A miniaturized ultra-wideband high-gain horn antenna loaded with double-sided thick convex lens

Abstract

The application provides a miniaturized ultra-wideband high-gain horn antenna loaded with double-sided thick convex lenses, which is used to solve the problem that the existing horn antenna cannot meet the use requirements of a miniaturized ultra-wideband high-gain system. The horn antenna comprises a rectangular waveguide structure, a double-ridge horn structure and a double-sided thick convex lens connected in sequence, and the double-sided thick convex lens is a symmetrical convex lens. The focal length F0 of the double-sided thick convex lens is F0 = (2 * A) / B, and the radius R of a sphere constituting the double-sided thick convex lens is R = (2 * A) / B, wherein: is the wavelength corresponding to the minimum working frequency, and A and B are the focal length control parameter and the sphere radius control parameter obtained by simulating the propagation process of electromagnetic waves in a medium, respectively. The application obtains the optimal focal length and sphere radius parameters by simulating the propagation process of electromagnetic waves in a medium, designs the thickness of the double-sided thick convex lens, so that the phase can be more accurately controlled, higher gain, efficiency and lower sidelobe can be realized, and the thickness effect is used to improve impedance matching, so that a wider working bandwidth can be obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of horn antenna technology, and in particular to a miniaturized, ultra-wideband, high-gain horn antenna loaded with a double-sided thick convex lens. Background Technology

[0002] In this era of technological advancement, antennas, as sensors for wireless communication, face increasingly stringent requirements regarding size, bandwidth, and gain. Therefore, miniaturized, ultra-wideband, high-gain antennas represent a future development trend. Because the phase difference of a horn antenna exhibits a square-law distribution, and the radiation pattern splits at high frequencies as the phase difference between the center and sides of the aperture increases, the horn antenna gain decreases. To improve the gain of a horn antenna, it is necessary to reduce the phase difference between the center and sides of the horn aperture. Traditional methods involve increasing the length of the horn antenna, but this increases its electrical dimensions.

[0003] In recent years, with the development of antenna technology, existing research has proposed improving the phase difference between the center and sides of the aperture by loading a dielectric lens. However, this method only relies on surface curvature to compensate for the path difference, without considering the influence of lens thickness and the actual propagation distance difference of electromagnetic waves within the medium. Patent document CN104466415B discloses a corrugated horn antenna using a single-curved lens, which achieves higher gain based on a ridged horn antenna; however, the structure does not consider the influence of dielectric lens thickness (i.e., the propagation process of electromagnetic waves in the medium), and a corrugated horn design is used to suppress main lobe splitting in the high-frequency region, resulting in high antenna manufacturing difficulty and cost. Journal article "A High-Gain Double-Ridge Horn Antenna" (Radar Systems and Technology, June 2024, Vol. 46, No. 8) discloses a structure that increases antenna gain by increasing the horn segment length, reducing the phase difference between the center and sides of the horn aperture, and improving antenna aperture efficiency; however, this structure increases the electrical size of the antenna, failing to meet the requirements for antenna miniaturization. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a miniaturized, ultra-wideband, high-gain horn antenna loaded with a double-sided thick convex lens. This addresses the technical problem that existing horn antennas cannot meet the requirements of miniaturized, ultra-wideband, high-gain systems.

[0005] A miniaturized ultrawideband high-gain double-sided thick convex lens loaded horn antenna includes a rectangular waveguide structure, a double-ridge horn structure and a double-sided thick convex lens connected in sequence, wherein the double-sided thick convex lens is a symmetrical convex lens.

[0006] The focal length F0 of the double-sided thick convex lens is The radius R of the sphere that makes up the double-sided thick convex lens is ,in: The wavelength corresponds to the minimum operating frequency. A and B are the focal length control parameter and the sphere radius control parameter, respectively.

[0007] Optionally, the focal length control parameter A is 0.97, and the sphere radius control parameter B is 1.63.

[0008] Optionally, the thickness d of the double-sided thick convex lens (3) is:

[0009]

[0010] In the formula, n is the refractive index of the double-sided thick convex lens. , is the phase permittivity of the double-sided thick convex lens.

[0011] Optionally, the double-ridged horn structure includes a first metal plate and a second metal plate arranged symmetrically;

[0012] The first metal plate and the second metal plate are arranged in a trumpet shape, and a first ridge plate and a second ridge plate are respectively installed on the opposite end faces of the first metal plate and the second metal plate.

[0013] Optionally, the first ridge plate includes a first planar segment and a first arcuate segment, and the second ridge plate includes a second planar segment and a second arcuate segment;

[0014] One sidewall of the first and second arc surface segments is a plane, and the other sidewall is an arc surface. The planes of the first and second arc surface segments are fixed to the first and second metal plates, respectively. The arc surface shapes of the first and second arc surface segments satisfy the third-order Bessel function.

[0015] Optionally, a first annular hole and a second annular hole are respectively provided on the first planar segment and the second planar segment, wherein the diameter of the first annular hole is larger than the diameter of the second annular hole.

[0016] Optionally, the rectangular waveguide structure has an open rectangular waveguide cavity at one end, and a waveguide block is installed inside the rectangular waveguide cavity;

[0017] The waveguide block has an inverted trapezoidal groove extending through both ends on one end face of the rectangular waveguide cavity opening. Rectangular grooves are formed on both side walls of the waveguide block, and the first planar segment and the second planar segment are respectively inserted into the rectangular grooves on both sides.

[0018] Optionally, a rectangular boss is provided on the outer wall of the rectangular waveguide cavity;

[0019] An N-type RF connector is mounted on the rectangular boss. The outer conductor of the N-type RF connector is mounted on the rectangular boss, and the inner conductor of the N-type RF connector passes through the first ridge plate and connects to the second ridge plate.

[0020] Optionally, one end of the opening of the first metal plate and the second metal plate is connected to the double-sided thick convex lens through the first connector.

[0021] The other ends of the first metal plate and the second metal plate are connected to the two side walls of the rectangular waveguide cavity respectively through the second connector.

[0022] Because of the adoption of the above technical solution, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0023] This application designs the thickness of a double-sided thick convex lens by simulating the propagation process of electromagnetic waves in a medium to obtain the optimal focal length and sphere radius parameters. This enables more precise phase control, resulting in higher gain, efficiency, and lower sidelobes; smoother edge field processing, improving aperture efficiency; and utilizing the thickness effect to improve impedance matching and obtain a wider operating bandwidth.

[0024] Other advantages, objectives, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following examination, or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention can be realized and obtained through the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings of this invention are described below.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the horn antenna of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the rectangular waveguide structure of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the waveguide block of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the double-ridged horn structure of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first metal plate and the first spine plate of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6 (a) is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first annular hole of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 6 (b) is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second annular hole of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the propagation path of the electromagnetic wave in the double-sided thick convex lens of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a graph showing the measured voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) within the operating frequency range of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 9 The above are the measured radiation patterns of the E-plane and H-plane at 2 GHz, respectively, according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 10 The above are the measured radiation patterns of the E-plane and H-plane at 12 GHz, respectively, according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 11 The above are the measured radiation patterns of the E-plane and H-plane at 18 GHz, respectively, according to the present invention.

[0038] Figure 12 This is a comparison chart of peak gain under different parameters according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 13 This is a comparison chart of the peak gain of the double-sided thick convex lens of the present invention, the lens without a lens, and the single-curved lens.

[0040] In the figure: 1-Rectangular waveguide structure; 101-Rectangular waveguide cavity; 102-Waveguide block; 103-Inverted trapezoidal groove; 104-Rectangular groove; 105-Rectangular boss; 2-Double-ridge horn structure; 201-First metal plate; 202-Second metal plate; 203-First ridge plate; 204-Second ridge plate; 205-First annular hole; 206-Second annular hole; 3-Double-sided thick convex lens; 4-N-type RF connector; 5-First connector; 6-Second connector. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0042] Example:

[0043] like Figure 1 The present invention relates to a miniaturized ultra-wideband high-gain double-sided thick convex lens loaded horn antenna, comprising a rectangular waveguide structure 1, a double-ridge horn structure 2 and a double-sided thick convex lens 3 connected in sequence, wherein the double-sided thick convex lens 3 is a symmetrical convex lens.

[0044] The focal length F0 of the double-sided thick convex lens 3 is The radius R of the sphere that makes up the double-sided thick convex lens 3 is ,in: The wavelength corresponds to the minimum operating frequency. A and B are the focal length control parameter and the sphere radius control parameter obtained by simulating the propagation process of electromagnetic waves in the medium, respectively.

[0045] In this embodiment, as Figure 7The aforementioned double-sided thick convex lens 3, with the feed point as the focal point F and the center point of the structure as the optical center, and both the focal point and the optical center located on the principal optical axis, can more realistically simulate the propagation process of electromagnetic waves in a medium by setting the double-sided thick convex lens 3. In the central region (near the optical axis), the light rays are perpendicularly incident on the lens and pass through the lens in a straight line; in the edge region (off-axis rays), the light rays are obliquely incident on the lens and pass through the lens at an angle. By simulating the propagation process of electromagnetic waves in a medium, the optimal focal length and sphere radius control parameters A and B are obtained, and the thickness of the double-sided thick convex lens is designed using A and B to enable more precise phase control and smooth processing of the edge field, achieving higher gain, higher aperture efficiency, and lower sidelobes; the thickness effect is used to improve impedance matching, reduce reflection loss, and achieve antenna miniaturization.

[0046] In one embodiment of this application, the focal length control parameter A is optimized to be 0.97, and the sphere radius control parameter B is optimized to be 1.63. The thickness d of the double-sided thick convex lens 3 is:

[0047]

[0048] In the formula, n is the refractive index of the double-sided thick convex lens 3. , Let be the phase permittivity of the double-sided thick convex lens 3. In this embodiment, considering cost and material density, ABS is selected for the double-sided thick convex lens 3. =3.3, to simplify the manufacturing process, the entire double-sided thick convex lens is manufactured using 3D printing. Substituting the above parameters, the lens thickness is d=0.41. .

[0049] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the double-ridged horn structure 2 includes a first metal plate 201 and a second metal plate 202 arranged symmetrically.

[0050] The first metal plate 201 and the second metal plate 202 are arranged in a trumpet shape, and a first ridge plate 203 and a second ridge plate 204 are respectively installed on the opposite end faces of the first metal plate 201 and the second metal plate 202.

[0051] The first ridge plate 203 includes a first planar segment and a first arcuate segment, and the second ridge plate 204 includes a second planar segment and a second arcuate segment;

[0052] One sidewall of the first and second arc surface segments is a plane, and the other sidewall is an arc surface. The planes of the first and second arc surface segments are fixed on the first metal plate 201 and the second metal plate 202, respectively. The arc surface shapes of the first and second arc surface segments satisfy the third-order Bessel function.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first ridge plate 203 and the second ridge plate 204 are symmetrically arranged, and the thickness of the first ridge plate 203 and the second ridge plate 204 is 0.04 mm. The first metal plate 201 and the second metal plate 202 are trapezoidal plates of the same size, and the width W1 of the open end of the first metal plate 201 and the second metal plate 202 is 0.93. The width W2 at the other end of the first metal plate 201 and the second metal plate 202 is 0.27. The length L1 of the first and second arc segments is 0.94. The length L2 of the first and second planar segments is 0.1. In this embodiment, only the first metal plate 201 and the second metal plate 202 are designed, and there is no medium on the left and right sides. The device has low cost and is easy to manufacture and install.

[0054] As Figure 1 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, a first annular hole 205 and a second annular hole 206 are respectively provided on the first planar segment and the second planar segment, and the diameter of the first annular hole 205 is larger than the diameter of the second annular hole 206.

[0055] In this embodiment, the radius R1 of the first annular hole 205 is 0.02. The thickness D1 is 0.006. The radius R2 of the second annular hole 206 is 0.03. The thickness D2 is 0.004. The asymmetrical first annular hole 205 and second annular hole 206 at the feed probe in this application can better improve antenna impedance matching and increase antenna bandwidth.

[0056] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the rectangular waveguide structure 1 has a rectangular waveguide cavity 101 with one end open, and a waveguide block 102 is installed inside the rectangular waveguide cavity 101.

[0057] The waveguide block 102 has an inverted trapezoidal groove 103 extending through both ends on the end face of the rectangular waveguide cavity 101 on one side of the opening. Rectangular grooves 104 are formed on both sides of the waveguide block 102. The first planar segment and the second planar segment are respectively inserted into the rectangular grooves 104 on both sides.

[0058] A rectangular boss 105 is provided on the outer wall of the rectangular waveguide cavity 101;

[0059] An N-type RF connector 4 is mounted on the rectangular boss 105. The outer conductor of the N-type RF connector 4 is mounted on the rectangular boss 105, and the inner conductor (feed probe) of the N-type RF connector 4 passes through the first ridge plate 203 and is connected to the second ridge plate 204.

[0060] In this embodiment, the flange of the N-type RF connector 4 is fixed to the rectangular boss 105 by metal screws, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the width W3 of the rectangular groove 104 is 0.04. The width H2 of the bottom end of the side wall of the inverted trapezoidal groove 103 is 0.03. The width H3 of the inverted trapezoidal groove 103 is 0.08. The height L3 of the inverted trapezoidal groove 103 is 0.07. The first planar segment of the first ridge plate 203 and the second planar segment of the second ridge plate 204 are respectively inserted into the rectangular slots 104 on both sides to form a ridged waveguide.

[0061] like Figure 1 As shown, one end of the opening of the first metal plate 201 and the second metal plate 202 is connected to the double-sided thick convex lens 3 through the first connector 5.

[0062] The other ends of the first metal plate 201 and the second metal plate 202 are connected to the two side walls of the rectangular waveguide cavity 101 respectively through the second connector 6.

[0063] In this embodiment, both the first connector 5 and the second connector 6 are connecting plates with obtuse angles, and the first connector 5 and the second connector 6 are fixed by screws.

[0064] The horn antenna described in this application was simulated and verified using simulation software, such as... Figure 8 As shown, within the operating frequency range of 2GHz to 18GHz, the measured voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) is <2. Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 The figures show the measured radiation patterns of the antenna in the E-plane and H-plane at 2 GHz, 12 GHz, and 18 GHz, respectively. The 3dB beamwidth of the E-plane radiation pattern gradually decreases from 40.3° at 2 GHz to 12.1° at 18 GHz, and the 3dB beamwidth of the H-plane radiation pattern gradually decreases from 41° at 2 GHz to 9.4° at 18 GHz.

[0065] like Figure 12As shown, the peak gain is compared under different parameter conditions. Since the length L1 of the double-ridged horn structure 2 is fixed, the focal length A is taken as a fixed value of 0.97. The peak gain is compared under different sphere radii B. It can be seen from the figure that as the sphere radius B increases, the convex lens thickness d increases, and the peak gain is significantly improved in the low frequency band (2GHz-8GHz). This is because it more realistically simulates the propagation process of electromagnetic waves in the medium, making the electromagnetic waves reaching the aperture closer to plane waves. Compared with the high frequency band (8GHz-18GHz), the convex lens thickness d is larger, and the improvement is not significant. Considering the antenna size and weight, the third set of data is selected: A=0.97, B=1.63 and d=0.41.

[0066] like Figure 13 As shown in the figure, with the rectangular waveguide structure 1 and the double-ridged horn structure 2 unchanged, the peak gain of the antenna without a lens, the single-curved lens, and the double-sided thick convex lens are compared. It can be seen from the figure that, across the entire bandwidth, the peak gain of the horn antenna with the double-sided thick convex lens is significantly better than the other two techniques. This indicates that considering the thickness of the double-sided thick convex lens can achieve higher aperture efficiency, resulting in higher antenna gain, while avoiding the need to increase the antenna's electrical length to improve gain, thus enabling antenna miniaturization.

[0067] In summary, an ultra-wideband antenna is achieved using a rectangular waveguide structure 1 and a double-ridged horn structure 2, with an operating frequency range of 2~18GHz (measured voltage standing wave ratio VSWR < 2). Compared to an idealized lens model that ignores thickness, it can more realistically simulate the propagation process of electromagnetic waves in a medium. By simulating the propagation process of electromagnetic waves in a medium, the optimal focal length and sphere radius control parameters A and B are obtained. Using these parameters, the thickness of the double-sided thick convex lens 3 is designed to improve aperture efficiency and achieve higher gain. Simultaneously, the thickness effect is used to improve impedance matching, further miniaturizing the antenna. Within the operating frequency range, its peak gain is > 12.2dBi, and the overall electrical size of the antenna is only 1.51... *1.4 *1.4 The horn antenna of this application is suitable for airborne radar, high-power jamming and other systems.

[0068] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the specific implementation of the present invention. Any modifications or equivalent substitutions that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A miniaturized, ultra-wideband, high-gain horn antenna loaded with a double-sided thick convex lens, characterized in that, It includes a rectangular waveguide structure (1), a double-ridged horn structure (2), and a double-sided thick convex lens (3) connected in sequence, wherein the double-sided thick convex lens (3) is a symmetrical convex lens; The focal length F0 of the double-sided thick convex lens (3) is The radius R of the sphere that makes up the double-sided thick convex lens (3) is ,in: The wavelength corresponding to the minimum operating frequency is given. A and B are the focal length control parameter and the sphere radius control parameter obtained by simulating the propagation process of electromagnetic waves in a medium, respectively. The focal length control parameter A is 0.97 and the sphere radius control parameter B is 1.

63. The double-ridge horn structure (2) includes a first metal plate (201) and a second metal plate (202) arranged symmetrically. The first metal plate (201) and the second metal plate (202) are arranged in a horn shape. A first ridge plate (203) and a second ridge plate (204) are respectively installed on the opposite end face of the first metal plate (201) and the second metal plate (202). The first ridge plate (203) includes a first planar segment and a first arcuate segment, and the second ridge plate (204) includes a second planar segment and a second arcuate segment. One side wall of the first arcuate segment and the second arcuate segment is a planar surface, and the other side wall is an arcuate surface. The planar surfaces of the first arcuate segment and the second arcuate segment are respectively fixed on the first metal plate (201) and the second metal plate (202). The arcuate shapes of the first arcuate segment and the second arcuate segment satisfy the third-order Bessel function. A first annular hole (205) and a second annular hole (206) are respectively provided on the first planar segment and the second planar segment. The diameter of the first annular hole (205) is larger than the diameter of the second annular hole (206).

2. The miniaturized ultra-wideband high-gain double-sided thick convex lens-loaded horn antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness d of the double-sided thick convex lens (3) is: ； In the formula, n is the refractive index of the double-sided thick convex lens (3). , is the relative permittivity of the double-sided thick convex lens (3).

3. The miniaturized ultra-wideband high-gain double-sided thick convex lens-loaded horn antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rectangular waveguide structure (1) includes a rectangular waveguide cavity (101) with one end open, and a waveguide block (102) is installed inside the rectangular waveguide cavity (101). The waveguide block (102) has an inverted trapezoidal groove (103) extending through both ends of the end face of the rectangular waveguide cavity (101) on one side of the opening. Rectangular grooves (104) are provided on both sides of the waveguide block (102). The first planar segment and the second planar segment are respectively inserted into the rectangular grooves (104) on both sides.

4. A miniaturized ultra-wideband high-gain double-sided thick convex lens-loaded horn antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that, A rectangular boss (105) is provided on the outer wall of the rectangular waveguide cavity (101). An N-type RF connector (4) is mounted on the rectangular boss (105). The outer conductor of the N-type RF connector (4) is mounted on the rectangular boss (105), and the inner conductor of the N-type RF connector (4) passes through the first ridge plate (203) and is connected to the second ridge plate (204).

5. A miniaturized ultra-wideband high-gain double-sided thick convex lens-loaded horn antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first metal plate (201) and the second metal plate (202) are connected at one end of their openings to the double-sided thick convex lens (3) via the first connector (5); The other ends of the first metal plate (201) and the second metal plate (202) are connected to the two side walls of the rectangular waveguide cavity (101) respectively through the second connector (6).

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