Magnetoelectric dipole antenna and magnetoelectric dipole antenna array

Abstract

A magnetoelectric dipole antenna includes a substrate and an antenna device. The substrate includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a ground layer. The antenna device includes a first electric dipole element disposed on a top surface thereof, a second electric dipole element disposed in the substrate, a magnetic dipole element electrically connected to the first electric dipole element, the second electric dipole element, and a ground layer, a first feed - in element, and a second feed - in element.The first feed - in element has a first feed - in probe, a first feed - in line and a first connection element. The second feed - in element has a second feed - in probe, a second feed - in line and a second connection element coplanar with the second electric dipole element. The circular polarization characteristics are enhanced by coupling the first electric dipole element and the second electric dipole element respectively with the first electric dipole element and the second electric dipole element to reduce the axial ratio, so that the receiving efficiency of the antenna device is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a magnetoelectric dipole antenna and a magnetoelectric dipole antenna array, particularly a magnetoelectric dipole antenna and a magnetoelectric dipole antenna array applicable to low Earth orbit satellite systems. Prior Technology

[0002] In the design of low Earth orbit satellite systems, current K-band (18GHz~27GHz) antennas are designed with separate transmitting (Tx) and receiving (Rx) ends, and the radio frequency power is directly fed into the radiator through a via. This method is relatively easy to manufacture, but it cannot fully cover the 17.7-21.2GHz frequency band, and its asymmetrical radiation pattern limits the antenna's receiving efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a magnetoelectric dipole antenna that improves upon the above-mentioned problems.

[0004] Therefore, the present invention provides a magnetoelectric dipole antenna comprising a substrate and an antenna device.

[0005] The substrate includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and a ground layer disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface.

[0006] The antenna device includes a first electric dipole element, a second electric dipole element, a magnetic dipole element, a first feed element, and a second feed element.

[0007] The first electric dipole element is disposed on the top surface of the substrate.

[0008] The second electric dipole element is disposed in the substrate and is located between the top surface of the substrate and the ground layer.

[0009] The magnetic dipole element is disposed in the substrate and is located between the top surface of the substrate and the ground layer, and is electrically connected to the first electric dipole element, the second electric dipole element and the ground layer.

[0010] The first feed element has a first feed probe disposed on the top surface of the substrate, a first feed line disposed on the bottom surface of the substrate, and a first connector disposed in the substrate and electrically connected to the first feed probe and the first feed line.

[0011] The second feed element has a second feed probe disposed in the substrate and coplanar with the second electric dipole element, a second feed line disposed on the bottom surface of the substrate, and a second connector disposed in the substrate and electrically connected to the second feed probe and the second feed line.

[0012] Another objective of this invention is to provide a magnetoelectric dipole antenna array.

[0013] Therefore, the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array of the present invention comprises a plurality of magnetoelectric dipole antennas as described above, arranged in an array, wherein the polarization of each of the plurality of adjacent magnetoelectric dipole antennas is orthogonal.

[0014] The advantage of this invention is that by coupling the first feed element and the second feed element with the first electric dipole element and the second electric dipole element respectively, the axial ratio is reduced and the circular polarization characteristics are enhanced, thereby improving the receiving efficiency of the antenna device. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0015] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented with reference to the illustrated embodiments, wherein: Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structural diagram illustrating the architecture of one embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view illustrating the exploded architecture of this embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna; Figure 3 is a top view illustrating the architecture of this embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna from a third-party top view; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the architecture of this embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna, taken along line IV-IV of Figure 3 and viewed from a second direction; Figure 5 is a graph illustrating the scattering parameters of this embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna operating within a preset frequency range; Figure 6 is a graph illustrating the gain curve of this embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna operating within the preset frequency range; Figure 7 is a graph illustrating the axial ratio of this embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna operating within the preset frequency range; Figure 8 is a radiation pattern diagram illustrating the radiation pattern of this embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna operating at a preset frequency; Figure 9 is a top view illustrating the architecture of one embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array of the present invention; Figure 10 is a graph illustrating the curves of various scattering parameters of this embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array operating within the preset frequency range; Figure 11 is a graph illustrating the gain curve of this embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array operating within the preset frequency range; Figure 12 is a graph illustrating the axial ratio of this embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array operating within the preset frequency range; and Figure 13 is a radiation field pattern diagram illustrating the radiation field pattern of this embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array operating at the preset frequency. Implementation

[0016] Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that similar elements are represented by the same numbers in the following description.

[0017] Referring to Figures 1 through 4, an embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 is configured to operate within a frequency range surrounding and covering a target frequency. This frequency range, also referred to as the operating band, is approximately 17.7 GHz to 21.2 GHz. The target frequency is the center frequency of this frequency range (i.e., approximately 19.45 GHz).

[0018] The magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 of this example includes a substrate 1 and an antenna device 2. The substrate 1 includes a top surface 11, a bottom surface 12 opposite to the top surface 11, and a ground layer 13 disposed between the top surface 11 and the bottom surface 12. The antenna device 2 includes a first electric dipole element 21, a second electric dipole element 22, a first feed element 23, a second feed element 24, and a magnetic dipole element 25.

[0019] The first electric dipole element 21 is disposed on the top surface 11 of the substrate 1 and has four first patches 211, which are divided into a first patch pair and a second patch pair. The first patches 211 of the first patch pair are spaced apart along a first direction X parallel to the top surface 11 of the substrate 1, the first patches 211 of the second patch pair are spaced apart along the first direction X, and the first patch pair and the second patch pair are spaced apart along a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X and parallel to the top surface 11 of the substrate 1. It is worth mentioning that in other embodiments, the number of first patches 211 may be other than four, and can be designed according to actual needs.

[0020] Each of the first patches 211 of the first electric dipole element 21 has a first vertex 212 near the center point of the top surface 11 of the substrate 1, and a second vertex 213 away from the center point of the top surface 11 of the substrate 1, the first vertex 212 and the second vertex 213 being arranged on a line passing through the center point of the top surface 11 of the substrate 1. For configuration to operate within the frequency range covering the target frequency, the distance between the first vertex 212 and the second vertex 213 is approximately equal to that shown in equation (1):

[0021] …Formula (1)

[0022] Wherein, parameter c is the speed of light, parameter f is the target frequency, and parameter εr is the dielectric constant of substrate 1.

[0023] It should be further noted that, in this embodiment, the first electric dipole element 21 is octagonal. Furthermore, for each of the first patches 211 of the first electric dipole element 21, the angle formed by the first side 214 and the second side 215 connected to the first vertex 212 is a right angle, while the angle formed by the third side 216 and the fourth side 217 connected to the second vertex 213 is 135 degrees. In other embodiments, the first electric dipole element 21 may be circular or other suitable shapes.

[0024] The second electric dipole element 22 is disposed in the substrate 1 and between the top surface 11 of the substrate 1 and the ground layer 13, and has four second patches 221, which are divided into a third patch pair and a fourth patch pair. The second patches 221 of the third patch pair are spaced apart along the second direction Y, the second patches 221 of the fourth patch pair are spaced apart along the second direction Y, and the third patch pair and the fourth patch pair are spaced apart along the first direction X. The shape and size of the second electric dipole element 22 are the same as those of the first electric dipole element 21, that is, the second electric dipole element 22 is octagonal, and the distance between a third vertex 222 near the center point of the top surface 11 of each of the second patches 221 and a fourth vertex 223 away from the center point of the top surface 11 of the substrate 1 is approximately equal to that shown in the above formula (1). It is worth mentioning that in other embodiments, the number of second patches 221 can be other than four, and can be designed according to actual needs.

[0025] The first feed element 23 has a first feed probe 231 disposed on the top surface 11 of the substrate 1, a first feed line 232 disposed on the bottom surface 12 of the substrate 1, and a first connector 233 disposed in the substrate 1 and electrically connected to the first feed probe 231 and the first feed line 232. The first feed probe 231 extends along the first direction X and is disposed between the first patch pair and the second patch pair of the first electric dipole element 21. The first feed line 232 extends along the first direction X.

[0026] The second feed element 24 has a second feed probe 241 disposed in the substrate 1 and coplanar with the second electric dipole element 22, a second feed line 242 disposed on the bottom surface 12 of the substrate 1, and a second connector 243 disposed in the substrate 1 and electrically connecting the second feed probe 241 and the second feed line 242. The second feed probe 241 extends along the second direction Y and is disposed between the third patch pair and the fourth patch pair of the second electric dipole element 22. The second feed line 242 extends along the second direction Y.

[0027] It should be noted that the geometric centers of the first electric dipole element 21, the second electric dipole element 22, the first feed probe 231, and the second feed probe 241 are arranged on an imaginary line L perpendicular to the top surface 11 of the substrate 1.

[0028] The magnetic dipole element 25 includes four magnetic dipole groups 251, which correspond to the first patches 211 of the first electric dipole element 21 and the second patches 221 of the second electric dipole element 22, respectively. Each of the magnetic dipole groups 251 has five conductive posts 252 disposed in the substrate 1 and between the top surface 11 and the ground layer 13. Each of the conductive posts 252 is perpendicular to the top surface 11 of the substrate 1, extends away from the top surface 11, and is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the first patches 211, a corresponding one of the second patches 221, and the ground layer 13. It should be noted that the number of conductive posts 252 in each of the magnetic dipole groups 251 is not limited to five; in other embodiments, it can be one, two, three, four, six, or more.

[0029] It should be further noted that the conductive posts 252 of each of the magnetic dipole groups 251 are disposed at a corner of a corresponding one of the first patches 211 and at a corner of a corresponding one of the second patches 221. The corner of the first patch 211 of the magnetic dipole group 251 is located near the geometric center of the first patch 211, and the corner of the second patch 221 of the magnetic dipole group 251 is located near the geometric center of the second patch 221. For configuration to operate within the frequency range covering the target frequency, the length of each of the conductive posts 252 is approximately equal to that shown in equation (1) above.

[0030] In some embodiments, the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 includes layers M1, H1, M2, PP1, H2, PP2, H3, PP3, H4, PP4, M3, H5, and M4 stacked sequentially from top to bottom, as shown in Figures 1 to 4 and Table 1. Table 1 lists the material, thickness, and dielectric constant of each layer of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 in this embodiment. Table 1 name Material Thickness (mm) Dielectric coefficient M1 copper 0.035 H1 NPG-199K 0.127 3.25 M2 copper 0.035 PP1 NPG-199K 0.05 3.25 H2 NPG-199K 0.254 3.25 PP2 NPG-199K 0.05 3.25 H3 NPG-188H 0.8 3.7 PP3 NPG-199K 0.05 3.25 H4 NPG-199K 0.254 3.25 PP4 NPG-199K 0.05 3.25 M3 copper 0.035 H5 NPG-199K 0.127 3.25 M4 copper 0.035

[0031] It should be noted that the materials "NPG-199K" for H1 layer, H2 layer, H4 layer, H5 layer, PP1 layer, PP2 layer, PP3 layer, and PP4 layer, and "NPG-188H" for H3 layer, are suitable dielectric materials for forming the substrate 1. Furthermore, PP1 layer, PP2 layer, PP3 layer, and PP4 layer are used to bond H1 layer, H2 layer, H3 layer, H4 layer, and H5 layer together.

[0032] The first patches 211 of the first electric dipole element 21 and the first feed probe 231 of the first feed element 23 of the antenna device 2 are formed on layer M1. The second patches 221 of the second electric dipole element 22 and the second feed probe 241 of the second feed element 24 are formed on layer M2. The ground layer 13 of the substrate 1 is formed on layer M3. The first feed line 232 of the first feed element 23 and the second feed line 242 of the second feed element 24 are formed on layer M4.

[0033] Referring to Figures 5 to 8, they show the scattering parameter curves, gain curves, gain curves and axial ratio curves of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 in this embodiment within a preset frequency range from 12.5 GHz to 27.5 GHz, as well as the radiation pattern at a preset frequency of 19.5 GHz.

[0034] Figure 5 shows the scattering parameter curves of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 of this embodiment within the preset frequency range. Parameter S11 (i.e., the reflection coefficient of the first feed line 232, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 5) is less than -10 dB in the operating frequency band (i.e., from 17.7 GHz to 21.2 GHz), parameter S21 (i.e., the transmission coefficient, related to the isolation between the first feed line 232 and the second feed line 242, as shown by the solid line in Figure 5) is less than -20 dB in the operating frequency band, and parameter S22 (i.e., the reflection coefficient of the second feed line 242, as shown by the long and short lines in Figure 5) is less than -10 dB in the operating frequency band.

[0035] Figure 6 shows the gain curve of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 in this embodiment within the preset frequency range, wherein the gain value is greater than 6dB within the operating frequency band.

[0036] Figure 7 shows the axial ratio curve of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 in this embodiment within the preset frequency range, wherein the axial ratio value is less than 1.5dB in the operating frequency band.

[0037] Figure 8 shows the radiation pattern of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 of this embodiment at the preset frequency, which shows the radiation pattern on a plane parallel to the first direction X and the third direction Z, and on a plane parallel to the second direction Y and the third direction Z, and the cross polarization discrimination (XPD) is greater than 20dB.

[0038] Referring to FIG9, an embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array 200 of the present invention is configured to operate within the same frequency range (approximately 17.7 GHz to 21.2 GHz) as the embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 shown in FIG1-4. The magnetoelectric dipole antenna array 200 of this embodiment includes a first antenna 201, a second antenna 202, a third antenna 203, and a fourth antenna 204. Each of the first to fourth antennas 201-204 is the embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 shown in FIG1-4. The second antenna 202 is aligned with the first antenna 201 in the first direction X and offset from the first antenna 201 by 90 degrees in a counterclockwise direction. The third antenna 203 is aligned with the second antenna 202 in the second direction Y and offset from the second antenna 202 by 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction. The fourth antenna 204 is aligned with the third antenna 203 in the first direction X and offset from the third antenna 203 by 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction.

[0039] It should be noted that the first feed lines 232 of the first to fourth antennas 201 to 204 are respectively the first, third, fifth and seventh feed points, and the second feed lines 242 of the first to fourth antennas 201 to 204 are respectively the second, fourth, sixth and eighth feed points. The amplitude and phase of the radio frequency signal received or transmitted by each feed point are shown in Table 2. Table 2 First feed point Second feed point Third feed point Fourth feed point Fifth feed point Sixth feed point Seventh feed point Eighth feed point amplitude 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 phase 0 90 90 180 180 270 270 360

[0040] It should also be noted that the distance between the geometric centers of any two adjacent antennas of the first to fourth antennas 201 to 204 is approximately equal to half the wavelength of the target frequency.

[0041] Further explanation: In other embodiments, as shown in Figures 1-4, the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 has the second antenna 202 aligned with the first antenna 201 in the first direction X and offset from the first antenna 201 by 90 degrees in a clockwise direction; the third antenna 203 aligned with the second antenna 202 in the second direction Y and offset from the second antenna 202 by 90 degrees in the clockwise direction; and the fourth antenna 204 aligned with the third antenna 203 in the first direction X and offset from the third antenna 203 by 90 degrees in the clockwise direction.

[0042] In addition to the embodiments described above, the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array 200 may also include different numbers of magnetoelectric dipole antennas 100, for example, two, six, eight, or sixteen magnetoelectric dipole antennas 100. These magnetoelectric dipole antennas 100 are arranged in an array, such as 2x1, 2x3, or 4x4, and can be configured according to actual needs. To avoid mutual interference between the magnetoelectric dipole antennas 100, the polarization of adjacent plurality of magnetoelectric dipole antennas 100 is orthogonal.

[0043] Referring to Figures 10 to 13, they show the scattering parameter curves, gain curves, axial ratio curves, and radiation field diagrams of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array 200 of this embodiment within the preset frequency range (i.e., from 12.5 GHz to 27.5 GHz).

[0044] Figure 10 shows the scattering parameter curves of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array 200 of this embodiment within a preset frequency range. Parameter S11 (i.e., the reflection coefficient at the first feed point, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 10) is less than -10 dB in the operating frequency band (i.e., from 17.7 GHz to 21.2 GHz), parameter S21 (i.e., the transmission coefficient, related to the isolation between the first feed point and the second feed point, as shown by the solid line in Figure 10) is less than -20 dB in the frequency range, and parameter S22 (i.e., the reflection coefficient at the second feed point, as shown by the long and short lines in Figure 10) is less than -10 dB in the frequency range.

[0045] Figure 11 shows the gain curve of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array 200 in this embodiment within the preset frequency range, wherein the gain value is greater than 11dB in the operating frequency band.

[0046] Figure 12 shows the axial ratio curve of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array 200 in this embodiment within the preset frequency range, wherein the axial ratio value is less than 0.08dB in the operating frequency band, and has a more symmetrical radiation pattern compared to the embodiment of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 shown in Figures 1-4.

[0047] Figure 13 shows the radiation pattern of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array 200 of this embodiment at the preset frequency (i.e., 19.5 GHz), which shows that the cross polarization discrimination (XPD) of the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array 200 of this embodiment is greater than 20 dB.

[0048] In summary, by means of the first electric dipole element 21 and the second electric dipole element 22, the magnetoelectric dipole antenna 100 can have a large bandwidth. In further applications, multiple magnetoelectric dipole antennas 100 can be combined into the magnetoelectric dipole antenna array 200 to reduce the axial ratio and enhance the circular polarization characteristics.

[0049] However, the above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification shall still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention.

[0050] 100: Magnetoelectric Dipole Antenna 1:Substrate 11: Top surface 12: Bottom surface 13: Grounding layer 2: Antenna device 21: First electric dipole element 211: First patch 212: First Vertex 213: Second Vertex 214: First side 215: Second side 216: Third side 217: Fourth side 22: Second electric dipole element 221: Second patch 222: Third Vertex 223: Fourth Vertex 23: First feed element 231: First feed probe 232: First feed line 233: First connector 24: Second feed element 241: Second feed probe 242: Second feed line 243: Second connector 25: Magnetic dipole element 251: Magnetic Dipole Group 252: Conductive post 200: Magnetoelectric Dipole Antenna Array 201: First Antenna 202: The Second Line 203: Third Antenna 204: Fourth Antenna X: First direction Y: Second direction Z: Third-party direction L: Imaginary line

Claims

1. A magnetoelectric dipole antenna, comprising: a substrate including a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and a ground layer disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface; and an antenna device including: A first electric dipole element is disposed on the top surface of the substrate; a second electric dipole element is disposed in the substrate and between the top surface of the substrate and the ground layer; a magnetic dipole element is disposed in the substrate and between the top surface of the substrate and the ground layer, and is electrically connected to the first electric dipole element, the second electric dipole element and the ground layer; a first feed element has a first feed probe disposed on the top surface of the substrate, a first feed line disposed on the bottom surface of the substrate, and a first connector disposed in the substrate and electrically connected to the first feed probe and the first feed line; a second feed element has a second feed probe disposed in the substrate and coplanar with the second electric dipole element, a second feed line disposed on the bottom surface of the substrate, and a second connector disposed in the substrate and electrically connected to the second feed probe and the second feed line. The first electric dipole element has four first patches, which are divided into a first patch pair and a second patch pair. The first patches of the first patch pair are spaced apart along a first direction parallel to the top surface of the substrate. The first patches of the second patch pair are spaced apart along the first direction. The first patch pair and the second patch pair are spaced apart along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the top surface of the substrate. The first feed probe is disposed between the first patch pair and the second patch pair. Each of the first patches has a first vertex near the center point of the top surface of the substrate and a second vertex away from the center point of the top surface of the substrate. The first electric dipole element is octagonal. Each of the first patches of the first electric dipole element has a first side and a second side connected to the first vertex, and a third side and a fourth side connected to the second vertex. The angle between the first side and the second side is a right angle, and the angle between the third side and the fourth side is 135 degrees.

2. The magnetoelectric dipole antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The second electric dipole element has four second patches, which are divided into a third patch pair and a fourth patch pair. The second patches of the third patch pair are spaced apart along the second direction, and the second patches of the fourth patch pair are spaced apart along the second direction. The third patch pair and the fourth patch pair are spaced apart along the first direction, and the second feed probe is disposed between the third patch pair and the fourth patch pair.

3. The magnetoelectric dipole antenna as described in claim 1, configured to operate within a frequency range covering a target frequency, wherein, The first vertex and the second vertex are arranged on a line passing through the center point of the top surface of the substrate, and the distance between the first vertex and the second vertex is substantially equal to: where parameter c is the speed of light, parameter f is the target frequency, and parameter εr is the dielectric constant of the substrate.

4. The magnetoelectric dipole antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The first electric dipole element has a plurality of first patches; the second electric dipole element has a plurality of second patches; the magnetic dipole element includes a plurality of conductive pillars, each of which corresponds to one of the first patches and one of the second patches; each of the conductive pillars is perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate and extends away from the top surface of the substrate, and is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the first patches, a corresponding one of the second patches, and the ground layer.

5. The magnetoelectric dipole antenna as claimed in claim 4, wherein, Each of the conductive pillars is disposed at a corner of a corresponding one of the first patches and at a corner of a corresponding one of the second patches, the corner of the first patch corresponding to the conductive pillar being close to the geometric center of the first patch, and the corner of the second patch corresponding to the conductive pillar being close to the geometric center of the second patch.

6. The magnetoelectric dipole antenna as claimed in claim 4, configured to operate within a frequency range covering a target frequency, wherein, The length of each of these conductive pillars is substantially equal to: where parameter c is the speed of light, parameter f is the target frequency, and parameter εr is the dielectric constant of the substrate.

7. The magnetoelectric dipole antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The geometric centers of the first electric dipole element, the second electric dipole element, the first feed probe, and the second feed probe are arranged on an imaginary line perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate.

8. A magnetoelectric dipole antenna array comprising: a plurality of magnetoelectric dipole antennas as described in claim 1, arranged in an array, wherein the polarizations of adjacent magnetoelectric dipole antennas are orthogonal.

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