A direction finding antenna

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a direction-finding antenna, relates to the radio monitoring direction-finding technical field, and aims to solve the problem that the existing direction-finding antenna cannot realize dual-polarization direction-finding function without increasing the overall size of the antenna. The antenna is designed in two layers to cover different frequency ranges, and the working frequency range is expanded. Each layer of the antenna comprises a plurality of antenna units, the dielectric substrates of the antenna units are orthogonal to each other, and the dielectric substrates are supported by the dielectric substrate as a bottom plate to realize coaxial cross design. Thus, on the outer side of the orthogonally distributed dielectric substrates, vertical and horizontal polarization antenna radiation arms in different directions can be designed respectively, dual-polarization performance is realized on the physical size of single-polarization, the overall size is not increased, the polarization performance is expanded to realize dual-polarization direction-finding while the small-size design of the antenna and the array is retained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of radio monitoring and direction finding technology, specifically to a direction finding antenna. Background Technology

[0002] Radio monitoring and direction finding refers to the activities of detecting, searching for, and intercepting radio signals within a radio management area, and analyzing, identifying, monitoring, and acquiring technical information such as technical parameters, operating characteristics, and radiation location of these signals. It is an important and effective means of implementing radio management and a crucial branch of radio spectrum management. With rapid economic and technological development, various radio services have permeated all aspects of social and economic life, and are widely used in broadcasting, television, mobile communications, and aerospace. The frequency coverage of major radio signals ranges from 20MHz to 8GHz, and even higher millimeter-wave bands.

[0003] Currently, there are many types of radio direction finding equipment, mainly including fixed stations, vehicle-mounted stations, portable, handheld, and backpack types. The frequency bands that the antennas are required to cover mainly include 20MHz-1.3GHz, 1.3GHz-3.3GHz, and 3.3GHz-8GHz. Multiple antennas are typically used to achieve full-band coverage, with combiners or switches used to connect or switch between antennas. Typically, direction finding antennas in the 1.3GHz-8GHz range only have vertical polarization; extending them to dual polarization without increasing the overall antenna size is extremely difficult. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main objective of this application is to provide a direction-finding antenna that solves the problem that existing direction-finding antennas cannot achieve dual-polarization direction-finding function without increasing the overall size of the antenna.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this application is as follows: A direction-finding antenna, comprising: The upper and lower antennas are coaxially arranged, and the upper and lower antennas cover different frequency ranges; Both the upper and lower antennas include multiple antenna elements. Each antenna element includes three dielectric substrates arranged in pairs orthogonally. One of the dielectric substrates is vertically arranged as a base plate so that all the dielectric substrates in the same layer are arranged in a polyhedral ring array around the coaxial axis. The remaining two dielectric substrates are arranged on the outside of the dielectric substrate, and polarized antenna radiating arms with different directions are arranged on the two outer dielectric substrates respectively.

[0006] Optionally, the upper antenna includes multiple first antenna elements. Each first antenna element includes a first upper dielectric substrate, a second upper dielectric substrate, and a third upper dielectric substrate arranged orthogonally in pairs. All the first upper dielectric substrates are arranged in a polyhedral ring array around a coaxial axis. The second and third upper dielectric substrates are located outside the first upper dielectric substrates. An upper vertical polarized antenna radiating arm is provided on the second upper dielectric substrate, and an upper horizontal polarized antenna radiating arm is provided on the third upper dielectric substrate.

[0007] Optionally, the lower antenna includes multiple second antenna elements. Each second antenna element includes a first lower dielectric substrate, a second lower dielectric substrate, and a third lower dielectric substrate arranged orthogonally in pairs. All first lower dielectric substrates are arranged in a polyhedral ring array around a coaxial axis. The second and third lower dielectric substrates are located outside the first lower dielectric substrates. A lower vertical polarized antenna radiating arm is provided on the second lower dielectric substrate, and a lower horizontal polarized antenna radiating arm is provided on the third lower dielectric substrate.

[0008] Optionally, both the upper and lower antennas are mounted using metal brackets, with the antenna elements housed within the lateral frames of the metal brackets, and metal partitions placed between adjacent lateral frames.

[0009] Optionally, each antenna element may also include a power supply unit for power supply.

[0010] Optionally, the power supply unit includes a backplane copper layer, an RF connector, an RF cable, and a power supply strip, wherein: The backplane copper layer, RF connector, and RF cable are disposed on the inner side of the dielectric substrate serving as the base plate. The power supply line is disposed on the dielectric substrate, located on the outer side of the dielectric substrate serving as the base plate. The outer conductor of the RF connector is electrically connected to the backplane copper layer, and the inner conductor of the RF connector is electrically connected to the power supply line on the dielectric substrate serving as the base plate. Then, the RF cable is connected to achieve power supply.

[0011] Optionally, the upper antenna covers a frequency range from the target frequency to 8 GHz, and the lower antenna covers a frequency range from 1.3 GHz to the target frequency, where the target frequency is greater than 1.3 GHz and less than 8 GHz.

[0012] Optionally, the upper and lower antennas each include at least five antenna elements.

[0013] Optionally, the upper antenna and the lower antenna each include eight antenna elements, the diameter of the upper antenna is less than 115mm, the diameter of the lower antenna is less than 290mm, and the total height of the upper and lower antennas is less than 180mm.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are: The direction-finding antenna proposed in this application expands the operating frequency range by covering different frequency ranges through a two-layer antenna design. Each layer of the antenna includes multiple antenna elements. The dielectric substrates of the antenna elements are orthogonal to each other and are supported by the dielectric substrate as the base plate to achieve a coaxial cross design. Thus, polarized antenna radiating arms with different vertical and horizontal directions can be designed on the orthogonally distributed dielectric substrates on the outer side. Dual polarization performance is achieved in the physical size of single polarization, that is, without increasing the overall size, while maintaining the small volume design of the antenna and array, the polarization performance is expanded to achieve dual polarization direction finding. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the direction-finding antenna provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the metal support structure in the direction-finding antenna provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 A front view schematic diagram of the first antenna element in the direction-finding antenna provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 A rear view structural diagram of the first antenna element in the direction-finding antenna provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 5 This is a front view structural diagram of the second antenna element in the direction-finding antenna provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 6 A rear-view structural schematic diagram of the second antenna element in the direction-finding antenna provided in the embodiments of this application; The labels in the diagram are as follows: 1-Upper antenna, 2-Lower antenna, 3-First upper dielectric substrate, 4-Second upper dielectric substrate, 5-Third upper dielectric substrate, 6-Fixed structure, 7-Upper horizontal polarized antenna radiating arm, 8-Upper vertical polarized antenna radiating arm, 9-Feed cable, 10-Backplane copper layer, 11-Fixed pad, 12-RF connector, 13-RF cable, 14-First lower dielectric substrate, 15-Second lower dielectric substrate, 16-Third lower dielectric substrate, 17-Lower horizontal polarized antenna radiating arm, 18-Lower vertical polarized antenna radiating arm, 19-Upper metal bracket, 20-Metal partition, 21-Lower metal bracket, 22-Metal mounting plate. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0017] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this application involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the meaning of "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions; for example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0018] See attached document Figure 1 -Appendix Figure 6 This application provides a direction-finding antenna, including: an upper antenna 1 and a lower antenna 2 arranged coaxially, the upper antenna 1 and the lower antenna 2 covering different frequency ranges; both the upper antenna 1 and the lower antenna 2 include multiple antenna elements, each antenna element including three dielectric substrates arranged orthogonally in pairs, one of the dielectric substrates is vertically arranged as a base plate so that all the dielectric substrates in the same layer are distributed in a polyhedral ring array around the coaxial axis, and the remaining two dielectric substrates are arranged on the outside of the dielectric substrate, and polarized antenna radiating arms with different directions are respectively arranged on the two dielectric substrates located on the outside.

[0019] In this embodiment, the two-layer antenna design covers different frequency ranges, thereby expanding the operating frequency range. Each layer of the antenna includes multiple antenna elements. The dielectric substrates of the antenna elements, i.e., the PCB dielectric substrates, are orthogonal to each other and rely on the dielectric substrate as the base plate to achieve a coaxial cross design. Thus, on the orthogonally distributed dielectric substrates on the outer side, polarized antenna radiating arms in different vertical and horizontal directions can be designed respectively. Dual polarization performance is achieved in the physical size of single polarization, that is, without increasing the overall size, while retaining the small volume design of the antenna and array, the polarization performance is expanded to achieve dual polarization direction finding.

[0020] It should be noted that the directional descriptions such as vertical, perpendicular, horizontal, up, down, etc. in the embodiments of this application are based on the attached figures. Figure 1 The process proceeds as shown.

[0021] In one embodiment, as shown in the appendix Figure 1 -Appendix Figure 3 As shown, the upper antenna 1 includes multiple first antenna elements. Each first antenna element includes a first upper dielectric substrate 3, a second upper dielectric substrate 4, and a third upper dielectric substrate 5 arranged orthogonally in pairs, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 3 As shown, all the first upper dielectric substrates 3 are arranged in a polyhedral ring array around a coaxial axis, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 1 As shown, the second upper dielectric substrate 4 and the third upper dielectric substrate 5 are disposed outside the first upper dielectric substrate 3. The upper vertical polarization antenna radiating arm 8 is disposed on the second upper dielectric substrate 4, and the upper horizontal polarization antenna radiating arm 7 is disposed on the third upper dielectric substrate 5.

[0022] As described above, a coaxial cross design is achieved. To stabilize the orthogonally distributed dielectric substrates located on the outer side, fixed pads 11 can be used to stably mount them on the dielectric substrate serving as the base plate, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 4 Appendix Figure 6 As shown, the final assembly forms an antenna unit, which is then fixed to a metal bracket. Coupling or direct contact electrical connection is achieved between the backplate copper layer 10 and the metal bracket. The dielectric substrate, serving as the base plate, is arranged in a polyhedral ring array, supporting multi-element direction-finding antenna arrays. It allows multiple antenna elements to synthesize an omnidirectional antenna pattern with equal amplitude and direction to achieve monitoring in the same frequency band, eliminating the need for additional monitoring antennas and ensuring miniaturized antenna design.

[0023] Similarly, the lower antenna 2 can also adopt the same design as the upper antenna 1, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 1 Appendix Figure 2 and appendix Figure 5 As shown, the two-layer antenna structures are similar, but the dimensions of each component differ, specifically: The lower antenna 2 includes multiple second antenna elements. Each second antenna element includes a first lower dielectric substrate 14, a second lower dielectric substrate 15, and a third lower dielectric substrate 16 arranged orthogonally in pairs. All first lower dielectric substrates 14 are arranged in a polyhedral ring array around a coaxial axis. The second lower dielectric substrates 15 and the third lower dielectric substrate 16 are located outside the first lower dielectric substrates 14. A lower vertical polarized antenna radiating arm 18 is provided on the second lower dielectric substrate 15, and a lower horizontal polarized antenna radiating arm 17 is provided on the third lower dielectric substrate 16.

[0024] In one embodiment, to ensure stable installation of the antenna elements, the upper antenna 1 and the lower antenna 2 are designed to be mounted via a metal bracket, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 1As shown, the upper antenna 1 is mounted via an upper metal bracket 19, and the lower antenna 2 is mounted via a lower metal bracket 21. To further ensure the overall structural stability of the antennas, a metal mounting plate 22 is placed at the bottom of the lower antenna 2 as a base. The metal brackets are designed as a single piece, but can also be designed separately to form a uniformly distributed N-sided structure, which represents the number of antenna elements in each layer. Typically, N is set to be greater than or equal to 5, meaning that both the upper antenna 1 and the lower antenna 2 contain at least five antenna elements.

[0025] As attached Figure 1 and attached Figure 2 The diagram shows an implementation with N=8, meaning that both the upper antenna 1 and the lower antenna 2 comprise eight antenna elements, and the antenna elements in each layer are evenly mounted on a metal bracket at 45° intervals. Furthermore, to ensure a more compact design, the diameter of the upper antenna 1 is less than 115mm, the diameter of the lower antenna 2 is less than 290mm, and the total height of the upper antenna 1 and lower antenna 2 is less than 180mm.

[0026] The structure of the entire metal support is shown in the attached figure. Figure 2 As shown, the side frame of the metal bracket is the mounting location for the antenna units. Each surface has pre-drilled mounting holes. The first and second antenna units are mounted via the connection shown in the attached diagram. Figure 3 and attached Figure 5 The fixing structure 6 shown mates with the mounting hole to achieve a detachable connection. The fixing structure 6 can be a screw or an attachment. Figure 3 The screw-and-pressure plate design shown ensures stable assembly. This allows each antenna element to be independently assembled and disassembled, giving the antenna provided in this embodiment a platform-based and modular character, enabling free combination of different frequency band direction-finding antennas for various applications.

[0027] According to antenna theory, when a metallic object with a wavelength comparable to the antenna's coverage frequency exists around the antenna, the metallic object will generate parasitic radiation (secondary radiation), thus affecting the antenna's performance. Therefore, as shown in the attached... Figure 1 As shown, after the antenna element is placed in the lateral frame of the metal bracket, a metal partition 20 is set between adjacent lateral frames to improve the antenna pattern performance using the aforementioned theory.

[0028] In one embodiment, each antenna element further includes a feeding unit for power supply. It should be understood that although the feeding structure is not mentioned in the foregoing scheme, it is generally known that a corresponding functional structure can be added to the foregoing scheme to achieve the basic functions of the antenna. Based on the design features of this scheme, this application provides a specific feeding structure, namely: the feeding unit includes a backplane copper layer 10, an RF connector 12, an RF cable 13, and a feeding strip 9, wherein: The backplane copper layer 10, the RF connector 12, and the RF cable 13 are disposed on the inner side of the dielectric substrate serving as the base plate. The power supply line 9 is disposed on the dielectric substrate, located on the outer side of the dielectric substrate serving as the base plate. The outer conductor of the RF connector 12 is electrically connected to the backplane copper layer 10, and the inner conductor of the RF connector 12 is electrically connected to the power supply line 9 on the dielectric substrate serving as the base plate. Then, the RF cable 13 is connected to achieve power supply.

[0029] As described above, a portion of the feed lines 9 are distributed on the dielectric substrate serving as the base plate. The RF connector 12 can be soldered to its back side for power connection. Specifically, for the upper antenna 1: a portion of the feed lines 9 are distributed on the first upper dielectric substrate 3. The RF connector 12 is soldered to the first upper dielectric substrate 3. The outer conductor of the RF connector 12 is electrically connected to the copper layer 10 of the backplate, and the inner conductor of the RF connector 12 is electrically connected to the feed lines 9 of the first upper dielectric substrate 3. Then, an RF cable 13 is connected to power the upper antenna 1. For the lower antenna 2: a portion of the feed lines 9 are distributed on the first lower dielectric substrate 14. The RF connector 12 is soldered to the first lower dielectric substrate 14. The outer conductor of the RF connector 12 is electrically connected to the copper layer 10 of the backplate, and the inner conductor of the RF connector 12 is electrically connected to the feed lines 9 of the first lower dielectric substrate 14. Then, an RF cable 13 is connected to power the lower antenna 2.

[0030] In one embodiment, a modular design is further embodied, dividing the frequency coverage range of the upper and lower antenna layers. The two antenna layers each cover a frequency range to achieve common coverage of 1.3GHz-8GHz. Within this range, a frequency is selected as the target frequency for division. The upper antenna 1 covers the frequency range from the target frequency to 8GHz, and the lower antenna covers the frequency range from 1.3GHz to the target frequency. The target frequency is greater than 1.3GHz and less than 8GHz, and is usually selected to be around 3.3GHz.

[0031] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A direction-finding antenna, characterized in that, include: An upper and lower antenna are coaxially arranged, and the upper and lower antennas cover different frequency ranges; Both the upper-layer antenna and the lower-layer antenna include multiple antenna elements. Each antenna element includes three dielectric substrates arranged in pairs orthogonally. One of the dielectric substrates is vertically arranged as a base plate so that all the dielectric substrates in the same layer are arranged in a polyhedral ring array around the coaxial axis. The remaining two dielectric substrates are arranged on the outside of the dielectric substrate, and polarized antenna radiating arms with different directions are respectively arranged on the two outer dielectric substrates.

2. The direction-finding antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper antenna includes multiple first antenna elements. Each first antenna element includes a first upper dielectric substrate, a second upper dielectric substrate, and a third upper dielectric substrate arranged orthogonally in pairs. All the first upper dielectric substrates are arranged in a polyhedral ring array around a coaxial axis. The second upper dielectric substrate and the third upper dielectric substrate are disposed outside the first upper dielectric substrate. An upper vertical polarized antenna radiating arm is disposed on the second upper dielectric substrate, and an upper horizontal polarized antenna radiating arm is disposed on the third upper dielectric substrate.

3. The direction-finding antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower antenna includes multiple second antenna elements. Each second antenna element includes a first lower dielectric substrate, a second lower dielectric substrate, and a third lower dielectric substrate arranged orthogonally in pairs. All the first lower dielectric substrates are arranged in a polyhedral ring array around a coaxial axis. The second lower dielectric substrate and the third lower dielectric substrate are disposed outside the first lower dielectric substrate. A lower vertical polarized antenna radiating arm is disposed on the second lower dielectric substrate, and a lower horizontal polarized antenna radiating arm is disposed on the third lower dielectric substrate.

4. The direction-finding antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the upper antenna and the lower antenna are mounted via metal brackets. The antenna unit is located in the lateral frame of the metal bracket, and metal partitions are provided between adjacent lateral frames.

5. The direction-finding antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the antenna elements further includes a power feeding unit for power feeding.

6. The direction-finding antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that, The power supply unit includes a backplane copper layer, an RF connector, an RF cable, and a power supply strip, wherein: The backplane copper layer, the RF connector, and the RF cable are disposed on the inner side of the dielectric substrate serving as the base plate. The power supply line is disposed on the dielectric substrate, located on the outer side of the dielectric substrate serving as the base plate. The outer conductor of the RF connector is electrically connected to the backplane copper layer, and the inner conductor of the RF connector is electrically connected to the power supply line on the dielectric substrate serving as the base plate. Then, the RF cable is connected to achieve power supply.

7. The direction-finding antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper antenna covers a frequency range from the target frequency to 8 GHz, and the lower antenna covers a frequency range from 1.3 GHz to the target frequency, wherein the target frequency is greater than 1.3 GHz and less than 8 GHz.

8. The direction-finding antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper antenna and the lower antenna each include at least five antenna elements.

9. The direction-finding antenna according to claim 8, characterized in that, The upper antenna and the lower antenna each include eight antenna elements. The diameter of the upper antenna is less than 115mm, the diameter of the lower antenna is less than 290mm, and the total height of the upper antenna and the lower antenna is less than 180mm.

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