A horn loaded slot antenna

Abstract

This invention relates to a horn-loaded slot antenna, belonging to the field of slot antenna technology, and solves the technical problem of high cost in current millimeter-wave antennas. The horn-loaded slot antenna includes a metal radiating layer and a horn structure. The metal radiating layer has radiating slots and choke slots. The horn structure, formed by multiple plates, is mounted on the metal radiating layer. The radiating slots are located inside the horn structure, and the choke slots are located outside the horn structure. This horn-loaded slot antenna, by using multiple plates to form the horn structure, can reduce losses and improve efficiency. It has advantages such as low VSWR, high bandwidth, and simple structure. It achieves the power-dividing feeding function of traditional waveguide slot antennas, reducing costs. Furthermore, the multiple plate structure of the horn structure is simple and has lower manufacturing costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of slot antenna technology, and specifically relates to a horn-loaded slot antenna. Background Technology

[0002] Millimeter wave technology has advantages such as high speed, large bandwidth and low power consumption, and is widely used in many fields such as communication, imaging, radar, security detection and medical treatment.

[0003] In the millimeter-wave band, substrate-integrated waveguide antennas and microstrip antennas have higher losses and lower efficiency compared to all-metal antennas.

[0004] Horn antennas are commonly used in microwave and millimeter-wave systems. They offer advantages such as low VSWR, high bandwidth, and simple structure. However, in the millimeter-wave band, the shorter wavelength necessitates higher manufacturing precision, increasing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a horn-loaded slot antenna to solve the technical problem of high cost of current millimeter-wave antennas.

[0006] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a horn-loaded slot antenna, comprising a metal radiating layer and a horn structure, wherein the metal radiating layer has radiating slots and choke slots; the horn structure formed by multiple plates is installed on the metal radiating layer, wherein the radiating slots are located inside the horn structure and the choke slots are located outside the horn structure.

[0007] The horn-loaded slot antenna provided by this invention can reduce losses and improve efficiency by forming a horn structure from multiple plates. It has the advantages of low standing wave ratio, high bandwidth, and simple structure. It realizes the power division feeding function of traditional waveguide slot antennas and reduces costs. At the same time, the multi-plate structure of the horn structure is simple and has lower processing costs.

[0008] Optionally, the metal radiation layer includes multiple metal sheets arranged along a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the metal sheets; both the radiation gaps and the choke gaps are provided in two sets, and the two sets of radiation gaps are located between the two sets of choke gaps.

[0009] Optionally, it also includes a base, which is installed on the side of the metal radiating layer away from the horn structure. The base has a feeding cavity, the projection of the radiating gap on the base along the first direction is located in the feeding cavity, and the projection of the choke gap on the base along the first direction is located outside the feeding cavity.

[0010] Optionally, a power supply coupling slot is provided on the base, and the power supply coupling slot is located in the power supply cavity.

[0011] Optionally, the speaker structure includes two first plates and two second plates, both of which are mounted on the base. The two first plates are arranged opposite each other, and the two second plates are arranged opposite each other. The first plates and the second plates are spaced apart and enclose a channel. The cross-sectional area of ​​the channel gradually increases along a first direction from the end closer to the base to the end farther away from the base.

[0012] Optionally, the first plate has protrusions at both ends, and the second plate has a slot, wherein the protrusions engage with the slot to fix the first plate and the second plate.

[0013] Optionally, the protrusion includes a first segment and a second segment, the first segment extending away from the first plate, one end of the second segment being mounted on the end of the first segment away from the first plate, the end of the second segment away from the first segment extending away from the base, a gap being formed between the second segment and the first plate through the second plate, and the length of the second segment being less than or equal to the length of the slot.

[0014] Optionally, each of the radial slits has a size of 4.6mm × 1.5mm, the spacing between adjacent radial slits in the same group is 5.8mm, and the spacing between two groups of radial slits is 5.6mm.

[0015] Optionally, the dimensions of the power supply cavity are 40mm × 12mm, and the dimensions of the power supply coupling gap are 7.1mm × 1.2mm. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a horn-loaded slot antenna provided by the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the speaker structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the protrusion structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a top view of a horn-loaded slot antenna provided by the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the assembled horn-loaded slot antenna provided by the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave distribution in the feeding cavity in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the radiation pattern simulation in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of standing wave simulation in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 9 These are the radiation patterns of the loaded and unloaded horn structures in this embodiment of the invention;

[0026] Figure 10 This is a directional diagram showing the configuration of a choke gap and the configuration without a choke gap in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] In the picture:

[0028] 1-Speaker structure, 11-First plate, 12-Second plate, 13-Ear, 14-Slot, 15-First section, 16-Second section, 2-Metal radiating layer, 21-Radiating gap, 22-Choke gap, 23-Screw, 3-Base, 31-Feeding cavity, 32-Feeding coupling gap, 33-Positioning pin, 41-Connecting part. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0030] This invention provides a horn-loaded slot antenna, solving the technical problem of high cost in current millimeter-wave antennas. This horn-loaded slot antenna includes a metallic radiating layer 2 and a horn structure 1, wherein:

[0031] Reference Figure 1 , Figures 4-6 As shown, the metal radiating layer 2 has a radiating slot 21 and a choke slot 22. The radiating slot 21 is used to transmit or receive electromagnetic wave signals, and the choke slot 22 is used to prevent unwanted current from flowing to a specific area, or to eliminate harmful radiation on the outer wall of the antenna structure and reduce interference to the antenna.

[0032] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the horn structure 1 includes multiple plates, which are arranged to form the horn structure 1. The number and shape of the plates can be set according to the specific application scenario. Composing the horn structure 1 with multiple plates simplifies the processing of the horn opening and reduces costs. The horn structure 1 is installed on the metal radiating layer 2. The horn structure 1 separates the radiating gap 21 and the choke gap 22. The radiating gap 21 is located inside the horn structure 1, and the choke gap 22 is located outside the horn structure 1. In this way, the emitted electromagnetic wave signal can be emitted through the horn structure 1, or the received electromagnetic wave signal can be transmitted through the horn structure 1 into the radiating gap 21. The choke gap 22 reduces other interference from entering the horn structure 1. The horn structure 1 can reduce losses, improve efficiency, and has advantages such as low standing wave ratio, high bandwidth, and simple structure.

[0033] An optional implementation of this embodiment is as follows: The metal radiation layer 2 includes multiple layers of metal sheets arranged along a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the metal sheets. Each layer of metal sheets is provided with radiation slots 21 and choke slots 22. The size and position of the radiation slots 21 on each layer of metal sheets are the same, and the size and position of the choke slots 22 on each layer of metal sheets are the same. (Refer to...) Figure 1 , Figures 4-6 As shown, both the radiating slot 21 and the choke slot 22 are provided in two sets. The two sets of radiating slots 21 and the two sets of choke slots 22 are distributed along the surface of the metal sheet. In this embodiment, the two sets of radiating slots 21 and the two sets of choke slots 22 are arranged along the extension direction of the narrower side of the metal sheet, and the two sets of radiating slots 21 are located between the two sets of choke slots 22, so as to separate the radiating slots 21 and the choke slots 22 by the horn structure 1. Each set of radiating slots 21 contains multiple radiating slot holes. The two sets of radiating slots 21 are symmetrically distributed. The multiple radiating slot holes of the radiating slots 21 are opened on the metal sheet, which increases the total area of ​​the antenna for receiving or transmitting electromagnetic waves, thereby improving efficiency. Each set of choke slots 22 contains multiple choke slot holes. A single choke slot 22 forms a high impedance at a specific frequency point, while multiple choke slot holes can achieve large-area blocking, thereby improving the blocking effect.

[0034] An optional implementation of this embodiment is as follows: To facilitate the fixing of the metal radiating layer 2 and the horn structure 1, the horn-loaded slot antenna also includes a base 3, as shown in the figure. Figure 1 , Figures 4-5As shown, the base 3 is installed on the side of the metal radiating layer 2 away from the horn structure 1. Specifically, the feeding base 3 is provided with a positioning pin 33, and the metal radiating layer 2 has a positioning hole. The positioning hole and the positioning pin 33 are used to fix the metal radiating layer 2 to the designated position of the base 3. The metal radiating layer 2 is fixed to the base 3 by screws 23, and the horn structure 1 is fixed to the base 3 by screws 23 to form the horn-loaded millimeter-wave slot antenna of this embodiment. The base 3 is provided with a feeding cavity 31. The projection of the radiating slot 21 along the first direction on the base 3 is located inside the feeding cavity 31, and the projection of the choke slot 22 along the first direction on the base 3 is located outside the feeding cavity 31. The feeding cavity 31 is used to form a stable standing wave field distribution in the feeding cavity 31, reduce reflection loss, and improve transmission efficiency. By using the horn structure 1, the metal radiating layer 2 and the base 3 in combination, the height of the horn-loaded slot antenna is lower than that of the traditional horn antenna. This invention uses a two-stage power divider in the feeding cavity 31 to excite the radiation slot 21. Compared with the traditional waveguide feeding port, this expands the distribution of electromagnetic waves. Adding the horn structure then provides greater structural redundancy, facilitating mass production. Since there may be a small gap at the connection 41 where the horn structure 1 and the metal radiation layer 2 intersect after being assembled onto the base 3, this embodiment provides a choke slot 22 on the outside of the connection 41 to reduce energy leakage and standing wave degradation caused by assembly errors.

[0035] An optional implementation of this embodiment is as follows: Refer to... Figure 1 As shown, a feeding coupling slot 32 is provided on the base 3. The feeding coupling slot 32 is located inside the feeding cavity 31. That is, when emitting electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic waves first enter the feeding cavity 31 through the feeding coupling slot 32, and then exit through the horn structure 1 via the radiation slot 21. When receiving electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic waves enter the radiation slot 21 from the horn structure 1, and exit through the feeding coupling slot 32 via the feeding cavity 31. (Refer to...) Figure 5 As shown, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave distribution in the feeding cavity 31 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electromagnetic wave enters the feeding cavity 31 through the feeding coupling gap 32, and first it will be divided vertically once, and then it will be divided horizontally once, to feed and excite the two sets of biased slot antenna arrays, thus completing the radiation of the electromagnetic wave from the feeding cavity 31 to free space.

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the radiation pattern simulation of an embodiment of the present invention. The antenna gain at 35GHz is 20.8GHz, and the radiation pattern is good. The red line is the radiation pattern of the antenna E-plane, and the blue line is the radiation pattern of the antenna H-plane.

[0037] Figure 8This is a simulation diagram of the standing wave ratio in an embodiment of the present invention. The standing wave ratio of the antenna is less than 2 between 33.5 GHz and 37.5 GHz, and less than 1.2 between 34 GHz and 36.5 GHz, indicating good standing wave performance.

[0038] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram comparing the radiation patterns of the loaded horn structure 1 and the unloaded horn structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The green dashed line represents the slot antenna without the loaded horn structure 1, and the red solid line represents the slot antenna with the loaded horn structure 1. After loading the horn structure 1, the antenna gain is improved by about 4.3dB.

[0039] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram comparing the radiation patterns of the antenna with and without the choke slot 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention. By raising the horn structure upward by 0.5mm to simulate actual assembly errors, and then through simulation analysis, it can be found that after setting the choke slot 22, the gain is increased by about 0.5dB, reducing the leakage of radiated energy.

[0040] An optional implementation of this embodiment is as follows: Refer to... Figures 1-2 As shown, the horn structure 1 includes two first plates 11 and two second plates 12. Both first plates 11 and second plates 12 are mounted on a base 3. The two first plates 11 are arranged opposite each other, and the two second plates 12 are arranged opposite each other. The first plates 11 and second plates 12 are spaced apart and form a channel for electromagnetic waves to pass through. The cross-sectional area of ​​the channel gradually increases along a first direction from the end closer to the base 3 to the end farther from the base 3. Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the horn opening can be set according to specific circumstances, and the number of plates surrounding the horn opening can also be adjusted according to... In a preferred embodiment, the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are both planar plate structures. The distance between the two first plates 11 gradually increases along the first direction from the end closer to the base 3 to the end farther from the base 3. The two second plates 12 are arranged in parallel. This makes the planar plates easier to process and enables the speaker structure 1 to achieve functions such as reducing losses and improving efficiency. At the same time, it facilitates the installation of the first plates 11 and the second plates 12, making it more convenient to use. The first plates 11 and the second plates 12 are both metal plates.

[0041] An optional implementation of this embodiment is as follows: Refer to... Figures 1-2As shown, in order to facilitate the installation of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12, the first plate 11 has protrusions at both ends, and the second plate 12 has a slot 14. Specifically, the second plate 12 extends to form an ear piece 13, and the slot 14 is formed on the ear piece 13. The protrusions engage with the slot 14, thereby fixing the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 to form the speaker structure 1. There are multiple protrusions and slots 14, and the protrusions and slots 14 correspond one-to-one. Through the cooperation of multiple protrusions and slots 14, the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are fixed more stably.

[0042] An optional implementation of this embodiment is as follows: Refer to... Figures 1-3 As shown, each protrusion includes a first segment 15 and a second segment 16. The first segment 15 extends away from the first plate 11. One end of the second segment 16 is mounted to the end of the first segment 15 away from the first plate 11, and the end of the second segment 16 away from the first segment 15 extends away from the base 3. A gap is formed between the second segment 16 and the first plate 11, passing through the second plate 12. The length of the second segment 16 is less than or equal to the length of the slot 14, so as to facilitate the passage of the second segment 16 through the slot 14. Specifically, in use, the second segment 16 first passes through the slot 14, and then the second segment 16... The second section 16 passes completely through the slot 14, and the first section 15 is partially located within the slot 14. Then, the second plate 12 is moved so that it enters the gap, thereby preventing the second plate 12 from separating from the first plate 11. In this embodiment, the extension direction of the first section 15 is perpendicular to the edge of the first plate 11 corresponding to the first section 15, and the second section 16 is perpendicular to the first section 15. This ensures that the width of the gap is the same, so as to better fit the width of the second plate 12, reduce the gap after the second plate 12 enters the gap, and make the fixation between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 more stable.

[0043] An optional implementation of this embodiment is as follows: the size of each radiation slit hole is 4.6mm × 1.5mm, the spacing between adjacent radiation slit holes in the same group of radiation slits 21 is 5.8mm, and the spacing between two groups of radiation slits 21 is 5.6mm. By limiting the size and other parameters of the radiation slits 21, the frequency of electromagnetic waves can be matched. The size and spacing of the radiation slits 21 can also be adjusted according to different usage conditions.

[0044] An optional implementation of this embodiment is as follows: the size of the feeding cavity 31 is 40mm×12mm, and the size of the feeding coupling gap 32 is 7.1mm×1.2mm. By limiting the size of the feeding cavity 31 and the feeding coupling gap 32, they can be adapted to the electromagnetic wave frequency of the radiation gap 21. The size of the feeding cavity 31 and the size of the feeding coupling gap 32 can also be adjusted according to different usage conditions.

[0045] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope described in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A horn-loaded slot antenna, characterized by, include: The metal radiation layer has radiation slots and choke slots. A horn structure formed by multiple plates is installed on the metal radiating layer, with the radiating gap located inside the horn structure and the choke gap located outside the horn structure; The metal radiating layer includes multiple metal sheets disposed along a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the metal sheets; Both the radial slots and the choke slots are provided in two sets, and the two sets of radial slots are located between the two sets of choke slots; A base is installed on the side of the metal radiating layer away from the horn structure. A power feeding cavity is provided on the base. The projection of the radiating gap on the base along the first direction is located inside the power feeding cavity, and the projection of the choke gap on the base along the first direction is located outside the power feeding cavity.

2. A horn-loaded slot antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that The base has a power supply coupling slot, which is located inside the power supply cavity.

3. A horn-loaded slot antenna according to claim 1, wherein The horn structure includes: Two first plates and two second plates are mounted on the base. The two first plates are arranged opposite each other, and the two second plates are arranged opposite each other. The first plates and the second plates are spaced apart and surround each other to form a channel. The cross-sectional area of ​​the channel gradually increases along a first direction from the end closer to the base to the end farther away from the base.

4. A horn-loaded slot antenna according to claim 3, wherein The first plate has protrusions at both ends, and the second plate has slots. The protrusions engage with the slots to fix the first plate and the second plate.

5. A horn-loaded slot antenna according to claim 4, wherein The protrusion includes a first section and a second section. The first section extends away from the first plate. One end of the second section is installed at the end of the first section away from the first plate. The end of the second section away from the first section extends away from the base. A gap is formed between the second section and the first plate through the second plate. The length of the second section is less than or equal to the length of the slot.

6. A horn-loaded slot antenna according to claim 1, wherein Each of the aforementioned radiating slits measures 4.6 mm × 1.5 mm. The spacing between adjacent radiating slits in the same group is 5.8 mm, and the spacing between two groups of radiating slits is 5.6 mm.

7. A horn-loaded slot antenna according to claim 2, wherein The dimensions of the power supply cavity are 40mm × 12mm, and the dimensions of the power supply coupling gap are 7.1mm × 1.2mm.

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