Reconfigurable and scalable high-low frequency cross array antenna based on liquid metal

Abstract

The application belongs to the field of array antenna design and discloses a reconfigurable and expandable high-low frequency cross array antenna based on liquid metal, which comprises a horizontally polarized array and a vertically polarized array arranged in an up-down mode, and an insulating substrate is arranged between the horizontally polarized array and the vertically polarized array, the insulating substrate is preferably composed of a resin material, and the arrangement directions of the array elements in the horizontally polarized array and the vertically polarized array are 90° or -90° different. The horizontally polarized array and the vertically polarized array each comprise straight-line array elements, short-bent-pipe array elements and long-bent-pipe array elements, the straight-line array elements, the short-bent-pipe array elements and the long-bent-pipe array elements are each filled with liquid metal and each consist of two groups of circumferentially symmetrical array elements. The liquid metal in the long-bent-pipe array elements can flow freely to form S+C+X band reconfigurable array elements, realize the design of frequency continuously adjustable array elements covering S, C and X bands, and realize the reconfiguration of four polarization modes of the antenna array and the reconfiguration of S, C and X band frequencies in a cross array.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of array antenna design, and specifically relates to a reconfigurable and scalable high- and low-frequency cross array antenna based on liquid metal. Background Technology

[0002] To meet the high-sensitivity requirements of future aircraft, antennas need to have a wide operating frequency band and multiple polarization modes, as well as a sufficiently large aperture area to improve sensing capabilities. Furthermore, the high stealth requirements of future fighter jets mean that the flattened aerodynamic shape imposes stronger spatial constraints on antenna layout, making the skin space suitable for antenna array placement even more limited and restricting the improvement of power-aperture product. To achieve high-sensitivity capabilities within the extremely limited circumferential skin area of ​​aircraft, multi-dimensional antenna integration / reconfiguration has become one of the core evolution goals of future antenna research. Reconfigurable antennas based on liquid metals, combining the deformable and fluid characteristics of liquid metals with antenna design, represent an important direction for the future development of reconfigurable antennas.

[0003] Therefore, how to implement antenna design based on liquid metal is a problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a reconfigurable and scalable high- and low-frequency cross-array antenna based on liquid metal to solve the problems of narrow bandwidth and limited polarization options in existing antennas.

[0005] The technical solution of this application is: a reconfigurable and expandable high- and low-frequency cross-array antenna based on liquid metal, composed of multiple identically arranged subarrays, including a horizontally polarized array and a vertically polarized array, with an insulating substrate between the horizontally polarized array and the vertically polarized array. The array elements in the horizontally polarized array and the vertically polarized array are arranged in directions that differ by 90° or -90°. Both the horizontally polarized array and the vertically polarized array include linear array elements, short-bent tube array elements, and long-bent tube array elements. The tube array element, including the straight tube array element, the short curved tube array element, and the long curved tube array element, is filled with liquid metal and consists of two sets of circumferentially symmetrical array elements. The short curved tube array element and the long curved tube array element each include a straight segment and an arc segment connected to the straight segment. The length of the straight segment of the long curved tube array element is greater than the length of the straight segment of the short curved tube array element. The length of the arc segment of the long curved tube array element is the same as the length of the arc segment of the short curved tube array element. The inner diameter of the straight segment of the long curved tube array element is smaller than the inner diameter of the arc segment.

[0006] The liquid metal within the long curved tube array element can flow freely. When the liquid metal flows into the straight section, the array arm length increases and the resonant frequency decreases; when the liquid metal flows into the arc section, the array arm length shortens and the resonant frequency increases.

[0007] The linear array element is an X-band array element, the short curved tube array element is a C+X-band array element, and the long curved tube array element is an S+C+X-band reconfigurable array element.

[0008] Preferably, the subarray has four rows of arrays, two of which are formed by linear array elements arranged at intervals; one row of arrays is formed by alternating linear array elements and short curved tube array elements; the last row of arrays is formed by alternating linear array elements, short curved tube array elements and long curved tube array elements, and linear array elements are provided on both sides of the short curved tube array elements and the long curved tube array elements.

[0009] Preferably, the distance between the two elements in the long curved tube array is 1.6 mm, the length of the two sets of arc segments in the long curved tube array is 7.6 mm, the length of the straight segment in the long curved tube array is 28 mm, and when the long curved tube array is in its shortest configuration, the length of the liquid metal injected into the straight segment is 7 mm.

[0010] Preferably, the width of the inner arc segment of the short curved tube element gradually increases from the end furthest from the straight segment to the end closest to the straight segment, and the width of the inner arc segment of the long curved tube element gradually decreases from the end furthest from the straight segment to the end closest to the straight segment.

[0011] Preferably, the insulating substrate is composed of resin material, the flow direction of liquid metal in the two arrays within the long curved tube array is symmetrical and synchronous, and both ends of each array within the long curved tube array are connected to an air pump.

[0012] This application discloses a reconfigurable and expandable high- and low-frequency cross-array antenna based on liquid metal, comprising a horizontally polarized array and a vertically polarized array arranged vertically, with an insulating substrate between them. The insulating substrate is preferably composed of resin material. The array elements within the horizontally and vertically polarized arrays are arranged in directions differing by 90° or -90°. Both the horizontally and vertically polarized arrays include linear array elements, short-bent tube array elements, and long-bent tube array elements. Liquid metal is injected into each of the linear, short-bent tube, and long-bent tube array elements, and each consists of two sets of circumferentially symmetrical array elements. The liquid metal within the long-bent tube array elements can flow freely, forming S+C+X band reconfigurable array elements. This achieves a continuously adjustable array element design covering the S, C, and X bands, enabling reconfigurable antenna arrays with four polarization modes and cross-array S, C, and X band frequency reconfigurability. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions provided in this application, the accompanying drawings will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this application.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna array composed of four subarrays in this application;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the J-type array with the shortest arm length in this application;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the J-type array with the longest arm length in this application;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the subarray structure when the subarm length of the J-type array in this application is the shortest;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the subarray structure when the J-type subarray arm length is at its longest according to this application.

[0019] 1. Linear array elements; 2. Short curved tube array elements; 3. Long curved tube array elements. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] A reconfigurable and scalable high- and low-frequency cross-array antenna based on liquid metal is composed of multiple identically arranged subarrays, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes a horizontally polarized array and a vertically polarized array arranged vertically, with an insulating substrate between the horizontally polarized array and the vertically polarized array. The insulating substrate is preferably composed of resin material, and the arrangement directions of the array elements in the horizontally polarized array and the vertically polarized array differ by 90° or -90°.

[0022] The horizontal and vertical polarization arrays form a two-layer array configuration, and through the design of the arrangement direction, left-hand circular polarization and right-hand circular polarization can be formed, resulting in a total of four polarization reconstruction methods.

[0023] The details are shown in Table 1:

[0024] Table 1 Polarization Reconstruction Methods

[0025]

[0026] Both the horizontal and vertical polarization arrays include a linear array element 1, a short-bent tube array element 2, and a long-bent tube array element 3. Each of these elements is filled with liquid metal and consists of two sets of circumferentially symmetrical array elements. The short-bent tube array element 2 and the long-bent tube array element 3 are J-shaped, each including a straight segment and an arc segment connected to the straight segment. The length of the straight segment in the long-bent tube array element 3 is greater than that in the short-bent tube array element 2, while the lengths of the arc segments in the long-bent tube array element 3 and 2 are the same. The inner diameter of the straight segment in the long-bent tube array element 3 is smaller than that of the arc segment. By arranging these three array elements, various different frequency bands can be formed to meet different application requirements.

[0027] The liquid metal in linear element 1 and short-bent tube element 2 remains fixed, while the liquid metal in long-bent tube element 3 can flow freely, ensuring that the flow direction of the liquid metal in the two elements within long-bent tube element 3 is symmetrical and synchronous. When the liquid metal flows into the straight segment, the element arm length increases and the resonant frequency decreases; when the liquid metal flows into the arc segment, the element arm length shortens and the resonant frequency increases. When the element arm length is at its shortest, the antenna element dimensions are as follows: Figure 2 and 4 As shown, when the element arm is at its longest, the antenna element size is as follows: Figure 3 and 5 As shown, by controlling the flow direction of the liquid metal, the resonant frequency can be continuously adjusted over a wide frequency band.

[0028] Preferably, the flow direction of the liquid metal in the two arrays within the long curved tube array element 3 is symmetrical and synchronized, and both ends of each array within the long curved tube array element 3 are connected to an air pump. High-precision control of the liquid metal within the long curved tube array element 3 can be achieved through the air pump.

[0029] The antenna array consists of three types of elements: X-band elements, C+X-band elements, and S+C+X-band reconfigurable elements. Figure 1 It is an antenna array composed of four subarrays, in which linear array element 1 is an X-band array element, short curved tube array element 2 is a C+X band array element, and long curved tube array element 3 is an S+C+X band reconfigurable array element.

[0030] By controlling the S+C+X band reconfigurable array elements with liquid metal, the array can operate in the S, C, and X bands. It can also work in conjunction with other array elements to make the antenna array operate in the S, C, and X bands. The frequency band reconfiguration methods are shown in Table 2.

[0031] Table 2 Frequency Band Reconfiguration Methods

[0032]

[0033] right Figure 1The antenna array shown was simulated and analyzed using five frequency points in the S, C, and X bands. The antenna aperture utilization is shown in Table 3. Compared with the frequency band distributed cosine field aperture, the aperture area of ​​this antenna array is reduced by more than 50%. The modular antenna subarray can realize the on-demand expansion of the antenna array.

[0034] Table 3 Analysis of Antenna Array Aperture Utilization

[0035]

[0036] Preferably, each subarray contains four rows of arrays, with two rows formed by alternating linear array elements 1. One row is formed by alternating linear array elements 1 and short curved tube array elements 2; the last row is formed by alternating linear array elements 1, short curved tube array elements 2, and long curved tube array elements 3, with linear array elements 1 on both sides of the short curved tube array elements 2 and the long curved tube array elements 3. The straight segments of the long curved tube array elements 3 can extend to the outside of the linear array elements 1 when arranging sub-oscillators. The composite state formed by the alternating arrangement of array elements improves space utilization, and different arrays are used to generate different operating frequencies.

[0037] Preferably, the distance between two elements within the long curved tube array element 3 is 1.6 mm, the length of the two sets of arc segments within the long curved tube array element 3 is 7.6 mm, and the length of the straight segment within the long curved tube array element 3 is 28 mm. When the long curved tube array element 3 is in its shortest configuration, the length of the liquid metal injected into the straight segment is 7 mm; when the long curved tube array element 3 is in its longest configuration, the length of the liquid metal injected into the straight segment is 28 mm. Other dimensions are as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 3 As indicated by the internal label. By controlling the position of the liquid metal within the long curved tube array element 3 using an air pump, the resonant frequency can be continuously adjusted over a wide range.

[0038] By adjusting the arm length of the J-type array and the distance of the reflector, the simulation results of the standing wave coefficient and gain under different configurations are shown in Table 4. The frequency bands cover the S-band, C-band and X-band.

[0039] Table 4 Simulation results of standing wave coefficient and gain for different configurations of the U-shaped oscillator.

[0040]

[0041]

[0042] Preferably, the width of the inner arc segment of the short curved tube element 2 gradually increases from the end furthest from the straight segment to the end closest to the straight segment; the width of the inner arc segment of the long curved tube element 3 gradually decreases from the end furthest from the straight segment to the end closest to the straight segment, so as to ensure the smoothness of the resonant frequency range adjustment.

[0043] Finally, the following points should be noted: First, in the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "linkage" should be interpreted broadly, and can be mechanical or electrical connections, or internal connections between two components, or direct connections. "Up", "down", "left", "right", etc. are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may change.

[0044] Secondly: The accompanying drawings of the embodiments disclosed in this invention only involve the structures involved in the embodiments disclosed in this invention. Other structures can refer to the general design. In the absence of conflict, the same embodiment and different embodiments of this invention can be combined with each other.

[0045] In conclusion, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable and scalable high- and low-frequency cross-array antenna based on liquid metal, characterized in that: Composed of multiple identically arranged subarrays, including a horizontally polarized array and a vertically polarized array arranged vertically, with an insulating substrate between the horizontal and vertical polarized arrays. The array elements in the horizontal and vertical polarized arrays are arranged in directions that differ by 90° or -90°. Both the horizontal and vertical polarized arrays include linear array elements (1), short bent tube array elements (2), and long bent tube array elements (3). (3) Both are filled with liquid metal and are composed of two circumferentially symmetrical array elements. Both the short curved tube array element (2) and the long curved tube array element (3) include a straight segment and an arc segment connected to the straight segment. The length of the straight segment of the long curved tube array element (3) is greater than the length of the straight segment of the short curved tube array element (2). The length of the arc segment of the long curved tube array element (3) is the same as the length of the arc segment of the short curved tube array element (2). The inner diameter of the straight segment of the long curved tube array element (3) is smaller than the inner diameter of the arc segment. The liquid metal inside the long curved tube array element (3) can flow freely. When the liquid metal flows into the straight section, the length of the array arm increases and the resonant frequency decreases; when the liquid metal flows into the arc section, the length of the array arm shortens and the resonant frequency increases. The linear array element (1) is an X-band array element, the short curved tube array element (2) is a C+X-band array element, and the long curved tube array element (3) is an S+C+X-band reconfigurable array element.

2. The reconfigurable and scalable high- and low-frequency cross-array antenna based on liquid metal as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The subarray contains four rows of arrays, two of which are formed by alternating linear array elements (1); one row is formed by alternating linear array elements (1) and short curved tube array elements (2); and the last row is formed by alternating linear array elements (1), short curved tube array elements (2) and long curved tube array elements (3), with linear array elements (1) on both sides of the short curved tube array elements (2) and the long curved tube array elements (3).

3. The reconfigurable and scalable high- and low-frequency cross-array antenna based on liquid metal as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between the two elements in the long curved tube array (3) is 1.6 mm, the length of the two sets of arc segments in the long curved tube array (3) is 7.6 mm, the length of the straight segment in the long curved tube array (3) is 28 mm, and when the long curved tube array (3) is in the shortest configuration state, the length of the liquid metal injected in the straight segment is 7 mm.

4. The reconfigurable and scalable high- and low-frequency cross-array antenna based on liquid metal as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the inner arc segment of the short curved tube element (2) gradually increases from the end away from the straight segment to the end closer to the straight segment, and the width of the inner arc segment of the long curved tube element (3) gradually decreases from the end away from the straight segment to the end closer to the straight segment.

5. The reconfigurable and scalable high- and low-frequency cross-array antenna based on liquid metal as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The insulating substrate is made of resin material. The flow direction of liquid metal in the two arrays of the long curved tube array (3) is symmetrical and synchronous. Both ends of each array in the long curved tube array (3) are connected to an air pump.

Images