Ultra-wideband modular tight-coupling phased-array antenna unit and antenna
By introducing metal coupling columns and other structures into the ultra-wideband tightly coupled phased array antenna unit, the problem of difficult to achieve modular design in the prior art is solved, and the electrical performance characteristics of ultra-wideband, large angle scanning and low profile are realized, and the convenience of modular design is also achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421826668.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-07-31
AI Technical Summary
After forming a large array, existing ultra-wideband tightly coupled phased array antennas are difficult to achieve modular design, and the strong coupling between units makes independent segmentation difficult, which violates the concept of modular design.
An ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna unit is designed, using a combination of metal-coupled columns, metal reflector plates, dielectric substrates, wide-angle impedance matching structures, barron structures and dipole units. By enhancing the coupling between the metal-coupled columns, a modular design is realized.
It realizes ultra-wideband, large-angle scanning, low profile and modular characteristics, which facilitates processing and assembly, while improving the radiation efficiency and gain of the antenna.
Smart Images
Figure CN222826615U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of broadband array antenna engineering, and in particular to the design of an ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna. Background Art
[0002] The current military electromagnetic spectrum occupies an ultra-wide spectrum range, so the demand for electronic technology for electromagnetic spectrum warfare applications is inseparable from ultra-wideband antenna technology. The traditional design concept of broadband phased array antennas is generally based on the design concept of "broadband units first and then array formation", that is, first design array units that meet the wideband requirements, and then place the broadband array units in the array environment. Such antenna units generally have to have larger lateral dimensions (such as planar spiral antennas) or longer longitudinal dimensions (such as gradient slotted antenna units). The larger lateral dimensions will inevitably limit the beam scanning range of the phased array after the array is formed, while the longer longitudinal dimensions will inevitably bring about a series of problems such as increased antenna profile height and increased volume.
[0003] The ultra-wideband tightly coupled phased array antenna cleverly introduces capacitive coupling at the end of the unit to compensate for the low-frequency inductance effect caused by the reflective floor, achieving ultra-wideband, ultra-wide angle, and low-profile electrical performance characteristics. In recent years, modular design of phased arrays has become more and more mainstream. Modular design can quickly build phased arrays of different sizes according to the needs of different positions. However, after the ultra-wideband tightly coupled antenna forms a large array, it is difficult to separate the units independently because strong coupling is required between the units, which makes the tightly coupled array contrary to the concept of modular design. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to propose a design method for an ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna unit, which has the characteristics of ultra-wideband, large-angle scanning, low profile, and modularity. On the basis of achieving excellent electrical performance characteristics, it is easy to process and assemble.
[0005] The utility model adopts the following technical solutions to achieve the above technical effects:
[0006] An ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna unit, comprising a metal coupling column and a metal reflector;
[0007] The metal coupling column is located above the metal reflector and the two are perpendicular to each other. A dielectric substrate is provided on both adjacent sides of the metal coupling column. A wide-angle impedance matching structure is embedded on the top of the dielectric substrate. A balun structure and a dipole unit are also provided on the outer surface of the dielectric substrate. The balun structure and the dipole unit are located below the wide-angle impedance matching structure. The dipole unit is divided into two parts to form two half dipoles, and the half dipoles correspond to the balun structure one by one. The two half dipoles are connected in parallel to the same power divider through the corresponding balun structure, and the other end of the power divider is matched with a 50-ohm coaxial connector for feeding.
[0008] A microstrip line is arranged on the inner surface of the dielectric substrate, one end of the microstrip line passes through the metal reflector and is connected to the inner conductor of the 50-ohm coaxial connector, and the other end passes through the dielectric substrate and is connected to the corresponding half dipole.
[0009] Furthermore, a slot for clamping the dielectric substrate is provided on the peripheral side of the metal coupling column, and the dielectric substrate is connected in the corresponding slot.
[0010] Furthermore, the two dielectric substrates are perpendicular to each other.
[0011] Furthermore, the distance between the metal reflector and the top of the antenna is controlled at 0.5λ high , and shares the same ground with the antenna, where λ high Refers to the wavelength corresponding to the highest operating frequency.
[0012] Furthermore, on two adjacent dielectric substrates, the dipole units are respectively vertically polarized dipoles and horizontally polarized dipoles.
[0013] Furthermore, the wide-angle impedance matching structure is a periodic rectangular metal sheet embedded in a dielectric substrate.
[0014] An ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna comprises a plurality of ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna units as described above; the antenna units are arranged in a rectangular array, and the metal coupling posts of the antenna units are provided with four slots, two of which correspond to the two dielectric substrates of the antenna units; and the other two slots correspond to one of the dielectric substrates of two adjacent antenna units.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0016] The ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled antenna provided by the utility model first successfully applies a vertical wide-angle matching structure, which improves the surface wave effect produced when the array is scanned at a large angle. At the same time, the vertical design allows the wide-angle matching structure, antenna dipole and balun structure to be integrated on the same dielectric substrate, which facilitates processing and assembly. The "double balun" design avoids bulky impedance transformers with high profiles, greatly reduces the size of the balun, realizes the miniaturization of the balun design, and helps to reduce the profile of the array element. The use of metal coupling columns enhances the coupling of the array elements, realizes the modular design of the antenna array elements, and facilitates the application in engineering.
[0017] The final design shows that the antenna unit used as an array unit has good ultra-wideband characteristics and large-angle scanning characteristics, as well as good radiation efficiency and high gain. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the outer structure of the antenna of the utility model;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the inner structure of the antenna of the utility model;
[0020] Figure 3 It is an isometric view of the antenna of the utility model;
[0021] Figure 4 It is the standing wave curve diagram of the antenna array of the utility model;
[0022] Figure 5 This is the array radiation pattern of the utility model antenna at 200MHz;
[0023] Figure 6 This is the array radiation pattern of the utility model antenna at 400MHz;
[0024] Figure 7 This is the array radiation pattern of the utility model antenna at 800MHz;
[0025] Figure 8 The figure is a structural diagram of the antenna array of the utility model.
[0026] In the figure: 1. Metal coupling column, 2. Vertical wide-angle impedance matching structure, 3. Strong coupling dipole, 4. Balun structure, 5. Metal reflector, 6. Microstrip line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Below, the utility model is further described in combination.
[0028] An ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna unit, comprising a metal coupling column and a metal reflector;
[0029] The metal coupling column is located above the metal reflector and the two are perpendicular to each other. A dielectric substrate is provided on both adjacent sides of the metal coupling column. A wide-angle impedance matching structure is embedded on the top of the dielectric substrate. A balun structure and a dipole unit are also provided on the outer surface of the dielectric substrate. The balun structure and the dipole unit are located below the wide-angle impedance matching structure. The dipole unit is divided into two parts to form two half dipoles, and the half dipoles correspond to the balun structure one by one. The two half dipoles are connected in parallel to the same power divider through the corresponding balun structure, and the other end of the power divider is matched with a 50-ohm coaxial connector for feeding.
[0030] A microstrip line is arranged on the inner surface of the dielectric substrate, one end of the microstrip line passes through the metal reflector and is connected to the inner conductor of the 50-ohm coaxial connector, and the other end passes through the dielectric substrate and is connected to the corresponding half dipole.
[0031] Furthermore, a slot for clamping the dielectric substrate is provided on the peripheral side of the metal coupling column, and the dielectric substrate is connected in the corresponding slot.
[0032] Furthermore, the two dielectric substrates are perpendicular to each other.
[0033] Furthermore, the distance between the metal reflector and the top of the antenna is controlled at 0.5λ high , and shares the same ground with the antenna, where λ high Refers to the wavelength corresponding to the highest operating frequency.
[0034] Furthermore, on two adjacent dielectric substrates, the dipole units are respectively vertically polarized dipoles and horizontally polarized dipoles.
[0035] Furthermore, the wide-angle impedance matching structure is a rectangular metal sheet embedded in the dielectric substrate.
[0036] An ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna comprises a plurality of ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna units as described above; the antenna units are arranged in a rectangular array, and the metal coupling posts of the antenna units are provided with four slots, two of which correspond to the two dielectric substrates of the antenna units; and the other two slots correspond to one of the dielectric substrates of two adjacent antenna units.
[0037] The present embodiment is further explained below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and principles:
[0038] The ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled array unit of this embodiment includes a dipole array, a balun structure, a vertical wide-angle matching structure, a metal coupling column, and a metal reflector. The vertical wide-angle matching structure is to change the dielectric constant above the antenna to suppress the surface waves generated during scanning, and to achieve wide-bandwidth and wide-angle matching of the phased array during scanning. In addition, in order to increase the gain of the antenna, the spacing between the metal reflector and the dipole is usually selected to be about one-quarter of the wavelength of the center frequency, and less than half of the wavelength at the high-frequency end, so as to avoid the resonance point appearing within the frequency band.
[0039] The balun structure of the ultra-wideband antenna adopts the "double balun" design method, which divides the dipole into two dipole units that are only half the size of the original. Each "half" dipole is connected with a balun, and then the two "half" units are connected in parallel with a power divider, and matched with a 50-ohm coaxial connector for feeding. The metal coupling column design enhances the coupling between antenna array elements and compensates for the inductance brought by the metal reflector, thereby broadening the low-frequency radiation characteristics and realizing the modularization of the array surface.
[0040] A metal coupling column (1), a vertical wide-angle impedance matching structure (2), a strong coupling dipole (3), a balun structure (4) and a metal reflector (5). The strong coupling dipole, the balun structure and the vertical wide-angle impedance matching structure are integrated on the same dielectric substrate.
[0041] The metal coupling column is designed with a slot to fix the horizontal polarization dipole and the vertical polarization dipole and fix them on the metal reflector. Its function is to achieve physical division between the tightly coupled units and enhance the electrical performance coupling between the antenna units.
[0042] The distance between the metal reflector and the top of the antenna is controlled at 0.5λ high Around, and share the same ground with the antenna, where λ high Refers to the wavelength corresponding to the highest operating frequency. Its function is to enhance the radiation gain of the antenna unit and avoid high-frequency resonance problems.
[0043] The wide-angle impedance matching structure (2) in this embodiment is a rectangular metal plate embedded in a corresponding dielectric substrate. A rectangular groove is provided on the dielectric substrate below the rectangular metal plate. On both sides of the groove are two balun structures printed on the dielectric plate, and the balun structures are in the form of a long strip.
[0044] Working principle of this utility model:
[0045] The utility model ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled antenna intentionally enhances the mutual coupling between array elements to form a nearly continuous and constant aperture current distribution, so that the antenna input impedance shows a slow change trend with frequency, thereby expanding the antenna bandwidth. In addition, the input impedance of the strongly coupled array is about 200 ohms, and an impedance transformer of 50 ohms to 200 ohms is usually required. The "double balun" design method is adopted to cleverly divide the dipole into two dipole units of only half the original size. The input impedance of each "half" dipole unit is about one hundred ohms. The feed balun is easier to realize the impedance transformation function, which can greatly reduce the size of the balun and realize the miniaturization of the balun. However, after the array elements are modularized, the coupling between the elements will be reduced, affecting the radiation bandwidth of the antenna. By introducing metal coupling columns, the capacitive coupling between the units is enhanced, and the balun and antenna arms (horizontally polarized dipoles and vertically polarized dipoles) form a strong capacitive effect with the metal columns, which effectively connects the surface currents between the units, so that the antenna units can achieve wide-band electromagnetic radiation with a small electrical size. At the same time, the introduction of metal columns realizes a modular design, which can more conveniently realize array splicing.
[0046] See also Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 , an ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled antenna unit. The entire antenna unit includes a vertical wide-angle impedance matching structure (1), a strongly coupled dipole (2), a metal coupling column (3), a balun structure (4) and a metal reflector (5). The antenna has a working bandwidth of 4 times the frequency, a size of 210mm×210mm×260mm, and an array element height of 0.16λ low The antenna unit is printed on a dielectric substrate with a thickness of 1.016 mm and a dielectric constant of 2.96. The specific structure of the antenna is shown in Figure 8 , where reference Figures 4 to 7 It can be proved that this embodiment can not only realize the electrical performance characteristics of ultra-wideband, wide-angle scanning, and low profile, but also realize modular design, adapt to the needs of different positions, and facilitate engineering applications.
[0047] It should be understood that the above description of the specific implementation methods of this patent is only an exemplary description listed to facilitate ordinary technicians in the field to understand the patent scheme, and does not imply that the scope of protection of this patent is limited to these individual examples. Ordinary technicians in this field can fully understand the technical scheme of this patent and, without any creative work, obtain more specific implementation methods by combining technical features, replacing some technical features, adding more technical features, etc. to the examples listed in this patent. All these specific implementation methods are within the scope of the claims of this patent. Therefore, these new specific implementation methods should also be within the scope of protection of this patent.
[0048] In addition, for the purpose of simplifying the description, this patent may not list some common specific implementation schemes, which are naturally conceivable to ordinary technicians in this field after understanding the technical solution of this patent. Obviously, these solutions should also be included in the scope of protection of this patent.
Claims
1. An ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna unit, characterized in that: It comprises a metal coupling column (1) and a metal reflection plate (5); The metal coupling column is located above the metal reflector and the two are perpendicular to each other. A dielectric substrate is provided on both adjacent sides of the metal coupling column. A wide-angle impedance matching structure (2) is embedded on the top of the dielectric substrate. A balun structure and a dipole unit are also provided on the outer surface of the dielectric substrate. The balun structure and the dipole unit are located below the wide-angle impedance matching structure. The dipole unit is divided into two parts to form two half dipoles. The half dipoles correspond to the balun structure one by one. The two half dipoles are connected in parallel to the same power divider through the corresponding balun structure. The other end of the power divider is matched with a 50-ohm coaxial connector for feeding. A microstrip line is arranged on the inner surface of the dielectric substrate, one end of the microstrip line passes through the metal reflector and is connected to the inner conductor of the 50-ohm coaxial connector, and the other end passes through the dielectric substrate and is connected to the corresponding half dipole.
2. The ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: A slot for clamping a dielectric substrate is arranged on the peripheral side of the metal coupling column, and the dielectric substrate is connected in the corresponding slot.
3. The ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two dielectric substrates are perpendicular to each other.
4. The ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between the metal reflector and the top of the antenna is controlled at 0.5λ high , and shares the same ground with the antenna, where λ high Refers to the wavelength corresponding to the highest operating frequency.
5. The ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: On two adjacent dielectric substrates, the dipole units are respectively a vertically polarized dipole and a horizontally polarized dipole.
6. The ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wide-angle impedance matching structure (2) is a periodic rectangular metal sheet embedded in a dielectric substrate.
7. An ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna, characterized in that: It comprises a plurality of ultra-wideband modular tightly coupled phased array antenna units as described in any one of claims 1 to 6; the antenna units are arranged in a rectangular array, and the metal coupling column of the antenna unit is provided with four slots, two of which correspond to the two dielectric substrates of the antenna unit; and the other two slots correspond to one of the dielectric substrates of two adjacent antenna units.