Broadband dual-frequency dual-circularly-polarized common-aperture antenna, antenna array and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a broadband dual-frequency dual-circularly-polarized common-aperture antenna. The broadband dual-frequency dual-circularly-polarized common-aperture antenna comprises a first frequency band radiation unit and a second frequency band radiation unit, the first frequency band radiation unit is a low-frequency radiation unit and comprises at least one first radiation body, and the at least one first radiation body is stacked in the vertical dimension; the second frequency band radiation unit is a high-frequency radiation unit and comprises at least one second radiation body, and the at least one second radiation body is stacked in the vertical dimension; the second frequency band radiation unit is nested in the first frequency band radiation unit; and the radiators of the first frequency band radiation unit and the second frequency band radiation unit are sequentially stacked in the vertical dimension.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of antennas, and in particular to a broadband dual-frequency dual-circular polarization common-aperture antenna, an antenna array and electronic equipment. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of satellite Internet technology and the large-scale deployment of low-orbit constellations, satellite communications are gradually shifting from traditional fixed scenarios to more flexible and diversified applications. This trend has put forward new requirements for satellite terminal systems. Traditional satellite terminals mainly use fixed beam antennas. Although their design is mature, they are less flexible and difficult to adapt to the complex requirements of high-speed movement, frequent switching and multi-beam coverage of low-orbit constellations. At the same time, modern applications also require terminals to be small, lightweight and low-cost in order to support portable devices and large-scale deployment.

[0003] In order to meet these new demands, satellite terminal antennas based on phased array technology have gradually become a research hotspot. Phased array antennas can achieve rapid beam adjustment through electronic scanning. They are not only suitable for large-angle scanning, but also support multi-beam operation, significantly improving communication efficiency and flexibility. Traditional phased arrays usually adopt a separate transmit and receive mode, but this solution is large in size and high in cost, which does not meet the requirements of miniaturization and lightweight.

[0004] The separation of transmit and receive and the common aperture design can greatly improve the integration and resource utilization of the antenna, which meets the development needs of future terminals. However, it is a technical challenge to achieve the performance of supporting wide-band and dual circular polarization for both transmit and receive and meet the requirements of large-angle scanning within a limited physical aperture. Summary of the invention

[0005] In response to the above-mentioned technical bottlenecks, this application provides a broadband dual-frequency dual-circularly polarized co-aperture antenna, antenna array and electronic equipment, which can significantly improve system performance while meeting the requirements of modern communication technology for miniaturization, lightweight and high efficiency, and will have important theoretical significance and practical application value.

[0006] On the one hand, the present application discloses a broadband dual-frequency dual-circular polarization common aperture antenna, including a first frequency band radiating unit and a second frequency band radiating unit;

[0007] The first frequency band radiation unit is a low frequency radiation unit, comprising at least one first radiator, and the at least one first radiator is stacked in a vertical dimension;

[0008] The second frequency band radiation unit is a high frequency radiation unit, comprising at least one second radiator, and the at least one second radiator is stacked in a vertical dimension;

[0009] The second frequency band radiation unit is nested in the first frequency band radiation unit;

[0010] The radiators of the first-band radiating unit and the second-band radiating unit are stacked in sequence in the vertical dimension.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the radiators of the first frequency band radiating unit and the second frequency band radiating unit are respectively composed of at least n radiators, where n is an integer and n≥2;

[0012] Each radiator excites two orthogonal modes by introducing an asymmetric structure to achieve circularly polarized radiation;

[0013] The first frequency band radiating unit and the second frequency band radiating unit can independently control the introduced asymmetric structure to achieve different circular polarization characteristics.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the asymmetric structure includes cutting corners at diagonal positions of the radiator, adding an asymmetric structure or parasitic unit on the surface or edge of the radiator, or introducing one or more structures into cracks or gaps.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the second frequency band radiation unit is nested at the center of the first frequency band radiation unit;

[0016] The center of the first frequency band radiation unit is hollowed out, so that the first frequency band radiation unit and the second frequency band radiation unit embedded in the center thereof do not block each other.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the radiators of the first frequency band radiating unit and the second frequency band radiating unit are cross-stacked in a vertical direction to broaden the working bandwidth of the antenna.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the first frequency band feeding portion and the second frequency band feeding portion are located below their respective radiation units;

[0019] Each feeding part includes a feeding probe and a coupling part. The bottom of the feeding probe is connected to the T / R chip or the feeding network. The feeding probe is electrically connected to the coupling part. The coupling part is used to couple the excitation radiator to radiate and adjust the impedance matching.

[0020] On the other hand, the present application also provides a broadband dual-frequency dual-circular polarization common aperture antenna array,

[0021] Using the antenna unit described in any one of the aforementioned embodiments as an array element;

[0022] On the basis of unit circular polarization, rotating feeding is superimposed at the subarray level to further broaden the axial ratio bandwidth of the antenna array.

[0023] On the other hand, the present application also provides an electronic device, comprising an antenna or array as described in any one of the subject embodiments.

[0024] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0025] By nesting the high-frequency radiation unit inside the low-frequency radiation unit and making sure that the two radiators stacked in sequence in the vertical dimension do not block each other, the function of broadband dual-frequency dual circular polarization is achieved while maintaining a miniaturized design. Specifically, it is manifested as follows:

[0026] The first frequency band radiation unit (low frequency) and the second frequency band radiation unit (high frequency) do not block each other in terms of physical aperture, which minimizes the mutual influence of the two frequency band units in radiation, increases isolation, and improves the performance of the antenna;

[0027] The size of the radiators of high and low frequency radiation units is adjusted by utilizing the difference in physical size between high frequency and low frequency as well as the difference in dielectric constant of the medium used in different dielectric layers, thus achieving the performance of supporting wide-band transmission and reception and dual circular polarization within a limited physical aperture.

[0028] By cutting the radiator at a diagonal position or introducing other asymmetric structures, two orthogonal modes are excited to achieve circularly polarized radiation, avoiding the use of couplers, reducing additional losses and costs, and at the same time achieving the independence of dual-band polarization and reducing mutual interference.

[0029] This design significantly improves system performance while meeting the requirements of modern communication technology for miniaturization, lightness and high efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 is a 3D perspective view of an antenna unit in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 is a side view of an antenna in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a structure that introduces asymmetry in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4a The 2D radiation pattern of the radiation characteristic of the first frequency band radiation unit @18.6 GHz in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4bis the 2D spatial axis ratio of the radiation characteristic of the first frequency band radiation unit @18.6 GHz in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 5a The 2D radiation pattern of the second frequency band radiation unit @28.7 GHz in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5b is the 2D spatial axis ratio of the radiation characteristic of the second frequency band radiation unit @28.7 GHz in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of adding a shielding hole to an antenna in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 7a A schematic diagram of a 2*2 rotating feed electron array provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 7b A schematic diagram of the feeding phase of the RHCP of the first frequency band radiation unit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 7c A schematic diagram of the feeding phase of the second frequency band radiation unit LHCP provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 8 The in-band axial ratio of the 2*2 rotating feed electron array provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 9a A schematic diagram of the phase configuration of a 1*3 rotating feed subarray provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 9b A schematic diagram of the feeding phase of the RHCP of the first frequency band radiation unit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Fig.9c A schematic diagram of the feeding phase of the second frequency band radiation unit LHCP provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a 4*8 array provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Fig.11 The first frequency band 4*8 array scanning beam @phi=90° provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Fig.12 The first frequency band 4*8 array scanning beam axis ratio @phi=90° provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Fig.13 The second frequency band 4*8 array scanning beam axis ratio @phi=90° provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Fig.14 The second frequency band 4*8 array scanning beam axis ratio @phi=90° provided in the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments. The following embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention in any form. It should be noted that, for those of ordinary skill in the art, several changes and improvements can also be made without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0053] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a broadband dual-band dual-circular polarization common aperture antenna, including a first frequency band radiation unit 10, a second frequency band radiation unit 20, a first frequency band feed part 30, and a second frequency band feed part 40. The first frequency band radiation unit 10 includes two radiators 101 and 102, which are stacked in the vertical direction. The two radiators have similar resonant frequencies and radiate together through coupling excitation to widen the antenna bandwidth. Similarly, the second frequency band radiation unit 20 includes two radiators 201 and 202, which are stacked in the vertical direction to widen the bandwidth. The first frequency band unit 10 is a low-frequency radiation unit, and the second frequency band radiation unit 20 is a high-frequency radiation unit. The center of the first frequency band radiation unit 10 (low frequency) is hollowed out, so that the second frequency band radiation unit 20 is completely nested in the first frequency band radiation unit, and the first frequency band radiation unit 10 and the second frequency band radiation unit 20 nested in the center thereof do not block each other, thereby minimizing the mutual influence of the two frequency band units on radiation and increasing isolation. Here, the high frequency unit is nested in the low frequency unit, and the physical size difference between the high frequency and the low frequency can be used to realize the respective frequency radiation characteristics. Because the first frequency band radiation unit 10 and the second frequency band radiation unit 20 nested in the center do not block each other in terms of physical aperture, the multiple radiators of the first and second frequency band radiation units can be cross-stacked in the vertical dimension as needed, such as Figure 2As shown, from top to bottom, they are the second radiator 102 of the first frequency band radiation unit 10, the second radiator 202 of the second frequency band radiation unit 20, the first radiator 101 of the first frequency band radiation unit 10, and the first radiator 201 of the second frequency band radiation unit 20. The reference grounds of the first frequency band radiation unit 10 and the second frequency band radiation unit 20 are both 50. Compared with the traditional solution of completely stacking the high frequency unit on top of the low frequency unit and using the low frequency radiator as the reflection ground of the high frequency radiator, this design greatly reduces the design height, material cost and processing difficulty, while reducing the impact of high and low frequency polarization. In order to better realize that the radiation unit radiators of the two frequency bands can resonate at the corresponding working frequency when nested, and can not block each other. In addition to utilizing the size difference between the high and low frequencies themselves, the size of the high and low frequency radiation unit radiators can also be adjusted by utilizing the difference in dielectric constant DK of the medium used in different dielectric layers. As shown Figure 2 When the dielectric constant of the medium 602 is increased, the first radiator 201 of the second frequency band radiating unit 20 located above 602 is most affected, and the resonant size of 201 will be reduced. When the dielectric constant of the medium 605 is reduced, the second radiator 202 of the first frequency band radiating unit 10 located above 605 is most affected, and the resonant size of 201 will be increased.

[0054] Generally, circular polarization can be achieved by double feeding points and superimposing a ±90° phase difference. However, this method requires the use of a coupler, which will increase additional losses and costs. Here, the first-band radiation unit 10 and the second-band radiation unit 20 introduce asymmetry by cutting the angles at the diagonal positions of the radiator, and excite two orthogonal modes to achieve circular polarization radiation. Asymmetry can also be introduced by adding asymmetric structures or parasitic units on the surface or edge of the radiator, introducing cracks or gaps, etc., such as Figure 3 As shown, these methods can be used alone or in combination. The first / second frequency band radiating unit can independently control the introduced asymmetric structure to achieve different circular polarization characteristics. This can effectively achieve the independence of dual-band polarization, so that in the common aperture unit, the signals of the first frequency band radiating unit and the second frequency band radiating unit are not only distinguished in frequency, but also isolated from each other in polarization characteristics, thereby reducing mutual interference.

[0055] In order to reduce the complexity of the system, the first frequency band radiation unit 10 and the second frequency band radiation unit 20 are fed separately, and are fed by the first frequency band feeding part 30 and the second feeding part 40 respectively. The first frequency band feeding part 30 includes a feeding probe 301 and a coupling part 302, and the feeding probe 301 is electrically connected to the coupling part 302. The bottom of the feeding probe 301 is connected to the T / R chip or the feeding network, and the coupling part 302 excites the first frequency band radiation unit 10 to radiate by coupling excitation. Effective excitation and impedance matching are achieved by adjusting the shape and size of the coupling part. Similarly, the second frequency band feeding part 40 is configured in the same way. The feeding parts 30 and 40 are located below the radiation unit.

[0056] The radiation characteristics of the first frequency band radiation unit at 18.6 GHz are as follows Figure 4a and Figure 4b As shown in the figure, it can be seen that the radiation unit in the first frequency band is right-hand circularly polarized and has a good axial ratio in space. The radiation characteristics of the radiation unit in the second frequency band at 28.7 GHz are shown in the figure below. Figure 5a and Figure 5b As shown, it can be seen that its first frequency band radiation unit is left-hand circular polarization and has a good axial ratio in space.

[0057] The antenna can be realized in one piece based on PCB technology through multi-layer board or high-density board technology, or it can be split into several simple PCBs for assembly. For example, 604 is made of a near-air medium, and thickness control is achieved using foam or structural support members, and a multi-layer board with many layers and difficult processing is split into two pieces, the upper half and the lower half, separated by 604. It can also be assembled using PCB technology combined with plastic printing technology or PCB technology combined with soft board technology. For example, the radiator pattern of 202,102 is made on the corresponding plastic bracket using silver paste printing technology or plastic metallization technology, or the radiator pattern is made using FPC soft board technology, and then fixed and assembled using auxiliary structures such as foam or brackets. These methods all help to reduce costs.

[0058] When used in an array, in order to increase the isolation of the array units and reduce the impact of coupling, some shielding structures or decoupling structures can also be considered around the antenna units, such as Figure 6 Shown with shielding holes added.

[0059] Example 2

[0060] A broadband dual-frequency dual-circularly polarized co-aperture antenna array uses the antenna unit as described in claim 1 as an array element. On the basis of unit circular polarization, at the sub-array level, rotary feeding is superimposed to further broaden the axial ratio bandwidth of the antenna array and improve its scanning axis ratio. The sequential rotary feeding technology uses the rotation of the radiating unit and the sequential rotary phase feeding to achieve circular polarization. The implementation method is simple and can effectively improve the antenna's bandwidth, gain, polarization purity, radiation symmetry and other performance without additional cost. Figure 7a As shown, taking a 2*2 subarray as an example, the four array elements are rotated 90° in sequence. Figure 7b and Figure 7c The reverse phase difference configuration required by the first frequency band radiating unit and the second frequency band radiating unit due to different circular polarization directions is given.

[0061] from Figure 8 It can be clearly seen from the sub-array axial ratio that after rotational feeding, the sub-array maintains good axial ratio characteristics in the entire first and second radiation bands.

[0062] Three array elements can also be used for rotating feeding, such as Figure 9a As shown, the three array elements rotate 120° in sequence. Figure 9b and Fig.9c The reverse phase difference configuration required by the first frequency band radiating unit and the second frequency band radiating unit due to different circular polarization directions is given.

[0063] Fig.10 It is a 4*8 broadband dual-frequency dual-circular polarization co-aperture antenna array, with a superimposed rotating feed setting at the 2*2 subarray level. Table 1 gives the initial phase configuration of the unit for right-hand circular polarization in the first frequency band. Taking the phi=90° dimension as an example, beam scanning is performed.

[0064] Table 1 Initial phase configuration of RHCP unit in the first frequency band

[0065] 0° 90° 0° 90° 0° 90° 0° 90° 270° 180° 270° 180° 270° 180° 270° 180° 0° 90° 0° 90° 0° 90° 0° 90° 270° 180° 270° 180° 270° 180° 270° 180°

[0066] Fig.10 and Fig.11 The scanning beam pattern and the axial ratio of the scanning beam in the first frequency band are given respectively.

[0067] Table 2 gives the initial phase configuration of the unit for left-hand circular polarization in the second frequency band. Taking the dimension of phi=90° as an example, beam scanning is performed.

[0068] Table 2 Initial phase configuration of LHCP unit in the second frequency band

[0069]

[0070]

[0071] Fig.12 and 13 The figure shows the second frequency band scanning beam pattern and the axial ratio of the scanning beam. It can be seen that the broadband dual-frequency dual-circular polarization co-aperture antenna array can realize large-angle beam scanning of two different circular polarizations in the dual frequency bands.

[0072] The invention concept is described in detail using specific examples herein, and the description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the core idea of ​​the invention. It should be pointed out that any obvious modification, equivalent substitution or other improvement made by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the invention concept should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0073] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present application after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. The present application is intended to cover any modification, use or adaptation of the present application, which follows the general principles of the present application and includes common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed in the present application. The specification and examples are considered to be exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the present application are indicated by the above-mentioned claims.

[0074] It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the precise structures that have been described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present application is limited only by the appended claims.

[0075] It should be understood that the "plurality" mentioned in this article refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0076] A person skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps to implement the above embodiments may be accomplished by hardware or by instructing related hardware through a program, and the program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the above-mentioned storage medium may be a read-only memory, a disk or an optical disk, etc.

[0077] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A broadband dual-frequency dual-circular polarization common aperture antenna, characterized in that: It includes a first frequency band radiation unit and a second frequency band radiation unit; The first frequency band radiation unit is a low frequency radiation unit, comprising at least one first radiator, and the at least one first radiator is stacked in a vertical dimension; The second frequency band radiation unit is a high frequency radiation unit, comprising at least one second radiator, and the at least one second radiator is stacked in a vertical dimension; The second frequency band radiation unit is nested in the first frequency band radiation unit; The radiators of the first-band radiating unit and the second-band radiating unit are stacked in sequence in the vertical dimension.

2. The antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radiators of the first frequency band radiating unit and the second frequency band radiating unit are respectively composed of at least n radiators, where n is an integer and n≥2; Each radiator excites two orthogonal modes by introducing an asymmetric structure to achieve circularly polarized radiation; The first frequency band radiating unit and the second frequency band radiating unit can independently control the introduced asymmetric structure to achieve different circular polarization characteristics.

3. The antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that: The asymmetric structure includes cutting corners at diagonal positions of the radiator, adding an asymmetric structure or parasitic unit on the surface or edge of the radiator, and introducing one or more structures into cracks or gaps.

4. The antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second frequency band radiation unit is nested in the center of the first frequency band radiation unit; The center of the first frequency band radiation unit is hollowed out, so that the first frequency band radiation unit and the second frequency band radiation unit embedded in the center thereof do not block each other.

5. The antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radiators of the first frequency band radiating unit and the second frequency band radiating unit are cross-stacked in a vertical direction to broaden the working bandwidth of the antenna.

6. The antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first frequency band feed portion and the second frequency band feed portion are located below their respective radiation units; Each feeding part includes a feeding probe and a coupling part. The bottom of the feeding probe is connected to the T / R chip or the feeding network. The feeding probe is electrically connected to the coupling part. The coupling part is used to couple the excitation radiator to radiate and adjust the impedance matching.

7. A broadband dual-frequency dual-circular polarization common aperture antenna array, characterized in that: Adopting the antenna unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 as an array element; On the basis of unit circular polarization, rotating feeding is superimposed at the subarray level to further broaden the axial ratio bandwidth of the antenna array.

8. An electronic device, characterized in that: Comprising the antenna or array as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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