Antenna assembly

Abstract

The utility model discloses an antenna assembly, which comprises a substrate, a first antenna unit, a second antenna unit and a feed network, the feed network is arranged on the substrate and connected with the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit, the first antenna unit is arranged in a first area of the substrate, the second antenna unit is arranged in a second area of the substrate, and the feed network is connected with the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit. The first area and the second area are sequentially divided on the substrate along a first direction, the first direction is parallel to the magnetic field direction of the first antenna unit and the magnetic field direction of the second antenna unit, the first antenna unit forms a narrow wave beam on the H surface and forms a wide wave beam on the E surface, and the second antenna unit forms a narrow wave beam on the H surface and forms a wide wave beam on the E surface. According to the antenna assembly provided by the utility model, the narrow beam surfaces of the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are opposite, and linear coupling is reduced by using narrow directivity of the beam direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of antenna technology, specifically relating to an antenna assembly. Background Technology

[0002] In millimeter-wave radar systems, the isolation between the transmitting and receiving antennas is crucial to system performance. Especially in FMCW systems, if the transmitted signal is directly coupled to the receiver via a spatial or circuit path, it will cause signal interference, increased blind zone, and decreased detection sensitivity. Existing solutions often employ the following measures:

[0003] 1. Antenna physical isolation design: Install metal shielding walls or reflectors between antennas to reduce coupling.

[0004] 2. Differential antenna assembly: Electromagnetic field cancellation is achieved through an anti-symmetrical structure, improving isolation.

[0005] 3. Long-distance transceiver antenna arrangement: Increase the physical spacing between TX / RX antennas to reduce spatial coupling.

[0006] 4. Metal casing boundary suppresses parasitic waves: Install a metal fence around the PCB to limit current leakage.

[0007] While the aforementioned solutions improve isolation to varying degrees, the problem of transmitting and receiving coupling remains, which is difficult to completely eliminate. Furthermore, their wide beam capability is limited, with radiation patterns mostly confined to a specific direction or angle, making it difficult to achieve wide-area near-field coverage. Parasitic current control methods are complex, requiring additional circuitry or structures, increasing cost and design difficulty. Metallic isolation structures are bulky, making them particularly difficult to incorporate into compact designs.

[0008] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of this utility model and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide an antenna assembly that can balance high isolation with wide beam detection capability.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution provided by a specific embodiment of this utility model is as follows:

[0011] An antenna assembly includes a substrate, a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a feed network. The feed network is disposed on the substrate and connected to the first antenna element and the second antenna element. The first antenna element is disposed in a first region of the substrate, and the second antenna element is disposed in a second region of the substrate. The first region and the second region are sequentially divided on the substrate along a first direction, which is parallel to the magnetic field direction of the first antenna element and the magnetic field direction of the second antenna element. The first antenna element forms a narrow beam in its H-plane and a wide beam in its E-plane, and the second antenna element forms a narrow beam in its H-plane and a wide beam in its E-plane.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the first antenna element includes a plurality of first radiators connected to a feed network, wherein the magnetic field direction of the first radiators is parallel to a first direction.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, a plurality of the first radiators are arranged sequentially along a first direction.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the second antenna element includes a plurality of second radiators connected to a feed network, wherein the magnetic field direction of the second radiators is parallel to the first direction.

[0015] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, a plurality of second radiators are arranged sequentially along a first direction.

[0016] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are arranged symmetrically or offset symmetrically.

[0017] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, a plurality of first antenna elements are arranged along a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; and / or

[0018] The second antenna element is provided in multiple ways along the second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0019] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the distance L between one or more of the first antenna unit, the second antenna unit, and the feed network and the edge of the substrate closest to them does not exceed 3 mm.

[0020] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the substrate includes at least one edge parallel to a first direction, and one or more of the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the feed network are closest to this edge.

[0021] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the distance L is not less than 1 mm.

[0022] Compared with existing technologies, the antenna assembly of this invention reduces linear coupling by aligning the narrow beam surfaces of the first and second antenna elements, utilizing the narrow directivity of the beam direction. By forming a wide beam on the antenna E-plane, wide-angle coverage requirements are met, and the wide beam surface dominated by the main polarization is less susceptible to external environmental influences. The narrow edge design of the substrate restricts current path formation at the edges, and the current-cutting effect of the board boundary significantly reduces reflected echoes caused by parasitic currents. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a top view of an antenna assembly in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a radiation pattern of an antenna assembly in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 This is an isolation diagram of the antenna assembly in one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this utility model, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0028] The terms "coupled," "connected," or "linked" in this specification include both direct and indirect connections. Indirect connections are those made through an intermediate medium, such as those made through an electrically conductive medium, which may have parasitic inductance or capacitance. Indirect connections may also include connections made through other active or passive devices to achieve the same or similar functional purpose, such as connections through switches, follower circuits, or other circuits or components. Furthermore, in this specification, terms such as "first" and "second" are primarily used to distinguish one technical feature from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship, quantity, or order between these technical features.

[0029] In the detailed description of this specification, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, wherein like reference numerals always denote like parts, and wherein exemplary embodiments are shown by way of example that may be implemented. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural or logical changes may be made, without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be considered limiting.

[0030] The various operations in the specification may be described sequentially as multiple discrete actions or operations in a manner most conducive to understanding the claimed subject matter. However, the order of description should not be construed as implying that these operations must be sequentially related. Specifically, these operations may not be performed in the order presented. The described operations may be performed in a different order than in the described embodiments. Various additional operations may be performed in additional embodiments and / or the described operations may be omitted.

[0031] For the purposes of this application, the phrase "A and / or B" means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of this application, the phrase "A, B and / or C" means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).

[0032] Various components and devices may be mentioned or shown in the singular form herein, but only for the convenience of discussion, and any element mentioned in the singular form may include multiple such elements as taught herein.

[0033] The description uses the phrases "in one embodiment," "in other embodiments," or "in some embodiments," each of which may refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," etc., used in relation to embodiments of this application are synonymous.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the antenna assembly includes a substrate 10, a first antenna unit, a second antenna unit 20, a feed network, and a radar chip 30.

[0035] A radar chip 30 is disposed on a substrate 10 and connected to a feed network, which in turn is disposed on the substrate 10 and connected to a first antenna element and a second antenna element 20. The radar chip 30 controls the first and second antenna elements 20 via the feed network to drive them to transmit or receive signals. In other embodiments, the antenna assembly may not include a built-in radar chip 30, and the feed network may be directly connected to an external radar device.

[0036] The first antenna element is disposed in the first region 11 of the substrate 10, and the second antenna element 20 is disposed in the second region 12 of the substrate 10. The first region 11 and the second region 12 are sequentially divided on the substrate 10 along a first direction. The first direction is parallel to the magnetic field direction of the first antenna element and the magnetic field direction of the second antenna element 20. The first antenna element forms a narrow beam in its H-plane and a wide beam in its E-plane, and the second antenna element 20 forms a narrow beam in its H-plane and a wide beam in its E-plane.

[0037] In one embodiment, the substrate 10 is a dielectric substrate, including a first surface and a second surface facing away from each other. The first antenna element and the second antenna element 20 can be disposed on the first surface. The feed network and the radar chip 30 can be disposed on the first surface, the second surface, or inside the substrate 10. The first surface and the second surface are parallel to each other. Figure 1 The xy plane shown has the x-axis as its first direction.

[0038] By focusing the narrow beams of both the first and second antenna elements 20 onto their respective H-planes and aligning their magnetic field directions, the narrow directivity of the beams reduces linear coupling and improves isolation between the antennas. Simultaneously, by forming a wide beam on the antenna E-plane, the requirement for wide-angle coverage is met, and the wide beam surface dominated by the primary polarization is less susceptible to external environmental influences.

[0039] In one embodiment, the first antenna element 20 is a receiving antenna, and the second antenna element 20 is a transmitting antenna. In other embodiments, the functions of the first antenna element and the second antenna element 20 can be interchanged, or they can both serve as receiving antennas, both serve as transmitting antennas, or each serve as a time-division multiplexing single-ended shared antenna, or serve other functions.

[0040] In one embodiment, two first antenna elements are provided along a second direction, namely first antenna element 41 and first antenna element 42, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, i.e., the y-axis direction. One second antenna element 20 is provided.

[0041] The power supply network includes a first power supply unit and a second power supply unit. The first power supply unit is connected to the radar chip 30 and the first antenna unit, and the second power supply unit is connected to the radar chip 30 and the second antenna unit.

[0042] Specifically, there are two first feeding units corresponding to the first antenna unit, namely the first feeding unit 51 and the first feeding unit 52, and one second feeding unit corresponding to the second antenna unit, namely the second feeding unit 53.

[0043] Preferably, the first power supply unit 51, the first power supply unit 52, and the second power supply unit 53 are all PCB microstrip lines.

[0044] In other embodiments, one or more first antenna elements may be provided, and multiple second antenna elements 20 may be provided along the second direction (y-axis direction). The first and second feeding elements may also be provided according to the specific number and requirements of the first and second antenna elements 20, and the first and second feeding elements may also adopt coaxial feeding or other feeding methods.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the first antenna unit 41 includes two first radiators connected to the first feed unit 51, and the magnetic field direction of the first radiator is parallel to the first direction (x-axis direction).

[0046] In one embodiment, the first radiator is a rectangular radiating patch, with its two opposing edges parallel to a first direction. The feeding direction (i.e., the direction of its electric field) of the first radiator is along the y-axis, and the direction of its magnetic field is along the x-axis. An impedance matching slot may also be provided at the connection between the first radiator and the first feeding unit 51. The size of the first radiator is adapted to the operating frequency required by the antenna assembly (e.g., 24 GHz).

[0047] In other embodiments, the first radiator may also be a rhomboid, circular, triangular or other shaped radiating patch, or other types of radiators.

[0048] In one embodiment, the first feed unit 51 is a parallel feed transmission line, and the first radiators are connected in parallel through the first feed unit 51. In other embodiments, the first feed unit 51 can also be a differential pair transmission line, and the first radiators can also be connected in a differential manner, that is, the two first radiators respectively receive a set of signals with equal amplitude and opposite phase from the radar chip 30 through the first feed unit 51.

[0049] Furthermore, the two first radiators are arranged sequentially along the first direction (x-axis direction). This design allows the entire first antenna element to have a narrow beam pattern in the x-axis plane, i.e., a narrow beam in the H-plane, and a wide beam pattern in the y-axis plane, i.e., a wide beam in the E-plane.

[0050] In other embodiments, the first antenna element 41 can also be configured in other ways to achieve the effect of a narrow beam on the H-plane and a wide beam on the E-plane, such as changing the shape, direction, position, array arrangement, feeding direction, and feeding form of the first radiator, or by using auxiliary devices such as lenses. The number of first radiators can also be greater.

[0051] In one embodiment, the first antenna unit 42 and the first feed unit 52 adopt the same structure as the first antenna unit 41 and the first feed unit 51. In other embodiments, the first antenna unit 42 may also adopt a different structure than the first antenna unit 41, and the first feed unit 52 may also adopt a different structure than the first feed unit 51, as long as they are set in the direction. This will not be elaborated further here.

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown, the second antenna unit 20 includes two second radiators connected in parallel with the feed network, and the magnetic field direction of the second radiators is parallel to the first direction (x-axis direction).

[0053] In one embodiment, the second radiator is a rectangular radiating patch, with its two opposing edges parallel to the first direction. The feeding direction (i.e., the direction of its electric field) of the second radiator is along the y-axis, and the direction of its magnetic field is along the x-axis. An impedance matching slot may be provided at the connection between the second radiator and the second feeding unit 53. The size of the first radiator is adapted to the operating frequency required by the antenna assembly (e.g., 24 GHz).

[0054] In other embodiments, the second radiator may also be a rhomboid, circular, triangular or other shaped radiating patch, or other types of radiators.

[0055] In one embodiment, the second feed unit 53 is a parallel feed transmission line, and the second radiators are connected in parallel through the second feed unit 53. In other embodiments, the second feed unit 53 can also be a differential pair transmission line, and the second radiators can also be connected in a differential manner, that is, the two second radiators respectively receive a set of signals with equal amplitude and opposite phase from the radar chip 30 through the second feed unit 53.

[0056] Furthermore, the two second radiators are arranged sequentially along the first direction (x-axis direction). This design allows the entire second antenna element 20 to have a narrow beam pattern in the x-axis plane, i.e., a narrow beam in the H-plane, and a wide beam pattern in the y-axis plane, i.e., a wide beam in the E-plane.

[0057] In other embodiments, the second antenna unit 20 can also be configured in other ways to achieve the effect of a narrow beam on the H plane and a wide beam on the E plane, such as changing the shape, orientation, position, array arrangement, feeding direction, and feeding form of the second radiator, or by using auxiliary devices such as lenses. The number of second radiators can also be greater.

[0058] In one embodiment, the first antenna element and the second antenna element 20 are symmetrically arranged.

[0059] Specifically, the second antenna element 20 can be mirror-symmetrically arranged with the first antenna element 41 along the y-axis, or the second antenna element 20 can also be mirror-symmetrically arranged with the first antenna element 42 along the y-axis. This can further reduce sidelobe coupling and maximize the isolation effect between the second antenna element 20 and the first antenna element 41 or between the second antenna element 20 and the first antenna element 42.

[0060] In other embodiments, the first antenna element and the second antenna element 20 may also be arranged symmetrically with respect to each other. Specifically, the second antenna element may be arranged symmetrically with respect to any one or more first antenna elements, and the first antenna element may be arranged symmetrically with respect to any one or more second antenna elements.

[0061] Specifically, the second antenna unit 20 is mirror-symmetrical to the first antenna unit 41 along the y-axis and then offset to the left or right along the x-axis, and / or the second antenna unit 20 is mirror-symmetrical to the first antenna unit 42 along the y-axis and then offset to the left or right along the x-axis.

[0062] In one embodiment, the antenna assembly may further include a ground plane, which may be disposed inside the substrate 10 or on the second surface of the substrate 10. Multiple ground planes may be provided corresponding to the first antenna element 41, the first antenna element 42, and the second antenna element 20, or a single ground plane may be provided.

[0063] In one embodiment, the antenna assembly may further include a metal cavity or absorbing assembly disposed between the first antenna element 41 and the second antenna element 20 and / or between the first antenna element 42 and the second antenna element to further improve isolation.

[0064] like Figure 1 As shown, the distance L between one or more of the first antenna element 41, the first antenna element 42, the second antenna element 20 and the feed network and the edge of the substrate 10 closest to them does not exceed 3 mm.

[0065] By reducing the distance between the edge of the substrate 10 and the first antenna unit 41, the first antenna unit 42, the second antenna unit 20 and the feed network, the current can be limited to form a path at the edge of the substrate 10, thereby significantly reducing the reflected echo formed by the current.

[0066] Furthermore, the substrate 10 includes at least one edge parallel to the first direction, and one or more of the first antenna element 41, the first antenna element 42, the second antenna element 20, and the feed network are closest to this edge.

[0067] Specifically, the substrate 10 can be rectangular, with its left and right edges parallel to the first direction. The first feed unit 52 in the feed network is closest to the left edge, and the distance L between the first feed unit 52 and the left edge does not exceed 3mm. The first antenna unit 41 and the second antenna unit 20 are closest to the right edge, and the distance L between the first antenna unit 41 and the second antenna unit 20 and the right edge does not exceed 3mm.

[0068] By further limiting the distance between the first antenna element, the second antenna element 20, and the feed network in their electric field direction at the edge of the substrate 10, parasitic current suppression is maximized. The suppression effect can be achieved without the need for additional parasitic suppression devices. The structure is simple, the overall size of the device is reduced, and it is suitable for miniaturized desktop radar design.

[0069] Furthermore, the aforementioned distance L should not be less than 1 mm, maintaining a suitable safety boundary. The multiple distances L mentioned above do not necessarily have to be the same value, as long as they are within the specified range.

[0070] Figure 2 The image shows the E-plane radiation pattern TXRX1_E and the H-plane radiation pattern TXRX1_H synthesized by the first antenna element 41 and the second antenna element 20, as well as the E-plane radiation pattern TXRX2_E and the H-plane radiation pattern TXRX2_H synthesized by the first antenna element 42 and the second antenna element 20. As can be seen from the antenna transmit / receive patterns, the narrow beam is concentrated in the H-plane direction, while the wide beam is concentrated in the E-plane direction. This results in a half-power beamwidth of ±50° and a 0dBi gain beamwidth of ±65°, meeting the wide-angle coverage requirements. Furthermore, the wide beam surface dominated by the primary polarization is less susceptible to external environmental influences.

[0071] Figure 3 The simulation data RX1 shows the isolation between the first antenna element 41 and the second antenna element 20, the simulation data RX1 shows the isolation between the first antenna element 42 and the second antenna element 20, and the simulation data RX1_RX2 shows the isolation between the first antenna element 41 and the first antenna element 42. From Figure 3 As can be seen, the antenna components of this scheme have good isolation around the operating frequency of 24GHz.

[0072] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0073] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An antenna assembly, characterized by The device includes a substrate, a first antenna unit, a second antenna unit, and a feeding network. The feeding network is disposed on the substrate and connected to the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit. The first antenna unit is disposed in a first region of the substrate, and the second antenna unit is disposed in a second region of the substrate. The first region and the second region are sequentially divided on the substrate along a first direction, which is parallel to the magnetic field direction of the first antenna unit and the magnetic field direction of the second antenna unit. The first antenna unit forms a narrow beam in its H-plane and a wide beam in its E-plane, and the second antenna unit forms a narrow beam in its H-plane and a wide beam in its E-plane.

2. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein, The first antenna element includes multiple first radiators connected to the feed network, and the magnetic field direction of the first radiator is parallel to the first direction.

3. The antenna assembly of claim 2, wherein, Multiple first radiators are arranged sequentially along a first direction.

4. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein, The second antenna element includes multiple second radiators connected to the feed network, and the magnetic field direction of the second radiators is parallel to the first direction.

5. The antenna assembly of claim 4, wherein, Multiple second radiators are arranged sequentially along the first direction.

6. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein, The first antenna element and the second antenna element are arranged symmetrically or offset symmetrically.

7. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein, The first antenna element is provided in multiple ways along a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction; and / or The second antenna element is provided in multiple ways along the second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction.

8. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein, The distance L between one or more of the first antenna unit, the second antenna unit, and the feed network and the edge of the substrate closest to it does not exceed 3 mm.

9. The antenna assembly of claim 8, wherein, The substrate includes at least one edge parallel to a first direction, and one or more of the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the feed network are closest to this edge.

10. The antenna assembly of claim 8, wherein, The distance L is not less than 1 mm.

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