Rectifying antenna module and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a rectification antenna module and electronic equipment, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The rectification antenna module comprises a communication antenna array, a rectification module, a first dielectric plate, a second dielectric plate, a grounding layer, a feed module and a DC filtering module. The communication antenna array and the rectifier module are arranged on two opposite sides of the first dielectric plate, and the second dielectric plate is clamped between the rectifier module and the grounding layer; the communication antenna array comprises n antenna units, and each antenna unit is electrically connected with the feed module; the rectifier module comprises m first electromagnetic metasurface units, p second electromagnetic metasurface units and x rectifier diodes; the first electromagnetic metasurface units and the second electromagnetic metasurface units are arranged alternately, and any two adjacent first electromagnetic metasurface units and second electromagnetic metasurface units are electrically connected through a rectifier diode; a grounding point on the first electromagnetic metasurface unit is electrically connected with the grounding layer; the DC filtering module is electrically connected with the rectification module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of communication technology, and specifically relates to a rectenna module and electronic equipment. Background Art

[0002] Rectennas offer the ability to capture electromagnetic waves, convert AC to DC, and perform wireless communication in far-field wireless power transmission. However, conventional rectennas cannot simultaneously receive beam information and harvest energy. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a rectenna module and an electronic device that can solve the problem that the rectenna module cannot simultaneously receive beam information and collect energy.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a rectenna module, which includes: a communication antenna array, a rectifier module, a first dielectric plate, a second dielectric plate, a ground layer, a feed module, and a DC filter module;

[0005] The communication antenna array and the rectifier module are arranged on opposite sides of the first dielectric plate, and the second dielectric plate is sandwiched between the rectifier module and the ground layer;

[0006] The communication antenna array includes n antenna units, each of the n antenna units is electrically connected to the feed module, and n is an integer greater than or equal to 2;

[0007] The rectifier module includes m first electromagnetic metasurface units, p second electromagnetic metasurface units and x rectifier diodes, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1, p is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and x is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the first electromagnetic metasurface units and the second electromagnetic metasurface units are alternately arranged, and any two adjacent first electromagnetic metasurface units and second electromagnetic metasurface units are electrically connected through a rectifier diode; the first electromagnetic metasurface unit includes a grounding point, which is electrically connected to the ground layer, and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit does not include a grounding point;

[0008] The DC filter module is electrically connected to the rectifier module.

[0009] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device, which includes the rectenna module as described in the first aspect.

[0010] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication antenna array and a rectifier module are stacked on opposite sides of a first dielectric plate. The communication antenna array includes multiple antenna units. When the feed module feeds power to each antenna unit, the communication antenna array can be used to achieve communication functions. In addition, the rectifier module converts the energy collected by each electromagnetic metasurface unit into electrical energy and outputs a DC signal through the DC filter module. In this way, the rectifier antenna module of this embodiment of the present application can simultaneously achieve wireless communication functions and energy collection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 This is one of the structural diagrams of a rectenna module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the split structure of the rectenna module shown;

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Cross-section along the mid-DD direction;

[0014] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a rectifier module in an embodiment of the present application;

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The equivalent circuit diagram of the rectifier module and the DC filter module shown in FIG;

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of the middle W region;

[0017] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of the antenna unit and the corresponding first electromagnetic metasurface unit in an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the structure of the antenna unit and the corresponding second electromagnetic metasurface unit in an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 9 This is the second structural diagram of a rectenna module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 Cross-section along the EE direction;

[0021] Figure 11 This is a rectification efficiency curve of the rectenna module provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] The terms "first," "second," and the like in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or precedence. It should be understood that the terms used in this manner are interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of this application can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein, and that the objects distinguished by "first," "second," and the like are generally of the same type, and do not limit the number of objects; for example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, the term "and / or" in the specification and claims refers to at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the objects connected are in an "or" relationship.

[0024] With the continuous development of society and economy, the demand for energy is increasing in the era of modernization and industrialization. Wireless Power Transmission (WPT), as a promising energy supply method, can transmit electrical energy in a contactless manner, providing a sustainable energy supply solution for tens of thousands of mobile devices. As the most important component of the receiving end of WPT technology, the rectenna has a significant impact on the technology.

[0025] In related technologies, the rectifying antenna and the communication antenna are independent of each other. Therefore, for electronic devices with wireless energy collection and wireless communication needs, it is necessary to set up independent rectifying antenna modules and communication antenna modules on the electronic devices. This will occupy a large amount of antenna layout space on the electronic devices. However, the antenna layout space on electronic devices such as mobile phones is already tight, which is not conducive to the miniaturization of electronic devices.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present application, a rectenna module is provided that can simultaneously realize wireless energy collection and wireless communication functions, so that the layout space of the rectenna can be reused to set up the communication antenna, which can save the layout space of the communication antenna and is conducive to the miniaturization of electronic equipment.

[0027] The following describes in detail the rectenna module and electronic device provided in the embodiments of the present application through specific embodiments and their application scenarios in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0028] See Figure 1 and Figure 2The rectifier antenna module provided in the embodiment of the present application includes: a communication antenna array 1, a rectifier module 2, a first dielectric plate 3, a second dielectric plate 4, a ground layer 5, a feeding module 6 and a DC filter module 7;

[0029] The communication antenna array 1 and the rectifier module 2 are arranged on opposite sides of the first dielectric plate 3, and the second dielectric plate 4 is sandwiched between the rectifier module 2 and the ground layer 5;

[0030] The communication antenna array 1 includes n antenna units 11, each of the n antenna units 11 is electrically connected to the feed module 6, and n is an integer greater than or equal to 2;

[0031] The rectifier module 2 includes m first electromagnetic metasurface units 21, p second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 and x rectifier diodes 23, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1, p is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and x is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the first electromagnetic metasurface units 21 and the second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 are arranged alternately, and any two adjacent first electromagnetic metasurface units 21 and second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 are electrically connected through a rectifier diode 23; the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 includes a grounding point 211, which is electrically connected to the ground layer 5, and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 does not include a grounding point;

[0032] The DC filter module 7 is electrically connected to the rectifier module 2 .

[0033] It should be noted that n in the embodiment of the present application can be any integer greater than or equal to 2, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, n=16 is used as an example for illustration, which does not constitute a specific limitation. In addition, m, p, and x can all be any integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0034] For example: Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, m=8, p=8, and x=24 are used as an example for illustration, which does not constitute a specific limitation.

[0035] Another example: Figure 9 In the embodiment shown, n=9, m=5, p=4, and x=12.

[0036] In some embodiments, m can be equal to p. For example, when the number of electromagnetic metasurface units in the rectifier module 2, that is, the total number of the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22, is an even number, m=p. In this way, the electromagnetic metasurface unit adjacent to the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 in the rectifier module 2 can be the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22, and the electromagnetic metasurface unit adjacent to the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 in the rectifier module 2 can be the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21.

[0037] In other embodiments, m and p may be different. For example, when the number of electromagnetic metasurface units in the rectifier module 2 is an odd number, m≠p, which can also satisfy that the electromagnetic metasurface unit adjacent to the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 in the rectifier module 2 is the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22, and the electromagnetic metasurface unit adjacent to the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 in the rectifier module 2 is the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21.

[0038] In some embodiments, the antenna units 11 in the communication antenna array 1 correspond one-to-one to the electromagnetic metasurface units in the rectifier module 2 , wherein the electromagnetic metasurface units may include a first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 and a second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 .

[0039] In other words, n=m+p, each antenna unit 11 corresponds to a first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 or a second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22. At this time, the projection area of the antenna unit 11 on the first dielectric plate 3 at least partially overlaps with the projection area of the corresponding first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 or second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 on the first dielectric plate 3.

[0040] For example: Figure 2 As shown, the projection of the antenna unit 11 on the corresponding first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 or the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 is located in the central area of the corresponding first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 or the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22.

[0041] In other embodiments, the number of antenna units 11 in the communication antenna array 1 may be less than the number of electromagnetic metasurface units in the rectifier module 2. In this case, corresponding antenna units 11 may not be arranged above some electromagnetic metasurface units.

[0042] In some other embodiments, the number of antenna units 11 in the communication antenna array 1 may be greater than the number of electromagnetic metasurface units in the rectifier module 2. In this case, some antenna units 11 may be arranged outside the area where the rectifier module 2 is located.

[0043] In the embodiment of the present application, an example is given in which n=m+p, and the antenna unit 11 in the communication antenna array 1 corresponds one to one with the electromagnetic metasurface unit in the rectifier module 2. In this way, as many antenna units 11 and electromagnetic metasurface units as possible can be arranged within a limited layout area.

[0044] It is worth mentioning that the number and size of the electromagnetic metasurface units in the rectifier module 2 can be positively correlated with the rectification power of the rectifier antenna module, and the number and size of the electromagnetic metasurface units in the rectifier module 2 can be adjusted according to the rectification power requirements corresponding to the application scenarios of the rectifier antenna module.

[0045] In some embodiments, the rectifier diode 23 in the rectifier module 2 can be a Schottky diode, such as a Schottky diode of model SMS7630. Of course, the rectifier diode 23 in the embodiment of the present application can also be any other diode that can achieve a rectification function, and is not specifically limited here.

[0046] In some embodiments, the ground layer 5 can be any grounded and conductive material layer, such as a metal floor.

[0047] In some embodiments, the feed module 6 can be a feed network. Optionally, the feed network can be arranged on the side of the ground layer 5 facing away from the second dielectric plate 4. In this case, the feed network and the ground layer 5 are spaced apart. Of course, the feed network can also be arranged in other positions, such as being clamped on the side of the ground layer 5 facing the second dielectric plate, and the feed network and the ground layer 5 are spaced apart. Alternatively, the feed network and the ground layer 5 can be staggered on the plane where the ground layer 5 is located. For ease of explanation, in the embodiment of the present application, the feed module 6 is arranged on the side of the ground layer 5 facing away from the second dielectric plate 4, and the feed module 6 and the ground layer 5 are spaced apart as an example for explanation, which does not constitute a specific limitation here.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first dielectric plate 3 is used to separate the communication antenna array 1 from the rectifier module 2 to reduce mutual interference between the two. The second dielectric plate 4 is used to separate the rectifier module 2 from the ground layer 5 to prevent electrical connection between the ground layer 5 and parts of the rectifier module 2 that do not need to be grounded.

[0049] In some embodiments, the first dielectric plate 3 and the second dielectric plate 4 can be made of high-frequency circuit board material, such as Rogers RO3210, which has a thickness of 1.27 mm, a dielectric constant of 10.2, and a loss tangent of 0.0027. Of course, the material of the first dielectric plate 3 can be any material that can reduce mutual interference between the communication antenna array 1 and the rectifier module 2, and is not specifically limited herein.

[0050] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 As shown, when the feeding module 6 is arranged on the side of the ground layer 5 facing away from the second dielectric plate 4, a second gap 8 can be provided between the feeding module 6 and the ground layer 5. At this time, a metal via 10 can be provided on the first dielectric plate 3, the second dielectric plate 4, the rectifier module 2 and the ground layer 5 to realize electrical connection between each antenna unit 11 in the communication antenna array 1 and the feeding module 6 through the metal via 10.

[0051] In this way, the feeding module 6 can be arranged on the side of the ground layer 5 facing away from the second dielectric plate 4 , reducing the additional layout space occupied by the feeding module 6 and shortening the feeding path of the antenna unit 11 .

[0052] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 As shown, a second through hole 20 can also be opened at a position corresponding to the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 on the second dielectric plate 4, and a second electrical connector 201 passes through the second through hole 20; the grounding point 211 of the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 can be electrically connected to the ground layer 5 through the second electrical connector 201.

[0053] For example, a second through hole 20 is provided at a position of the second dielectric plate 4 corresponding to the grounding point 211 of the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21, and a second electrical connector 201 passes through the second through hole 20; the grounding point 211 of the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 is electrically connected to the ground layer 5 through the second electrical connector 201.

[0054] In this way, the grounding path of the grounding point 211 on the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 can be shortened.

[0055] In some implementations, the DC filter module 7 may be an LC filter.

[0056] In some embodiments, the DC filtering module 7 may be electrically connected to all or part of the second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 in the rectification module 2 .

[0057] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 As shown, electrical connectors are provided between all the second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 in the rectifier module 2 so that all the second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 in the rectifier module 2 are electrically connected. The DC filter module 7 can then be electrically connected to one of the second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 in the rectifier module 2, thereby realizing the DC power converted by all the electromagnetic metasurface units in the rectifier module 2 being derived by the DC filter module 7.

[0058] In other embodiments, when different second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 in the rectifier module 2 are not electrically connected to each other, the DC filter module 7 can be electrically connected to each second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 in the rectifier module 2. In this way, the DC filter module 7 can be used to derive the DC power converted by all the electromagnetic metasurface units in the rectifier module 2.

[0059] In some embodiments, the electromagnetic metasurface unit in the rectifier module 2 can be patterned by designing the electromagnetic metasurface so that all the second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 in the rectifier module 2 are interconnected. In this way, the DC filter module 7 only needs to be electrically connected to one second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 in the rectifier module 2. In this way, the structure of the DC filter module 7 can be simplified, and the number of components in the DC filter module 7 can be reduced, making the structure of the rectifier antenna module simpler and smaller in size.

[0060] For example: Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the first sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit A1, the second sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit A2, the third sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B1 and the fourth sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B2 in the rectifier module 2 are arranged in a rectangular array, wherein the first sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit A1 and the second sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit A2 are the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21, and the third sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B1 and the fourth sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B2 are the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22. At this time, after the third sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B1 and the fourth sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B2 are electrically connected through the metal wire 221, the equivalent circuit of the rectifier module 2 is equivalent to the first sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit A1 and the second sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit A2. The first rectifier branch T1 consisting of the first sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit A1, the third sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B1, and the first rectifier diode X1; the second rectifier branch T2 consisting of the first sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit A1, the fourth sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B2, and the second rectifier diode X2; the third rectifier branch T3 consisting of the second sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit A2, the third sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B1, and the third rectifier diode X3; and the fourth rectifier branch T4 consisting of the second sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit A2, the fourth sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B2, and the fourth rectifier diode X4. These four rectifier branches are connected in parallel to improve the rectification efficiency. Thereafter, the parallel rectifier branches can be electrically connected to the same DC filter module 7. In this way, the DC power can be extracted using the filter circuit external to the rectifier module 2. Compared with the method of directly extracting DC power from the electromagnetic metasurface units in the rectifier module 2, the influence caused by inductance between the electromagnetic metasurface units can be reduced.

[0061] In some embodiments, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the DC filter module 7 may include a lumped inductor element L and a lumped capacitor element C. The DC filter module 7 can be used to convert the electrical signal collected and converted by the rectifier module 2 into a DC signal. In this way, an external load R can be connected between the two equipotential surfaces DC+ and DC- of the capacitor element C to power the load R using the rectenna module provided in an embodiment of the present application to achieve wireless energy harvesting.

[0062] In some embodiments, the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 may be a centrally symmetrical structure. In this case, the grounding point 211 on the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 may be located in the central area of the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21. In this way, when the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 has at least two adjacent second electromagnetic metasurface units 22, the equivalent circuit of the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21, each second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 adjacent to the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21, and the rectifier diode 23 therebetween is symmetrical. For example: Figure 5As shown, for the first sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit A1, there are two adjacent second electromagnetic metasurface units 22, namely the third sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B1 and the fourth sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B2. In this case, the first rectifier branch T1, which includes the first sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit A1, the third sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B1, and the first rectifier diode X1, is symmetrical with the second rectifier branch T2, which includes the first sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit A1, the fourth sub-electromagnetic metasurface unit B2, and the second rectifier diode X2. In this way, the potential difference between the rectifier branches where different rectifier diodes 23 are located can be reduced.

[0063] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication antenna array 1 and a rectifier module 2 are stacked on opposite sides of a first dielectric plate 3. The communication antenna array 1 includes multiple antenna units 11. When the feed module 6 feeds power to each antenna unit 11, the communication antenna array 1 can be used to achieve communication functions. Furthermore, the rectifier module 2 converts the energy collected by each electromagnetic metasurface unit into electrical energy and outputs a DC signal through the DC filter module 7. In this way, the rectifier antenna module of this embodiment of the present application can simultaneously achieve wireless communication functions and energy collection.

[0064] As an optional implementation, Figure 2 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 both include: a square metal sheet 212 and a metal arm 213;

[0065] A groove 2121 is provided in the middle area of each side of the square metal sheet 212, the metal arm 213 is electrically connected to the bottom of the groove 2121, and there is a first gap 30 between the side of the metal arm 213 and the side wall of the groove 2121, the positive pole of the rectifier diode 23 is electrically connected to the metal arm 213 of the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21, and the negative pole of the rectifier diode 23 is electrically connected to the metal arm 213 of the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22.

[0066] In some embodiments, the width of the first gap 30 between the metal arm 213 and the sidewall of the groove 2121 may be greater than or equal to 1 mm, so that the capacitance effect and the inductance effect of the metal arm can be increased.

[0067] It should be noted that in the rectifier module 2, all first electromagnetic metasurface units 21 containing a grounding point 211 are connected to the ground, forming an equipotential surface with the same potential as the ground, which is DC-. The remaining second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 that do not contain a grounding point form another equipotential surface DC+. The potentials of adjacent electromagnetic metasurface units are different. Every two adjacent electromagnetic metasurface units form an equivalent RF impedance source. The impedance of the equivalent voltage source is the input impedance of the electromagnetic metasurface unit and is conjugate matched with the rectifier branch. On the one hand, the electromagnetic metasurface unit can be directly impedance matched with the rectifier diode 23 without the need for a matching network, making the rectifier antenna module smaller and simpler in structure. On the other hand, since the negative poles of all equivalent rectifier branches are connected through the equipotential surface DC- and the positive poles are also connected through the equipotential surface DC+, all equivalent rectifier branches are connected in parallel. This structure can maintain a high rectification efficiency even in scenarios where the incident angle of the wireless signal is large.

[0068] In this embodiment, by configuring the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 as a square sheet structure, and providing a groove 2121 in the middle area of each side of the square metal sheet 212, so that the metal arm 213 is electrically connected to the bottom of the groove 2121 and spaced apart from the sidewalls of the groove 2121, the arrangement of the electromagnetic metasurface units in the rectifier module 2 can be made more compact, thereby improving the rectification efficiency of the rectifier module 2 per unit area. In addition, such an arrangement allows the rectifier diode 23 to be embedded in the metasurface structure, achieving a higher energy collection efficiency within a single-bandwidth input power range without a matching network.

[0069] It is worth mentioning that in the embodiments of the present application, the antenna unit 11, the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 are all square structures for illustration. However, in some possible implementations, any one of the antenna unit 11, the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 can also be other centrally symmetrical shapes, such as circular, diamond, etc., which does not constitute a specific limitation here.

[0070] As an optional implementation, the antenna unit 11 is an annular metal structure, the inner ring circumference of the annular metal structure is less than or equal to the first wavelength λ1, and the first wavelength λ1 is the wavelength corresponding to the operating frequency band of the communication antenna array 1.

[0071] It should be noted that by setting the antenna unit 11 as a ring-shaped metal structure, the hollow area on the antenna unit 11 can transmit electromagnetic waves, thereby being received by the electromagnetic metasurface unit below the antenna unit 11, thereby improving the rectification efficiency of the rectifier module 2.

[0072] In some embodiments, the inner ring circumference of the annular metal structure can be regarded as the radiation electrical length of the annular metal structure. When the radiation electrical length of the antenna unit 11 is less than λ1, such as when the radiation electrical length of the antenna unit 11 is 0.1 times λ1 to λ1, the radiation grating lobe of the antenna unit 11 can be reduced, thereby reducing the interference with the radiation main lobe of the electromagnetic metasurface unit in the rectifier module 2 and improving the rectification efficiency of the rectifier antenna module.

[0073] In some embodiments, when the radiation electrical length of the antenna unit 11 is less than λ1, the mutual coupling between the antenna units 11 can be reduced, the influence of the mutual coupling effect of the antenna unit 11 on the impedance matching and radiation characteristics can be reduced, and more precise beam control and scanning can be facilitated, thereby improving the communication performance of the rectenna module.

[0074] As an optional implementation manner, the interval between any two adjacent antenna units 11 among the n antenna units 11 is 1 / 4 times the first wavelength λ1.

[0075] For example, taking the operating frequency band of the communication antenna array 1 as 5 GHz-6 GHz, the n antenna units 11 can be arranged in a matrix at intervals of 7 mm.

[0076] In this embodiment, by setting the interval between any two adjacent antenna units 11 to 1 / 4 times λ1, crosstalk between adjacent antenna units 11 can be reduced.

[0077] As an optional embodiment, the first part Q of each antenna unit 11 among the n antenna units 11 is electrically connected to the feeding module 6, the first part Q is the middle area of the first side 111 of the antenna unit 11, and the first side 111 of all antenna units 11 are located on the same side of the antenna unit 11.

[0078] For example: Figure 2 As shown, the first side 111 is the lower side of the antenna unit 11 . At this time, the first portion Q located on the symmetry axis of the lower side is electrically connected to the feeding module 6 .

[0079] In some embodiments, a coaxial feeding method may be used to electrically connect the feeding port of the antenna unit 11 to the feeding module 6 .

[0080] In this embodiment, the feeding port of the antenna unit 11 is aligned with the middle area of the same side of the corresponding antenna unit 11. In this way, the radiation performance of all antenna units 11 in the communication antenna array 1 can be consistent, which is beneficial for beam control and radiation direction adjustment.

[0081] As an optional embodiment, a first through hole 40 is formed at a position of the first dielectric plate 3 corresponding to the rectifier diode 23 , and a first electrical connector (not shown) passes through the first through hole 40 ;

[0082] Each of the n antenna units 11 is electrically connected to the rectifier diode 23 via a first electrical connection.

[0083] In some embodiments, the first through-hole 40 can form a mounting space for the rectifier diode 23. For example, the electromagnetic metasurface unit in the rectifier module is arranged on a layer of electromagnetic metasurface, the thickness of the electromagnetic metasurface is relatively thin, and the thickness of the rectifier diode 23 is greater than the thickness of the electromagnetic metasurface. In this case, by opening the first through-hole 40 at the position corresponding to the rectifier diode 23 on the first dielectric plate 3, the rectifier diode 23 can be arranged in the space surrounded by the first through-hole 40 and electrically connected to the electromagnetic metasurface unit below. In this way, the thickness of the rectifier antenna module can be reduced, and the complexity of the process of electrically connecting the rectifier diode 23 to the corresponding electromagnetic metasurface unit can be reduced.

[0084] In some embodiments, as Figure 7 or Figure 8 As shown, a single antenna unit 11 may have a rectifier diode 23 on its top, bottom, left, or right sides. In this case, the antenna unit 11 can be electrically connected to any nearby rectifier diode 23. Alternatively, all antenna units 11 can be electrically connected to nearby rectifier diodes 23 located in the same direction as the antenna unit 11, thereby reducing the potential difference between different rectifier branches.

[0085] In this embodiment, by electrically connecting the antenna unit 11 to the rectifier diode 23 , the communication signal collected by the antenna unit 11 can be used for energy collection in the rectifier diode 23 after demodulation, thereby improving the rectification efficiency of the rectifier module 2 .

[0086] In some embodiments, the operating frequency band of the communication antenna array 1 does not overlap with the operating frequency band of the rectifier module 2 .

[0087] For example, the operating frequency band of the communication antenna array 1 may be 5 GHz-6 GHz, and the operating frequency band of the rectifier module 2 may be 2 GHz-3 GHz.

[0088] In this embodiment, since the communication antenna array 1 and the rectifier module 2 are stacked on opposite sides of the first dielectric plate 3, the co-frequency interference between the two is relatively large. By making the communication antenna array 1 and the rectifier module 2 operate in different frequency bands, the rectifier antenna module can reduce the mutual interference between the communication antenna array 1 and the rectifier module 2 during the process of simultaneous wireless communication and wireless energy collection.

[0089] Of course, in some other embodiments, the communication antenna array 1 and the rectifier module 2 may be staggered in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first dielectric plate 3 so that the operating frequency bands of the communication antenna array 1 and the rectifier module 2 may partially overlap.

[0090] In order to facilitate understanding of the rectenna module provided in the embodiments of the present application, the structure and working principle of the rectenna module in the embodiments of the present application are illustrated by the following two embodiments:

[0091] Example 1

[0092] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, assuming that the operating frequency of the communication antenna array 1 is 5.8 GHz and the operating frequency of the rectifier module 2 is 2.4 GHz, the communication antenna array 1 includes 16 antenna units 11 arranged in a 4×4 matrix, and the electromagnetic metasurface units in the rectifier module 2 correspond one-to-one to the antenna units 11. The feed module 6 is disposed on the side of the ground layer 5 facing away from the second dielectric plate 4, with a second gap 8 between the ground layer 5 and the feed module 6.

[0093] At this time, the overall size of the rectenna module can be 63.5×63.5mm 2 The antenna unit 11 is a square ring-shaped metal structure, such as a square ring-shaped metal patch. The outer side length of the square ring-shaped metal patch is 9 mm and the inner side length is 5 mm. The 16 antenna units 11 are arranged at intervals of 7 mm to avoid mutual coupling between the antenna units 11. The feed ports on all antenna units 11 are located at the center of the lower side of each square ring-shaped metal antenna unit.

[0094] The rectifier module 2 includes 16 metasurface units and 24 rectifier diodes arranged in a 4×4 matrix. The 16 metasurface units include 8 second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 without grounding vias and 8 first electromagnetic metasurface units 21 with grounding vias. The two types of electromagnetic metasurface units are arranged alternately and periodically. The size of the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 are both 15.5mm 2The first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 each include a square metal sheet 212 and a metal arm 213. The length of the metal arm 213 may be 2.25 mm, and the metal arm 213 is spaced 1 mm from the sidewall of the groove 2121 in which it is located. This spacing increases the capacitance effect and the inductance effect of the metal arm 213. A grounding through-hole is provided at the center of the square metal sheet 212 of the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21. The adjacent first electromagnetic metasurface units 21 and the second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 are electrically connected via a rectifier diode 23, wherein the metal arm 213 of the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the rectifier diode 23, and the metal arm 213 of the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the rectifier diode 23.

[0095] In this way, the energy collected by the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 can be converted into electrical power by using the rectifier diode 23 and then concentrated on the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22; in the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 of the periodic surface, all the first electromagnetic metasurface units 21 are connected to the ground, forming an equipotential surface with the same potential as the ground, which is DC-, and the remaining second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 form another equipotential surface DC+. The potentials of adjacent electromagnetic metasurface units are different, and every two adjacent electromagnetic metasurface units form an equivalent RF impedance source. The impedance in the equivalent RF impedance source is the input impedance of the electromagnetic metasurface unit, which is conjugate matched with the rectifier branch. Since the negative poles of all equivalent rectifier branches are connected through the equipotential surface DC- and the positive poles are also connected through the equipotential surface DC+, all equivalent rectifier branches are connected in parallel. This structure can maintain a high rectification efficiency in scenarios where the incident angle of the wireless signal is large.

[0096] Optionally, the rectifier diode 23 is a Schottky diode, model SMS7630, which is suitable for low power range.

[0097] The DC filter module 7 is located outside the metasurface of the rectifier module 2 and is directly electrically connected to an electromagnetic metasurface unit in the rectifier module 2. The DC filter module 7 includes a lumped inductor element L, a lumped capacitor element C, and a load R. The inductance of the lumped inductor element L is 47nh, and the capacitance of the lumped capacitor element C is 0.1μF. Because the rectifier diode 23 is connected between the adjacent first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22, the equivalent impedance source generated by the interaction between the first electromagnetic metasurface unit 21 and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit 22 is connected in parallel with the rectifier diode 23.

[0098] Alternatively, a single-tube parallel rectifier circuit design (CLASS-F) can be used, using a lumped inductor element L and a lumped capacitor element C for filtering. The series inductor element L blocks RF power while providing a DC path. The parallel capacitor element C stores DC energy and smoothes the waveform. The load R is connected in parallel to the capacitor element C.

[0099] Optionally, the first dielectric plate 3 may be made of Rogers RO3210 material, which has a thickness of 1.27 mm, a dielectric constant of 10.2, and a loss tangent of 0.0027. The first dielectric plate 3 is closely attached to the bottom of the communication antenna array 1 .

[0100] Optionally, the first dielectric plate 3 includes 24 first through holes 40. The first through holes 40 are located above the rectifier diodes 23 in the rectifier module 2. The first through holes 40 have a diameter of 2 mm and a height of 1.27 mm. The antenna unit 11 can be electrically connected to the rectifier diodes 23 via first electrical connectors extending through the first through holes 40.

[0101] Optionally, the second dielectric plate 4 can be made of Rogers RO3210 material, which has a thickness of 1.27 mm, a dielectric constant of 10.2, and a loss tangent of 0.0027. The second dielectric plate 4 is closely attached to the bottom of the rectifier module 2 .

[0102] Optionally, the gap width of the second gap 8 is 1 mm.

[0103] Optionally, the diameter of the metal via 10 is 0.5 mm.

[0104] Optionally, the diameter of the second through hole 20 is 0.5 mm.

[0105] The rectenna module provided in this embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0106] The structure combines a communication antenna array with a rectifying metasurface, collecting information and collecting and converting microwave energy through the communication antenna array and rectifying metasurface, achieving the function of simultaneous transmission of information and energy from a spatial structure.

[0107] The communication antenna array is stacked with the rectifying metasurface, and the rectifying metasurface is directly impedance matched with the rectifying diode without the need for a matching network, thereby achieving the performance of miniaturization of the overall antenna. In addition, any adjacent metasurface units in the rectifying module 2 are connected by rectifying diodes 23, so that the energy absorbed by each electromagnetic metasurface unit is utilized. Figure 11 As shown, the simulation conversion efficiency of the rectenna module in this embodiment reaches 66% at an input power of 0dBm and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz;

[0108] The rectenna module has a compact overall structure, thin cross-section, wide receiving angle, adjustable input power, flexible scale adjustment of communication antenna arrays and electromagnetic metasurface unit arrays, and is easy for large-scale production. It is suitable for wireless power supply for miniaturized terminal devices in WPT systems.

[0109] Example 2

[0110] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the difference between the rectifying antenna module in this embodiment and that in embodiment 1 is mainly that in this embodiment 2, the number of antenna units 11 is reduced to 9, the number of first electromagnetic metasurface units 21 is reduced to 5, the number of second electromagnetic metasurface units 22 is reduced to 4, and the number of rectifying diodes 23 is reduced to 12. Since the equivalent rectifying currents of each electromagnetic metasurface unit are connected in parallel, the fewer the number of electromagnetic metasurface units, the greater the load resistance. Therefore, the total output power of the rectifying module 2 is smaller, and a higher rectification efficiency can be maintained. Compared with the rectifying antenna module in embodiment 1, the rectifying antenna module in embodiment 2 is more suitable for application scenarios with small circuit layout area and lower power. For example, the overall size of the rectifying antenna module in embodiment 2 can be reduced to 52×49mm 2 .

[0111] An embodiment of the present application further provides an electronic device, which includes the rectenna module provided in the aforementioned embodiment of the present application.

[0112] It should be noted that the electronic device provided in the embodiments of the present application may be a terminal or other device other than a terminal. For example, the electronic device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a PDA, an in-vehicle electronic device, a mobile Internet device (MID), an augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) device, a robot, a wearable device, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a netbook or a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. It may also be a server, a network attached storage (NAS), a personal computer (PC), a television (TV), an ATM or an kiosks, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit it.

[0113] In the embodiment of the present application, by setting the rectenna mode of the embodiment of the present application on the electronic device, the rectenna module can be used to simultaneously receive beam information and wirelessly charge. The rectenna module has a compact structure, low cost, and a wide reception angle, which can reduce the overall size and production cost of the electronic device and improve the energy collection efficiency of the electronic device. In addition, the structure of the communication antenna array 1 and the rectifier module 2 in the rectenna module can be flexibly adjusted according to the actual application environment.

[0114] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprises," "includes," or any other variations thereof are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus comprising the element.

[0115] The embodiments of the present application are described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned specific implementation methods. The above-mentioned specific implementation methods are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the guidance of this application, ordinary technicians in this field can also make many forms without departing from the purpose of this application and the scope of protection of the claims, all of which are within the protection of this application.

Claims

1. A rectenna module, characterized in that: include: Communication antenna array, rectifier module, first dielectric plate, second dielectric plate, ground layer, feed module and DC filter module; The communication antenna array and the rectifier module are arranged on opposite sides of the first dielectric plate, and the second dielectric plate is sandwiched between the rectifier module and the ground layer; The communication antenna array includes n antenna units, each of the n antenna units is electrically connected to the feed module, and n is an integer greater than or equal to 2; The rectifier module includes m first electromagnetic metasurface units, p second electromagnetic metasurface units and x rectifier diodes, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1, p is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and x is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the first electromagnetic metasurface units and the second electromagnetic metasurface units are alternately arranged, and any two adjacent first electromagnetic metasurface units and second electromagnetic metasurface units are electrically connected through a rectifier diode; the first electromagnetic metasurface unit includes a grounding point, which is electrically connected to the ground layer, and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit does not include a grounding point; The DC filter module is electrically connected to the rectifier module.

2. The rectenna module according to claim 1, wherein: The first electromagnetic metasurface unit and the second electromagnetic metasurface unit both include: a square metal sheet and a metal arm; A groove is provided in the middle area of each side of the square metal sheet, the metal arm is electrically connected to the bottom of the groove, and there is a first gap between the side edge of the metal arm and the side wall of the groove, the positive pole of the rectifier diode is electrically connected to the metal arm of the first electromagnetic metasurface unit, and the negative pole of the rectifier diode is electrically connected to the metal arm of the second electromagnetic metasurface unit.

3. The rectenna module according to claim 1, wherein: The antenna unit is a ring-shaped metal structure, the inner ring circumference of the ring-shaped metal structure is less than or equal to the first wavelength, and the first wavelength is the wavelength corresponding to the working frequency band of the communication antenna array.

4. The rectenna module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The interval between any two adjacent antenna units among the n antenna units is 1 / 4 times the first wavelength.

5. The rectenna module according to claim 3, wherein: A first portion of each of the n antenna units is electrically connected to the feed module, the first portion is a middle area of a first side of the antenna unit, and the first sides of all antenna units are located on the same side of the antenna unit.

6. The rectenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The antenna unit corresponds one-to-one to the electromagnetic metasurface unit in the rectifier module, and the projection of the antenna unit on the plane where the rectifier module is located is located in the central area of the electromagnetic metasurface unit corresponding to the antenna unit.

7. The rectenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: A first through hole is formed at a position of the first dielectric plate corresponding to the rectifier diode, and a first electrical connector passes through the first through hole; Each of the n antenna units is electrically connected to the rectifier diode through the first electrical connection.

8. The rectenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: A second through hole is formed at a position of the second dielectric plate corresponding to the first electromagnetic metasurface unit, and a second electrical connector passes through the second through hole; The grounding point of the first electromagnetic metasurface unit is electrically connected to the ground layer through the second electrical connection.

9. The rectenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The feeding module is arranged on a side of the ground layer facing away from the second dielectric plate, and a second gap is formed between the feeding module and the ground layer; The rectenna module further includes: a metal via penetrating the first dielectric plate, the second dielectric plate, the rectifier module, and the ground layer; Each of the n antenna units is electrically connected to the feeding module through the metal via.

10. The rectenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The p second electromagnetic metasurface units are electrically connected to each other, and the DC filtering module is electrically connected to one of the p second electromagnetic metasurface units.

11. The rectenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The operating frequency band of the communication antenna array does not overlap with the operating frequency band of the rectifier module.

12. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device includes the rectenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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