A deep groove waveguide antenna with E-plane waveguide feed
By using a transition structure connecting the E-plane waveguide feed line and the deep slot waveguide feed line, and a choke design, the processing difficulty and performance deficiencies of the deep slot waveguide antenna were solved, achieving wide bandwidth and high efficiency antenna performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NANTONG FANYUAN ZHIHUI TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing deep slot waveguide antennas suffer from problems such as high welding difficulty, low yield, narrow operating bandwidth, deflection of the maximum gain beam pointing angle on the elevation plane with frequency variation, and low aperture efficiency during the manufacturing process.
The E-plane waveguide feeder and the deep groove waveguide feeder are connected by a transition structure, which includes a through hole and an impedance transformation structure. The radiation structure is symmetrical about the center point of the through hole. Combined with the choke groove design, the signal can be radiated with a 180° phase difference in the deep groove waveguide feeder, reducing the complexity of processing and electromagnetic wave leakage.
It achieves a wide operating bandwidth, a maximum gain beam pointing angle on the elevation plane that resists frequency deflection, and high aperture efficiency, reducing manufacturing difficulty and electromagnetic wave leakage, and improving the overall performance of the antenna.
Smart Images
Figure CN224582505U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a deep slot waveguide antenna, and more particularly to a deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed line, belonging to the field of antenna technology. Background Technology
[0002] Deep trench waveguides (single-layer waveguide antennas) are a type of antenna design based on waveguide structures. Compared to traditional multi-layer or complex antenna structures, they offer advantages such as simple structure, low manufacturing cost, and ease of integration. In recent years, with the development of technologies such as 5G / 6G communication, millimeter-wave radar, and satellite communication, single-layer waveguide antennas have attracted widespread attention due to their excellent performance in high-frequency bands. The following analysis examines their prospects from the perspectives of technological advantages, application areas, research hotspots, and future trends.
[0003] Chinese Patent Publication No. CN118610743A discloses an E-plane waveguide antenna structure, including a first structural layer, a second structural layer, and an E-plane waveguide antenna assembly. The first structural layer has an annular groove forming a first waveguide channel and multiple radiating slots, each radiating slot communicating with the first waveguide channel. The inner wall of the annular groove has multiple cylindrical sections, spaced apart to form an electromagnetic bandgap structure. The second structural layer is stacked on top of the first structural layer, and the second structural layer has a second waveguide channel. The first waveguide channel and the second waveguide channel are connected to form a waveguide cavity. The E-plane waveguide antenna assembly is located within the waveguide cavity and has a wide side and a narrow side, both perpendicular to the extension direction of the E-plane waveguide antenna assembly. The size of the wide side is greater than or equal to twice the size of the narrow side. The aforementioned E-plane waveguide antenna structure exhibits good signal transmission performance.
[0004] The E-plane waveguide antenna assembly of this scheme has a wide side and a narrow side. The wide side requires two layers of waveguide antenna plates that need to be welded together.
[0005] Chinese Patent Publication No. CN117941173A discloses an open waveguide antenna and a system having an open waveguide antenna, comprising: an electromagnetic EM transition section having a transition region, a signal feed interface, and an open waveguide section, the EM transition section being configured to couple EM energy from the signal feed interface to a pilot waveguide mode of EM energy reaching the open waveguide section via the transition region; and a leaky waveguide antenna section configured and arranged to radiate electromagnetic energy received from the open waveguide section; wherein the EM transition section is electromagnetically coupled to the leaky waveguide antenna section, and the EM transition section is configured to support the transmission of electromagnetic energy from the signal feed structure to the leaky waveguide antenna section.
[0006] This design uses a deep slot waveguide antenna, which eliminates the need for welding the feed line. However, the curved structure can cause leakage in the antenna. While the structure of this design can reduce electromagnetic wave leakage, it is impossible to manufacture and implement.
[0007] Chinese Patent Publication No. CN102084538B discloses a waveguide and transmission line in a gap between parallel conductive surfaces, representing a novel method for realizing microwave devices such as electromagnetic transmission lines, waveguides, and their circuitry. This new method is advantageous when frequencies are high enough that existing transmission lines and waveguides suffer excessive losses or cannot be cost-effectively manufactured with the required tolerances. Therefore, the new technology aims to replace coaxial lines, hollow cylindrical waveguides, microstrip lines, and other substrate-constrained transmission lines at high frequencies. The microwave device is realized by using a texture or multilayer structure on one of the surfaces, within a narrow gap between two parallel surfaces of a conductive material. The field is primarily present in the gap, not in the texture or multilayer structure itself, resulting in minimal loss. The microwave device further includes one or more conductive elements, such as a metal ridge or groove on one of the two surfaces, or a metal strip within a multilayer structure between the two surfaces. Waves propagate along the conductive elements. No metal connection is required between the two surfaces. At least one of the surfaces is provided with a device to prevent wave propagation between the surfaces in directions other than ridges, grooves, or strips. At very high frequencies, gap waveguides can be implemented in IC packages or within the chip itself.
[0008] This solution uses the principle of electromagnetic bandgap and is achieved through a gap ridge waveguide. It does not require welding, but there will be a lot of small pillars, which will affect the mold life, increase the manufacturing difficulty, and the small pillars are prone to breakage, affecting the yield.
[0009] In summary, conventional cavity waveguide-fed antenna structures require the welding of two separate plates (SMT or conductive adhesive), resulting in complex manufacturing processes and low yields. Conventional deep-slot waveguides are typically side-fed, but their operating bandwidth is narrow. Furthermore, the lack of symmetry in the antenna's radiating structure causes the maximum gain beam pointing angle on the elevation plane to deflect with frequency changes. Center-fed schemes often employ complex transition structures in the middle of the radiating surface, leading to lower energy in the middle and higher energy at the ends, resulting in lower aperture efficiency. Utility Model Content
[0010] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed, which has a wide operating bandwidth, good anti-deflection performance of the maximum gain beam pointing angle in the elevation plane, good aperture efficiency, and low sidelobes.
[0011] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: A deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed line includes an E-plane feed line, a deep slot waveguide feed line, and a transition structure. One end of the E-plane feed line is connected to the middle position of the deep slot waveguide feed line through the transition structure. The transition structure includes a via and an impedance transformation structure. The deep slot waveguide feed line includes a first radiation structure and a second radiation structure. The first radiation structure and the second radiation structure are point-symmetric about the center point of the via.
[0012] Furthermore, the first radiating structure and the second radiating structure respectively include a first step, a second step, a first blind hole, a second blind hole, a third blind hole, and a chamfer. The first step and the second step are arranged sequentially along the through hole towards both ends of the deep groove waveguide feed line, and the height of the first step is higher than the height of the second step. The first blind hole, the second blind hole, and the third blind hole are arranged sequentially along the through hole towards both ends of the deep groove waveguide feed line. The first blind hole and the third blind hole are located on one side of the first radiating structure or the second radiating structure, and the second blind hole is located on the other side of the first radiating structure or the second radiating structure. The chamfer is located at both ends of the deep groove waveguide feed line.
[0013] Furthermore, the E-plane feed line is divided into an upper half and a lower half of the E-plane feed line. The lower half of the E-plane feed line is located on the upper side of the first layer plate, and the upper half of the E-plane feed line is located on the lower side of the second layer plate. The deep groove waveguide feed line is located on the upper side of the second layer plate.
[0014] Furthermore, the width of the E-plane feed line is 1.27 mm, the height of the E-plane feed line is 2.54 mm, the depth of the deep trench waveguide feed line is 3.7 mm, and the width of the deep trench waveguide feed line is 2 mm.
[0015] Furthermore, the through hole is a horn-shaped hole with a gradually decreasing width from bottom to top. The length of the upper end of the through hole is 2mm, and the width of the upper end of the through hole is 0.85mm. The impedance transformation structure is a stepped structure set at the end of the feed line on the E plane and located below the through hole. The length of the impedance transformation structure is 1.24mm, and the height of the impedance transformation structure is 0.58mm.
[0016] Furthermore, the contact surfaces of the first step and the second step are stepped contact surfaces. The first length from the end of the first step near the through hole to the first step surface of the stepped contact surface is 4.7 mm, the second length from the end of the first step near the through hole to the second step surface of the stepped contact surface is 3.9 mm, the first length from the end of the second step near the through hole to the first step surface of the stepped contact surface is 1.1 mm, and the second length from the end of the second step near the through hole to the second step surface of the stepped contact surface is 1.9 mm.
[0017] Furthermore, the length of the first blind hole is 2.4 mm, the width of the first blind hole is 0.6 mm, and the end of the first blind hole near the through hole is flush with the end of the first step near the through hole. The length of the second blind hole is 2.3 mm, the width of the second blind hole is 0.7 mm, and the end of the second blind hole away from the through hole is flush with the surface of the second step. The length of the third blind hole is 1.6 mm, the width of the third blind hole is 0.6 mm, the length of the second step is 0.6 mm, and the end of the third blind hole away from the through hole is flush with the end of the chamfer near the through hole. The bottom surfaces of the first, second, and third blind holes are flush with the bottom surface of the deep trench waveguide feed line.
[0018] Furthermore, the angle of the chamfer is 45°.
[0019] Furthermore, a choke groove is provided on each side of the deep trench waveguide feed line. The width of the choke groove is 0.6 mm, the depth of the choke groove is 0.8 mm, and the length of the choke groove is equal to the length of the deep trench waveguide feed line.
[0020] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages and effects: 1. Based on the center-feed scheme, the radiation structure of the antenna does not require conventional partitions or complex transition structures. Radiation is achieved through direct coupling, resulting in high aperture efficiency of the antenna. 2. The radiation structure of this utility model can be realized with a blind hole height of less than 1mm in the deep trench waveguide. Compared with the partition scheme, it reduces the processing difficulty. The use of plastic metallization can reduce the difficulty of electroplating. 3. This utility model uses chamfering at both ends of the radiation to adjust the amplitude and phase distribution of the electric field at the antenna aperture, achieving a low sidelobe effect without increasing the physical size of the antenna in the elevation direction; 4. Compared with the traditional side-feed scheme, the center-feed scheme of this utility model has a wider working bandwidth, especially the maximum gain beam pointing angle of the elevation plane, which will not deflect with the frequency. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a deep groove waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed according to this utility model.
[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a deep groove waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed according to this utility model.
[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first layer plate of this utility model.
[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the second layer plate of this utility model.
[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the S-parameters of a deep groove waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed line according to this utility model under different gaps.
[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the 77GHz radiation pattern of a deep groove waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feeder according to this utility model under different gaps.
[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the radiation pattern of a deep groove waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feeder at different frequencies according to this utility model. Detailed Implementation
[0028] To elaborate on the technical solutions adopted by this utility model to achieve the intended technical objectives, the technical solutions in 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, not all embodiments. Furthermore, the technical means or technical features in the embodiments of this utility model can be replaced without creative effort. The utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0029] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, this utility model discloses a deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed line, comprising an E-plane feed line 1, a deep slot waveguide feed line 2, and a transition structure 3. One end of the E-plane feed line 1 is connected to the middle position of the deep slot waveguide feed line 2 through the transition structure 3. The E-plane feed line 1 and the deep slot waveguide feed line 2 are perpendicular to each other, and the E-plane feed line 1 is located below the deep slot waveguide feed line 2. One end of the E-plane feed line 1 is connected to the midpoint of the deep slot waveguide feed line 2 through the transition structure 3 to form a center feed structure. The transition structure 3 includes a through-hole 4 and an impedance transformation structure 5. The deep slot waveguide feed line 2 includes a first radiation structure and a second radiation structure. Since the phase difference between the power divider of the E-plane feed line 1 and the deep slot waveguide feed line 2 is 180°, the first radiation structure and the second radiation structure are point-symmetrical about the center point of the through-hole 4.
[0030] like Figure 4As shown, the first radiating structure and the second radiating structure respectively include a first step 6, a second step 7, a first blind hole 8, a second blind hole 9, a third blind hole 10, and a chamfer 11. The first step 6 and the second step 7 are arranged sequentially along the through hole 4 towards both ends of the deep groove waveguide feed line 2, and the height of the first step 6 is higher than the height of the second step 7. The first blind hole 8, the second blind hole 9, and the third blind hole 10 are arranged sequentially along the through hole 4 towards both ends of the deep groove waveguide feed line 2. The first blind hole 8 and the third blind hole 10 are located on one side of the first radiating structure or the second radiating structure, the second blind hole 9 is located on the other side of the first radiating structure or the second radiating structure, and the chamfer 11 is located at both ends of the deep groove waveguide feed line 2.
[0031] E-plane feed line 1 is divided into an upper half and a lower half of the E-plane feed line. The lower half of the E-plane feed line is located on the upper side of the first layer plate 12, and the upper half of the E-plane feed line is located on the lower side of the second layer plate 13. The deep groove waveguide feed line 2 is located on the upper side of the second layer plate 13.
[0032] The width of E-plane feed line 1 is 1.27 mm, the height of E-plane feed line 1 is 2.54 mm, the depth of deep groove waveguide feed line 2 is 3.7 mm, and the width of deep groove waveguide feed line 2 is 2 mm.
[0033] The through hole 4 is a horn hole whose width gradually decreases from bottom to top. The length of the upper end of the through hole 4 is 2mm and the width of the upper end of the through hole 4 is 0.85mm. The impedance transformation structure 5 is a stepped structure set at the end of the feed line 1 on the E plane and located below the through hole 4. The length of the impedance transformation structure 5 is 1.24mm and the height of the impedance transformation structure 5 is 0.58mm.
[0034] The contact surfaces of the first step 6 and the second step 7 are stepped contact surfaces. The first length of the first step 6 from the end near the through hole 4 to the first step surface of the stepped contact surface is 4.7 mm. The second length of the first step 6 from the end near the through hole 4 to the second step surface of the stepped contact surface is 3.9 mm. The first length of the second step 7 from the end near the through hole 4 to the first step surface of the stepped contact surface is 1.1 mm. The second length of the second step 7 from the end near the through hole 4 to the second step surface of the stepped contact surface is 1.9 mm.
[0035] The length of the first blind hole 8 is 2.4 mm, the width of the first blind hole 8 is 0.6 mm, and the end of the first blind hole 8 near the through hole 4 is flush with the end of the first step 6 near the through hole 4. The length of the second blind hole 9 is 2.3 mm, the width of the second blind hole 9 is 0.7 mm, and the end of the second blind hole 9 away from the through hole 4 is flush with the second step surface. The length of the third blind hole 10 is 1.6 mm, the width of the third blind hole 10 is 0.6 mm, the length of the second step surface is 0.6 mm, and the end of the third blind hole 10 away from the through hole 4 is flush with the end of the chamfer 11 near the through hole 4. The bottom surfaces of the first blind hole 8, the second blind hole 9, and the third blind hole 10 are flush with the bottom surface of the deep trench waveguide feed line 2.
[0036] The angle of the chamfer 11 is 45°.
[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, a choke slot 14 is provided on each side of the deep slot waveguide feed line 2 to reduce surface waves and adjust the radiation pattern of the antenna horizontal plane. The choke slot 14 has a width of 0.6 mm, a depth of 0.8 mm, and a length equal to the length of the deep slot waveguide feed line 2.
[0038] This invention relates to a deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed line. The other end of the E-plane feed line 1 is connected to the excitation port on the side of the first layer plate 12 and the second layer plate 13. The antenna signal is fed into the E-plane feed line 1 from the excitation port, and then enters the deep slot waveguide feed line 2 from the other end of the E-plane feed line 1 through the transition structure 3. The signal is equally divided into two signals with a 180° phase difference in the deep slot waveguide feed line 2 and radiated through the first radiation structure and the second radiation structure.
[0039] The deep slot waveguide antenna with E-plane waveguide feed of this invention can be implemented in the 77GHz band through a two-layer structure, and the deep slot structure only requires one layer. When the two-layer E-plane feed is cut in the middle, there is no cutting current, so the leakage of electromagnetic waves is very small. It can be installed by hot melting, screwing and other processes.
[0040] like Figure 5 The diagram shows the S-parameters of a deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed line according to this invention under different gaps. The S11 of the waveguide transition in the three cases is below -12.5dB in the 75-81GHz frequency band and below -15dB in the 76-79GHz frequency band.
[0041] like Figure 6The diagram shows the 77GHz radiation pattern of a deep groove waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed line according to this invention under different gaps. The peak gain of the antenna is 15.5dB with a 0mm gap and 15.35dB with a 0.2mm gap, a decrease of only 0.15dB. The sidelobes of the antenna's elevation plane decrease from -23dB with a 0mm gap to -20dB with a 0.2mm gap, with a small difference. Moreover, the antenna radiation pattern is relatively smooth, indicating that there is no electromagnetic wave leakage. It can be seen that the antenna can work normally without achieving a 0mm gap. This invention has a large redundancy in the assembly between the two layers of the waveguide antenna.
[0042] like Figure 7 The diagram shows the radiation patterns of a deep groove waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed at different frequencies. The antenna's peak gain is around 15.5 dB, and the frequency consistency is good. The sidelobes are basically between -21 dB and -23 dB. Because the antenna is a center-fed design, it has structural symmetry. The elevation radiation patterns of the antenna at different frequencies are symmetrical, and the maximum beam pointing angle is 0°.
[0043] This invention, based on a center-fed scheme, eliminates the need for conventional partitions and complex transition structures in the antenna's radiating structure. Direct coupling enables radiation, resulting in high aperture efficiency. The radiating structure can be achieved with blind holes less than 1mm high in a deep slot waveguide, reducing manufacturing difficulty compared to partition schemes. The use of plastic metallization further reduces electroplating challenges. Chamfering at both ends of the radiation path adjusts the amplitude and phase distribution of the antenna's aperture electric field, achieving low sidelobes without increasing the antenna's elevation dimensions. Compared to traditional side-fed schemes, this center-fed scheme offers a wider operating bandwidth, particularly in the elevation plane where the maximum gain beam pointing angle remains unchanged with frequency variations.
[0044] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model in any way. Although the present utility model has been disclosed above with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present utility model's technical solution. Any simple modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the present utility model's technical solution, based on the technical essence of the present utility model and within the spirit and principles of the present utility model, shall still fall within the protection scope of the present utility model's technical solution.
Claims
1. A deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed, characterized in that: It includes an E-plane feed line, a deep groove waveguide feed line, and a transition structure. One end of the E-plane feed line is connected to the middle position of the deep groove waveguide feed line through the transition structure. The transition structure includes a via and an impedance transformation structure. The deep groove waveguide feed line includes a first radiation structure and a second radiation structure. The first radiation structure and the second radiation structure are point-symmetric about the center point of the via.
2. The deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first radiating structure and the second radiating structure respectively include a first step, a second step, a first blind hole, a second blind hole, a third blind hole, and a chamfer. The first step and the second step are arranged sequentially along the through hole towards both ends of the deep groove waveguide feed line, and the height of the first step is higher than the height of the second step. The first blind hole, the second blind hole, and the third blind hole are arranged sequentially along the through hole towards both ends of the deep groove waveguide feed line. The first blind hole and the third blind hole are located on one side of the first radiating structure or the second radiating structure, and the second blind hole is located on the other side of the first radiating structure or the second radiating structure. The chamfer is located at both ends of the deep groove waveguide feed line.
3. The deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed according to claim 1, characterized in that: The E-plane feed line is divided into an upper half and a lower half. The lower half of the E-plane feed line is located on the upper side of the first layer plate, and the upper half of the E-plane feed line is located on the lower side of the second layer plate. The deep groove waveguide feed line is located on the upper side of the second layer plate.
4. A deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the E-plane feed line is 1.27 mm, the height of the E-plane feed line is 2.54 mm, the depth of the deep trench waveguide feed line is 3.7 mm, and the width of the deep trench waveguide feed line is 2 mm.
5. A deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed according to claim 1, characterized in that: The through hole is a horn-shaped hole with a gradually decreasing width from bottom to top. The length of the upper end of the through hole is 2mm and the width of the upper end of the through hole is 0.85mm. The impedance transformation structure is a stepped structure set at the end of the feed line on the E plane and located below the through hole. The length of the impedance transformation structure is 1.24mm and the height of the impedance transformation structure is 0.58mm.
6. A deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed according to claim 2, characterized in that: The contact surfaces of the first step and the second step are stepped contact surfaces. The first length from the end of the first step near the through hole to the first step surface of the stepped contact surface is 4.7 mm. The second length from the end of the first step near the through hole to the second step surface of the stepped contact surface is 3.9 mm. The first length from the end of the second step near the through hole to the first step surface of the stepped contact surface is 1.1 mm. The second length from the end of the second step near the through hole to the second step surface of the stepped contact surface is 1.9 mm.
7. A deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first blind hole has a length of 2.4 mm and a width of 0.6 mm. The end of the first blind hole near the through hole is flush with the end of the first step near the through hole. The second blind hole has a length of 2.3 mm and a width of 0.7 mm. The end of the second blind hole away from the through hole is flush with the surface of the second step. The third blind hole has a length of 1.6 mm and a width of 0.6 mm. The length of the second step is 0.6 mm. The end of the third blind hole away from the through hole is flush with the end of the chamfer near the through hole. The bottom surfaces of the first, second, and third blind holes are flush with the bottom surface of the deep trench waveguide feed line.
8. A deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed according to claim 6, characterized in that: The angle of the chamfer is 45°.
9. A deep slot waveguide antenna with an E-plane waveguide feed according to claim 1, characterized in that: A choke groove is provided on each side of the deep trench waveguide feed line. The width of the choke groove is 0.6 mm, the depth of the choke groove is 0.8 mm, and the length of the choke groove is equal to the length of the deep trench waveguide feed line.