Method for widening the operating frequency band of an array antenna and array antenna

Abstract

The application provides a method for widening the working frequency band of an array antenna and the array antenna, and the method comprises the following steps: setting the array antenna, wherein the array antenna comprises a unit antenna array, the unit antenna array comprises a plurality of first unit antennas and a plurality of second unit antennas, the first unit antennas and the second unit antennas are alternately arranged in a first direction and a second direction, and the working frequency bands of the first unit antennas and the second unit antennas are the same; controlling the first unit antennas to work and the second unit antennas not to work, so that the array antenna works in a first frequency band; and controlling the first unit antennas and the second unit antennas to work, so that the array antenna works in a second frequency band, and the maximum value of the first frequency band is equal to the minimum value of the second frequency band. The application can solve the bandwidth widening limitation caused by the spacing requirement between the unit antennas in the array antenna, and widen the working frequency band of the array antenna.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly to a method for widening the operating frequency band of an array antenna and the array antenna itself. Background Technology

[0002] Antennas play a crucial role in the propagation of radio waves. An antenna is a transducer that transforms guided waves propagating on a transmission line into electromagnetic waves propagating in an unbounded medium (usually free space), or vice versa.

[0003] Individual antennas have low gain, wide beamwidth, and limited pointing accuracy, making them susceptible to external interference signals. Therefore, in practical applications, individual antennas are often combined to form an array antenna. A wider operating bandwidth for an array antenna allows for higher transmission rates and capacity, higher spectral efficiency, and stronger anti-interference capabilities. Furthermore, as wireless communication becomes increasingly complex, more and more applications require support for multiple frequency bands, making it crucial to improve the operating bandwidth of array antennas. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a method for widening the operating frequency band of an array antenna, comprising: setting up an array antenna, the array antenna including a unit antenna array, the unit antenna array including a plurality of first unit antennas and a plurality of second unit antennas, the first unit antennas and the second unit antennas being alternately arranged in a first direction and a second direction, the first unit antennas and the second unit antennas operating in the same frequency band; controlling the first unit antennas to operate and the second unit antennas to not operate, so that the array antenna operates in a first frequency band; controlling both the first unit antennas and the second unit antennas to operate, so that the array antenna operates in a second frequency band, the maximum value of the first frequency band being equal to the minimum value of the second frequency band.

[0005] In one embodiment, the first unit antenna and the second unit antenna adjacent to each other in the first direction have a first distance, and the first unit antenna and the second unit antenna adjacent to each other in the second direction have a second distance, wherein the first distance and the second distance are equal.

[0006] In one embodiment, the array antenna further includes a feed network for controlling the operating frequency band of the array antenna. The feed network includes at least one feed electron network, which includes: a switching unit, the switching unit including a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port, wherein the first port is used to connect to an RF front-end transceiver circuit, and the third port is electrically connected to the first unit antenna; a first power distribution unit, the input terminal of the first power distribution unit being electrically connected to the second port of the switching unit, the first output terminal of the first power distribution unit being electrically connected to the second unit antenna, and the second output terminal of the first power distribution unit being electrically connected to the fourth port of the switching unit; the method includes: controlling the first port and the third port of the switching unit to be turned on, so that the array antenna operates in the first frequency band; controlling the first port and the second port of the switching unit to be turned on, and the third port and the fourth port of the switching unit to be turned on, so that the array antenna operates in the second frequency band.

[0007] In one embodiment, the feed network further includes a phase shifting unit, the input of which is electrically connected to the first output of the first power distribution unit, and the output of which is electrically connected to the second unit antenna.

[0008] In one embodiment, the switching unit is a double-pole double-throw switch, and the method includes: controlling the double-pole double-throw switch to operate in a crossover state so that the array antenna operates in the first frequency band; and controlling the double-pole double-throw switch to operate in a through state so that the array antenna operates in the second frequency band.

[0009] In one embodiment, the array antenna includes a plurality of the feed electron networks, each of the feed electron networks corresponding to a first element antenna and a second element antenna.

[0010] In one embodiment, the array antenna includes a plurality of feed networks, each feed network corresponding to a plurality of first element antennas and a plurality of second element antennas. The feed network further includes: a second power distribution unit, the input terminal of which is electrically connected to a third port of the switching unit, the second power distribution unit having a plurality of output terminals, each output terminal being electrically connected to one of the first element antennas; and a third power distribution unit, the input terminal of which is electrically connected to a first output terminal of the first power distribution unit, the third power distribution unit having a plurality of output terminals, each output terminal being electrically connected to one of the second element antennas.

[0011] The present invention also provides an array antenna, which includes a unit antenna array, wherein the unit antenna array includes a plurality of first unit antennas and a plurality of second unit antennas. The first unit antennas and the second unit antennas are alternately arranged in a first direction and a second direction. The first unit antennas and the second unit antennas operate in the same frequency band. When the first unit antenna is working and the second unit antenna is not working, the operating frequency band of the array antenna is a first frequency band. When both the first unit antennas and the second unit antennas are working, the operating frequency band of the array antenna is a second frequency band. The maximum value of the first frequency band is equal to the minimum value of the second frequency band.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first unit antenna and the second unit antenna adjacent to each other in the first direction have a first distance, and the first unit antenna and the second unit antenna adjacent to each other in the second direction have a second distance, wherein the first distance and the second distance are equal.

[0013] In one embodiment, the array antenna further includes a feeding network, which includes at least one feeder network. The feeder network includes: a switching unit, which includes a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port, wherein the first port is used to connect to an RF front-end transceiver circuit, and the third port of the switching unit is electrically connected to the first unit antenna; and a first power distribution unit, whose input terminal is electrically connected to the second port of the switching unit, whose first output terminal is electrically connected to the second unit antenna, and whose second output terminal is electrically connected to the fourth port of the switching unit. When the array antenna needs to operate in a first frequency band, the first port and the third port of the switching unit are connected to enable the first unit antenna to operate; when the array antenna needs to operate in a second frequency band, the first port and the second port of the switching unit are connected, and the third port and the fourth port of the switching unit are connected to enable both the first unit antenna and the second unit antenna to operate.

[0014] In one embodiment, the feed network further includes a phase shifting unit, the input of which is electrically connected to the first output of the first power distribution unit, and the output of which is electrically connected to the second unit antenna.

[0015] In one embodiment, the switching unit is a double-pole double-throw switch. When the array antenna needs to operate in the first frequency band, the double-pole double-throw switch operates in the crossover state. When the array antenna needs to operate in the second frequency band, the double-pole double-throw switch operates in the through state.

[0016] In one embodiment, the array antenna includes a plurality of feed networks, each feed network corresponding to a first unit antenna and a second unit antenna, and the first unit antenna and the second unit antenna corresponding to the same feed network are arranged adjacent to each other in a first direction or a second direction.

[0017] In one embodiment, when the array antenna includes multiple feed networks, and each feed network corresponds to multiple first element antennas and multiple second element antennas, the feed network further includes: a second power distribution unit, the input terminal of which is electrically connected to a third port of the switching unit, the second power distribution unit having multiple output terminals, each output terminal being electrically connected to one of the first element antennas; and a third power distribution unit, the input terminal of which is electrically connected to a first output terminal of the first power distribution unit, the third power distribution unit having multiple output terminals, each output terminal being electrically connected to one of the second element antennas.

[0018] In the method and antenna for widening the operating frequency band of the array antenna provided in this embodiment of the invention, the first unit antenna and the second unit antenna operate in the same frequency band. The first unit antenna is controlled to operate while the second unit antenna is not operated. That is, the unit antennas arranged at intervals in the first direction or the second direction are controlled to operate, so that the array antenna operates in the first frequency band, and the spacing between the unit antennas operating in the first frequency band is relatively large. Alternatively, both the first unit antenna and the second unit antenna are controlled to operate, that is, the unit antennas arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction are controlled to operate, so that the array antenna operates in the second frequency band, and the spacing between the unit antennas operating in the second frequency band is smaller than the spacing between the unit antennas operating in the first frequency band. In other words, the method and antenna for widening the operating frequency band of the array antenna provided in this embodiment of the invention can adjust the spacing between unit antennas operating simultaneously in different operating frequency bands by controlling the distribution of the unit antennas operating simultaneously. This solves the bandwidth widening limitation caused by the spacing requirements between unit antennas in the array antenna and widens the operating frequency band of the array antenna. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of an existing array antenna;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution of the unit antenna array of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the feed electron network of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the electron feed network of an array antenna provided in another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] An array antenna is an antenna system composed of many identical antenna elements arranged in a certain pattern. The performance of an array antenna is determined by the individual antenna elements and the array factor. Numerous techniques exist for widening the operating frequency range of individual antenna elements. However, a significant limitation of the array factor on widening the operating frequency range of an array antenna lies in the spacing between the antenna elements. If the spacing between the antenna elements is too small, the mutual coupling effect between them increases, leading to interference between adjacent antenna elements. If the spacing between the antenna elements is too large, it leads to an increase in sidelobes. Specifically… Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing array antenna arrangement. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 The array antenna consists of multiple element antennas arranged in an array. There is a spacing L between element antennas 100 and 101. If the spacing L is too small, it will cause mutual interference between element antennas 100 and 101. If the spacing L is too large, it will cause an increase in sidelobes.

[0025] To balance interference suppression and sidelobe reduction, the spacing between antenna elements is typically set between 0.6λ and 0.85λ, where λ is the wavelength, which is the ratio of the speed of light C to the frequency f. For the operating frequency band (f1, f2), to balance interference suppression and sidelobe reduction, the following relationships can be obtained: L = 0.6λmax = 0.6C / f1, L = 0.85λmin = 0.85C / f2, from which it can be deduced that f2 is approximately equal to 1.42f1. Under these conditions, the operating frequency band (f1, f2) cannot cover the full frequency band of some communication networks, meaning that the spacing between antenna elements limits the expansion of the array antenna's operating frequency band.

[0026] For example, for 5G communication networks, the FR2 band ranges from 24.25GHz to 43.50GHz. If the spacing between the unit antennas is set to 0.6λ to 0.85λ, and assuming f1 is 24.25GHz, then through the above derivation, we can see that f2 is 34.65GHz. Since 34.65GHz is less than 43.50GHz, the operating frequency band of the array antenna does not cover the entire FR2 band of the 5G communication network.

[0027] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for widening the operating frequency band of an array antenna and an array antenna, which can solve the bandwidth widening limitation caused by the spacing requirements between unit antennas in the array antenna and widen the operating frequency band of the array antenna.

[0028] The method for widening the operating frequency band of an array antenna provided by the present invention, along with specific implementation details of the array antenna, will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for widening the operating frequency band of an array antenna, comprising: setting up an array antenna, the array antenna including a unit antenna array, the unit antenna array including multiple first unit antennas and multiple second unit antennas, the first unit antennas and second unit antennas being alternately arranged in a first direction and a second direction, the first unit antennas and second unit antennas operating in the same frequency band; controlling the first unit antennas to operate while the second unit antennas are not operated, so that the array antenna operates in a first frequency band; controlling both the first unit antennas and the second unit antennas to operate, so that the array antenna operates in a second frequency band, the maximum value of the first frequency band being equal to the minimum value of the second frequency band.

[0029] Specifically, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of the element antenna array of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 2 The array antenna includes a unit antenna array, which comprises multiple first unit antennas 200 and multiple second unit antennas 201. The first unit antennas 200 and second unit antennas 201 are alternately arranged in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. The first unit antennas 200 and second unit antennas 201 operate in the same frequency band. When the first unit antennas 200 are activated and the second unit antennas 201 are deactivated, the array antenna operates in a first frequency band. When both the first unit antennas 200 and the second unit antennas 201 are activated, the array antenna operates in a second frequency band. The maximum value of the first frequency band is equal to the minimum value of the second frequency band.

[0030] In the method for widening the operating frequency band of an array antenna provided in this embodiment of the invention, the unit antenna array is composed of first unit antennas 200 and second unit antennas 201 alternately arranged in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. That is, in a row along the first direction D1, the first unit antennas 200 and the second unit antennas 201 are alternately arranged, and in a column along the second direction D2, the first unit antennas 200 and the second unit antennas 201 are alternately arranged. Furthermore, the operating frequency band of the first unit antennas 200 is the same as that of the second unit antennas 201. The first unit antennas 200 are controlled to operate, while the second unit antennas 201 are not operated. That is, the unit antennas spaced apart in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2 are controlled to operate, so that the array... The antenna operates in the first frequency band, where the spacing between the unit antennas operating in the first frequency band is large. By controlling both the first unit antenna 200 and the second unit antenna 201 to operate, i.e., controlling adjacent unit antennas arranged in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2 to operate, the array antenna operates in the second frequency band. The spacing between the unit antennas operating in the second frequency band is smaller than the spacing between the unit antennas operating in the first frequency band. In other words, the method for widening the operating frequency band of the array antenna provided in this embodiment of the invention can adjust the spacing between unit antennas operating simultaneously in different operating frequency bands by controlling the distribution of the simultaneously operating unit antennas. This solves the bandwidth widening limitation caused by the spacing requirements between unit antennas in the array antenna, thus widening the operating frequency band of the array antenna. Specific details are as follows:

[0031] When the array antenna operates in the first state, its operating frequency band is the first frequency band, i.e., when the array antenna operates in the low-frequency band, only the first unit antenna 200 operates. That is, the unit antennas spaced apart in the first direction and the second direction operate. Therefore, the minimum spacing between the operating unit antennas of the array antenna is the spacing between the first unit antennas 200 in adjacent rows or columns. For example, ... Figure 2 As shown, the minimum spacing between the unit antennas in operation of the array antenna is the spacing L1 between the first unit antenna 200A and the first unit antenna 200B. It can be understood that the spacing L1 between the first unit antenna 200A and the first unit antenna 200B in this application refers to the distance between the center points of the first unit antenna 200A and the first unit antenna 200B.

[0032] When the array antenna operates in the second state, its operating frequency band is the second frequency band, i.e., when the array antenna operates in a high-frequency band, both the first unit antenna 200 and the second unit antenna 201 are operational. This means that adjacent unit antennas arranged in the first and second directions are operational. Therefore, the minimum spacing between the operational unit antennas is the spacing between adjacent first unit antennas 200 and second unit antennas 201 in the same row or column. For example, ... Figure 2 As shown, the minimum spacing between the unit antennas in operation of the array antenna is the spacing L2 between the first unit antenna 200A and the second unit antenna 201A. It can be understood that the spacing L2 between the first unit antenna 200A and the second unit antenna 201A in this application refers to the distance between the center points of the first unit antenna 200A and the second unit antenna 201A.

[0033] In some embodiments, adjacent first unit antennas 200 and second unit antennas 201 in the first direction D1 have a first distance, which is the spacing between adjacent first unit antennas 200 and second unit antennas 201 in the same row. Adjacent first unit antennas 200 and second unit antennas 201 in the second direction D2 have a second distance, which is the spacing between adjacent first unit antennas 200 and second unit antennas 201 in the same column. When both are equal...

[0034] To balance interference resistance and sidelobe reduction, the spacing between the operational antenna elements of the array is typically set between 0.6λ and 0.85λ, where λ is the wavelength, which is the ratio of the speed of light C to the frequency f. For the first frequency band (f1, f2), the following relationships can be obtained: L1 = 0.6λmax = 0.6C / f1, L1 = 0.85λmin = 0.85C / f2. For the second frequency band (f3, f4), the following relationships can be obtained: L2 = 0.6λmax = 0.6C / f3, L2 = 0.85λmin = 0.85C / f4. As mentioned above, Then we can obtain the following relationship: Meanwhile, in order to ensure that the entire operating frequency band of the array antenna is connected, the maximum value f2 of the first frequency band is equal to the minimum value f3 of the second frequency band, i.e., f2 = f3. Therefore, based on the above relationship, we can obtain the following relationship: f4 is approximately equal to 2f1. For Figure 1 The highest frequency f2 of the array antenna is approximately equal to 1.42f1. Therefore, the operating frequency range (f1, f4) of the array antenna in this application is greater than... Figure 1 The operating frequency range (f1, f2) of the array antenna is expanded in this application.

[0035] For 5G communication networks, the FR2 band ranges from 24.25GHz to 43.50GHz. If the spacing between the antenna elements is set to 0.6λ to 0.85λ, and assuming f1 is 24.25GHz, then, through the above derivation, f4 is 48.5GHz. 48.5GHz is greater than 43.50GHz. Therefore, the operating frequency band of the array antenna in this application can cover the entire FR2 band of the 5G communication network. Figure 1 The array antenna described above has a maximum frequency (f2) of only 34.65 GHz, which cannot cover the entire FR2 band of 5G communication networks. For other communication networks, it can be deduced that the operating frequency band of the array antenna in this application can cover its entire frequency band.

[0036] In some embodiments, the operating frequency bands of the first unit antenna 200 and the second unit antenna 201 include frequency bands (f1, f4).

[0037] As can be seen, the method for widening the operating frequency band of the array antenna in this application can adjust the spacing between the unit antennas that are working simultaneously under different operating frequency bands by controlling the distribution of the unit antennas that are working simultaneously. This can solve the bandwidth widening limitation caused by the spacing requirements between the unit antennas in the array antenna and widen the operating frequency band of the array antenna.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first direction D1 is perpendicular to the second direction D2. For example, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the first direction D1 is the X direction in the Cartesian coordinate system, and the second direction D2 is the Y direction in the Cartesian coordinate system.

[0039] In some embodiments, the array antenna further includes a feeding network that controls the operating frequency band of the array antenna. The feeding network includes at least one feeder network, which includes a switching unit 300 and a first power distribution unit 310 to feed the first unit antenna 200 and the second unit antenna 201.

[0040] Please see Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the feed network of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The feed network includes a switching unit 300 and a first power distribution unit 310. The switching unit 300 includes a first port 301, a second port 302, a third port 303, and a fourth port 304. The first port 301 is connected to the radio frequency front-end transceiver circuit 330, and the third port 303 is electrically connected to the first unit antenna 200. The input terminal 311 of the first power distribution unit 310 is electrically connected to the second port 302 of the switching unit 300, and the first output terminal 312 of the first power distribution unit 310 is electrically connected to the second unit antenna 201. The second output terminal 313 of the power distribution unit 310 is electrically connected to the fourth port 304 of the switching unit 300. When the operating frequency band of the array antenna is the first frequency band, the first port 301 of the switching unit 300 is connected to the third port 303 of the switching unit 300, so that the first unit antenna 200 works. When the operating frequency band of the array antenna is the second frequency band, the first port 301 of the switching unit 300 is connected to the second port 302 of the switching unit 300, and the fourth port 304 of the switching unit 300 is connected to the third port 303 of the switching unit 300, so that both the first unit antenna 200 and the second unit antenna 201 work.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first port 301 of the switching unit 300 is connected to the third port 303, and the second port 302 of the switching unit 300 is connected to the fourth port 304. The first port 301 and the third port 303 are respectively insulated from the second port 302 and the fourth port 304, so that the array antenna operates in the first frequency band. Alternatively, the first port 301 of the switching unit 300 is connected to the second port 302, and the third port 303 of the switching unit 300 is connected to the fourth port 304. The first port 301 and the second port 302 are respectively insulated from the third port 303 and the fourth port 304, so that the array antenna operates in the second frequency band. In some embodiments, the switching unit 300 is a double-pole double-throw switch to control the first unit antenna 200 and the second unit antenna 201. The method includes: controlling the double-pole double-throw switch to operate in a crossover state, so that the array antenna operates in the first frequency band; and controlling the double-pole double-throw switch to operate in a through-state, so that the array antenna operates in the second frequency band. The operating state of the double-pole double-throw switch can be controlled by providing a control signal to the double-pole double-throw switch.

[0042] In other embodiments, other switching units 300 capable of controlling the first unit antenna 200 and the second unit antenna 201 may also be used.

[0043] The first power distribution unit 310 is used to convert one signal into several outputs. Specifically, in this invention, the first power distribution unit 310 receives the signal provided by the switching unit 300 and converts the signal into two output signals, one of which is used to provide the first unit antenna 200, and the other output signal is used to provide the second unit antenna 201. In some embodiments, the first power distribution unit 310 is a power divider.

[0044] In the feed network of the array antenna of the present invention, when the array antenna needs to operate in the first frequency band, the first port 301 and the third port 303 of the switching unit 300 are connected to enable the first unit antenna 200 to operate. That is, when the array antenna needs to operate in the first frequency band, the signal provided by the RF front-end transceiver circuit 330 is input to the switching unit 300 from the first port 301 and provided to the first unit antenna 200 via the third port 303 of the switching unit 300, so that the first unit antenna 200 operates, thereby enabling the array antenna to operate in the first frequency band.

[0045] In the feed network of the array antenna of the present invention, when the operating frequency band of the array antenna is the second frequency band, the first port 301 of the switching unit 300 is connected to the second port 302 of the switching unit 300, and the fourth port 304 of the switching unit 300 is connected to the third port 303 of the switching unit 300, so that both the first unit antenna 200 and the second unit antenna 201 are working. The signal provided by the RF front-end transceiver circuit 330 is input to the switching unit 300 from the first port 301 and provided to the first power distribution unit 310 via the second port 302 of the switching unit 300. The first power distribution unit 310 splits the input signal into two output signals. One output signal is provided to the second unit antenna 201 via the first output terminal 312 of the first power distribution unit 310 to enable the second unit antenna 201 to work. The other output signal is output to the fourth port 304 of the switching unit 300 via the second output terminal 313 of the first power distribution unit 310 and provided to the first unit antenna 200 via the third port 303 of the switching unit 300 to enable the first unit antenna 200 to work, thereby enabling the array antenna to work in the second frequency band.

[0046] In some embodiments, the feed network further includes a phase shifting unit 320. The input terminal of the phase shifting unit 320 is electrically connected to the first output terminal 312 of the first power distribution unit 310, and the output terminal of the phase shifting unit 320 is electrically connected to the second unit antenna 201. By adjusting the phase shifting unit 320, precise control of the signal phase can be achieved to meet the needs of different applications. Specifically, the second unit antenna 201 is electrically connected to the first output terminal 312 of the first power distribution unit 310 through the phase shifting unit 320. When the operating frequency band of the array antenna is the second frequency band, one output signal split from the first power distribution unit 310 is provided to the phase shifting unit 320 through the first output terminal 312 of the first power distribution unit 310. The phase shifting unit 320 performs phase shifting processing on the output signal and provides it to the second unit antenna 201 to enable the second unit antenna 201 to operate.

[0047] In some embodiments, the array antenna includes a plurality of feed networks, each feed network corresponding to one first element antenna 200 and one second element antenna 201. Specifically, in some embodiments, the first element antenna 200 and the second element antenna 201 arranged adjacently in a first direction D1 or a second direction D2 are grouped together and use the same feed network. For example, as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first element antenna 200A and the second element antenna 201A are adjacent in the second direction D2, and they form a group using the same feeder network. Figure 3 In this configuration, the third port 303 of the switching unit 300 is electrically connected only to the first unit antenna 200A, and the output terminal of the phase shifting unit 320 is electrically connected only to the second unit antenna 201A. Similarly, multiple feed electron networks feed the first unit antenna 200 and the second unit antenna 201A, thereby achieving power feeding for the entire array antenna. In other embodiments, the first unit antenna 200 and the second unit antenna 201, spaced apart in a first direction D1 or a second direction D2, can be grouped together and use the same feed electron network.

[0048] In other embodiments, the array antenna includes a plurality of the feed electron networks, each feed electron network corresponding to a plurality of first element antennas 200 and a plurality of second element antennas 201. For example, as Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, each of the feed networks corresponds to four first-element antennas 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D, and four second-element antennas 201A, 201B, 201C, and 201D. That is, the four first-element antennas 200 and the four second-element antennas 201 form a group, using the same feed network. This is merely an example; it is understood that in some embodiments, each feed network may also correspond to two first-element antennas 200 and two second-element antennas 201, or each feed network may also correspond to six first-element antennas 200 and six second-element antennas 201, etc.

[0049] In order to enable the output signal to be input to the plurality of first unit antennas 200 and the plurality of second unit antennas 201 respectively, in some embodiments, the feed network further includes: a second power distribution unit 400 and a third power distribution unit 410. The input terminal of the second power distribution unit 400 is electrically connected to the third port 303 of the switching unit 300, and the second power distribution unit 400 has a plurality of output terminals, each of which is electrically connected to one of the first unit antennas 200. The input terminal of the third power distribution unit 410 is electrically connected to the first output terminal 312 of the first power distribution unit 310, and the third power distribution unit 410 has a plurality of output terminals, each of which is electrically connected to one of the second unit antennas 201.

[0050] The second power distribution unit 400 receives the signal provided by the switching unit 300 and converts the signal into multiple output signals, which are then provided to different first unit antennas 200. For example, if the feed network corresponds to four first unit antennas 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D, the second power distribution unit 400 converts the signal output from the first output terminal of the switching unit 300 into four output signals, which are then provided to the first unit antennas 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D respectively. In some embodiments, the second power distribution unit 400 is a power divider.

[0051] The third power distribution unit 410 receives the signal provided by the first power distribution unit 310 and converts the signal into multiple output signals, which are then provided to different second unit antennas 201. In this embodiment, the third power distribution unit 410 receives the output signal of the phase shifting unit 320 and converts the signal into multiple output signals, which are then provided to different second unit antennas 201. For example, if the feed network corresponds to four second unit antennas 201A, 201B, 201C, and 201D, then the third power distribution unit 410 converts the output signal of the phase shifting unit 320 into four output signals, which are then provided to the second unit antennas 201A, 201B, 201C, and 201D respectively. In some embodiments, the third power distribution unit 410 is a power divider.

[0052] Similarly, multiple feed electron networks feed the first element antenna 200 and the second element antenna 201, thereby feeding the entire array antenna. In some embodiments, the structure of each feed electron network corresponding to multiple first element antennas 200 and multiple second element antennas 201 can be applied to a fixed direction array.

[0053] The method for widening the operating frequency band of the array antenna of the present invention can solve the bandwidth limitation caused by the spacing requirements between the unit antennas in the array antenna, and widen the operating frequency band of the array antenna.

[0054] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present invention also provide an array antenna for implementing the above-described method of widening the operating frequency band of the array antenna. Please refer to... Figures 2-4 An array antenna includes a unit antenna array, which includes a plurality of first unit antennas 200 and a plurality of second unit antennas 201. The first unit antennas 200 and the second unit antennas 201 are alternately arranged in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. The first unit antennas 200 and the second unit antennas 201 operate in the same frequency band. When the first unit antennas 200 are working and the second unit antennas 201 are not working, the operating frequency band of the array antenna is a first frequency band. When both the first unit antennas 200 and the second unit antennas 201 are working, the operating frequency band of the array antenna is a second frequency band. The maximum value of the first frequency band is equal to the minimum value of the second frequency band.

[0055] In the method for widening the operating frequency band of an array antenna provided in this embodiment of the invention, the unit antenna array is composed of first unit antennas 200 and second unit antennas 201 alternately arranged in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. That is, in a row along the first direction D1, the first unit antennas 200 and the second unit antennas 201 are alternately arranged, and in a column along the second direction D2, the first unit antennas 200 and the second unit antennas 201 are alternately arranged. Furthermore, the first unit antennas 200 and the second unit antennas 201 operate in the same frequency band, and the single antennas are controlled to be spaced apart in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2. The element antennas are operated to make the array antenna operate in the first frequency band; the element antennas arranged adjacently in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2 are controlled to operate to make the array antenna operate in the second frequency band. The spacing between the element antennas operating in the second frequency band is smaller than the spacing between the element antennas operating in the first frequency band. That is, the array antenna provided in this embodiment of the invention can adjust the spacing between element antennas operating simultaneously in different operating frequency bands by controlling the distribution of the element antennas operating simultaneously. This solves the bandwidth widening limitation caused by the spacing requirements between element antennas in the array antenna and widens the operating frequency band of the array antenna.

[0056] In some embodiments, there is a first distance between the first unit antenna 200 and the second unit antenna 201 that are adjacent in the first direction D1, and a second distance between the first unit antenna 200 and the second unit antenna 201 that are adjacent in the second direction D2, wherein the first distance and the second distance are equal.

[0057] In some embodiments, the array antenna further includes a feeding network, which includes at least one feeder network. The feeder network includes a switching unit 300 and a first power distribution unit 310. The switching unit 300 includes a first port 301, a second port 302, a third port 303, and a fourth port 304. The first port 301 is connected to the radio frequency front-end transceiver circuit 330, and the third port 303 is electrically connected to the first unit antenna 200. The input terminal 311 of the first power distribution unit 310 is electrically connected to the second port 302 of the switching unit 300, and the first output terminal 312 of the first power distribution unit 310 is electrically connected to the second port 302 of the switching unit 300. The second unit antenna 201 is electrically connected, and the second output terminal 313 of the first power distribution unit 310 is electrically connected to the fourth port 304 of the switching unit 300. When the array antenna needs to operate in the first frequency band, the first port 301 and the third port 303 of the switching unit 300 are connected to enable the first unit antenna 200 to operate. When the array antenna needs to operate in the second frequency band, the first port 301 and the second port 302 of the switching unit 300 are connected, and the third port 303 and the fourth port 304 of the switching unit 300 are connected to enable both the first unit antenna 200 and the second unit antenna 201 to operate.

[0058] In some embodiments, the feed network further includes a phase shifting unit 320. The input terminal of the phase shifting unit 320 is electrically connected to the first output terminal 312 of the first power distribution unit 310, and the output terminal of the phase shifting unit 320 is electrically connected to the second unit antenna 201. By adjusting the phase shifting unit 320, precise control of the signal phase can be achieved to meet the needs of different applications.

[0059] In some embodiments, the switching unit 300 is a double-pole double-throw switch. When the array antenna needs to operate in the first frequency band, the double-pole double-throw switch operates in the crossover state, and when the array antenna needs to operate in the second frequency band, the double-pole double-throw switch operates in the through state.

[0060] In some embodiments, the array antenna includes a plurality of feed networks, each feed network corresponding to one first element antenna 200 and one second element antenna 201. In some embodiments, the first element antenna 200 and the second element antenna 201 arranged adjacently in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2 are grouped together and use the same feed network. In other embodiments, the first element antenna 200 and the second element antenna 201 arranged spaced apart in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2 may also be grouped together and use the same feed network.

[0061] In some embodiments, the array antenna includes a plurality of feed electron networks, each feed electron network corresponding to a plurality of first element antennas 200 and a plurality of second element antennas 201. For example, as Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, each of the feed networks corresponds to four first-element antennas 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D, and four second-element antennas 201A, 201B, 201C, and 201D. That is, the four first-element antennas 200 and the four second-element antennas 201 form a group, using the same feed network. This is merely an example; it is understood that in some embodiments, each feed network may also correspond to two first-element antennas 200 and two second-element antennas 201, or each feed network may also correspond to six first-element antennas 200 and six second-element antennas 201, etc.

[0062] To enable the output signals to be input to both the multiple first unit antennas 200 and the multiple second unit antennas 201, the feed network further includes: a second power distribution unit 400, whose input terminal is electrically connected to the third port 303 of the switching unit 300, and which has multiple output terminals, each electrically connected to one of the first unit antennas 200; and a third power distribution unit 410, whose input terminal is electrically connected to the first output terminal 312 of the first power distribution unit 310, and which also has multiple output terminals, each electrically connected to one of the second unit antennas 201. The second power distribution unit 400 and the third power distribution unit 410 can be power dividers.

[0063] The array antenna of the present invention can solve the bandwidth limitation caused by the spacing requirements between the unit antennas in the array antenna, and broaden the operating frequency band of the array antenna.

[0064] It should be noted that the terms "comprising" and "having," and their variations, used in this invention document are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first," "second," etc., are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence, unless explicitly indicated by the context; it should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate. The term "one or more" depends at least in part on the context and can be used to describe features, structures, or characteristics in a singular sense, or in a plural sense to describe combinations of features, structures, or characteristics. The term "based on" can be understood as not necessarily intended to express an exclusive set of factors, but can instead, also at least in part on the context, allow for the presence of other factors that are not necessarily explicitly described. Furthermore, embodiments and features in embodiments of this invention can be combined with each other without conflict. In addition, descriptions of well-known components and technologies have been omitted in the above description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concepts of this invention. In the various embodiments described above, each embodiment focuses on its differences from other embodiments; similar / identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually.

[0065] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications 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 method for widening the operating frequency band of an array antenna, characterized in that, include: An array antenna is provided, the array antenna including a unit antenna array, the unit antenna array including a plurality of first unit antennas and a plurality of second unit antennas, the first unit antennas and the second unit antennas are alternately arranged in a first direction and a second direction, and the first unit antennas and the second unit antennas operate in the same frequency band; The first unit antenna is controlled to operate while the second unit antenna is not operated, so that the array antenna operates in the first frequency band. Both the first unit antenna and the second unit antenna are controlled to operate, so that the array antenna operates in the second frequency band, and the maximum value of the first frequency band is equal to the minimum value of the second frequency band; The array antenna further includes a feed network, through which the operating frequency band of the array antenna is controlled. The feed network includes at least one feed electron network, which includes: A switching unit, comprising a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port, wherein the first port is used to connect to an RF front-end transceiver circuit, and the third port is electrically connected to the antenna of the first unit. A first power distribution unit, wherein the input terminal of the first power distribution unit is electrically connected to the second port of the switching unit, and the second output terminal of the first power distribution unit is electrically connected to the fourth port of the switching unit; A phase-shifting unit, wherein the input terminal of the phase-shifting unit is electrically connected to the first output terminal of the first power distribution unit, and the output terminal of the phase-shifting unit is electrically connected to the second unit antenna; The method includes: The first port of the switching unit is controlled to be connected to the third port so that the array antenna operates in the first frequency band; The first port of the switching unit is connected to the second port, and the third port of the switching unit is connected to the fourth port, so that the array antenna operates in the second frequency band; Wherein, the switching unit is a double-pole double-throw switch, and the method includes: The double-pole double-throw switch is controlled to operate in the crossover state so that the array antenna operates in the first frequency band; The double-pole double-throw switch is controlled to operate in the pass-through state so that the array antenna operates in the second frequency band.

2. The method for widening the operating frequency band of an array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, There is a first distance between adjacent first unit antennas and second unit antennas in the first direction, and there is a second distance between adjacent first unit antennas and second unit antennas in the second direction, wherein the first distance and the second distance are equal.

3. The method for widening the operating frequency band of an array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The array antenna includes multiple feed electron networks, each of which corresponds to one first element antenna and one second element antenna.

4. The method for widening the operating frequency band of an array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The array antenna includes multiple feed networks, each feed network corresponding to multiple first element antennas and multiple second element antennas, and the feed network further includes: The second power distribution unit has an input terminal electrically connected to the third port of the switching unit, and the second power distribution unit has multiple output terminals, each of which is electrically connected to one of the first unit antennas. The third power distribution unit has an input terminal electrically connected to the first output terminal of the first power distribution unit, and the third power distribution unit has multiple output terminals, each of which is electrically connected to a second unit antenna.

5. An array antenna, characterized in that, The array includes a unit antenna array comprising multiple first unit antennas and multiple second unit antennas. The first unit antennas and second unit antennas are arranged alternately in a first direction and a second direction. The first unit antennas and second unit antennas operate in the same frequency band. When the first unit antenna is active and the second unit antenna is inactive, the operating frequency band of the array antenna is a first frequency band. When both the first unit antenna and the second unit antenna are active, the operating frequency band of the array antenna is a second frequency band. The maximum value of the first frequency band is equal to the minimum value of the second frequency band. The array antenna further includes a feed network, which includes at least one feed electron network, comprising: A switching unit, comprising a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port, wherein the first port is used to connect to an RF front-end transceiver circuit, and the third port is electrically connected to the antenna of the first unit. A first power distribution unit, wherein the input terminal of the first power distribution unit is electrically connected to the second port of the switching unit, and the second output terminal of the first power distribution unit is electrically connected to the fourth port of the switching unit; A phase-shifting unit, wherein the input terminal of the phase-shifting unit is electrically connected to the first output terminal of the first power distribution unit, and the output terminal of the phase-shifting unit is electrically connected to the second unit antenna; When the array antenna needs to operate in the first frequency band, the first port of the switching unit is connected to the third port to enable the first unit antenna to operate; when the array antenna needs to operate in the second frequency band, the first port of the switching unit is connected to the second port, and the third port of the switching unit is connected to the fourth port to enable both the first unit antenna and the second unit antenna to operate. The switching unit is a double-pole double-throw switch. When the array antenna needs to operate in the first frequency band, the double-pole double-throw switch operates in the crossover state. When the array antenna needs to operate in the second frequency band, the double-pole double-throw switch operates in the through state.

6. The array antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that, There is a first distance between adjacent first unit antennas and second unit antennas in the first direction, and there is a second distance between adjacent first unit antennas and second unit antennas in the second direction, wherein the first distance and the second distance are equal.

7. The array antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that, The array antenna includes multiple feed electron networks, each of which corresponds to one first element antenna and one second element antenna.

8. The array antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that, The array antenna includes multiple feed networks, each feed network corresponding to multiple first element antennas and multiple second element antennas, and the feed network further includes: The second power distribution unit has an input terminal electrically connected to the third port of the switching unit, and the second power distribution unit has multiple output terminals, each of which is electrically connected to one of the first unit antennas. The third power distribution unit has an input terminal electrically connected to the first output terminal of the first power distribution unit, and the third power distribution unit has multiple output terminals, each of which is electrically connected to a second unit antenna.

Images