Signal transmission device comprising a plurality of rothman lenses

Abstract

The signal transmission device includes: an antenna section having a plurality of patch antennas; a first signal line electrically connected to each of the plurality of patch antennas for operation with a first polarization; and a second signal line electrically connected to each of the plurality of patch antennas for operation with a second polarization. The signal transmission length of the second signal line can be configured to be 1 / 4 of the wavelength (λg) longer than the signal transmission length of the first signal line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to a signal transmission device that radiates multi-polarized signals. Specific embodiments involve signal transmission devices comprising multiple Rotman lenses. Background Technology

[0002] Phased array antennas can adjust the beam pointing direction by electronically controlling the phase of radio waves on a component-by-component basis. In this case, phase control of the radio waves is applied to the phase shifter at the radio frequency (RF) end. However, such phase shifters increase the weight, size, and cost of the phased array antenna.

[0003] Furthermore, phased array antennas need to achieve polarization conversion such as vertical polarization, horizontal polarization, or circular polarization. In this regard, the Rotman lens is a passive beamforming network based on the principles of optical lenses. Designed so that signals in all radio wave paths passing through the Rotman lens have the same amplitude and phase, it can be used as a phase control element for synthesizing the beam after being transmitted to the array antenna.

[0004] Depending on the selection of the beam port, which serves as the signal input section of the Rotman lens, the wavefront transmitted to the array port, which serves as the signal output section, can be changed. As the wavefront changes, phase control of the array antenna can be achieved, thus giving the antenna beam pointing characteristics without the need for an additional phase controller.

[0005] However, when designing a Rotman lens, the radiation performance (directivity, beamwidth, polarization, etc.) of the array antenna is pre-selected to determine the lens shape that matches it. This requires a precise definition of the antenna's radiation characteristics, especially since the signal transmitted to the Rotman lens's output section has a sequential phase gradient. Therefore, it presents a challenge in achieving beamforming with more than two polarization characteristics. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical problems to be solved

[0007] The purpose of this specification is to provide a signal transmission device for radiating multi-polarized signals.

[0008] The purpose of this specification is to provide a signal transmission device that radiates multi-polarized signals in the millimeter wave or higher frequency bands.

[0009] The purpose of this specification is to provide a signal transmission device that can synthesize beams with two or more polarization characteristics and radiate multi-polarization signals.

[0010] The purpose of this specification is to provide beamforming in a one-axis direction in a signal transmission device that can synthesize beams with two or more polarization characteristics and radiate multi-polarized signals.

[0011] The purpose of this specification is to provide a method for forming multi-beams in a signal transmission device that can synthesize beams with two or more polarization characteristics and radiate multi-polarization signals.

[0012] means of solving technical problems

[0013] To achieve the above-mentioned or other objectives, the signal transmission device including multiple Rotman lenses according to the embodiments may include: an antenna section having multiple patch antennas; a first signal line electrically connected to each of the multiple patch antennas for operation with a first polarization; and a second signal line electrically connected to each of the multiple patch antennas for operation with a second polarization. The signal transmission length of the second signal line may be configured to be 1 / 4 the length of the wavelength λg longer than the signal transmission length of the first signal line.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the first signal line may be composed of a first input line connected to the modulation and demodulation unit, a first output line connected to the antenna unit, and a first Rotman lens disposed between the first input line and the first output line. The second signal line may be composed of a second input line connected to the modulation and demodulation unit, a second output line connected to the antenna unit, and a second Rotman lens disposed between the second input line and the second output line.

[0015] According to an embodiment, one side and the other side of the first Rotman lens can be connected to the first input line and the first output line. One side and the other side of the second Rotman lens can be connected to the second output line and the second input line. The second Rotman lens can form a symmetrical structure with respect to the vertical axis of the substrate and the first Rotman lens.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the first input line may include a first port to a fifth port connected to one side of the first Rotman lens. The second input line may include a sixth port to a tenth port connected to the other side of the second Rotman lens. The modulation and demodulation unit can control the input signal port to any one of the first port to the fifth port, thereby enabling beamforming of the first polarized signal; and can control the input signal port to any one of the sixth port to the tenth port, thereby enabling beamforming of the second polarized signal.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the modulation and demodulation unit can control the selection of any one pair from the first pair of the first port, the sixth to fifth ports, and the tenth port among the multiple ports input to the signal. By controlling the change of any one of the selected pairs of ports, beamforming is achieved for the circularly polarized signal.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the plurality of patch antennas may include a first patch antenna to an eighth patch antenna. The first output line may include a first port to an eighth port configured to apply a signal with a first polarization to the first patch antenna to the eighth patch antenna. The second output line may include a ninth port to a sixteenth port configured to apply a signal with a second polarization to the first patch antenna to the eighth patch antenna.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the plurality of patch antennas may include a first patch antenna to an eighth patch antenna configured as a two-dimensional structure. Each of the first patch antenna to the eighth patch antenna may include a plurality of patch antenna elements separately configured in a first axial direction.

[0020] Invention Effects

[0021] The technical effects of the signal transmission device comprising multiple Rotman lenses according to this specification will be described below.

[0022] According to an embodiment, a beam pattern of vertical polarization / horizontal polarization / circular polarization can be formed by a signal transmission device that radiates multi-polarization signals.

[0023] According to the embodiments, by implementing a signal generation network based on a Rotman lens, a beam-switching solution with variable vertical / horizontal / circular polarization can be proposed, and the aforementioned Rotman lens can impart two or more polarization characteristics to the array antenna.

[0024] According to the embodiments, a signal transmission device is capable of radiating vertically polarized / horizontally polarized / circularly polarized variable multi-polarization signals in millimeter wave or higher frequency bands.

[0025] According to the embodiments, the array antenna can be shared so that signals can be supplied to the array antenna individually or interactively using a multi-signal generation network based on a Dorotmann lens that can apply vertically or horizontally polarized signals. Thus, signals can be selectively applied according to the polarization characteristics of the radiation, thereby achieving vertical polarization / horizontal polarization / circular polarization.

[0026] According to the embodiments, selective beam pointing for vertical polarization / horizontal polarization / circular polarization can be achieved, and radiation performance such as beam pointing / beam forming / beam broadening can be controlled.

[0027] According to the embodiments, the antenna radiation performance of the multi-beam generation mode is improved by using a Rotman lens, thereby improving the multi-beam operation characteristics that cannot be achieved by a single Rotman lens, Butler matrix, or other beamformers.

[0028] According to an embodiment, in a signal transmission device capable of synthesizing beams with two or more polarization characteristics and radiating multi-polarized signals, beamforming can be provided in a uniaxial direction by changing the ports of multiple input lines connected to a Rotman lens.

[0029] According to an embodiment, in a signal transmission device capable of synthesizing beams with two or more polarization characteristics and radiating multi-polarization signals, when forming multi-beams, signals are applied to multiple ports in different regions, thereby reducing mutual interference between the multi-beams.

[0030] The following detailed description will make it clear what other scopes of this specification apply. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand the various changes and modifications that can be made within the spirit and scope of this specification, and therefore the detailed description and specific embodiments, such as preferred embodiments, should be considered exemplary. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 The structure of a module comprising multiple components, namely an array antenna module, is shown according to this specification.

[0032] Figure 2 The present specification illustrates the structure of a reflective RIS and a structure implemented through a RIS.

[0033] Figure 3a as well as Figure 3b Multiple beams formed in an array antenna based on an optical signal path, according to this specification, are shown.

[0034] Figure 4 A signal transmission device comprising multiple Rotman lenses according to this specification is shown.

[0035] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of the first Rotman lens and the first output line of the signal transmission device.

[0036] Figure 6 yes Figure 4A comparison diagram of multiple first output lines and multiple second output lines of a signal transmission device.

[0037] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of multiple patch antennas adjacent to the antenna section, the port of the first input line, and multiple dummy ports.

[0038] Figure 8 Multiple output lines of a signal transmission device, which are formed in a straight or curved structure, are shown.

[0039] Figure 9 It shows Figure 8 The phase value of each frequency in the multiple output lines according to the slope angle of the curve.

[0040] Figure 10 It shows Figure 4 The beam pattern of the antenna section of the signal transmission device.

[0041] Figure 11 This specification illustrates a signal transmission device comprising a structure of multiple Rotman lenses and a two-dimensional array antenna, according to the present specification.

[0042] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A magnified view of a local area of ​​a two-dimensional array antenna.

[0043] Figure 13 as well as Figure 14 It shows in Figure 11 Multiple beam patterns and axial ratios when a signal is applied to the first input line or the third or eighth port of the second input line of the signal transmission device.

[0044] Figure 15 It shows in Figure 11 Multiple beam patterns when signals are simultaneously applied to the first input line, the third port of the second input line, and the eighth port of the signal transmission device.

[0045] Figure 16 It shows in Figure 11 The gain of each port of the first input line when a signal is applied, as well as the beam pointing angle and multiple beam patterns.

[0046] Figure 17 It shows in Figure 11 The gain, beam pointing angle, and multiple beam patterns when signals are applied to each port of the second input line.

[0047] Figure 18 It shows in Figure 11 The gain, beam pointing angle, and multiple beam patterns when signals are applied to each port of the first and second input lines.

[0048] Figure 19 The multi-beam pattern is shown when a signal is applied to one port of the first input line and one port of the second input line.

[0049] Figure 20 Multiple beam patterns are shown when M ports are selected in one of the first and second input lines and N ports are selected in the remaining input lines. Detailed Implementation

[0050] The following describes the antenna module with phase delay in relation to the signal transmission device for radiating multi-polarized signals according to this specification.

[0051] Therefore, the antenna module comprising multiple elements according to this specification can be referred to as a phase delay array antenna module. The antenna module can be configured to include multiple radiators and a phase delay element capable of achieving phase delay. The phase delay element can be implemented as a specific feed structure without additional electronic components such as a phase shifter.

[0052] The array antenna module can be configured to support 6G wireless communication services. Specifically, the array antenna module can be configured to operate in the millimeter-wave band or the 10GHz band. The array antenna module can be used in mobile communication antennas, vehicle antennas, or satellite communication antennas.

[0053] 6G wireless communication services are not limited to electronic devices such as mobile terminals or image displays. 6G wireless communication services can be applied to electronic devices that support fully autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI) robots, and metaverses based on augmented reality / virtual reality (AR / VR).

[0054] Figure 1 The structure of an array antenna module comprising multiple elements, according to this specification, is shown. (Refer to...) Figure 1 The array antenna module 1000 can be composed of an array antenna 1100 comprising multiple elements 1100-1 to 1100-8. The number of multiple elements is not limited to eight and can be varied according to the application.

[0055] Antenna module 1000 can be configured as a one-dimensional array antenna with multiple elements arranged in one axial direction. As another example, antenna module 1000 can be configured as a two-dimensional array antenna with multiple elements arranged in one axial direction and another axial direction perpendicular to the one axial direction.

[0056] The spacing G1 between the multiple elements 1100-1 to 1100-8 can be configured as a value related to the wavelength corresponding to the operating frequency. Each of the multiple elements 1100-1 to 1100-8 can be communicatively combined with phase delay elements 1150-1 to 1150-8. The phase delay elements 1150-1 to 1150-8 can be configured as a feed structure with phase delay. The phase delay elements 1150-1 to 1150-8 can be configured as a feed structure connecting multiple adjacent antenna elements.

[0057] The transmission line 1200, which connects to multiple components 1100-1 to 1100-8, can be implemented using a waveguide, microstrip line, stripline, or substrate integrated waveguide (SIW). Each of the multiple components 1100-1 to 1100-8 can be individually controlled to switch on and off. To adjust the beamforming direction of the antenna module 1000, each of the multiple components 1100-1 to 1100-8 can be individually controlled to switch on and off.

[0058] As each of the multiple components 1100-1 to 1100-8 individually implements switching, the phase of the signal applied to the multiple components 1100-1 to 1100-8 can become Figure 1 The transmission line 1200 is shown. The smaller the interval between the switching operations of the multiple elements 1100-1 to 1100-8, the greater the phase difference between adjacent elements. Therefore, the smaller the interval between the switching operations of the multiple elements 1100-1 to 1100-8, the larger the beamforming angle.

[0059] On the other hand, the antenna module comprising multiple antenna elements according to this specification can also be combined with a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) to adjust the phase. In this regard, Figure 2 The structure of a reflective RIS and a structure implemented through a RIS according to this specification is shown.

[0060] Reference Figure 2 (a) The antenna module 1000 may be configured to include a reflective RIS1000a and at least one external antenna 1300. The wireless signal radiated from the external antenna 1300 may be reflected by the reflective RIS1000a. The beamforming angle of the wireless signal can be changed by individually altering the switching states of the individual components constituting the reflective RIS1000a.

[0061] Reference Figure 2(b) The antenna module 1000 may be configured to include a transparent RIS1000b and at least one external antenna 1300. The wireless signal radiated from the external antenna 1300 may pass through the transparent RIS1000b. The beamforming angle of the wireless signal can be changed by individually altering the switching states of the various components constituting the transparent RIS1000b.

[0062] The signal transmission device comprising multiple Rotman lenses according to this specification will now be described. Specifically, Figure 3a as well as Figure 3b Multiple beams formed in an array antenna based on an optical signal path, according to this specification, are shown.

[0063] Reference Figure 3a The signal can be transmitted from the curved structure of the Rotman lens 1230 to one end 1220a of the output line through the main body region of the Rotman lens 1230. When a signal is applied through the first focal point F1 of the Rotman lens 1230, the in-phase wavefront WF1 is formed to be tilted at a specific angle θ in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the pointing angle of the beam pattern BP1 of the signal radiated by the antenna section 1100 can be pointed at the specific angle θ.

[0064] Reference Figure 3b The signal can be transmitted from the curved structure of the Rotman lens 1230 to one end 1220b of the output line through the main body region of the Rotman lens 1230. When a signal is applied through the center point between the first focal point F1 and the second focal point F2 of the Rotman lens 1230, a wavefront WF2 in phase is formed along the Y-axis direction. As a result, the pointing angle of the beam pattern BP2 of the signal radiated by the antenna section 1100 can point to 0 degrees.

[0065] Reference Figure 3a as well as Figure 3b As a passive beamforming network based on ray optics, it can be a phase control element that synthesizes a beam by forming an in-phase surface from all radio wave paths dispersed by a lens. It can be designed as a phase control element that propagates a signal through a Rotman lens, supplying the antenna element with a signal having equal amplitude and a specific phase. By selecting a specific signal input, the phase applied to the antenna element can be controlled, thus possessing the characteristic of imparting beam pointing characteristics to the antenna without the need for a separate phase controller.

[0066] As a signal input section, multiple beamports can be formed at the front end of the Rotman lens 1230. The main body region of the Rotman lens 1230 is the signal dispersion section, constituting the lens body. The signal output section is formed from one end 1220a, 1220b of the output line to the antenna section 1100. The one end 1220a, 1220b of the output line can be defined as array ports.

[0067] Figures 4 to 7 A signal transmission device comprising multiple Rotman lenses according to this specification is shown. Figure 4 A signal transmission device comprising multiple Rotman lenses according to this specification is shown. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of the first Rotman lens and the first output line of the signal transmission device.

[0068] Reference Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The signal transmission device 1000 may be configured to include a first input line 1210, a first output line 1220, and a first Rotman lens 1230. The first input line 1210 may include a first port P1 to a fifth port P5 connected to one side of the Rotman lens 1230. The first output line 1220 may include a first port Po1 to an eighth port Po8 connected to the other side of the Rotman lens 1230. The first ports Po1 to Po8 of the first output line 1220 may be connected to antenna elements PA1 to PA8 of each of the array antennas 1100.

[0069] A signal can be applied to one of the first ports P1 to P5 of the first input line 1210 to achieve beamforming of the array antenna connected to the first ports Po1 to Po8 of the first output line 1220. When a signal is applied to the first port P1, the array antenna beam can achieve a pointing shift of 2α. When a signal is applied to the second port P2, the array antenna beam can achieve a pointing shift of α. When a signal is applied to the third port P3, the array antenna beam can achieve a pointing shift of 0 degrees. When a signal is applied to the fourth port P4, the array antenna beam can achieve a pointing shift of -α. When a signal is applied to the fifth port P5, the array antenna beam can achieve a pointing shift of -2α. For example, when signals are applied in the order of the first port P1 to the fifth port P5, the array antenna beam can achieve pointing shifts of 25 degrees, 12.5 degrees, 0 degrees, -12.5 degrees, and 25 degrees.

[0070] The first input line 1210, including the first port P1 to the fifth port P5, forms a plurality of beam ports for selecting the beam of the array antenna. A first Rotman lens 1230, disposed between the first input line 1210 and the first output line 1220, is connected to both the first input line 1210 and the first output line 1220. The first Rotman lens 1230 may be constructed from a conductive plate on a substrate.

[0071] The signal transmission device 1000 may be configured to include multiple dummy ports for eliminating diffuse reflections between signals transmitted through the first Rotman lens 1230. The upper and lower regions of the first Rotman lens 1230 may be composed of multiple dummy ports.

[0072] The first output lines 1220, including the first port Po1 to the eighth port Po8, form an array port. Multiple signals with different phases between the first port Po1 to the eighth port Po8 of the first output lines 1220 can be connected to the antenna elements of each array antenna. The multiple signals applied to the first port Po1 to the eighth port Po8 can be represented as A0 ej Φ0 ~A7 ej Φ7 The magnitudes A0 to A7 of the multiple signals applied to the first port Po1 to the eighth port Po8 can be configured to have the same value. The phases Φ0 to Φ7 of the multiple signals applied to the first port Po1 to the eighth port Po8 can be determined according to which port P1 to the fifth port P5 of the first input line 1210 the signal is applied to.

[0073] When a signal is applied to the first port P1, there is a phase difference of 2ΔΦ between adjacent ports of the first output line 1220. When a signal is applied to the second port P2, there is a phase difference of ΔΦ between adjacent ports of the first output line 1220. When a signal is applied to the third port P3, there is the same phase difference, i.e., a phase difference of 0 degrees, between adjacent ports of the first output line 1220. When a signal is applied to the fourth port P4, there is a phase difference of -ΔΦ between adjacent ports of the first output line 1220. When a signal is applied to the fifth port P5, there is a phase difference of -2ΔΦ between adjacent ports of the first output line 1220.

[0074] The beam pointing angle θ of the array antenna 1100 can be determined based on the phase difference ΔΦ between adjacent ports of the first output line 1220, as shown in Equation 1. The beam pointing angle θ can be determined based on the wavelength λ corresponding to the operating frequency, the spacing d between adjacent antenna elements of the array antenna 1100, and the phase difference ΔΦ.

[0075]

Mathematical Formula 1

[0076] Includes a first input line 1210 and a second input line 1310, a first Rotman lens 1230 and a second Rotman lens 1330, a first output line 1230 and a second output line 1330, and an antenna section 1100. Figure 4 The structure can be configured to have a length of 36.25 mm in the X-axis direction and a width of 28.75 mm in the Y-axis direction. Figure 4 The structure can operate at a center frequency of 160 GHz.

[0077] On the other hand, including the first input line 1210, the first Rotman lens 1230, and the first output line 1220 Figure 5 The structure can be configured to have a length of 13.5 mm in the X-axis direction and a width of 14 mm in the Y-axis direction. The thickness of the substrate on which the first input line 1210, the first Rotman lens 1230, and the first output line 1220 are formed can be 0.05 mm. The structure including the first input line 1210, the first Rotman lens 1230, and the first output line 1220... Figure 5 The structure can operate at a center frequency of 160 GHz. Figure 5 The focal angle, beam pointing angle, and focal length of the structure can be set to 25 degrees, 25 degrees, and 3.59 mm (1.91λ0).

[0078] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A comparison diagram of multiple first output lines and multiple second output lines of a signal transmission device. Figure 7 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of the adjacent patch antennas of the antenna section, the port of the first input line, and the multiple dummy ports.

[0079] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 In (a), the first line L1 of the first output line 1220 is formed as a straight line. The second line L2 of the first output line 1220 is formed as a curve with a first height between its upper and lower ends and its upper end in the Y-axis direction. The third line L3 of the first output line 1220 is formed as a curve with a second height between its upper and lower ends and its upper end in the Y-axis direction, which is longer than the first height. The fourth line L4 of the first output line 1220 is formed as a curve with a third height between its upper and lower ends and its upper end in the Y-axis direction, which is longer than the second height.

[0080] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 6(b) In the second output line 1320, the first line L1 is formed as a straight line. The second line L2 in the second output line 1320 is formed as a curve with a first height between its upper and lower ends and its upper end in the Y-axis direction. The third line L3 in the second output line 1320 is formed as a curve with a second height between its upper and lower ends and its upper end in the Y-axis direction, which is longer than the first height. The fourth line L4 in the second output line 1320 is formed as a curve with a third height between its upper and lower ends and its upper end in the Y-axis direction, which is longer than the second height.

[0081] Reference Figures 4 to 6 The signal transmission length of the second output line 1320 can be configured to be a predetermined length longer than the signal transmission length of the first output line 1220, thereby forming multiple polarizations in the antenna section 1100. The signal transmission length of the second output line 1320 can be configured to be 1 / 4 the length of the wavelength λg longer than the signal transmission length of the first output line 1220.

[0082] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 7 In (a), the distance between adjacent antenna elements PA1 and PA2 of antenna section 1100 can be arranged to be 0.5 times the wavelength λg in the Y-axis direction. The distance between adjacent antenna elements PA1 and PA2 is not limited to 0.5 times the wavelength λg; depending on the application, they can be arranged to be 0.5 to 0.8 times the wavelength λg. Reducing the distance between adjacent antenna elements PA1 and PA2 can increase the beam pointing angle. On the other hand, increasing the distance between adjacent antenna elements PA1 and PA2 can improve the directivity of the antenna. Other adjacent antenna elements of antenna section 1100 can also be arranged with the same distance between them.

[0083] On the other hand, the multiple antenna elements PA1, PA2 and the first output line and second output line 1220, 1320 of the antenna section 1100 can be disposed on other substrates (layers) or on the same substrate (layer). When the multiple antenna elements PA1, PA2 and the first output line and second output line 1220, 1320 are disposed on different layers, the multiple feed lines formed by the first output line 1220 and the second output line 1320 can be configured as a coupled feed structure or a via feed structure. When the multiple antenna elements PA1, PA2 and the first output line 1220 and the second output line 1320 are disposed on the same layer, the multiple feed lines formed by the first output line 1220 and the second output line 1320 can be configured as a direct feed structure. Compared with a direct feed structure, forming multiple feed lines with a coupled feed structure can improve the bandwidth characteristics of the antenna.

[0084] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5as well as Figure 7 (b) The first port P1 of the first input line 1210 can be electrically connected to the first Rotman lens 1230. Multiple circular holes with eliminated metallic patterns can be formed along the inner side of the boundary line of the first port P1 of the first input line 1210. Multiple circular holes with eliminated metallic patterns can also be formed along the inner side of the boundary line of the other ports P2 to P5 of the first input line 1210. On the other hand, multiple circular holes with eliminated metallic patterns can also be formed along the inner side of the boundary line of the multiple ports P6 to P10 of the second input line 1310.

[0085] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 7 (b) Each of the dummy ports DP31-DP33 can be connected to multiple lines of the second Rotman lens 1330. For each of the dummy ports DP31-DP33, multiple circular holes with eliminated metallic patterns can be formed along the inner side of the boundary line. Each of the dummy ports DP11-DP13 can be connected to multiple lines of the first Rotman lens 1230. For each of the dummy ports DP31-DP33, multiple circular holes with eliminated metallic patterns can be formed along the inner side of the boundary line.

[0086] Reference Figures 4 to 7 The signal transmission device 1000, which includes multiple Rotman lenses, can be configured to include an antenna section 1100, a first signal line 1200, and a second signal line 1300.

[0087] The antenna section 1100 may include multiple patch antennas PA1 to PA8. The antenna section 1100 may be a one-dimensional array antenna composed of multiple patch antennas PA1 to PA8 arranged separately in the vertical axis direction. The antenna section 1100 is not limited to a 1x8 array antenna and may be configured to include any number of antenna elements.

[0088] The first signal line 1200 can be electrically connected to each of the plurality of patch antennas PA1 to PA8 of the antenna section 1100 to operate with a first polarization. The first signal line 1200 can be composed of a first input line 1210, a first output line 1220, and a first Rotman lens 1230. The first input line 1210 can be configured to be connected to the modulation and demodulation section 1400. The first output line 1220 can be configured to be connected to the antenna section 1100. The first Rotman lens 1230 can be disposed between the first input line 1210 and the first output line 1220.

[0089] The second signal line 1300 can be electrically connected to each of the plurality of patch antennas PA1 to PA8 of the antenna section 1100 to operate with a second polarization. The second signal line 1300 can be composed of a second input line 1310, a second output line 1320, and a second Rotman lens 1330. The second input line 1310 can be configured to be connected to the modem 1400. The second output line 1320 can be configured to be connected to the antenna section 1100. The second Rotman lens 1330 can be disposed between the second input line 1310 and the second output line 1320.

[0090] The signal transmission length of the second signal line 1300 can be configured to be a predetermined length longer than the signal transmission length of the first signal line 1200, thereby enabling the antenna section 1100 to achieve multiple polarizations. The signal transmission length of the second signal line 1300 can be configured to be 1 / 4 the length of the wavelength λg longer than the signal transmission length of the first signal line 1200. The signal transmission length of the second output line 1320 can be configured to be 1 / 4 the length of the wavelength λg longer than the signal transmission length of the first output line 1220.

[0091] It can be configured with multiple ports so that the first input line 1210 and the second input line 1220 can support multiple polarizations. The first input line 1210 may include a first port P1 to a fifth port P5 connected to one side of the first Rotman lens 1230. The second input line 1310 may include a sixth port P6 to a tenth port P10 connected to the other side of the second Rotman lens 1330.

[0092] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 can be controlled to change the input signal port to any one of the first port P1 to the fifth port P5, thereby achieving beamforming of the first polarized signal along the vertical axis direction where multiple patch antennas PA1 to PA8 are arranged. The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 can also be controlled to change the input signal port to any one of the sixth port P6 to the tenth port P10, thereby achieving beamforming of the second polarized signal along the vertical axis direction where multiple patch antennas PA1 to PA8 are arranged. The first polarization can be set to vertical polarization, and the second polarization can be set to horizontal polarization, but are not limited to these. The first and second polarizations can be orthogonal and arbitrary linear polarizations.

[0093] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 can be controlled to apply a signal to the first port P1 or the sixth port P6, thereby causing the first polarized or second polarized beam to achieve a 2α pointing shift. For example, applying a signal to the first port P1 can cause the vertically polarized beam to achieve a +25 degree pointing shift. Or applying a signal to the sixth port P6 can cause the horizontally polarized beam to achieve a +25 degree pointing shift.

[0094] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 can be controlled to apply a signal to the second port P2 or the seventh port P7, thereby causing the first polarization or the second polarization beam to achieve a pointing shift of α. For example, applying a signal to the second port P2 can cause the vertically polarized beam to achieve a pointing shift of +12.5 degrees. Or applying a signal to the seventh port P7 can cause the horizontally polarized beam to achieve a pointing shift of +25 degrees.

[0095] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 can be controlled to apply a signal to the third port P3 or the eighth port P8, thereby causing the first polarization or the second polarization beam to achieve a 0-degree pointing shift. For example, applying a signal to the third port P3 causes the vertically polarized beam to achieve a 0-degree pointing shift. Or applying a signal to the eighth port P8 causes the horizontally polarized beam to achieve a 0-degree pointing shift.

[0096] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 can be controlled to apply a signal to the fourth port P4 or the eighth port P8, thereby causing the first polarized or second polarized beam to achieve a pointing shift of -α. For example, applying a signal to the fourth port P4 can cause the vertically polarized beam to achieve a pointing shift of -12.5 degrees. Or applying a signal to the eighth port P8 can cause the horizontally polarized beam to achieve a pointing shift of -12.5 degrees.

[0097] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 can be controlled to apply a signal to the fifth port P5 or the tenth port P10, thereby causing the first polarization or the second polarization beam to achieve a pointing shift of -2α. For example, applying a signal to the fifth port P5 can cause the vertically polarized beam to achieve a pointing shift of -25 degrees. Or applying a signal to the tenth port P10 can cause the horizontally polarized beam to achieve a pointing shift of -25 degrees.

[0098] The modem 1400 can be controlled to simultaneously input signals to one port of the first input line 1210 and one port of the second input line 1310, thereby enabling the circularly polarized beam to be oriented. The modem 1400 can also be controlled to select any one of the first to fifth pairs of ports P1, P6 to P5, and P10 as input signals. Furthermore, the modem 1400 can be controlled to change the selected pair of ports to achieve beamforming of the circularly polarized signal.

[0099] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 can be controlled to apply a first signal to the first port P1 and a second signal to the sixth port P6, thereby causing the circularly polarized beam to achieve a 2α pointing shift. For example, applying the first signal to the first port P1 and the second signal to the sixth port P6 can cause the circularly polarized beam to achieve a +25 degree pointing shift.

[0100] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 can be controlled to apply a first signal to the second port P2 and a second signal to the seventh port P7, thereby causing the circularly polarized beam to achieve a pointing shift of α. For example, applying the first signal to the second port P2 and the second signal to the seventh port P7 causes the circularly polarized beam to achieve a pointing shift of +12.5 degrees.

[0101] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 can be controlled to apply a first signal to the third port P3 and a second signal to the eighth port P8, thereby causing a beam with first polarization or second polarization to achieve a 0-degree pointing shift. For example, applying a first signal to the third port P3 and a second signal to the eighth port P8 can cause a circularly polarized beam to achieve a 0-degree pointing shift.

[0102] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 can be controlled to apply a first signal to the fourth port P4 and a second signal to the eighth port P8, thereby enabling the circularly polarized beam to achieve a pointing shift of -α. For example, applying the first signal to the fourth port P4 and the second signal to the eighth port P8 enables the circularly polarized beam to achieve a pointing shift of -12.5 degrees.

[0103] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 can be controlled to apply a first signal to the fifth port P5 and a second signal to the tenth port P10, thereby causing the circularly polarized beam to achieve a pointing shift of -2α. For example, applying the first signal to the fifth port P5 and the second signal to the tenth port P10 can cause the circularly polarized beam to achieve a pointing shift of -25 degrees.

[0104] On the other hand, the signal transmission device 1000 according to this specification may be configured to include a plurality of dummy ports for eliminating diffuse reflection. The signal transmission device 1000 may be configured to include a plurality of first dummy ports DP11~DP13, a plurality of second dummy ports DP21~DP23, a plurality of third dummy ports DP31~DP33, and a plurality of fourth dummy ports DP41~DP43.

[0105] Multiple first dummy ports DP11~DP13 can be configured to connect to multiple lines in the upper region of the first Rotman lens 1230. Multiple second dummy ports DP21~DP23 can be configured to connect to multiple lines in the lower region of the first Rotman lens 1230. The upper region of the first Rotman lens 1230 corresponds to an upper region with a positive coordinate relative to the Y-axis. The lower region of the first Rotman lens 1230 corresponds to a lower region with a negative coordinate relative to the Y-axis.

[0106] Multiple third dummy ports DP31~DP33 can be configured to connect to multiple lines in the upper region of the second Rotman lens 1330. Multiple fourth dummy ports DP41~DP43 can be configured to connect to multiple lines in the lower region of the second Rotman lens 1330. The upper region of the second Rotman lens 1330 corresponds to an upper region with a positive coordinate relative to the Y-axis. The lower region of the second Rotman lens 1330 corresponds to a lower region with a negative coordinate relative to the Y-axis.

[0107] The number of multiple first dummy ports DP11~DP13 and the number of multiple second dummy ports DP21~DP23 can be set to be less than the number of multiple ports P1~P5 of the first input line 1210. Thus, while supporting multiple polarizations and eliminating diffuse reflection, the number of multiple dummy ports is minimized, thereby minimizing the length of the signal transmission device 1000 on the X-axis.

[0108] The number of multiple third dummy ports DP31~DP33 and multiple fourth dummy ports DP41~DP43 can be set to be less than the number of multiple ports P6~P10 of the second input line 1310. Thus, while supporting multiple polarizations and eliminating diffuse reflection, the number of multiple dummy ports is minimized, thereby minimizing the length of the signal transmission device 1000 on the X-axis.

[0109] The sum of the number of multiple first dummy ports DP11~DP13 and the number of multiple second dummy ports DP21~DP23 can be set to be greater than the number of multiple ports P1~P5 of the first input line 1210. The sum of the number of multiple third dummy ports DP31~DP33 and the number of multiple fourth dummy ports DP41~DP43 can be set to be greater than the number of multiple ports P6~P10 of the second input line 1310.

[0110] By applying signals to multiple ports P1~P5 of the first input line 1210 and multiple ports P6~P10 of the second input line 1310, beamforming of the array antenna can be achieved. Therefore, the multiple ports P1~P5 of the first input line 1210 and the multiple ports P6~P10 of the second input line 1310 can be referred to as multiple beamports.

[0111] Multiple patch antennas PA1 to PA8 may include first patch antenna PA1 to eighth patch antenna PA8. First output line 1220 may include first ports to eighth ports Po1 to Po8 configured to apply a first polarized signal to the first patch antennas PA1 to eighth patch antennas PA8. Second output line 1320 may include ninth ports to sixteenth ports Po9 to Po16 configured to apply a second polarized signal to the first patch antennas PA1 to eighth patch antennas PA8. First ports to eighth ports Po1 to Po8 and ninth ports to sixteenth ports Po9 to Po16 are connected to an array antenna. Therefore, first ports to eighth ports Po1 to Po8 and ninth ports to sixteenth ports Po9 to Po16 can be referred to as multiple array ports.

[0112] The adjacent patch antennas among the first patch antennas PA1 to the eighth patch antennas PA8 can be arranged at predetermined intervals. The adjacent patch antennas among the first patch antennas PA1 to the eighth patch antennas PA8 can be arranged at intervals of 1 / 2 of the wavelength λ0 in air, that is, half the wavelength λ0 / 2.

[0113] Each of the first patch antennas PA1 to the eighth patch antennas PA8 can be configured as a quadrilateral patch antenna rotated 45 degrees relative to a first axis (e.g., the X-axis). The end of the first output line 1220 can be connected to the first patch antennas PA1 to PA8 at an angle of -45 degrees relative to the first axis. The end of the second output line 1320 can be connected to the first patch antennas PA1 to PA8 at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the first axis.

[0114] A portion of the first output line 1220 can be formed as a straight line, while the remaining lines can be formed as a curved line. A portion of the second output line 1320 can be formed as a straight line, while the remaining lines can be formed as a curved line.

[0115] The outermost upper and lower lines L1 and L8 of the first output line 1220 can be formed as straight lines, while the remaining lines L2 to L7 can be formed as curved lines. The outermost upper and lower lines L1 and L8 of the second output line 1320 can be formed as straight lines, while the remaining lines L2 to L7 can be formed as curved lines.

[0116] The first port Po1 to the eighth port Po8 of the first output line 1220 can be configured to form a first polarization. The ninth port Po9 to the sixteenth port Po16 of the second output line 1320 can be configured to form a second polarization. The first polarization can be set to vertical polarization, and the second polarization can be set to horizontal polarization, but is not limited to these. The first polarization and the second polarization can be orthogonal arbitrary linear polarizations.

[0117] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 applies a first signal to an eighth signal to a first port Po1 to an eighth port Po8 along the third axis direction of the first patch antenna PA1 to the eighth patch antenna PA8, thereby forming a first polarization on the first patch antenna PA1 to the eighth patch antenna PA8. The third axis direction corresponds to the axis rotated 45 degrees relative to the first axis, i.e., the X' axis direction.

[0118] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 applies the ninth signal to the sixteenth signal to the sixth signal to the sixth signal to the seventh signal to the sixth signal to the sixth signal to the sixth signal to the sixth signal to the sixth signal to the sixth signal to the sixth signal to the sixth signal to the seventh signal to the eighth signal to the eighth signal to the sixth signal to the sixth signal to the seventh signal, thereby forming a second polarization of the first patch antenna PA1 to the eighth patch antenna PA8. The fourth axis direction corresponds to the axis rotated 45 degrees relative to the second axis direction, i.e., the Y' axis direction.

[0119] The modulation and demodulation unit 1400 applies first signals to eighth signals to first port Po1 to eighth port Po8, and ninth signals to sixteenth signals to ninth port Po9 to sixteenth port Po16, thereby forming circular polarization in the first patch antenna PA1 to the eighth patch antenna PA8.

[0120] On the other hand, the multiple output lines of the signal transmission device according to this specification can be configured as either straight lines or curved lines. In this regard, Figure 8 Multiple output lines of a signal transmission device, which are formed in a straight or curved structure, are shown. Figure 9 It shows Figure 8 The phase value of each frequency in the multiple output lines according to the slope angle of the curve.

[0121] Reference Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 In (a), the first line L1 of the first output line 1220 can be formed as a straight line with a length of 3 mm and a width of 145 μm. The first line L1 with a length of 3 mm and a width of 145 μm has an insertion loss of 0.51 dB at a center frequency of 160 GHz. (Refer to...) Figure 7 as well as Figure 8(b) The second line L2 of the first output line 1220 can be formed as a curve with a length of 3 mm, a width of 145 μm, and a tilt angle A1 of 10 degrees. The second line L2 with a length of 3 mm, a width of 145 μm, and a tilt angle A1 of 10 degrees has an insertion loss of 0.86 dB at a center frequency of 160 GHz.

[0122] Reference Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 (c) The third line L3 of the first output line 1220 can be formed as a curve with a length of 3 mm, a width of 145 μm, and a tilt angle A2 of 20 degrees. The third line L3 with a length of 3 mm, a width of 145 μm, and a tilt angle A2 of 20 degrees has an insertion loss of 1.41 dB at a center frequency of 160 GHz. (Refer to...) Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 (d) The fourth line L4 of the first output line 1220 can be formed as a curve with a length of 3 mm, a width of 145 μm, and a tilt angle A3 of 30 degrees. The fourth line L4 with a length of 3 mm, a width of 145 μm, and a tilt angle A3 of 30 degrees has an insertion loss of 1.72 dB at a center frequency of 160 GHz.

[0123] Reference Figure 6 of (a) Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 The first line L1, with a tilt angle of 0 degrees, has a phase value of -95 degrees at 160 GHz. The second line L2, with a tilt angle of 10 degrees A1, has a phase value of -151 degrees at 160 GHz. The third line L3, with a tilt angle of 20 degrees A2, has a phase value of -284 degrees at 160 GHz. The fourth line L4, with a tilt angle of 30 degrees A3, has a phase value of -425 degrees at 160 GHz.

[0124] Reference Figures 4 to 6 as well as Figure 8 In designing the first Rotman lens 1230 and the second Rotman lens 1330, in order to transmit a specific phase value of the signal to the antenna section 1100, the multiple output lines 1220 and 1320 can be designed as meander lines with a curved structure. The first output line 1220 and the second output line 1320, which are formed as meander lines with a curved structure, can be connected to the antenna element of each array antenna of the antenna section 1100. The ends of the first output line 1220 and the second output line 1320 connected to the antenna element of each array antenna of the antenna section 1100 can form array ports.

[0125] In this regard, depending on which port of the first input line 1210 and the second input line 1310 is applied to, signals of the same phase or different phases can be applied to each antenna element of the antenna section 1100. The signals applied to each antenna element of the antenna section 1100 can be changed to different phase values.

[0126] Compared to the straight-line structure of the first line L1, the insertion loss of the curved structure of the fourth line L4, with a tilt angle A3 of 30 degrees, increases by approximately 1.2 dB. However, the multiple lines with different tilt angles of the first output line and the second output lines 1210 and 1310 are formed in a symmetrical structure along the Y-axis. Therefore, the signal magnitude applied to each antenna element of the antenna section 1100 is also formed in a symmetrical structure along the Y-axis, resulting in a symmetrical beam pattern of the antenna section 1100. Figure 10 It shows Figure 4 Multiple beam patterns of the antenna section of the signal transmission device.

[0127] Reference Figure 4 as well as Figure 10 When a signal is applied to the third or eighth port P3 or P8 of the first or second input lines 1210 or 1310, the beam pattern BP3 radiated by the antenna section 1100 is formed pointing to 0 degrees. The beam pattern BP3 pointing to 0 degrees is formed with a left-right symmetrical structure. The signal magnitude applied to each antenna element of the antenna section 1100 is also formed with a symmetrical structure in the Y-axis direction, and the beam pattern of the antenna section 1100 is also formed with a symmetrical structure in the Y-axis direction. The peak gain of the antenna section 1100, which is composed of a 1x8 array antenna, has a value of 15.1 dBi.

[0128] When a signal is applied to the first or sixth port P1, P6 of the first input line 1210 or the second input line 1310, the beam pattern BP1 radiated by the antenna section 1100 is oriented at 30 degrees. The peak gain of the antenna section 1100, which is configured as a 1x8 array antenna, is 13.6 dBi. When a signal is applied to the fifth or tenth port P5, P10 of the first or second input lines 1210, 1310, the beam pattern BP5 radiated by the antenna section 1100 is oriented at -30 degrees. The peak gain of the antenna section 1100, which is configured as a 1x8 array antenna, is 13.1 dBi. The beam patterns BP1 and BP5 are configured to be approximately symmetrical about the Y-axis, and their peak gains are also similar.

[0129] When a signal is applied to the second port P2 or the seventh port P7 of the first input line 1210 or the second input line 1310, the beam pattern BP2 radiated by the antenna section 1100 is oriented at 15 degrees. The peak gain of the antenna section 1100, which is configured as a 1x8 array antenna, is 14.3 dBi. When a signal is applied to the fourth port P4 or the ninth port P9 of the first input line or the second input lines 1210 and 1310, the beam pattern BP4 radiated by the antenna section 1100 is oriented at -15 degrees. The peak gain of the antenna section 1100, which is configured as a 1x8 array antenna, is 14.1 dBi. The beam patterns BP2 and BP4 are configured to be approximately symmetrical about the Y-axis, and their peak gains are also similar.

[0130] On the other hand, according to another embodiment of this specification, the signal transmission device is combined with a two-dimensional array antenna to achieve beamforming in the horizontal and vertical axis directions.

[0131] Figure 11 This specification illustrates a signal transmission device comprising a structure of multiple Rotman lenses and a two-dimensional array antenna, according to the present specification. Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A magnified view of a local area of ​​a two-dimensional array antenna.

[0132] Reference Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 The signal transmission device 1000b, which includes multiple Rotman lenses, can be configured to include an antenna section 1100b, a first signal line 1200, and a second signal line 1300.

[0133] Antenna section 1100b may include multiple patch antennas PA11~PA18 to PA81~PA88. Antenna section 1100 may be a two-dimensional array antenna composed of multiple patch antennas PA11~PA18 to PA81~PA88 arranged separately in the horizontal and vertical axis directions. Antenna section 1100 is not limited to a 1x8 array antenna and may be configured to include any number of antenna elements.

[0134] As described above, the first signal line 1200 can be composed of a first input line 1210, a first output line 1220, and a first Rotman lens 1230. The second signal line 1300 can be composed of a second input line 1310, a second output line 1320, and a second Rotman lens 1330.

[0135] The plurality of patch antennas PA11~PA18 to PA81~PA88 may include a plurality of first patch antennas PA11~PA18 to a plurality of eighth patch antennas PA81~PA88 configured in a two-dimensional structure. The first output line 1220 may include a first port Po1 to an eighth port Po8 configured to apply a signal with a first polarization to the first patch antennas PA1 to the eighth patch antennas PA8. The second output line 1320 may include a ninth port Po9 to a sixteenth port Po16 configured to apply a signal with a second polarization to the first patch antennas PA1 to the eighth patch antennas PA8.

[0136] Each of the plurality of first patch antennas PA11~PA18 to the plurality of eighth patch antennas PA81~PA88 may include a plurality of antenna elements separated along a first axis. The plurality of adjacent patch antenna elements of each of the plurality of first patch antennas PA11~PA18 to the plurality of eighth patch antennas PA81~PA88 along the first axis can be arranged with a length corresponding to the wavelength λg of the operating frequency of the antenna section 1100b. Therefore, the plurality of adjacent antenna elements arranged along the X-axis, which is the first axis, can be fed in a series-fed manner.

[0137] In the first patch antenna PA1 to the eighth patch antenna PA8, multiple patch antennas adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction, which is the second axis, can be arranged at predetermined intervals. In the first patch antenna PA1 to the eighth patch antenna PA8, multiple patch antennas adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction can be arranged at intervals of half a wavelength λ0 / 2.

[0138] In this regard, the signal transmission device 1000 with a two-dimensional array antenna may further include a first feed line FL1 and a second feed line FL2. The first feed line FL1 extends from the first output line 1220 to the rightmost patch antenna element. The second feed line FL2 extends from the second output line 1320 to the leftmost patch antenna element.

[0139] The modem 1400 can apply signals to the first feed line FL1 and / or the second feed line FL2 to adjust the polarization of the antenna section 1100b. The modem 1400 can control the application of a first signal to the first feed line FL1, causing the antenna section 1100b to radiate a signal with the first polarization. The modem 1400 can control the application of a second signal to the second feed line FL1, causing the antenna section 1100b to radiate a signal with the second polarization perpendicular to the first polarization. The modem 1400 can control the application of a first signal to the first feed line FL1 and a second signal to the second feed line FL2, causing the antenna section 1100b to radiate a circularly polarized signal.

[0140] On the other hand, a signal transmission device equipped with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array antenna can achieve different polarization and beam patterns depending on which port of the first input line 1210 and the second input line 1310 is to which signal is applied. Figure 13 as well as Figure 14 It shows in Figure 11 Multiple beam patterns and axial ratios when a signal is applied to the first input line or the third or eighth port of the second input line of the signal transmission device.

[0141] Reference Figure 11 as well as Figure 13 (a) When a signal is applied to the third port P3 of the first input line 1210, a beam pattern with vertical polarization and pointing to 0 degrees is formed. At 0 degrees, the beam peak of the vertically polarized signal is 19.3 dBi, and at 0 degrees, the level of the horizontally polarized signal is -8.2 dBi. Therefore, the cross-polarization discrimination between the vertical and horizontal signals has a value greater than 27 dBc.

[0142] Reference Figure 11 , Figure 13 (a) and Figure 13 (b) The axial ratio, which is the ratio of the vertically polarized signal to the horizontal signal, has a value of approximately 50 dB in the front direction. Therefore, when a signal is applied to the third port P3 of the first input line 1210, the vertically polarized signal is mainly radiated.

[0143] Reference Figure 11 as well as Figure 14 (a) When a signal is applied to the eighth port P8 of the second input line 1310, a beam pattern with horizontal polarization and pointing to 0 degrees is formed. At 0 degrees, the beam peak of the horizontally polarized signal is 19.2 dBi, and at 0 degrees, the level of the vertically polarized signal is -9.1 dBi. Therefore, the cross-polarization discrimination between the horizontal and vertical signals has a value greater than 28 dBc.

[0144] Reference Figure 11 , Figure 14 (a) and Figure 14 (b) The axial ratio, which is the ratio of the horizontally polarized signal to the vertical signal, has a value of 50 dB or more in the front direction. Therefore, when a signal is applied to the eighth port P8 of the first input line 1210, the horizontally polarized signal is mainly radiated.

[0145] On the other hand, it can be configured to simultaneously apply signals to both the first input line 1210 and the second input line 1310, radiating a circularly polarized signal. Regarding this, Figure 15 It shows in Figure 11 Multiple beam patterns when signals are simultaneously applied to the first input line, the third port of the second input line, and the eighth port of the signal transmission device.

[0146] Reference Figure 11 as well as Figure 15 In (a), when signals are simultaneously applied to the third port P3 of the first input line 1210 and the eighth port P8 of the second input line 1310, a beam pattern with circular polarization pointing to 0 degrees is formed. In the 0-degree direction, the horizontal polarization of the vertically polarized signal and the horizontal polarization of the horizontal signal are similar, at 16.10 dBi and 16.09 dBi respectively. Therefore, in the 0-degree direction, the horizontal polarization of the circularly polarized signal has a value of 19.11 dBi.

[0147] Reference Figure 11 , Figure 15 (a) and Figure 15 (b) shows that the axial ratio, which represents the ratio of the vertically polarized signal to the horizontally polarized signal, has a value below 3 dB between -20 and 18 degrees. Figure 14 In (a), the main beam, which is related to the 3dB beamwidth of the circularly polarized signal, is formed within ±10 degrees. Therefore, within the region where the main beam is formed, the axial ratio has a value of less than 3dB, thus satisfying the requirements for circular polarization performance.

[0148] As described above, a signal transmission device equipped with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array antenna can achieve different polarization and beam patterns depending on which port of the first input line 1210 and the second input line 1310 is to which signal is applied. Figure 16 It shows in Figure 11 The gain of each port of the first input line when a signal is applied, as well as the beam pointing angle and multiple beam patterns.

[0149] Figure 16 (a) shows in Figure 11 The gain and beam pointing angle when a signal is applied to each port of the first input line. Figure 16 (b) ~ Figure 16 (d) shows the beam pattern when a signal is applied to the first port, the third port, and the fifth port.

[0150] Reference Figure 11 as well as Figure 16When a signal is applied to the first port P1 of the first input line 1210, a vertically polarized beam with a gain of 16.6 dBi and a beam pointing angle of 25 degrees is formed. When a signal is applied to the third port P3 of the first input line 1210, a vertically polarized beam with a gain of 19.3 dBi and a beam pointing angle of 0 degrees is formed. When a signal is applied to the fifth port P5 of the first input line 1210, a vertically polarized beam with a gain of 17.0 dBi and a beam pointing angle of -25 degrees is formed. (Refer to...) Figure 4 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 16 Within a beam coverage area of ​​±25 degrees, a vertically polarized beam can be formed while maintaining a scanning loss value of less than 3dB.

[0151] Figure 17 It shows in Figure 11 The gain, beam pointing angle, and multiple beam patterns when signals are applied to each port of the second input line.

[0152] Figure 17 (a) shows in Figure 11 The gain and beam pointing angle when a signal is applied to each port of the second input line. Figure 17 (b) ~ Figure 17 (d) shows the beam pattern when a signal is applied to the sixth, eighth, and tenth ports.

[0153] Reference Figure 11 as well as Figure 17 When a signal is applied to the sixth port P6 of the second input line 1310, a horizontally polarized beam with a gain of 17.4 dBi and a beam pointing angle of 25 degrees is formed. When a signal is applied to the eighth port P8 of the second input line 1310, a horizontally polarized beam with a gain of 19.1 dBi and a beam pointing angle of 0 degrees is formed. When a signal is applied to the tenth port P10 of the second input line 1310, a horizontally polarized beam with a gain of 16.3 dBi and a beam pointing angle of -25 degrees is formed. (Refer to...) Figure 4 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 17 Within a beam coverage area of ​​±25 degrees, a horizontally polarized beam can be formed while maintaining a scanning loss value of less than 3dB.

[0154] Figure 18 It shows in Figure 11 The gain, beam pointing angle, and multiple beam patterns when signals are applied to each port of the first and second input lines.

[0155] Figure 18 (a) shows in Figure 11The gain and beam pointing angle when a signal is applied to each port of the first and second input lines. Figure 18 (b) shows the beam pattern when signals are simultaneously applied to the first port P1 of the first input line 1210 and the sixth port P6 of the second input line 1310. Figure 18 (c) shows the beam pattern when signals are simultaneously applied to the third port P3 of the first input line 1210 and the eighth port P8 of the second input line 1310. Figure 18 (d) shows the beam pattern when signals are simultaneously applied to the fifth port P5 of the first input line 1210 and the tenth port P10 of the second input line 1310.

[0156] Reference Figure 11 as well as Figure 18 When a signal is applied to the first port P1 and the sixth port P6 of the first input line 1210 and the second input line 1310, a circularly polarized beam with a gain of 17.0 dBi and a beam pointing angle of 25 degrees is formed. When a signal is applied to the third port P3 and the eighth port P8 of the first input line 1210 and the second input line 1310, a circularly polarized beam with a gain of 19.1 dBi and a beam pointing angle of 0 degrees is formed. When a signal is applied to the fifth port P5 and the tenth port P10 of the first input line 1210 and the second input line 1310, a circularly polarized beam with a gain of 16.3 dBi and a beam pointing angle of -25 degrees is formed. (Refer to...) Figure 4 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 18 It can form a circularly polarized beam within a beam coverage area of ​​±25 degrees while maintaining a scanning loss value of less than 3dB.

[0157] On the other hand, according to the signal transmission device of this specification, by applying signals to multiple ports, it is possible to form two or more multi-beam patterns in directions other than the circularly polarized beam pattern. In this regard, Figure 19 The multi-beam pattern is shown when a signal is applied to one port of the first input line and one port of the second input line.

[0158] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 19 (a) shows the multi-beam pattern when signals are simultaneously applied to the third port P3 of the first input line 1210 and the sixth port P6 of the second input line 1310. A 0-degree beam is formed by the signal applied to the third port P3 of the first input line 1210, and a 25-degree beam is formed by the signal applied to the sixth port P6 of the second input line 1310. The peak gain of the beam radiated by the antenna section 1100b of the two-dimensional array antenna is 16.8 dBi.

[0159] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 19 (b) shows the multi-beam pattern when signals are simultaneously applied to the third port P3 of the first input line 1210 and the seventh port P7 of the second input line 1310. The signal applied to the third port P3 of the first input line 1210 forms a beam with vertical polarization at 0 degrees, and the signal applied to the seventh port P7 of the second input line 1310 forms a beam with horizontal polarization at 12.5 degrees. The peak gain of the beam radiated by the antenna section 1100b of the two-dimensional array antenna is 16.15 dBi.

[0160] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 19 (c) shows a multi-beam pattern when signals are simultaneously applied to the first port P1 of the first input line 1210 and the ninth port P9 of the second input line 1310. The signal applied to the first port P1 of the first input line 1210 forms a beam with a vertically polarized 25-degree direction, and the signal applied to the ninth port P9 of the second input line 1310 forms a beam with a horizontally polarized -12.5-degree direction. The peak gain of the beam radiated by the antenna section 1100b of the two-dimensional array antenna is 15.59 dBi.

[0161] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 19 Figure (d) shows a multi-beam pattern when signals are simultaneously applied to the first port P1 of the first input line 1210 and the tenth port P10 of the second input line 1310. The signal applied to the first port P1 of the first input line 1210 forms a beam with a vertically polarized 25-degree direction, and the signal applied to the tenth port P10 of the second input line 1310 forms a beam with a horizontally polarized 25-degree direction. The peak gain of the beam radiated through the antenna section 1100b of the two-dimensional array antenna is 14.97 dBi.

[0162] In response, when signals are applied to ports located at corresponding positions in the first input line 1210 and the second input line 1310, circularly polarized beam patterns are formed. On the other hand, when signals are applied to ports located at different positions in the first input line and the second input line 1210, beams with vertical polarization and beams with horizontal polarization are formed in different directions.

[0163] Conversely, selecting two ports in the first input line 1210 allows the formation of two beams with vertical polarization. Similarly, selecting two ports in the second input line 1310 allows the formation of two beams with horizontal polarization. However, when forming two beams with vertical polarization, two signals are applied through the same first Rotman lens 1230, resulting in mutual interference between the signals. Likewise, when forming two beams with horizontal polarization, two signals are applied through the same second Rotman lens 1330, also causing mutual interference between the signals. This mutual interference can lead to beam pattern distortion, gain reduction, and increased side lobes.

[0164] Therefore, to reduce interference between the two signals, one port can be selected on the first input line 1210 and another port on the second input line 1310, thereby forming a multi-beam configuration. (Refer to...) Figure 4 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 19 The operation of a signal transmission device 1000 configured with a multi-beam antenna will be explained. The modulation / demodulation unit 1400 of the signal transmission device 1000 can apply a first signal to any one of the first ports P1 to P5 of the first input line 1210, thereby forming a first beam with a first polarization pointing at a first angle. Simultaneously with forming the first beam with the first polarization, the modulation / demodulation unit 1400 can apply a second signal to any one of the sixth ports P6 to P10 of the second input line 1310, forming a second beam with a second polarization pointing at a second angle. The second angle, which is the pointing angle of the second beam with the second polarization, can be formed to be different from the first angle, which is the pointing angle of the first beam with the first polarization.

[0165] On the other hand, M ports can be selected from either the first input line 1210 or the second input line 1310, and N ports can be selected from the remaining input lines to form a multi-beam configuration. Figure 20 Multiple beam patterns are shown when M ports are selected in one of the first and second input lines and N ports are selected in the remaining input lines.

[0166] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 20(a) shows a multi-beam pattern when signals are simultaneously applied to the first port P1 and the third port P3 of the first input line 1210 and the seventh port P7 of the second input line 1310. The signals applied to the first port P1 and the third port P3 of the first input line 1210 form beams with vertical polarization at 25 degrees and 0 degrees, respectively, while the signal applied to the seventh port P7 of the second input line 1310 forms a beam with horizontal polarization at 12.5 degrees. The peak gain of the beam radiated by the antenna section 1100b of the two-dimensional array antenna is 14.21 dBi.

[0167] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 20 (b) shows a multi-beam pattern when signals are simultaneously applied to the first port P1 and the fifth port P5 of the first input line 1210 and the eighth port P8 of the second input line 1310. The signals applied to the first port P1 and the fifth port P5 of the first input line 1210 form beams with vertical polarization at 25 degrees and -25 degrees, respectively, while the signal applied to the eighth port P8 of the second input line 1310 forms a beam with horizontal polarization at 0 degrees. The peak gain of the beam radiated by the antenna section 1100b of the two-dimensional array antenna is 13.67 dBi.

[0168] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 20 (c) shows a multi-beam pattern when signals are simultaneously applied to the first port P1, third port P3, and fifth port P5 of the first input line 1210 and the seventh port P7 and ninth port P9 of the second input line 1310. The signals applied to the first port P1, third port P3, and fifth port P5 of the first input line 1210 form beams with vertical polarization at 25 degrees, 0 degrees, and -25 degrees. The signals applied to the seventh port P7 and ninth port P9 of the second input line 1310 form beams with horizontal polarization at -12.5 degrees and 12.5 degrees. The peak gain of the beam radiated by the antenna section 1100b of the two-dimensional array antenna is 12.0 dBi.

[0169] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 20The operation of a signal transmission device 1000 configured with a multi-beam antenna will be described. The modulation / demodulation unit 1400 of the signal transmission device 1000 applies multiple first signals to one or more ports from the first port P1 to the fifth port P5 of the first input line 1210, thereby forming multiple first beams with first polarizations pointing at multiple first angles. Simultaneously with forming the multiple first beams with first polarizations, the modulation / demodulation unit 1400 applies multiple second signals to one or more ports from the sixth port P6 to the tenth port P10 of the second input line 1310, thereby forming multiple second beams with second polarizations pointing at multiple second angles. The second angle, which is the pointing angle of the multiple second beams with second polarizations, can be formed to be different from the first angle, which is the pointing angle of the multiple first beams with first polarizations.

[0170] The signal transmission device comprising a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array antenna and a Rotman lens according to this specification has been described above. The technical advantages of this signal transmission device comprising a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array antenna and a Rotman lens according to this specification are described below.

[0171] According to an embodiment, a beam pattern of vertical polarization / horizontal polarization / circular polarization can be formed by a signal transmission device that radiates multi-polarization signals.

[0172] According to the embodiments, by implementing a signal generation network based on a Rotman lens, a beam-switching solution with variable vertical / horizontal / circular polarization can be proposed, and the aforementioned Rotman lens can impart two or more polarization characteristics to the array antenna.

[0173] According to the embodiments, a signal transmission device is capable of radiating vertically polarized / horizontally polarized / circularly polarized variable multi-polarization signals in millimeter wave or higher frequency bands.

[0174] According to the embodiments, the array antenna can be shared so that signals can be supplied to the array antenna individually or interactively using a multi-signal generation network based on a Dorotmann lens that can apply vertically or horizontally polarized signals. Thus, signals can be selectively applied according to the polarization characteristics of the radiation, thereby achieving vertical polarization / horizontal polarization / circular polarization.

[0175] According to the embodiments, selective beam pointing for vertical polarization / horizontal polarization / circular polarization can be achieved, and radiation performance such as beam pointing / beam forming / beam broadening can be controlled.

[0176] According to the embodiments, the antenna radiation performance of the multi-beam generation mode is improved by using a Rotman lens, thereby improving the multi-beam operation characteristics that cannot be achieved by a single Rotman lens, Butler matrix, or other beamformers.

[0177] According to an embodiment, in a signal transmission device capable of synthesizing beams with two or more polarization characteristics and radiating multi-polarized signals, beamforming can be provided in a uniaxial direction by changing the ports of multiple input lines connected to a Rotman lens.

[0178] According to an embodiment, in a signal transmission device capable of synthesizing beams with two or more polarization characteristics and radiating multi-polarization signals, when forming multi-beams, signals are applied to multiple ports in different regions, thereby reducing mutual interference between the multi-beams.

[0179] The following detailed description will clarify other applicable scopes of this specification. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand the various changes and modifications that can be made within the spirit and scope of this specification, and therefore the detailed description and specific embodiments, such as preferred embodiments, described herein should be considered as examples. The detailed description should not be construed as restrictive in any way, but rather as exemplary. The scope of the invention should be determined based on a reasonable interpretation of the claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of this invention are included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A signal transmission device comprising a plurality of Rotman lenses, the signal transmission device comprising: The antenna section has multiple patch antennas; A first signal line is electrically connected to each of the plurality of patch antennas mentioned above so as to operate with a first polarization; as well as The second signal line is electrically connected to each of the plurality of patch antennas mentioned above, so as to operate with a second polarization. The first signal line is composed of a first input line connected to the modulation and demodulation unit, a first output line connected to the antenna unit, and a first Rotman lens disposed between the first input line and the first output line. The second signal line is composed of a second input line connected to the modulation and demodulation unit, a second output line connected to the antenna unit, and a second Rotman lens disposed between the second input line and the second output line. The signal transmission length of the second signal line is formed to be 1 / 4 the length of the wavelength λg longer than the signal transmission length of the first signal line.

2. The signal transmission device according to claim 1, wherein, One side and the other side of the first Rotman lens are connected to the first input line and the first output line. One side and the other side of the second Rotman lens are connected to the second output line and the second input line, respectively. The second Rotman lens is symmetrical to the first Rotman lens with the vertical axis of the substrate as a reference.

3. The signal transmission device according to claim 1, wherein, The aforementioned first input line includes a first port to a fifth port connected to one side of the aforementioned first Rotman lens. The second input line mentioned above includes ports six through ten, which are connected to the other side of the second Rotman lens. The modulation and demodulation unit controls the input signal port to any one of the first to fifth ports, thereby enabling beamforming of the first polarized signal. By changing the port with the above signal to any one of the sixth to tenth ports, the above second polarized signal can achieve beamforming.

4. The signal transmission device according to claim 3, wherein, The aforementioned modulation and demodulation unit is controlled. By applying the aforementioned signal to the first port or the sixth port, the beam with the first polarization or the second polarization is shifted by 2α. By applying the aforementioned signal to the second port or the seventh port, the direction of the beam with the first polarization or the second polarization is shifted by α. By applying the aforementioned signal to the third port or the eighth port, the beam of the first polarization or the second polarization is offset by 0 degrees. By applying the aforementioned signal to the fourth or ninth port, the beam with the first or second polarization is shifted by -α. The signal is applied to the fifth port or the tenth port, thereby causing the beam of the first polarization or the second polarization to shift by -2α.

5. The signal transmission device according to claim 3, wherein, The modulation and demodulation unit controls the selection of any one pair from the first pair of the first port, the sixth to fifth ports, and the tenth port, among the multiple ports that have received the aforementioned signal. By controlling and changing any of the selected pairs of ports, beamforming can be achieved for circularly polarized signals.

6. The signal transmission device according to claim 5, wherein, The aforementioned modulation and demodulation unit is controlled. A first signal is applied to the first port and a second signal is applied to the sixth port, thereby causing the circularly polarized beam to shift direction by 2α. A first signal is applied to the second port, and a second signal is applied to the seventh port, thereby causing the circularly polarized beam to shift its direction by α. A first signal is applied to the third port, and a second signal is applied to the eighth port, thereby causing the circularly polarized beam to achieve a 0-degree pointing shift. A first signal is applied to the fourth port, and a second signal is applied to the ninth port, thereby causing the circularly polarized beam to shift direction by -α. A first signal is applied to the fifth port and a second signal is applied to the ninth port, thereby causing the circularly polarized beam to shift direction by -2α.

7. The signal transmission device according to claim 5, wherein, include: Multiple first dummy ports are connected to multiple lines in the upper region of the aforementioned first Rotman lens; Multiple second dummy ports are connected to multiple lines in the lower region of the aforementioned first Rotman lens; Multiple third dummy ports, which are connected to multiple lines in the upper region of the aforementioned second Rotman lens; and Multiple fourth dummy ports are connected to multiple lines in the lower region of the aforementioned second Rotman lens.

8. The signal transmission device according to claim 7, wherein, The number of the aforementioned plurality of first dummy ports and the number of the aforementioned plurality of second dummy ports are less than the number of the aforementioned plurality of ports of the first input line. The number of the aforementioned plurality of third dummy ports and the number of the aforementioned plurality of fourth dummy ports are less than the number of the aforementioned plurality of ports on the first input line. The sum of the number of the aforementioned multiple first dummy ports and the number of the aforementioned multiple second dummy ports is greater than the number of the aforementioned multiple ports of the first input line. The sum of the number of the aforementioned third dummy ports and the number of the aforementioned fourth dummy ports is greater than the number of the aforementioned first input line ports.

9. The signal transmission device according to claim 5, wherein, The aforementioned patch antennas include the first patch antenna through the eighth patch antenna. The aforementioned first output line includes a first port to an eighth port configured to apply a first polarization to a plurality of signals to the aforementioned first patch antenna to the eighth patch antenna. The second output line includes a ninth port to a sixteenth port configured to apply a second polarization to a plurality of signals to the first patch antenna to the eighth patch antenna.

10. The signal transmission device according to claim 9, wherein, Each of the aforementioned first patch antennas to the aforementioned eighth patch antennas is configured as a quadrilateral patch antenna rotated 45 degrees about a first axis. The end of the first output line is connected to the first patch antenna to the eighth patch antenna at an angle of -45 degrees relative to the first axis. The end of the second output line is connected to the first patch antenna to the eighth patch antenna at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the first axis.

11. The signal transmission device according to claim 9, wherein, The outermost upper and lower lines of the aforementioned multiple first output lines form a straight line structure, while the remaining lines form a curved structure. The outermost upper and lower lines of the aforementioned multiple second output lines form a straight line structure, while the remaining lines form a curved structure.

12. The signal transmission device according to claim 10, wherein, The modulation and demodulation unit applies a first signal to an eighth signal to the first port to the eighth port along the third axis direction of the first patch antenna to the eighth patch antenna, thereby causing the first patch antenna to the eighth patch antenna to form a first polarization. The modulation and demodulation unit applies the ninth signal to the sixteenth signal to the ninth port to the sixteenth port along the fourth axis direction of the first patch antenna to the eighth patch antenna, thereby causing the first patch antenna to the eighth patch antenna to form a second polarization. The fourth axis direction is perpendicular to the third axis direction. The modulation and demodulation unit applies the first to eighth signals to the first to eighth ports, and the ninth to sixteenth signals to the ninth to sixteenth ports, thereby causing the first to eighth patch antennas to form circular polarization. The third axis direction mentioned above is the direction of the axis that is rotated 45 degrees relative to the first axis mentioned above, and the fourth axis direction mentioned above is the direction of the axis that is rotated 45 degrees relative to the second axis mentioned above.

13. The signal transmission device according to claim 4, wherein, The modulation and demodulation unit applies a first signal to any one of the first to fifth ports, thereby forming a first beam with a first polarization pointing at a first angle. When forming the first beam, a second signal is applied to any one of the sixth to tenth ports to form a second beam with a second polarization pointing at a second angle different from the first angle.

14. The signal transmission device according to claim 13, wherein, The modulation and demodulation unit applies multiple first signals to one or more ports from the first port to the fifth port, thereby forming multiple first beams with first polarizations pointing to multiple first angles. When forming the plurality of first beams, a plurality of second signals are applied to one or more of the ports from the sixth port to the tenth port, thereby forming a plurality of second beams with second polarizations pointing to a plurality of second angles different from the plurality of first angles.

15. The signal transmission device according to claim 4, wherein, The aforementioned first output line includes ports one through eight connected to the other side of the aforementioned first Rotman lens. The aforementioned second output line includes ports nine through sixteen connected to one side of the aforementioned second Rotman lens. The aforementioned patch antennas include the first to eighth patch antennas configured as a two-dimensional structure. Each of the first patch antenna to the eighth patch antenna includes a plurality of patch antenna elements separately arranged in the first axial direction.

16. The signal transmission device according to claim 15, wherein, Each of the first to eighth patch antennas has multiple patch antenna elements adjacent to each other in the first axial direction arranged separately according to the length of the wavelength, wherein the wavelength corresponds to the operating frequency of the antenna section.

17. The signal transmission device according to claim 16, wherein, Also includes: The first feed line extends from the first output line and extends to the rightmost patch antenna element; as well as The second feed line extends from the aforementioned second output line and extends to the leftmost patch antenna element.

18. The signal transmission device according to claim 17, wherein, The aforementioned modulation and demodulation unit is controlled. A first signal is applied to the first feed line, thereby causing the antenna section to radiate the first polarized signal. A second signal is applied to the second feed line, thereby causing the antenna section to radiate the second polarized signal. A first signal is applied to the first feed line and a second signal is applied to the second feed line, thereby causing the antenna section to radiate the circularly polarized signal.

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