Phased-array antenna array and laser radar

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of antennas, and provides a phased-array antenna array and a laser radar. The phased-array antenna array comprises an input coupler, an output coupler and M * N receiving and transmitting units arranged in an array, the M * N receiving and transmitting units are arranged in M rows and N columns, and each receiving and transmitting unit comprises a receiving antenna, a transmitting antenna and an optical switch; in the row direction, the input coupler, the N transmit-receive units and the output coupler are sequentially connected through transverse waveguides. When the transmit-receive unit is in a working state, the optical switch receives an optical signal of the upstream transverse waveguide and transmits the optical signal to the transmitting antenna to realize light emission. And the optical switch receives an echo signal detected by the receiving antenna and outputs the echo signal to the downstream transverse waveguide to realize light receiving, so that coaxial receiving and transmitting of light are realized. When the transmit-receive unit is in a non-working state, the optical switch receives the optical signal of the upstream transverse waveguide and outputs the optical signal to the downstream transverse waveguide. The M * N transmit-receive units are arranged compactly, and miniaturization design is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of antennas, and more particularly to a phased array antenna array and a lidar. Background Art

[0002] The existing phased array antenna array includes a separately arranged transmitting module and a receiving module, which is relatively large in size. The transmitting module is responsible for transmitting spatial light, and the receiving module is responsible for receiving the spatial light reflected by the target object. Multiple transmitting modules and multiple receiving modules respectively form multiple optical path channels to achieve two-dimensional scanning. During testing, the receiving module often fails to receive spatial light, and the phased array antenna array has problems such as receiving spatial light walk-off and large size. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a phased array antenna array and a lidar, aiming to solve the problems of receiving spatial light walk-off and large size existing in the existing phased array antenna array.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a phased array antenna array, which includes an input coupler, an output coupler, and M*N transceiver units arranged in an array. The M*N transceiver units are arranged in M rows and N columns. The transceiver unit includes a receiving antenna, a transmitting antenna, and an optical switch; in the row direction, the input coupler, the N transceiver units, and the output coupler are sequentially connected by transverse waveguides;

[0005] When the transceiver unit is in the working state, the optical switch receives the optical signal from the upstream transverse waveguide and transmits it to the transmitting antenna to achieve light emission; and, the optical switch receives the echo signal detected by the receiving antenna and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide to achieve light reception;

[0006] When the transceiver unit is in the non-working state, the optical switch receives the optical signal from the upstream transverse waveguide and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide.

[0007] In one embodiment, when the transceiver unit is in the working state, it receives the optical signal from the upstream transverse waveguide through the first input end of the optical switch and transmits it to the transmitting antenna through the first output end of the optical switch to achieve light emission; and, it receives the echo signal detected by the receiving antenna through the second input end of the optical switch and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide through the second output end of the optical switch to achieve light reception;

[0008] When the transceiver unit is in the non-working state, it receives the optical signal on the upstream transverse waveguide through the first input end of the optical switch and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide through the second output end of the optical switch.

[0009] In one embodiment, the input coupler includes M first optical splitters sequentially connected by a first longitudinal waveguide, and each of the first optical splitters is connected to the first transceiver unit in the same row direction through the transverse waveguide; and / or, the output coupler includes M second optical splitters sequentially connected by a second longitudinal waveguide, and each of the second optical splitters is connected to the last transceiver unit in the same row direction through the transverse waveguide.

[0010] In one embodiment, the optical switch includes an input splitter and an output splitter. The input splitter receives the optical signals of the receiving antenna and the upstream transverse waveguide respectively, and transmits them to the output splitter; the output splitter receives the optical signals of the input splitter and transmits them to the transmitting antenna and the downstream transverse waveguide respectively.

[0011] In one embodiment, the optical switch includes a first phase shift structure between the upstream transverse waveguide and the transmitting antenna; and / or, the optical switch includes a second phase shift structure between the receiving antenna and the downstream transverse waveguide.

[0012] In one embodiment, the input splitter is an adiabatic coupler, and / or, the output splitter is an adiabatic coupler.

[0013] In one embodiment, the input splitter includes a first input waveguide and a second input waveguide that are mutually coupled, the output splitter includes a first output waveguide and a second output waveguide that are mutually coupled, the upstream transverse waveguide, the first input waveguide, the first output waveguide, and the transmitting antenna are sequentially connected in series, and the receiving antenna, the second input waveguide, the second output waveguide, and the downstream transverse waveguide are sequentially connected in series.

[0014] In one embodiment, a first transmission waveguide is connected between the first input waveguide and the first output waveguide, a second transmission waveguide is connected between the second input waveguide and the second output waveguide, and the phase difference formed between the first transmission waveguide and the second transmission waveguide is an integer multiple of 2π.

[0015] In one embodiment, the second transmission waveguide includes a first transmission portion, a second transmission portion, and a third transmission portion that are sequentially connected. The first transmission portion and the third transmission portion are spaced and parallel to each other. The first transmission portion is connected to the first input waveguide, the third transmission portion is connected to the second output waveguide, and the second transmission portion is parallel and spaced from the first transmission waveguide.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first input waveguide and the second input waveguide are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel, and the first input waveguide is located on the side of the second input waveguide closer to the transmitting antenna;

[0017] And / or, the first output waveguide and the second output waveguide are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel, and the second output waveguide is located on the side of the first output waveguide away from the transmitting antenna.

[0018] In one embodiment, the input beam splitter, the transmitting antenna, and the output beam splitter are sequentially and spaced apart in the row direction, and the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna are spaced apart in the column direction.

[0019] In a second aspect, the present application provides a lidar, which includes the phased array antenna array described in any one of the above.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the phased array antenna array provided by the present invention are as follows: Each transceiver unit includes a receiving antenna and a transmitting antenna. After the spatial light emitted by the transmitting antenna is reflected by the target object, it can be received by the receiving antenna of the same transceiver unit, ensuring that the spatial light information processed by the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna is almost the same. The phased array antenna array has the characteristic of coaxial transceiver, reducing the spatial light walk-off. M*N transceiver units are arranged in M rows and N columns. In each row, the input coupler, N transceiver units, and output coupler are sequentially connected by transverse waveguides to realize the transmission of optical signals in the row direction. When the transceiver unit is in the working state, the optical signal is transmitted in the row direction to this transceiver unit. The optical switch of this transceiver unit receives the optical signal from the upstream transverse waveguide and transmits it to the transmitting antenna to realize optical emission; and, the optical switch of this transceiver unit receives the echo signal detected by the receiving antenna and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide, and then this echo signal is transmitted in the row direction to the output coupler to realize optical reception, thereby realizing the coaxial transceiver of light. When the transceiver unit is in the non-working state, the optical signal is transmitted in the row direction to this transceiver unit. The optical switch of this transceiver unit receives the optical signal from the upstream transverse waveguide and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide to realize the passage of the optical signal, so that the optical signal continues to be transmitted in the row direction to the working transceiver unit to realize optical emission, or the optical signal continues to be transmitted in the row direction to the output coupler to realize optical reception. Thus, M*N transceiver units are arranged compactly, and cooperate to realize optical emission and optical reception, synchronously solving the problem of spatial light walk-off existing in the existing phased array antenna array, which is beneficial to the miniaturized design of the volume of the phased array antenna array. Description of the Drawings

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, 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 invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the phased array antenna array provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the first state of the phased array antenna array provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the second state of the phased array antenna array provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the phased array antenna array provided by the embodiment of the present invention applied to lidar;

[0026] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the phased array antenna array provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the optical switch of the phased array antenna array provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the first state of the phased array antenna array provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the second state of the phased array antenna array provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the third state of the phased array antenna array provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 10 Temperature stability test diagram when both the input beam splitter and the output beam splitter are adiabatic couplers.

[0032] Among them, the reference numerals in the figure:

[0033] 1. Target object; 2. Lens; 3. Lidar chip; 4. Phased array antenna array;

[0034] 10. Input coupler; 11. First optical beam splitter; 12. First optical input port; 13. First optical output port;

[0035] 20. Output coupler; 21. Second optical beam splitter; 22. Second optical input port; 23. Second optical output port;

[0036] 30. Transceiver unit;

[0037] 40. Transverse waveguide;

[0038] 100. Receiving antenna;

[0039] 200. Transmitting antenna;

[0040] 300. Optical switch; 301. First input terminal; 302. Second input terminal; 303. First output terminal; 304. Second output terminal; 310. Input beam splitter; 311. First beam splitting outlet; 312. Second beam splitting outlet; 313. First input waveguide; 314. Second input waveguide; 320. Output beam splitter; 321. First beam splitting inlet; 322. Second beam splitting inlet; 323. First output waveguide; 324. Second output waveguide; 330. First transmission waveguide; 340. Second transmission waveguide; 341. First transmission part; 342. Second transmission part; 343. Third transmission part; 350. First phase shift structure; 360. Second phase shift structure. Detailed implementation manners

[0041] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described by referring to the drawings below are exemplary and are intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0042] Referring to "one embodiment" or "embodiments" throughout the specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in connection with the embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in some embodiments" appearing in various places throughout the specification do not all refer to the same embodiment. In addition, in one or more embodiments, the specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner.

[0043] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "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 drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention 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 should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0044] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features.

[0045] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, terms such as "mounted", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 1 , this application provides a phased array antenna array 4. The phased array antenna array 4 includes a plurality of input couplers 10, output couplers 20, and M×N transceiver units 30. The M×N transceiver units 30 are arranged in M rows and N columns. Among them, M and N are positive integers greater than 2, and M and N may be equal or unequal, which is not limited herein. Optionally, the value range of M is 2 to 500, and the value range of N is 2 to 500. Among them, the N transceiver units 30 in each row are arranged at intervals in the row direction X in sequence, and the M rows of transceiver units 30 are arranged in parallel at intervals. The M transceiver units 30 in each column are arranged at intervals in the column direction Y in sequence, and the N columns of transceiver units 30 are arranged in parallel at intervals. The row direction X is different from the column direction Y. Optionally, the included angle between the row direction X and the column direction Y is 30° to 150°, which is not limited herein. For example, the included angle between the row direction X and the column direction Y is 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, or 150°. And, the light source provides an optical signal to the input coupler 10 through an optical fiber / longitudinal waveguide, and then is waveguide-coupled to the transceiver units 30 in each row through the input coupler 10; and, receives the echo signals detected by the transceiver units 30 in each row through the optical fiber / longitudinal waveguide and couples and outputs them.

[0047] The transceiver unit 30 includes a receiving antenna 100, a transmitting antenna 200, and an optical switch 300. In the row direction X, the input coupler 10, N transceiver units 30, and the output coupler 20 are sequentially connected by transverse waveguides 40 in turn, so that optical signals can be transmitted in the row direction X. Among them, the input coupler 10 is located upstream of the optical signal in the row direction X, and the output coupler 20 is located downstream of the optical signal in the row direction X. Among the N transceiver units 30, the first transceiver unit 30 is connected to the input coupler 10 through the upstream transverse waveguide 40 connected thereto, and is connected to the second transceiver unit 30 through the downstream transverse waveguide 40 connected thereto; the intermediate transceiver units 30 are connected to the previous transceiver unit 30 through the upstream transverse waveguide 40 connected thereto, and are connected to the next transceiver unit 30 through the downstream transverse waveguide 40 connected thereto; the last transceiver unit 30 is connected to the previous transceiver unit 30 through the upstream transverse waveguide 40 connected thereto, and is connected to the output coupler 20 through the downstream transverse waveguide 40 connected thereto. It should be noted that in the present application, for each transceiver unit 30, the transverse waveguide 40 connected to the input end of the transceiver unit 30 is the upstream transverse waveguide 40 of the transceiver unit 30; the transverse waveguide 40 connected to the output end of the transceiver unit 30 is the downstream transverse waveguide 40 of the transceiver unit 30.

[0048] When the transceiver unit 30 is in the working state, the optical switch 300 receives the optical signal from the upstream transverse waveguide 40 and transmits it to the transmitting antenna 200 to achieve optical emission; and, the optical switch 300 receives the echo signal detected by the receiving antenna 100 and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide 40 to achieve optical reception.

[0049] When the transceiver unit 30 is in the non-working state, the optical switch 300 receives the optical signal from the upstream transverse waveguide 40 and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide 40. The non-working transceiver unit 30 does not emit optical signals and does not receive optical signals, and functions as a conduction transmission of optical signals, enabling the optical signals to pass through at high speed and with low loss.

[0050] For the phased array antenna array 4 provided by this application, each transceiver unit 30 includes a receiving antenna 100 and a transmitting antenna 200. After the spatial light transmitted by the transmitting antenna 200 is reflected by the target object, it can be received by the receiving antenna 100 of the same transceiver unit 30, ensuring that the spatial light information processed by the transmitting antenna 200 and the receiving antenna 100 is almost the same. Thus, the phased array antenna array 4 has the characteristic of coaxial transceiver, reducing the spatial light walk-off. M×N transceiver units 30 are arranged in M rows and N columns. In each row, the input coupler 10, N transceiver units 30, and the output coupler 20 are sequentially connected by the transverse waveguide 40 to realize the transmission of the optical signal along the row direction X. When the transceiver unit 30 is in the working state, the optical signal is transmitted along the row direction X to this transceiver unit 30. The optical switch of this transceiver unit 30 receives the optical signal through the upstream transverse waveguide 40 and transmits it to the transmitting antenna 200 to realize optical emission; and, the optical switch 300 of this transceiver unit 30 receives the echo signal (also an optical signal) detected by the receiving antenna 100 and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide 40. Then, this echo signal is transmitted along the row direction X to the output coupler 20 to realize optical reception, thus realizing the coaxial transceiver of light. When the transceiver unit 30 is in the non-working state, the optical signal is transmitted along the row direction X to this transceiver unit 30. The optical switch 300 of this transceiver unit 30 receives the optical signal of the upstream transverse waveguide 40 and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide 40, realizing the passage of the optical signal, so that the optical signal continues to be transmitted along the row direction X to the working transceiver unit 30 to realize optical emission, or the optical signal continues to be transmitted along the row direction X to the output coupler 20 to realize optical reception. In this way, M×N transceiver units 30 are arranged compactly, and cooperate to realize optical emission and optical reception, which is beneficial to the miniaturized design of the volume of the phased array antenna array.

[0051] Combined with Figure 2 , when the optical signal needs to be emitted from the transceiver unit 30 in the second row and the fourth column, at this time, the input coupler 10 couples the optical signal to the second row. On the second row, the first three transceiver units 30 are in the non-working state. The optical switches 300 of the first three transceiver units 30 receive the optical signal of the upstream transverse waveguide 40 and output it to the downstream transverse waveguide 40, so that the optical signal is transmitted along the row direction X to the fourth transceiver unit 30; the optical switch 300 of the fourth transceiver unit 30 receives the optical signal of the upstream transverse waveguide 40 and transmits it to the transmitting antenna 200 to realize optical emission.

[0052] Combined with Figure 3 , the transceiver unit 30 in the second row and the fourth column is in the working state. The optical switch 300 receives the echo signal detected by the receiving antenna 100 and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide 40 for transmission to the transceiver unit 30 in the fifth column. The transceiver unit 30 in the fifth column is in the non-working state, so that the echo signal continues to be transmitted along the row direction X to the output coupler 20 to realize optical reception.

[0053] In this way, by switching the working state and non - working state of the transceiver unit 30, different functions of the transceiver unit 30 for emitting, receiving, or transmitting optical signals are controlled. Thus, M * N transceiver units 30 can cooperate with each other, controlling the transceiver units 30 at preset positions to be in the working state and the transceiver units 30 at non - preset positions to be in the non - working state, enabling high - speed and low - loss passage of optical signals. The transceiver units 30 upstream of the transceiver unit 30 in the working state are in the non - working state, enabling the optical signal to reach the transceiver unit 30 in the working state at high speed and with low loss and be emitted through the transmitting antenna 200; and when the transceiver unit 30 in the working state receives an echo signal, the transceiver units 30 downstream are in the non - working state, enabling the echo signal to be transmitted back to the output coupler 20 at high speed and with low loss.

[0054] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 5 , when the transceiver unit 30 is in the working state, it receives the optical signal from the upstream transverse waveguide 40 through the first input end 301 of the optical switch 300 and transmits it to the transmitting antenna 200 through the first output end 303 of the optical switch 300 to achieve optical emission (see Figure 8 ). When the transceiver unit 30 is in the working state, combined with Figure 7 , it receives the echo signal detected by the receiving antenna 100 through the second input end 302 of the optical switch 300 and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide 40 through the second output end 304 of the optical switch 300 to achieve optical reception.

[0055] Combined with Figure 9 , when the transceiver unit 30 is in the non - working state, it receives the optical signal on the upstream transverse waveguide 40 through the first input end 301 of the optical switch 300 and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide 40 through the second output end 304 of the optical switch 300, achieving low - loss optical transmission.

[0056] In this way, combined with Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the optical switch 300 has a first input end 301, a second input end 302, a first output end 303, and a second output end 304. The first input end 301 is connected to the upstream transverse waveguide 40, the second input end 302 is connected to the receiving antenna 100, the first output end 303 is connected to the transmitting antenna 200, and the second output end 304 is connected to the upstream transverse waveguide 40. The optical switch 300 receives optical signals from different components through different input ends and output ends, and outputs optical signals to different components, so as to orderly achieve different functions of optical emission, optical reception, and optical transmission, and avoid the optical signal being output through both output ends simultaneously, which may affect the signal intensity.

[0057] Optionally, the optical switch 300 only has a first input end 301, a second input end 302, a first output end 303 and a second output end 304, without other input ends and output ends, so that the structure of the optical switch 300 is simple, which is further conducive to the miniaturized design of the phased array antenna array 4.

[0058] In some embodiments, in combination with Figure 1 , the input coupler 10 includes M first optical splitters 11 connected in sequence through a first longitudinal waveguide, so that the optical signal can be transmitted along the connection direction of the first longitudinal waveguide. Among the M first optical splitters 11, the first first optical splitter 11 is coupled to the light source through the upstream first longitudinal waveguide connected thereto to receive the optical signal, and is connected to the second first optical splitter 11 through the downstream first longitudinal waveguide connected thereto; the non-first first optical splitter 11 is connected to the previous first optical splitter 11 through the upstream first longitudinal waveguide connected thereto, and is connected to the next first optical splitter 11 through the downstream first longitudinal waveguide connected thereto, which is conducive to receiving the external optical signal and transmitting it to the first optical splitter 11 corresponding to the specified row, and simplifies the reception and row distribution control of the optical signal.

[0059] Specifically, the M first optical splitters 11 correspond to the M rows of transceiver units 30 one by one. Each first optical splitter 11 is connected to the first transceiver unit 30 in the same row direction X through a transverse waveguide 40. Each first optical splitter 11 controls whether the optical signal is input to the corresponding row, which simplifies the input control of the optical signal. When the transceiver unit 30 in the corresponding row does not need to realize optical emission, the corresponding first optical splitter 11 can control the optical signal not to be input to the corresponding row, and it is not necessary to control all the N transceiver units 30 in the corresponding row to be in a non-operating state, which simplifies the operation control of the phased array antenna array 4.

[0060] Optionally, the M first optical splitters 11 are linearly distributed along the column direction Y, realizing a compact layout. On the one hand, it is conducive to the miniaturized design of the phased array antenna array 4. On the other hand, it is conducive to the connection of each first optical splitter 11 to the first transceiver unit 30 in the corresponding row through the transverse waveguide 40 nearby, reducing optical loss.

[0061] Specifically, each first optical splitter 11 has a first optical input port 12 and two first optical output ports 13. The first optical input port 12 is connected to the upstream first longitudinal waveguide. One of the first optical output ports 13 is connected to the first transceiver unit 30 in each row through a transverse waveguide 40, and the other first optical output port 13 is connected to the downstream first longitudinal waveguide. The first optical splitter 11 realizes the distribution control of the optical signal through different input ports and output ports in an orderly manner, ensuring the stable, reliable and low-loss transmission and distribution of the optical signal.

[0062] Optionally, the first optical beam splitter 11 only has one first optical input port 12 and two first optical output ports 13, without any other ports, making the structure of the first optical beam splitter 11 simple and further facilitating the miniaturization design of the phased array antenna array 4.

[0063] In some embodiments, in combination with Figure 1 , the output coupler 20 includes M second optical beam splitters 21 connected in sequence through a second longitudinal waveguide, so that the optical signal can be transmitted along the connection direction of the second longitudinal waveguide. Among the M second optical beam splitters 21, the first second optical beam splitter 21 is coupled to the lidar receiving system through the upstream second longitudinal waveguide to receive optical reception, and is connected to the second second optical beam splitter 21 through the downstream second longitudinal waveguide; the non-first second optical beam splitter 21 is connected to the previous second optical beam splitter 21 through the upstream second longitudinal waveguide and is connected to the next second optical beam splitter 21 through the downstream second longitudinal waveguide, which is conducive to receiving echo signals of different rows and converging them to the lidar receiving system, avoiding the loss of echo signals, and each second optical beam splitter 21 does not need to control its working state, simplifying the operation control of the phased array antenna array 4.

[0064] Specifically, the M second optical beam splitters 21 correspond to the M rows of transceiver units 30 one by one, and each second optical beam splitter 21 is connected to the last transceiver unit 30 in the same row direction X through a transverse waveguide 40. The transceiver units 30 are generally in a non-working state. Only by controlling the preset transceiver unit 30 to be in a working state, the echo signal received by it through the receiving antenna 100 will automatically converge to the lidar receiving system through the non-working transceiver units 30 and the second optical beam splitters 21, simplifying the operation control of the phased array antenna array 4.

[0065] Optionally, the M second optical beam splitters 21 are linearly distributed along the column direction Y, achieving a compact layout. On the one hand, it is conducive to the miniaturization design of the phased array antenna array 4, and on the other hand, it is conducive to the connection of each second optical beam splitter 21 to the last transceiver unit 30 in the corresponding row through the nearby transverse waveguide 40, reducing optical loss.

[0066] Specifically, each second optical beam splitter 21 has two second optical input ports 22 and one second optical output port 23. The second optical output port 23 is connected to the downstream second longitudinal waveguide. One of the second optical input ports 22 is connected to the last transceiver unit 30 in each row through a transverse waveguide 40, and the other second optical input port 22 is connected to the upstream second longitudinal waveguide. The second optical beam splitter 21 realizes the safe reception of optical signals through different input ports and output ports.

[0067] Optionally, the second optical beam splitter 21 has only two second optical input ports 22 and one second optical output port 23, without any other ports, making the structure of the second optical beam splitter 21 simple and further facilitating the miniaturized design of the phased array antenna array 4.

[0068] Specifically, in combination with Figures 2 to 4 , when the phased array antenna array 4 is applied to the lidar chip 3, the laser generated by the laser (light source) is coupled to the lidar chip 3 through the input coupler 10 and reaches the predetermined transceiver unit 30 along the column direction Y and the row direction X. Among them, by controlling the light-emitting positions in the phased array antenna array 4, two-dimensional scanning at different angles can be achieved. For example, by sequentially controlling the transceiver unit 30 to emit light, the scanning function of the phased array antenna array in two-dimensional angles can be realized. The transceiver unit 30 emits spatial light outward, and the spatial light passes through the lens 2 and then irradiates the target object 1. After being reflected by the target object 1, it basically reaches the original transceiver unit 30 along the original path, and an optical signal containing information such as the shape and position of the target object 1 is obtained. The optical signal is transmitted along the row direction X and the column direction Y to the output coupler 20 for transmission to the downstream lidar receiving system for information processing. Among them, the transceiver unit 30 can both emit and receive spatial light, has a coaxial transceiver function, avoids the walk-off of the received spatial light, and there is no need to set up separate transmitting and receiving modules, which is conducive to the miniaturized design of the phased array antenna array.

[0069] In some embodiments, the transmitting antenna 200 and the receiving antenna 100 can be independently a grating-shaped optical antenna or a waveguide-shaped optical antenna. For example, the transmitting antenna 200 and the receiving antenna 100 are second-order diffraction gratings in the grating-type optical antenna, etched on the silicon array waveguide. The specific parameters of the grating, such as the grating period, duty cycle, etching depth, etc., are all related to the wavelength of the spatial light.

[0070] In some embodiments, in combination with Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the optical switch 300 includes an input beam splitter 310 and an output beam splitter 320. The input beam splitter 310 receives the optical signals from the receiving antenna 100 and the upstream transverse waveguide 40 respectively and transmits them to the output beam splitter 320. The output beam splitter 320 receives the optical signals from the input beam splitter 310 and transmits them to the transmitting antenna 200 and the downstream transverse waveguide 40 respectively. The input beam splitter 310 can distribute the optical signals from the receiving antenna 100 or the upstream transverse waveguide 40 to different channels with low loss, and the output beam splitter 320 can combine the optical signals from different channels and distribute them to the transmitting antenna 200 or the downstream transverse waveguide 40 with low loss. The optical switch 300 can flexibly configure and manage the input and output of optical signals as needed. The path and distribution of optical signals can be adjusted according to the requirements of specific application scenarios to provide more flexible and diverse optical path connections.

[0071] Optionally, the input beam splitter 310 has a first input end 301, a second input end 302, a first beam splitting outlet 311, and a second beam splitting outlet 312. The output beam splitter 320 has a first output end 303, a second output end 304, a first beam splitting inlet 321, and a second beam splitting inlet 322. The first beam splitting outlet 311 and the first beam splitting inlet 321 are waveguide-connected, and the second beam splitting outlet 312 and the second beam splitting inlet 322 are waveguide-connected. In this way, the input beam splitter 310 and the output beam splitter 320 are 2×2 beam splitters, and the optical switch 300 forms a Mach-Zehnder type optical switch 300, which is convenient for the combination and splitting of optical signals, can realize efficient and stable control of optical signals, and has two input ports and two output ports. One of the two input ports is optically connected to the receiving antenna 100, and the other is cascaded with the previous transceiver unit 30. One of the two output ports is optically connected to the transmitting antenna 200, and the other is cascaded with the subsequent transceiver unit 30, which is convenient for realizing large-scale arraying and is conducive to realizing integrated layout and miniaturized design.

[0072] In some embodiments, the optical switch 300 includes a first phase shift structure 350 between the transverse waveguide 40 located upstream and the transmitting antenna 200. By adjusting the phase of the optical signal, the first phase shift structure 350 facilitates the output beam splitter 320 to realize optical path switching, so that the optical signal received by the transverse waveguide 40 upstream can be transmitted to the transmitting antenna 200 or to the transverse waveguide 40 downstream, enabling the optical signal to be switched between different channels and intensity distribution.

[0073] Specifically, the first phase shift structure 350 includes a delay line, a thermal phase modulator, or an electro-optic phase modulator. The two arms of the optical switch 300 achieve phase shift in a thermo-optical or electro-optic manner to change the optical path difference between the two arms and realize the switching function of the optical switch 300.

[0074] Specifically, the first phase shift structure 350 is connected between the first beam splitting outlet 311 and the first beam splitting inlet 321.

[0075] In one embodiment, the optical switch 300 includes a second phase shift structure 360 between the receiving antenna 100 and the transverse waveguide 40 downstream. By adjusting the phase of the optical signal, the second phase shift structure 360 facilitates the output beam splitter 320 to realize optical path switching, so that the optical signal received by the receiving antenna 100 can be transmitted to the transmitting antenna 200 or to the transverse waveguide 40 downstream, enabling the optical signal to be switched between different channels and intensity distribution.

[0076] In a possible example, in combination with Figure 7, when the transceiver unit 30 implements the receiving function, light is input from the receiving antenna 100. By adjusting at least one of the first phase-shifting structure 350 and the second phase-shifting structure 360, the phase difference of the optical signals in different channels is adjusted. The optical signals with a phase difference converge at the output beam splitter 320 and are output from the second output terminal 304 on the right side.

[0077] Optionally, the second phase-shifting structure 360 includes a delay line, a thermo-optic phase modulator, or an electro-optic phase modulator. Phase shifts are achieved in the two arms of the optical switch 300 in a thermo-optic or electro-optic manner to change the optical path difference between the two arms and implement the switching function of the optical switch 300.

[0078] Optionally, the second phase-shifting structure 360 is connected between the second beam splitting outlet 312 and the second beam splitting inlet 322.

[0079] In one embodiment, the input beam splitter 310, the transmitting antenna 200, and the output beam splitter 320 are sequentially and spaced apart along the row direction X, which facilitates the connection of the input beam splitter 310 to the upstream transverse waveguide 40 and the connection of the output beam splitter to the downstream transverse waveguide 40. Furthermore, it facilitates the cascading of the N transceiver units 30 in each row, and the wiring length between them is short, which is beneficial to shortening the size of the phased array antenna array 4 in the row direction X.

[0080] Specifically, the receiving antenna 100 and the transmitting antenna 200 are spaced apart along the column direction Y. The receiving antenna 100 makes full use of the spatial arrangement of the transceiver unit 30 in the column direction Y, which is beneficial to shortening the interval between them, realizing coaxial transceiver, and not occupying additional space in the row direction X, which is beneficial to the compact structure and small volume of the transceiver unit 30.

[0081] In one embodiment, the input beam splitter 310 and the output beam splitter 320 can be independently a Y-shaped beam splitter, a multimode interference beam splitter, a directional coupler, or an adiabatic coupler.

[0082] In one embodiment, combined with Figure 6 , the input beam splitter 310 is an adiabatic coupler, which has a small size, low loss, and has a certain bandwidth compared with a directional coupler to counteract the drift of the central wavelength caused by temperature changes. Multiple low-loss transceiver units 30 with transceiver functions are cascaded into an array, thereby realizing an ultra-large-scale phased array antenna array with temperature stability.

[0083] In one embodiment, combined with Figure 6 , the output beam splitter 320 is an adiabatic coupler, which has a small size, low loss, and has a certain bandwidth compared with a directional coupler to counteract the drift of the central wavelength caused by temperature changes. Multiple low-loss transceiver units 30 with transceiver functions are cascaded into an array, thereby realizing an ultra-large-scale phased array antenna array with temperature stability.

[0084] Figure 10 The design results of the optical switch 300 based on an adiabatic coupler and a directional coupler are given. This figure is only for illustration. In the figure, the first group is the design results of the optical switch 300 based on an adiabatic coupler (the transmittance curves of the two output ports varying with wavelength), and the second group is the design results of the optical switch 300 based on a directional coupler. At 1550 nm, the ideal distribution values of the transmittance T1 of the first output port and the transmittance T2 of the second output port of the beam splitter are each 50%. Taking plus or minus 5% as the standard, it can be seen that the first group of results has a larger bandwidth than the second group. Among them, the directional coupler for beam splitting can only allow the transceiver unit 30 to work at a single central wavelength. When affected by temperature, the effective refractive index of the material changes, resulting in the original central wavelength drifting, and the splitting ratio of the directional coupler will also drift, ultimately affecting the energy distribution of the transceiver unit 30. However, the adiabatic coupler maintains a constant splitting ratio within the designed bandwidth and can still work at the optimal central wavelength after being affected by temperature changes.

[0085] Combined with Figure 10 , for the transceiver unit 30 based on the optical switch 300, the optical switch 300 can be designed based on the principle of a directional coupler or a multimode interference beam splitter. For example, referring to Figure 10 in the second group, the input beam splitter 310 and the output beam splitter 320 can adopt directional coupling design, having a stable 3 dB splitting ratio (i.e., the splitting ratio of the two output ports is 50%:50%) at the central wavelength position (such as at 1550 nm) and being small in size. However, when the external temperature changes, it will cause a change in the effective refractive index of the silicon material, making the splitting ratio of the coupler no longer stable, and its central wavelength may drift from 1550 nm to 1540 nm or 1560 nm. If the input beam splitter 310 and the output beam splitter 320 adopt an adiabatic coupler, the coupling size of the coupler can be appropriately increased according to the required working bandwidth. Compared with a 2×2 directional coupler, referring to Figure 10 in the first group, the size of the 2×2 adiabatic coupler is slightly longer, but the optical switch 300 has a constant 3 dB splitting ratio near the central wavelength, so it can adapt to the drift of the central wavelength caused by a certain degree of temperature change. Compared with the beam splitter designed based on a 2×2 multimode interferometer, the optical switch 300 based on a 2×2 adiabatic coupler is more flexible in bandwidth design. If only a comparable performance is required within a bandwidth range of several nanometers to more than ten nanometers, the size of the latter is about 1 / 2 of the former, so the latter is smaller in size and has greater advantages in integration.

[0086] Thus, in the optical switch 300 adopted by the transceiver unit 30, since the adiabatic coupler achieves 2×2 3dB beam splitting to counteract the drift of the central wavelength caused by temperature changes, the design can be adjusted according to the bandwidth requirements of the phased array. While meeting the bandwidth requirements, a size as small as possible can be achieved.

[0087] In one embodiment, in combination with Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the input beam splitter 310 includes a first input waveguide 313 and a second input waveguide 314 that are coupled to each other, and the output beam splitter 320 includes a first output waveguide 323 and a second output waveguide 324 that are coupled to each other. The upstream transverse waveguide 40, the first input waveguide 313, the first output waveguide 323, and the transmitting antenna 200 are connected in series in sequence, and the receiving antenna 100, the second input waveguide 314, the second output waveguide 324, and the downstream transverse waveguide 40 are connected in series in sequence. Thus, connecting in series simplifies the structure of the phased array antenna array 4, the signal transmission path is clear, it is easy to layout and debug compactly, which is conducive to miniaturized design and reduction of manufacturing difficulty. Moreover, the upstream transverse waveguide 40 and the transmitting antenna 200 are connected in series, reducing the coupling loss, which is conducive to increasing the power of the emitted light and the detection distance. The receiving antenna 100 and the downstream transverse waveguide 40 are connected in series, reducing the coupling loss, which is conducive to improving the efficiency and stability of signal transmission, the echo signal intensity is high, and it is convenient to eliminate clutter.

[0088] Specifically, both ends of the first input waveguide 313 respectively have a first input end 301 and a first beam splitting outlet 311, both ends of the second input waveguide 314 respectively have a second input end 302 and a second beam splitting outlet 312, both ends of the first output waveguide 323 have a first output end 303 and a second beam splitting inlet 322, and both ends of the second output waveguide 324 respectively have a second output end 304 and a first beam splitting inlet 321.

[0089] In some embodiments, a first transmission waveguide 330 is connected between the first input waveguide 313 and the first output waveguide 323, and a second transmission waveguide 340 is connected between the second input waveguide 314 and the second output waveguide 324. The input beam splitter 310 and the output beam splitter 320 can achieve effective beam splitting and combination of optical signals by using the first transmission waveguide 330 and the second transmission waveguide 340, realizing flexible and controllable optical signal transmission and processing, having a high degree of integration and functionality, which is conducive to improving the performance and application range of the optical switch 300.

[0090] Optionally, the phase difference formed between the first transmission waveguide 330 and the second transmission waveguide 340 is an integer multiple of 2π. The specific integer multiple is not limited, so that the sizes of the first transmission waveguide 330 and the second transmission waveguide 340 can be flexibly set. Thus, when the first phase-shifting structure 350 and the second phase-shifting structure 360 are not working, the same optical signal passing through the first transmission waveguide 330 and the second transmission waveguide 340 respectively does not generate a phase difference.

[0091] In one embodiment, in combination with Figure 6 , the first transmission waveguide 330 and the second transmission waveguide 340 are non-equal-arm. The non-equal-arm design makes the arrangement of the transceiver antennas more compact, so that more light-emitting units can be integrated within the limited size. The first transmission waveguide 330 and the second transmission waveguide 340 do not have to be limited in size and the positions of both ends due to strict equal-arm, and then the positions of the input beam splitter 310 and the output beam splitter 320 are limited, resulting in a rigid layout and making it difficult to achieve a flexible and compact arrangement.

[0092] Moreover, compared with the optical switch 300 designed to be equal-arm, by using a phase-shifting structure to adjust the optical path difference between the two arms, the switching state of the optical switch 300 is realized; by adopting a non-equal-arm optical switch 300, there is no need to rely on a phase-shifting structure to realize the optical path difference, and an optical transceiver unit 30 with a smaller size can be realized. Among them, through the calculation of the free spectral range, the non-equal-arm waveguide lengths of the two arms are designed.

[0093] Optionally, the first transmission waveguide 330 and the second transmission waveguide 340 are dense waveguides, using a waveguide array structure based on sinusoidal spatial modulation. This structure has a large bandwidth, and the crosstalk can reach below -30 dB, and the distance between the first transmission waveguide 330 and the second transmission waveguide 340 can be reduced to half of the wavelength, that is, the optical switches 300 can be distributed more densely, which is beneficial to reducing the occupied area of the transceiver unit 30.

[0094] In one embodiment, the first transmission waveguide 330 and the second transmission waveguide 340 are non-equal-arm, and the shapes of the first transmission waveguide 330 and the second transmission waveguide 340 may be the same or different. The first transmission waveguide 330 and the second transmission waveguide 340 may be at least one of a spiral waveguide, a bow-shaped waveguide, a U-shaped waveguide, a Z-shaped waveguide, a several-shaped waveguide, and a straight waveguide, which can obtain a relatively large length within a limited area, which is beneficial to reducing the occupied area of the transceiver unit 30.

[0095] In one embodiment, in combination with Figure 5 and Figure 6, the second transmission waveguide 340 includes a first transmission section 341, a second transmission section 342, and a third transmission section 343 that are sequentially connected. The first transmission section 341 and the third transmission section 343 are spaced parallel to each other. The first transmission section 341 is connected to the first input waveguide 313, the third transmission section 343 is connected to the second output waveguide 324, and the second transmission section 342 is spaced parallel to the first transmission waveguide 330. The second transmission waveguide 340 has a bent structure, which increases the flexibility of the optical switch 300, enabling the optical switch 300 to adapt to different layout and size limitations, and thus better applicable to various complex integrated transceiver units 30. At the same time, the second transmission waveguide 340 can reduce the transmission loss of optical signals in the waveguide to a certain extent through a non-equal-arm bent structure, improving the performance and efficiency of the device.

[0096] Optionally, the first transmission waveguide 330 is a straight waveguide, which has a simple structure, small size, and is easy to layout.

[0097] Optionally, the second transmission section 342 is a straight waveguide, which has a simple structure, small size, and is easy to layout. The second transmission waveguide 340 is a U-shaped waveguide, and the first transmission waveguide 330 is located in the U-shaped waveguide, making full use of the space arrangement inside the U-shaped waveguide, which is beneficial to reducing the occupied area.

[0098] In Figure 8 and Figure 9 , when the transceiver unit 30 realizes the transmitting function and light is input positively from the left side. By adjusting at least one of the first phase-shifting structure 350 and the second phase-shifting structure 360, the transceiver unit 30 can have a working state and a non-working state. In the non-working state, combined with Figure 9 , the light is output from the second output end 304 on the right side. In the working state, combined with Figure 8 , the light is output from the transmitting antenna 200.

[0099] In one embodiment, combined with Figure 5 , the first input waveguide 313 and the second input waveguide 314 are arranged adjacent and parallel to each other, which is beneficial to realizing stable coupling and occupies a small space. Optionally, the first input waveguide 313 and the second input waveguide 314 have equal arms and are flush at both ends, further shortening the size of the input beam splitter 310, which is beneficial to the miniaturized design of the transceiver unit 30.

[0100] Specifically, the first input waveguide 313 is located on the side of the second input waveguide 314 close to the transmitting antenna 200, which facilitates the optical path connection between the second input waveguide 314 and the receiving antenna 100 nearby, realizing a compact layout.

[0101] In one embodiment, combined with Figure 5, the first output waveguide 323 and the second output waveguide 324 are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel, which is conducive to achieving stable coupling and occupies a small space. Optionally, the first output waveguide 323 and the second output waveguide 324 have equal arms and are flush at both ends, further shortening the size of the input beam splitter 310, which is conducive to the miniaturized design of the transceiver unit 30.

[0102] Specifically, the second output waveguide 324 is located on the side of the first output waveguide 323 away from the transmitting antenna 200, which facilitates the optical path connection between the first output waveguide 323 and the transmitting antenna 200 in the vicinity, realizing a compact layout.

[0103] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A phased array antenna array, characterized in that: The phased array antenna array includes an input coupler, an output coupler, and M*N transceiver units arranged in an array. The M*N transceiver units are arranged in M rows and N columns. The transceiver unit includes a receiving antenna, a transmitting antenna, and an optical switch; in the row direction, the input coupler, the N transceiver units, and the output coupler are sequentially connected by transverse waveguides. When the transceiver unit is in the working state, the optical switch receives the optical signal from the upstream transverse waveguide and transmits it to the transmitting antenna to achieve optical emission; and, the optical switch receives the echo signal detected by the receiving antenna and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide to achieve optical reception. When the transceiver unit is in the non-working state, the optical switch receives the optical signal from the upstream transverse waveguide and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide.

2. The phased array antenna array according to claim 1, wherein: When the transceiver unit is in the working state, it receives the optical signal from the upstream transverse waveguide through the first input end of the optical switch and transmits it to the transmitting antenna through the first output end of the optical switch to achieve optical emission; and, it receives the echo signal detected by the receiving antenna through the second input end of the optical switch and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide through the second output end of the optical switch to achieve optical reception. When the transceiver unit is in the non-working state, it receives the optical signal on the upstream transverse waveguide through the first input end of the optical switch and outputs it to the downstream transverse waveguide through the second output end of the optical switch.

3. The phased array antenna array according to claim 1, wherein: The input coupler includes M first optical splitters sequentially connected by a first longitudinal waveguide, and each first optical splitter is connected to the first transceiver unit in the same row direction by the transverse waveguide. And / or, the output coupler includes M second optical splitters sequentially connected by a second longitudinal waveguide, and each second optical splitter is connected to the last transceiver unit in the same row direction by the transverse waveguide.

4. The phased array antenna array according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The optical switch includes an input beam splitter and an output beam splitter. The input beam splitter receives the optical signals from the receiving antenna and the upstream transverse waveguide respectively and transmits them to the output beam splitter; the output beam splitter receives the optical signals from the input beam splitter and transmits them to the transmitting antenna and the downstream transverse waveguide respectively. Wherein, the optical switch includes a first phase shift structure between the upstream transverse waveguide and the transmitting antenna; and / or, the optical switch includes a second phase shift structure between the receiving antenna and the downstream transverse waveguide.

5. The phased array antenna array according to claim 4, wherein: The input beam splitter is an adiabatic coupler, and / or, the output beam splitter is an adiabatic coupler.

6. The phased array antenna array according to claim 4, wherein: The input beam splitter includes a first input waveguide and a second input waveguide that are coupled to each other. The output beam splitter includes a first output waveguide and a second output waveguide that are coupled to each other. The upstream transverse waveguide, the first input waveguide, the first output waveguide, and the transmitting antenna are connected in series in sequence. The receiving antenna, the second input waveguide, the second output waveguide, and the downstream transverse waveguide are connected in series in sequence.

7. The phased array antenna array according to claim 6, wherein: A first transmission waveguide is connected between the first input waveguide and the first output waveguide. A second transmission waveguide is connected between the second input waveguide and the second output waveguide. The phase difference formed between the first transmission waveguide and the second transmission waveguide is an integer multiple of 2π.

8. The phased array antenna array according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second transmission waveguide includes a first transmission portion, a second transmission portion, and a third transmission portion that are connected in sequence. The first transmission portion and the third transmission portion are spaced and parallel to each other. The first transmission portion is connected to the first input waveguide. The third transmission portion is connected to the second output waveguide. The second transmission portion is parallel and spaced from the first transmission waveguide.

9. The phased array antenna array according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first input waveguide and the second input waveguide are arranged adjacent and parallel to each other. The first input waveguide is located on the side of the second input waveguide closer to the transmitting antenna. And / or, the first output waveguide and the second output waveguide are arranged adjacent and parallel to each other. The second output waveguide is located on the side of the first output waveguide farther from the transmitting antenna.

10. The phased array antenna array according to claim 4, wherein: The input beam splitter, the transmitting antenna, and the output beam splitter are sequentially and spaced apart in the row direction. The receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna are spaced apart in the column direction.

11. A lidar, characterized in that: The lidar includes the phased array antenna array according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images