Antenna array and selection method therefor, and electronic device
By adjusting the phase center position of the high-frequency antenna unit in the antenna array, the problems of large size and heavy weight of existing antenna equipment are solved, and the scanning angle of the antenna array and the lightweight design of the equipment are realized.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/CN2024/125734
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-11-17
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-22
AI Technical Summary
The antennas in existing satellite terminal equipment require mechanical scanning to increase the scanning coverage, resulting in large size and heavy weight, which cannot meet the application needs of airborne, vehicle-mounted, and individual-soldier-carrying scenarios.
An antenna array is designed in which multiple antenna subarrays are arranged in different directions. By adjusting the phase center position of the high-frequency antenna unit, the phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units of the entire antenna array is adjustable, thereby increasing the scanning angle.
The scanning angle of the antenna array is adjustable, which reduces the overall size and weight of the equipment and meets the application needs of various scenarios.
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Figure CN2024125734_22052025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Antenna array and selection method thereof, and electronic equipment
[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on November 17, 2023, with application number: 202311543554.1, and priority to the Chinese patent application entitled “Antenna Array and Selection Method thereof, Electronic Device”, all contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field
[0002] The present application relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to an antenna array and a selection method thereof, and an electronic device. Background Art
[0003] In existing satellite terminal equipment, the antenna is usually divided into two separate independent arrays for receiving and transmitting, and mechanical scanning is required to assist in improving the scanning coverage of the array, making the satellite terminal larger in size, heavier in weight, and difficult to carry, and unable to meet the application requirements of airborne, vehicle-mounted, and individual-carrying scenarios.
[0004] Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present application provides an antenna array and a selection method thereof, and an electronic device.
[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an antenna array. The antenna array includes multiple antenna subarrays, each of which includes a high-frequency antenna unit and a low-frequency antenna unit. The multiple antenna subarrays are arranged along a first direction to form a subarray group, and the multiple subarray groups are arranged along a second direction, where the first direction and the second direction are different. In the antenna array, the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit in a first antenna subarray in the first antenna subarray is different from the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit in a second antenna subarray in the second antenna subarray. The position of the first antenna subarray in the antenna array is different from the position of the second antenna subarray in the antenna array.
[0007] It is understood that "first" and "second" are used to distinguish antenna subarrays at different locations in the antenna array. The phase center B of a high-frequency antenna unit refers to the position of the phase center B of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the high-frequency antenna unit after it leaves the antenna at a certain distance. The phase plane will approximate a sphere, and the center of the sphere is the equivalent phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit. Antenna subarrays are classified and distinguished based on the different positions of the phase center B of the high-frequency antenna units in the antenna subarray. The antenna array can include at least two categories of antenna subarrays.
[0008] In an antenna array, the phase center spacing of high-frequency antenna elements at different locations can be adjusted within their respective antenna subarrays. This means that different types of antenna subarrays are placed at different locations within the antenna array, thereby achieving adjustable phase center spacing among the high-frequency antenna elements within the entire antenna array. The smaller the equivalent phase center spacing among the high-frequency antenna elements within the entire antenna array, the greater the scanning angle of the antenna array. This allows for adjustable scanning angles within the antenna array. Furthermore, by optimizing the phase center positions of high-frequency antenna elements within antenna subarrays at various locations within the array, a non-periodic arrangement of multiple high-frequency antenna elements can be achieved, optimizing the grating sidelobes of the high-frequency antenna array and facilitating the suppression of grating lobes within the antenna array.
[0009] In one possible implementation, within the same subarray group, a position of a phase center of a high-frequency antenna unit in a third antenna subarray in the third antenna subarray is different from a position of a phase center of a high-frequency antenna unit in a fourth antenna subarray in the fourth antenna subarray. The position of the third antenna subarray in the subarray group is different from the position of the fourth antenna subarray in the subarray group.
[0010] It is understandable that "third" and "fourth" are used to distinguish antenna subarrays at different positions in the same subarray group. The third antenna subarray and the fourth antenna subarray can be adjacent antenna subarrays or non-adjacent antenna subarrays. Providing at least two types of antenna subarrays in a subarray group further disrupts the phase center arrangement of the high-frequency antenna units in the entire antenna array. As a result, the phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units in the antenna array can be adjusted with more options, which is conducive to adjusting the phase center spacing of the equivalent high-frequency antenna units in the entire antenna array to the target value.
[0011] In one possible implementation, within the same subarray group, the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna elements in N consecutive adjacent antenna subarrays are located at different positions within their respective antenna subarrays, where N ≥ 2. This further disrupts the phase center arrangement of the high-frequency antenna elements in the entire antenna array, allowing for more options for adjusting the phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna elements in the antenna array, facilitating adjustment of the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna elements in the entire antenna array to a target value.
[0012] In one possible implementation, within the same subarray group, N consecutive adjacent antenna subarrays form a subarray unit. Within two adjacent subarray units, the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna elements in the two adjacent antenna subarrays within the two subarray units are located at different positions within the respective antenna subarrays. This further disrupts the phase center arrangement of the high-frequency antenna elements in the entire antenna array, thereby providing more options for adjusting the phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna elements in the antenna array, facilitating adjustment of the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna elements in the entire antenna array to a target value.
[0013] In one possible implementation, the antenna subarray is square, rectangular, hexagonal or circular; and / or
[0014] The high frequency antenna elements are square, triangular, trapezoidal or circular; and / or
[0015] The low-frequency antenna unit is "L"-shaped, square, triangle, trapezoidal or circular.
[0016] In a possible implementation, the angle between the first direction and the second direction is 90°.
[0017] In a possible implementation, the number of high-frequency antenna units and the number of low-frequency antenna units in the antenna array are equal.
[0018] It can be understood that by adjusting the positions of the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna units in the antenna subarrays at different positions in their respective antenna subarrays, the purpose of reducing the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units in the antenna array can also be achieved without increasing the number of high-frequency antenna units in the antenna array.
[0019] In a possible implementation, in the antenna array, the equivalent phase center spacing between high-frequency antenna units is smaller than the spacing between antenna sub-arrays.
[0020] It is understood that the spacing between antenna subarrays can refer to the distance between the centers of the antenna subarrays. The smaller the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna elements in the entire antenna array, the greater the scanning angle of the antenna array. By adjusting the positions of the phase centers of high-frequency antenna elements at different locations in their respective antenna subarrays, the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna elements in the entire antenna array can be reduced, thereby increasing the scanning angle of the antenna array.
[0021] In one possible implementation, the directivity coefficient of the antenna array is greater than or equal to the target directivity coefficient, and the target directivity coefficient is determined based on the size of the antenna array, the unit radiation pattern of the antenna subarray and the position of the antenna subarray in the antenna array; and / or, the grating lobe of the antenna array is greater than or equal to the target grating lobe.
[0022] It can be understood that by adjusting the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna units of the antenna subarrays at different positions in the antenna array at the positions of their respective antenna subarrays, the directivity coefficient of the antenna array can be greater than or equal to the target directivity coefficient, and the grating lobe of the antenna array can meet the target grating lobe.
[0023] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for selecting an antenna array. The method for selecting an antenna array includes:
[0024] Step 1: Given the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna element of each antenna subarray in a random antenna array, wherein the random antenna array includes multiple antenna subarrays, each of which includes high-frequency antenna elements and low-frequency antenna elements. The multiple antenna subarrays are arranged along a first direction to form a subarray group, and the multiple subarray groups are arranged along a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are different. In the random antenna array, the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna element in the first antenna subarray in the first antenna subarray is different from the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna element in the second antenna subarray in the second antenna subarray. The position of the first antenna subarray in the antenna array is different from the position of the second antenna subarray in the antenna array.
[0025] Step 2: Calculate the directivity coefficient and grating lobe of the random antenna array;
[0026] Step 3: Determine whether one or more of the following conditions are met:
[0027] The directivity coefficient of the random antenna array is greater than or equal to the target directivity coefficient, and the grating lobe of the random antenna array is greater than or equal to the target grating lobe;
[0028] The target directivity coefficient is determined based on the size of the random antenna array, the element pattern of the random antenna array, and the position of the antenna subarray in the antenna array;
[0029] Step 4: If satisfied, the random antenna array is determined as the target antenna array.
[0030] It is understood that in a random antenna array, the phase center spacing of high-frequency antenna units at different locations can be adjusted within their respective antenna subarrays, thereby achieving adjustable phase center spacing for the high-frequency antenna units within the entire random antenna array. The smaller the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units within the entire random antenna array, the greater the scanning angle of the random antenna array. In this way, the scanning angle of the random antenna array can be adjusted. By setting the target directivity coefficient and target grating lobe, the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit of each antenna subarray in the random antenna array within its respective antenna subarray is determined.
[0031] In a possible implementation, the method for selecting an antenna array further includes: if one or more conditions are not met, repeating steps one to three until the random antenna array in step one meets one or more conditions.
[0032] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide an electronic device comprising an antenna array. The phase center spacing of high-frequency antenna units in the antenna array is adjustable, thereby enabling an adjustable scanning angle of the antenna array, thus expanding the use of the electronic device in a wider range of scenarios.
[0033] In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide an electronic device. The electronic device includes one or more processors and one or more memories; wherein the one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more memories are used to store computer program code, the computer program code including computer instructions. When the one or more processors execute the computer instructions, the method for selecting an antenna array as described above is performed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] In order to illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application will be described below.
[0035] FIG1a is a schematic diagram of a usage scenario of an embodiment of an electronic device provided by the present application;
[0036] FIG1 b is an exploded schematic diagram of an embodiment of the electronic device shown in FIG1 a ;
[0037] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an embodiment of the antenna module shown in FIG1b;
[0038] FIG3 is a partial structural exploded schematic diagram of an embodiment of the antenna module shown in FIG2 ;
[0039] FIG4 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an embodiment of the antenna module shown in FIG2 at section line AA;
[0040] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of an arrangement of an embodiment of the antenna array shown in FIG2 ;
[0041] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the antenna subarray categories included in the antenna array shown in FIG5 ;
[0042] FIG7 is a parameter curve diagram of an embodiment of an antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;
[0043] FIG8 is a high-frequency radiation pattern of an embodiment of an antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;
[0044] FIG9 is a low-frequency radiation pattern of an embodiment of an antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;
[0045] FIG10 is a diagram of high-frequency scanning performance of an embodiment of an antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;
[0046] FIG11 is a diagram of low-frequency scanning performance of an embodiment of an antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;
[0047] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of another embodiment of the antenna array shown in FIG2 ;
[0048] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of another embodiment of the antenna array shown in FIG2 ;
[0049] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of another embodiment of the antenna array shown in FIG2 ;
[0050] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of another embodiment of the antenna array shown in FIG2 ;
[0051] FIG16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the structure shown in FIG2 at section line AA. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] For ease of understanding, the relevant technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application are explained and described below.
[0053] Beam scanning field curve: refers to the graph in which the beam output power changes with the scanning direction.
[0054] A beam scanning pattern typically has multiple radiation beams. The beam with the strongest radiation intensity is called the main lobe, while the remaining beams are called side lobes. Grating lobes are the radiation beams outside the main and side lobes, and their presence affects the antenna's radiation performance.
[0055] Gain: Used to characterize the degree to which an antenna concentrates the input power for radiation.
[0056] Array: A single antenna has limited directivity. To adapt to various applications, two or more single antennas operating at the same frequency are fed and arranged in space according to specific requirements to form an antenna array, also called an antenna array. The antenna radiating units that make up the antenna array are called array elements.
[0057] Shared-Aperture Array: This technology places multiple frequency bands, multiple polarization antennas, and multiple functional antennas within the same radiation aperture, thereby reducing the number of antennas in the system, improving the utilization of the radiation aperture, and reducing the physical size of the array, achieving miniaturization and lightweight characteristics.
[0058] The embodiments of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to be used to explain the present invention, but should not be understood as limiting the present invention.
[0059] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a detachable connection or a non-detachable connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. It should be understood that in the present application, "electrical connection" can be understood as the physical contact and electrical conduction of components; it can also be understood as the form in which different components in the circuit structure are connected through physical lines such as printed circuit board (PCB) copper foil or wires that can transmit electrical signals. "Connection" and "connected" can both refer to a mechanical connection relationship or a physical connection relationship. For example, A is connected to B or A and B are connected to each other, which means that there is a fastening component (such as a screw, bolt, rivet, etc.) between A and B, or A and B are in contact with each other and A and B are difficult to separate.
[0060] Furthermore, the term "fixed" as used herein should be broadly construed. For example, "fixed" can mean directly fixed or indirectly fixed through an intermediary. "Fixed connection" refers to a connection in which the relative positional relationship remains unchanged. "Rotationally connected" refers to a connection in which the connection allows relative rotation. "Slidingly connected" refers to a connection in which the connection allows relative sliding.
[0061] The directional terms mentioned in the embodiments of this application, such as "upper" and "lower", are only used to refer to the directions in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are intended to better and more clearly illustrate and understand the embodiments of this application, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of this application. "Multiple" means two or more than two.
[0062] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature specified as "first," "second," "third," or "fourth" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.
[0063] In the embodiments of this application, the term "plurality" refers to two or more than two. In addition, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the association relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone.
[0064] It is understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the relevant invention, rather than to limit the invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts related to the invention are shown in the drawings.
[0065] Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of a usage scenario of an embodiment of the electronic device 1000 provided by the present application. Figure 1b is an exploded schematic diagram of an embodiment of the electronic device shown in Figure 1a.
[0066] An embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device 1000. Electronic device 1000 may be an automobile, an airplane, a ship, a tablet personal computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal computer, a notebook computer, an in-vehicle device, or any other device capable of receiving and radiating electromagnetic wave signals. The electronic device 1000 of the embodiment shown in Figures 1a and 1b is described using a vehicle-mounted satellite ground terminal as an example.
[0067] As shown in Figure 1b, electronic device 1000 may include a housing 100, a mainboard 200, and an antenna module 300. Antenna module 300 may include a transceiver antenna array for transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic waves to achieve radiation. Mainboard 200 may include a radio frequency board and a baseband digital board, and is electrically connected to antenna module 300 to control and power it.
[0068] Exemplarily, the housing 100 may include a base plate 10 and a radome 20. The base plate 10 and the radome 20 may be fixedly connected by bonding, welding, snap-fit connection, screw connection, or the like. The base plate 10 and the radome 20 may also be integrated into an integral structure through an integral molding process. The integration of two components through an integral molding process means that during the process of forming one of the two components, the component is immediately connected to the other component, without the need for further processing (such as bonding, welding, snap-fit connection, or screw connection) to connect the two components together.
[0069] For example, the mainboard 200 and the antenna module 300 may be integrated into the interior space of the housing 100. The housing 100 may be used to protect the mainboard 200 and the antenna module 300, and prevent external interference with the operation of the mainboard 200 and the antenna module 300.
[0070] In some embodiments, the mainboard 200 may include a second substrate, an application processor (AP) chip, and multiple baseband (BB) chips. The AP chip and the multiple baseband chips are connected to the second substrate, and the AP chip is electrically connected to one or more of the multiple baseband chips, and some of the multiple baseband chips are electrically connected to each other. In some embodiments, the second substrate may include one or more substrates, which may be rigid boards or flexible boards.
[0071] In some embodiments, the second substrate may be formed of a printed circuit board (PCB) and / or a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The second substrate may be a single-layer board or a multi-layer board. This application does not specifically limit the type and structure of the second substrate.
[0072] There may be multiple antenna modules 300. Multiple antenna modules 300 may operate independently or in combination. Each antenna module 300 in the electronic device 1000 may be used to cover a single or multiple communication frequency bands. Different antenna modules 300 may also be reused to improve the utilization of the antenna modules 300. In other embodiments, the number of antenna modules 300 may also be one, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.
[0073] In other embodiments of the present application, the electronic device 1000 may include more or fewer components than those shown in FIG. 1 b , or combine certain components, or separate certain components, or arrange the components differently.
[0074] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an embodiment of the antenna module 300 shown in Figure 1b. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure explosion of an embodiment of the antenna module 300 shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a partial cross-section of an embodiment of the antenna module 300 shown in Figure 2 at section line AA.
[0075] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the antenna module 300 may include a first substrate 310 and an antenna array 320. The antenna array 320 may be connected to the first substrate 310. The antenna array 320 is configured to transmit or receive electromagnetic waves to achieve corresponding radiation functions. The first substrate 310 may be electrically connected to the second substrate of the mainboard 200.
[0076] In some embodiments, the mainboard 200 may further include a radio frequency chip. The radio frequency chip and the baseband chip are electrically connected through the second substrate of the mainboard 200. The radio frequency chip is used to modulate the signal from the baseband chip and transmit the modulated signal to the antenna array 320 through the first substrate 310 and the second substrate, and the antenna array 320 transmits it; or receive the signal from the antenna array 320, demodulate the signal from the antenna array 320, and transmit it to the baseband chip through the first substrate 310 and the second substrate. A divider and / or a combiner (not shown) may also be provided between the radio frequency chip and the baseband chip. The divider and / or the combiner may be provided on the second substrate. The combiner may combine the two polarized feed signals of the same frequency band from the radio frequency chip to form a frequency band combined signal, which is transmitted to the corresponding baseband chip, thereby realizing the multi-polarization signal transmission function. The divider may divide the feed signal from the baseband chip into multiple signals with the same frequency band, which are transmitted to the corresponding feed ports, thereby realizing the multi-polarization signal transmission function.
[0077] Illustratively, antenna array 320 may include multiple antenna subarrays 321 and a feed network 322. Antenna subarrays 321 are used to receive and / or transmit electrical signals. Multiple antenna subarrays 321 are spaced apart and operate independently. Feed network 322 is connected between antenna subarrays 321 and the RF chip to facilitate signal transmission between the multiple antenna subarrays 321 and the RF chip.
[0078] The first substrate 310 may have multiple subarray regions 311, with multiple antenna subarrays 321 correspondingly disposed within the subarray regions 311. In some embodiments, the first substrate 310 may have multiple first ground isolation holes 312, enclosing the multiple subarray regions 311. The multiple antenna subarrays 321 are correspondingly disposed within the subarray regions 311. This minimizes interference between adjacent antenna subarrays 321 and provides improved isolation between adjacent antenna subarrays 321. In Figure 2, the multiple first ground isolation holes 312 are connected by dashed lines to schematically distinguish the multiple subarray regions 311.
[0079] Antenna subarray 321 may include a high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and a low-frequency antenna unit 3212. High-frequency antenna unit 3211 and low-frequency antenna unit 3212 operate independently of each other. The operating frequency band of high-frequency antenna unit 3211 is greater than the operating frequency band of low-frequency antenna unit 3212. For example, the operating frequency band of high-frequency antenna unit 3211 may be the Ka band, while the operating frequency band of low-frequency antenna unit 3212 may be the K band.
[0080] In some embodiments, the subarray region 311 may include a high-frequency antenna region 3111 and a low-frequency antenna region 3112. The high-frequency antenna unit 3211 is correspondingly disposed within the high-frequency antenna region 3111. The low-frequency antenna unit 3212 is correspondingly disposed within the low-frequency antenna region 3112. For example, the first substrate 310 may be provided with a plurality of second ground isolation holes 313. The plurality of second ground isolation holes 313 separate the subarray region 311 into the high-frequency antenna region 3111 and the low-frequency antenna region 3112. It will be appreciated that by providing the second ground isolation holes 313, the high-frequency antenna region 3111 and the low-frequency antenna region 3112 are separated from each other, allowing the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 to operate independently without interfering with each other. In Figure 2, the plurality of second ground isolation holes 313 are connected by dotted lines to schematically distinguish the high-frequency antenna region 3111 from the low-frequency antenna region 3112.
[0081] As shown in Figure 2, the high-frequency antenna region 3111 can be square, and the low-frequency antenna region 3112 can be L-shaped. The high-frequency antenna region 3111 is located in a recessed portion of the low-frequency antenna region 3112. The high-frequency antenna region 3111 and the low-frequency antenna region 3112 together form an antenna subarray 321, which can be square. For example, the side length of the antenna subarray 321 can be twice the side length of the high-frequency antenna region 3111.
[0082] In some embodiments, the overall outline of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 can be similar to the shape of the high-frequency antenna area 3111. The overall outline of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 can be similar to the shape of the low-frequency antenna area 3112. In this way, the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 can cover the high-frequency antenna area as much as possible. The low-frequency antenna unit 3212 can cover the high-frequency antenna area as much as possible. In some embodiments, the overall outline of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 can also be different from the shape of the high-frequency antenna area 3111. The overall outline of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 can also be different from the shape of the low-frequency antenna area 3112. This application is not limited. FIG2 schematically shows that the overall outline of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 is a square. The overall outline of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 is "L"-shaped.
[0083] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the antenna array 320 can be a double-layer patch slot-coupled antenna. The high-frequency antenna unit 3211 can include a main unit 3213 and a parasitic unit 3214. The low-frequency antenna unit 3212 can include a main unit 3215 and a parasitic unit 3216. The first substrate 310 can be provided with a high-frequency feed slot 314 and a low-frequency feed slot 315. The high-frequency feed slot 314 is arranged opposite to the main unit 3213 of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211. The low-frequency feed slot 315 is arranged opposite to the main unit 3215 of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212. The feed network 322 can include a high-frequency feed branch 3221 and a low-frequency feed branch 3222. The high-frequency feeding branch 3221 can feed the main unit 3213 of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 through the high-frequency feeding slot 314 , and the low-frequency feeding branch 3222 can feed the main unit 3215 of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 through the low-frequency feeding slot 315 .
[0084] In some embodiments, the first substrate 310 may include a first layer 3101, a second layer 3102, a third layer 3103, and a fourth layer 3104, which are stacked. The second layer 3102 is disposed between the first layer 3101 and the third layer 3103. The third layer 3103 is disposed between the second layer 3102 and the fourth layer 3104. The parasitic element of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the parasitic element of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 may be embedded in the first layer 3101. The main unit of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the main unit of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 may be embedded in the second layer 3102. The high-frequency feed slot and the low-frequency feed slot may be disposed in the third layer 3103. The feed network 322 may be disposed in the fourth layer 3104.
[0085] In some embodiments, the main unit 3213 of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the main unit 3215 of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 can be arranged at the same height. This can reduce the volume of the antenna module 300. Along the thickness direction of the first substrate 310, the distance between the main unit 3213 of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the fourth layer 3104 is equal to the distance between the main unit 3215 of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 and the fourth layer 3104.
[0086] In some embodiments, the parasitic unit 3214 of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the parasitic unit 3216 of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 may also be arranged at the same height, thereby reducing the volume of the antenna module 300 .
[0087] It is understandable that the type and quantity of antennas included in a high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and a low-frequency antenna unit 3212 are not limited in this application. For example, the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 can be a dual-polarized antenna with ±45° polarization. The low-frequency antenna unit 3212 can include two independent linearly polarized antennas. The structures of the two linearly polarized antennas can be the same, and they can be located on the two long sides of the "L"-shaped low-frequency antenna area 3112. The two linearly polarized antennas can be horizontally / vertically polarized, and the polarizations are orthogonal.
[0088] In some embodiments, the dual-polarized antenna of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 can be fed with a 90° phase difference through two high-frequency feeding branches 3221, and the two linearly polarized antennas of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 can be fed with a 90° phase difference through two low-frequency feeding branches 3222. In this way, circular polarizations with different rotation directions can be synthesized within the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the low-frequency antenna unit 3212.
[0089] Exemplarily, the feed network 322 may further include a first high-frequency feed terminal 3223, a second high-frequency feed terminal 3224, a first low-frequency feed terminal 3225, and a second low-frequency feed terminal 3226. The first high-frequency feed terminal 3223 and the second high-frequency feed terminal 3224 may be electrically connected to the two high-frequency feed branches 3221, respectively, and may be used to transmit electrical signals with a 90° phase difference to the two high-frequency feed branches 3221. The first low-frequency feed terminal 3225 and the second low-frequency feed terminal 3226 may be electrically connected to the two low-frequency feed branches 3222, respectively, and may be used to transmit electrical signals with a 90° phase difference to the two low-frequency feed branches 3222. Exemplarily, the two linearly polarized antennas of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 may be phased at 0° / 90°, capable of synthesizing left-hand circular polarization. The dual-polarized antenna of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 may be phased at 90° / 0°, capable of synthesizing right-hand circular polarization.
[0090] In some embodiments, the first substrate 310 can be a rigid board or a flexible board. The first substrate 310 can be a single-layer board or a multi-layer board. The material of the first substrate 310 can be plastic or glass. This application does not specifically limit the type and structure of the first substrate 310.
[0091] In some embodiments, the antenna module 300 can be manufactured using a PCB process. The antenna module 300 is a PCB board antenna. Thus, the antenna module 300 has the characteristics of high precision and low profile.
[0092] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an arrangement of an embodiment of the antenna array 320 shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 5, the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 are schematically distinguished by a filling pattern.
[0093] As shown in Figure 5, multiple antenna subarrays 321 are arranged along a first direction, forming a first subarray group. Multiple first subarray groups are arranged along a second direction. Antenna subarrays 321 may include high-frequency antenna units 3211 and low-frequency antenna units 3212. The first direction and the second direction are different. For example, the angle between the first and second directions may be 90°. For ease of description, an XY coordinate system is established, where the first direction is the X-axis and the second direction is the Y-axis. It should be understood that the X-axis and Y-axis directions in the XY coordinate system are relative reference directions, and this application does not limit the X-axis or Y-axis directions. In other embodiments, the angle between the first and second directions may be less than 90°. It should be understood that all high-frequency antenna units 3211 in antenna array 320 may form a high-frequency antenna array, and all low-frequency antenna units 3212 may form a low-frequency antenna array.
[0094] In antenna array 320, the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit in the first antenna subarray in the first antenna subarray is different from the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit in the second antenna subarray in the second antenna subarray. The position of the first antenna subarray in antenna array 320 is different from the position of the second antenna subarray in antenna array 320. It is understandable that "first" and "second" are used to distinguish antenna subarrays 321 at different positions in antenna array 320. The first antenna subarray and the second antenna subarray can be adjacent antenna subarrays 321 or non-adjacent antenna subarrays 321. The phase center B of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 refers to the position of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 after it leaves the antenna at a certain distance, and its isophase surface will approximate a sphere. The center of the sphere is the equivalent phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211.
[0095] In some embodiments, the phase center B of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 can be measured through a far-field phase pattern test.
[0096] For example, in the antenna array 320 shown in FIG5 , the antenna subarray in the first row and first column may be the first antenna subarray, and the antenna subarray in the second row and second column may be the second antenna subarray. The phase center of the high-frequency antenna units in the first antenna subarray may be in the lower right corner of the first antenna subarray, and the phase center of the high-frequency antenna units in the second antenna subarray may be in the upper right corner of the second antenna subarray.
[0097] It is understood that the antenna subarrays 321 are categorized and differentiated based on the different positions of the phase centers B of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 within the antenna subarrays 321. The antenna array 320 may include at least two categories of antenna subarrays 321. The antenna subarrays 321 of different categories have the same structure, but the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna units within the antenna subarrays 321 of different categories have different positions within the antenna subarrays.
[0098] It is understood that in antenna array 320, the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna element in the first antenna subarray in the first antenna subarray is different from the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna element in the second antenna subarray in the second antenna subarray. The position of the first antenna subarray in antenna array 320 is different from the position of the second antenna subarray in antenna array 320. Antenna array 320 includes at least two types of antenna subarrays 321, and the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna elements in different types of antenna subarrays 321 are located at different positions within the antenna subarrays. In antenna array 320, by adjusting the positions of the phase centers of high-frequency antenna elements at different positions in their respective antenna subarrays 321, that is, by arranging different types of antenna subarrays 321 at different positions in antenna array 320, the phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna elements 3211 in the entire antenna array 320 can be adjusted. The smaller the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna elements 3211 in the entire antenna array 320, the greater the scanning angle of antenna array 320. In this way, the scanning angle of antenna array 320 can be adjusted. At the same time, in the antenna array 320, by optimizing the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit in the antenna sub-array 321 at each position in the array, a non-periodic arrangement of multiple high-frequency antenna units 3211 can be achieved, thereby achieving the purpose of optimizing the grating side lobes of the high-frequency antenna array, which is beneficial to suppressing the grating lobes of the antenna array 320.
[0099] In some embodiments, the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the antenna array 320 may be an average value of the distances between the phase centers of the multiple high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the antenna array 320 .
[0100] In some embodiments, the directivity coefficient of the antenna array 320 can be greater than or equal to a target directivity coefficient. The target directivity coefficient is determined based on the size of the antenna array 320, the element patterns of the antenna subarrays 321, and the positions of the antenna subarrays 321 within the antenna array 320. It will be appreciated that the directivity coefficient of the antenna array 320 can be made greater than or equal to the target directivity coefficient by adjusting the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna elements of the antenna subarrays 321 at different positions within the antenna array 320 relative to the respective positions of the antenna subarrays 321.
[0101] For example, the directivity coefficient calculation formula of the antenna array 320 may be:
[0102] Among them, each symbol represents:
[0103] N: number of antenna units
[0104] i: antenna unit number
[0105] F i : Antenna pattern of the i-th unit
[0106] r: the position coordinate of the i-th unit
[0107] r scanθ : Scanning phase of the antenna unit
[0108] AF: Array synthesis pattern
[0109] P max :The maximum value of P
[0110] η0: wave impedance in air
[0111] D max : array directivity coefficient
[0112] In some embodiments, the grating lobe of antenna array 320 may be greater than or equal to the target grating lobe. It is understood that the grating lobe of antenna array 320 can be adjusted to meet the target grating lobe by adjusting the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna elements of antenna subarrays 321 at different locations in antenna array 320 to the positions of their respective antenna subarrays 321.
[0113] In some embodiments, within the same subarray group, the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit in the third antenna subarray is different from the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit in the fourth antenna subarray in the fourth antenna subarray. The position of the third antenna subarray in the subarray group is different from the position of the fourth antenna subarray in the subarray group. It is understood that "third" and "fourth" are used to distinguish antenna subarrays 321 at different positions within the same subarray group. The third antenna subarray and the fourth antenna subarray can be adjacent antenna subarrays 321 or non-adjacent antenna subarrays 321.
[0114] It can be understood that at least two types of antenna subarrays 321 are provided in a subarray group, which further disrupts the phase center arrangement of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the entire antenna array 320, and thus the phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the antenna array 320 can have more options for adjustment, which is conducive to adjusting the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the entire antenna array 320 to the target value.
[0115] In some embodiments, within the same subarray group, the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna units in N consecutive adjacent antenna subarrays 321 are located at different positions within their respective antenna subarrays 321, where N ≥ 2. This further disrupts the phase center arrangement of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the entire antenna array 320, thereby providing more options for adjusting the phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the antenna array 320, thereby facilitating adjustment of the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the entire antenna array 320 to a target value.
[0116] In some embodiments, within the same subarray group, N consecutive adjacent antenna subarrays 321 constitute a subarray unit. Within two adjacent subarray units, the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna units in two adjacent antenna subarrays 321, respectively located within the two subarray units, are located at different positions within the respective antenna subarrays 321. This further disrupts the phase center arrangement of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the entire antenna array 320, thereby providing more options for adjusting the phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the antenna array 320, facilitating adjustment of the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the entire antenna array 320 to a target value.
[0117] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the antenna sub-array 321 included in the antenna array 320 shown in FIG. 5 .
[0118] As shown in Figure 6, the antenna array 320 may include four types of antenna sub-arrays 321. For ease of distinction, these are hereinafter referred to as the first type sub-array 323 (shown in Figure (a)), the second type sub-array 324 (shown in Figure (b)), the third type sub-array 325 (shown in Figure (c)), and the fourth type sub-array 326 (shown in Figure (d)). The first type sub-array 323 includes a first high-frequency antenna unit 3231 and a first low-frequency antenna unit 3232. The second type sub-array 324 includes a second high-frequency antenna unit 3241 and a second low-frequency antenna unit 3242. The third type sub-array 325 includes a third high-frequency antenna unit 3251 and a third low-frequency antenna unit 3252. The fourth type sub-array 326 includes a fourth high-frequency antenna unit 3261 and a fourth low-frequency antenna unit 3262.
[0119] It should be noted that the first, second, third, and fourth categories are used to distinguish different types of antenna subarrays 321. The high-frequency antenna units 3211 in different subarrays have the same structure and the same operating frequency band. The low-frequency antenna units 3212 in different types of antenna subarrays 321 have the same structure and the same operating frequency band. For example, the first high-frequency antenna unit 3231, the second high-frequency antenna unit 3241, the third high-frequency antenna unit 3251, and the fourth high-frequency antenna unit 3261 have the same structure and the same operating frequency band. The first low-frequency antenna unit 3232, the second low-frequency antenna unit 3242, the third low-frequency antenna unit 3252, and the fourth low-frequency antenna unit 3262 have the same structure and the same operating frequency band.
[0120] The phase center B1 of the first high-frequency antenna unit 3231 in the first sub-array 323 can be located at the lower right corner of the first sub-array 323. The phase center B2 of the second high-frequency antenna unit 3241 in the second sub-array 324 can be located at the upper right corner of the second sub-array 324. The phase center B3 of the third high-frequency antenna unit 3251 in the third sub-array 325 can be located at the upper left corner of the third sub-array 325. The phase center B4 of the fourth high-frequency antenna unit 3261 in the fourth sub-array 326 can be located at the lower left corner of the fourth sub-array 326.
[0121] In other implementations, the antenna array 320 may include antenna sub-arrays 321 of two, three, or more than four types, which is not limited in this application.
[0122] In some embodiments, different types of antenna subarrays 321 can be obtained by rotating one type of antenna subarray 321. Each type of antenna subarray 321 included in the antenna array 320 has a rotation center. The phase center B of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in each type of antenna subarray 321 is staggered from the rotation center A of the antenna subarray 321. Furthermore, the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in different types of antenna subarrays 321 have different orientations relative to the rotation center.
[0123] For example, the first subarray 323 has a first rotation center A1. The phase center B1 of the first high-frequency antenna unit 3231 can be located at a position 45° clockwise from the first rotation center A1 along the positive X-axis. The second subarray 324 has a second rotation center A2. The phase center B2 of the second high-frequency antenna unit 3241 can be located at a position 45° counterclockwise from the second rotation center A2 along the positive X-axis. The third subarray 325 has a third rotation center A3. The phase center B3 of the third high-frequency antenna unit 3251 can be located at a position 45° counterclockwise from the third rotation center A3 along the positive Y-axis. The fourth subarray 326 has a fourth rotation center A4. The phase center B4 of the fourth high-frequency antenna unit 3261 can be located at a position 45° counterclockwise from the fourth rotation center A4 along the negative X-axis.
[0124] Each type of antenna subarray 321 has a specific rotation angle, and the rotation angles of different types of antenna subarrays 321 are different. It should be understood that the rotation angles of each antenna subarray 321 are relative values. When the antenna array 320 includes multiple types of antenna subarrays 321, the rotation angle of the first type of subarray 323 is 0°. The phase center B1 of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 in the first type of subarray 323 is positioned at a first orientation relative to the rotation center of the first type of subarray 323. The phase center B2 of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 in the second type of subarray 324 is positioned at a second orientation relative to the rotation center of the second type of subarray 324. The rotation angle of the second type of subarray 324 is the counterclockwise angle between the first and second orientations. The phase center B3 of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 in the third type of subarray 325 is positioned at a third orientation relative to the rotation center of the third type of subarray 325. The rotation angle of the third type of subarray 325 is the counterclockwise angle between the first and third orientations. Other types of sub-matrices are calculated in sequence according to this rule.
[0125] For example, when the antenna array 320 includes four antenna sub-arrays 321, the rotation angle of the first sub-array 323 is 0°. The rotation angle of the second sub-array 324 is 90°. The rotation angle of the third sub-array 325 is 180°. The rotation angle of the fourth sub-array 326 is 270°.
[0126] Different types of antenna subarrays 321 can be converted between each other by rotating them through a specific angle. For example, the first type subarray 323 can be converted into the second type subarray 324 by rotating it counterclockwise 90° around the first rotation center A1. The first type subarray 323 can be converted into the third type subarray 325 by rotating it counterclockwise 180° around the first rotation center A1. The first type subarray 323 can be converted into the fourth type subarray 326 by rotating it counterclockwise 270° around the first rotation center A1.
[0127] In some embodiments, the rotation center of the antenna subarray 321 may coincide with the center of gravity of the shape of the subarray region 311 .
[0128] In some embodiments, the distance D between the phase center B and the rotation center A of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 satisfies the following condition: D ≥ 0.05λ, where λ is the wavelength of the operating frequency band of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211. The greater the distance D1 between the phase center B of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the first rotation center A, the smaller the minimum phase center distance between the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in two adjacent antenna subarrays 321 can be.
[0129] For example, the distance D1 between the phase center B1 of the first high-frequency antenna unit 3231 and the first rotation center A1 satisfies the following: D1 ≥ 0.05λ. The distance D2 between the phase center B2 of the second high-frequency antenna unit 3241 and the second rotation center A2 satisfies the following: D2 ≥ 0.05λ. The distance D3 between the phase center B1 of the first high-frequency antenna unit 3231 and the third rotation center A3 satisfies the following: D3 ≥ 0.05λ. The distance D4 between the phase center B4 of the fourth high-frequency antenna unit 3261 and the fourth rotation center A4 satisfies the following: D4 ≥ 0.05λ. It should be noted that the first high-frequency antenna unit 3231, the second high-frequency antenna unit 3241, the third high-frequency antenna unit 3251, and the fourth high-frequency antenna unit 3261 have the same structure and operate in the same frequency band. The first low-frequency antenna unit 3232, the second low-frequency antenna unit 3242, the third low-frequency antenna unit 3252, and the fourth low-frequency antenna unit 3262 have the same structure and operate in the same frequency band. Therefore, D1=D2=D3=D4.
[0130] The antenna array 320 may include one or more first-type sub-arrays 323. The antenna array 320 may include one or more second-type sub-arrays 324. The antenna array 320 may include one or more third-type sub-arrays 325. The antenna array 320 may include one or more fourth-type sub-arrays 326. For example, the antenna array 320 includes multiple first-type sub-arrays 323, multiple second-type sub-arrays 324, multiple third-type sub-arrays 325, and multiple fourth-type sub-arrays 326. The multiple first-type sub-arrays 323, multiple second-type sub-arrays 324, multiple third-type sub-arrays 325, and multiple fourth-type sub-arrays 326 may be randomly arranged within the antenna array 320.
[0131] In some embodiments, the number of high-frequency antenna units 3211 and the number of low-frequency antenna units 3212 in the antenna array 320 are equal. Thus, by adjusting the positions of the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in antenna sub-arrays 321 at different locations within their respective antenna sub-arrays 321, the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the antenna array 320 can be reduced without increasing the number of high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the antenna array 320.
[0132] In some embodiments, the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the antenna array 320 is smaller than the spacing between the antenna subarrays 321. The spacing between the antenna subarrays 321 may refer to the distance between the centers of the antenna subarrays 321. The smaller the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the entire antenna array 320, the greater the scanning angle of the antenna array 320. By adjusting the positions of the phase centers of high-frequency antenna units at different locations within their respective antenna subarrays 321, the equivalent phase center spacing of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 in the entire antenna array 320 can be reduced, thereby increasing the scanning angle of the antenna array 320.
[0133] In some embodiments, the electronic device 1000 provided in the embodiment of the present application can be a high-speed mobile communication device such as an airborne or vehicle-mounted device, and the antenna module 300 can be used for the communication of the electronic device 1000 in the air-ground integrated communication link. The air-ground integrated communication link is composed of an inter-satellite link composed of a satellite network, a user link composed of an on-board payload and a ground terminal, and a feeder link and a measurement and control link composed of an on-board payload and a measurement and control station and a gateway station. The communication between the electronic device 1000 and the satellite is affected by the number of satellites and the scanning angle of the antenna module 300. The larger the scanning angle range of the antenna module 300, the fewer satellites are required during the communication process. The antenna array 320 of the present application can be designed according to the scanning angle requirements. In some embodiments, the scanning angle of the antenna array 320 can be greater than 70°. In some communication scenarios with a small number of satellites, the wireless communication performance of the electronic device 1000 is still relatively reliable.
[0134] A method for selecting the antenna array 320 according to an embodiment will be described in detail below.
[0135] The method of selecting antenna array 320 may include:
[0136] Step 1: The position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit of each antenna subarray in the given random antenna array is determined in each antenna subarray.
[0137] Step 2: Calculate the target directivity coefficient and target grating lobe of the antenna array 320.
[0138] The target directivity coefficient of the antenna subarray 321 can be obtained through array comprehensive calculation. The type and formula of the array comprehensive calculation are selected according to the form of the antenna array 320.
[0139] Exemplarily, the directivity coefficient of the antenna array 320 can be obtained according to the size of the antenna array 320 , the element radiation pattern of the antenna subarray 321 , and the position of the antenna subarray 321 in the antenna array 320 .
[0140] Step 3: Calculate the directivity coefficient and grating lobes of the random antenna array.
[0141] Step 4: Determine whether one or more of the following conditions are met:
[0142] The directivity coefficient of the random antenna array is greater than or equal to the target directivity coefficient, and the grating lobe of the random antenna array is greater than or equal to the target grating lobe.
[0143] Step 5: If the requirements are met, the randomly assigned antenna array is determined as the target antenna array. The positions of the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna elements of each antenna subarray in the random antenna array within the respective antenna subarray 321 are output. If the requirements are not met, steps 1, 3, and 4 are repeated until the random antenna array described in step 1 meets one or more of the conditions.
[0144] If the requirements are not met and step 1 is repeated, an optimization algorithm can be used to optimize the random antenna array. The rotation angle arrangement of each antenna subarray 321 in the random antenna array is updated according to the optimization algorithm. The directivity coefficient and grating lobe of the updated random antenna array are recalculated and compared with the target directivity coefficient and target grating lobe. For example, the optimization algorithm can be a genetic algorithm or a particle swarm algorithm.
[0145] An embodiment of the present application further provides an electronic device. The electronic device may include one or more processors and one or more memories; wherein the one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors and are configured to store computer program code, the computer program code including computer instructions. When the one or more processors execute the computer instructions, the method for selecting an antenna array as described above is performed.
[0146] FIG7 is a parameter curve diagram of an implementation manner of the antenna array 320 provided in an embodiment of the present application.
[0147] As shown in FIG7 , the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 may operate in the Ka band, and the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 may operate in the K band.
[0148] Figure 8 is a high-frequency directional pattern of an embodiment of the antenna array 320 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 9 is a low-frequency directional pattern of an embodiment of the antenna array 320 provided in an embodiment of the present application.
[0149] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the antenna array 320 can perform circular polarization phase compensation according to the unit spin direction. The array of low-frequency antenna units 3212 is phase compensated according to left-hand circular polarization, and the array of high-frequency antenna units 3211 is phase compensated according to right-hand circular polarization.
[0150] In some embodiments, the antenna array 320 may be a co-aperture antenna capable of both transmitting and receiving signals. Some antenna subarrays 321 within the antenna array 320 may be used for transmitting signals, while others may be used for receiving signals. It will be appreciated that, compared to a solution where the antenna subarrays 321 for receiving and the antenna subarrays 321 for transmitting signals are separately configured, a co-aperture antenna capable of both transmitting and receiving signals can reduce the size of the antenna array 320 while ensuring signal transmission, thereby contributing to a lighter and more compact antenna module 300.
[0151] Figure 10 is a diagram showing the high-frequency scanning performance of an embodiment of the antenna array 320 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the low-frequency scanning performance of an embodiment of the antenna array 320 provided in an embodiment of the present application.
[0152] In some embodiments, the antenna array 320 may include 44×44 antenna sub-arrays 321 with a unit spacing of 7.12 mm. The antenna array 320 may include four antenna sub-arrays 321 as shown in Figure 6, and the sparseness rate of the antenna array 320 may be 25%. The high-frequency antenna array is sparsely arranged. The number of high and low frequency antennas is 1:1. The low-frequency antenna array may be a regular array, that is, the spacing between adjacent low-frequency antenna units 3212 remains unchanged, and the unit spacing is about 7.12 mm. The minimum unit spacing of the high-frequency antenna array is about 3.56 mm. After the antenna array 320 is designed and optimized, the high-frequency antenna array is sparsely optimized to achieve the effect of sidelobe suppression, and the antenna array 320 can finally have the scanning performance shown in Figures 10 and 11. Among them, the low-frequency antenna array can have a conical scanning capability of ±70° (as shown in Figure 10). The high-frequency antenna array can have a conical scanning capability of ±70° (as shown in Figure 11). The spacing between the low-frequency antenna elements 3212 refers to the distance between the phase centers of the low-frequency antenna elements 3212. The element spacing of the high-frequency antenna array refers to the distance between the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna elements 3211 in the antenna array 320.
[0153] The spacing of the antenna sub-arrays 321 can be adjusted according to the scanning angle requirements and optimized design, and this application does not impose any restrictions.
[0154] FIG12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of another embodiment of the antenna array 320 shown in FIG2 . FIG13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of another embodiment of the antenna array 320 shown in FIG2 . FIG14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of another embodiment of the antenna array 320 shown in FIG2 . FIG15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of another embodiment of the antenna array 320 shown in FIG2 . FIG12 to FIG15 only illustrate a portion of the antenna subarrays 321 included in the antenna array 320 . FIG12 to FIG15 schematically distinguish between the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 by fill patterns.
[0155] As shown in Figures 12 to 15 , the overall outline of the antenna subarray 321 can also be a hexagonal (as shown in Figure 12 ), rectangular (as shown in Figure 13 ), circular (as shown in Figures 14 and 15 ), and other shapes. In other embodiments, the overall outline of the antenna subarray 321 can also be an irregular shape. The overall outline shape of the antenna subarray 321 can be set as required and is not limited by this application.
[0156] Among them, the overall outline of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 can also be a rectangle (as shown in Figure 13) or an irregular quadrilateral (as shown in Figure 12), or a circle (as shown in Figures 14 and 15), or other irregular shapes. The overall outline of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 can be "L"-shaped (as shown in Figures 12 and 13), a ring or other irregular shapes. The overall outline of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the overall outline of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 can be set according to needs, and this application does not impose any restrictions.
[0157] The rotation angles of antenna subarrays 321 of different categories can be selected in the range of 0° to 360° according to actual needs, and the rotation angles of antenna subarrays 321 of different categories are different. At the same time, the number of types of antenna subarrays 321 can also be set according to needs. This application is not limited. For example, the antenna array 320 may include four antenna subarrays 321, namely a first subarray, a second subarray, a third subarray, and a fourth subarray. Among them, the rotation angle of the first subarray is 0°, the rotation angle of the second subarray is 100°, the rotation angle of the third subarray is 188°, and the rotation angle of the fourth subarray is 280°.
[0158] The array arrangement of the multiple antenna sub-arrays 321 in the antenna array 320 can also be designed as needed and is not limited in this application. In some embodiments, the array arrangement can be adjusted by the angle between the first and second directions of the array arrangement. For example, the angle between the first and second directions can be 25°, 60°, 90°, 120°, etc.
[0159] In some embodiments, the overall profile of the antenna subarrays 321 is a regular pattern, and the angle between the first and second directions is selected based on the overall profile of the antenna subarrays 321. This can reduce the gaps between adjacent antenna subarrays 321. When the same number of pairs of antenna subarrays 321 are arranged, the area of the antenna array 320 is reduced, facilitating miniaturization of the antenna array 320. For example, compared to a scheme in which the overall profile of the antenna subarrays 321 is hexagonal and the angle between the first and second directions is 90°, as shown in FIG12 , the overall profile of the antenna subarrays 321 is hexagonal and the angle between the first and second directions is 60°, thereby reducing the gaps between adjacent antenna subarrays 321. It will be appreciated that selecting appropriate first and second directions facilitates a compact arrangement of the antenna subarrays 321 and reduces the area of the antenna array 320.
[0160] In other implementations, there may be multiple high-frequency antenna units 3211 in one antenna subarray 321, and the multiple high-frequency antenna units 3211 are arranged at intervals.
[0161] FIG16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the structure shown in FIG2 at section line AA.
[0162] As shown in FIG16 , the antenna array 320 may be a directly fed antenna, wherein the high frequency feeding branch 3221 may directly feed the main unit 3213 of the high frequency antenna unit 3211 , and the low frequency feeding branch 3222 may directly feed the main unit 3215 of the low frequency antenna unit 3212 .
[0163] In some embodiments, the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 may also be arranged at different heights. For example, the main unit 3213 of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the main unit 3215 of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 may also be arranged at different heights. The parasitic unit 3214 of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the parasitic unit 3216 of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 may also be arranged at different heights.
[0164] In other implementations, the antenna array 320 may also be a single-layer patch antenna.
[0165] It should be noted that this application does not limit the antenna setting method included in the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 and the low-frequency antenna unit 3212.
[0166] In some embodiments, in the antenna subarray 321, the projection of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit 3211 on the reference plane is offset from the projection of the low-frequency antenna unit 3212 on the reference plane. The first direction is parallel to the reference plane, and the second direction is parallel to the reference plane.
[0167] In some embodiments, an antenna subarray 321 may include multiple high-frequency antenna units 3211. For example, an antenna subarray 321 may include two high-frequency antenna units 3211 and one low-frequency antenna unit 3212. The two high-frequency antenna units 3211 are spaced apart. When the phase centers B of the high-frequency antenna units 3211 of the antenna subarray 321 are staggered from the rotation center A of the antenna subarray 321, at least one of the phase centers B of the two high-frequency antenna units 3211 is staggered from the rotation center A of the antenna subarray 321.
[0168] It can be understood that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other, and any combination of features in different embodiments is also within the scope of protection of the present application. That is to say, the multiple embodiments described above can also be arbitrarily combined according to actual needs.
[0169] It should be understood that all the above drawings are illustrative illustrations of the present application and do not represent the actual size of the product. Moreover, the dimensional ratios between the components in the drawings are not intended to limit the actual product of the present application.
[0170] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.
Claims
1. An antenna array, characterized in that: It includes a plurality of antenna subarrays, wherein the antenna subarrays include a high-frequency antenna unit and a low-frequency antenna unit, the plurality of antenna subarrays are arranged along a first direction to form a subarray group, and the plurality of subarray groups are arranged along a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are different; In the antenna array, the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit in the first antenna subarray in the first antenna subarray is different from the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit in the second antenna subarray in the second antenna subarray; The position of the first antenna subarray in the antenna array is different from the position of the second antenna subarray in the antenna array.
2. The antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the same subarray group, the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit in the third antenna subarray in the third antenna subarray is different from the position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit in the fourth antenna subarray in the fourth antenna subarray; The position of the third antenna subarray in the subarray group is different from the position of the fourth antenna subarray in the subarray group.
3. The antenna array according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the same sub-array group, the phase centers of the high-frequency antenna units in N adjacent and continuous antenna sub-arrays are located at different positions in the respective antenna sub-arrays, where N≥2.
4. The antenna array according to claim 3, characterized in that: In the same subarray group, N adjacent and continuous antenna subarrays constitute a subarray unit. In two adjacent subarray units, phase centers of high-frequency antenna units in two adjacent antenna subarrays respectively located in the two subarray units are at different positions in the respective antenna subarrays.
5. The antenna array according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The antenna subarray is square, rectangular, hexagonal or circular; and / or The high-frequency antenna unit is square, triangular, trapezoidal or circular; and / or The low-frequency antenna unit is "L"-shaped, square, triangular, trapezoidal or circular.
6. The antenna array according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The included angle between the first direction and the second direction is 90°.
7. The antenna array according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The number of the high-frequency antenna units and the number of the low-frequency antenna units in the antenna array are equal.
8. The antenna array according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: In the antenna array, the equivalent phase center spacing between the high-frequency antenna units is smaller than the spacing between the antenna sub-arrays.
9. The antenna array according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The directivity coefficient of the antenna array is greater than or equal to a target directivity coefficient, and the target directivity coefficient is determined based on the size of the antenna array, the element pattern of the antenna subarray, and the position of the antenna subarray in the antenna array; and / or The grating lobe of the antenna array is greater than or equal to the target grating lobe.
10. A method for selecting an antenna array, characterized in that: include: Step 1: The position of the phase center of the high-frequency antenna unit of each antenna subarray in a given random antenna array in each of the antenna subarrays; Step 2: Calculate the directivity coefficient and grating lobe of the random antenna array; Step 3: Determine whether one or more of the following conditions are met: The directivity coefficient of the random antenna array is greater than or equal to the target directivity coefficient, and the grating lobe of the random antenna array is greater than or equal to the target grating lobe; The target directivity coefficient is determined based on the size of the random antenna array, the element pattern of the random antenna array, and the position of the antenna subarray in the antenna array; Step 4: If satisfied, the random antenna array is determined as the target antenna array.
11. The method for selecting an antenna array according to claim 10, characterized in that: Also includes: If one or more of the conditions are not met, steps one to three are repeated until the random antenna array in step one meets the one or more conditions.
12. An electronic device, characterized in that: Comprising the antenna array as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.
13. An electronic device, characterized in that: It comprises one or more processors and one or more memories; wherein, the one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more memories are used to store computer program codes, and the computer program codes include computer instructions, and when the one or more processors execute the computer instructions, the method as described in any one of claims 10 or 11 is executed.
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