Antenna radiator, reconfigurable antenna unit and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses an antenna radiator, a reconfigurable antenna unit and a control method of the reconfigurable antenna unit. The antenna radiator comprises a dielectric plate; the radiation unit is positioned on one side of the dielectric plate; the plurality of resonant structures are symmetrically distributed at the periphery of the radiation unit; the metal parasitic structure and the radiation unit are positioned on the same plane; the metal parasitic structure is configured to disturb the bulk current density around the radiation unit; the liquid crystal structure is positioned on one side of the metal parasitic structure; the liquid crystal structure is configured to adjust a bulk current density around the radiation unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to an antenna radiator, a reconfigurable antenna unit and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] As the functional requirements within wireless communication systems continue to increase, the number of subsystems and antennas within the system has increased significantly, leading to rising costs for communication system construction and increasingly serious electromagnetic compatibility issues.

[0003] In the prior art, the above problem is solved by using base station antenna pattern reconfiguration technology. Base station antenna pattern reconfiguration can be achieved by adding electronic components to the antenna, but adding electronic components to the antenna will increase the power consumption of the antenna system.

[0004] Therefore, how to achieve reconfigurable base station antenna patterns with low power consumption has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna radiator, a reconfigurable antenna unit, and a device control method to solve the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] In a first aspect, to solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a reusable antenna unit, comprising:

[0007] dielectric board;

[0008] A radiation unit is located on one side of the dielectric plate;

[0009] A plurality of resonant structures are symmetrically distributed around the radiating unit;

[0010] The resonant structure comprises:

[0011] a metal parasitic structure located in the same plane as the radiation unit;

[0012] A liquid crystal structure is located on one side of the metal parasitic structure; the liquid crystal structure is configured to adjust the body current density around the radiation unit, so that the resonant structure can adjust the body current density distribution around the radiation unit.

[0013] In one possible implementation manner, the metal parasitic structure includes at least one metal strip.

[0014] In a possible implementation manner, when the metal parasitic structure includes one metal strip, the size of the metal strip is the same as the size of the upper surface of the liquid crystal box.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner, the metal parasitic structure includes a plurality of metal strips, and the plurality of metal strips are arranged in parallel.

[0016] In one possible implementation manner, the width of the metal strip is less than or equal to 0.25 times the width of the resonant structure;

[0017] In a possible implementation manner, the distance between two adjacent metal strips is greater than 0.5 times the width of the resonant structure.

[0018] In a possible implementation manner, the metal parasitic structure is in the shape of a rectangular frame.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner, the shape enclosed by the rectangular frame is a rectangle or an hourglass shape.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the liquid crystal structure includes:

[0021] a liquid crystal box, wherein the liquid crystal box is parallel to one side of the radiation unit;

[0022] The liquid crystal material is located in the liquid crystal cell;

[0023] A first electrode and a second electrode are arranged opposite to each other, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged on two opposite sides of the liquid crystal box.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner, the metal parasitic structure is formed by electroplating on the upper surface of the liquid crystal cell.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner, the first electrode and the second electrode are made of indium tin oxide.

[0026] In a possible implementation manner, the liquid crystal cell is a glass hollow cavity.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner, the dielectric plate includes a plurality of mounting grooves, and the resonant structure is embedded and mounted in the mounting grooves.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner, the thickness of the resonant structure is the same as the thickness of the dielectric plate.

[0029] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a reconfigurable antenna unit, including:

[0030] The antenna radiator and antenna floor as shown in the first aspect;

[0031] The antenna feeding balun is connected between the antenna radiator and the antenna ground.

[0032] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a control method, applied to the reconfigurable antenna unit according to the second aspect, the control method comprising:

[0033] The resonant structures located in different areas of the reconfigurable antenna unit are controlled to perturb the body current density distribution around the radiating unit with different amplitudes, so that the beam generated by the reconfigurable antenna unit is deflected in a specified direction; wherein the area includes at least one of the resonant structures.

[0034] A possible implementation method is to control the resonant structures located in different areas of the reconfigurable antenna unit to perturb the body current density distribution around the radiating unit with different amplitudes, including:

[0035] The resonant structures in different regions are controlled to use different dielectric constants, so that the resonant structures in different regions disturb the body current density distribution around the radiation unit with different amplitudes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 A top view of an antenna radiator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 1 Cross-section along the AA' direction;

[0038] Figure 3 A top view of another antenna radiator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a liquid crystal structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 5 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a resonant structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 6 A body current density distribution diagram of an antenna unit with a non-resonant structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 7 The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 6 The corresponding directional diagram;

[0043] Figure 8 A body current density distribution diagram of a radiation unit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 9 The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 8 The corresponding directional diagram;

[0045] Figure 10 A top view of another resonant structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 11 A directional pattern of another antenna radiator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 12 A schematic structural diagram of another metal parasitic structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 13 A directional pattern of another antenna radiator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 14 A top view of another metal parasitic structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 15 A directional pattern of another antenna radiator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 16 A schematic structural diagram of a reconfigurable antenna unit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 17 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a reconfigurable antenna unit provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 18 A body current density distribution diagram around another radiation unit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 19 The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 18 Corresponding 3D direction map;

[0055] Figure 20 A body current density distribution diagram around another radiation unit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 21 The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 20 Corresponding 3D direction map.

[0057] Reference numerals:

[0058] Dielectric plate 1, radiation unit 2, resonant structure 3, metal parasitic structure 31, liquid crystal structure 32, liquid crystal cell 321, liquid crystal material 322, first electrode 323, second electrode 324;

[0059] Linear radiator 100 , antenna ground plane 200 , antenna feed balun 300 , antenna isolation strip 400 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna radiator, a reconfigurable antenna unit and a control method thereof, so as to solve the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0061] It should be understood that the specific structural and functional details disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention are merely representative and are for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0062] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "lateral", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more. In addition, the term "including" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0063] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0064] The terms used in this application are intended only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit exemplary embodiments. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", "an item" used herein are also intended to include the plural. It should also be understood that the terms "comprise" and / or "include" used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, units and / or components, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, units, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0065] In the embodiments of the present invention, the term "and / or" simply describes an association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Furthermore, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0066] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. However, the example embodiments can be implemented in various forms and should not be understood as being limited to the embodiments described herein; on the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make the present invention more comprehensive and complete, and to fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The same figure marks in the figures represent the same or similar structures, and their repeated descriptions will be omitted. The words expressing position and direction described in the present invention are all explained with reference to the accompanying drawings as examples, but changes can be made as needed, and the changes made are all included in the scope of protection of the present invention. The drawings of the present invention are only used to illustrate the relative position relationship and do not represent the true proportion.

[0067] It should be noted that specific details are set forth in the following description to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in a variety of ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar generalizations without violating the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below. The subsequent description of the specification is a preferred embodiment of the present application, but the description is for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. The scope of protection of the present application shall be determined as defined by the appended claims.

[0068] As the functional demands within wireless communication systems continue to increase, the number of subsystems and antennas within them has also increased significantly. This has led to rising system construction costs and exacerbated electromagnetic compatibility issues. To address these issues, base station antenna pattern reconfiguration technology has been proposed. This technology adjusts the antenna's radiation pattern to achieve reconfigurable patterns, thereby optimizing system performance.

[0069] In 5G-A (5G Advanced, an advanced version of 5G) and 6G (6th Generation mobile networks) base station systems, base station antenna pattern reconfiguration technology will play an even more critical role. Its main benefits include:

[0070] Ultra-flexible network coverage: 5G-A and 6G networks are expected to support a wider range of application scenarios, from ultra-low-latency industrial communications to ultra-large-scale IoT connectivity. Reconfigurable pattern technology enables base station antennas to adjust their beam shape and pointing in real time to adapt to communication needs in different scenarios. This flexibility ensures efficient network coverage in a variety of complex environments.

[0071] Intelligent Interference Management: Using reconfigurable pattern technology, base station antennas can adjust their radiation patterns in real time to avoid interference sources or reduce signal reception from them. This flexibility enables base stations to better cope with diverse interference scenarios, improving their anti-interference capabilities and ensuring stable and reliable communications.

[0072] Reduced system complexity and cost: Traditional wireless communication systems typically require numerous antennas and complex algorithms to implement functions such as beamforming and interference mitigation. However, base station antenna pattern reconfiguration technology can achieve similar performance with fewer antennas and simpler algorithms. This simplified system architecture reduces complexity and cost, making deployment more cost-effective.

[0073] Currently, methods for reconfiguring base station antenna patterns primarily include adding switches, adding varactor diodes, changing the antenna's mechanical structure, using compensation methods, or providing adjustable impedance matching circuits. Connecting electronic components such as MEMS switches, PIN diodes, and varactor diodes to microstrips and soldering them to the antenna's own radiator or surrounding parasitic structures to achieve real-time control of the antenna pattern, while offering many advantages, also presents some challenges and drawbacks:

[0074] Increased complexity: Integrating electronic components on the antenna increases system complexity. Each electronic component requires precise control and regulation, which may require complex circuit design and control algorithms.

[0075] Cost: While system costs can be reduced by reducing the number of antennas, high-performance electronic components themselves are expensive. In addition, integrating these components into the antenna may require sophisticated manufacturing and assembly processes, further increasing costs.

[0076] Reliability and stability: The reliability and stability of electronic components can affect the performance of the entire antenna system. For example, if a component fails or its performance degrades, it can lead to inaccurate pattern control, thus affecting communication quality.

[0077] Power consumption: Electronic components typically consume a certain amount of power to operate. In mobile or portable devices, this can shorten the device's battery life.

[0078] In order to solve the above problems, embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna radiator, a reconfigurable antenna unit, and a beam reconfiguration method, which are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0079] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 A top view of an antenna radiator provided by an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 1 The cross-sectional view in the AA' direction, the antenna radiator includes:

[0080] Medium plate 1;

[0081] The radiation unit 2 is located on one side of the dielectric plate 1; the radiation unit 2 can be composed of multiple radiation patches, such as Figure 1 The four radiating patches shown are arranged in pairs at +45° and -45° directions respectively. Each pair of radiating patches is connected by a microstrip line. Of course, the radiating patches can also be formed in other ways, and the radiating unit 2 composed of multiple radiating patches can also be in other forms, which is not specifically limited.

[0082] Multiple resonant structures 3 are symmetrically distributed around the radiating unit 2;

[0083] The resonant structure 3 includes:

[0084] The metal parasitic structure 31 is located in the same plane as the radiation element 2;

[0085] The liquid crystal structure 32 is located on one side of the metal parasitic structure 31. The liquid crystal structure 32 is configured to adjust the bulk current density around the radiating element 2, so that the resonant structure 3 can adjust the bulk current density distribution around the radiating element 2. The metal parasitic structure 31 can be a metal sheet or a metal film electroplated on the surface of the liquid crystal structure 32, without limitation.

[0086] The liquid crystal structure 32 is used to adjust the body current density around the radiation unit 2, so that the disturbance amplitude of the body current density around the radiation unit 2 by the metal parasitic structure 31 can be adjusted, thereby making the body current density distribution around the radiation unit 2 adjustable by the resonant structure 3. When different resonant structures 3 located around the radiation unit 2 make different adjustments to the body current density distribution around the radiation unit 2, the beam generated by the antenna radiator is deflected to the side with large body current density. Since there are multiple resonant structures 3 around the radiation unit 2, the beam generated by the antenna radiator can be deflected to different areas by switching the degree of adjustment of the body current density distribution by the resonant structures 3 in different areas, thereby realizing the reconfiguration of the directional pattern of the reconfigurable antenna unit including the above-mentioned antenna radiator.

[0087] like Figure 1 As shown, one radiation unit 2 may correspond to two resonant structures 3 , and the two resonant structures 3 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the radiation unit 2 .

[0088] like Figure 3 The figure shows a top view of another antenna radiator provided by an embodiment of the present invention. One radiating unit 2 may also correspond to four resonant structures 3 , and the four resonant structures 3 are symmetrically distributed around the radiating unit 2 .

[0089] The shape of the radiation unit 2 can be as follows Figure 1 and 2 The square shown, the corresponding resonant unit can be rectangular; the radiation unit 2 can also be circular, and the corresponding resonant unit can be arc-shaped; the radiation unit 2 can also be in other shapes, and the resonant unit can be adaptively adjusted accordingly, and there is no specific restriction on the shape of the radiation unit 2.

[0090] In the embodiment provided by the present invention, a plurality of symmetrically distributed resonant structures 3 are provided on the periphery of the radiation unit 2, and each resonant structure 3 is composed of a metal parasitic structure 31 located in the same plane as the radiation unit 2, and a liquid crystal structure 32 located on one side of the metal parasitic structure 31. The liquid crystal structure 32 can be used to change the body current density around the radiation unit 2, so that the disturbance amplitude of the metal parasitic structure 31 on the body current density around the radiation unit 2 is adjustable, thereby making the body current density distribution around the radiation unit 2 adjustable by the resonant structure 3. When different resonant structures 3 located on the periphery of the radiation unit 2 adjust the body current density distribution around the radiation unit 2 to different degrees, the beam generated by the antenna radiator can be deflected to the side with a larger body current density, thereby realizing the reconfiguration of the directivity pattern of the reconfigurable antenna unit including the above-mentioned antenna radiator.

[0091] Please continue to see Figure 3 The center distance between the resonant structure 3 and the radiating element 2 is the same, d, and the value of d ranges from 0.4 to 0.6 times the operating wavelength of the radiating element 2. This ensures that the multiple resonant structures 3 are symmetrically distributed around the radiating element 2 and enables the resonant structures 3 to effectively perturb the body current density around the radiating element 2.

[0092] like Figure 3 As shown, the resonant structure 3 is a rectangle, the length of the resonant structure 3 is the same as the length of the radiation unit 2 (both are L), the width W1 of the resonant structure 3 is 0.02 to 0.05 times the working wavelength of the radiation unit 2, and the thickness of the resonant structure 3 ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 mm.

[0093] In some embodiments, the thickness of the resonant structure 3 may be the same as that of the dielectric plate 1 , which facilitates embedding and mounting the resonant structure 3 into the dielectric plate 1 , thereby ensuring the flatness of the plane where the radiation unit 2 is located.

[0094] In some embodiments, the dielectric plate 1 includes a plurality of mounting grooves, in which the resonant structure 3 is embedded and mounted.

[0095] Please refer to Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The liquid crystal structure 32 includes:

[0096] The liquid crystal box 321 is parallel to one side of the radiation unit 2 ; the liquid crystal box 321 may be a closed glass hollow cavity.

[0097] Liquid crystal material 322 is located in the liquid crystal cell 321;

[0098] The first electrode 323 and the second electrode 324 are disposed opposite to each other. The first electrode 323 and the second electrode 324 are disposed on two opposite sides of the liquid crystal cell 321 .

[0099] Generally, when the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules is parallel to the direction of the electric field generated between the first electrode 323 and the second electrode 324, the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material 322 is the largest (denoted as ε ∥ ); When the short axis of the liquid crystal molecule is perpendicular to the electric field direction, the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material 322 is the smallest (denoted as ε ⊥ ), ε ∥ With ε ⊥ The difference is the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal (denoted as Δε).

[0100] The dielectric constants of the liquid crystal molecules in the long axis direction and the short axis direction are different. By applying voltage to the first electrode 323 and the second electrode 324, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal material 322 are deflected, and this deflection will change the dielectric constant and refractive index of the liquid crystal material 322, thereby affecting the body current density around the radiation unit 2, and further affecting the transmission characteristics of the microwave signal, such as propagation speed, phase delay and amplitude attenuation.

[0101] By adjusting the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material 322 to adjust the body current density around the radiation unit 2, combined with the disturbance of the body current density by the metal parasitic structure 31, the resonant structure adjusts the body current density distribution around the radiation unit to different degrees, thereby realizing the reconfiguration of the directional pattern of the reconfigurable antenna unit including the above-mentioned antenna radiator.

[0102] Because the liquid crystal material 322 enables continuous phase and amplitude control, the antenna pattern can be continuously adjusted over a wide range. Furthermore, since the liquid crystal material does not consume significant energy during the control process, power consumption is relatively low. Furthermore, the liquid crystal structure can be integrated with existing antenna designs, eliminating the need for major modifications to the antenna structure, thereby reducing the complexity and cost of system modifications. Electronic components can adversely affect the antenna's third-order intermodulation characteristics, resulting in a decrease in signal quality and affecting the antenna's third-order intermodulation characteristics. However, the present invention utilizes a liquid crystal-based resonant structure, and the liquid crystal material 322 inherently possesses excellent linearity and tunability, offering advantages in maintaining the antenna's third-order intermodulation characteristics, thereby improving the signal quality and anti-interference capabilities of the communication system. Thus, the antenna radiator designed with the liquid crystal-based resonant structure 3 offers numerous advantages, including continuously adjustable antenna patterns, low power consumption, ease of integration, and high intermodulation performance.

[0103] The first electrode 323 and the second electrode 324 can be composed of an indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive film. Since ITO has high light transmittance, low resistivity and good chemical stability, using ITO as the material of the first electrode 323 and the second electrode 324 can effectively transmit the electric field to the liquid crystal material 322, causing the liquid crystal molecules to deflect, thereby achieving adjustable dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material 322, thereby changing the transmission characteristics of microwaves.

[0104] For example, when the liquid crystal cell 321 is a glass hollow cavity, the relative dielectric constant of the glass is ε r , loss tangent tanδ=0.0027, the thickness of the glass can be set to 0.5mm, the liquid crystal material 322 is filled in the glass hollow cavity, the thickness of the liquid crystal material 322 is 0.5mm, and the ε of the liquid crystal material 322 ∥ =10.2,ε ⊥ =2.2, Δε=8.0, a 0.01 mm thick metal parasitic structure 31 is electroplated on the upper surface of the liquid crystal cell 321. The shape of the metal parasitic structure 31 is rectangular and consistent with the size of the upper surface of the liquid crystal cell 321; 0.05 mm thick ITO is electroplated on the front and rear sides of the liquid crystal cell 321 to form a first electrode 323 and a second electrode 324, thereby forming a resonant structure 3, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 Shown is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a resonant structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] For example, Figure 1 For example, Figure 1 The metal parasitic structure 31 in the control is set to be rectangular. Figure 1 The dielectric constant of the resonant structure 3 on the left is ε ⊥ , while controlling Figure 1 The dielectric constant of the resonant structure 3 on the right side is ε ∥,so Figure 1 The resonant structures 3 on the left and right sides generate disturbances of different amplitudes on the body current density around the radiating unit 2, which will cause the direction of the beam generated by the radiating unit 2 to deviate to the left or right, thereby enabling the reconfiguration of the directional pattern of the reconfigurable antenna unit containing the above-mentioned antenna radiator.

[0106] In the embodiment provided by the present invention, a liquid crystal box 321 is set, and a liquid crystal material 322 is filled in the liquid crystal box 321, and a first electrode 323 and a second electrode 324 are set on two opposite sides of the liquid crystal box 321. The dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material 322 can be adjusted by applying a voltage difference between the first electrode 323 and the second electrode 324, thereby adjusting the body current density around the radiation unit 2.

[0107] See Figure 6 and Figure 7 , Figure 7 A body current density distribution diagram of an antenna unit with a non-resonant structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 6 The corresponding directional diagram; Figure 6 The antenna unit in Figure 1 The antenna unit after removing the resonant structure 3; Figure 6 It can be seen that when multiple resonant structures 3 are not symmetrically arranged around the radiation unit 2, the body current density around the radiation unit 2 is symmetrically distributed. Figure 7 It can be seen that the maximum gain of the beam generated by the antenna unit without the resonant structure 3 always points to 0°, that is, the beam direction is constant.

[0108] See Figure 8 and Figure 9 , Figure 8 A body current density distribution diagram of a radiation unit provided in an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 9 The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 8 The corresponding directional diagram; Figure 9 The antenna radiator includes two resonant structures 3. Assuming that the operating frequency of the radiation unit 2 is 2.8 GHz, the dielectric constants of the liquid crystal materials 322 in the two resonant structures 3 are controlled to be ε at the first moment. ⊥ At the second moment, the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material 322 in the left resonant structure 3 is controlled to be ε ⊥ , the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material 322 in the resonant structure 3 on the right is ε ∥ The corresponding volume current density distribution is shown in Figure 8 As shown; at the third moment, the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material 322 in the resonant structure 3 on the left is controlled to be ε ∥ , the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material 322 in the resonant structure 3 on the right is ε ⊥The corresponding directional patterns under these three dielectric constant control methods are as follows: Figure 9 As shown. Figure 8 It can be seen that after the resonant structures 3 on both sides of the radiation unit 2 use the above dielectric constants, the resonant structure 3 on the right side has a large disturbance amplitude on the surrounding body current density. Figure 9 It can be seen that the corresponding directional pattern is biased to the right. Figure 9 It can be seen that the dielectric constants of the two resonant structures 3 on the left and right are both ε ⊥ When the maximum gain of the directivity pattern points to 0°; the dielectric constant of the resonant structure 3 on the left is ε ∥ The dielectric constant of the resonant structure 3 on the right is ε ⊥ When , the directivity pattern deviates to the left and the maximum gain points to -14°; the dielectric constant of the left resonant structure 3 is ε ⊥ The dielectric constant of the resonant structure 3 on the right is ε ∥ When , the radiation pattern deviates to the right and the maximum gain points to 14°.

[0109] If the dielectric constant of the resonant structure 3 is ε ⊥ ~ε ∥ When the angle of the beam gain generated by the radiation unit 2 changes continuously between -14° and 14°, the maximum gain pointing angle of the beam generated by the radiation unit 2 can be continuously adjusted between -14° and 14°, thus achieving continuous adjustment of the radiation pattern.

[0110] In some embodiments, the metal parasitic structure 31 includes at least one metal strip.

[0111] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the metal parasitic structure 31 is a metal strip. The metal strip is rectangular and has the same size as the upper surface of the liquid crystal cell 321.

[0112] The metal parasitic structure 31 may also be composed of a plurality of metal strips arranged in parallel, such as two parallel metal strips. Of course, it may also be composed of more parallel metal strips, and there is no specific limitation.

[0113] For example, see Figure 10 This is a top view of another resonant structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention. In the resonant structure 3 , the metal parasitic structure 31 includes two parallel metal strips.

[0114] The width W2 of the metal strip is less than or equal to 0.25 times the width of the liquid crystal cell 321 , and the distance d′ between two adjacent metal strips is greater than 0.5 times the width of the liquid crystal cell 321 .

[0115] Still Figure 1 For example, Figure 1 The metal parasitic structure 31 is configured to be composed of two parallel metal strips.

[0116] Control at the first moment Figure 1 The dielectric constants of the liquid crystal materials 322 of the two resonant structures 3 on the left and right are ε ⊥ , ε ∥ , control at the second moment Figure 1 The dielectric constants of the liquid crystal materials 322 of the two resonant structures 3 on the left and right are ε ∥ , ε ⊥ , and the corresponding directional diagram is obtained as Figure 11 As shown, Figure 11 Another antenna radiator pattern provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0117] from Figure 11 It can be seen that the dielectric constants used by the left and right resonant structures 3 are ε ⊥ , ε ∥ When the antenna radiator generates a beam with a maximum gain pointing to +16°, the dielectric constants used by the left and right resonant structures 3 are ε ∥ , ε ⊥ When the antenna radiator generates a beam with a maximum gain pointing to -16°, when the metal parasitic structure 31 is composed of multiple parallel metal strips, the deflection angle range of the beam generated by the antenna radiator can be increased.

[0118] In the embodiment provided by the present invention, by configuring the metal parasitic structure 31 as a plurality of metal strips arranged in parallel, the deflection angle range of the beam generated by the antenna radiator can be increased.

[0119] See Figure 12 This is a schematic structural diagram of another metal parasitic structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The metal parasitic structure 31 may also be in the shape of a rectangular frame.

[0120] The shape enclosed by the rectangular frame is a rectangle, and the width W3 of the rectangular frame is 0.15 to 0.25 times the width of the liquid crystal cell 321 .

[0121] Still Figure 1 For example, Figure 1 The shape of the metal parasitic structure 31 is set to be a rectangular frame, and the shape surrounded by the rectangular frame is a rectangle.

[0122] Control at the first moment Figure 1 The dielectric constants of the liquid crystal materials 322 of the two resonant structures 3 on the left and right are ε ⊥ , ε ∥ , control at the second moment Figure 1 The dielectric constants of the liquid crystal materials 322 of the two resonant structures 3 on the left and right are ε ∥ , ε ⊥ , and the corresponding directional diagram is obtained as Figure 13 As shown, Figure 13 Another antenna radiator pattern provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0123] from Figure 13 It can be seen that the dielectric constants used by the left and right resonant structures 3 are ε ⊥ , ε ∥ When the antenna radiator generates a beam with a maximum gain pointing to +17°, the dielectric constants used by the left and right resonant structures 3 are ε ∥ , ε ⊥ When the antenna radiator generates a beam with a maximum gain pointing to -17°, the shape of the metal parasitic structure 31 is a rectangular frame. When the figure enclosed by the rectangular frame is a rectangle, the deflection angle range of the beam generated by the antenna radiator can be increased.

[0124] In the embodiment provided by the present invention, by setting the shape of the metal parasitic structure 31 to a rectangular frame and setting the figure enclosed by the rectangular frame to a rectangle, the deflection angle range of the beam generated by the antenna radiator can be increased.

[0125] See Figure 14 This is a top view of another metal parasitic structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention. When the metal parasitic structure 31 is in the shape of a rectangular frame, the shape enclosed by the rectangular frame is an hourglass shape.

[0126] Still Figure 1 For example, Figure 1 The shape of the metal parasitic structure 31 is set to be a rectangular frame, and the figure surrounded by the rectangular frame is an hourglass shape.

[0127] Control at the first moment Figure 1 The dielectric constants of the liquid crystal materials 322 of the two resonant structures 3 on the left and right are ε ⊥ , ε ∥ , control at the second moment Figure 1 The dielectric constants of the liquid crystal materials 322 of the two resonant structures 3 on the left and right are ε ∥ , ε ⊥ , and the corresponding directional diagram is obtained as Figure 15 As shown, Figure 15 Another antenna radiator pattern provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0128] from Figure 15 It can be seen that the dielectric constants used by the left and right resonant structures 3 are ε ⊥ , ε ∥ When the antenna radiator generates a beam with a maximum gain pointing to +20°, the dielectric constants used by the left and right resonant structures 3 are ε ∥ , ε ⊥When the maximum gain of the beam generated by the antenna radiator points to -20°, the shape of the metal parasitic structure 31 is a rectangular frame. When the figure surrounded by the rectangular frame is an hourglass shape, the deflection angle range of the beam generated by the antenna radiator can be further increased.

[0129] In the embodiment provided by the present invention, by setting the shape of the metal parasitic structure 31 to a rectangular frame and setting the figure surrounded by the rectangular frame to an hourglass shape, the deflection angle range of the beam generated by the antenna radiator can be further increased.

[0130] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present invention provides a reconfigurable antenna unit, see Figure 16 A schematic structural diagram of a reconfigurable antenna unit provided in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the reconfigurable antenna unit includes:

[0131] The antenna radiator 100 and the antenna ground 200 as described above;

[0132] The antenna feed balun 300 is connected between the antenna radiator 100 and the antenna ground plane 200. One end of the antenna feed balun 300 is mounted on the antenna radiator 100, and the other end of the antenna feed balun 300 is mounted on the antenna ground plane 200, functioning as the antenna radiator 100. A feed network is also arranged in the antenna feed balun 300 to provide a feed signal to the radiating element 2.

[0133] The reconfigurable antenna unit further includes an antenna isolation strip 400, which is mounted on the antenna floor 200 and is disposed on the same side as the antenna feed balun 300. The antenna isolation strip 400 is used to isolate different reconfigurable antenna units.

[0134] Multiple reconfigurable antenna units can form a linear array reconfigurable antenna or a planar array reconfigurable antenna, and the reconfigurable antenna can be used as a base station antenna.

[0135] Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present invention provides a beam steering method, which is applied to the reconfigurable antenna unit described above. The method includes:

[0136] By controlling the resonant structures located in different areas of the liquid crystal structure reconfigurable antenna unit, the body current density distribution around the liquid crystal structure radiation unit is disturbed with different amplitudes, so that the beam generated by the liquid crystal structure reconfigurable antenna unit is deflected in a specified direction; wherein the liquid crystal structure area includes at least one liquid crystal structure resonant structure.

[0137] For example, to include Figure 1Taking the reconfigurable antenna unit of the antenna radiator in as an example, the antenna radiator is divided into two areas, left and right, each area contains a resonant structure, and the disturbance amplitude of the resonant structure in the left area on the body current density around the radiating unit is controlled to be lower than the disturbance amplitude of the resonant structure in the right area on the body current density around the radiating unit, so that the body current density on the right side of the antenna radiator is greater than the body current density on the left side, so that the beam generated by the reconfigurable antenna unit is deflected to the right, and vice versa.

[0138] For example, to include Figure 3 Taking the reconfigurable antenna unit of the antenna radiator in [1] as an example, the antenna radiator is divided into two regions, the upper left and the lower right, by a right-leaning diagonal line. Each region contains two resonant structures. The amplitude of the disturbance of the volume current density around the radiating unit by the resonant structure in the upper left region is controlled to be lower than the amplitude of the disturbance of the volume current density around the radiating unit by the resonant structure in the lower right region. This makes the volume current density in the lower right region of the antenna radiator greater than that in the upper left region, thereby deflecting the beam generated by the reconfigurable antenna unit toward the lower right. Otherwise, the beam is deflected toward the upper left. Of course, the antenna radiator can also be divided into two regions, the lower left and the upper right, by a right-left-leaning diagonal line.

[0139] In some embodiments, controlling the resonant structures located in different regions of the reconfigurable antenna unit to perturb the volume current density distribution around the radiating unit with different amplitudes can be achieved by:

[0140] The resonant structures in different regions are controlled to use different dielectric constants, so that the resonant structures in different regions disturb the body current density distribution around the radiation unit with different amplitudes.

[0141] For example, see Figure 17 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a reconfigurable antenna unit provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0142] Figure 17 The reconfigurable antenna unit in the embodiment is composed of four resonant structures 3, and the metal parasitic structure 31 in the resonant structure 3 is rectangular.

[0143] When control Figure 17 The four resonant structures 3 in the figure all use the same dielectric constant, such as ε ∥ or ε ⊥ When , the corresponding body current density distribution diagram is as follows Figure 18 As shown, the corresponding 3D direction map is as follows Figure 19 shown. Figure 18 FIG. 1 shows a body current density distribution diagram around another radiation unit provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 18 The corresponding 3D direction map. Figure 18It can be seen that the body current density around the radiation unit 2 is symmetrically distributed relative to the +45° or -45° direction. Figure 19 It can be seen that the 3D radiation pattern of the reconfigurable antenna unit is rectangular in shape, with good symmetry, and the beam is not deflected.

[0144] When the dielectric constant used by the resonant structure 3 on the right (R) and bottom (D) side is ε ⊥ The dielectric constant used by the resonant structure 3 on the left (L) and upper (U) sides is ε ∥ When , the corresponding body current density distribution diagram is as follows Figure 20 As shown, Figure 20 A body current density distribution diagram around another radiation unit provided in an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 21 The embodiment of the present invention provides Figure 20 The corresponding 3D direction map. Figure 20 It can be seen that the body current density at 45° in the lower right direction of the antenna radiation unit 2 is greater than the body current density at 45° in the upper left direction, which makes the beam generated by the reconfigurable antenna unit deviate to the lower right direction at 45°. Figure 21 This just verifies this conclusion.

[0145] By setting multiple resonant structures 3 on the periphery of the antenna radiation unit 2 and setting the dielectric constants used by the multiple resonant structures 3 in different combinations, the deflection of the beam in the horizontal direction, vertical direction and ±45° direction can be achieved, thereby realizing beam reconstruction.

[0146] In the embodiment provided by the present invention, by controlling the resonant structures in different areas to use different dielectric constants, the resonant structures located in different areas can cause the body current density distribution around the radiating unit to be disturbed by different amplitudes, so that the directivity of the beam can be continuously adjusted, thereby realizing beam reconstruction.

[0147] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art may make additional changes and modifications to these embodiments once they have learned the basic creative concept. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0148] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is intended to include such changes and modifications.

Claims

1. An antenna radiator, characterized in that: include: dielectric board; A radiation unit is located on one side of the dielectric plate; A plurality of resonant structures are symmetrically distributed around the radiating unit; The resonant structure comprises: a metal parasitic structure located in the same plane as the radiation unit; A liquid crystal structure is located on one side of the metal parasitic structure; the liquid crystal structure is configured to adjust the body current density around the radiation unit, so that the resonant structure can adjust the body current density distribution around the radiation unit.

2. The antenna radiator according to claim 1, wherein The metal parasitic structure includes at least one metal strip.

3. The antenna radiator according to claim 2, wherein: When the metal parasitic structure includes one metal strip, the size of the metal strip is the same as the size of the upper surface of the liquid crystal box.

4. The antenna radiator according to claim 2, wherein: The metal parasitic structure includes a plurality of metal strips, and the plurality of metal strips are arranged in parallel.

5. The antenna radiator according to claim 4, wherein: The width of the metal strip is less than or equal to 0.25 times the width of the resonant structure.

6. The antenna radiator according to claim 4, wherein: The distance between two adjacent metal strips is greater than 0.5 times the width of the resonant structure.

7. The antenna radiator according to claim 1, wherein: The metal parasitic structure is in the shape of a rectangular frame.

8. The antenna radiator according to claim 7, wherein: The shape enclosed by the rectangular frame is a rectangle or an hourglass shape.

9. The antenna radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The liquid crystal structure comprises: a liquid crystal box, wherein the liquid crystal box is parallel to one side of the radiation unit; The liquid crystal material is located in the liquid crystal cell; A first electrode and a second electrode are arranged opposite to each other, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged on two opposite sides of the liquid crystal box.

10. The antenna radiator according to claim 9, wherein: The metal parasitic structure is formed by electroplating on the upper surface of the liquid crystal box.

11. The antenna radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The dielectric plate comprises a plurality of mounting grooves, in which the resonant structure is embedded and mounted.

12. The antenna radiator according to claim 11, wherein: The thickness of the resonant structure is the same as the thickness of the dielectric plate.

13. A reconfigurable antenna unit, characterized in that: include: The antenna radiator and antenna floor according to any one of claims 1 to 12; The antenna feeding balun is connected between the antenna radiator and the antenna ground.

14. A control method, applied to the reconfigurable antenna unit according to claim 13, characterized in that: include: The resonant structures located in different areas of the reconfigurable antenna unit are controlled to perturb the body current density distribution around the radiating unit with different amplitudes, so that the beam generated by the reconfigurable antenna unit is deflected in a specified direction; wherein the area includes at least one of the resonant structures.

15. The control method according to claim 14, wherein: Controlling resonant structures located in different areas of the reconfigurable antenna unit to perturb the body current density distribution around the radiating unit with different amplitudes includes: The resonant structures in different regions are controlled to use different dielectric constants, so that the resonant structures in different regions disturb the body current density distribution around the radiation unit with different amplitudes.

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