Radome antenna

Abstract

The present invention relates to a radome antenna and, more specifically, to a radome antenna, which use a radome for delaying the phase of radio waves transmitted and received by the antenna, so as to form a cosecant beam or a cosecant-squared beam that has a side lobe at a wide angle in a main beam and minimizes nulls, and thus tropospheric scatter communication for near field communication with improved communication efficiency can be used.

Description

radome antenna

[0001] The present invention relates to a radome antenna, and more particularly, to a radome antenna that can be used for short-distance communication with improved communication efficiency by forming a cosecant beam or a cosecant square beam having a side lobe at a wide angle from a main beam and minimizing nulls by using a radome that delays the phase of radio waves transmitted and received by the antenna.

[0002]

[0003] Referring to Figure 1, Tropospheric Scatter Communication is a communication method in which a transmitter transmits a directional beam toward a receiver of an earth station in the troposphere about 12 km or less above the ground, and the receiver located on the opposite side receives the scattered signals. In a common volume in the troposphere where the directional antenna beams between the transmitter and receiver intersect, a portion of the scattered signals is received by the receiver, enabling Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communication.

[0004] This type of tropospheric scattered wave communication offers advantages over satellites: a transmission delay of only a few milliseconds (msec), a wide frequency range, and the absence of separate satellites or high-altitude relay systems. Furthermore, over long distances, the beam's ionospheric incidence angle and wide reflection area offer the advantage of high ionospheric reflection efficiency.

[0005] However, in the case of our country, there are many mountainous regions, so when using a general antenna with a pencil beam, the scattering area in the ionosphere is reduced, which reduces communication efficiency, making tropospheric scattered wave communication unsuitable for short-distance communication.

[0006]

[0007] Accordingly, the technical problem of the present invention is conceived from this point, and relates to a radome antenna that can be used for short-distance communication with improved communication efficiency by forming a cosecant beam or a cosecant square beam having a side lobe at a wide angle from the main beam and minimizing null by using a radome that delays the phase of radio waves transmitted and received by the antenna.

[0008]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a radome antenna is provided, characterized by including: a reflector having a concave portion formed thereon; an antenna feeder provided spaced apart from the reflector to supply radio waves; a transmission line provided on the reflector and electrically connected to the antenna feeder; and a radome covering the reflector and delaying the phase of radio waves transmitted or received by the antenna feeder.

[0010] At this time, the radome includes a circular flat portion; and a bent portion bent inward from the outer periphery of the flat portion; and the antenna feeder can be positioned between the reflector and the flat portion of the radome inside the radome.

[0011] In addition, the radome includes a circular flat portion; and a bent portion bent inward from the outer periphery of the flat portion; and the antenna feeder can be located outside the flat portion of the radome.

[0012] At this time, the circular flat portion has a constant thickness in the first direction, and the circular flat portion can have a thickness that changes in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0013] At this time, the circular flat portion can be formed to have a thickness that is curved in the second direction.

[0014] At this time, the outer surface of the circular plane is flat, and the inner surface can be formed to be curved in a wave shape.

[0015] Meanwhile, the circular planar portion may be formed with a phase delay module for delaying the phase of the radio wave.

[0016] At this time, the phase delay module may include a substrate provided on the inner surface of the flat portion; and a phase delay circuit formed on one surface of the substrate in which an L-shaped circuit pattern is formed symmetrically up and down and left and right around a cross-shaped axis pattern.

[0017] At this time, a stub formed to extend to have a constant length from the end of each of the above-mentioned L-shaped circuit patterns may be further included.

[0018]

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is an effect that tropospheric scatter communication can be used for short-distance communication with improved communication efficiency by forming a cosecant beam or a cosecant square beam having a side lobe at a wide angle from the main beam and minimizing null by using a radome that delays the phase of radio waves transmitted and received by an antenna.

[0020]

[0021] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0022]

[0023] The above summary, as well as the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present application described below, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present invention, preferred embodiments are depicted in the drawings. However, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the precise arrangements and means illustrated.

[0024]

[0025] Figure 1 is a reference diagram for explaining tropospheric scatter communication.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a reference diagram for explaining a radome antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a reference diagram for explaining a radome antenna according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are reference drawings for explaining the effect of a radome antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Fig. 6 (a) is a plan view of the flat portion (141) of the radome (140) viewed from the inside of the radome antenna, Fig. 6 (b) is a cross-sectional view of part A viewed from the first direction of Fig. 6 (a), and Fig. 6 (c) is a cross-sectional view of part A viewed from the second direction of Fig. 6 (a).

[0030] FIG. 7 is a reference diagram for explaining another phase delay means of a radome antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031]

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the attached drawings are provided solely to more easily disclose the contents of the present invention, and those skilled in the art will readily understand that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the attached drawings.

[0033] In addition, in describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is to be noted in advance that components having the same function are not completely identical to components of the prior art, although the same names and symbols are used.

[0034] In addition, the terminology used in this application is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0035]

[0036] Hereinafter, a radome antenna according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In describing with reference to the attached drawings, identical or corresponding components are assigned the same drawing numbers and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0037]

[0038] A radome antenna according to the present embodiment may include a reflector (110), an antenna feeder (120), a transmission line (130), and a radome (140).

[0039] The reflector (110) is formed in a concave plate shape so that an internal space is formed therein, and a transmission line (130) electrically connected to an antenna feeder (120) is formed on the reflector (110). At this time, the transmission line (130) may be a cable or a waveguide, and an antenna feeder (120) may be provided on one side of the transmission line (130). At this time, a conductor (not shown) may be formed inside the transmission line (130) to supply power to the antenna feeder (120) provided at the end of the transmission line (130) or to perform the function of a transmission line that processes radio waves received by the antenna feeder (120).

[0040] The antenna feeder (120) is spaced apart from the reflector (110) and is provided on one side of the transmission line (130) that penetrates the reflector (110). At this time, the antenna feeder (120) may be spaced apart from the center of the reflector (110). The antenna feeder (120) is introduced into the antenna from the outside and receives radio waves reflected by the reflector (110) or emits an electrical signal transmitted through the transmission line (130) to transmit radio waves to the outside through the reflector (110).

[0041] The radome (140) covers the reflector (110) and delays the phase of radio waves transmitted or received by the antenna feeder (120). That is, radio waves transmitted to the outside of the antenna through the antenna feeder (120) and radio waves received by the antenna feeder (120) must pass through the radome (140) during the transmission or reception process. The radome (140) according to the present invention is provided with a means for delaying the phase of radio waves passing through it, thereby delaying the phase of radio waves transmitted or received and converting them into a cosecant beam or a cosecant square beam suitable for tropospheric scatter communication. This will be described later.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a reference diagram for explaining a radome antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, in the radome antenna according to the present embodiment, an antenna feeder (120) can be positioned between a reflector (110) and a radome (140) inside a radome (140).

[0043] Specifically, the radome (140) may include a flat portion (141) and a folded portion (142). The flat portion (141) may be formed in a circular shape to correspond to the flat shape of the reflector (110), and the folded portion (142) may be formed by being folded inward at a constant height from the outer periphery of the flat portion (141).

[0044] FIG. 2 is a reference diagram for explaining a radome antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) of FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the radome antenna, and (b) of FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view. Referring to FIG. 2, an antenna feeder (120) may be positioned between a reflector (110) and a flat surface (141) of the radome (140) within the radome (140). At this time, the antenna feeder (120) may be positioned adjacent to the flat surface (141) of the radome (140).

[0045] According to the present embodiment, the antenna feeder (120) is positioned inside the radome antenna, so that when receiving radio waves, the radio waves entering the antenna are delayed in phase as they pass through the radome (140), and the radio waves reflected by the reflector (110) are received by the antenna feeder (120), and when transmitting radio waves, the radio waves emitted by the antenna feeder (120) are reflected by the reflector (110), and the radio waves are delayed in phase as they pass through the radome (140), and the radio waves are transmitted to the outside of the antenna. Accordingly, the phase of the radio waves being transmitted or received is delayed, and converted into a cosecant beam or a cosecant square beam suitable for tropospheric scatter communication.

[0046] Specifically, FIGS. 4 and 5 are reference diagrams for explaining the effect of a radome antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the N region shown in FIG. 4 indicates a scattering region of radio waves in a state where the phase is delayed by the radome (140) of the radome antenna according to the present embodiment, and the O region indicates a scattering region of radio waves in a state where the radome (140) is not provided. In addition, (a) of FIG. 5 illustrates a radiation pattern of radio waves in a state where the radome (140) is not provided, and (b) of FIG. 5 illustrates a radiation pattern of radio waves in a state where the radome (140) is provided. Referring to (a) of Fig. 5, it can be confirmed that the radio wave pattern in a state where a radome (140) is not provided is formed with multiple narrow side lobes and a null formed between the side lobes, whereas according to (b) of Fig. 5, it can be confirmed that a pattern is formed in which the side lobes of the radio wave are expanded and the null is minimized through the phase delay according to the radome (140).

[0047] As the phase delay of the radio waves transmitted / received by the radome (140) increases, the side lobe expands and the null is minimized, so that the propagation pattern forms a cosecant beam or a cosecant square beam, thereby increasing the angle of incidence into the ionosphere and widening the reflection area, thereby increasing the ionosphere reflection efficiency, and thus enabling tropospheric scatter communication to be used for short-distance communication with improved communication efficiency.

[0048] In this embodiment, the antenna feeder (120) is located inside the radome (140), so stable radio wave transmission / reception is possible without being affected by the external environment.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a reference diagram for explaining a radome antenna according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 (a) is a perspective view of the radome antenna, and FIG. 3 (b) is a cross-sectional view. Referring to FIG. 3, the antenna feeder (120) may be located outside the flat portion (141) of the radome (140).

[0050] According to the present embodiment, the antenna feeder (120) is positioned outside the radome antenna, so that when receiving radio waves, radio waves entering the antenna are delayed in phase as they pass through the radome (140), and the radio waves reflected by the reflector (110) are delayed in phase as they pass through the radome (140) again, so that the antenna feeder (120) receives radio waves with a phase delay of two times, and when transmitting radio waves, radio waves emitted by the antenna feeder (120) are delayed in phase as they pass through the radome (140), are introduced into the antenna, are reflected by the reflector (110), and the radio waves reflected by the reflector (110) are delayed in phase as they pass through the radome (140) again, so that the radio waves with a phase delay of two times are transmitted outside the antenna. Accordingly, the phase of the radio waves being transmitted or received is delayed, and converted into a cosecant beam or a cosecant square beam suitable for tropospheric scatter communication.

[0051] According to the present embodiment, since the radio waves pass through the radome (140) twice each during transmission / reception, the phase delay is performed twice, thereby increasing the width of the side lobe of the transmission / reception radio wave pattern, thereby further improving the ionospheric reflection efficiency. At this time, since the radome antenna according to the present embodiment has the antenna feeder (120) positioned outside the radome (140), a protective cover (not shown) surrounding the antenna feeder (120) may be further provided to protect the antenna feeder (120) from the external environment.

[0052] The effect of the radome antenna according to the present embodiment can be confirmed through FIGS. 4 and 5, and since the description of FIGS. 4 and 5 is the same as that of the previous embodiment, the detailed description will be replaced with the description of the previous embodiment.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a reference diagram for explaining a phase delay means of a radome antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a reference diagram for explaining another phase delay means of a radome antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Hereinafter, the phase delay means provided in the radome (140) will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0055] FIG. 6 (a) is a plan view of a flat portion (141) of a radome (140) viewed from the inside of the radome antenna, FIG. 6 (b) is a cross-sectional view of portion A viewed from the first direction of FIG. 6 (a), and FIG. 6 (c) is a cross-sectional view of portion A viewed from the second direction of FIG. 6 (a). The phase delay means included in the radome antenna of the present embodiment may be a flat portion (141) of a radome (140) having a variable thickness. That is, referring to FIG. 6 (a) to (c), the circular flat portion (141) may be formed to have a constant thickness in a first direction and to have a thickness that changes as it goes in a second direction. At this time, the first direction may be a horizontal direction in the drawing, and the second direction may be a vertical direction in the drawing, which is a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0056] Figure 6 (b) is a cross-sectional view of part A as viewed from the first direction of Figure 6 (a), and the flat portion (141) is formed so that the thickness changes as it goes in the second direction, that is, the vertical direction, and at this time, the thickness is formed to be constant in the first direction (see Figure 6 (C)).

[0057] At this time, referring to (b) of Fig. 6, the flat portion (141) may be formed to have a curved shape with a thickness that changes as it goes in the second direction. Specifically, the outer surface of the circular flat portion (141) may be flat, and the inner surface may be formed to be curved in a wave shape.

[0058] In the present embodiment, by forming the flat portion (141) of the radome (140) to be curved so that the thickness changes as it goes in the second direction, the phase of the transmitted / received radio waves is delayed, thereby converting the radio wave pattern into a cosecant beam or a cosecant square beam, thereby improving the ionospheric reflection efficiency.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a reference diagram for explaining another phase delay means of a radome antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention. The phase delay means included in the radome antenna of the present embodiment may be a phase delay module (150) provided on a flat portion (141) of a radome (140).

[0060] The phase delay module (150) may be a substrate (151) provided on the inner surface of the flat surface (141) and a phase delay circuit (153) formed on the substrate (151).

[0061] The substrate (151) may have a phase delay circuit (153) formed on one side and may be formed in various shapes such as a square or honeycomb.

[0062] The phase delay circuit (153) is a circuit for delaying the phase of a passing radio wave, and may be a circuit in which an L-shaped circuit pattern is formed on one surface of a substrate (151) so as to be symmetrical up and down and left and right around a cross-shaped axis pattern.

[0063] At this time, stubs (155A, 155B) can be formed to extend to have a constant length from the end of each L-shaped circuit pattern. At this time, the stubs (155A, 155B) can delay the phase of radio waves passing through the phase delay circuit (153) by adjusting the length, and the lengths of the stubs (155A, 155B) included in the phase delay circuit (153) can be formed to be different from each other.

[0064] According to this embodiment, the phase of radio waves passing through the radome (140) can be delayed over a wide range by adjusting the length of the stub (155A, 155B).

[0065] In the present embodiment, a phase delay module (150) having a phase delay circuit (153) formed on the surface of a flat portion (141) of a radome (140) is provided to delay the phase of transmitted / received radio waves, thereby converting the radio wave pattern into a cosecant beam or a cosecant square beam, thereby improving the ionospheric reflection efficiency.

[0066]

[0067] Thus, according to the present invention, by using a radome that delays the phase of radio waves transmitted and received by an antenna, a cosecant beam or a cosecant square beam having a side lobe at a wide angle from the main beam and minimizing nulls is formed, thereby enabling the use of tropospheric scatter communication for short-distance communication with improved communication efficiency.

[0068]

[0069] As described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, in addition to the embodiments described above, without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the above description, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Reflector with concave portion; An antenna feeder provided at a distance from the above reflector to supply radio waves; A transmission line provided on the above reflector and electrically connected to the antenna feeder; and A radome antenna, characterized by including a radome covering the reflector and delaying the phase of a radio wave transmitted or received by the antenna feeder.

2. In paragraph 1, The above radome includes a circular flat portion; and a bent portion bent inwardly from the outer periphery of the flat portion; A radome antenna, characterized in that the antenna feeder is located between the reflector and the flat surface of the radome inside the radome.

3. In paragraph 1, The above radome includes a circular flat portion; and a bent portion bent inwardly from the outer periphery of the flat portion; A radome antenna, characterized in that the antenna feeder is located outside the flat portion of the radome.

4. In paragraph 2 or 3, The above circular flat surface has a constant thickness in the first direction, A radome antenna, characterized in that the circular planar portion has a thickness that changes in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

5. In paragraph 4, A radome antenna, characterized in that the above circular flat portion is formed with a thickness that is curved in a second direction.

6. In paragraph 5, A radome antenna characterized in that the outer surface of the circular plane is flat and the inner surface is formed to be curved in a wave shape.

7. In paragraph 2 or 3, A radome antenna, characterized in that the above circular flat portion has a phase delay module formed therein for delaying the phase of a radio wave.

8. In paragraph 7, The above phase delay module, A substrate provided on the inner surface of the above flat surface; and A radome antenna, characterized in that it includes a phase delay circuit on one surface of the substrate, in which an L-shaped circuit pattern is formed symmetrically up and down and left and right around a cross-shaped axis pattern.

9. In paragraph 8, A radome antenna, characterized in that it further includes a stub formed to extend to have a constant length from the end of each of the above L-shaped circuit patterns.

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