A load / radiation integrated multi-beam antenna structure and a preparation method and application thereof

Abstract

The application relates to the technical fields of composite materials and antennas, and provides a bearing / radiation integrated multi-beam antenna structure and a preparation method and application thereof. The application constructs a waveguide structure by arranging a metal array on the surface of a polytetrafluoroethylene plate to excite a surface plasmon propagation mode of electromagnetic waves; the application pastes a reinforcing patch on the surface of the metal array to simultaneously improve the electromagnetic wave transmission performance and the bearing performance of the waveguide structure; meanwhile, the waveguide structure is filled with foam materials in the gaps to further enhance the mechanical performance of the antenna structure, and finally realizes integrated design and preparation of electromagnetic wave radiation and lightweight bearing; furthermore, the application can realize multi-beam electromagnetic wave radiation in different directions by designing the metal array and the reinforcing patch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of composite materials and antenna technology, and in particular to a multi-beam antenna structure integrating load-bearing and radiation, its fabrication method, and its application. Background Technology

[0002] Airborne antennas undertake multiple tasks, including aircraft communication, navigation, IFF (Identification Friend or Foe), and countermeasures. Airborne antenna design has become a highly competitive technological frontier in modern information warfare. Traditional radar radomes and external antennas not only increase the aircraft's radar cross-section (RCS) but also negatively impact aerodynamic performance, while increasing the overall weight, complexity, and maintenance costs of the aircraft. Therefore, there is an urgent need for antennas that can be highly integrated with the aircraft platform while possessing excellent mechanical and electromagnetic properties.

[0003] Unfortunately, the electromagnetic performance design and mechanical performance design of traditional integrated antennas are usually separate. That is, the antenna is designed for electromagnetic requirements, a protective shell is installed around it, and an antenna cover is installed on top. The mechanical load is provided without affecting the antenna's radiation characteristics. The antenna, protective shell, and antenna cover each assume different responsibilities and work independently, resulting in low structural utilization efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides an integrated load-bearing / radiating multi-beam antenna structure, its fabrication method, and its application. The antenna structure provided by the present invention achieves multi-beam radiation while possessing excellent mechanical properties and high structural utilization.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A multi-beam antenna structure integrating bearer / radiator functions, comprising:

[0007] Upper transmission panel and lower transmission panel;

[0008] A waveguide structure is disposed between the upper and lower transmission panels; the waveguide structure includes a polytetrafluoroethylene plate and metal arrays disposed on both sides of the polytetrafluoroethylene plate; the number of waveguide structures is 8, and at least 4 of the waveguide structures have reinforcing patches attached to the surface of the metal arrays.

[0009] A power feeding structure; the power feeding structure includes a flange and probes disposed on the flange; the waveguide structure is perpendicular to the upper transmission panel and the lower transmission panel, and is uniformly arranged around the probes;

[0010] Foam material filling the gaps between adjacent waveguide structures.

[0011] Preferably, the included angle between adjacent waveguide structures is 45°, and the height of the waveguide structure is equal to the vertical height between the upper and lower transmission panels.

[0012] Preferably, the flange of the feeding structure is embedded in the lower transmission panel, and the probe is placed at the center of the area surrounding the waveguide structure.

[0013] Preferably, the metal array is made of copper, and the vertical distance between the edge of the metal array near the probe and the probe is 4-12 mm.

[0014] The metal array is a metal sawtooth array; the metal sawtooth array includes a transmission section and transition sections disposed on both sides of the transmission section, the metal sawtooth in the transmission section is constantly distributed, and the sawtooth in the transition section is gradient distributed.

[0015] Preferably, in the metal sawtooth array, the spacing between adjacent metal sawtooths is 0.1 to 0.3 mm, the tooth height of the metal sawtooths in the transmission section is 2 to 3 mm, and the width of the metal sawtooths is 0.1 to 0.3 mm; the contour of the transition section is parabolic.

[0016] Preferably, the upper transmissive panel, the lower transmissive panel, and the reinforcing patch are made of glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite material; the thickness of the upper transmissive panel, the lower transmissive panel, and the reinforcing patch is independently 0.5-1 mm; the thickness of the polytetrafluoroethylene plate is 0.5-1 mm; the thickness of the metal array is 0.018-0.035 mm; and the foam material is polymethacrylimide foam.

[0017] Preferably, the probe has a diameter of 0.6 mm and a length of 6.5–10 mm.

[0018] The present invention also provides a method for fabricating the integrated bearer / radiator multibeam antenna structure described above, comprising the following steps:

[0019] Etching is performed on a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) plate with a metal coating to form a metal array on both sides of the PTFE plate, thus obtaining a waveguide structure.

[0020] Take 8 waveguide structures, attach reinforcing patches to the metal array surface of at least 4 waveguide structures, then fix all the waveguide structures between the upper and lower transmission panels, fill the gaps between adjacent waveguide structures with foam material, embed the flange of the feed structure into the lower transmission panel, and place the probe at the center of the waveguide structure to obtain the integrated carrier / radiator multi-beam antenna structure.

[0021] Preferably, the method for fixing the waveguide structure includes: slotting and interlocking four mutually perpendicular waveguide structures, pasting and fixing the interlocked structures between the upper and lower transmission panels, and directly pasting and fixing the remaining waveguide structures; a gap is reserved during the slotting and interlocking, and the probe of the feeding structure is embedded in the reserved gap.

[0022] The present invention also provides the application of the integrated carrier / radiation multibeam antenna structure described in the above-described scheme or the integrated carrier / radiation multibeam antenna structure prepared by the above-described method in radar antennas.

[0023] This invention provides a multi-beam antenna structure integrating bearer / radiator, comprising: an upper transmission panel and a lower transmission panel; a waveguide structure disposed between the upper and lower transmission panels; the waveguide structure comprising a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) plate and metal arrays disposed on both sides of the PTFE plate; the waveguide structure having a number of eight, and at least four of the waveguide structures having reinforcing patches adhered to the surface of the metal arrays; a feeding structure; the feeding structure comprising a flange and probes disposed on the flange; the waveguide structures being perpendicular to the upper and lower transmission panels and uniformly arranged around the probes; and foam material filling the gaps between adjacent waveguide structures. This invention constructs a waveguide structure by setting a metal array on the surface of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) plate to excite surface plasmon resonance propagation modes of electromagnetic waves. Furthermore, by attaching reinforcing patches to the surface of the metal array, the invention simultaneously improves the electromagnetic wave transmission and load-bearing performance of the waveguide structure. Additionally, by filling the gaps in the waveguide structure with foam material, the mechanical properties of the antenna structure are further enhanced, ultimately achieving an integrated design and fabrication of electromagnetic wave radiation and lightweight load-bearing capacity. Moreover, through the design of the metal array and reinforcing patches, this invention enables multi-beam electromagnetic wave radiation in different directions. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the integrated carrier / radiator multibeam antenna structure in Example 1; wherein: 1 is waveguide structure I (i.e., waveguide structure arranged along the diagonal direction of the transmission panel), 2 is waveguide structure II (i.e., waveguide structure arranged along the x and y directions), 3 is reinforcing patch, 4 is foam material, 5 is upper transmission panel, 6 is feeding structure, and 7 is lower transmission panel.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the metal array in the integrated bearer / radiator multibeam antenna structure of Example 1;

[0026] Figure 3 These are schematic diagrams of the integrated bearer / radiator multibeam antenna structures in Embodiments 2 and 3, where (a) is Embodiment 2 and (b) is Embodiment 3.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the metal array in the integrated bearer / radiator multibeam antenna structure of Example 2;

[0028] Figure 5 The electromagnetic performance test results of the integrated carrier / radiator multi-beam antenna structures prepared in Examples 1 to 3 are shown, where (a) to (c) are the simulation test and experimental test results of the antenna structures in Examples 1 to 3, respectively, and (d) to (f) are the normalized radiation patterns of the antenna structures in Examples 1 to 3, respectively.

[0029] Figure 6 The results show the compression resistance test results of the antenna structures prepared in Example 2 and Comparative Examples 1-2. Detailed Implementation

[0030] This invention provides a multi-beam antenna structure integrating bearer / radiator, comprising:

[0031] Upper transmission panel and lower transmission panel;

[0032] A waveguide structure is disposed between the upper and lower transmission panels; the waveguide structure includes a polytetrafluoroethylene plate and metal arrays disposed on both sides of the polytetrafluoroethylene plate; the number of waveguide structures is 8, and at least 4 of the waveguide structures have reinforcing patches attached to the surface of the metal arrays.

[0033] A power feeding structure; the power feeding structure includes a flange and probes disposed on the flange; the waveguide structure is perpendicular to the upper transmission panel and the lower transmission panel, and is uniformly arranged around the probes;

[0034] Foam material filling the gaps between adjacent waveguide structures.

[0035] The integrated bearer / radiator multi-beam antenna structure provided by this invention includes an upper transmitting panel and a lower transmitting panel. In this invention, the upper and lower transmitting panels are preferably glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite materials, more preferably FR-4 panels, and the dielectric constant of the FR-4 panel is preferably 4.3 (1-j0.025). This invention uses transmitting panels as both upper and lower panels, which can reduce the influence of the upper and lower panels on electromagnetic waves during radiation. In this invention, the thickness of the upper and lower transmitting panels is independently preferably 0.5–1 mm. In this invention, the upper and lower transmitting panels are preferably square panels.

[0036] The integrated carrier / radiator multi-beam antenna structure provided by the present invention includes a waveguide structure disposed between the upper transmission panel and the lower transmission panel; the waveguide structure includes a polytetrafluoroethylene plate and a metal array disposed on both sides of the polytetrafluoroethylene plate; the number of waveguide structures is 8.

[0037] In this invention, the included angle between adjacent waveguide structures is preferably 45°. The height (i.e., width) of the waveguide structure is equal to the vertical height between the upper and lower transmission panels. The long side of the waveguide structure contacts the upper and lower transmission panels. In this invention, the waveguide structure along the x and y directions is denoted as waveguide structure II, and the remaining four waveguide structures are arranged along the diagonal direction of the upper and lower transmission panels, denoted as waveguide structure I (see...). Figure 1 In a specific embodiment of the present invention, one end of each of the four waveguide structures I is located at the apex corner of the upper and lower transmission panels; the length of waveguide structure I is equal to that of waveguide structure II. When calculating the length of the waveguide structure, the vertical distance between the metal array and the probe is (times). Figure 1 The s) in the calculation are not included.

[0038] In this invention, the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) plate is preferably an F4B plate, and the dielectric constant of the F4B plate is preferably 2.65 (1-j0.001); the thickness of the PTFE plate is preferably 0.5-1 mm; the waveguide structure is preferably cuboid in shape, and the height of the waveguide structure is (…). Figure 2 The w) in the figure is preferably 18-22mm, more preferably 20mm. Specifically, the long side of the waveguide structure contacts the upper and lower transparent panels and is vertically arranged between the upper and lower transparent panels, that is, the height of the waveguide structure is equal to the vertical distance between the upper and lower transparent panels. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, in order to ensure the continuity of the waveguide structure, it is preferable to connect the four mutually perpendicular waveguide structures to each other. The connection method is preferably slotted interlocking, and the other four are bonded and fixed in the corresponding positions. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, when only four waveguide structures are attached with reinforcing patches, it is preferable to connect the four waveguide structures with reinforcing patches to each other, and fix the other four waveguide structures without reinforcing patches with adhesive.

[0039] In this invention, the metal array is preferably made of copper, and the thickness of the metal array is preferably 0.018–0.035 mm; the vertical distance between the edge of the metal array near the probe and the probe is ( Figure 1 The s) in the figure is preferably 4-12 mm; the metal array is specifically etched on both sides of the F4B board; the metal array is preferably a metal sawtooth array; the metal sawtooth array preferably includes a transmission section and transition sections disposed on both sides of the transmission section, the metal sawtooth in the transmission section is constantly distributed, and the sawtooth in the transition section is gradient distributed. In this invention, the metal array is specifically a symmetrical structure, with a connecting line in the middle of the metal array and metal sawtooth on both sides of the connecting line, and the metal sawtooth is connected by the connecting line.

[0040] In this invention, the spacing between adjacent metal saw teeth ( Figure 2The p in the figure is preferably 0.1 to 0.3 mm, and the width of the metal serrations is ( Figure 2 a) is preferably 0.1–0.3 mm; the transition section length ( Figure 2 The preferred length of l1 is 7mm, and the transmission section length is ( Figure 2 The length of l2) is preferably 4.9–21.8 mm; in this invention, in the waveguide structure II, the total length of the metal array is preferably the same as the length of the waveguide structure, and in the waveguide structure I, the length of the waveguide structure is preferably a fraction of the total length of the metal array. Times; tooth height of the metal saw teeth in the transmission section ( Figure 2 The h in the figure is preferably 2-3 mm, and the width of the connecting line is ( Figure 2 b) is preferably 0.2–0.5 mm; in specific embodiments of the present invention, the dimensions of the metal arrays in waveguide structure I and waveguide structure II can be the same or different. The present invention provides specific designs for different embodiments, employing conventional methods in the art, and can be designed using simulation software. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the metal sawtooth array is composed of copper foil strips, and the conductivity of the copper foil strips is preferably 5.8 × 10⁻⁶. 7 S / m.

[0041] In this invention, the contours of the transition sections on both sides of the array are preferably parabolic. In a specific embodiment of this invention, the contour lines of the transition sections are preferably determined according to Formula I:

[0042]

[0043] Where 0≤x≤l1, the origin is the midpoint of the edge of the polytetrafluoroethylene plate, x is the coordinate of the horizontal coordinate axis in the positive direction; h represents the tooth height of the metal saw teeth, a represents the width of the metal saw teeth, and l1 represents the length of the transition section.

[0044] This invention utilizes the aforementioned metal array to excite the surface plasmon propagation mode of electromagnetic waves, thereby achieving electromagnetic wave transmission.

[0045] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the metal array is preferably formed by etching a copper-plated F4B plate, which will be described in detail in the preparation method section thereafter.

[0046] In this invention, reinforcing patches are also attached to the surface of the metal array of at least four waveguide structures. In a specific embodiment of this invention, when there are eight waveguide structures, it is preferable to attach reinforcing patches to the surface of the metal array of four mutually perpendicular waveguide structures (specifically, to attach reinforcing patches to the surface of the metal array of four waveguide structures I, or to attach reinforcing patches to the surface of the metal array of four waveguide structures II), or preferably to attach reinforcing patches to the surface of the metal array of all eight waveguide structures. The reinforcing patches are preferably glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite materials, more preferably FR-4 plates. The thickness of the reinforcing patches is preferably 0.5-1 mm, more preferably 1 mm. The width of the reinforcing patches is consistent with the width of the polytetrafluoroethylene plate, and the length is consistent with the length of the metal array. In different specific embodiments of this invention, the reinforcing patches are disposed on different waveguide structures to control the radiation performance of the antenna.

[0047] The integrated bearer / radiator multi-beam antenna structure provided by this invention includes a feeding structure; the feeding structure includes a flange and a probe disposed on the flange, and further includes a coaxial line disposed below the flange (see...). Figure 1 The probe and coaxial line are both perpendicular to the flange and located at the center of the flange; in this invention, the diameter of the coaxial line is preferably 2 mm, the diameter of the probe is preferably 0.6 mm, and the length of the probe is ( Figure 1 h k The preferred diameter is 6.5-10mm, more preferably 6.5mm. This invention does not have special requirements for the feeding structure; any structure well-known to those skilled in the art can be used. In a specific embodiment of this invention, the feeding structure is a feeding monopole, specifically a copper monopole. The waveguide structure is uniformly arranged around the probe; the specific arrangement will not be described further. The flange of the feeding structure is embedded in the lower transmission panel, and the probe is placed at the center of the area surrounded by the waveguide structure. Specifically, four vertical waveguide structures are slotted and interlocked, with a gap reserved at the center. The probe is placed in the reserved gap. A detailed description will follow in the preparation method section.

[0048] The integrated waveguide / radiating multibeam antenna structure provided by this invention includes a foam material filling the gaps between adjacent waveguide structures; the relative permittivity of the foam material is preferably 1.27; the foam material is preferably polymethacrylimide foam (PMI foam); the density of the PMI foam is preferably 75-220 kg / m³. 3 More preferably 75 kg / m 3 In a specific embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable to fill the space between the upper and lower transmission panels with foam material, and the edges of the foam material are aligned with the upper and lower transmission panels. By filling the space with foam material, the present invention can suppress buckling of the waveguide structure, increase the compressive strength of the structure, and thus enhance the mechanical performance of the antenna structure.

[0049] The present invention also provides a method for fabricating the integrated bearer / radiator multibeam antenna structure described above, comprising the following steps:

[0050] Etching is performed on a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) plate with a metal coating to form a metal array on both sides of the PTFE plate, thus obtaining a waveguide structure.

[0051] Take 8 waveguide structures, attach reinforcing patches to the metal array surface of at least 4 waveguide structures, then fix all the waveguide structures between the upper and lower transmission panels, fill the gaps between adjacent waveguide structures with foam material, embed the feeding structure into the lower transmission panel, and place the probe at the center of the waveguide structure to obtain a multi-beam antenna structure that integrates carrying and radiating.

[0052] This invention involves etching a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) plate with a metal coating to form a metal array on both sides of the PTFE plate, thereby obtaining a waveguide structure. In this invention, the PTFE plate with the metal coating is preferably a copper-plated F4B plate, and the thickness of the copper coating on the surface of the copper-plated F4B plate is preferably 0.018–0.035 mm, more preferably 0.018 mm. The etching method is preferably immersion etching, and the etchant used in the immersion etching is preferably an acidic copper chloride solution. This invention does not have special requirements for the specific operating conditions of the immersion etching; conditions well-known to those skilled in the art that can achieve etching are acceptable. During immersion etching, it is preferable to attach a mask to the surface of the copper-plated F4B plate, and the shape of the mask can be designed according to the shape of the metal array. In a specific embodiment of this invention, it is preferable that after etching, the etched F4B plate is cut using a precision engraving machine, and the cutting dimensions are preferably according to the dimensions of waveguide structure I and waveguide structure II.

[0053] After obtaining the waveguide structure, this invention takes eight waveguide structures, attaches reinforcing patches to the metal array surface of at least four waveguide structures, and then fixes all the waveguide structures between the upper and lower transmission panels. In this invention, the preferred method for fixing the waveguide structure includes: slotting and interlocking four mutually perpendicular waveguide structures, attaching the interlocked structure between the upper and lower transmission panels, and directly attaching and fixing the remaining waveguide structures; a gap is reserved during the slotting and interlocking process, and the probe of the feeding structure is embedded in the reserved gap. Specifically, in this invention, four waveguide structures I or four waveguide structures II are slotted and interlocked; the preferred method of slotting and interlocking is: using a precision engraving machine to cut the etched F4B board into rectangular strips; when slotting and interlocking waveguide structures I, the size of the rectangular strip is 2×1. z1 +2×s, when the waveguide structure II is slotted and interlocked, the size of the rectangular strip is 2×l.z2 +2×s, during cutting, cut a 1mm wide and h long section in the middle of the rectangular strip. k (Probe length) space is provided to place the probe; the remaining space in the middle of the rectangular strip is slotted, with one of the rectangular strips slotted on the opposite side of the probe's reserved position, the slot depth being (wh) k ) / 2, another rectangular strip directly deepens the groove along the probe's pre-reserved position, and the deepening dimension is also (wh k ) / 2; The two rectangular strips are vertically interlocked, thus completing the slotted interlocking process.

[0054] After the slotting and locking are completed, the locking structure and the remaining waveguide structure are fixed between the upper and lower transmission panels using an adhesive; the adhesive used in this invention is preferably an epoxy resin series adhesive.

[0055] After the waveguide structure is fixed, foam material is filled into the gaps between adjacent waveguide structures. The feed structure is then embedded into the lower transmission panel, and the probe is placed at the center of the waveguide structure, resulting in an integrated carrier / radiator multi-beam antenna structure. In this invention, it is preferable to embed the flange of the feed monopole into the lower transmission panel, with the probe extending into the reserved position of the interlocking structure. This invention does not have special requirements for the method of filling the foam material; any method well-known to those skilled in the art can be used, specifically, adhesive bonding can be employed.

[0056] The present invention also provides the application of the integrated carrier / radiation multibeam antenna structure described in the above-described scheme or the integrated carrier / radiation multibeam antenna structure prepared by the above-described method in radar antennas.

[0057] The technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments thereof. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0058] In the following embodiments, the upper and lower transmission panels are FR-4 panels, the reinforcing patches are FR-4 plates, and both have a dielectric constant of 4.3 (1-j0.025); the polytetrafluoroethylene plate is an F4B plate with a dielectric constant of 2.65 (1-j0.001); and the metal array is made of copper with a conductivity of 5.8 × 10⁻⁶. 7 S / m; The foam material is polymethacrylimide foam with a dielectric constant of 1.27.

[0059] Example 1

[0060] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the integrated carrier / radiator multi-beam antenna structure in Example 1, where 1 is waveguide structure I (i.e., waveguide structure arranged along the x and y directions), 2 is waveguide structure II (i.e., transmission panel arranged along the diagonal direction of the transmission panel), 3 is reinforcement patch, 4 is foam material, 5 is upper transmission panel, 6 is feeding structure, and 7 is lower transmission panel.

[0061] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the metal array in the integrated bearer / radiator multibeam antenna structure of Example 1.

[0062] In this embodiment, there are 8 waveguide structures, with probes evenly arranged around the feed structure. The included angle between adjacent waveguide structures is 45°. The waveguide structures arranged along the x and y directions are connected by slotted interlocking, and the other 4 waveguide structures are fixed with adhesive. The waveguide structures are all F4B boards with etched metal arrays, and metal arrays are etched on both sides of the 8 waveguide structures. Reinforcing patches are attached to the metal arrays of the 8 waveguide structures. The gaps between adjacent waveguide structures are filled with PMI foam. The feed structure is a copper monopole, and the probe of the copper monopole is located at the center of the waveguide structure.

[0063] The thickness of the FR-4 panel and the FR-4 reinforcing patch is 1mm. The FR-4 panel is square with a side length of 96mm. In the metal array, the tooth height h = 2mm, tooth width a = 0.2mm, tooth period p = 0.4mm, connecting line width b = 0.4mm, and the total length of the metal array in waveguide structure II is l. z2 = 35.8mm, total length l of waveguide structure I z1 For l z2 of The metal array is formed by etching a copper-plated FB4 board, where the FB4 board is 1 mm thick and the copper plating layer is 0.018 mm thick. The waveguide structure has a height w = 20 mm, the distance between the metal array and the monopole is s = 12 mm, and the monopole probe has a length h. k =6.5mm.

[0064] The fabrication method of the integrated multi-beam antenna structure is as follows: A mask is pasted on the surface of a copper-plated FB4 board, and then copper chloride solution is used for immersion etching to form a metal sawtooth array. Reinforcing patches are pasted on the metal sawtooth array using an adhesive. The polytetrafluoroethylene plates of the four waveguide structures II along the x and y directions are interconnected and slotted together, with a probe gap reserved. The other four waveguide structures I are fixed in the corresponding positions. Foam is filled in the gaps between adjacent waveguide structures. The waveguide structure array and foam are fixed between the transmission panels using an adhesive, and a monopole is embedded in the lower transmission panel. The probe is placed in the space reserved in the middle of the structure during slotting and locking, thus obtaining the integrated multi-beam antenna structure.

[0065] The electromagnetic performance of the integrated multi-beam antenna structure in Example 1 was simulated and tested experimentally, where the return loss S... 11 The radiation pattern was measured using a vector network analyzer. The test was conducted in a microwave anechoic chamber according to GB / T40602.1-2021, and the test results are as follows: Figure 5 As shown in (a) and (d) in the figure; according to the test results, it can be seen that the return loss S of the integrated multi-beam antenna structure prepared in this embodiment is 11 Within the 7.9–8.8 GHz frequency band, the difference is less than -10 dB. Furthermore, within the operating frequency band, this embodiment can achieve eight-beam radiation, with the main beam radiating along the center of the metal sawtooth structure.

[0066] Example 2

[0067] Figure 3 (a) is a schematic diagram of the integrated bearer / radiator multibeam antenna structure in Example 2. Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the metal array in the integrated multi-beam antenna structure of Example 2.

[0068] Unlike Example 1, the FR-4 panel has a side length of 55mm, the tooth period p in the metal array is 0.3mm, and the total length l of the metal array in waveguide structure I is... z1 =26.9mm, tooth height h1=2mm; total length l of the metal array in waveguide structure II z2 =15.5mm, tooth height h2=3mm.

[0069] In Example 2, the reinforcing patch is attached to the metal array in waveguide structure I, while no reinforcing patch is attached to waveguide structure II. To ensure continuity, the F4B boards between waveguide structures I are connected by slotted interlocking. All other conditions are the same as in Example 1.

[0070] The electromagnetic performance of the integrated multi-beam antenna structure in Example 2 was simulated and tested experimentally. The test methods were the same as in Example 1, and the test results are as follows: Figure 5 As shown in (b) and (e) in the figure. Based on the test results, it can be seen that the return loss S of the integrated multi-beam antenna structure fabricated in this embodiment is... 11 Within the 8.8–9.9 GHz frequency band, the difference is less than -10 dB. Furthermore, within its operating frequency band, this embodiment can achieve four-beam radiation, with the main beam radiating along waveguide structure I.

[0071] Example 3

[0072] Figure 3Figure (b) is a schematic diagram of the integrated bearer / radiator multibeam antenna structure in Embodiment 3. Its structural dimensions are the same as the integrated multibeam antenna structure in Embodiment 2. However, in Embodiment 3, the reinforcing patch is attached to the metal array in waveguide structure II, while the reinforcing patch is not attached to waveguide structure I. To ensure continuity, the F4B boards between waveguide structures II are connected by slotted interlocking. All other conditions are the same as in Embodiment 2.

[0073] The electromagnetic performance of the integrated bearer / radiator multi-beam antenna structure in Example 3 was simulated and tested experimentally. The test methods were the same as in Example 1, and the test results are as follows: Figure 5 As shown in (c) and (f) in the figure. Based on the test results, it can be seen that the return loss S of the integrated multi-beam antenna structure prepared in this embodiment is... 11 Within the 8.4–9.6 GHz frequency band, the difference is less than -10 dB. Furthermore, within its operating frequency band, this embodiment can achieve four-beam radiation, with the main beam radiating along waveguide structure II.

[0074] As can be seen from Examples 1 to 3, by controlling the position of the enhancement patch, eight-beam radiation and four-beam radiation in different directions can be achieved.

[0075] Comparative Example 1

[0076] It is basically the same as Example 2, except that PMI foam is not filled, resulting in a medium sandwich structure.

[0077] Comparative Example 2

[0078] The result is basically the same as in Example 2, except that no waveguide structure is provided, resulting in a PMI foam sandwich structure.

[0079] The compressive strength of the antenna structures prepared in Example 2 and Comparative Examples 1-2 was tested according to the methods in GB / T 1453-2022 "Test Method for Flat Compression Performance of Sandwich Structures or Cores". The results are as follows: Figure 6 As shown, "Comparative Example 1 + Comparative Example 2" represents the linear superposition of the compressibility performance of the integrated multi-beam antenna structures prepared in Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2. For experimental convenience, the feed structure was removed during the compressibility performance test. According to... Figure 6 The test results show that the compressive strength of the integrated multi-beam antenna structure of the present invention is significantly higher than that of the PMI foam sandwich structure and the dielectric sandwich structure, and significantly higher than the linear superposition of the two, thus achieving coupled enhancement of compressive strength.

[0080] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-beam antenna structure integrating load carrying and radiation, characterized in that, include: Upper transmission panel and lower transmission panel; A waveguide structure is disposed between the upper and lower transmission panels; the waveguide structure includes a polytetrafluoroethylene plate and metal arrays disposed on both sides of the polytetrafluoroethylene plate; the number of waveguide structures is 8. Power supply structure; The power supply structure includes a flange and a probe disposed on the flange; the waveguide structure is perpendicular to the upper and lower transmission panels and is uniformly arranged around the probe; reinforcement patches are pasted on the metal array surfaces of the four mutually perpendicular waveguide structures, or reinforcement patches are pasted on the metal array surfaces of the eight waveguide structures. Foam material filling the gaps between adjacent waveguide structures.

2. The integrated bearer / radiator multi-beam antenna structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The included angle between adjacent waveguide structures is 45°, and the height of the waveguide structure is equal to the vertical height between the upper and lower transmission panels.

3. The integrated bearer / radiator multi-beam antenna structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flange of the feeding structure is embedded in the lower transmission panel, and the probe is placed at the center of the area surrounding the waveguide structure.

4. The integrated bearer / radiator multi-beam antenna structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metal array is made of copper, and the vertical distance between the edge of the metal array near the probe and the probe is 4~12mm; The metal array is a metal sawtooth array; the metal sawtooth array includes a transmission section and transition sections disposed on both sides of the transmission section, the metal sawtooth in the transmission section is constantly distributed, and the sawtooth in the transition section is gradient distributed.

5. The integrated bearer / radiator multi-beam antenna structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the metal sawtooth array, the spacing between adjacent metal sawtooths is 0.1~0.3mm, and the width of the metal sawtooths is 0.1~0.3mm; the tooth height of the metal sawtooths in the transmission section is 2~3mm; the contour of the transition section is parabolic.

6. The integrated bearer / radiator multi-beam antenna structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper transmissive panel, lower transmissive panel, and reinforcing patch are made of glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite material; the thickness of the upper transmissive panel, lower transmissive panel, and reinforcing patch is independently 0.5~1mm; the thickness of the polytetrafluoroethylene sheet is 0.5~1mm. The thickness of the metal array is 0.018~0.035mm; the foam material is polymethacrylamide foam.

7. The integrated bearer / radiator multi-beam antenna structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The probe has a diameter of 0.6 mm and a length of 6.5~10 mm.

8. The method for fabricating the integrated bearer / radiator multibeam antenna structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Etching is performed on a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) plate with a metal coating to form a metal array on both sides of the PTFE plate, thus obtaining a waveguide structure. Take 8 waveguide structures, attach reinforcing patches to the metal array surface of at least 4 waveguide structures, then fix all the waveguide structures between the upper and lower transmission panels, fill the gaps between adjacent waveguide structures with foam material, embed the flange of the feed structure into the lower transmission panel, and place the probe at the center of the waveguide structure to obtain the integrated carrier / radiator multi-beam antenna structure.

9. The preparation method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method for fixing the waveguide structure includes: slotting and interlocking four mutually perpendicular waveguide structures, pasting and fixing the interlocked structures between the upper and lower transmission panels, and directly pasting and fixing the remaining waveguide structures; a gap is reserved during the slotting and interlocking, and the probe of the feeding structure is embedded in the reserved gap.

10. The application of the integrated carrier / radiator multibeam antenna structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or the integrated carrier / radiator multibeam antenna structure prepared by the preparation method according to any one of claims 8 to 9 in radar antennas.

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