A ka-band quadtilt-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna

Abstract

The application discloses a Ka-band four-inclined-beam magneto-electric dipole antenna and belongs to the technical field of millimeter wave radio frequency front-end devices. The antenna is based on a magneto-electric dipole composite radiation structure and integrates four center-symmetrical radiation units on a low-loss substrate. The antenna comprises a probe patch of a coaxial Γ-shaped feeding probe, a radiation patch, a parasitic patch, an upper-layer dielectric substrate, a lower-layer dielectric substrate, an intermediate curing layer, a shorter metal through hole of the coaxial Γ-shaped feeding probe, a longer metal through hole of the coaxial Γ-shaped feeding probe, a metal through hole c of the radiation patch, a metal through hole d of the parasitic patch and a metal ground back plate. The probe patch of the coaxial Γ-shaped feeding probe, the radiation patch and the parasitic patch are located on the upper surface of the upper-layer dielectric substrate, and the metal ground back plate is located on the lower surface of the lower-layer dielectric substrate. The antenna has an ultra-wide impedance bandwidth and simultaneously has low cost, miniaturization, low cross-polarization and back lobe suppression characteristics, and is superior to a conventional inclined-beam antenna and an antenna array scheme.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention discloses a Ka-band four-tilted beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna, belonging to the field of millimeter-wave radio frequency front-end device technology. Background Technology

[0002] Millimeter waves suffer from high path loss and sensitivity to rain attenuation, requiring antennas with high gain and wide beamwidths to enhance coverage stability. Traditional antennas have vertically oriented beams (normal radiation), which easily create signal dead zones. Moreover, the fixed beam direction means that beam pointing control relies on mechanical rotation or large reflector adjustments, making it impossible to dynamically adapt to changes in the communication environment. Furthermore, traditional antennas in the millimeter wave band face challenges such as narrow bandwidth (typically less than 10%), weak beam control capabilities, and low integration.

[0003] Traditional millimeter-wave phased array antennas can achieve rapid beam steering in space by dynamically adjusting the signal phase of each antenna element, thus effectively adapting to changes in the communication environment. However, achieving rapid beam steering in phased array antennas requires each antenna element to be equipped with an independent phase shifter, power amplifier (PA), and low-noise amplifier (LNA). Traditional millimeter-wave phased array antennas are difficult to meet the lightweight and low-cost requirements of scenarios such as 5G millimeter-wave, low-orbit satellite constellations, and vehicle-mounted radar in terms of cost, power consumption, integration, and dynamic adaptability.

[0004] Magnetoelectric dipole antennas exhibit many superior characteristics compared to traditional antennas through the complementary radiation mechanism of electric and magnetic dipoles. However, existing magnetoelectric dipole antennas still require further improvement and refinement in certain aspects. Technical bottlenecks remain in achieving multi-beam radiation and precise control of tilted beams, preventing them from fully meeting the stringent requirements of some specific application scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the aforementioned background technology and provide a Ka-band four-tilted-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna. It employs a symmetrical layout, with four identical radiating elements forming a radiating layer symmetrical about the antenna center. When generating tilted beams, the antenna operates at a higher frequency (32.5 GHz), with each radiating element individually fed, generating four tilted beams in different directions. When the radiating elements operate at a lower frequency (25 GHz), they generate vertical beams.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A Ka-band four-tilted beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna includes, from top to bottom, a radiating layer, an upper dielectric substrate, an intermediate curing layer, a lower dielectric substrate, and a metal ground backplate.

[0008] The radiation layer includes probe patches, radiation patches, and parasitic patches. There are eight radiation patches in total, arranged in pairs, forming four groups. Each radiation patch is a right-angled triangular patch, with each corner of the right-angled triangle forming a hexagonal patch. The hypotenuses of the two radiation patches in the same group face each other and are parallel. There are cross-shaped gaps between the four groups of radiation patches. There are four probe patches, all located in the middle of the cross-shaped gaps. There are eight parasitic patches in total, with each of the eight radiation patches corresponding to one of the eight parasitic patches. The parasitic patches are located outside the right-angled side of the corresponding radiation patch and are parallel to that right-angled side.

[0009] Each radiating patch has a metal through hole c at its bottom, and each parasitic patch has a metal through hole d at its bottom.

[0010] Each probe patch has two metal through holes at its bottom ends to form a U-shaped power supply probe. The two metal through holes are metal through hole a and metal through hole b. Metal through holes b, c and d all penetrate the upper dielectric substrate, the middle curing layer and the lower dielectric substrate and are connected to the metal ground backplane. Metal through hole a penetrates the upper dielectric substrate.

[0011] Furthermore, a groove is provided at the edge of one of the notches in the radiating patch, and the extension direction of the groove is perpendicular to the edge of the notch in the radiating patch; the notch is the acute angle of the outer side of the right-angled triangular patch.

[0012] Furthermore, the grooves of the two radiating patches in the same group are perpendicular to each other.

[0013] Furthermore, the four probe patches correspond one-to-one with the four gaps that form the cross-shaped gaps. The four probe patches are located at the inner ends of the four gaps and are perpendicular to the central axis of the corresponding gaps. The four probe patches form a square ring structure, and adjacent probe patches do not contact each other and avoid the gaps between two radiation patches in the same group.

[0014] Furthermore, the top end of the metal through-hole c is connected to the side of the radiation patch near the probe patch.

[0015] Furthermore, the top end of the metal through-hole d is connected to one end of the near-cross-shaped gap of the parasitic patch.

[0016] Furthermore, the parasitic patch is rectangular, and the parasitic patch does not contact the radiating patch.

[0017] Furthermore, the four Γ-shaped feed probes, four sets of radiating patches, eight parasitic patches, metal vias c and d are all symmetrically rotated 90° about the center of the cross-shaped gap.

[0018] The present invention has the following advantages over the prior art:

[0019] 1. This invention uses a radiating element as the core, with four radiating elements symmetrical about the antenna center. At a higher frequency (32.5GHz), the four ports are fed to generate four tilted beams in different directions, achieving a beam pointing of ±68.82°. At the same time, each radiating element can generate a radiating beam pointing vertically (0°) when operating at a lower frequency (25GHz). This antenna has different operating states in different frequency bands, and can also achieve radiation in different directions by switching different feed ports, which is beneficial for realizing multi-directional beam radiation and flexible control.

[0020] 2. Traditional phased arrays that achieve tilted beams require an independent phase shifter, PA, and LNA for each radiating element (16 elements consume over 28.8W). In contrast, this invention uses a coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe and parasitic structure, requiring only a feed network and control circuit, reducing the overall power consumption to below 5W (a reduction of over 82%).

[0021] 3. This antenna supports Ka-band high and low frequency switching (25GHz vertical beam / 32.5GHz tilt beam), covering the frequency bands required for satellite communication and 5G / 6G.

[0022] 4. This magnetoelectric dipole antenna further improves antenna gain by asymmetrically cutting the radiating patch into a hexagon and etching grooves on the radiating patch. At the same time, it uses parasitic patches to couple the radiating patch to expand the bandwidth and optimize the current distribution on the antenna surface, thus solving the problem of narrow bandwidth (<10%) of traditional millimeter-wave antennas. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a top view of the overall structure of a Ka-band four-tilted-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a side view of the upper dielectric substrate, the middle curing layer, and the lower dielectric substrate of a Ka-band four-tilted beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a side view of a coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a top view of a coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a top view of a part of the overall structure of a Ka-band four-tilted-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a top view of the combination of radiating patches and parasitic patches.

[0029] Figure 7 It is a side view of the radiating patch and its metal through-hole c and the parasitic patch and its metal through-hole d.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a Ka-band four-tilted-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna.

[0031] Figure 9 This is a top view of a radial element.

[0032] Figure 10 This is the gain pattern of the antenna in two operating modes.

[0033] Figure 11 This is the impedance matching diagram S11 for the antenna. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments, which are intended only to provide a better understanding of the invention. Therefore, the specific embodiments described do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, the accompanying drawings only show the parts related to the present invention and not the entire structure.

[0035] To overcome the shortcomings of traditional antennas in millimeter-wave band applications, especially in the Ka-band, and to achieve lower cost, lower power consumption, and miniaturization compared to traditional phased array antennas, thus meeting the urgent needs of satellite communications, 5G / 6G mobile communications, and vehicle radar for high-performance antennas, designing a broadband tilted-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna operating in the millimeter-wave band and covering the Ka-band has significant practical implications and application value. The aim is to achieve five operating states through innovative design and optimized structure, radiating four different tilted beams and one vertically oriented beam, thereby significantly improving the antenna's performance in complex communication environments and providing strong support for technological development in related fields.

[0036] This embodiment describes a Ka-band four-tilted beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna, with reference to... Figures 1 to 9 It includes a probe patch 1, a radiating patch 2, a parasitic patch 3, an upper dielectric substrate 4, a lower dielectric substrate 5, an intermediate curing layer 6, a metal via a7 (shorter metal via) of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe, a metal via b8 (longer metal via) of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe, a metal via c9 of the radiating patch 2, a metal via d10 of the parasitic patch 3, and a metal ground backplate 11. The probe patch 1, the radiating patch 2, and the parasitic patch 3 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe are located on the upper surface of the upper dielectric substrate 4, and the metal ground backplate 11 is located on the lower surface of the lower dielectric substrate 5.

[0037] The coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe includes a probe patch 1, a metal through-hole a7, and a metal through-hole b8; there are four coaxial Γ-shaped feed probes in total, and their distribution is symmetrical about the center.

[0038] The probe patch 1 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe is rectangular; the metal through holes b8 and a7 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe are located at the edges of the shorter sides of the probe patch 1 on both sides, but do not exceed the edges of the shorter sides.

[0039] The longer metal via b8 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe passes sequentially through the upper dielectric substrate 4, the prepreg layer 6, and the lower dielectric substrate 5. The longer metal via b8 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe connects the probe patch 1 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe and the metal ground backplate 11. Its length is the same as the sum of the thickness of the upper dielectric substrate 4, the thickness of the prepreg layer 6, and the thickness of the lower dielectric substrate 5. The shorter metal via a7 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe passes through the upper dielectric substrate 4 and connects the probe patch 1 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe and the upper surface of the prepreg layer 6. Its length is the same as the thickness of the upper dielectric substrate 4.

[0040] There are eight radiating patches 2 in total, with two patches in each group located on the upper surface of the upper dielectric substrate 4. The two radiating patches 2 in each group are symmetrical about the axis, and the four groups of radiating patches 2 are symmetrical about the antenna center. One short side of the radiating patch 2 (the short side formed by cutting off the acute angle inside the right-angled triangular patch) is close to one corner of the probe patch 1 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe, and this short side is parallel to the longer side of the probe patch 1 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe. There is no contact between the radiating patch 2 and the probe patch 1 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe.

[0041] The radiating patch 2 is designed as a hexagonal shape with grooves (the main body is a right-angled triangular patch, and each corner of the right-angled triangular patch is cut off to form a hexagonal shape), and each of the radiating patches 2 is connected to the metal backing plate 11 through the metal through hole c9 of the radiating patch.

[0042] The metal through-hole c9 of the radiating patch 2 passes through the upper dielectric substrate 4, the semi-cured layer 6 and the lower dielectric substrate 5 in sequence, and its length is the same as the sum of the thickness of the upper dielectric substrate 4, the thickness of the semi-cured layer 6 and the thickness of the lower dielectric substrate 5; the metal through-hole c9 of the radiating patch 2 is located near the longer side of the patch 1 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe.

[0043] The groove of the radiating patch 2 is parallel to the parasitic patch 3 and is located close to the parasitic patch 3; the opening of the groove faces the third short side of the radiating patch 2 (the short side formed by cutting off the outer acute angle of the right triangle); there is no contact between the radiating patch 2 and the parasitic patch 3.

[0044] There are eight parasitic patches 3 in total, and each pair is located on the upper surface of the upper dielectric substrate 4 and connected to the metal ground plate 11 through the metal through hole d10 of the parasitic patch 3.

[0045] The parasitic patch 3 is rectangular; the parasitic patch 3 is parallel to the probe patch 1 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe and close to the groove of the radiation patch 2 but does not contact the radiation patch 2.

[0046] The metal via d10 of the parasitic patch 3 passes sequentially through the upper dielectric substrate 4, the semi-cured layer 6, and the lower dielectric substrate 5; the length of the metal via d10 of the parasitic patch 3 is the same as the sum of the thickness of the upper dielectric substrate 4, the thickness of the semi-cured layer 6, and the thickness of the lower dielectric substrate 5; the metal via d10 of the parasitic patch 3 is close to the center of the antenna but does not exceed the edge of the parasitic patch 3.

[0047] The metal backplate 11 is located on the lower surface of the lower dielectric substrate 5.

[0048] The metal backplate 11 is square, and its side length is the same as that of the upper dielectric substrate 4.

[0049] The upper dielectric substrate 4 has a dielectric constant of 2.2 and a loss angle of 0.0009, the lower dielectric substrate 5 has a dielectric constant of 2.2 and a loss angle of 0.0009, and the prepreg layer 6 has a dielectric constant of 2.43 and a loss angle of 0.0032. The upper dielectric substrate 4 and the lower dielectric substrate 5 have the same thickness. These three structures together serve as the supporting substrate for the various components of the antenna.

[0050] The following is a more detailed explanation:

[0051] Reference Figure 1 In this embodiment, the antenna has four sets of radiating elements, which are symmetrical about the antenna center. When a target in a specific direction is specified, a higher frequency mode can be fed to the corresponding feed port to generate a tilted beam to cover the target area. This design fully considers the characteristics of the Ka band to achieve efficient electromagnetic radiation.

[0052] The coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe, as the main feed structure of the antenna, includes a probe patch 1 (rectangular), a short metal via a7, and a longer metal via b8. Traditional magnetoelectric dipole antennas use L-shaped feed probes, which do not include the short metal via a7. The coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe in this antenna increases the usable bandwidth of the antenna and significantly reduces the footprint while maintaining performance. The coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe is responsible for efficiently transmitting electromagnetic signals to components such as the radiating patch 2, providing the energy basis for the antenna's electromagnetic wave radiation.

[0053] The radiating patch 2 and the metal through-hole c9 connecting it to the metal ground plate 11 are the key radiating parts of the antenna, directly undertaking the electromagnetic wave radiation function and serving as the core carrier for beam radiation. The radiating patch 2 improves the antenna's S11 and radiation pattern gain by asymmetrically cutting it into a hexagon and etching grooves on it. By placing the radiating patch 2 only on one side of the patch 1 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe, the coupled current is concentrated on the radiating patch 2, thereby achieving the radiation of a tilted beam at a higher frequency.

[0054] The parasitic patch 3 and the metal through-hole d10 connecting it and the metal ground plate 11 are coupled to the radiating patch 2 when the antenna is in operation, further extending the impedance bandwidth of the antenna.

[0055] The metal ground backplate 11 serves as the grounding structure of the antenna. The metal ground backplate 11 is located on the lower surface of the lower dielectric substrate 5. The metal ground backplate 11 can reflect electromagnetic waves, reduce energy loss radiated backward, thereby improving the forward gain of the antenna and enhancing the signal strength and transmission efficiency of the communication system.

[0056] The upper dielectric substrate 4 has a dielectric constant of 2.2 and a loss angle of 0.0009. The lower dielectric substrate 5 has a dielectric constant of 2.2 and a loss angle of 0.0009. The prepreg layer 6 has a dielectric constant of 2.43 and a loss angle of 0.0032. The upper dielectric substrate 4 and the lower dielectric substrate 5 have the same thickness. Together, they form the physical support framework for the antenna components. The upper surface of the upper dielectric substrate 4 supports the probe patch 1, radiating patch 2, and parasitic patch 3 of the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe. The lower surface of the lower dielectric substrate 5 supports the metal ground backplate 11. This layered structure fixes the position of each functional component, ensuring the stability and dimensional accuracy of the overall antenna structure and providing a foundation for the antenna's radiation performance.

[0057] Figure 1 The dimensions of the —6 structure are (in millimeters):

[0058] The lengths of aa, ab, ac, ad, ae, af, ag, ah, ai, aj, ak, ar, al, am, an, ao, ap, aq, as, at, au, av, aw, ax, and ay are 1.5375, 10, 0.75, 1.6, 0.945, 0.225, 1.2, 0.3, 0.25, 2.925, 0.6, 0.6, 2.5, 0.4, 1, 3.0517, 0.7672, 0.15, 0.25, 0.325, 0.525, 0.15, 0.225, and 0.3422, respectively.

[0059] Appendix Figure 11 The graph shows the antenna return loss curve. The center frequency of the antenna is 32 GHz, and the loss is below -10 dB at both operating modes.

[0060] The antenna in this embodiment includes five beam patterns. When the four feed ports are fed in the higher frequency mode (32.5 GHz), they generate tilted beams pointing towards the parasitic patch 3 of their respective radiating element. When each of the four ports is fed separately, it generates tilted beams in four different directions. When fed in the lower frequency mode, it generates vertically oriented beams.

[0061] Reference Figure 1 The four feed ports based on the coaxial Γ-shaped feed probe are top, bottom, left, and right, respectively.

[0062] Appendix Figure 10 The antenna gain patterns are shown in low-frequency and high-frequency modes when the lower port is fed independently. The lower port achieves a 68.82° tilt beam in the higher-frequency mode and a vertical beam in the lower-frequency mode. The half-power beamwidths in these two modes are 107° (higher frequency 32.5GHz) and 101° (lower frequency 25GHz), respectively, supporting wide-angle coverage.

[0063] Similarly, when the upper port is fed alone, the tilted beam radiated is -68.82°.

[0064] The directions of the tilted beams generated by the left and right ports are perpendicular to the directions of the tilted beams generated by the top and bottom ports. The shape and absolute value of the angle of the beams are exactly the same as the shape and absolute value of the angle of the beams generated by the top and bottom ports. The beams generated by the left and right ports are also opposite to each other.

[0065] The above is just one example. This antenna almost covers the Ka band and can generate tilted beams at different angles at different frequencies. The operating frequency of the antenna can be adjusted according to specific requirements and implementation methods to achieve the desired working effect.

[0066] This invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Without departing from the concept of this invention, it may include more other equivalent embodiments, and the scope of this invention is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A Ka-band four-tilted-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna, characterized in that, It includes a radiation layer, an upper dielectric substrate (4), an intermediate curing layer (6), a lower dielectric substrate (5), and a metal ground backplate (11) stacked from top to bottom. The radiation layer includes probe patches (1), radiation patches (2), and parasitic patches (3); there are a total of 8 radiation patches (2), which are arranged in pairs and divided into four groups; the main body of each radiation patch (2) is a right-angled triangular patch, and each corner of the right-angled triangular patch is a hexagonal patch with a missing corner; the hypotenuses of the two radiation patches (2) in the same group are opposite each other and parallel to each other; there is a cross-shaped gap between the four groups of radiation patches (2); there are four probe patches (1), which are all located in the middle of the cross-shaped gap; there are a total of 8 parasitic patches (3), and the 8 radiation patches (2) correspond one-to-one with the 8 parasitic patches (3). The parasitic patches (3) are located outside the right-angled side of the corresponding radiation patch (2) and are parallel to the right-angled side; Each radiation patch (2) has a metal through hole c (9) at its bottom, and each parasitic patch (3) has a metal through hole d (10) at its bottom. Each probe patch (1) has two metal through holes at both ends of its bottom, forming a Γ-shaped power supply probe. The two metal through holes are metal through hole a (7) and metal through hole b (8). Metal through hole b (8), metal through hole c (9) and metal through hole d (10) all penetrate the upper dielectric substrate (4), the middle curing layer (6) and the lower dielectric substrate (5) and are connected to the metal ground backplate (11). Metal through hole a (7) penetrates the upper dielectric substrate (4).

2. The Ka-band four-tilted-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The edge of one of the missing corners of the radiation patch (2) is provided with a groove, and the extension direction of the groove is perpendicular to the edge of the missing corner of the radiation patch (2); the missing corner is the acute angle of the outer side of the right triangle patch.

3. A Ka-band four-tilted-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that, The grooves of the two radiation patches (2) in the same group are perpendicular to each other.

4. A Ka-band four-tilted-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The four probe patches (1) correspond one-to-one with the four gaps that form the cross-shaped gaps. The four probe patches (1) are located at the inner ends of the four gaps and are perpendicular to the central axis of the corresponding gaps. Four probe patches (1) are arranged in a square ring structure, with adjacent probe patches (1) not in contact and avoiding the gap between two radiation patches in the same group.

5. A Ka-band four-tilted-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top end of the metal through hole c (9) is connected to the side of the radiation patch (2) near the probe patch (1).

6. A Ka-band four-tilted-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top end of the metal through hole d (10) is connected to one end of the near-cross-shaped gap of the parasitic patch (3).

7. A Ka-band four-tilted-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The parasitic patch (3) is rectangular and has no contact with the radiation patch (2).

8. A Ka-band four-tilted-beam magnetoelectric dipole antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The four Γ-shaped feed probes, four sets of radiating patches (2) and eight parasitic patches (3), metal vias c (9) and d (10) are all rotated 90° symmetrically about the center of the cross-shaped gap.

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