Beam forming antenna array, radar and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model provides a beam forming antenna array, a radar and a vehicle. The beam forming antenna array at least comprises a power divider and an antenna unit. The power divider comprises a first port, a second port, a third port and a fourth port; the first port is respectively communicated with the second port, the third port and the fourth port through metal materials; the antenna unit comprises three linear arrays with the same structure, and the three linear arrays are respectively connected with the second port, the third port and the fourth port; each linear array comprises a plurality of array elements, and the plurality of array elements are connected through microstrip line feeders; the polarization mode of the linear array comprises vertical polarization or horizontal polarization. According to the invention, the requirements of a radar LRR mode and an MRR mode can be met at the same time, and the number of required linear arrays and the number of array elements required on each linear array are greatly reduced compared with the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a beamforming antenna array, radar, and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] 77 GHz millimeter-wave automotive radar is smaller, offers better angular resolution, and has a wider bandwidth than 24 GHz automotive radar, resulting in superior range resolution. Millimeter-wave radar is suitable for use in poor visibility, low-light conditions, and adverse weather conditions. 77 GHz radars are typically classified based on their detectable range and field of view (FOV), with short-range radars having a wider FOV than long-range radars. Multimode radars, with detectable areas covered by traditional long-range (LRR) and medium-range (MRR) radars, are ideal for reducing sensor costs.

[0003] Such radars typically have multiple inputs for more precise angular resolution and multiple outputs connected to antennas with different gains to detect objects at different ranges. Most manufacturers typically employ a solution of using separate transmitting antennas with different radiation patterns to implement LRR and MRR modes separately, resulting in underutilization of the channels in both modes.

[0004] Furthermore, in existing technologies, multi-mode radars that can cover the detectable area of ​​traditional long-range and medium-range radars require a large number of antenna elements and a large feed line area. This leads to higher material and processing costs for the system, while also increasing system power consumption and hindering energy conservation. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a beamforming antenna array, radar, and vehicle to solve the technical problem that multi-mode radars that can cover the detectable area of ​​traditional long-range and medium-range radars require a large number of antenna elements and a large feed line area, resulting in high material and processing costs and high energy consumption.

[0006] Specifically, this application provides a beamforming antenna array, which includes at least a power divider and antenna elements;

[0007] The power divider includes a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port;

[0008] The first port is connected to the second, third, and fourth ports respectively via a metallic material;

[0009] The antenna element comprises three identical linear arrays, which are respectively connected to the second port, the third port and the fourth port;

[0010] Each of the linear arrays includes multiple array elements, which are connected by microstrip line feeders;

[0011] The polarization mode of the linear array includes vertical polarization or horizontal polarization.

[0012] In the above technical solution, by designing a power divider with three output ports, the three output ports can be connected to linear arrays with the same structure. This technical solution provides two polarization methods for the antenna element: horizontal polarization and vertical polarization. The shaped radiation patterns of the two antennas show a wide beam pattern and have large gain at small angles. Both polarization methods can satisfy the radar detectable area including long range (LRR) and medium range (MRR).

[0013] Furthermore, in the above technical solution, multiple array elements are connected by microstrip line feed lines. Compared with the existing technology that connects array elements by SIW (Substrate Integrated Waveguide) feed lines, the cost is lower and the structure is thinner, making the antenna array smaller and more suitable for environments such as vehicles.

[0014] Furthermore, when the polarization of the linear array is vertical, the array element is a microstrip patch antenna; when the polarization of the linear array is horizontal, the array element is a comb antenna.

[0015] Furthermore, when the polarization mode of the linear array is vertical polarization, the width of each element in the linear array perpendicular to the feed direction follows a Taylor distribution; when the polarization mode of the linear array is horizontal polarization, the width of each element in the linear array parallel to the feed direction follows a Taylor distribution.

[0016] In the above technical solution, the array elements of the microstrip patch antenna and comb antenna are designed to follow a Taylor distribution, thereby reducing the sidelobes of the radiation pattern.

[0017] Furthermore, the third port is located to the right of the second port, and the fourth port is located to the left of the second port; when the polarization mode of the linear array is vertical polarization, parasitic structures are set to the right of the third port and the left of the fourth port; the parasitic structures are rectangular, and the length of each parasitic structure is equal to the length of the adjacent array element.

[0018] In the above technical solution, parasitic structures are set on the far left and far right of the vertical patch antenna array, which can increase the beamwidth.

[0019] Furthermore, when the polarization mode of the linear array is horizontal polarization, the array elements in each linear array are distributed at equal intervals, alternating left and right sides with respect to the microstrip feed line.

[0020] Furthermore, when the polarization mode of the linear array is vertical polarization, the number of array elements in each linear array is at least 5; when the polarization mode of the linear array is horizontal polarization, the number of array elements in each linear array is at least 7.

[0021] In the above technical solution, the number of array elements in each linear array is at least 5 when vertically polarized and at least 7 when horizontally polarized. Compared with the existing technology that requires more than 10 array elements per linear array, this saves manufacturing costs, reduces overall system power consumption, and simplifies signal processing.

[0022] Furthermore, the second, third, and fourth ports are connected to the linear array via differential lines or grounded coplanar waveguides.

[0023] Furthermore, the third port and the fourth port are axially symmetrical about the first port.

[0024] In the above technical solution, the use of this novel broadband power divider structure allows for power distribution and phase difference consistency between each antenna subarray, resulting in a broadband beamforming antenna. This radiation pattern allows the use of all transmit antennas in LRR or MRR modes, increasing the number of channels in each mode and ultimately improving angular resolution.

[0025] Based on the same concept, this application also provides a radar, characterized in that the radar includes a beamforming antenna array as described above.

[0026] Based on the same concept, this application also provides a vehicle characterized by including the radar as described.

[0027] In summary, this application proposes a beamforming antenna array, radar, and vehicle. The beamforming antenna array includes at least a power divider and antenna elements. The power divider includes a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port. The first port is connected to the second, third, and fourth ports via a metallic material. The antenna elements include three identical linear arrays connected to the second, third, and fourth ports respectively. Each linear array includes multiple array elements connected via microstrip line feeds. The polarization of the linear arrays includes vertical polarization or horizontal polarization. This application can simultaneously meet the requirements of both LRR and MRR radar modes, and the required number of linear arrays and the number of array elements per linear array are significantly reduced compared to existing technologies.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are as follows:

[0029] This application introduces a phase delay between each antenna subarray through the power divider structure. The two antenna polarization modes of the beamforming antenna array display a wide beam pattern with high gain at small angles, simultaneously satisfying the requirements of both LRR and MRR modes. Compared to existing technologies, the required number of linear arrays and the number of array elements per linear array are significantly reduced. Multiple array elements are connected via microstrip line feeders, which, compared to the SIW feeder connection method in existing technologies, results in lower cost, a thinner and lighter structure, and is more suitable for automotive environments. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the beamforming antenna array described in this application.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the power divider described in this application.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the amplitude-frequency of the power divider described in this application.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a phase-frequency diagram of the power divider described in this application.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the S-parameters of the microstrip patch antenna and comb antenna described in this application.

[0035] Figure 6 This is a horizontal schematic diagram of the microstrip patch antenna and comb antenna described in this application.

[0036] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0037] Power divider, 2-first linear array, 21-comb array element, 22-microstrip line feeder, 3-second linear array, 31-microstrip patch array element, 32-microstrip line feeder, 4-parasitic structure, 5-connection structure. Detailed Implementation

[0038] This application provides a beamforming antenna array, radar, and vehicle to solve the technical problem that multi-mode radars that can cover the detectable area of ​​traditional long-range and medium-range radars require a large number of antenna elements and a large feed line area, resulting in high material and processing costs and high energy consumption.

[0039] The beamforming antenna array, radar, and vehicle of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0040] Example 1:

[0041] See Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the beamforming antenna array described in this application.

[0042] Specifically, this application provides a beamforming antenna array, which includes at least a power divider and antenna elements;

[0043] Power divider 1, see Figure 2 The power divider includes a substrate, which includes a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port; the first port is an input port, and the second port, the third port, and the fourth port are output ports.

[0044] The first port is connected to the second, third, and fourth ports via a metallic material.

[0045] The second port, the third port and the fourth port are connected to the linear array through the connection structure 5; the connection structure 5 is a differential line or a grounded coplanar waveguide.

[0046] The third port and the fourth port are symmetrical about the first port.

[0047] The fourth port is located to the left of the second port, and the third port is located to the right of the second port; there is an inverted isosceles triangle structure on the trunk connecting the second, third, and fourth ports to the first port. The material of the isosceles triangle is different from the material of the four ports. In some embodiments, the material of the isosceles triangle structure is the same as the material of other parts of the substrate except for the ports; the legs and base of the isosceles triangle structure can be of equal or unequal length.

[0048] The phase of this power divider can be controlled by controlling the length of the base of the inverted triangle; the amplitude of this power divider can be controlled by controlling the length of the legs of the inverted triangle; the output port can be connected to the antenna to control beamforming, and the length of the base of the inverted triangle controls both the phase and beamforming.

[0049] exist Figure 2 In the power divider structure shown, the distance between the second port and the third port and the distance between the second port and the fourth port are equal. Therefore, in this embodiment, the output amplitudes of the three ports, the second port, the third port and the fourth port, are the same.

[0050] In some other embodiments of this application, the distance between the second port and the third port and the distance between the second port and the fourth port are not equal. In this case, the output amplitudes of the three ports, the second port, the third port and the fourth port, are not the same.

[0051] In the above technical solution, the use of this novel broadband power divider structure allows for power distribution and phase difference consistency between each antenna subarray, resulting in a broadband beamforming antenna. This radiation pattern allows the use of all transmitting antennas in LRR or MRR modes, increasing the number of channels in each mode and ultimately increasing angular resolution. By designing a power divider with three output ports, each port can be connected to a linear array with the same structure. This technical solution provides two polarization methods for the antenna elements: horizontal and vertical polarization. Both antennas exhibit a wide beam pattern with high gain at small angles. Both polarization methods can satisfy the requirement that the radar detectable area includes both long-range (LRR) and medium-range (MRR) areas.

[0052] In the first antenna polarization method provided in this application embodiment, the three output ports of the power divider 1 are respectively connected to three identical first linear arrays 2. The polarization method of the array elements in the first linear array 2 is horizontal polarization. The first linear array 2 includes comb array elements 21, and the comb array elements 21 on the first linear array 2 are connected through microstrip line feed lines 22. The number of comb array elements 21 on each first linear array 2 is at least 7. The width of the comb array elements 21 in each linear array in the direction parallel to the feed line follows a Taylor distribution. The comb array elements 21 in each first linear array 2 are equally spaced, alternating left and right sides, about the microstrip line feed lines 22.

[0053] In the second antenna polarization method provided in this application embodiment, the three output ports of the power divider 1 are respectively connected to three identical second linear arrays 3. The polarization method of the array elements in the second linear array 3 is vertical polarization. The second linear array 3 includes microstrip patch array elements 31, and the microstrip patch array elements 31 on the second linear array 3 are connected through microstrip line feed lines 32. The number of microstrip patch array elements 31 on each second linear array 3 is at least 5. The width of the microstrip patch array elements 31 in each linear array in the direction perpendicular to the feed line follows a Taylor distribution.

[0054] Furthermore, when the polarization mode of the linear array is horizontal polarization, the array elements in each linear array are distributed at equal intervals, alternating left and right sides with respect to the microstrip feed line.

[0055] In the above technical solution, the number of array elements in each linear array is at least 5 when vertically polarized and at least 7 when horizontally polarized. Compared with the existing technology that requires more than 10 array elements per linear array, this saves manufacturing costs, reduces overall system power consumption, and simplifies signal processing. By designing the array elements of the microstrip patch antenna and comb antenna to follow the Taylor distribution, the sidelobes of the radiation pattern are reduced.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above technical solution, multiple array elements are connected by microstrip line feed lines. Compared with the existing technology that connects array elements by SIW (Substrate Integrated Waveguide) feed lines, the cost is lower and the structure is thinner, making the antenna array smaller and more suitable for environments such as vehicles.

[0057] Furthermore, the third port is located to the right of the second port, and the fourth port is located to the left of the second port; when the polarization mode of the linear array is vertical polarization, parasitic structures 4 are set to the right of the third port and the left of the fourth port; the parasitic structure 4 is rectangular, and the length of each parasitic structure is equal to the length of the adjacent microstrip patch element 31.

[0058] In the above technical solution, parasitic structures are set on the far left and far right of the vertical patch antenna array, which can increase the beamwidth.

[0059] See Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the amplitude-frequency of the power divider described in this application.

[0060] Figure 3 In the amplitude-frequency diagram of the power divider shown, the horizontal axis represents frequency and the vertical axis represents amplitude.

[0061] See Figure 4 This is a phase-frequency diagram of the power divider described in this application.

[0062] Figure 4 In the phase-frequency diagram of the power divider shown, the horizontal axis represents frequency and the vertical axis represents phase; the two curves represent the phase difference between power distribution and hold of two different antenna subarrays.

[0063] As can be seen, the method provided in this application can achieve power allocation between two different antenna subarrays and maintain phase difference consistency between them.

[0064] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the S-parameters of the microstrip patch antenna and comb antenna described in this application.

[0065] Figure 5 In the text, "comb" represents a comb antenna, and "patch" represents a microstrip patch antenna.

[0066] Figure 6 This is a horizontal schematic diagram of the microstrip patch antenna and comb antenna described in this application.

[0067] Figure 6 In the text, "comb" represents a comb antenna, and "patch" represents a microstrip patch antenna.

[0068] As can be seen, the shaped radiation patterns of the two antennas show a wide beam pattern and have large gain at small angles, while satisfying the requirements of both LRR and MRR modes.

[0069] Example 2:

[0070] Based on the same concept, this application also provides a radar, characterized in that the radar includes a beamforming antenna array as described above.

[0071] The antenna array and radar provided in this application embodiment can be applied to mobile platforms such as automobiles, drones, and ships to detect obstacles in the direction of travel. For example, the antenna array and radar provided in this application embodiment are applied to an automobile, and the radar can be installed at the front end or top of the vehicle frame. Using the antenna array provided in this application embodiment, both long-range and medium-range area detection can be achieved simultaneously. The radar module has a small area, facilitating installation and integration with the vehicle.

[0072] Example 3:

[0073] Based on the same concept, this application also provides a vehicle characterized by including the radar as described.

[0074] The vehicle provided in this application embodiment integrates a radar unit including a beamforming antenna array, which enables the vehicle to simultaneously perform long-range and medium-range area detection while in motion.

[0075] In summary, this application proposes a beamforming antenna array, radar, and vehicle. The beamforming antenna array includes at least a power divider and antenna elements. The power divider includes a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port. The first port is connected to the second, third, and fourth ports via a metallic material. The antenna elements include three identical linear arrays connected to the second, third, and fourth ports respectively. Each linear array includes multiple array elements connected via microstrip line feeds. The polarization of the linear arrays includes vertical polarization or horizontal polarization. This application can simultaneously meet the requirements of both LRR and MRR radar modes, and the required number of linear arrays and the number of array elements per linear array are significantly reduced compared to existing technologies.

[0076] Although exemplary embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this application. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this application as claimed in the appended claims.

[0077] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0078] Although the description of this application has been made in conjunction with the specific embodiments described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many substitutions, modifications, and variations can be made based on the foregoing. Therefore, all such substitutions, modifications, and variations are included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A beamforming antenna array, characterized in that, It includes at least a power divider and an antenna unit; The power divider includes a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port; The first port is connected to the second, third, and fourth ports respectively via a metallic material; The antenna element comprises three identical linear arrays, which are respectively connected to the second port, the third port and the fourth port; Each of the linear arrays includes multiple array elements, which are connected by microstrip line feeders; The polarization mode of the linear array includes vertical polarization or horizontal polarization.

2. The beamforming antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the linear array is polarized vertically, the array element is a microstrip patch antenna; when the linear array is polarized horizontally, the array element is a comb antenna.

3. The beamforming antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the polarization mode of the linear array is vertical polarization, the width of each element in the linear array perpendicular to the feed direction follows a Taylor distribution; when the polarization mode of the linear array is horizontal polarization, the width of each element in the linear array parallel to the feed direction follows a Taylor distribution.

4. The beamforming antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third port is located to the right of the second port, and the fourth port is located to the left of the second port; when the polarization mode of the linear array is vertical polarization, parasitic structures are set to the right of the third port and the left of the fourth port; the parasitic structures are rectangular, and the length of each parasitic structure is equal to the length of the adjacent array element.

5. The beamforming antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the polarization mode of the linear array is horizontal polarization, the array elements in each linear array are distributed at equal intervals, alternating left and right sides with respect to the microstrip feed line.

6. The beamforming antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the polarization mode of the linear array is vertical polarization, the number of array elements in each linear array is at least 5; when the polarization mode of the linear array is horizontal polarization, the number of array elements in each linear array is at least 7.

7. The beamforming antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second, third, and fourth ports are connected to the linear array via differential lines or grounded coplanar waveguides.

8. The beamforming antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third port and the fourth port are symmetrical about the first port.

9. A radar, characterized in that, The radar includes the beamforming antenna array as described in claims 1-8.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Including the radar as described in claim 9.

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