Antenna structure for improving near-end detection performance of radar, radar device and traffic equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of radars, and discloses an antenna structure for improving the near-end detection performance of a radar, a radar device and traffic equipment, a plurality of antenna arrays are arranged along a first direction to form an antenna area array, and each antenna array is provided with a first array element value; the first array element values of the antenna arrays located in the middle of the antenna area arrays are gradually reduced along the antenna arrays located on the outer sides of the antenna area arrays; a wider near-end wave beam can be obtained while a far-end wave beam is narrower, so that the near-end detection performance is improved while the working distance is ensured; and the performance adaptive to a traffic application scene is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of radars, and in particular relates to an antenna structure, a radar device and traffic equipment for improving the near-end detection performance of a radar. Background Art

[0002] In the application scenario of traffic radar, in order to cover a specific number of lanes, especially to ensure that the blind spot of the near-end outer lane is small enough, the horizontal beam width of the antenna array needs to meet a certain design lower limit. For the antenna array that conventionally forms a spindle-shaped antenna radiation pattern, the limitation of the horizontal beam width leads to a bottleneck in the improvement of the overall gain, so the blind spot of the near-end outer lane and the far-end working distance show a mutually restrictive relationship.

[0003] In fact, when the traffic radar is working at the far end, the corresponding section only needs a very narrow horizontal beam width, so as long as the corresponding near-end antenna section has sufficient horizontal beam width, the near-end detection performance requirements can be met. Therefore, in the conventional antenna array design, in order to meet the beam width of the near-end antenna section, the overall beam width needs to be limited, which will dissipate part of the radiation energy in the far-end non-detection area, reducing the utilization efficiency of the radiation energy. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to address the deficiencies of the prior art, the utility model provides an antenna structure, a radar device and traffic equipment for improving the near-end detection performance of the radar. By arranging the antenna elements of the antenna array, a wider near-end beam can be obtained while the far-end beam is narrow, thereby improving the near-end detection performance while ensuring the working distance.

[0005] The technical effects to be achieved by the utility model are achieved through the following aspects:

[0006] In a first aspect, the utility model provides an antenna structure for improving the near-end detection performance of a radar, comprising at least

[0007] A plurality of antenna arrays having antenna elements;

[0008] and a feeding network, comprising a power divider and a first feeder, wherein the power divider is connected to the antenna array via the first feeder;

[0009] Among them, multiple antenna arrays are arranged along a first direction to form an antenna array, the antenna array is provided with a first array element value, and the first array element value of the antenna array located in the middle of the antenna array gradually decreases along the antenna array located outside the antenna array.

[0010] In some implementations, the first feed line is provided with a first impedance matcher.

[0011] In some implementations, when the antenna array has a plurality of antenna array elements, adjacent antenna array elements are connected via a second feeder line.

[0012] In some implementations, antenna elements in the same antenna array are arranged along the second direction, and the width of the antenna elements in the middle of the antenna array gradually decreases toward the width of the antenna elements at the ends of the antenna array.

[0013] In some implementations, the antenna array element is a rectangular patch, and the second feed line is fed into the middle of one side of the antenna array element and passes out from the middle of the other opposite side; the antenna array element located at the end of the antenna array is only fed.

[0014] In some implementations, when adjacent antenna array elements have different widths, the second feed line is provided with a second impedance matcher.

[0015] In some implementations, the number of the antenna arrays is 6, and the 6 antenna arrays are equidistantly distributed along the first direction.

[0016] In some implementations, the power divider is a one-to-six T-shaped power divider; the input end of the power divider is connected to the radio frequency chip, and the output end of the power divider is connected to the antenna arrays respectively.

[0017] In a second aspect, the utility model provides a radar device, characterized in that it includes a radio frequency chip and the above-mentioned antenna structure for improving the near-end detection performance of the radar, and the radio frequency end of the radio frequency chip is connected to the antenna structure for improving the near-end detection performance of the radar to send and receive signals.

[0018] In a third aspect, the utility model provides a traffic device, including a device body, and at least one of the above-mentioned radar devices, wherein the radar device is arranged at any position of the device body.

[0019] In summary, the utility model has at least the following benefits:

[0020] The utility model provides an antenna structure for improving the near-end detection performance of a radar. A plurality of antenna arrays are arranged along a first direction to form an antenna array. The antenna array is provided with a first array element value, and the first array element value of the antenna array located in the middle of the antenna array gradually decreases along the antenna array located outside the antenna array. A wider near-end beam can be obtained while a narrow far-end beam is relatively narrow, thereby improving the near-end detection performance while ensuring the working distance, and improving the performance adapted to traffic application scenarios. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna structure for improving the near-end detection performance of the radar according to Example 1 of the utility model.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the 3D radiation performance of the antenna array of Example 1 of the utility model.

[0023] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of horizontal sections of the antenna array of Example 1 of the utility model at different downtilt angles.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a diagram of equal receiving field strengths calculated by simulating the antenna array of Example 1 of the utility model.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a radar device according to Embodiment 2 of the present utility model.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the traffic equipment of Example 3 of the utility model.

[0027] Markings in the figure:

[0028] 1. Antenna array; 2. Antenna array element; 3. Feed network; 4. Power divider; 5. First feed line; 6. First impedance matcher; 7. Second feed line; 8. Second impedance matcher; 200. Radar device; 210. Radio frequency chip; 230. Antenna structure for improving radar near-end detection performance; 300. Traffic equipment; x, first direction; y, second direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the implementation of the utility model clearer, the technical solution in the implementation of the utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the implementation of the utility model. The described implementation is a part of the implementation of the utility model, not all of the implementations.

[0030] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] Embodiment 1:

[0032] Please refer to the attached Figure 1-4 The utility model discloses an antenna structure for improving the near-end detection performance of a radar, comprising a plurality of antenna arrays 1 and a feeding network 3.

[0033] Each antenna array 1 has antenna elements 2, and the radiation characteristics of the antenna array 1 depend on the type, number, arrangement, spacing between antenna elements 2, and the amplitude and phase distribution of the current on the antenna elements 2. The radiation field of the antenna array 1 is the vector superposition of the electromagnetic fields generated by each antenna element 2. The feeding network 3 includes a power divider 4 and a first feeder 5. The power divider 4 is connected to the antenna array 1 through the first feeder 5; wherein the power divider 4 is a device that divides one input signal energy into two or more outputs of equal or unequal energy. The power divider 4 is connected to the RF chip of the radar device and feeds the antenna array 1 through the first feeder 5.

[0034] In this embodiment, a plurality of antenna arrays 1 are arranged along a first direction x to form an antenna array, and the antenna array is provided with a first array element value, and the antenna array located in the middle of the antenna array gradually decreases along the first array element value of the antenna array located outside the antenna array. Among them, the first array element value is the number of antenna elements of the antenna array, and the first array element value of each antenna array may be the same or different. In this embodiment, the antenna array located in the middle of the antenna array gradually decreases along the first array element value of the antenna array located outside the antenna array. By setting an antenna array 1 combination with a variable number of antenna elements 2, a wider near-end beam can be obtained while the far-end beam is narrow, thereby improving the near-end detection performance while ensuring the working distance; and improving the performance adapted to the traffic application scenario.

[0035] In some implementations, the first feeder 5 is provided with a first impedance matcher 6. In the present embodiment, the first impedance matcher 6 is a device for ensuring that the impedances between the signal source, the transmission line, and the load in the electronic system are consistent. The basic principle of impedance matching is to reduce the reflection and energy loss of the signal during transmission. This is usually achieved by matching the output impedance of the signal source with the characteristic impedance of the transmission line and the load impedance. Ideally, these impedance values ​​should be equal to achieve maximum power transmission and efficiency. The present application adjusts and distributes the current and phase of the input feed signal through the first impedance matcher 6.

[0036] In some implementations, when there are multiple antenna array elements 2 in an antenna array 1, adjacent antenna array elements 2 are connected by a second feed line 7. The antenna array element 2 is a rectangular patch, and the second feed line 7 is fed from the middle of one side of the antenna array element 2 and passes through the middle of the other opposite side; the antenna array element 2 at the end of the antenna array 1 is only fed. The antenna array elements 2 in the same antenna array 1 are arranged along the second direction y, and the width of the antenna array element 2 in the middle of the antenna array 1 gradually decreases along the width of the antenna array element 2 at the end of the antenna array 1.

[0037] In this embodiment, the antenna array 1 adopts the structure of a series-fed antenna element 2, each antenna element 2 is in the form of a rectangular patch, the width of the second feed line 7 remains unchanged, the second feed line 7 is fed from the middle of one side of the rectangular patch, and passes through the middle of the other opposite side, and the feed line of the antenna element 2 at the feeding end is only fed; the width of the antenna element 2 along the second direction y is equal, both are half the guided wave wavelength, and the distance between the centers of two adjacent microstrip patches along the second direction y is one guided wave wavelength; the width of the antenna element 2 along the first direction x is unequal to meet the requirements of the comprehensive amplitude distribution of the relevant array. In addition, when the widths of adjacent antenna elements 2 are different, the second feed line 7 is provided with a second impedance matcher 8. The present application adjusts and distributes the current and phase of the input feed signal through the first impedance matcher 6. In addition, the width of the first direction x and the width of the second direction y of the antenna element 2 can be set according to the application scenario and the detection effect, and any width of the first direction x and the width of the second direction y are within the protection scope of the present application.

[0038] In a specific embodiment, the number of antenna arrays 1 is 6, and the 6 antenna arrays 1 are equidistantly distributed along the first direction x. The power divider 4 is a one-to-six T-shaped power divider 4; the input end of the power divider 4 is connected to the radio frequency chip, and the output end of the power divider 4 is connected to the antenna arrays 1 respectively. Figure 1 , a plurality of antenna arrays are arranged along a first direction x to form an antenna array, the antenna array is provided with a first array element value, and the first array element value of the antenna array located in the middle of the antenna array gradually decreases along the antenna array located outside the antenna array. The antenna array is composed of antenna arrays 1 with different numbers of antenna elements 2, arranged in a bilaterally symmetrical form. Figure 2 , Figure 3 Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the radiation performance of the designed antenna array. Figure 2 , 3 As shown in , when the elevation angle of the designed antenna array increases, sufficient horizontal beam width is ensured by shaping, so that the whole device has better detection performance at the near end. Figure 4 For the simulated calculation of the receiving field strength diagram, according to Figure 4 As shown in the figure, since the antenna array has the characteristics of narrow horizontal beam width in the far-end working area and wide horizontal beam width in the near-end working area, the radar has a smaller coverage blind area at the near end while taking into account the far-end working distance, and can better adapt to different installation scenarios. In addition, the six antenna arrays 1 can also be distributed at unequal intervals along the first direction x, and different radiation ranges can be achieved by adjusting the spacing between the antenna arrays.

[0039] Embodiment 2:

[0040] This embodiment provides a radar device 200 based on the above embodiment. Figure 5, the radar device 200 includes a radio frequency chip 210, and an antenna structure 230 for improving the near-end detection performance of the radar as described in Example 1, and the radio frequency end of the radio frequency chip 210 is connected to the antenna structure 230 for improving the near-end detection performance of the radar to transmit and receive signals. In this embodiment, the radio frequency chip 210 can be any type of millimeter wave radio frequency transceiver chip, and the output end of the radio frequency chip is connected to the antenna structure 230 for improving the near-end detection performance of the radar, and the signal is radiated through the antenna structure 230 for improving the near-end detection performance of the radar. An antenna array is formed by arranging a plurality of antenna arrays along a first direction x, the antenna array is provided with a first array element value, and the antenna array located in the middle of the antenna array gradually decreases along the first array element value of the antenna array located outside the antenna array; a wider near-end beam can be obtained while the far-end beam is narrow, thereby improving the near-end detection performance while ensuring the working distance; and improving the performance adapted to the traffic application scenario.

[0041] The radar device is provided with an antenna structure 230 for improving the near-end detection performance of the radar. Specifically, a plurality of antenna arrays are arranged along a first direction x to form an antenna array. The antenna array is provided with a first array element value, and the first array element value of the antenna array located in the middle of the antenna array gradually decreases along the antenna array located outside the antenna array. The antenna scheme adopted adopts an antenna array 1 with inconsistent numbers of antenna elements 2 in the antenna array, so that the antenna radiation pattern corresponds to the working area, presenting a characteristic that the beam width of the horizontal radiation section of the antenna is narrow when working at the far end and the horizontal radiation section of the antenna is widened when working at the near end, which is beneficial to improving the detection performance of the near-end outer lane of the traffic radar and reducing the detection blind spot of the equipment.

[0042] Embodiment 3:

[0043] This embodiment provides a traffic device 300 based on the above embodiment. Figure 6, the traffic equipment 300 includes a device body and at least one radar device 200 described in embodiment 1, and the radar device 200 is arranged at any position of the device body. In one example, the traffic equipment can be a roadside unit, which can be arranged on the side of the lane, a lamp pole or a gantry, and the roadside unit at least includes any one or more of a camera, a traffic radar, and an ETC roadside device; the radar device 200 is arranged above the traffic equipment to detect traffic participants such as vehicles and pedestrians on the road. In another embodiment, the traffic equipment can also be a vehicle, and the radar device is arranged on the peripheral side of the device body to detect objects on the peripheral side of the vehicle. By arranging an antenna structure 230 for improving the near-end detection performance of the radar on the radar device 200, a plurality of antenna arrays 1 are arranged along the first direction x to form an antenna array, and the antenna array is provided with a first array element value, and the antenna array located in the middle of the antenna array gradually decreases along the first array element value of the antenna array located outside the antenna array, so that a wider near-end beam can be obtained while the far-end beam is narrow, thereby improving the near-end detection performance while ensuring the working distance.

[0044] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "install", "connect", "connect", "fix" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0045] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc. indicate the orientation or position relationship based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or position relationship in which the utility model product is usually placed when in use, which is only for the convenience of describing the utility model and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used to distinguish the description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0046] In addition, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "overhanging" and the like do not mean that the components are required to be absolutely horizontal or overhanging, but can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" only means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical", and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0047] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the first feature being above or below the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features not being in direct contact but being in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, the first feature being above, above, and above the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. The first feature being below, below, and below the second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0048] Although the utility model is described in conjunction with the above specific embodiments, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can make many substitutions, modifications and changes based on the above content. Therefore, all such substitutions, improvements and changes are included in the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An antenna structure for improving the near-end detection performance of a radar, characterized in that: At least include A plurality of antenna arrays (1) having antenna array elements (2); and a feeding network (3), comprising a power divider (4) and a first feeder (5), wherein the power divider (4) is connected to the antenna array (1) via the first feeder (5); Wherein, a plurality of the antenna arrays (1) are arranged along a first direction to form an antenna array, the antenna array is provided with a first array element value, and the first array element value of the antenna array (1) located in the middle of the antenna array gradually decreases along the antenna array (1) located outside the antenna array.

2. The antenna structure for improving radar near-end detection performance according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first feed line (5) is provided with a first impedance matcher (6).

3. The antenna structure for improving radar near-end detection performance according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the number of antenna array elements (2) in an antenna array (1) is multiple, adjacent antenna array elements (2) are connected via a second feeder line (7).

4. The antenna structure for improving radar near-end detection performance according to claim 3, characterized in that: The antenna array elements (2) located in the same antenna array (1) are arranged along the second direction, and the width of the antenna array element (2) located in the middle of the antenna array (1) gradually decreases towards the width of the antenna array element (2) located at the end of the antenna array (1).

5. The antenna structure for improving radar near-end detection performance according to claim 3, characterized in that: The antenna array element (2) is a rectangular patch, and the second feed line (7) is fed into the middle of one side of the antenna array element (2) and passes through the middle of the other opposite side; the antenna array element (2) located at the end of the antenna array (1) is only fed.

6. The antenna structure for improving radar near-end detection performance according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the widths of adjacent antenna array elements (2) are different, the second feed line (7) is provided with a second impedance matcher (8).

7. The antenna structure for improving radar near-end detection performance according to claim 3, characterized in that: The number of the antenna arrays (1) is 6, and the 6 antenna arrays (1) are equidistantly distributed along the first direction.

8. The antenna structure for improving radar near-end detection performance according to claim 7, characterized in that: The power divider (4) is a one-to-six T-shaped power divider (4); the input end of the power divider (4) is connected to the radio frequency chip, and the output end of the power divider (4) is respectively connected to the antenna array (1).

9. A radar device, characterized in that: It comprises a radio frequency chip (210) and an antenna structure (230) for improving the near-end detection performance of a radar as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a radio frequency end of the radio frequency chip (210) is connected to the antenna structure (230) for improving the near-end detection performance of a radar to transmit and receive signals.

10. A traffic device, characterized in that: The device comprises a device body, and at least one radar device (200) according to claim 9, wherein the radar device is arranged at any position of the device body.

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