the antenna element.

[0021] Specifically, the electric dipole 3 is divided into two monopoles, left and right, in a direction perpendicular to the cross-shaped slit. Specifically, the rectangular slit is provided on the branch slit of each cross-shaped slit, and the number of sets is 3.

[0022] In a further embodiment, a metal short-circuit post 6 passes through the coupling cavity 7, and the metal short-circuit post 6 contacts the electric dipole 3 to achieve the connection between the electric dipole 3 and the metal ground plate 8.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the power conversion structure 11 includes two second dielectric plates 15 arranged parallel to each other along two opposite sides of the first dielectric plate, an electrical isolation post 10 penetrating the second dielectric plate 15, and a power supply probe. The power supply probe leads energy from the power supply line 9 to the feed point of the second dielectric plate 15, and the impedance matching is corrected by adjusting the thickness of the loaded dielectric plate.

[0024] The integrated feed layer 2 enables low-loss transmission from the feed line to the lower integrated feed point. The electrically isolated pillar 10 restricts the transmission path of electromagnetic waves, preventing unnecessary resonance points from occurring during large-angle scanning and thus avoiding adverse effects on scanning performance.

[0025] In a further embodiment, the coupling cavity 7 is a dielectric plate.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the metal floor 8 is provided with a crisscross-shaped coupling slot. In this invention, the use of a crisscross-shaped coupling slot increases the coupling amount, which correspondingly reduces the cross-sectional height of the coupling cavity, thereby reducing the antenna cross-section. The cross-sectional height of this structure's coupling cavity is less than 0.12λc, which is the dielectric wavelength at high frequencies.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the feed line 9 uses a 1-to-2 microstrip feed line to feed the coupling gap in parallel. In this invention, an eccentric feeding method is employed, using a 1-to-2 microstrip feed line to feed the coupling gap in parallel, resulting in a wider impedance bandwidth compared to a traditional single microstrip line.

[0028] The working process of this invention is as follows: Electromagnetic energy is input into the antenna along the feed probe 14, and is matched to the feed line 9 through the second dielectric plate 15 and the first dielectric plate. The energy is evenly divided into two paths through the feed line 9, and is coupled upward to the coupling cavity 7 through the U-shaped slot on the metal ground plate 8, and finally excited the electric dipole and the equivalent magnetic dipole, radiating electromagnetic waves of a specific waveform into free space.

[0029] This invention changes the current path by etching a rectangular slot and three sets of rectangular gaps on an electric dipole patch, introducing inductive and capacitive impedance adjustment variables. By adjusting the size of the slot and gaps as well as the height of the coupling cavity, an antenna impedance bandwidth of more than 60% can be achieved.

[0030] The present invention loads a second dielectric substrate 15 of unequal thickness at the bottom of the microstrip line layer, introduces the energy of the microstrip line into the lower feed point using metallized vias, and corrects the impedance matching by adjusting the thickness of the dielectric layer to achieve integrated transition.

[0031] In this invention, a ring of electrically isolated pillars is loaded on the second dielectric substrate 15 in the integrated feed layer, distributed around the microstrip feed line to limit the electromagnetic wave path and avoid resonance at large scanning angles.

[0032] Array antenna structure as follows Figure 2 As shown, the bottom is a metal base plate, which can be replaced with other printed modules for integration as needed.

[0033] The beam scanning direction within the ±50° range of this invention is as follows Figure 3 As shown, the scanning loss is less than 3dB.

[0034] This invention achieves an impedance bandwidth of over 60% and a two-dimensional ±50° beam scanning through improvements to the patch structure and feeding structure, while also exhibiting good integrated design characteristics. With equal element spacing, it provides a larger scanning angle compared to microstrip patch antennas with "L"-shaped feed-coupled feeding.

Claims

1. A highly integrated, low-profile, wide-bandwidth, angle-scanning printed electromagnetic dipole array antenna, characterized in that, include: The radiation dipole layer (1) and the integrated feed layer (2) are provided. The radiation dipole layer includes a coupling cavity (7) and a set of electric dipoles (3), magnetic dipoles (4) and impedance matching structure (5) disposed on the first surface of the coupling cavity (7). The integrated feed layer includes a first dielectric substrate, a metal ground plate (8) printed on the side of the first dielectric substrate near the radiation dipole layer (1), a feed strip (9) printed on the side of the first dielectric substrate away from the radiation dipole layer (1), and a feed conversion structure (11) disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate away from the radiation dipole layer (1). A base plate (12) is disposed on the side of the feed conversion structure (11) away from the first dielectric substrate. A reflective air cavity is formed between the feed conversion structure (11), the base plate (12) and the radiation dipole layer (1). The electric dipole (3) is a rectangular metal patch, and the magnetic dipole (4) is a cross-shaped slot. The electric dipole (3) is structurally separated by the magnetic dipole (5). The impedance matching structure (5) includes a rectangular slot set in the center of each electric dipole (3) and a rectangular slot set on the magnetic dipole (4). The rectangular slots are set on the branch slots of each cross-shaped slot, and the number is 3 sets. The power supply conversion structure (11) includes two second dielectric plates (15) set parallel to each other along two opposite sides of the first dielectric plate, as well as an electrical isolation post (10) and a power supply probe (14) penetrating the second dielectric plate (15). The input energy is led to the power supply line (9) through the power supply probe (14). The impedance matching design is carried out by adjusting the thickness of the second dielectric plate (15). The metal floor (8) is provided with a crisscross-shaped coupling gap; the power supply line (9) uses a one-to-two microstrip feeder to feed the coupling gap in parallel.

2. The highly integrated, low-profile, wide-bandwidth, angle-scanning printed electromagnetic dipole array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, A metal short-circuit post (6) runs through the coupling cavity (7), and the metal short-circuit post (6) is in contact with the electric dipole (3).

3. The highly integrated, low-profile, wide-bandwidth, angle-scanning printed electromagnetic dipole array antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that, The coupling cavity (7) is a dielectric plate.

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