Antenna device, radar, detection device and terminal

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide an antenna device, a radar, a detection device and a terminal, which can be applied to intelligent driving, auxiliary driving or automatic driving. The antenna device comprises a first antenna array, the first antenna array comprises at least one patch subunit, at least one antenna unit comprises a first antenna unit, the first antenna unit comprises a first patch subunit and a first feed subunit, the first patch subunit comprises at least two branches in a first direction in sequence, the at least two branches comprise a first branch and a second branch, and the length of the first branch in a second direction is smaller than the length of the second branch in the second direction. The antenna device utilizes the at least two branches with different lengths in the patch subunit to realize horizontal unimodal beam with the direction of the radiated signal being normal and horizontal bimodal beam with the direction of the radiated signal being located on both sides of the normal in different frequency bands, which is suitable for multi-scene application of vehicle-mounted millimeter wave radar and is simple and easy to realize.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The original application has the application number 202180004263.8 and the original application date is December 13, 2021. The entire contents of the original application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of sensor technology, and more specifically, to antenna devices, radars, detection devices, and terminals in the field of sensor technology. Background Technology

[0003] With societal development, intelligent transportation equipment, smart home devices, robots, and other intelligent terminals are gradually entering people's daily lives. Sensors play a crucial role in these intelligent terminals. Various sensors installed on intelligent terminals, such as millimeter-wave radar, lidar, cameras, and ultrasonic radar, perceive the surrounding environment, collect data, identify and track moving objects, and recognize stationary scenes such as lane lines and signs. They then combine this information with navigation and map data for path planning. Sensors can anticipate potential hazards and assist or even autonomously take necessary avoidance measures, effectively increasing the safety and comfort of intelligent terminals.

[0004] Taking intelligent terminals as an example of intelligent transportation equipment, millimeter-wave radar has become the primary sensor for autonomous driving systems and driver assistance systems due to its lower cost and more mature technology. Currently, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) include more than ten functions, among which lane change assist (LCA), blind spot detection (BSD), door open warning (DOW), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), and parking assist (PA) all rely on millimeter-wave radar. These different functions have different ranging requirements for millimeter-wave radar, which undoubtedly increases the design complexity of millimeter-wave radar antennas. How to design millimeter-wave radar antennas to meet the needs of different functions has always been a hot topic. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides an antenna device, radar, detection device, and terminal, which can be applied to different functional applications.

[0006] In a first aspect, an antenna device is provided, including a first antenna array; the first antenna array includes at least one antenna element, the at least one antenna element including a first antenna element, the first antenna element including a first patch sub-unit and a first feed sub-unit; the first patch sub-unit includes at least two branches in sequence in a first direction, the at least two branches including a first branch and a second branch, the first branch and the second branch partially overlapping, and the length of the first branch in a second direction being less than the length of the second branch in the second direction.

[0007] According to the embodiments of this application, the length of the first stub in the second direction is different from the length of the second stub in the second direction, which can enable the first antenna element to generate different resonant modes. Furthermore, since different resonant modes can generate different radiation beams by the first antenna element, they can be adapted to different functional requirements. Moreover, the first antenna element feeds the first patch sub-unit through the first feed line sub-unit, resulting in a simple structure that is easy to implement.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first antenna element radiates a signal in the first frequency band as a third direction, and the third direction is the normal of the first antenna element; the first antenna element radiates a signal in the second frequency band as a fourth direction and a fifth direction, and the fourth direction and the fifth direction are located on both sides of the third direction; the first frequency band and the second frequency band are different.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first antenna element radiates a horizontal single-peak beam in a first frequency band; the first antenna element radiates a horizontal double-peak beam in a second frequency band; the first frequency band and the second frequency band are different.

[0010] According to embodiments of this application, the first antenna unit has one radiating signal direction in the first frequency band, which can generate a horizontal single-peak beam. The first antenna unit can have two radiating signal directions in the second frequency band, which can generate a horizontal double-peak beam. When the antenna device is positioned at the four corners of a vehicle, in the first frequency band, the radiating signal direction of the first antenna unit is normal. When used as an angle radar, it can be used to detect targets at a 45° angle to the left rear of the vehicle, applicable to functional scenarios such as PA (Power Amplifier). In the second frequency band, the two radiating signal directions of the first antenna unit are located on opposite sides of the normal, respectively, and can be used to detect targets on the left side of the vehicle and targets behind the vehicle, applicable to BSD (Browser Detection), LCA (Low Altitude Area), or DOW (Downward Detection) functional scenarios, as well as RCTA (Rail Transit Detection). Furthermore, it can indicate the distance of the detected target from the vehicle to the user based on the detection distance.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the current on the first branch flows in a first direction.

[0012] According to an embodiment of this application, the current flowing along a first direction on the first branch can generate a normal horizontal single-peak beam.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the component of the current in the second branch in the second direction is symmetrical along the first direction.

[0014] According to an embodiment of this application, the current on the second branch, whose component in the second direction is symmetrical along the first direction, can generate a horizontal double-peak beam located on both sides of the normal.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the at least two branches include a first branch, a second branch, and a third branch, wherein the length of the third branch in the second direction is greater than the length of the first branch in the second direction and less than the length of the second branch in the second direction.

[0016] According to an embodiment of this application, the third branch can be used to adjust the impedance of the first patch sub-unit during radiation, thereby adjusting the radiation characteristics of the first antenna unit (e.g., the frequency of the resonant point of the first antenna unit, the angular domain width of the detection of the first antenna unit).

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the length of the first branch in the second direction is L1, 0.35λ. L1 0.65λ, where λ is the operating wavelength of the antenna device.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the length of the second branch in the second direction is L2, 0.7λ. L2 1.3λ, where λ is the operating wavelength of the antenna device.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the length of the third branch in the second direction is L3, 0.525λ. L3 1.125λ.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the length of the first patch subunit in the first direction is L4, 0.5λ. L4 1.5λ.

[0021] According to an embodiment of this application, the radiation characteristics of the first antenna element can be adjusted by adjusting the lengths of the first branch in the second direction, the second branch in the second direction, the third branch in the second direction, and / or the length of the first patch sub-unit in the first direction. These parameters can be adjusted according to actual production or design needs to meet detection requirements.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first stub is used to generate a horizontal single-peak beam, and / or the second stub is used to generate a horizontal double-peak beam.

[0023] According to embodiments of this application, when the first antenna element radiates in the first frequency band, a horizontal single-peak radiating stub, mainly composed of a first stub and part of a second stub, generates a radiating beam. The current on the first stub flows along a first direction, which is the TM10 mode. In this mode, corresponding to vertical polarization, there is only one direction of radiated signal, and its main polarization direction is the normal, thus generating a horizontal single-peak beam. When the first antenna element radiates in the second frequency band, a radiating beam is mainly generated by the second stub as a horizontal double-peak radiating stub. The current on the second stub has a component in the second direction that is symmetrical along the first direction, which is the TM20 mode. In this mode, corresponding to horizontal polarization, there are two directions of radiated signal, with the two directions of radiated signal located on opposite sides of the normal, thus generating a horizontal double-peak beam.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the shape of the first branch, the second branch, or the third branch is rectangular, elliptical, circular, rhomboid, square, or trapezoidal.

[0025] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the edge shape of the first branch, the second branch, or the third branch is a line segment, arc, irregular serration, or irregular arc with an angle A with the first direction, wherein A is 0°-180°.

[0026] According to the embodiments of this application, the multiple branches included in the patch subunit are not necessarily rectangular, but can also be other regular shapes, such as circles, ellipses, rhombuses, etc., or they can also be irregular shapes.

[0027] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the at least one antenna element further includes a second antenna element, the second antenna element having the same structure as the first antenna element; the first antenna element and the second antenna element are connected in a first direction.

[0028] According to an embodiment of this application, multiple antenna elements can be sequentially connected in a first direction to form a first antenna array. The multiple antenna elements in the first antenna array are fed in series, which is simple in feeding form and occupies less space in the array, thus facilitating the miniaturization of the antenna array.

[0029] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the distance between the first antenna element and the second antenna element in the first direction is 0.5 × N first wavelengths, where N is a positive integer.

[0030] According to the embodiments of this application, the distance between the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit in the first direction can be adjusted according to actual production or design needs, so as to avoid the radiation generated by the antenna array composed of multiple antenna units producing grating lobes, which would cause the antenna device to measure the position of the target in a blurred manner.

[0031] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the central axis of the first branch in the first direction, the central axis of the second branch in the first direction, and / or the central axis of the third branch in the first direction are parallel to the second direction.

[0032] According to an embodiment of this application, the extension direction of the first branch (e.g., the length direction or the width direction), the extension direction of the second branch, and / or the extension direction of the third branch can be parallel to the second direction.

[0033] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the antenna device further includes a second antenna array, the second antenna array having the same structure as the first antenna array.

[0034] According to the embodiments of this application, in practical applications, the number of antenna arrays in the antenna device can be adjusted according to the design or actual needs to meet the detection requirements, and this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0035] In a second aspect, a method for fabricating an antenna device is provided, comprising: etching a first antenna array on a first metal layer; the first antenna array comprising at least one antenna element, the at least one antenna element comprising a first antenna element, the first antenna element comprising a first patch sub-unit and a first feed sub-unit; the first patch sub-unit comprising at least two branches in sequence in a first direction, the at least two branches comprising a first branch and a second branch, the length of the first branch in a second direction being less than the length of the second branch in the second direction; bonding the first antenna array to a first surface of a first dielectric layer; bonding a second surface of the first dielectric layer to a first surface of a first ground plane, the antenna device being grounded through the first ground plane.

[0036] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first antenna element radiates signals in the first frequency band as a third direction, and the third direction is the normal of the first antenna element; the first antenna element radiates signals in the second frequency band as a fourth direction and a fifth direction, and the fourth direction and the fifth direction are respectively located on both sides of the third direction; the first frequency band and the second frequency band are different.

[0037] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first antenna element radiates a horizontal single-peak beam in a first frequency band; the first antenna element radiates a horizontal double-peak beam in a second frequency band; the first frequency band and the second frequency band are different.

[0038] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the current on the first branch flows in a first direction.

[0039] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the component of the current on the second branch in the second direction is symmetrical along the first direction.

[0040] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the at least two branches include a first branch, a second branch, and a third branch, wherein the length of the third branch in the second direction is greater than the length of the first branch in the second direction and less than the length of the second branch in the second direction.

[0041] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the length of the first branch in the second direction is L1, 0.35λ. L1 0.65λ, where λ is the operating wavelength of the antenna device.

[0042] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the length of the second branch in the second direction is L2, 0.7λ. L2 1.3λ, where λ is the operating wavelength of the antenna device.

[0043] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the length of the third branch in the second direction is L3, 0.525λ. L3 1.125λ.

[0044] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the length of the first patch subunit in the first direction is L4, 0.5λ. L4 1.5λ.

[0045] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first stub is used to generate a horizontal single-peak beam, and / or the second stub is used to generate a horizontal double-peak beam.

[0046] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the shape of the first branch, the second branch, or the third branch is rectangular, elliptical, circular, rhomboid, square, or trapezoidal.

[0047] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the edge shape of the first branch, the second branch, or the third branch is a line segment, arc, irregular serration, or irregular arc with an angle A with the first direction, wherein A is 0°-180°.

[0048] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the at least one antenna element further includes a second antenna element, the second antenna element having the same structure as the first antenna element; the first antenna element and the second antenna element are connected in a first direction.

[0049] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the distance between the first antenna element and the second antenna element in the first direction is 0.5 × N first wavelengths, where N is a positive integer.

[0050] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the central axis of the first branch in the first direction, the central axis of the second branch in the first direction, and / or the central axis of the third branch in the first direction are parallel to the second direction.

[0051] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the antenna device further includes a second antenna array, the second antenna array having the same structure as the first antenna array.

[0052] Thirdly, a radar is provided, the radar comprising an antenna arrangement as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0053] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the radar further includes a control chip connected to the antenna device, the control chip being used to control the antenna device to transmit or receive signals.

[0054] Fourthly, a detection device is provided, the detection device comprising an antenna device as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0055] Fifthly, a terminal is provided, the terminal comprising the radar as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0056] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the terminal can be a vehicle, such as intelligent transportation equipment (vehicles or drones), smart home devices, intelligent manufacturing equipment, surveying equipment, or robots. The intelligent transportation equipment can be, for example, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) or an unmanned vehicle. The terminal can also be a mobile phone, tablet, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, terminal in industrial control, terminal in self-driving, terminal in remote medical care, terminal in a smart grid, terminal in transportation safety, terminal in a smart city, terminal in a smart home, and so on. Attached Figure Description

[0057] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of the vehicle 100 provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0058] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0059] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the direction of the radiated signals of the normal millimeter-wave radar and the angular millimeter-wave radar provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0060] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the series-fed patch antenna provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0061] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The radiation pattern of the patch antenna is shown.

[0062] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an antenna device 200 provided in this application.

[0063] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first antenna unit 210 provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0064] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the direction pattern synthesis provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0065] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first antenna unit 210 provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0066] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the equivalent magnetic current distribution of a patch antenna provided in this application.

[0067] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the current distribution of the patch antenna in TM10 mode provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0068] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 The radiation pattern corresponding to the TM10 mode is shown.

[0069] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the current distribution of the patch antenna in TM10 mode provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0070] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 The radiation pattern corresponding to the TM20 mode is shown.

[0071] Figure 15 These are the orientation maps corresponding to different modes provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0072] Figure 16 yes Figure 12 The simulation diagram of the S-parameters of the first antenna element is shown.

[0073] Figure 17 yes Figure 9 The diagram shows the current distribution when the first antenna element generates a horizontal single-peak beam.

[0074] Figure 18 yes Figure 9 The diagram shows the current distribution when the first antenna element generates a horizontal double-peak beam.

[0075] Figure 19 yes Figure 9 The radiation pattern of the first antenna element in the horizontal plane is shown.

[0076] Figure 20 yes Figure 6 The radiation patterns of the antenna elements in the first antenna array shown are displayed on the horizontal plane in the first and second frequency bands.

[0077] Figure 21 yes Figure 6 The radiation pattern of the antenna elements in the first antenna array shown is in the vertical plane of the first frequency band.

[0078] Figure 22 yes Figure 6 The radiation pattern of the antenna elements in the vertical plane of the first antenna array shown is in the second frequency band.

[0079] Figure 23This is a schematic diagram of another patch sub-unit provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0080] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram of another patch sub-unit provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0081] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0082] Figure 26 This application provides a method for manufacturing an antenna device. Detailed Implementation

[0083] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0084] It should be understood that in this application, "electrical connection" can be understood as physical contact and electrical conduction between components; it can also be understood as the form in which different components in a circuit structure are connected through physical lines that can transmit electrical signals, such as copper foil or wires on a printed circuit board (PCB); it can also be understood as electrical conduction through indirect coupling. "Connection" and "connected" can both refer to a mechanical or physical connection relationship. For example, A and B being connected or A and B being connected can mean that there are fastening components (such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc.) between A and B, or that A and B are in contact with each other and are difficult to separate.

[0085] The following explanations of some terms used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0086] Surface mount unit: A module in an antenna that has wireless receiving and transmitting functions, such as a copper-clad panel on a PCB.

[0087] Feeder: Also known as cable, it is used to transmit electrical signals.

[0088] Short-range, medium-range, and long-range radars can be distinguished by their detection range. Short-range radar has a detection range of less than 100m, medium-range radar has a detection range between 100m and 200m, and long-range radar has a detection range of over 300m. Generally speaking, the detection range of millimeter-wave radar is positively correlated with the gain of the antenna; the higher the gain, the farther the detection range.

[0089] Antenna pattern: also known as radiation pattern, used to describe the radiation effect of an antenna. It refers to the graph of the relative field strength (normalized modulus) of the antenna's radiated field as a function of direction at a certain distance from the antenna. It is usually represented by two mutually perpendicular plane patterns along the direction of the radiated signal through the antenna (the direction in which the maximum value of the radiated beam points).

[0090] Antenna radiation patterns typically have multiple radiating beams. The beam with the highest radiating intensity is called the main lobe, and the smaller radiating beams adjacent to the main lobe are called side lobes. Among the side lobes, those in the opposite direction to the main lobe are also called back lobes. In some antenna structures, radiation lobes with similar intensity (gain) to the main lobe can be formed in directions other than the main lobe due to in-phase superposition of field strengths; these are called grating lobes. In radar, because the gain of the grating lobes is similar to that of the main lobe, it is difficult to determine whether the target is radiating in the direction of the main lobe or the grating lobe, making the target easily confused and leading to ambiguity in the target's position.

[0091] Horizontal and vertical polarization of an antenna: At a given point in space, the electric field intensity E (vector) is a univariate function of time t. As time progresses, the endpoint of the vector periodically traces a trajectory in space. If this trajectory is perpendicular to the ground (the plane containing the floor), it is called vertical polarization; if it is horizontal to the ground, it is called horizontal polarization. Furthermore, since the vibration directions of horizontally and vertically polarized electromagnetic waves are perpendicular to each other, the coupling between horizontally and vertically polarized waves is low, resulting in better isolation.

[0092] Antenna main polarization and cross polarization: The main polarization of an antenna refers to the trajectory of the endpoint of the electric field vector moving in the direction of the radiated signal. Due to the physical structure of the antenna itself, the electric field vector radiating the far field of the antenna, in addition to moving in the desired direction, also has components in its orthogonal directions. This is called the antenna's cross polarization. For example, if the main polarization of an antenna is horizontal, then the cross polarization is vertical. Generally speaking, the greater the difference between the main polarization and the cross polarization, the better.

[0093] Antenna return loss (S-parameter): This can be understood as the ratio of the signal power reflected back to the antenna port after passing through the antenna circuit to the transmit power at the antenna port. The smaller the reflected signal, the larger the signal radiated into space through the antenna, and the higher the antenna's radiation efficiency. Conversely, the larger the reflected signal, the smaller the signal radiated into space through the antenna, and the lower the antenna's radiation efficiency.

[0094] Antenna return loss can be represented by the S11 parameter, which is one of the S-parameters. S11 represents the reflection coefficient, and this parameter characterizes the antenna's transmission efficiency. The S11 parameter is usually negative. The smaller the S11 parameter, the smaller the antenna return loss, the less energy the antenna reflects back, which means more energy actually enters the antenna, and the higher the antenna's system efficiency. Conversely, the larger the S11 parameter, the greater the antenna return loss, and the lower the antenna's system efficiency.

[0095] It should be noted that in engineering, an S11 value of -6dB is generally used as the standard. When the S11 value of an antenna is less than -6dB, the antenna can be considered to be working normally, or the antenna can be considered to have good transmission efficiency.

[0096] Antenna isolation refers to the ratio of the signal received by one antenna through another to the signal received by the transmitting antenna. Isolation is a physical quantity used to measure the degree of mutual coupling between antennas. Assuming two antennas form a two-port network, the isolation between the two antennas is represented by their S21 and S12 values. Antenna isolation can be expressed using the S21 and S12 parameters. These parameters are typically negative. Smaller S21 and S12 values ​​indicate greater isolation and less mutual coupling between the antennas; larger S21 and S12 values ​​indicate less isolation and greater mutual coupling. Antenna isolation depends on factors such as the antenna radiation pattern, the spatial distance between the antennas, and the antenna gain.

[0097] Ground (ground plane): can refer to at least a portion of any grounding layer, ground plane, or grounding metal layer within an antenna device, or at least a portion of any combination of any of the aforementioned grounding layers, ground planes, or grounding components. "Ground" can be used for grounding components within the antenna device. In one embodiment, "ground" can be the grounding layer of the antenna device's circuit board or the ground plane formed by the antenna device's housing. In one embodiment, the circuit board can be a printed circuit board (PCB), such as an 8-layer, 10-layer, or 12-14-layer board with 8, 10, 12, 13, or 14 layers of conductive material, or components separated and electrically insulated by dielectric or insulating layers such as fiberglass or polymers. In one embodiment, the circuit board includes a dielectric substrate, a grounding layer, and a trace layer, with the trace layer and grounding layer electrically connected via vias. In one embodiment, components such as displays, touchscreens, input buttons, transmitters, processors, memory, batteries, charging circuits, and system-on-chip (SoC) structures can be mounted on or connected to the circuit board; or electrically connected to the trace layers and / or grounding layers in the circuit board. For example, the radio frequency source is placed on the trace layer.

[0098] Any of the aforementioned grounding layers, ground planes, or grounding metal layers are made of conductive materials. In one embodiment, the conductive material may be any of the following: copper, aluminum, stainless steel, brass and their alloys, copper foil on an insulating substrate, aluminum foil on an insulating substrate, gold foil on an insulating substrate, silver-plated copper, silver-plated copper foil on an insulating substrate, silver foil on an insulating substrate and tin-plated copper, graphite-impregnated cloth, graphite-coated substrates, copper-plated substrates, brass-plated substrates, and aluminum-plated substrates. Those skilled in the art will understand that grounding layers / ground planes / grounding metal layers may also be made of other conductive materials. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the detection range of the vehicle 100 provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0099] In millimeter-wave radar equipment, PCB-based microstrip antennas have become the preferred solution due to their advantages in low profile, low cost, ease of fabrication, and ease of integration. Millimeter-wave radars can be categorized into long-range radar (LRR), mid-range radar (MRR), and short-range radar (SRR) based on their detection range.

[0100] Among them, LRR has high requirements for detection range but relatively low requirements for detection angular width. SRR has relatively low requirements for detection range but high requirements for detection angular width. MRR's requirements for detection range and angular width can be understood as falling between those of LRR and SRR. For example, LRR can have a detection range of over 200 meters and an angular width of... The detection range of MRR can be within 100 meters, and the angular domain width can be... The detection range of SRR is within 60 meters, and the angular domain width is [missing information]. In practice, different types of millimeter-wave radars can be installed at different locations on the vehicle body, depending on the functional requirements of autonomous driving and the usage of other sensors. The number and type of millimeter-wave radars can be selected as needed. For example, LRR can be installed at the front of the vehicle as a forward-facing radar; MRR can be installed at the front or rear of the vehicle as forward-facing and rear-facing radars, respectively; SRR can be installed on the sides or at the four corners of the vehicle as side-facing and corner-facing radars. Furthermore, MRR can also be installed on the sides or at the four corners of the vehicle, and SRR can be installed at the front or rear of the vehicle.

[0101] It should be understood that Figure 1 Several possible radar installation locations are given as examples only. In actual use, more or fewer radars can be selected, and the types can also be adjusted.

[0102] The aforementioned vehicle 100 can be a car, truck, motorcycle, bus, ship, airplane, helicopter, lawnmower, recreational vehicle, amusement park vehicle, construction equipment, tram, golf cart, train, or handcart, etc., and this application embodiment does not impose any special limitations.

[0103] For corner radars installed at the four corners of a vehicle (taking a millimeter-wave corner radar located on the left rear side of the vehicle as an example), within their detection range, they can be applied to different detection scenarios depending on the detection angle, such as... Figure 2 As shown: Scenario 1: When the detection angle of the corner radar includes direction 1, the corner radar is used to detect targets behind the vehicle. For example, it can be applied to BSD, LCA or DOW scenarios. It can be used to remind the user whether there are pedestrians or vehicles in the blind spot behind the vehicle, so as to remind the user whether it is possible to change lanes or open the door. Scenario 2: When the detection angle of the corner radar includes direction 2, the corner radar is used to detect targets on the left side of the vehicle. For example, it can be applied to RCTA scenarios. When the user is performing a parking operation, it can be used to remind the user that there is a vehicle in direction 2. Scenario 3: When the detection angle of the corner radar includes direction 3, the corner radar is used to detect targets in the 45° direction to the left rear of the vehicle. For example, it can be applied to the PA scenario. When the user is performing a parking operation, it can be used to remind the user of the distance between the user and the obstacle in direction 3.

[0104] It should be understood that with the improvement of millimeter-wave radar performance (e.g., the accuracy of detection angle), millimeter-wave radar can provide users with more accurate detection results, thereby improving driving safety. Furthermore, since millimeter-wave radar is positioned at the four corners of the vehicle, it is generally at a 45° angle to the rear of the vehicle. In scenario three, the millimeter-wave radar detects at a 45° angle to the left rear of the vehicle, which is the normal direction of the millimeter-wave radar (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the radiating element of the radar antenna).

[0105] The ranging requirements for millimeter-wave radar vary depending on the different scenarios described above. Millimeter-wave radar needs to cover multiple different directions simultaneously, which undoubtedly increases the design complexity of millimeter-wave radar antennas. How to design millimeter-wave radar antennas to meet the needs of different functions has always been a hot topic.

[0106] To achieve coverage of the aforementioned multiple scenarios, millimeter-wave radar typically employs a combination of normal-direction millimeter-wave radar (radiating signals in the direction of the normal) and angular millimeter-wave radar (radiating signals in directions to either side of the normal, for example, at an angle of ±45° to the normal). Figure 3 As shown.

[0107] For normal-wave radar, a common series-fed patch antenna is used, such as... Figure 4 As shown in (a), the direction in which the maximum value of its radiated beam points is the normal (perpendicular to the plane where the patch antenna is located). For angular millimeter-wave radar, the most common approach is to use a combination of multi-row tandem-fed patch antennas and power dividers, such as... Figure 4 As shown in (b) in the figure, from Figure 5 The radiation pattern shown indicates that the angular millimeter-wave radar has two maximum values ​​for the radiating beams (the directions of the two radiating signals), pointing to -35° and +35° on either side of the normal, respectively.

[0108] Because the aforementioned millimeter-wave radars employ a combination of normal-direction and angular millimeter-wave radars to achieve coverage in various scenarios, at least two different antenna configurations exist, resulting in a complex design. Furthermore, the angular millimeter-wave radar utilizes multi-column tandem-fed patch antennas to achieve a dual-peak beam, which results in a large horizontal dimension, making horizontal arraying difficult and prone to grating lobes, leading to angular ambiguity.

[0109] This application provides an antenna device, radar, detection device, and terminal that can be applied to intelligent driving, assisted driving, or autonomous driving. The antenna device includes at least one patch sub-unit. By utilizing at least two branches of different lengths in the patch sub-unit, it can achieve a horizontal single-peak beam with the radiation direction in the normal direction and a horizontal double-peak beam with the radiation direction on both sides of the normal direction in different frequency bands. It is suitable for multi-scenario applications of vehicle-mounted millimeter-wave radar and is simple to implement.

[0110] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an antenna device 200 provided in this application.

[0111] It should be understood that the antenna device provided in this application embodiment can be applied to the 77GHz millimeter wave field or the 24GHz millimeter wave field. For the sake of brevity, this application only uses the application of the antenna device to 77GHz as an example for illustration. Adjustments can be made in actual applications, and this application does not limit the application scenarios of the antenna device provided in the embodiments. This application does not limit the application scenarios of the antenna device provided in the embodiments, and adjustments can be made according to actual needs (e.g., vehicle-mounted millimeter wave radar or roadside millimeter wave radar).

[0112] like Figure 6 As shown, the antenna device 200 may include a first antenna array 201, the first antenna array 201 may include at least one antenna element 202, and the at least one antenna element 202 may include a first antenna element 210.

[0113] It should be understood that the working principle of an antenna array can be viewed as the superposition of electromagnetic waves radiated by each antenna element within the array. For multiple electromagnetic waves, when they propagate to the same area, according to the principle of superposition, the electromagnetic waves will produce vector superposition. Therefore, the number of antenna elements 202 included in the first antenna array 201 can be adjusted as needed to adjust the radiation characteristics of the first antenna array 201 (e.g., detection angle, detection distance, etc.).

[0114] like Figure 7As shown in (a), the first antenna element 210 may include a first patch sub-unit 220 and a first feed sub-unit 230. The first feed sub-unit 230 is connected to the first patch sub-unit 220 and is used to feed an electrical signal to the first patch sub-unit 220 to generate a radiation beam. The first patch sub-unit 220 includes at least two stubs in a first direction, including a first stub 221 and a second stub 222. The length L1 of the first stub 221 in a second direction is less than the length L2 of the second stub 222 in the second direction, and the first stub 221 and the second stub 222 may partially overlap. The first direction can be the extension direction of the first feeder sub-unit 230, the length direction of the first feeder sub-unit 230, or the width direction of the first branch 221 or the second branch 222. The second direction can be perpendicular to the first direction. For example, it can be the width direction of the first feeder sub-unit 230, or the length direction of the first branch 221 or the second branch 222.

[0115] It should be understood that during the fabrication process, the multiple branches in the first patch subunit 220 can be integrally formed or formed by combining multiple patch units. Meanwhile, the length of the first branch 221 in the second direction can be understood as the distance between the two points furthest apart in the second direction within the first branch 221, and the length of the second branch 222 in the second direction can be understood accordingly.

[0116] In one embodiment, the first branch 221 and the second branch 222 in the second direction are aligned (overlapping) with the first central axis in the second direction, or the first central axis and the second central axis may not be aligned (not overlapping), which can be adjusted according to actual design or production requirements, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this. The lengths of the first branches 221 on both sides of the first central axis are the same, and the lengths of the second branches on both sides of the second central axis are the same.

[0117] In the technical solution provided in the embodiments of this application, the first feeder subunit 230 feeds electrical signals into the first patch subunit 220. Since the length of the first branch 221 in the second direction is different from the length of the second branch 222 in the second direction, the first antenna unit 210 can generate different resonance modes. Furthermore, since the different resonance modes can enable the first antenna unit 210 to radiate different radiation beams, it can meet the different functional requirements of millimeter-wave radar. The technology provided in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other devices. For example, the antenna device can be applied to electronic devices, and this application does not limit this.

[0118] When the first antenna element 210 radiates a signal in the first frequency band, it has one direction of radiation (the direction in which the maximum value of the radiated beam points), and can radiate a horizontal single-peak beam. When the first antenna element 210 radiates a signal in the second frequency band, it has two directions of radiation, and can radiate a horizontal double-peak beam, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band are different.

[0119] The first antenna element 210 has its third direction defined by the direction of the radiated signal in the first frequency band. The direction perpendicular to the plane containing the first patch sub-unit 220 is the normal direction of the first antenna element 210. When the antenna device is installed at the four corners of the vehicle body and used as a corner radar, its detection angles include... Figure 2 Direction 3 shown can be used to detect targets at a 45° angle to the left rear of the vehicle body, and can be applied to scenario 3 described above, such as in PA and other functional scenarios. The first antenna unit 210 is located on both sides of the third direction with the direction of radiating the signal in the second frequency band (the fourth direction and the fifth direction), and its detection angle can include Figure 2 Directions 1 and 2 shown can be used to detect targets on the left side of the vehicle and targets behind the vehicle, respectively, and can be applied to scenarios 1 and 2 described above, such as BSD, LCA, or DOW functional scenarios and RCTA functional scenarios. The third, fourth, and fifth directions can be located in the same plane, which can be defined as a horizontal plane (e.g., the horizontal plane can be a plane composed of the second and third directions) to achieve detection at different angles within the same plane. Therefore, the antenna device provided in this application embodiment can achieve detection using a horizontal single-peak normal beam radiated in the first frequency band and a horizontal double-peak beam radiated in the second frequency band. Figure 2 The coverage of multiple scenarios shown, such as Figure 8 As shown. A horizontal single-peak beam can be understood as the direction in which the first antenna element 210 radiates a single signal within the plane formed by the second direction and the third direction, while a horizontal double-peak beam can be understood as the direction in which the first antenna element 210 radiates two signals within the plane formed by the second direction and the third direction.

[0120] In one embodiment, the first patch subunit 220 may include two first branches 221, which may be located on both sides of the second branch 222, thereby increasing the symmetry of the first patch subunit 220 in the second direction, such as... Figure 7 As shown in (b) above. It should be understood that as the symmetry of the first patch sub-unit 220 increases, the radiation characteristics of the first antenna unit 210 also become better.

[0121] In one embodiment, the first patch subunit 220 may further include a third branch 223, wherein the length L3 of the third branch 223 in the second direction is greater than the length L1 of the first branch 221 in the second direction and less than the length L2 of the second branch 222 in the second direction. Figure 9 As shown. The third branch 223 can be used to adjust the impedance of the first patch sub-unit 220 during radiation, thereby adjusting the radiation characteristics of the first antenna unit 210 (e.g., the frequency of the resonant point of the first antenna unit 210, the angular domain width of the detection of the first antenna unit 210).

[0122] In one embodiment, the central axis of the first branch 221 in the first direction, the central axis of the second branch 222 in the first direction, and / or the central axis of the third branch 223 in the first direction may be parallel to the second direction. Alternatively, the extension direction of the first branch 221 (e.g., the length direction or the width direction), the extension direction of the second branch 222, and / or the extension direction of the third branch 223 may be parallel to the second direction.

[0123] First, by Figures 10 to 14 This section will introduce the antenna modes involved in this application. Among them, Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the equivalent magnetic current distribution of a patch antenna provided in this application. Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the current distribution of the patch antenna in TM10 mode provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 12 yes Figure 11 The radiation pattern corresponding to the TM10 mode is shown. Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the current distribution of the patch antenna in TM10 mode provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 14 yes Figure 13 The radiation pattern corresponding to the TM20 mode is shown.

[0124] like Figure 10 The diagram shows the equivalent magnetic flux distribution of several different transverse magnetic modes (TM) of a patch antenna. The radiation pattern and polarization of the patch antenna can be predicted based on the equivalent magnetic flux distribution diagram. The TM mode can be understood as the radiation generated by the patch antenna having an electric field component but no magnetic field component in the propagation direction.

[0125] For different TM modes, the equivalent magnetic current distribution follows the following rules: (1) In the TMmn mode, the equivalent magnetic current has m zeros along the x-axis (since the distribution of the equivalent magnetic current is similar to a sinusoidal distribution, the equivalent magnetic currents on both sides of the zeros are opposite, so the point of reversal of the equivalent magnetic current is the zero), and n zeros along the y-axis.

[0126] (2) The distance between adjacent zeros along the same direction is When there is only one zero point in this direction, the length of the patch in this direction is ,in, The resonant wavelength of the patch antenna can be understood as the wavelength corresponding to the resonant point generated by the patch antenna, or the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the operating frequency band of the patch antenna.

[0127] For example, such as Figure 10 Figure (a) shows a schematic diagram of the equivalent magnetic current distribution of the patch antenna in TM01 mode. The patch antenna has a zero point in the y-axis direction; therefore, the electric length of the patch antenna in the y-axis direction is... .like Figure 10 Figure (b) shows a schematic diagram of the equivalent magnetic current distribution of the patch antenna in TM10 mode. The patch antenna has a zero point in the x-axis direction; therefore, the electrical length of the patch antenna in the x-axis direction is... .like Figure 10 Figure (c) shows a schematic diagram of the equivalent magnetic current distribution of the patch antenna in TM11 mode. The patch antenna has a zero point in both the x-axis and y-axis directions; therefore, the electrical lengths of the patch antenna in the x-axis and y-axis directions are... .like Figure 10 Figure (d) shows a schematic diagram of the equivalent magnetic current distribution of the patch antenna in TM02 mode. The patch antenna has two zeros in the y-axis direction; therefore, the electrical length of the patch antenna in the y-axis direction is... .

[0128] Electrical length can be expressed as the ratio of physical length (i.e., mechanical length or geometric length) multiplied by the time it takes for an electrical or electromagnetic signal to travel in a medium to the time required for that signal to travel a distance in free space equal to the physical length of the medium. Electrical length can be expressed by the following formula: ; Where L is the physical length, a is the transmission time of the electrical or electromagnetic signal in the medium, and b is the transmission time in free space.

[0129] Alternatively, electrical length can also refer to the ratio of physical length (i.e., mechanical length or geometric length) to the wavelength of the transmitted electromagnetic wave, and electrical length can satisfy the following formula: ; Where L is the physical length. The wavelength of the electromagnetic wave.

[0130] like Figure 11As shown, in TM10 mode, the current in the patch antenna flows along the y-direction. In this case, corresponding to vertical polarization, the patch antenna has only one direction of radiating signal, and its main polarization direction is the normal (perpendicular to the plane where the patch antenna is located), which can radiate a horizontal single-peak beam, such as... Figure 12 As shown.

[0131] like Figure 13 As shown, in TM20 mode, the current in the patch antenna is symmetrical along the y-direction on both sides of the feed line's extension direction (length direction). In this case, corresponding to horizontal polarization, and with the patch antenna having two radiating signal directions, its dominant polarization direction is located on both sides of the normal (perpendicular to the plane where the patch antenna is located), it can radiate a horizontal double-peak beam at ±45° to the normal, as shown. Figure 14 As shown.

[0132] In one embodiment, the length L1 of the first branch 221 in the second direction can be between 0.35 and 0.65 times the first wavelength (0.35λ). L1 0.65λ), the first wavelength λ is the operating wavelength of the antenna device 200. Here, the first wavelength can be understood as the wavelength corresponding to the resonant point generated by the first antenna element 210 in the antenna device 200, or the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the operating frequency band of the first antenna element 210. The first stub 221 can be used to enable the first antenna element 210 to operate in TM10 mode at the first frequency, thereby generating a radiation beam with the radiation direction in the normal direction.

[0133] In one embodiment, the length L2 of the second branch 222 in the second direction can be between 0.7 and 1.3 times the first wavelength (0.7λ). L2 1.3λ). The second stub 222 can be used to enable the first antenna element 210 to operate in TM20 mode at the second frequency, thereby generating two radiation beams with radiation directions on both sides of the normal.

[0134] In one embodiment, the length L3 of the third branch 223 in the second direction can be between 0.525 and 1.125 times the first wavelength (0.525λ). L3 1.125λ).

[0135] In one embodiment, the length L4 of the first antenna element 220 in the first direction can be between 0.5 and 1.5 first wavelengths (0.5λ). L4 1.5λ).

[0136] It should be understood that the radiation characteristics of the first antenna element 210 can be adjusted by adjusting the length L1 of the first branch 221 in the second direction, the length L2 of the second branch 222 in the second direction, the length L3 of the third branch 223 in the second direction, and / or the length L4 of the first patch sub-unit 220 in the first direction. The above parameters can be adjusted according to actual production or design needs to meet the detection requirements.

[0137] In one embodiment, the radiation characteristics of the first antenna element 210 can also be changed by adjusting the length and width of the first feed sub-unit 230. For example, changing the length of the first feed sub-unit 230 can change the phase of the electrical signal fed into the first patch sub-unit 220, and changing the width of the first feed sub-unit 230 can change the impedance of the first feed sub-unit 230. It should be understood that when the first antenna array 201 includes multiple antenna elements 202, the phase of the electrical signal fed into the patch sub-unit of each antenna element 202 can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the feed sub-unit within each antenna element 202, so that the radiation beams generated by the multiple antenna elements 202 in the first antenna array 201 are superimposed, avoiding mutual cancellation of the radiation beams generated by the multiple antenna elements 202 and weakening the radiation characteristics of the antenna device 200. Furthermore, the detection angle or detection distance of the first antenna array 201 can be controlled.

[0138] Alternatively, in one embodiment, the antenna device 200 may further include at least one matching module 270. The matching module may be disposed on a feed sub-unit in the antenna element 202, and is used to adjust the phase of the electrical signal fed into the patch sub-unit in the antenna element 202, so that the radiation beams generated by the multiple antenna elements 202 in the first antenna array 201 are superimposed, avoiding mutual cancellation of the radiation beams generated by the multiple antenna elements 202 and weakening the radiation characteristics of the antenna device 200. In one embodiment, the matching module 270 may be a capacitor or an inductor, or it may be a circuit network composed of capacitors or inductors; this application is not limited in this regard. Furthermore, when the antenna device 200 includes multiple feed sub-units, the matching module 270 disposed on each feed sub-unit may be different.

[0139] In one embodiment, the first patch subunit 220 may further include a fourth stub, the length of which in the second direction is greater than the length L2 of the second stub 222 in the second direction. The length of the fourth stub in the second direction may be between 1.2 and 1.8 wavelengths of the first wavelength. The fourth stub can be used to enable the first antenna unit 210 to operate in TM30 mode when radiating at the third frequency, thereby generating three directions of radiated signals, the radiation pattern of which is shown below. Figure 15 As shown, it can be applied to different detection scenarios.

[0140] In one embodiment, the antenna device 200 may further include a PCB 240. A first antenna element 220 may be disposed on the surface of the PCB 240 to form a PCB antenna. It should be understood that the PCB 240 may be a Rogers dielectric substrate, or a hybrid substrate of Rogers and FR-4, etc. Typical PCB antennas offer advantages such as low cost, ease of fabrication, and ease of integration.

[0141] In one embodiment, the first antenna array 201 may include a plurality of antenna elements 202, each of which has the same structure, such as... Figure 6 As shown, multiple antenna elements 202 are connected sequentially in a first direction to form a first antenna array 201. It should be understood that this embodiment only illustrates the example of the first antenna array 201 including three antenna elements 202. In actual applications, the number of antenna elements included in the first antenna array 201 can be adjusted according to design or actual needs to meet the detection requirements, and this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0142] In one embodiment, the distance L5 between any two adjacent patch sub-units of the multiple antenna elements 202 is 0.5 × N first wavelengths, where N is a positive integer. That is, the length of the feed sub-unit in the antenna element 202 is 0.5 × N first wavelengths. For the sake of brevity, this embodiment uses the distance L5 between any two adjacent patch sub-units of the multiple antenna elements 202 as the first wavelength. This can be adjusted according to actual production or design needs to avoid grating lobes in the radiation generated by the antenna array composed of multiple antenna elements 202, which would cause the antenna device to measure the target position in a blurred manner.

[0143] In one embodiment, the antenna device 200 may further include a feeding unit 250, which can be electrically connected to the feed sub-unit of the antenna element 202 adjacent to the feeding unit 250 to feed the first antenna array 201. Furthermore, since the multiple antenna elements 202 in the first antenna array 201 are fed in a series-feed manner, the feeding method is simple, the space occupied by the array is small, which is beneficial for the miniaturization of the antenna array.

[0144] In one embodiment, the feeding unit 250 may be a different radio frequency channel in the radio frequency chip disposed inside the antenna device 200.

[0145] Figures 16 to 19 yes Figure 12 The simulation results of the first antenna element are shown in the figure. Among them, Figure 16 yes Figure 12 The simulation diagram of the S-parameters of the first antenna element is shown. Figure 17 yes Figure 9 The diagram shows the current distribution when the first antenna element generates a horizontal single-peak beam. Figure 18 yes Figure 9 The diagram shows the current distribution when the first antenna element generates a horizontal double-peak beam. Figure 19 yes Figure 9 The radiation pattern of the first antenna element shown is in the horizontal plane. The horizontal radiation pattern can be understood as the radiation pattern of the first antenna element in the plane formed by the second direction and a third direction perpendicular to the plane where the first antenna element is located.

[0146] like Figure 16 As shown, the first antenna element can generate two resonant points in the 60GHz to 100GHz frequency band, namely 76GHz and 81GHz, which can correspond to the first and second frequency bands mentioned above.

[0147] like Figure 17 As shown, when the first antenna element radiates at 76 GHz (first frequency band), the horizontal single-peak radiating stub, mainly composed of the first stub and part of the second stub, generates the radiated beam. In this case, the current on the first stub and part of the second stub flows along the first direction, which is the TM10 mode. In this mode, the electromagnetic wave radiated by the first antenna element is vertically polarized, and the generated radiated beam has only one radiating direction, which is the normal direction. The generated radiated beam is a horizontal single-peak beam, as shown. Figure 19 As shown.

[0148] like Figure 18 As shown, when the first antenna element radiates at 81 GHz (second frequency band), the radiation beam is mainly generated by the second stub as a horizontal double-peak radiating stub. In this case, the current on the second stub is symmetrical in the second direction along the first direction, which is the TM20 mode. In this mode, the electromagnetic wave radiated by the first antenna element is horizontally polarized, and the generated radiation beam has two radiation directions, located on opposite sides of the normal, resulting in a horizontal double-peak beam with an angle of ±45° to the normal. Figure 19 As shown.

[0149] Figures 20 to 22 yes Figure 6 The simulation results of the first antenna array are shown in the figure. Among them, Figure 20 yes Figure 6 The radiation patterns of the antenna elements in the first antenna array shown are displayed on the horizontal plane in the first and second frequency bands. Figure 20 yes Figure 6 The radiation pattern of the antenna elements in the first antenna array shown is in the vertical plane of the first frequency band. Figure 22 yes Figure 6 The radiation pattern of the antenna elements in the vertical plane of the first antenna array shown is in the second frequency band.

[0150] The horizontal radiation pattern can be understood as the radiation pattern of the antenna elements in the first antenna array within the plane formed by the second direction and a third direction perpendicular to the plane where the antenna elements are located.

[0151] like Figure 20 As shown, the antenna elements in the first antenna array can radiate horizontal single-peak beams and horizontal double-peak beams in the first and second frequency bands, which can cover the scenarios 1, 2 and 3 mentioned above.

[0152] like Figure 21 and Figure 22 As shown, when the antenna elements in the first antenna array radiate in the first and second frequency bands, their sidelobes are ≥14dBc in the vertical plane, exhibiting good radiation performance in the direction of the radiated signal, thus enabling accurate target detection.

[0153] Figure 23 and Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram of another patch sub-unit provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0154] It should be understood that the multiple branches included in the patch subunit do not necessarily have to be rectangular; they can also be other regular shapes, such as circles, ellipses, rhombuses, etc., or they can be irregular shapes. This application does not impose any limitations on this. For example, a patch subunit can be viewed as being composed of multiple superimposed shapes, such as... Figure 23 and Figure 24 As shown, each of the multiple branches can be roughly circular, and the edges of the branches can be composed of straight line segments and arcs.

[0155] Alternatively, it can be understood as the edge shape of each branch in a multi-branch configuration being a line segment, arc, irregular serration, or irregular arc forming an angle A with the first direction, where A is between 0° and 180°. Figure 24 As shown. This embodiment only provides some examples and does not limit the specific shape of the branches.

[0156] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0157] like Figure 25 As shown, the antenna device comprises four identical antenna arrays. It should be understood that in practical applications, the number of antenna arrays in the antenna device can be adjusted according to design or actual needs to meet detection requirements, and this application does not impose any limitations in this regard.

[0158] Figure 26This application provides a method for manufacturing an antenna device.

[0159] like Figure 26 As shown, the method may include: S310, etching a first antenna array on a first metal layer.

[0160] The first antenna array includes at least one antenna element, which includes a first antenna element, which includes a first patch sub-element and a first feed line sub-element. The first patch sub-element includes at least two stubs in a first direction, which include a first stub and a second stub. The length of the first stub in a second direction is less than the length of the second stub in the second direction.

[0161] In one embodiment, the first patch subunit may sequentially include at least two branches in a first direction. This may be an integrally formed structure created by etching the first metal layer, or a combination structure of multiple metal patches created by etching the first metal layer multiple times.

[0162] S320, bonding the first antenna array to the first surface of the first dielectric layer.

[0163] S330, the second surface of the first dielectric layer is bonded to the first surface of the first ground layer, and the antenna device is grounded through the first ground layer.

[0164] In one embodiment, the first antenna element takes the direction of the radiated signal of the first frequency band as the third direction, and the third direction is the normal of the first antenna element; the first antenna element takes the direction of the radiated signal of the second frequency band as the fourth and fifth directions, and the fourth and fifth directions are located on both sides of the third direction; the first frequency band and the second frequency band are different.

[0165] In one embodiment, the first antenna element radiates a horizontal single-peak beam in a first frequency band; the first antenna element radiates a horizontal double-peak beam in a second frequency band; the first frequency band and the second frequency band are different.

[0166] In one embodiment, the current on the first branch flows in a first direction.

[0167] In one embodiment, the component of the current in the second branch in the second direction is symmetrical about the first direction; for example, the component of the current in the second branch in the second direction is symmetrical about the central axis of the second branch in the first direction.

[0168] In one embodiment, at least two branches include a first branch, a second branch, and a third branch, wherein the length of the third branch in the second direction is greater than the length of the first branch in the second direction and less than the length of the second branch in the second direction.

[0169] In one embodiment, the length of the first branch in the second direction is between 0.35 and 0.65 first wavelengths (0.35λ). L1 0.65λ), the first wavelength is the operating wavelength of the antenna device.

[0170] In one embodiment, the length of the second branch in the second direction is between 0.7 and 1.3 wavelengths of the first wavelength (0.7λ). L2 1.3λ), the first wavelength is the operating wavelength of the antenna device.

[0171] In one embodiment, the length of the third branch in the second direction is between 0.525 and 1.125 times the first wavelength (0.525λ). L3 1.125λ).

[0172] In one embodiment, the length of the first patch subunit in the first direction is between 0.5 and 1.5 first wavelengths (0.5λ). L4 1.5λ).

[0173] In one embodiment, the first stub is used to generate a horizontal single-peak beam, and / or the second stub is used to generate a horizontal double-peak beam.

[0174] In one embodiment, the shape of the first, second, or third branch is rectangular, oval, circular, rhomboid, square, or trapezoidal.

[0175] In one embodiment, the edge shape of the first branch, the second branch, or the third branch is a line segment, an arc, an irregular serrated shape, or an irregular arc with an angle A with the first direction, where A is 0°-180°.

[0176] In one embodiment, at least one antenna element further includes a second antenna element, which has the same structure as the first antenna element; the first antenna element and the second antenna element are connected in a first direction.

[0177] In one embodiment, the distance between the first antenna element and the second antenna element in the first direction is 0.5 × N first wavelengths, where N is a positive integer.

[0178] In one embodiment, the central axis of the first branch in the first direction, the central axis of the second branch in the first direction, and / or the central axis of the third branch in the first direction are parallel to the second direction.

[0179] In one embodiment, the antenna device further includes a second antenna array, which has the same structure as the first antenna array.

[0180] This application also provides a detection device, which includes the antenna device described above.

[0181] This application also provides a radar, which includes the antenna device described above. Furthermore, the radar also includes a control chip connected to the antenna device. The control chip is used to control the antenna device to transmit or receive signals.

[0182] This application embodiment also provides a terminal, which includes the radar described above. Further, the terminal can be a vehicle, such as intelligent transportation equipment (vehicle or drone), smart home equipment, intelligent manufacturing equipment, surveying equipment, or a robot. The intelligent transportation equipment can be, for example, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) or an unmanned transport vehicle. The terminal can also be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, terminal in industrial control, terminal in self-driving, terminal in remote medical care, terminal in a smart grid, terminal in transportation safety, terminal in a smart city, terminal in a smart home, etc.

[0183] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0184] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0185] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An antenna device, characterized in that, include: First antenna array; The first antenna array includes at least one antenna element, the at least one antenna element including a first antenna element, the first antenna element including a first patch sub-unit and a first feed sub-unit; the first feed sub-unit is connected to the first patch element, and the first feed sub-unit is used to feed electrical signals to the first patch element; The first patch subunit includes at least two branches in a first direction, the at least two branches including a first branch and a second branch, and the length of the first branch in the second direction is less than the length of the second branch in the second direction.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first antenna element takes the direction of the radiated signal in the first frequency band as the third direction, and the third direction is the normal of the first antenna element; The first antenna element radiates signals in the second frequency band in the fourth and fifth directions, respectively, with the fourth and fifth directions located on either side of the third direction. The first frequency band and the second frequency band are different.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first antenna element radiates a horizontal single-peak beam in the first frequency band; The first antenna element radiates a horizontal double-peak beam in the second frequency band; The first frequency band and the second frequency band are different.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The current on the first branch flows in the first direction.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The component of the current in the second branch in the second direction is symmetrical about the first direction.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The at least two branches include the first branch, the second branch, and the third branch, wherein the length of the third branch in the second direction is greater than the length of the first branch in the second direction and less than the length of the second branch in the second direction.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The length of the first branch in the second direction is L1, 0.35λ. L1 0.65λ, where λ is the operating wavelength of the antenna device.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The length of the second branch in the second direction is L2, 0.7λ. L2 1.3λ, where λ is the operating wavelength of the antenna device.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, The length of the third branch in the second direction is L3, 0.525λ. L3 1.125λ.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The length of the first patch subunit in the first direction is L4, 0.5λ. L4 1.5λ.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The first stub is used to generate a horizontal single-peak beam, and / or, The second stub is used to generate a horizontal bi-peak beam.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The shape of the first branch, the second branch, or the third branch is rectangular, oval, circular, rhomboid, square, or trapezoidal.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The edge shape of the first branch, the second branch, or the third branch is a line segment, an arc, an irregular serrated shape, or an irregular arc with an angle A with the first direction, wherein A is 0°-180°.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The at least one antenna element further includes a second antenna element, the second antenna element having the same structure as the first antenna element; The first antenna element and the second antenna element are connected in a first direction.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The distance between the first antenna element and the second antenna element in the first direction is 0.5 × N first wavelengths, where N is a positive integer.

16. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The first branch, the second branch, and / or the third branch are parallel to the second direction along their central axis in the first direction.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that, The antenna device further includes a second antenna array, which has the same structure as the first antenna array.

18. A method for manufacturing an antenna device, characterized in that, include: The first antenna array is etched onto the first metal layer; The first antenna array includes at least one antenna element, the at least one antenna element includes a first antenna element, the first antenna element includes a first patch sub-unit and a first feed sub-unit; The first patch subunit includes at least two branches in a first direction, the at least two branches including a first branch and a second branch, and the length of the first branch in the second direction is less than the length of the second branch in the second direction; The first antenna array is bonded to the first surface of the first dielectric layer; The second surface of the first dielectric layer is bonded to the first surface of the first ground layer, and the antenna device is grounded through the first ground layer.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The first antenna element takes the direction of the radiated signal in the first frequency band as the third direction, and the third direction is the normal of the first antenna element; The first antenna element radiates signals in the second frequency band in the fourth and fifth directions, respectively, with the fourth and fifth directions located on either side of the third direction. The first frequency band and the second frequency band are different.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The first antenna element radiates a horizontal single-peak beam in the first frequency band; The first antenna element radiates a horizontal double-peak beam in the second frequency band; The first frequency band and the second frequency band are different.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The current on the first branch flows in the first direction.

22. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The component of the current in the second branch in the second direction is symmetrical about the first direction.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that, The at least two branches include a first branch, a second branch, and a third branch, wherein the length of the third branch in the second direction is greater than the length of the first branch in the second direction and less than the length of the second branch in the second direction.

24. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 23, characterized in that, The length of the first branch in the second direction is L1, 0.35λ. L1 0.65λ, where λ is the operating wavelength of the antenna device.

25. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 24, characterized in that, The length of the second branch in the second direction is L2, 0.7λ. L2 1.3λ, where λ is the operating wavelength of the antenna device.

26. The method according to any one of claims 23-25, characterized in that, The length of the third branch in the second direction is L3, 0.525λ. L3 1.125λ.

27. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 26, characterized in that, The length of the first patch subunit in the first direction is L4, 0.5λ. L4 1.5λ.

28. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 27, characterized in that, The first stub is used to generate a horizontal single-peak beam, and / or, The second stub is used to generate a horizontal bi-peak beam.

29. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 28, characterized in that, The shape of the first branch, the second branch, or the third branch is rectangular, oval, circular, rhomboid, square, or trapezoidal.

30. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 29, characterized in that, The edge shape of the first branch, the second branch, or the third branch is a line segment, an arc, an irregular serrated shape, or an irregular arc with an angle A with the first direction, wherein A is 0°-180°.

31. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 30, characterized in that, The at least one antenna element further includes a second antenna element, the second antenna element having the same structure as the first antenna element; The first antenna element and the second antenna element are connected in a first direction.

32. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 31, characterized in that, The distance between the first antenna element and the second antenna element in the first direction is 0.5 × N first wavelengths, where N is a positive integer.

33. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The first branch, the second branch, and / or the third branch are parallel to the second direction along their central axis in the first direction.

34. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 33, characterized in that, The antenna device further includes a second antenna array, which has the same structure as the first antenna array.

35. A radar, characterized in that, The radar includes an antenna device as described in any one of claims 1 to 17.

36. The radar according to claim 35, characterized in that, The radar also includes a control chip, which is connected to the antenna device and is used to control the antenna device to transmit or receive signals.

37. A detection device, characterized in that, The detection device includes an antenna device as described in any one of claims 1 to 17.

38. A terminal, characterized in that, The terminal includes the radar as described in claim 35 or 36.

39. The terminal according to claim 38, characterized in that, The terminal is a vehicle.

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