A broadband, high-performance metasurface antenna for S-band and C-band applications

Abstract

The present invention discloses a broadband, high-performance metasurface antenna for use in the S-band and C-band, comprising a first and second stacked dielectric layer; a metasurface metal layer is provided on the surface of the first dielectric layer opposite to the second dielectric layer, the metasurface metal layer having a plurality of irregular slits; a metal feed strip and a metal ground are provided on the second dielectric layer, and the second dielectric layer is provided with a feed hole that passes through the second dielectric layer, the metal feed strip, and the metal ground. The broadband, high-performance metasurface antenna for use in the S-band and C-band provided by the present invention incorporates irregular slits in the metasurface metal layer, increases the current path within a fixed design area, generates more current resonance points, and broadens the antenna bandwidth, thereby producing broadband characteristics. This solves the technical problem of narrow bandwidth of microstrip antennas and can be successfully applied to multi-band vehicle-mounted application scenarios.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of metasurface antennas, and in particular relates to a broadband, high-performance metasurface antenna applied to S-band and C-band. Background Art

[0002] In smart city systems, smart cars, combining safety, efficiency, and convenience, are becoming increasingly important in people's daily lives. The autonomous driving capabilities of smart cars rely on four key aspects: environmental perception, vehicle communications and data processing, and actuators. As 5G communications accelerate the development of autonomous driving technology, stable, real-time information exchange between vehicles and other devices (such as satellites, other vehicles, and infrastructure) falls into two categories: navigation communications and cellular communications.

[0003] For cellular communications, vehicle-to-base (V2B) antennas in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) typically operate in the S-band (2.92-4.39 GHz) and radiate linearly polarized (LP) omnidirectional or directional end-fire patterns. Therefore, V2X antennas, which transmit and receive electromagnetic waves for smart cars, have become a hot topic in the field of IOT equipment.

[0004] In practical applications, due to limited interior space and the exponential growth in the number of antennas required in recent years, both industry and academia are leaning towards designing multi-band antennas to reduce the number of antennas, thereby saving space and costs. Microstrip antennas, with their low cost and ease of fabrication, are well-suited for use as IoV antennas. However, the high level of integration required for in-vehicle antennas requires microstrip antennas capable of operating with a wide bandwidth, whereas conventional microstrip antennas often have narrow bandwidths. Therefore, research and design of simple, low-profile, and broadband in-vehicle microstrip antennas is of great significance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to solve one of the technical problems existing in the related art at least to a certain extent.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a broadband high-performance metasurface antenna for use in the S-band and C-band, which produces broadband characteristics by adding irregular gaps to the metasurface units and introducing more current paths.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a broadband high-performance metasurface antenna for use in the S-band and C-band, comprising a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer stacked;

[0008] A super-surface metal layer is provided on the surface of the first dielectric layer opposite to the second dielectric layer, and a plurality of irregular gaps are opened on the super-surface metal layer;

[0009] A metal feed bar and a metal ground are provided on the second dielectric layer, and a feeding hole penetrating the second dielectric layer, the metal feed bar and the metal ground is provided on the second dielectric layer.

[0010] A further preferred technical solution of the present invention is that the supersurface metal layer is composed of four L-shaped supersurface metal sheets arranged around the center of the first dielectric layer, and the four L-shaped supersurface metal sheets are centrally symmetrical.

[0011] Preferably, each of the L-shaped metasurface metal sheets is composed of three square unit metal patches, and each unit metal patch is cut into shapes of inconsistent sizes by unequal gaps.

[0012] Preferably, the metal feed strip is arranged on a side of the second dielectric layer opposite to the first dielectric layer; and the metal grounding is arranged on a side of the second dielectric layer opposite to the first dielectric layer.

[0013] Preferably, a solder point hole is further provided on a side of the first dielectric layer opposite to the second dielectric layer. The solder point hole is a blind hole and its position corresponds to the feeding hole.

[0014] Preferably, fixing holes are provided at four corners of the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, and the two dielectric layers are fixed by studs passing through the fixing holes.

[0015] Preferably, the metal grounding covers one side of the second dielectric layer, and a fixing hole for inserting a stud is opened at a corresponding position of the metal grounding, and the stud fixes the metal grounding, the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer into one.

[0016] Preferably, the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are both made of high-frequency plate materials with a relative dielectric constant of 3.55 and a loss tangent of 0.0027.

[0017] Preferably, the super-surface metal layer, metal feed bar and metal ground are all made of copper material.

[0018] Preferably, the antenna is manufactured by a printed circuit board process.

[0019] Beneficial effects: The broadband high-performance metasurface antenna for S-band and C-band provided by the present invention adds irregular gaps to the metasurface metal layer, increases the current path on a fixed design area, generates more current resonance points, and broadens the antenna bandwidth, thereby producing broadband characteristics, solving the technical problem of narrow bandwidth of microstrip antennas, and can be successfully applied to multi-band vehicle-mounted application scenarios.

[0020] The present invention can adjust the resonant frequency and matching performance of the antenna by introducing gaps of different spacings, thereby further broadening the applicable scenarios of the antenna.

[0021] The L-shaped probe of the present invention reduces the design difficulty of the feeding network through coupled feeding and improves the inductance effect of the coaxial feeding probe, thereby optimizing the input impedance matching; without the need for additional feeding network design, it can excite more resonant modes, greatly reducing the design complexity and responding to the integration requirements of vehicle-mounted antennas. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the upper surface structure of the first dielectric layer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the lower surface structure of the first dielectric layer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the upper surface structure of the second dielectric layer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the lower surface structure of the second dielectric layer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 2 is a curve diagram of the mode significance coefficient (MS) of the embodiment of the present invention under mode 1 and mode 2.

[0027] Figure 6 1 and 2 are the mode current distribution diagrams and three-dimensional radiation patterns of the embodiment of the present invention in mode 1 and mode 2.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a simulation result diagram of the reflection coefficient S11 of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 8 4 is a graph showing simulation results of a gain curve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 9 This is the radiation pattern of an embodiment of the present invention at 3.7 GHz.

[0031] Figure 10 This is the radiation pattern of an embodiment of the present invention at 4.3 GHz.

[0032] Among them, 1-fixing hole, 2-first dielectric plate, 3-super-surface metal layer, 4-solder point hole, 5-second dielectric plate, 6-metal feeding bar, 7-feeding hole, 8-metal grounding. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments, and they should not be understood as limitations on the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms used are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0034] Example: The following combination Figures 1-10 The present invention describes a broadband high-performance metasurface antenna for use in S-band and C-band.

[0035] The broadband high-performance metasurface antenna applied in S-band and C-band, such as Figures 1 to 4 The figure shows a first dielectric layer 2 and a second dielectric layer 5, arranged from top to bottom. Both the first dielectric layer 2 and the second dielectric layer 5 are Rogers RO4003™ high-frequency sheet material, with a length and width of 58.5 mm, a relative dielectric constant of 3.55, a loss tangent of 0.0027, and a dielectric substrate thickness of 1.524 mm.

[0036] The upper surface of the first dielectric layer 2 is provided with a metasurface metal layer 3. The metasurface metal layer 3 is composed of four L-shaped metasurface metal sheets arranged around the center of the first dielectric layer 2, and the four L-shaped metasurface metal sheets are symmetrical about the center. Each L-shaped metasurface metal sheet is composed of three square unit metal patches (p1*p1, p1=13.75mm), and each unit metal patch is cut into shapes of inconsistent sizes by uneven gaps (Ws=3.6mm, Ls=7mm). The L-shaped metasurface metal sheets are mirror-symmetrically distributed up and down and left and right. The interval between the L-shaped metasurface metal sheets is 0.5mm, and the intervals inside the L-shaped metasurface metal sheets are 0.75mm, 1mm, and 0.5mm from the outside to the inside.

[0037] The upper surface of the second dielectric layer 5 is provided with a rectangular metal feed bar 6, which is provided with a feed hole 7. The lower surface of the second dielectric layer 5 is provided with a metal grounding 8 that covers the entire lower surface. The feed hole 7 sequentially passes through the metal feed bar 6, the second dielectric layer 5, and the metal grounding 8, allowing the coaxial core to pass through the second dielectric layer 5 and connect to the metal feed bar 6 for power feeding.

[0038] The distance between feed hole 7 and the narrow side of metal feed strip 6 is 0.2 mm. Metal feed strip 6 is 18 mm long, 3.5 mm wide, and 35 μm thick. Metal contact 8 is 35 μm thick. Metal feed strip 6, metal contact 8, and supersurface metal layer 3 are all made of copper.

[0039] A blind solder hole 4 is also provided on the lower surface of the first dielectric layer 2. This hole 4 corresponds to the feed hole 7. This hole provides space for soldering the feed hole 7 in the second dielectric layer 5. The solder hole 4 has a diameter of 3 mm and a depth of 1 mm.

[0040] Fixing holes 1 are provided at the four corners of the metal ground 8, the first dielectric layer 2, and the second dielectric layer 5. The diameter of the fixing holes 1 is 2 mm, and the distance from the edge of the antenna is 1 mm. Nylon studs are inserted into the fixing holes 1 to strengthen the antenna structure.

[0041] This broadband, high-performance metasurface antenna, used in the S- and C-bands, is fabricated using printed circuit board technology. Its performance is verified below.

[0042] like Figure 5 、 Figure 6 As shown, the mode significance coefficient (MS) curves and the characteristic current and directional patterns of the corresponding modes of the antenna operating in mode 1 (3.7GHz) and mode 2 (4.3GHz) are shown. It can be seen that the current of mode 1 is mainly distributed in the center of the metasurface metal layer 3 and has a consistent phase. From its corresponding directional pattern, it can be seen that this mode almost does not produce side lobes; the current of mode 2 is mainly distributed in the middle two rows of the metasurface metal layer 3 and has a consistent phase. From its corresponding directional pattern, it can be seen that this mode almost does not produce side lobes. The currents of the two modes are orthogonal, so through coaxial feeding, these two end-fire modes with similar frequencies can be used simultaneously, thereby realizing a broadband antenna.

[0043] like Figure 7 As shown, the reflection coefficient S11 simulation result diagram of the antenna shows that the resonant bandwidth of the antenna is 3.6 GHz to 5.1 GHz (1.5 GHz bandwidth), indicating that the two resonant points of the present invention (mode 1-3.7 GHz and mode 2-4.3 GHz) form a wider operating frequency band.

[0044] like Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the Gain simulation result of the antenna shows that the maximum gain of the antenna is 8.1dBi. This metasurface antenna unit achieves stable high gain within the band, which is due to the effective use of the two end-fire modes.

[0045] like Figure 9 、 Figure 10 As shown in the figure, the radiation pattern simulation results of the antenna in mode 1 (3.7GHz) and mode 2 (4.3GHz) are shown. It can be found that the antenna pattern is relatively stable, the difference between the main polarization and the cross polarization is greater than 20dB, and the radiation performance is good.

[0046] In summary, the addition of gaps in the specially designed units of the present invention realizes an antenna design that has the characteristics of broadband, low profile and simple structure. The microwave metasurface antenna can achieve good radiation characteristics in the S-band and C-band, and can be easily integrated into the vehicle-mounted shark fin antenna.

[0047] The terms "upper" and "lower" in this embodiment are used solely to describe the present invention and simplify the description. They should not be construed as indicating or implying that a device or component must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used solely to describe aspects and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0048] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A broadband, high-performance metasurface antenna for use in the S-band and C-band, comprising a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer stacked together; characterized in that: A metasurface metal layer is provided on the surface of the first dielectric layer opposite to the second dielectric layer, and a plurality of irregular slits are opened on the metasurface metal layer; the metasurface metal layer is composed of four L-shaped metasurface metal sheets arranged around the center of the first dielectric layer, and the four L-shaped metasurface metal sheets are centrally symmetrical, and each of the L-shaped metasurface metal sheets is composed of three square unit metal patches, and each unit metal patch is cut into shapes of inconsistent sizes by unequal slits; A metal feed strip and a metal ground are provided on the second dielectric layer, and a feed hole is provided on the second dielectric layer, the metal feed strip and the metal ground; the metal feed strip is arranged on the side of the second dielectric layer opposite to the first dielectric layer; the metal ground is arranged on the side of the second dielectric layer opposite to the first dielectric layer.

2. The broadband high-performance metasurface antenna for S-band and C-band according to claim 1, characterized in that: A soldering hole is further provided on a side of the first dielectric layer opposite to the second dielectric layer. The soldering hole is a blind hole and its position corresponds to the feeding hole.

3. The broadband high-performance metasurface antenna for S-band and C-band according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are each provided with fixing holes at four corners, and the two dielectric layers are fixed by studs passing through the fixing holes.

4. The broadband high-performance metasurface antenna for S-band and C-band according to claim 3, characterized in that: The metal grounding covers one side of the second dielectric layer. A fixing hole for inserting a stud is also opened at a corresponding position of the metal grounding. The stud fixes the metal grounding, the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer into one.

5. The broadband high-performance metasurface antenna for S-band and C-band according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are both made of high-frequency plate materials, with a relative dielectric constant of 3.55 and a loss tangent of 0.0027.

6. The broadband high-performance metasurface antenna for S-band and C-band according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The super-surface metal layer, metal feed bar and metal ground are all made of copper material.

7. The broadband high-performance metasurface antenna for S-band and C-band according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The antenna is manufactured by a printed circuit board process.

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