Lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna

Abstract

The utility model discloses a lightning protection satellite phased array antenna, which comprises an antenna body, the antenna is provided with a first protection device, the first protection device is used for guiding direct lightning stroke current, the antenna body comprises a second protection device which is integrally arranged, and the second protection device is used for guiding the direct lightning stroke current. The second protection device is used for protecting electromagnetic pulses generated by lightning stroke induction, and can be used for direct lightning stroke protection and lightning stroke induction protection, and the lightning stroke induction protection also adopts complete machine-level and board-level protection, so that the protection effect is enhanced to a greater extent, and the lightning stroke induction protection effect is improved. The two-stage protection reduces the influence of the induction lightning stroke on the equipment to the greatest extent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of lightning protection technology, and in particular to a lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna. Background Art

[0002] Phased array antennas have the advantages of flexible beam control and fast switching speed, and are the mainstream development direction of satellite communication antennas. However, they are complex to manufacture and expensive, which limits their application scope. In order to reduce costs and production complexity, phased array antennas have developed from brick and tile types to flat types, with increasing integration, reducing production complexity, and reducing costs.

[0003] However, due to the complex functional circuits involved in phased array antennas and the large number of electronic components involved, although the cost has been reduced after the integration has been improved, it has also made it more susceptible to interference from the external electromagnetic environment. Especially for airborne satellite communication phased array antennas, they may encounter thunderstorms during the flight of the aircraft. On the one hand, lightning directly hits the equipment, causing damage to the equipment such as electrical effects, thermal effects, and mechanical effects; on the other hand, the extremely high voltage and current induced by lightning will also cause electromagnetic interference or even damage to the satellite communication phased array antenna. Therefore, for airborne satellite communication phased array antennas, necessary lightning protection measures need to be taken. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present application provides a lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna, which provides direct lightning protection and induced lightning protection respectively through a first protection device and a second protection device, thereby more comprehensively enhancing the protection effect.

[0005] The utility model is realized by the following technical solutions:

[0006] A lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna comprises: an antenna body, wherein the antenna body is provided with a first protection device, the first protection device is used to guide direct lightning current, and the antenna body comprises an integrated second protection device, the second protection device is used to protect against electromagnetic pulses generated by induced lightning.

[0007] In some embodiments, the second protection device includes: a whole-machine level protection device and a board-level protection device, wherein:

[0008] The whole-machine level protection device is arranged at the input and output ends of the low-frequency signal line and the radio frequency signal line in the antenna body;

[0009] The board-level protection device is arranged at the input end and the output end of the board-level circuit in the antenna body.

[0010] In some embodiments, the whole machine level protection device further comprises: a whole machine level low frequency signal protection device and a whole machine level radio frequency signal protection device;

[0011] The whole-machine-level low-frequency signal protection device is arranged at the input and output ends of the low-frequency signal line;

[0012] The whole-machine-level radio frequency signal protection device is arranged at the input and output ends of the radio frequency signal line.

[0013] In some embodiments, the board-level circuit includes: a circuit board, and the board-level protection device includes: a board-level low-frequency signal protection device and a board-level radio frequency signal protection device;

[0014] The board-level low-frequency signal protection device and the board-level radio frequency signal protection device are arranged on the same circuit board or are respectively arranged on different circuit boards;

[0015] Different low-frequency signal protection devices in the board-level low-frequency signal protection device are arranged on the same circuit board or respectively arranged on different circuit boards;

[0016] The protection devices for different radio frequency signals in the board-level radio frequency signal protection device are arranged on the same circuit board or respectively arranged on different circuit boards.

[0017] In some embodiments, the antenna body includes: a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, and the first protective device includes: a radome;

[0018] The radome is provided with guide strips, which are arranged on the surface of the radome, and the guide strips are arranged at positions avoiding the normal radiation areas of the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna.

[0019] In some embodiments, the whole-machine-level low-frequency signal protection device includes: a first-level protection device and a second-level protection device, and the first-level protection device is connected to the second-level protection device.

[0020] The first-level protection device includes a first gas discharge tube, and the second-level protection device includes a TVS diode.

[0021] In some embodiments, the whole-machine-level low-frequency signal protection device further includes: a third-level protection device and a filtering circuit, and the third-level protection device includes an anti-surge resistor.

[0022] In some embodiments, the whole-machine-level radio frequency signal protection device includes: a second gas discharge tube or a quarter-wavelength short circuit.

[0023] In some embodiments, the board-level low-frequency signal protection device includes: a voltage regulator circuit for clamping the voltage.

[0024] In some embodiments, the board-level radio frequency signal protection device includes: a high-pass filter or a resistor.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the present invention may have at least the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0026] In the present application, a lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna includes: an antenna body, the antenna is provided with a first protective device, the first protective device is used to guide the direct lightning current, the antenna body includes an integrated second protective device, the second protective device is used to protect against electromagnetic pulses generated by induced lightning, and can achieve better protection effects for direct lightning protection and induced lightning protection.

[0027] It should be understood that the content described in this section is not intended to identify the key or important features of the embodiments of the present application, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present application. Other features of the present application will become easily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Hereinafter, the present application will be described in more detail based on embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an exemplary lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna proposed in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of an exemplary first protection device proposed in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0031] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of an exemplary whole-machine-level low-frequency signal protection device proposed in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0032] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of an exemplary whole-machine-level radio frequency signal protection device proposed in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0033] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of an exemplary board-level low-frequency communication signal protection device proposed in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0034] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of an exemplary board-level radio frequency signal protection device proposed in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0035] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of an exemplary board-level power signal protection device proposed in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0036] Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of an exemplary board-level discrete quantity signal protection device proposed in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0037] Reference numerals:

[0038] 1. Antenna cover; 11. Guide strip; 2. Antenna body; 21. Whole-machine level protection device; 211. Whole-machine level low-frequency signal protection device; 212. Whole-machine level radio frequency signal protection device; 22. Board-level protection device; 221. Board-level low-frequency signal protection device; 222. Board-level radio frequency signal protection device; 3. Casing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0040] In the related technologies, since the functional circuits involved in phased array antennas are relatively complex and involve a large number of electronic components, they are more susceptible to interference from the external electromagnetic environment after the integration level is increased. The extensive use of low-voltage active devices such as CMOS chips has increased the electromagnetic sensitivity of flat-panel satellite communication phased array antennas to voltage and current fluctuations inside and outside the system, making them more susceptible to damage. For airborne satellite communication phased array antennas, considering that their main working environment is the atmosphere, they may encounter lightning weather during the flight of the aircraft. The extremely high voltage and current generated by lightning will interfere with the electronic system. Therefore, necessary lightning protection measures need to be taken for satellite communication phased array antenna systems.

[0041] Lightning can damage or destroy airborne electronic equipment mainly through direct lightning strikes and induced lightning strikes. Direct lightning strikes refer to lightning directly hitting the equipment, which can cause damage to the equipment through electrical effects, thermal effects, and mechanical effects. Induced lightning strikes refer to electromagnetic pulses generated by direct lightning strikes that pass through metal conductors or cables inside airborne electronic equipment, generating large induced voltages and currents inside the equipment, which can also cause damage to the equipment.

[0042] Since direct lightning strikes and induced lightning strikes have obvious differences in their destructive modes, lightning protection measures for airborne electronic equipment should also focus on protecting against direct lightning strikes and induced lightning strikes. Most of the related technologies focus on single-type lightning protection for a certain type of equipment, and there are few overall protection solutions that include multiple lightning forms. There is even a lack of research on overall protection solutions for equipment such as airborne satellite communication phased array antennas.

[0043] In response to the above-mentioned problems, the present application provides a lightning-proof satellite communication phased array antenna, which can protect against two aspects: direct lightning strikes and induced lightning strikes. Among them, two-level protection of the whole machine level and the board level is adopted for the protection against induced lightning strikes to enhance the protection effect to a great extent. The two-level protection minimizes the impact of induced lightning strikes on the equipment.

[0044] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an exemplary lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna provided in an example of this application.

[0045] A lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna comprises: an antenna body 2, the antenna is provided with a first protection device, the first protection device is used to guide direct lightning current, the antenna body 2 comprises an integrated second protection device, the second protection device is used to protect against electromagnetic pulses generated by induced lightning.

[0046] For direct lightning protection:

[0047] In some embodiments, the antenna body 2 includes: a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, and a first protective device, including: a radome 1, the radome 1 is provided with a guide strip 11, the guide strip 11 is arranged on the surface of the radome, and the guide strip is arranged at a position avoiding the normal radiation area of ​​the transmitting and receiving antennas.

[0048] In this embodiment, see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an exemplary first protective device proposed in the embodiment, and a guide bar 11 can be arranged on the surface of the antenna cover 1. Among them, the guide bar 11 includes a segmented guide bar, a pure metal guide bar, etc. When the guide bar 11 is arranged on the surface of the antenna cover 1, its own characteristics will have a certain impact on the radiation performance of the antenna. Considering that the airborne satellite communication phased array usually adopts a solution of separate apertures for transmitting and receiving antennas, there is a certain distance of isolation between the transmitting and receiving antennas to achieve transmission and reception isolation. Therefore, in order to ensure that the performance of the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna is not affected by the guide bar 11, the guide bar 11 is placed at a position away from the normal radiation area of ​​the transmitting and receiving antennas.

[0049] Among them, the present embodiment preferably uses a segmented guide bar, which is composed of a series of thin conductive metal sheets, an insulating adhesive layer, and a base tape. Through the guidance of the guide bar 11, lightning can be directly discharged to the ground of the housing 3, thereby protecting the equipment from damage caused by direct lightning strikes. The guide bar 11 can also be in other forms such as a pure metal guide bar, which is not limited in this application.

[0050] Regarding the protection against inductive lightning strikes:

[0051] In some embodiments, the second protection device includes: a whole-machine level protection device 21 and a board-level protection device 22, wherein:

[0052] The whole-machine level protection device 21 is arranged at the input and output ends of the low-frequency signal line and the radio frequency signal line in the antenna body 2;

[0053] The board-level protection device 22 is arranged at the input and output ends of the board-level circuit in the antenna body 2 .

[0054] In this embodiment, for the protection against induced lightning strikes, two levels of protection are adopted, namely, a whole-machine level protection device 21 and a board-level protection device 22. The whole-machine level protection device 21 is implemented by loading a radio frequency lightning suppressor and a low frequency lightning suppressor at the antenna input and output interface, and the board-level protection is mainly implemented by loading a small protection circuit at the board-level circuit input port.

[0055] Regarding the whole-machine protection principle for induced lightning strikes, due to the large number of interface signals, they are combined and classified according to the signal type. They are mainly divided into five categories: power supply, low-frequency communication, Ethernet, discrete quantity, and radio frequency signals. The first four types of signals are all low-frequency signals, and they can have the same topology during protection design.

[0056] For example, the whole-machine level protection against induced lightning strikes requires protection of various signal types, which are mainly divided into five categories: power supply signals, low-frequency communication signals based on ARINC429 inertial navigation and RS422, 100M Ethernet signals, discrete quantity signals, and radio frequency signals.

[0057] In some embodiments, the whole machine level protection device 21 further includes: a whole machine level low frequency signal protection device 211 and a whole machine level radio frequency signal protection device 212;

[0058] The whole-machine-level low-frequency signal protection device 211 is arranged at the input and output ends of the low-frequency signal line;

[0059] The whole-machine-level radio frequency signal protection device 212 is arranged at the input and output ends of the radio frequency signal line.

[0060] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of an exemplary whole-machine-level low-frequency signal protection device 211 proposed in this embodiment.

[0061] The whole-machine-level low-frequency signal protection device 211 includes: a first-level protection device and a second-level protection device, the first-level protection device is connected to the second-level protection device, the first-level protection device includes a first gas discharge tube, and the second-level protection device includes a TVS diode.

[0062] Among them, the whole-machine-level low-frequency signal protection device 211 adopts the form of a protection and filtering combined circuit. The large current is discharged through the circuit in the first-level protection device, and then the residual voltage spike is limited through the fast-response protection circuit of the second-level protection device, thereby suppressing the lightning energy and the electromagnetic pulse waveform at the same time.

[0063] For example, the whole machine level protection is adopted for the DC power supply, and the whole machine level protection circuit of the DC power supply is realized by connecting the first level protection and the second level protection in series. The first level protection adopts semiconductor gas discharge tube for current discharge and voltage clamping, and the second level protection adopts combination circuits such as TVS diode for voltage clamping. After two levels of protection, the voltage is clamped to a safe voltage to protect the subsequent equipment from damage.

[0064] In some exemplary cases, for the whole-machine level protection of Ethernet signals, the circuit is implemented by connecting the first-level protection and the second-level protection in series. The first-level protection is connected to a gas discharge tube across the signal input end, and after passing through the network transformer, the second-level protection TVS tube and the fast recovery diode are connected in series to eliminate the surge current of high voltage and high current.

[0065] In some implementations, the whole-machine-level low-frequency signal protection device 211 further includes: a third-level protection device and a filtering circuit, and the third-level protection device includes an anti-surge resistor.

[0066] Among them, the third-level protection device is used to strengthen the effect, resist surges and reduce residual current, thereby improving the reliability of the protection circuit.

[0067] Through the above protection, the voltage and current are limited to a safe range to protect the back-end equipment from being damaged by lightning. A filter circuit is designed at the back end of the protection, the current value of the protection device is calculated by the voltage, and then the appropriate filter device is selected according to the current value to eliminate interference through common mode and differential mode filtering.

[0068] It should be noted that the third-level protection device and filtering circuit are composed of alternative structures, which mainly play the role of strengthening protection. Due to the different types of low-frequency signals, for some types of low-frequency signals (such as DC power supply signals), the ideal protection effect may have been achieved after the first two levels of protection, and there is no need to add subsequent protection circuits.

[0069] For example, the whole-machine protection for low-frequency communication signals is realized by connecting the first-level protection, the second-level protection, and the third-level protection in series. After the circuit signal is input, it is discharged and clamped by the semiconductor discharge tube of the first level, and then the voltage is clamped by the combination circuit such as the TVS diode of the second level. After two levels of protection, the voltage is clamped to a safe voltage. After the third level of surge resistance current limiting, the residual current is limited to the minimum. After lightning protection, the residual voltage and residual current tend to safe values, protecting the subsequent equipment from damage.

[0070] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an exemplary whole-machine-level radio frequency signal protection device 212 proposed in this embodiment.

[0071] In some implementations, the whole-machine-level radio frequency signal protection device 212 includes: a second gas discharge tube or a quarter-wavelength circuit breaker.

[0072] Among them, the whole-machine level protection of RF signals is mainly achieved by using a gas discharge tube or a quarter-wavelength short-circuit device connected in parallel to the ground at the RF input and output ends.

[0073] It should be noted that when the voltage between the two electrodes of the gas discharge tube reaches a certain value, the gas in the tube is ionized and changes from an insulating state to a conductive state, thereby guiding the voltage to be discharged to the ground. The lightning protection principle of the quarter-wavelength short circuit device is to achieve a short circuit input to the ground of the housing 3, thereby guiding the voltage to be discharged to the ground.

[0074] Considering that in order to protect the board-level circuit from the influence of residual voltage after passing through the lightning suppressor, it will not be destroyed, board-level induced lightning protection is also an important aspect in the design of electronic equipment.

[0075] In some embodiments, the board-level circuit includes: a circuit board, a board-level protection device 22, including: a board-level low-frequency signal protection device 221 and a board-level radio frequency signal protection device 222;

[0076] The board-level low-frequency signal protection device 221 and the board-level radio frequency signal protection device 222 are arranged on the same circuit board or respectively arranged on different circuit boards;

[0077] Different low-frequency signal protection devices in the board-level low-frequency signal protection device 221 are arranged on the same circuit board or respectively arranged on different circuit boards;

[0078] The protection devices for different radio frequency signals in the board-level radio frequency signal protection device 222 are arranged on the same circuit board or respectively arranged on different circuit boards.

[0079] It should be noted that the board-level circuit may also include other circuit boards, which may also be provided with corresponding board-level discrete quantity signal protection devices, board-level power supply signal protection devices, etc.

[0080] Among them, board-level induced lightning strikes are mainly directly conducted or coupled to single-board circuits through connectors and cables. Shielding can be added to connectors and cables, lightning protection circuits can be added to single boards, and board-level grounding and PCB wiring can be optimized. Since there are many board-level interface signals, the board-level protection circuit is similar to the whole machine-level protection circuit, and different protection circuits are also built according to the characteristics and protection requirements of different signals.

[0081] See also Figure 5, Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of an exemplary board-level low-frequency communication signal protection device proposed in this embodiment.

[0082] The board-level low-frequency signal protection device 221 includes: a voltage regulator circuit for clamping the voltage.

[0083] Among them, the board-level protection of low-frequency communication signals is mainly aimed at ARINC429 signals in low-frequency communication signals. For the input 429 differential signal, a voltage regulator circuit is added to the signal line to clamp the voltage and reduce the impact on the back-end control circuit.

[0084] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of an exemplary board-level radio frequency communication signal protection device proposed in this embodiment.

[0085] The board-level radio frequency signal protection device 222 includes: a high-pass filter or a resistor.

[0086] Among them, the board-level protection of RF signals is achieved by connecting a high-pass filter or resistor in series on the signal line.

[0087] See also Figure 7 , Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of an exemplary board-level power signal protection device proposed in one embodiment of the present application.

[0088] In the board-level power signal protection device, the input voltage signal passes through the overvoltage protection circuit, undervoltage protection circuit, overcurrent protection circuit, anti-reverse connection circuit, surge suppression circuit and input filter circuit in sequence before supplying power to other circuits on the board.

[0089] See also Figure 8 , Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of an exemplary board-level discrete signal protection device proposed in one embodiment of the present application.

[0090] The board-level protection of discrete signals is mainly achieved through a small protection circuit. The protection circuit is composed of a series resistor on the signal line for surge suppression, a parallel TVS tube for voltage clamping, and a parallel high-frequency filter capacitor to filter out high-frequency noise.

[0091] In addition, for the protection of connectors and cables, cables and connectors with shielding layers can be used to ensure that both ends of the cable shielding layer and the metal grounding shell of the connector are reliably grounded to provide a low-resistance discharge channel.

[0092] In summary, the lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna provided in this application proposes an overall solution, including two aspects: direct lightning protection and induced lightning protection. In addition, two-level protection is introduced in the induced lightning protection to enhance the protection effect.

[0093] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, a person skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments can still be modified, or some of the technical features can be replaced by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna, characterized in that: Applied to aircraft, comprising: an antenna body, the antenna body is provided with a first protective device, the first protective device is used to guide direct lightning current, the antenna body includes an integrated second protective device, the second protective device is used to protect against electromagnetic pulses generated by induced lightning; the antenna body includes: a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, the first protective device includes: a radome; the radome is provided with a guide strip, the guide strip is arranged on the surface of the radome, and the guide strip is arranged at a position avoiding the normal radiation area of ​​the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna; the second protective device includes: a whole-machine-level protective device and a board-level protective device, wherein: the whole-machine-level protective device is arranged at the input and output ends of the low-frequency signal line and the radio-frequency signal line in the antenna body; the board-level protective device is arranged at the input and output ends of the board-level circuit in the antenna body.

2. The lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The whole machine level protection device also includes: a whole machine level low frequency signal protection device and a whole machine level radio frequency signal protection device; The whole-machine-level low-frequency signal protection device is arranged at the input and output ends of the low-frequency signal line; The whole-machine-level radio frequency signal protection device is arranged at the input and output ends of the radio frequency signal line.

3. The lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that: include: Circuit board, the board-level protection device comprises: a board-level low-frequency signal protection device and a board-level radio frequency signal protection device; The board-level low-frequency signal protection device and the board-level radio frequency signal protection device are arranged on the same circuit board or are respectively arranged on different circuit boards; The protection devices for different low-frequency signals in the board-level low-frequency signal protection device are arranged on the same circuit board or respectively arranged on different circuit boards; The protection devices for different radio frequency signals in the board-level radio frequency signal protection device are arranged on the same circuit board or respectively arranged on different circuit boards.

4. The lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The whole-machine-level low-frequency signal protection device comprises: a first-level protection device and a second-level protection device, wherein the first-level protection device is connected to the second-level protection device.

5. The lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that: The whole-machine-level low-frequency signal protection device further includes: a third-level protection device and a filtering circuit, and the third-level protection device includes an anti-surge resistor.

6. The lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that: The whole-machine-level radio frequency signal protection device includes: a second gas discharge tube or a quarter-wavelength short-circuiter.

7. The lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that: The board-level low-frequency signal protection device comprises: a voltage regulator circuit for clamping the voltage.

8. The lightning protection satellite communication phased array antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that: The board-level radio frequency signal protection device includes: a high-pass filter or a resistor.

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