Antenna, electronic device, and communication base station

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communications. Disclosed are an antenna, an electronic device, and a communication base station. The antenna has a simple structure and low cost. The antenna comprises: a first function device, a second function device and a third function device, which are sequentially arranged at intervals in a first direction; wherein the first function device comprises M feed sources; M being an integer greater than or equal to 1; the second function device comprises N feed-in ports, and the feed-in ports are used for being coupled to the feed sources, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1; the third function device comprises K antenna elements, and the K antenna elements are arranged in an array, K being an integer greater than or equal to 2; each antenna element is coupled to one feed-in port by means of a delay line; and the M feed sources, the N feed-in ports and the K antenna elements are not in the same plane.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure claims a priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310149117.5, filed on February 03, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of wireless communication, and in particular, to an antenna, an electronic device, and a communication base station.BACKGROUND

[0003] With the rapid development of wireless communication technology, a large number of new wireless application scenarios and related industries have emerged, thus making the wireless network a critical infrastructure. In turn, the new application scenarios impose higher requirements on the capacity and rate of wireless networks.

[0004] Currently, a communication base station generally adopts phased arrays as transmitting antennas, to transmit wireless signals. Herein, each antenna element in a phased array needs to be coupled with a radio frequency link, and electromagnetic signals transmitted by the antenna element are performed phase control through the radio frequency link, so as to achieve directional transmission of the wireless signal; or, a combination of a radio frequency link and a phase shifter is adopted (that is, a phase shifter is added between the radio frequency link and the antenna elements) to implement the phase control for the antenna elements, so as to achieve directional transmission of the wireless signal. It can be seen that transmitting antennas provided in the relevant arts involve problems such as complex design, large insertion loss and high cost, which are not conducive to its popularization and usage.SUMMARY

[0005] There is provided an antenna, an electronic device and a communication base station in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The antenna has a simple structure, small insertion loss and low cost.

[0006] In a first aspect, there is provided an antenna, including: a first function device, a second function device, and a third function device sequentially spaced in a first direction; where the first function device includes M feed sources, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the second function device includes N feed ports, a feed port is configured to couple with a feed source, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the third function device includes K antenna elements; the K antenna elements are arranged in an array, where K is an integer greater than or equal to 2, each antenna element is coupled to a feed port via a delay line; where the M feed sources, the N feed ports and the K antenna elements are not in a same plane.

[0007] In a second aspect, there is provided an electronic device, including the antenna provided in the above first aspect.

[0008] In a third aspect, there is provided a communication device, including the electronic device provided in the above second aspect.

[0009] The antenna provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure includes: a first function device, a second function device, a third function device, and a delay line coupling the second function device and the third function device. Herein, the first function device includes M feed sources, the second function device includes N feed ports, and the third function device includes K antenna elements (K antenna elements are arranged in an array), and M feed sources, N feed ports and K antenna elements are not in the same plane. It can be seen that compared with the array antennas provided in the relevant arts which require a large number of radio frequency links or phase shifters for phase control, the antenna provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may realize phase control for electromagnetic signals without a phase shifter, which may reduce the design complexity of the antenna, reduce the insertion loss of the antenna, and reduce the cost.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In order to illustrate technical solutions in the present disclosure more clearly, the accompanying drawings needed to be used in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be introduced briefly. Obviously, the described accompanying drawings below are merely accompanying drawings of some embodiments of the present disclosure, and for a person of ordinary skill in the art may obtain other accompanying drawings according to these accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication base station provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of an antenna provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a first structural schematic diagram of an antenna module provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a first schematic diagram of an array arrangement provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a coupling structure provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a structural schematic diagram of a radio frequency link provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a second structural schematic diagram of an antenna module provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a second schematic diagram of an array arrangement provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a third structural schematic diagram of an antenna module provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a fourth structural schematic diagram of an antenna module provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a projection of an array provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a fifth structural schematic diagram of an antenna module provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a sixth structural schematic diagram of an antenna module provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The technical solutions in the present disclosure will be described below clearly and completely in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but not all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments obtained according to the embodiments of the present disclosure by those of ordinary skill in the art without paying any creative effort shall be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] It should be noted that, in the present disclosure, wordings, such as "exemplarily" or "for example" and variations thereof are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or clarifications. Any embodiment or design solution described in the present disclosure as "exemplarily" or "for example" should not be illustrated as being more preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or design solutions. Specifically, the usage of wordings such as "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present relevant concepts in a concrete way.

[0013] Hereinafter, terms such as "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only, but are not to be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features limited with wordings such as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0014] In the description of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, " / " means an "or" relationship, for example, "A / B" may represent A or B. "And / or" in the present disclosure is just an association relationship that describes relevant objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B may mean these three situations: A exists alone; A and B exist simultaneously; or B exists alone. In addition, "at least one" represents a number of one or more, and "a plurality of" represents a number more than two.

[0015] Upon describing some embodiments, expressions such as "couple" and "connect" and derivatives thereof may be used. For example, a term "connect" may be employed in some embodiments for description, to indicate that two or more components are in direct physical contact or electrical contact with each other. For another example, a term "couple" may be employed in some embodiments for description, to indicate that two or more components are in direct physical contact or electrical contact. However, the term "couple" may also indicate that the two or more components are not in direct contact with each other, but still cooperate or interact with each other. The embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to the contents herein.

[0016] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional views and / or plan views as idealized exemplary accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, thickness of regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Therefore, it can be understood that there may be changes in the shape relative to the drawings due to factors such as manufacturing technology and / or tolerances. Therefore, the exemplary implementations should not be explained as being limited to the shapes of the regions shown in the present disclosure, but including shape deviations due to, for example, manufacturing. Therefore, the regions shown in the accompanying drawings are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to show actual shapes of the regions in a device, and are not intended to limit the scope of the exemplary implementations.

[0017] The embodiments provided in the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the present specification.

[0018] First, a communication base station involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is introduced.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication base station provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication base station is located between a communication network and a communication device (e.g., a mobile communication device), and is configured to complete electromagnetic signal transmission between the communication network and the communication device.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication base station includes: a controller 100 and an antenna 200.

[0021] The controller 100 is configured to perform management for a wireless channel. For example, when the antenna 200 is configured for wireless communication, the controller 100 may allocate a wireless channel for a voice service received by the antenna 200.

[0022] The antenna 200 is configured to transmit and receive an electromagnetic signal.

[0023] Exemplarily, after the antenna 200 receives an electromagnetic signal, the antenna 200 extracts information (such as voice service information) carried in the electromagnetic signal, and transmits the information through a wireless channel allocated by the controller 100.

[0024] As described in the background, the antenna 200 provided in relevant arts may be a phased array, where the phased array is a two-dimensional array composed of a large number of uniformly spaced antenna elements arranged. Upon transmitting a signal, an overall direction of a transmitting beam is controlled by controlling phases of signals transmitted by each antenna element on the phased array, thereby implementing directional transmission of the wireless signal. Herein, the each antenna element in the phased array needs to be coupled to a radio frequency link, and electromagnetic signals transmitted by the antenna element are performed phase control through the radio frequency link, so as to achieve directional transmission of the wireless signal; or a combination of a radio frequency link and a phase shifter is adopted (that is, a phase shifter is added between the radio frequency link and the antenna elements), to implement the phase control for the electromagnetic signal transmitted by the antenna element, so as to achieve directional transmission of the wireless signal.

[0025] It can be seen that the antenna 200 provided in the relevant arts needs to be equipped with numerous radio frequency links or phase shifters, which results in a complex antenna structure and high cost, and is not conducive to popularization and usage.

[0026] Based on the above problems, an antenna with a simple structure and low cost is provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the antenna 200 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna 200 includes: an antenna module 210, a signal processing module 220 and a feed source selection module 230.

[0027] Herein, the antenna module 210 is configured to transmit a first electromagnetic signal (the first electromagnetic signal is an electromagnetic signal generated by the signal processing module 220 and transmitted by a feed source in a first function device), and receive a second electromagnetic signal radiated from an external space. The signal processing module 220 is configured to generate the first electromagnetic signal, and receive and process the second electromagnetic signal received by the antenna module 210. The feed source selection module 230 is configured to select a target feed source, so as to make the target feed source transmit the first electromagnetic signal generated by the signal processing module 220.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the antenna module 210 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the antenna module 210 includes a first function device 211, a second function device 212 and a third function device 213.

[0029] In some embodiments, the first function device 211, the second function device 212, and the third function device 213 are sequentially spaced in a first direction. Herein, the first direction may be any direction, for example, the first direction may be an x-axis direction in FIG. 3.

[0030] In some embodiments, in the first direction, the first function device 211 and the second function device 212 are at least partially arranged opposite to each other, i.e., a projection of the first function device 211 in the first direction is at least partially projected onto the second function device 212. The second function device 212 and the third function device 213 are at least partially arranged opposite to each other, i.e., a projection of the second function device 212 in the first direction is at least partially projected onto the third function device 213.

[0031] The first function device 211 includes M feed sources, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0032] Herein, the M feed sources are configured to couple with the feed source selection module 230, and the feed source selection module 230 is coupled with the signal processing module 220. Specifically, the signal processing module 220 is configured to generate a first electromagnetic signal and send the first electromagnetic signal to the feed source selection module 230, the feed source selection module 230 selects a target feed source from the M feed sources (the target feed source may be any feed source of the M feed sources), so as to make the target feed source transmit the first electromagnetic signal.

[0033] In addition, the feed source is further configured to receive a second electromagnetic signal (the second electromagnetic signal is an electromagnetic signal radiated from an external space and received by an antenna element in the third function device).

[0034] Optionally, the feed source may be a half-wave dipole, a monopole, a microstrip antenna, a slot antenna, or other antenna structures having electromagnetic signal transmitting and receiving capabilities. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit a specific form of the feed source.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first function device 211 may include a feed source surface for supporting and fixing the feed source. Optionally, the feed source surface may be a plane or a curved surface.

[0036] It can be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit a shape of the first function device 211. A feed source surface included in the first function device 211 may be a plane or a curved surface. In actual usage, factors such as manufacturing complexity, cost, weight or volume may be comprehensively considered to determine an optimal shape of the first function device 211.

[0037] The second function device 212 includes N feed ports, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Herein, a feed port is configured to receive a first electromagnetic signal transmitted by a feed source in the first function device.

[0038] In some embodiments, the second function device 212 may include an inner profile surface for blocking an electromagnetic signal. Optionally, the inner profile surface may be a plane or a curved surface made of metal material or other materials that may block passage of electromagnetic signals. It can be understood that, since the inner profile surface can block an electromagnetic signal, the electromagnetic signal radiated onto the inner profile surface may only be transmitted to the third function device via a feed port.

[0039] It could be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit a shape of the second function device 212. The inner profile surface included in the second function device 212 may be a plane or a curved surface. In actual usage, factors such as manufacturing complexity, cost, weight, volume, and electromagnetic reflection interference may be comprehensively considered to determine an optimal shape of the second function device 212.

[0040] The third function device 213 includes K antenna elements, where K is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Herein, an antenna element is configured to radiate a first electromagnetic signal to the external space and receive a second electromagnetic signal radiated from the external space to an array surface.

[0041] Optionally, the antenna element may be composed of a half-wave dipole, a monopole, a microstrip antenna, a slot antenna, or other antenna structures having the electromagnetic signal transmitting and receiving capabilities.

[0042] In some embodiments, the third function device 213 may be an array surface for supporting and fixing antenna elements. Optionally, the array surface may be a plane or a curved surface.

[0043] It could be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit a shape of the third function device 213. The array surface included in the third function device 213 may be a plane or a curved surface. In actual usage, factors such as manufacturing complexity, cost, weight or volume may be comprehensively considered to determine an optimal shape of the third function device 213. In actual usage, an orientation of the third function device 213 may be adjusted in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] In some embodiments, the M feed sources in the first function device 211 are arranged in an array (for example, a linear line array, a curved line array, a plane array, or a curved surface array (i.e., a surface where the first function device 211 is located is a curved surface, and projections of the M feed sources in the first function device 211 on a fourth plane are arranged in an array, where the fourth plane is a plane perpendicular to the first direction), etc.). The N feed ports in the second function device 212 are arranged in an array (for example, in a linear line array, a curved line array, a plane array or a curved surface array (i.e., a surface where the second function device 212 is located is a curved surface, and projections of the N feed ports in the second function device 212 on the fourth plane are arranged in an array), etc.). The K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in an array (for example, in a plane array or a curved surface array (i.e., a surface where the third function device 213 is located is a curved surface, and projections of the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 on the fourth plane are arranged in an array), etc.).

[0045] Optionally, the above array arrangements may be an equally spaced array or an unequally spaced array. In addition, the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the array arrangements. For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement may be a chessboard array arrangement; for another example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement may be a radial array arrangement; for yet another example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement may be a ring-shaped array arrangement.

[0046] It can be understood that: when the array arrangement is a one-dimensional arrangement, one-dimensional beam scanning may be implemented; when the array arrangement is a two-dimensional arrangement, two-dimensional beam scanning may be implemented. It can be seen that the antenna module 210 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may implement beam control by changing the array arrangement.

[0047] In some embodiments, the M feed sources in the first function device 211, the N feed ports in the second function device 212, and the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are not in the same plane. It can be understood that the first function device 211, the second function device 212 and the third function device 213 are sequentially spaced in a first direction; and a surface where the third function device 213 is located intersects with the first direction, and the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in a two-dimensional array. Thus, regardless of the array arrangement of the M feed sources and N feed ports, none of them will be coplanar with the K antenna elements.

[0048] It can be seen that in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the arrangement of K antenna elements is expanded into a two-dimensional array, thus optimizing the arrangement of K antenna elements, which may narrow the width of a beam emitted by the antenna elements compared to that corresponding to the arrangement of a one-dimensional array (for a one-dimensional array, the width of a beam emitted by the antenna elements in a certain direction is wider, for example, if the antenna elements are arranged in a horizontal array, a width of the beam emitted by the antenna elements in the vertical direction is wider and the performance is poorer), so that the energy of the beam emitted by the antenna elements is more concentrated, thereby improving the performance of the beam. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first function device 211 may be expanded into a two-dimensional structure, and the arrangement of M feed sources may be expanded into a two-dimensional array, so as to implement two-dimensional beam scanning.

[0049] In some embodiments, each antenna element on the third function device 213 is coupled to a feed port on the second function device 212 via a delay line 214 (it should be noted that, for the sake of convenience, only one feed port and one delay line 214 are drawn in FIG. 3 for illustration; in fact, there may be a plurality of feed ports on the second function device, and one feed port may be coupled to a plurality of antenna elements via a plurality of delay lines 214; or one feed port may be coupled to one antenna element via a delay line 214). Herein, the delay line 214 is configured to guide a directional propagation of an electromagnetic signal and control a phase of the electromagnetic signal when the electromagnetic signal reaches the antenna element on the third function device. Exemplarily, the delay line 214 may include a microwave transmission line such as a microstrip line, a stripline, a coaxial line or a metal waveguide, which may guide the directional propagation of an electromagnetic signal.

[0050] In some embodiments, a feed port is further configured to transmit the first electromagnetic signal radiated onto the second function device 212 to the antenna element on the third function device 213 via the delay line 214 coupled to the feed port, and then the antenna element radiates the first electromagnetic signal to the external space. It can be understood that, since the second function device 212 can block an electromagnetic signal, the first electromagnetic signal transmitted by the feed source on the first function device 211 may only pass through the second function device 212 via the feed port after being radiated onto the second function device 212.

[0051] In some embodiments, a coupling structure with a shape of a multi-level trumpet is adopted between a feed port and a delay line 214. Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 5, a trumpet diameter of the multi-level trumpet decreases gradually along a direction approaching the delay line. It is understandable that by using the coupling structure with a multi-level trumpet, impedance matching between the feed port and the delay line 214 may be implemented, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the electromagnetic signal.

[0052] In some embodiments, there may be an open space between the first function device 211 and the second function device 212, so that the design complexity of the antenna module 210 may be reduced, and meanwhile, the weight and cost of the antenna module 210 are reduced.

[0053] In some other embodiments, the first function device 211 intersects with the second function device 212, and a cavity is formed between the first function device 211 and the second function device 212 (for example, the first function device 211 and the second function device 212 may extend toward each other and intersect to form a cavity). In this way, the radiation efficiency of the electromagnetic signal may be improved and the interference of the external environment on the electromagnetic signal may be reduced. Optionally, the cavity formed between the first function device 211 and the second function device 212 may be a sealed cavity; or the cavity formed between the first function device 211 and the second function device 212 may be an open cavity.

[0054] In some embodiments, a filling material is further included between the first function device 211 and the second function device 212.

[0055] As a possible implementation, the filling material may be air, thus the weight and cost of the antenna module 210 are reduced.

[0056] As another possible implementation, the filling material may be dielectric material, so that a size of the antenna module 210 in the first direction may be reduced. Optionally, the dielectric material may be a material having a dielectric constant greater than a preset threshold. Herein, the preset threshold may be determined according to a dielectric constant of the dielectric material and an absorption capacity of the dielectric material for an electromagnetic signal. It can be understood that the larger the dielectric constant of the dielectric material is, the more the size of the antenna module 210 in the first direction may be reduced. Therefore, the larger the dielectric constant of the dielectric material is, the better. However, since the larger the dielectric constant of a material, the stronger the absorption capacity of the material for an electromagnetic signal is, thus, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the dielectric material filled between the first function device 211 and the second function device 212 needs to be determined according to the dielectric constant of the dielectric material and the absorption capacity of the dielectric material for an electromagnetic signal.

[0057] Exemplarily, the dielectric material may be FR-4 material. The dielectric constant of FR-4 material is relatively high, and is about 4.5. The absorption capacity of FR-4 material for the electromagnetic signal is relatively weak.

[0058] The signal processing module 220 is configured to generate a first electromagnetic signal and receive a second electromagnetic signal received by the antenna module 210.

[0059] As a possible implementation, the signal processing module 220 includes a radio frequency link, and the radio frequency link is configured to convert a received digital signal into an electromagnetic signal, and convert a received electromagnetic signal into a digital signal. It can be understood that, compared with the antenna structure in the relevant arts that needs to connect multiple radio frequency links, in the antenna module 200 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, only a radio frequency link is included in the signal processing module 220, which has a simpler structure and lower cost.

[0060] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 6, the radio frequency link includes: a transmitting link and a receiving link.

[0061] The transmitting link includes: a digital-to-analog converter, a mixer, a local oscillator and a power amplifier.

[0062] Specifically, the digital-to-analog converter is configured to receive a digital signal, convert the digital signal into an analog signal, and send the analog signal to the mixer. The mixer is configured to perform frequency conversion processing on the analog signal and a high-frequency carrier provided by the local oscillator to obtain a radio frequency modulated signal. The power amplifier is configured to amplify the radio frequency modulated signal to obtain a first electromagnetic signal that can be transmitted through the antenna module 210.

[0063] The receiving link includes: a low noise amplifier, a mixer, a local oscillator and an analog-to-digital converter.

[0064] Specifically, the low noise amplifier is configured to receive a second electromagnetic signal coupled from the antenna module 210, amplify the second electromagnetic signal, and send the amplified second electromagnetic signal to the mixer. The mixer is configured to perform frequency down-conversion processing on the amplified second electromagnetic signal and a local oscillation signal to obtain a signal including an intermediate frequency component. The filter is configured to filter out an intermediate frequency component signal from the signal including the intermediate frequency component. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to convert the intermediate frequency component signal into a digital signal and output the digital signal.

[0065] The feed source selection module 230 is configured to select a target feed source from the M feed sources, so as to make the target feed source transmit the first electromagnetic signal generated by the signal processing module 220.

[0066] Herein, the target feed source may be any one or more feed sources among the M feed sources. For example, the target feed source may be m feed sources among the M feed sources, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M.

[0067] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned target feed source may be determined by the signal processing module 220. Specifically, the signal processing module 220 determines the target feed source and sends an identifier of the target feed source to the feed source selection module 230. Then the feed source selection module 230 selects the target feed source from the M feed sources according to the identifier of the target feed source and controls the target feed source to be turned on, so as to make the target feed source transmit the first electromagnetic signal generated by the signal processing module 220.

[0068] Optionally, the feed source selection module 230 may be composed of an automatic switching circuit, and the automatic switching circuit is able to turn on the target feed source according to an indication of the signal processing module 220. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit a specific form of the automatic switching circuit.

[0069] It should be noted that the antenna 200 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure is able to be used as a transmitting antenna to transmit a first electromagnetic signal to the external space; and is further able to be used as a receiving antenna to receive a second electromagnetic signal radiated from the external space.

[0070] Specifically, when the antenna 200 is used as a transmitting antenna, the signal processing module 220 is able to generate a first electromagnetic signal and send the first electromagnetic signal to the feed source selection module 230; the feed source selection module 230 selects m feed sources (i.e., m feed source being as target feed sources) from the M feed sources in the first function device 211, and the m feed sources respectively transmit the first electromagnetic signal; the first electromagnetic signal is coupled into the delay line 214 coupled to the N feed source ports through the N feed ports in the second function device 212; the delay line 214 is configured to transmit the first electromagnetic signal to the K antenna elements in the third function device 213; the K antenna elements are configured to radiate the first electromagnetic signal outwards, to form directional beams in g specified directions; where g is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to m.

[0071] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 3, the first electromagnetic signal transmitted by an i-th feed source among the m feed sources may be formed into a directional beam in an i-th direction by the K antenna elements in the third function device 213. For example, when feed source 1 among the m feed sources is selected to transmit the first electromagnetic signal, beam 1 may be radiated to the external space by the K antenna elements in the third function device 213; when switching to feed source 2 or feed source 3, beam 2 or beam 3 may be radiated to the external space by the K antenna elements in the third function device 213; when feed source 1, feed source 2 and feed source 3 transmit the first electromagnetic signal at the same time, the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 radiate beam 1, beam 2 and beam 3 to the external space; where the directions of beam 1, beam 2 and beam 3 are different.

[0072] It can be understood that the antenna 200 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure selects one or more feed sources in the first function device 211 of the antenna module 210 through the feed source selection module 230 to transmit the first electromagnetic signal, and then radiates the first electromagnetic signal to the external space through the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 to form one or more directional beams. It can be seen that the antenna provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure does not need to use complex devices such as phase shifters, and has a relatively simple structure and low cost.

[0073] When the antenna 200 is used as a receiving antenna, the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 of the antenna module 210 are further configured to receive a second electromagnetic signal radiated from the external space; the second electromagnetic signal is transmitted to the N feed ports in the second function device 212 via the delay line 214 coupled to the K antenna elements; the N feed ports are further configured to receive the second electromagnetic signal from the delay line 214, and send the second electromagnetic signal to the m feed sources among the M feed sources (where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M); the m feed sources are configured to transmit the second electromagnetic signal to the signal processing module 220; the signal processing module 220 is further configured to process the second electromagnetic signal.

[0074] In summary, the antenna 200 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure includes: an antenna module 210, a signal processing module 220 and a feed source selection module 230. Herein, the signal processing module 220 is configured to generate a first electromagnetic signal and receive a second electromagnetic signal. The feed source selection module 230 is configured to select a target feed source to transmit the first electromagnetic signal. The antenna module 210 includes a first function device 211, a second function device 212, a third function device 213, and a delay line 214 coupling with the second function device 212 and the third function device 213. Herein, the M feed sources in the first function device 211 are arranged in an array (e.g., in a one-dimensional array or a two-dimensional array), the N feed ports in the second function device 212 are arranged in an array (e.g., in a one-dimensional array or a two-dimensional array), and the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in an array (e.g., in a one-dimensional array or a two-dimensional array). In this way, the antenna module 210 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may implement the two-dimensional beam scanning under the control of the feed source selection module 220. It can be seen that compared with the array antenna provided in the relevant arts that require a large number of phase shifters for phase control, the antenna 200 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may implement beam control by using a feed source selection module instead of a phase shifter, which can reduce the design complexity of the antenna, reduce the insertion loss of the antenna, and reduce the cost.

[0075] For ease of understanding, the structure of the antenna module 210 in the antenna 200 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure is described below in the form of examples.

[0076] Implementation 1: The M feed sources in the first function device 211 and the N feed ports in the second function device 212 are in a same plane; the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are not in the same plane as the M feed sources in the first function device 211 and the N feed ports in the second function device 212.

[0077] In some embodiments, at least one feed source of the M feed sources in the first function device 211 is distributed on an intersection line between the first function device 211 and a first plane; the N feed ports in the second function device 212 are distributed on an intersection line between the second function device 212 and the first plane; where the first plane is a plane intersecting with the first function device 211 and the second function device 212, and parallel to the first direction.

[0078] The K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in an array. Optionally, the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in an equally spaced array configuration; or the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in an unequally spaced array configuration. In addition, the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the array arrangements for the K antenna elements. For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement for the K antenna elements may be a chessboard array arrangement; for another example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement for the K antenna elements may be a radial array arrangement; for yet another example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement may be a ring-shaped array arrangement.

[0079] Optionally, the surface where the first function device 211 is located may be a plane or a curved surface; the surface where the second function device 212 is located may be a plane or a curved surface; and the surface where the third function device 213 is located may be a plane or a curved surface.

[0080] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the surface where the first function device 211 is located is a curved surface (e.g., a hemispherical surface), the surface where the second function device 212 is located is a curved surface (e.g., a hemispherical surface, not shown in FIG. 7), and the surface where the third function device 213 is located is a plane. Herein, at least one feed source of the M feed sources in the first function device 211 is distributed on an intersection line between the first function device 211 and the first plane (herein, the M feed sources in the first function device 211 are all distributed on the intersection line between the first function device 211 and the first plane for explanation). The N feed ports in the second function device 212 are distributed on an intersection line between the second function device 212 and the first plane.

[0081] The K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in a plane array, and a plane where the K antenna elements are located is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0082] In some embodiments, the K antenna elements are arranged in an array along a second direction and a third direction, and the second direction and the third direction intersect. For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 8, when K antenna elements are arranged in a chessboard array, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other, the second direction is a row direction, and the third direction is a column direction; as shown in (b) of FIG. 8, when K antenna elements are arranged in a radial array, the second direction and the third direction may be any two directions of a plurality of directions of the radial array.

[0083] Herein, a plurality of antenna elements in a same row are parallel to the second direction or the third direction; the plurality of antenna elements in the same row form a group of antenna elements; a feed port is coupled to the group of antenna elements through a group of delay lines 214; where the group of delay lines 214 correspond to the group of antenna elements one by one; and lengths of a plurality of delay lines 214 of the group of delay lines are the same.

[0084] In some embodiments, according to the principle of equal optical path (an optical path of an electromagnetic signal transmitted by any feed source in the first function device propagated through any feed port of the second function device is the same as an optical path of the electromagnetic signal propagated through a feed port at a center point of the second function device), positions of the M feed sources in the first function device 211, positions of the N feed ports in the second function device 212, and a length of a delay line 214 coupled to a feed port are determined, so as to implement that a first electromagnetic signal transmitted by a feed source in the first function device 211 may be radiated outwards through the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 to form a directional beam.

[0085] In some embodiments, the first function device 211 in the antenna module 210 shown in FIG. 7 includes three perfect focuses: a first focus, a second focus and a third focus, i.e., the second electromagnetic signal incident on the third function device 213 from three specified directions may be focused on the three perfect focuses respectively. For example, the first focus refers to a point on the first function device 211 where the second electromagnetic signal incident on the third function device 213 from a first specified direction is focused; the second focus refers to a point on the first function device 211 where the second electromagnetic signal incident on the third function device 213 from a second specified direction is focused; the third focus refers to a point on the first function device 211 where the second electromagnetic signal incident on the third function device 213 from a third specified direction is focused.

[0086] In the antenna module 210 shown in FIG. 7, three perfect focal points are located on the intersection line between the first plane and the first function device 211. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a front view and a top view of the antenna module 210 shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 9, the first plane is parallel to the direction of the x-axis; the first focus F0 (primary focus), the second focus F1 (offset focus) and the third focus F2 (offset focus) are arranged on the intersection line between the first plane and the first function device 211. Herein, the first focus F0 is determined by a length G of a normal focal axis; the second focus F1 and the third focus F2 are determined by a length F of an offset focus axis and an offset focus axis angle α, and the offset focus axis angle α is an angle formed by a line between the first focus F0 and a target reference point (e.g., a center point of the second function device) and a line between the second focus F1 and the target reference point.

[0087] In some embodiments, the M feed sources in the first function device 211 may be determined according to positions of the first focus F0, the second focus F1, and the third focus F2. For example, the M feed sources may be arranged on the first focus F0, the second focus F1 and the third focus F2, on a connecting line between the first focus F0 and the second focus F1, and on a connecting line between the first focus F0 and the third focus F2.

[0088] In some embodiments, positions of the N feed ports in the second function device 212 may be determined according to the principle of equal optical path. It is assumed that center coordinates of a n-th feed port among the N feed ports (an actual shape of a feed port is a geometric figure, and center coordinates are coordinates of a center point of the geometric figure) are (x in , y in , z in ), then according to the principle of equal optical path, (x in , y in , z in ) may satisfy the following formula (1): x in = 2 W n − W 0 1 − G / F − y n 2 sin 2 ϕ / F 2 G / F − cos α y in = y n 1 − W n − W 0 / F z in = 0 where W 0 is a length of a delay line 214 coupled to a feed port located at a center point of the second function device 212; y n refers to a y-axis offset of an antenna element connected to the n-th feed port through the delay line 214 with respect to a center position of the third function device 213; ϕ is a maximum beam scanning angle.

[0089] A length of a delay line 214 coupled to the n-th feed port may be determined according to the following formula (2): W = − b ± b 2 − 4 ac 2 a F where three parameters a, b, and c in formula (2) may satisfy the following formula (3): a = G / F − 1 G / F − cos α 2 + y n F 2 − 1 b = 2 G F 1 − cos α G / F − cos α + G F − 1 y n sin ϕ / F G / F − cos α 2 − 2 y n F 2 c = y n F 2 − G F y n F 2 sin 2 ϕ G / F − cos α + y n F 4 sin 4 ϕ 4 G / F − cos α 2

[0090] It can be seen that according to the above formulas (1), (2) and (3), by giving the parameters F, G, W 0 , α, ϕ and the center coordinates of the antenna element in the third function device 213 (an actual shape of an antenna element is a geometric figure, and center coordinates are coordinates of a center point of the geometric figure), a position of a feed source in the first function device 211, a position of a feed port in the second function device 212 and a length of the delay line 214 coupled to the feed port may be determined.

[0091] In some embodiments, by adjusting a fixed focal length F, a size of the antenna module 210 in the first direction (e.g., a size in the x-axis direction) may be adjusted. By selecting different reference lengths of delay lines 214, a total length of various delay lines 214 may be adjusted. For example, it is assumed that there are three reference lengths of the delay lines 214, and the three reference lengths are different, if a shorter reference length of the delay line 214 is selected, lengths of various delay lines 214 may be shortened; if a longer reference length of the delay line 214 is selected, the lengths of various delay lines 214 may be increased. By adjusting α, a radial size of the antenna (e.g., a size in the y-axis and z-axis directions) may be changed. By adjusting ϕ, a scanning angle of a beam may be changed.

[0092] Exemplarily, taking the structure of the antenna module 210 shown in FIG. 7 as an example, it is assumed that F=17.58 mm, G=19.99 mm, W 0 =10.00 mm, α=30°, ϕ =30°, and it is assumed that a surface where the first function device 211 is located is a hemispherical surface, 10 feed sources are distributed on a circular arc where the first function device 211 intersects with the first plane. A surface where the second function device 212 is located is a hemispherical surface (not shown in FIG. 7), and a protruding direction of the first function device 211 and a protruding direction of the second function device 212 are back from each other. 5 feed ports in the second function device 212 are distributed on an intersection line between the second function device 212 and the first plane; that is, the 10 feed sources and the 5 feed ports are all located on the first plane.

[0093] It is assumed that a surface where the third function device 213 is located is a plane, and the third function device 213 includes 25 antenna elements. It is assumed that the second direction may be a row direction, the third direction may be a column direction, and 5 antenna elements in a same row are parallel to the row direction; 5 antenna elements in the same row form a group of antenna elements; a feed port is coupled to a group of antenna elements through a group of delay lines 214; where a group of delay lines 214 (5 lines) corresponds to a group of antenna elements (5 elements) one by one; and 5 delay lines 214 in the group of delay lines 214 have the same lengths. It should be noted that the dotted lines shown in FIG. 7 only indicates a coupling relationship between feed ports and the antenna elements, and the lengths of the dotted lines do not represent the actual lengths of the delay lines 214. To facilitate design and manufacturing, a group of delay lines 214 coupled to the same feed port may be disposed on the same plane.

[0094] According to the above-mentioned formula (1), formula (2) and formula (3), coordinates of the 10 feed sources in the first function device 211 may be obtained. For example, the coordinates of the 10 feed sources may be in the form shown in the following Table 1: Table 1Feed source NumberFeed source Coordinates (mm)xyz1-16.917.420.002-18.096.020.003-19.004.430.004-19.632.720.005-19.950.910.006-19.95-0.910.007-19.63-2.720.008-19.00-4.430.009-18.09-6.020.0010-16.91-7.420.00

[0095] According to the above-mentioned formula (1), formula (2) and formula (3), coordinates of the 5 feed ports in the second function device 212 and lengths of the 5 groups of delay lines 214 coupled to the 5 feed port may be obtained. For example, coordinates of the 5 feed ports and the lengths of the 5 groups of delay lines 214 coupled to the 5 feed ports may be in the form shown in the following Table 2: Table 2Feed port numberFeed port Center Coordinates (mm)Delay Line Length (mm)xyz1-2.53-10.090.009.822-0.68-4.980.0010.0430.000.000.009.994-0.684.980.0010.045-2.5310.090.009.82

[0096] It can be understood that the M feed sources in the first function device 211 are in the same surface as the N feed ports in the second function device 212 of the antenna module 210 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, which may implement one-dimensional beam scanning, and the antenna structure is simple and the cost is low. In addition, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the surface where the third function device 213 is located is a plane, and the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in a two-dimensional array, which may improve the performance of the beam transmitted by the antenna elements.

[0097] Implementation 2: The M feed sources in the first function device 211, the N feed ports in the second function device 212, and the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are not in the same plane.

[0098] In some embodiments, at least one feed source of the M feed sources in the first function device 211 is distributed on the intersection line between the first function device 211 and the second plane; the N feed ports in the second function device 212 are distributed on the intersection line between the second function device 212 and the third plane; where the first plane is a plane intersecting with the first function device 211 and the second function device 212, and parallel to the first direction.

[0099] The K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in an array. Optionally, the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in an equally spaced array configuration; or the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in an unequally spaced array configuration. In addition, the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the array arrangements for the K antenna elements. For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement for the K antenna elements may be a chessboard array arrangement; for another example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement for the K antenna elements may be a radial array arrangement; for yet another example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement may be a ring-shaped array arrangement.

[0100] Optionally, the surface where the first function device 211 is located may be a plane or a curved surface; the surface where the second function device 212 is located may be a plane or a curved surface; and the surface where the third function device 213 is located may be a plane or a curved surface.

[0101] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that the surface where the first function device 211 is located is a curved surface (e.g., a hemispherical surface), the surface where the second function device 212 is located is a curved surface (not shown in FIG. 10), and the surface where the third function device 213 is located is a plane. Herein, at least one feed source of the M feed sources in the first function device 211 is distributed on an intersection line between the first function device 211 and a second plane (herein, the M feed sources in the first function device 211 are all distributed on the intersection line between the first function device 211 and the second plane for explanation). The N feed ports in the second function device 212 are distributed on an intersection line between the second function device 212 and a third plane.

[0102] The K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in a plane array, and a plane where the K antenna elements are located is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0103] In some embodiments, K antenna elements are arranged in an array in the second direction and the third direction, and the second direction and the third direction intersect with each other; where a plurality of antenna elements in a same row are parallel to the second direction or the third direction; the plurality of antenna elements in the same row form a group of antenna elements; a feed port is coupled to the group of antenna elements through a group of delay lines 214; where the group of delay lines 214 correspond to the group of antenna elements one by one; and lengths of a plurality of delay lines 214 of the group of delay lines are the same.

[0104] In some embodiments, according to the principle of equal optical path, positions of the M feed sources in the first function device 211, positions of the N feed ports in the second function device 212, and lengths of the delay lines 214 coupled to feed ports are determined, so that it may be implemented that a first electromagnetic signal transmitted by a feed source in the first function device 211 may be radiated outwards through the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 to form a directional beam.

[0105] In some embodiments, the first function device 211 in the antenna module 210 shown in FIG. 10 includes three perfect focuses: a first focus, a second focus and a third focus, i.e., the second electromagnetic signal incident on the third function device 213 from three specified directions may be focused on the three perfect focuses respectively. For example, the first focus refers to a point on the first function device 211 where the second electromagnetic signal incident on the third function device 213 from a first specified direction is focused; the second focus refers to a point on the first function device 211 where the second electromagnetic signal incident on the third function device 213 from a second specified direction is focused; the third focus refers to a point on the first function device 211 where the second electromagnetic signal incident on the third function device 213 from a third specified direction is focused.

[0106] In the antenna module 210 shown in FIG. 10, three perfect focal points are located on the intersection line between the first plane and the first function device 211. Herein, the first focus F0 is determined by a length G of a normal focal axis; the second focus F1 and the third focus F2 are determined by a length F of an offset focus axis and an offset focus axis angle α, and the offset focus axis angle α is an angle formed by a line between the first focus F0 and a target reference point (e.g., a center point of the second function device) and a line between the second focus F1 and the target reference point.

[0107] In some embodiments, the M feed sources in the first function device 211 may be determined according to positions of the first focus F0, the second focus F1, and the third focus F2. For example, the M feed sources may be arranged on the first focus F0, the second focus F1 and the third focus F2, on a connecting line between the first focus F0 and the second focus F1, and on a connecting line between the first focus F0 and the third focus F2.

[0108] In some embodiments, positions of the N feed ports in the second function device 212 may be determined according to the principle of equal optical path. It is assumed that center coordinates of the n-th feed port among the N feed ports are (x in , y in , z in ), then according to the principle of equal optical path, (x in , y in , z in ) may satisfy the following formula (4): x in = G + W 0 − W 2 − y n 2 − G 2 , y in = y n cos ϕ F cos α F + W 0 − W n , z in = 0 , where W 0 is a length of a delay line 214 coupled to a feed port located at a center point of the second function device 212; y n refers to a y-axis offset of an antenna element connected to the n-th feed port through the delay line 214 with respect to a center position of the third function device 213.

[0109] A length W n of a delay line 214 coupled to the n-th feed port may be determined according to the following formula (5): W n = W 0 + y n 2 cos 2 ϕ 2 F − G ,

[0110] It can be seen that according to the above-mentioned formulas (4) and (5), by giving the parameters F, G, W 0 , α, ϕ and the center coordinates of the antenna element in the third function device 213, the position of the feed source in the first function device 211, the position of the feed port in the second function device 212 and the length of the delay line 214 coupled to the feed port may be determined.

[0111] Exemplarily, taking the structure of the antenna module 210 shown in FIG. 10 as an example, it is assumed that F=24.98 mm, G=29.98 mm, W 0 =9.99 mm, α=30°, and ϕ=45°. It is assumed that the surface where the first function device 211 is located is a hemispherical surface, 7 feed sources are distributed on a circular arc where the first function device 211 intersects with the second plane. The surface where the second function device 212 is located is a hemispherical surface (not shown in FIG. 10), and 5 feed ports are distributed on the intersection line between the second function device 212 and the third plane, i.e., the 7 feed sources and the 5 feed ports are located in different planes respectively.

[0112] It is assumed that the surface where the third function device 213 is located is a plane, and the third function device 213 includes 25 antenna elements, and it is assumed that the second direction may be a row direction, the third direction may be a column direction, the 5 antenna elements in the same row are parallel to the row direction; the 5 antenna elements in the same row form a group of antenna elements; a feed port is coupled to a group of antenna elements through a group of delay lines 214; where a group of delay lines 214 (5 lines) corresponds to a group of antenna elements (5 elements) one by one; and lengths of the 5 delay lines 214 in the group of delay lines 214 are the same. It should be noted that the dotted lines shown in FIG. 9 only indicate a coupling relationship between feed ports and the antenna elements, and the lengths of the dotted lines do not represent the actual lengths of the delay lines 214. To facilitate design and manufacturing, a group of delay lines 214 coupled to the same feed port may be disposed on the same plane.

[0113] According to the above-mentioned formula (4) and formula (5), coordinates of the 7 feed sources in the first function device 211 may be obtained. For example, the coordinates of the 7 feed sources may be in the form shown in the following Table 3: Table 3Feed Source NumberFeed Source Coordinates (mm)xyz10.0012.49-21.6420.009.71-26.2830.005.30-29.4240.000.00-30.5350.00-5.30-29.4260.00-9.71-26.2870.00-12.49-21.64

[0114] According to the above-mentioned formula (4) and formula (5), coordinates of the 5 feed ports in the second function device 212 and lengths of the 5 groups of delay lines 214 coupled to the 5 feed port may be obtained. For example, coordinates of the 5 feed ports and the lengths of the 5 groups of delay lines 214 coupled to the 5 feed ports may be in the form shown in the following Table 4: Table 4Serial NumberFeed Port Center Coordinates (mm)Delay Line Length (mm)xyz17.49-10.990.007.4923.59-5.120.009.3730.000.000.009.9943.595.120.009.3757.4910.990.007.49

[0115] It can be understood that the M feed sources in the first function device 211 and the N feed ports in the second function device 212 of the antenna module 210 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may not be on the same plane, and the shape of the second function device 212 may be determined according to the positions of the N feed ports, and may be a plane or a curved surface, which may reduce design complexity and reduce costs. In addition, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the surface where the third function device 213 is located is a plane, and the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in a plane array, which may improve the performance of the beam emitted by the antenna elements.

[0116] Implementation 3: The M feed sources in the first function device 211 and the N feed ports in the second function device 212 are not in the same plane as the K antenna elements in the third function device 213. Furthermore, the N feed ports in the second function device 212 are not in the same plane.

[0117] In some embodiments, the M feed sources in the first function device 211 are arranged in an array; the N feed ports in the second function device 212 are arranged in an array, and the N feed ports are not in the same plane; and the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in an array. Furthermore, the N feed ports in the second function device 212 correspond to the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 one by one; a feed port is coupled to an antenna element via a delay line 214.

[0118] In a possible implementation, if the surface where the first function device 211 is located is a plane, the M feed sources in the first function device 211 are arranged in an array. Optionally, the M feed sources are arranged in an array at the same intervals; or the M feed sources are arranged in an unequally spaced array configuration. In addition, the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the array arrangements for the M feed sources. For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement for the M feed sources may be a chessboard array arrangement; for another example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement for the M feed sources may be a radial array arrangement; for yet another example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement may be a ring-shaped array arrangement.

[0119] In a possible implementation, if the surface where the first function device 211 is located is a curved surface, projections of the M feed sources in the first function device 211 on a fourth plane are arranged in an array, where the fourth plane is a plane perpendicular to the first direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, if the surface where the first function device 211 is located is a hemispherical surface, the projections of the M feed sources in the first function device 211 on the fourth plane are arranged in an array.

[0120] In a possible implementation, the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the shape of the second function device 212. Any plane or curved surface passing through the N feed ports may be used as the shape of the second function device 212 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the plane where the second function device 212 is located may be a plane, a hemispherical surface, or a saddle-shaped curved surface. Optionally, the surface where the second function device 212 is located may include one or more protrusion directions, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0121] In a possible implementation, if the surface where the third function device 213 is located is a plane, then the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in an array. Optionally, the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in an equally spaced array configuration; or the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in an unequally spaced array configuration. In addition, the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the array arrangements for the K antenna elements. For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement for the K antenna elements may be a chessboard array arrangement; for another example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement for the K antenna elements may be a radial array arrangement; for yet another example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 4, the array arrangement may be a ring-shaped array arrangement.

[0122] In a possible implementation, if the surface where the third function device 213 is located is a curved surface, the projections of the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 on the fourth plane are arranged in an array, where the fourth plane is a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

[0123] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 12, it is assumed that the surface where the first function device 211 is located is a curved surface (e.g., an ellipsoidal surface), the surface where the second function device 212 is located is a curved surface (e.g., a saddle-shaped curved surface), and the surface where the third function device 213 is located is a plane. Herein, the projections of the M feed sources in the first function device 211 on the fourth plane are arranged in an array (e.g., a chessboard array arrangement or a radial array arrangement), the projections of the N feed ports in the second function device 212 on the fourth plane are arranged in an array, and the projections of the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 on the fourth plane are arranged in an array (e.g., a chessboard array arrangement or a radial array arrangement).

[0124] Herein, the N feed ports in the second function device 212 correspond to the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 one by one, and a feed port is coupled to an antenna element via a delay line 214.

[0125] In some embodiments, according to the principle of equal optical path, positions of the M feed sources in the first function device 211, positions of the N feed ports in the second function device 212, and lengths of the delay lines 214 coupled to feed ports are determined, so that it may be implemented that a first electromagnetic signal transmitted by a feed source in the first function device 211 may be radiated outwards through the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 to form a directional beam.

[0126] In some embodiments, the first function device 211 in the antenna module 210 shown in FIG. 12 includes four perfect focuses: a first focus, a second focus, a third focus, and a fourth focus, i.e., the second electromagnetic signal incident on the third function device 213 from four specified directions may be focused on the four perfect focuses respectively. For example, the first focus refers to a point on the first function device 211 where the second electromagnetic signal incident on the third function device 213 from a first specified direction is focused; the second focus refers to a point on the first function device 211 where the second electromagnetic signal incident on the third function device 213 from a second specified direction is focused; the third focus refers to a point on the first function device 211 where the second electromagnetic signal incident on the third function device 213 from a third specified direction is focused; the fourth focus refers to the point on the first function device 211 where the second electromagnetic signal incident on the third function device 213 from a fourth specified direction is focused.

[0127] Herein, positions of the first focus F1, the second focus F2, the third focus F3 and the fourth focus F4 are determined by four focal axes f1, f2, f3 and f4, and four focal axis azimuths (α1, β1), (α2, β2), (α3, β3) and (α4, β4). The four focal axis azimuths are determined by connecting lines between the four perfect focal points and a reference point (e.g., a center point of the second function device).

[0128] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 13, the four perfect focal points may be respectively located on intersection lines among the first function device 211, a fifth plane and a sixth plane. For example, the first focus F1 and the second focus F2 are located on an intersection line between the first function device 211 and the fifth plane; the third focus F3 and the fourth focus F4 are located on the intersection line between the first function device 211 and the sixth plane. Herein, the fifth plane is a plane parallel to the first direction, and the sixth plane is a plane intersecting with the fifth plane. For example, when the angle between the fourth plane and the fifth plane is 90°, a connecting line between the first focus F1 and the second focus F2 is perpendicular to a connecting line between the third focus F3 and the fourth focus F4.

[0129] In some embodiments, the M feed sources in the first function device 211 may be determined according to the positions of the first focus F1, the second focus F2, the third focus F3, and the fourth focus F4. For example, the M feed sources may be arranged at the first focus F1, the second focus F2, the third focus F3 and the fourth focus F4; and / or the M feed sources may be divided into two groups, a group is located on the intersection line between the first function device 211 and the fifth plane, and another group is located on the intersection line between the first function device 211 and the sixth plane.

[0130] In some embodiments, positions of the N feed ports in the second function device 212 may be determined according to the principle of equal optical path. It is assumed that center coordinates of the feed port coupled to the n-th antenna element in the third function device 213 among the N feed ports are (x in , y in , z in ), then according to the principle of equal optical path, (x in , y in , z in ) may satisfy the following formula (6): x in = F + W 0 − W n x tn cos β F cosβ t , y in = F + W 0 − W n y tn cos α F cosα t , z in = x tn 2 cos 2 β − y tn 2 cos 2 α 2 F sinβ t − sinα t , where x tn is a x-axis offset of a n-th antenna element in the third function device 213 with respect to a center position of the third function device; y tn is a y-axis offset of the n-th antenna element in the third function device 213 with respect to a center position of the third function device 213; F is a fixed focal length; W 0 is a reference length of a delay line 214; W n is a length of a delay line 214 coupled to the n-th antenna element in the third function device 213; α is a maximum scanning angle in a first beam scanning direction, β is a maximum scanning angle in the second beam scanning direction, α t is an offset focus angle in the first beam scanning direction, and β t is an offset focus angle in the second beam scanning direction. For example, the first beam scanning direction may be a horizontal direction, and the second beam scanning direction may be a vertical direction. It can be seen that the antenna module 210 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure includes two different beam scanning directions, and may implement two-dimensional beam scanning.

[0131] Herein, the length W n of the delay line 214 coupled to the n-th antenna element in the third function device 213 satisfies the following formula (7): W = − b ± b 2 − 4 ac 2 a where three parameters a, b, and c in formula (7) may satisfy the following formula (8): a = x n cos β F cosβ t 2 + y n cos α F cosα t 2 − 1 b = − 2 a F + W 0 c = − W 0 2 − 2 FW 0 + F + W 0 2 F 2 x n 2 cos 2 β cos 2 β t + y n 2 cos 2 α cos 2 α t + y n 2 cos 2 α − x n 2 cos 2 β 2 4 F 2 sinα t − sinβ t 2 + y n 2 cos 2 α sinβ t − x n 2 cos 2 β sinα t sinα t − sinβ t

[0132] It can be seen that according to the above-mentioned formulas (6), (7) and (8), by giving the parameters F, W 0 , α, α t , β, β t and the center coordinates of the antenna element in the third function device 213, the position of the feed source in the first function device 211, the position of the feed port in the second function device 212 and the length of the delay line 214 coupled to the feed port may be determined.

[0133] Exemplarily, taking the structure of the antenna module 210 shown in FIG. 12 as an example, it is assumed that F=24.98 mm, W 0 =9.99 mm, α=α t =60°, and β=β t =45°, and it is assumed that the surface where the first function device 211 is located is a part of an ellipsoidal surface, 13 feed sources are arranged in an array. The surface where the second function device 212 is located is a saddle-shaped curved surface, and 25 feed ports are arranged in an array. The surface where the third function device 213 is located is a plane, and 25 antenna elements are arranged in a 5*5 array. The 25 feed ports correspond to the 25 antenna elements one by one, and a feed port is coupled to an antenna element via a delay line 214.

[0134] According to the above-mentioned formula (6), formula (7) and formula (8), coordinates of the 13 feed sources in the first function device 211 may be obtained. For example, the coordinates of the 13 feed sources may be in the form shown in the following Table 5: Table 5Serial NumberFeed source Center Coordinates (mm)xyz10.0012.49-21.6420.009.71-26.2830.005.30-29.4240.000.00-30.5350.00-5.30-29.4260.00-9.71-26.2870.00-12.49-21.64817.670.00-17.67913.810.00-24.37107.560.00-28.9211-7.560.00-28.9212-13.810.00-24.3713-17.670.00-17.67

[0135] According to the above-mentioned formula (6), formula (7) and formula (8), the center coordinates of the 25 feed ports in the second function device 212, the lengths of the 25 delay lines 214 coupled to the 25 feed ports, and the center coordinates of the antenna elements corresponding to the 25 feed ports may be obtained, for example, may be shown as a form of Table 6 below. Table 6Serial NumberFeed Port Center Coordinates (mm)Antenna Element Center Coordinates (mm)Delay Line Length (mm)xyzxyz110.5510.55-3.14-9.99-9.9910.0021.3529.064.53-5.50-9.99-5.0010.0017.6238.640.00-6.29-9.990.0010.0016.5749.06-4.53-5.50-9.995.0010.0017.62510.55-10.55-3.14-9.999.9910.0021.3565.7911.571.57-5.00-9.9910.0023.9175.045.04-0.79-5.00-5.0010.0020.1884.820.00-1.57-5.000.0010.0019.1095.04-5.04-0.79-5.005.0010.0020.18105.79-11.571.57-5.009.9910.0023.91110.0011.913.140.00-9.9910.0024.76120.005.210.790.00-5.0010.0021.05130.000.000.000.000.0010.0019.96140.00-5.210.790.005.0010.0021.05150.00-11.913.140.009.9910.0024.7616-5.7911.571.575.00-9.9910.0023.9117-5.045.04-0.795.00-5.0010.0020.1818-4.820.00-1.575.000.0010.0019.1019-5.04-5.04-0.795.005.0010.0020.1820-5.79-11.571.575.009.9910.0023.9121-10.5510.55-3.149.99-9.9910.0021.3522-9.064.53-5.509.99-5.0010.0017.6223-8.640.00-6.299.990.0010.0016.5724-9.06-4.53-5.509.995.0010.0017.6225-10.55-10.55-3.149.999.9910.0021.35

[0136] It can be understood that in the antenna module 210 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the M feed sources in the first function device 211 are arranged in an array (e.g., in a chessboard array arrangement or a radial array arrangement), the N feed ports in the second function device 212 are arranged in an array (in a two-dimensional array arrangement), and the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in an array (e.g., in a chessboard array arrangement or a radial array arrangement). In this way, the antenna module 210 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may implement the two-dimensional beam scanning under the control of the feed source selection module 220. It can be seen that compared with the array antenna provided in the relevant arts that require a large number of phase shifters for phase control, the antenna 200 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may implement beam control by using a feed source selection module instead of a phase shifter, which can reduce the design complexity of the antenna, reduce the insertion loss of the antenna, and reduce the cost.

[0137] In addition, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the surface where the third function device 213 is located is a plane, and the K antenna elements in the third function device 213 are arranged in a plane array. Compared with the arrangement of the antenna elements in a one-dimensional array, the width of the beam emitted by the antenna elements may be reduced, so that the energy of the beam emitted by the antenna elements is more concentrated, thereby improving the beam gain and enhancing the beam performance.

[0138] In some embodiments, an electronic device is further provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic device includes the antenna 200 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Optionally, the electronic device may be configured to perform wireless communication, or the electronic device may be configured to perform wireless positioning.

[0139] Exemplarily, the electronic device may be configured for wireless communication. For example, the electronic device may transmit a first electromagnetic signal outwards through the antenna 200, and receive a second electromagnetic signal radiated from the external space. Herein, the electromagnetic signal may carry communication data, such as a calling request.

[0140] As another example, the electronic device may be used for wireless positioning. For example, the electronic device may transmit a first electromagnetic signal for positioning through the antenna 200, and receive a second electromagnetic signal transmitted back, and then determine information about objects (such as position information of the object, a moving speed of the object, etc.) in the environment according to the second electromagnetic signal transmitted back.

[0141] Although the present disclosure is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, other variations of the disclosed embodiments may be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art by viewing the accompanying drawings, the disclosed contents, and the attached claims during the implementation of the present disclosure claimed to be protected. In the claims, "comprise / comprises / comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a / an" or "one" does not exclude a number of a plurality. A single processor or other units may implement couples of functions listed in the claims. Some measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0142] Although the present disclosure is described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, obviously, various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the specification and accompanying drawings herein are merely exemplary illustration of the present disclosure defined by the claims and are deemed to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present disclosure. Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In this way, if these modifications and variations of the present disclosure fall within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure and their equivalent technologies, the present disclosure is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

[0143] The above descriptions are merely specific implementations of the present disclosure, but the scope of protection of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and any variations or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present disclosure shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An antenna, <b>characterized by comprising a first function device, a second function device, and a third function device sequentially spaced in a first direction, wherein the first function device comprises M feed sources, wherein M is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the second function device comprises N feed ports, a feed port is configured to couple with a feed source, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the third function device comprises K antenna elements; the K antenna elements are arranged in an array, wherein K is an integer greater than or equal to 2, each antenna element is coupled to a feed port via a delay line; wherein the M feed sources, the N feed ports and the K antenna elements are not in a same plane.

2. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein m feed sources among the M feed sources are configured to respectively transmit a first electromagnetic signal; the first electromagnetic signal is coupled into the delay line coupled to the N feed ports via the N feed ports; the delay line is configured to transmit the first electromagnetic signal to the K antenna elements; the K antenna elements are configured to radiate the first electromagnetic signal outwards, to form directional beams in g specified directions; wherein m is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M; and g is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to m.

3. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein in the first direction, the first function device and the second function device are at least partially arranged opposite to each other; and the second function device and the third function device are at least partially arranged opposite to each other.

4. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein at least one feed source of the M feed sources is distributed on an intersection line between the first function device and a first plane; the N feed ports are distributed on an intersection line between the second function device and the first plane; wherein the first plane is a plane intersecting with the first function device and the second function device, and parallel to the first direction.

5. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein at least one feed source of the M feed sources is distributed on an intersection line between the first function device and a second plane; the N feed ports are distributed on an intersection line between the second function device and a third plane; wherein the second plane is a plane intersecting with the first function device, and parallel to the first direction; the third plane is a plane perpendicular to the second plane, and intersecting with the second function device.

6. The antenna according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the K antenna elements in the third function device are arranged in a plane array, and a plane where the K antenna elements are located is perpendicular to the first direction; the K antenna elements are arranged in an array along a second direction and a third direction, and the second direction and the third direction intersect with each other; wherein a plurality of antenna elements in a same row are parallel to the second direction or the third direction; the plurality of antenna elements in the same row form a group of antenna elements; a feed port is coupled to the group of antenna elements through a group of delay lines; wherein the group of delay lines correspond to the group of antenna elements one by one; and lengths of the group of delay lines are the same.

7. The antenna according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a surface where the first function device is located is a curved surface, and a surface where the second function device is located is a curved surface; a protruding direction of the first function device and a protruding direction of the second function device are arranged back from each other.

8. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the N feed ports in the second function device are not in a same plane; the N feed ports in the second function device correspond to the K antenna elements in the third function device one by one; and a feed port is coupled to an antenna element through a delay line.

9. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein a surface where the first function device is located is a plane; and the M feed sources in the first function device are arranged in an array.

10. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein a surface where the first function device is located is a curved surface; projections of the M feed sources in the first function device on a fourth plane are arranged in an array, wherein the fourth plane is a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

11. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein a surface where the third function device is located is a plane; and the K antenna elements in the third function device are arranged in an array.

12. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein a surface where the third function device is located is a curved surface; projections of the K antenna elements in the third function device on a fourth plane are arranged in an array, wherein the fourth plane is a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

13. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the antenna further comprises a signal processing module and a feed source selection module; the signal processing module is coupled to the feed source selection module; the feed source selection module is coupled to the M feed sources in the first function device; the signal processing module is configured to generate a first electromagnetic signal; the feed source selection module is configured to select a target feed source from the M feed sources, so as to make the target feed source transmit the first electromagnetic signal.

14. The antenna according to claim 1 or 13, wherein the K antenna elements are further configured to receive a second electromagnetic signal radiated from an external space; the second electromagnetic signal is transmitted to the N feed ports via the delay line coupled to the K antenna elements; the N feed ports are further configured to receive the second electromagnetic signal from the delay line, and send the second electromagnetic signal to m feed sources among the M feed sources; the m feed sources are configured to transmit the second electromagnetic signal to the signal processing module; the signal processing module is further configured to process the second electromagnetic signal, wherein m is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than M.

15. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the first function device intersects with the second function device, and a cavity is formed between the first function device and the second function device; a first electromagnetic signal transmitted by a feed source is transmitted from an inside of the cavity to outside of the cavity through a feed port.

16. The antenna according to claim 1, further comprising a filling material, wherein the filling material is located between the first function device and the second function device; the filling material comprises air or dielectric material; wherein a dielectric constant of the dielectric material is greater than a preset threshold.

17. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein a coupling structure with a shape of a multi-level trumpet is adopted between a feed port and a delay line; wherein a trumpet diameter of the coupling structure decreases gradually along a direction approaching the delay line.

18. An electronic device, characterized by comprising the antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A communication base station, characterized by< / b> comprising the electronic device according to claim 18.

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