Directional antenna with reconfigurable directional diagram and electronic equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a directional antenna with a reconfigurable directional diagram and electronic equipment, and the directional antenna comprises a binary antenna array which comprises a plurality of antenna array units and is used for radiating excitation energy in an electromagnetic wave mode; the feed network is used for providing excitation of equal-difference phase difference based on change of a flow path of a feed signal; and the power divider is used for equally dividing the excitation to the plurality of antenna array units. According to the invention, the problem that the coverage range of the antenna beam is difficult to solve by integrating a plurality of antennas due to the limited space of the terminal equipment in the related technology is solved, and the effect of reconstructing the directional diagram is further realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a pattern-reconfigurable directional antenna and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of mobile communication technology, mobile communication has entered the 5G era, where the communication frequency has increased significantly, but the antenna radiation distance has been greatly shortened. Therefore, in 5G communication, high-gain directional antennas play a very important role.

[0003] In traditional terminal technologies, high-gain directional antennas generally consist of an antenna array composed of 2 to 4 half-wave dipole elements, which can concentrate the radiation energy more. Generally speaking, the better the directivity of the antenna, the more concentrated the energy, and the higher the gain. However, relatively speaking, the lobe will be narrower and the coverage area will be smaller, which results in a relatively poor signal reception effect in a certain direction of the terminal product.

[0004] In 5G communication, the small lobe coverage range of high-gain antennas is one of the main problems faced by 5G terminal devices. So far, the main method to solve the small lobe coverage area of high-gain antennas in 5G terminal devices is to adopt an antenna switching scheme, which is a method of using multiple antennas to solve the antenna lobe coverage problem through technical means such as switching between directional antennas or between directional antennas and omnidirectional antennas. However, the scheme of assembling multiple antennas has a great problem of spatial limitation in terminal devices with very small volumes. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a pattern-reconfigurable directional antenna and an electronic device, which at least solve the problem in related technologies that it is difficult to solve the antenna beam coverage range due to the limited space of terminal devices by integrating multiple antennas.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a pattern-reconfigurable directional antenna, including:

[0007] A dual-element antenna array, including multiple antenna array elements, for radiating the excitation energy in the form of electromagnetic waves;

[0008] A feeding network, for providing excitation with an equal difference phase difference based on changing the flow path of the feeding signal;

[0009] A power divider, for equally dividing the excitation to the multiple antenna array elements.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided an electronic device, including the above-mentioned directional antenna.

[0011] With the present invention, since a dual antenna array is adopted, which includes a plurality of antenna array units, these antenna array units can radiate the excitation energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. By controlling the feeding network to change the flow path of the feeding signal, an equal difference phase difference excitation is provided. In addition, a power divider is used to equally divide the excitation to a plurality of antenna array units.

[0012] The above-mentioned pattern-reconfigurable directional antenna allows for dynamic adjustment and control of the excitation to achieve beamforming in different directions, and thus achieve the effect of pattern reconfiguration. By controlling the flow path and phase difference of the feeding signal, the excitation mode of the antenna array units can be changed, thereby adjusting the radiation direction and beam coverage of the antenna. This method can achieve beam adjustment without adding additional antennas, thus solving the problem of space limitation, solving the problem of the antenna beam coverage, and further achieving the effect of pattern reconfiguration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a pattern-reconfigurable directional antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a pattern-reconfigurable directional antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a feeding network according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a directional antenna in which a dual antenna array is fed by a balun coupling manner Figure 1 ;

[0017] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a directional antenna in which a dual antenna array is fed by a balun coupling manner Figure 2 ;

[0018] Figure 6 is the radiation pattern of the directional antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention in operating mode 1;

[0019] Figure 7 is the radiation pattern of the directional antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention in operating mode 2;

[0020] Figure 8 is the radiation pattern of the directional antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention in operating mode 3;

[0021] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a directional antenna in which the antenna array unit is a bent structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 10 The structural schematic diagram of the directional antenna with a parallel-coupled line coupler as the phase-shifting network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals: 1, dual antenna array; 11, antenna array element; 111, first metal patch; 1111, metal patch A; 1112, metal patch B; 1113, metal patch C; 1114, metal patch D; 112, second metal patch; 1121, metal patch E; 1122, metal patch F; 1123, metal patch G; 1124, metal patch H; 2, feeding network; 21, phase-shifting network; 211, first input port; 212, second input port; 213, first output port; 214, second output port; 215, microstrip line A; 216, microstrip line B; 217, microstrip line C; 218, microstrip line D; 219, port A; 220, port B; 221, power connection port; 22, first microstrip line; 23, second microstrip line; 24, third microstrip line; 25, first switch; 26, second switch; 27, third switch; 28, fourth switch; 3, power divider; 31, first power divider; 32, second power divider; 33, third power divider; 34, fourth power divider; 4, dielectric substrate; 5, metal ground; 6, metal reflector; 8, connecting body; 9, first metal conductor; 10, second metal conductor; 110, parallel-coupled line coupler. Detailed implementation manners

[0024] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments.

[0025] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. in the description and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not necessarily describe a specific order or sequence.

[0026] In this embodiment, a directional antenna with reconfigurable radiation pattern is provided. Figure 1 The structural schematic of the directional antenna with reconfigurable radiation pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 , as Figure 1 shown, the directional antenna includes:

[0027] A dual antenna array 1, including a plurality of antenna array elements 11, for radiating the excitation energy in the form of electromagnetic waves;

[0028] A feeding network 2, for providing excitation with an equal difference phase difference based on changing the flow path of the feeding signal;

[0029] A power divider 3, for equally dividing the excitation to a plurality of antenna array elements 11.

[0030] With the above solution, since the dual antenna array 1 is adopted, which includes a plurality of antenna array units 11, these antenna array units 11 can radiate the excitation energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. By controlling the feeding network 2 to change the flow path of the feeding signal, an equal difference phase difference excitation is provided. In addition, the power divider 3 is used to equally divide the excitation to a plurality of antenna array units 11.

[0031] The above pattern-reconfigurable directional antenna allows for dynamic adjustment and control of the excitation to achieve beamforming in different directions, and thus achieve the effect of pattern reconfiguration. By controlling the flow path and phase difference of the feeding signal, the excitation mode of the antenna array unit 11 can be changed, thereby adjusting the radiation direction and beam coverage of the antenna. This method can achieve beam adjustment without adding additional antennas, thus solving the problem of limited space, solving the problem of the antenna beam coverage, and further achieving the effect of pattern reconfiguration.

[0032] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the pattern-reconfigurable directional antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 , in one embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, the directional antenna further includes:

[0033] A metal reflector 6, disposed on one side of the antenna array unit 11, for reflecting electromagnetic waves in the direction towards the metal reflector 6.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the purpose of setting the metal reflector 6 is to reflect the electromagnetic waves radiated by the antenna array unit 11 in a certain direction. Therefore, the metal reflector 6 can be placed on one side of the antenna array unit 11. For example, it can be on the upper side or the lower side or the left side or the right side or the upper left side or the lower left side or the upper right side or the lower right side, etc. of the antenna array unit 11. For example, when the metal reflector 6 is located on the lower side of the antenna array unit 11, the electromagnetic waves generated by the plurality of antenna array units 11 can be concentrated and radiated upwards.

[0035] In one embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, each antenna array unit 11 includes a first metal patch 111 disposed on the front surface of the dielectric substrate 4 and a second metal patch 112 disposed on the back surface of the dielectric substrate 4;

[0036] The power divider 3 is used to equally divide the excitation to a plurality of first metal patches 111 and a plurality of second metal patches 112.

[0037] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the feeding network according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, a plurality of antenna array units 11 are arranged around the feeding network 2;

[0038] The power divider 3 includes a first power divider 31 and a second power divider 32;

[0039] The feeding network 2 includes:

[0040] A phase shifter network 21, including a first input port 211, a second input port 212, a first output port 213, and a second output port 214;

[0041] Among them, the first input port 211 and the second input port 212 are used to connect to a power supply, the first output port 213 is used to connect to the first power divider 31, the second output port 214 is used to connect to the second power divider 32, the first input port 211 and the first output port 213 are on the same side, and the second input port 212 and the second output port 214 are on the same side;

[0042] The first power divider 31 is used to connect to a plurality of antenna array units 11 on one side, and the second power divider 32 is used to connect to a plurality of antenna array units 11 on the other side.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the plurality of antenna array units 11 can be set into two groups, one group is located on the front side of the dielectric substrate 4, and the other group is located on the back side of the dielectric substrate 4.

[0044] Among them, the power divider 3 includes a first power divider 31, a second power divider 32, a third power divider 33, and a fourth power divider 34. The first power divider 31 and the second power divider 32 are located on the front side of the dielectric substrate 4, and the third power divider 33 and the fourth power divider 34 are located on the back side of the dielectric substrate 4. The feeding network 2 can be located on the front side of the dielectric substrate 4 or on the back side of the dielectric substrate 4.

[0045] Taking the feeding network 2 located on the front side of the dielectric substrate 4 as an example, one end of the feeding network 2 is connected to the first power divider 31, and the other end of the feeding network 2 is connected to the second power divider 32. The number of the first metal patches 111 can be four, for example, metal patch A 1111, metal patch B 1112, metal patch C 1113, and metal patch D 1114. Among them, metal patch A 1111, metal patch B 1112, metal patch C 1113, and metal patch D 1114 are respectively located around the feeding network 2, and metal patch A 1111 and metal patch B 1112 are on the left side of the feeding network 2, and metal patch C 1113 and metal patch D 1114 are on the right side of the feeding network 2.

[0046] The number of the second metal patches 112 can be four, for example, a metal patch E 1121, a metal patch F 1122, a metal patch G 1123, and a metal patch H 1124. Among them, the metal patch E 1121, the metal patch F 1122, the metal patch G 1123, and the metal patch H 1124 are respectively located around the feeding network 2. And the metal patch E 1121 and the metal patch F 1122 are located on the left side of the feeding network 2, while the metal patch G 1123 and the metal patch H 1124 are located on the right side of the feeding network 2.

[0047] The first power divider 31 is electrically connected to the third power divider 33, and the second power divider 32 is electrically connected to the fourth power divider 34. One end of the first power divider 31 far from the feeding network 2 is connected to the metal patch A 1111 and the metal patch B 1112, so as to equally divide the excitation provided by the feeding network 2 to the metal patch A 1111 and the metal patch B 1112. One end of the second power divider 32 far from the feeding network 2 is connected to the metal patch C 1113 and the metal patch D 1114, so as to equally divide the excitation provided by the feeding network 2 to the metal patch C 1113 and the metal patch D 1114. One end of the third power divider 33 far from the feeding network 2 is connected to the metal patch E 1121 and the metal patch F 1122, so as to equally divide the excitation provided by the feeding network 2 to the metal patch E 1121 and the metal patch F 1122. One end of the fourth power divider 34 far from the feeding network 2 is connected to the metal patch G 1123 and the metal patch H 1124, so as to equally divide the excitation provided by the feeding network 2 to the metal patch G 1123 and the metal patch H 1124.

[0048] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a directional antenna fed by the way of balun coupling for a two-element antenna array according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 , Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a directional antenna fed by the way of balun coupling for a two-element antenna array according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 , in an exemplary embodiment, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5As shown, multiple antenna array units 11 are located on one side of the dielectric substrate 4, and the number of antenna array units 11 can be four. Among them, two antenna array units 11 (such as metal patch A 1111 and metal patch B 1112) are located on the left side of the phase shifter network 21, one antenna array unit 11 (such as metal patch A 1111) is located on the upper left side of the phase shifter network 21, and the other antenna array unit 11 is located on the lower left side of the phase shifter network 21 (such as metal patch B 1112). Additionally, the other two antenna array units 11 are located on the right side of the phase shifter network 21 (such as metal patch C 1113 and metal patch D 1114), one antenna array unit 11 (such as metal patch C 1113) is located on the upper right side of the phase shifter network 21, and the other antenna array unit 11 (such as metal patch D 1114) is located on the lower right side of the phase shifter network 21.

[0049] One end of the first power divider 31 is connected to the first output port 213, and the other end is connected to the antenna array unit 11 on the upper left side (such as metal patch A 1111) and the antenna array unit 11 on the lower left side (such as metal patch B 1112). One end of the second power divider 32 is connected to the second output port 214, and the other end is connected to the antenna array unit 11 on the upper right side (such as metal patch C 1113) and the antenna array unit 11 on the lower right side (such as metal patch D 1114).

[0050] In one embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, the directional antenna further includes:

[0051] A metal ground 5, which is used as the floor for the feeding network 2 and the power divider 3.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, when the feeding network 2 is located on the front side of the dielectric substrate 4, the metal ground 5 can be disposed on the back side of the dielectric substrate 4. When the feeding network 2 is located on the back side of the dielectric substrate 4, the metal ground 5 can be disposed on the front side of the dielectric substrate 4. The metal ground 5 is connected to the feeding network 2 and the power divider 3 so that the metal ground 5 serves as the floor for the feeding network 2 and the power divider 3.

[0053] In one embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, the phase shifter network 21 can be a 3dB bridge phase shifter network, including microstrip line A 215, microstrip line B 216, microstrip line C 217, and microstrip line D 218. Among them, microstrip line A 215 is located on the left side, microstrip line B 216 is located on the right side, microstrip line C 217 is located on the upper side, and microstrip line D 218 is located on the lower side. The widths of microstrip line A 215 and microstrip line B 216 are greater than the widths of microstrip line C 217 and microstrip line D 218. A port A 219 is provided at the lower end of microstrip line A 215, and the port A 219 is disposed at the position of the first input port 211. A port B 220 is provided at the lower end of microstrip line B 216, and the port B 220 is disposed at the position of the second input port 212.

[0054] In one embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, the feeding network 2 further includes:

[0055] A first microstrip line 22, one end of which is connected to the first output port 213 through a first switch 25, and the other end is connected to the first power divider 31;

[0056] A second microstrip line 23, one end of which is connected to the second output port 214 through a second switch 26, and the other end is connected to the second power divider 32.

[0057] Figure 6 FIG. is the radiation pattern of the directional antenna according to the embodiment of the present invention in operating mode 1. In an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 3 and Figure 6 shown, taking the feeding network 2 located on the front side of the dielectric substrate 4 as an example, when the first switch 25 and the second switch 26 are turned on, the port A 219 is connected to the power supply for feeding, and at this time, the directional antenna is in operating mode 1. The feeding signal on the left passes through the microstrip line A 215, the first switch 25, the first microstrip line 22, the first power divider 31, the metal patch A 1111 on the front side of the dielectric substrate 4, the metal patch B 1112, the third power divider 33, the metal patch E 1121 on the back side of the dielectric substrate 4, and the metal patch F 1122. For the feeding signal on the right, a part of the feeding signal passes through a section of the path of the microstrip line A 215, the microstrip line D 218, and a section of the path of the microstrip line B 216, and another part of the feeding signal passes through a section of the path of the microstrip line A 215, the microstrip line C 217, and a section of the path of the microstrip line B 216. The two parts of the feeding signals converge to the second switch 26, and then pass through the second microstrip line 23, the second power divider 32, the metal patch C 1113 on the front side of the dielectric substrate 4, the metal patch D 1114, the fourth power divider 34, the metal patch G 1123 on the back side of the dielectric substrate 4, and the metal patch H 1124. Since the flow path of the feeding signal on the left is shorter than that on the right, the phases of the metal patch A 1111, the metal patch B 1112, the metal patch E 1121, and the metal patch F 1122 on the left are ahead of the phases of the metal patch C 1113, the metal patch D 1114, the metal patch G 1123, and the metal patch H 1124 on the right, thus achieving the effect of providing excitation with an equal-phase difference. For example, the leading phase difference can be +90°, so the maximum radiation direction of the combined radiation pattern will shift by about +30°. The radiation pattern of this directional antenna is as Figure 6 shown.

[0058] Figure 7 FIG. is the radiation pattern of the directional antenna according to the embodiment of the present invention in operating mode 2. As Figure 3 and Figure 7As shown, when the port B 220 is connected to the power supply for power feeding, the directional antenna is in the operating mode 2 at this time. For the power feeding signal on the left side, a part of the power feeding signal passes through a section of the microstrip line B 216, the microstrip line D 218, and a section of the microstrip line A 215. Another part of the power feeding signal passes through a section of the microstrip line B 216, the microstrip line C 217, and a section of the microstrip line A 215. The two parts of the power feeding signals converge to the first switch 25, and then pass through the first microstrip line 22, the first power divider 31, the metal patch A 1111 on the front of the dielectric substrate 4, the metal patch B 1112, the third power divider 33, the metal patch E 1121 on the back of the dielectric substrate 4, and the metal patch F 1122. The power feeding signal on the right side passes through the microstrip line B 216, the second switch 26, the second microstrip line 23, the second power divider 32, the metal patch C 1113 on the front of the dielectric substrate 4, the metal patch D 1114, the fourth power divider 34, the metal patch G 1123 on the back of the dielectric substrate 4, and the metal patch H 1124. Since the flow path of the power feeding signal on the left side is longer than that on the right side, the phases of the metal patch A 1111, the metal patch B 1112, the metal patch E 1121, and the metal patch F 1122 on the left side lag behind the phases of the metal patch C 1113, the metal patch D 1114, the metal patch G 1123, and the metal patch H 1124 on the right side, thus achieving the effect of providing excitation with an equal difference in phase. For example, the lagging phase difference can be -90°, so the maximum radiation direction of the synthesized radiation pattern will shift by about -30°. The radiation pattern of this directional antenna is as shown in Figure 7 shown.

[0059] In summary, by changing the flow path of the power feeding signal, the directional antenna is in the operating mode 1 or the operating mode 2, so as to provide excitation with different equal differences in phase, and to adjust the radiation of the electromagnetic wave of the antenna array unit, so that the shape and direction of the radiation pattern of the directional antenna change, and thus the effect of radiation pattern reconstruction is achieved.

[0060] In one embodiment, the power feeding network 2 further includes:

[0061] A third microstrip line 24, one end of which is connected to the first microstrip line 22 through a third switch 27, and the other end of which is connected to the second microstrip line 23 through a fourth switch 28. Wherein, a power connection port 221 for connecting to the power supply is arranged in the middle of the third microstrip line 24.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, taking the case where the feeding network 2 is located on the front side of the dielectric substrate 4 as an example, when the first switch 25 and the second switch 26 are turned on, and the third switch 27 and the fourth switch 28 are turned off, the port A 219 is connected to the power supply for feeding, and at this time, the directional antenna is in the operating mode 1. The feeding signal on the left side passes through the microstrip line A 215, the first switch 25, the first microstrip line 22, the first power divider 31, the metal patch A 1111 on the front side of the dielectric substrate 4, the metal patch B 1112, the third power divider 33, the metal patch E 1121 on the back side of the dielectric substrate 4, and the metal patch F 1122. For the feeding signal on the right side, a part of the feeding signal passes through a section of the path of the microstrip line A 215, the microstrip line D 218, and a section of the path of the microstrip line B 216, and another part of the feeding signal passes through a section of the path of the microstrip line A 215, the microstrip line C 217, and a section of the path of the microstrip line B 216. The two parts of the feeding signals converge to the second switch 26, and then pass through the second microstrip line 23, the second power divider 32, the metal patch C 1113 on the front side of the dielectric substrate 4, the metal patch D 1114, the fourth power divider 34, the metal patch G 1123 on the back side of the dielectric substrate 4, and the metal patch H 1124. Since the flow path of the feeding signal on the left side is shorter than that on the right side, the phases of the metal patch A 1111, the metal patch B 1112, the metal patch E 1121, and the metal patch F 1122 on the left side are ahead of the phases of the metal patch C 1113, the metal patch D 1114, the metal patch G 1123, and the metal patch H 1124 on the right side, thereby achieving the effect of providing excitation with an equal-phase difference. For example, the leading phase difference can be +90°, so the maximum radiation direction of the synthesized radiation pattern will shift by about +30°. The radiation pattern of this directional antenna is as Figure 6 shown.

[0063] When the port B 220 is connected to the power supply for power feeding, the directional antenna is in the working mode 2 at this time. For the power feeding signal on the left side, a part of the power feeding signal passes through a section of the microstrip line B 216, the microstrip line D 218, and a section of the microstrip line A 215. Another part of the power feeding signal passes through a section of the microstrip line B 216, the microstrip line C 217, and a section of the microstrip line A 215. The two parts of the power feeding signals converge to the first switch 25, and then pass through the first microstrip line 22, the first power divider 31, the metal patch A 1111 on the front of the dielectric substrate 4, the metal patch B 1112, the third power divider 33, the metal patch E 1121 on the back of the dielectric substrate 4, and the metal patch F 1122. The power feeding signal on the right side passes through the microstrip line B 216, the second switch 26, the second microstrip line 23, the second power divider 32, the metal patch C 1113 on the front of the dielectric substrate 4, the metal patch D 1114, the fourth power divider 34, the metal patch G 1123 on the back of the dielectric substrate 4, and the metal patch H 1124. Since the flow path of the power feeding signal on the left side is longer than that on the right side, the phases of the metal patch A 1111, the metal patch B 1112, the metal patch E 1121, and the metal patch F 1122 on the left side lag behind the phases of the metal patch C 1113, the metal patch D 1114, the metal patch G 1123, and the metal patch H 1124 on the right side, thus achieving the effect of providing excitation with an equal difference in phase. For example, the lagging phase difference can be -90°, so the maximum radiation direction of the synthesized radiation pattern will shift by about -30°. The radiation pattern of this directional antenna is as Figure 7 shown.

[0064] Similarly, in summary, by changing the flow path of the power feeding signal, the directional antenna is made to be in the working mode 1 or the working mode 2 to provide excitation with different equal differences in phase, so as to adjust the radiation of the electromagnetic wave of the antenna array unit 11, thereby changing the shape and direction of the radiation pattern of the directional antenna, and further achieving the effect of radiation pattern reconstruction.

[0065] Figure 8is the radiation pattern of the directional antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention in operating mode 3. When the third switch 27 and the fourth switch 28 are turned on, and when the first switch 25 and the second switch 26 are turned off, the directional antenna is in operating mode 3. When the power supply port 221 located in the middle of the third microstrip line 24 is connected to the power supply for feeding, the feeding signal on the left passes through the third switch 27, the first microstrip line 22, the first power divider 31, the metal patch A 1111 on the front of the dielectric substrate 4, the metal patch B 1112, the third power divider 33, the metal patch E 1121 on the back of the dielectric substrate 4, and the metal patch F 1122. The feeding signal on the right passes through the fourth switch 28, the second microstrip line 23, the second power divider 32, the metal patch C 1113 on the front of the dielectric substrate 4, the metal patch D 1114, the fourth power divider 34, the metal patch G 1123 on the back of the dielectric substrate 4, and the metal patch H 1124. Since the flow path of the feeding signal on the left is the same as that on the right, the phases of the metal patch A 1111, the metal patch B 1112, the metal patch E 1121, and the metal patch F 1122 on the left are the same as those of the metal patch C 1113, the metal patch D 1114, the metal patch G 1123, and the metal patch H 1124 on the right. The radiation pattern of this directional antenna is superimposed on the axis of the antenna array element 11. The radiation pattern of this directional antenna is as Figure 8 shown.

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, from Figure 8 it can be seen that when this directional antenna is in operating mode 3, the maximum antenna gain of 13 dBi can be obtained, and it has a 3 dB lobe width of approximately 60°. From Figure 6 and Figure 7 it can be seen that although the introduction of a phase difference of 90° ahead (when this directional antenna is in operating mode 1) or (lagging) 90° (when this directional antenna is in operating mode 2) results in a directional pattern with an angular offset of approximately 30°, which will cause a certain gain loss, not only is the pattern reconstructed, but also the maximum antenna gain of 12 dBi can be achieved, and it has a 3 dB lobe width of approximately 120°, increasing the 3 dB lobe width of the directional antenna by 100% to solve the problem of the antenna beam coverage range.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the first microstrip line 22, the second microstrip line 23, and the third microstrip line 24 are printed on the front or back of the dielectric substrate 4.

[0068] In an embodiment, the first switch 25, the second switch 26, the third switch 27, and the fourth switch 28 are microwave switches or microelectromechanical switches.

[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, the microwave switch can be a wave diode. Among them, a microwave diode is a diode device specifically used in the microwave frequency band. A diode is an electronic device composed of semiconductor materials isolated by two electrodes (a positive electrode and a negative electrode).

[0070] Microwave diodes play an important role in applications in the microwave frequency band (usually referring to 0.3 GHz to 300 GHz). They have the following characteristics:

[0071] High-frequency characteristics: Microwave diodes have a relatively high operating frequency range and can operate in the frequency band from several hundred megahertz to dozens of gigahertz. This enables them to be widely used in wireless communication, radar systems, and microwave circuits.

[0072] High-speed switching: Microwave diodes have a fast switching speed and can achieve high-speed signal switching and modulation. They can be used in high-speed communication and radio frequency signal processing applications.

[0073] High-frequency frequency multipliers and mixers: Microwave diodes are commonly used in high-frequency frequency multiplier and mixer circuits to convert signals to different frequencies.

[0074] Radio frequency detection: Microwave diodes can also be used as radio frequency signal detectors to detect and demodulate radio frequency signals, such as in receivers and wireless communication systems.

[0075] Availability and cost-effectiveness: Microwave diodes are relatively simple and cost-effective devices, which are easy to manufacture and use.

[0076] Microelectromechanical switches can include MEMS switches, MEMS capacitive switches, MEMS electromagnetic switches, RF MEMS switches, etc. Among them, MEMS switches (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems Switches): MEMS switches are based on the integration technology of microelectronic devices and micro-mechanical systems. They use micro-mechanical structures (such as cantilever beams, electromagnetic actuators, etc.) and electric or magnetic fields to control the switch state. MEMS capacitive switches (MEMS Capacitive Switches): These switches are based on the capacitance change of micro-mechanics to achieve switch operation. They usually include a movable capacitor plate and a fixed capacitor plate, and by applying a voltage to cause a change in the potential difference between the capacitor plates, the switch operation is achieved. MEMS electromagnetic switches (MEMS Electromagnetic Switches): These switches use micro-mechanical electromagnetic structures to achieve switch operation. They include a movable metal structure and a fixed metal structure, and by applying a current to activate the electromagnetic element, an electromagnetic force is generated to achieve the switch action. RF MEMS switches (Radio Frequency MEMS Switches): These switches are suitable for radio frequency (RF) systems and control the switching and connection of RF signals through micro-mechanical structures. They usually have low insertion loss and high isolation, making them widely used in wireless communication and radar systems.

[0077] In one embodiment, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the antenna array unit 11 is disposed on one side of the dielectric substrate 4, wherein the side of the dielectric substrate 4 facing away from the antenna array unit 11 is a metal conductor;

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment, the side of the dielectric substrate 4 facing away from the antenna array unit 11 is coated with a metal conductor, which connects the metal conductor to the feeding network 2 and the power divider 3 to serve as the ground plane of the feeding network 2 and the power divider 3. Therefore, the space of the dielectric substrate is fully utilized. The metal conductor can not only serve as the ground plane of the feeding network 2 and the power divider 3, but also, by using the reflection performance of the metal to electromagnetic waves, serve as the metal reflector of the antenna array unit 11, eliminating the need for an additional metal reflector and further saving space and cost.

[0079] The directional antenna further includes:

[0080] A connecting body 8, disposed between the dielectric substrate 4 and the antenna array unit 11;

[0081] Wherein, a first metal conductor 9 is provided on one side wall of the connecting body 8. One end of the first metal conductor 9 is connected to the metal conductor, and the other end is connected to the antenna array unit 11. A second metal conductor 10 is provided on the other side wall. One end of the second metal conductor 10 is connected to the power divider 3, and the other end is connected to the antenna array unit 11.

[0082] In an exemplary embodiment, the connecting body 8 can be a block structure or a columnar structure. When the connecting body 8 is a block structure, a first metal conductor 9 is arranged on one side wall of the connecting body 8 to connect the antenna array unit 11 with the metal conductor by using the first metal conductor 9. A second metal conductor 10 is arranged on the other side wall of the connecting body 8 to connect the antenna array unit 11 with the power divider 3 by using the second metal conductor 10. For example, the second metal conductor 10 can be a microstrip line.

[0083] In one embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, the feeding network 2 is a multi-stage cascaded feeding network.

[0084] In an exemplary embodiment, the feeding network 2 can include a single phase-shifting network 21, or can include multiple cascaded phase-shifting networks 21. The number of the phase-shifting networks 21 can be set according to actual situations. For example, a multi-stage cascaded 3dB bridge phase-shifting network can be used for feeding.

[0085] When the feeding network 2 is a multi-stage cascaded feeding network, the following beneficial effects can be achieved:

[0086] 1. Reduce current load: The multi-stage cascaded method can distribute the entire current load to each stage of the feeding network, reduce the current load of each feeding network, help reduce the influence of the current load on the feeding network, and improve the stability and reliability of the entire system.

[0087] 2. Improve power supply stability: The multi-stage cascaded method can add filtering and voltage stabilizing devices at each cascading point, reduce voltage fluctuations and noise interference, and improve the stability and purity of the power supply.

[0088] 3. Distributed fault isolation: The multi-stage cascaded method can set isolation switches and fault detection devices at each cascading point. Once a fault occurs at a certain cascading point, it can be isolated and repaired in time without affecting the normal operation of the entire system.

[0089] 4. Improve electromagnetic compatibility: The multi-stage cascaded method can reduce electromagnetic radiation and mutual interference through reasonable layout and design, improve the electromagnetic compatibility of the system, and reduce the influence on surrounding devices and the environment.

[0090] In one embodiment, the antenna array unit 11 is a radiation unit with a planar structure or a bent structure.

[0091] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a directional antenna with a bent structure for the antenna array unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 5 shown, the antenna array unit 11 is a planar structure. As Figure 9 shown, the antenna array unit 11 is a bent structure. Of course, the illustration is only for exemplary explanation, and the antenna array unit 11 can be a radiation patch, and the number of radiation patches can be set according to actual situations.

[0092] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a directional antenna with a parallel-coupled line coupler as the phase-shifting network according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, as Figure 10 shown, the phase-shifting network 21 is a parallel-coupled line coupler 110.

[0093] In an exemplary embodiment, the parallel-coupled line coupler 110 is a coupler used in radio frequency and microwave circuits. It is mainly used to transfer electromagnetic energy from one transmission line to another while providing a corresponding phase difference. For a radiating patch, different phase differences can be provided through the parallel-coupled line coupler 110 to achieve the multi-beam or beam roll function of the radiating patch antenna.

[0094] The working principle is as follows:

[0095] 1. Parallel coupling structure: The parallel-coupled line coupler 110 is usually composed of two parallel transmission lines. One of them is the main transmission line, which is connected to the input / output port of the system. The other is the radiating patch coupling line, which is connected to the radiating patch antenna.

[0096] 2. Coupling: When a high-frequency signal is transmitted from the main transmission line to the radiating patch coupling line, energy coupling will occur between them. This coupling will cause radiation on the radiating patch antenna, thereby realizing signal transmission or reception.

[0097] In an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 10As shown, the main transmission line is connected to the first power divider 31, and the first power divider 31 feeds power to the antenna array units 11 on the right side (such as metal patch C 1113 and metal patch D 1114); the radiation patch coupling line is connected to the second power divider 32, and the second power divider 32 feeds power to the antenna array units 11 on the left side (such as metal patch A 1111 and metal patch B 1112). By setting the length of the radiation patch coupling line to a quarter-wavelength length, the phase of the feed signal received by the second power divider 32 can have a 90-degree phase difference relative to the phase of the feed signal received by the first power divider 31, so that the phase of the feed signal received by the antenna array units 11 on the left side has a 90-degree phase difference relative to the phase of the feed signal received by the antenna array units 11 on the right side, so as to achieve the effect of changing the phase difference of the excitation by changing the flow path of the feed signal.

[0098] In an exemplary embodiment, the positions of the main transmission line and the radiation patch coupling line can be interchanged to achieve the change of the positive and negative angles of the phase difference (for example, obtaining a phase difference of +90° or -90°).

[0099] In summary, by using the scheme of the parallel-coupled line coupler 110, the excitation is dynamically adjusted and controlled by changing the flow path of the feed signal, so as to achieve beamforming in different directions, and further achieve the effect of pattern reconfiguration.

[0100] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device is further provided, including the above-mentioned directional antenna.

[0101] In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic device can be a mobile phone, a walkie-talkie, a satellite communication terminal, a wireless router, a wireless access point device, a drone, an aircraft, a radio telescope and other devices. Of course, the above are only exemplary descriptions, and the electronic devices disclosed in the present invention are not limited to the above devices.

[0102] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various changes and modifications. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A directive antenna with reconfigurable radiation pattern, characterized in that, include: A binary antenna array includes a plurality of antenna array units for radiating excitation energy in the form of electromagnetic waves; A feeding network for providing excitations with equal phase differences based on changing a flow path of a feeding signal; A power divider is used to equally divide the excitation into the multiple antenna array units.

2. The directional antenna according to claim 1, wherein, Each antenna array unit includes a first metal patch arranged on the front side of the dielectric substrate and a second metal patch arranged on the back side of the dielectric substrate; the power divider is used to equally divide the excitation into a plurality of first metal patches and a plurality of second metal patches.

3. The directional antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The metal reflector is arranged on one side of the antenna array unit and is used for reflecting electromagnetic waves in the direction toward which the metal reflector is facing.

4. The directional antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The antenna array unit is arranged on one side of the dielectric substrate, wherein the side of the dielectric substrate facing away from the antenna array unit is a metal conductor; The directional antenna also includes: A connector, arranged between the dielectric substrate and the antenna array unit; Among them, a first metal conductor is provided on one side wall of the connector, one end of the first metal conductor is connected to the metal conductor, and the other end is connected to the antenna array unit; a second metal conductor is provided on the other side wall, one end of the second metal conductor is connected to the power divider, and the other end is connected to the antenna array unit.

5. The directional antenna according to claim 1, wherein Also includes: The metal ground is used as the floor of the feeding network and the power divider.

6. The directional antenna according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of antenna array units are arranged around the feed network; The power divider includes a first power divider and a second power divider; The feeding network comprises: A phase shift network, comprising a first input port, a second input port, a first output port, and a second output port; The first input port and the second input port are used to connect to a power supply, the first output port is used to connect to a first power divider, the second output port is used to connect to a second power divider, the first input port and the first output port are located on the same side, and the second input port and the second output port are located on the same side; The first power divider is used to connect multiple antenna array units on one side, and the second power divider is used to connect multiple antenna array units on the other side.

7. The directional antenna according to claim 6, wherein The feeding network further comprises: A first microstrip line, one end of which is connected to the first output port through a first switch, and the other end of which is connected to the first power divider; A second microstrip line has one end connected to the second output port through a second switch, and the other end connected to the second power divider.

8. The directional antenna according to claim 7, wherein The feeding network further comprises: A third microstrip line has one end connected to the first microstrip line through a third switch and the other end connected to the second microstrip line through a fourth switch, wherein a power connection port for connecting to a power supply is provided in the middle of the third microstrip line.

9. The directional antenna according to claim 6, wherein, The feeding network is a multi-stage cascade feeding network.

10. The directional antenna according to claim 8, wherein The first switch, the second switch, the third switch and the fourth switch are microwave switches or micro-mechanical electronic switches.

11. The directional antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The antenna array unit is a radiation unit with a planar structure or a bent structure.

12. An electronic device, characterized in that, Comprising a directional antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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