Radiating unit, radio frequency antenna, communication equipment and beam control method

Abstract

The invention provides a radiation unit, a radio frequency antenna, a communication device and a beam control method, the radiation unit comprises a radiator array and a feed network, the radiator array comprises a center radiator and a plurality of edge radiators arranged along a first direction, and the center radiator is arranged between two edge radiators; the feed network is used for conducting an electric signal in the signal source to the radiator array, the feed network comprises a first feed part and a second feed part, and the first feed part is used for electrically connecting the central radiator with the signal source; the second feed part is electrically connected with the edge radiator, and the second feed part is coupled with the first feed part, so that the amplitude of an electric signal input into the edge radiator by the signal source is smaller than that of an electric signal input into the edge radiator by the signal source. The radiation unit provided by the invention has the advantage of high beam directivity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of communication technologies, and more particularly, relates to a radiation element, a radio frequency antenna, a communication device, and a beam control method. Background Art

[0002] Beamforming refers to adjusting the phases and amplitudes of the elements in an antenna array so that signals are superimposed and enhanced in a specific direction. Beam scanning refers to, based on beamforming, by changing the phase weights of the elements in real time, quickly switching the main lobe direction to achieve multi-angle coverage. Among them, the analog beam scanning method uses a phase shifter to adjust the signal phase to form a beam in a fixed direction. The analog beam scanning devices in related technologies have the problem of poor beam directivity. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the embodiments of this application is to provide a radiation element, a radio frequency antenna, and a communication device to solve the technical problems that the analog beam scanning devices in the prior art do not support multi-beam coexistence and have poor beam directivity.

[0004] In a first aspect, the embodiments of this application provide a radiation element.

[0005] The radiator array provided by the embodiments of this application includes a central radiator and a plurality of edge radiators arranged along a first direction. The central radiator is disposed between at least two of the edge radiators; a feeding network for conducting the electrical signal in the signal source to the radiator array, including a first feeding portion for electrically connecting the central radiator to the signal source; and a second feeding portion electrically connected to the edge radiators, and the second feeding portion is coupled to the first feeding portion so that the amplitude of the electrical signal input to the edge radiators by the signal source is less than the amplitude of the electrical signal input to the edge radiators by the signal source.

[0006] The beneficial effect of the radio frequency antenna provided by the embodiments of this application is that: compared with the prior art, the first feeding portion and the second feeding portion of the radiation element provided by the embodiments of this application are coupled to each other. By using the high-loss characteristic of the coupling connection method, the amplitude of the electrical signal in the second feeding portion is reduced, so that the feeding network has the effect of unequal amplitude feeding, and further enables the radiator array to generate a beam with a low sidelobe, making the radio frequency antenna provided by the embodiments of this application have high directivity.

[0007] In some embodiments, optionally, there are a plurality of the feeding networks. The plurality of feeding networks include a first feeding network and a second feeding network. The first feeding network is connected between a first signal source and the radiator array, and the second feeding network is connected between a second signal source and the radiator array;

[0008] Among them, the equivalent current direction of the electrical signal input by the first signal source into the radiator array is orthogonal to the equivalent current direction of the electrical signal input by the second signal source into the radiator array.

[0009] In some embodiments, optionally, the first feeder network is connected to one end of the radiator in the first direction and one end in the second direction, and the second feeder network is connected to the same end of the radiator in the first direction and the other end in the second direction, and the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

[0010] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a radio frequency antenna.

[0011] The radio frequency antenna provided by the embodiment of the present application includes the radiation unit described in any of the above embodiments.

[0012] It can be understood that the beneficial effects of the second aspect can refer to the relevant descriptions in the first aspect above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0013] In some embodiments, optionally, the radio frequency antenna includes a beam control component. There are multiple radiation units, and the multiple radiation units are arranged along the second direction. The beam control component includes an unequal amplitude power splitting module. The unequal amplitude power splitting module is electrically connected to the signal source, and multiple radiation units are all electrically connected to the unequal amplitude power splitting module. The phases of the electrical signals transmitted by the unequal amplitude power splitting module to the multiple radiation units are the same;

[0014] Among them, the multiple radiation units include a central unit and at least two edge units. The central unit is located between the two edge units, and the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the unequal amplitude power splitting module into the central unit is greater than the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the unequal amplitude power splitting module into the edge unit.

[0015] In some embodiments, optionally, there are multiple unequal amplitude power splitting modules, and the signal source can be connected to any one of the multiple unequal amplitude power splitting modules. The multiple unequal amplitude power splitting modules include:

[0016] A phase original module, and the phase of the electrical signal input by the signal source into the phase original module is the same as the phase of the electrical signal input by the phase original module into the multiple radiation units;

[0017] A phase shift module, and there is a phase difference between the phase of the electrical signal input by the signal source into the phase shift module and the phase of the electrical signal input by the phase shift module into the multiple radiation units.

[0018] In some embodiments, optionally, there are multiple phase shift modules. The multiple phase shift modules include a first module and a second module. There is a first phase difference between the electrical signal input by the signal source to the first module and the electrical signal input by the first module to the multiple radiation units. There is a second phase difference between the electrical signal input by the signal source to the second module and the electrical signal input by the second module to the multiple radiation units;

[0019] Wherein, the magnitudes of the first phase difference and the second phase difference are the same, and the signs of the first phase difference and the second phase difference are opposite.

[0020] In some embodiments, optionally, the beam control component further includes a wide beam module. One part of the wide beam module electrically connects any one of the multiple radiation units to the signal source, and the other part of the wide beam module is used to connect the remaining multiple radiation units to an open circuit load.

[0021] In some embodiments, optionally, the RF antenna further includes a dielectric substrate. The dielectric substrate includes a first surface and a second surface that are parallel to each other and arranged in a third direction. The radiation component is disposed on the first surface, and an equivalent ground is provided on the second surface. The equivalent ground is located between the beam control component and the radiation unit.

[0022] In some embodiments, optionally, there are multiple beam control components. The multiple beam control components include a first component and a second component. The first component is connected between the first signal source and the first feed network of the multiple radiation units, and the second component is connected between the second signal source and the second feed network of the multiple radiation units.

[0023] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device.

[0024] The communication device provided by the present application includes the RF antenna described in any of the above embodiments.

[0025] It can be understood that the beneficial effects of the above second aspect can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the above first aspect, and will not be elaborated here.

[0026] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a beam control method.

[0027] The beam control method provided by the present application includes:

[0028] Connecting multiple radiation units to an unequal amplitude power splitting module, and connecting the unequal amplitude module to a signal source, so as to generate a narrow beam for the multiple radiation units;

[0029] Connect any one of the multiple radiation units directly to a signal source, and connect the remaining multiple radiation units to open circuit loads, so that the multiple radiation units generate wide beams;

[0030] Among them, the multiple radiation units include a central unit and at least two edge units. The central unit is located between the two edge units, and the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the unequal amplitude power splitting module to the central unit is greater than the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the unequal amplitude module to the edge module.

[0031] The beneficial effect of the beam control method provided by the embodiments of the present application is that: compared with the prior art, the beam control method provided by the embodiments of the present application accesses an unequal amplitude power splitter between multiple radiation units and a signal source to make the multiple radiation units generate narrow beams with low side lobes, thereby improving the directivity of the beam. And the beam control method provided by the embodiments of the present application makes the multiple radiation units generate wide beams by connecting any one of the multiple radiation units to the signal source. Thus, the beam control method provided by the embodiments of the present application can realize the switching of multiple beam modules without adding additional losses, improve the gain of the beam generated by the beam control method, and further improve the directivity of the beam generated by the beam control method.

[0032] In some embodiments, optionally, connecting the multiple radiation units to the unequal amplitude power splitting module includes:

[0033] Connect the multiple radiation units to the original phase module, so that the multiple radiation units generate original pointing beams;

[0034] Connect the multiple radiation units to the first module, so that the multiple radiation units generate first deflected beams;

[0035] Connect the multiple radiation units to the second module, so that the multiple radiation units generate second deflected beams;

[0036] Among them, the unequal amplitude power splitting module includes an original phase module, a first module and a second module. The phase of the electrical signal input by the signal source to the original phase module is the same as the phase of the electrical signal input by the original phase module to the multiple radiation units. There is a first phase difference between the electrical signal input by the signal source to the first module and the electrical signal input by the first module to the multiple radiation units. There is a second phase difference between the electrical signal input by the signal source to the second module and the electrical signal input by the second module to the multiple radiation units. Description of the Drawings

[0037] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0038] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the radiation unit provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the current in the radiator of the radiation unit provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the RF antenna provided by the embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0041] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the RF antenna provided by the embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0042] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the beam control component of the RF antenna provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the beam of the RF antenna provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0044] Among them, the reference numerals in the figures:

[0045] 100, RF antenna;

[0046] 10, radiation unit; 11, radiator; 111, central radiator; 112, edge radiator; 12, feeding network; 121, first feeding part; 1211, first port; 1212, second port; 122, second feeding part; 1201, first feeding network; 1202, second feeding network; 101, edge unit; 102, central unit;

[0047] 20, beam control component; 21, unequal amplitude power splitting module; 211, original phase module; 212, phase shifting module; 2121, first module; 2122, second module; 22, wide beam module; 221, open circuit load; 231, first switch; 232, second switch; 233, third switch; 234, fourth switch; 235, fifth switch; 201, first component; 202, second component;

[0048] 30, dielectric substrate; 31, first surface; 32, second surface;

[0049] 40, connecting line. Detailed Implementation Manner

[0050] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects to be solved by the present application clearer and more understandable, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0051] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0052] It should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation to the present application.

[0053] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality of" means two or more unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0054] The following will be combined with Figure 1 to describe the radio frequency antenna 100 provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0055] It should be noted that the first direction in the following text is the x direction shown in the figure, the second direction in the following text is the y direction shown in the figure, and the third direction in the following text is the z direction shown in the figure.

[0056] The radiation unit 10 provided by the embodiment of the present application includes a radiator 11 array and a feeding network 12.

[0057] The radiator 11 array includes a central radiator 11111 arranged along the first direction x and a plurality of edge radiators 11211, and the central radiator 11111 is disposed between the two edge radiators 11211.

[0058] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 shown, the radiator 11 is a patch.

[0059] A plurality of radiators 11 are arranged at intervals along the first direction x. In the radiator 11 array composed of the plurality of radiators 11, one end of the radiator 11 array in the first direction x is the edge radiator 11211, and the other end of the radiator 11 array in the first direction x is the edge radiator 11211. A central radiator 11111 is provided between the two edge radiators 11211.

[0060] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 shown, there are a plurality of central radiators 11111, and the plurality of central radiators 11111 are arranged along the first direction x. In other embodiments (not shown in the figure), there is one central radiator 11111.

[0061] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 shown, there are two edge radiators 11211. In other embodiments (not shown in the figure), there are three or more edge radiators 11211, and the central radiator 11111 is located between any two edge radiators 11211.

[0062] The feeding network 12 is used to conduct the electrical signal in the signal source to the radiator 11 array, and includes a first feeding part 121 for electrically connecting the central radiator 11111 to the signal source; a second feeding part 122, which is electrically connected to the edge radiator 11211, and the second feeding part 122 is coupled to the first feeding part 121, so that the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the signal source to the edge radiator 11211 is smaller than the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the signal source to the edge radiator 11211.

[0063] The first feeding part 121 is electrically connected to the signal source, so that the electrical signal in the signal source can be input into the first feeding part 121. The first feeding part 121 is directly connected or coupled to the central radiator 11111, so as to input the electrical signal in the first feeding part 121 into the central radiator 11111.

[0064] As Figure 1 shown, the second feeding part 122 is coupled to the first feeding part 121, so as to conduct the electrical signal in the first feeding part 121 to the second feeding part 122 by means of coupling. The second feeding part 122 is directly connected or coupled to the edge radiator 11211, so as to conduct the electrical signal to the edge radiator 11211.

[0065] It should be noted that there are two second feeding parts 122, both of the two feeding parts are coupled to the first feeding part 121. One of the two feeding parts is connected to the edge radiator 11211 on one side of the central radiator 11111 in the first direction x, and the other of the two feeding parts is connected to the edge radiator 11211 on the other side of the central radiator 11111 in the first direction x.

[0066] The beneficial effects of the radio frequency antenna 100 provided by the embodiments of the present application are as follows: Compared with the prior art, the first feeding part 121 and the second feeding part 122 of the radiation unit 10 provided by the embodiments of the present application are connected by coupling. The high-loss characteristic of the coupling connection method is used to reduce the amplitude of the electrical signal in the second feeding part 122, so that the feeding network 12 has the effect of unequal-amplitude feeding. Furthermore, a low-sidelobe beam is generated by the radiator 11 array, making the radio frequency antenna 100 provided by the embodiments of the present application have high directivity.

[0067] In addition, the path length of the electrical signal from the signal source to the first central radiator 11111 is an integer multiple of the wavelength of the electrical signal from the signal source to the edge radiator 11211.

[0068] Thus, the current directions in the multiple radiators 11 in the radiator 11 array are the same, improving the gain of the radiation unit 10 provided by the present application.

[0069] In some embodiments provided by the present application, optionally, there are multiple feeding networks 12. The multiple feeding networks 12 include a first feeding network 1201 and a second feeding network 1202. The first feeding network 1201 is connected between the first signal source and the radiator 11 array, and the second feeding network 1202 is connected between the second signal source and the radiator 11 array;

[0070] Among them, the equivalent current direction of the electrical signal input by the first signal source into the radiator 11 array is orthogonal to the equivalent current direction of the electrical signal input by the second signal source into the radiator 11 array.

[0071] As Figure 1 shown, the first feeding network 1201 and the second feeding network 1202 are symmetrically arranged, and the symmetry axis of the first feeding network 1201 and the second feeding network 1202 extends along the first direction x. There are multiple signal sources, and the multiple signal sources include a first signal source and a second signal source. The frequency of the electrical signal in the first signal source may be the same as or different from the frequency of the electrical signal in the second signal source. The first feeding network 1201 is provided with a first port 1211, and the first port 1211 is used for electrical connection with the first signal source. The second feeding network 1202 is provided with a second port 1212, and the second port 1212 is used for electrical connection with the second signal source.

[0072] Thus, the equivalent current direction of the electrical signal input by the first signal source into the radiator 11 array is orthogonal to the equivalent current direction of the electrical signal input by the second signal source into the radiator 11 array, making the polarization direction of the beam generated by the first signal source input into the multiple radiators 11 orthogonal to the polarization direction of the beam generated by the second signal source input into the multiple radiators 11. The isolation degree between the first signal source and the second signal source is improved through the polarization isolation method, thereby realizing the coexistence of multiple beams with a common aperture.

[0073] In some embodiments provided by the present application, optionally, the first feed network 1201 is connected to one end of the radiator 11 in the first direction x and one end in the second direction y, and the second feed network 1202 is connected to the same end of the radiator 11 in the first direction x and the other end in the second direction y. The second direction y is orthogonal to the first direction x.

[0074] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the radiator 11 is a rectangular patch. The first feed network 1201 is connected to a corner of the radiator 11. The electrical signal input into the radiator 11 by the first feed network 1201 generates Figure 2 the a current and the b current shown in (A) of , and the a current and the b current are equivalent to the current in the c direction through appropriate superposition, so that the electrical signal input into the radiator 11 by the first feed network 1201 generates a beam polarized in the c direction.

[0075] The second feed network 1202 is connected to another corner of the radiator 11. The electrical signal input into the radiator 11 by the second feed network 1202 generates Figure 2 the d current and the e current shown in (B) of , and the d current and the e current are equivalent to the current in the f direction through appropriate superposition, so that the electrical signal input into the radiator 11 by the first feed network 1201 generates a beam polarized in the f direction.

[0076] With such a setting, on the one hand, two beams with orthogonal polarization directions are generated by arranging the first feed network 1201 and the second feed network 1202 on the radiator 11. On the other hand, the first feed network 1201 is located on one side of the radiator 11 in the second direction y, and the second feed network 1202 is located on the other side of the radiator 11 in the second direction y, which simplifies the structure of the feed network 12.

[0077] Next, a radio frequency antenna 100 provided by an embodiment of the present application will be described in conjunction with Figure 3 The radio frequency antenna 100 provided by an embodiment of the present application includes the radiation unit 10 in any of the above embodiments.

[0078] The radiation unit 10 provided by an embodiment of the present application has the advantages of being able to achieve low sidelobe radiation and good beam directivity, so that the radio frequency antenna 100 provided by the present application has the advantage of good beam directivity.

[0079]

[0080] In some embodiments provided by the present application, optionally, the radio frequency antenna 100 includes a beam control component 20. There are multiple radiation units 10, and the multiple radiation units 10 are arranged along the second direction y. The beam control component 20 includes an unequal amplitude power splitting module 21. The unequal amplitude power splitting module 21 is electrically connected to the signal source, and all the multiple radiation units 10 are electrically connected to the unequal amplitude power splitting module 21. The phases of the electrical signals transmitted by the unequal amplitude power splitting module 21 to the multiple radiation units 10 are the same;

[0081] Among them, the multiple radiation units 10 include a central unit 102 and at least two edge units 101. The central unit 102 is located between the two edge units 101, and the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the unequal amplitude power splitting module 21 to the central unit 102 is greater than the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the unequal amplitude power splitting module 21 to the edge unit 101.

[0082] As Figure 3 shown, the multiple radiation units 10 are arranged at intervals along the second direction y, and the distance between two adjacent radiation units 10 in the second direction y is about 0.6 times the wavelength of the electrical signal in the radiation unit 10.

[0083] The input ports of the multiple radiation units 10 are all electrically connected to the unequal amplitude power splitting module 21, and the path length difference between at least two radiation units 10 and the unequal amplitude power splitting module 21 is an integer multiple of the wavelength of the electrical signal in the radiation unit 10, so that the phases of the electrical signals in the multiple radiation units 10 are the same.

[0084] One end of the multiple radiation units 10 in the second direction y is an edge unit 101, the other end of the multiple radiation units 10 in the second direction y is an edge unit 101, the central unit 102 is arranged between the edge units 101, and the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the unequal amplitude power splitting module 21 to the central unit 102 is greater than the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the unequal amplitude power splitting module 21 to the edge unit 101, so that the multiple radiation units 10 generate a low sidelobe beam. By setting the unequal amplitude power splitting module 21, the cross-section of the beam generated by the multiple radiation units 10 in the xOz plane has the characteristic of low sidelobes. Since each radiation unit 10 also has the characteristic of low sidelobe radiation, the cross-section of the beam generated by the multiple radiation units 10 in the yOz plane has the characteristic of low sidelobes.

[0085] Thus, by setting the unequal amplitude power splitting module 21, the beam generated by the radio frequency antenna 100 provided by the embodiments of the present application has the characteristic of low sidelobes in both the first direction x and the second direction y, thereby improving the directivity of the radio frequency antenna 100 provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0086] In some embodiments provided by the present application, optionally, there are multiple unequal amplitude power splitting modules 21. The signal source can be connected to any one of the multiple unequal amplitude power splitting modules 21. The multiple unequal amplitude power splitting modules 21 include:

[0087] The in-phase module 211 has the same phase between the electrical signal input from the signal source to the in-phase module 211 and the electrical signals input from the in-phase module 211 to the plurality of radiation units 10;

[0088] The phase-shifting module 212 has a phase difference between the electrical signal input from the signal source to the phase-shifting module 212 and the electrical signals input from the phase-shifting module 212 to the plurality of radiation units 10.

[0089] When the in-phase module 211 is connected between the plurality of radiation units 10 and the signal source, the phase of the electrical signal in the signal source remains unchanged when conducted through the in-phase module 211, that is, the phase of the electrical signal input to the in-phase module 211 remains unchanged, and only the amplitudes of the electrical signals input to the central unit 102 and the electrical signals input to the edge unit 101 are different. As shown in Figure 6 (C) therein, the main lobe direction of the beam generated by the radiation unit 10 extends along the third direction z.

[0090] When the phase-shifting module 212 is connected between the plurality of radiation units 10 and the signal source, the phase of the electrical signal in the signal source deflects by a set angle when conducted through the phase-shifting module 212, and the amplitudes of the electrical signals input to the central unit 102 and the electrical signals input to the edge unit 101 are different, so that the main lobe direction of the beam generated by the plurality of radiation units 10 deflects by a certain angle compared with the third direction z, realizing beam scanning.

[0091] Thus, the plurality of radiators 11 and the signal source can be switched between the in-phase module 211 and the phase-shifting module 212 to switch the beam direction of the radio frequency antenna 100 provided in this application to cope with scenarios with different requirements.

[0092] In some embodiments provided in this application, optionally, there are a plurality of phase-shifting modules 212. The plurality of phase-shifting modules 212 include a first module 2121 and a second module 2122. There is a first phase difference between the electrical signal input from the signal source to the first module 2121 and the electrical signals input from the first module 2121 to the plurality of radiation units 10, and there is a second phase difference between the electrical signal input from the signal source to the second module 2122 and the electrical signals input from the second module 2122 to the plurality of radiation units 10;

[0093] Wherein, the first phase difference and the second phase difference are the same in magnitude and opposite in direction.

[0094] As shown in Figure 6 (B) therein and as shown in Figure 6As shown in (D) therein, by switching the first module 2121 and the second module 2122, the main lobe direction of the radio frequency antenna 100 provided by the present application is switched between one side of the third direction z facing the first direction x and the other side of the third direction z facing the first direction x, thereby improving the beam scanning range of the radio frequency antenna 100 provided by the present application.

[0095] In some embodiments, the phase difference between the electrical signal output by the first module 2121 and the electrical signal input to the first module 2121 is 60°. Thus, when the first module 2121 is connected between the plurality of radiation units 10 and the signal source, the included angle between the main lobe direction of the radio frequency antenna 100 provided by the present application and the third direction z is 20°. The phase difference between the electrical signal output by the second module 2122 and the electrical signal input to the second module 2122 is -60°. Thus, when the second module 2122 is connected between the plurality of radiation units 10 and the signal source, the included angle between the main lobe direction of the radio frequency antenna 100 provided by the present application and the third direction z is -20°.

[0096] In some embodiments provided by the present application, optionally, the beam control assembly 20 further includes a wide beam module 22. A part of the wide beam module 22 electrically connects any one of the plurality of radiation units 10 to the upper signal source, and another part of the wide beam module 22 is used to connect the remaining plurality of radiation units 10 to the open circuit load 221.

[0097] As Figure 5 shown, when the wide beam module 22 is connected between the plurality of radiation units 10 and the signal source, any one of the plurality of radiation units 10 is directly connected to the signal source, and the plurality of radiation units 10 that are not directly connected to the signal source are all connected to the open circuit load 221.

[0098] In some embodiments, the open circuit load 221 is a 50Ω load element with one end open.

[0099] With such a setting, when the wide beam module 22 is connected between the plurality of radiation units 10 and the signal source, one radiation unit 10 radiates. Due to the interference of the beams of the remaining radiation units 10, as Figure 6 shown in (A) therein, the radio frequency antenna 100 can generate a beam with a larger beam width, thereby achieving wide beam coverage.

[0100] In some embodiments, there are two central units 102 and two edge units 101, so that the plurality of radiators 11 are arranged to form a sixteen-element rectangular array.

[0101] In some embodiments, the beam control component 20 includes a first switch 231, a second switch 232, a third switch 233, a fourth switch 234, and a fifth switch 235, and the first switch 231, the second switch 232, the third switch 233, the fourth switch 234, and the fifth switch 235 are all single-pole four-throw switches.

[0102] One side of the first switch 231 is connected to one of the two edge units 101, and the other end of the first switch 231 can be connected to any one of the open-circuit load 221, the original phase module 211, the first module 2121, and the second module 2122;

[0103] One side of the second switch 232 is connected to one of the two central units 102, and the other end of the second switch 232 can be connected to any one of the fifth switch 235, the original phase module 211, the first module 2121, and the second module 2122;

[0104] One side of the third switch 233 is connected to the other of the two central units 102, and the other end of the third switch 233 can be connected to any one of the open-circuit load 221, the original phase module 211, the first module 2121, and the second module 2122;

[0105] One side of the fourth switch 234 is connected to the other of the two edge units 101, and the other end of the fourth switch 234 can be connected to any one of the open-circuit load 221, the original phase module 211, the first module 2121, and the second module 2122;

[0106] One side of the fifth switch 235 is connected to the signal source, and the other end of the fifth switch 235 can be connected to any one of the second switch 232, the original phase module 211, the first module 2121, and the second module 2122.

[0107] When the first switch 231, the third switch 233, and the fourth switch 234 are all connected to the open-circuit load 221, the second switch 232 and the fifth switch 235 are connected to each other, and the RF antenna 100 generates a wide beam with the main lobe direction being the third direction z.

[0108] When the first switch 231, the second switch 232, the third switch 233, the fourth switch 234, and the fifth switch 235 are all connected to the original phase module 211, the RF antenna 100 generates a narrow beam with the main lobe direction being the third direction z.

[0109] When the first switch 231, the second switch 232, the third switch 233, the fourth switch 234, and the fifth switch 235 are all connected to the first module 2121, the RF antenna 100 generates a narrow beam with the included angle between the main lobe direction and the third direction z being 20°.

[0110] When the first switch 231, the second switch 232, the third switch 233, the fourth switch 234, and the fifth switch 235 are all connected to the original phase module 211, the RF antenna 100 generates a narrow beam with the included angle between the main lobe direction and the third direction z being -20°.

[0111] Thus, by adjusting the first switch 231, the second switch 232, the third switch 233, the fourth switch 234, and the fifth switch 235, the switching between four kinds of beams generated by the RF antenna 100 is realized.

[0112] In some embodiments provided by the present application, optionally, the RF antenna 100 further includes a dielectric substrate 30. The dielectric substrate 30 includes a first surface 31 and a second surface 32 that are parallel to each other and arranged along the third direction z. The radiation component is arranged on the first surface 31, and equivalently, is arranged on the second surface 32 and is equivalently located between the beam control component 20 and the radiation unit 10.

[0113] In some embodiments, the material of the dielectric substrate 30 may include one or more materials with a relatively low dielectric constant, such as FR4 (epoxy resin-based glass fiber composite material), RO4003C (glass cloth-reinforced, ceramic-filled hydrocarbon material), etc.

[0114] As Figure 4 shown, it is equivalently attached to the second surface 32, and the positive projections of the plurality of radiation units 10 in the third direction z are all located inside the positive projection contour of the equivalent in the third direction z.

[0115] The beam control component 20 and the plurality of radiation units 10 are connected by a connection line 40.

[0116] Thus, on the one hand, by setting the equivalent that can reflect the beams of the plurality of radiation units 10, the gain of the RF antenna 100 is increased. On the other hand, the beams generated by the beam control component 20 can be shielded to avoid the clutter in the beam control component 20 from crosstalking with the beams generated by the plurality of radiation units 10.

[0117] As Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown, P1 and P7 are the first ports 1211 of two edge units 101, P2 and P8 are the second ports 1212 of two edge units 101, P3 and P5 are the first ports 1211 of two central units 102, and P4 and P6 are the second ports 1212 of two central units 102.

[0118] In some embodiments provided by the present application, optionally, there are multiple beam control components 20. The multiple beam control components 20 include a first component 201 and a second component 202. The first component 201 is connected between a first signal source and a first feeder network 1201 of multiple radiation units 10, and the second component 202 is connected between a second signal source and a second feeder network 1202 of multiple radiation units 10.

[0119] As Figure 5 shown, the first component 201 is connected to the first feeder network 1201 of multiple radiation units 10 to input the electrical signal of the first signal source into multiple radiators 11 of multiple radiation units 10 from one side in the first direction x. The second component 202 is connected to the second feeder network 1202 of multiple radiation units 10 to input the electrical signal of the second signal source into multiple radiators 11 of multiple radiation units 10 from the other side in the first direction x. And the beam generated by the electrical signal of the first signal source in the radio frequency antenna 100 and the beam generated by the electrical signal of the second signal source in the radio frequency antenna 100 have orthogonal polarization directions.

[0120] Thus, through the method of polarization isolation, the radio frequency antenna 100 provided by the present application can adjust the beams in two polarization directions respectively through the first component 201 and the second component 202, realizing beam control in two polarization directions and improving the bandwidth of the radio frequency antenna 100.

[0121] Next, the communication device provided by the present application will be described.

[0122] The communication device provided by the present application includes the radio frequency antenna 100 in any of the above embodiments.

[0123] The radio frequency antenna 100 provided by the embodiments of the present application has the advantages of being able to achieve low sidelobe radiation and good beam directivity, so that the communication device provided by the present application has the advantage of good beam directivity.

[0124] Next, the beam control method provided by the present application will be described.

[0125] The beam control method provided by the embodiments of the present application is based on the radio frequency antenna 100 in any of the above embodiments.

[0126] The beam control method provided by the present application includes: connecting multiple radiation units 10 to an unequal amplitude power distribution module 21, and connecting the unequal amplitude module to a signal source to make multiple radiation units 10 generate narrow beams;

[0127] Connecting any one of multiple radiation units 10 directly to a signal source, and connecting the remaining multiple radiation units 10 to an open circuit load 221 to make multiple radiation units 10 generate wide beams;

[0128] Among them, the multiple radiation units 10 include a central unit 102 and at least two edge units 101. The central unit 102 is located between the two edge units 101. The amplitude of the electrical signal input by the unequal-amplitude power division module 21 to the central unit 102 is greater than the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the unequal-amplitude module to the edge module.

[0129] The beneficial effect of the beam control method provided by the embodiments of the present application lies in that: compared with the prior art, the beam control method provided by the embodiments of the present application accesses an unequal-amplitude power divider between the multiple radiation units 10 and the signal source to generate a narrow beam with low side lobes for the multiple radiation units 10, thereby improving the directivity of the beam. Moreover, the beam control method provided by the embodiments of the present application connects any one of the multiple radiation units 10 to the signal source to generate a wide beam. Thus, the beam control method provided by the embodiments of the present application can achieve the switching of multiple beam modules without adding additional losses, improve the gain of the beam generated by the beam control method, and further improve the directivity of the beam generated by the beam control method.

[0130] In some embodiments provided by the present application, optionally, connecting the multiple radiation units 10 to the unequal-amplitude power division module 21 includes:

[0131] Connecting the multiple radiation units 10 to the original phase module 211 to make the multiple radiation units 10 generate an original pointing beam;

[0132] Connecting the multiple radiation units 10 to the first module 2121 to make the multiple radiation units 10 generate a first deflected beam;

[0133] Connecting the multiple radiation units 10 to the second module 2122 to make the multiple radiation units 10 generate a second deflected beam;

[0134] Among them, the unequal-amplitude power division module 21 includes an original phase module 211, a first module 2121, and a second module 2122. The phase of the electrical signal input by the signal source to the original phase module 211 is the same as the phase of the electrical signal input by the original phase module 211 to the multiple radiation units 10. There is a first phase difference between the electrical signal input by the signal source to the first module 2121 and the electrical signal input by the first module 2121 to the multiple radiation units 10. There is a second phase difference between the electrical signal input by the signal source to the second module 2122 and the electrical signal input by the second module 2122 to the multiple radiation units 10.

[0135] Thus, by adjusting the switching states of the first switch 231, the second switch 232, the third switch 233, the fourth switch 234, and the fifth switch 235, and switching the original phase module 211, the first module 2121, and the second module 2122 connected between the multiple radiation units 10 and the signal source, the beam direction generated by the RF antenna 100 can be switched, thereby achieving the effect of beam scanning and meeting the beam coverage requirements of different scenarios.

[0136] The foregoing are only the preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A radiation unit, characterized in that: include: A radiator array, comprising a central radiator and a plurality of edge radiators arranged along a first direction, wherein the central radiator is disposed between at least two of the edge radiators; A feeding network, used for conducting the electrical signal in the signal source to the radiator array, comprising: A first feeding portion, used to electrically connect the central radiator to the signal source; The second feeding portion is electrically connected to the edge radiator, and the second feeding portion is coupled to the first feeding portion so that the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the signal source to the edge radiator is smaller than the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the signal source to the edge radiator.

2. The radiation unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple feeding networks, and the multiple feeding networks include a first feeding network and a second feeding network, the first feeding network is connected between the first signal source and the radiator array, and the second feeding network is connected between the second signal source and the radiator array; The equivalent current direction of the electrical signal input into the radiator array by the first signal source is orthogonal to the equivalent current direction of the electrical signal input into the radiator array by the second signal source.

3. The radiation unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first feeding network is connected to one end of the radiator in the first direction and one end in the second direction, the second feeding network is connected to the same end of the radiator in the first direction and the other end in the second direction, and the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

4. A radio frequency antenna, characterized in that: The method comprises the radiation unit as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 3.

5. The radio frequency antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that: The radio frequency antenna includes a beam control component, there are multiple radiating units, the multiple radiating units are arranged along the second direction, the beam control component includes an unequal amplitude power division module, the unequal amplitude power division module is electrically connected to the signal source, and the multiple radiating units are all electrically connected to the unequal amplitude power division module, and the phases of the electrical signals transmitted by the unequal amplitude power division module to the multiple radiating units are the same; Among them, the multiple radiation units include a central unit and at least two edge units, the central unit is located between the two edge units, and the amplitude of the electrical signal input to the central unit by the unequal amplitude power division module is greater than the amplitude of the electrical signal input to the edge unit by the unequal amplitude power division module.

6. The radio frequency antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are multiple unequal amplitude power division modules, and the signal source can be connected to any one of the multiple unequal amplitude power division modules. The multiple unequal amplitude power division modules include: An original phase module, wherein the phases of the electrical signal input by the signal source to the original phase module and the electrical signals input by the original phase module to the plurality of radiation units are the same; A phase shift module, wherein there is a phase difference between the electrical signal input by the signal source to the phase shift module and the electrical signal input by the phase shift module to the plurality of radiation units.

7. The radio frequency antenna according to claim 6, characterized in that: There are multiple phase shift modules, and the multiple phase shift modules include a first module and a second module. There is a first phase difference between the electrical signal input by the signal source to the first module and the electrical signal input by the first module to the multiple radiation units, and there is a second phase difference between the electrical signal input by the signal source to the second module and the electrical signal input by the second module to the multiple radiation units. The first phase difference and the second phase difference are of the same magnitude, and are opposite in sign to the second phase difference.

8. The radio frequency antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that: The beam control component also includes a wide beam module, a part of which electrically connects any one of the plurality of radiating units to the signal source, and another part of which is used to connect the remaining plurality of radiating units to an open circuit load.

9. The radio frequency antenna according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that: The RF antenna also includes a dielectric substrate, which includes a first surface and a second surface parallel to each other and arranged along a third direction. The radiation component is arranged on the first surface, and the second surface is provided with an equivalent, which is located between the beam control component and the radiation unit.

10. The radio frequency antenna according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that: There are multiple beam control components, and the multiple beam control components include a first component and a second component. The first component is connected between the first signal source and a first feed network of the multiple radiating units, and the second component is connected between the second signal source and a second feed network of the multiple radiating units.

11. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising a radio frequency antenna according to any one of claims 4-10.

12. A beam control method, characterized in that: include: Connecting the plurality of radiation units to the unequal amplitude power division module, and connecting the unequal amplitude module to the signal source, so that the plurality of radiation units generate narrow beams; Directly connecting any one of the plurality of radiating elements to a signal source, and connecting the remaining plurality of radiating elements to an open-circuit load, so that the plurality of radiating elements generate a wide beam; The plurality of radiation units include a central unit and at least two edge units, the central unit is located between the two edge units, and the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the unequal amplitude power division module to the central unit is greater than the amplitude of the electrical signal input by the unequal amplitude module to the edge module.

13. The beam steering method according to claim 12, wherein: Connecting the plurality of radiation units to the unequal amplitude power division module comprises: Connecting the plurality of radiation units to the original phase module so that the plurality of radiation units generate original directional beams; Connecting the plurality of radiation units to the first module so that the plurality of radiation units generate a first deflected beam; Connecting the plurality of radiation units to the second module so that the plurality of radiation units generate a second deflected beam; Among them, the unequal-amplitude power division module includes an original phase module, a first module and a second module, the electrical signal input by the signal source to the original phase module and the electrical signal input by the original phase module to multiple radiation units have the same phase, the electrical signal input by the signal source to the first module and the electrical signal input by the first module to multiple radiation units have a first phase difference, and the electrical signal input by the signal source to the second module and the electrical signal input by the second module to multiple radiation units have a second phase difference.

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