Array antenna and communication device

Abstract

An array antenna (10), comprising: a feed source layer (1), which comprises a feed network (11) having an input port (12) and a plurality of output ports (13); an energy re-allocation layer (2), which has a plurality of allocation regions, wherein the energy re-allocation layer (2) is used for re-allocating near-field energy at the output ports (13) in the plurality of allocation regions; and a radiation layer (3), which comprises a plurality of radiation units (31) corresponding to the plurality of output ports (13) on a one-to-one basis. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the near-field energy at the output ports (13) is re-allocated in the plurality of allocation regions by means of the energy re-allocation layer (2), thereby ensuring that the distribution of the re-allocated near-field energy meets requirements; and then the re-allocated near-field energy at the output ports (13) is radiated by means of the radiation units (31) of the radiation layer (3), thereby ensuring the radiation directivity of the radiation units (31), and ensuring the radiation characteristics of the array antenna (10). (FIG. 1)

Description

Array antennas and communication equipment Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to an array antenna and communication equipment. Background Art

[0002] The rapid development of communications technology has greatly facilitated people's lives while also stimulating more innovative applications and increasing demand for data services. Antenna technology is a core technology in communications systems, including reflector antennas, planar waveguide array antennas, lens antennas, and phased array antennas.

[0003] The existing array antenna includes a waveguide feed source and a radiation layer. The waveguide feed source has multiple waveguide ports, and the radiation layer includes multiple radiation units corresponding to the multiple waveguide ports one by one. When energy is fed through the waveguide feed source, the near-field energy of the multiple waveguide ports is unevenly distributed due to the influence of mutual coupling, thereby making the near-field energy received by the multiple radiation units uneven, affecting the directivity and other characteristics of the array antenna.

[0004] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background technology section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to ordinary technicians in the field.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an array antenna and a communication device, which can ensure the distribution of electromagnetic signals radiated by multiple radiation units and ensure the directivity of the array antenna.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an array antenna, comprising:

[0008] A feed layer, comprising a feed network, wherein the feed network has an input port and a plurality of output ports, wherein the plurality of output ports are distributed in an array, and the feed network is used to distribute feed energy fed along the input port to the plurality of output ports;

[0009] an energy redistribution layer, located on a side of the feed layer close to the output port and having a plurality of distribution areas, wherein the energy redistribution layer is used to redistribute the near-field energy of the output port in the plurality of distribution areas;

[0010] The radiation layer is located on a side of the energy redistribution layer away from the feed layer and includes a plurality of radiation units corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of output ports, and the radiation units are used to radiate the near-field energy redistributed by the corresponding output ports.

[0011] According to any one of the array antennas described in the present disclosure, the energy redistribution layer includes a plurality of energy distribution strips;

[0012] The length direction of the energy distribution bar is parallel to the row direction of the multiple output ports. The multiple energy distribution bars are spaced apart along the column direction of the multiple output ports, and in the column direction, each output port has an energy distribution bar on both sides.

[0013] According to any array antenna described in the present disclosure, the energy distribution strip is made of metal, and the width of the energy distribution strip increases in a direction away from the feed layer.

[0014] According to any array antenna described in the present disclosure, the energy distribution strip is made of foam material.

[0015] According to any array antenna described in the present disclosure, the dielectric constants of the multiple energy distribution strips are not all the same, and the dielectric constants of the multiple energy distribution strips increase from the middle to both sides in the column direction.

[0016] According to any array antenna described in the present disclosure, the energy distribution strip includes multiple structural layers attached in the arrangement direction of the multiple energy distribution strips, and the dielectric constants of the multiple structural layers increase in the direction away from the adjacent output port.

[0017] According to any array antenna described in the present disclosure, the energy redistribution layer is a foam material with a whole layer structure, and the foaming effect is different in different areas.

[0018] According to any one of the array antennas of the present disclosure, the energy redistribution layer has a plurality of first distribution areas and a second distribution area surrounding each of the first distribution areas;

[0019] Multiple first distribution areas correspond one-to-one to multiple output ports, and the orthographic projection of the first distribution area on the feed layer overlaps with the corresponding output port. The dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer in the first distribution area is different from the dielectric constant in the second distribution area.

[0020] According to any array antenna described in the present disclosure, the energy redistribution layer further has a third distribution area;

[0021] The third distribution area has a grid structure and divides the second distribution area into a plurality of second sub-distribution areas surrounding a plurality of the first distribution areas respectively. The dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer in the third distribution area is different from that in the second sub-distribution areas.

[0022] According to any one of the array antennas of the present disclosure, the energy redistribution layer has a plurality of first distribution areas, a plurality of second distribution areas, and a fourth distribution area surrounding each of the first distribution areas and each of the second distribution areas;

[0023] Each of the first distribution areas corresponds to one of the output ports, and each of the second distribution areas corresponds to multiple of the output ports. The orthographic projection of the first distribution area on the feed layer overlaps with the corresponding one of the output ports, and the orthographic projection of the second distribution area on the feed layer overlaps with the corresponding multiple output ports. The dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer in the first distribution area and the dielectric constant in the second distribution area are different from the dielectric constant in the fourth distribution area.

[0024] According to any array antenna described in the present disclosure, the energy distribution strip is made of polyethylene foam.

[0025] According to any one of the array antennas described in the present disclosure, the array antenna further comprises a phase shift layer;

[0026] The phase shift layer is located between the energy redistribution layer and the radiation layer, and has a plurality of phase shift regions corresponding to the plurality of output ports. The phase shift regions are used to phase shift the near-field energy redistributed by the corresponding output ports.

[0027] According to any one of the array antennas described in the present disclosure, the phase shift layer includes a first patch layer, a first dielectric substrate, a phase shifter, a second patch layer, and a second dielectric substrate, which are sequentially distributed in a direction away from the energy redistribution layer;

[0028] The first patch layer includes a plurality of first patch units corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of output ports, the phase shifter includes a plurality of phase shift regions corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of output ports, and the second patch layer includes a plurality of second patch units corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of output ports.

[0029] According to any array antenna described in the present disclosure, the phase shifter is a liquid crystal phase shift box.

[0030] According to any array antenna described in the present disclosure, the first patch unit and the second patch unit are both microstrip line or stripline structures.

[0031] According to any one of the array antennas described in the present disclosure, the feed layer includes a first feed network layer and a feed port layer sequentially distributed in a direction close to the energy redistribution layer;

[0032] The first feed network layer has the input port and a plurality of first feed ports coupled to the input port. The feed source port layer has a plurality of output ports, and one first feed port corresponds to and is coupled to at least one output port.

[0033] According to any one of the array antennas described in the present disclosure, the feed layer further includes a waveguide matching layer located between the first feed network layer and the feed port layer;

[0034] The waveguide matching layer has a plurality of matching units corresponding to and coupled with a plurality of the first feeding ports one by one, and one of the matching units corresponds to and coupled with at least one of the output ports.

[0035] According to any one of the array antennas described in the present disclosure, the feed layer includes a first feed network layer, a second feed network layer, and a feed port layer, which are sequentially distributed in a direction close to the energy redistribution layer;

[0036] The first feed network layer has a first input port and a plurality of first feed ports coupled to the first input port, the second feed network layer has a second input port and a plurality of second feed ports coupled to the second input port, the orientation of the first input port and the orientation of the second input port are orthogonal in the plane where the array antenna is located, the plurality of first feed ports correspond to the plurality of second feed ports on a one-to-one basis, and the corresponding first feed ports and second feed ports have an overlapping area in the thickness direction of the array antenna;

[0037] The feed port layer has a plurality of the output ports, and one of the first feed ports and one of the second feed ports both correspond to and are coupled with at least one of the output ports.

[0038] According to any one of the array antennas described in the present disclosure, the feed layer further includes a waveguide matching layer located between the second feed network layer and the feed port layer;

[0039] The waveguide matching layer has a plurality of matching units, the plurality of matching units correspond to and are coupled with a plurality of the second feed ports one by one, and one matching unit corresponds to and is coupled with at least one of the output ports.

[0040] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising the array antenna described in the above aspect.

[0041] The embodiments of the present disclosure include at least the following technical effects:

[0042] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, after the feeding network distributes the feed source energy fed along the input port to multiple output ports, the near-field energy of the output ports can be redistributed in multiple distribution areas through the energy redistribution layer to ensure that the near-field energy distribution after redistribution meets the needs. Thereafter, the near-field energy after redistribution of the output ports is radiated through the radiation units of the radiation layer, thereby ensuring the directionality of the radiation of each radiation unit and ensuring the radiation characteristics of the array antenna.

[0043] In addition, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, a phase shift layer can be set between the energy redistribution layer and the radiation layer, so that the phase shift layer can achieve phase adjustable performance under the phase shifting effect, thereby achieving the directional adjustability of the array antenna and further improving the antenna performance of the array antenna.

[0044] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, and together with the specification, are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art can derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort.

[0046] FIG1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the main structure of an array antenna provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the left side structure of an array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a top view structure of a feed layer provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of a first feeding network layer provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of a waveguide matching layer provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the main structure of another array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of another first feed network layer provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of a second feed network layer provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of the main structure of another array antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of an energy redistribution layer and a feed layer provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a top view of another energy redistribution layer and a feed layer provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of another energy redistribution layer provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of another energy redistribution layer provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of another energy redistribution layer provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a phase shifter provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] Figures: 10, array antenna; 1, feed layer; 2, energy redistribution layer; 3, radiating layer; 4, phase shifting layer; 11, feed network; 12, input port; 13, output port; 14, first feed network layer; 15, second feed network layer; 16, feed port layer; 17, waveguide matching layer; 141, first input port; 142, first feed port; 151, second input port; 152, second feed port; 171, matching unit; 21, energy distribution strip; 211, structural layer; 22, first distribution area; 23, second distribution area; 24, third distribution area; 25, fourth distribution area; 31, radiating unit; 41, phase shifting area; 42, first patch layer; 43, first dielectric substrate; 44, phase shifter; 45, second patch layer; 46, second dielectric substrate; 421, first patch unit; 441, phase shift unit; 442, first substrate; 443, second substrate; 444, liquid crystal layer; 445, plastic frame; 446, spacer; 4421, first electrode; 4431, second electrode; 451, second patch unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the example embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals in the figures represent identical or similar structures, and thus their detailed descriptions will be omitted. Furthermore, the figures are merely schematic illustrations of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0063] Although relative terms such as "upper" and "lower" are used in this specification to describe the relationship of one illustrated component to another, these terms are used herein for convenience only, such as in accordance with the orientation of the illustrations in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that if the illustrated device were flipped upside down, the component described as "upper" would become the component "lower." When a structure is referred to as "on" another structure, this may mean that the structure is integrally formed with the other structure, that the structure is "directly" disposed on the other structure, or that the structure is "indirectly" disposed on the other structure via the other structure.

[0064] The terms "a", "an", "the", "said" and "at least one" are used to indicate the presence of one or more elements / components / etc.; the terms "including" and "having" are used to express open-ended inclusion and mean that additional elements / components / etc. may be present in addition to the listed elements / components / etc.; the terms "first", "second" and "third" etc. are used only as labels and are not intended to limit the quantity of their objects.

[0065] FIG1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the front view structure of an array antenna 10 provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the left side structure of an array antenna 10 provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the top view structure of a feed layer 1 provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1, FIG2 and FIG3, the array antenna 10 includes: a feed layer 1, an energy redistribution layer 2 and a radiation layer 3; the feed layer 1 includes a feed network 11, the feed network 11 has an input port 12 and multiple output ports 13, and the feed network 11 is used to distribute the feed energy fed along the input port 12 to the multiple output ports 13; the energy redistribution layer 2 is located on the side of the feed layer 1 close to the output port 13, and has multiple distribution areas, and the energy redistribution layer 2 is used to redistribute the near-field energy of the output port 13 in the multiple distribution areas; the radiation layer 3 is located on the side of the energy redistribution layer 2 away from the feed layer 1, and includes multiple radiation units 31 corresponding to the multiple output ports 13, and the radiation units 31 are used to radiate the redistributed near-field energy of the corresponding output ports 13.

[0066] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, after the feeding network 11 distributes the feed source energy fed along the input port 12 to multiple output ports 13, the near-field energy of the output port 13 can be redistributed in multiple distribution areas through the energy redistribution layer 2 to ensure that the near-field energy distribution after redistribution meets the needs, and then the near-field energy of the output port 13 after redistribution is radiated through the radiation unit 31 of the radiation layer 3, thereby ensuring the directionality of the radiation of each radiation unit 31 and ensuring the antenna characteristics of the array antenna 10.

[0067] Among them, there is an overlapping area between the orthographic projection of the radiation unit 31 included in the radiation layer 3 on the feed layer 1 and the corresponding output port 13, so as to ensure the transmission of near-field energy. In addition, the radiation unit 31 can be a metal patch, in which case a patch array antenna 10 can be formed, or it can be a slot formed on a metal sheet, in which case the metal sheet has multiple slots corresponding to multiple output ports 13, thereby forming a slot array antenna 10. In addition to including the radiation unit 31, the radiation layer 3 can also include a carrier layer to facilitate the arrangement of the radiation unit 31. In this case, the carrier layer is arranged on the side of the energy layer away from the feed layer 1, and multiple radiation units 31 are arranged on the surface of the carrier layer away from the energy redistribution layer 2. The carrier layer can be a PCB substrate layer, etc., as long as it can realize the arrangement of the radiation unit 31 and ensure the transmission of near-field energy.

[0068] It should be noted that the orthographic projection described above and the orthographic projection described below all refer to projections in the thickness direction of the array antenna 10. For example, the orthographic projection of the radiating element 31 on the feed layer 1 refers to the projection of the radiating element 31 along the thickness direction of the array antenna 10 on the plane where the feed layer 1 is located.

[0069] Among them, for the input port 12 included in the feeding network 11, the feed source energy (electromagnetic energy) can be fed in by coupling, or the feed source energy (electrical signal) can be fed in by electrical connection; for the multiple output ports 13 included in the feeding network 11, they can be distributed in an array, such as a rectangular array distribution. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the feeding network 11 includes 16 output ports 13, and they are distributed in a 4*4 array; of course, the multiple output ports 13 included in the feeding network 11 can also be distributed according to other array shapes, such as a triangular array distribution, etc.

[0070] The feed network 11 included in the feed layer 1 can be a single-stage power splitter structure with one point to multiple ports, or a multi-stage power splitter network structure with one point to multiple ports, so as to realize the distribution of feed energy from one input port 12 to multiple output ports 13. Of course, other forms of power splitter structures are also possible, as long as the feed energy fed along the input port 12 can be distributed to multiple output ports 13. As for the multi-stage power splitter network structure with one point to multiple ports, the multi-stage power splitter network structure can be located in the same layer, that is, distributed in the same layer; or it can be stacked and distributed in sequence, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0071] Taking the example of a multi-stage power splitter network structure in which the feed network 11 includes one-to-multiple ports, continuing with the above example, the feed network 11 has 4*4 output ports 13. In this case, the feed network 11 may include one primary waveguide power splitter with one-to-four ports and four secondary waveguide power splitters with one-to-four ports. In this case, for one primary waveguide power splitter and four secondary waveguide power splitters, the four secondary waveguide power splitters can be distributed in a 2*2 array on the same layer, with the four secondary waveguide power splitters located on the side of a primary waveguide power splitter close to the energy redistribution layer 2.

[0072] Among them, the four output ends of the first-level waveguide power divider are respectively connected to the input ends of four second-level waveguide power dividers. Specifically, one output end of the first-level waveguide power divider can be opposite to the input end of a second-level waveguide power divider, and there is an overlapping area in the thickness direction of the array antenna 10.

[0073] Of course, for the feeding network 11 with 4*4 output ports 13, the feeding network 11 can also include a one-to-two-port primary waveguide power splitter and two one-to-eight-port secondary waveguide power splitters, and the two output ends of the primary waveguide power splitter are respectively connected to the input ends of the two secondary waveguide power splitters, and the specific distribution of one primary waveguide power splitter and two secondary waveguide power splitters can refer to the distribution of one primary waveguide power splitter and four secondary waveguide power splitters described above, and the embodiment of the present disclosure does not make specific limitations on this.

[0074] It should be noted that, for the multiple waveguide power splitters included in the feeding network 11, each waveguide power splitter has a structure with a waveguide cavity, for example, it can be formed by setting a cavity on a metal component, or by setting a cavity on a non-metallic component and coating or evaporating a metal layer on the cavity wall.

[0075] Furthermore, for the waveguide cavity of the waveguide power divider, the cavity can be filled with foam material, so that the cross-sectional size of the cavity can be reduced by filling the foam material to adjust the distribution of feed energy from the input port 12 to the multiple output ports 13, thereby adjusting the near-field energy distribution of the multiple output ports 13.

[0076] In the present disclosure, the feed layer 1 can be a single-polarization feed structure, in which case the array antenna 10 can be applied as a single-polarization array antenna 10; of course, the feed layer 1 can also be a dual-polarization feed structure, in which case the array antenna 10 can be applied as a dual-polarization array antenna 10, or applied as a left / right switchable circularly polarized array antenna 10.

[0077] For a single-polarization feed structure, the feed layer 1 may include a layer of the aforementioned feed network 11. Thus, after the feed energy is fed through the input port 12 of the feed network 11, a single-polarization signal (e.g., vertically polarized signal, horizontally polarized signal, +45-degree polarized signal, -45-degree polarized signal, etc.) can be generated with the cooperation of the radiating layer 3.

[0078] Optionally, in order to achieve matching and coupling between the feed network 11 and the energy redistribution structure layer 211, as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, and Figure 4, the feed layer 1 includes a first feed network layer 14 and a feed port layer 16 distributed in sequence in the direction close to the energy redistribution layer 2; the first feed network layer 14 has an input port 12 and a plurality of first feed ports 142 coupled to the input port 12, the feed port layer 16 has a plurality of output ports 13, and one first feed port 142 corresponds to and is coupled to at least one output port 13.

[0079] In this way, after the feed source energy is fed into the input port 12 of the first feeding network layer 14, the near-field energy distributed to the multiple first feeding ports 142 can be transmitted to the multiple output ports 13 through the multiple first feeding ports 142, thereby realizing the transmission of feeding into one input port 12 and feeding out from multiple output ports 13.

[0080] The first feed network layer 14 and the feed port layer 16 may be the stacked and distributed two-pole power splitter network structure described above. For example, as shown in FIG4 , the first feed network layer 14 may be a one-to-four-port primary waveguide power splitter (e.g., an ET waveguide power splitter having an input port 12 and four first feed ports 142 ), and the feed port layer 16 may be four one-to-four-port secondary waveguide power splitters similar to the waveguide power splitter shown in FIG4 (e.g., an HT waveguide power splitter having 4*4 output ports 13 ), in which case one first feed port 142 is coupled to four output ports 13 .

[0081] Of course, in combination with the above, the feed network 11 of the feed layer 1 can also have other structures. Optionally, the first feed network layer 14 is a one-to-multiple-port waveguide power splitter (including one input port 12 and multiple first feed ports 142), and the feed port layer 16 includes multiple output units, each of which has a cylindrical structure with two open ends, and each first feed port 142 is coupled to at least one output unit. In this way, the near-field energy fed through each first feed port 142 can be transmitted along the corresponding at least one output unit.

[0082] The first open end of the output unit facing away from the first feed network layer 14 serves as the output port 13, the second open end of the output unit facing the first feed network layer 14 serves as the energy feed inlet, and a first outfeed port 142 is coupled to at least one corresponding energy feed inlet. For example, the first feed network layer 14 is a one-to-four-port waveguide power splitter as described above, and the feed port layer 16 includes 4*4 output units. In this case, the first open ends of the 4*4 output units serve as the 4*4 output ports 13, and the energy feed inlets of the four output units distributed in a 2*2 pattern are coupled to the first outfeed port 142.

[0083] The output units included in the feed port layer 16 may be cylindrical waveguide structures, ridge waveguide structures, or I-shaped waveguide structures as shown in FIG3 . Furthermore, with reference to the feed port layer 16 of the array antenna 10 shown in FIG2 , the opening size of the first open end (i.e., output port 13) of each output unit included therein is larger than the opening size of the second open end near the first feed network layer 14 , thereby ensuring coupling between the second open end of at least one output unit and the corresponding first feed port 142 .

[0084] Furthermore, as shown in FIG1 or FIG2, and FIG5, the feed layer 1 also includes a waveguide matching layer 17 located between the first feed network layer 14 and the feed port layer 16. The waveguide matching layer 17 has a plurality of matching units 171. The plurality of matching units 171 correspond to and are coupled with the plurality of first feed ports 142 one by one (combined with FIG4 and FIG5), and one matching unit 171 corresponds to and is coupled with at least one output port 13 (as shown in FIG3, one matching unit 171 corresponds to four output ports 13). In this way, for the near-field energy of the first feed port 142, the coupling effect between the first feed port 142 and the corresponding at least one output port 13 can be improved by the coordination of the matching unit 171, thereby ensuring the transmission effect of the near-field energy of the first feed port 142 to the corresponding at least one output port 13, thereby effectively ensuring the intensity of the near-field energy fed out of the plurality of output ports 13, and ensuring the effect of the array antenna 10.

[0085] Among them, the matching unit 171 included in the waveguide matching layer 17 can be a cylindrical structure with openings at both ends, and the energy feed inlet of the matching unit 171 and the corresponding first feed port 142 have an overlapping area in the thickness direction of the array antenna 10, and the energy feed outlet of the matching unit 171 and the energy feed inlet of the corresponding at least one output unit have an overlapping area in the thickness direction of the array antenna 10, thereby facilitating the coupling of near-field energy between the matching unit 171 and the corresponding first feed port 142, and between the matching unit 171 and the corresponding at least one output port 13.

[0086] For a dual-polarization feed structure, the feed layer 1 may include two layers of the aforementioned feed networks 11, and the input ports 12 of the two layers of feed networks 11 are oriented orthogonally within the plane of the array antenna 10. That is, the near-field energy at the output ports 13 of the two layers of feed networks 11 differs by 90 degrees in phase. In this way, after the feed energy is fed into the input ports 12 of the feed networks 11 of different layers, a dual-polarized signal (e.g., a vertically polarized signal and a horizontally polarized signal, or a +45-degree polarized signal and a -45-degree polarized signal, etc.) or a circularly polarized signal (a left-hand circularly polarized signal or a right-hand circularly polarized signal) can be formed with the cooperation of the radiating layer 3.

[0087] In particular, for the case of forming a dual-polarized signal or a circularly polarized signal, the design of the radiating unit 31 included in the radiating layer 3 can refer to the relevant art, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this. For example, for the case of forming a circularly polarized signal, the radiating unit 31 included in the radiating layer 3 can be a metal patch, which is a square patch with notches at two diagonal corners; or the metal patch is a square patch with a rectangular slit extending along the length direction of a diagonal line. Of course, in addition to the two structures described above, the shape of the metal patch can also be other structures, as long as it can form a circularly polarized signal.

[0088] Optionally, in order to achieve coupling between the two-layer feed network 11 and the energy redistribution structure layer 211, as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, the feed layer 1 includes a first feed network layer 14, a second feed network layer 15 and a feed port layer 16 sequentially distributed in a direction close to the energy redistribution layer 2; the first feed network layer 14 has a first input port 141 and a plurality of first feed output ports 142 coupled to the first input port 141, the second feed network layer 15 has a second input port 151 and a plurality of first feed output ports 142 coupled to the second input port 151. The first input port 141 and the second input port 151 are orthogonal in the plane where the array antenna 10 is located, and the multiple first feed ports 142 correspond to the multiple second feed ports 152 one by one, and the corresponding first feed ports 142 and the second feed ports 152 have an overlapping area in the thickness direction of the array antenna 10; the feed port layer 16 has multiple output ports 13, and one first feed port 142 and one second feed port 152 both correspond to and are coupled with at least one output port 13.

[0089] In this way, based on the coupling between each first feed port 142 and at least one output port 13, it is ensured that after the feed energy is fed into the first input port 141 of the first feed network layer 14, it can be fed out along the multiple output ports 13. At the same time, based on the coupling between each second feed port 152 and at least one output port 13, it is ensured that after the feed energy is fed into the second input port 151 of the second feed network layer 15, it can be fed out along the multiple output ports 13. Thus, with the cooperation of the radiating layer 3, a dual-polarized signal or a circularly polarized signal is formed. For example, when the feed energy is fed into the first input port 141 of the first feed network layer 14, a left-handed circularly polarized signal is formed with the cooperation of the radiating layer 3; when the feed energy is fed into the second input port 151 of the second feed network layer 15, a right-handed circularly polarized signal is formed with the cooperation of the radiating layer 3.

[0090] Among them, the first feed network layer 14, the second feed network layer 15 and the feed port layer 16 can be the stacked and distributed three-pole power splitter network structure described above. For example, the first feed network layer 14 can be a one-to-four-port primary waveguide power splitter as shown in Figure 7, the second feed network layer 15 can be a one-to-four-port primary waveguide power splitter as shown in Figure 8, and the first feed network layer 14 and the second feed network layer 15 can both be ET waveguide power splitters, and the input ports 12 of the two waveguide power splitters are oriented orthogonally), and the feed port layer 16 can be four one-to-four-port secondary waveguide power splitters (for example, HT waveguide power splitters).

[0091] Of course, in combination with the above, the feed network 11 of the feed layer 1 can also have other structures. Optionally, the first feed network layer 14 and the second feed network layer 15 are both single-port waveguide power splitters, and the feed port layer 16 includes multiple output units, each of which has a cylindrical structure with two open ends, and each of the first feed port 142 and the second feed port 152 is coupled to at least one output unit. In this way, the near-field energy fed through each first feed port 142 and / or each second feed port 152 can be transmitted along the corresponding at least one output unit.

[0092] The first open end of the output unit facing away from the second feed network layer 15 serves as the output port 13, and the second open end of the output unit facing the second feed network layer 15 serves as the energy feed port, and each of the first feed port 142 and the second feed port 152 is coupled to at least one corresponding energy feed port. For example, the first feed network layer 14 and the second feed network layer 15 are the one-to-four-port waveguide power splitter described above, and the feed port layer 16 includes 4*4 output units. In this case, the first open end of the 4*4 output units serves as the 4*4 output port 13, and the energy feed ports of the four output units distributed 2*2 are each coupled to a first feed port 142 and a second feed port 152.

[0093] The output unit included in the feed port layer 16 may be a cylindrical waveguide structure, an I-shaped waveguide structure, or a ridge waveguide structure.

[0094] Furthermore, the feed layer 1 also includes a waveguide matching layer 17 located between the second feed network layer 15 and the feed port layer 16. The waveguide matching layer 17 has a plurality of matching units 171. The plurality of matching units 171 correspond to and are coupled with the plurality of second feed ports 152 one by one, and one matching unit 171 corresponds to and is coupled with at least one output port 13. In this way, for the near-field energy of the first feed port 142 and / or the second feed port 152, the coupling effect between the first feed port 142 and / or the second feed port 152 and the corresponding at least one output port 13 can be improved through the coordination of the matching unit 171, thereby ensuring the transmission effect of the near-field energy of the first feed port 142 and / or the second feed port 152 to the corresponding at least one output port 13, thereby effectively ensuring the intensity of the near-field energy fed from the multiple output ports 13 and ensuring the effect of the array antenna 10.

[0095] Among them, the matching unit 171 included in the waveguide matching layer 17 can be a cylindrical structure with openings at both ends, and the energy feed port of the matching unit 171 and the corresponding second feed port 152 have an overlapping area in the thickness direction of the array antenna 10, and the energy feed port of the matching unit 171 and the energy feed port of the corresponding at least one output unit have an overlapping area in the thickness direction of the array antenna 10, thereby facilitating the coupling of near-field energy between the matching unit 171 and the corresponding first feed port 142 and the second feed port 152, as well as the coupling between the matching unit 171 and the corresponding at least one output port 13.

[0096] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the energy redistribution layer 2 is mainly used to redistribute the near-field energy of the feed layer 1. Specifically, the energy redistribution layer 2 includes multiple distribution areas. When realizing the redistribution of near-field energy, the near-field energy can be deflected based on the influence of the distribution area during the transmission along the thickness direction of the array antenna 10, thereby adjusting the distribution of the near-field energy in the multiple distribution areas to realize the redistribution of near-field energy.

[0097] The energy redistribution layer 2 can be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. Compared to a single-layer energy redistribution layer 2, a multi-layer energy redistribution layer 2 can further ensure the near-field energy distribution effect, ensure that the array antenna 10 further meets the design requirements, and improve the directivity of the array antenna 10. In addition, for a multi-layer energy redistribution layer 2, each layer can have different dimensions in the thickness direction of the array antenna 10 to further increase the degree of freedom in the distribution of near-field energy.

[0098] Next, a detailed explanation will be given by taking the energy redistribution layer 2 of a one-layer structure as an example.

[0099] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the energy redistribution layer 2 includes a plurality of energy distribution bars 21; the length direction of the energy distribution bars 21 is parallel to the row direction X of the plurality of output ports 13 distributed in the array, and the plurality of energy distribution bars 21 are spaced apart along the column direction Y of the plurality of output ports 13 distributed in the array, and in the column direction Y, each output port 13 has an energy distribution bar 21 on both sides.

[0100] In this way, through the setting of the energy distribution bars 21, a distribution area is formed between the energy distribution bars 21 on both sides of each row of output ports 13 in the column direction Y. Then, when the near-field energy of each row of output ports 13 is transmitted along the energy redistribution layer 2, it can converge to the middle position of the two energy distribution bars 21 or diffuse to the outer position of the two energy distribution bars 21 under the influence of the two energy distribution bars 21 on both sides in the column direction Y, thereby realizing the redistribution of near-field energy.

[0101] Among them, in the column direction Y, two energy distribution bars 21 can be set between two adjacent rows of output ports 13 to correspond to one row of output ports 13 respectively. Alternatively, as shown in FIG10 , one energy distribution bar 21 can be set between two adjacent rows of output ports 13, that is, two adjacent rows of output ports 13 share one energy distribution bar 21. In this way, the number of energy distribution bars 21 can be reduced, thereby reducing the size of the array antenna 10 in the column direction. In addition, the orthographic projection of each energy distribution bar 21 on the feed layer 1 can be located on one side of the output port 13 in the column direction Y, or there can be a certain overlapping area with the output port 13. As long as the energy distribution bar 21 does not completely block the output port 13, the embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0102] Optionally, the energy distribution bar 21 is made of metal, and the width of the energy distribution bar 21 increases in the direction away from the feed layer 1. In this way, an approximately trapezoidal-shaped waveguide cavity structure can be formed by two adjacent energy distribution bars 21, so that the near-field energy of each row of output ports 13 converges to the position centered between the two adjacent energy distribution bars 21 during transmission, thereby achieving the near-field energy of each row of output ports 13 matching the center position of each row of output ports 13 in the column direction Y. Of course, the width of the energy distribution bar 21 can also decrease in the direction away from the feed layer 1. In this way, an approximately inverted trapezoidal-shaped waveguide cavity structure can be formed by two adjacent energy distribution bars 21, so that the near-field energy of each row of output ports 13 diffuses to the position close to the energy distribution bars 21 on both sides during transmission, thereby achieving the near-field energy of each row of output ports 13 matching the free space.

[0103] Optionally, the energy distribution strip 21 is made of foam. Preferably, the energy distribution strip 21 is made of polyethylene foam. For energy distribution strips 21 made of foam, the dielectric constant of the energy distribution strip 21 can be adjusted through foaming technology to achieve the desired redistribution of near-field energy at the output port 13. The better the foaming effect of the energy distribution strip 21, the greater the dielectric constant of the energy distribution strip 21, thereby facilitating the transmission of near-field energy.

[0104] When the energy distribution strips 21 are made of foam, the dielectric constant of the energy distribution strips 21 differs from the dielectric constant of the air medium between two adjacent energy distribution strips 21. This allows for near-field energy redistribution in conjunction with the foam energy distribution strips 21. For example, when the dielectric constant of the energy distribution strips 21 is greater than the dielectric constant of the air medium between two adjacent energy distribution strips 21, the near-field energy of each row of output ports 13 can be diffused toward locations near the energy distribution strips 21 on both sides during transmission, thereby achieving near-field energy matching of each row of output ports 13 with free space.

[0105] As for the energy distribution strips 21 made of foam material, the dielectric constants of the multiple energy distribution strips 21 included in the energy redistribution layer 2 can be the same or different. When the dielectric constants of the multiple energy distribution strips 21 are the same, the near-field energy of each row of output ports 13 is used as the distribution area for redistribution, that is, the energy distribution strips 21 on both sides of each row of output ports 13 are used to adjust the near-field energy of the row of output ports 13 to diffuse to the position close to the energy distribution strips 21 on both sides, so that the near-field energy of each row of output ports 13 is matched to the free space; when the dielectric constants of the multiple energy distribution strips 21 are not all the same, the near-field energy of the multiple output ports 13 included in the feed layer 1 is redistributed as a whole, that is, the near-field energy of the multiple output ports 13 included in the feed layer 1 is adjusted by the multiple energy distribution strips 21 included in the energy redistribution layer 2, so that the near-field energy of the multiple output ports 13 is matched to the free space.

[0106] Among them, in the case where the dielectric constants of the multiple energy distribution bars 21 are not all the same, the dielectric constants of the multiple energy distribution bars 21 can be increased from the middle to the sides in the column direction Y. In this way, the near-field energy of the multiple output ports 13 can be diffused by the multiple energy distribution bars 21, that is, the near-field energy of the multiple output ports 13 can be matched to the free space. Of course, the dielectric constants of the multiple energy distribution bars 21 can also be decreased from the middle to the sides in the column direction. In this way, the near-field energy of the multiple output ports 13 can be converged by the multiple energy distribution bars 21, that is, the near-field energy of the multiple output ports 13 can be matched to the center position of the array antenna 10.

[0107] In addition, each of the multiple energy distribution bars 21 can be a strip-shaped structure with a uniform dielectric constant. In this case, the near-field energy of the output port 13 can be redistributed in the manner described above. Of course, any energy distribution bar 21 can also be a strip-shaped structure with a non-uniform dielectric constant. In this case, as shown in FIG11 , the energy distribution bar 21 includes multiple structural layers 211 bonded in the arrangement direction (i.e., the column direction Y) of the multiple energy distribution bars 21. Thus, the multiple structural layers 211 with different dielectric constants further achieve coordinated distribution of the near-field energy of the output port 13.

[0108] Among them, for the multiple structural layers 211 included in the energy distribution bar 21, the dielectric constants of the multiple structural layers 211 can be increased in the direction away from the adjacent output port 13, or the dielectric constants of the multiple structural layers 211 can be decreased in the direction away from the adjacent output port 13. The embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0109] It should be noted that the increasing or decreasing dielectric constants of the multiple structural layers 211 included in the above-mentioned energy distribution bar 21 are limited to the situation where energy distribution bars 21 are provided on both sides of each row of output ports 13 in the column direction; and when two adjacent rows of output ports 13 share an energy distribution bar 21 in the column direction, for the multiple structural layers 211 included in the energy distribution bar 21, the dielectric constants of the multiple structural layers 211 may be decreasing or increasing in the direction from the middle structural layer 211 to the structural layers 211 on both sides.

[0110] It should also be noted that in addition to being distributed at intervals in the column direction of the multiple output ports 13 distributed in the array, the multiple energy distribution bars 21 mentioned above can also be a part of the energy distribution bars 21 distributed in the row direction X of the multiple output ports 13 distributed in the array (that is, the energy distribution bars 21 extend along the column direction), and the remaining part of the energy distribution bars 21 are distributed in the column direction Y of the multiple output ports 13 distributed in the array (that is, the energy distribution bars 21 extend along the row direction). At this time, the multiple energy distribution bars 21 can form distribution areas corresponding to the multiple output ports 13 one by one, so that the near-field energy of each output port 13 can be individually adjusted through each distribution area, thereby realizing the distribution of the near-field energy of the multiple output ports 13, and further ensuring the directivity of the array antenna 10.

[0111] Among them, the distribution of the energy distribution bars 21 distributed along the row direction X and the energy distribution bars 21 distributed along the column direction Y can refer to the above-mentioned explanation of the distribution along the column direction, and the specific material and structure of the energy distribution bars 21 can refer to the above-mentioned description, which will not be repeated in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0112] In other embodiments, as shown in Figures 12, 13, or 14, the energy redistribution layer 2 comprises a single layer of foam, with different regions exhibiting varying foaming effects. This ensures that the dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer 2 varies across locations, thereby redistributing the near-field energy of the multiple output ports 13. Regions of the energy redistribution layer 2 with greater foaming effects have greater dielectric constants, facilitating near-field energy transmission.

[0113] In particular, for the energy redistribution layer 2 having a whole layer structure and a foam material, in combination with the above, preferably, the material of the energy redistribution layer 2 is polyethylene foam. For the energy redistribution layer 2 made of a foam material, the foaming effect of the energy redistribution layer 2 in different regions can be adjusted through foaming technology, thereby achieving different dielectric constants in different regions of the energy redistribution layer 2.

[0114] Optionally, as shown in Figure 12, the energy redistribution layer 2 has multiple first distribution areas 22 and second distribution areas 23 surrounding each first distribution area 22; the multiple first distribution areas 22 correspond one-to-one to the multiple output ports 13, and the orthographic projection of the first distribution area 22 on the feed layer 1 has an overlapping area with the corresponding output port 13, and the dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer 2 in the first distribution area 22 is different from the dielectric constant in the second distribution area 23.

[0115] In this way, when multiple first distribution areas 22 correspond one-to-one to multiple output ports 13, and the dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer 2 in the first distribution area 22 is different from the dielectric constant in the second distribution area 23, the near-field energy of each output port 13 can be adjusted between the first distribution area 22 and the second distribution area 23 to achieve redistribution of near-field energy.

[0116] Among them, when the dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer 2 in the first distribution area 22 is greater than the dielectric constant in the second distribution area 23, the near-field energy of the output port 13 can form a trend of converging toward the first distribution area 22 between the corresponding first distribution area 22 and the second distribution area 23 when passing through the energy redistribution layer 2, thereby realizing the matching of the near-field energy of the output port 13 toward the center line direction close to the output port 13; and when the dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer 2 in the first distribution area 22 is less than the dielectric constant in the second distribution area 23, the near-field energy of the output port 13 can form a trend of diffusing toward the second distribution area 23 between the corresponding first distribution area 22 and the second distribution area 23 when passing through the energy redistribution layer 2, thereby realizing the matching of the near-field energy of the output port 13 toward the center line direction away from the output port 13.

[0117] The dielectric constants of the energy redistribution layer 2 in the multiple first distribution areas 22 may be the same or different, or may be partially the same and the remaining parts different. For example, the dielectric constants of the outermost first distribution areas 22 may be the same, but different from the dielectric constants of the other first distribution areas 22.

[0118] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, the energy redistribution layer 2 also has a third distribution area 24; the third distribution area 24 has a grid structure, and divides the second distribution area 23 into multiple second sub-distribution areas respectively surrounding the multiple first distribution areas 22. The dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer 2 in the third distribution area 24 is different from the dielectric constant in the second sub-distribution area.

[0119] As shown in Figure 13 , the third distribution area 24 is formed by a plurality of strip-shaped regions extending in the row direction and a plurality of strip-shaped regions extending in the column direction. Thus, when the near-field energy at each output port 13 is redistributed through the corresponding first distribution area 22 and second sub-distribution area, further adjustments in the third distribution area 24 can be made to achieve near-field energy centering or free-space matching.

[0120] For example, the dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer 2 in the third distribution area 24 is smaller than the dielectric constant in the second sub-distribution area. At this time, the near-field energy of the output port 13 can be matched between the second sub-distribution area and the third distribution area 24 in the direction close to the second sub-distribution area, thereby avoiding mutual influence between the near-field energies of two adjacent output ports 13.

[0121] Optionally, as shown in Figure 14, the energy redistribution layer 2 has multiple first distribution areas 22, multiple second distribution areas 23, and a fourth distribution area 25 surrounding each first distribution area 22 and each second distribution area 23; each first distribution area 22 corresponds to an output port 13, each second distribution area 23 corresponds to multiple output ports 13, and the orthographic projection of the first distribution area 22 on the feed layer 1 has an overlapping area with the corresponding output port 13, and the orthographic projection of the second distribution area 23 on the feed layer 1 has an overlapping area with the corresponding multiple output ports 13, and the dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer 2 in the first distribution area 22 and the dielectric constant in the second distribution area 23 are different from the dielectric constant in the fourth distribution area 25.

[0122] There is an overlapping area between the orthographic projection of a first distribution area 22 on the feed layer 1 and the area where a corresponding output port 13 is located, and there are overlapping areas between the orthographic projection of a second distribution area 23 on the feed layer 1 and the areas where the corresponding two output ports 13 are located.

[0123] In this way, the multiple output ports 13 included in the feed layer 1 can be divided into a first type of output ports 13 corresponding to the first distribution area 22 and a second type of output ports 13 corresponding to the second distribution area 23, and then, when the dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer 2 in the first distribution area 22 is different from that in the fourth distribution area 25, the near-field energy of the first type of output port 13 is adjusted between the first distribution area 22 and the fourth distribution area 25; and when the dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer 2 in the second distribution area 23 is different from that in the fourth distribution area 25, the near-field energy of the second type of output port 13 is adjusted between the second distribution area 23 and the fourth distribution area 25, thereby realizing the redistribution of near-field energy.

[0124] Among them, for the redistribution of the near-field energy of the first type output port 13 between the first distribution area 22 and the fourth distribution area 25, and the redistribution of the near-field energy of the second type output port 13 between the second distribution area 23 and the fourth distribution area 25, reference can be made to the above-mentioned redistribution of the near-field energy of the output port 13 between the first distribution area 22 and the second distribution area 23, and the embodiments of the present disclosure will not be repeated here.

[0125] It should be noted that, when the energy redistribution layer 2 is a whole-layer structure, the radiation layer 3 mentioned above includes a carrier layer, and the energy redistribution layer 2 can be reused as a carrier layer, that is, the radiation layer 3 only includes the radiation unit 31, and the radiation unit 31 is arranged on the energy redistribution layer 2 of the whole-layer structure, thereby simplifying the structure of the radiation layer 3, facilitating reducing the thickness of the array antenna 10, and realizing the thinness of the array antenna 10.

[0126] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG6 or FIG9 , the array antenna 10 further includes a phase shift layer 4, which is located between the energy redistribution layer 2 and the radiation layer 3 and has a plurality of phase shift regions 41 corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of output ports 13. The phase shift regions 41 are used to phase shift the near-field energy redistributed by the corresponding output ports 13.

[0127] In this way, by setting the phase shift layer 4, the phase shift zone 41 included in the phase shift layer 4 can be used to phase shift the near-field energy after redistribution of the corresponding output port 13, thereby expanding the antenna function of the array antenna 10. For example, the phase shift zone 41 can be used to achieve phase shifting of the near-field energy after redistribution of the corresponding output port 13 within the range of 0 degrees to 360 degrees, thereby adjusting the radiation direction of the radiation energy of the radiation unit 31. At this time, a phase shift zone 41 may include a phase shift unit 441; for example, the phase shift zone 41 can be used to phase shift two orthogonal linear polarization signals respectively, so that the phase difference of the two orthogonal linear polarization signals is adjusted from -90 degrees or +90 degrees before the phase shift to 0 degrees after the phase shift, thereby achieving the conversion of circularly polarized signals to linearly polarized signals. The switching of the signals can be realized by adjusting the phase difference of the two orthogonal linear polarization signals from -90 degrees before the phase shift to +90 degrees after the phase shift, thereby realizing the switching from left-hand circular polarization to right-hand circular polarization, or by adjusting the phase difference of the two orthogonal linear polarization signals from +90 degrees before the phase shift to -90 degrees after the phase shift, thereby realizing the switching from right-hand circular polarization to left-hand circular polarization. At this time, one phase shift area 41 may include two phase shift units 441, and the two phase shift units 441 respectively perform separate phase shifting on the two orthogonal linear polarization signals.

[0128] Among them, when the array antenna 10 includes a phase-shift layer 4, the radiation layer 3 described above includes a carrier layer, and the phase-shift layer 4 can be reused as a carrier layer, that is, the radiation layer 3 only includes a radiation unit 31, and the radiation unit 31 is arranged on the phase-shift layer 4, thereby simplifying the structure of the radiation layer 3, facilitating reducing the thickness of the array antenna 10, and realizing a lightweight and thin array antenna 10.

[0129] Optionally, as shown in Figure 6 or Figure 9, the phase shifter 4 includes a first patch layer 42, a first dielectric substrate 43 and a phase shifter 44, which are distributed in sequence in a direction away from the energy redistribution layer 2; the first patch layer 42 includes a plurality of first patch units 421 corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of output ports 13, and the phase shifter 44 includes a plurality of phase shift regions 41 corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of output ports 13.

[0130] In this way, the near-field energy redistributed by the energy redistribution layer 2 can be transmitted to the phase shift region 41 of the phase shifter 44 under the coupling of the first patch unit 421, and then phase-shifted by the phase shift unit 441 included in the phase shift region 41. In addition, the provision of the first dielectric substrate 43 provides support between the phase shifter 44 and the energy redistribution layer 2, thereby avoiding damage to the phase shifter 44 caused by hard contact between the phase shifter 44 and the energy redistribution layer 2.

[0131] In combination with the above description, it can be seen that the phase shift unit 441 included in each phase shift region 41 can be one phase shift unit 441 or two phase shift units 441, and the present embodiment is not limited to this. The first patch unit 421 can be a microstrip line or stripline structure, or of course, a metal sheet with apertures. In this case, the multiple first patch units 421 included in the first patch layer 42 can be integrated on the same metal sheet, thereby simplifying the structure of the first patch layer 42. The first dielectric substrate 43 can be a PCB substrate, etc.

[0132] Furthermore, as shown in FIG6 or FIG9 , the phase-shifting layer 4 further includes a second patch layer 45 and a second dielectric substrate 46, which are sequentially distributed in a direction away from the first dielectric substrate 43 and away from the phase shifter 44. The second patch layer 45 includes a plurality of second patch elements 451 corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of output ports 13. Thus, the phase-shifted near-field energy can be transmitted to the radiating elements 31 of the radiating layer 3 through coupling by the second patch elements 451, thereby ensuring effective near-field energy transmission. Furthermore, the second dielectric substrate 46 provides support between the phase shifter 44 and the radiating layer 3, preventing damage to the phase shifter 44 due to hard contact between the two layers.

[0133] The second patch unit 451 can be a microstrip or stripline structure, or a metal sheet with apertures. In this case, the multiple second patch units 451 included in the second patch layer 45 can be integrated on the same metal sheet, thereby simplifying the structure of the second patch layer 45. The second dielectric substrate 46 can be a PCB substrate, etc.

[0134] It should be noted that the phase shifter 44 mentioned above may be a liquid crystal phase shifter 44 (ie, a liquid crystal phase shift box), and of course may also be other structural components with a phase shifting function, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0135] Taking the phase shifter 44 as an example, a liquid crystal phase shifter, as shown in FIG15 , comprises a first substrate 442, a second substrate 443, and a liquid crystal layer 444. The first and second substrates 442, 443 are positioned opposite each other and fixedly connected by a plastic frame 445. The first, second, and plastic frame 445 define a liquid crystal receiving cavity, within which the liquid crystal layer 444 is located. Furthermore, as shown in FIG15 , the liquid crystal phase shifter also includes spacers 446 positioned within the liquid crystal receiving cavity to provide support between the first and second substrates 442, 443. This ensures the stability of the first and second substrates 442, 443 secured by the plastic frame 445 and prevents the first and second substrates 442, 443 from sagging toward the liquid crystal receiving cavity.

[0136] As shown in FIG15 , a first electrode 4421 is provided on a first substrate 442, and a second electrode 4431 is provided on a second substrate 443. The first electrode 4421 and the second electrode 4431 constitute a phase shift unit 441 within the phase shift region 41. The first electrode 4421 and the second electrode 4431 are respectively configured to apply different voltages to drive the liquid crystal molecules between the first electrode 4421 and the second electrode 4431 to deflect, thereby adjusting the phase of the electromagnetic signal. For example, a common voltage (e.g., a ground voltage) can be applied to the first electrode 4421, and an electrode voltage can be applied to the second electrode 4431.

[0137] At least one of the first electrodes 4421 and the second electrodes 4431 is arranged in an array to facilitate control of the phase shifting units 441 within the multiple phase shifting regions 41 included in the liquid crystal phase shifter 44. Continuing with the above example, the first substrate 442 has a whole layer of metal electrodes, and the whole layer of metal electrodes serves as the first electrodes 4421 of the multiple phase shifting units 441. The second substrate 443 has a plurality of second electrodes 4431 arranged in an array, so that the multiple phase shifting units 441 are formed by the plurality of second electrodes 4431 and the whole layer of metal electrodes. Alternatively, the first substrate 442 has a plurality of first electrodes 4421 arranged in an array, and the second substrate 443 has a plurality of second electrodes 4431 arranged in an array, so that the plurality of first electrodes 4421 and the plurality of second electrodes 4431 correspond one-to-one to each other, so that a phase shifting unit 441 is formed by a corresponding first electrode 4421 and a corresponding second electrode 4431.

[0138] The present disclosure also provides a communication device including the array antenna 10 described in the above embodiment. In combination with the array antenna 10 described above, when the near-field energy of the output port 13 of the feed layer 1 is redistributed through the energy redistribution layer 2, the antenna effect of the array antenna 10 can be maintained, thereby ensuring the communication effect of the communication device.

[0139] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present disclosure after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An array antenna, wherein, Comprising: A feed source layer, including a feed network, the feed network having an input port and a plurality of output ports, the plurality of output ports being arrayed, and the feed network being configured to distribute the feed source energy fed in along the input port to the plurality of output ports; An energy redistribution layer, located on a side of the feed source layer close to the output ports, and having a plurality of distribution regions, the energy redistribution layer being configured to redistribute the near-field energy of the output ports in the plurality of distribution regions; A radiation layer, located on a side of the energy redistribution layer facing away from the feed source layer, and including a plurality of radiation units corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of output ports, the radiation units being configured to radiate the near-field energy redistributed by the corresponding output ports.

2. The array antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The energy redistribution layer includes a plurality of energy distribution bars; The length direction of the energy distribution bars is parallel to the row direction of the plurality of output ports, the plurality of energy distribution bars are spaced apart along the column direction of the plurality of output ports, and on the column direction, there is one energy distribution bar on each side of each output port.

3. The array antenna according to claim 2, wherein, The energy distribution bars are made of metal, and the width of the energy distribution bars increases in a direction away from the feed source layer.

4. The array antenna according to claim 2, wherein, The energy distribution bars are made of foam material.

5. The array antenna according to claim 4, wherein, The dielectric constants of the plurality of energy distribution bars are not all the same, and the dielectric constants of the plurality of energy distribution bars increase from the middle to both sides in the column direction.

6. The array antenna according to claim 4, wherein, The energy distribution bars include a plurality of structural layers attached to each other in the arrangement direction of the plurality of energy distribution bars, and the dielectric constants of the plurality of structural layers increase in a direction away from the adjacent output port.

7. The array antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The energy redistribution layer is a foam material of a whole-layer structure, and the foaming effect is different in different regions.

8. The array antenna according to claim 7, wherein, The energy redistribution layer has a plurality of first distribution regions and a second distribution region surrounding each of the first distribution regions; The plurality of first distribution regions correspond one-to-one to the plurality of output ports, and the orthographic projection of the first distribution region on the feed source layer has an overlapping region with the corresponding output port, and the dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer in the first distribution region is different from the dielectric constant in the second distribution region.

9. The array antenna according to claim 8, wherein, The energy redistribution layer further has a third distribution region; The third distribution region has a grid structure and separates the second distribution region into a plurality of second sub-distribution regions respectively surrounding the plurality of first distribution regions, and the dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer in the third distribution region is different from the dielectric constant in the second sub-distribution region.

10. The array antenna according to claim 7, wherein, The energy redistribution layer has a plurality of first distribution regions, a plurality of second distribution regions, and a fourth distribution region surrounding each of the first distribution regions and each of the second distribution regions; Each first distribution region corresponds to one output port, each second distribution region corresponds to a plurality of output ports, and the orthographic projection of the first distribution region on the feed source layer has an overlapping region with the corresponding one output port, the orthographic projection of the second distribution region on the feed source layer has an overlapping region with the corresponding plurality of output ports, and the dielectric constant of the energy redistribution layer in the first distribution region and the dielectric constant in the second distribution region are both different from the dielectric constant in the fourth distribution region.

11. The array antenna according to claim 7, wherein, The material of the energy distribution bar is polyethylene foam.

12. The array antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The array antenna further includes a phase shifter layer; The phase shifter layer is located between the energy redistribution layer and the radiation layer, and has a plurality of phase shift regions corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of output ports, and the phase shift regions are used to phase-shift the near-field energy redistributed by the corresponding output ports.

13. The array antenna according to claim 12, wherein, The phase shifter layer includes a first patch layer, a first dielectric substrate, a phase shifter, a second patch layer, and a second dielectric substrate that are sequentially distributed in a direction away from the energy redistribution layer; The first patch layer includes a plurality of first patch units corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of output ports, the phase shifter includes a plurality of the phase shift regions corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of output ports, and the second patch layer includes a plurality of second patch units corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of output ports.

14. The array antenna according to claim 13, wherein, The phase shifter is a liquid crystal phase shifter cell.

15. The array antenna according to claim 13, wherein, Both the first patch unit and the second patch unit are in a microstrip line or strip line structure.

16. The array antenna according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein, The feed source layer includes a first feed network layer and a feed source port layer that are sequentially distributed in a direction close to the energy redistribution layer; The first feed network layer has the input port and a plurality of first feed output ports coupled to the input port, the feed source port layer has a plurality of the output ports, and one of the first feed output ports corresponds to and is coupled to at least one of the output ports.

17. The array antenna according to claim 16, wherein, The feed source layer further includes a waveguide matching layer located between the first feed network layer and the feed source port layer; The waveguide matching layer has a plurality of matching units corresponding one-to-one to and coupled to the plurality of first feed output ports, and one of the matching units corresponds to and is coupled to at least one of the output ports.

18. The array antenna according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein, The feed source layer includes a first feed network layer, a second feed network layer, and a feed source port layer that are sequentially distributed in a direction close to the energy redistribution layer; The first feed network layer has a first input port and a plurality of first feed output ports coupled to the first input port, the second feed network layer has a second input port and a plurality of second feed output ports coupled to the second input port, the orientation of the first input port is orthogonal to the orientation of the second input port in the plane where the array antenna is located, and the plurality of first feed output ports correspond one-to-one to the plurality of second feed output ports, and the corresponding first feed output port and second feed output port have an overlapping area in the thickness direction of the array antenna; The feed source port layer has a plurality of the output ports, and one of the first feed output ports and one of the second feed output ports both correspond to and are coupled to at least one of the output ports.

19. The array antenna according to claim 18, wherein, The feed source layer further includes a waveguide matching layer located between the second feed network layer and the feed source port layer; The waveguide matching layer has a plurality of matching units, the plurality of matching units correspond one-to-one to and are coupled to the plurality of second feed output ports, and one of the matching units corresponds to and is coupled to at least one of the output ports.

20. A communication device, wherein, The communication device includes the array antenna according to any one of claims 1-19.

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