A method for suppressing antenna sidelobes and an antenna array

Abstract

A method for suppressing antenna sidelobes and an antenna array are disclosed. The antenna includes a feeding element for feeding the antenna array through N power amplifiers, the N power amplifiers including N1 first power amplifiers with a rated power of P1. The method includes generating a first current distribution based on a desired sidelobe level, the first current distribution being either a discrete current distribution of antenna elements in the antenna array or a continuous line source current distribution of the antenna; determining a first subarray and a second subarray in the antenna array based on the first current distribution; and reducing antenna power loss by connecting M1 antenna elements in the first subarray to one of the first power amplifiers through a 1-to-M1 power divider, and connecting M2 antenna elements in the second subarray to one of the first power amplifiers through a 1-to-M2 power divider, wherein M1, M2, N, and N1 are positive integers, and M1 ≥ 1, M2 > M1, and N ≥ N1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication, and more specifically, to a method for suppressing antenna sidelobes and an antenna array. Background Technology

[0002] Spectrum sharing between satellites and 5G applications raises the question of how they can coexist. For example, in the uplink band of 5.85–6.425 GHz, the satellite receives signals from ground stations. If the 6 GHz sidelobe signal of the base station antenna is too high, it will interfere with the satellite receiver. Similarly, in the downlink band of 3.4–4.2 GHz, the ground station receives satellite signals. If the 3.5 GHz sidelobe of the satellite receiving antenna is too high, it will receive interference signals from the base station antenna. To address satellite interference scenarios, it is necessary to suppress the sidelobe interference of the base station antenna over a large area, meaning the average sidelobe energy of the base station antenna needs to be minimized over a wide angular range. Traditional antennas suppress sidelobes by adjusting the transmit power of the power amplifier, but this reduces the output power of the power amplifier, thus reducing the maximum output power of the antenna equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a method for suppressing antenna sidelobes and an antenna array. By combining some antenna elements in the antenna array and connecting them to the 1-to-M power amplifier among the N power amplifiers, the sidelobe level of the antenna can be suppressed within a certain angular spatial range, while reducing the power loss of the antenna.

[0004] In a first aspect, a method for suppressing antenna sidelobes is provided. The antenna includes an antenna array and a feeding unit, the feeding unit being used to feed the antenna array through N power amplifiers, the N power amplifiers including N1 first power amplifiers, each power amplifier having a rated power of P1. The method includes generating a first current distribution of the antenna array based on a desired sidelobe level, the first current distribution being either a discrete current distribution of M antenna elements in the antenna array, or a continuous line source current distribution corresponding to the antenna array; determining a first subarray and a second subarray in the antenna array based on the first current distribution, the first subarray including M1 first antenna elements, each of the M1 first antenna elements having a first transmit power greater than a first... The threshold is defined as follows: the second subarray comprises M2 second antenna elements, the first transmit power of each of the M2 second antenna elements is less than or equal to the first threshold, the first antenna element is connected to one of the N1 first power amplifiers via a 1-to-M1 power divider, the second antenna element is connected to one of the N1 first power amplifiers via a 1-to-M2 power divider, the sum of the first transmit powers of the M1 first antenna elements differs from the rated power P1 by less than a first error, the sum of the first transmit powers of the M2 second antenna elements differs from the rated power P1 by less than a first error, the first transmit power is determined by the first current distribution, wherein M1, M2, N, N1 are positive integers, and M1≥1, M2>M1, N≥N1.

[0005] According to the method of the embodiments of this application, an antenna array can be obtained, which may include a first subarray and a second subarray. The first subarray includes M1 first antenna elements, which can be fed by one of N power amplifiers (the first power amplifier is connected to the first subarray through a 1-to-M1 power divider). The second subarray includes M2 second antenna elements, which can be fed by one of the first power amplifiers (the first power amplifier is connected to the first subarray through a 1-to-M2 power divider). The antenna elements in the second antenna elements are antenna elements that need to be combined, where M1 and M2 are positive integers, and M1≥1 and M2>M1. By combining the antenna elements in the first and second subarrays (connected to a 1-to-M power divider), the power loss of the antenna array can be reduced.

[0006] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a first transmit power distribution is determined based on the first current distribution, wherein the first current distribution is a discrete current distribution of M antenna elements in the antenna array, and the first transmit power distribution includes the first transmit power of the M antenna elements, wherein the value of the first transmit power corresponds one-to-one with the current value in the discrete current distribution.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a first spacing distribution is determined based on the first transmit power distribution. The first spacing distribution includes a first spacing between each antenna element in the M1 first antenna elements and a second spacing between each antenna element in the M2 second antenna elements. The first spacing is the product of a spacing base and a first scaling factor α1, where α1 is the ratio of the rated power P1 to the sum of the first transmit powers of the M1 first antenna elements. The second spacing is the product of a spacing base and a second scaling factor α2, where α2 is the ratio of the rated power P1 to the sum of the first transmit powers of the M2 second antenna elements.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, if the third spacing in the first spacing distribution is greater than the second threshold, the third spacing is adjusted to the fourth spacing, the fourth spacing is less than or equal to the second threshold, and the third spacing is any spacing in the first spacing distribution.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a second transmit power distribution is determined based on the first spacing distribution, the second transmit power distribution including the rated power P1, and / or the product of the rated power P1 and a third scaling factor α3, where α3 is the ratio of the fourth spacing to the third spacing.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first current distribution is the continuous line source current distribution corresponding to the antenna array, the sum of the rated power of the N1 first power amplifiers is equal to the sum of the transmit power of the antenna elements on the antenna, N1 = N, the antenna of the first length is determined, the integral of the continuous line source current distribution over the first length is equal to the first power value, the first power value is the ratio of the first rated power value to N1, the first rated power value is the sum of the rated power of the N1 first power amplifiers; the first subarray and the second subarray in the antenna array are determined according to the value of the first length.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, if the value of the first length is greater than the third threshold, M2 second antenna elements are set on the antenna of the first length, and the second subarray includes the M2 second antenna elements, the value of M2 being determined by the value of the first length and the spacing basis; or, if the value of the first length is less than or equal to the third threshold, M1 first antenna elements are set on the antenna of the first length, and the first subarray includes the M1 first antenna elements.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second length is determined based on the value of M2; the second subarray is arranged on the antenna of the second length in the antenna, and the value of the second length is less than the value of the first length.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, if the value of M2 is greater than the fourth threshold, it is determined that the starting position of the second length antenna is the same as that of the first length antenna, and the integral of the continuous line source current distribution on the second length is equal to the second power value, which is less than the first power value.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a third subarray in the antenna array is determined based on the first transmit power distribution. The third subarray comprises M3 third antenna elements. The maximum value of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M3 third antenna elements is less than or equal to the minimum value of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M2 second antenna elements. The distance from the geometric center of the M3 third subarray to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the geometric center of the second subarray to the center of the antenna array. The second antenna element is connected to one of the N1 first power amplifiers through a 1-to-M3 power divider. The difference between the sum of the first transmit powers of the M3 first antenna elements and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than the first error. Here, M3 is a positive integer, and M3 > M2.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the N power amplifiers further include N2 second power amplifiers, the rated power P2 of the second power amplifiers being greater than the rated power P1, a fourth subarray in the antenna array being determined according to the first transmit power distribution, the fourth subarray including M4 fourth antenna elements, the minimum value of the first transmit power corresponding to the fourth antenna element being greater than or equal to the maximum value of the first transmit power corresponding to the first antenna element, the distance from the geometric center of the fourth subarray to the center of the antenna array being less than the distance from the geometric center of the first antenna element to the center of the antenna array, the difference between the sum of the first transmit power of the M4 fourth antenna elements and the rated power of the second power amplifier being less than the first error, and the fourth antenna element being connected to one of the N2 second power amplifiers through a 1-to-M4 power divider, where M4 is a positive integer, N2 and M4≥1.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the number of the fourth antenna elements is equal to the number of the first antenna elements.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a second spacing distribution is determined, the second spacing distribution including the spacing of each antenna element in the M1 first antenna elements, the spacing of each antenna element in the M2 second antenna elements, the spacing of each antenna element in the M3 third antenna elements, and the spacing of each antenna element in the M4 fourth antenna elements, wherein the spacings in the second spacing distribution are equal.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a second transmit power of each antenna element in the second subarray is determined. The second subarray includes a first element and a second element. If the distance from the geometric center of the first antenna element to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the second element to the center of the antenna array, then the second transmit power of the first element is less than the second transmit power of the second element. The power values ​​in the second transmit power distribution include the sum of the second transmit powers of each antenna element in the second subarray.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second antenna unit and / or the third antenna unit are connected to the power amplifier via a phase-shifting unit.

[0020] Secondly, an antenna array is provided, which is fed by a feeding unit through N power amplifiers. The N power amplifiers include N1 first power amplifiers, each with a rated power of P1. The antenna array includes: a first subarray comprising M1 first antenna elements, each of which has a first transmit power greater than a first threshold, and the sum of the first transmit powers of the M1 first antenna elements differs from the rated power P1 by less than a first error; each first antenna element is connected to one of the N1 first power amplifiers via a 1-to-M1 power divider; and a second subarray comprising M2 second antenna elements, each of which has a first transmit power less than... If the first threshold is equal to the first threshold, the second antenna unit is connected to one of the N1 first power amplifiers through a 1-to-M2 power divider. The difference between the sum of the first transmit power of the M2 second antenna units and the rated power P1 is less than the first error. The first transmit power is determined by the first current distribution. The distance from the geometric center of the first antenna unit to the center of the antenna array is less than the distance from the geometric center of the second antenna unit to the center of the antenna array. The first current distribution is generated by the desired sidelobe level. The first current distribution is the discrete current distribution of the M antenna units in the antenna array, or the first current distribution is the continuous line source current distribution corresponding to the antenna array. M1, M2, N, and N1 are positive integers, and M1≥1, M2>M1, and N≥N1.

[0021] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the spacing between the M1 first antenna elements is the product of the spacing base and the first scaling factor α1, where α1 is the ratio of the rated power P1 to the sum of the first transmit power of the M1 first antenna elements, and the spacing between the M2 second antenna elements is the product of the spacing base and the second scaling factor α2, where α2 is the ratio of the rated power P1 to the sum of the first transmit power of the M2 second antenna elements.

[0022] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the spacing between any one of the M1 first antenna elements and the M2 second antenna elements is less than or equal to the second threshold.

[0023] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the sum of the rated power of the N1 power amplifiers is equal to the sum of the transmit power of the antenna elements on the antenna, and N1 = N; the integral of the continuous line source current distribution corresponding to the M2 second second antenna elements over a first length is equal to a first power value, and the first length is the antenna length corresponding to the M2 second second antenna elements; or, the integral of the continuous line source current distribution corresponding to each of the M1 first antenna elements over a first length is equal to a first power value, and the first length includes the antenna length corresponding to each antenna element; wherein, the first power value is the ratio of the first rated power value to N1, and the first rated power value is the sum of the rated power of the N1 first power amplifiers with rated power.

[0024] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the antenna array further includes a third subarray comprising M3 third antenna elements. The maximum value of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M3 third antenna elements is less than or equal to the minimum value of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M2 second antenna elements. The distance from the geometric center of the M3 third subarray to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the geometric center of the second subarray to the center of the antenna array. The second antenna element is connected to one of the N1 first power amplifiers via a 1-to-M3 power divider. The difference between the sum of the first transmit powers of the M3 first antenna elements and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than the first error. Here, M3 is a positive integer, and M3 > M2.

[0025] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the N power amplifiers further include N2 second power amplifiers, the rated power P2 of the second power amplifiers being greater than the rated power P1, and the antenna array further includes: a fourth subarray, the fourth subarray including M4 fourth antenna elements, the minimum value of the first transmit power corresponding to the fourth antenna element being greater than or equal to the maximum value of the first transmit power corresponding to the first antenna element, the distance from the geometric center of the fourth subarray to the center of the antenna array being less than the distance from the geometric center of the first antenna element to the center of the antenna array, the difference between the sum of the first transmit power of the M4 fourth antenna elements and the rated power of the second power amplifier being less than the first error, and the fourth antenna element being connected to one of the N2 second power amplifiers through a 1-to-M4 power divider, wherein M4 is a positive integer, N2 and M4≥1.

[0026] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the number of the fourth antenna elements is equal to the number of the first antenna elements.

[0027] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the M1 first antenna elements, the M2 second antenna elements, the M3 third antenna elements, and the M4 fourth antenna elements are distributed at equal intervals.

[0028] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second antenna unit and / or the third antenna unit are characterized in that they are connected to the power amplifier via a phase-shifting unit.

[0029] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the 1-to-2 power divider is connected to the first unit in the second subarray via a first transmission line, and the 1-to-2 power divider is connected to the second unit in the second subarray via a second transmission line. If the distance d1 from the geometric center of the first unit to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance d2 from the geometric center of the second unit to the center of the antenna array, then the linewidth w1 of the first transmission line is less than the linewidth w2 of the second transmission line, and the second antenna unit includes the first unit and the second unit.

[0030] Thirdly, an antenna device is provided, including the antenna array in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0031] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, including the antenna device described in the third aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic block diagram of an antenna device.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic block diagram of a power divider.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the current distribution on a continuous line source.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of an antenna sidelobe suppression method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a schematic flowchart of another method for suppressing antenna sidelobes provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0038] Figure 7This is a schematic flowchart of another method for suppressing antenna sidelobes provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0039] Figure 8 This is the radiation pattern of the antenna array provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0040] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, wireless local area network (WLAN), 5th generation (5G) systems or NR communication systems, 6th generation (6G) mobile communication systems, satellite communication systems, and future mobile communication systems.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application.

[0044] like Figure 1As shown, the communication system may include satellite 101, which may be a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO) satellite, or multiple satellites comprising both. The communication system may also include ground station 102, such as a mobile satellite phone, or various fixed terminals, such as communication ground stations. The communication system 100 may also include a satellite tracking and control center, a network control center (NCC), and various gateway stations (not shown in the figure). In this communication system, the satellite can transmit downlink data to ground station 102 using downlink frequency bands (e.g., 3.4–4.2 GHz). Ground station 102 can also transmit uplink data to the satellite using uplink frequency bands (e.g., 5.85–6.425 GHz).

[0045] The communication system 100 may further include at least one access network device 103 and at least one terminal device 104, wherein the terminal device 104 is located within the coverage area of ​​one or more cells (carriers) provided by the access network device 103. When there are multiple serving cells for the terminal device 104, it can operate according to carrier aggregation (CA), dual connectivity (DC), or cooperative multipoint transmission modes, wherein multiple serving cells for the terminal device 104 simultaneously provide radio resources to the terminal device. Terminal devices can be interconnected with each other, and access network devices can be interconnected with each other, via wired or wireless means. The communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, etc. Figure 1 It is not shown in the middle.

[0046] The terminal equipment in this application embodiment may include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem with wireless communication capabilities, as well as various forms of terminals, mobile stations (MS), terminals, or soft terminals, etc. For example, water meters, electricity meters, sensors, etc. Exemplarily, the user equipment in this application embodiment may refer to an access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, relay station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. User equipment can also be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device, wearable device, user equipment in a 5G network, user equipment in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), or user equipment in a future vehicle-to-everything (V2X) network, etc., and this application does not limit it to these categories.

[0047] In this embodiment, the access network device 103 can be a device for communicating with the terminal device 104. This access network device can be a radio access network ((R)AN) device, used to manage radio resources, provide access services to user equipment, and thus complete the forwarding of control signals and terminal device data between the terminal device and the core network. The access network device 103 can also be understood as a base station in a traditional network.

[0048] Figure 1The communication system 100 shown can be considered as a communication system where satellite communication and mobile communication coexist. In this system, for the uplink frequency band of 5.85–6.425 GHz, satellite 101 receives signals from ground station 102. If the 6 GHz sidelobe signal of the access network device 103's antenna is too high, it will interfere with the receiver of satellite 101. For the downlink frequency band of satellite 101 (3.4–4.2 GHz), ground station 102 receives signals from satellite 101. If the 3.5 GHz sidelobe of the ground station 102's antenna is too high, it will receive interference signals from the access network device 103's antenna. Therefore, in scenarios involving satellite interference, it is necessary to suppress the interference of the base station antenna or ground station antenna sidelobes over a large area; that is, the average sidelobe energy of the base station antenna needs to be minimized over a wide angle range.

[0049] To facilitate understanding, we will first provide a brief introduction to some of the concepts involved in this application.

[0050] 1. Antenna

[0051] The basic functions of an antenna (antenna equipment) are energy conversion and the directional radiation or reception of electromagnetic waves. Antenna performance directly affects the use of wireless equipment. Antenna equipment may include a feed unit and a radiating unit. The feed unit may include a feed circuit (feed network) for connecting the radiating part of the antenna equipment to an external feed line, processing the electrical signal transmitted through the feed line, and transmitting the processed electrical signal of a certain amplitude and phase to the radiating part for outward radiation. The radiating part may include at least one independent antenna array, which may include at least one antenna element. The feed unit may also include at least one power amplifier (PA) for amplifying the input power and feeding it to the antenna for radiation. The output of each power amplifier may be connected to a power divider, whose output port distributes the input power of the power amplifier to at least one antenna element through a branch of the feed circuit. Typically, for ease of operation and to save on manufacturing costs, power amplifiers used in an antenna equipment have the same rated power. Optionally, the antenna device may further include a remote radio unit (RRU) for transmitting electrical signals to the feed circuit via a feed line. Optionally, the antenna device may further include an active antenna unit (AAU) for transmitting electrical signals to the radio frequency branch within the AAU via a feed line. Figure 2 The diagram shown is a schematic block diagram of an antenna device.

[0052] 2. Antenna Array

[0053] An antenna array is composed of basic antenna elements arranged in a specific pattern, based on the principle of electromagnetic wave interference in space. Examples include planar antenna arrays used as base station antennas in mobile communication systems. The type of antenna elements used in an antenna array depends on many factors, such as operating frequency, bandwidth, environment, and manufacturing cost. The radiation field of an antenna array is the vector sum of the radiation fields of each antenna element, and its characteristics depend on the type, position, arrangement, excitation amplitude, and phase of the antenna elements.

[0054] 3. Power Amplifier

[0055] A power amplifier (also called a power amplifier unit) amplifies weak transmitted or received radio frequency signals, enabling the signal to be successfully fed back to the antenna and transmitted, or to be successfully received by the receiver, thereby achieving higher quality and longer-distance communication. Typically, multiple power amplifiers are connected in the feed circuit of an antenna device. These power amplifiers have the same maximum output capability, which can be expressed as rated power. These power amplifiers are connected to the antenna elements in the antenna array through a power divider. When the antenna array needs to meet a certain sidelobe requirement, it is necessary to reduce the transmit power of some antenna elements, which requires reducing the output power of some power amplifiers. In this case, it will result in a power loss for those power amplifiers, meaning their output power is less than their rated power.

[0056] 4. Power divider

[0057] A power divider (also called a power splitter) can be used to redistribute and recombine signal power, such as... Figure 3 As shown in (a), it can be viewed as a simple multi-port network circuit structure. Without calculating the power divider's losses (including reflection and transmission losses), assume the input power at the power divider's input signal terminal is P1, and the output power at the output signal terminal is P2, P3, P4…P… n Then we have P1 = P2 + P3 + P4 + ... + P n (Where n is a positive integer). Taking a 1-to-2 power divider as an example, such as... Figure 3 As shown in (b), the input power of the power divider is P1, and the output power is P2 and P3. If the output power P2 = P3, it is an equal power divider; if the output power P2 ≠ P3, it is an unequal power divider.

[0058] A power divider can split an input signal power (e.g., the output power of a power amplifier) ​​into at least two signal powers. A power divider can also be called a 1-to-M (one input port, M output ports) power divider, where M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. Understandably, when M is greater than 2, the 1-to-M function can be implemented by a single 1-to-M power divider; alternatively, it can be implemented by combining multiple 1-to-2 or 1-to-3 power dividers. For example, the 1-to-8 function can be implemented by combining two 1-to-3 power dividers and one 1-to-2 power divider. The power divider can achieve internal power distribution through transmission lines (microstrip lines or stripline networks), specifically T-junction power dividers or Wilkinson power dividers.

[0059] 5. Analysis of Antenna Arrays

[0060] Antenna array analysis involves analyzing and determining the radiation characteristics of the antenna array, including its radiation pattern, half-power beamwidth, directivity, and sidelobe level, based on the following four parameters.

[0061] (1) Total number of elements; for example, the total number of elements of a linear array is N, and the total number of elements of a planar array is M×N;

[0062] (2) The distribution of elements in space; for example, the element spacing d of a linear array, and the element spacing dx and dy of a planar array.

[0063] (3) Distribution of excitation amplitude in each unit;

[0064] (4) Excitation phase distribution of each unit.

[0065] 6. Antenna Array Integration

[0066] Antenna array synthesis is the inverse problem of antenna array analysis; that is, given radiation characteristics, it synthesizes the four parameters of the antenna array mentioned above to ensure that certain radiation characteristics of the antenna array meet given requirements, such as the sidelobe level. Common antenna array synthesis methods include Chebyshev synthesis and Taylor synthesis. A brief introduction to Taylor synthesis is given below.

[0067] (1) Taylor Synthesis

[0068] Taylor arrays designed using the Taylor synthesis method exhibit sidelobe levels that are nearly equal in a region near the main lobe, then monotonically decrease, which is beneficial for improving antenna directivity. The Taylor synthesis method is designed for continuous line sources, but it can be discretized using the sampling theorem. In other words, the Taylor distribution of a continuous line source can be approximated by the amplitude distribution of a discrete array with a sufficiently large number of elements.

[0069] The current distribution on a Taylor continuous line source antenna can be expressed as:

[0070]

[0071] Among them, S n (m) represents the Taylor pattern function, and L is the length of the continuous line source antenna. It was before The dividing point between nearly equal sidelobes and sidelobes that decay according to a certain pattern.

[0072] Taylor continuous line source currents (such as...) are divided into equal intervals d. Figure 4 Sampling is performed as shown in (a). Assuming the data is divided into N-1 segments, there are N nodes (i.e., N units). Figure 4 As shown in (b), I1 to I n These represent the excitation amplitudes of units 1 to N, respectively.

[0073] If the center of the array is taken as the origin of the coordinate system, then the position of each element is represented as follows:

[0074]

[0075] The excitation amplitude of each element in the discretized Taylor array can be expressed by the following formula:

[0076]

[0077] in,

[0078] Taylor synthesis can suppress sidelobe levels to -35dB. However, it employs unequal power distribution, meaning each antenna element has a different transmit power. In active antenna systems, each antenna element, or every n (n≤4) antenna elements, is connected (via a power divider) to a power amplifier with equal rated power. This leads to insufficient power utilization in the feed network, reducing the antenna's output power and consequently decreasing its maximum transmit power, thus affecting coverage. For example, 30dB Taylor suppression can result in a 3.15dB power loss.

[0079] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a method for suppressing antenna sidelobes. The antenna includes an antenna array and a feeding unit, which feeds the antenna array through N power amplifiers. The N power amplifiers include N1 first power amplifiers with a rated power of P1. The method suppresses the sidelobe level of the antenna within a certain angular spatial range by combining some antenna elements in the antenna array and connecting them to one of the N1 first power amplifiers, while achieving lower power loss.

[0080] Before introducing the methods of the embodiments of this application, the following description is provided to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application.

[0081] In this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three cases: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0082] The first, second, and various numerical designations (e.g., "#1", "#2", etc.) shown in this application are for descriptive convenience only and are used to distinguish objects, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, they are used to distinguish different antenna elements, etc., and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such described objects can be interchanged where appropriate in order to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

[0083] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of an antenna sidelobe suppression method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method includes at least the following steps.

[0084] S510 generates the first current distribution of the antenna array based on the desired sidelobe level.

[0085] In one possible implementation, the first current distribution is a discrete current distribution of M antenna elements in the antenna array, wherein the M antenna elements are symmetrical about the array center, and M is a positive integer. The value of M can be determined based on experience or actual needs; for example, the value of M is 44. In this embodiment, the number of antenna elements in the antenna array is not limited.

[0086] For example, the first current distribution can be a Taylor current distribution (spacing 0.4λ). For instance, if it is desired to suppress the sidelobe level to -30dB, the first current distribution of each element when M=44 according to formula (3) is shown in the first row of Tables 1 and 2. Since the Taylor current distribution is symmetrical, only half of the current distribution data is taken in Tables 1 and 2; if the number of antenna elements is odd, then full array calculation can be performed. The following explanation of the same case is omitted.

[0087] In another possible implementation, the length of the continuous line source corresponding to the array antenna is L, where L is a constant greater than 0 and the value of L is known; the number of active channels (number of power amplifiers) of the antenna array is N, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, and the sum of the rated power of the N power amplifiers is equal to the sum of the transmit power of the antenna elements in the antenna array, or in other words, it is assumed that all N power amplifiers are used to output power to the antenna elements in the antenna array. The first current distribution is the current distribution of the continuous line source. For example, the first current distribution can be the Taylor continuous line source current distribution, as shown in formula (1).

[0088] It should be noted that, for ease of description and understanding, in this application, the rated power of the power amplifier, the transmit power of the antenna element in the antenna array, and the power output by the power amplifier to the antenna element in the antenna array all refer to the power normalized according to the rated power of the power amplifier. For example, if the rated power of the power amplifier is 1, then the transmit power of the antenna element in the antenna array and the power output by the power amplifier to the antenna element in the antenna array are in the range of [0,1].

[0089] S520, the first subarray and the second subarray in the antenna array are determined based on the first current distribution.

[0090] Specifically, if the first current distribution is a discrete current distribution of the M antenna elements, then a first power distribution can be generated based on the first current distribution; and the first subarray and the second subarray can be determined based on the first power distribution.

[0091] The first power distribution includes the first transmit power of the M antenna elements. For example, the first power distribution can be determined by squaring the current values ​​in the first current distribution.

[0092] Determining the subarray based on the first power distribution includes: determining M1 first antenna elements from the M antenna elements based on the first power distribution, and forming the first subarray in the antenna array from these first antenna elements. The first transmit power corresponding to the first antenna element is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the range of which can be designed according to actual conditions, for example, the range of which is [0.4, 0.6]; the absolute value of the difference between the sum of the first transmit powers of the M1 first antenna elements and the rated power of the first power divider is less than or equal to a first error, for example, the range of which is [0.1, 0.4].

[0093] The second subarray, determined based on the first power distribution, comprises M² second antenna elements from the M antenna elements, forming the second subarray within the antenna array. The first transmit power corresponding to each second antenna element is less than a first threshold, and the difference between the sum of the first transmit powers of the second antenna elements and the rated power of the power amplifier is less than a first error. The fact that the first transmit power of the second antenna element is less than the first threshold means that the transmit power of the second antenna element differs significantly from the rated power of the first power amplifier. If each antenna element in the second antenna element is connected to a separate first power amplifier, the power loss of the first power amplifier would be substantial. Connecting the second antenna element in the second subarray to one of the first power amplifiers via a 1-to-M² power divider can reduce the power loss of the first power amplifier.

[0094] If the first current distribution is the continuous line source current distribution, then the antenna of the first length on the antenna can be determined according to the first current distribution; and the first subarray and the second subarray can be determined according to the value of the first length.

[0095] Specifically, the integral of the Taylor continuous line source current of the antenna over the first length is equal to a first power value, which is the ratio of the first rated power value to N1. The first rated power value is the sum of the rated power of N1 first power amplifiers with rated power. For ease of description and understanding, the first rated power value can be a normalized power value, i.e., the first power value is 1 / N1.

[0096] If the value of the first length is greater than the third threshold, M3 second antenna elements are set on the antenna of the first length, and the second antenna elements form the second subarray. The value of M3 can be determined by the first length and the spacing basis. The third threshold can be determined according to the actual situation, for example, the third threshold is 0.4λ; or, if the value of the first length is less than the third threshold, M1 first antenna elements are set on the antenna of the first length, and the first subarray includes the first antenna elements.

[0097] It should be noted that, for ease of calculation, in this application, the length of the antenna and the first length both refer to electrical length, which can be determined by the physical length and the wavelength of the transmitted electromagnetic wave. Unless otherwise specified below, the length of a continuous line source on the antenna mentioned below refers to electrical length. It is understood that the thresholds compared with the length of the antenna, the first length, and the length of a continuous line source are also expressed in terms of electrical length, such as the third threshold; explanations of the same cases are omitted below.

[0098] According to the method of the embodiments of this application, an antenna array can be obtained, which may include a first subarray and a second subarray. The first subarray includes M1 first antenna elements, which can be fed by one of N power amplifiers (the first power amplifier is connected to the first subarray through a 1-to-M1 power divider). The second subarray includes M2 second antenna elements, which can be fed by one of the first power amplifiers (the first power amplifier is connected to the first subarray through a 1-to-M2 power divider). The antenna elements in the second antenna elements are antenna elements that need to be combined, where M1 and M2 are positive integers, and M1≥1 and M2>M1. By combining the antenna elements in the first and second subarrays (connected to a 1-to-M power divider), the power loss of the antenna array can be reduced.

[0099] Optionally, based on the first power distribution, a third subarray in the antenna array can also be determined. This third subarray comprises M3 third antenna elements, where the maximum value of the first transmit power of each third antenna element in the third subarray is less than or equal to the minimum value of the first transmit power of the second antenna element in the second subarray, and M3 > M2. Alternatively, the first power distribution may also include power values ​​that are less than the first transmit power corresponding to the second antenna element in the second subarray, and the difference between the sum of these power values ​​and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than the first error. In this case, the antenna elements corresponding to these power values ​​form the third subarray.

[0100] Understandably, the geometric center of the third subarray is farther from the center of the antenna array than the geometric center of the second subarray. In other words, the distance from the nearest antenna element in the third subarray to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the farthest antenna element in the second subarray to the center of the antenna array. The distance from the geometric center of the second subarray to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the geometric center of the first subarray to the center of the antenna array.

[0101] Optionally, the N power amplifiers may further include N2 second power amplifiers, the rated power P2 of which is greater than the rated power P1. A fourth subarray in the antenna array can also be determined based on the first transmit power distribution. This fourth subarray includes M4 fourth antenna elements, the minimum value of the first transmit power corresponding to each fourth antenna element is greater than or equal to the maximum value of the first transmit power corresponding to each first antenna element, the distance from the geometric center of the fourth subarray to the center of the antenna array is less than the distance from the geometric center of each first antenna element to the center of the antenna array, the difference between the sum of the first transmit powers of the M4 fourth antenna elements and the rated power of the second power amplifier is less than the first error, and each fourth antenna element is connected to one of the N2 second power amplifiers via a 1-to-M4 power divider, where M4 is a positive integer, N2, and M4 ≥ 1.

[0102] It should be noted that, in this application, the center of the antenna array may refer to the position on the antenna corresponding to the maximum value of the continuous line source current distribution of the antenna.

[0103] Optionally, the method may further include S530, determining the spacing between the first antenna element and the second antenna element.

[0104] Specifically, in one possible implementation, the spacing of the first antenna elements can be determined by a first scaling factor and a spacing base, i.e., by scaling the spacing base using the first scaling factor. The value of the first scaling factor can be the ratio of the rated power P1 to the sum of the first transmit powers of the M1 first antenna elements. Scaling the spacing base using the first scaling factor can increase the power density per unit aperture while keeping the transmit power constant, making the transmit power of the first antenna element equal to the rated power of the power amplifier. Alternatively, given a fixed rated power of the power amplifier, reducing the antenna spacing can effectively increase the power density (i.e., current density).

[0105] The spacing of the second second antenna element can be determined by a second scaling factor and a spacing base. The second scaling factor can be the ratio of the rated power P1 to the sum of the first transmit powers of the M2 second second antenna elements. It can be understood that both the first and second scaling factors are greater than or equal to 1.

[0106] Optionally, if the spacing between the first antenna element and the second antenna element is greater than a second threshold, the spacing of the first antenna element that is greater than the second threshold can be adjusted to be less than or equal to the second threshold. By adjusting the spacing of the first antenna element, the scanning grating of the antenna can be controlled. That is, when the antenna spacing is greater than the second threshold, the sidelobes of the antenna will rise at large scanning angles, and the antenna performance will degrade. After adjustment, the first antenna element may include antenna elements with equal spacing and antenna elements with unequal spacing.

[0107] The spacing distribution of the third and fourth antenna elements is similar to that of the first and second antenna elements.

[0108] In another possible implementation, the antenna elements in the antenna array can be equally spaced, meaning that the antenna elements in the first, second, third, and fourth subarrays are all equally spaced. For example, the spacing could be a basic unit. By setting equal spacing between the antenna elements in the antenna array, the design and fabrication of all antenna elements can be standardized, thereby reducing technology development and manufacturing costs.

[0109] Subsequently, the power (actual radiated power) of the antenna elements in each subarray can be allocated according to the Taylor current distribution based on the spacing of the antenna elements in the first, second, third, and fourth subarrays, thus determining the transmit power of each antenna element. Furthermore, for a given subarray containing at least two antenna elements (e.g., a first element and a second element), if the distance from the geometric center of the first antenna element to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the second element to the center of the antenna array, then the power of the first element is less than the power of the second element. For a power divider connecting to the subarray, the linewidth of the transmission line connecting the first element is less than the linewidth of the transmission line connecting the second element.

[0110] The following is combined Figure 6 and Figure 7 This application provides a detailed description of the antenna sidelobe suppression method. The antenna includes an antenna array and a feeding unit. The feeding unit is used to feed the antenna array through N power amplifiers. The N power amplifiers include N1 first power amplifiers, and the rated power of each power amplifier is P1.

[0111] Figure 6 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating an antenna sidelobe suppression method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 In the method shown, the first current distribution is the discrete current distribution of M antenna elements in the antenna array, and the method includes at least the following steps.

[0112] S610 generates a first current distribution I1 based on the desired sidelobe level.

[0113] The first current distribution is the discrete current distribution of M antenna elements in the antenna array. These M antenna elements are symmetrical about the center of the antenna array, and M is a positive integer. The value of M can be determined based on experience or actual needs. In this embodiment, the number of antenna elements in the antenna array is not limited.

[0114] For ease of explanation, the value of M in this embodiment is 44, and it is initially assumed that the spacing between the 44 antenna elements is equal to 0.4λ (spacing base). It should be understood that this number of antenna elements is merely an example, and the spacing base is only for determining the actual spacing of the antenna elements later. The spacing base can be other than this, and the number of antenna elements and the spacing base should not constitute any limitation on the technical solution of this application.

[0115] For example, the first current distribution can be a Taylor current distribution (with a spacing of 0.4λ). For instance, if it is desired to suppress the sidelobe level to -30dB, the first current distribution of each element obtained according to formula (3) is shown in the first row of Tables 1 and 2. Since the Taylor current distribution is symmetrical, only half of the current distribution data is taken in Tables 1 and 2; if the number of antenna elements is odd, then full array calculation can be performed.

[0116] S620, determine the first power distribution P1 based on the first current distribution.

[0117] The first power distribution refers to the first transmit power distribution of the M antenna elements. This first transmit power can be understood as the theoretical value of the transmit power of each antenna element in the antenna array, determined based on the first current distribution. Alternatively, the first transmit power can be understood as the proportion of the transmit power of each antenna element to the rated power P when each antenna element is connected to a power amplifier with a rated power of P. For example, the first power distribution can be obtained by squaring the current values ​​in the first current distribution.

[0118] The first power distribution of the M antenna elements is shown in the second row of Tables 1 and 2; or, the first power distribution is shown in the second row of Tables 3 and 4. The difference between the first power distribution shown in Tables 3 and 4 and the first power allocation shown in Tables 1 and 2 is that the proportion of the antenna element to the rated power of the first power amplifier is smaller in the first power distribution shown in Tables 3 and 4. It can be seen from the tables that the transmit power of each element decreases sequentially from right to left (from the center to the edge of the antenna array), and the first transmit power of the antenna element at the center of the antenna array is the largest. That is, if each antenna element is connected to a power amplifier with the same rated power, the power loss of the power amplifier connected to the array element at the center is the smallest; while from the center to the edge of the antenna array, the power loss of the power amplifier connected to each antenna element increases sequentially.

[0119] S630, the first subarray and the second subarray in the antenna array are determined based on the first power distribution and the combining criterion.

[0120] The combining criterion may include: the difference between the first power of the n adjacent antenna elements and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than the first error. The explanation of the first error is referred to S520 and will not be repeated here.

[0121] Specifically, the first antenna element among the M antenna elements can be determined based on the first power distribution and the combining criterion. The transmit power of each antenna element in this first antenna element is greater than or equal to a first threshold. The value of the first threshold can be determined according to actual conditions. For example, as shown in Tables 1 and 2, the antenna element with a first transmit power greater than or equal to 0.60 can be identified as the first antenna element; similarly, as shown in Tables 3 and 4, the antenna element with a first transmit power greater than or equal to 0.32 can be identified as the first antenna element. Furthermore, the number of the first antenna elements can be determined through the combining criterion, and the difference between the first antenna element and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than a first error.

[0122] For example, in the antenna array shown in Tables 1 and 2, the number of the first antenna elements can be 1. For example, the first transmit power of the "9" antenna elements is 0.62. The first transmit power of the antenna elements is greater than the first threshold, and the difference between the first transmit power and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than the first error. Then the first subarray is formed by the "9" antenna elements.

[0123] For example, in the antenna arrays shown in Tables 3 and 4, the number of the first antenna elements can also be greater than 1. For instance, the first transmit power of the "8" antenna element is 0.34, which is greater than the first threshold, and the difference between the sum of the first transmit power of the "8" antenna element and the adjacent "7" antenna element and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than the first error. Then, the first subarray is formed by the "8" antenna elements and the "7" antenna elements.

[0124] The second antenna element in the M antenna elements can also be determined based on the first power distribution and the combining criterion, wherein the transmit power of each antenna element in the first antenna element is less than the first threshold.

[0125] For example, in the antenna array shown in Tables 1 and 2, if the first transmit power of the "10" antenna element is 0.55, which is less than the first threshold, and the sum of the first transmit power of the "10" antenna element and the adjacent "11" antenna element is less than the first error compared with the rated power of the first power amplifier, then the second subarray is formed by the "10" antenna element and the "11" antenna element.

[0126] For example, in the antenna array shown in Tables 3 and 4, the first transmit power of the "9" antenna element is 0.31, which is less than the first threshold. Furthermore, the difference between the sum of the first transmit powers of the "9" antenna element and the adjacent "10" and "11" antenna elements and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than the first error. Therefore, the second subarray is composed of the "9", "10", and "11" antenna elements.

[0127] Power loss in the antenna device can be reduced by connecting M1 antenna elements in the antenna array to the first power amplifier and M2 second antenna elements to the first power amplifier, where M1 and M2 are positive integers, and M1≥1 and M2>M1.

[0128] In this application, when M1=1, the first antenna unit is connected to the first power amplifier through a transmission line. In other words, in this application, the 1-to-M1 power divider, when M1 is 1, refers to the transmission line.

[0129] Optionally, the first power distribution can also determine the third subarray in the antenna array, which includes M3 third antenna elements. The maximum value of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M3 third antenna elements is less than or equal to the minimum value of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M2 second antenna elements. The second antenna element is connected to one of the N1 first power amplifiers through a 1-to-M3 power divider. The difference between the sum of the first transmit power of the M3 first antenna elements and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than the first error. Here, M3 is a positive integer and M3 > M2.

[0130] For example, in the antenna array shown in Tables 1 and 2, the first transmit power of antenna element "12" is 0.48, which is less than the first transmit power of antenna element "11" in the second subarray. Furthermore, the difference between the sum of the first transmit powers of antenna element "12" and its adjacent antenna elements "13" and "14" and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than the first error. Therefore, the second subarray is composed of antenna elements "12", "13", and "14". From the first power distribution, it can be seen that the distance from the geometric center of the third subarray to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the geometric center of the second subarray to the center of the antenna array.

[0131] According to the method of the embodiments of this application, an antenna array can be obtained, which may include a first subarray, a second subarray, and a third subarray. The third subarray includes M3 third antenna elements. The antenna elements in the third subarray can be connected to a first power amplifier through a 1-to-M3 power divider, where M3 > M2. By determining the first power distribution, the first subarray, the second subarray, and the third subarray in the antenna array are determined. Combining the antenna elements in the first subarray, the second subarray, and the third subarray can reduce the power loss of the antenna device.

[0132] It is understood that the array antenna also includes subarrays that are symmetrically or approximately symmetrically distributed with respect to the first, second, and third subarrays. For the sake of simplicity, the relevant descriptions of the symmetrical subarrays are omitted.

[0133] Optionally, the N power amplifiers further include N2 second power amplifiers, the rated power of which is greater than the rated power of the first power divider. The first power distribution can also determine the fourth subarray in the antenna array. The fourth subarray includes M4 fourth antenna elements. The minimum value of the first transmit power corresponding to the fourth antenna element is greater than or equal to the maximum value of the first transmit power corresponding to the first antenna element. The distance from the geometric center of the fourth subarray to the center of the antenna array is less than the distance from the geometric center of the first antenna element to the center of the antenna array. The difference between the sum of the first transmit power of the M4 fourth antenna elements and the rated power of the second power amplifier is less than the first error. The fourth antenna element is connected to one of the N2 second power amplifiers through a 1-to-M4 power divider, where M4 is a positive integer, N2, and M4≥1.

[0134] For example, in the antenna array shown in Tables 1 and 2, the first transmit power of the "8" antenna element is 0.69, which is greater than the first transmit power of the "9" antenna element in the first subarray. Furthermore, the difference between the first transmit power of the "8" antenna element and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than the first error. Therefore, the fourth subarray is formed by these "8" antenna elements. From the first power distribution, it can be seen that the distance from the geometric center of the fourth subarray to the center of the antenna array is less than the distance from the geometric center of the first subarray to the center of the antenna array.

[0135] Optionally, the combining criterion may also include: the number of antenna elements in the combining is less than or equal to a threshold, for example, the threshold value can be 8, to avoid driving too many mid-edge antenna elements, thereby affecting array scanning or generating grating lobes.

[0136] Optionally, the method may further include S640, determining a fourth power distribution P4 based on the first power distribution, the fourth power distribution including the sum of the transmit power of each subarray after combining, as shown in the third row of Table 1 for the fourth power distribution when M=44.

[0137] Optionally, the method may further include S650, normalizing the fourth power distribution P4 to obtain the fifth power distribution P5.

[0138] After combining the antenna elements in each subarray, their power values ​​may be greater than 1, exceeding the rated power of the power amplifier. Therefore, this fourth power distribution can be normalized to convert the power values ​​within the range of [0, 1]. For example, the normalization method is as follows: reduce the maximum power value greater than 1 in the second power distribution to 1, determine the scaling ratio, and scale the other values ​​in the second power distribution proportionally according to this scaling ratio to obtain the third power distribution after normalization of the second power.

[0139] It should be understood that the above normalization method is only an example. The normalization method can also be other methods, such as the range method, the standardization method, etc., as long as it can transform the power values ​​in the second power distribution to the range of [0, 1].

[0140] Optionally, the method may also include S660, determining the spacing (actual spacing) of antenna elements in each subarray based on the fifth power distribution P5.

[0141] The actual spacing between antenna elements in each subarray can be determined based on the fifth power distribution, which can be divided into two cases.

[0142] In the first case, the spacing between the antenna elements in each subarray satisfies a first spacing distribution, which is determined by the scaling factor and spacing basis of each subarray.

[0143] Specifically, such as Figure 6As shown in (b) S651, the scaling factor α corresponding to each subarray is determined according to the normalized fourth power distribution (fifth power distribution).

[0144] The scaling factor is used to scale the aforementioned spacing base (0.4λ) to determine the actual antenna element spacing. As described above, the fifth power distribution includes the sum of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in each subarray after combining. The scaling factor for each subarray can be the ratio of the rated power of the first power amplifier to the sum of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in each subarray after combining. For example, α1 is the ratio of the rated power P1 to the sum of the first transmit power of the M1 first antenna elements, the second spacing is the product of the spacing base and the second scaling factor α2, and α2 is the ratio of the rated power P1 to the sum of the first transmit power of the M2 second antenna elements. In the antenna arrays shown in Tables 1 and 2, the scaling factor α for each subarray is shown in the fifth row.

[0145] S652, determine the actual spacing ζ1 of the antenna elements in each subarray according to the scaling factor α corresponding to each subarray.

[0146] For example, the actual spacing between antenna elements in each scaled subarray is the product of its corresponding scaling factor and the spacing base. In the antenna arrays shown in Tables 1 and 2, the scaling spacing between antenna elements in each subarray is shown in the sixth row.

[0147] Optionally, the method may also include S653, reconstructing the first spacing distribution.

[0148] The actual spacing between antenna elements in each subarray after scaling may be greater than a second threshold, for example, 0.5λ. During array scanning, a larger spacing may lead to an increase in antenna grating lobes. Reconstructing the actual antenna spacing after scaling can avoid this situation.

[0149] Reconstructing the first spacing distribution may include adjusting the first spacing value in the first spacing distribution to be less than or equal to the second threshold (an example of the second spacing value). In the antenna arrays shown in Tables 1 and 2, the adjusted first spacing distribution ζ2 is shown in the seventh row.

[0150] Optionally, the method may further include S654, determining the second transmit power distribution P based on the adjusted first spacing distribution. M .

[0151] Since the first spacing distribution has been adjusted according to the scaling factor, the combined power (rated power of the first power divider) of each antenna element in the fifth power distribution can be adjusted accordingly based on the adjusted spacing, thus determining the second transmit power distribution. This second transmit power distribution includes the rated power of the first power divider (normalized to 1), and / or the product of the rated power of the first power divider and the third scaling factor α3, where α3 is the ratio of the second spacing value to the first spacing value. It is understood that if the spacing of the elements in a subarray is not adjusted, the combined power of that subarray remains unchanged. If the spacing of the antenna elements in a subarray is adjusted, the combined power of that subarray is the product of the rated power of the first power divider and the third scaling factor α3. In the antenna arrays shown in Tables 1 and 2, this second transmit power distribution is shown in the eighth row.

[0152] Optionally, the method may further include S655, based on the second transmit power distribution P M And the first spacing distribution determines the first radiated power distribution P of the antenna elements in each subarray. m .

[0153] The first radiated power distribution includes the distribution of radiated power of each antenna element, and the first radiated power of the antenna elements in each subarray can satisfy a Taylor distribution. For a certain subarray, if it includes at least two antenna elements, the first radiated power of the antenna element farther from the center of the antenna array in the subarray is less than that of the antenna element closer to the center of the antenna array in the subarray. It should be understood that the distance from the antenna element to the center of the antenna array can be the distance from the geometric center of the antenna element to the center of the antenna array.

[0154] For example, if the second subarray includes a first element and a second element, and the distance from the geometric center of the first element to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the geometric center of the second element to the center of the antenna array, then the first radiated power of the first element is less than the first radiated power of the second element.

[0155] Case 2: Determine that the antenna elements in each subarray satisfy the second spacing distribution ζ3, and that the spacing values ​​in the second spacing distribution are equal.

[0156] Optionally, the method may further include adjusting the second transmit power distribution P. M And the second spacing distribution determines the second radiated power distribution P of the antenna elements in each subarray. m The second radiated power of the antenna elements in each subarray can satisfy a Taylor distribution. Similarly, for a certain subarray, the first radiated power of the antenna elements farther from the center of the antenna array is less than that of the antenna elements closer to the center of the antenna array.

[0157] Based on the first radiated power distribution of each antenna element obtained from Tables 1 and 2, the power loss of this antenna array is 0.18 dB, meaning the power loss of the power amplifier in the antenna array is 0.18 dB. In other words, under certain sidelobe conditions, the maximum output power capability of this antenna device decreases by 0.18 dB. The antenna array is shaped using elements with a 90° beamwidth, and the shaped radiation pattern is shown below. Figure 8 As shown, the sidelobe level and Taylor suppression level in this embodiment are similar, and the average sidelobe level is lower than the average sidelobe level when the current is uniformly distributed. Only within the range of ±0 to ±60°, five relatively high sidelobes appear. This is because using the inverse power correction spacing leads to an enlarged antenna aperture, causing some deviation between the current distribution and the Taylor distribution, thus resulting in the lifting of some sidelobes of the beam.

[0158] Alternatively, based on the second radiated power distribution of each antenna element in Tables 1 and 2, the power loss of this antenna array is 0.64 dB. Similarly, when the antenna array is shaped using elements with a 90° bandwidth, the shaped radiation pattern is close to the Taylor pattern, and the average sidelobe level is lower than the average sidelobe level of the Taylor current distribution.

[0159] Optionally, if the number of antenna elements in each subarray is greater than the fourth threshold, a phase-shifting unit can be used to enhance the scanning capability at the edges; the fourth threshold can be determined based on practical experience, for example, the fourth threshold is 4.

[0160] The phase shifting unit mentioned above can be a delay line, a Schiffman phase shifter, or other structure or device that generates a phase difference, and this application does not limit it in this regard.

[0161] Optionally, the method may further include S670, determining the physical spacing of each antenna element based on the first spacing distribution of antenna elements in each subarray. The spacing in the first spacing distribution is the electrical length, and the physical spacing is the physical length. The method for determining the physical length based on the electrical length can refer to existing related methods.

[0162] Table 1

[0163]

[0164] The first row shows the antenna element numbers, and the distance from the geometric center of the antenna element numbered "1" to the center of the antenna array is the smallest.

[0165] Table 2

[0166]

[0167] The meaning of each row of data in Table 2 is the same as that in Table 1 (see the first column from the left in Table 1). The first row shows the number of the antenna element, and the distance from the geometric center of the antenna element numbered "22" to the center of the antenna array is the largest.

[0168] Table 3

[0169]

[0170] The first row shows the antenna element numbers, and the distance from the geometric center of the antenna element numbered "1" to the center of the antenna array is the smallest.

[0171] Table 4

[0172]

[0173] The meaning of each row of data in Table 4 is the same as that in Table 3 (see the first column from the left in Table 3). The first row shows the number of the antenna element, and the distance from the geometric center of the antenna element numbered "22" to the center of the antenna array is the largest.

[0174] Figure 7 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating another method for suppressing antenna sidelobes provided in this application embodiment. In this method, it is assumed that the length of the array antenna is L (electrical length), where L is a constant greater than 0. The number of active channels (the number of first power amplifiers) of the array antenna is N, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. The sum of the rated power of these N first power amplifiers is equal to the sum of the transmit power of the antenna elements on the antenna. In other words, it is assumed that all N first power amplifiers are used to output power to the antenna array in the antenna. The method of this application embodiment is illustrated by taking the left or right half of the antenna array (corresponding to an antenna of length L / 2). This method includes at least the following steps.

[0175] S710, determines the first length of the antenna based on the first current distribution and the first power value.

[0176] Specifically, the first current distribution is the Taylor continuous line source current distribution of the antenna, which can be determined according to formula (1); assuming that the sum of the rated power of the N first power amplifiers is 1 (after normalization) and the power loss is 0, the first power value represents the output power value of each of the N first power amplifiers, and the first power value is: 1 / N.

[0177] The antenna length is determined based on the first current distribution and the first power value by: determining the first length such that the integral of the first current distribution function over the first length equals the first power value. That is, the first length can be determined according to formula (3):

[0178]

[0179] Among them, the difference between L2 and L1 can represent the first length, where 0 ≤ L1 < L and 0 < L2 < L. It can be understood that the number of antennas with the first length is equal to the number of power amplifiers. For the convenience of description, when the first length is determined for the first time, the starting position of the first length can be the edge position of the antenna.

[0180] According to formula (3) and the first current distribution, it can be known that the value of the first length decreases successively from the edge position of the antenna to the center position of the antenna. And the value of the first length includes at least one first value and at least one second value. The first value is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold (for example, 0.6λ), and the second value is less than the fifth threshold.

[0181] Optionally, the value of the first length may further include a third value, which is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold (for example, 0.6λ) and greater than the first value.

[0182] S720. Determine the first subarray and the second subarray according to the value of the first length.

[0183] Determine the first subarray according to the value of the first length. The second subarray includes: determining the number of antenna elements in the first subarray and the second subarray according to the value of the first length.

[0184] Specifically, if the value of the first length includes the first value, M2 second antenna elements can be set on the antenna corresponding to the first length. The M2 second antenna elements are the antenna elements in the second subarray. The M₂ second antenna elements are equally spaced. The M2 second antenna elements are the antenna elements to be combined. M2 is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. Exemplarily, the value of M2 can be: ceil(first length / spacing base number), ceil(*) represents the ceiling function; if the value of the first length includes the second value, one first antenna element can be set on the antenna corresponding to the first length, and the first subarray is composed of M1 such first antenna elements, where M1 is a positive integer.

[0185] According to the method of the embodiments of this application, an antenna array can be obtained, which may include a first subarray and a second subarray. The first subarray includes M1 first antenna elements, which do not need to be combined with other antenna elements; that is, each antenna element in the first antenna element is connected to a power amplifier in a feed unit. The second subarray includes M2 second antenna elements, where the antenna elements in the second antenna elements are antenna elements that need to be combined; that is, the second antenna element can be connected to a power amplifier through a 1-to-M2 power divider. M1 and M2 are positive integers. The first and second subarrays in the antenna array are determined by determining the value of the first length. Combining the second antenna elements in the second subarray can reduce the power loss of the antenna array. Table 5 shows the antenna element distribution when N is equal to 24, and the theoretical power loss of the antenna array is 0. The antenna array is shaped using elements with a 90° bandwidth. The shaped radiation pattern is close to the Taylor pattern, and the average sidelobe level is lower than the average sidelobe level when the Taylor current distribution is used.

[0186] Alternatively, the number of second antenna elements in the third subarray can be determined based on the value of the first length.

[0187] The process of determining the number of second antenna elements in the third subarray based on the value of the first length can refer to the process of determining the number of second antenna elements in the second subarray. M3 second antenna elements can be set on the antenna corresponding to the first length. These M3 second antenna elements are antenna elements in the third subarray, and they are also antenna elements that need to be combined. M3 is a positive integer greater than M2.

[0188] According to the method of the embodiments of this application, an antenna array can be obtained, which may include a first subarray, a second subarray, and a third subarray. The first antenna element does not need to be combined with other antenna elements; that is, each antenna element in the first antenna element is connected to a power amplifier in a feed unit. The second subarray includes M2 second antenna elements, and the third subarray includes M3 second antenna elements. The antenna elements in the second antenna elements are antenna elements that need to be combined; that is, the second antenna element can be connected to a power amplifier through a 1-to-M power divider, and M3 > M2, M1, M2, and M3 are positive integers. By combining the antenna elements in the second and third subarrays, the power loss of the antenna array can be reduced.

[0189] Optionally, if the number of second antenna units is greater than the fourth threshold, a phase-shifting unit can be used to enhance the edge scanning capability; the fourth threshold can be determined based on practical experience, for example, the fourth threshold is 4.

[0190] Optionally, the method may further include S730, determining a second length based on the first length.

[0191] The second-length antenna starts at the same position as the first-length antenna. The integral of the continuous line source current distributed along the second length equals a second power value, which is less than the first power value. For example, the second power value is determined by the first power value and a loss factor, which can range from (0,1), meaning the power divider has a small power loss.

[0192] Specifically, when the value of M2 in the second subarray is greater than the fifth threshold, the second length is determined such that the integral of the continuous line source current distribution over the second length equals the second power value, and then the second antenna element is set on the second length. Alternatively, the second length is used to redetermine the number of second antenna elements in the second subarray, such that the number of second antenna elements in the second subarray is less than the fifth threshold, thereby avoiding a large number of driven antenna elements.

[0193] Optionally, when the difference between the first length and K times the spacing basis is greater than the second error, the second length is determined such that the integral of the continuous line source current distribution over the second length equals the second power value, and then the second antenna element is set on the second length. Here, K is a positive integer. The second error is, for example, ±0.1λ to 0.2λ. The fact that the first length and the spacing basis are integer multiples of the second error can be understood as ensuring that setting equally spaced second antenna elements on the first length will not result in excessively large or small spacing between the second antenna elements (spacing basis ± error). For example, if the spacing basis is 0.4λ, and the second length is 0.6λ, setting an antenna element (first antenna element) with a large spacing (greater than the spacing basis + 0.2λ) on the first length will cause sidelobe lifting; setting an antenna element with a small spacing (less than the spacing basis - 0.1λ) will cause excessively strong coupling between elements.

[0194] By determining the second length, the first length can be made close to an integer multiple of the spacing basis, thereby avoiding the second antenna element spacing being too small or the first antenna element spacing being too large, thus enhancing the scanning range or avoiding inter-element coupling. This step can be understood as correcting the number of antenna elements corresponding to the second subarray in Table 5. The corrected number of antenna elements included in the second subarray is shown in Table 6 (data of half of the symmetrical antenna elements in the antenna array).

[0195] Furthermore, the method may also include S740, determining the power distribution (radiated power distribution) of each antenna element in the second subarray and / or the third subarray.

[0196] Specifically, based on the sum of the powers of the second antenna elements in the second and third subarrays being either the first or second power value, power is allocated according to the Taylor current distribution to obtain the power allocation of each antenna element in the second and third subarrays. The radiated power distribution of each antenna element in the second and third subarrays can represent the power distribution of each output port of the power divider connected to the second antenna element.

[0197] Optionally, the antenna elements in the second subarray or the third subarray can be connected to the power divider via a phase-shifting unit.

[0198] Table 5

[0199]

[0200] Table 6

[0201]

[0202]

[0203] The above combination Figures 5 to 8 This application introduces a method for suppressing antenna sidelobes according to embodiments of the present application. The following is in conjunction with... Figure 9 This application provides an antenna device.

[0204] like Figure 9 This is a schematic block diagram of an antenna device provided in an embodiment of this application. The antenna device includes an antenna array, which may include a first subarray and a second subarray. The first subarray includes M1 first antenna elements, which can be fed by one of N power amplifiers (the first power amplifier is connected to the first subarray via a 1-to-M1 power divider). The second subarray includes M2 second antenna elements, which can be fed by one of the first power amplifiers (the first power amplifier is connected to the first subarray via a 1-to-M2 power divider). The antenna elements in the second antenna elements are antenna elements that need to be combined. M1 and M2 are positive integers, and M1 ≥ 1, M2 > M1. By combining the antenna elements in the first and second subarrays (connected to a 1-to-M power divider), the power loss of the antenna array can be reduced.

[0205] It is understandable that the above 1-minute power divider is connected to this one power amplifier. The function of this 1-minute power divider can also be achieved by combining multiple 1-minute power dividers.

[0206] Optionally, the antenna array further includes a third subarray comprising M3 third antenna elements. The maximum value of the first transmit power of the third antenna elements in the third subarray is less than or equal to the minimum value of the first transmit power of the second antenna element in the second subarray, and M3 > M2. Alternatively, the first power distribution may also include power values ​​that are less than the first transmit power corresponding to the second antenna element in the second subarray, and the difference between the sum of these power values ​​less than the first transmit power corresponding to the second antenna element in the second subarray and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than the first error. In this case, the antenna elements corresponding to these power values ​​form the third subarray.

[0207] Understandably, the geometric center of the third subarray is farther from the center of the antenna array than the geometric center of the second subarray. In other words, the distance from the nearest antenna element in the third subarray to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the farthest antenna element in the second subarray to the center of the antenna array. The distance from the geometric center of the second subarray to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the geometric center of the first subarray to the center of the antenna array.

[0208] Optionally, the N power amplifiers may further include N2 second power amplifiers, the rated power P2 of which is greater than the rated power P1. The antenna array may further include a fourth subarray, which includes M4 fourth antenna elements. The minimum value of the first transmit power corresponding to the fourth antenna element is greater than or equal to the maximum value of the first transmit power corresponding to the first antenna element. The distance from the geometric center of the fourth subarray to the center of the antenna array is less than the distance from the geometric center of the first antenna element to the center of the antenna array. The difference between the sum of the first transmit powers of the M4 fourth antenna elements and the rated power of the second power amplifier is less than the first error. The fourth antenna element is connected to one of the N2 second power amplifiers through a 1-to-M4 power divider, where M4 is a positive integer, N2, and M4≥1.

[0209] It should be noted that, in this application, the center of the antenna array may refer to the position on the antenna corresponding to the maximum value of the continuous line source current distribution of the antenna.

[0210] The antenna elements of each subarray in the antenna array satisfy either a first spacing distribution or a second spacing distribution. The first spacing distribution and the second spacing distribution can be referred to the description in the method, and will not be repeated here.

[0211] In this antenna array, for a certain subarray, if it includes at least two antenna elements and the at least two antenna elements are connected by a 1M power divider, then the linewidth of the transmission line in the 1M power divider corresponding to the antenna element farther from the center of the antenna array in the subarray is smaller than that of the antenna element closer to the center of the antenna array in the subarray. It should be understood that the distance from the antenna element to the center of the antenna array can be the distance from the geometric center of the antenna element to the center of the antenna array.

[0212] For example, the second subarray includes a first unit and a second unit, and the second subarray is connected to the first power amplifier through a 1-to-M2 power divider. The distance from the geometric center of the first unit to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the geometric center of the second unit to the center of the antenna array. Therefore, the linewidth of the transmission line connecting the first unit in the 1-to-M2 power divider is smaller than the linewidth of the transmission line connecting the second unit.

[0213] In this antenna device, the power amplifier can be connected to the transmit channel or the receive channel via a phase shift unit, as shown below. Figure 9 (a) and Figure 9 As shown in (b). Alternatively, some power amplifiers in the antenna device may be connected to the transmit channel and some to the receive channel via a phase shift unit; this application does not limit this to any particular type.

[0214] The antenna array also includes a feed network, which can be viewed as a tree-like topology consisting of 1-to-M power dividers, where M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. This feed network supplies power to the antenna array. The power amplifiers in this feed network have the same rated power. Optionally, the output of the 1-to-N power divider can also be connected to a phase-shifting unit.

[0215] It should be understood that the fact that the rated power of the power amplifiers in the power supply network is the same is only one application scenario of this application embodiment and does not constitute a limitation of this application. For example, the rated power of all or part of the power dividers in the power supply network may fluctuate within a certain range.

[0216] Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0217] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0218] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0219] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0220] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0221] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0222] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0223] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for suppressing antenna sidelobes, characterized in that, The antenna includes an antenna array and a feeding unit. The feeding unit is used to feed the antenna array through N power amplifiers. The N power amplifiers include N1 first power amplifiers, each with a rated power of P1. The method includes: The first current distribution of the antenna array is generated according to the desired sidelobe level. The first current distribution is the discrete current distribution of M antenna elements in the antenna array, or the first current distribution is the continuous line source current distribution corresponding to the antenna array. The first subarray and the second subarray in the antenna array are determined based on the first current distribution. The first subarray includes M1 first antenna elements, each of which has a first transmit power greater than a first threshold. The second subarray includes M2 second antenna elements, each of which has a first transmit power less than or equal to the first threshold. The first antenna elements are connected to one of the N1 first power amplifiers via a 1-to-M1 power divider, and the second antenna elements are connected to one of the N1 first power amplifiers via a 1-to-M2 power divider. The sum of the first transmit powers of the M1 first antenna elements differs from the rated power P1 by less than a first error. The sum of the first transmit powers of the M2 second antenna elements also differs from the rated power P1 by less than a first error. The first transmit power is determined by the first current distribution, where M1, M2, N, and N1 are positive integers, and M1... 1, M2 > M1, N N1.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before determining the first subarray and the second subarray in the antenna array based on the first current distribution, the method further includes: The first transmit power distribution is determined based on the first current distribution. The first current distribution is the discrete current distribution of M antenna elements in the antenna array. The first transmit power distribution includes the first transmit power of the M antenna elements. The value of the first transmit power corresponds one-to-one with the current value in the discrete current distribution.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: A first spacing distribution is determined based on the first transmit power distribution. The first spacing distribution includes a first spacing of each antenna element in the M1 first antenna elements and a second spacing of each antenna element in the M2 second antenna elements. Wherein, the first spacing is the spacing base and the first scaling factor. The product of 1, the 1 is the ratio of the rated power P1 to the sum of the first transmit powers of the M1 first antenna elements, and the second spacing is the spacing base plus the second scaling factor. The product of 2, the 2 is the ratio of the rated power P1 to the sum of the first transmit power of the M2 second antenna units.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the third spacing in the first spacing distribution is greater than the second threshold, the third spacing is adjusted to the fourth spacing, the fourth spacing is less than or equal to the second threshold, and the third spacing is any spacing in the first spacing distribution.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: A second transmit power distribution is determined based on the first spacing distribution, wherein the second transmit power distribution includes the rated power P1, and / or the rated power P1 and a third scaling factor. The product of 3, the 3 is the ratio of the fourth spacing to the third spacing.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first current distribution is the continuous line source current distribution corresponding to the antenna array, the sum of the rated power of the N1 first power amplifiers is equal to the sum of the transmit power of the antenna elements on the antenna, N1=N, and the step of determining the first subarray and the second subarray in the antenna array according to the first current distribution includes: An antenna of a first length is determined in the antenna, and the integral of the continuous line source current distributed over the first length is equal to a first power value. The first power value is the ratio of a first rated power value to N1, and the first rated power value is the sum of the rated power of N1 first power amplifiers with rated power. The first and second subarrays in the antenna array are determined based on the value of the first length.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Determining the first and second subarrays in the antenna array based on the value of the first length includes: If the value of the first length is greater than the third threshold, M2 second antenna elements are set on the antenna of the first length, and the second subarray includes the M2 second antenna elements, the value of M2 being determined by the value of the first length and the spacing basis; or... If the value of the first length is less than or equal to the third threshold, M1 first antenna elements are set on the antenna of the first length, and the first subarray includes the M1 first antenna elements.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second length is determined based on the value of M2; The second subarray is disposed on the antenna of the second length in the antenna, and the value of the second length is less than the value of the first length.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Determining the second length based on the value of M2 includes: If the value of M2 is greater than the fourth threshold, it is determined that the antenna of the second length has the same starting position as the antenna of the first length, and the integral of the continuous line source current distribution on the second length is equal to the second power value, which is less than the first power value.

10. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The third subarray in the antenna array is determined based on the first transmit power distribution. The third subarray includes M3 third antenna elements. The maximum value of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M3 third antenna elements is less than or equal to the minimum value of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M2 second antenna elements. The distance from the geometric center of the third subarray to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the geometric center of the second subarray to the center of the antenna array. The third antenna elements are connected to one of the N1 first power amplifiers through a 1-to-M3 power divider. The difference between the sum of the first transmit power of the M3 third antenna elements and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than the first error. Here, M3 is a positive integer and M3 > M2.

11. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The N power amplifiers further include N2 second power amplifiers, wherein the rated power P2 of the second power amplifiers is greater than the rated power P1, and the method further includes: The fourth subarray in the antenna array is determined based on the first transmit power distribution. The fourth subarray comprises M4 fourth antenna elements. The minimum first transmit power corresponding to each fourth antenna element is greater than or equal to the maximum first transmit power corresponding to that element. The distance from the geometric center of the fourth subarray to the center of the antenna array is less than the distance from the geometric center of each first antenna element to the center of the antenna array. The difference between the sum of the first transmit powers of the M4 fourth antenna elements and the rated power of the second power amplifier is less than the first error. Each fourth antenna element is connected to one of the N2 second power amplifiers via a 1-to-M4 power divider, where M4 is a positive integer, N2, and M4...

1.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The number of the fourth antenna elements is equal to the number of the first antenna elements.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The antenna array includes a third subarray, which includes M3 third antenna elements. The maximum value of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M3 third antenna elements is less than or equal to the minimum value of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M2 second antenna elements. The method further includes: A second spacing distribution is determined, which includes the spacing of each antenna element in the M1 first antenna elements, the spacing of each antenna element in the M2 second antenna elements, the spacing of each antenna element in the M3 third antenna elements, and the spacing of each antenna element in the M4 fourth antenna elements, wherein the spacings in the second spacing distribution are equal.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second transmit power of each antenna element in the second subarray is determined. The second subarray includes a first element and a second element. If the distance from the geometric center of the first antenna element to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the second element to the center of the antenna array, then the second transmit power of the first element is less than the second transmit power of the second element. The power value in the second transmit power distribution includes the sum of the second transmit powers of each antenna element in the second subarray.

15. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second antenna unit and / or the third antenna unit are connected to the power amplifier via a phase-shifting unit.

16. An antenna array, characterized in that, The antenna array is fed by a feeding unit through N power amplifiers, the N power amplifiers including N1 first power amplifiers, the rated power of the first power amplifiers being P1, and the antenna array comprising: The first subarray includes M1 first antenna elements, each of the M1 first antenna elements having a first transmit power greater than a first threshold, and the sum of the first transmit powers of the M1 first antenna elements having a difference from the rated power P1 less than a first error. The first antenna element is connected to one of the N1 first power amplifiers through a 1-to-M1 power divider. The second subarray comprises M2 second antenna elements, each of which has a first transmit power less than or equal to a first threshold. The second antenna elements are connected to one of the N1 first power amplifiers via a 1-to-M2 power divider. The sum of the first transmit powers of the M2 second antenna elements differs from the rated power P1 by less than a first error. The first transmit power is determined by a first current distribution. The distance from the geometric center of the first antenna element to the center of the antenna array is less than the distance from the geometric center of the second antenna element to the center of the antenna array. Wherein, the first current distribution is generated by the desired sidelobe level, and the first current distribution is the discrete current distribution of M antenna elements in the antenna array, or the first current distribution is the continuous line source current distribution corresponding to the antenna array, where M1, M2, N, and N1 are positive integers, and M1 1, M2 > M1, N N1.

17. The antenna array according to claim 16, characterized in that, The spacing between the M1 first antenna elements is the spacing base plus a first scaling factor. The product of 1, the 1 represents the ratio of the rated power P1 to the sum of the first transmit powers of the M1 first antenna elements, and the spacing of the M2 second antenna elements is the spacing base plus a second scaling factor. The product of 2, the 2 is the ratio of the rated power P1 to the sum of the first transmit power of the M2 second antenna units.

18. The antenna array according to claim 17, characterized in that, The spacing between any one of the M1 first antenna elements and the M2 second antenna elements is less than or equal to the second threshold.

19. The antenna array according to claim 16, characterized in that, The sum of the rated power of the N1 power amplifiers is equal to the sum of the transmit power of the antenna elements on the antenna, and N1 = N. The integral of the continuous line source current distribution corresponding to the M2 second second antenna units over the first length is equal to the first power value, where the first length is the antenna length corresponding to the M2 second second antenna units; or, The integral of the continuous line source current distribution of each of the M1 first antenna elements over a first length is equal to a first power value, where the first length includes the antenna length corresponding to each antenna element. Wherein, the first power value is the ratio of the first rated power value to N1, and the first rated power value is the sum of the rated power of N1 first power amplifiers with rated power.

20. The antenna array according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, The antenna array also includes: The third subarray comprises M3 third antenna elements. The maximum first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M3 third antenna elements is less than or equal to the minimum first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M2 second antenna elements. The distance from the geometric center of the third subarray to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance from the geometric center of the second subarray to the center of the antenna array. The third antenna elements are connected to one of the N1 first power amplifiers through a 1-to-M3 power divider. The difference between the sum of the first transmit power of the M3 third antenna elements and the rated power of the first power amplifier is less than the first error. Here, M3 is a positive integer, and M3 > M2.

21. The antenna array according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, The N power amplifiers further include N2 second power amplifiers, wherein the rated power P2 of the second power amplifiers is greater than the rated power P1, and the antenna array further includes: The fourth subarray comprises M4 fourth antenna elements. The minimum first transmit power corresponding to each fourth antenna element is greater than or equal to the maximum first transmit power corresponding to the first antenna element. The distance from the geometric center of the fourth subarray to the center of the antenna array is less than the distance from the geometric center of each first antenna element to the center of the antenna array. The difference between the sum of the first transmit powers of the M4 fourth antenna elements and the rated power of the second power amplifier is less than the first error. Each fourth antenna element is connected to one of the N2 second power amplifiers via a 1-to-M4 power divider, where M4 is a positive integer, N2, and M4 1.

22. The antenna array according to claim 21, characterized in that, The number of the fourth antenna elements is equal to the number of the first antenna elements.

23. The antenna array according to claim 21, characterized in that, The antenna array includes a third subarray, which includes M3 third antenna elements. The maximum value of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M3 third antenna elements is less than or equal to the minimum value of the first transmit power of the antenna elements in the M2 second antenna elements. The M1 first antenna elements, the M2 second antenna elements, the M3 third antenna elements, and the M4 fourth antenna elements are distributed at equal intervals.

24. The antenna array according to claim 20, characterized in that, The second antenna unit and / or the third antenna unit are connected to the power amplifier via a phase-shifting unit.

25. The antenna array according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that, The 1-to-2 power divider is connected to the first unit in the second subarray via a first transmission line, and the 1-to-2 power divider is connected to the second unit in the second subarray via a second transmission line. If the distance d1 from the geometric center of the first unit to the center of the antenna array is greater than the distance d2 from the geometric center of the second unit to the center of the antenna array, then the linewidth w1 of the first transmission line is less than the linewidth w2 of the second transmission line. The second antenna unit includes the first unit and the second unit.

26. An antenna device, characterized in that, Including the antenna array as described in any one of claims 16 to 25.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, Including the antenna device as described in claim 26.

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