Compact high-power and high-efficiency planar antenna array

Abstract

The utility model discloses a compact high-power and high-efficiency planar antenna array, which comprises an antenna housing, an open waveguide radiation array and a compact waveguide power distribution network, the compact waveguide power distribution network, the open waveguide radiation array and the antenna housing are sequentially connected in a covering mode in the high-power microwave transmission direction, the power capacity is improved, the machining difficulty is reduced, and the complexity, the profile height and the system weight of the power distribution network are effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of flat panel antennas, in particular to a compact, high-power and high-efficiency flat panel antenna array. Background Art

[0002] As an important component of the high-power microwave radiation system, the performance of the high-power microwave antenna is directly related to whether the energy of the entire system can be effectively applied to the target. With the continuous development of high-power microwave technology, the high-power microwave radiation system has put forward higher requirements for the miniaturization and high efficiency of the antenna. Traditional high-power microwave antennas such as mode conversion antennas, Vlasov antennas, parabolic reflector antennas, etc. can no longer fully meet the above requirements. The open waveguide flat antenna has the advantages of compact structure, large power capacity, strong directivity, and easy processing. It can meet the needs of airborne or vehicle-mounted scenarios and has received extensive attention and research in recent years.

[0003] Existing studies have shown that by loading a short metal plug or grid on the open waveguide radiation aperture, the radiation structure can be approximately divided into two small-aperture units, improving the uniformity of the aperture electric field and increasing the gain and aperture efficiency. However, after loading the short metal plug or grid, the amplitude and phase distribution of the electric field at the open waveguide radiation aperture are not completely consistent with the two independent units, resulting in a high grating lobe level, which limits the scope of application. On the other hand, if the small-aperture radiation unit is excited by a power division network, the power division factor will increase, increasing the complexity and weight of the power division network, which is not conducive to the miniaturization of the system. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art, the utility model provides a compact, high-power and high-efficiency flat-panel antenna array, which solves the problem that after the existing flat-panel antenna array is loaded with a metal short plug plate or a grid, the amplitude and phase distribution of the electric field at the open waveguide radiation aperture are not completely consistent with those of the two independent units, resulting in a high grating lobe level and limiting the scope of application.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned utility model object, the technical solution adopted by the utility model is: a compact high-power and high-efficiency flat-panel antenna array, including: a radome, an open waveguide radiation array and a compact waveguide power distribution network;

[0006] The compact waveguide power distribution network, the open waveguide radiation array and the antenna cover are sequentially covered and connected according to the high-power microwave transmission direction.

[0007] Furthermore: the radome is a tightly fitted three-layer structure; wherein the first layer and the third layer are both radome glass fiber layers, and the second layer is a radome foam interlayer.

[0008] The beneficial effects of the above further scheme are: the antenna cover adopts a three-layer structure of glass fiber and foam, which has the advantages of light weight and simple processing compared to ceramic materials. The antenna cover is sealed above the open waveguide array surface to form a sealed cavity in the entire radiation system, which is convenient for filling with other gases or vacuuming, thereby improving the power capacity of the system.

[0009] Further: the open waveguide radiation array includes 16 rectangular open waveguides, each of which includes an open waveguide input port, a single-stage step matching structure, a metal plug plate, an open waveguide chamfer structure and an open waveguide radiation unit;

[0010] The open waveguide input port is directly connected to the compact waveguide power distribution network; the open waveguide radiation unit is connected to the open waveguide input port through the matching structure; the metal plug is located at the center of the rectangular open waveguide, the height of the metal plug is the same as that of the open waveguide radiation unit, and its direction is parallel to the electric field direction;

[0011] The open waveguide chamfer structure is located at the center and two sides of the rectangular open waveguide.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the above further scheme are: a single-stage stepped transformation structure is used for impedance matching, which has a simple structure and a low cross-section; chamfering the inner wall of the waveguide can increase the power capacity and reduce the difficulty of processing; the metal plug plate is at the same height as the output end of the open waveguide, and the rectangular open waveguide is divided into two independent open waveguide radiation units for radiation, which simplifies the structure of the power division network and reduces the system weight and cross-section height; at the same time, the use of a small-aperture radiation unit helps to improve the aperture efficiency and directivity of the antenna and reduce the grating lobe level.

[0013] Further: the compact waveguide power distribution network comprises a first-stage power divider, a second-stage power divider, a third-stage power divider, a fourth-stage power divider and a rectangular waveguide coupling cavity connected in sequence;

[0014] The second-stage power divider, the third-stage power divider, the fourth-stage power divider and the rectangular waveguide coupling cavity are located in the same plane and have the same height;

[0015] Each of the rectangular waveguide coupling cavities is connected to one of the rectangular open waveguides.

[0016] Further: the first-stage power divider is located at the center of the open waveguide radiation array, and includes a first-stage input port, a first-stage corner turning structure, a first-stage matching step and two first-stage output ports;

[0017] The first-stage power divider is an H-surface T-shaped structure, the first-stage input port is located on the upper bottom surface of the first-stage power divider, the first-stage matching step is arranged at the midpoint of the lower bottom surface of the first-stage power divider and is perpendicular to the lower bottom surface of the first-stage power divider; the first-stage output port is located on both sides of the first-stage power divider, and the first-stage cutting corner structure is located between the first-stage input port and the first-stage output port;

[0018] Each of the first-stage output ports is connected to one of the second-stage power dividers.

[0019] The beneficial effect of the above further scheme is that by setting the corner turning structure, matching steps and chamfering structure, high-power microwaves can be evenly distributed to two output ports, while reducing the electric field concentration, improving the power capacity of the structure and reducing the difficulty of processing.

[0020] Further, the second-stage power divider includes a second-stage input port, a second-stage matching step, a second-stage chamfer structure and two second-stage output ports;

[0021] The second-stage power divider is an E-plane T-shaped structure, and the second-stage input port is connected to the first-stage output port; the second-stage matching step is located on the opposite side of the second-stage input port, and the second-stage output port is located on both sides of the second-stage power divider, and the second-stage chamfered structure is used at the corners in the second-stage power divider;

[0022] Each of the second-stage output ports is connected to one of the third-stage power dividers.

[0023] Furthermore: the third-stage power divider has the same structure as the second-stage power divider, and the input port of the third-stage power divider is connected to the second-stage output port; each output port of the third-stage power divider is connected to one of the fourth-stage power dividers.

[0024] Further: the fourth-stage power divider includes a fourth-stage input port, a fourth-stage chamfered structure, two rectangular waveguide coupling cavities and a fourth-stage output port;

[0025] The fourth-stage input port is connected to the output port of the third-stage power divider; the height of the rectangular waveguide coupling cavity is the same as the wide side size of the fourth-stage power divider;

[0026] The fourth-stage chamfered structure is used at the corners of the fourth-stage power divider; each output port of the rectangular waveguide coupling cavity serves as the input end of the open waveguide radiation array.

[0027] The beneficial effect of the above further scheme is that the use of a four-stage power divider can realize the feeding of 16 rectangular open waveguides in a single-layer structure, making the structure compact and improving space utilization. At the same time, the height of the waveguide coupling cavity is set to be the same as the wide side size of the waveguide power divider, further reducing the cross-sectional height.

[0028] The beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0029] 1. The metal deep insert is loaded in the center of the rectangular open waveguide, which can be used as the final 1-to-2 power distribution network to achieve equal amplitude and in-phase radiation of 32 open waveguide units, which is conducive to simplifying the power division network and reducing the system weight and profile height;

[0030] 2. Use metal plugs to divide 16 rectangular open waveguides into 32 independent open waveguide radiation units for radiation, which can make the aperture electric field uniform, which is beneficial to improve the aperture efficiency, enhance the directivity of the array, and reduce the grating lobe level;

[0031] 3. By setting a corner turning structure, matching steps and chamfered structures inside the open waveguide radiation array through the first-stage power divider, high-power microwaves can be evenly distributed to two output ports, while reducing the electric field concentration, improving the power capacity of the structure, and reducing the processing difficulty; using a four-stage power divider, 16 rectangular open waveguides can be fed in a single-layer structure, making the structure compact and improving space utilization. At the same time, the height of the waveguide coupling cavity is set to be the same as the wide side size of the waveguide power divider, further reducing the profile height;

[0032] 4. The radome adopts a three-layer structure of glass fiber and foam. Compared with ceramic materials, it has the advantages of light weight and simple processing. The radome is sealed above the open waveguide array surface to form a sealed cavity in the entire radiation system, which is convenient for filling with other gases or vacuuming, thereby improving the power capacity of the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 The three-dimensional structure diagram of a compact, high-power, and high-efficiency flat-panel antenna array;

[0034] Figure 2 The three-dimensional structure diagram of the radome;

[0035] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional structure diagram of a rectangular open waveguide;

[0036] Figure 4 It is a front view of a rectangular open waveguide;

[0037] Figure 5 It is a top view of a rectangular open waveguide;

[0038] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an open waveguide radiation array;

[0039] Figure 7 It is the three-dimensional structure diagram of the first-stage power divider;

[0040] Figure 8 It is the three-dimensional structure diagram of the second-stage power divider;

[0041] Fig. 9 The three-dimensional structure diagram of the fourth-stage power divider and the rectangular waveguide coupling cavity;

[0042] Fig.10 This is the reflection coefficient simulation result diagram;

[0043] Fig.11 To simulate the horizontal axial pattern;

[0044] Fig.12 To simulate the vertical axial pattern;

[0045] Wherein: 1. radome; 2. open waveguide radiation array; 3. compact waveguide power distribution network; 4. first-stage power divider; 5. second-stage power divider; 6. third-stage power divider; 7. fourth-stage power divider; 8. rectangular waveguide coupling cavity; 9. first-stage input port; 10. first-stage cutting corner turning structure; 11. first-stage matching step; 12. first-stage output port; 13. second-stage input port; 14. second-stage matching step; 15. second-stage chamfering structure; 16. second-stage output port; 17. fourth-stage input port; 18. fourth-stage chamfering structure; 19. rectangular waveguide coupling cavity output port; 20. open waveguide input port; 21. single-stage step matching structure; 22. metal plug plate; 23. open waveguide chamfering structure; 24. open waveguide radiation unit; 25. radome glass fiber layer; 26. radome foam interlayer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The specific implementation modes of the present invention are described below to facilitate the understanding of the present invention by those skilled in the art. However, it should be clear that the present invention is not limited to the scope of the specific implementation modes. For those skilled in the art, as long as various changes are within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined and determined by the attached claims, these changes are obvious, and all inventions and creations utilizing the concept of the present invention are protected.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of the utility model, a compact high-power and high-efficiency flat-panel antenna array is provided, characterized in that it includes: a radome 1, an open waveguide radiation array 2 and a compact waveguide power distribution network 3;

[0048] The compact waveguide power distribution network 3, the open waveguide radiation array 2 and the antenna cover 1 are sequentially covered and connected according to the high-power microwave transmission direction;

[0049] The flat antenna array provided in this embodiment can realize 32 channels of high-power microwave energy equal amplitude and phase output;

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the radome 1 is a three-layer structure that fits tightly together; wherein the first layer and the third layer are both radome glass fiber layers 25 , and the second layer is a radome foam interlayer 26 .

[0051] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the open waveguide radiation array 2 includes 16 rectangular open waveguides, each of which includes an open waveguide input port 20, a single-stage step matching structure 21, a metal plug plate 22, an open waveguide chamfer structure 23 and an open waveguide radiation unit 24;

[0052] The open waveguide input port 20 is directly connected to the compact waveguide power distribution network 3; the open waveguide radiation unit 24 is connected to the open waveguide input port 20 through the matching structure 21; the metal plug plate 22 is located at the center of the rectangular open waveguide, the height of the metal plug plate 22 is the same as that of the open waveguide radiation unit 24, and its direction is parallel to the electric field direction;

[0053] The open waveguide chamfer structure 23 is located at the center and two sides of the rectangular open waveguide;

[0054] like Figure 6 As shown, the compact waveguide power distribution network 3 includes a first-stage power divider 4, a second-stage power divider 5, a third-stage power divider 6, a fourth-stage power divider 7 and a rectangular waveguide coupling cavity 8 which are connected in sequence;

[0055] The second-stage power divider 5, the third-stage power divider 6, the fourth-stage power divider 7 and the rectangular waveguide coupling cavity 8 are located in the same plane and have the same height;

[0056] Each of the rectangular waveguide coupling cavities 8 is connected to a rectangular open waveguide, and is connected to the rectangular open waveguide through the rectangular waveguide coupling cavity 8. Combined with the antenna cover 1 sealed above the open waveguide radiation array 2, the overall system can form a sealed vacuum cavity, thereby improving the system power capacity.

[0057] like Figure 7 As shown, the first-stage power divider 4 is located at the center of the open waveguide radiation array 2, and includes a first-stage input port 9, a first-stage corner turning structure 10, a first-stage matching step 11 and two first-stage output ports 12;

[0058] The first-stage power divider 4 is an H-surface T-shaped structure, the first-stage input port 9 is located on the upper bottom surface of the first-stage power divider, the first-stage matching step 11 is arranged at the midpoint of the lower bottom surface of the first-stage power divider 4, and is perpendicular to the lower bottom surface of the first-stage power divider 4; the first-stage output port 12 is located on both sides of the first-stage power divider 4, and the first-stage cutting corner structure 10 is located between the first-stage input port 9 and the first-stage output port 12;

[0059] Each of the first-stage output ports 12 is connected to one of the second-stage power dividers 5 .

[0060] like Figure 8 As shown, the second-stage power divider 5 includes a second-stage input port 13, a second-stage matching step 14, a second-stage chamfer structure 15 and two second-stage output ports 16;

[0061] The second-stage power divider 5 is an E-plane T-shaped structure, and the second-stage input port 13 is connected to the first-stage output port 12; the second-stage matching step 14 is located on the opposite side of the second-stage input port 13, and the second-stage output port 16 is located on both sides of the second-stage power divider 5. The second-stage chamfered structure 15 is used at the corners of the second-stage power divider 5;

[0062] Each of the second-stage output ports 16 is connected to one of the third-stage power dividers 6 .

[0063] The third-stage power divider 6 has the same structure as the second-stage power divider 5, and the input port of the third-stage power divider 6 is connected to the second-stage output port 16; each output port of the third-stage power divider 6 is connected to one of the fourth-stage power dividers 7;

[0064] like Fig. 9 As shown, the fourth-stage power divider 7 includes a fourth-stage input port 17, a fourth-stage chamfered structure 18, two rectangular waveguide coupling cavities 8 and a fourth-stage output port 19;

[0065] The fourth-stage input port 17 is connected to the output port of the third-stage power divider 6; the height of the rectangular waveguide coupling cavity 8 is the same as the wide side size of the fourth-stage power divider 7;

[0066] The fourth-stage chamfered structure 18 is used at the corners of the fourth-stage power divider 7 ; each of the rectangular waveguide coupling cavity output ports 19 serves as the input end of the open waveguide radiation array 2 .

[0067] In this embodiment, the height of the rectangular waveguide coupling cavity 8 is the same as the width of the fourth-stage power divider 7, which can improve the compactness of the power division network.

[0068] In one embodiment of the utility model, the dielectric constant of the antenna cover glass fiber layer 25 material is 3.15, the loss tangent is 0.0206, and the thickness is 0.9 mm. The dielectric constant of the antenna cover foam interlayer 26 material is 1.13, the loss tangent is 0.0053, and the thickness is 5.7 mm. It has the advantages of light weight and simple processing. It can form a sealed environment for the overall system, which is convenient for filling with other gases or vacuuming to achieve high-power scene applications.

[0069] In this embodiment, the flat antenna array is applied to the C band, the size of the total input port 9 is 58.2 mm × 20.2 mm, and an arc with a radius of 3 mm is formed around the waveguide to reduce the difficulty of processing;

[0070] During operation, high-power microwaves are input from the first-stage input port 9, and then enter the second-stage power divider 5, the third-stage power divider 6 and the fourth-stage power divider 7 in sequence after passing through the first-stage power divider 4, so as to realize 16-fold equal division of energy. The wide side dimension of the waveguide power divider is 50 mm. Since the cross-sectional dimension of the compact waveguide power distribution network 3 is only related to the wide side dimension of the waveguide power divider, in actual use, the number of output ports can be flexibly expanded according to the required array scale without increasing the cross-sectional height.

[0071] After being distributed by the waveguide power division network, the high-power microwave enters the rectangular open waveguide input port 21 through the rectangular waveguide coupling cavity 8, and is again distributed in power through the single-stage step matching structure 21 and the metal plug plate 22, and is radiated outward by 32 open waveguide radiation units. The size of the radiation surface is 454.5mm×171.25mm, and the cross-section of the overall structure is within 2 wavelengths.

[0072] The 22 metal plug plates not only play a role in power distribution, but also divide the radiation aperture into smaller aperture planes, which can homogenize the aperture electric field, improve the aperture efficiency and directivity of the antenna, and reduce the grating lobe level.

[0073] In this embodiment, an open boundary is used for simulation, and the reflection coefficient simulation result is as follows: Fig.10 As shown, the reflection coefficient of the array is less than -15dB within 3.9-4.4GHz, indicating that the matching effect of the array of this embodiment is good.

[0074] When the operating frequency is f = 4.15 GHz, the simulated radiation pattern of the antenna array in two mutually perpendicular planes is as follows Fig.11 , 12 As shown. At 4.15GHz, the gain of the flat antenna array reaches 22.5dBi, and the calculated aperture efficiency is 95.1%. From the horizontal radiation pattern, it can be seen that the grating lobe level of the array is less than -17.8dB outside ±15°.

[0075] The above results show that this high-power flat-panel antenna has the advantages of high gain, high aperture efficiency, compact structure, light weight, and low grating lobe level, and can be used in limited space scenarios such as vehicles.

[0076] In the description of the present utility model, it is necessary to understand that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "radial", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying 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", and "third" are used only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance or the number of implicitly specified technical features. Therefore, the features defined by "first", "second", and "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features.

Claims

1. A compact, high-power, high-efficiency flat-panel antenna array, characterized in that: include: Radome (1), open waveguide radiating array (2) and compact waveguide power distribution network (3); The compact waveguide power distribution network (3), the open waveguide radiation array (2) and the antenna cover (1) are sequentially covered and connected according to the high-power microwave transmission direction.

2. The compact, high-power, high-efficiency flat-panel antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radome (1) is a three-layer structure that fits tightly together; wherein the first layer and the third layer are both radome glass fiber layers (25), and the second layer is a radome foam interlayer (26).

3. The compact, high-power, high-efficiency flat-panel antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The open waveguide radiation array (2) comprises 16 rectangular open waveguides, each of which comprises an open waveguide input port (20), a single-stage step matching structure (21), a metal plug plate (22), an open waveguide chamfer structure (23) and an open waveguide radiation unit (24); The open waveguide input port (20) is directly connected to the compact waveguide power distribution network (3); the open waveguide radiation unit (24) is connected to the open waveguide input port (20) via the matching structure (21); the metal plug plate (22) is located at the center of the rectangular open waveguide, the height of the metal plug plate (22) is the same as that of the open waveguide radiation unit (24), and its direction is parallel to the electric field direction; The open waveguide chamfer structure (23) is located at the center and two sides of the rectangular open waveguide.

4. The compact, high-power, high-efficiency flat-panel antenna array according to claim 3, characterized in that: The compact waveguide power distribution network (3) comprises a first-stage power divider (4), a second-stage power divider (5), a third-stage power divider (6), a fourth-stage power divider (7) and a rectangular waveguide coupling cavity (8) which are connected in sequence; The second-stage power divider (5), the third-stage power divider (6), the fourth-stage power divider (7) and the rectangular waveguide coupling cavity (8) are located in the same plane and have the same height; Each of the rectangular waveguide coupling cavities (8) is connected to one of the rectangular opening waveguides.

5. The compact, high-power, high-efficiency flat-panel antenna array according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first-stage power divider (4) is located at the center of the open waveguide radiation array (2), and comprises a first-stage input port (9), a first-stage corner turning structure (10), a first-stage matching step (11) and two first-stage output ports (12); The first-stage power divider (4) is an H-surface T-shaped structure; the first-stage input port (9) is located on the upper bottom surface of the first-stage power divider; the first-stage matching step (11) is arranged at the midpoint of the lower bottom surface of the first-stage power divider (4) and is perpendicular to the lower bottom surface of the first-stage power divider (4); the first-stage output port (12) is located on both sides of the first-stage power divider (4); and the first-stage corner turning structure (10) is located between the first-stage input port (9) and the first-stage output port (12); Each of the first-stage output ports (12) is connected to one of the second-stage power dividers (5).

6. The compact, high-power, high-efficiency flat-panel antenna array according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second-stage power divider (5) comprises a second-stage input port (13), a second-stage matching step (14), a second-stage chamfer structure (15) and two second-stage output ports (16); The second-stage power divider (5) is an E-plane T-shaped structure, the second-stage input port (13) is connected to the first-stage output port (12); the second-stage matching step (14) is located on the opposite side of the second-stage input port (13), the second-stage output port (16) is located on both sides of the second-stage power divider (5), and the second-stage chamfered structure (15) is used at the corners of the second-stage power divider (5); Each of the second-stage output ports (16) is connected to one of the third-stage power dividers (6).

7. The compact, high-power, high-efficiency flat-panel antenna array according to claim 6, characterized in that: The third-stage power divider (6) has the same structure as the second-stage power divider (5); the input port of the third-stage power divider (6) is connected to the second-stage output port (16); and each output port of the third-stage power divider (6) is connected to one of the fourth-stage power dividers (7).

8. The compact, high-power, high-efficiency flat-panel antenna array according to claim 7, characterized in that: The fourth-stage power divider (7) comprises a fourth-stage input port (17), a fourth-stage chamfered structure (18), two rectangular waveguide coupling cavities (8), and a fourth-stage output port (19); The fourth-stage input port (17) is connected to the output port of the third-stage power divider (6); the height of the rectangular waveguide coupling cavity (8) is the same as the width of the fourth-stage power divider (7); The fourth-stage chamfered structure (18) is used at the corners of the fourth-stage power divider (7); and each rectangular waveguide coupling cavity output port (19) serves as an input end of the open waveguide radiation array (2).

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