Switching beam scanning antenna device and implementation method

Abstract

The invention provides a switch switching beam scanning antenna device comprising a microstrip array antenna which comprises four antenna units distributed in a 2 * 2 array and is used for receiving satellite signals; the antenna feed network comprises four feeder lines with different lengths, and the four feeder lines are connected to the four antenna units through a switch array; the radio frequency transceiving unit is connected to the four feeder lines; and the central processing unit is used for controlling the state of the switch array according to the signal intensity information so as to distribute the feeder lines connected with the four antenna units, so that the relative phases among the four antenna units are changed. The invention also provides a corresponding switching beam scanning antenna method. On the premise that the cost of an existing device is not increased, a reliable scheme for switching the fixed antenna beams is provided, the feed network setting with the best communication effect can be selected, the maximum gain direction of the fixed antenna terminal beams dynamically follows a satellite, and the communication effect when the satellite is located at a low pitch angle is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a technical field related to satellite terminal communications, and more particularly to a switch beam scanning antenna device and an implementation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] When a traditional ground terminal antenna communicates with an orbiting satellite, except for geostationary satellites, other satellites such as low earth orbit satellites and medium earth orbit satellites change their azimuth and elevation angles relative to the terminal antenna in real time when they pass relative to the ground terminal antenna. Since the maximum gain radiation direction of a fixed antenna is also fixed, when the azimuth and elevation angles of the satellite relative to the terminal device are not in the maximum gain radiation direction of the antenna, there is a problem of poor communication performance.

[0003] On the one hand, because the antenna is fixed and cannot automatically change the beam according to the angle of the satellite, for some satellites, the relative azimuth and elevation angles must be within the receiving angle range before the terminal can communicate with the satellite with quality. For example, for a terminal whose maximum gain direction points to the sky directly above the fixed antenna, when the satellite passes at a low elevation angle, the terminal antenna gain performance decreases, the satellite is farther away from the terminal, and the space link loss is greater. The combined effect results in reduced communication between the terminal and the satellite, or even disconnection, when the satellite passes at a low elevation angle, affecting the communication duration and amount of communication data between the terminal and the satellite.

[0004] On the other hand, some existing technologies use multiple phase shifters to adjust the beam, which requires calculation of initial parameters. When complex beam control is not required, the economic effect of the configuration is poor.

[0005] Therefore, in order to address the problem that fixed antenna terminals cannot automatically change beams, how to provide a reliable solution for switching fixed antenna beams without increasing the cost of existing equipment, select the feeding network setting with the best communication effect, and make the maximum gain direction of the fixed antenna terminal beam dynamically follow the satellite, thereby improving the communication effect when the satellite is at a low elevation angle, is a technical problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of the above problems in the prior art, the present application provides a switch beam scanning antenna device and an implementation method, so as to provide a reliable solution for switching fixed antenna beams without increasing the cost of existing devices. The feeding network setting with the best communication effect can be selected so that the maximum gain direction of the fixed antenna terminal beam dynamically follows the satellite, thereby improving the communication effect when the satellite is at a low elevation angle.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the first aspect of the present application provides a switch-switching beam scanning antenna device, comprising:

[0008] A microstrip array antenna having an antenna unit for receiving satellite analog signals;

[0009] An antenna feeding network, connected to the microstrip array antenna, for distributing power and adjusting the feeder length of the antenna unit through a switch according to a control signal;

[0010] A radio frequency transceiver unit, connected to the antenna feed network, for converting the satellite analog signal into a digital signal;

[0011] The central processing unit is used to receive the digital signal and output the control signal according to the signal strength of the digital signal.

[0012] From the above, the received satellite signals are analyzed by the central processing unit, and the switches in the antenna feeding network are controlled to adjust the feeder length of the antenna unit. On the one hand, the direction of the transit satellite can be tracked, so that the maximum gain radiation direction of the microstrip array antenna is always toward the direction of the satellite, thereby improving the communication effect when the satellite is at a low elevation angle; on the other hand, the combination of switches and feeders can control the cost of the device, increase the reliability and convenience of the device, and the logic is simple, without the need for additional calculations.

[0013] As a possible implementation of the first aspect, the microstrip array antenna includes: a dielectric substrate, and four rectangularly arranged antenna units located on the surface of the dielectric substrate; each antenna unit adopts a rectangular radiating microstrip patch, and the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the rectangular radiating microstrip patch adopt a cut-corner design and have a feeding point.

[0014] From the above, the beam state formed by the rectangularly arranged antenna units is relatively regular, which can cover the satellite transit angle while retaining the simple beam forming logic; the cut-angle design is used to enhance the circular polarization effect.

[0015] As a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the antenna feeding network includes:

[0016] A one-to-four power distributor has four ports connected to a first feeder, a second feeder, a third feeder, and a fourth feeder respectively;

[0017] The switch comprises a double-pole double-throw switch, double-pole double-throw switch 1, double-pole double-throw switch 2, double-pole double-throw switch 3, and double-pole double-throw switch 4, each of which has input ports 1 and 2 and output ports 3 and 4;

[0018] The first feeder is connected to the input port 2 of the double-pole double-throw switch 1, the second feeder is connected to the input port 1 of the double-pole double-throw switch 1, the third feeder is connected to the input port 1 of the double-pole double-throw switch 2, and the fourth feeder is connected to the input port 2 of the double-pole double-throw switch 2;

[0019] The output port 3 of the double-pole double-throw switch 1 is connected to the input port 1 of the double-pole double-throw switch 3, the output port 4 of the double-pole double-throw switch 1 is connected to the input port 1 of the double-pole double-throw switch 4, the output port 3 of the double-pole double-throw switch 2 is connected to the input port 2 of the double-pole double-throw switch 3, and the output port 4 of the double-pole double-throw switch 2 is connected to the input port 2 of the double-pole double-throw switch 4;

[0020] The output ports 3 and 4 of the double-pole double-throw switch 3 and the output ports 3 and 4 of the double-pole double-throw switch 4 are respectively connected to the feeding points of the antenna unit;

[0021] When the double-pole double-throw switch receives signal 0, the input port 1 is connected to the output port 3, and the input port 2 is connected to the output port 4; when the double-pole double-throw switch receives signal 1, the input port 1 is connected to the output port 4, and the input port 2 is connected to the output port 3.

[0022] From the above, four different feeder combination states can be formed through the antenna feeding network composed of a one-to-four power divider and a double-pole double-throw switch.

[0023] As a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the relationship between the line lengths of the first feeder, the second feeder, the third feeder, and the fourth feeder is obtained according to the following formula:

[0024]

[0025] Wherein, λ is the working frequency wavelength of the antenna, x is a preset parameter, The equivalent phase angle is θ; L1, L2, L3, and L4 are the line lengths of the first feeder, the second feeder, the third feeder, and the fourth feeder, respectively.

[0026] From the above, by setting the relationship between the feeder line lengths, the phase difference of the antenna units with different feeder line lengths is created.

[0027] As a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, it also includes a transfer unit Port1, which is located between the radio frequency transceiver unit and the antenna feeding network, and connects the radio frequency transceiver unit and the antenna feeding network.

[0028] From the above, a transfer unit is used to connect the antenna feed network and the RF transceiver unit to facilitate fault troubleshooting and system maintenance.

[0029] A second aspect of the present application provides a method for implementing a switch-switched beam scanning antenna, wherein the method can implement switching control of a beam angle through the switch-switched beam scanning antenna device according to any one of the first aspects, and comprises the following steps:

[0030] The antenna unit receives satellite signals and sends them to the RF transceiver unit through the switch array and feeder;

[0031] The radio frequency transceiver unit demodulates the satellite signal and obtains the signal strength; the radio frequency transceiver unit feeds back the signal strength to the central processing unit;

[0032] After analysis, the central processing unit sends a control signal to the switch array;

[0033] The switch array adjusts the maximum gain radiation direction of the microstrip array antenna according to the control signal.

[0034] From the above, the received satellite signals are analyzed by the central processing unit, and the switches in the antenna feeding network are controlled to adjust the feeder length of the antenna unit. On the one hand, the direction of the passing satellite can be tracked so that the maximum gain radiation direction of the microstrip array antenna is always toward the satellite direction; on the other hand, the combination of switches and feeders can control the device cost, increase the device reliability and convenience, and the logic is simple, without the need for additional calculations.

[0035] As a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the analysis includes:

[0036] The central processing unit compares the signal strengths under different receiving states of the antenna feed networks to obtain the antenna feed network state corresponding to the maximum signal strength;

[0037] The control signal is adjusted so that the antenna feeding network reaches an antenna feeding network state corresponding to when the signal strength is maximum.

[0038] From the above, the signal strength analysis and query under different states has relatively good mobility.

[0039] As a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the central processing unit performs the analysis at regular intervals T0.

[0040] From the above, the signal strength analysis and polling in different states are performed regularly, which has good mobility and is convenient for real-time tracking; at the same time, it is conducive to fault discovery.

[0041] As a possible implementation of the second aspect, the microstrip array antenna has four receiving states, and the maximum gain radiation direction of each receiving state points to one of the antenna units, including: the maximum gain radiation direction is the lower left corner, the maximum gain radiation direction is the lower right corner, the maximum gain radiation direction is the upper left corner, and the maximum gain radiation direction is the upper right corner; in the four receiving states, the phase differences of the antenna units are respectively

[0042] From the above, the maximum gain radiation of the four states covers four directions in the plane, and can cover more receiving angles on the plane.

[0043] A third aspect of the present application provides a computing device, comprising: a processor, and a memory, on which program instructions are stored, and when the program instructions are executed by the processor, the processor executes the switch beam scanning antenna method described in any one of the second aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of a switch-switched beam scanning antenna device provided in a first embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 1b is a flow chart of a method for implementing a switch-switched beam scanning antenna provided in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 2a is a flow chart of a method for implementing a switch-switched beam scanning antenna provided in the second embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 2b It is a schematic diagram of a traditional terminal antenna and satellite communication provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 2c It is a schematic diagram of the antenna array design scheme provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 2d It is a schematic diagram of the antenna feed network and communication link design provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 2e It is a schematic diagram of antenna radiation beams corresponding to different states of the antenna feeding network provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 2f This is a schematic diagram of the design of the traditional feeding network and communication link provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 2g This is a schematic diagram of the radiation beam of a conventional antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 2h It is a comparison diagram between the traditional solution provided in the embodiment of the present application and the present application;

[0054] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a computing device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0055] It should be understood that the size and shape of each block diagram in the above structural diagram are for reference only and should not constitute an exclusive interpretation of the embodiment of the present invention. The relative position and inclusion relationship between the blocks presented in the structural diagram are only schematic representations of the structural association between the blocks, and do not limit the physical connection method of the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The technical solution provided by the present application is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It should be understood that the system structure and business scenarios provided in the examples of the present application are mainly to illustrate the possible implementation methods of the technical solution of the present application and should not be interpreted as the only limitation on the technical solution of the present application. It is known to those of ordinary skill in the art that with the evolution of the system structure and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided by the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0057] It should be understood that the switch beam scanning antenna solution provided in the embodiments of the present application includes a device, an implementation method and a computing device. Since the principles of solving the problems in these technical solutions are the same or similar, some repetitive parts may not be repeated in the introduction of the following specific embodiments, but it should be regarded as that these specific embodiments have been referenced to each other and can be combined with each other.

[0058] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by technicians in the technical field of this application. In the event of any inconsistency, the meaning described in this specification or the meaning derived from the contents recorded in this specification shall prevail. In addition, the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. In order to accurately describe the technical content in this application and to accurately understand the present invention, the following explanations or definitions are given to the terms used in this specification before describing the specific embodiments:

[0059] 1) Microstrip Antenna Technology: Microstrip antenna technology is a modern antenna design technology that uses microstrip lines and patches as radiating elements. This antenna consists of a metal patch (radiator) and a metal ground plane below, separated by a layer of dielectric material, usually printed on a printed circuit board (PCB). Microstrip antennas are widely used because of their low profile, light weight, low cost and easy integration into electronic systems. They are particularly suitable for microwave and radio frequency applications, including wireless communications, radar and satellite communications. Due to their planar structure, microstrip antennas are also easy to mass produce and flexibly designed to meet specific frequency and polarization requirements.

[0060] The switch-switching beam scanning antenna scheme provided in the embodiment of the present application receives satellite analog signals through a microstrip array antenna and sends them to a radio frequency transceiver unit through an antenna feed network; the radio frequency transceiver unit converts the satellite analog signals of each antenna unit into digital signals and obtains the signal strength, and feeds it back to the central processing unit; after analysis, the central processing unit sends a control signal to the antenna feed network; the antenna feed network adjusts the maximum gain radiation direction of the microstrip array antenna according to the control signal. This method can provide a reliable solution for switching fixed antenna beams without increasing the cost of existing devices, and can select the feed network setting with the best communication effect, so that the maximum gain direction of the fixed antenna terminal beam dynamically follows the satellite, thereby improving the communication effect when the satellite is at a low pitch angle. The embodiment of the present application can be applied to the reception of signals from movable sources in the fields of ground satellite communication, mobile satellite communication, etc. The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0061] The first embodiment of the present application provides a switch-switching beam scanning antenna device and an implementation method. Figure 1a , specifically describing the purpose and implementation of the device, the switch-switching beam scanning antenna device of the embodiment of the present application includes:

[0062] A microstrip array antenna has antenna units for receiving satellite analog signals.

[0063] In some embodiments, the microstrip array antenna includes multiple antenna units, each antenna unit adopts a cut-angle microstrip circularly polarized antenna scheme; wherein the cut-angle design can bevel the edge of the microstrip antenna and can be set along the diagonal; the circularly polarized antenna scheme can also use two orthogonal patches so that their feeding points differ in phase by 90°.

[0064] In some embodiments, the microstrip array antenna includes: a dielectric substrate, four rectangularly arranged antenna units located on the surface of the dielectric substrate; each antenna unit uses a rectangular radiating microstrip patch, the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the rectangular radiating microstrip patch are cut-off and have a feeding point. The dielectric substrate can be made of PTFE, FR-4, etc.; the material of the radiating patch can be copper, gold, silver, etc.

[0065] In some embodiments, the satellite may include a geostationary satellite or other orbiting satellite, and the relative elevation angle and azimuth angle between the transit track of the satellite and the microstrip array antenna changes in real time.

[0066] The antenna feeding network is connected to the microstrip array antenna and is used to distribute power and adjust the feeder length of the antenna unit through a switch according to a control signal.

[0067] In some embodiments, the antenna feeding network includes: a one-to-four power divider having four ports connected to a first feeder, a second feeder, a third feeder, and a fourth feeder respectively; the switch including a double-pole double-throw switch, a double-pole double-throw switch 1, a double-pole double-throw switch 2, a double-pole double-throw switch 3, and a double-pole double-throw switch 4, each of the double-pole double-throw switches having an input port 1, an input port 2 and an output port 3, and an output port 4; the first feeder is connected to the input port 2 of the double-pole double-throw switch 1, the second feeder is connected to the input port 1 of the double-pole double-throw switch 1, the third feeder is connected to the input port 1 of the double-pole double-throw switch 2, and the fourth feeder is connected to the input port 2 of the double-pole double-throw switch 2; the output port 3 of the double-pole double-throw switch 1 is connected to the input port 2 of the double-pole double-throw switch 3 Port 1, the output port 4 of the double-pole double-throw switch 1 is connected to the input port 1 of the double-pole double-throw switch 4, the output port 3 of the double-pole double-throw switch 2 is connected to the input port 2 of the double-pole double-throw switch 3, and the output port 4 of the double-pole double-throw switch 2 is connected to the input port 2 of the double-pole double-throw switch 4; the output port 3 and the output port 4 of the double-pole double-throw switch 3 and the output ports 3 and 4 of the double-pole double-throw switch 4 are respectively connected to the feeding point of the antenna unit; wherein, when the double-pole double-throw switch receives a signal 0, the input port 1 is connected to the output port 3, and the input port 2 is connected to the output port 4; when the double-pole double-throw switch receives a signal 1, the input port 1 is connected to the output port 4, and the input port 2 is connected to the output port 3.

[0068] In some embodiments, the antenna feed network can be formed by using switches such as single-pole single-throw switches, single-pole multi-throw switches, multi-pole single-throw switches, multi-pole multi-throw switches, electronic switches, and digitally controlled switches. Among them, the antenna feed network can adjust the feed line length of each antenna unit according to the control signal; the line length relationship between the feed line lengths can cause the antenna unit to produce a phase difference during propagation, so that the antenna unit has inconsistent receiving capabilities at different angles, thereby forming a microstrip array antenna beam with the maximum gain radiation direction pointing to different angles.

[0069] In some embodiments, the length relationship of the first feeder, the second feeder, the third feeder, and the fourth feeder is obtained according to the following formula:

[0070]

[0071] Wherein, λ is the working frequency wavelength of the antenna, x is a preset parameter, The equivalent phase angle is θ, The x value can be 4, then the phase angle θ is 90°, that is, L1, L2, L3, L4 are the line lengths of the first feeder, the second feeder, the third feeder, and the fourth feeder respectively.

[0072] A radio frequency transceiver unit is connected to the antenna feeding network and is used to convert the satellite analog signal into a digital signal.

[0073] In some embodiments, the RF transceiver unit may include a RF wireless transceiver, and the RF transceiver unit may be a device unit that can process satellite analog signals.

[0074] In some embodiments, a transfer unit Port1 is further included, which is located between the RF transceiver unit and the antenna feeding network and connects the RF transceiver unit and the antenna feeding network.

[0075] In some embodiments, after receiving the satellite electromagnetic wave, the RF transceiver unit sends the signal to the central processing unit through operations such as amplification, filtering, baseband frequency conversion, digital-to-analog conversion, and analysis; conversely, when transmitting the signal, the signal undergoes digital-to-analog conversion, baseband frequency conversion, filtering, amplification, and other operations in the RF transceiver unit and then is sent to the satellite.

[0076] In some embodiments, other RF link units are also included; the antenna feed network and the other RF link units are connected through the transfer unit Port1, and the other RF link units are connected to the RF transceiver unit. The transfer unit Port1 has a front port and a rear port, the front port is connected to the other RF link units, and the rear port is connected to the antenna feed network. The other RF link units may include other RF power amplifiers and low noise amplifiers.

[0077] The central processing unit is used to receive the digital signal and output the control signal according to the signal strength of the digital signal.

[0078] In some embodiments, the central processing unit can be connected to the RF transceiver unit and the controlled switch element in a wireless or wired manner to receive the digital signal and its signal strength transmitted by the RF transceiver unit and send control signals and other operations.

[0079] The embodiment of the present application also provides a method for implementing a switch-switching beam scanning antenna. Figure 1b , the implementation method of each step is specifically described, including steps S10-S40.

[0080] S10: The antenna unit receives the satellite signal and sends it to the RF transceiver unit through the switch array and feeder.

[0081] In some embodiments, the microstrip array antenna transmits the satellite analog signal into the antenna feeding network through the feeding point of each antenna unit. The satellite analog signal then passes through the transfer unit Port1 and is transmitted to the RF transceiver unit.

[0082] S20: The RF transceiver unit demodulates the satellite signal and obtains signal strength; the RF transceiver unit feeds back the signal strength to the central processing unit.

[0083] In some embodiments, the RF transceiver unit receives the satellite analog signal from each antenna unit, and converts it into a digital signal that can be processed by electronic equipment through operations such as signal amplification, frequency conversion, filtering, modulation and demodulation, and finally obtains the strength of the digital signal.

[0084] In some embodiments, the radio frequency transceiver unit feeds back the digital signal and signal strength to the central processing unit. The feedback information may also include other signal information such as signal quality, signal-to-noise ratio, etc.

[0085] S30: After analysis, the central processing unit sends a control signal to the switch array.

[0086] In some embodiments, the microstrip array antenna has four receiving states, and the maximum gain radiation direction of each receiving state points to one of the antenna units, corresponding to four states of the switch array of the antenna feed network, including: the maximum gain radiation direction is the lower left corner, the maximum gain radiation direction is the lower right corner, the maximum gain radiation direction is the upper left corner, and the maximum gain radiation direction is the upper right corner; in the four receiving states, the phase differences of the antenna units are respectively

[0087] In some embodiments, the central processing unit compares the signal strengths under different receiving states of the antenna feed networks to obtain the antenna feed network state corresponding to the maximum signal strength; and adjusts the control signal so that the antenna feed network reaches the antenna feed network state corresponding to the maximum signal strength.

[0088] In some embodiments, the central processing unit analyzes the signal strength at a certain interval T0. For example, at a certain interval T0, the signal strengths obtained from the four states are queried in turn, the state with the largest signal strength is selected, and the corresponding maximum gain radiation direction and the phase difference of the antenna unit are determined. For example, the maximum gain radiation direction of the antenna unit is the lower left corner, and the phase difference of the antenna unit is [-2θ, -θ, -θ, 0]. In order to control the antenna feeding network, a low level signal 0 is sent to the double-pole double-throw double-pole double-throw switch 1, a high level signal 1 is sent to the double-pole double-throw double-pole double-throw switch 2, a high level signal 1 is sent to the double-pole double-throw double-pole double-throw switch 3, and a high level signal 1 is sent to the double-pole double-throw double-throw double-pole double-throw switch 4.

[0089] In some embodiments, the central processing unit sends a control signal to the antenna feed network according to the analysis result. The control signal can be sent to each switch element to be controlled, such as the central processing unit sends a switch control signal 1 to double-pole double-throw switch 1, sends a switch control signal 2 to double-pole double-throw switch 2, sends a switch control signal 3 to double-pole double-throw switch 3, and sends a switch control signal 4 to double-pole double-throw switch 4 through a modem.

[0090] S40: The switch array adjusts the maximum gain radiation direction of the microstrip array antenna according to the control signal.

[0091] In some embodiments, the feeder length of the antenna unit is controlled by a switch, thereby controlling the phase difference between the antenna units, so that the maximum gain radiation direction of the microstrip array antenna composed of the antenna units changes. For example, when the central processing unit determines that the maximum gain direction of the entire array of microstrip antennas is the lower left corner, and sends a control signal including: sending a low level signal 0 to double-pole double-throw double-pole double-throw switch 1, sending a high level signal 1 to double-pole double-throw double-pole double-throw switch 2, sending a high level signal 1 to double-pole double-throw double-pole double-throw switch 3, and sending a high level signal 1 to double-pole double-throw double-throw switch 4. The control signal makes the input port 1 and output port 3 of the double-pole double-throw switch 1 conductive, and the input port 2 and output port 4 conductive; the input port 1 and output port 4 of the double-pole double-throw switch 2, the double-pole double-throw switch 3, and the double-pole double-throw switch 4 conductive, and the input port 2 and output port 3 conductive. Thus, the feeder length of antenna unit 1 (lower left corner) is controlled to be L4, the feeder length of antenna unit 2 (lower right corner) is controlled to be L2, the feeder length of antenna unit 3 (upper left corner) is controlled to be L3, and the feeder length of antenna unit 4 (upper right corner) is controlled to be L1. If the phase of antenna unit 4 is 0, the difference in feeder length between antenna unit 1 and antenna unit 4 is The corresponding phase difference is -2θ; then the feeder length difference between antenna units 2, 3 and antenna unit 4 is The corresponding phase difference is -θ, which makes the maximum gain radiation direction of the microstrip antenna array point to the lower left corner, completing the adjustment.

[0092] The second embodiment of the present application provides a switch-switching beam scanning antenna solution. Figure 2a The method provided by the second embodiment includes the following steps S200-S230.

[0093] S200: The microstrip array antenna receives the satellite analog signal and sends it to the RF transceiver.

[0094] like Figure 2b The figure shows a traditional ground terminal antenna and satellite communication solution, where the maximum gain direction of the terminal antenna points to the sky directly above the head. When the satellite begins to pass at a low elevation angle relative to the ground terminal antenna, the terminal antenna beam pattern gain is poor, and the communication performance with the satellite is poor, affecting the communication effect; only when the satellite passes to a certain high angle can the terminal communicate well with the satellite.

[0095] Therefore, the present application proposes a method for implementing a switch-switched beam scanning antenna, designing the terminal antenna as an antenna solution connected to an intelligent switch-switched feeding network, and realizing a terminal antenna solution with switchable maximum gain pattern of the terminal antenna. Real-time identification of the communication effect between the terminal antenna and the satellite, and selection of the terminal antenna switch-switched feeding network solution with the best communication effect for communication. Especially when the satellite passes by at a low elevation angle, the adjustable antenna maximum gain radiation direction is switched to point to the direction of the satellite at a low elevation angle, thereby improving the communication effect between the terminal and the satellite, thereby increasing the communication time between the terminal and the satellite and the amount of communication data between the satellite and the terminal in one pass.

[0096] like Figure 2c The terminal antenna scheme of the embodiment of the present application is a 2×2 four-unit microstrip array antenna, and each antenna unit adopts a cut-angle microstrip circularly polarized antenna design. The antenna units are ANT1 (antenna 1), ANT2 (antenna 2), ANT3 (antenna 3), and ANT4 (antenna 4) in sequence as shown in the figure.

[0097] Set the feeding points of antennas ANT1, ANT2, ANT3, and ANT4 as follows: Figure 2d The circuit diagram is connected to the antenna feeding network; the antenna feeding network is connected to the transfer unit Port1, and the front end of Port1 is connected to the RF transceiver communication system after passing through other RF power amplifiers and low noise amplifiers and other links.

[0098] When the microstrip array antenna receives the analog signal from the satellite, it can be transmitted to the RF transceiver through the above-mentioned path.

[0099] S210: Every T0 time, the antenna feed network switches the switch state, and the RF transceiver converts the satellite analog signal into a digital signal and feeds back the digital signal strength to the CPU.

[0100] The embodiment of the present application provides an antenna feeding network that can realize four receiving states of microstrip array antennas, such as Figure 2e As shown, including:

[0101] a. State 1, the maximum gain radiation direction points to the lower left corner;

[0102] b. State 2, the maximum gain radiation direction points to the lower right corner;

[0103] c. State 3, the maximum gain radiation direction points to the upper left corner;

[0104] d. State 4, the maximum gain radiation direction points to the upper right corner.

[0105] The antenna feeding network capable of switching between four states proposed in an embodiment of the present application is described below.

[0106] like Figure 2d As shown, the antenna feeding network proposed in the embodiment of the present application includes a one-to-four power distributor and four double-pole double-throw switches, namely DPDT1, DPDT2, DPDT3, and DPDT4, each of which has two input ports and two output ports.

[0107] The four ports of the power divider are connected to the feeder lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 respectively, and the relationship between their line lengths is shown in the following formula:

[0108]

[0109] Wherein, λ is the working frequency wavelength of the antenna;

[0110] x is a preset parameter, which can be adjusted according to the beam angle required by the microstrip array antenna. Here, x=4 is selected, i.e., the length difference is 1 / 4 of the wavelength;

[0111] The equivalent phase angle is θ, When x=4, θ is equal to 90°.

[0112] Feed lines L1 and L2 from the power divider are connected to DPDT1 input ports 1 and 2, and L3 and L4 are connected to DPDT2 input ports 1 and 2. DPDT1 output port 3 and DPDT2 output port 3 are connected to DPDT3 input ports 1 and 2; DPDT1 output port 4 and DPDT2 output port 4 are connected to DPDT4 input ports 1 and 2. DPDT3 output ports 3 and 4 are connected to ANT1 and ANT2, respectively, and DPDT4 output ports 3 and 4 are connected to ANT3 and ANT4, respectively.

[0113] The double-pole double-throw switch follows that when the received control signal is 0 (low level), input port 1 and output port 3 are connected, and input port 2 and output port 4 are connected; when the received control signal is 1 (high level), input port 1 and output port 4 are connected, and input port 2 and output port 3 are connected.

[0114] The antenna feed network described above can form the four receiving states 1, 2, 3, and 4 according to the control signal, as shown in Table 1 below. Specifically,

[0115] a. State 1, when the switch control signals of DPDT1 / 2 / 3 / 4 are 0 / 1 / 1 / 1 respectively, ANT1 is connected to L4 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of -2θ lag, ANT2 is connected to L2 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of -θ lag, ANT3 is connected to L3 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of -θ lag, ANT4 is connected to L1 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of 0, and the maximum gain radiation pattern is as follows Figure 2e Shown is in the lower left corner.

[0116] b. State 2, when the switch control signals of DPDT1 / 2 / 3 / 4 are 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 respectively, ANT1 is connected to L2 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of -θ lag, ANT2 is connected to L4 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of -2θ lag, ANT3 is connected to L1 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of 0 lag, ANT4 is connected to L3 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of -θ, and the maximum gain radiation pattern is as follows Figure 2e Shown is in the lower right corner.

[0117] c. State 3, when the switch control signals of DPDT1 / 2 / 3 / 4 are 1 / 0 / 1 / 1 respectively, ANT1 is connected to L3 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of -θ lag, ANT2 is connected to L1 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of 0 lag, ANT3 is connected to L4 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of -2θ lag, ANT4 is connected to L2 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of -θ, and the maximum gain radiation pattern is as follows Figure 2e Shown is in the upper left corner.

[0118] d. State 4, when the switch control signals of DPDT1 / 2 / 3 / 4 are 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 respectively, ANT1 is connected to L1 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of 0 lag, ANT2 is connected to L3 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of -θ lag, ANT3 is connected to L2 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of -θ lag, ANT4 is connected to L4 through the DPDT switch with a phase difference of -2θ, and the maximum gain radiation pattern is as follows Figure 2e Shown is in the upper right corner.

[0119] Table 1 The phase difference of each antenna unit corresponding to the switching state and the maximum gain radiation direction of the antenna

[0120]

[0121]

[0122] During operation, the switch states 1, 2, 3, and 4 are switched in turn every T0 time, for example, every 5 seconds. Figure 2d As shown, the RF transceiver analyzes the satellite analog signal, converts it into a digital signal, and then feeds back the digital signal strength RSSI1, RSSI2, RSSI3, and RSSI4 to the central processing unit CPU.

[0123] S220: The CPU compares the digital signal strengths in the four states and sends control signals to the four double-pole double-throw switches according to the results.

[0124] The central processing unit CPU obtains the signal strength RSSI1, RSSI2, RSSI3, and RSSI4 respectively, which are analyzed by the radio frequency wireless transceiver after the terminal antenna receives the real-time electromagnetic wave signal of the satellite passing. The greater the RSSI signal strength, the greater the power of the satellite signal received by the terminal antenna, that is, the better the communication effect. The CPU compares and determines the antenna receiving satellite signal strength RSSI1, RSSI2, RSSI3, and RSSI4, selects the largest RSSI corresponding to the antenna control switch switching state, and locks the state.

[0125] like Figure 2d As shown, the control ports 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 of the CPU send switch switching control signals of the locked state to DPDT1, DPDT2, DPDT3 and DPDT4 respectively.

[0126] In actual applications, when the satellite transit orbit passes through the lower left corner of the microstrip array antenna, the gain performance of state 1 is higher than that of states 2, 3 and 4 in the lower left corner beam direction. The satellite signal strength RSSI1 analyzed by the RF wireless transceiver is also greater. The CPU controls the antenna feed network to work by locking state 1, and the communication performance is better.

[0127] The purpose of performing S210 and S220 at regular intervals of time T0, such as once every 5 seconds, is to ensure that when the satellite passes through other angles, the terminal antenna can identify and determine the received satellite signal strength RSSI 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 in real time, and correspondingly switch the switch state to the state of optimal communication with the satellite and lock it. Ensure that the terminal antenna always communicates in the antenna receiving state with the maximum gain radiation direction pointing to the satellite, thereby improving the communication effect between the ground terminal and the satellite.

[0128] S230: The feed line length is adjusted through four double-pole double-throw switches, thereby adjusting the maximum gain radiation direction of the microstrip array antenna.

[0129] like Figure 2e As shown, if the maximum gain radiation direction of the microstrip array antenna is expected to be state 1, the switch control signal sent by the CPU, 0 / 1 / 1 / 1, makes ANT1 in the receiving phase of maximum gain, ANT4 receiving phase should be in the opposite phase to ANT1, and ANT2 and ANT3 are in the middle phase. That is, ANT1 is connected to L4, the phase difference lags 180°, that is, -2θ; ANT2 is connected to L2, the phase difference lags 90°, that is, -θ; ANT3 is connected to L3, the phase difference also lags 90°, that is, -θ; ANT4 is connected to L1, and the phase difference is 0.

[0130] The switch-switched beam scanning antenna solution of the embodiment of the present application is combined with Figure 2f Compared with the traditional fixed antenna solution shown in FIG. Figure 2c The same, the length of the wires connected to the four antenna units are equal, and the phases of the four antenna units are the same. Therefore, the maximum gain radiation direction of the traditional fixed antenna solution has only one, that is, Figure 2g The beam pattern shown is pointing straight up into the sky.

[0131] The model was built using 3D antenna simulation software for analysis. When the azimuth angle of the satellite transit relative to the terminal antenna is 45°, Figure 2h The antenna gain effect of the conventional fixed antenna solution and the state 1 solution of the embodiment of the present application is compared when the elevation angle of the satellite relative to the terminal antenna is ±90°. The gain effect of the terminal antenna pointing to the ground is not used.

[0132] The results show that the antenna gain performance of the embodiment of the present application can be improved by about 8dB, and the communication performance of the embodiment of the present application will also be better when the satellite passes through a low pitch angle. When the satellite passes through a high pitch angle, although the gain of the embodiment of the present application is sacrificed compared with the traditional solution, the distance between the satellite and the terminal is closer when the satellite passes through the high pitch angle, and the space link loss is smaller. Therefore, even if the terminal antenna gain is sacrificed, the link communication performance is sufficient.

[0133] Figure 3 900 is a schematic structural diagram of a computing device 900 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The computing device can execute each optional embodiment of the above method, and the computing device can be a terminal, or a chip or chip system inside the terminal. Figure 3 As shown, the computing device 900 includes: a processor 910 , a memory 920 , and a communication interface 930 .

[0134] It should be understood that Figure 3 The communication interface 930 in the computing device 900 shown may be used to communicate with other devices, and may specifically include one or more transceiver circuits or interface circuits.

[0135] The processor 910 may be connected to a memory 920. The memory 920 may be used to store the program code and data. Therefore, the memory 920 may be a storage unit inside the processor 910, or an external storage unit independent of the processor 910, or a component including a storage unit inside the processor 910 and an external storage unit independent of the processor 910.

[0136] Optionally, the computing device 900 may further include a bus. The memory 920 and the communication interface 930 may be connected to the processor 910 via the bus. The bus may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 3 A line without an arrow is used to represent the bus, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0137] It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the processor 910 may adopt a central processing unit (CPU). The processor may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc. Alternatively, the processor 910 may adopt one or more integrated circuits to execute relevant programs to implement the technical solutions provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0138] The memory 920 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provides instructions and data to the processor 910. A portion of the processor 910 may also include a nonvolatile random access memory. For example, the processor 910 may also store information on the device type.

[0139] When the computing device 900 is running, the processor 910 executes the computer-executable instructions in the memory 920 to perform any operation step of the above method and any optional embodiment thereof.

[0140] It should be understood that the computing device 900 according to the embodiment of the present application can correspond to the corresponding subjects in the methods according to the embodiments of the present application, and the above-mentioned and other operations and / or functions of each module in the computing device 900 are respectively for realizing the corresponding processes of each method of the present embodiment, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0141] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0142] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0143] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0144] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0145] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0146] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or partly embodied in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0147] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored. When the program is executed by a processor, it is used to execute the above method, which includes at least one of the solutions described in the above embodiments.

[0148] The computer storage medium of the embodiment of the present application can adopt any combination of one or more computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be computer-readable signal media or computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable storage media can be, for example, but not limited to, electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, devices or devices, or any combination of the above. More specific examples (non-exhaustive lists) of computer-readable storage media include: electrical connections with one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memories (RAM), read-only memories (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination of the above. In this document, computer-readable storage media can be any tangible medium containing or storing programs, which can be used by instruction execution systems, devices or devices or used in combination with them.

[0149] Computer-readable signal media may include data signals propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, which carry computer-readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take a variety of forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination of the above. Computer-readable signal media may also be any computer-readable medium other than a computer-readable storage medium, which may send, propagate, or transmit a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0150] The program code embodied on the computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0151] Computer program code for performing the operation of the present application can be written in one or more programming languages ​​or a combination thereof, including object-oriented programming languages, such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as "C" language or similar programming languages. The program code can be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as an independent software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the case of a remote computer, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or can be connected to an external computer (e.g., using an Internet service provider to connect through the Internet).

[0152] In addition, the words "first, second, third, etc." or module A, module B, module C and other similar terms in the specification and claims are only used to distinguish similar objects and do not represent a specific ordering of the objects. It can be understood that the specific order or sequence can be interchanged where permitted so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein.

[0153] In the above description, the numbers representing the steps, such as S110, S120, etc., do not necessarily mean that the steps will be executed in this manner. If permitted, the order of the steps can be interchanged or they can be executed simultaneously.

[0154] The term "comprising" as used in the description and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to what is listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. Therefore, it should be interpreted as specifying the presence of the features, integers, steps or components mentioned, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components and groups thereof. Therefore, the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to a device consisting of components A and B only.

[0155] References to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" in this specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing in various places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but may refer to the same embodiment. In addition, in one or more embodiments, the particular features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any appropriate manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure.

[0156] Note that the above are only preferred embodiments of the present application and the technical principles used. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and that various obvious changes, readjustments and substitutions can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, although the present application is described in more detail through the above embodiments, the present application is not limited to the above embodiments, and may also include more other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present application, all of which belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A switch-switched beam scanning antenna device, characterized in that: include: Microstrip array antenna, including four antenna units distributed in a 2*2 array, for receiving satellite signals; An antenna feeding network, comprising four feed lines of different lengths, the four feed lines being connected to the four antenna units via a switch array; A radio frequency transceiver unit, connected to the four feeders, and used for demodulating the satellite signals transmitted through the feeders; The central processing unit is connected to the RF transceiver unit and the switch array, and is used to control the state of the switch array according to the signal strength information carried in the demodulated satellite signal to allocate the feeders connected to the four antenna units to change the relative phases between the four antenna units.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The microstrip array antenna comprises: a dielectric substrate, and four rectangularly arranged antenna units located on the surface of the dielectric substrate; each antenna unit adopts a rectangular radiating microstrip patch, the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the rectangular radiating microstrip patch adopt a cut-off design and have a feeding point.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The antenna feed network comprises: A one-to-four power distributor has four ports connected to a first feeder, a second feeder, a third feeder, and a fourth feeder respectively; The switch comprises a double-pole double-throw switch 1, a double-pole double-throw switch 2, a double-pole double-throw switch 3 and a double-pole double-throw switch 4, each of the double-pole double-throw switches having an input port 1, an input port 2 and an output port 3, an output port 4; The first feeder is connected to the input port 2 of the double-pole double-throw switch 1, the second feeder is connected to the input port 1 of the double-pole double-throw switch 1, the third feeder is connected to the input port 1 of the double-pole double-throw switch 2, and the fourth feeder is connected to the input port 2 of the double-pole double-throw switch 2; The output port 3 of the double-pole double-throw switch 1 is connected to the input port 1 of the double-pole double-throw switch 3, the output port 4 of the double-pole double-throw switch 1 is connected to the input port 1 of the double-pole double-throw switch 4, the output port 3 of the double-pole double-throw switch 2 is connected to the input port 2 of the double-pole double-throw switch 3, and the output port 4 of the double-pole double-throw switch 2 is connected to the input port 2 of the double-pole double-throw switch 4; The output ports 3 and 4 of the double-pole double-throw switch 3 and the output ports 3 and 4 of the double-pole double-throw switch 4 are respectively connected to the feeding point of the antenna unit; When the double-pole double-throw switch receives signal 0, the input port 1 is connected to the output port 3, and the input port 2 is connected to the output port 4; when the double-pole double-throw switch receives signal 1, the input port 1 is connected to the output port 4, and the input port 2 is connected to the output port 3.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that The relationship between the lengths of the first feeder, the second feeder, the third feeder, and the fourth feeder is obtained according to the following formula: Wherein, λ is the working frequency wavelength of the antenna, x is a preset parameter, The equivalent phase angle is θ; L1, L2, L3, and L4 are the line lengths of the first feeder, the second feeder, the third feeder, and the fourth feeder, respectively.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that It also includes a transfer unit Port1, which is located between the radio frequency transceiver unit and the antenna feeding network, and connects the radio frequency transceiver unit and the antenna feeding network.

6. A method for implementing a switch-switched beam scanning antenna, characterized in that: The switching control of the beam angle is realized by the switch-switching beam scanning antenna device described in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the following steps: The antenna unit receives satellite signals and sends them to the RF transceiver unit through the switch array and feeder; The radio frequency transceiver unit demodulates the satellite signal and obtains the signal strength; the radio frequency transceiver unit feeds back the signal strength to the central processing unit; After analysis, the central processing unit sends a control signal to the switch array; The switch array adjusts the maximum gain radiation direction of the microstrip array antenna according to the control signal.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The analysis included: The central processing unit compares the signal strengths under different receiving states of the antenna feed networks to obtain the antenna feed network state corresponding to the maximum signal strength; The control signal is adjusted so that the antenna feeding network reaches an antenna feeding network state corresponding to when the signal strength is maximum.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The central processing unit performs the analysis at a certain time interval T0.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The microstrip array antenna has four receiving states, and the maximum gain radiation direction of each receiving state points to one of the antenna units, including: the maximum gain radiation direction is the lower left corner, the maximum gain radiation direction is the lower right corner, the maximum gain radiation direction is the upper left corner, and the maximum gain radiation direction is the upper right corner; in the four receiving states, the phase differences of the antenna units are respectively 10. A computing device, characterized in that include: processor, and A memory having program instructions stored thereon, wherein when the program instructions are executed by the processor, the processor executes the method for implementing the switch-switched beam scanning antenna according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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