Coupler and antenna

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupler and an antenna. The coupler comprises: two transmission lines; the connecting conductor is connected in series between the two transmission lines; and a branch conductor, the branch conductor is arranged on the connecting conductor, and one end of the branch conductor is electrically connected with the connecting conductor. The coupler is simple in structure and small in occupied space, the coupler is applied to the antenna, the power division network of each sub-array does not need to be bent additionally, and the power division network can be designed according to the optimal line layout, so that the electrical length of the power division network is shortened, the loss of the power division network is reduced, and the radiation efficiency of the antenna is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of mobile communication technologies, and particularly to a coupler and an antenna. Background Art

[0002] Currently, most 5G antennas are composed of multiple sub-arrays. Each sub-array forms two antenna ports with orthogonal polarizations, and each unit within the sub-array is fed through a power division network. To simplify antenna design and reduce antenna costs, more and more active antennas adopt an inter-aperture coupling scheme to replace the traditional calibration scheme using a coupler calibration network. This requires appropriately enhancing the coupling degree between adjacent ports on the premise of meeting the isolation index between antenna ports, so as to successfully complete the self-calibration of the antenna.

[0003] For the inter-aperture coupling scheme, conventional technologies usually add a certain number of coupled-line directional couplers between the power division networks of adjacent ports to enhance the coupling degree between adjacent ports. Since the coupled-line directional coupler needs to bring adjacent lines closer to achieve a certain level of coupling, this will inevitably increase the electrical length of the power division network, resulting in increased antenna loss and reduced antenna radiation efficiency. Moreover, the size of the coupled-line directional coupler is about one-quarter wavelength of the operating frequency band, and the lines need to be bent closer to achieve coupling, occupying a large space, making the layout of the power division network lines more complex and less flexible.

[0004] Therefore, in current antenna technologies, there are problems such as reduced antenna radiation efficiency, complex and inflexible layout of power division network lines. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a coupler with a simple structure and small size, as well as an antenna applying this coupler, so as to simplify the layout of the antenna power division network and improve the antenna radiation efficiency.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a coupler,

[0007] including:

[0008] Two transmission lines;

[0009] A connection conductor connected in series between the two transmission lines; and,

[0010] A branch conductor, the branch conductor is arranged on the connection conductor, and one end of the branch conductor is electrically connected to the connection conductor.

[0011] In one embodiment, a short-circuit point is provided on the branch conductor, the connection point between the branch conductor and the connection conductor is located in the middle section of the connection conductor, and the length from any end of the connection conductor to the short-circuit point through the connection point is within a preset range.

[0012] In one embodiment, the preset range is determined according to the center operating frequency of the coupler, and the preset range is , where is the wavelength corresponding to the center operating frequency.

[0013] In one embodiment, the preset range is determined according to the center operating frequency of the coupler, and the preset range is , where is the wavelength corresponding to the center operating frequency.

[0014] In one embodiment, the connection point is located at one end of the branch conductor, and the short - circuit point is provided at the other end of the branch conductor.

[0015] In one embodiment, the coupling degree of the coupler is adjusted by changing at least one of the width of the connection conductor, the length of the connection conductor, the width of the branch conductor, the length of the branch conductor, and the position of the short - circuit point on the branch conductor.

[0016] In one embodiment, the branch conductor is an open - circuited line at the terminal, the connection point of the branch conductor and the connection conductor is located in the middle section of the connection conductor, and the sum of the first length from any end of the connection conductor to the connection point and the second length of the open - circuited line at the terminal is within a preset range.

[0017] In one embodiment, the preset range is determined according to the center operating frequency of the coupler, and the preset range is , where is the wavelength corresponding to the center operating frequency.

[0018] In one embodiment, the coupling degree of the coupler is adjusted by changing at least one of the width of the connection conductor, the length of the connection conductor, the width of the branch conductor, and the length of the branch conductor.

[0019] In one embodiment, the connection conductor and / or the branch conductor is / are bent.

[0020] In one embodiment, there are at least two branch conductors, and two different branch conductors are located on the same side or both sides of the connection conductor.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present application further provides an antenna, the antenna includes a sub - array, the sub - array includes a dual - polarization radiation unit and a power - dividing network, and the power - dividing network is provided with a coupler as described in any one of the first aspects above.

[0022] In one embodiment, the coupler is provided in the power distribution network adjacent within the sub-array, and / or the coupler is provided in the power distribution network adjacent between the sub-arrays.

[0023] In one embodiment, the coupler is disposed between the main path transmission lines of the power distribution network, between the branch transmission lines, or at the power distribution node.

[0024] In one embodiment, the coupling degree between the antenna ports is adjusted by changing at least one of the position of the coupler in the power distribution network, the width of the connection conductor, the length of the connection conductor, the width of the branch conductor, the length of the branch conductor, and the position of the short-circuit point on the branch conductor.

[0025] The above-mentioned coupler and antenna can obtain a coupler with a simple structure and small occupied space by arranging two transmission lines, a connection conductor connected in series between the two transmission lines, and a branch conductor disposed on the connection conductor and having one end electrically connected to the connection conductor. When this coupler is applied to the antenna, the power distribution network of each sub-array does not need to be additionally bent, and the power distribution network can be designed according to the optimal circuit layout, thereby shortening the electrical length of the power distribution network, reducing the loss of the power distribution network, and improving the radiation efficiency of the antenna. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or related technologies, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for describing the embodiments of the present application or related technologies. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other related drawings can be obtained without creative efforts based on these drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a coupler in one embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of a coupler in another embodiment;

[0029] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the constraint conditions of the lengths of the connection conductor and the branch conductor in one embodiment;

[0030] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of a coupler in another embodiment;

[0031] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a coupler with two branch conductors in one embodiment;

[0032] Figure 6Schematic diagram of the structure of a coupler with two branch conductors in another embodiment;

[0033] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of a subarray after loading a coupler in one embodiment;

[0034] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of a four-column subarray after loading a coupler in one embodiment;

[0035] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of a subarray after loading a coupler in another embodiment;

[0036] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of a subarray after loading a coupler in another embodiment;

[0037] Figure 11 Graph of the coupling degree of the coupler under different parameters in one embodiment;

[0038] Figure 12 Graph of the polarization isolation degree in a subarray with and without a loaded coupler in one embodiment;

[0039] Figure 13 Graph of the isolation degree between adjacent ports of subarrays with and without a loaded coupler in one embodiment. Detailed implementation manners

[0040] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present application more apparent and understandable, the following will describe the detailed implementation manners of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to facilitate a full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the connotation of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0041] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of the coupler according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. Refer to Figure 1 , the present application provides a coupler, including:

[0042] Two transmission lines 11;

[0043] A connection conductor 12 connected in series between the two transmission lines 11; and,

[0044] A branch conductor 13, the branch conductor 13 is provided on the connection conductor 12, and one end of the branch conductor 13 is electrically connected to the connection conductor 12.

[0045] Among them, the transmission line 11 can be, but is not limited to, a microstrip line, a strip line, a coplanar waveguide, etc. The connecting conductor 12 can be a metal conductor connecting two transmission lines. The branch conductor 13 can be a metal conductor connected to the connecting conductor and electrically connected to the connecting conductor, so that current can be transmitted from the transmission line to the branch conductor through the connecting conductor. In some embodiments, for example, when the transmission line 11 is a microstrip line, the connecting conductor 12 and the branch conductor 13 can be implemented through a circuit layer on a printed circuit board.

[0046] It should be noted that the number of transmission lines 11 in this embodiment can be two, the number of connecting conductors 12 can be one, and the number of branch conductors 13 is at least one, which can be flexibly adjusted and set according to actual needs and will not be limited here.

[0047] For the above coupler, by providing two transmission lines, a connecting conductor connected in series between the two transmission lines, and a branch conductor provided on the connecting conductor and having one end electrically connected to the connecting conductor, a coupler with a simple structure and small occupied space can be obtained. When this coupler is applied to an antenna, the power distribution network of each sub-array does not need to be additionally bent, and the power distribution network can be designed according to the optimal circuit layout, thereby shortening the electrical length of the power distribution network, reducing the loss of the power distribution network, and improving the radiation efficiency of the antenna.

[0048] Figure 2 The schematic structural diagram of a coupler according to another embodiment of the present application is shown. Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , in an exemplary embodiment, a short circuit point 14 is provided on the branch conductor 13, the connection point of the branch conductor 13 and the connecting conductor 12 is located in the middle section of the connecting conductor 12, and the length from any end of the connecting conductor 12 to the short circuit point 14 through the connection point is within a preset range.

[0049] Among them, the short circuit point 14 can be a grounding point on the branch conductor, and the specific position of the short circuit point 14 can be as Figure 1 shown, set at one end of the branch conductor, or as Figure 2 shown, set in the middle section of the branch conductor. In some embodiments, for example, when the transmission line 11 is a microstrip line, the connecting conductor 12 and the branch conductor 13 can be implemented through a circuit layer on a printed circuit board, and the short circuit point 14 can be a metallized via hole connecting to the ground layer of the printed circuit board.

[0050] Among them, the connection point can be the connection location between the branch conductor and the connecting conductor. The middle section can be within a certain range near the midpoint of the connecting conductor. The preset range can be a preset length range. Let the center operating frequency of the coupler be , and the corresponding wavelength be , where If \(v\) is the wave velocity, the preset range can be determined according to or directly according to For example, the length from any end of the connecting conductor through the connection point to the short - circuit point can be within above and below, then the preset range can be or directly according to to determine the preset range as This application does not make specific limitations on the preset range.

[0051] In one embodiment, the preset range is determined according to the center operating frequency \(f_0\) of the coupler and the preset range is where is the wavelength corresponding to the center operating frequency \(f_0\) In another embodiment, the preset range is determined according to the center operating frequency \(f_0\) of the coupler and the preset range is where is the wavelength corresponding to the center operating frequency; thus, different coupling requirements can be met in practical applications.

[0052] Taking the short - circuit point set at one end of the branch conductor as an example for illustration, Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the constraint conditions for the lengths of a connecting conductor and a branch conductor. Referring to Figure 3 , the connection point 121 can be within a certain range above and below the mid - point of the connecting conductor, including being at the mid - point of the connecting conductor. For the end 122 of the connecting conductor connected to the upper transmission line, the length \(L_1\) from this end through the connection point 121 to the short - circuit point 14 on the branch conductor can be measured along the dotted line in Figure 3 . Similarly, the length \(L_2\) of the end 123 of the connecting conductor connected to the lower transmission line, through the connection point 121, to the short - circuit point 14 on the branch conductor can be measured , both \(L_1\) and need to be ensured within the preset range. Since the connection point between the branch conductor and the connecting conductor is located in the middle section of the connecting conductor, and the length from any end of the connecting conductor through the connection point to the short - circuit point of the branch conductor meets the preset range, coupling can be achieved between the two transmission lines to meet the coupling requirements between the transmission lines.

[0053] Referring to Figure 3 , in an exemplary embodiment, the connection point 121 is located at one end of the branch conductor 13, and the other end of the branch conductor 13 is provided with a short - circuit point 14. Since one end of the branch conductor is connected to the middle section of the connecting conductor and the other end is a short - circuit point, there is no extra length in the branch conductor. Compared with Figure 2The shown coupler can ensure a simple structure and small size while meeting the coupling requirements.

[0054] According to Figure 3 , in an exemplary embodiment, the coupling degree of the coupler is adjusted by changing at least one of the width of the connecting conductor, the length of the connecting conductor, the width of the branch conductor, the length of the branch conductor, and the position of the short - circuit point on the branch conductor. Specifically, when there is a short - circuit point on the branch conductor and the coupling degree of the coupler needs to be adjusted, the width and / or length of the connecting conductor can be changed, and the width and / or length of the branch conductor can also be changed. Further, the position of the short - circuit point on the branch conductor can be adjusted. For example, the distance between the short - circuit point on the branch conductor and the end point of the branch conductor can be adjusted, thereby flexibly adjusting the coupling degree and increasing the flexibility of coupling - degree adjustment.

[0055] Figure 4 The schematic structural diagram of the coupler according to another embodiment of the present application is shown. Refer to Figure 4 , in an exemplary embodiment, the branch conductor 13 is an open - circuited line at the terminal, the connection point 121 between the branch conductor 13 and the connecting conductor 12 is located in the middle section of the connecting conductor 12, and the sum of the first length from any end of the connecting conductor 12 to the connection point 121 and the second length of the open - circuited line at the terminal is within a preset range.

[0056] Among them, the open - circuited line at the terminal can be implemented by a circuit layer on a printed circuit board. The first length can be the length from any end of the connecting conductor to the connection point. The second length can be the length of the open - circuited line at the terminal.

[0057] Among them, the connection point 121 can be the connection part between the branch conductor and the connecting conductor. The middle section can be a certain range near the mid - point of the connecting conductor. The preset range can be a preset length range. Let the center operating frequency of the coupler be , and the corresponding wavelength be , where is the wave velocity, then the preset range can be determined according to , or can be directly determined according to , for example, the preset range can be directly determined according to to be , and the present application does not make a specific limitation on the preset range.

[0058] In an embodiment, the preset range is determined according to the center operating frequency of the coupler, and the preset range is , where is the center operating frequency corresponding wavelength.

[0059] Refer to Figure 4, the connection point 121 can be located within a certain range above and below the midpoint of the connection conductor, including at the midpoint of the connection conductor. The sum of the length from the end point 122 of the connection conductor along the dotted line to the connection point 121 and the length of the terminal open-circuit line 13 is set to , the sum of the length from the end point 123 of the connection conductor along the dotted line to the connection point 121 and the length of the terminal open-circuit line 13 is set to , then and both need to be ensured within the preset range. For example, , . Since the connection point between the branch conductor and the connection conductor is located in the middle section of the connection conductor, and the sum of the length from any end point of the connection conductor to the connection point and the length of the terminal open-circuit line meets the preset range, coupling can be achieved between the two transmission lines, meeting the coupling requirements between the transmission lines.

[0060] According to Figure 4 , in an exemplary embodiment, the coupling degree of the coupler is adjusted by changing at least one of the width of the connection conductor, the length of the connection conductor, the width of the branch conductor, and the length of the branch conductor. Specifically, when the branch conductor is a terminal open-circuit line and it is necessary to adjust the coupling degree of the coupler, the width and / or length of the connection conductor can be changed, and the width and / or length of the branch conductor can also be changed. Thus, the coupling degree can be flexibly adjusted, increasing the flexibility of coupling degree adjustment.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, the connection conductor and / or the branch conductor is in a bent shape. In order to reduce the size of the coupler and meet the constraint conditions such as the length from the end point of the connection conductor to the short-circuit point of the branch conductor through the connection point, or the sum of the length from the end point of the connection conductor to the connection point and the length of the terminal open-circuit line within the preset range, etc., as Figures 1 to 4 shown, the connection conductor 12 is made in a bent shape. If the requirements such as the coupler size and length constraint conditions still cannot be met, the branch conductor 13 can be further made in a bent shape, thereby meeting the design requirements of the coupler.

[0062] It can be understood that the branch conductor of the coupler in the embodiments of the present application can be at least one, including one, two, three or more. In an exemplary embodiment, the branch conductors on the connection conductor include at least two, and the different two branch conductors are located on the same side or both sides of the connection conductor. Among them, at least two means two, three, four or more. Taking two as an example for illustration, please refer to Figures 5 to 6 , Figure 5 shows a schematic structural diagram of a coupler provided with two branch conductors 13 on the same side in an embodiment of the present application, Figure 6The structural schematic diagram of a coupler with two branch conductors 13 on both sides is shown in another embodiment of the present application. It can be understood that at least two branch conductors 13 can be evenly distributed in the middle section of the connecting conductor 12. For example, referring to Figure 5 , when the two branch conductors 13 are located on the same side of the connecting conductor, they can be evenly distributed within a certain range near the midpoint of the connecting conductor 12. Referring to Figure 6 , when the two branch conductors 13 are located on both sides of the connecting conductor respectively, they can both be connected to the midpoint of the connecting conductor 12.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, an antenna is provided, which includes a sub-array. The sub-array includes a dual-polarized radiation unit and a power distribution network, and the power distribution network is provided with a coupler.

[0064] Among them, the dual-polarized radiation unit can be an antenna component composed of two sets of radiation units with mutually orthogonal polarization directions. The power distribution network can be a network for power distribution in an antenna system.

[0065] In practical applications, the antenna can include at least one sub-array. Each sub-array can include multiple dual-polarized radiation units, and a power distribution network for feeding the dual-polarized radiation units. A coupler can be configured for the power distribution network. Figure 7 The schematic diagram of a sub-array after loading a coupler is shown. Referring to Figure 7 , the sub-array can include 4 dual-polarized radiation units 21. A coupler 220 can be provided between the main path transmission lines of the power distribution network. The coupler 220 sets a connecting conductor between two transmission lines, and sets branch conductors on the connecting conductor. The branch conductors are electrically connected to the connecting conductor to realize signal coupling between the two transmission lines. Thus, a coupler with a simple structure and small occupied space can be obtained. When this coupler is applied to an antenna, the power distribution network of each sub-array does not need to be additionally bent, and the power distribution network can be designed according to the optimal circuit layout, thereby shortening the electrical length of the power distribution network, reducing the loss of the power distribution network, and improving the radiation efficiency of the antenna.

[0066] Figure 8 The schematic diagram of a four-column sub-array after loading a coupler in an embodiment of the present application is shown. Referring to Figure 8 , in an exemplary embodiment, couplers 221 are provided between adjacent power distribution networks within the sub-array, and / or couplers 222 are provided between adjacent power distribution networks between sub-arrays. By setting couplers within the sub-array and / or between sub-arrays, the electrical length of the power distribution network can be shortened, the loss of the power distribution network can be reduced, and the radiation efficiency of the antenna can be improved.

[0067] It can be understood that Figure 7 the coupler 220 in Figure 9The figure shows a schematic diagram of a sub-array after loading a coupler according to another embodiment of the present application. Among them, the coupler 223 is arranged between the branch transmission lines of the power distribution network, and the branch transmission lines can be the transmission lines after power distribution by the power distribution network. Figure 10 The figure shows a schematic diagram of a sub-array after loading a coupler according to another embodiment of the present application. Among them, the coupler 224 is arranged at the power distribution node, and the power distribution node can be at the node of the power distribution network. For example, at the one-to-two node of the power distribution network. By arranging a coupler between the main path transmission lines, between the branch transmission lines or at the power distribution node of the power distribution network, the coupling requirements between adjacent ports of the antenna can be met.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the coupling degree between antenna ports is adjusted by changing at least one of the position of the coupler in the power distribution network, the width of the connecting conductor, the length of the connecting conductor, the width of the branch conductor, the length of the branch conductor, and the position of the short-circuit point on the branch conductor. Specifically, when it is necessary to adjust the coupling degree between antenna ports, the width and / or length of the connecting conductor can be changed, the width and / or length of the branch conductor can be changed. In the case where there is a short-circuit point on the branch conductor, the position of the short-circuit point on the branch conductor can also be adjusted. Further, the position of the coupler in the power distribution network can also be changed, including moving the coupler to different power distribution networks or moving the coupler to different positions in the power distribution network. Thus, by reasonably setting the position of the coupler in the power distribution network and adjusting the design parameters of the coupler, the coupling degree between adjacent ports of the antenna is modulated. On the premise of meeting the isolation index between ports of the antenna, the coupling degree between adjacent ports can be enhanced, so as to meet the self-calibration requirements of the antenna.

[0069] To facilitate those skilled in the art to deeply understand the embodiments of the present application, the following will be described with a specific example.

[0070] The present application provides a coupler and an antenna. Signal coupling between two transmission lines is realized by arranging a series-connected short circuit line between two transmission lines of adjacent power distribution networks of the antenna. The power distribution networks of each sub-array do not need to be additionally bent, so the power distribution network can be designed according to the optimal line layout, greatly shortening the electrical length of the power distribution network, effectively reducing the loss of the power distribution network, and thus improving the radiation efficiency of the antenna.

[0071] Traditional couplers such as coupled-line directional couplers or branch bridges, ring bridges, etc. have complex structures and occupy a large space. The above-mentioned coupler only connects a short circuit line with the above structure in series between adjacent transmission lines, and will not change the layout of the original transmission line. It has a simple structure, flexible design and small occupied space. In addition, traditional couplers will greatly increase the electrical length of the network, resulting in an increase in network loss. The above-mentioned coupler will not increase the electrical length of the network, thus realizing the optimal design of network loss.

[0072] In one embodiment, the present application provides a coupler, which includes two transmission lines, a connection conductor connected in series between the two transmission lines, and at least one branch conductor provided on the connection conductor. Short-circuit points are provided on each branch conductor, and signal coupling between the two transmission lines is achieved with this structure.

[0073] In one embodiment, the branch conductor is provided at the midpoint of the connection conductor, and the short-circuit point is provided at the end of the branch conductor.

[0074] In one embodiment, the sum of the lengths from one end of the connection conductor to the short-circuit point of the branch conductor is approximately one-quarter of the wavelength of the center operating frequency.

[0075] In one embodiment, by changing the line widths, lengths of the connection conductor and the branch conductor, and the position parameters of the short-circuit points, the coupling degree of the coupler is adjusted.

[0076] In one embodiment, by bending the connection conductor and / or the branch conductor, the size of the coupler is reduced.

[0077] In one embodiment, the present application further provides an antenna, which includes at least one sub-array. Each sub-array includes at least one dual-polarized radiation unit and a power divider network for feeding the dual-polarized radiation unit, and the antenna is provided with at least one of the above-mentioned couplers.

[0078] In one embodiment, the above-mentioned couplers are provided for adjacent power divider networks within and / or between sub-arrays.

[0079] In one embodiment, the coupler is provided between the main path transmission lines of the power divider network.

[0080] In one embodiment, the coupler is provided between the branch transmission lines of the power divider network.

[0081] In one embodiment, the position of the coupler in the power divider network is set as required, and the design parameters of the connection conductor and the branch conductor of the coupler are adjusted to modulate the coupling degree between adjacent antenna ports. On the premise of meeting the isolation index between each port of the antenna, the coupling degree between adjacent ports is enhanced, so as to meet the self-calibration requirements of the antenna.

[0082] In the above-mentioned embodiments, signal coupling between two transmission lines is achieved through the new coupler. The coupling degree between the two transmission lines can be flexibly adjusted by changing the design parameters. The structure is simple, the size is small, and the design is flexible.

[0083] On the other hand, for traditional couplers such as coupled-line directional couplers and branch bridges, when they are set in the power distribution network, the electrical lengths of the power distribution networks will increase significantly. When applying the above couplers to an antenna, the structure is simple and occupies little space. The power distribution networks of each sub-array do not need to be bent additionally. Compared with the case without a coupler, the electrical lengths are basically the same. Therefore, the power distribution network can be designed according to the optimal circuit layout, significantly shortening the electrical length of the power distribution network, effectively reducing the loss of the power distribution network, and thus improving the radiation efficiency of the antenna.

[0084] On the other hand, by applying the above new coupler to an antenna, by reasonably setting the position of the coupler in the power distribution network and adjusting the design parameters of the coupler, the coupling degree between adjacent ports of the antenna is modulated. On the premise of meeting the isolation index between ports of the antenna, the coupling degree between adjacent ports is enhanced, thus meeting the self-calibration requirements of the antenna.

[0085] On the other hand, by applying the above new coupler to an antenna, the DC grounding at the sub-array level of the antenna is realized, without the need for additional DC grounding design, and the simplification of the circuit layout effectively reduces the unnecessary coupling between the power distribution network and the radiation unit, which is more conducive to improving the radiation index of the antenna.

[0086] Let the operating frequency band be GHz. By changing the design parameters, different coupling degrees of the coupler can be obtained. Taking the coupler structure shown in Figure 1 as an example, that is, both the connecting conductor and the branch conductor are one. The branch conductor is connected to the midpoint of the connecting conductor, and the short-circuit point is set at the end of the branch conductor. Assuming that the impedance of the transmission line is 50 ohms, the curve graph of the coupling degree of the coupler under different parameters as shown in Figure 11 can be obtained.

[0087] Among them, the parameters of the dash curve are: the impedances of both the connecting conductor and the branch conductor are 100 ohms, the length of the connecting conductor is 22 mm (the total length of the whole connecting conductor, if calculated according to the midpoint where the branch conductor is connected, it is 11 mm), and the length of the branch conductor is 5 mm;

[0088] The parameters of the long dash curve are: the impedances of both the connecting conductor and the branch conductor are 100 ohms, the length of the connecting conductor is 22 mm, and the length of the branch conductor is 3 mm;

[0089] The parameters of the solid curve are: the impedances of both the connecting conductor and the branch conductor are 100 ohms, the length of the connecting conductor is 22 mm, and the length of the branch conductor is 2 mm.

[0090] Since it is required that the sum of the lengths from one end of the connecting conductor to the short-circuit point of the branch conductor is approximately one-quarter of the wavelength of the center operating frequency, and the operating frequency band is At a frequency of [[GHz]], the quarter-wavelength of the center operating frequency is approximately 14 mm. The sum of the lengths corresponding to the dash-dot curve parameters is 11 + 5 = 16 mm, the sum of the lengths corresponding to the long-dash curve parameters is 11 + 3 = 14 mm, and the sum of the lengths corresponding to the solid curve parameters is 11 + 2 = 13 mm. Therefore, the sum of the lengths from one end of the connecting conductor to the short-circuit point of the branch conductor is not limited to the quarter-wavelength of the center operating frequency and can be within a certain range near the quarter-wavelength of the center operating frequency. For example, within the range from one-eighth wavelength to one-half wavelength.

[0091] Assume that the isolation index requirement is < -18 dB. Figure 12 A graph of the polarization isolation within the subarray with and without the loaded coupler is provided. The solid line represents the polarization isolation within the subarray with the loaded coupler, and the dashed line represents the polarization isolation within the subarray without the loaded coupler. It can be seen that, on the premise of meeting the isolation index requirement, the loaded coupler enhances the coupling degree between polarizations within the subarray, thus meeting the self-calibration requirements of the antenna.

[0092] Assume that the isolation index requirement for each port is < -18 dB. Figure 13 A graph of the isolation between adjacent ports of the subarrays with and without the loaded coupler is provided. The solid line represents the isolation between adjacent ports of the subarrays with the loaded coupler, and the dashed line represents the isolation between adjacent ports of the subarrays without the loaded coupler. It can be seen that, on the premise of meeting the isolation index requirement, the loaded coupler enhances the coupling degree between adjacent ports of the subarrays, thus meeting the self-calibration requirements of the antenna.

[0093] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that if there appear such terms as "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., the orientation or positional relationship indicated by these terms is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and 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.

[0094] In addition, if there appear such terms as "first" and "second", these terms 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 at least one such feature. In the description of the present application, if there appears the term "plurality", the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically and clearly defined.

[0095] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, if terms such as "installed", "connected", "linked", "fixed", etc. appear, these terms should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components or the interaction relationship between two components, unless otherwise clearly limited. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0096] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, if there is a description such as the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature, its meaning can be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature can be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature can be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0097] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may also be an intermediate element. If an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. If any, the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "up", "down", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in this application are only for the purpose of illustration and do not represent the only implementation manner.

[0098] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be completed by instructing relevant hardware through a computer program. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. Among them, any reference to a memory, database, or other medium used in the embodiments provided in the present application can include at least one of non-volatile memory and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, optical memory, high-density embedded non-volatile memory, resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), phase change memory (PCM), graphene memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory, etc. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM), etc. The databases involved in the embodiments provided in the present application can include at least one of relational databases and non-relational databases. Non-relational databases can include distributed databases based on blockchain, etc., without limitation. The processors involved in the embodiments provided in the present application can be general-purpose processors, central processors, graphics processors, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, data processing logics based on quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI) processors, etc., without limitation.

[0099] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of concise description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered to be within the scope recorded in the present application.

[0100] The embodiments described above merely represent several implementation manners of the present application. The description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the patent scope of the present application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A coupler, characterized in that, Comprising: Two transmission lines; A connection conductor connected in series between the two transmission lines; And, A branch conductor, the branch conductor is provided on the connection conductor, and one end of the branch conductor is electrically connected to the connection conductor.

2. The coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that, A short-circuit point is provided on the branch conductor, the connection point of the branch conductor and the connection conductor is located in the middle section of the connection conductor, and the length from any end of the connection conductor through the connection point to the short-circuit point is within a preset range.

3. The coupler according to claim 2, wherein, The preset range is determined according to the center operating frequency of the coupler, and the preset range is , where is the wavelength corresponding to the center operating frequency.

4. The coupler according to claim 2, wherein The preset range is determined according to the center operating frequency of the coupler, and the preset range is , where is the wavelength corresponding to the center operating frequency.

5. The coupler according to claim 2, wherein The connection point is located at one end of the branch conductor, and the other end of the branch conductor is provided with the short-circuit point.

6. The coupler according to claim 2, characterized in that, The coupling degree of the coupler is adjusted by changing at least one of the width of the connection conductor, the length of the connection conductor, the width of the branch conductor, the length of the branch conductor, and the position of the short-circuit point on the branch conductor.

7. The coupler according to claim 1, wherein The branch conductor is an open-circuited line at the terminal, the connection point of the branch conductor and the connection conductor is located in the middle section of the connection conductor, and the sum of the first length from any end of the connection conductor to the connection point and the second length of the open-circuited line at the terminal is within a preset range.

8. The coupler according to claim 7, characterized in that, The preset range is determined according to the center operating frequency of the coupler, and the preset range is , where is the wavelength corresponding to the center operating frequency.

9. The coupler according to claim 7, wherein The coupling degree of the coupler is adjusted by changing at least one of the width of the connection conductor, the length of the connection conductor, the width of the branch conductor, and the length of the branch conductor.

10. The coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that The connection conductor and / or the branch conductor is bent.

11. The coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are at least two branch conductors, and two different branch conductors are located on the same side or both sides of the connection conductor.

12. An antenna, characterized in that, The antenna includes a sub-array, the sub-array includes a dual-polarization radiation unit and a power distribution network, and the power distribution network is provided with the coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The antenna according to claim 12, wherein, The adjacent power distribution networks within the sub-array are provided with the coupler, and / or, the adjacent power distribution networks between the sub-arrays are provided with the coupler.

14. The antenna according to claim 12, characterized in that, The coupler is provided between the main path transmission lines, between the branch transmission lines or at the power distribution node of the power distribution network.

15. The antenna according to claim 12, wherein, The coupling degree between the antenna ports is adjusted by changing at least one of the position of the coupler in the power distribution network, the width of the connection conductor, the length of the connection conductor, the width of the branch conductor, the length of the branch conductor, and the position of the short-circuit point on the branch conductor.

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