Directional coupler and antenna

Abstract

The invention relates to a directional coupler and an antenna. The directional coupler comprises a dielectric substrate; the first signal line and the second signal line are arranged on the dielectric substrate and are insulated from each other, ports at two ends of one of the first signal line and the second signal line respectively form an input port and a straight-through port, and ports at two ends of the other one of the first signal line and the second signal line respectively form a coupling port and an isolation port; the first signal line comprises a first connecting line and a first annular structure which are connected, and the second signal line comprises a second connecting line and a second annular structure which are connected; the inner side of the second annular structure is provided with a part of the first connecting line, and the second annular structure and the part of the first connecting line form a bilateral coupling circuit; the inner side of the first annular structure is provided with a part of the second connecting line, and the first annular structure and the part of the second connecting line form a bilateral coupling circuit. The directional coupler and the antenna are small in size, and miniaturization and light weight can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of radio frequency technology, and in particular to a directional coupler and an antenna. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of communication technology, people have also put forward more requirements for antenna products, such as multi-frequency, multi-port, and miniaturization. In order to achieve multi-frequency, multi-port, and miniaturization at the same time, the spacing between the arrays of antenna radiation units will be reduced accordingly. This will lead to a large mutual coupling effect between antenna columns, and also make the key indicators such as horizontal beam width, front-to-back ratio, and gain worse. The application of directional couplers in antennas is an effective way to solve the above problems. Specifically, in a shoulder-to-shoulder array antenna, the feed network between the two arrays is connected to a directional coupler so that one or more radiating units in adjacent columns are reused to achieve the effect of horizontal beam superposition, thereby improving the directivity of antenna radiation. The directional coupler of the related art usually includes a first coupling line and a second coupling line, the first coupling line and the second coupling line are arranged at intervals and adjacently, and the first coupling line and the second coupling line have coupling sections parallel to each other, and the two ports of the first coupling line are used as input ports and through ports, respectively, and the two ports of the second coupling line are used as coupling ports and isolation ports, respectively. In practical applications, the electrical length of the coupling section is generally set to be longer, so as to achieve the effect of reducing and converging the horizontal plane beam width. However, this will result in a larger module size for the directional coupler, which is not conducive to further miniaturization and lightweighting of the antenna. Summary of the invention

[0003] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a directional coupler and antenna that are smaller in size and can be miniaturized and lightweight.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a directional coupler, comprising:

[0005] a dielectric substrate; and

[0006] A first signal line and a second signal line are provided on a dielectric substrate and are insulated from each other, wherein ports at both ends of one of the first signal line and the second signal line are respectively formed as an input port and a through port, and ports at both ends of the other signal line are respectively formed as a coupling port and an isolation port;

[0007] The first signal line includes a first connecting line and a first ring structure connected to each other, and the second signal line includes a second connecting line and a second ring structure connected to each other; a portion of the first connecting line is arranged on the inner side of the second ring structure, and forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the portion of the first connecting line; a portion of the second connecting line is arranged on the inner side of the first ring structure, and forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the portion of the second connecting line.

[0008] In some embodiments, the number of the first annular structure and the number of the second annular structure are both at least one;

[0009] The first connecting line includes a first connecting section, a first coupling section and a first bridge circuit, the first connecting section is located outside the second ring structure, and the first coupling sections are arranged inside the second ring structure in a one-to-one correspondence; one of the first coupling sections is bridged with the first connecting section through the first bridge circuit;

[0010] The second connecting line includes a second connecting section, a second coupling section and a second bridge circuit. The second connecting section is located outside the first ring structure, and the second coupling sections are arranged one by one inside the first ring structure. One of the second coupling sections is bridged with the second connecting section through the second bridge circuit.

[0011] In some embodiments, when the number of the first annular structure and the second annular structure are both plural;

[0012] The first coupling sections are bridged by a first bridge circuit, and the second coupling sections are bridged by a second bridge circuit.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first bridge circuit includes a first bridge metal and two first metallized holes arranged at intervals, the two first metallized holes penetrate the dielectric substrate, the first bridge metal is arranged on a side of the dielectric substrate away from the first signal line, and electrically connects the two first metallized holes;

[0014] The second bridge circuit includes a second bridge metal and two second metallized holes arranged at intervals. The two second metallized holes penetrate the dielectric substrate. The second bridge metal is arranged on a side of the dielectric substrate away from the second signal line and electrically connects the two second metallized holes.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first annular structure includes two first sub-segments that are oppositely disposed and parallel to each other, and the second annular structure includes two second sub-segments that are oppositely disposed and parallel to each other;

[0016] The second coupling segment is spaced apart and arranged in parallel with the two first sub-segments corresponding to the first ring structure to form a bilateral coupling circuit with the first ring structure. The first coupling segment is spaced apart and arranged in parallel with the two second sub-segments corresponding to the second ring structure to form a bilateral coupling circuit with the second ring structure.

[0017] In some embodiments, the width of the first sub-segment is smaller than the width of the first connecting segment, and the width of the second sub-segment is smaller than the width of the second connecting segment.

[0018] In some embodiments, among the two first connection segments connected by the first coupling segment, one of the first connection segments is connected to the first ring structure, and an end of the other first connection segment facing away from the first coupling segment forms a port of the first signal line;

[0019] Among the two second connecting segments connected by the second coupling segment, one of the second connecting segments is connected to the second annular structure, and one end of the other second connecting segment facing away from the second coupling segment forms a port of the second signal line.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first annular structure and the second annular structure are staggered in both the first direction and the second direction;

[0021] The first subsection and the second subsection both extend along a first direction;

[0022] The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other and parallel to the dielectric substrate.

[0023] In some embodiments, when there are multiple first annular structures, the multiple first annular structures are arranged in a row along the second direction and are electrically connected to each other; when there are multiple second annular structures, the multiple second annular structures are arranged in a row along the second direction and are electrically connected to each other.

[0024] In some embodiments, when the number of the first annular structure and the second annular structure is one, the length of the first sub-segment and the length of the second sub-segment are both in the range of: λ / 16-λ / 8;

[0025] When the number of the first annular structure and the second annular structure are both two, the length of the first sub-segment and the length of the second sub-segment are both in the range of: λ / 32-λ / 16;

[0026] Among them, λ is the working center frequency of the electromagnetic wave.

[0027] In a second aspect, the present application provides an antenna, comprising the above-mentioned directional coupler.

[0028] In some embodiments, it further includes a phase shifter, a first column of oscillators, and a second column of oscillators;

[0029] The feeding end of one of the oscillators in the first column is connected to the input port of the directional coupler; the feeding end of one of the oscillators in the second column is connected to the isolation port of the directional coupler.

[0030] In the above-mentioned directional coupler and antenna, the first signal line includes a first ring structure, the second signal line includes a second ring structure, and a portion of the first connecting line is provided inside the second ring structure, and forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the portion of the first connecting line. A portion of the second connecting line is provided inside the first ring structure, and forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the portion of the second connecting line. In this way, in the bilateral coupling circuit formed by the first ring structure, a bilateral coupling path is formed, and its path length is twice that of an ordinary parallel coupling path. Therefore, in the case of achieving a target coupling path of the same length, the first ring structure formed with a bilateral coupling circuit can reduce the physical length by at least two times. The second ring structure is also based on a similar principle. Therefore, by providing bilateral coupling circuits in both the first ring structure and the second ring structure, a smaller physical length can be used to achieve the effect of the target coupling length of the existing parallel coupler, so that the size and weight of the directional coupler are both smaller, and the miniaturization and lightweight of the antenna can also be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a directional coupler according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of a first signal line and a second signal line in a directional coupler in some embodiments of the present application.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of a first signal line and a second signal line in a directional coupler in some embodiments of the present application.

[0035] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first signal line and the second signal line in some other embodiments of the present application.

[0036] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first signal line and the second signal line in some further embodiments of the present application.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the antenna of some embodiments of the present application.

[0038] Figure 7 The standing wave ratio curves of the directional couplers according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0039] Figure 81 is a characteristic curve of a directional coupler according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0040] Fig. 9 is the gain curve of the antenna.

[0041] Figure Number:

[0042] 100. Directional coupler;

[0043] 11. Input port; 12. Through port; 13. Coupling port; 14. Isolation port;

[0044] 2. Dielectric substrate;

[0045] 3. first signal line; 31. first connecting line; 311. first connecting section; 312. first coupling section; 32. first ring structure; 321. first sub-section;

[0046] 41, first bridge circuit; 411, first bridge metal; 412, first metallized hole; 42, second bridge circuit; 421, second bridge metal; 422, second metallized hole;

[0047] 5. second signal line; 51. second connecting line; 511. second connecting section; 512. second coupling section; 52. second ring structure; 521. second sub-section;

[0048] 6. Ground layer;

[0049] 200, antenna; 201, phase shifter; 202, vibrator; 203, first wire; 204, second wire;

[0050] F, first direction; S, second direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the connotation of the present application, so the present application is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0052] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0053] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of this application, "plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0054] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0055] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being “above” or “below” a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being “above”, “above”, and “above” a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being “below”, “below”, and “below” a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0056] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. An element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be the only implementation method.

[0057] See also Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a directional coupler according to some embodiments of the present application. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of a first signal line and a second signal line in a directional coupler in some embodiments of the present application. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of a first signal line and a second signal line in a directional coupler in some embodiments of the present application. Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first signal line and the second signal line in some other embodiments of the present application. Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first signal line and the second signal line in some further embodiments of the present application.

[0058] The directional coupler 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application includes a dielectric substrate 2 , a first signal line 3 and a second signal line 5 .

[0059] The first signal line 3 and the second signal line 5 are arranged on the dielectric substrate 2 and are insulated from each other. The ports at both ends of one of the first signal line 3 and the second signal line 5 are respectively formed as an input port 11 and a through port 12, and the ports at both ends of the other are respectively formed as a coupling port 13 and an isolation port 14.

[0060] The ports at both ends of one of the first signal line 3 and the second signal line 5 are respectively formed as an input port 11 and a through port 12, and the ports at both ends of the other are respectively formed as a coupling port 13 and an isolation port 14. For example, the ports may be as follows: Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the ports at both ends of the first signal line 3 form an input port 11 and a through port 12 respectively, and the ports at both ends of the second signal line 5 form a coupling port 13 and an isolation port 14 respectively. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the ports at both ends of the second signal line 5 form an input port 11 and a through port 12, respectively, and the ports at both ends of the first signal line 3 form a coupling port 13 and an isolation port 14, respectively. Further, the first signal line 3 and the second signal line 5 can both be configured as microstrip line structures. And the first signal line 3 and the second signal line 5 can be centrally symmetrically arranged (the symmetry point is as shown in FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 Midpoint O), so that the following can be achieved Figure 2 , Figure 4In addition, the first signal line 3 and the second signal line 5 can be arranged in a central symmetric manner, which can also effectively improve the isolation effect of the port.

[0061] Furthermore, by adding bilateral coupling, the equivalent coupling length is the same as that in the related art, so the physical length can be reduced while achieving the same function as the prior art.

[0062] The first signal line 3 includes a first connecting line 31 and a first ring structure 32 connected to each other, and the second signal line 5 includes a second connecting line 51 and a second ring structure 52 connected to each other. A portion of the first connecting line 31 is disposed inside the second ring structure 52, and forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the portion of the first connecting line 31. A portion of the second connecting line 51 is disposed inside the first ring structure 32, and forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the portion of the second connecting line 51.

[0063] The first signal line 3 includes a first ring structure 32, and the second signal line 5 includes a second ring structure 52. A portion of the first connection line 31 is provided inside the second ring structure 52, and forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the portion of the first connection line 31. A portion of the second connection line 51 is provided inside the first ring structure 32, and forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the portion of the second connection line 51. In this way, in the bilateral coupling circuit formed by the first ring structure 32, a bilateral coupling path is formed, and its path length is twice that of an ordinary parallel coupling path. Therefore, in the case of achieving the same length of the target coupling path, the first ring structure 32 formed with the bilateral coupling circuit can reduce the physical length by at least two times. The second ring structure 52 is also based on a similar principle. Therefore, by providing bilateral coupling circuits in both the first ring structure 32 and the second ring structure 52, a smaller physical length can be used to achieve the effect of the target coupling length of the existing parallel coupler, so that the size and weight of the directional coupler 100 are both smaller, and the miniaturization and lightweight of the antenna 200 can also be achieved.

[0064] A portion of the first connection line 31 is disposed inside the second annular structure 52, and forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the portion of the first connection line 31. This means that no matter how many second annular structures 52 there are, a portion of the structure of the first connection line 31 is disposed inside each second annular structure 52, and each second annular structure 52 also forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the corresponding portion of the first connection line 31. A portion of the second connection line 51 is disposed inside the first annular structure 32, and forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the portion of the second connection line 51, which means that no matter how many first annular structures 51 there are, a portion of the structure of the second connection line 52 is disposed inside each first annular structure 51, and each first annular structure 51 also forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the corresponding portion of the second connection line 31.

[0065] exist Figure 2 In the description, taking the first annular structure 32 as an example, the upper side of the first annular structure 32 and part of the second connecting line 51 inside the first annular structure 32 are close to each other (for example, the spacing d1 <1mm) to form electrical signal coupling. The lower side of the first annular structure 51 and part of the second connecting line 51 inside the first annular structure 32 are close to each other (for example, the spacing d2 <1mm) to form another section of electrical signal coupling, thus forming a bilateral coupling circuit. It can be understood that the spacing d1 and the spacing d2 can be adjusted according to actual needs, so that the coupling strength of the directional coupler 100 can be flexibly adjusted.

[0066] Similarly, the second annular structure 52 has an upper side that is close to a portion of the first connecting line 31 inside the second annular structure 52, thereby forming an electrical signal coupling. The lower side of the second annular structure 52 is close to a portion of the first connecting line 31 inside the second annular structure 52, thereby forming another section of electrical signal coupling, thus forming a bilateral coupling circuit.

[0067] Of course, the bilateral coupling circuits in the first annular structure 32 and the second annular structure 52 may be bilateral parallel coupling circuits, that is, the two coupling paths formed in the bilateral coupling circuits are parallel to each other.

[0068] In some embodiments, the number of the first annular structure 32 and the second annular structure 52 is at least one. Figure 2 As shown, the number of the first annular structure 32 and the second annular structure 52 are both one, and it is also possible to Figure 5 As shown, the number of the first annular structure 32 and the number of the second annular structure 52 are both two, and at this time, the two first annular structures 32 are electrically connected to each other, and the two second annular structures 52 are electrically connected to each other. It can be understood that the number of the first annular structure 32 and the second annular structure 52 can also be other, as long as the number of the first annular structure 32 and the second annular structure 52 is equal.

[0069] Reference Figure 3 The first connecting line 31 includes a first connecting section 311, a first coupling section 312 and a first bridge circuit 41. The first connecting section 311 is located outside the second ring structure 52, and the first coupling sections 312 are arranged inside the second ring structure 52 in a one-to-one correspondence, wherein one of the first coupling sections 312 and the first connecting section 311 is bridged by the first bridge circuit 41.

[0070] The second connecting line 51 includes a second connecting segment 511, a second coupling segment 512 and a second bridge circuit 42. The second connecting segment 511 is located outside the first ring structure 32, and the second coupling segments 512 are arranged inside the first ring structure 32 in a one-to-one correspondence, wherein one of the second coupling segments 512 and the second connecting segment 511 is bridged by the second bridge circuit 42.

[0071] With such arrangement, part of the first signal line 3 can enter the second ring structure 52 through bridging, and part of the second signal line 5 can enter the first ring structure 32 through bridging, and even if the first connecting segment 311, the first coupling segment 312, the second connecting segment 511, and the second coupling segment 512 are coplanar, they can be insulated from each other.

[0072] In the embodiment of the present application, when the number of the first annular structure 32 and the second annular structure 52 are both multiple, Figure 5 In the example in which the number of the first ring structure 32 and the second ring structure 52 are both two, each first coupling segment 312 is also bridged by the first bridge circuit 41, and each second coupling segment 512 is also bridged by the second bridge circuit 42. Of course, when the number of the first ring structure 32 and the second ring structure 52 is other, each first coupling segment 312 is still bridged by the first bridge circuit 41, and each second coupling segment 512 is still bridged by the second bridge circuit 42.

[0073] For specific implementation, please refer to Figure 1 The first bridge circuit 41 includes a first bridge metal 411 and two first metallized holes 412 arranged at intervals. The two first metallized holes 412 penetrate the dielectric substrate 2. The first bridge metal 411 is arranged on a side of the dielectric substrate 2 away from the first signal line 3, and electrically connects the two first metallized holes 412.

[0074] The second bridge circuit 42 includes a second bridge metal 421 and two second metallized holes 422 arranged at intervals. The two second metallized holes 422 penetrate the dielectric substrate 2. The second bridge metal 421 is arranged on a side of the dielectric substrate 2 away from the second signal line 5 and electrically connects the two second metallized holes 422.

[0075] Taking the bridging of the first coupling segment 312 inside the second annular structure 52 and the first connecting segment 311 outside the second annular structure 52 as an example for description, for example Figure 1The first coupling section 312 and the first connecting section 311 on the far right of the middle figure. The end of the first coupling section 312 contacts one of the first metallized holes 412, and the end of the first connecting section 311 contacts the other first metallized hole 412. At the same time, the two first metallized holes 412 are electrically connected through the first bridging metal 411, thereby realizing the electrical connection between the end of the first coupling section 312 and the end of the first connecting section 311. It is equivalent to sinking the electrical connection path of the first coupling section 312 and the second connecting section 311 onto the dielectric substrate 2, thereby realizing the coplanarity of the first coupling section 312 and the first connecting section 311. The bridging of the second coupling section 512 and the second connecting section 511, the bridging between adjacent second coupling sections 512, and the bridging between adjacent first coupling sections 312 are similar to this, and will not be repeated here.

[0076] Specifically, a grounding layer 6 is further provided on the side of the dielectric substrate 2 away from the first signal line 3 and the second signal line 5. The grounding layer 6 is arranged on the same layer as the first bridging metal 411 and the second bridging metal 421 and is spaced apart from each other. For example, the grounding layer 6 can surround and be spaced around the first bridging metal 411 and the second bridging metal 421.

[0077] In some embodiments, continue to refer to Figure 3 The first annular structure 32 includes two first sub-segments 321 that are oppositely disposed and parallel to each other, and the second annular structure 52 includes two second sub-segments 521 that are oppositely disposed and parallel to each other. The second coupling segment 512 is spaced apart from and parallel to the two first sub-segments 321 corresponding to the first annular structure 32 to form a bilateral parallel coupling circuit with the first annular structure 32, and the first coupling segment 312 is spaced apart from and parallel to the two second sub-segments 521 corresponding to the second annular structure 52 to form a bilateral parallel coupling circuit with the second annular structure 52.

[0078] Furthermore, the width of the first sub-segment 321 is smaller than the width of the first connecting segment 311, and the width of the second sub-segment 521 is smaller than the width of the second connecting segment 511. This causes a change from a ring structure to a non-ring structure in the first signal line 3 and the second signal line 5, which will bring about a change in impedance, that is, to achieve impedance change and matching, which can solve the impedance mismatch problem caused by the distributed reactance in the related art.

[0079] Generally speaking, the line width of the two signal line coupling segments of the parallel line coupler of the related art remains unchanged (generally 50Ω). In the embodiment of the present application, the width of the first sub-segment 321 is smaller than the width of the first connecting segment 311, so that the impedance of the first ring structure 32 is greater than that of the first connecting segment 311 (for example, greater than 50Ω). In this way, the first ring structure 32 forms a ring structure with higher impedance. Since the first ring structure 32 and the first connecting segment 311 are arranged continuously, the difference in impedance forms an impedance transformation, which can help broaden the working bandwidth of the directional coupler 100. In specific implementation, if the impedance R1 of the first connecting segment 311 is 50Ω, the impedance R2 of the first sub-segment 321 can be 100Ω. Here, it is sufficient that R1 and R2 satisfy the following relationship:

[0080] R1 / 2*50=R2*R2.

[0081] The case where the width of the second sub-segment 521 is smaller than the width of the second connecting segment 511 is similar to the above, and will not be repeated here. Similarly, the impedance R3 of the second connecting segment 511 is 50Ω, and the impedance R4 of the second sub-segment 521 can be 100Ω. Here, as long as R3 and R4 satisfy the following relationship:

[0082] R3 / 2*50=R4*R4.

[0083] In other words, in the first signal line 3 and the second signal line 5, because of the change from the ring structure to the non-ring structure, the impedance change and matching are achieved, which solves the problem that the coupling section of the traditional parallel line directional coupler has distributed reactance and requires impedance matching design in the non-coupling section, which is not conducive to achieving wide-band operation.

[0084] In the present application, continue to refer to Figure 3 Of the two first connection segments 311 connected by the first coupling segment 312, one of the first connection segments 311 is connected to the first annular structure 32, and one end of the other first connection segment 311 away from the first coupling segment 312 forms a port of the first signal line 3. Of course, one end of another first connection segment 311 is connected to the first annular structure 32, and the other end forms another port of the first signal line 3 (for example, the input port 11).

[0085] Of the two second connecting segments 511 connected to the second coupling segment 512, one of the second connecting segments 511 is connected to the second annular structure 52, and one end of the other second connecting segment 511 facing away from the second coupling segment 512 forms a port of the second signal line 5. Of course, one end of another second connecting segment 511 is connected to the second annular structure 52, and the other end forms another port (e.g., the isolation port 14) of the second signal line 4.

[0086] Furthermore, the first annular structure 32 and the second annular structure 52 are staggered along the first direction F and the second direction S. The first sub-segment 321 and the second sub-segment 521 both extend along the first direction F. The first direction F and the second direction S are perpendicular to each other and parallel to the dielectric substrate 2. In a specific implementation, Figure 3 As shown, the first coupling segment 312 and the second coupling segment 512 can extend along the first direction F. The first connecting segment 311 connected to one side of the first annular structure 32 extends along the first direction F, the first connecting segment connected to the other side of the first annular structure 32 is connected to one end of the first coupling segment 312 and extends along the second direction S, the other first connecting segment 311 connected to the first coupling segment 312 partially extends along the first direction F, and partially extends along the second direction S to form a right angle, and in the portion extending along the first direction F, the free end forms a straight-through port 12. Correspondingly, the second connecting segment 511 connected to one side of the second annular structure 52 extends along the first direction F, the second connecting segment 511 connected to the other side of the second annular structure 52 is connected to one end of the second coupling segment 512 and extends along the second direction S, the other second connecting segment 511 connected to the second coupling segment 512 partially extends along the first direction F, and partially extends along the second direction S to form a right angle, and in the portion extending along the first direction F, the free end forms a coupling port 13.

[0087] Continue to refer to Figure 5 In some other embodiments, when there are multiple first annular structures 32, the multiple first annular structures 32 are arranged in a row along the second direction S and are electrically connected to each other, and the electrical connection can be achieved by bridging through a first bridge circuit. When there are multiple second annular structures 52, the multiple second annular structures 52 are arranged in a row along the second direction S and are electrically connected to each other, and the electrical connection can be achieved by bridging through a second bridge circuit.

[0088] In the embodiment of the present application, when the number of the first annular structure 32 and the second annular structure 52 are both one, the length L1 of the first sub-segment 321 and the length L2 of the second sub-segment 521 are both in the range of: λ / 16-λ / 8.

[0089] Within this length range, the longer the length of the first sub-segment 321 and the length of the second sub-segment 521 are, the lower the in-band flatness of the coupling port can be. This principle is applied to broadband shoulder-to-shoulder antennas, which is beneficial to improving the convergence of the antenna horizontal plane beam width.

[0090] When a first first ring structure 32 and a second ring structure 52 are formed, taking the example that the lengths of the first sub-segment 321 and the second sub-segment 521 are both λ / 16, because of bilateral coupling, the coupling paths of the first ring structure 32 and the second ring structure 52 are both λ / 8, and together, the total coupling path is λ / 4, which is equivalent to an existing parallel coupler with a coupling length of λ / 4, but the total physical length of the first ring structure 32 and the second ring structure 52 is only λ / 8.

[0091] Reference Figure 5 , when the number of the first ring structure 32 and the second ring structure 52 are both two, the length of the first sub-segment 321 and the length range L2 of the second sub-segment 521 are both: λ / 32-λ / 16, where λ is the working center frequency of the electromagnetic wave. Similarly, when the physical length of a ring structure is λ / 32 for example, because it is bilateral coupling, the coupling path of a ring structure reaches λ / 16, and because there are four ring structures, the total coupling path is λ / 4, but the total physical length of the first ring structure 32 and the second ring structure 52 is only λ / 16.

[0092] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the antenna of some embodiments of the present application.

[0093] Reference Figure 6 The second aspect of the embodiment of the present application further provides an antenna 200, including the above-mentioned directional coupler 100. The antenna 200 of the embodiment of the present application is a shoulder-to-shoulder array antenna, and the feed network between the two dipole arrays can be connected to the directional coupler 100, so that one dipole in adjacent columns can be reused to achieve the effect of horizontal beam superposition and improve the directivity of the radiation of the antenna 200. That is, due to the connection of the directional coupler 100 in the antenna feed network, the gain of the antenna 200 is increased, the horizontal plane beam width is reduced (converged), and the front-to-back ratio is improved.

[0094] Specifically, the antenna 200 further includes a phase shifter 201, a first column of dipoles, and a second column of dipoles. One of the dipoles 202 in the first column of dipoles, for example Figure 6 The feeding end of the rightmost oscillator 202 in the first column is connected to the input port 11 of the directional coupler 100, so that the feeding end of the rightmost oscillator 202 in the first column is connected to the through port 12 of the directional coupler. Figure 6 The feeding end of the rightmost oscillator 202 in the second column is connected to the isolation port 14 of the directional coupler 100 , so that the feeding end of the rightmost oscillator 202 in the second column is connected to the coupling port 13 of the directional coupler 100 .

[0095] For specific implementation, please refer to Figure 6As shown, when the number of the oscillators 202 in the first column and the second column are both three, the phase shifter 201 can be a one-output three-phase shifter. For the phase shifter 201-A, the total signal enters from the In port of the phase shifter 201, and then is divided into 3 paths, of which 2 paths enter the feeding end of the two oscillators 202 in the upper column through the connection of the first wire 203 from the two ports -1φ and 0φ, and the remaining 1 path is connected to the through port 12 of the directional coupler 100 from the port +1φ through the second wire 204. For the phase shifter 201-B, the total signal enters from the In port of the phase shifter 201, and then is divided into 3 paths, of which 2 paths enter the feeding end of the two oscillators 202 in the lower column through the connection of the first wire 203 from the two ports -1φ and 0φ. The remaining 1 path is connected to the coupling port 13 of the directional coupler 100 from the port +1φ through the second wire 204.

[0096] It is worth noting that since the directional coupler 100 is also a transmission line, it can be equivalently regarded as a wire with a length of L. Since the directional coupler 100 is inserted between the +1φ port of the phase shifter and the rightmost oscillator 202, the first wire 203 between the other ports of the phase shifter 201 and the corresponding oscillator 202 must be connected to a wire with a length of L. This ensures that the signal at the IN port reaches each oscillator synchronously.

[0097] Since the physical length of the signal line in the directional coupler 100 in the embodiment of the present application can be shortened, the extended portion L of each first conductive line 204 can be shortened accordingly, thereby reducing the volume of the antenna 200 .

[0098] Figure 7 This is a standing wave ratio curve of the directional coupler of some embodiments of the present application. Figure 7 In the figure, the horizontal axis is the electromagnetic wave frequency (MHz) when the directional coupler is working, and the vertical axis is the standing wave ratio. Figure 7 It reflects the reflection characteristics within the operating bandwidth of the directional coupler, or the matching degree between the directional coupler and the characteristic impedance of the communication system (the closer to 1, the better in theory). Figure 7 The four curves in the figure reflect the standing wave ratio curves of the four ports, namely the input port 11, the through port 12, the coupling port 13, and the isolation port 14. As can be seen from the figure, the four standing wave ratio curves of the four ports are all less than 1.1, which shows that the directional coupler of the embodiment of the present application can achieve good impedance matching within the operating frequency range. Specifically, within the operating frequency range of 700-960MHz, the standing wave ratios of the four curves are <1.1, reflecting good working performance within a larger bandwidth.

[0099] Figure 8 ] is a characteristic curve of a directional coupler of some embodiments of the present application. Figure 8In FIG. 1 , the horizontal axis is the operating frequency range (MHz) and the vertical axis is the power level. The curve illustrates the electromagnetic transmission characteristics from the input port 11 to the other three ports, namely, the through port 12 , the coupled port 13 , and the isolated port 14 .

[0100] exist Figure 8 In the figure, the uppermost solid line represents the electromagnetic transmission characteristic from the input port 11 to the through port 12. The middle dashed line represents the electromagnetic transmission characteristic from the input port 11 to the coupling port 13. The lowermost double-dotted line represents the transmission characteristic from the input port 11 to the isolation port 14.

[0101] In the curve in the middle representing the electromagnetic transmission characteristics from the input port 11 to the coupling port 13, the left side is high and the right side is low, and it is not a straight line, which shows that the directional coupler of the present application can reduce the in-band flatness of the coupling port 13. In the curve at the bottom representing the transmission characteristics from the input port 11 to the isolation port 14, the entire curve is less than -29dB, which reflects the good isolation characteristics of the electromagnetic signal from the input port 11 to the isolation port 14. Specifically, in the working frequency range of 700-960MHz, the port isolation is greater than 29dB, realizing the directivity of the directional coupler.

[0102] Fig. 9 is the gain curve of the antenna. Fig. 9 In FIG. 1 , the horizontal axis is the spatial azimuth (°), the vertical axis is the gain (dB), the solid line represents the gain curve after the antenna uses the directional coupler of the embodiment of the present application, and the dotted line represents the gain curve without using the directional coupler. Fig. 9 It can be seen that the antenna 200 using the directional coupler 100 (maximum gain 12.58 dB) has higher gain and better directivity than the unused antenna (maximum gain 12.13 dB).

[0103] The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0104] The above-described embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A directional coupler, characterized in that: include: dielectric substrate; as well as A first signal line and a second signal line are provided on the dielectric substrate and insulated from each other, wherein ports at both ends of one of the first signal line and the second signal line are respectively formed as an input port and a through port, and ports at both ends of the other signal line are respectively formed as a coupling port and an isolation port; The first signal line includes a first connecting line and a first ring structure connected to each other, and the second signal line includes a second connecting line and a second ring structure connected to each other; a portion of the first connecting line is provided on the inner side of the second ring structure, and forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the portion of the first connecting line; a portion of the second connecting line is provided on the inner side of the first ring structure, and forms a bilateral coupling circuit with the portion of the second connecting line.

2. The directional coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that The number of the first annular structure and the number of the second annular structure are both at least one; The first connecting line includes a first connecting section, a first coupling section and a first bridge circuit, the first connecting section is located outside the second ring structure, and the first coupling sections are arranged inside the second ring structure in a one-to-one correspondence; one of the first coupling sections and the first connecting section is bridged by the first bridge circuit; The second connecting line includes a second connecting segment, a second coupling segment and a second bridge circuit, the second connecting segment is located outside the first ring structure, and the second coupling segments are arranged one-to-one on the inside of the first ring structure; one of the second coupling segments is bridged with the second connecting segment through the second bridge circuit.

3. The directional coupler according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the number of the first annular structure and the number of the second annular structure are both multiple; Each of the first coupling sections is bridged by the first bridge circuit, and each of the second coupling sections is bridged by the second bridge circuit.

4. The directional coupler according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The first bridge circuit includes a first bridge metal and two first metallized holes arranged at intervals, the two first metallized holes penetrate the dielectric substrate, the first bridge metal is arranged on a side of the dielectric substrate away from the first signal line, and electrically connects the two first metallized holes; The second bridge circuit includes a second bridge metal and two second metallized holes arranged at intervals, the two second metallized holes penetrate the dielectric substrate, the second bridge metal is arranged on a side of the dielectric substrate away from the second signal line, and electrically connects the two second metallized holes.

5. The directional coupler according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first annular structure comprises two first sub-segments which are arranged opposite to each other and parallel to each other, and the second annular structure comprises two second sub-segments which are arranged opposite to each other and parallel to each other; The second coupling segment is spaced apart and arranged in parallel with the two first sub-segments corresponding to the first ring structure to form a bilateral coupling circuit with the first ring structure, and the first coupling segment is spaced apart and arranged in parallel with the two second sub-segments corresponding to the second ring structure to form a bilateral coupling circuit with the second ring structure.

6. The directional coupler according to claim 5, characterized in that: The width of the first sub-segment is smaller than the width of the first connecting segment, and the width of the second sub-segment is smaller than the width of the second connecting segment.

7. The directional coupler according to claim 5, characterized in that: Of the two first connection segments connected by the first coupling segment, one of the first connection segments is connected to the first annular structure, and an end of the other first connection segment facing away from the first coupling segment forms one of the ports of the first signal line; Of the two second connection segments connected by the second coupling segment, one of the second connection segments is connected to the second annular structure, and one end of the other second connection segment facing away from the second coupling segment forms one of the ports of the second signal line.

8. The directional coupler according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first annular structure and the second annular structure are staggered in a first direction and a second direction; The first sub-segment and the second sub-segment both extend along the first direction; The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other and parallel to the dielectric substrate.

9. The directional coupler according to claim 8, characterized in that When there are multiple first annular structures, the multiple first annular structures are arranged in a row along the second direction and are electrically connected to each other; when there are multiple second annular structures, the multiple second annular structures are arranged in a row along the second direction and are electrically connected to each other.

10. The directional coupler according to claim 5, characterized in that When the number of the first annular structure and the number of the second annular structure are both one, the length of the first sub-segment and the length of the second sub-segment are both in the range of: λ / 16-λ / 8; When the number of the first annular structure and the number of the second annular structure are both two, the length of the first sub-segment and the length of the second sub-segment are both in the range of: λ / 32-λ / 16; Among them, λ is the working center frequency of the electromagnetic wave.

11. An antenna, characterized in that: Comprising the directional coupler according to any one of claims 1-10.

12. The antenna according to claim 11, characterized in that It also includes a phase shifter, a first column of oscillators, and a second column of oscillators; A feeding end of one of the oscillators in the first column of oscillators is connected to an input port of the directional coupler; The feeding end of one of the oscillators in the second column of oscillators is connected to the isolation port of the directional coupler.

Images