Array antenna and array antenna boundary

Abstract

The present invention provides an array antenna and an array antenna boundary. The array antenna boundary comprises a longitudinal reflection plate and radiation boundary assemblies provided on the longitudinal side edges of the reflection plate; each radiation boundary assembly comprises a plurality of boundary members, the plurality of boundary members comprising a first boundary member and a second boundary member, a first boundary channel being formed in the first boundary member, and the second boundary member being suspended in the first boundary channel. The array antenna boundary of the present invention is provided with the radiation assemblies on the side edges of the reflection plate, and the second boundary members of the radiation assemblies are suspended in the first boundary channels of the first boundary members, so as to expand the horizontal plane beam width of edge sub-arrays of a radiation array, thus extending the scanning range of synthetic beams of array antennas, eliminating signal blind areas, and optimizing the radiation performance of antennas.

Description

Array antenna and array antenna boundary Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of mobile communications, and in particular relates to an array antenna and an array antenna boundary. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of mobile communication technology, fifth-generation mobile communication systems are committed to providing high-quality and high-speed communication services. In antenna arrays, multiple oscillators are typically used to synthesize a subarray in the vertical plane, so that the vertical beamwidth of the subarray's radiation pattern can be synthesized according to communication requirements. In the horizontal plane, due to signal coverage requirements, the subarray usually uses a wide beam. However, due to the limitations of the array boundaries or the oscillators themselves, the horizontal beamwidth of the subarray is relatively narrow, especially the beamwidth of the subarray at the edge of the array, which makes the array antenna's signal coverage in the horizontal plane unable to meet the requirements. As a result, the array antenna's synthesized beam cannot effectively cover large angles when scanning at large angles in the horizontal plane, resulting in a large signal blind spot.

[0003] To address the above issues, as shown in Figure 1 , the industry has proposed bending the reflector 810 of the antenna 800 to form a folded edge 820 at the edge of the reflector 810. This folded edge 820 optimizes the horizontal beamwidth of the array antenna 800. However, the folded edge 820 of the antenna 800 has limited effectiveness, particularly for sub-arrays at the edge of the array. The horizontal beamwidth of these sub-arrays still does not meet operational requirements, resulting in significant signal blind spots when the array antenna 800 scans at large horizontal angles.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the above problems and provide an array antenna and an array antenna boundary.

[0006] To adapt to the various purposes of the present invention, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] To meet one of the purposes of the present invention, an array antenna boundary is provided, comprising a longitudinal reflector and a radiation boundary assembly provided on a longitudinal side of the reflector, wherein the radiation boundary assembly comprises a plurality of boundary members, the plurality of boundary members including a first boundary member and a second boundary member;

[0008] The first boundary member is formed with a first boundary groove, and the second boundary member is suspended in the first boundary groove.

[0009] Furthermore, the first boundary piece is bent along the width direction of the reflective plate to form the first boundary groove, and the first boundary groove is provided with a first opening; the second boundary piece is bent along the width direction of the reflective plate to form a second boundary groove, and the second boundary groove body is provided with a second opening in the same direction as the first opening.

[0010] Furthermore, the first boundary member and the second boundary member are respectively provided with connecting plates at the longitudinal sides of the reflective plate, and the first boundary member and the second boundary member are connected to each other through the connecting plates.

[0011] Specifically, the cross section of the first boundary piece is U-shaped or V-shaped; the cross section of the second boundary piece is U-shaped or V-shaped.

[0012] Furthermore, the connecting plate of the second boundary member extends into the first boundary channel, so that the second boundary member is suspended in the first boundary channel.

[0013] Specifically, in the slot width direction of the first boundary slot, the total length of the cross section of the first boundary slot is 0.4 to 0.6 times the working wavelength of the antenna, and in the slot width direction of the second boundary slot, the total length of the cross section of the second boundary slot is 0.2-0.3 times the working wavelength of the antenna.

[0014] Furthermore, a plurality of slit grooves are provided on the connecting plate of the second boundary member, and the plurality of slit grooves are arranged in sequence along the longitudinal direction of the connecting plate of the second boundary member.

[0015] Furthermore, the extended length of the slot is 0.6 to 0.8 times the operating wavelength of the antenna.

[0016] Specifically, the reflecting plate includes a front side, and in the thickness direction of the reflecting plate, the top of the first boundary piece is at the same height as the front side, or the top of the first boundary piece is higher than the front side; the top of the second boundary piece is at the same height as the front side, or the top of the second boundary piece is higher than the front side.

[0017] Specifically, the antenna includes a pair of radiation boundary components, which are respectively arranged on two longitudinal sides of the reflector, and the pair of radiation boundary components are symmetrical about the central axis of the longitudinal direction of the reflector.

[0018] To meet one of the purposes of the present invention, an array antenna is provided, comprising a radiating array and an array antenna boundary as described in any one of the preceding purposes, wherein the radiating array is arranged on a reflective plate of the array antenna boundary.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has many advantages, including but not limited to:

[0020] The array antenna boundary of the present invention is achieved by setting a radiation boundary component on the side of the reflector, and the second boundary member of the radiation boundary component is suspended in the first boundary groove of the first boundary member, so as to expand the horizontal plane radiation pattern wave width of the edge sub-array of the radiation array set on the reflector through the radiation boundary component, so that the array antenna synthetic beam scanning range is expanded to eliminate the signal blind spot, thereby optimizing the radiation characteristics of the antenna and improving the antenna radiation performance.

[0021] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a traditional antenna.

[0024] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of an array antenna according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG3 is an exploded schematic diagram of a radiation boundary component of an array antenna according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG4 is a side view schematic diagram of a radiation boundary component of an array antenna according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG5 a is a comparison diagram of the horizontal plane main polarization pattern of the edge sub-array when the test antenna is the array antenna of the present invention and the horizontal plane main polarization pattern of the edge sub-array when the test antenna is a traditional antenna.

[0028] FIG5 b is a comparison diagram of the horizontal plane main polarization pattern of the middle sub-array when the test antenna is the array antenna of the present invention and the horizontal plane main polarization pattern of the middle sub-array when the test antenna is a traditional antenna.

[0029] FIG6 a is a comparison diagram of the main polarization pattern when the synthetic beam points to +60° when the test antenna is the array antenna of the present invention and the main polarization pattern when the synthetic beam points to +60° when the test antenna is a traditional antenna.

[0030] FIG6 b is a comparison diagram of the main polarization pattern when the synthetic beam points to -60° when the test antenna is the array antenna of the present invention and the main polarization pattern when the synthetic beam points to -60° when the test antenna is a traditional antenna. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0032] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise stated, the singular forms "a", "an", "said" and "the" used herein may also include plural forms. It should be further understood that the term "comprising" used in the specification of the present invention refers to the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. It should be understood that when we say that an element is "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. In addition, "connected" or "coupled" as used herein may include wireless connection or wireless coupling. The term "and / or" used herein includes all or any unit and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0033] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the art to which the present invention belongs. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in common dictionaries should be understood to have meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the prior art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless specifically defined as herein.

[0034] The present invention provides an array antenna boundary, in which radiation boundary components are respectively provided on the two longitudinal sides of the reflector of the array antenna boundary. The radiation boundary components include multiple boundary pieces, wherein the second boundary piece is suspended in the boundary groove of the first boundary piece. The radiation boundary components can greatly expand the horizontal beam width of the antenna subarray, so that the synthetic beam of the antenna can point to a larger angle, thereby achieving signal coverage for a larger area.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the array antenna boundary is discussed in conjunction with the array antenna 100. Referring to FIG2 , the array antenna 100 includes a radiating array and an array antenna boundary. The array antenna boundary includes a reflector 200 and a radiating boundary component 400. The radiating array is disposed on the reflector 200, and the radiating boundary component 400 is disposed on a side 220 of the reflector 200 in its longitudinal direction.

[0036] The reflector 200 is in the shape of a longitudinally elongated plate. The radiation array is disposed on the supporting surface 210 of the reflector 200. The radiation array includes multiple sub-arrays 310, each composed of multiple radiating units 311. The sub-arrays 310 are sequentially arranged along the longitudinal direction of the reflector 200 and arranged sequentially along the width direction of the reflector 200. The longitudinal direction of the reflector 200 is perpendicular to the width direction of the reflector 200. Among the multiple sub-arrays 310, the sub-arrays near the side edges 220 of the reflector 200 in the width direction are edge sub-arrays 311, and the sub-array disposed in the middle of the reflector 200 is a middle sub-array 312.

[0037] 3 and 4 , the radiating boundary assembly 400 includes multiple boundary members, including a first boundary member 420 and a second boundary member 430. The first boundary member 420 is provided with a first boundary slot 421, and the second boundary member 430 is suspended within the first boundary slot 421. In one embodiment, both the first boundary member 420 and the second boundary member 430 can be coupled to the reflector 200 to optimize electrical performance.

[0038] Specifically, the first boundary member 420 is an elongated structure, and the longitudinal direction of the first boundary member 420 is the same as the longitudinal direction of the reflector 200. The first boundary groove 421 extends from the first end 4211 of the first boundary member 420 to the second end 4212 of the first boundary member 420 along the longitudinal direction of the first boundary member 420, so that the first boundary groove 421 is a through groove. The first boundary groove 421 is provided with an opening 4213 (referred to as the first opening 4213) in the same direction as the bearing surface 210 of the reflector 200. In this embodiment, the first boundary member 420 is in a plate shape when not processed, and the first boundary member 420 is bent along the width direction of the reflector 200 to form the first boundary groove 421. Preferably, the cross-section of the first boundary groove 421 is U-shaped or V-shaped.

[0039] The second boundary member 430 is an elongated structure, and the longitudinal direction of the second boundary member 430 is the same as the longitudinal direction of the reflector 200. The second boundary groove 431 extends along the longitudinal direction of the second boundary member 430 from the first end 4311 of the second boundary member 430 to the second end 4312 of the second boundary member 430, so that the second boundary groove 431 is a through groove. With reference to Figure 4, the second boundary groove 431 is provided with an opening (referred to as the second opening 4313) oriented in the same direction as the bearing surface 210 of the reflector 200, that is, the second opening 4313 is oriented in the same direction as the first opening 4213. In this embodiment, the second boundary member 430 is in a plate shape when unprocessed, and the second boundary member 430 is bent along the width direction of the reflector 200 to form the second boundary groove 431. Preferably, the cross-section of the second boundary groove 431 is U-shaped or V-shaped.

[0040] 4 , the second boundary member 430 is disposed in the first boundary groove 421 , and the second boundary member 430 does not contact the side walls and bottom wall of the first boundary groove 421 , so that the second boundary member 430 is suspended in the first boundary groove 421 .

[0041] The first boundary member 420 is provided with a first connecting plate 422. The first connecting plate 422 extends along the longitudinal direction of the first boundary member 420 and includes a first connecting edge 4221 and a second connecting edge 4222 disposed on opposite sides of the first connecting plate 422 in the longitudinal direction. Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 4, the first connecting edge 4221 of the first connecting plate 422 is connected to the corresponding side edge 220 of the reflector 200, and the second connecting edge 4222 is connected to the first boundary member 420, thereby connecting the first boundary member 420 to the reflector 200.

[0042] The second boundary member 430 is provided with a second connecting plate 432, which extends along the longitudinal direction of the second boundary member 430. The second connecting plate 432 includes two connecting edges arranged along its longitudinal direction, which are respectively referred to as a third connecting plate 4321 and a fourth connecting edge 4322. The third connecting plate 4321 is connected to the corresponding side edge 220 of the reflector 200, and the fourth connecting edge 4322 is connected to the second boundary member 430, thereby connecting the second boundary member 430 to the reflector 200.

[0043] The first connecting edge 4221 of the first connecting plate 422 is also connected to the third connecting plate 4321 of the second connecting plate 432, thereby connecting the first boundary member 420 and the second boundary member 430 into a single unit. The transverse width of the second connecting plate 432 is greater than the transverse width of the first connecting plate 422, allowing the second connecting plate 432 to extend into the first boundary channel 421 of the first boundary member 420. The fourth connecting edge 4322 of the second connecting plate 432 is connected to the second boundary member 430, allowing the second boundary member 430 to be suspended in the first boundary channel 421 under the action of the second connecting plate 432.

[0044] In this embodiment, the third connecting plate 4321 of the second connecting plate 432 is connected to the second connecting edge 4222 of the first connecting plate 422, and the first connecting edge 4221 of the first connecting plate 422 is connected to the corresponding side edge 220 of the reflective plate 200, so that the second connecting plate 432 is connected to the corresponding side edge 220 via the first connecting plate 422.

[0045] Furthermore, the second connecting plate 432 enters the first boundary channel 421 from the first opening 4213 of the first boundary channel 421, so that the second boundary member 430 can be suspended in the first boundary channel 421. Specifically, the height of the second boundary member 430 is less than the depth of the first boundary channel 421, so that the bottom of the second boundary member 430 does not contact the bottom of the first boundary channel 421; the lateral width of the second boundary member 430 is less than the lateral width of the first boundary channel 421, so that the lateral sides of the second boundary member 430 do not contact the lateral side walls of the first boundary channel 421; the first boundary channel 421 is a longitudinal through groove, so that the longitudinal ends of the second boundary member 430 do not contact the first boundary channel 421; thus, under the action of the second connecting plate 432, the second boundary member 430 can be suspended in the first boundary channel 421 without contacting the first boundary channel 421.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figures 2 and 3 , the second connecting plate 432 is provided with a plurality of slots 433. The slots 433 are in the form of through holes and are arranged corresponding to the first boundary channel 421. The slots 433 are located in the region where the second connecting plate 432 enters the first boundary channel 421. The slots 433 are arranged sequentially along the longitudinal direction of the second connecting plate 432. In one embodiment, the longitudinal length of the slots 433 is 0.6 to 0.8 times the operating wavelength of the array antenna 100.

[0047] When the radiation array is working, the array radiation space wave of the radiation array is transmitted to the second boundary member 430, wherein a part of the electrical signal (this part of the electrical signal is referred to as the first electrical signal) continues to be transmitted along the longitudinal direction of the second boundary member 430, and another part of the electrical signal (this part of the electrical signal is referred to as the second electrical signal) is transmitted to the first boundary member 420 through the multiple slots 433 on the second connecting plate 432 on the second boundary member 430.

[0048] Among them, the first electrical signal generates a certain radiation electrical signal at both ends of the longitudinal direction of the second boundary member 430, and the radiation electrical signal is radiated into the radiation array to produce mutual coupling with each sub-array 310 of the radiation array, so that the horizontal plane wave width of the directional pattern of the edge sub-array 311 of the radiation array close to the radiation boundary component 400 is greatly widened. At the same time, the horizontal plane directional pattern wave width of the middle sub-array 312 of the radiation array is also widened to a certain extent, thereby optimizing the radiation performance of the array antenna 100.

[0049] The intensity of the second electrical signal at both ends of the first boundary member 420 in the longitudinal direction is relatively low, thereby generating a choke effect to improve the radiation characteristics of the array antenna 100 and optimize the radiation performance.

[0050] In this embodiment, the fourth connecting edge 4322 of the second connecting plate 432 is connected to the top of the second boundary member 430. Since the second boundary member 430 is disposed in the first boundary slot 421, the electrical signals radiated outward by the radiation array are transmitted to the first boundary slot 421 through the multiple slots 433 on the second connecting plate 432. Preferably, the top of the second boundary member 430 is close to the second opening 4313 of the second boundary slot 431, or the top of the second boundary member 430 and the second opening 4313 are on the same plane.

[0051] In a further embodiment, referring to Figures 3 and 4 , the first boundary member 420 includes a first extension plate 423, a second extension plate 424, and a third extension plate 245. The first extension plate 423, the second extension plate 424, and the third extension plate 245 are sequentially connected to enclose and form the first boundary channel 421. The first extension plate 423 is connected to the second connecting edge 4222 of the first connecting plate 422. Preferably, the second connecting edge 4222 of the first connecting plate 422 is connected to the top of the first extension plate 423.

[0052] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 4, in the direction of the cross section of the first boundary piece 420, that is, in the side view direction of the first boundary piece 420, the sum of the length of the first extension plate 423, the length of the second extension plate 424 and the length of the third extension plate 245 is the total length of the cross section of the first boundary piece 420, and the total length is 0.4 to 0.6 times the operating wavelength of the array antenna 100.

[0053] The second boundary member 430 is provided with a fourth extension plate 434 corresponding to the first extension plate 423, a fifth extension plate 435 corresponding to the second extension plate 424, and a sixth extension plate 436 corresponding to the third extension plate 245. The fourth extension plate 434, the fifth extension plate 435, and the sixth extension plate 436 of the second boundary member 430 are sequentially connected to enclose and form the second boundary channel 431. The fourth extension plate 434 is connected to the fourth connecting edge 4322 of the second connecting plate 432, and the fourth connecting edge 4322 of the second connecting plate 432 is connected to the top of the fourth extension plate 434.

[0054] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 4, in the direction of the cross section of the second boundary piece 430, that is, in the side view direction of the second boundary piece 430, the sum of the length of the fourth extension plate 434, the length of the fifth extension plate 435 and the length of the sixth extension plate 436 is the total length of the cross section of the second boundary piece 430, and the total length is 0.2 to 0.3 times the operating wavelength of the array antenna 100.

[0055] The first extension plate 423 and the fourth extension plate 434 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart to form a first gap 437. The width of the first gap 437 is 1 to 10 mm. The length of the first gap 437 is controlled by the length of the second connecting plate 432 extending into the first boundary channel 421. In other words, the length of the first gap 437 is controlled by controlling the length of the second connecting plate 432 extending into the first boundary channel 421. Preferably, the gap between the first extension plate 423 and the fourth extension plate 434 is 3-5 mm.

[0056] The second connecting plate 432 is disposed above the first gap 437 . The plurality of slots 433 on the second connecting plate 432 are disposed opposite the first gap 437 , so that the second electrical signal can be radiated into the first boundary channel 421 through the slots 433 .

[0057] Furthermore, the second extension plate 424 is parallel to the fifth extension plate 435 and is spaced apart from each other; the third extension plate 245 is parallel to the sixth extension plate 436 and is spaced apart from each other.

[0058] In one embodiment, the height of the sixth extension plate 436 is less than the height of the third extension plate 245 so as to facilitate the radiation of the electrical signal of the array to the sixth extension plate 436. By lowering the height of the third extension plate 245, the third extension plate 245 is prevented from blocking the radiation of the electrical signal to the sixth extension plate 436, thereby optimizing the radiation performance of the array antenna 100.

[0059] In one embodiment, the reflector 200 includes a front surface and a back surface, and the bearing surface 210 is disposed on the front surface. In the thickness direction of the reflector 200, the top of the radiation boundary component 400 is disposed at the same height as the front surface, or the top of the radiation boundary component 400 is higher than the front surface.

[0060] Specifically, one or more of the first connecting plate 422, the top of the first extension plate 423, and the top of the third extension plate 245 together form the top of the first boundary member 420. In the thickness direction of the reflector 200, the top of the first boundary member 420 is at the same height as the front surface, or the top of the first boundary member 420 is higher than the front surface.

[0061] The top of the second boundary member 430 is formed by combining one or more of the second connecting plate 432, the top of the fourth extension plate 434, and the top of the sixth extension plate 436. In the thickness direction of the reflective plate 200, the top of the second boundary member 430 is at the same height as the front surface, or the top of the second boundary member 430 is higher than the front surface.

[0062] In a typical embodiment of the present invention, in combination with Figure 2, the array antenna 100 includes two radiation boundary components 400, which are respectively arranged on the two longitudinal side edges 220 of the reflector 200, and the two radiation boundary components 400 are symmetrical about the central axis of the longitudinal direction of the reflector 200. By setting the two radiation boundary components 400, the horizontal plane wave width of the directional pattern of the edge sub-arrays 311 on the two edges of the radiation array of the array antenna 100 can be greatly widened, so that the horizontal wave width of the array antenna 100 is symmetrical, thereby optimizing the radiation performance of the array antenna 100.

[0063] As shown in FIG1 , the horizontal plane pattern width of the edge sub-array 830 of the conventional antenna 800 is severely narrow, typically only 80-90°, or even 70°, which seriously fails to meet the requirements. Furthermore, the width of the middle sub-array 840 of the conventional antenna 800 is generally 100-120°, and the angle of the antenna composite beam is insufficient when pointing at a large angle on the horizontal plane, and the large-angle gain of the beam decreases rapidly. Compared with the conventional antenna 800, the array antenna 100 of the present invention has a horizontal plane pattern width of the edge sub-array 311 that is widened by more than 10°, and a horizontal plane pattern width of the middle sub-array 312 that is also widened, so that the composite beam can point to a larger angle on the horizontal plane, and the large-angle gain decreases slowly.

[0064] See the table below, which is a comparison table of the horizontal plane beamwidths of the array antenna 100 of the present invention and the conventional array antenna 100. As can be seen from the table, the horizontal plane main polarization pattern beamwidth of the conventional antenna 800 is as follows: the edge sub-array 830 beamwidth is 67.42°-74.29°, and the middle sub-array 840 beamwidth is 98.84°-109.10°; the horizontal plane main polarization pattern beamwidth of the array antenna 100 of the present invention is as follows: the edge sub-array 311 beamwidth is 83.47°-86.57°, and the middle sub-array 312 beamwidth is 99.12°-110.95°. Comparing the horizontal plane main polarization pattern beamwidths of the array antenna 100 of the present invention and the conventional antenna 800, it can be seen that the beamwidth of the array antenna 100 of the present invention is widened by 10.76°-17.59°, with an average widening of 14.05°, and the beamwidth of the middle sub-array 312 is also improved to a certain extent.

[0065] Refer to Figure 5a, which is a comparison diagram of the horizontal plane main polarization pattern of the edge subarray 311 when the test antenna is the array antenna 100 of the present invention and the horizontal plane main polarization pattern of the edge subarray 830 when the test antenna is the traditional antenna 800. The solid line in the figure is the horizontal plane main polarization pattern of the edge subarray 311 of the array antenna 100 of the present invention, and the dotted line in the figure is the horizontal plane main polarization pattern of the edge subarray 830 of the traditional antenna 800. It can be seen from the figure that the wavelength of the main polarization pattern of the edge subarray 311 of the array antenna 100 of the present invention is much wider than the wavelength of the main polarization pattern of the edge subarray 830 of the traditional antenna 800, and the radiation performance of the array antenna 100 of the present invention is greatly improved.

[0066] Refer to Figure 5b, which is a comparison diagram of the horizontal plane main polarization pattern of the intermediate sub-array 312 when the test antenna is the array antenna 100 of the present invention and the horizontal plane main polarization pattern of the intermediate sub-array 840 when the test antenna is the traditional antenna 800. The solid line in the figure is the horizontal plane main polarization pattern of the intermediate sub-array 312 of the array antenna 100 of the present invention, and the dotted line in the figure is the horizontal plane main polarization pattern of the intermediate sub-array 840 of the traditional antenna 800. It can be seen from the figure that the bandwidth of the main polarization pattern of the intermediate sub-array 312 of the array antenna 100 of the present invention is greatly improved compared with the bandwidth of the main polarization pattern of the intermediate sub-array 840 of the traditional antenna 800, and the radiation performance of the array antenna 100 of the present invention is greatly improved.

[0067] Referring to Figure 6a, Figure 6a compares the main polarization pattern when the test antenna is the array antenna 100 of the present invention and the synthesized beam is pointed at +60°, and when the test antenna is the conventional antenna 800 and the synthesized beam is pointed at +60°. The solid line in the figure represents the pattern when the synthesized beam of the array antenna 100 of the present invention is pointed at +60° from the horizontal plane, while the dashed line represents the pattern when the synthesized beam of the conventional antenna 800 is pointed at +60° from the horizontal plane. As can be seen from the figure, when the synthesized beam of the array antenna 100 of the present invention is pointed at +60° from the horizontal plane, the pattern has a wider pointing angle, a slower gain drop at large angles, and lower sidelobes and grating lobes, resulting in superior radiation performance.

[0068] Referring to Figure 6b, Figure 6b compares the main polarization pattern when the test antenna is the array antenna 100 of the present invention and the synthesized beam is pointed at -60°, and when the test antenna is the conventional antenna 800 and the synthesized beam is pointed at -60°. The solid line in the figure represents the pattern when the synthesized beam of the array antenna 100 of the present invention is pointed at -60° from the horizontal plane, while the dashed line represents the pattern when the synthesized beam of the conventional antenna 800 is pointed at -60° from the horizontal plane. As can be seen from the figure, when the synthesized beam of the array antenna 100 of the present invention is pointed at -60° from the horizontal plane, the pattern has a wider pointing angle, a slower gain drop at large angles, and lower sidelobes and grating lobes, resulting in better radiation performance.

[0069] It can be seen from this that the horizontal plane beamwidth of the edge sub-array 311 of the array antenna 100 of the present invention is much larger than the horizontal plane beamwidth of the traditional antenna 800, and the radiation performance of the array antenna 100 of the present invention is better than that of the traditional antenna 800.

[0070] In a further embodiment, a mounting groove (not shown) is further provided on the reflector 200 . The mounting groove is provided between the two sub-arrays 310 , and the radiation boundary assembly 400 can also be provided in the mounting groove.

[0071] In this embodiment, the first boundary member 420 is formed by integrally bending the side edge 220 of the reflective plate 200 , and the second boundary member 430 is subsequently disposed on the first boundary member 420 .

[0072] In another embodiment, the radiation boundary component 400 is integrally formed and is disposed on the side 220 of the reflection plate 200 .

[0073] In another embodiment, the radiation boundary assembly 400 further includes a third boundary piece, and the third boundary piece is disposed in the first boundary slot 421 or the second boundary slot 431 .

[0074] To summarize, the array antenna of the present invention expands the horizontal beam width of the edge sub-array of the radiating array by arranging a radiating component on the side of the reflective plate, and the second boundary member of the radiating component is suspended in the first boundary groove of the first boundary member, so as to expand the synthetic beam scanning range of the array antenna and optimize the radiation performance of the array antenna.

[0075] The above description is merely an illustration of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention involved in this invention is not limited to the technical solutions formed by the specific combination of the above-mentioned technical features, but also encompasses other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above-mentioned technical features or their equivalents without departing from the above-mentioned inventive concept. For example, a technical solution formed by replacing the above-mentioned features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions invented in this invention.

[0076] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological logical acts, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are merely example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. An array antenna boundary, characterized in that: It includes a longitudinal reflector and a radiation boundary component arranged on the longitudinal side of the reflector, wherein the radiation boundary component includes a plurality of boundary members, and the plurality of boundary members include a first boundary member and a second boundary member; The first boundary member is formed with a first boundary groove, and the second boundary member is suspended in the first boundary groove.

2. The array antenna boundary according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first boundary piece is bent along the width direction of the reflector to form the first boundary groove, and the first boundary groove is provided with a first opening; the second boundary piece is bent along the width direction of the reflector to form a second boundary groove, and the second boundary groove body is provided with a second opening in the same direction as the first opening.

3. The array antenna boundary according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first boundary member and the second boundary member are respectively provided with connecting plates at the longitudinal sides of the reflecting plate, and the first boundary member and the second boundary member are connected to each other through the connecting plates.

4. The array antenna boundary according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross section of the first boundary piece is U-shaped or V-shaped; the cross section of the second boundary piece is U-shaped or V-shaped.

5. The array antenna boundary according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connecting plate of the second boundary member extends into the first boundary channel, so that the second boundary member is suspended in the first boundary channel.

6. The array antenna boundary according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the width direction of the reflecting plate, the total length of the cross section of the first boundary groove is 0.4 to 0.6 times the working wavelength of the antenna, and in the width direction of the reflecting plate, the total length of the cross section of the second boundary groove is 0.2-0.3 times the working wavelength of the antenna.

7. The array antenna boundary according to claim 3, characterized in that: A plurality of slit grooves are arranged on the connecting plate of the second boundary member, and the plurality of slit grooves are arranged in sequence along the longitudinal direction of the connecting plate of the second boundary member.

8. The array antenna boundary according to claim 7, characterized in that: The extension length of the slot is 0.6 to 0.8 times the working wavelength of the antenna.

9. The array antenna boundary according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reflective plate comprises a front surface, and in the thickness direction of the reflective plate, the top of the first boundary member is at the same height as the front surface, or the top of the first boundary member is higher than the front surface; The top of the second boundary piece is at the same height as the front surface, or the top of the second boundary piece is higher than the front surface.

10. The array antenna boundary according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The array antenna boundary includes a pair of radiation boundary components, which are respectively arranged on two longitudinal sides of the reflector, and the pair of radiation boundary components are symmetrical about the central axis of the longitudinal direction of the reflector.

11. An array antenna, characterized in that: It comprises a radiating array and an array antenna boundary as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the radiating array is arranged on a reflecting plate of the array antenna boundary.

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