Composite hexagon structure based vertical tail tip antenna

Abstract

This application discloses a vertical tail fin antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure. The vertical tail fin antenna based on the composite hexagonal structure includes: a composite hexagonal metal radiator; a metal coaxial structure, the metal coaxial structure including a metal coaxial inner core and a metal coaxial outer skin, the composite hexagonal metal radiator being connected to the metal coaxial inner core; and an aircraft tail fin, the aircraft tail fin being connected to the metal coaxial outer skin. According to the embodiments of this application, the composite structure vertical tail fin antenna achieves the performance of a wideband, low-scattering vertical tail fin antenna. The use of a composite hexagonal metal array structure overcomes the technical challenges of large size and high RCS in traditional vertical tail fin antennas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of antenna technology, and in particular relates to a vertical tail fin antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the vertical tail fin tip antenna is mainly in the form of a saber antenna. The antenna adopts the form of a monopole antenna and generally uses a large-size monolithic metal structure, combined with a multi-port complex feeding network to realize the UHF band communication function.

[0003] Single-feed saber antennas are difficult to miniaturize in the UHF band. Low-frequency impedance matching and bandwidth extension are often achieved by increasing antenna size, creating antenna slots, and using complex feeding networks. While antenna slots can extend bandwidth to some extent, they often introduce cross-polarization, increasing reverse current. Similarly, complex feeding networks increase radiation loss, both of which reduce antenna radiation efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a vertical tail fin antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure, which at least solves the problems of large antenna size, high RCS value, narrow bandwidth, and low radiation efficiency of vertical tail fin antennas in related technologies.

[0005] This application provides a vertical tail fin antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure, including: Composite hexagonal metal radiator; A metal coaxial structure, comprising a metal coaxial inner core and a metal coaxial outer skin, wherein the composite hexagonal metal radiator is connected to the metal coaxial inner core; and... The aircraft tail fin is connected to the coaxial metal outer skin.

[0006] Optionally, the composite hexagonal metal radiator has a composite hexagonal structure, and the angles and side lengths of the composite hexagonal structure are configured to be adjusted according to the operating frequency and coverage bandwidth.

[0007] Optionally, the composite hexagonal metal radiator has a composite hexagonal structure, and the angles and side lengths of the composite hexagonal structure are configured to be adjusted according to the radar cross section's angle of interest.

[0008] Optionally, the antenna is a dual-fed point-polarized antenna.

[0009] Optionally, the connection between the composite hexagonal metal radiator and the coaxial metal core is located at the center of the bottom edge of the composite hexagonal metal radiator.

[0010] Optionally, the composite hexagonal metal radiator is fed by a dual-feed point structure through the vertical interconnection structure of the metal coaxial structure.

[0011] Optionally, the operating frequency band of the vertical tail fin tip antenna is from 30MHz to 400MHz.

[0012] The vertical tail wingtip antenna based on the composite hexagonal structure of this application embodiment can achieve wideband impedance matching without using a large-size metal monopole antenna. By combining the composite hexagonal structure with a high-efficiency matching network, it achieves an antenna standing wave ratio of less than 3 in the 30MHz-400MHz frequency band, realizing ultra-wideband high-efficiency radiation. At the same time, the composite hexagonal structure can reduce the overall size of the antenna, greatly reducing the RCS value of traditional large-size monopole antennas, achieving low scattering performance. It conforms to the development trend of stealth in airborne antennas and realizes a vertical tail wingtip antenna structure that integrates the advantages of wideband and low scattering. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a front view of a vertical tail fin antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a top view of a vertical tail fin antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a partial schematic diagram of the radiator of a vertical tail fin antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure, provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 This is a partial schematic diagram of a metal coaxial antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure for a vertical tail fin tip antenna provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0015] Figure label: 1. Composite hexagonal metal radiator, 2. Coaxial metal core, 3. Coaxial metal outer skin, 4. Aircraft tail fin. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of this application will be described in detail below. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only intended to explain this application and not to limit it. For those skilled in the art, this application can be implemented without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely to provide a better understanding of this application by illustrating examples.

[0017] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0018] As a crucial component for electromagnetic information exchange between an aircraft and the outside world, the antenna's layout on the aircraft surface and its own electromagnetic scattering characteristics directly affect the aircraft's radar cross section (RCS). The wingtip antenna of the vertical tail, as an important part of the airborne communication system, undertakes the key function of UHF / UHF band communication.

[0019] Currently, the wingtip antennas of vertical tail aircraft are primarily of the saber antenna type. Saber antennas typically employ a monopole antenna design, utilizing a large-size monolithic metal structure combined with a complex multi-port feed network to achieve communication functions in the UHF band. However, this traditional antenna design has several technical drawbacks. First, due to the long wavelength of the UHF band (typically 30MHz to 400MHz), traditional monopole saber antennas often require a large antenna size to achieve effective impedance matching and radiation efficiency. Specifically, in lower frequency bands (such as around 30MHz), the physical size of the antenna needs to reach a quarter of the wavelength, resulting in an excessively large antenna size, which is detrimental to the overall antenna layout of the aircraft and also increases the aircraft's weight and aerodynamic drag. Second, the large metal antenna structure itself has a large RCS value. When radar waves illuminate the antenna, it generates strong reflected and scattered echoes, thereby increasing the aircraft's detectability.

[0020] Furthermore, single-feed saber antennas are difficult to miniaturize in the UHF band. To extend the antenna's operating bandwidth and achieve impedance matching in the low-frequency band, existing technologies typically employ the following methods: increasing antenna size, using antenna slotting techniques, and loading complex feed networks. However, while antenna slotting can extend the antenna's operating bandwidth to some extent, it often introduces cross-polarization components, increasing reverse current and thus reducing the antenna's radiation efficiency. Similarly, complex feed networks introduce significant radiation losses, further degrading the antenna's radiation efficiency. In addition, complex feed networks increase the antenna's structural complexity and manufacturing cost.

[0021] In summary, existing vertical tail wingtip antennas have drawbacks such as large antenna size, high RCS value, relatively narrow bandwidth, and low radiation efficiency, making it difficult to meet the comprehensive performance requirements of modern airborne communication systems for wide bandwidth, low scattering, and miniaturization.

[0022] To address the problems in the related technologies, this application provides a vertical tail fin antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure.

[0023] It should be noted that the wideband low-scattering vertical tail wingtip antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure provided in this application embodiment can be applied to the communication systems of various aircraft (such as fighter jets, transport aircraft, drones, etc.) to realize communication functions in the ultra-shortwave band, and is especially suitable for military aircraft with high requirements for stealth performance.

[0024] In this embodiment, the composite structure vertical tail fin antenna achieves the performance of a wideband, low-scattering vertical tail fin antenna. It employs a composite hexagonal metal array structure, overcoming the technical challenges of large size and high RCS in traditional vertical tail fin antennas.

[0025] The vertical tail wingtip antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, through specific embodiments and application scenarios.

[0026] Figure 1 The image shows a front view of a vertical tail fin antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 A top view of the vertical tail fin tip antenna is shown. Figure 3 A partial schematic diagram of the radiator of the vertical tail fin antenna is shown. Figure 4 A partial schematic diagram of the metal coaxial structure of the vertical tail fin antenna is shown.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the vertical tail fin antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure according to an embodiment of this application includes: a composite hexagonal metal radiator 1, a metal coaxial structure, and an aircraft tail fin 4. The metal coaxial structure includes a metal coaxial inner core 2 and a metal coaxial outer skin 3.

[0028] Specifically, the aircraft tail fin 4 is used to simulate the installation environment of the antenna and also serves as the grounding structure of the antenna; the aircraft tail fin 4 is connected to the metal coaxial outer skin 3; the composite hexagonal metal radiator 1 is connected to the metal coaxial inner core 2.

[0029] In some embodiments, the composite hexagonal metal radiator 1 has a composite hexagonal structure. A composite hexagon means that the hexagon is not a standard regular hexagon, but rather a hexagonal structure composed of multiple sides with adjustable lengths and angles. The angles of each interior angle and the length of each side of this composite hexagon can be flexibly adjusted according to design requirements such as the antenna's operating frequency, coverage bandwidth, and RCS (Radio Frequency Cross-Section) area of ​​interest.

[0030] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the connection between the composite hexagonal metal radiator 1 and the coaxial metal core 2 is located at the center of the bottom edge of the composite hexagonal metal radiator 1. This arrangement ensures that the antenna signal is fed in from the center of the bottom edge of the radiator, which is beneficial for forming a symmetrical current distribution on the radiator, thereby improving the antenna's radiation efficiency and polarization purity.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the metal coaxial structure consists of a metal coaxial inner core 2 and a metal coaxial outer skin 3, with an insulating medium (not shown in the figure) filling the space between them. The metal coaxial outer skin 3 is connected to the aircraft tail fin 4, and the metal coaxial inner core 2 extends upward and is connected to the composite hexagonal metal radiator 1.

[0032] In some embodiments, the antenna adopts a dual-feed linear polarized antenna form, which differs from conventional single-feed linear polarized antennas and dual-feed circular polarized antennas. Specifically, the composite hexagonal metal radiator 1 achieves dual-feed feeding through the vertical interconnection structure of the metal coaxial structure. The vertical interconnection structure refers to the metal coaxial structure extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the aircraft tail fin 4, with the metal coaxial inner core 2 passing through the interior of the metal coaxial outer skin 3, transmitting the feed signal from the RF front-end module below the aircraft tail fin 4 to the composite hexagonal metal radiator 1.

[0033] As an optional embodiment, the dual-feed point of the antenna can be implemented through two independent feed ports. The two feed ports correspond to two feed points (not shown in the figure) on the composite hexagonal metal radiator 1. The two feed points can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the composite hexagonal metal radiator 1, thereby exciting two orthogonal or angularly related current components on the radiator. Dual-feeding allows for better control of the current distribution on the antenna surface, which is beneficial for achieving wideband impedance matching.

[0034] It is understandable that when a high-frequency current signal is fed into the composite hexagonal metal radiator 1 through the coaxial metal core 2, the current forms a specific distribution on the surface of the composite hexagonal radiator. Due to the symmetry of the composite hexagonal structure, under the excitation of dual-feed point feeding, the current path on the surface of the radiator forms a symmetrical meandering path. A meandering path refers to the current flow path on the surface of the antenna radiator not being a straight line, but rather bending and turning along the sides of the hexagon.

[0035] Compared to traditional straight or monolithic metal radiators, the symmetrical meandering path of the composite hexagonal structure has the following significant advantages: The symmetrical meandering path increases the effective current path length, which is equivalent to increasing the electrical length of the antenna without increasing its physical size. This allows the antenna to achieve good impedance matching even at lower frequencies (e.g., 30MHz), thus breaking through the constraint between the size and frequency of traditional monopole antennas. The symmetrical meandering path can provide multiple resonant modes. Different current path lengths correspond to different resonant frequencies. When these resonant frequencies are appropriately close, multiple resonant modes superimpose to form a wide operating range. The antenna can achieve an impedance matching characteristic with a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of less than 3 in an ultra-wide bandwidth of 30MHz to 400MHz. The angles and side lengths of the composite hexagon can be adjusted according to actual needs. For example, when it is necessary to extend the operating frequency band to lower frequencies, the side length of the composite hexagon can be increased to increase the current path length. When it is necessary to adjust the impedance characteristics within a specific frequency band, the corresponding angles can be adjusted to change the current distribution.

[0036] Therefore, the beneficial effect of this application is that it can achieve dual-feed point feeding of the composite hexagonal radiator through a vertical interconnection structure of metal coaxial without using a complex feeding network. The symmetrical meandering path formed by the composite hexagon and dual-feed point feeding achieves wideband impedance matching. At the same time, the structure of the composite hexagon avoids scattering of incoming waves from straight edges in the forward and backward directions. By reflecting incoming waves to non-interest areas through the length of the adjacent two sides of the hexagon, the RCS is effectively reduced, the scattering energy of the antenna is reduced, and the survivability of the aircraft is improved.

[0037] It should be noted that the reference to "embodiment" in this application means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments.

[0038] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "attachment" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] In the embodiments of this application, the same reference numerals denote the same components, and for the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of the same components are omitted in different embodiments. It should be understood that the thickness, length, width, and other dimensions of various components in the embodiments of this application shown in the accompanying drawings, as well as the overall thickness, length, width, and other dimensions of the integrated device, are merely illustrative and should not constitute any limitation on this application.

[0040] In this application, "multiple" means two or more (including two).

[0041] Although this application has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications can be made thereto and components can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of this application. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any manner, provided there is no structural conflict. This application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

[0042] It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments mentioned in this application describe methods or systems based on a series of steps or apparatus. However, this application is not limited to the order of the above steps; that is, the steps can be performed in the order mentioned in the embodiments, or in a different order, or several steps can be performed simultaneously.

[0043] The above description is merely a specific implementation of this application. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, modules, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A vertical tail fin antenna based on a composite hexagonal structure, characterized in that, include: Composite hexagonal metal radiator (1); A metal coaxial structure, comprising a metal coaxial inner core (2) and a metal coaxial outer skin (3), wherein the composite hexagonal metal radiator (1) is connected to the metal coaxial inner core (2); and, The aircraft tail fin (4) is connected to the metal coaxial skin (3).

2. The vertical tail fin tip antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The composite hexagonal metal radiator (1) has a composite hexagonal structure, and the angles and side lengths of the composite hexagonal structure are configured to be adjusted according to the operating frequency and coverage bandwidth.

3. The vertical tail fin tip antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The composite hexagonal metal radiator (1) has a composite hexagonal structure, and the angles and side lengths of the composite hexagonal structure are configured to be adjusted according to the radar cross section's angle of interest.

4. The vertical tail fin tip antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The antenna is a doubly fed linearly polarized antenna.

5. The vertical tail fin tip antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connection between the composite hexagonal metal radiator (1) and the coaxial metal core (2) is located at the center of the bottom edge of the composite hexagonal metal radiator (1).

6. The vertical tail fin tip antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The composite hexagonal metal radiator (1) is fed by a dual-feed point through the vertical interconnection structure of the metal coaxial structure.

7. The vertical tail fin tip antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The operating frequency band of the vertical tail fin tip antenna is from 30MHz to 400MHz.

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