A radio frequency front-end network board of a two-dimensional phased array radar patch antenna

Abstract

The utility model discloses a two -dimensional phased array radar patch antenna's radio frequency front end network board relates to radar antenna technical field. Two -dimensional phased array radar patch antenna's radio frequency front end network board includes substrate layer and power distribution network module, and substrate layer is the planar board structure, is used for bearing the functional component of network board, and power distribution network module is integrated on substrate layer, including at least one power divider, and the power divider includes input port, output port, transmission line and isolation resistance, transmission line is symmetric distribution in input port both sides, and isolation resistance is connected between every two transmission line end. The utility model provides two -dimensional phased array radar patch antenna's radio frequency front end network board is used to solve the problem of the complex structure of existing network board, uneven signal distribution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of radar antenna technology, and in particular to a radio frequency front-end network board for a two-dimensional phased array radar patch antenna. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of radar technology, the performance requirements for radio frequency (RF) front-end network boards are increasing. In modern radar systems, the network board, as a key component for signal transmission and distribution, directly affects the radar's detection accuracy, resolution, and anti-interference capabilities. In the fields of communication and radar, network boards need to achieve efficient signal power division and synthesis, possess good frequency response and low-loss characteristics, to meet the operational requirements of complex electromagnetic environments.

[0003] However, existing radar RF front-end network boards have shortcomings in achieving high integration, wide bandwidth, low loss, and good signal distribution uniformity. Some traditional network boards employ complex designs, leading to high manufacturing difficulty and cost; some network boards encounter bottlenecks in bandwidth expansion, failing to meet the requirements of multi-band operation; and some network boards suffer from uneven signal distribution, affecting the overall performance of the radar system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a radio frequency front-end network board for a two-dimensional phased array radar patch antenna, which solves the problems of complex structure and uneven signal distribution of existing network boards.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A radio frequency front-end network board for a two-dimensional phased array radar patch antenna includes:

[0007] The substrate layer has a planar plate structure and is used to support the functional components of the network board.

[0008] A power divider network module, integrated on the substrate layer, includes at least one power divider. The power divider includes an input port, an output port, transmission lines, and an isolation resistor. The transmission lines are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the input port, and the isolation resistor is connected between the ends of every two transmission lines.

[0009] Optionally, the substrate layer is a TYL-5 substrate, and a metal cladding is provided on the surface of the substrate layer to form the conductive structure of the transmission line and the power divider.

[0010] Optionally, the power divider network module includes multi-stage cascaded Wilkinson power dividers, with the output port of the previous stage power divider connected to the input port of the next stage power divider via transmission lines to form a tree-like power divider network structure, thereby realizing multi-stage distribution of the input signal.

[0011] Optionally, the transmission line is a microstrip line or stripline structure, and its width and thickness are designed according to the impedance matching requirements of a preset frequency band.

[0012] Optionally, the substrate layer is further provided with a sum and difference signal synthesis module, including at least four quadrant signal input ports and sum and difference signal output ports. The quadrant signal input ports are respectively connected to the corresponding output ports of the power divider network module, and the sum and difference signal output ports are used to output the synthesized sum and difference signals.

[0013] Optionally, the power divider can be replaced with a branch-line power divider or a parallel-coupled-line power divider.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the RF front-end network board of the two-dimensional phased array radar patch antenna provided by this utility model features a simplified structure: a single substrate layer and symmetrical wiring design simplify the processing technology and reduce material and manufacturing costs. Modular layout reduces electromagnetic interference, improves signal quality, and is suitable for mass production. Wideband performance: Through power divider optimization, transmission line impedance matching, and substrate material selection, wideband coverage of the Ku-band and adjacent frequency bands is achieved, meeting the bandwidth requirements of multi-mission radars. Uniform signal distribution: The symmetrical design and tree-like cascading of the Wilkinson power divider ensure consistent signal strength and phase across channels, improving radar detection accuracy and system stability. Low transmission loss: Low-loss substrate, high-conductivity coating, and impedance matching design significantly reduce signal transmission loss, improve radar energy efficiency and range, and enhance system sensitivity. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description thereof, serve to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the radio frequency front-end network board provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the radio frequency front-end network board provided in an embodiment of the present utility model from another perspective.

[0018] Figure label:

[0019] 100 - RF front-end network board; 1 - Substrate layer; 2 - Power divider network module; 3 - Sum and difference signal synthesis module. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0021] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0022] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. "Several" means one or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0023] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0024] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0025] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2The radio frequency front-end network board 100 of the two-dimensional phased array radar patch antenna provided in this embodiment of the utility model includes a substrate layer 1 and a power divider network module 2. The substrate layer 1 is a planar plate structure used to carry the functional components of the network board 100. The power divider network module 2 is integrated on the substrate layer 1 and includes at least one power divider. The power divider includes an input port, an output port, a transmission line and an isolation resistor. The transmission lines are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the input port, and the isolation resistor is connected between the ends of every two transmission lines.

[0026] In this application, substrate layer 1 is a TYL-5 substrate, and a metal cladding is provided on the surface of substrate layer 1 to form the conductive structure of transmission lines and power dividers.

[0027] In this application, the power splitting network module 2 includes multi-stage cascaded Wilkinson power splitters. The output port of the front-stage power splitter and the input port of the rear-stage power splitter are connected by transmission lines to form a tree-like power splitting network structure, thereby realizing multi-stage distribution of the input signal.

[0028] Specifically, the transmission line is a microstrip line or stripline structure, and its width and thickness are designed according to the impedance matching requirements of the preset frequency band. For example, the width of the microstrip line can be adjusted, and a stepped variable cross-section section can be set, such as a transition from 0.8mm to 0.6mm, to achieve wideband impedance matching and reduce signal loss.

[0029] In addition, a sum and difference signal synthesis module 3 is provided on the substrate layer 1, including at least four quadrant signal input ports and sum and difference signal output ports. The quadrant signal input ports are respectively connected to the corresponding output ports of the power divider network module 2, and the sum and difference signal output ports are used to output the synthesized sum and difference signals.

[0030] The quadrant input ports are connected to the four output ports of the power divider network via transmission lines of equal length to ensure phase consistency. The sum and difference output ports achieve signal synthesis through an orthogonal mixing loop and output to the RF connector. Adjusting the trace length and impedance of the mixing loop ensures that the phase difference of the four quadrant signals during synthesis is controlled within a preset value, and the amplitude difference is less than a preset value, thereby improving angle measurement accuracy and anti-interference capability.

[0031] In one embodiment provided in this application, the power divider can be replaced with a branch line power divider or a parallel coupled line power divider; the substrate layer 1 can be replaced with Rogers series high-frequency substrate material or other substrate materials with stable dielectric constant and low loss tangent.

[0032] In addition, to improve heat dissipation and shielding capabilities, an aluminum heat sink is installed on the back and connected to the substrate by welding; a brass shielding cover is installed around it and welded to the metal cladding of the substrate to form a shielding cavity to suppress electromagnetic interference (such as external RF noise).

[0033] Copper support pillars are welded at the power divider cascade, the variable cross-section section of the transmission line, and the edge of the substrate to enhance mechanical strength and resist vibration and impact (such as the bumps of radar vehicles or strong interference environments such as electromagnetic guns).

[0034] In practice:

[0035] Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) Test: The SWR of the input port was measured using a vector network analyzer. Within the Ku band range (15.7 GHz - 17.0 GHz), the SWR was less than 1.3, indicating that the network board 100 has good impedance matching with the radar transmitter.

[0036] Signal distribution uniformity test: A single-frequency signal with a power of 10dBm is injected into the input port, and the signal power of each output port is measured. If the power difference between each port is less than 0.5dB, it indicates that the signal distribution uniformity is good.

[0037] Transmission loss test: The transmission loss from the input port to the output port was measured. At the center frequency of 16.35 GHz, the total transmission loss of the four-level power divider network was less than 3.5 dB, which meets the low loss requirements of the radar system.

[0038] Through the structure and specific implementation process of the RF front-end network board 100 of the two-dimensional phased array radar patch antenna described above, it can be seen that the structure is simplified: a single substrate layer 1 and symmetrical wiring design simplify the processing technology and reduce material and manufacturing costs. Modular layout reduces electromagnetic interference, improves signal quality, and is suitable for mass production. Wideband performance: through power divider optimization, transmission line impedance matching, and substrate material selection, wideband coverage of the Ku band and similar frequency bands is achieved, meeting the frequency band requirements of multi-mission radar. Uniform signal distribution: the symmetrical design and tree-like cascading of Wilkinson power dividers ensure consistent signal strength and phase in each channel, improving radar detection accuracy and system stability. Low transmission loss: low-loss substrate, high-conductivity coating, and impedance matching design significantly reduce signal transmission loss, improve radar energy efficiency and range, and enhance system sensitivity.

[0039] In the description of the above embodiments, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0040] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A radio frequency front-end network board for a two-dimensional phased array radar patch antenna, characterized in that, include: The substrate layer has a planar plate structure and is used to support the functional components of the network board. A power divider network module, integrated on the substrate layer, includes at least one power divider. The power divider includes an input port, an output port, transmission lines, and an isolation resistor. The transmission lines are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the input port, and the isolation resistor is connected between the ends of every two transmission lines.

2. The radio frequency front-end network board of the two-dimensional phased array radar patch antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The substrate layer uses a TYL-5 substrate, and a metal cladding is provided on the surface of the substrate layer to form the conductive structure of the transmission line and power divider.

3. The radio frequency front-end network board of the two-dimensional phased array radar patch antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power divider network module includes multiple cascaded Wilkinson power dividers. The output port of the previous power divider and the input port of the next power divider are connected by transmission lines to form a tree-like power divider network structure, realizing multi-level distribution of input signals.

4. The radio frequency front-end network board of the two-dimensional phased array radar patch antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transmission line is a microstrip line or stripline structure, and its width and thickness are designed according to the impedance matching requirements of the preset frequency band.

5. The radio frequency front-end network board of the two-dimensional phased array radar patch antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The substrate layer is also provided with a sum and difference signal synthesis module, including at least four quadrant signal input ports and sum and difference signal output ports. The quadrant signal input ports are respectively connected to the corresponding output ports of the power divider network module, and the sum and difference signal output ports are used to output the synthesized sum and difference signals.

6. The radio frequency front-end network board of the two-dimensional phased array radar patch antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power divider can be replaced with a branch-line power divider or a parallel-coupled-line power divider.

Images