Antenna, Radar and Vehicle

Abstract

This application provides an antenna, radar, and vehicle, relating to the field of antenna technology and aiming to improve the radiation efficiency of antennas. The antenna comprises a slot antenna and a metasurface structure. The metasurface structure is located on the signal transmitting or receiving side of the slot antenna and is opposite to the slot antenna's radiating slot. The slot antenna can excite the metasurface structure to resonate, and the resonant center frequency of the metasurface structure lies within the slot antenna's operating frequency band.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to an antenna, a radar and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Antennas are increasingly being used in applications such as radars, routers, and base stations. Radiation efficiency determines antenna performance; higher radiation efficiency translates to better antenna performance. However, existing technologies often fail to meet performance requirements with the radiation efficiency of some antennas. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide an antenna, a radar and a vehicle, aiming to solve the problem of how to improve the radiation efficiency of the antenna.

[0004] In a first aspect, an antenna is provided, which includes a slot antenna and a metasurface structure. The metasurface structure is located on the signal transmitting or receiving side of the slot antenna and is opposite to the radiation slot of the slot antenna. The slot antenna can excite the metasurface structure to produce resonance, and the resonant center frequency of the metasurface structure is within the operating frequency band of the slot antenna.

[0005] In this way, after the RF circuit feeds the RF electrical signal within the working frequency band, the slot antenna converts the electrical signal into an electromagnetic wave signal and transmits it through the radiation slot. At the same time, the slot antenna also excites the metasurface structure to produce resonance, and the resonant center frequency of the metasurface structure is within the working frequency band of the slot antenna. As a result, part of the signal energy can be radiated with the help of the metasurface structure, and the antenna's radiation signal energy is the superposition of the slot antenna's radiation signal energy and the metasurface structure's radiation signal energy. And / or, when the electromagnetic wave signal in the working frequency band is transmitted to the antenna, in addition to receiving the signal energy with the help of the slot antenna, the antenna also receives part of the signal energy with the help of the metasurface structure. Therefore, the intensity of the received electrical signal is also the superposition of the slot antenna's reception signal energy and the metasurface structure's reception signal energy. In this way, the radiation efficiency of the antenna can be improved, the gain can be improved, and the performance of the antenna can be improved. After the antenna is applied to the radar, the radar's detection capability can be improved.

[0006] Optionally, the metasurface structure includes a first metasurface array, the first metasurface array includes a plurality of metasurface units arranged in an array, the metasurface units include metal sheets, the metal sheets of the plurality of metasurface units form a metal sheet group, and the metal sheet group is opposite to the radiation gap.

[0007] Optionally, the length of the metal sheet group along the first direction and / or the second direction is within the wavelength range of the working frequency band signal of the slot antenna transmitted by the metal sheet group; the first direction is consistent with the length direction of the radiation slot, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and the second direction is parallel to the plane in which the metal sheet group is located.

[0008] Optionally, the outer contour of the metal sheet group is square, and two adjacent sides of the outer contour are parallel to the first direction and the second direction respectively; the length of the metal sheet group along the first direction and the length along the second direction are both within the wavelength range of the working frequency band signal of the slot antenna transmitted by the metal sheet group.

[0009] Optionally, along a direction perpendicular to the metal sheet group, the center of the metal sheet group is opposite to the center of the radiation slot.

[0010] Optionally, the multiple super-surface units include a first super-surface unit and a second super-surface unit arranged at intervals along a first direction, and a third super-surface unit and a fourth super-surface unit arranged along the first direction; the first super-surface unit and the third super-surface unit are arranged at intervals along a second direction, and the second super-surface unit and the fourth super-surface unit are also arranged at intervals along the second direction.

[0011] Optionally, the gap between the metal sheet of the first metasurface unit and the metal sheet of the third metasurface unit is the first gap, and the gap between the metal sheet of the second metasurface unit and the metal sheet of the fourth metasurface unit is the second gap; along the direction perpendicular to the metal sheet group, the first gap and the second gap are opposite to the radiation gap.

[0012] Optionally, the metasurface unit further includes a metal protrusion, which is located between the metal sheet and the slot antenna and is electrically connected to both the metal sheet and the slot antenna.

[0013] Optionally, the metasurface structure also includes a second metasurface array and a third metasurface array, which are respectively located on opposite sides of the first metasurface array, and the arrangement direction of the second metasurface array and the third metasurface array is perpendicular to the length direction of the radiation gap.

[0014] Optionally, the number of radiation slots is multiple, the number of first metasurface arrays is also multiple, and the number of multiple first metasurface arrays is equal to the number of multiple radiation slots and corresponds one to one.

[0015] Optionally, the metasurface structure also includes a lower metal sheet, which is arranged between the metal sheet group and the slot antenna, and an avoidance gap is provided at the position of the lower metal sheet corresponding to the radiation slot; the metal protrusion is arranged between the metal sheet group and the lower metal sheet, and the metal protrusion is electrically connected to the metal sheet group and the lower metal sheet, and the lower metal sheet is electrically connected to the slot antenna.

[0016] Optionally, the metasurface structure also includes a dielectric substrate, which is located on the signal transmitting or receiving side of the slot antenna, and the largest surface of the dielectric substrate is opposite to the radiation slot of the slot antenna. The metal sheet group is arranged on the surface of the dielectric substrate facing away from the slot antenna, the lower metal sheet is arranged on the surface of the dielectric substrate facing the slot antenna, and the metal protrusion is embedded in the dielectric substrate.

[0017] Optionally, the metal sheet group and the lower metal sheet are both metal layers formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate, and the metal protrusions are metallized vias embedded in the dielectric substrate.

[0018] Optionally, the slot antenna includes a first metal plate and a second metal plate relative to each other and a plurality of metal pillars arranged between the first metal plate and the second metal plate; the first metal plate, the second metal plate and the plurality of metal pillars form a gap waveguide having at least one waveguide cavity; the first metal plate is located between the metasurface structure and the second metal plate, and the radiation slot is arranged in the first metal plate and is connected to the waveguide cavity of the gap waveguide.

[0019] Optionally, a plurality of metal columns are provided on the first metal plate and spaced apart from the second metal plate; or a plurality of metal columns are provided on the second metal plate and spaced apart from the first metal plate.

[0020] Optionally, the multiple metal pillars form multiple groups of first metal pillars and a group of second metal pillars; the multiple groups of first metal pillars are arranged in sequence along the second direction, and a group of second metal pillars is arranged crosswise with the multiple groups of first metal pillars; two adjacent groups of first metal pillars and a group of second metal pillars along the second direction form a waveguide cavity.

[0021] Optionally, each group of first metal pillars includes at least one row of first metal pillars arranged along the second direction, and each row of first metal pillars includes a plurality of first metal pillars arranged along the first direction.

[0022] Optionally, a group of second metal pillars includes at least one row of second metal pillars arranged along the first direction, and each row of second metal pillars includes a plurality of second metal pillars arranged along the second direction.

[0023] Optionally, there are multiple radiation slots connected to each waveguide cavity, and the multiple radiation slots are arranged at intervals along the first direction, and along the second direction, the multiple radiation slots are alternately arranged on opposite sides of the central axis of the waveguide cavity.

[0024] In a second aspect, the present application also provides a radar, comprising an antenna as described in any of the above technical solutions.

[0025] In a third aspect, the present application also provides a vehicle, comprising the antenna as described in any of the above technical solutions, or the radar as described in the above technical solutions.

[0026] Since the vehicle and radar provided in this application include antennas as described in any of the above technical solutions, they can solve the same problem and achieve the same effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. 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 any creative work.

[0028] Figure 1 A perspective view of an antenna provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 a top view of the antenna shown;

[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the antenna shown;

[0031] Figure 4 for Figure 1-Figure 3 A perspective view of the metasurface structure in the antenna shown;

[0032] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A top view of the metasurface structure shown;

[0033] Figure 6 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the relative positions of the metasurface structure and the radiation gap;

[0034] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the relative positions of the metasurface structure and the radiation gap provided in some other embodiments of the present application;

[0035] Figure 8 for Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a portion of the first metal plate, a portion of the second metal plate, and a portion of the metal column of the slot antenna in the antenna shown;

[0036] Figure 9 for Figure 8 a top view of a portion of the structure shown;

[0037] Figure 10 for Figure 8 A perspective view of the structure shown after the first metal plate is provided with a radiation slot;

[0038] Figure 11 for Figure 8 A top view of a portion of the structure shown after the first metal plate is provided with radiating slits;

[0039] Figure 12 for Figure 8 A top view of a portion of the structure shown after the first metal plate is provided with radiating slits;

[0040] Figure 13 for Figure 3 A graph showing how the gain of the antenna changes with frequency after the metasurface structure is removed;

[0041] Figure 14 for Figure 3 A graph showing a change in gain of an antenna provided with a metasurface structure as a function of frequency;

[0042] Figure 15 for Figure 3 A graph showing how the isolation of the antenna structure changes with frequency after the metasurface structure is removed;

[0043] Figure 16 for Figure 3 The graph shows how the isolation of the antenna with the metasurface structure changes with frequency.

[0044] Reference numerals:

[0045] 10. Antenna;

[0046] 1. Slot antenna; 11. Radiating slot; 12. First metal plate; 13. Second metal plate; 14. Metal pillar; 14a. First metal pillar; 14b. Second metal pillar; 15. Waveguide cavity;

[0047] 2. Metasurface structure; 21. First metasurface array; 211. Metasurface unit; 211a. Metal sheet; 211b. Metal protrusion; 24. Dielectric substrate; 25. Lower metal sheet; 00. Metal sheet group; 22. Second metasurface array; 23. Third metasurface array. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature specified as "first," "second," "third," or "fourth" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0049] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not preclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus comprising the element.

[0050] This application provides a radar that can be used as a detector in a vehicle to detect obstacles, such as road obstacles, pedestrians, and other vehicles, during vehicle starting, driving, reversing, and parking. This helps the driver better understand the vehicle's surroundings and improves driving safety. Of course, radar can also be used in other fields, such as weather detection and navigation.

[0051] In some embodiments, the radar may include a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. The transmitting antenna is used to convert the electrical signal fed into the radio frequency circuit into an electromagnetic wave signal to achieve signal transmission. The receiving antenna is used to convert the electromagnetic wave signal into an electrical signal to achieve signal reception. In specific applications, the radar transmits a signal with the help of the transmitting antenna. The emitted signal is reflected by an obstacle and then received by the receiving antenna. By comparing and analyzing the transmitted signal and the received signal, information about the surrounding obstacles can be obtained, thereby achieving obstacle detection. In some embodiments, the antenna may be a millimeter wave antenna. Of course, in other embodiments, the antenna may also be an antenna of other bands.

[0052] See also Figure 1-Figure 3 , Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of an antenna 10 provided in some embodiments of the present application is shown. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A top view of the antenna 10 is shown, Figure 3 for Figure 1 The figure shows an exploded structural diagram of antenna 10. Antenna 10 can be used as a radar transmitting antenna or a radar receiving antenna, or one portion can be used as a radar transmitting antenna and another portion as a radar receiving antenna. Of course, in other embodiments, antenna 10 can also be used in scenarios other than vehicle radar, and this application does not specifically limit this.

[0053] The antenna 10 includes a slot antenna 1 and a metasurface structure 2. The slot antenna 1 is used to connect to a radio frequency circuit to transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals. The slot antenna 1 has a radiation slot 11, through which radio frequency signals are transmitted and / or received. The metasurface structure 2 is located on the signal transmitting or receiving side of the slot antenna 1 and is opposite to the radiation slot 11. The slot antenna 1 can excite the metasurface structure 2 to resonate, and the resonant center frequency of the metasurface structure 2 is within the operating frequency band of the slot antenna 1.

[0054] In this way, after the RF circuit feeds the RF electrical signal within the working frequency band, the slot antenna 1 converts the electrical signal into an electromagnetic wave signal and transmits it through the radiation slot 11. At the same time, the slot antenna 1 also excites the metasurface structure 2 to produce resonance, and the resonant center frequency of the metasurface structure 2 is within the working frequency band of the slot antenna 1. As a result, part of the signal energy can be radiated with the help of the metasurface structure 2, and the radiated signal energy of the antenna 10 is the superposition of the radiated signal energy of the slot antenna 1 and the radiated signal energy of the metasurface structure 2. And / or, when the electromagnetic wave signal in the working frequency band is transmitted to the antenna 10, in addition to receiving the signal energy with the help of the slot antenna 1, the antenna 10 also receives part of the signal energy with the help of the metasurface structure 2, and the intensity of the received electrical signal is also the superposition of the received signal energy of the slot antenna 1 and the received signal energy of the metasurface structure 2. In this way, the radiation efficiency of the antenna 10 can be improved, the gain can be improved, and the performance of the antenna can be improved. After the antenna 10 is applied to the radar, the detection capability of the radar can be improved.

[0055] The metasurface structure 2 can have various shapes.

[0056] In some embodiments, see Figure 4-Figure 6 , Figure 4 for Figure 1-Figure 3 A perspective view of the metasurface structure 2 in the antenna 10 is shown, Figure 5 for Figure 4 The top view of the metasurface structure 2 is shown. Figure 6 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the relative position of the metasurface structure 2 and the radiation slot 11 shown. The metasurface structure 2 includes a first metasurface array 21. The first metasurface array 21 includes a plurality of metasurface units 211 arranged in an array. The metasurface unit 211 includes a metal sheet 211a. The shape of the metal sheet 211a includes but is not limited to a square, a circle, a triangle, a fan, a polygon, etc., and this application uses the shape of the metal sheet 211a as a square for exemplary description. The metal sheets 211a of the plurality of metasurface units 211 in the first metasurface array 21 constitute a metal sheet group 00, which is opposite to the radiation slot 11.

[0057] In this way, the slot antenna 1 feeds the metal sheet group 00, thereby radiating a portion of the signal energy through the metal sheet group 00, thereby improving the antenna's radiation efficiency. Furthermore, because the metal sheet group 00 is composed of multiple metal sheets 211a, the energy of the slot antenna 1 can be radiated from the slots between the multiple metal sheets 211a within the metal sheet group 00, thereby avoiding affecting the transmission or reception of the slot antenna 1. Of course, in other embodiments, the first metasurface array 21 may also include only one metasurface unit.

[0058] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5The length of the metal sheet group 00 along the first direction Y and / or the second direction X is within the wavelength range of the working frequency band signal of the slot antenna 1 transmitted by the metal sheet group 00.

[0059] The first direction Y is consistent with the length direction of the radiation slot 11 , the second direction X is perpendicular to the first direction Y, and the second direction X is parallel to the plane where the metal sheet assembly is located.

[0060] The wavelength of the minimum frequency signal of the working frequency band of the slot antenna 1 transmitted in the metal sheet group 00 is the first wavelength, the wavelength of the maximum frequency signal of the working frequency band transmitted in the metal sheet group 00 is the second wavelength, and the wavelength range of the working frequency band signal transmitted in the metal sheet group 00 refers to the range from the second wavelength to the first wavelength.

[0061] It should be noted that the wavelength of different frequency signals transmitted in the metal sheet group 00 is related to the environment of the metal sheet group 00. Taking environmental factors into consideration, when the metal sheet group 00 is carried on the following dielectric substrate 24, the wavelength of the signal within the working frequency band of the slot antenna 1 transmitted in the metal sheet group 00 is equal to the wavelength of the signal within the working frequency band transmitted in the dielectric substrate 24 and the metal sheet group 00.

[0062] In this way, the slot antenna 1 can excite the metasurface structure 2 to generate resonance, and the resonant center frequency of the metasurface structure 2 is within the operating frequency band of the slot antenna 1.

[0063] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5 The outer contour of the metal sheet assembly 00 is square, with two adjacent sides of the outer contour parallel to the first direction Y and the second direction X, respectively. In other words, one of the two adjacent sides of the outer contour is parallel to the first direction Y, and the other is parallel to the second direction X. The length of the metal sheet assembly 00 along the first direction Y and the length along the second direction X are both within the wavelength range of the signal in the operating frequency band of the slot antenna 1 transmitted by the metal sheet assembly 00.

[0064] In this way, the slot antenna 1 can excite the metasurface structure 2 to resonate, and the resonant center frequency of the metasurface structure 2 is within the operating frequency band of the slot antenna 1. At the same time, the metal sheet group 00 occupies a small area, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the antenna.

[0065] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 6 , along a direction perpendicular to the metal sheet assembly 00 (i.e., the third direction Z), the center of the metal sheet assembly 00 is aligned with the center of the radiation slot 11. This allows for a more uniform distribution of the feed current across the metal sheet assembly 00, fully utilizing the radiation signal from the metal sheet assembly 00, further improving radiation efficiency and gain.

[0066] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 6The multiple metasurface units include a first metasurface unit a and a second metasurface unit b arranged at intervals along a first direction Y, and a third metasurface unit c and a fourth metasurface unit d arranged along the first direction Y. The first metasurface unit a and the third metasurface unit c are arranged at intervals along a second direction X, and the second metasurface unit b and the fourth metasurface unit d are also arranged at intervals along the second direction X. In this way, the multiple metasurface units are distributed in a square array. This structure is simple and easy to manufacture. The ratio of metal parts to gap parts in the metal sheet group 00 is moderate, which can improve radiation efficiency and gain.

[0067] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 6 The gap between the metal sheet of the first metasurface unit a and the metal sheet of the third metasurface unit c is the first gap f1, and the gap between the metal sheet of the second metasurface unit b and the metal sheet of the fourth metasurface unit d is the second gap f2. Along direction Z, the first gap f1 and the second gap f2 are both opposite to the radiating gap 11. This way, by exposing the radiating gap 11 through the first gap f1 and the second gap f2, the radiation efficiency of the slot antenna 1 is guaranteed, improving the radiation efficiency and gain of the entire antenna.

[0068] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3-Figure 5 The metasurface unit 211 further includes a metal protrusion 211b, which is located between the metal sheet 211a and the slot antenna 1 and is electrically connected to both the metal sheet 211a and the slot antenna 1.

[0069] In this way, the metasurface unit 211 is mushroom-shaped or umbrella-shaped. Capacitive coupling is formed between the slot antenna 1 and the metal sheet 211a. At the same time, inductive coupling is formed between the metal protrusion 211b and the metal sheet 211a, thereby forming an LC coupling feeding structure. This can improve the isolation of the antenna 10 and reduce the mutual coupling rate between two adjacent antennas 10. This can reduce the size of the antenna and the distance between two adjacent antennas, facilitating miniaturization, integration, and processing.

[0070] In some embodiments, see Figure 7 , Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the relative positions of the metasurface structure 2 and the radiation slot 11 provided in some embodiments of the present application. The metasurface structure 2 also includes a second metasurface array 22 and a third metasurface array 23. The second metasurface array 22 and the third metasurface array 23 are respectively located on opposite sides of the first metasurface array 21, and the arrangement direction of the second metasurface array 22 and the third metasurface array 23 is perpendicular to the length direction of the radiation slot 11. In this way, with the help of the second metasurface array 22 and the third metasurface array 23, the radiation efficiency of the antenna can be further improved.

[0071] Optionally, the structure of the second metasurface array 22 and the structure of the third metasurface array 23 can be the same as the structure of the first metasurface array 21 described above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0072] In some embodiments, see Figure 3-Figure 7 The slot antenna 1 has multiple radiating slots 11 and multiple first metasurface arrays 21. The number of first metasurface arrays 21 is equal to the number of radiating slots, and they correspond one to one. In this way, the multiple radiating slots 11 and the first metasurface arrays 21 can form a multiple-transmit multiple-receive (MIMO) antenna, which can improve the antenna gain.

[0073] In some embodiments, please refer back to Figure 4 , the metasurface structure 2 also includes a lower metal sheet 25. The lower metal sheet 25 is provided between the metal sheet group 00 and the slot antenna 1, and an avoidance gap is provided at the position of the lower metal sheet 25 corresponding to the radiation gap 11. The shape and size of the avoidance gap can be consistent with the shape and size of the radiation gap 11, or of course they can be inconsistent. The metal protrusion 211b is provided between the metal sheet group 00 and the lower metal sheet 25, and the metal protrusion 211b is electrically connected to the metal sheet group 00 and the lower metal sheet 25, and the lower metal sheet 25 is electrically connected to the slot antenna 1. In this way, the metasurface structure 2 can be electrically connected to the slot antenna 1 with the help of the lower metal sheet 25. Compared with the metal protrusion 211b, the area of the lower metal sheet 25 is larger, which can improve the stability of the electrical connection between the metal protrusion 211b and the slot antenna 1.

[0074] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 4 The metasurface structure 2 also includes a dielectric substrate 24. The dielectric substrate 24 includes, but is not limited to, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) or LTCC (Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic) substrate. The dielectric substrate 24 is located on the signal transmitting or receiving side of the slot antenna 1, with its largest surface facing the radiating slot 11 of the slot antenna 1. The metal sheet assembly 00 is located on the surface of the dielectric substrate 24 facing away from the slot antenna 1, while the lower metal sheet 25 is located on the surface of the dielectric substrate 24 facing the slot antenna 1. The metal protrusions are embedded within the dielectric substrate. Using the dielectric substrate 24 as the carrier of the metasurface array simplifies assembly.

[0075] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 4The metal sheet group 00 and the lower metal sheet 25 are both metal layers formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate 24, and the metal protrusion 211b is a metallized via embedded in the dielectric substrate 24. In this way, the metasurface structure 2 can be formed using printed circuit board (PCB) processing technology, which simplifies the processing difficulty of the metasurface structure and helps ensure processing accuracy.

[0076] The slot antenna may be a dielectric integrated slot antenna, a metal rectangular waveguide slot antenna, or a gap waveguide slot antenna.

[0077] In some embodiments, please refer back to Figure 3 The slot antenna 1 includes a first metal plate 12 and a second metal plate 13 facing each other, and a plurality of metal pillars 14 disposed between the first metal plate 12 and the second metal plate 13. The distance between the first metal plate 12 and the second metal plate 13 can be limited by position / height limiters to ensure a gap between the plurality of metal pillars 14 and the metal plates. The first metal plate 12, the second metal plate 13, and the plurality of metal pillars 14 form a gap waveguide having at least one waveguide cavity 15.

[0078] The first metal plate 12 is located between the metasurface structure 2 and the second metal plate 13 . The radiation slot 11 is provided in the first metal plate 12 and communicates with the waveguide cavity 15 of the gap waveguide.

[0079] In this way, the slot antenna 1 is a gap waveguide slot antenna. This type of antenna has low requirements for processing accuracy, which is beneficial to reducing processing complexity and improving yield.

[0080] Based on the above embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The metal protrusion 211b of the metasurface structure 2 and the lower metal sheet 25 can contact and electrically connect with the first metal plate 12. This structure is simple and easy to operate.

[0081] In some embodiments, see Figure 3 , multiple metal pillars 14 are provided on the second metal plate 13 and spaced apart from the first metal plate 12. In other embodiments, multiple metal pillars 14 may also be provided on the first metal plate 12 and spaced apart from the second metal plate 13. In this way, welding between the first metal plate 12 and the second metal plate 13 is not required, which can reduce processing accuracy.

[0082] In some embodiments, see Figure 3 The plurality of metal pillars 14 form a plurality of groups of first metal pillars 14 a and a group of second metal pillars 14 b .

[0083] Multiple groups of first metal pillars 14a are sequentially spaced apart along the second direction X, and a group of second metal pillars 14b is intersecting the multiple groups of first metal pillars 14a. Two adjacent groups of first metal pillars 14a and one group of second metal pillars 14b along the second direction X form a waveguide cavity 15. In this way, multiple groups of first metal pillars 14a form the opposite side walls of at least one waveguide cavity 15, while a group of second metal pillars 14b blocks one end of the waveguide cavity 15, thereby preventing electromagnetic wave leakage and ensuring radiation efficiency.

[0084] In some embodiments, a feeding port is formed at the end of the waveguide cavity 15 away from the set of second metal pillars 14b, and the RF circuit can feed an RF electrical signal into the feeding port to achieve RF signal feeding. Specifically, the feeding port can be directly or indirectly (such as coupling) connected to the RF circuit (including the RF IC) via a feeder line, and the feeder line includes but is not limited to a microstrip line, a substrate integrated waveguide (another transmission line / transmission structure based on a dielectric substrate), etc. The feeding portion can be located on the side of the feeding port of the waveguide cavity 15 to achieve parallel interconnection with the RF circuit, or it can be located on the lower side of the second metal plate 13 that encloses the waveguide cavity 15 to achieve vertical interconnection with the RF circuit.

[0085] In some embodiments, see Figure 3 , and refer to Figures 8-11 , Figure 8 for Figure 3 The schematic structural diagram of part of the first metal plate 12, part of the second metal plate 13 and part of the metal column 14 of the slot antenna 1 in the antenna 10 shown in FIG. Figure 9 for Figure 8 A top view of a portion of the structure shown, Figure 10 for Figure 8 The structure shown is a three-dimensional view after the first metal plate 12 is provided with a radiation gap. Figure 11 for Figure 8 The structure shown is a top view of a portion of the structure after the first metal plate 12 is provided with a radiation slot. Each group of first metal pillars 14a includes at least one row of first metal pillars arranged along the second direction X. For example, each group of first metal pillars 14a includes two rows of first metal pillars. Each row of first metal pillars includes multiple first metal pillars arranged along the first direction Y. This structure is simple and has excellent impedance performance.

[0086] In some embodiments, see Figure 3 , and refer to Figures 8-11 A group of second metal pillars 14b includes at least one row of second metal pillars arranged along the first direction Y, and each row of second metal pillars includes a plurality of second metal pillars arranged along the second direction X. This structure is simple and has a better impedance effect.

[0087] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11The number of radiation slots 11 connected to each waveguide cavity 15 is multiple, for example, 8, and of course other numbers are possible. The multiple radiation slots 11 are arranged at intervals along the first direction Y, and refer to Figure 12 Along the second direction X, multiple radiating slots 11 are alternately arranged on opposite sides of the central axis L1 of the waveguide cavity. That is, the multiple radiating slots 11 arranged along the second direction X are located, in order, to the left, right, left, right, and so on, of the central axis. The axis extending along the first direction Y and passing through the center of a cross section of the waveguide cavity 15 perpendicular to the first direction Y is the first axis. The central axis of the waveguide cavity is the projection of the first axis onto the first metal plate 12. In this way, the radiating slots 11 connected to the same waveguide cavity and the first metal plate 12, second metal plate 13, and metal pillar 14 that form the waveguide cavity 15 form an antenna unit that can independently transmit and receive RF signals. This structure is simple and easy to manufacture.

[0088] The above embodiments introduce the structure of the antenna. In order to verify the performance of the antenna provided by the embodiment of the present application, the gain and isolation of the gap waveguide slot antenna with the metasurface structure and the gap waveguide slot antenna without the metasurface structure are compared. Figure 13-16 Specifically, Figure 13 for Figure 3 The gain (PeakGain) of the antenna structure after removing the metasurface structure is shown as a function of frequency (Freq); Figure 14 for Figure 3 The graph of gain (PeakGain) of the antenna with metasurface structure changes with frequency (Freq) is shown. Figure 13 and Figure 14 It can be seen that after loading the metasurface structure, the antenna gain can be increased by about 3dB in the frequency band range of 78GHz~81GHz. Figure 15 for Figure 3 A graph showing the change in isolation (S(2, 1)) of the antenna structure with frequency (Freq) after the metasurface structure is removed; Figure 16 for Figure 3 The graph of the isolation (S(2, 1)) of the antenna with the metasurface structure as a function of frequency (Freq) is shown. Figure 15 and Figure 16It can be seen that after loading the metasurface structure, the isolation between antennas can be improved by at least 6dB in the frequency band of 76GHz~81GHz. It can be seen that the antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application can improve gain and isolation after the metasurface structure is set. In some embodiments, the radar may further include a housing and a circuit board, and the circuit board and antenna are arranged in the housing. The housing plays a role of dustproof and waterproof protection. In some embodiments, the housing may include a bottom shell and a protective cover, which facilitates the assembly of the radar. The circuit board is used to integrate the radio frequency circuit and the antenna described in any of the above embodiments to facilitate the miniaturization of the radar.

[0089] The present application also provides a vehicle, which includes the antenna provided by any of the above embodiments or the radar provided by any of the above embodiments. Therefore, the vehicle can solve the same technical problems and achieve the same effects as the antenna provided by any of the above embodiments or the radar provided by any of the above embodiments.

[0090] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be combined in an appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0091] The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. An antenna (10), characterized in that The invention comprises a slot antenna (1) and a metasurface structure (2), wherein the metasurface structure (2) is located on the signal transmitting or receiving side of the slot antenna (1) and is opposite to the radiation slot (11) of the slot antenna (1), and the slot antenna (1) can excite the metasurface structure (2) to generate resonance, and the resonance center frequency of the metasurface structure (2) is located within the operating frequency band of the slot antenna (1); The radiation signal energy of the antenna (10) is the superposition of the radiation signal energy of the slot antenna (1) and the radiation signal energy of the metasurface structure (2), and / or the reception signal energy of the antenna (10) is also the superposition of the reception signal energy of the slot antenna (1) and the reception signal energy of the metasurface structure (2); The metasurface structure (2) comprises a first metasurface array (21), the first metasurface array (21) comprises a plurality of metasurface units (211) arranged in an array, the metasurface units (211) comprising metal sheets (211a); the metal sheets (211a) of the plurality of metasurface units (211) form a metal sheet group (00), and the metal sheet group (00) is opposite to the radiation gap (11); The metasurface unit (211) further comprises a metal convex portion (211b), the metal convex portion (211b) being located between the metal sheet (211a) and the slot antenna (1), and the metal sheet (211a) being electrically connected to the slot antenna (1) via the metal convex portion (211b); Capacitive coupling is formed between the slot antenna (1) and the metal sheet (211a), and at the same time, inductive coupling is formed between the metal protrusion (211b) and the metal sheet (211a), thereby forming an LC coupling feeding structure.

2. The antenna (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The length of the metal sheet group (00) along the first direction (Y) and / or the second direction (X) is within the wavelength range of the working frequency band signal of the slot antenna (1) transmitted by the metal sheet group; The first direction (Y) is consistent with the length direction of the radiation gap (11), the second direction (X) is perpendicular to the first direction (Y), and the second direction (X) is parallel to the plane where the metal sheet group (00) is located.

3. The antenna (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that The outer contour of the metal sheet group (00) is square, and two adjacent sides of the outer contour are respectively parallel to the first direction (Y) and the second direction (X); The length of the metal sheet group (00) along the first direction (Y) and the length along the second direction (X) are both within the wavelength range of the working frequency band signal of the slot antenna (1) transmitted by the metal sheet group.

4. The antenna (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that Along a direction perpendicular to the metal sheet group (00), the center of the metal sheet group (00) is opposite to the center of the radiation gap (11).

5. The antenna (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of metasurface units (211) include a first metasurface unit (a), a second metasurface unit (b) arranged at intervals along a first direction (Y), and a third metasurface unit (c), a fourth metasurface unit (d) arranged along the first direction (Y); The first metasurface unit (a) and the third metasurface unit (c) are arranged at intervals along the second direction (X), and the second metasurface unit (b) and the fourth metasurface unit (d) are also arranged at intervals along the second direction (X); The first direction (Y) is consistent with the length direction of the radiation gap (11), the second direction (X) is perpendicular to the first direction (Y), and the second direction (X) is parallel to the plane where the metal sheet group (00) is located.

6. The antenna (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that The gap between the metal sheet of the first metasurface unit (a) and the metal sheet of the third metasurface unit (c) is a first gap (f1), and the gap between the metal sheet of the second metasurface unit (b) and the metal sheet of the fourth metasurface unit (d) is a second gap (f2); Along a direction perpendicular to the metal sheet group (00), the first gap (f1) and the second gap (f2) are both opposite to the radiation gap (11).

7. The antenna (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The metasurface structure (2) further includes a second metasurface array (22) and a third metasurface array (23), wherein the second metasurface array (22) and the third metasurface array (23) are respectively located on opposite sides of the first metasurface array (21), and the arrangement direction of the second metasurface array (22) and the third metasurface array (23) is perpendicular to the length direction of the radiation slot (11).

8. The antenna (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The number of the radiation slots (11) is multiple, the number of the first metasurface arrays (21) is also multiple, and the number of the multiple first metasurface arrays (21) is equal to the number of the multiple radiation slots (11), and corresponds one to one.

9. The antenna (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The metasurface structure (2) further includes a lower metal sheet (25), the lower metal sheet (25) being arranged between the metal sheet group (00) and the slot antenna (1), and a avoidance gap being provided at a position of the lower metal sheet (25) corresponding to the radiation gap (11); The metal protrusion (211b) is provided between the metal sheet group (00) and the lower metal sheet (25), and the metal protrusion (211b) is electrically connected to the metal sheet group (00) and the lower metal sheet (25), and the metal sheet group (00) is electrically connected to the slot antenna (1) via the lower metal sheet (25).

10. The antenna (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that The metasurface structure (2) further includes a dielectric substrate (24), the dielectric substrate (24) being located on the signal transmitting or receiving side of the slot antenna (1), and the largest surface of the dielectric substrate (24) being opposite to the radiation slot (11) of the slot antenna (1), the metal sheet group (00) being located on the surface of the dielectric substrate (24) facing away from the slot antenna (1), the lower metal sheet (25) being located on the surface of the dielectric substrate (24) facing toward the slot antenna (1), and the metal protrusion (211b) being embedded in the dielectric substrate (24).

11. The antenna (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that The metal sheet group (00) and the lower metal sheet (25) are both metal layers formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate (24), and the metal protrusion (211b) is a metallized via embedded in the dielectric substrate (24).

12. The antenna (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that The slot antenna (1) comprises a first metal plate (12) and a second metal plate (13) opposite to each other, and a plurality of metal pillars (14) arranged between the first metal plate (12) and the second metal plate (13); the first metal plate (12), the second metal plate (13) and the plurality of metal pillars (14) form a gap waveguide having at least one waveguide cavity (15); The first metal plate (12) is located between the metasurface structure (2) and the second metal plate (13); the radiation slot (11) is provided on the first metal plate (12) and is in communication with the waveguide cavity (15) of the gap waveguide.

13. The antenna (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that The plurality of metal columns (14) are provided on the first metal plate (12) and are spaced apart from the second metal plate (13); or the plurality of metal columns (14) are provided on the second metal plate (13) and are spaced apart from the first metal plate (12).

14. The antenna (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that The plurality of metal pillars (14) constitute a plurality of groups of first metal pillars (14a) and a group of second metal pillars (14b); The multiple groups of first metal pillars (14a) are sequentially spaced apart along the second direction (X), and the group of second metal pillars (14b) is arranged crosswise with the multiple groups of first metal pillars (14a); two adjacent groups of first metal pillars (14a) and the group of second metal pillars (14b) along the second direction (X) enclose the waveguide cavity (15); The first direction (Y) is consistent with the length direction of the radiation gap (11), the second direction (X) is perpendicular to the first direction (Y), and the second direction (X) is parallel to the plane where the metal sheet group (00) is located.

15. The antenna (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that Each group of first metal pillars (14a) includes at least one row of first metal pillars (14a) arranged along the second direction (X), and each row of first metal pillars (14a) includes a plurality of first metal pillars (14a) arranged along the first direction (Y).

16. The antenna (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that The group of second metal pillars (14b) includes at least one row of second metal pillars (14b) arranged along the first direction (Y), and each row of second metal pillars (14b) includes a plurality of second metal pillars (14b) arranged along the second direction (X).

17. The antenna (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that There are a plurality of radiation slots (11) in communication with each of the waveguide cavities (15), the plurality of radiation slots (11) being arranged at intervals along the first direction (Y), and the plurality of radiation slots (11) being alternately arranged on opposite sides of a central axis of the waveguide cavity (15) along the second direction (X).

18. A radar, characterized in that: Comprising the antenna (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A vehicle, characterized in that: Comprising the antenna (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or the radar according to claim 18.

Images