Multiplexer and array antenna modules

Abstract

To provide a multiplexer and an array antenna module.SOLUTION: There are provided a multiplexer for array antenna module applications, and an antenna array module. The array antenna module includes an array antenna and a beamforming module. The multiplexer 30 includes one first end 31 and at least two second ends 32. The at least two second ends 32 extend towards the first end 31. One of the first end 31 and the at least two second ends 32 is connected to the array antenna, and the other of the first end 31 and the at least two second ends 32 is connected to the beamforming module. The first end 31 and the at least two second ends 32 are used to conduct signals between the array antenna and the beamforming module.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a multiplexer and an array antenna module.

Background Art

[0002] A low-orbit satellite system (LEO) is a large-scale satellite system composed of a plurality of satellites and capable of real-time information processing. Low-orbit satellites are also used for communication of mobile terminals such as mobile phones. In addition, due to the low orbital altitude, mobile terminals adopting low-orbit satellite communication have the advantages of short transmission delay and small path loss. A mobile communication system composed of a plurality of low-orbit satellites can achieve true global coverage, and frequency multiplexing is more effective. Technologies such as cellular communication, multiple access, spot beams, and frequency multiplexing also provide technical support for the application of low-orbit satellites to mobile communications. In short, low-orbit satellites are currently a highly regarded mobile communication system.

[0003] However, in the array antenna module applied to conventional low-orbit satellites, the arrangement distance between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna is reduced in order to reduce the overall area of the antenna design, which makes the wiring for signal transmission between the antennas difficult, and more considerations are required for the design of the array antenna.

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In view of the above contents, the present invention provides a multiplexer and an array antenna module.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention provides a multiplexer for application to an array antenna module, the array antenna module comprising an array antenna and a beamforming module, the multiplexer comprising one first end and at least two second ends, the at least two second ends extending toward the first end. Either the first end or one of the at least two second ends is connected to the array antenna, and the other of the first end or the at least two second ends is connected to the beamforming module. The first end and the at least two second ends are used to conduct signals between the array antenna and the beamforming module.

[0006] A second aspect of the present invention further provides an array antenna module including an array antenna, a beamforming module, and the multiplexer described above.

[0007] The multiplexer provided in this application is connected to an array antenna via a first end or one of at least two second ends, and to a beamforming module via the first end or the other of at least two second ends. This allows the multiplexer to conduct signals between the array antenna and the beamforming module, with the signal conduction direction of at least two second ends being opposite to that of the first end, so that the multiplexer does not have to be laid flat on the same plane, saving design space in the plane of the multiplexer and contributing to the arrangement of signal transmission wiring of the array antenna module. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the functional block of an array antenna module provided by an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multiplexer for an array antenna module provided by an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multiplexer for an array antenna module provided by another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an array antenna module provided by an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an array antenna module provided by an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is another configuration diagram of an array antenna module provided by an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, the technical aspects of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in relation to the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Clearly, the embodiments described are only a subset of the embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work based on the embodiments of the present invention are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0010] Furthermore, when one element is described as being "electrically connected" to another element, that connection may be directly present in the other element, or it may be present in a centrally located element. When one element is considered to be "electrically connected" to another element, it may be a contact connection (e.g., a wire connection) or a non-contact connection (e.g., a non-contact coupling).

[0011] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. Terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0012] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the attached drawings. Where there is no inconsistency, the following embodiments and features thereof may be combined.

[0013] Low-orbit satellite systems (LEOs) are large satellite systems consisting of multiple satellites capable of real-time information processing. LEOs are also used for communications in mobile devices such as cell phones. Due to their low orbital altitude, mobile devices employing LEO communications benefit from shorter transmission delays and lower path loss. Mobile communication systems composed of multiple LEOs can achieve true global coverage, and frequency multiplexing is more efficient. Technologies such as cellular communication, multiple access, spot beam, and frequency multiplexing have also provided technical support for the application of LEOs to mobile communications. In short, LEOs are currently a highly valued mobile communication system.

[0014] However, conventional array antenna modules used in low Earth orbit satellites have relatively close spacing between transmitting and receiving antennas in order to reduce the overall antenna design area. This makes wiring for signal transmission between antennas difficult, requiring more consideration in the design of array antennas.

[0015] To this end, as shown in Figure 1, the present invention provides an array antenna module 1 that can be applied to a wireless communication device (not shown) in order for the wireless communication device to realize wireless communication based on low Earth orbit satellites. Here, the array antenna module 1 is used to transmit or receive wireless signals in order to realize wireless communication.

[0016] Refer to Figure 1 again. In some embodiments of the present invention, the array antenna module 1 includes an array antenna 10, a low-noise amplifier (LNA) 20, a multiplexer 30, and a beamforming module 40.

[0017] The array antenna 10, LNA 20, multiplexer 30, and beamforming module 40 are electrically connected in sequence. The array antenna 10 can be used to receive or transmit radio communication signals. One end of the multiplexer 30 is connected to the array antenna 10 via the LNA, and the other end of the multiplexer 30 is connected to the beamforming module 40. The LNA 20 is used to acquire and amplify radio communication signals from the array antenna 10 and output them to the multiplexer 30, or to acquire and amplify radio communication signals from the multiplexer 30 and output them to the array antenna 10. The multiplexer 30 is used to conduct radio communication signals from the array antenna 10 to the beamforming module 40, or to conduct radio communication signals from the beamforming module 40 to the beamforming module 40. The beamforming module 40 is used to acquire and analyze radio communication signals from the array antenna 10 via the multiplexer 30, compile radio communication signals, and then transmit them to the array antenna 10 via the multiplexer 30.

[0018] Referring also to Figure 2, the multiplexer 30 includes one first end 31, at least two second ends 32, a first connector 33, and a second connector 34.

[0019] One of the first end 31 or at least two of the second end 32 is connected to the array antenna 10 via the LNA 20, and the other of the first end 31 or at least two of the second end 32 is connected to the beamforming module 40. In some embodiments, both the first end 31 and at least two of the second end 32 have a substantially linear metal segment structure and are arranged substantially parallel to each other. At least two of the second end 32 are arranged in the same plane. The first end 31 and at least two of the second end 32 are not arranged in the same plane.

[0020] The first connection portion 33 is connected to the first end portion 31 and is flush with the first end portion 31. In some embodiments, the first connection portion 33 is a substantially rectangular annular metal segment, and the first end portion 31 is connected to a substantially intermediate position of one long side of the rectangular annular first connection portion 33. In some embodiments, the plane on which the first end portion 31 and the first connection portion 33 are located or the layer in which they are positioned is substantially parallel to the plane on which the at least two second end portions are located or the layer in which the at least two second end portions are positioned. In some embodiments, the first connection portion 33 presents other symmetric regular shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, a straight line, or a combination of any of the above-mentioned shapes, and presents a symmetric structure with respect to the first end portion 31. Alternatively, the first connection portion 33 may have an asymmetric or irregular shape. By comparison, when the first connection portion 33 has a symmetric regular shape, it has substantially the same signal conduction path, so that the signal conduction effect is more excellent.

[0021] One end of the second connection portion 34 is connected to the end of the first connection portion 33 that is away from the first end portion 31, and the other end of the second connection portion 34 is connected to the at least two second end portions 32. The second connection portion 34 connects the plane on which the first end portion 31 is located or the layer in which the first end portion 31 is positioned, and the plane on which the at least two second end portions are located or the layer in which the at least two second end portions are positioned. In some embodiments, the second connection portion 34 is two metal posts, but is not limited thereto. One ends of the two metal posts are respectively connected to the at least two second end portions 32. The other ends of the two metal posts are connected to a substantially intermediate position of one long side that is away from the first end portion 31 of the rectangular annular first connection portion 33.

[0022] In some embodiments, each of the at least two second end portions 32 includes a connection point 322 connected to the second connection portion 34. The second end portion 32 is formed by the connection point 322 extending from the second connection portion 34 toward the first end portion 31. In some embodiments, the projections of the at least two second end portions 32 in the first direction are within the range of the projection of the first connection portion 33 in the first direction. Here, the first direction is a direction in which the at least two second end portions 32 are perpendicular to the first connection portion 33.

[0023] Reference is made to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in combination. The second end portion 32 forms an angle θ between the direction from the connection point 322 toward the first end portion 31 and the direction perpendicular to one side of the second connection portion 34. In some embodiments, the range of the angle θ may be 0 degrees to 90 degrees, but is not limited thereto.

[0024] In some embodiments, the signal conduction direction of the at least two second end portions 32 is substantially opposite to the signal conduction direction of the first end portion 31. In some embodiments, the vector difference between the signal conduction direction of the first end portion 31 and the signal conduction direction of the at least two second end portions 32 may be 90 degrees to 180 degrees. Illustratively, the signal conduction direction of the first end portion 31 faces the first connection portion 33. The signal conduction direction of the first end portion 31 can be defined as a first vector. The first connection portion 33 obtains a signal from the first end portion 31 and transmits the signal to the two second connection portions 34. The at least two second end portions 32 are connected to the two second connection portions 34 via the connection segments 322 respectively, and function as signal conduction endpoints of the at least two second end portions 32. The structure along the at least two second end portions 320 is configured as the signal conduction path of the at least two second end portions 32. The signal conduction direction of the at least two second end portions 32 can be defined as a second vector. The vector difference between the first vector and the second vector may be 90 degrees to 180 degrees. It is noted that when the at least two second end portions 32 are signal input ends, the first end portion 31 serves as a signal output end. In this case, the signal conduction path may be the same as described above, but the signal conduction direction is reversed. No further description is provided herein.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first end 31 and at least two second ends 32 have a first resistance value, and the first connector 33 has a second resistance value. Here, the first resistance value may be less than or equal to the second resistance value. The first resistance value may be, but is not limited to, 50 ohms (Ω). The second resistance value may be, but is not limited to, 70.7 ohms. In some embodiments, in order to equalize the energy, the one-way signal transmission path from the first end 31 is divided into two-way signal transmission paths of at least two second ends 32. The first connector 33 connecting the first end 31 and at least two second ends 32 conforms to the following equation (1): Here, Z0 is the first resistance value of the first end 31 and at least two second ends 32, i.e., Z0 = 50 ohms. Z is the second resistance value of the first connector 33. By calculation, Z = 70.7 ohms is obtained. Since the first end 31 and at least two second end 32 are provided with the same preset resistance value, and the first connection part 33 is provided with a different preset resistance value, the first end 31 and the first connection part 33 conduct approximately equal energy to the energy conducted by at least two second end 32, and energy conduction losses are reduced. In some embodiments, the first connection part 33, the first end 31, and at least two second end 32 can have different line widths to accommodate the installation of the array antenna module 1, so that the first connection part 33, the first end 31, and at least two second end 32 can have approximately equal signal transmission power.

[0026]

number

[0027] The first end 31 can be used to receive a wireless communication signal from the array antenna 10 via the LNA 20. The first end 31, the first connector 33, the second connector 34, and at least two second ends 32 sequentially conduct this wireless communication signal, and further conduct this wireless communication signal to the beamforming module 40 via at least two second ends 32. Alternatively, the first end 31 can receive a wireless communication signal from the beamforming module 40. The first end 31, the first connector 33, the second connector 34, and at least two second ends 32 sequentially conduct this wireless communication signal. Subsequently, at least two second ends 32 conduct this wireless communication signal to the array antenna 10 via the LNA 20.

[0028] Referring also to Figure 4, in some embodiments, the array antenna module 1 may have a multilayer structure. The first end 31 is connected to and flush with the first connection 33. The first end 31 and the first connection 33 may be located in the same layer of the array antenna module 1, for example, the third layer. At least two second ends 32 may be located in other layers of the array antenna module 1, for example, the first layer. The second connection 34 penetrates the layer in which the first end 31 and the first connection 33 are located and the layer in which at least two second ends 32 are located, that is, the second connection 34 penetrates from the first layer to the third layer. In some embodiments, at least two first through holes are provided in the first and third layers of the array antenna module 1. These at least two first through holes are filled with a metal conductor to form the second connection 34. The extension direction of at least two second ends 32 is approximately the same as the extension direction of the first end 31. Furthermore, at least two second ends 32 extend opposite the first connecting portion 33 at a distance from it.

[0029] The multiplexer 30 may include a resistor 35. The resistor 35 is in contact with at least two second ends 32. In some embodiments, the resistor 35 is in contact with one end of at least two second ends 32 that connect to second connection portions 34 and is located in the first layer of the array antenna module 1.

[0030] In some embodiments, the array antenna 10 may be located on other layers of the array antenna module 1, and the layer on which the first end 31 and the first connection 33 are located may not be flush with the layer on which the at least two second end 32 are located. For example, the array antenna 10 may be located on a fifth layer of the array antenna module 1. In some embodiments, the fifth layer on which the array antenna 10 is located may be a surface layer of the array antenna module 1, and the first layer on which the at least two second end 32 are located may be an internal layer of the array antenna module 1. In some other embodiments, the first layer on which the at least two second end 32 are located may be a surface layer of the array antenna module 1, and the fifth layer on which the array antenna 10 is located may be an internal layer of the array antenna module 1. The LNA 20 may be located on a first layer of the array antenna module 1.

[0031] In some embodiments, the array antenna module 1 may further include a first ground layer 50 and a second ground layer 60.

[0032] The first grounding layer 50 can be located between the layer on which the first end 31 is located and the layer on which at least two second end 32 are located, such as the second layer of the array antenna module 1. The second grounding layer 60 can be located between the layer on which the first end 31 is located and the layer on which the array antenna 10 is located, for example, the fourth layer of the array antenna module 1. The first grounding layer 50 and the second grounding layer 60 are used to ground the array antenna 10 and the multiplexer 30.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first and fifth layers of the array antenna module 1 are provided with second through-holes filled with a metal conductor to form a third connection portion 70. The third connection portion 70 penetrates the first and fifth layers of the array antenna module 1 and connects to the LNA 20 located in the first layer and the array antenna 10 located in the fifth layer, respectively, thereby realizing electrical connection and signal conduction between the LNA 20 and the array antenna 10. It is understood that the multilayer structure of the array antenna module 1, for example, the first to fifth layers may be arranged parallel to each other with a gap between them.

[0034] Refer to Figures 5 and 6 together. The array antenna 10 may include several transmitting antennas 12 and several receiving antennas 14. The multiple transmitting antennas 12 are arranged in rows. In each row, every two adjacent transmitting antennas 12 are spaced apart by a first predetermined distance. The multiple receiving antennas 14 are arranged in rows. In each row, every two adjacent receiving antennas 14 are spaced apart by a second predetermined distance. Moreover, each receiving antenna 14 is positioned offset from each transmitting antenna 12. Thus, the transmitting antennas 12 and receiving antennas 14 in each row are positioned offset from each other, forming the array antenna 10. In some embodiments, the first predetermined distance is greater than, equal to, or less than the second predetermined distance. The present invention is not limited thereto.

[0035] The multiplexer 30 is positioned offset between the transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14. In some embodiments, the array antenna module 1 may include multiple multiplexers 30. Each multiplexer 30 can be connected in association with one set of transmitting antennas 12 and receiving antennas 14. Here, "some" means "one" or "many".

[0036] If at least two second ends 32 of the multiplexer 30 are connected to the receiving antenna 14 of the array antenna 10 via the LNA 20, the first end 31 is connected to the beamforming module. The multiplexer 30 can be used as a power combiner to receive signals from the array antenna 10 via at least two second ends 32 and to conduct radio communication signals to the beamforming module 40 via the first end 31. Alternatively, if at least two second ends 32 of the multiplexer 30 are connected to the transmitting antenna 12 of the array antenna 10 via the LNA 20, the first end 31 is connected to the beamforming module 40. The multiplexer 30 can function as a power distributor to receive signals from the beamforming module 40 via the first end 31 and to conduct radio communication signals to the array antenna 10 via at least two second ends 32.

[0037] In some embodiments, the beamforming module 40 can be connected to the first end 31 of one or more multiplexers 30. For example, the beamforming module 40 can be connected to the first end 31 of eight multiplexers 30. At least two second ends 32 of each multiplexer 30 can be connected to one of the set of transmitting antennas 12 and the set of receiving antennas 14 of the array antenna 10. In this way, one beamforming module 40 can be connected in association with eight sets of transmitting antennas 12 and receiving antennas 14 via eight multiplexers 30. Here, among the multiple multiplexers 30 connected to the beamforming module 40, the connection lengths from the first end 31 of each multiplexer 30 to the beamforming module 40 are approximately equal so that the signal conduction paths between the beamforming module 40 and the multiple multiplexers 30 are approximately equal. This not only ensures that each signal conduction path has nearly equal energy transfer loss and substantially the same signal conduction quality, but is also advantageous for the signal transmission wiring of multiple multiplexers 30 throughout the array antenna module 1. In some other embodiments, a single beamforming module 40 may be connected to two, four, or sixteen sets of transmitting antennas 12 and receiving antennas 14. The present invention is not limited thereto.

[0038] The multiplexer 30 provided in this application is connected to the array antenna 10 via either the first end 31 or one of at least two second ends 32, and to the beamforming module 40 via either the first end 31 or the other of the two second ends 32. This allows the multiplexer 30 to conduct signals between the array antenna 10 and the beamforming module 40, with the signal conduction direction of the at least two second ends 32 being opposite to that of the first end 31. Therefore, the multiplexer 30 does not need to be placed side by side on the same plane, saving design space in the plane of the multiplexer 30 and being more advantageous for signal transmission wiring of the array antenna module 1.

[0039] The embodiments described above are used solely to illustrate the technical aspects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments described above, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions of the technical aspects of the present invention must not deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical aspects of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can also make other changes, or designs, used in the present invention, within the spirit of the invention, as long as they do not deviate from the technical effects of the present invention. All such changes based on the spirit of the invention should fall within the scope of protection sought by the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Array Antenna Module 10 Array Antennas 12 Transmitting Antennas 14 Receiving antenna 20 LNA 40 Beamforming Modules 30 Multiplexer 31 First end 32 Second end 322 Connection points 33. First connection section 34 Second connection section 35 Resistors 50 1st ground layer 60 2nd ground layer 70 Third connection section

Claims

1. A multiplexer applicable to an array antenna module, The array antenna module includes an array antenna and a beamforming module. The multiplexer includes one first end and at least two second ends, The at least two second ends extend toward the first end, The first end or one of the at least two second ends is connected to the array antenna. The first end or the other of the at least two second ends is connected to the beamforming module. A multiplexer characterized in that the first end and the at least two second ends are used to conduct signals between the array antenna and the beamforming module.

2. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein the first end and the at least two second ends are located in different layers.

3. The multiplexer according to claim 1, further comprising a resistor, the resistor in contact with the at least two second ends.

4. When the at least two second ends are connected to the receiving antenna of the array antenna, the first end is connected to the beamforming module, and the multiplexer is a power combiner for receiving the signal from the array antenna via the at least two second ends and conducting the signal to the beamforming module via the first end, or The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein, when the at least two second ends are connected to the transmitting antenna of the array antenna, the first end is connected to the beamforming module, and the multiplexer is a power distributor for receiving signals from the beamforming module via the first end and conducting the signals to the array antenna via the at least two second ends.

5. The multiplexer further includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion being connected to the first end and being flush with the first end, One end of the second connecting portion is connected to the end of the first connecting portion that is far from the first end, and the other end of the second connecting portion is connected to the at least two second ends. The multiplexer according to claim 2, wherein the second connecting portion connects the layer in which the first end is located to the layer in which the at least two second ends are located.

6. It is an array antenna module, The array antenna module is characterized by comprising an array antenna, a beamforming module, and a multiplexer according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5.

7. The array antenna module according to claim 6, further comprising a low-noise amplifier, one end of the low-noise amplifier connected to the array antenna, and the other end of the low-noise amplifier connected to the at least two second ends.

8. The array antenna further includes transmitting antennas arranged in multiple rows and receiving antennas arranged in multiple rows, In each row, every two adjacent transmitting antennas are spaced apart by a first predetermined distance. In each row, every two adjacent receiving antennas are spaced apart by a second predetermined distance. Each of the receiving antennas is positioned offset from each of the transmitting antennas, and the transmitting antennas in each row and the receiving antennas in each row are positioned offset from each other to form an array. The array antenna module according to claim 6, wherein the multiplexer is positioned offset between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna.

9. The array antenna module according to claim 6, further comprising a first ground layer located between the layer in which the first end is located and the layer in which the at least two second ends are located.

10. The array antenna module according to claim 9, further comprising a second ground layer located between the layer on which the first end is located and the layer on which the array antenna is located.

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