A broadband transmission array antenna incorporating a true time-delay phase transmission line

Abstract

This invention discloses a broadband transmission array antenna incorporating a true time-delay phase transmission line (TDPR), comprising a tunable phase magnetoelectric dipole transmission array and a horn feed. The tunable phase magnetoelectric dipole transmission array includes several periodically arranged antenna elements, each antenna element comprising a true time-delay phase transmission line layer. The transmission phase of each antenna element is determined by the transmission phase of the true time-delay phase transmission line. This invention utilizes the transmission characteristics of the true time-delay phase transmission line, changing its length to alter its transmission phase, and ultimately changing the transmission phase of the magnetoelectric dipole transmission array element. Simulation results demonstrate that the antenna proposed in this invention can achieve high gain and wide bandwidth.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of transmission antenna technology, specifically relating to a broadband transmission array antenna that incorporates a true time-delay phase transmission line. Background Technology

[0002] As communication technologies evolve from fifth-generation (5G) to sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication, and with the rapid development of emerging applications such as satellite internet, radar sensing, and intelligent transportation, the communication spectrum is rapidly migrating to millimeter-wave and even terahertz bands. Modern mobile communication places higher demands on high-performance microwave / millimeter-wave antenna systems: to compensate for signal attenuation in high-frequency communication, antenna systems need higher gain while also possessing flexible beam control capabilities. Against this backdrop, traditional parabolic antennas are gradually being limited by their large size and difficulty in integration; while active phased arrays offer excellent performance, they are limited by complex feeding networks, high costs, and high profiles, making it difficult to popularize them in large-scale, low-cost scenarios.

[0003] Transmitting array antennas, as planar, low-profile, and easy-to-manufacture antennas, have attracted widespread attention in the millimeter-wave field in recent years. Through electromagnetic wave transmission modulation technology, they can achieve not only high-gain, low-loss beamforming but also flexible beam direction control, making them an ideal alternative to traditional solutions. They significantly reduce system complexity and profile height while maintaining high gain, making them a current research hotspot. Unlike traditional frequency-selective surface (FSS) based methods, metamaterial methods, and transceiver integrated schemes, magnetoelectric dipoles achieve high front-to-back ratio, low cross-polarization, wide bandwidth, and stable radiation patterns by simultaneously exciting orthogonal electric and magnetic dipole moments. Their compact structure, ease of planar integration, and elimination of complex baluns greatly reduce fabrication difficulty and manufacturing costs, making them an ideal choice for constructing high-performance transmitting array units.

[0004] In recent years, magnetoelectric dipoles, with their low profile, compact structure, and low cost, have been widely used in antenna design. By optimizing the element geometry and phase modulation mechanism, it is hoped that a new generation of antenna solutions integrating ultra-wideband, high gain, low cost, and compact structure can be created. Such antennas will be widely used in key scenarios such as 6G base stations, satellite communication terminals, vehicle-mounted radar, and UAV data links. Therefore, researching transmission array antenna elements based on magnetoelectric dipoles to provide a high-quality antenna solution for future wireless systems that combines wide bandwidth, high gain, low cost, and compact structure has significant theoretical value and broad application prospects. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Purpose of the invention: To address the aforementioned prior art, a broadband transmission array antenna combining a true time-delay phase transmission line is proposed.

[0006] Technical solution: A broadband transmission array antenna combining a true time-delay phase transmission line, comprising a tunable phase magnetoelectric dipole transmission array and a horn feed; the tunable phase magnetoelectric dipole transmission array comprises a plurality of periodically arranged antenna elements, each antenna element comprising a true time-delay phase transmission line layer, the transmission phase of the antenna element being determined by the transmission phase of the true time-delay phase transmission line.

[0007] Furthermore, the antenna unit includes, from top to bottom, an upper metal patch layer, a first dielectric substrate layer, a first metal ground layer, a second dielectric substrate layer, a true time-delay phase transmission line layer, a third dielectric substrate layer, a second metal ground layer, a fourth dielectric substrate, and a bottom metal patch layer; it also includes several metal vias and columnar probes;

[0008] The upper metal patch layer and the lower metal patch layer have the same structure, both including a 2×2 rectangular metal patch array and a rectangular metal strip located in the center of the array;

[0009] A plurality of metal vias penetrating the first dielectric substrate layer 3, the second dielectric substrate layer 5, the third dielectric substrate layer 7, and the fourth dielectric substrate layer 9 respectively connect to the rectangular metal patches opposite to the upper metal patch layer and the lower metal patch layer.

[0010] One end of the rectangular metal strip in the upper metal patch layer is connected to the second dielectric substrate layer through a columnar probe, and one end of the rectangular metal strip in the lower metal patch layer is connected to the third dielectric substrate layer through another columnar probe.

[0011] Furthermore, in the upper metal patch layer and the lower metal patch layer, two rectangular patches located on the same side of the rectangular metal strip form a polarized electric dipole, with the polarization direction parallel to the length direction of the rectangular metal strip; the metal via connecting the two rectangular patches and the metal ground layer connected to the metal via together constitute a polarized magnetic dipole, with the polarization direction perpendicular to the length direction of the rectangular metal strip.

[0012] Furthermore, both the upper metal patch layer and the lower metal patch layer contain x-polarized electric dipoles and y-polarized magnetic dipoles.

[0013] Furthermore, by changing the length of the true time-delay phase transmission line, the transmission phase is changed, ultimately altering the transmission phase of the antenna element.

[0014] Furthermore, the true time-delay phase transmission line adopts an open rectangular ring structure, with equilateral triangle chamfers at the four corners of the rectangular ring.

[0015] Furthermore, by changing the length of the opening in the open rectangular ring structure, the transmission phase of the true time-delay phase transmission line is changed, ultimately altering the transmission phase of the antenna element.

[0016] Furthermore, the horn feed outputs linearly polarized electromagnetic waves, which are incident on the lower surface of the tunable phase magnetoelectric dipole transmission array. The y-polarized electromagnetic waves are received by the rectangular metal patch array of the bottom metal patch layer of the antenna unit, and transmitted to the true time-delay phase transmission line layer via the lower L-shaped feed probe structure. After transmission through the true time-delay phase transmission line, they are transmitted into the upper metal patch layer via the upper L-shaped feed probe structure. The upper metal patch layer receives the corresponding phase-compensated electromagnetic waves and radiates them into free space through the rectangular metal patch array, forming a high-gain beam coverage in the far-field region.

[0017] Beneficial effects: 1. The true time-delay phase transmission line proposed in this invention utilizes the transmission characteristics of the true time-delay phase transmission line. By changing the length of the true time-delay phase transmission line, the transmission phase of the true time-delay phase transmission line can be changed, thereby changing the transmission phase of the magnetoelectric dipole transmission array unit.

[0018] 2. Simulation results show that the linearly polarized magnetoelectric dipole patch and true time-delay phase transmission line proposed in this invention can achieve high gain and wide bandwidth.

[0019] 3. The broadband transmission array antenna structure proposed in this invention, which combines a true time-delay phase transmission line, is simple and easy to manufacture. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a side view schematic diagram of the antenna in operation according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a top view schematic diagram of the antenna structure including an adjustable phase magnetoelectric dipole transmission array according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the antenna unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a top view schematic diagram of the upper metal patch layer and the lower metal patch layer of the antenna unit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a top view of the first and second metal ground layers of the antenna element in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a top view schematic diagram of the true delay phase transmission line layer of the antenna element in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8This invention provides a phase diagram showing how the antenna element in an embodiment achieves a 360° phase shift by changing the length of the true delay phase transmission line.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the reflection amplitude and transmission amplitude of the antenna element from y-polarization to y-polarization in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the reflection amplitude and transmission amplitude of the antenna element from x-polarization to x-polarization in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 11 This is a reflection coefficient diagram of the broadband transmission array antenna in this embodiment;

[0031] Figure 12 This is the radiation pattern of the broadband transmission array antenna in this embodiment, where (a) is the E-plane and (b) is the H-plane;

[0032] Figure 13 This is a gain curve of the broadband transmission array antenna in this embodiment.

[0033] In the figure, the following labels are used: 1-antenna element; 2-upper metal patch layer; 3-first dielectric substrate layer; 4-first metal ground layer; 5-second dielectric substrate layer; 6-true time-delay phase transmission line layer; 7-third dielectric substrate layer; 8-second metal ground layer; 9-fourth dielectric substrate; 10-bottom metal patch layer; 11-metal via; 12-pillar probe. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The invention will now be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, a broadband transmission array antenna incorporating a true time-delay phase transmission line includes a tunable phase magnetoelectric dipole transmission array and a horn feed. The tunable phase magnetoelectric dipole transmission array includes several antenna elements 1 arranged periodically.

[0036] The antenna unit 1 includes, from top to bottom, an upper metal patch layer 2, a first dielectric substrate layer 3, a first metal ground layer 4, a second dielectric substrate layer 5, a true delay phase transmission line layer 6, a third dielectric substrate layer 7, a second metal ground layer 8, a fourth dielectric substrate 9, and a bottom metal patch layer 10.

[0037] The upper metal patch layer 2 and the lower metal patch layer 10 have the same structure, both featuring a 2×2 rectangular metal patch array. Four metal vias 11 penetrating the first dielectric substrate layer 3, the second dielectric substrate layer 5, the third dielectric substrate layer 7, and the fourth dielectric substrate layer 9 connect the rectangular metal patches of the upper metal patch layer 2 and the lower metal patch layer 10, respectively. Circular slots are respectively formed in the first metal ground layer 4 and the second metal ground layer 8.

[0038] Antenna unit 1 also includes L-shaped feed probe structures for patches in the upper metal patch layer 2 and the lower metal patch layer 10. This L-shaped feed probe structure consists of a rectangular metal strip arranged along the x-direction at the center of the rectangular metal patch array, and a columnar probe 12 with one end connected to the rectangular metal strip and the other end passing through a circular slot on the first metal ground layer 4 / second metal ground layer 8, extending to the second dielectric substrate layer 5 / third dielectric substrate layer 7. The connection point of the columnar probe 12 in the upper metal patch layer 2 is located at the left end of its rectangular metal strip, and the connection point of the columnar probe 12 in the lower metal patch layer 10 is located at the right end of its rectangular metal strip.

[0039] In the upper metal patch layer 2 and the lower metal patch layer 10, two rectangular metal patches on one side of the rectangular metal strip form an x-polarized electric dipole, and two rectangular metal patches on the other side of the rectangular metal strip form another x-polarized electric dipole; and the metal through-holes 11 on the two rectangular metal patches of the x-polarized electric dipole and the first metal ground layer 4 / second metal ground layer 8 connected to the metal through-holes together form a y-polarized magnetic dipole.

[0040] The true delay phase transmission line layer 6, located between the second dielectric substrate layer 5 and the third dielectric substrate layer 7, is used to achieve phase delay and impedance matching. By changing the length of the true delay phase transmission line, the transmission phase is changed, ultimately altering the transmission phase of antenna element 1.

[0041] In this embodiment, the true time-delay phase transmission line adopts an open rectangular ring structure with equilateral triangular chamfers at the four corners, and gaps are left between the four side strips and each metal through hole 11.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the horn feed outputs a linearly polarized electromagnetic wave, which is incident on the lower surface of the tunable phase magnetoelectric dipole transmission array. Due to the polarization selection characteristics of the tunable phase magnetoelectric dipole transmission array, the y-polarized electromagnetic wave is received by the rectangular metal patch array of the bottom metal patch layer 10 of the antenna element 1, and transmitted to the true time-delay phase transmission line layer 6 via the lower L-shaped feed probe structure. After transmission through the true time-delay phase transmission line, it is transmitted into the upper metal patch layer 2 via the upper L-shaped feed probe structure. The upper metal patch layer 2 receives the corresponding phase-compensated electromagnetic wave and radiates the electromagnetic wave into free space through the rectangular metal patch array, forming a high-gain beam coverage in the far-field region.

[0043] For the broadband transmission array antenna with the above structure, the height h of the first and fourth dielectric substrate layers for antenna element 1 is... sub_1 The height h of the second and third dielectric substrate layers is [0.074λ, 0.129λ]. sub_2The rectangular metal patch has a length l1 of [0.11λ, 0.19λ], a width w1 of [0.128λ, 0.222λ], a distance s1 between the rectangular metal patches of [0.046λ, 0.08λ], a diameter d1 of [0.022λ, 0.038λ], and a distance s2 from the metal through-hole to the adjacent side of the rectangular metal patch of [0.007λ, 0.013λ]. The length l2 of the rectangular metal strip is [0.15λ, 0.26λ], the width w2 of the rectangular metal strip is [0.029λ, 0.05λ], the diameter d2 of the columnar probe is [0.014λ, 0.026λ], the distance s3 between the center of the columnar probe and the side of the adjacent rectangular metal patch is [0.014λ, 0.026λ], the distance s4 between the center of the columnar probe and the adjacent end of the rectangular metal patch is [0.018λ, 0.032λ], and the side length l of the dielectric substrate is... sub The diameter d3 of the circular slit is [0.44λ, 0.76λ], the linewidth w3 of the true time-delay phase transmission line is [0.029λ, 0.05λ], the side length w4 of the equilateral triangle chamfer of the true time-delay phase transmission line is [0.2λ, 0.355λ], the opening length s5 of the open rectangular ring structure is [0.046λ, 0.08λ], the length x1 of the strip stub on the opening side of the true time-delay phase transmission line is [0.08λ, 0.254λ], and the inner width x2 of the open rectangular ring structure is [0.058λ, 0.102λ], where λ is the free space wavelength.

[0044] The parameters of the antenna element in this embodiment are shown in the table below:

[0045]

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown, the first dielectric substrate layer 3, the second dielectric substrate layer 5, the third dielectric substrate layer 7, and the fourth dielectric substrate layer 9 of antenna element 1 are all made of the same material, with a dielectric constant εr of 3.66 and a loss tangent tanδ of 0.004. The metal via 11 and the columnar probe 12 are made of PEC.

[0047] like Figure 8 As shown, by adjusting the length x1 of the strip stub on the opening side of the true time-delay phase transmission line structure of antenna element 1 from 1.1 mm to 2 mm, the phase changes by 360°.

[0048] like Figure 9 As shown, the -10 dB reflection coefficient of antenna element 1 is in the frequency band of 25.95 GHz to 36.68 GHz, and the impedance bandwidth is 34.26%.

[0049] like Figure 9 , Figure 10 As shown, antenna element 1 can reflect x-polarization within the frequency range without changing its polarization characteristics; antenna element 1 can transmit y-polarization within the frequency range.

[0050] like Figure 11 As shown, within the frequency range of 22 GHz to 38 GHz, the reflection coefficient of the broadband transmission array antenna in this embodiment is less than -10 dB.

[0051] like Figure 12 As shown, the broadband transmission array antenna in this embodiment has a main polarization of about 28 dB at the center frequency of 33 GHz. In addition, its cross-polarization average is less than -10 dB when theta = 0°.

[0052] like Figure 13 As shown, the broadband transmission array antenna in this embodiment has a 1 dB gain bandwidth of 27 GHz to 36 GHz, which is 28.57%, a 3 dB gain bandwidth of 25.2 GHz to 6.6 GHz, which is 36.89%, and a maximum gain of 28.3 dBi.

[0053] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A broadband transmission array antenna incorporating a true time-delay phase transmission line, characterized in that, It includes a tunable phase magnetoelectric dipole transmission array and a horn feed; the tunable phase magnetoelectric dipole transmission array includes a number of periodically arranged antenna elements (1), the antenna element (1) includes a true time-delay phase transmission line layer (6), and the transmission phase of the antenna element (1) is determined by the transmission phase of the true time-delay phase transmission line.

2. The broadband transmission array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The antenna unit (1) includes, from top to bottom, an upper metal patch layer (2), a first dielectric substrate layer (3), a first metal ground layer (4), a second dielectric substrate layer (5), a true time-delay phase transmission line layer (6), a third dielectric substrate layer (7), a second metal ground layer (8), a fourth dielectric substrate (9), and a bottom metal patch layer (10); it also includes several metal vias (11) and columnar probes (12); The upper metal patch layer (2) and the lower metal patch layer (10) have the same structure, both including a 2×2 rectangular metal patch array and a rectangular metal strip located in the center of the array; A plurality of metal vias (11) penetrating the first dielectric substrate layer 3, the second dielectric substrate layer 5, the third dielectric substrate layer 7, and the fourth dielectric substrate 9 respectively connect the rectangular metal patches opposite to the upper metal patch layer (2) and the lower metal patch layer (10). One end of the rectangular metal strip in the upper metal patch layer (2) is connected to the second dielectric substrate layer (5) through a columnar probe (12), and one end of the rectangular metal strip in the lower metal patch layer (10) is connected to the third dielectric substrate layer (7) through another columnar probe (12).

3. The broadband transmission array antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the upper metal patch layer (2) and the lower metal patch layer (10), two rectangular patches located on the same side of the rectangular metal strip form a polarized electric dipole with the polarization direction parallel to the length direction of the rectangular metal strip; the metal through-hole (11) connecting the two rectangular patches and the metal ground layer connected by the metal through-hole (11) together constitute a polarized magnetic dipole with the polarization direction perpendicular to the length direction of the rectangular metal strip.

4. The broadband transmission array antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that, Both the upper metal patch layer (2) and the lower metal patch layer (10) form x-polarized electric dipoles and y-polarized magnetic dipoles.

5. The broadband transmission array antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transmission phase is changed by altering the length of the true time-delay phase transmission line, thereby changing the transmission phase of the antenna element (1).

6. The broadband transmission array antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that, The true time-delay phase transmission line adopts an open rectangular ring structure, with equilateral triangle chamfers at the four corners of the rectangular ring.

7. The broadband transmission array antenna according to claim 6, characterized in that, The transmission phase of the true time-delay phase transmission line is changed by altering the length of the opening in the open rectangular ring structure, thereby ultimately changing the transmission phase of the antenna element (1).

8. The broadband transmission array antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that, The horn feed outputs a linearly polarized electromagnetic wave, which is incident on the lower surface of the tunable phase magnetoelectric dipole transmission array. The y-polarized electromagnetic wave is received by the rectangular metal patch array of the bottom metal patch layer (10) of the antenna unit (1), and transmitted to the true time delay phase transmission line layer (6) through the lower L-shaped feed probe structure. It is transmitted through the true time delay phase transmission line and then transmitted into the upper metal patch layer (2) through the upper L-shaped feed probe structure. The upper metal patch layer (2) receives the corresponding phase-compensated electromagnetic wave and radiates the electromagnetic wave into free space through the rectangular metal patch array, forming a high-gain beam coverage in the far field region.

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