Dual-polarization folding phased array antenna radiator

Abstract

This utility model relates to antenna technology, specifically turnstile radiators, and can be used as an element of a multi-element phased array antenna for a VHF radar. The technical result is aimed at reducing the size of the VHF radar antenna array by enabling the folding radiators of the antenna array to be folded and unfolded for transport and operation. A dual-polarization folding radiator of a phased array antenna is proposed, which consists of two radiators arranged perpendicular to each other in the operating position, with common centers, where each radiator includes a symmetrical dipole.Power is supplied to each vibrator via two matching and symmetrizing devices, each of which includes a matching transformer and a balun in the form of a half-wavelength "U-bend," housed in a single housing. The fixed vibrator's arms are rigidly connected to the matching and symmetrizing device, while the movable vibrator's arms are connected to it via flexible wires threaded through springs. Two reflectors are mounted on a rotation mechanism such that one of the reflectors is movable. The movable reflector is rigidly connected to the movable vibrator's arms via dielectric rods, allowing the emitter to be folded into its transport position and unfolded into its operating position.

Description

[0001] The utility model relates to antenna technology, namely to turnstile radiators, and can be used as an element of a multi-element phased antenna array of a radar station (RLS) in the meter wave range.

[0002] When creating antenna emitters for radars in the meter wavelength range, modern developers are often faced with the task of reducing the weight and size characteristics, increasing the mobility of the radar while maintaining the necessary technical characteristics of the phased antenna array.

[0003] Various types and design variants of radar emitters are known from the prior art, for example, a turnstile design in the meter wavelength range, described in the textbook "Microwave Antennas and Devices. (Design of Phased Antenna Arrays)" / Ed. D.I. Voskresensky. - M.: Radio and Communications, 1981. p. 33), and in patents RU 2728729 dated 30.07.2020, RU 2236733 dated 20.09.2004, RU 2643700 dated 05.02.2018, SU 1467632 dated 04.05.1987, SU 1712995 dated 04.04.1990, US 5526009 dated 11.01.1996, US 8068066 dated 29.11.2011. According to the presented sources, the implementation of phased antenna arrays with good matching and the possibility of use in meter range radars is available.

[0004] However, a common drawback of these turnstile emitters is the implementation of a rigid, fixed structure, which increases the dimensions of the radar antenna web in the transport position.

[0005] The closest in technical essence to the claimed emitter is the turnstile antenna (Sazonov, D.M., Antennas and Microwave Devices. Moscow: Vysshaya Shkola, 1988, pp. 251-252), which is a system of two rigidly coupled symmetrical electric emitters located perpendicular to each other, with their centers aligned. Each emitter includes a symmetrical vibrator, which contains symmetrical arms located on the same axis. Power is supplied to each vibrator via coaxial cables, which are connected to the arms of the vibrators at the midpoint. The turnstile antenna is well matched and can be used both independently and as an element of a radar antenna array, including in the meter wavelength range.

[0006] The rigid design of this turnstile antenna does not allow it to be folded to bring the radar antenna sheet into the transport position, which increases the dimensions of its antenna sheet during transportation.

[0007] The technical result of the proposed utility model is a reduction in the dimensions of the antenna cloth of a meter-wave range radar, due to the possibility of folding and unfolding the folding radiators of the antenna array in the transport and working position.

[0008] The stated technical result is achieved by the dual-polarization folding radiator of a phased array antenna being a system of two radiators arranged perpendicular to each other in the operating position, with common centers, where each radiator includes a symmetrical vibrator. Power is supplied to each vibrator via two matching and symmetrizing devices, each of which includes a matching transformer and a balun in the form of a half-wavelength "U-bend," located in a single housing. The arms of the fixed vibrator are rigidly connected to the matching and symmetrizing device, and the arms of the movable vibrator are connected to it via sections of flexible wire passed through springs. Two reflectors are secured to a rotation mechanism such that one of the reflectors is movable.The movable reflector is rigidly connected to the arms of the movable vibrator via dielectric rods, allowing the emitter to be folded into a transport position and unfolded into a working position.

[0009] To explain the design of the proposed utility model, the following are presented:

[0010] in Fig. 1 - the emitter in the working position,

[0011] in Fig. 2 - the emitter in the transport position,

[0012] where:

[0013] 1 - movable emitter (Fig. 1);

[0014] 2 - fixed emitter (Fig. 1);

[0015] 3 - movable reflector (Fig. 2);

[0016] 4 - fixed reflector (Fig. 2);

[0017] 5 - movable vibrator (Fig. 2);

[0018] 6 - ​​fixed vibrator (Fig. 2);

[0019] 7 - matching and symmetrical device (Fig. 2);

[0020] 8 - springs (Fig. 2);

[0021] 9 - dielectric rods (Fig. 2);

[0022] 10 - rotation mechanism (Fig. 2).

[0023] The dual-polarization folding radiator of a phased antenna array is a movable radiator 1 and a fixed radiator 2 made in a single design, located perpendicularly in the operating position and on the same axis in the transport position. The movable radiator consists of a movable reflector 3, rigidly connected through dielectric rods 9 to a symmetrical movable vibrator 5, the arms of which are connected to a matching-and-balancing device 7, enclosed in a housing, with the help of sections of flexible wires (not shown in the figures) passed through springs 8. The fixed radiator 2 consists of a fixed reflector 4, a matching-and-balancing device 7, rigidly connected to the arms of a symmetrical fixed vibrator 6. The movable reflector 3 and the fixed reflector 4 are mounted on a rotation mechanism 10.

[0024] Each emitter (movable and fixed) is equipped with a separate matching and balun device 7, which is, in turn, enclosed in a single housing. Matching and balun devices 7 include matching transformers and baluns in the form of a half-wavelength "U-bend."

[0025] In the working position, the movable emitter 1 and the fixed emitter 2 are perpendicular to each other, which is necessary for receiving and transmitting signals of vertical and horizontal polarization.

[0026] The movable vibrator 5 and the movable reflector 3 of the movable emitter 1 are folded into the transport position. For this purpose, the dual-polarization folding emitter is equipped with a rotation mechanism 10 connected to an electric drive (not shown in the figure). The fixed reflector 4 is rigidly attached to the housing of the rotation mechanism 10, and the movable reflector 3 is secured to its rotating part. The rotation mechanism 10 drives only the movable reflector 3, which is rigidly connected via dielectric rods 9 to the arms of the movable vibrator 5, in which the arms are connected to the matching and symmetrizing device 7 via sections of flexible wires passed through springs 8, due to which they rotate around the axis by 90°. Thus, the dual-polarization folding emitter moves from the working position to the transport position and back.

[0027] In the radar antenna array column, all the rotation mechanisms of the 10 cross-shaped emitters are connected to each other by metal rods (not shown in the figures). The rotation mechanism of the 10th outer cross-shaped emitter in the column is connected via a mechanical rod to an electric drive (not shown in the figures). The electric drive rotates the emitters in the radar antenna array column via metal rods.

[0028] The applicant manufactured a batch of dual-polarization folding emitters of a phased antenna array in accordance with the claimed formula for a utility model, with subsequent use in a phased antenna array, which made it possible to obtain a radar in which, in the transport position, the width of the folded emitter does not exceed the width of the antenna array column.

[0029] Thus, the proposed design is promising for large-aperture mobile antennas.

Claims

A dual-polarization folding radiator of a phased antenna array, which is a system of two symmetrical radiators located perpendicular to each other in the operating position, with combined centers, where each radiator includes a symmetrical vibrator, which contains two arms on one axis, and the power connection to each vibrator is connected to the arms of the vibrators at the midpoint, characterized in that two matching-symmetrizing devices are introduced, located in one housing, each of which includes a matching transformer and a symmetrizing device in the form of a "U-elbow" of half-wave length, and the arms of the fixed vibrator are rigidly connected to one matching-symmetrizing device, and the arms of the movable vibrator are connected to the second matching-symmetrizing device through sections of flexible wires passed through springs, as well as two reflectors secured to the rotation mechanism,moreover, only one emitter is movable due to the rigid connection of the movable reflector through dielectric rods with the arms of the movable vibrator.

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