Phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device and use method thereof

Abstract

The present application provides a phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device and a method of using the same, and relates to the field of antenna technology. The phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device provided in the present application includes a grating lobe suppression body, which includes a grid mesh for covering the gaps between antenna units of the antenna array surface to which the antenna array surface is installed; a conductor line, which is arranged in the grid mesh, and the width of the conductor line is greater than the gaps between the antenna units; and a plurality of avoidance holes, which are arranged through the surface of the grid mesh and correspond to the positions of the radiation units. The present application uses a grid mesh and a plurality of avoidance holes to match the gaps in the periodically arranged antenna array surface to which the antenna unit is installed and the positions of the antenna units, respectively. The conductor line and the grid mesh block the gaps between the antenna units, thereby suppressing parasitic radiation and reducing the influence of the gaps between the antenna units on the radiation performance of the original radiation units.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device and a method of using the same. Background Art

[0002] In a phased array antenna based on the Antennas in Package (AiP) architecture, a regular array of radiating antenna units with a triangular grid or rectangular grid arrangement can be used. The AiP is placed on the antenna motherboard through a ball grid array (BGA) package and connected to the electronic circuit in the antenna motherboard through an interface. Gaps are reserved between the AiPs to meet the requirements of electrical installation processes and eliminate assembly stress.

[0003] like Figure 1 As shown in Figure 1, a schematic diagram of grid period anomaly in AiP application is given. The application of grid lines between AiP internal units will affect the periodic arrangement between AiP internal units. When AiP is arranged to form an antenna array, due to the electrical installation process and the need to eliminate inter-array stress, a certain gap is required between AiPs, which will also affect the original periodic arrangement required in the antenna array, disrupt the original continuous periodic antenna array arrangement, and further affect its radiation characteristics, such as sidelobe level and sidelobe position.

[0004] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, since the AiP has a certain height comparable to the working wavelength after being combined with the BGA, the gap formed by the AiP arrangement has a certain radiation capability. The gap with radiation performance also forms a periodic radiation gap with the periodic arrangement of the AiP in the array. The radiation field generated by the periodic radiation gap in the array can interfere in space, forming a certain lobe distribution. Since the radiation gap obtains the excitation field of the parasitic excitation through the main excitation field coupling of the AiP, the radiation field of the radiation gap can be considered as parasitic radiation, and the corresponding spatial lobe can be considered as a parasitic side lobe relative to the radiation main lobe of the main excitation field. The parasitic side lobe is generated by cutting the original continuous periodic array surface and through periodic parasitic radiation. The generation position is different from the radiation main lobe and has a certain periodicity, which is also called a grating lobe. The existence of the parasitic side lobe will disrupt the original radiation lobe of the AiP antenna array, causing the radiation performance of the phased array antenna to deviate from the original preset antenna performance, which is manifested as the increase of the antenna side lobe, resulting in a decrease in the anti-interference ability and radiation efficiency of the antenna. Summary of the invention

[0005] Based on this, the present application provides a phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device and a method of using the same, which can cover the gap between the original packaged antenna unit arrays, suppress the radiation capability of the gap, and thereby achieve the suppression of the grating lobe.

[0006] The phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device provided in the present application includes:

[0007] The grating lobe suppression body includes:

[0008] A grid is used to cover the gaps between the antenna elements of the installed antenna array;

[0009] A conductor line is arranged in the grid, and the width of the conductor line is greater than the gap between the antenna units; and

[0010] A plurality of avoidance holes are arranged through the surface of the grid and correspond to the positions of the radiation units.

[0011] Optionally, the grid includes:

[0012] A copper-clad laminate, where the conductor circuit is arranged on the surface of the copper-clad laminate and is used to cover the gaps between the antenna units;

[0013] The covering film is arranged on the surface of the copper clad laminate.

[0014] Optionally, the grid network also includes:

[0015] The adhesive layer is arranged on the surface of the covering film and is used for adhering to the surface of the antenna array surface to be installed.

[0016] Optionally, the copper clad board is a polyimide copper clad flexible board.

[0017] Optionally, the conductor line includes a plurality of printed lines, and the plurality of printed lines are arranged to cross each other.

[0018] Optionally, the phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device further includes:

[0019] The mounting lug is arranged at the edge of the grating lobe suppression body and is used to connect the conductor line with the grounding point of the installed antenna array surface.

[0020] Optionally, the mounting lugs include:

[0021] The ear body, wherein the edge of the grating lobe suppression body extends away from the grating lobe suppression body to form the ear body;

[0022] An anti-static grounding hole is provided on the surface of the ear body and is used to connect the grounding point of the installed antenna array surface;

[0023] The electrical connection layer is located on the inner wall of the anti-static grounding hole.

[0024] Optionally, the lug body comprises a deformable material.

[0025] Optionally, the phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device further includes:

[0026] A positioning sheet, which is arranged at the edge of the grating lobe suppression body and is provided with a positioning hole;

[0027] The detachable portion is arranged between the positioning piece and the grating lobe suppression body, and is used for separating the positioning piece from the grating lobe suppression body.

[0028] The present application also provides a method for using the above-mentioned phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device, including:

[0029] Aligning the plurality of avoidance holes in the grating lobe suppression body with the positions of the plurality of antenna units of the antenna array surface to be installed, so that the antenna units can be exposed through the plurality of avoidance holes;

[0030] The grating lobe suppression body is attached to the surface of the antenna array to be installed.

[0031] The phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device and its use method provided in the present application respectively match the gaps in the periodically arranged antenna array surface and the positions of the antenna units through a grid mesh and a plurality of avoidance holes, so that the grating lobe suppression body can be adapted to the periodic arrangement of the radiation units, and the conductor line and the grid mesh block the gaps between the antenna units to achieve the suppression of parasitic radiation and reduce the influence of the gaps between the antenna units on the radiation performance of the original radiation units. At the same time, the grating lobe suppression body has a thermal expansion coefficient that matches the antenna unit to improve reliability. The overall flexibility of the grating lobe suppression body is thin and easy to apply. It can be adapted to the specific product surface and reduce the structural stress generated. The suppression of the grating lobe is achieved without changing the structural modification and weight of the installed antenna array surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without exceeding the scope of protection required by the present application.

[0033] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the abnormal period of the existing antenna unit grid arrangement;

[0034] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of grating lobes generated by existing antenna unit gaps;

[0035] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device provided by the present application;

[0036] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the installation of the phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device provided by the present application installed on the antenna array surface;

[0037] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of a grid network in a phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device provided by the present application;

[0038] Figure 6 It is the radiation pattern of the antenna array surface in the uv coordinate system before the phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device provided by the present application is installed;

[0039] Figure 7 It is the radiation pattern of the antenna array surface in the uv coordinate system after the phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device provided by the present application is installed;

[0040] Figure 8 It is a flow chart of the method of using the grating lobe suppression device of the phased array antenna;

[0041] Fig. 9 It is a flow chart for aligning a plurality of avoidance holes in a grating lobe suppression body with the positions of a plurality of antenna units on which an antenna array surface is installed.

[0042] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1. grating lobe suppression body; 11. grid mesh; 111. copper clad laminate; 112. covering film; 113. adhesive layer; 12. conductor line; 13. multiple avoidance holes; 2. mounting ears; 21. ears body; 22. anti-static grounding hole; 3. positioning plate; 31. positioning hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0044] 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", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first", "second", etc. may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0045] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or mutual communication; 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. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0046] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0047] refer to Figure 3The phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device provided in the present application includes a grating lobe suppression body 1, which includes a grid mesh 11, a conductor line 12 and a plurality of avoidance holes 13; wherein the grid mesh 11 is used to cover the gaps between the antenna units to which the antenna array surface is installed; the conductor line 12 is arranged in the grid mesh 11, and the width of the conductor line 12 is greater than the gap between the antenna units; and a plurality of avoidance holes 13 are arranged through the surface of the grid mesh 11 and correspond to the positions of the radiation units.

[0048] As an optional implementation, the conductor line 12 includes a plurality of printed lines, and the plurality of printed lines are arranged to cross each other.

[0049] The grid mesh 11 and the plurality of avoidance holes 13 are matched with the gaps in the periodically arranged antenna array and the positions of the antenna units, respectively, so that the grating lobe suppression body 1 can be adapted to the periodic arrangement of the radiating units, and the conductor line 12 and the grid mesh 11 block the gaps between the antenna units to suppress parasitic radiation and reduce the influence of the gaps between the antenna units on the radiation performance of the original radiating units. At the same time, the grating lobe suppression body 1 has a thermal expansion coefficient that matches the antenna unit, so that the thermal expansion coefficients of the grating lobe suppression body 1 and the antenna unit are close, reducing the thermal stress generated by the two in a thermal alternating environment, thereby reducing the risk of breaking the BGA (solder ball array package) welding or causing the grating lobe suppression device of the phased array antenna to fall off, so as to improve reliability. The overall flexibility of the grating lobe suppression body 1 is thin and easy to apply. It can be adapted to the specific product surface and reduce the structural stress generated. The grating lobe is suppressed without changing the structural modification and weight of the antenna array surface to be installed.

[0050] In some embodiments, the printed lines may be arranged to cross each other perpendicularly or at an angle of 60° to each other, so that the phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device of the present application can also be applied to other phased array antennas such as triangular grid arranged phased array antennas.

[0051] refer to Figure 5 As an optional embodiment, the grid 11 includes a copper clad plate 111 and a covering film 112. The conductor line 12 is arranged on the surface of the copper clad plate 111 to cover the gaps between the antenna units; the covering film 112 is arranged on the surface of the copper clad plate 111. The copper clad plate 111 is protected by the covering film 112.

[0052] According to electromagnetic field theory, there is no tangential electric field on the metal surface, and the radiation field generated at the gap between the antenna units is a tangential electric field relative to the copper clad plate 111 and the conductor line 12, so that the radiation field at the gap between the original antenna units is suppressed by the copper clad plate 111 and the conductor line 12. Among them, the conductor line 12 is a metal conductor line.

[0053] As an optional embodiment, the grid net 11 further includes an adhesive layer 113, which is disposed on the surface of the cover film 112 and is used to adhere to the surface of the antenna array surface to be installed. The surface of the adhesive layer 113 may be provided with a removable release paper to protect the stickiness of the adhesive layer 113. The release paper may be torn off before the grid net 11 is attached to the surface of the antenna array surface to be installed.

[0054] As an optional implementation, the copper clad board 111 is a polyimide copper clad flexible board.

[0055] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 As an optional implementation, the phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device also includes a mounting lug 2, which is arranged at the edge of the grating lobe suppression body 1 and is used to connect the conductor line 12 to the grounding point of the antenna array surface to be installed.

[0056] As an optional embodiment, the mounting ear 2 includes an ear body 21, an anti-static grounding hole 22 and an electrical connection layer (not shown in the figure), and the edge of the grating lobe suppression body 1 extends away from the grating lobe suppression body 1 to form the ear body 21; the anti-static grounding hole 22 is arranged on the surface of the ear body 21, and is used to connect the grounding point of the installed antenna array surface; the electrical connection layer is located on the inner wall of the anti-static grounding hole 22.

[0057] The mounting ear 2 is an ear-shaped structure extending from the grating lobe suppression body 1. The ear body 21 can be fastened to the ground mounting hole of the antenna array surface by screws passing through the anti-static grounding hole 22. The electrical connection layer on the inner wall of the anti-static grounding hole 22 is in contact with the screw and energized, and the grating lobe suppression body 1 is electrically connected to the installed antenna array surface through the screws.

[0058] As an optional embodiment, the lug body 21 includes a deformable material.

[0059] During assembly, the bent state or shape of the ear body 21 can be used to allow the grating lobe suppression body 1 to be suspended in the air or just in contact with the surface of the installed antenna array, thereby releasing the stress of the grating lobe suppression device of the phased array antenna.

[0060] refer to Figure 3 As an optional embodiment, the phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device also includes a positioning piece 3 and a detachable part (not shown in the figure), the positioning piece 3 is arranged at the edge of the grating lobe suppression body 1, and is provided with a positioning hole 31; the detachable part is arranged between the positioning piece 3 and the grating lobe suppression body 1, and is used to separate the positioning piece 3 from the grating lobe suppression body 1.

[0061] The positioning piece 3 is located at the outer edge of the grating lobe suppression body 1. Before the grid net 11 is pasted, it can be positioned by connecting the pins at the designated position of the antenna array surface to be installed through the positioning holes 31. After the grid net 11 is pasted, the positioning piece 3 can be cut or removed along the detachable part.

[0062] In some embodiments, the grating lobe suppression body 1 and the positioning piece 3 can be an integral structure, and the detachable part can be connected separately from the grating lobe suppression body 1 and the positioning piece 3 in the form of a stamp hole tapping. When disassembling, the positioning piece 3 can be separated and removed by cutting or tearing along the stamp holes of the detachable part.

[0063] In some embodiments, Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the effect of adding a phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device to the Ka-band AiP phased array antenna was verified through simulation analysis, and the radiation pattern before and after the installation was obtained.

[0064] Figure 6 This is the radiation pattern of the antenna array before the grating lobe suppression device of the phased array antenna is installed. It can be found from the figure that when the antenna array of the original AiP phased array antenna is scanning at a large angle, an interference enhancement area is generated near the far side lobe in the radiation pattern (at the positions m1, m2, and m3 as shown in the figure), which has a higher side lobe level value, and the positions m1, m2, and m3 are correlated with the pointing position of the main lobe, showing grating lobe characteristics.

[0065] Figure 7 This is the radiation pattern of the antenna array surface of the AiP phased array antenna after the installation of the phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device. It can be found from the figure that after the installation of the phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device, the side lobe levels at the positions m1, m2, and m3 are reduced, and there is no obvious interference enhancement area outside the main lobe. The original grating lobe is suppressed, and the installation of the grating lobe suppression structure has an effect.

[0066] The present application also provides a method for using the above-mentioned phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device, including steps S120-S130.

[0067] In step S120, the plurality of avoidance holes 13 in the grating lobe suppression body 1 are respectively aligned with the positions of the plurality of antenna units of the antenna array surface to be installed, so that the antenna units can be exposed through the plurality of avoidance holes 13;

[0068] In step S130, the grating lobe suppression body 1 is attached to the surface of the antenna array to be installed.

[0069] As an optional implementation, step S110 is also included.

[0070] In step S110, the appearance of the phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device is adaptively designed and manufactured according to the arrangement of antenna units of the antenna array surface to be installed.

[0071] As an optional implementation, step S120 also includes sub-steps S121 - S122 .

[0072] In step S121, the positioning hole 31 of the positioning sheet 3 is aligned with the alignment hole reserved for the antenna array surface to be installed and the pin is inserted so that the multiple avoidance holes 13 are respectively aligned with the positions of the multiple antenna units of the antenna array surface to be installed, and then the grating lobe suppression body 1 is slowly pressed down until it is attached to the antenna array surface to be installed. Due to the limiting effect of the positioning sheet 3 and the pin, the deviation of the grid 11 attached to the antenna array surface to be installed is reduced.

[0073] In step S122 , after the grating lobe suppression body 1 is pasted, the positioning sheet 3 is cut or removed along the detachable portion.

[0074] As an optional implementation, step S140 is also included.

[0075] In step S140 , the mounting ear 2 is fixedly connected to the grounding point of the installed antenna array surface by means of screw compression, and the grating lobe suppression body 1 is connected to the grounding point of the installed antenna array surface through the mounting ear 2 .

[0076] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail above. Specific examples are used herein to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and its core idea of ​​the present application. At the same time, changes or deformations made by those skilled in the art based on the ideas of the present application, the specific implementation methods and the scope of application of the present application, all belong to the scope of protection of the present application. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation on the present application.

Claims

1. A phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device, characterized in that: include: A grating lobe suppression body, the grating lobe suppression body comprising: A grid is used to cover the gaps between the antenna elements of the installed antenna array; A conductor line is arranged in the grid, and the width of the conductor line is greater than the gap between the antenna units; and A plurality of avoidance holes are arranged through the surface of the grid and correspond to the positions of the radiation units; The grid network comprises: A copper-clad laminate, wherein the conductor line is arranged on the surface of the copper-clad laminate and is used to cover the gaps between the antenna units to suppress the radiation field at the gaps; The covering film is arranged on the surface of the copper clad board.

2. The phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The grid network also includes: The adhesive layer is arranged on the surface of the cover film and is used for adhering to the surface of the antenna array surface to be installed.

3. The phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The copper clad board is a polyimide copper clad flexible board.

4. The phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The conductor line includes a plurality of printed lines, and the plurality of printed lines are arranged to cross each other.

5. The phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Also includes: The mounting lug is arranged at the edge of the grating lobe suppression body and is used to connect the conductor line with the grounding point of the installed antenna array surface.

6. The phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The mounting lugs include: An ear body, wherein the edge of the grating lobe suppression body extends away from the grating lobe suppression body to form the ear body; An anti-static grounding hole is provided on the surface of the ear body and is used to connect to the grounding point of the installed antenna array surface; The electrical connection layer is located on the inner wall of the anti-static grounding hole.

7. The phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The lug body comprises a deformable material.

8. The phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Also includes: A positioning sheet, arranged at the edge of the grating lobe suppression body and provided with a positioning hole; The detachable portion is disposed between the positioning piece and the grating lobe suppression body and is used to separate the positioning piece from the grating lobe suppression body.

9. A method for using the phased array antenna grating lobe suppression device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: include: Aligning a plurality of avoidance holes in the grating lobe suppression body with the positions of a plurality of antenna units on which the antenna array surface is installed, respectively, so that the antenna units can be exposed through the plurality of avoidance holes; The grating lobe suppression body is applied to the surface of the installed antenna array.

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