Broadband millimeter wave end-fire array antenna based on dielectric resonant antenna

Abstract

The invention provides a broadband millimeter wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna, relates to the technical field of millimeter wave communication and antennas, and introduces a choke groove structure into a top metal patch and a floor metal structure of an array unit. The choke grooves form a high impedance boundary for surface current in a millimeter wave working frequency band, so that electromagnetic energy propagation along a metal surface is effectively inhibited, mutual coupling between array units is remarkably reduced, and the array is ensured to have good impedance matching characteristics and phase consistency in a broadband range. In a dielectric block part which is positioned at the front end of the array and is used for radiation, the direct contact area between the dielectric block and floor metal is reduced by optimally designing the geometric shape of the dielectric block, so that the interference of a floor surface wave on a dielectric resonance mode is weakened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of millimeter-wave communication and antenna technology, specifically to a broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of fifth-generation and subsequent millimeter-wave wireless communication systems, terminal devices and miniaturized wireless systems are placing higher demands on millimeter-wave antennas. On the one hand, millimeter-wave communication requires antennas with high gain to overcome severe free-space propagation loss; on the other hand, to adapt to complex propagation environments and changes in user posture, antennas also need to have wide-angle beam scanning capabilities to achieve stable and reliable link coverage. Simultaneously, limited by the internal space of the terminal, millimeter-wave antenna systems typically also need to meet engineering requirements such as low profile, miniaturization, and ease of integration.

[0003] In existing technologies, millimeter-wave phased array antennas are widely considered an effective solution for achieving high gain and beam scanning. Common millimeter-wave array antenna types include microstrip patch arrays, slot arrays, metallic waveguide arrays, and dielectric resonant antenna arrays. Among these, array antennas based on dielectric resonant elements have attracted increasing attention in the millimeter-wave band due to their advantages such as low loss, high radiation efficiency, and strong frequency tunability, making them particularly suitable for high-frequency broadband applications.

[0004] Although existing millimeter-wave end-fire array antennas have made some progress in improving array gain and achieving directional radiation, they still have many shortcomings in practical applications and cannot simultaneously meet the comprehensive requirements of broadband, low profile, large-angle scanning and good pattern stability.

[0005] First, many existing millimeter-wave end-fire arrays typically rely on long array lengths or multi-layer stacked structures to achieve high gain. This increases the antenna's longitudinal dimension and overall profile height, hindering compact integration in terminal equipment. Furthermore, some end-fire array structures depend on complex three-dimensional metal or waveguide structures, which are difficult to implement, resulting in high manufacturing costs and assembly complexity.

[0006] Secondly, electromagnetic coupling between array elements is a significant issue in compact array applications. Existing technologies often mitigate this coupling by simply increasing the element spacing or introducing additional isolation structures. However, these methods either increase the array size or introduce additional structural complexity, making it difficult to balance miniaturization with low coupling performance. Furthermore, under wideband operating conditions, inter-element coupling can fluctuate significantly with frequency changes, further affecting the array's impedance matching and scanning performance.

[0007] Furthermore, some existing millimeter-wave end-fire arrays fail to effectively suppress the influence of surface waves in their radiation structure design. When the direct contact area between the dielectric radiating element and the floor structure is large, surface waves are easily excited and propagate along the floor, thus interfering with the radiation mode in the end-fire direction. This results in insufficient energy in the radiation pattern in the end-fire direction and a wider radiation pattern on both sides, thereby reducing the directivity and effective gain of the end-fire array.

[0008] In addition, some existing designs often rely on a single method to improve array coupling or pattern performance, lacking coordinated control of the metal structure, electromagnetic coupling path and dielectric resonant mode. This results in insufficient pattern stability of the array at different operating frequencies or scanning states, making it difficult to maintain consistent radiation characteristics over a wide frequency range.

[0009] In summary, how to effectively reduce the coupling between millimeter-wave end-fire array units, suppress the influence of ground surface waves on the radiation pattern, and achieve stable end-fire radiation and large-angle beam scanning over a wide bandwidth, while maintaining a compact structure and low profile, remains an urgent problem to be solved in the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Therefore, this invention provides a broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna to solve the problems of strong inter-element coupling, insufficient pattern stability, and significant influence of ground surface waves on end-fire radiation efficiency in existing millimeter-wave end-fire array antennas. The broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna provided by this invention achieves broadband, low coupling, and stable end-fire pattern array radiation performance while maintaining a compact structure and low profile by introducing multiple cooperative decoupling and radiation modulation methods in the metal structure and dielectric radiation structure.

[0011] The present invention provides a broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna. The antenna structure includes: an antenna substrate, a feed substrate disposed below the antenna substrate, and a metal patch disposed above the antenna substrate; a metallization groove is disposed on the antenna substrate, and a dielectric block is disposed on the side.

[0012] Furthermore, four sets of metallization grooves are evenly arranged on the antenna substrate, and a dielectric block is provided on the side area of ​​the antenna substrate corresponding to each set of metallization grooves. Two metal patches are provided at the bonding surface of each dielectric block and the antenna substrate; both ends of each set of metallization grooves extend to the outer side of the corresponding metal patch. Multiple sets of I-shaped slots are provided on the metal patches; each set of I-shaped slots is located in the area of ​​the metal patch at the splicing point of the dielectric blocks.

[0013] Furthermore, a metal ground plane is provided between the antenna substrate and the feed substrate. Multiple sets of I-shaped slots and cross-shaped slots are provided on the metal ground plane. The I-shaped slots and cross-shaped slots are spaced apart. Each set of I-shaped slots is located in the metal ground area corresponding to the dielectric block splicing point.

[0014] Furthermore, the lower surface of the feeding substrate is provided with multiple sets of microstrip line structures for antenna feeding.

[0015] This invention introduces multiple synergistic decoupling and radiation modulation methods into the metal structure and the dielectric radiation structure, thereby achieving wideband, low coupling, and stable end-fire pattern array radiation performance while maintaining a compact structure and low profile.

[0016] This invention introduces a choke structure into the top metal patch and the ground metal structure of the array unit. The choke forms a high impedance boundary for the surface current in the millimeter-wave operating frequency band, thereby effectively suppressing the propagation of electromagnetic energy along the metal surface, significantly reducing the mutual coupling between array units, and ensuring that the array has good impedance matching characteristics and phase consistency over a wide frequency range.

[0017] Furthermore, in the dielectric block section located at the front end of the array for radiation, this invention optimizes the geometry of the dielectric block to reduce the direct contact area between the dielectric block and the ground metal, thereby weakening the interference of ground surface waves on the dielectric resonant mode. This structural design effectively improves the radiation pattern distortion problem caused by surface waves in traditional end-fire arrays, making the array's radiated energy more concentrated in the end-fire direction, and improving the radiation efficiency and radiation pattern symmetry in the end-fire direction.

[0018] Furthermore, a metal patch loading structure is introduced into the cutting area of ​​the dielectric unit. The distribution of the resonant electromagnetic field is controlled by the metal loading, thereby stabilizing the working mode of the array, suppressing the excitation of undesirable higher-order modes, and improving the resonant characteristics and pattern stability of the antenna.

[0019] The present invention has the following advantages over the prior art:

[0020] 1. This invention effectively suppresses the coupling between array units and improves the array's operational stability over a wide bandwidth by simultaneously introducing choke structures into the top metal patch and the ground metal structure; by optimizing the front-end dielectric structure and reducing its contact area with the ground, the influence of ground surface waves on end-radiation is weakened, significantly improving the end-radiation pattern morphology.

[0021] 2. This invention stabilizes the array's operating modes and improves resonance and radiation pattern performance by introducing a metal patch loading structure at a key location in the dielectric section. The overall structure is simple, has a low profile, and is easy to integrate, making it suitable for application in millimeter-wave wireless communication terminals and miniaturized end-fire array systems. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the reflection coefficient and gain of the simulated end-fire antenna of this invention.

[0025] Figure 3 This is an isolation diagram between different ports of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 The present invention includes (a) a beam scan diagram of the 23 GHz band end-fire antenna and (b) a beam scan diagram of the 24 GHz band end-fire antenna.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0028] 1. Metal patch one; 2. I-shaped slot one; 3. Metallized groove; 4. Antenna substrate; 5. Metal patch two; 6. Dielectric block; 7. Metal ground; 8. Cross-shaped slot; 9. I-shaped slot two; 10. Feed substrate. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] This embodiment provides a broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna. Figure 1This embodiment provides a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna. As shown, it includes: an antenna substrate 4, a feed substrate 10 located below the antenna substrate 4, and a metal patch 1 located above the antenna substrate 4. The metal patch 1 is printed on the top of the antenna substrate 4 and, together with the metallization groove 3 and the metal ground 7, constitutes the end-fire structure. The metallization groove 3 serves as the feed structure, used to couple and feed energy to the dielectric block portion 6, thereby achieving end-fire radiation. The I-shaped slot 2 etched on the top metal patch 1 serves as a choke groove, limiting coupling between end-fire elements. By introducing a metal patch 5 structure at a key location in the dielectric block portion 6, the array's operating modes are stabilized and resonance and radiation pattern performance are improved. The upper surface of the feed substrate 10 is provided with a metal ground 7 containing an I-shaped slot 9 and a cross-shaped slot 8, where the I-shaped slot 9 serves as a choke groove, limiting coupling between end-fire elements, and the cross-shaped slot 8 is used for end-fire millimeter-wave feeding. The lower surface of the feed substrate 10 is provided with microstrip line structures (#1-#4) for antenna feeding. This invention achieves broadband operation, low inter-element coupling, and stable end-fire radiation and large-angle beam scanning performance under compact size conditions by introducing multiple synergistic design techniques into the array metal structure and dielectric radiation structure.

[0032] This invention achieves broadband operation, low inter-element coupling, and stable end-fire radiation and large-angle beam scanning performance under compact size conditions by introducing multiple collaborative design techniques into the array's metal structure and dielectric radiation structure. The antenna structure is simple, easy to integrate, and suitable for millimeter-wave wireless communication terminals and miniaturized array systems.

[0033] In millimeter-wave end-fire arrays, choke structures are introduced simultaneously in the top metal patch and the ground metal structure to effectively suppress coupling between array units and achieve good isolation performance under compact array conditions.

[0034] By changing the geometry of the dielectric block used for the end-emitting section to reduce its direct contact area with the floor, the influence of floor surface waves on radiation is weakened, thereby improving the radiation pattern of the end-emitting direction and increasing radiation efficiency.

[0035] A metal patch loading structure is introduced at the cutting position of the dielectric block to stabilize the operating mode of the array and improve the resonance characteristics and pattern stability of the antenna.

[0036] It adopts a low-profile, compact one-dimensional dielectric resonator end-fire array structure to achieve broadband operation and large-angle beam scanning in the millimeter-wave band, and the structure is simple and easy to integrate.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] This embodiment, based on the antenna provided in Embodiment 1, uses an antenna substrate 4 with a dielectric constant of 6.15 and a loss angle of 1.9 × 10⁻⁶.-3 The thickness is 1.5mm, the dielectric constant of the feed substrate is 3.55, and the loss angle is 2.7×10⁻⁶. -3 The thickness is 0.305mm. The bandwidth and gain of the end-fire array are as follows: Figure 2 As shown, its impedance bandwidth is 40.9% (19.6-29.7 GHz), and it reaches a peak gain of 10.7 dBi at a frequency of 28.2 GHz. Figure 3 This is a simulation diagram of the isolation between end-fire antenna elements. The isolation between end-fire elements exceeds 15 dB. These results confirm the component's excellent independence and design flexibility. Figure 4 The simulated beam scanning performance of the end-fire array at 23 GHz and 24 GHz is demonstrated. The end-fire array also achieves ±60° beam scanning in the xy plane. These results demonstrate excellent two-dimensional beam scanning capability, indicating the superior spatial capabilities of the proposed integrated array.

[0039] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna, characterized in that, include: Antenna substrate (4), a feed substrate (10) is provided below the antenna substrate (4), and a metal patch (1) is provided above the antenna substrate (4); a metallization groove (3) is provided on the antenna substrate (4), and a dielectric block (6) is provided on the side.

2. The broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metallization grooves (3) are evenly arranged in four groups on the antenna substrate (4), and each group of metallization grooves (3) has a dielectric block (6) on the side area of ​​the antenna substrate (4).

3. The broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that, Two metal patches (5) are provided at the bonding surface between each dielectric block (6) and the antenna substrate (4); the two ends of each metallization groove (3) extend to the outside of the corresponding metal patch (5).

4. The broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that, The metal patch (1) is provided with multiple sets of I-shaped slits (2).

5. The broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that, A metal ground (7) is provided between the antenna substrate (4) and the feed substrate (10).

6. The broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that, Multiple sets of I-shaped slots (9) and cross-shaped slots (8) are provided on the metal ground (7).

7. The broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna according to claim 6, characterized in that, The I-shaped gap (9) is spaced apart from the cross-shaped gap.

8. The broadband millimeter-wave end-fire array antenna based on a dielectric resonant antenna according to claim 7, characterized in that, The lower surface of the feed substrate (10) is provided with multiple sets of microstrip line structures for antenna feeding.

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