Millimeter wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array

Abstract

A millimeter wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array disclosed by the present invention comprises two dual-polarized units, each dual-polarized unit comprises a vertical polarization unit and a horizontal polarization unit, the vertical polarization unit is composed of a substrate integrated waveguide, a first metal patch, a second metal patch and a first metal through hole, and the horizontal polarization unit is composed of a second metal patch and a second metal through hole. The horizontal polarization unit is composed of a substrate integrated coaxial line, a dipole and a third metal patch; the rear end of the vertical polarization unit is connected with the substrate integrated waveguide power divider; the substrate integrated waveguide power divider is connected with the substrate integrated waveguide grounding coplanar waveguide; the rear end of the horizontal polarization unit is connected with the substrate integrated coaxial line power divider; the substrate integrated coaxial line power divider is connected with the substrate integrated coaxial line grounding coplanar waveguide; the grounding coplanar waveguide is connected to the coaxial joint for antenna excitation. The antenna has the characteristics of wide working bandwidth, compact structure, stable radiation performance and the like, and has a wide application prospect in millimeter wave wireless communication.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of wireless communication and relates to dual-polarized antennas, specifically to a millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array with loaded metal patches and metal through holes. Background Technology

[0002] In modern wireless communication systems, end-fire dual-polarized antennas play a crucial role. With the rapid development of communication technology, the demands on antenna performance are also increasing. For many advanced wireless communication scenarios, such as 5G communication, satellite communication, and high-speed data transmission systems, end-fire dual-polarized antennas need to possess excellent characteristics such as high gain and low cross-polarization to achieve efficient and stable signal transmission and reception. While traditional end-fire dual-polarized antennas can meet basic communication needs to a certain extent, their structures are often quite complex. This not only increases the design and manufacturing costs of the antenna but may also lead to reduced reliability. In some applications with extremely demanding space requirements, such as communication systems carried by small mobile devices and drones, excessively large antenna size can become a key factor limiting their application. Therefore, how to simplify the antenna structure, reduce the antenna size, and ensure that the antenna's bandwidth and radiation pattern characteristics are not affected has become an important problem that urgently needs to be solved in the current research field of end-fire dual-polarized antennas. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Objective: To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array with only metal patches and metal vias. The loaded metal patches and metal vias improve the impedance matching of the antenna in the 35.5GHz-45GHz range, while the loaded metal via walls improve the antenna's front-to-back ratio and reduce back radiation. The three metal vias loaded inside the horn antenna in the vertically polarized antenna array improve the antenna's matching performance, thereby increasing its operating bandwidth.

[0004] Technical Solution: To achieve the above objectives, this invention provides a millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array, comprising two dual-polarized units. Each dual-polarized unit includes a vertical polarization unit and a horizontal polarization unit. The vertical polarization unit consists of a substrate integrated waveguide, a first metal patch, a second metal patch, and a first metal via. The horizontal polarization unit consists of a substrate integrated coaxial line, a dipole, and a third metal patch. The rear end of the vertical polarization unit is connected to a substrate integrated waveguide power divider, which is connected to a substrate integrated waveguide grounded coplanar waveguide. The rear end of the horizontal polarization unit is connected to a substrate integrated coaxial line power divider, which is connected to a substrate integrated coaxial line grounded coplanar waveguide. The substrate integrated waveguide grounded coplanar waveguide and the substrate integrated coaxial line grounded coplanar waveguide are connected to a coaxial connector for antenna excitation.

[0005] Furthermore, the dual-polarized antenna array comprises, from top to bottom, a first metal layer, a first dielectric layer, a second metal layer, a second dielectric layer, a third metal layer, a third dielectric layer, and a fourth metal layer; For antenna arrays fed by vertically polarized elements, a metal layer and a dielectric layer are added above the substrate integrated waveguide grounded coplanar waveguide structure, referred to as the additional metal layer and the additional dielectric layer, with the additional metal layer on top of the additional dielectric layer; Metal vias are provided on the first, second, and third dielectric layers; a first metal patch, a second metal patch, a third metal patch, and a dipole for achieving horizontal polarization are provided on the second metal layer; a dipole and a substrate-integrated coaxial line inner conductor are provided on the third metal layer; a second metal patch, a third metal patch, and a dipole are provided on the fourth metal layer.

[0006] Furthermore, the dipoles of the second and fourth metal layers are aligned, while those of the third metal layer are opposite. This design improves impedance matching characteristics, increases radiation efficiency, and helps enhance the overall antenna gain and pattern stability.

[0007] Furthermore, metal vias and metal patches are alternately distributed in the antenna element, with the order from the outside to the inside being metal patches, metal vias, and metal patches.

[0008] Furthermore, the substrate integrated waveguide comprises, from top to bottom, a second metal layer, a second dielectric layer, a third metal layer, a third dielectric layer, and a fourth metal layer; the substrate integrated waveguide includes metal vias disposed in the second and third dielectric layers, as well as the second and fourth metal layers. The metal vias penetrate the second dielectric layer, the third metal layer, and the third dielectric layer, forming the sidewalls of the substrate integrated waveguide.

[0009] Furthermore, the substrate integrated coaxial line consists of a second metal layer, a second dielectric layer, a third metal layer, a third dielectric layer, and a fourth metal layer from top to bottom; the substrate integrated coaxial line includes metal vias disposed in the second and third dielectric layers, an outer conductor disposed in the second and fourth metal layers, and an inner conductor disposed in the third metal layer.

[0010] Furthermore, the inner conductor of the substrate-integrated coaxial line is configured in a stepped shape, and the stepped segments with different characteristic impedances are connected sequentially to gradually transform the impedance to the required impedance value, thereby reducing reflection and achieving better impedance matching.

[0011] Furthermore, the substrate-integrated coaxial grounding coplanar waveguide consists of, from top to bottom, a third metal layer, a third dielectric layer, and a fourth metal layer. The substrate-integrated coaxial grounding coplanar waveguide structure includes a metal via disposed in the third dielectric layer, a ground plane disposed in the fourth metal layer, a signal line disposed in the third metal layer, and a ground plane.

[0012] Furthermore, the substrate integrated waveguide ground coplanar waveguide consists of, from top to bottom, a second metal layer, a second dielectric layer, a third metal layer, a third dielectric layer, and a fourth metal layer. The substrate integrated waveguide ground coplanar waveguide structure includes metal vias disposed in the third and fourth dielectric layers, a ground plane disposed in the fourth metal layer, and signal lines disposed in the second metal layer.

[0013] Furthermore, the inner conductor of the substrate-integrated coaxial line extends forward and is widened. This structure enables a smooth impedance transition, reduces energy reflection, and improves energy transfer efficiency.

[0014] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: 1. This invention designs a millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna. The vertical polarization element of this antenna is fed by a substrate-integrated waveguide, and the horizontal polarization element is fed by a substrate-integrated coaxial line. The vertical and horizontal polarization parts share a common metal via, which makes the dual-polarized antenna element small in size, with a width of 2λ0 and a relative bandwidth of 26%, while maintaining a stable radiation pattern.

[0015] 2. This invention applies dual-polarized antenna elements to array design, and designs an end-fire dual-polarized antenna array fed by substrate integrated waveguide and substrate integrated coaxial line, forming a 1×4 antenna array with small element spacing, thus achieving a smaller element spacing.

[0016] 3. The dual-polarized antenna and its array provided by this invention have the characteristics of wide operating bandwidth, compact structure and stable radiation performance, and have broad application prospects in millimeter-wave wireless communication. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array; Figure 2 A top view of a single dual-polarization unit; Figure 3 A side view of a single dual-polarization unit; Figure 4 Top view of the substrate-integrated coaxial power divider; Figure 5 Top view of the substrate-integrated waveguide power divider; Figure 6 Top view of the structure for switching between a substrate-integrated coaxial line and a grounded coplanar waveguide; Figure 7 A top view of the transition structure between a substrate-integrated waveguide and a grounded coplanar waveguide. Figure 8 Simulation of array structure S 11 Parameter curves; Figure 9 The gain curve of the array structure; Figure 10 The simulated radiation pattern of the horizontally polarized array structure; Figure 11 This is a simulated radiation pattern of a vertically polarized array structure. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present invention will be further illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. After reading this invention, any modifications of the invention in various equivalent forms by those skilled in the art will fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0019] Example 1: like Figures 1-3 As shown, this invention provides a millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array, consisting of two dual-polarized units. The antenna array comprises a horizontal polarization array structure 1 and a vertical polarization array structure 4. Each dual-polarized unit includes one vertical polarization unit and one horizontal polarization unit. The vertical polarization unit consists of a substrate integrated waveguide, a first rectangular metal patch 8, a second rectangular metal patch 9, and a metal via 12. The horizontal polarization unit consists of a substrate integrated coaxial line 27, a dipole 11, and a third metal patch 10. The rear end of the vertical polarization unit is connected to a substrate integrated waveguide power divider 6, which is connected to a substrate integrated waveguide grounded coplanar waveguide structure 7. The rear end of the horizontal polarization unit is connected to a substrate integrated coaxial line power divider 3, which is connected to a substrate integrated coaxial line grounded coplanar waveguide 2. A first dielectric layer 17 is added to suppress back radiation and improve gain. The grounded coplanar waveguide is connected to a coaxial connector for antenna excitation.

[0020] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the end-fire dual-polarized antenna consists of, from top to bottom, a first metal layer 16, a first dielectric layer 17, a second metal layer 18, a second dielectric layer 19, a third metal layer 20, a third dielectric layer 21, and a fourth metal layer 22. The first dielectric layer 17 contains a metal wall composed of metal vias 13. The second metal layer 18 has a first rectangular metal patch 8, a second rectangular metal patch 9, a third rectangular metal patch 10, and a dipole 11 for horizontal polarization. There are two first rectangular metal patches 8, one second rectangular metal patch 9, and two third rectangular metal patches 10. The third metal layer 20 has a substrate-integrated coaxial inner conductor 15 and a dipole 11. The fourth metal layer 22 has the second rectangular metal patch 9, the third rectangular metal patch 10, and the dipole 11. Compared to the second metal layer 18, the first rectangular metal patch 8 is omitted. Metal via 14 penetrates the second dielectric layer 19, the third metal layer 20, and the third dielectric layer 21, forming the sidewall of the substrate integrated waveguide. In this embodiment, the dipoles 11 of the second metal layer 18 and the fourth metal layer 22 are aligned, while the dipoles 11 of the third metal layer 20 are aligned.

[0021] In this embodiment, the end-fire dual-polarized antenna consists of a rectangular metal patch and metal vias, with dielectric filling in between. All substrate layers are implemented using Rogers 3003 laminate. The second dielectric layer 19, the third dielectric layer 21, and the additional dielectric layer 5 have a thickness of 0.76 mm, while the first dielectric layer 17 has a thickness of 1.016 mm and a relative permittivity of 3. This design helps optimize antenna performance and improve signal quality and transmission efficiency.

[0022] like Figure 4 As shown, the substrate integrated coaxial cable includes metal vias disposed in the second dielectric layer 19 and the third dielectric layer 21, an outer conductor 28 disposed in the second metal layer 18 and the fourth metal layer 22, and an inner conductor 15 disposed in the third metal layer 20.

[0023] The substrate-integrated coaxial power divider 3 consists of a second metal layer 18, a second dielectric layer 19, a third metal layer 20, a third dielectric layer 21, and a fourth metal layer 22, arranged from top to bottom. In the substrate-integrated coaxial power divider 3, the inner conductor 15 of the substrate-integrated coaxial line is configured in a stepped shape to improve impedance matching. By sequentially connecting stepped segments with different characteristic impedances, the impedance is gradually transformed to the required impedance value, thereby reducing reflections and achieving better impedance matching.

[0024] like Figure 5As shown, the substrate integrated waveguide power divider 6 consists of a second metal layer 18, a second dielectric layer 19, a third metal layer 20, a third dielectric layer 21, and a fourth metal layer 22, from top to bottom. It also includes a metal via 23 that penetrates the second dielectric layer 19 and the third dielectric layer 21. By adding the metal via 23, the electromagnetic field distribution inside the power divider is changed, making the electromagnetic field distribution more uniform, thereby improving impedance matching and expanding the operating bandwidth.

[0025] like Figure 6 As shown, the substrate integrated coaxial ground coplanar waveguide 2 consists of a third metal layer 20, a third dielectric layer 21, and a fourth metal layer 22 from top to bottom. It includes a metal via 26 disposed in the third dielectric layer 21, a signal line 24 in the third metal layer 20, a substrate integrated coaxial line 27, and a metal ground plane 25. The other end of the substrate integrated coaxial ground coplanar waveguide 2 is connected to a coaxial connector to feed energy to the antenna.

[0026] like Figure 7 As shown, the substrate integrated waveguide grounding coplanar waveguide 7 consists of a second metal layer 18, a second dielectric layer 19, a third metal layer 20, a third dielectric layer 21, and a fourth metal layer 22, arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The other end of the substrate integrated waveguide grounding coplanar waveguide 7 is connected to a coaxial connector to feed energy to the antenna. An additional metal layer and a dielectric layer are added above the substrate integrated waveguide grounding coplanar waveguide 7 structure, referred to as additional metal layer 29 and additional dielectric layer 5. Additional metal layer 29 sits on top of additional dielectric layer 5. The three-dimensional structure is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, this design is intended to further improve impedance matching characteristics.

[0027] Example 2: To verify the effectiveness and practical effect of the above-mentioned solution of the present invention, this embodiment conducts a comparative analysis through simulation and actual measurement, as follows: like Figure 8 As shown, the designed end-fire dual-polarized antenna array has a horizontal polarization bandwidth of 36-46 GHz and a vertical polarization bandwidth of 35.5-45 GHz. Therefore, the operating bandwidth of the designed end-fire dual-polarized antenna array is 35-45 GHz.

[0028] like Figure 9 As shown, the horizontal polarization gain reaches a maximum of about 8dBi, and the vertical polarization gain reaches a maximum of about 9.5dBi. At around 40GHz, the gain curve shows a dip, but the gain still increases after the frequency is slightly increased.

[0029] like Figure 10 The diagram shows the radiation patterns of the horizontally polarized array in the E-plane and H-plane at 38, 40, and 42 GHz. It can be seen that the main lobe direction is stable, and the cross-polarization level is generally lower than the main polarization level, indicating relatively stable radiation characteristics.

[0030] and Figure 11 The diagram shows the radiation patterns of the vertically polarized array in the E-plane and H-plane at 37, 41, and 45 GHz. It can be seen that the main lobe direction remains largely consistent, while the cross-polarization is generally lower than the main polarization, and the overall radiation trend remains relatively stable, exhibiting relatively stable radiation characteristics.

[0031] In this embodiment, the operating bandwidth is wide, S 11 With an impedance bandwidth of < -10 dB, it has a bandwidth of 35.5 GHz to 45 GHz, corresponding to a relative bandwidth of 23.6%; it also has a stable radiation pattern, making it suitable for broadband millimeter-wave communication systems.

[0032] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, but do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing specific embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any equivalent structures made using the content of the present invention specification and drawings, directly or indirectly applied to other related technical fields, are similarly within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array, characterized in that, The device includes two dual-polarization units, each comprising a vertical polarization unit and a horizontal polarization unit. The vertical polarization unit consists of a substrate integrated waveguide, a first metal patch, a second metal patch, and a first metal via. The horizontal polarization unit consists of a substrate integrated coaxial line, a dipole, and a third metal patch. The rear end of the vertical polarization unit is connected to a substrate integrated waveguide power divider, which is connected to a substrate integrated waveguide grounded coplanar waveguide. The rear end of the horizontal polarization unit is connected to a substrate integrated coaxial line power divider, which is connected to a substrate integrated coaxial line grounded coplanar waveguide. The substrate integrated waveguide grounded coplanar waveguide and the substrate integrated coaxial line grounded coplanar waveguide are connected to a coaxial connector for antenna excitation.

2. The millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dual-polarized antenna array comprises, from top to bottom, a first metal layer, a first dielectric layer, a second metal layer, a second dielectric layer, a third metal layer, a third dielectric layer, and a fourth metal layer; For antenna arrays fed by vertically polarized elements, a metal layer and a dielectric layer are added above the substrate integrated waveguide grounded coplanar waveguide structure, referred to as the additional metal layer and the additional dielectric layer, with the additional metal layer on top of the additional dielectric layer; Metal vias are provided on the first, second, and third dielectric layers; a first metal patch, a second metal patch, a third metal patch, and a dipole for achieving horizontal polarization are provided on the second metal layer; a dipole and a substrate-integrated coaxial line inner conductor are provided on the third metal layer; a second metal patch, a third metal patch, and a dipole are provided on the fourth metal layer.

3. A millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array according to claim 2, characterized in that, The dipole directions of the second and fourth metal layers are aligned, while those of the third metal layer are opposite.

4. A millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array according to claim 2, characterized in that, The substrate integrated waveguide consists of a second metal layer, a second dielectric layer, a third metal layer, a third dielectric layer, and a fourth metal layer from top to bottom. The substrate integrated waveguide includes metal vias disposed in the second and third dielectric layers, as well as the second and fourth metal layers.

5. A millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array according to claim 2, characterized in that, The substrate integrated coaxial line consists of a second metal layer, a second dielectric layer, a third metal layer, a third dielectric layer, and a fourth metal layer from top to bottom. The substrate integrated coaxial line includes metal vias disposed in the second and third dielectric layers, an outer conductor disposed in the second and fourth metal layers, and an inner conductor disposed in the third metal layer.

6. A millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inner conductor of the substrate integrated coaxial line is arranged in a stepped shape.

7. A millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array according to claim 5, characterized in that, The substrate-integrated coaxial grounding coplanar waveguide consists of, from top to bottom, a third metal layer, a third dielectric layer, and a fourth metal layer. The substrate-integrated coaxial grounding coplanar waveguide structure includes a metal via disposed in the third dielectric layer, a ground plane disposed in the fourth metal layer, a signal line disposed in the ground plane waveguide of the third metal layer, and a ground plane.

8. A millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array according to claim 4, characterized in that, The substrate integrated waveguide ground coplanar waveguide consists of, from top to bottom, a second metal layer, a second dielectric layer, a third metal layer, a third dielectric layer, and a fourth metal layer. The substrate integrated waveguide ground coplanar waveguide structure includes metal vias disposed in the third and fourth dielectric layers, a ground plane disposed in the fourth metal layer, and signal lines disposed in the second metal layer.

9. A millimeter-wave end-fire dual-polarized antenna array according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inner conductor of the integrated coaxial line on the substrate extends forward and is widened.

Images