Luneberg lens and antenna system

Abstract

The invention provides a Luneberg lens and an antenna system, and the Luneberg lens comprises a flexible liquid crystal screen which is curled layer by layer along a target side edge to form a cylindrical structure; wherein the relative dielectric constants of the columnar structures are equal along a plane parallel to the target side edge; the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure is in a decreasing trend along a plane perpendicular to the target side edge and along a direction deviating from the center point of the target side edge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communication technologies, and particularly to a Luneburg lens and an antenna system. Background Art

[0002] The Luneburg lens is made of a dielectric material. Compared with expensive and complex phased array antennas, it has a low cost and a simple structure, and is more suitable for mass production.

[0003] Currently, mechanical adjustments such as changing the position of the feed source are often used to ensure the adjustability of the Luneburg lens. How to ensure the reconfigurability of the Luneburg lens antenna has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a Luneburg lens and an antenna system, and the specific technical solutions are as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a Luneburg lens, including:

[0006] A flexible liquid crystal screen, which is curled layer by layer along a target side to form a columnar structure;

[0007] Wherein, along a plane parallel to the target side, the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure is equal; along a plane perpendicular to the target side and in a direction away from the center point of the target side, the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure shows a decreasing trend.

[0008] In a possible implementation manner, the flexible liquid crystal screen includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate; wherein, a plurality of control electrodes are disposed on the first substrate at intervals, and each of the control electrodes is configured to adjust the relative dielectric constant of the corresponding region of the liquid crystal layer under the loading of a corresponding voltage signal, and the relative dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer is positively correlated with the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure.

[0009] In a possible implementation manner, when the flexible liquid crystal screen is in a flattened state, the overlapping area of the electrode structure formed by the plurality of control electrodes and the liquid crystal layer shows a decreasing trend in a direction away from the target side.

[0010] In a possible implementation manner, when the flexible liquid crystal screen is in a flattened state, each of the control electrodes is disposed layer by layer from the inside to the outside, and the control electrodes located on the periphery among the plurality of control electrodes surround the control electrodes located inside, and each of the control electrodes is partially overlapped with the target side.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the multiple control electrodes include a first control electrode close to the target side edge and a second control electrode away from the target side edge, and the overlapping area between the first control electrode and the liquid crystal layer is larger than the overlapping area between the second control electrode and the liquid crystal layer.

[0012] In a possible implementation, when the flexible liquid crystal screen is in a flattened state, in a direction perpendicular to the target side edge, the electrode structure surrounded by the multiple control electrodes is symmetrically arranged.

[0013] In a possible implementation, when the flexible liquid crystal screen is in a flattened state, the electrode structure surrounded by the multiple control electrodes has a trapezoidal shape in the positive projection on the same substrate, the bottom of the positive projection shape is close to the target side edge, the top of the positive projection shape is away from the target side edge, and both the top and the bottom extend in a direction parallel to the target side edge.

[0014] In a possible implementation, it further includes a core structure arranged around the target side edge, and the flexible liquid crystal screen curls layer by layer around the core structure.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the material of the core structure is at least one of nylon, ABS, and foamed material doped with ceramic particles.

[0016] In a possible implementation, it further includes a dielectric layer arranged around the flexible liquid crystal screen, and the relative dielectric constant of the dielectric layer ranges from 1 to 1.2.

[0017] In a possible implementation, along a plane parallel to the bottom of the columnar structure, the cross-sectional shape of the columnar structure is at least one of a circle, a square, and a rectangle.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the flexible liquid crystal screen further includes a common electrode layer on the second substrate, the common electrode layer is arranged as a whole layer, and the positive projection of the multiple control electrodes on the same substrate completely falls within the area range of the positive projection of the common electrode layer on the same substrate.

[0019] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides an antenna system, including:

[0020] At least one Luneburg lens as described in any one of the above, and at least one feed source spaced apart from at least one of the Luneburg lenses by a preset distance;

[0021] Wherein, each of the feed sources is configured to emit an electromagnetic wave signal, and the at least one Luneburg lens is configured to adjust the beam of the corresponding electromagnetic wave signal.

[0022] In a possible implementation, there are multiple said Luneburg lenses, and two adjacent Luneburg lenses are arranged together through a glue layer.

[0023] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0024] The embodiment of the present invention provides a Luneburg lens and an antenna system. Among them, the Luneburg lens includes a flexible liquid crystal screen, and the flexible liquid crystal screen can be curled layer by layer along the target side to form a columnar structure, thus providing the possibility for preparing a Luneburg lens with a required shape; in addition, along the plane parallel to the target side, the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure is equal; along the plane perpendicular to the target side and in the direction away from the center point of the target side, the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure shows a decreasing trend. In this way, the columnar symmetry of the Luneburg lens is ensured, and the gradual change of the relative dielectric constant from the center point to the column surface is ensured. In this case, by changing the characteristics of the Luneburg lens, the reconfiguration of the electromagnetic beam can be realized. Description of the Drawings

[0025] Figure 1 It is a top view structure schematic diagram of one of the Luneburg lenses provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a side view structure schematic diagram of one of the Luneburg lenses shown;

[0027] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of one of the Luneburg lenses provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 It is a structure schematic diagram of one of the states where the flexible liquid crystal screen in the Luneburg lens provided by the embodiment of the present invention is in a flattened state;

[0029] Figure 5 It is a structure schematic diagram of one of the states where the flexible liquid crystal screen in the Luneburg lens provided by the embodiment of the present invention is in a flattened state;

[0030] Figure 6 is based on Figure 4 a beam width schematic diagram of one of the exemplary embodiments shown;

[0031] Figure 7 It is a top view structure schematic diagram of one of the Luneburg lenses provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 8 It is a top view structure schematic diagram of one of the Luneburg lenses provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 9 It is a top view structure schematic diagram of one of the Luneburg lenses provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 10 For the preparation of Figure 1 One of the process flow diagrams of the Luneburg lens shown;

[0035] Figure 11 One of the structural diagrams of an antenna system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 12 One of the structural diagrams of an antenna system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0038] 10 - Flexible liquid crystal screen; 20 - Target side; 11 - First substrate; 12 - Second substrate; 13 - Liquid crystal layer; 14 - Control electrode; 141 - First control electrode; 142 - Second control electrode; 30 - Core structure; 40 - Dielectric layer; 15 - Common electrode layer; 16 - Support structure; 17 - Sealing glue; 100 - Luneburg lens; 200 - Feeder; 300 - Adhesive layer. Detailed implementation manners

[0039] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. And without conflict, the embodiments in the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the described embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0040] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the present invention shall have the ordinary meanings understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. The "first", "second" and similar terms used in the present invention do not denote any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. The terms such as "including" or "comprising" mean that the elements or objects appearing before this word cover the elements or objects listed after this word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. The terms such as "connected" or "coupled" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. The terms such as "inside", "outside", "above", "below", etc. are only used to represent relative positional relationships, and when the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0041] It should be noted that the sizes and shapes of the figures in the drawings do not reflect the actual proportions, and the purpose is only to schematically illustrate the content of the present invention. Also, the same or similar reference numerals throughout indicate the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions.

[0042] In the related art, based on the theory of geometric optics, the concept of a Luneburg lens (or Luneburg lens) was proposed, and the change in its relative permittivity satisfies the formula: Among them, the Luneburg lens antenna has a spherically symmetric structure, and the relative permittivity gradually changes continuously from 2 at the center of the sphere to 1 at the spherical surface, and can converge the incident electromagnetic wave at the spherical focal point, and vice versa. The related advantages of the Luneburg lens include: placing multiple feeds at the focal position on the spherical surface can achieve multiple beams, and each beam has the same radiation characteristics; its operating frequency band depends on the feed and has nothing to do with the lens dielectric material: when applying tracking scanning, as long as the feed is moved, the scanning rate and efficiency are greatly improved. The scanning angle can theoretically reach 360°, and in order to avoid feed occlusion, the actual multi-beam coverage range is about 120°; the Luneburg lens is composed of a dielectric material, and compared with the expensive and complex phased array antenna, it has a low cost, a simple structure, and is more suitable for mass production. Currently, the adjustability of the Luneburg lens is often ensured by mechanical adjustments such as changing the feed position. How to achieve the dynamic adjustment of the Luneburg lens antenna and ensure the reconfigurability of the Luneburg lens antenna has become an urgent technical problem to be solved.

[0043] In view of this, the embodiments of the present invention provide a Luneburg lens and an antenna system for realizing the dynamic adjustment of the Luneburg lens and realizing the reconfigurability of the antenna system.

[0044] Combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, where Figure 1 is a top view structural schematic diagram of a Luneburg lens provided by an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a side view structural schematic diagram of the Luneburg lens; specifically, the Luneburg lens includes:

[0045] A flexible liquid crystal screen 10, and the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 is curled layer by layer along the target side 20 to form a columnar structure;

[0046] Among them, along the plane parallel to the target side 20, the relative permittivity of the columnar structure is equal; along the plane perpendicular to the target side 20 and in the direction away from the center point of the target side 20, the relative permittivity of the columnar structure shows a decreasing trend.

[0047] In the specific implementation process, the Luneburg lens includes a flexible liquid crystal screen 10. Correspondingly, the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 can be curled layer by layer along the target side 20 to form a columnar structure, which provides the possibility for preparing a Luneburg lens with a required shape. Among them, the target side 20 can be one of the sides of the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 when it is in a flattened state. In addition, along the plane parallel to the target side 20, the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure is equal. Along the plane perpendicular to the target side 20 and in the direction away from the center point of the target side 20 (shown as point O in the figure), the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure shows a decreasing trend. Among them, the direction indicated by the arrow X is the direction along the plane perpendicular to the target side 20 and away from the center point of the target side 20. In this way, the columnar symmetry of the Luneburg lens is ensured, and the gradual change of the relative dielectric constant from the center point to the column surface is ensured. In this way, by changing the characteristics of the Luneburg lens, the reconfiguration of the electromagnetic beam can be realized.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 includes a first substrate 11, a second substrate 12 disposed opposite to the first substrate 11, and a liquid crystal layer 13 located between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. Among them, a plurality of control electrodes 14 are disposed on the first substrate 11 at intervals. Each control electrode 14 is configured to adjust the relative dielectric constant of the corresponding region of the liquid crystal layer 13 under the loading of a corresponding voltage signal. The relative dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer 13 is positively correlated with the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure.

[0049] In the specific implementation process, as Figure 3 shown is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of one type of the flexible liquid crystal screen 10. Specifically, the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 includes a first substrate 11, a second substrate 12 disposed opposite to the first substrate 11, and a liquid crystal layer 13 located between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. Among them, a plurality of control electrodes 14 are disposed on the first substrate 11 at intervals. The specific number of the plurality of control electrodes 14 can be set according to actual application needs and is not limited herein. Each control electrode 14 is configured to adjust the relative dielectric constant of the corresponding region of the liquid crystal layer 13 under the loading of a corresponding voltage signal. In this way, in actual applications, the reconfigurable characteristic of electromagnetic wave regulation can be realized by changing the magnitude of the voltage signal loaded on the control electrode 14. In addition, the relative dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer 13 is positively correlated with the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure. Exemplarily, the larger the relative dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer 13 at the same position, the larger the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure. In actual applications, corresponding voltage signals can be loaded on the control electrodes 14 at corresponding positions as needed, so as to adjust the relative dielectric constant at the corresponding positions, ensuring the adjustability of the Luneburg lens.

[0050] In the embodiment of the present invention, when the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 is in a flattened state, the overlapping area of the electrode structure surrounded by the plurality of control electrodes 14 and the liquid crystal layer 13 decreases in the direction away from the target side edge 20.

[0051] In the specific implementation process, when the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 is in a flattened state, it can be set according to Figure 4 and Figure 5 the embodiments shown. Specifically, when the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 is in a flattened state, the overlapping area of the electrode structure surrounded by the plurality of control electrodes 14 and the liquid crystal layer 13 decreases in the direction away from the target side edge 20. Among them, the direction indicated by the arrow Y is the direction away from the target side edge 20. In this way, the overlapping area of the electrode structure at a position farther away from the target side edge 20 is smaller, and correspondingly, the relative dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer 13 at the corresponding position can be set to be smaller.

[0052] In Figure 4 the exemplary embodiment shown, when the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 is in a flattened state, each of the control electrodes 14 is arranged layer by layer from the inside to the outside, and the control electrodes 14 located on the periphery among the plurality of control electrodes 14 surround the control electrodes 14 located inside, and each of the control electrodes 14 is partially overlapped with the target side edge 20.

[0053] Still referring to Figure 4 the exemplary embodiment shown, four control electrodes 14 are arranged on the first substrate 11 at intervals, denoted as a, b, c, and d in sequence, and the relative dielectric constants of the corresponding regions are denoted as dielectric A, dielectric B, dielectric C, and dielectric D in sequence. Taking the simulation center frequency point of 19 GHz as an example, the corresponding gains and 3 dB level beam widths are shown in Table 1:

[0054]

[0055] Table 1

[0056] Still referring to Figure 4 the exemplary embodiment shown, as Figure 6The following is a schematic diagram of the beam width. In this exemplary embodiment, if the thickness of the liquid crystal cell corresponding to the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 is 1 mm, and the cylindrical structure formed by curling is a cylinder with a diameter of 50 mm and a height of 50 mm, then the total length of the liquid crystal cell is 7.85 m. Accordingly, the size of the control electrode 14 (i.e., control electrode a) corresponding to dielectric A is a bottom side length of 12.9 mm, a top side length of 6.25 mm, and a height of 1.96 m; the size of the figure formed by the control electrode 14 (i.e., control electrode b) corresponding to dielectric B and the target side 20 is a bottom side length of 25 mm, a top side length of 12.9 mm, and a height of 3.92 mm; the size of the figure formed by the control electrode 14 (i.e., control electrode c) corresponding to dielectric C and the target side 20 is a bottom side length of 37.5 mm, a top side length of 12.9 mm, and a height of 5.88 m; the size of the figure formed by the control electrode 14 (i.e., control electrode d) corresponding to dielectric D and the target side 20 is a bottom side length of 50 mm, a top side length of 12.9 mm, and a height of 7.84 m. Accordingly, the range of the relative dielectric constant at each position of the Luneburg lens is 1.5 to 8.5. In practical applications, it is necessary to set the relative dielectric constant of the Luneburg lens to show a changing trend of 2 to 1 from the center point to the cylindrical surface. In addition, the number of control electrodes 14 and the specific size of the control electrodes 14 can also be set according to the specific size of the Luneburg lens required in practice, which is not limited here.

[0057] It should be noted that in Figure 4 the exemplary embodiment shown, except for the control electrode 14 (i.e., control electrode a) corresponding to dielectric A, the sizes of the other control electrodes 14 (i.e., control electrodes b, c, and d) do not actually include the size of the figure formed by the enclosed control electrode 14 and the target side 20; taking dielectric B as an example, the size of its corresponding control electrode 14 (i.e., control electrode b) is equal to the size of the figure formed by the control electrode 14 (i.e., control electrode b) corresponding to dielectric B and the target side 20 minus the size of the enclosed control electrode 14 (i.e., control electrode a) corresponding to dielectric A; taking dielectric C as an example, the size of its corresponding control electrode 14 is equal to the size of the figure formed by the control electrode 14 (i.e., control electrode c) corresponding to dielectric C and the target side 20 minus the size of the figure formed by the enclosed control electrode 14 (i.e., control electrode b) corresponding to dielectric B and the target side 20; taking dielectric D as an example, the size of its corresponding control electrode 14 (i.e., control electrode d) is equal to the size of the figure formed by the control electrode 14 (i.e., control electrode d) corresponding to dielectric D and the target side 20 minus the size of the figure formed by the enclosed control electrode 14 (i.e., control electrode c) corresponding to dielectric C and the target side 20.

[0058] In Figure 5In the exemplary embodiment shown, the plurality of control electrodes 14 include a first control electrode 141 close to the target side 20 and a second control electrode 142 away from the target side 20, and the overlapping area between the first control electrode 141 and the liquid crystal layer 13 is larger than the overlapping area between the second control electrode 142 and the liquid crystal layer 13.

[0059] Still in combination with Figure 5 the exemplary embodiment shown, along the direction away from the target side 20, the overlapping area between each control electrode 14 and the liquid crystal layer 13 shows a decreasing trend; exemplarily, the plurality of control electrodes 14 include a first control electrode 141 close to the target side 20 and a second control electrode 142 away from the target side 20, and the overlapping area between the first control electrode 141 and the liquid crystal layer 13 is larger than the overlapping area between the second control electrode 142 and the liquid crystal layer 13. In this way, the area occupied by the air at the position corresponding to the second control electrode 142 is larger than the area occupied by the air at the position corresponding to the first control electrode 141, so that the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure at the position corresponding to the second control electrode 142 can be effectively reduced. Moreover, for the first control electrode 141, the area reserved for the air at the corresponding position is smaller, and the area occupied by the first control electrode 141 itself is larger, and the dielectric range that can be regulated is larger.

[0060] In the embodiment of the present invention, when the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 is in a flattened state, in the direction perpendicular to the target side 20, the electrode structure surrounded by the plurality of control electrodes 14 is symmetrically arranged.

[0061] Still in combination with Figure 4 and Figure 5 the exemplary embodiment shown, when the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 is in a flattened state, the cross-sectional shape of the electrode structure surrounded by the plurality of control electrodes 14 is an isosceles trapezoid in the direction parallel to the plane of the same substrate. In addition, its cross-sectional shape can also be an isosceles triangle.

[0062] In the embodiment of the present invention, still in combination with Figure 4 and Figure 5 the exemplary embodiment shown, when the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 is in a flattened state, the orthographic projection shape of the electrode structure surrounded by the plurality of control electrodes 14 on the same substrate is trapezoidally arranged, the bottom of the orthographic projection shape is close to the target side 20, the top of the orthographic projection shape is away from the target side 20, and both the top and the bottom extend in the direction parallel to the target side 20.

[0063] In the embodiment of the present invention, the Luneburg lens further includes a core structure 30 arranged around the target side 20, and the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 is curled layer by layer around the core structure 30.

[0064] Combined with Figure 7 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the Luneburg lens further includes a core structure 30 disposed around the side 20 of the target. Exemplarily, the radius of the core structure 30 ranges from 50 mm to 100 mm. In addition, the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 is curled layer by layer around the core structure 30.

[0065] In Figure 7 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the core structure 30 may be a structure prepared from a high-dielectric material. Exemplarily, the material of the core structure 30 is at least one of nylon, ABS, and foamed material doped with ceramic particles. Of course, other high-dielectric materials may also be used to prepare the core structure 30, which is not limited herein. Exemplarily, the relative dielectric constant of the core structure 30 ranges from 1.7 to 2. In practical applications, by changing the voltage signals applied to the respective control electrodes 14 in the flexible liquid crystal screen 10, the relative dielectric constant of different layers can be adjusted, thereby realizing the reconfigurability of the Luneburg lens and increasing the application range of the device.

[0066] In Figure 8 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the Luneburg lens further includes a dielectric layer 40 disposed around the flexible liquid crystal screen 10. The relative dielectric constant of the dielectric layer 40 ranges from 1 to 1.2. Exemplarily, the material of the dielectric layer 40 may be a foamed material such as polyimide or PMI, or other low-dielectric materials with a relative dielectric constant between 1 and 1.2. In this way, on the one hand, the relative dielectric constant of the outer layer of the columnar structure is reduced by the dielectric layer 40, improving the performance of the Luneburg lens; on the other hand, the protection of the relevant inner layer structures of the columnar structure is achieved through the dielectric layer 40. Exemplarily, the thickness range of the dielectric layer 40 is from 50 mm to 150 mm.

[0067] In the embodiment of the present invention, along a plane parallel to the bottom of the columnar structure, the cross-sectional shape of the columnar structure is at least one of a circle, a square, and a rectangle.

[0068] In Figure 9 In the exemplary embodiment shown, along a plane parallel to the bottom of the columnar structure, the cross-sectional shape of the columnar structure is a square. Of course, the specific shape of the columnar structure can also be set according to actual application needs, which is not limited herein.

[0069] Still combined with Figure 3As shown, the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 also includes a common electrode layer 15 located on the second substrate 12. The common electrode layer 15 is arranged as a whole layer, and the orthographic projections of the multiple control electrodes 14 on the same substrate completely fall within the area of the orthographic projection of the common electrode layer 15 on the same substrate. In this way, the same voltage signal can be applied to the common electrode layer 15, and by applying the required voltage signal to each control electrode 14, the relative dielectric constant of the corresponding position of the Luneburg lens can be flexibly adjusted. In addition, the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 also includes a support structure 16 located between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12, and a frame sealant 17 located at the frame position of the flexible liquid crystal screen 10; illustratively, the support structure 16 can be a columnar spacer; of course, in addition to the film layer structure mentioned above, the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 can also include other film layer structures. The specific implementation can be achieved by referring to the relevant technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0070] The following combination Figure 10 The process flow diagram shown is Figure 1 The specific preparation process of the Luneburg lens shown is explained in detail.

[0071] First, a whole transparent conductive layer is provided on the first substrate 11; then, the transparent conductive layer is patterned to obtain the desired pattern of the first electrode; a whole transparent conductive layer is provided on the second substrate 12 to form a common electrode layer 15; then, a support structure 16 of the required structure is provided on the first substrate 11 to support the corresponding liquid crystal box thickness; then, the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 are assembled together, and a sealing glue 17 is provided in the border area; then, a wafer filling process is used to obtain the flexible liquid crystal screen 10; then, the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 is curled layer by layer along the target side 20 to form a columnar structure of the desired shape.

[0072] In practical applications, Luneburg lenses can also be produced by creating a mold and then injecting liquid crystal. Specifically, a reel-shaped mold is first made of glass, acrylic, or resin with electrodes. Liquid crystal is then injected into the mold and sealed to produce a Luneburg lens with the desired structure. Of course, other processes can also be used to produce Luneburg lenses, but these will not be detailed here.

[0073] In the specific implementation process, the Luneburg lens provided by the embodiments of the present invention can overcome many disadvantages of parabolic antennas due to its good radiation characteristics. Therefore, the Luneburg lens can be applied to satellite communication. Exemplarily, a single Luneburg lens antenna can communicate with multiple satellites and be used in satellite news relay vehicles, mobile satellite ground stations, etc. The Luneburg lens can also be applied to passive reflectors and thus be used in electronic jamming systems. In addition, the Luneburg lens can be applied to a fast scanning system, eliminating the need to move heavy antennas, which increases the scanning efficiency and speed. Compared with phased array antennas, the Luneburg lens has a low cost and can be applied to automotive collision avoidance systems. Of course, the application scenarios of the Luneburg lens can also be set according to actual application needs, which are not limited herein.

[0074] Based on the same inventive concept, as Figure 11 shown, the embodiments of the present invention also provide an antenna system, which includes:

[0075] At least one Luneburg lens 100 as described in any one of the above, and at least one feed source 200 spaced apart from the at least one Luneburg lens 100 by a preset distance;

[0076] Wherein, each of the feed sources 200 is configured to transmit electromagnetic wave signals, and the at least one Luneburg lens 100 is configured to adjust the beam of the corresponding electromagnetic wave signals.

[0077] In the specific implementation process, the at least one Luneburg lens 100 in the antenna system can be one or multiple, which can be specifically set according to actual application needs. In addition, the specific number of the at least one feed source 200 in the antenna system can be one or multiple, which can be specifically set according to actual application needs and are not limited herein. Among them, the preset distance between the feed source 200 and the Luneburg lens 100 can be set according to actual application needs and is not limited herein.

[0078] In the embodiments of the present invention, when the at least one Luneburg lens 100 is multiple, adjacent two Luneburg lenses 100 are arranged together through a glue layer 300. In this way, the antenna system can superimpose and use multiple Luneburg lenses 100, which can further improve the gain and reduce the width of the electromagnetic wave beam, thereby enabling better focusing of the electromagnetic wave beam.

[0079] In Figure 12 the exemplary embodiment shown, the antenna system includes two Luneburg lenses 100, and these two Luneburg lenses 100 are arranged together through a glue layer 300.

[0080] In the specific implementation process, the principle of the antenna system to solve the problem is similar to that of the aforementioned Luneburg lens 100. Therefore, the implementation of the antenna system can refer to the implementation of the aforementioned Luneburg lens 100, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated here.

[0081] In the specific implementation process, the embodiment of the present invention provides a Luneburg lens and an antenna system. The Luneburg lens includes a flexible liquid crystal screen 10, and the flexible liquid crystal screen 10 can be curled layer by layer along the target side 20 to form a columnar structure, thus providing the possibility for preparing a Luneburg lens with the required shape. In addition, along the plane parallel to the target side 20, the relative permittivity of the columnar structure is equal; along the plane perpendicular to the target side 20 and in the direction away from the center point of the target side 20, the relative permittivity of the columnar structure shows a decreasing trend. In this way, the columnar symmetry of the Luneburg lens is ensured, and the gradual change of the relative permittivity from the center point to the column surface is ensured. In this case, by changing the characteristics of the Luneburg lens, the reconfiguration of the electromagnetic beam can be realized.

[0082] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art can make additional changes and modifications to these embodiments once they know the basic creative concept. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted to include the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0083] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. In this case, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalent technologies, this application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A Luneburg lens, characterized in that, Comprising: A flexible liquid crystal screen, wherein the flexible liquid crystal screen is curled layer by layer along a target side to form a columnar structure; Wherein, along a plane parallel to the target side, the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure is equal; along a plane perpendicular to the target side and in a direction away from the center point of the target side, the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure shows a decreasing trend.

2. The Luneburg lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible liquid crystal screen includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate; wherein, a plurality of control electrodes spaced apart from each other are disposed on the first substrate, and each of the control electrodes is configured to adjust the relative dielectric constant of the corresponding region of the liquid crystal layer under the loading of a corresponding voltage signal, and the relative dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer is positively correlated with the relative dielectric constant of the columnar structure.

3. The Luneburg lens according to claim 2, wherein, When the flexible liquid crystal screen is in a flattened state, the overlapping area of the electrode structure formed by the plurality of control electrodes and the liquid crystal layer shows a decreasing trend in a direction away from the target side.

4. The Luneburg lens according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the flexible liquid crystal screen is in a flattened state, each of the control electrodes is arranged layer by layer from the inside to the outside, and the control electrodes located on the periphery of the plurality of control electrodes surround the control electrodes located inside, and each of the control electrodes is partially overlapped with the target side.

5. The Luneburg lens according to claim 3, wherein, The plurality of control electrodes include a first control electrode close to the target side and a second control electrode away from the target side, and the overlapping area of the first control electrode and the liquid crystal layer is larger than the overlapping area of the second control electrode and the liquid crystal layer.

6. The Luneburg lens according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, When the flexible liquid crystal screen is in a flattened state, the electrode structure formed by the plurality of control electrodes is symmetrically arranged in a direction perpendicular to the target side.

7. The Luneburg lens according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the flexible liquid crystal screen is in a flattened state, the shape of the positive projection of the electrode structure formed by the plurality of control electrodes on the same substrate is trapezoidal, the bottom of the positive projection shape is arranged close to the target side, the top of the positive projection shape is arranged away from the target side, and both the top and the bottom extend along a direction parallel to the target side.

8. The Luneburg lens according to any one of claims 1-5 and 7, characterized in that It further includes a core structure arranged around the target side, and the flexible liquid crystal screen is curled layer by layer around the core structure.

9. The Luneburg lens according to claim 8, wherein, The material of the core structure is at least one of nylon, ABS, and a foaming material doped with ceramic particles.

10. The Luneburg lens according to any one of claims 1-5 and 7, characterized in that, It further includes a dielectric layer arranged around the flexible liquid crystal screen, and the relative dielectric constant of the dielectric layer ranges from 1 to 1.

2.

11. The Luneburg lens according to any one of claims 1-5 and 7, characterized in that, Along a plane parallel to the bottom of the columnar structure, the cross-sectional shape of the columnar structure is at least one of a circle, a square, and a rectangle.

12. The Luneburg lens according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, The flexible liquid crystal screen further includes a common electrode layer located on the second substrate, the common electrode layer is arranged in a whole layer, and the positive projection of the plurality of control electrodes on the same substrate completely falls within the region range of the positive projection of the common electrode layer on the same substrate.

13. An antenna system, characterized in that, Comprising: At least one Luneburg lens according to any one of claims 1-12, and at least one feed source spaced apart from the at least one Luneburg lens by a preset distance; Wherein, each of the feeders is configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave signal, and the at least one Luneburg lens is configured to adjust the beam of the corresponding electromagnetic wave signal.

14. The antenna system according to claim 13, wherein There are multiple ones of the at least one Luneburg lens, and two adjacent Luneburg lenses are arranged together through a glue layer.

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