Broadband end-fire antenna integrated with photovoltaic cells

Abstract

The application discloses a broadband end-fire antenna integrated with photovoltaic cell pieces, which operates in a 3.81-8.97 GHz frequency band, and a single unit of the broadband end-fire antenna comprises a radiation main body, a feeder and a parasitic structure; the radiation main body is formed by connecting solar cell pieces in series and then connecting the series in parallel, and is located on the upper surface of a dielectric plate; the feeder is located on the lower surface of the dielectric plate and is used for feeding power, and the radiation main body is excited by a port; the parasitic structure is located below the outer side of the solar cell pieces in a series of solar cell pieces and is connected with the solar cell pieces, and is used for improving impedance matching. By introducing the parasitic structure, the broadband end-fire antenna can cover the 3.81-8.97 GHz frequency band and realize the performance of the broadband antenna. In addition, solar energy is fully utilized, the design of perpendicularization of the illumination direction and the communication direction of the antenna is realized, the relative bandwidth reaches 80.75%, and the system complexity is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of photovoltaic cell antenna technology, and in particular to a broadband end-fire antenna integrating photovoltaic cells. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, continuous innovation in science and technology has spurred the development of modern wireless communication technology, leading to a steady increase in the demand for antennas in communication systems. Existing wireless communication systems primarily rely on fossil fuels for power. The gases emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels contribute to the greenhouse effect, and the residues from combustion cause frequent smog. Solar energy, as a green and renewable energy source, has received widespread attention from researchers. Solar cell antennas can generate photovoltaic power while simultaneously conducting wireless communication, making them one of the effective methods for achieving green communication.

[0003] However, existing antennas have low solar energy utilization rates, small solar cell panel areas, complex structures, and narrow bandwidths. Furthermore, existing antennas are primarily side-fired antennas, requiring the illumination direction to align with the antenna's communication direction, while research on end-fired antennas is relatively limited. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the problems of low solar energy utilization and the requirement that the direction of illumination must be consistent with the communication direction of the antenna in the existing technology. The invention provides a broadband end-fire antenna with integrated photovoltaic cells, which achieves broadband end-fire performance by introducing a balanced feed network.

[0005] A broadband end-fire antenna with integrated photovoltaic cells operates in the 3.81-8.97 GHz frequency band. The broadband end-fire antenna unit includes a radiating body, a feed line, and a parasitic structure. The radiating body is composed of solar cells connected in parallel to form a solar cell string and is located on the upper surface of a dielectric substrate. The feed line is located on the lower surface of the dielectric substrate and provides power to the radiating body via port excitation. The parasitic structure is located below and outside the solar cells of the solar cell string and is connected to the solar cells to improve impedance matching.

[0006] Each solar cell is rectangular, measuring 20.8 mm wide and 40.8 mm long.

[0007] In each string of solar cells, one end serves as the negative electrode and the other end serves as the positive electrode.

[0008] Each string of solar cells is connected in series via welded metal plates at both ends.

[0009] The medium board is a foam medium board.

[0010] The distance between the top of the parasitic structure and the bottom of the solar cell is 12.5 micrometers.

[0011] The solar cells consist of six cells, with three cells connected in series and two groups of solar cells connected in parallel.

[0012] The parasitic structure includes three parasitic metal patches with identical structures, one of which is arranged on the lower outer side of one of the solar cells.

[0013] The parasitic metal patch includes a bullet-shaped pointed metal piece with a U-shaped groove at the top.

[0014] The feeder consists of two U-shaped sheet-like structures with identical designs, arranged adjacent to each other. Each feeder spans two solar cells in a set of solar cell strings.

[0015] The broadband end-fire antenna with integrated photovoltaic cells of this invention, through the introduction of parasitic structures, can cover the 3.81-8.97GHz frequency band, achieving broadband antenna performance. Furthermore, it features a high solar cell coverage rate, fully utilizing solar energy, and achieves a vertical design between the illumination direction and the antenna's communication direction, resulting in a relative bandwidth of 80.75%. With low system complexity, it possesses practical application and promotional value. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the broadband end-fire antenna of the integrated photovoltaic cell of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the upper structure of the broadband end-fire antenna of the integrated photovoltaic cell of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the lower layer structure of the broadband end-fire antenna of the integrated photovoltaic cell of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a comparison diagram of relative bandwidth matching obtained from simulation when the parasitic structure of the broadband end-fire antenna of the integrated photovoltaic cell of the present invention is connected to or separated from the main structure.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a comparison diagram of relative bandwidth matching obtained from simulation when the parasitic structure of the broadband end-fire antenna of the integrated photovoltaic cell of the present invention has and does not have a bullet-shaped tip.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a comparison diagram of relative bandwidth matching obtained from simulation when the parasitic structure of the broadband end-fire antenna of the integrated photovoltaic cell of the present invention has and does not have a U-shaped slot.

[0022] Figure 7This is a comparison diagram of the relative bandwidth matching obtained from simulation of the broadband end-fire antenna of the integrated photovoltaic cell of the present invention with and without parasitic structures.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a gain diagram obtained through simulation of the broadband end-fire antenna of the integrated photovoltaic cell of the present invention after adding a parasitic structure.

[0024] Figure 9 The radiation pattern in the H-plane is obtained from the simulation of the broadband end-fire antenna of the integrated photovoltaic cell of this invention.

[0025] Figure 10 The radiation pattern in the E-plane is obtained from the simulation of the broadband end-fire antenna of the integrated photovoltaic cell of this invention.

[0026] in:

[0027] 1. Solar cell; 2. Feeder cable; 3. Welded metal sheet; 4. Foam dielectric board; 5. Parasitic metal patch. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0029] See Figures 1 to 3 As shown in this embodiment of the invention, a broadband end-fire antenna with integrated photovoltaic cells operates in the 3.81-8.97 GHz frequency band. The broadband end-fire antenna unit includes a radiating body, a feed line, and a parasitic structure. The radiating body is composed of solar cells connected in parallel to form a solar cell string, which is located on the upper surface of a dielectric substrate. The feed line is located on the lower surface of the dielectric substrate and provides power to the radiating body via port excitation. The parasitic structure is located below and outside the solar cells of the solar cell string and is connected to the solar cells. The parasitic structure interacts with the antenna body through electromagnetic coupling, changing the current distribution on the antenna surface, thereby reducing the reflected energy and improving impedance matching.

[0030] The photovoltaic antenna with integrated photovoltaic cells of the present invention has a high solar cell coverage rate, makes full use of solar energy, realizes the vertical design of the illumination direction and the communication direction of the antenna, has low system complexity, and has practical application and promotion value.

[0031] In one embodiment of this application, each solar cell is rectangular in shape, with the same size and specifications, measuring 20.8 mm in width and 40.8 mm in length. Of course, other different sizes can also be used, and it is not limited to this.

[0032] In one embodiment of this application, one end of each string of solar cells serves as the negative electrode and the other end serves as the positive electrode, and multiple strings of solar cells form a parallel structure.

[0033] In one embodiment of this application, each string of solar cells is connected in series by welded metal sheets at both ends to form a solar cell string, which is arranged on the upper surface of a dielectric substrate. The overall area is smaller than the area of ​​the upper surface of the dielectric substrate. The dielectric substrate is preferably a rectangular plate, and the overall upper or lower surface area of ​​the solar cells is smaller than the area of ​​the upper surface of the dielectric substrate.

[0034] Preferably, in one embodiment of this application, the medium board is a foam medium board, but other available materials can also be used, and it is not limited thereto.

[0035] More preferably, in one embodiment of this application, the distance between the top of the parasitic structure and the bottom of the solar cell is 12.5 micrometers.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the solar cells consist of six cells, arranged in series of three, with two groups of solar cells connected in parallel, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, they are arranged on the surface of the dielectric substrate, parallel to each other, to form the main radiation body.

[0037] The parasitic structure includes three parasitic metal patches with identical structures, one of which is arranged on the lower outer side of one of the solar cells.

[0038] In one embodiment of this application, the parasitic metal patch includes a bullet-shaped pointed metal piece with a U-shaped groove at the top.

[0039] In one embodiment of this application, the feed line is two U-shaped sheet-like bodies with the same structure, arranged adjacent to each other, and each feed line spans two solar cells of a set of solar cell strings.

[0040] Figure 4 The S11 comparison shows the connection and separation of the parasitic structure of the broadband end-fire antenna of the integrated photovoltaic cell using the embodiment of the present invention from the main structure; Figure 5 The invention demonstrates a comparison of S11, showing whether the broadband end-fire antenna parasitic structure using the integrated photovoltaic cell of the present invention has a bullet-shaped tip; Figure 6 The S11 comparison of the broadband end-fire antenna parasitic structure with and without the U-shaped groove using the integrated photovoltaic cell of the present invention is shown. Figure 7 The S11 comparison of the broadband end-fire antenna with and without parasitic structures using the integrated photovoltaic cell of the present invention is shown; Figure 8The gain of the broadband end-fire antenna using the integrated photovoltaic cell described in this embodiment of the invention is shown when there is a parasitic structure.

[0041] As can be seen, the solar cell antenna with this design provided by the present invention covers the frequency band of 3.81-8.97GHz, achieves a relative bandwidth matching design of 80.75%, and realizes a broadband end-fire antenna design; and the average gain is 4.21dBi throughout the entire frequency band.

[0042] As can be seen, the broadband end-fire antenna with integrated photovoltaic cells in this embodiment of the invention radiates energy outward through a port formed by six solar cells and welded metal sheets, making the illumination direction perpendicular to the communication direction of the antenna. By utilizing three sets of parasitic structures to improve the antenna's matching bandwidth, an 80.75% relative bandwidth matching design is achieved. The system has low complexity and possesses practical application and promotional value.

[0043] Figure 9 , Figure 10 The radiation patterns of the broadband end-fire antenna using the integrated photovoltaic cell described in the embodiments of the present invention are shown in the 7GHz frequency band. The radiation patterns conform to the characteristics of an end-fire antenna. The radiation energy of the antenna's E-plane (electric plane, i.e., the directional plane parallel to the direction of the electric field) and H-plane (magnetic plane, i.e., the directional plane parallel to the direction of the magnetic field) has good stability, and the radiation pattern maintains good directivity in the target frequency band.

[0044] As can be seen from the above description, the broadband end-fire antenna of the integrated photovoltaic cell in this embodiment of the invention radiates energy outward through a port formed by six solar cells and welded metal sheets, realizing the integrated design of the solar cell broadband antenna. Furthermore, the addition of parasitic structures improves the matching, achieving a relative bandwidth matching of 80.25%. The system has low complexity and has practical application and promotion value.

[0045] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic features of the present invention.

[0046] Therefore, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the claims be included within the invention.

[0047] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A broadband end-fire antenna integrating photovoltaic cells, characterized in that, Operating in the 3.81-8.97 GHz frequency band, the broadband end-fire antenna unit includes a radiating body, a feed line, and a parasitic structure. The radiating body is composed of solar cells arranged in parallel to form a solar cell string and is located on the upper surface of a dielectric substrate. The feed line is located on the lower surface of the dielectric substrate and provides power to the radiating body via port excitation. The parasitic structure is located below and outside the solar cells of a solar cell string and is connected to the solar cells to improve impedance matching. The parasitic structure includes three parasitic metal patches with identical structures, one of which is arranged below and outside one of the solar cells. Each parasitic metal patch includes a bullet-shaped pointed metal piece with a U-shaped groove at its top. The feed line consists of two U-shaped sheet-like bodies with identical structures, arranged adjacent to each other, with each feed line spanning two solar cells of a set of solar cell strings.

2. The broadband end-fire antenna for integrated photovoltaic cells according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each solar cell is rectangular, measuring 20.8 mm wide and 40.8 mm long.

3. The broadband end-fire antenna for integrated photovoltaic cells according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of each string of solar cells serves as the negative electrode, and the other end serves as the positive electrode.

4. The broadband end-fire antenna with integrated photovoltaic cells according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each string of solar cells is connected in series via welded metal plates at both ends.

5. The broadband end-fire antenna for integrated photovoltaic cells according to claim 1, characterized in that, The medium board is made of foam medium board.

6. The broadband end-fire antenna for integrated photovoltaic cells according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the top of the parasitic structure and the bottom of the solar cell is 12.5 micrometers.

7. The broadband end-fire antenna with integrated photovoltaic cells according to claim 1, characterized in that, The solar cells consist of six cells, with three cells connected in series and two groups of solar cells connected in parallel.

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