Method for adjusting beam width of circumferential electric control beam scanning antenna

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electric control beam scanning antenna, and the method comprises the steps: constructing different electromagnetic wave reflection surfaces and corresponding reflection units through switching the reflection effect of a beam control unit on electromagnetic waves, and enabling the reflected electromagnetic waves to have different calibers, so as to achieve the adjustment of the width of a radiation beam of the antenna. The wave guide structure is excited by the feed structure and guides transmission of traveling waves, and the radiation structure is located on the circumferential edge of the wave guide structure. According to the method provided by the invention, on the basis of a geometrical optics principle, a reconfigurable electromagnetic wave reflecting surface and a corresponding reflecting unit are constructed by adjusting the reflecting state of the wave beam control structure unit to the electromagnetic wave, so that the function of adjusting the wave beam width is realized. According to the method, the antenna beam width can be adjusted, switching is fast, and switching precision is high; the antenna based on the design is easy to process and integrate, and can be applied to a wireless communication system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of antenna beams and relates to a method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna. Background Art

[0002] In modern wireless communications, increasingly complex communication scenarios have different requirements for the shape and coverage of antenna signals. For example, in rural areas, base station antennas need to use wide beam signals to cover a wider area; in urban areas, narrower signal beams are needed to focus on coverage of the area to improve spectrum utilization. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna.

[0004] A method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna comprises a waveguide structure, a radiation structure, a feeding structure and a beam control structure, and contains the following steps: by switching the reflection effect of a beam control unit on electromagnetic waves, different electromagnetic wave reflection surfaces and corresponding reflection units are constructed, so that the reflected electromagnetic waves have different calibers to achieve adjustable width of the antenna radiation beam.

[0005] The advantages of the present invention are: based on the principle of geometric optics, by adjusting the reflection state of the beam control structural unit to the electromagnetic wave, a reconfigurable electromagnetic wave reflection surface and a corresponding reflection unit are constructed, thereby realizing the function of adjustable beam width.

[0006] It has the advantages of simple structure, low cost, low profile, and easy integration. The reflection effect of the beam control structure unit on the electromagnetic wave can be changed, and a reconfigurable electromagnetic wave reflection surface and a corresponding reflection unit can be constructed according to this phenomenon to limit the path and caliber of the directional transmission of the electromagnetic wave, so as to achieve the effect of adjustable beam width. The beam control structure involved can achieve different reflection effects on electromagnetic waves by loading tunable electronic components such as PIN diodes, MEMS switches, varactor diodes, silicon single voltage drop diodes, germanium single voltage drop diodes, etc. or tunable materials such as ferroelectric materials such as strontium barium titanate, temperature-variable materials such as vanadium dioxide and water, liquid crystals, electro-optical crystals, graphene, piezoelectric crystals, etc., and has the advantages of low cost and high integration, and is suitable for more complex communication scenarios. Compared with the mechanical beam width adjustable antenna, the antenna applicable to the present invention has the advantages of fast beam response speed and no need for a mechanical servo system. Compared with the phased array antenna, the present invention does not require T / R components and has low cost. The present invention adopts a beam control structure to achieve adjustable antenna beam width, high stability, and easy integration with the communication system. There are many types of applicable antennas with simple applicable conditions, which can adapt to complex and changeable communication environments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the prior art descriptions. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work. As shown in the figure:

[0008] Figure 1a This is a diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 1b This is a second diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 is the reflection state 1 of the beam control unit to the electromagnetic wave.

[0011] Figure 3 is the reflection state 2 of the electromagnetic wave by the beam control unit.

[0012] Figure 4 This is Example 1 of the beam width adjustable method of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 5 This is Example 2 of the beam width adjustable method of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 6 This is Example 3 of the beam width adjustable method of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 7 This is Example 4 of the beam width adjustable method of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 8 This is Example 5 of the beam width adjustable method of the present invention.

[0017] Fig. 9 This is Example 6 of the beam width adjustable method of the present invention.

[0018] Fig.10 This is Example 7 of the beam width adjustable method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] Example 1: Figure 1a , Figure 1b , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, a method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferentially electrically controlled beam scanning antenna is provided, and the applicable antenna includes a waveguide structure, a radiation structure, a feeding structure and a beam control structure.

[0021] The waveguide structure is used to transmit electromagnetic waves. It can be any form of two-dimensional waveguide structure or a combination of multiple one-dimensional waveguide structures. There are many types of waveguide structures, including rectangular waveguide, ridge waveguide, circular waveguide, parallel plate waveguide, gap waveguide, substrate integrated waveguide, dielectric waveguide, microstrip transmission line, stripline, coplanar waveguide, slot line and other waveguide structure forms.

[0022] The radiation structure is located at the circumferential edge of the waveguide structure and is used to radiate the electromagnetic waves in the waveguide structure into the free space; the radiation structure can be various types of radiation antennas such as horn antennas, transmission array antennas, lens antennas, and metasurface antennas.

[0023] The feeding structure is used to feed the waveguide structure and excite electromagnetic waves to propagate in the waveguide structure as traveling waves. The feeding structure can be a variety of feeding structures such as coaxial probe feeding, microstrip patch feeding, waveguide feeding, slot coupling feeding based on waveguide or microstrip line, SIW feeding, parallel feeding, series feeding, etc.

[0024] The beam control structure is used to produce different reflection effects on electromagnetic waves to achieve the purpose of limiting the path and caliber of directional transmission of electromagnetic waves. The beam control structure can be realized by loading tunable electronic components such as PIN diodes, MEMS switches, varactor diodes, silicon single voltage drop diodes, germanium single voltage drop diodes, etc. or tunable materials such as ferroelectric materials such as strontium barium titanate, temperature-variable materials such as vanadium dioxide and water, liquid crystals, electro-optical crystals, graphene, piezoelectric crystals, etc. The tuning structure involved can be a combination of one or more types.

[0025] The beam control units can be arranged into any form of array, which can be circular array, square array, triangular array, sparse array and other array arrangements.

[0026] Example 2: Figure 1a , Figure 1b , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10As shown, a method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna is provided, wherein a tuning material or a tuning element is introduced, the reflection state of the beam control unit to electromagnetic waves is switched, and a reconfigurable electromagnetic wave reflection surface is constructed to realize the adjustable beam width function.

[0027] like Figure 1a , Figure 1b As shown, the antenna applicable to the present invention is composed of a waveguide structure 1, a radiation structure 2, a feed structure 3, and a beam control structure 4. The waveguide structure 1 is excited by the feed structure 3 and guides the transmission of the traveling wave. The radiation structure 2 is located at the circumferential edge of the waveguide structure 1 and is used to radiate the energy in the waveguide structure to the free space. The beam control structure 4 exists in the waveguide structure 1 in the form of an array. The beam control structure 4 will show different reflection effects on the electromagnetic wave 5 and the electromagnetic wave 6 due to its own tuning ability, so it will have a directional guiding effect on the electromagnetic energy.

[0028] Figure 2 This is the reflection state 1 of the electromagnetic wave 5 by the beam control unit 4 , which exhibits the effect of total reflection of the electromagnetic wave 5 . Figure 3 It is the reflection state 2 of the beam control unit 4 to the electromagnetic wave 5, showing the effect of transmitting the electromagnetic wave 5. The beam control structure can be realized by loading a tunable electronic element with a tuning structure, such as a PIN diode, a MEMS switch, a varactor diode, a silicon single voltage drop diode, a germanium single voltage drop diode, etc., or a tunable material ferroelectric material strontium barium titanate, a temperature-variable material vanadium dioxide and water, liquid crystal, electro-optical crystal, graphene, piezoelectric crystal, etc. The tuning structure involved can be a combination of one or more types.

[0029] Figure 4 This is Example 1 of the adjustable beam width method of the present invention. At this time, the beam control unit 4 can be used to fully reflect the electromagnetic wave 5 to construct an electromagnetic wave reflection surface and a corresponding single reflection unit, as shown in the black unit in the figure. The remaining beam control units 4 are switched to a transmission state for the electromagnetic wave 5, as shown in the white unit in the figure. This electromagnetic wave reflection surface is similar to a parabolic reflection surface. The electromagnetic wave 5 is fed into the waveguide structure through the feeding structure 1, and then reflected by the single reflection unit. Most of the energy is incident on the electromagnetic wave reflection surface, and then reflected by the electromagnetic wave reflection surface. The electromagnetic wave 6 is conducted to the radiation structure 2 in the form of a plane wave and radiated into the free space. At this time, the beam width is a1.

[0030] Figure 5 This is Example 2 of the beam width adjustable method of the present invention. At this time, the electromagnetic wave reflecting surface constructed is Figure 4 The beam width radiated to free space is smaller than that of Figure 4 Wider, the beam width is counted as a2.

[0031] Figure 6 This is Example 3 of the beam width adjustable method of the present invention. At this time, the electromagnetic wave reflecting surface of the structure becomes flatter and closer to a straight surface, and the convergence of electromagnetic energy is further weakened. At this time, the beam width obtained is a3.

[0032] Figure 7 This is Example 4 of the beam width adjustable method of the present invention. At this time, the effective section of the electromagnetic reflection surface that can form a plane wave not only has a smaller diameter, but also has a gentle trend. The convex reflection surfaces at both ends do not contribute to the formation of a directional beam, and will cause the electromagnetic wave 5 to disperse in other directions. Therefore, the beam width at this time is relatively Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 Becomes wider, with a beam width of a4.

[0033] Figure 8 This is Example 5 of the beam width adjustable method of the present invention. At this time, the apertures of the convex reflection surfaces at both ends of the electromagnetic wave reflection surface become larger, so the radiated beam width is further increased, and the beam width is counted as a5.

[0034] Fig. 9 This is Example 6 of the beam width adjustable method of the present invention. At this time, the electromagnetic wave reflecting surface and Figure 4 The same as above, but the number of introduced reflection units is increased to 2. At this time, the electromagnetic wave 5 excited by the feeding structure 3 is reflected by 2 reflection units, and more electromagnetic energy is incident on the electromagnetic wave reflection surface, and is mostly concentrated in the central section of the electromagnetic wave reflection surface. Therefore, the electromagnetic wave reflection surface gathers more electromagnetic energy and radiates it to the free space through the radiation structure 2, forming a narrower beam, and the beam width is measured as a6.

[0035] Fig. 9 This is Example 6 of the beam width adjustable method of the present invention. At this time, the electromagnetic wave reflecting surface and Figure 4 The same as above, but the number of introduced reflection units is increased to 3, more electromagnetic energy is concentrated in the central section of the electromagnetic wave reflection surface and radiated to the free space in the form of plane waves, the beam width is further narrowed, and the beam width is counted as a7.

[0036] In general, the beam width adjustable method in the embodiment of the present invention can effectively switch the beam width of the antenna, has a fast response speed, and has high stability, and is suitable for future millimeter wave wireless communication systems.

[0037] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna, comprising a waveguide structure, a radiation structure, a feeding structure and a beam control structure, characterized in that: By switching the reflection effect of the beam control unit on the electromagnetic waves, different electromagnetic wave reflection surfaces and corresponding reflection units are constructed, so that the reflected electromagnetic waves have different calibers to achieve adjustable width of the antenna radiation beam.

2. The method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waveguide structure is excited by the feeding structure and guides the transmission of the traveling wave. The radiation structure is located at the circumferential edge of the waveguide structure and is used to radiate the energy in the waveguide structure into the free space. The beam control structure exists in the waveguide structure in the form of an array. Due to its own tuning ability, the beam control structure will show different reflection effects on electromagnetic waves and electromagnetic waves, and play a directional guiding role on electromagnetic energy.

3. The method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The beam control structure is loaded with tunable electronic components as a tuning structure: PIN diode, MEMS switch, varactor diode, silicon single voltage drop diode, germanium single voltage drop diode or tunable material ferroelectric material barium strontium titanate, temperature-variable material vanadium dioxide and water, liquid crystal, electro-optical crystal, graphene, piezoelectric crystal.

4. The method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: A tuning structure is a combination of one or more types.

5. The method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: By utilizing the phenomenon that the beam control unit is in a state of total reflection of electromagnetic waves, an electromagnetic wave reflection surface and a corresponding single reflection unit are constructed. The beam control unit is switched to a state of transmission of electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic wave reflection surface is similar to a parabolic reflection surface. The electromagnetic wave is fed into the waveguide structure through the feeding structure, and then reflected by the single reflection unit. Most of the energy is incident on the electromagnetic wave reflection surface, and then reflected by the electromagnetic wave reflection surface. The electromagnetic wave is conducted to the radiation structure in the form of a plane wave and radiated into the free space.

6. The method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of introduced reflection units increases to 2. The electromagnetic waves excited by the feeding structure are reflected by the two reflection units. More electromagnetic energy is incident on the electromagnetic wave reflection surface and is mostly concentrated in the central section of the electromagnetic wave reflection surface. Therefore, the electromagnetic wave reflection surface gathers more electromagnetic energy and radiates it to the free space through the radiation structure, forming a narrower beam.

7. The method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of introduced reflection units increases to 3, more electromagnetic energy is concentrated in the central section of the electromagnetic wave reflection surface and radiated into the free space in the form of plane waves, and the beam width is further narrowed.

8. The method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waveguide structure is used to transmit electromagnetic waves and is any two-dimensional waveguide structure or is composed of multiple one-dimensional waveguide structures. The waveguide structure includes rectangular waveguide, ridge waveguide, circular waveguide, parallel plate waveguide, gap waveguide, substrate integrated waveguide, dielectric waveguide, microstrip transmission line, stripline, coplanar waveguide, slot line and other waveguide structures. The radiation structure is located at the circumferential edge of the waveguide structure and is used to radiate the electromagnetic waves in the waveguide structure into free space. The radiating structures are various types of radiating antennas, such as horn antennas, transmission array antennas, lens antennas, and metasurface antennas.

9. The method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding structure is used to feed the waveguide structure to excite electromagnetic waves to transmit in the waveguide structure as traveling waves. The feeding structure includes coaxial probe feeding, microstrip patch feeding, waveguide feeding, slot coupling feeding based on waveguide or microstrip line, SIW feeding, parallel feeding, and series feeding.

10. The method for adjusting the beam width of a circumferential electrically controlled beam scanning antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The beam control structure is used to produce different reflection effects on electromagnetic waves to achieve the purpose of limiting the path and caliber of directional transmission of electromagnetic waves. The beam control structure is realized by loading a tuning structure of tunable electronic components: PIN diodes, MEMS switches, varactor diodes, silicon single voltage drop diodes, germanium single voltage drop diodes or tunable materials such as ferroelectric materials such as strontium barium titanate, temperature-variable materials such as vanadium dioxide and water, liquid crystals, electro-optical crystals, graphene, and piezoelectric crystals. The tuning structure involved is a combination of one or more types. The beam control units form arrays in any form, including circular arrays, square arrays, triangular arrays, and sparse arrays.

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