Equal power division network feed differential antenna array

Abstract

The utility model discloses an equal power division network feed differential antenna array, and relates to the technical field of microwaves and radio frequency. Comprising a feed network and a radiating antenna part, the feed network is of a three-layer structure, the middle layer is a slotted copper metal ground, the top layer and the bottom layer are of power division structures symmetrical about the middle layer, and an FR-4 dielectric substrate is arranged between the top layer and the bottom layer; the power division structure is composed of a transmission line and two stages of Wilkinson power dividers, and the radiation antenna part is composed of four dual-band quasi-yagi antennas with through holes and is connected with the power division structure through the through holes. The antenna array is uniform in power distribution, high in anti-interference performance, wide in working frequency band, reliable in connection, stable in performance and reasonable in size.

Description

A differential antenna array fed by an equal power distribution network Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of microwave and radio frequency technology, and in particular relates to a differential antenna array fed by an equal power distribution network. Background Technology

[0002] In early electronic communication systems, single-ended signal transmission was the primary method, transmitting voltage signals through a single signal line and ground. However, this method faces numerous problems over long distances. Due to inductance or electromagnetic coupling in the ground wire, differences in reference levels between the source and terminal can occur, leading to signal identification errors and making single-ended signal transmission unsuitable for long-distance, high-speed transmission. This is especially true in high-frequency signal transmission scenarios, where interference and noise significantly exacerbate the problem, resulting in severe signal attenuation and severely limiting communication performance improvements.

[0003] Currently, single-ended circuits remain the mainstream form of radio frequency (RF) circuits, with only some digital signals employing differential structures. While single-ended circuits rely on a single wire for input or output, offering simplicity, they are more susceptible to electromagnetic interference from internal and external components, thus affecting signal transmission quality. For third- or fourth-generation wireless communication, due to their relatively low operating frequencies and the implementation of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) measures, most single-ended signal transmission schemes can operate normally. However, as signal frequencies increase, EMC issues become increasingly complex, and the disadvantages of single-ended signal transmission schemes in terms of interference immunity and high-speed transmission capabilities compared to differential schemes are becoming increasingly apparent.

[0004] Currently, research on differential devices continues to deepen in multiple fields, mainly focusing on high-performance analog circuits, automatic control and precision measurement, high-frequency bandwidth banding (such as millimeter waves and terahertz), intelligent beamforming, and high-density integration. In 5G / 6G communications, satellite navigation, and autonomous driving, differential signals exhibit superior anti-interference and high-speed transmission performance. However, differential signal transmission technology also faces some technical bottlenecks, such as high-frequency phase consistency control, real-time calibration of ultra-large-scale arrays, and limited bandwidth for multi-band impedance matching. Furthermore, in complex electromagnetic environments, common-mode noise suppression, thermal management challenges arising from high integration, and the reliability issues of flexible reconfigurable arrays still require breakthroughs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a differential antenna array fed by an equal power distribution network to solve problems such as uneven power distribution and common-mode noise interference in the differential antenna array feed network, so as to achieve stable and efficient antenna signal transmission.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of this application provide an equal power distribution network-fed differential antenna array, comprising:

[0007] The feeding network and radiating antenna are composed of a three-layer structure, including a top layer, a bottom layer and a middle layer. The top and bottom layers are power divider structures symmetrical about the middle layer. The middle layer is a slotted metal ground. A dielectric substrate is provided between the top and middle layers and between the bottom and middle layers. The radiating antenna is located between the two dielectric substrates, on the middle layer, and is connected to the feeding network through a via.

[0008] The method described in the embodiments of this application may also have the following additional technical features:

[0009] Furthermore, each power divider structure consists of a transmission line and two stages of Wilkinson power dividers. The first-stage Wilkinson power divider at the top level includes an input port 1 and two output branches. The two output branches are connected to the second-stage Wilkinson power divider at the top level via the transmission line. The second-stage Wilkinson power divider includes output ports 2, 3, 4, and 5. The first-stage Wilkinson power divider at the bottom level includes an input port 1' and two output branches. The two output branches are connected to the second-stage Wilkinson power divider at the bottom level via the transmission line. The second-stage Wilkinson power divider includes output ports 2', 3', 4', and 5'.

[0010] Furthermore, the radiating antenna section consists of four dual-band quasi-Yagi antennas, each of which has a through-hole that connects to the power divider structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the intermediate layer is made of copper; the dielectric substrate is made of FR-4; the dielectric substrate has a thickness of 0.5 mm, a dielectric constant of 4.4, and a loss tangent of 0.02.

[0012] Furthermore, the effective size of each dual-band quasi-Yagi antenna is 175mm*60mm.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the equal power distribution network-fed differential antenna array provided in this application has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0014] The feed network in this embodiment adopts a three-layer structure. The top and bottom layers are power dividers that are stacked and symmetrical, consisting of transmission lines and three Wilkinson power dividers. This design enables a more uniform power distribution to the input signal, resulting in smaller differences in signal power output from each output port. This ensures that the signal strength received by each radiating antenna section in the antenna array is consistent, thereby improving the overall performance of the antenna array and the uniformity of signal radiation or reception.

[0015] The input ports in this embodiment form input differential pairs, and the multiple output ports also form different output differential pairs. Differential signal transmission has the advantage of strong anti-interference capability, effectively suppressing common-mode noise, reducing the impact of external electromagnetic interference on the signal, and improving the stability and reliability of signal transmission. In complex electromagnetic environments, this differential structure can better guarantee signal quality and reduce the bit error rate.

[0016] The radiating antenna section of this embodiment consists of four dual-band quasi-Yagi antennas. The dual-band design allows the antenna to operate on two different frequency bands, broadening its operating frequency range and increasing its applicability and flexibility. This can meet the needs of different communication systems or application scenarios for different frequency bands, reducing the number of antennas and equipment costs. Each dual-band quasi-Yagi antenna in this embodiment has a through-hole, which connects to the power divider structure. This connection method is simple and reliable, facilitating the integration of the radiating antenna section with the feed network, reducing assembly difficulty and cost, while ensuring effective signal transmission between the radiating antenna section and the feed network.

[0017] The intermediate layer in this embodiment uses copper, which has good conductivity and can effectively function as a metal ground, providing a stable reference ground for signal transmission. The dielectric substrate is made of flame-retardant FR-4 material, which has good mechanical and electrical properties. Its thickness is 0.5 mm, dielectric constant is 4.4, and loss tangent is 0.02. These parameters enable the dielectric substrate to withstand certain temperature and environmental changes while ensuring signal transmission efficiency, thereby improving the reliability and stability of the antenna array.

[0018] Each dual-band quasi-Yagi antenna in this embodiment has an effective size of 175mm*60mm. While ensuring antenna performance, it has a relatively reasonable size, which facilitates the installation and deployment of the antenna array. Especially in application scenarios with limited space, this compact design can better meet actual needs. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of the equal power distribution network-fed differential antenna array according to an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the power divider structure of an embodiment of this application, wherein Figure 2(a) represents a schematic diagram of the top-level power divider structure and Figure 2(b) represents a schematic diagram of the bottom-level power divider structure;

[0021] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of the intermediate layer in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of the radiating antenna portion according to an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 5 shows the simulation results of the odd-mode excitation of the power divider structure according to the embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 6 shows the simulation results of the common-mode excitation of the power divider structure according to an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 7 shows the S-parameters and gain simulation results of the equal power distribution network-fed differential antenna array according to an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Top layer; 2. Middle layer; 3. Bottom layer; 4. Radiation antenna section. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to this application are shown in the accompanying drawings, not the entire structure. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0028] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, used in this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0029] In this application, the reference to "embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described in this application can be combined with other embodiments.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, this embodiment of the application provides a power-sharing network-fed differential antenna array, which consists of a feeding network and a radiating antenna section 4. The feeding network adopts a unique three-layer structure design, including a top layer 1, a bottom layer 3, and a middle layer 2. The radiating antenna section 4 is disposed between two dielectric substrates and located on the middle layer 2. This layered structure not only facilitates signal transmission and distribution but also effectively reduces electromagnetic interference and improves the overall performance of the antenna array.

[0031] The three-layer structure of the power supply network in this application embodiment includes:

[0032] Intermediate Layer 2: Copper is selected as the intermediate layer 2. Copper has excellent conductivity and can provide a stable reference ground for signal transmission. As shown in Figure 3, intermediate layer 2 is a slotted metal ground. The slotted design can optimize the radiation characteristics of the antenna according to actual needs, such as adjusting the antenna's radiation pattern, gain, and other parameters.

[0033] Dielectric substrates: Dielectric substrates are disposed between the top layer 1 and the middle layer 2, and between the bottom layer 3 and the middle layer 2. The dielectric substrates are made of flame-retardant material FR-4, with a thickness precisely controlled at 0.5 mm, a dielectric constant of 4.4, and a loss tangent of 0.02. These parameters have been carefully selected to ensure signal transmission efficiency while withstanding certain temperature and environmental changes, thereby improving the reliability and stability of the antenna array.

[0034] Top Layer 1 and Bottom Layer 3: Top Layer 1 and Bottom Layer 3 are power divider structures that are symmetrical about the middle layer 2. This axisymmetric design ensures the symmetry of the signal during transmission, which is beneficial for achieving uniform power distribution.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the power divider structure of this embodiment is two-layered. Figure 2(a) shows a schematic diagram of the top-layer power divider structure, and Figure 2(b) shows a schematic diagram of the bottom-layer power divider structure. Each power divider structure consists of a transmission line and two stages of Wilkinson power dividers. The first stage Wilkinson power divider of the top layer 1 includes an input port 1 and two output branches. Input port 1 is used to receive external input signals, and the two output branches perform initial signal distribution. These two output branches are connected to the second stage Wilkinson power divider of the top layer 1 through the transmission line. The second stage Wilkinson power divider further distributes the signal into four outputs, corresponding to output ports 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Wilkinson power dividers have good isolation and port matching characteristics. Through the cascading of two stages of Wilkinson power dividers, precise equal power distribution of the input signal can be achieved, ensuring power balance at each output port.

[0036] The power divider structure of the bottom layer 3 is symmetrical to that of the top layer 1 about the middle layer 2. The first-stage Wilkinson power divider of the bottom layer 3 includes input port 1' and two output branches. Similarly, the two output branches are connected to the second-stage Wilkinson power divider of the bottom layer 3 via transmission lines. The second-stage Wilkinson power divider includes output ports 2', 3', 4', and 5'. This symmetrical design makes the feed network more structurally stable and helps improve the performance consistency of the entire antenna array.

[0037] Specifically, the specific parameters of the power supply network design in this application embodiment are as follows:

[0038] l1=5mm, l2=7mm, l3=3mm, l4=3mm, l5=2.6mm, l6=32.6mm, l7=4.3mm, l8=2.5mm, l9=15.1mm, l 10 =12mm, l 11 =5mm, w1=0.94mm, w2=0.4mm, w3=1mm, w4=0.4mm, w5=1.5mm, r1=2mm.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the radiating antenna section 4 of this embodiment consists of four dual-band quasi-Yagi antennas. Dual-band quasi-Yagi antennas have advantages such as simple structure, high gain, and good directivity. Moreover, the dual-band design allows the antenna to operate on two different frequency bands, broadening the antenna's operating frequency range and increasing its applicability and flexibility.

[0040] Each dual-band quasi-Yagi antenna has through-holes through which it connects to the power divider structure. Specifically, based on the layout of the radiating antenna section 4 and the output port positions of the power divider structure, the antenna's through-holes are electrically connected to the corresponding output differential pairs. This connection method is simple and reliable, facilitating the integration of the radiating antenna section 4 with the feed network, reducing assembly difficulty and cost, while ensuring effective signal transmission between the radiating antenna section 4 and the feed network.

[0041] Each dual-band quasi-Yagi antenna has an effective size of 175mm x 60mm. This size was determined after comprehensively considering the antenna's operating frequency, gain, radiation pattern, and other performance indicators, as well as the space constraints of the actual application scenario. While ensuring antenna performance, this relatively reasonable size facilitates the installation and deployment of the antenna array, especially in space-constrained applications such as mobile communication devices and small drones.

[0042] Specifically, the specific parameters of the radiating antenna part 4 in this application embodiment are as follows:

[0043] l 12 =40mm, l 13 =24.8mm, l 14 =16mm, l 15 =9.5mm, l 16 =5mm, l 17 =18mm, l 18 =5mm, l 19 =5mm, w5=35.8mm, w6=23.5mm, w7=1mm, w8=1mm.

[0044] This application also uses the three-dimensional structural electromagnetic simulation software ANSYS Electronics Desktop to conduct simulation experiments on the relevant indicators of this application:

[0045] This application's embodiments simulate the power divider structure, including the differential mode reflection coefficient S. DD11 Differential-mode insertion loss |S DD12 |、|S DD13 |, Common-mode suppression|S CC12 |、|S CC13 The power divider structure designed in this application embodiment balances insertion loss and common-mode rejection: as shown in Figure 5, the simulated differential-mode reflection coefficient is less than -14dB in the 3.3GHz-5GHz range; the port transmission coefficient |S DD12 |and|S DD13 It can be seen that the insertion loss is between 0.9dB and 1.6dB, and the differential port isolation is |S DD23 | Greater than 27dB, as shown in Figure 6, common-mode rejection |S CC12 |、|S CC13 Greater than 28dB.

[0046] This application embodiment also simulates a differential antenna array fed by an equal power distribution network, including the antenna's S-parameters and gain, as shown in Figure 7. This differential antenna covers two frequency bands: 3300-3600MHz and 4800-5000MHz. The S-parameters and gain obtained within these frequency bands are... CC11 The common-mode signal levels are all within the range of -1.8dB and -2.3dB, indicating that most common-mode signals cannot be transmitted. Both the measured and simulated results are below -10dB. There is a slight frequency deviation between the measured and simulated results at high frequencies, but this does not affect normal use within the passband. The gain test results are close to the simulation results; the actual antenna gain within the passband ranges from 8.1dBi to 10.7dBi, and the common-mode signal exhibits total reflection at the antenna port.

[0047] It should be noted that, in this application, 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 limitation, 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 that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0048] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these forms are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A differential antenna array fed by an equal power distribution network, characterized in that, include: The feed network and radiating antenna section (4) consist of a three-layer structure, including a top layer (1), a bottom layer (3), and a middle layer (2). The top layer (1) and the bottom layer (3) are symmetrical power divider structures about the middle layer (2). The middle layer (2) is a slotted metal ground. A dielectric substrate is provided between the top layer (1) and the middle layer (2) and between the bottom layer (3) and the middle layer (2). The radiating antenna section (4) is located between the two dielectric substrates, on the middle layer (2), and connected to the feed network through a through-hole.

2. The equal power distribution network-fed differential antenna array as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned power divider structures consists of a transmission line and two stages of Wilkinson power dividers. The first stage Wilkinson power divider in the top layer (1) includes an input port 1 and two output branches. The two output branches are connected to the second stage Wilkinson power divider in the top layer (1) via a transmission line. The second stage Wilkinson power divider includes output ports 2, 3, 4, and 5. The first stage Wilkinson power divider in the bottom layer (3) includes an input port 1' and two output branches. The two output branches are connected to the second stage Wilkinson power divider in the bottom layer (3) via a transmission line. The second stage Wilkinson power divider includes output ports 2', 3', 4', and 5'.

3. The equal power distribution network-fed differential antenna array as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The radiating antenna section (4) consists of four dual-band quasi-Yagi antennas, each of which has a through hole and is connected to the power divider structure through the through hole.

4. The equal power distribution network-fed differential antenna array as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The intermediate layer (2) is made of copper; the dielectric substrate is made of FR-4; the dielectric substrate has a thickness of 0.5 mm, a dielectric constant of 4.4, and a loss tangent of 0.

02.

5. The equal power distribution network-fed differential antenna array as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The effective size of each of the dual-band quasi-Yagi antennas is 175mm*60mm.

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