Liquid metal phased array antenna

Abstract

The application relates to a liquid metal phased array antenna and belongs to the technical field of antennas, which solves the problem of limited electromagnetic wave response phase adjustment of the phased array antenna in the prior art. The liquid metal phased array antenna is characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of antenna units distributed in an array; the antenna unit comprises: a flexible dielectric layer and liquid metal; the flexible dielectric layer is provided with a linear microchannel, and the liquid metal is filled in the linear microchannel. The application adjusts the length of the internal liquid metal by supplying pressure in the linear microchannel cavity, thereby realizing the morphological reconstruction of the antenna unit. The reconstruction state is continuous, and the phase control coverage range is large.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of antenna technology, and more particularly to a liquid metal phased array antenna. Background Technology

[0002] Phased array antennas are widely used in radar, communications, electronic warfare, and navigation. They achieve beam scanning by controlling the phase of the radiating elements in the array, thus changing the direction of the maximum radiation pattern. Conventional phased array antennas use phase shifters and T / R components for phase modulation. However, their complexity and high cost limit their large-scale application in low-cost scenarios. The rapid development of electromagnetic metasurfaces provides a new technological approach for phased array antennas, potentially reducing their cost by an order of magnitude. Electromagnetic metasurface-based phased array antennas eliminate the need for phase shifters, directly utilizing the phase encoding of the array's electromagnetic elements to achieve beam control scanning. This simplifies the antenna structure and system complexity, achieving advantages such as miniaturization, low profile, and high gain. Furthermore, it significantly improves the ability to extend the beam scanning range.

[0003] In recent years, various technologies, including diodes, liquid crystal molecules, MEMS electrostatic structures, and graphene, have been developed to regulate the phase response of electromagnetic waves in order to achieve the phase encoding function of electromagnetic metasurfaces. However, diodes have limited regulation states, significant nonlinear effects, and insufficient broadband regulation capabilities. Liquid crystal molecules regulate electromagnetic parameters based on the orientation of molecules under different electric fields, but they suffer from narrow regulation width and long regulation response time. MEMS electrostatic structures are difficult to meet broadband requirements, and large-scale applications will lead to structural reliability issues. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on the above analysis, the present invention aims to provide a liquid metal phased array antenna to solve the problem of limited electromagnetic wave response phase adjustment of existing phased array antennas.

[0005] The objective of this invention is mainly achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A liquid metal phased array antenna includes: multiple antenna elements distributed in an array; each antenna element includes: a flexible dielectric layer and liquid metal; the flexible dielectric layer has linear microchannels, and the liquid metal fills the interior of the linear microchannels.

[0007] Furthermore, four linear microchannels are provided.

[0008] Furthermore, the flexible dielectric layer has a rectangular structure.

[0009] Furthermore, four linear microchannels are circumferentially symmetrically arranged in the flexible dielectric layer.

[0010] Furthermore, the linear microchannel is provided with pressure supply holes at both ends; the pressure supply holes are connected to the pressure driving device through pressure supply pipelines, and the pressure driving device is used to provide pressure to the interior of the linear microchannel.

[0011] Furthermore, the liquid metal inside the linear microchannel can stretch or shrink under pressure.

[0012] Furthermore, the flexible dielectric layer also contains fan-shaped microchannels.

[0013] Furthermore, four fan-shaped microchannels are circumferentially symmetrically arranged in the flexible dielectric layer.

[0014] Furthermore, the fan-shaped microchannels are connected to the linear microchannels.

[0015] Furthermore, the fan-shaped microchannels are filled with liquid metal.

[0016] Furthermore, a flexible sealing cover is provided above the flexible medium layer, and the liquid metal is sealed in the linear microchannels and fan-shaped microchannels through the flexible sealing cover.

[0017] Furthermore, multiple linear and fan-shaped microchannels are arranged in a circumferential array to form a windmill-shaped channel structure.

[0018] Furthermore, the pressure supply port is connected to the pressure drive device via a pressure supply pipeline.

[0019] Furthermore, the length of the liquid metal in each antenna element is independently controlled by a pressure-driven device.

[0020] Furthermore, the liquid metal is a gallium-based alloy.

[0021] The technical solution of the present invention can achieve at least one of the following effects:

[0022] 1. The liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention addresses the problems of high cost and high system complexity of conventional phased array antennas. It combines the advantages of low-cost application of electromagnetic metasurface antennas and is based on a polarization and incident angle insensitive liquid metal array unit. Combined with microchannel structure design and high-precision liquid metal drive control, it realizes 360° phase adjustment and large-angle beam scanning function of antenna.

[0023] 2. The liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention utilizes the elongation or shortening of liquid metal in the linear microchannels distributed in the array to realize continuous phase reconstruction coding of the liquid metal array elements, thereby achieving beam scanning.

[0024] In this invention, the above-described technical solutions can be combined with each other to achieve more preferred combinations. Other features and advantages of this invention will be set forth in the following description, and some advantages may become apparent from the description or be learned by practicing the invention. The objects and other advantages of this invention can be realized and obtained from what is particularly pointed out in the description and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna element of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is one of the reconfiguration states of the antenna element of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is the second reconfiguration state of the antenna element of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the antenna element of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure supply pipeline of the antenna element of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the correspondence between the length and phase of liquid metal in a linear microchannel.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a top-down view of the beam scan diagram of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 9 Beam scan diagram - side view of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 10 The 0° beam of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 11 This refers to the 30° beam of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention.

[0037] Figure label:

[0038] 1-Antenna unit; 101 Flexible dielectric layer; 2-Linear microchannel; 3-Fan-shaped microchannel; 4-Liquid metal; 5-Pressure supply hole; 6-Pressure supply pipeline; 601-First branch; 602-Second branch; 603-Third branch; 604-Fourth branch; 605-End pressure supply branch. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of the present invention and are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0040] Example 1

[0041] A specific embodiment of the present invention discloses a liquid metal phased array antenna, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes: multiple antenna elements distributed in an array; such as Figure 2 As shown, the antenna element includes: a flexible dielectric layer 101 and liquid metal 4; the flexible dielectric layer 101 is provided with linear microchannels 2 and fan-shaped microchannels 3, and the liquid metal 4 is filled inside the linear microchannels 2.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the flexible dielectric layer 101 includes linear microchannels 2 and fan-shaped microchannels 3, which are filled with liquid metal 4. After the liquid metal 4 is filled, the flexible dielectric layer 101 is used to support and shape the liquid metal 4.

[0043] Furthermore, the flexible dielectric layer 101 can be made of materials such as PDMS, PMMA, and PET.

[0044] Furthermore, a flexible sealing cover is provided above the flexible medium layer 101, and the liquid metal 4 is sealed in the linear microchannel 2 and the fan-shaped microchannel 3 by the flexible sealing cover.

[0045] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention adopts a space horn feeding method to provide a feed source and power input to the phased array antenna.

[0046] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the linear microchannel 2 is a strip channel.

[0047] Specifically, in the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention, the width of the linear microchannel 2 in the antenna element 1 is 0.5mm-1mm.

[0048] Specifically, the height of the linear microchannel 2 is 0.1mm-0.3mm.

[0049] Specifically, the length of the linear microchannel 2 is determined according to the operating frequency band of the phased array antenna. The length of the linear microchannel 2 of the Ku-band liquid metal phased array antenna is 9 mm, and the length of the linear microchannel 2 of the C-band liquid metal phased array antenna is 16 mm.

[0050] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the flexible dielectric layer 101 has a rectangular structure.

[0051] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, four linear microchannels 2 are arranged circumferentially symmetrically on the flexible dielectric layer 101.

[0052] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the linear microchannel 2 is provided with pressure supply holes 5 at both ends; the pressure supply holes 5 are connected to the pressure driving device through the pressure supply pipeline 6, and the pressure driving device is used to provide pressure to the interior of the linear microchannel 2.

[0053] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, the pressure supply hole 5 connects to the linear microchannel 2, thereby applying pressure to the liquid metal 4 in the linear microchannel 2. By adjusting the applied pressure, the length of the liquid metal 4 in the linear microchannel 2 can be adjusted. When the liquid metal 4 undergoes a shape change under pressure, the structural shape of the antenna element 1 can be reconstructed, such as... Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown.

[0054] Furthermore, since the length change process of the liquid metal 4 under pressure is continuous, the antenna element 1 of the present invention can achieve continuous morphological reconstruction, thereby realizing continuous adjustment of the phase response of the phased array antenna.

[0055] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, the pressure supply hole 5 is connected to the pressure driving device through the pressure supply pipe 6; specifically, each antenna unit 1 controls the length of the liquid metal 4 in the four linear microchannels 2 through a pressure supply pipe 6; that is, the length of the liquid metal 4 in the four linear microchannels 2 of an antenna unit 1 is equal.

[0056] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 6 As shown, the pressure supply line 6 includes: a main line, a first branch line 601, a second branch line 602, a third branch line 603, a fourth branch line 604, and a terminal pressure supply branch line 605.

[0057] Among them, the first branch 601, the second branch 602, the third branch 603 and the fourth branch 604 provide pressure to both ends of the four linear microchannel 2 cavities in the antenna unit 1, respectively.

[0058] Specifically, one end of the main pipeline is connected to the pressure drive device, and the other end is simultaneously connected to the first branch 601, the second branch 602, the third branch 603, and the fourth branch 604.

[0059] Specifically, such as Figure 6 As shown, the ends of the first branch 601, the second branch 602, the third branch 603, and the fourth branch 604 each branch off into two end pressure supply branches 605, which are connected to the pressure supply hole 5.

[0060] Furthermore, the pressure supply line 6 can be integrated inside the flexible dielectric layer 101 of the antenna unit 1.

[0061] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the liquid metal 4 can elongate or shorten under the action of internal pressure in the linear microchannel 2. Specifically, when the pressure increases, the liquid metal 4 in the linear microchannel 2 is squeezed and flows into the fan-shaped microchannel 3, and the length of the liquid metal 4 in the linear microchannel 2 shortens. That is to say, in the present invention, the length change of the liquid metal 4 is achieved by promoting the flow of the liquid metal 4 through pressure.

[0062] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the flexible dielectric layer 101 of antenna element 1 also has a fan-shaped microchannel 3. By utilizing the microfluidic control of fan-shaped microchannels 3 of different sizes and liquid metal 4, different operating frequency bands of antenna element 1 can be achieved.

[0063] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, four fan-shaped microchannels 3 are circumferentially symmetrically arranged on the flexible dielectric layer 101. Multiple fan-shaped microchannels 3 form a windmill-shaped array microchannel structure on the antenna element 1.

[0064] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the fan-shaped microchannel 3 is connected to the linear microchannel 2.

[0065] Furthermore, the fan-shaped microchannel 3 is filled with liquid metal 4.

[0066] The windmill-shaped channel structure of the liquid metal phased array antenna of this invention is fabricated on a flexible dielectric layer 101. Based on the unit configuration of the surface array structure of antenna element 1, linear microchannels 2 and fan-shaped microchannels 3 are designed to form the windmill-shaped channel structure. The windmill-shaped channel structure is realized using micro-nano fabrication processes or molding processes, including photolithography, nanoimprinting, and other processes.

[0067] Furthermore, the pressure drive device provides hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to the linear microchannel 2 via the pressure supply line 6.

[0068] like Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, the length of the liquid metal 4 varies under different pressure conditions within the linear microchannel 2. Figure 4 As shown, when the pressure inside the linear microchannel 2 is increased, the liquid metal 4 contracts, and the length of the liquid metal 4 inside the linear microchannel 2 shortens. The liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention controls the length of the liquid metal 4 in the linear microchannel 2 by independently controlling the cavity pressure in the linear microchannel 2 of the antenna element 1, thereby achieving reconstruction of the structural morphology of the antenna element 1 and realizing independent morphological adjustment of multiple antenna elements 1.

[0069] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the liquid metal 4 is a gallium-based alloy liquid metal material. Liquid metal microfluidic technology provides a new material system for realizing phase control of electromagnetic metasurfaces, which not only allows for continuous reconstruction of the state, but also provides a large coverage of phase control.

[0070] Gallium-based liquid metals are metals that can flow continuously at room temperature, combining the excellent properties of traditional rigid and flexible materials, and have the following characteristics:

[0071] 1) It has a very low melting point and is liquid at room temperature;

[0072] 2) Low viscosity, facilitating injection into linear microchannels 2;

[0073] 3) It has high electrical conductivity. Although it is lower than that of copper, it is much higher than that of other conductive liquids.

[0074] 4) It does not evaporate easily and has stable performance.

[0075] The liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention utilizes the arbitrary fluidity of liquid metal 4 to microfluidize liquid metal 4 and combine it with an array flow channel structure to replace the fixed metal array in the traditional metasurface.

[0076] In this invention, a pressure-driven device is used to drive and control the morphological changes of liquid metal 4 in the flow channel structure, thereby realizing the morphological reconstruction of antenna element 1 and thus regulating the metasurface beam response characteristics, achieving low-cost fabrication and large-angle beam scanning function.

[0077] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, each antenna unit 1 is independently controlled by a pressure driving device, and multiple pressure driving devices are controlled by a drive control circuit.

[0078] Specifically, the drive control circuit is integrated in the lower layer of the flexible dielectric layer 101, and controls the shape change of the liquid metal 4 in each antenna element 1 through the integrated drive control circuit.

[0079] Specifically, each antenna element 1 is independently controlled by a pressure-driven device; and multiple antenna elements control phase changes through an encoding algorithm, which enables phase encoding and beam scanning.

[0080] Specifically, the pressure of the multiple linear microchannels 2 in each antenna element 1 is uniformly controlled by the pressure supply pipeline 6.

[0081] In this invention, the pressure driving method of the pressure driving device is electromagnetic driving, voltage driving, pneumatic driving, etc., and the accuracy of the pressure driving control method is 1‰.

[0082] In this invention, by combining the dielectric constant and loss tangent of the flexible sealing cover and the flexible dielectric layer 101, as well as the conductivity of the liquid metal, a windmill array microchannel structure and its corresponding length, width, height and other parameters are designed. Based on the flow of liquid metal, Ku-band response capability is achieved, the phase reconstruction range reaches 360°, and it has the ability to be polarization sensitive and incident angle insensitive.

[0083] During implementation:

[0084] The liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention includes a flexible sealing cover, a flexible dielectric layer 101, liquid metal 4, and linear microchannels 2 and fan-shaped microchannels 3 of the array; the flexible sealing cover is used to seal the liquid metal 4 (such as gallium-based alloy) and the flow channel structure; the liquid metal 4 has electrical conductivity and continuous flow capability, and the liquid metal 4 is injected into the flow channel structure of the windmill array through an array filling process; the flexible dielectric layer 101 is used to support the flow channel structure (linear microchannels 2 and fan-shaped microchannels 3) and the liquid metal 4; the drive control circuit controls the flow characteristics of the liquid metal 4 in the antenna unit 1.

[0085] The liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention utilizes liquid metal 4, which flows continuously within a flow channel structure (linear microchannel 2 and fan-shaped microchannel 3) under external force. Different flow positions enable different operating states of the antenna element 1, achieving continuous adjustment of the phase response. Figure 7 The figure shown is a diagram showing the relationship between the length change of the liquid metal 4 in the linear microchannel 2 and the phase change of the antenna element 1.

[0086] like Figure 8 The image shown is a top view of the beam scan pattern of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention; as shown... Figure 9 The image shown is a side view of the beam scanning pattern of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention. The liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention utilizes a windmill-shaped liquid metal electromagnetic metasurface, which is centrally symmetrical and exhibits polarization and large incident angle insensitivity characteristics. Applied to phased array antennas, it achieves 360° phase reconstruction of the electromagnetic wave response of the liquid metal unit and array-coded beam control, enabling ±60° large-angle beam scanning and low-cost phased array antenna applications.

[0087] Figure 10 The 0° beam of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention; Figure 11 This refers to the 30° beam of the liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention. The liquid metal phased array antenna of the present invention achieves 360° continuous dynamic reconstruction of the electromagnetic response phase by controlling the continuous flow of liquid metal, realizes Ku-band response capability, and has polarization insensitivity, incident angle insensitivity, flexibility capability, and beam scanning greater than ±60°.

[0088] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided in this embodiment has at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0089] 1. This invention relates to a liquid metal phased array antenna, in which the reversible continuous flow control of liquid metal in a windmill-shaped array microchannel structure enables continuous reconstruction response over a wide range of electromagnetic wave phases. It features polarization insensitivity, incident angle insensitivity, and flexibility. By using a space horn feeding method, the phased array antenna achieves beam scanning functionality, offering advantages in low-cost applications.

[0090] 2. This invention realizes a phased array antenna based on a novel material system, which simplifies components such as phase shifters and reduces manufacturing costs. It achieves beam scanning directly through dynamic reconstruction of the antenna structure and utilizes liquid metal to overcome the influence of the fixed metal electromagnetic metasurface structure itself on the control characteristics. It realizes continuous reconstruction over a wide bandwidth from the structural essence, solving the problems of limited control states, insufficient continuous adjustment capability, and bandwidth improvement faced by conventional metasurface reconstruction methods. This further enhances the application capability of electromagnetic metasurfaces in the field of phased array antennas.

[0091] 3. In this invention, liquid metal is injected into a windmill-shaped microfluidic structure to form antenna unit 1, which is composed of liquid metal. This allows for controlled flow of liquid metal 4 within the windmill-shaped channel structure. Under the control of the drive control circuit, the liquid metal 4 flows continuously within the windmill-shaped channel structure, and the flow position is controllable. Different flow positions correspond to different response phase states of antenna unit 1. Multiple antenna units of this invention can form a subarray, and phase encoding between subarrays enables the modulation and scanning of electromagnetic wave phase.

[0092] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid metal phased array antenna, characterized in that, include: Multiple antenna elements distributed in an array (1); The antenna unit (1) includes: a flexible dielectric layer (101) and liquid metal (4); the flexible dielectric layer (101) is provided with linear microchannels (2), and the liquid metal (4) fills the interior of the linear microchannels (2); The linear microchannel (2) is provided in four parts; the linear microchannel is a strip-shaped channel; the width of the linear microchannel is 0.5mm. 1mm, the height of the linear microchannel is 0.1mm. 0.3mm; The length of the linear microchannel of the Ku-band liquid metal phased array antenna is 9mm; The flexible dielectric layer (101) has a rectangular structure; The four linear microchannels (2) are circumferentially symmetrically arranged in the flexible dielectric layer (101); The flexible dielectric layer (101) is also provided with fan-shaped microchannels (3); four fan-shaped microchannels (3) are symmetrically arranged circumferentially on the flexible dielectric layer (101); the fan-shaped microchannels (3) are connected to the linear microchannels (2); the fan-shaped microchannels extend from the linear microchannels to the center of the flexible dielectric layer, and the width of the fan-shaped microchannels gradually decreases along the direction away from the linear microchannels; Multiple linear and fan-shaped microchannels are arranged in a circumferential array to form a windmill-shaped channel structure; liquid metal flows continuously in the linear and fan-shaped microchannels under the drive of external force, realizing continuous adjustment of phase response.

2. The liquid metal phased array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linear microchannel (2) is provided with pressure supply holes (5) at both ends; the pressure supply holes (5) are connected to the pressure driving device through the pressure supply pipeline (6), and the pressure driving device is used to provide pressure to the interior of the linear microchannel (2).

3. The liquid metal phased array antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that, The liquid metal (4) inside the linear microchannel (2) can stretch or shrink under pressure.

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