An antenna array and electronic device

Abstract

The application provides an antenna array and an electronic device, relates to the technical field of antennas, and can improve the consistency of the phase direction pattern of each antenna unit in the antenna array. The antenna array comprises a radiation assembly and a bottom plate; the radiation assembly is located on the bottom plate; the radiation assembly comprises at least one radiator array arranged perpendicularly to a magnetic field direction, each radiator array comprises a first radiator and a second radiator arranged at intervals along the magnetic field direction; the bottom plate is provided with a first resonant cavity corresponding to the first radiator and the second radiator respectively, the geometric center of the first radiator is offset relative to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity in the direction close to the second radiator, and the geometric center of the second radiator is offset relative to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity in the direction close to the first radiator.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of antennas, and in particular to an antenna array and an electronic device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Direction of arrival (DOA) estimation is a signal processing technology that determines the direction and angle of an incoming signal by analyzing the phase differences of the signal on an antenna array, and is mainly applied to radar systems, positioning systems and wireless systems to achieve target detection, target positioning or directional communication functions.

[0003] In an antenna array, the phase center of the antenna element itself is generally the geometric center of the antenna radiator. However, in the working process of the antenna array, the adjacent antenna elements are affected by electromagnetic coupling to different degrees, so that the phase center under the action of electromagnetic coupling deviates from the phase center of the antenna element itself in the direction plane parallel to the magnetic field direction to different degrees, resulting in inconsistent phase patterns of the antenna elements in different directions, large phase errors between the antenna elements, and large errors in DOA estimation. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides an antenna array and an electronic device, which improves the consistency of the phase patterns of the antenna elements in the antenna array to a certain extent.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides an antenna array, comprising: a radiation assembly and a bottom plate; the radiation assembly is located on the bottom plate; the radiation assembly comprises at least one radiator array arranged perpendicularly to the magnetic field direction, each radiator array comprises a first radiator and a second radiator arranged at intervals along the magnetic field direction; the bottom plate is provided with a first resonant cavity corresponding to the first radiator and the second radiator respectively, the geometric center of the first radiator is offset relative to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity towards the direction close to the second radiator, and the geometric center of the second radiator is offset relative to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity towards the direction close to the first radiator.

[0007] In the antenna array provided in the present application, the array of radiators in the radiation assembly includes first radiators and second radiators arranged at intervals along the magnetic field direction, geometric centers of the first radiators and the second radiators are offset relative to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity in the opposite direction, the offset of the geometric centers of the radiators causes the offset of the phase centers of the radiators, and the offset direction of the geometric centers of the first radiators and the second radiators is opposite to the offset direction of the phase centers caused by the electromagnetic coupling between adjacent antenna units in operation, the offset of the phase centers of the radiators is used to offset the phase center offset caused by the electromagnetic coupling between the adjacent antenna units in the array of radiators, so that the phase centers of the first radiators and the second radiators after the influence of the electromagnetic coupling of the adjacent antenna units are both relative to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity, thereby improving the consistency of the phase patterns between the antenna units in operation of the antenna array and reducing the phase error.

[0008] In a possible design, the first radiators are mirror symmetric relative to the magnetic field direction and / or the second radiators are mirror symmetric relative to the magnetic field direction.

[0009] Optionally, the first radiators and the second radiators are both concave structures; the concave groove of the first radiators is arranged to face away from the second radiators, and the concave groove of the second radiators is arranged to face away from the first radiators.

[0010] Optionally, the shape of the concave groove of the first radiators is rectangular or triangular, and / or the shape of the concave groove of the second radiators is rectangular or triangular.

[0011] Optionally, the first radiators and the second radiators are both convex structures; the convex part of the first radiators is arranged to face away from the second radiators, and the convex part of the second radiators is arranged to face away from the first radiators.

[0012] Based on the above optional mode, each radiator includes a radiation side parallel to the magnetic field direction and a non-radiation side perpendicular to the magnetic field direction, the geometric center of the radiator can be adjusted by cutting the radiation side of the radiator, and then the phase center of the radiator itself is adjusted, but at the same time, the resonant frequency of the antenna unit to which the radiator belongs is offset from the preset frequency, therefore, the non-radiation side of the radiator can be cut, and the resonant frequency of the antenna unit is adjusted to meet the preset frequency by adjusting the length of the non-radiation side of the radiator.

[0013] Optionally, the shapes of the two concave grooves on both sides of the convex part in the first radiators are both rectangular, and / or the shapes of the two concave grooves on both sides of the convex part in the second radiators are both rectangular.

[0014] In another possible design, each of the radiating element arrays further includes a third radiating element, which is arranged between the first radiating element and the second radiating element; the bottom plate further includes a first resonant cavity corresponding to the third radiating element; and a geometric center of the first radiating element is opposite a center of the corresponding first resonant cavity.

[0015] In this optional mode, if the number of radiating elements in each of the radiating element arrays is greater than or equal to three, the radiating element arrays further include a third radiating element, a phase center of the third radiating element is located at a geometric center of the third radiating element, and in the working process of the antenna array, the third radiating element is located in a central region of the radiating element array and is subjected to electromagnetic coupling forces of equal magnitude and opposite direction from the two adjacent radiating elements, so that the phase center of the antenna unit to which the third radiating element belongs under the electromagnetic coupling of the two adjacent radiating elements does not deviate from the phase center of the third radiating element or deviates by a small amount.

[0016] Optionally, the third radiating element has a rectangular structure.

[0017] In a possible design, the bottom plate includes a first dielectric substrate on which the radiating assembly is located; the first dielectric substrate is provided with a first array of metalized through holes corresponding to each of the radiating element arrays, and each of the first arrays of metalized through holes encloses a first resonant cavity.

[0018] In another possible design, the antenna array further includes a first metal layer, the first metal layer is arranged on the first dielectric substrate in a stacked manner, and the first array of metalized through holes penetrates the first metal layer; the first metal layer is etched with the radiating element arrays, and each of the radiating element arrays has a gap from the first metal layer.

[0019] In another possible design, the bottom plate further includes a second metal layer, a second dielectric substrate, and a third metal layer; the second metal layer, the second dielectric substrate, and the third metal layer are arranged in a stacked manner on a side of the first dielectric substrate away from the radiating assembly; the second metal layer is provided with a coupling slot corresponding to each of the first resonant cavities, and a center of each of the first resonant cavities is opposite a center of the corresponding coupling slot; the second dielectric substrate is provided with a second array of metalized through holes corresponding to each of the radiating elements and a feed port, each of the second arrays of metalized through holes, the feed port, the second metal layer, and the third metal layer enclose a second resonant cavity, and a normal projection of the first resonant cavity on the second dielectric substrate is located in the corresponding second resonant cavity.

[0020] Optionally, each of the feed ports is provided with an adapter structure, and each of the adapter structures is configured to feed the corresponding second resonant cavity. The radio frequency signal output device can be connected to each of the antenna units in the antenna array through the adapter structures and feed each of the antenna units through the adapter structures. Different adapter structures can adapt wave ports into microstrip feed, coaxial feed, or other feed.

[0021] In a possible design, a load is arranged at any one or more feeding ports. The antenna unit arranged with the load is a dummy element in the antenna array, which cannot receive the feeding of the radio frequency signal output device, and cannot transmit electromagnetic signals and receive echo signals.

[0022] In a second aspect, the present application provides an electronic device, which comprises the antenna array in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0023] The technical effects of the second aspect provided in the present application can be referred to the technical effects of the various possible implementation manners of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 A structural schematic diagram of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 2 A structural schematic diagram of an antenna array provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 3 A top view of the antenna array in Figure 2 .

[0027] Figure 4 A structural schematic diagram of another antenna array provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 5 A top view of the antenna array in Figure 4 .

[0029] Figure 6 A top view of a first comparison antenna array provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 7 A structural schematic diagram of another antenna array provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 8 A top view of the antenna array in Figure 7 .

[0032] Figure 9 An exploded structural diagram of the antenna array in Figure 7 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 10 A top view of another antenna array provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 11 A top view of a second comparison antenna array provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0035] Figure 12 Another overall structure schematic diagram of an antenna array provided for an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figure 13 A top view of a third reference antenna array provided for an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Reference signs:

[0038] 100, antenna array; 110, bottom plate; 111, first metal layer; 1111, through slot; 112, first dielectric substrate; 113, second metal layer; 1131, coupling slot; 114, second dielectric substrate; 115, third metal layer; 116, first resonant cavity; 1161, first array of metallized vias; 117, second resonant cavity; 1171, second array of metallized vias; 118, feed port; 120, radiating assembly; 121, array of radiators; 1211, first radiator; 1212, second radiator; 1213, third radiator; 130, load;

[0039] 200, electronic device; 210, radio frequency chip; 220, processor;

[0040] 10, first reference antenna array; 11, first antenna unit; 20, second reference antenna array; 21, second antenna unit; 30, third reference antenna array; 31, third antenna unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Radar, mobile communication device, sonar and other detection devices can realize target position detection, gesture detection, fall detection, security detection, human body detection, target tracking, target recognition and other functions based on DOA (Direction Of Arrival) estimation technology in antenna array signal processing. The DOA estimation technology generally determines the direction and angle of the target by analyzing the phase difference between the echo signals received by each antenna unit on the antenna array, and therefore, the phase error of the antenna units in the antenna array in the working state determines the accuracy of the DOA estimation.

[0042] The phase center of each antenna unit in a general antenna array is the geometric center of the antenna radiator in the antenna unit, and the geometric center of the antenna radiator is opposite to the center of the resonant cavity in the antenna unit. However, during the working process of the antenna array, part of the antenna units are affected by electromagnetic coupling with adjacent antenna units, so that the phase center of part of the antenna units after being affected by electromagnetic coupling is offset relative to the geometric center of the antenna unit in the magnetic field direction, thereby causing the phase patterns of each antenna unit in the antenna array to be inconsistent, the phase error between each antenna unit is large, and further affecting the accuracy of the DOA estimation.

[0043] To solve the technical problem of inconsistent phase patterns and large phase errors of antenna units in an antenna array, embodiments of the present application provide an antenna array 100 and an electronic device 200. The antenna array 100 includes a bottom plate 110 and at least one radiator array 121 disposed on the bottom plate 110. The radiator array 121 includes a first radiator 1211 and a second radiator 1212. The bottom plate 110 is provided with a first resonant cavity 116 corresponding to each radiator. The geometric center of the first radiator 1211 and the geometric center of the second radiator 1212 are offset relative to the center of the first resonant cavity 116 in opposite directions. The offset of the geometric centers of the radiators offsets the phase center offset caused by electromagnetic coupling between the antenna units, thereby improving the consistency of the phase patterns of the antenna units in the antenna array 100 and reducing the phase errors of the antenna units in the antenna array 100.

[0044] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings and related embodiments in the embodiments of the present application. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the terms used in the following embodiments are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting on the present application. As used in the specification and appended claims of the present application, the singular expressions "a", "the", "said", "the above", "the", and "this" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more", unless there is clear indication to the contrary in the context. It should also be understood that in the following embodiments of the present application, "at least one" and "one or more" mean one or more than two (including two). The term "and / or" is used to describe the association between the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships; for example, A and / or B can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents a "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after it.

[0045] Reference within the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in some embodiments" in various places within specified

[0046] In the present application, the word "exemplary" or "for example" is used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the present application is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. The

[0047] The antenna array 100 provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to an electronic device 200 with a wireless communication function. The electronic device 200 can be a radar, a base station, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wearable device, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, a notebook computer, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. Referring to Figure 1 The structure of the electronic device 200 is shown in the schematic diagram. The electronic device 200 includes an antenna array 100, a radio frequency chip 210, and a processor 220 connected in sequence.

[0048] The processor 220 is configured to generate a modulated signal and send the modulated signal to the radio frequency chip 210. The radio frequency chip 210 can convert the modulated signal into a radio frequency signal of a preset frequency and send the radio frequency signal to the antenna array 100. The antenna array 100 can convert the radio frequency signal into an electromagnetic signal and radiate the electromagnetic signal to a target area. Meanwhile, the antenna array 100 receives a backwave signal scattered by a target in the target area. The antenna array 100 can also send the received backwave signal to the processor 220 through the radio frequency chip 210. The processor 220 can process the backwave signal based on a DOA estimation method and determine the position, speed, distance, etc. of the target.

[0049] Processor 220 may include one or more processing units, such as application processor (AP), modem processor, graphics processing unit (GPU), image signal processor (ISP), controller, memory, digital signal processor (DSP), baseband processor, and / or neural network processing unit (NPU). Different processing units may be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors 220.

[0050] See Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an antenna array 100 is shown. Figure 3 shown Figure 2 A top view of the antenna array 100. In one possible implementation, the antenna array 100 provided in this application embodiment includes a base plate 110 and a radiating component 120 located on the base plate 110. The radiating component 120 includes at least one radiator array 121 arranged perpendicular to the magnetic field direction. Each radiator array 121 includes a first radiator 1211 and a second radiator 1212 spaced apart along the magnetic field direction, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the magnetic field generated by each radiator in the radiator array 121 is parallel to the y-axis. Figure 3 As shown, the base plate 110 is provided with a first resonant cavity 116 corresponding to each radiator in the radiator array 121. The orthographic projection of each radiator on the base plate 110 is located in the corresponding first resonant cavity 116. The geometric center of the first radiator 1211 in the radiator array 121 is offset towards the second radiator 1212 relative to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity 116. The geometric center of the second radiator 1212 is offset towards the first radiator 1211 relative to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity 116.

[0051] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, each radiator in the radiating assembly 120 can be a metal patch disposed on the top of the base plate 110. For example, the material of the radiator can be copper.

[0052] In other embodiments, see Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another antenna array 100 shown is also included. Figure 5 shown Figure 4A top view of the antenna array 100 is shown in FIG. 1. The top of the bottom plate 110 is a first metal layer 111. Each of the radiators in the array of radiators 121 can be etched in the first metal layer 111 by an etching process. The first metal layer 111 further includes a via 1111 corresponding to each of the radiators. The center of the via 1111 of each of the radiators corresponds to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity 116. Each of the radiators in the array of radiators 121 is located in the corresponding via 1111, and there is a gap between the edge of each of the radiators and the first metal layer 111. The distance between the side of the first radiator 1211 away from the second radiator 1212 and the edge of the via 1111 is greater than the distance between the side of the first radiator 1211 close to the second radiator 1212 and the edge of the via 1111. The distance between the side of the second radiator 1212 away from the first radiator 1211 and the edge of the via 1111 is greater than the distance between the side of the second radiator 1212 close to the first radiator 1211 and the edge of the via 1111.

[0053] For example, the material of the first metal layer 111 can be copper.

[0054] In one embodiment, the bottom plate 110 includes a first dielectric substrate 112, and the array of radiators 121 is located on the top of the first dielectric substrate 112. The first dielectric substrate 112 includes a first array of metallized vias 1161 corresponding to each of the radiators in the array of radiators 121. The first array of metallized vias 1161 is a closed array with a predetermined shape composed of a plurality of first metallized vias penetrating through the first dielectric substrate 112. Each of the first array of metallized vias 1161 encloses a closed first resonant cavity 116, and the orthographic projection of each of the radiators on the first dielectric substrate 112 is located in the corresponding first resonant cavity 116. For example, the shape of the first resonant cavity 116 enclosed by the first array of metallized vias 1161 can be rectangular or any other shape.

[0055] Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first metallized via in the first array of metallized vias 1161 can further penetrate through the first metal layer 111. Each of the radiators in the first metal layer 111 and the via 1111 corresponding to each of the radiators are located in the corresponding first resonant cavity 116, which can further reduce the phase error of the radiators. Figure 4 Figure 5 Further, the bottom plate 110 can further include a second metal layer 113, a second dielectric substrate 114, and a third metal layer 115. The second metal layer 113, the second dielectric substrate 114, and the third metal layer 115 are sequentially stacked on the side of the first dielectric substrate 112 away from the array of radiators 121.

[0056] Further, the bottom plate 110 can further include a second metal layer 113, a second dielectric substrate 114, and a third metal layer 115. The second metal layer 113, the second dielectric substrate 114, and the third metal layer 115 are sequentially stacked on the side of the first dielectric substrate 112 away from the array of radiators 121.

[0057] Referring to​Figure 9 An exploded schematic view of one of the antenna arrays 100 is shown, in which the second metal layer 113 is provided with a rectangular coupling slot 1131 corresponding to each first resonant cavity 116, the coupling slot 1131 penetrates the second metal layer 113, the long side of the coupling slot 1131 is parallel to the magnetic field direction, and the short side of the coupling slot 1131 is perpendicular to the magnetic field direction. The center of each first resonant cavity 116 is opposite the center of the corresponding coupling slot 1131 in the height direction of the antenna array 100.

[0058] The second dielectric substrate 114 is provided with a second metallized via array 1171 corresponding to each radiator, the second metallized via array 1171 is a U-shaped non-closed array composed of a plurality of second metallized vias penetrating the second dielectric substrate 114, and the second dielectric substrate 114 is further provided with a feed port 118 corresponding to each second metallized via, each feed port 118 is opposite the U-shaped port of the corresponding second metallized via array 1171. Each second metallized via array 1171, feed port 118, second metal layer 113 and third metal layer 115 can enclose a second resonant cavity 117, and the orthographic projection of each first resonant cavity 116 corresponding to each radiator on the second dielectric substrate 114 is located within the corresponding second resonant cavity 117.

[0059] It should be noted that each feed port 118 on the second dielectric substrate 114 is used to connect with the radio frequency chip 210 in the electronic device 200, the radio frequency chip 210 can feed power to the second dielectric substrate 114 through the feed port 118, the radio frequency signal is converted into electromagnetic wave energy by the second resonant cavity 117, the coupling slot 1131 and the first resonant cavity 116, and then radiated to the target area by the radiator, the radiator can also transmit the received echo signal to the radio frequency chip 210 through the first resonant cavity 116, the coupling slot 1131, the second resonant cavity 117 and the feed port 118, and then transmit the echo signal to the processor 220 for processing by the radio frequency chip 210.

[0060] Further, an adapter structure can be provided at the feed port 118, and the radio frequency chip 210 can feed power to the second dielectric substrate 114 through the adapter structure in a microstrip, coaxial or other manner. As an example but not limitation, the adapter structure can be a microstrip line or a coaxial line, etc.

[0061] Optionally, the first metallized via in each first metallized via array 1161 can also penetrate the second metal layer 113, so that each coupling slot 1131 is located within the corresponding first resonant cavity 116. The second metallized via in each second metallized via array 1171 can also penetrate the third metal layer 115.

[0062] As an example but not limitation, the first dielectric substrate 112 and the second dielectric substrate 114 are both substrate integrated waveguides (SIW), and the first dielectric substrate 112 and the second dielectric substrate 114 can both be TLY-5 material with a relative dielectric constant of 2.2, for example. The second metal layer 113 and the third metal layer 115 can both be copper.

[0063] It should be noted that, referring to the top view shown in Figure 3 The distance between the centers of two first resonant cavities 116 adjacent in the magnetic field direction is equal, and in the process of receiving and transmitting signals, electromagnetic coupling is generally generated between two adjacent radiators in each radiator array 121, so that the phase center of the radiator is offset to the left or right relative to the center of the first resonant cavity 116 in the magnetic field direction. If the offset direction of the geometric center of the radiator relative to the center of the first resonant cavity 116 is opposite to the offset direction of the phase center under the action of electromagnetic coupling, the influence of electromagnetic coupling on the phase center can be offset, so that the phase center of the radiator after the geometric center offset is close to the center of the first resonant cavity 116 under the influence of electromagnetic coupling, thereby improving the phase consistency of each radiator in the radiation assembly 120. In the embodiments of the present application, the so-called close means that the phase center of the radiator is opposite to the center of the first resonant cavity 116 in the height direction of the antenna array 100, or the deviation between the phase center of the radiator and the center of the first resonant cavity 116 in the magnetic field direction is small.

[0064] In the embodiments of the present application, the type of the radiator in the antenna array 100 is related to the number of rows and columns of the antenna unit in the antenna array 100. In one example, assuming that the antenna array 100 is a symmetrical array of M rows x 2 columns, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, then the type of the radiator in the antenna array 100 only includes the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212. For example, referring to the 2-row x 2-column antenna array 100 shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 The radiation assembly 120 arranged on the bottom plate 110 includes two radiator arrays 121 spaced apart along the x-axis direction, and each radiator array 121 includes two radiators spaced apart along the y-axis direction, i.e., the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212, respectively, and the x-axis and the y-axis are perpendicular to each other. As shown in Figure 5As shown, the geometric center of the first radiator 1211 is located on the right side of the corresponding first resonant cavity 116, and the phase center of the antenna unit to which the first radiator 1211 belongs is close to the center of the first resonant cavity 116 located at the bottom of the first radiator 1211. The geometric center of the second radiator 1212 is located on the left side of the corresponding second resonant cavity 117, and the phase center of the antenna unit to which the second radiator 1212 belongs is close to the center of the first resonant cavity 116 located at the bottom of the second radiator 1212.

[0065] Figure 6 A top view of a first comparative antenna array 10 is shown. According to experimental test and calculation results, the performance of the antenna array 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 4 comprises only the 2-row x 2-column antenna array 100 of the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212, and the performance of the antenna array 100 is compared with that of the first comparative antenna array 10 shown in Figure 6 The first comparative antenna array 10 comprises 2-row x 2-column first antenna units 11, and the distribution positions of the first antenna unit 11a to the first antenna unit 11d in the first comparative antenna array 10 correspond one by one to the distribution positions of the antenna unit 1 to the antenna unit 4 in the antenna array shown in Figure 4 The four radiators in the first comparative antenna array 10 are all square radiators commonly used in the prior art, and the geometric center of each square radiator is opposite to the center of the first resonant cavity. The other structures in the first comparative antenna array 10 are exactly the same as those of the antenna array 100 shown in Figure 4

[0066] It is assumed that the resonant frequencies of the antenna array 100 shown in the embodiment of the present application Figure 4 and the first comparative antenna array 10 are both 24.25 GHz. Taking the antenna unit 2 in the antenna array 100 and the first antenna unit 11b in the first comparative antenna array 10 as references, it is known through tests and calculations that the maximum phase error between the first antenna unit 11a and the first antenna unit 11b in the first comparative antenna array 10 is 22.1 degrees, the maximum phase error between the first antenna unit 11c and the first antenna unit 11b is 24.9 degrees, and the maximum phase error between the first antenna unit 11d and the first antenna unit 11b is 10.6 degrees. The maximum phase error between the antenna units in the antenna array 100 shown in the embodiment of the present application Figure 4 ​The maximum phase error between the antenna unit 1 and the antenna unit 2 in the first comparative antenna array 10 is 10 degrees, the maximum phase error between the antenna unit 3 and the antenna unit 2 is 11.5 degrees, and the maximum phase error between the antenna unit 4 and the antenna unit 2 is 8.7 degrees. The phase difference between each antenna unit in the antenna array 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application is smaller than the phase difference between each first antenna unit 11 in the first comparative antenna array 10. The embodiment of the present application offsets the phase center offset caused by electromagnetic coupling by using the self-phase center offset of the geometric center of the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212 in the antenna array 100, thereby improving the consistency of the antenna phase pattern in the antenna array 100 to some extent.

[0067] In another possible implementation, if the antenna array 100 is a symmetrical array of M rows and N columns, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, and N is a positive integer greater than 2, each radiator array 121 in the radiation assembly 120 further includes a third radiator 1213, which is arranged between the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212, and the bottom plate 110 further includes a first resonant cavity 116 corresponding to the third radiator 1213. In the thickness direction of the antenna array 100, the geometric center of the third radiator 1213 is opposite to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity 116, and the phase center of the antenna unit to which the third radiator 1213 belongs is close to the phase center of the first resonant cavity 116 located at the bottom of the third radiator 1213.

[0068] It can be understood that if any one of the radiators located in the central region of each radiator array 121 is subjected to electromagnetic coupling forces of the same size or a difference smaller than a preset threshold from the left and right adjacent radiators, and the directions are opposite, the phase center of the radiator located in the central region will not be offset or the offset amount is small. If any one of the radiators located at the edge of each radiator array 121 is subjected to electromagnetic coupling only from the adjacent radiator, the phase center of the radiator located at the edge region will have a large offset amount. Each radiator has a non-radiation side and a radiation side, wherein the radiation side is parallel to the y-axis direction (i.e., the magnetic field direction), and the non-radiation side is parallel to the x-axis direction. By cutting the radiation side of the radiator away from the adjacent radiator, the geometric center of the radiator can be adjusted, the phase center offset caused by electromagnetic coupling is offset by using the self-phase center offset of the radiator, the consistency of the phase pattern of each antenna unit in the antenna array 100 is improved, and the phase error is reduced.

[0069] In the embodiment of the present application, the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212 are symmetrical structures with respect to the y-axis direction, and the third radiator 1213 is a symmetrical structure with respect to both the y-axis direction and the x-axis direction.

[0070] By way of example, and without limitation, considerFigure 7 Another structural schematic diagram of an antenna array 100 is shown in FIG. 1B, and Figure 8 Another structural schematic diagram of an antenna array 100 is shown in FIG. 1B, and Figure 7 A top view of an antenna array 100 is shown in FIG. 1C, the antenna array 100 is a 2-row x 3-column symmetric array, the radiation assemblies 120 arranged on the bottom plate 110 include two radiators arrays 121 spaced along the x-axis direction, each of the radiator arrays 121 includes a first radiator 1211, a third radiator 1213 and a second radiator 1212 spaced along the y-axis direction from left to right. As Figure 8 As shown, the length of the radiation edge of the first radiator 1211 and the length of the radiation edge of the second radiator 1212 are both less than the length of the radiation edge of the third radiator 1213, and the area of the radiation edge of the first radiator 1211 facing away from the third radiator 1213 is cut relative to the radiation edge of the third radiator 1213, and the area of the radiation edge of the second radiator 1212 facing away from the third radiator 1213 is cut relative to the radiation edge of the third radiator 1213, so that the geometric center of the first radiator 1211 is offset towards the third radiator 1213, and the geometric center of the second radiator 1212 is offset towards the third radiator 1213, and if the shape of the third radiator 1213 can be square, the shapes of the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212 obtained after cutting the radiation edge can both be rectangular.

[0071] Further, although cutting the radiation edge of the radiator can adjust the phase center of the antenna unit in the working process, it will also affect the resonant frequency of the antenna unit, causing the resonant frequency of the antenna unit to deviate from the preset frequency. In order to make the resonant frequency of the antenna unit meet the preset frequency, the non-radiation edge of the radiator can also be cut.

[0072] In one example, as Figure 8As shown, both the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212 can be U-shaped structures. Specifically, a groove is formed on the side of the rectangular first radiator 1211 facing away from the second radiator 1212, and a groove is formed on the side of the rectangular second radiator 1212 facing away from the first radiator 1211. The grooves of the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212 are both located in the central region of the non-radiating side. The groove opening of the first radiator 1211 is positioned facing away from the second radiator 1212 and the third radiator 1213, and the groove opening of the second radiator 1212 is positioned facing away from the first radiator 1211 and the third radiator 1213. Furthermore, in this example, the shape of the groove in the first radiator 1211 is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the direction of the magnetic field, and the shape of the groove in the second radiator 1212 is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the direction of the magnetic field. For example, the shapes of the grooves in the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212 can be rectangular, triangular, arc-shaped or other shapes. This application embodiment does not limit the shape of the grooves in the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212.

[0073] In another example, such as Figure 10 As shown, both the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212 can be convex-shaped structures. Specifically, a groove is formed at both ends of the non-radiating side of the rectangular first radiator 1211 facing away from the second radiator 1212, forming a protrusion on the side of the first radiator 1211 facing away from the second radiator 1212. The protrusion is located in the central region of the non-radiating side, and the two grooves are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the protrusion. Correspondingly, a groove is symmetrically formed at both ends of the non-radiating side of the rectangular second radiator 1212 facing away from the first radiator 1211, forming a protrusion on the side of the second radiator 1212 facing away from the first radiator 1211. The protrusion is located in the central region of the non-radiating side, and the two grooves are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the protrusion. Furthermore, in this example, the shapes of the grooves in the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212 are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the magnetic field direction. For example, the shapes of the two grooves located on both sides of the protrusion in the first radiator 1211 can be rectangular, arc-shaped, or other shapes, and the shapes of the two grooves located on both sides of the protrusion in the second radiator 1212 can be rectangular, arc-shaped, or other shapes. The shapes of the protrusion in the first radiator 1211 and the protrusion in the second radiator 1212 can be rectangular or other shapes.

[0074] Figure 11 This is a top view of an existing second control antenna array 20. Based on experimental tests and calculation results, the embodiments provided in this application can be... Figure 7An antenna array 100 comprising a 2x3 grid of a first radiator 1211, a second radiator 1212, and a third radiator 1213, and... Figure 11 The performance of the second control antenna array 20 shown is compared, wherein the second control antenna array 20 includes 2 rows × 3 columns of second antenna elements 21, and the distribution of radiators in the second control antenna array 20 is compared with... Figure 7 The radiators in the antenna array 100 shown are distributed in the same way, but the six radiators in the second comparison antenna array 20 are all square radiators commonly used in the prior art, and the geometric center of each square radiator is opposite to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity in the base plate of the second comparison antenna array 20. Other structures in the second comparison antenna array 20 are similar to... Figure 7 The antenna array 100 shown has the same structure.

[0075] Assuming the embodiments of this application Figure 7 The resonant frequency of both the antenna array 100 and the second control antenna array 20 shown is 24.25 GHz. Figure 7 The distribution positions of antenna elements 1 to 6 in the antenna array 100 correspond one-to-one with the distribution positions of second antenna elements 21a to 21f in the second control antenna array 20. Taking antenna element 2 in antenna array 100 and second antenna element 21b in the second control antenna array 20 as references, experimental tests and calculations show that the maximum phase error between second antenna elements 21a and 21b in the second control antenna array 20 is 14.4 degrees, the maximum phase error between second antenna elements 21c and 21b is 15.3 degrees, the maximum phase error between second antenna elements 21d and 21b is 20.5 degrees, the maximum phase error between second antenna elements 21e and 21b is 10.6 degrees, and the maximum phase error between second antenna elements 21f and 21b is 20.1 degrees. (This is from an embodiment of the application.) Figure 7 In the antenna array 100 shown, the maximum phase error between antenna element 1 and antenna element 2 is 9.1 degrees, the maximum phase error between antenna element 3 and antenna element 2 is 8.6 degrees, the maximum phase error between antenna element 4 and antenna element 2 is 13.6 degrees, the maximum phase error between antenna element 5 and antenna element 2 is 11.5 degrees, and the maximum phase error between antenna element 6 and antenna element 2 is 12.5 degrees. A comparison shows that, except for antenna element 5, the phase error in this application... Figure 7 The phase difference between other antenna elements in the provided antenna array 100 is smaller than the phase difference between each second antenna element 21 in the second control antenna array 20, but the phase difference improvement of antenna element 5 is relatively small.

[0076] In other possible implementations, a load 130 can be set at the feed port 118 corresponding to any one or more radiators in the radiating component 120, or the feed port 118 of any one or more radiators can be replaced with a load 130, so that the antenna element to which the radiator corresponding to the load 130 belongs becomes a dummy element. The dummy element in the antenna array 100 cannot receive the radio frequency signal sent by the radio frequency chip 210 through the feed port 118 with the load 130, nor can it send electromagnetic signals to the target area or receive the echo signal scattered by the target.

[0077] For example, see Figure 10 The antenna array 100 shown is a symmetrical array of 2 rows × 3 columns. The radiating component 120 provided on the base plate 110 includes two radiator arrays 121 spaced apart along the x-axis. Each radiator array 121 includes a first radiator 1211, a third radiator 1213, and a second radiator 1212 spaced apart from left to right along the y-axis. In this array, a feed port 118 is provided at the U-shaped opening of the second resonant cavity 117 corresponding to the first radiator 1211, the third radiator 1213, and the second radiator 1212 in the first row of radiator array 121, as well as the first radiator 1211 in the second row of radiator array 121. The antenna elements to which these radiators belong can receive the radio frequency signals sent by the radio frequency chip 210 through the feed port 118, and send electromagnetic signals to the target area and receive the echo signals scattered by the target. A load 130 is provided at the U-shaped opening of the second resonant cavity 117 corresponding to the third radiator 1213 and the second radiator 1212 in the second row of radiator array 121, so that the two antenna elements to which the third radiator 1213 and the second radiator 1212 belong in the second row of radiator array 121 are dummy elements.

[0078] As an example and not a limitation, the load 130 can be a resistor.

[0079] Figure 13 This is a top view of an existing third-comparison antenna array 30. Based on test and calculation results, the embodiments provided in this application can be... Figure 12 A 2x3 antenna array 100 containing dummy elements and Figure 13 The performance of the third contrast antenna array 30 shown is compared. The third contrast antenna array 30 is an asymmetric array with four third antenna elements 31, and the radiator in each third antenna element 31 is a square radiator commonly used in the prior art. The geometric center of the square radiator is opposite to the center of the first resonant cavity. Figure 13 The intersection of the x-axis and y-axis. Figure 12In the antenna array 100, the radiators corresponding to antenna element 1 and antenna element 4 are concave first radiators 1211, the radiator corresponding to antenna element 2 is square third radiator 1213, and the radiator corresponding to antenna element 3 is concave second radiator 1212. Figure 12 The distribution positions of antenna element 1, antenna element 2, antenna element 3 and antenna element 4 in the third comparison antenna array 30 correspond one-to-one with the distribution positions of third antenna element 31a, third antenna element 31b, third antenna element 31c and third antenna element 31d in the third comparison antenna array 30.

[0080] Assuming the embodiments of this application Figure 12 The resonant frequency of both the antenna array 100 and the third control antenna array 30 shown is 24.25 GHz. Taking antenna element 2 in antenna array 100 and third antenna element 31b in the third control antenna array 30 as references, experimental tests and calculations show that the maximum phase error between third antenna elements 31a and 31b in the third control antenna array 30 is 26.6 degrees, the maximum phase error between third antenna elements 31c and 31b is 15.4 degrees, and the maximum phase error between third antenna elements 31d and 31b is 19.4 degrees. (This is from an embodiment of the application.) Figure 12 In the antenna array 100 shown, the maximum phase error between antenna element 1 and antenna element 2 is 9.1 degrees, the maximum phase error between antenna element 3 and antenna element 2 is 8.6 degrees, and the maximum phase error between antenna element 4 and antenna element 2 is 13.6 degrees. A comparison shows that the antenna array provided in this application… Figure 12 Compared with existing asymmetric antenna arrays, the antenna array 100 shown can effectively improve the consistency of the phase pattern and reduce the phase error.

[0081] In the antenna array 100 provided in this application embodiment, the position, offset direction and offset amount of the phase center of each antenna element in the antenna array 100 after offset under the electromagnetic coupling of adjacent antenna elements can be determined first by a pre-measurement method or a least squares estimation method. Then, the clipping position and clipping length of the radiation side of the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212 relative to the radiation side of the third radiator 1213 can be determined according to the offset direction and offset amount.

[0082] In one example, see Figure 11The existing second control antenna array is shown, and the method for determining the position, direction and amount of phase center offset of each antenna unit in the antenna array 100 under the electromagnetic coupling of adjacent antenna units when the radiation assembly 120 is the third radiator 1213 by a pre-measurement method includes: first, for each antenna unit, the corresponding directional pattern phase of the antenna unit at each azimuth angle is determined by testing, simulation and / or calculation wherein, , is the angle between the radiation direction of the antenna unit and the z-axis direction, is the angle between the radiation direction of the antenna unit and the x-axis direction, which is calculated by the following formula (1):

[0083] (1)

[0084] The actual position of the phase center of each antenna unit under the electromagnetic coupling of adjacent antenna units can be calculated. As shown in Figure 11 , for each radiator, the origin where the x-axis and the y-axis intersect is the geometric center of each radiator itself, and therefore, the y value in the actual position of the phase center calculated based on the above formula (1) is the amount of phase center offset of the antenna unit under electromagnetic coupling.

[0085] wherein, , , .

[0086] In another example, the actual position of the phase center of each antenna unit under the electromagnetic coupling of adjacent antenna units when the radiation assembly 120 is the third radiator 1213 can be estimated by the least square method. As shown in Figure 11 , assuming that the distance between the centers of the two third radiators 1213 of the two adjacent antenna units is d , the radiation intensity of the antenna unit on the left side is 1, and the radiation intensity of the antenna unit on the right side under electromagnetic coupling is m, and the phase is , then the directional pattern phase of the antenna unit on the left side in the two adjacent antenna units at each azimuth corresponding to the directional pattern phase , the directional pattern phase of the antenna unit on the right side in the two adjacent antenna units at each azimuth corresponding to the directional pattern phase .

[0087] According to the above formula (1), the position of the phase center of the two adjacent antenna units after the electromagnetic coupling can be estimated, the radiation body of the antenna unit is determined as the first radiation body 1211 or the second radiation body 1212 according to the direction of the phase center offset, the trimming amount of the radiation edge of the first radiation body 1211 relative to the radiation edge of the third radiation body 1213 and the trimming amount of the radiation edge of the second radiation body 1212 relative to the radiation edge of the third radiation body 1213 are determined according to the offset amount of the phase center, and then the trimming amount of the non-radiation edge of the first radiation body 1211 relative to the non-radiation edge of the third radiation body 1213 and the trimming amount of the non-radiation edge of the second radiation body 1212 relative to the non-radiation edge of the third radiation body 1213 are determined through testing, simulation and / or calculation. It should be noted that the greater the electromagnetic coupling force of the antenna unit to which the first radiation body 1211 belongs and the antenna unit to which the second radiation body 1212 belongs is subjected to by the adjacent antenna unit, the smaller the length of the radiation edge of the first radiation body 1211 and the radiation edge of the second radiation body 1212 relative to the radiation edge of the third radiation body 1213.

[0088] As an example but not limitation, if the antenna array 100 is a symmetrical array of 2 rows x 2 columns, the first dielectric substrate 112 and the second dielectric substrate 114 in the antenna array 100 are both TLY-5 material with a relative dielectric constant of 2.2, and the distance between the centers of the two adjacent third radiation bodies 1213 in any one radiation body array 121 in the antenna array 100 is , the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave when transmitted in the first dielectric substrate 112, the phase centers of the two adjacent antenna units in the y-axis direction are both offset in the direction away from the adjacent antenna unit, and the offset amount is 0.6 mm, then the left side area of the radiation edge of the third radiation body 1213 on the left side of the two adjacent antenna units in the y-axis direction can be trimmed by etching technology adjust the geometric center and trim the center area of the non-radiation edge to adjust the resonant frequency to obtain a concave-shaped first radiation body 1211, and the trimming amount of the radiation edge is equal to the difference between the length L3 of the radiation edge of the third radiation body 1213 and the length L1 of the radiation edge of the first radiation body 1211. The right side area of the radiation edge of the third radiation body 1213 on the right side of the two adjacent antenna units in the y-axis direction can be trimmed by etching technology adjust the geometric center and trim the non-radiation edge to adjust the resonant frequency to obtain a concave-shaped second radiation body 1212, and the trimming amount of the radiation edge is equal to the difference between the length L3 of the radiation edge of the third radiation body 1213 and the length L2 of the radiation edge of the second radiation body 1212, and the first radiation body 1211 and the second radiation body 1212 obtained after trimming can constitute Figure 4The radiation assembly 120 in the antenna array 100 shown in the present application uses the offset of the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212 from their own geometric centers to offset the phase center offset caused by electromagnetic coupling, thereby improving the phase consistency of the antenna elements in the antenna array 100 and reducing the phase error.

[0089] In the antenna array 100 of the present application, according to the number of rows and columns of the antenna elements in the antenna array 100, each radiator array 121 can be composed of the first radiators 1211 and the second radiators 1212 arranged at intervals, or composed of the first radiators 1211, the second radiators 1212 and the third radiators 1213 arranged at intervals between the first radiators 1211 and the second radiators 1212, and the radiation edge of the first radiators 1211 and the second radiators 1212 is smaller than that of the third radiators 1213. Without considering the electromagnetic coupling between adjacent antenna elements, the phase center of the antenna element to which the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212 belong will be offset with the offset of the geometric center of the radiator, thereby offsetting the phase center offset of the antenna element to which the first radiator 1211 belongs and the antenna element to which the second radiator 1212 belongs respectively under the electromagnetic coupling of adjacent radiators, so that the phase center of the antenna element to which the first radiator 1211 and the second radiator 1212 belong under the electromagnetic coupling is respectively opposite to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity 116. The structure of the antenna array 100 provided in the embodiments of the present application is simple, and the consistency of the phase pattern of each antenna element in the antenna array 100 can be effectively improved without increasing the height and area of the antenna array 100, thereby reducing the phase error and improving the accuracy of DOA estimation.

[0090] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An antenna array, characterized in that, include: Radiation assembly (120) and base plate (110); The radiation component (120) is located on the base plate (110); The radiation component (120) includes at least one array of radiators (121) arranged perpendicular to the magnetic field direction, and each array of radiators (121) includes a first radiator (1211) and a second radiator (1212) spaced apart along the magnetic field direction. The base plate (110) is provided with a first resonant cavity (116) corresponding to the first radiator (1211) and the second radiator (1212) respectively. The geometric center of the first radiator (1211) is offset towards the second radiator (1212) relative to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity (116), and the geometric center of the second radiator (1212) is offset towards the first radiator (1211) relative to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity (116).

2. The antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first radiator (1211) is mirror-symmetric with respect to the direction of the magnetic field and / or the second radiator (1212) is mirror-symmetric with respect to the direction of the magnetic field.

3. The antenna array according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first radiator (1211) and the second radiator (1212) are U-shaped structures; The groove opening of the first radiator (1211) is disposed facing away from the second radiator, and the groove opening of the second radiator (1212) is disposed facing away from the first radiator (1211).

4. The antenna array according to claim 3, characterized in that, The groove of the first radiator (1211) is rectangular or triangular in shape, and / or the groove of the second radiator (1212) is rectangular or triangular in shape.

5. The antenna array according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first radiator (1211) and the second radiator (1212) are convex-shaped structures; The protrusion of the first radiator (1211) is disposed away from the second radiator (1212), and the protrusion of the second radiator (1212) is disposed away from the first radiator (1211).

6. The antenna array according to claim 5, characterized in that, The two grooves located on both sides of the protrusion in the first radiator (1211) are both rectangular in shape, and / or the two grooves located on both sides of the protrusion in the second radiator (1212) are both rectangular in shape.

7. The antenna array according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Each of the radiator arrays (121) further includes a third radiator (1213) which is spaced between the first radiator (1211) and the second radiator (1212); The base plate (110) is also provided with the first resonant cavity (116) corresponding to the third radiator (1213). The geometric center of the third radiator (1213) is opposite to the center of the corresponding first resonant cavity (116).

8. The antenna array according to claim 7, characterized in that, The third radiator (1213) has a rectangular structure.

9. The antenna array according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8, characterized in that, The base plate (110) includes: a first dielectric substrate (112), and the radiator array (121) is located on the first dielectric substrate (112); The first dielectric substrate (112) is provided with a first metallized via array (1161) corresponding to each radiator in the radiator array (121), and each first metallized via array (1161) surrounds a first resonant cavity (116).

10. The antenna array according to claim 9, characterized in that, The antenna array (100) further includes: a first metal layer (111); The first metal layer (111) is stacked on the first dielectric substrate (112), and the first metallized via array (1161) penetrates the first metal layer (111). The first metal layer (111) is etched with the radiator array (121), and each radiator in the radiator array (121) has a gap with the first metal layer (111).

11. The antenna array according to claim 9, characterized in that, The base plate (110) further includes: a second metal layer (113), a second dielectric substrate (114), and a third metal layer (115). The second metal layer (113), the second dielectric substrate (114), and the third metal layer (115) are sequentially stacked on the side of the first dielectric substrate (112) facing away from the radiation component (120); The second metal layer (113) is provided with a coupling slot (1131) corresponding to each of the first resonant cavities (116), and the center of each of the first resonant cavities (116) is opposite to the center of the corresponding coupling slot (1131); The second dielectric substrate (114) is provided with a second metallized via array (1171) and a feed port (118) corresponding to each of the radiators. Each second metallized via array (1171), the feed port (118), the second metal layer (113) and the third metal layer (115) form a second resonant cavity (117). The orthographic projection of the first resonant cavity (116) on the second dielectric substrate (114) is located in the corresponding second resonant cavity (117).

12. The antenna array according to claim 11, characterized in that, Each of the power supply ports (118) is provided with a transition structure, each of the transition structures being used to supply power to the corresponding second resonant cavity (117).

13. The antenna array according to claim 11, characterized in that, A load (130) is provided at any one or more of the power supply ports (118).

14. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: The antenna array as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

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