Antenna device and method for producing an antenna device

Abstract

The present invention provides an antenna device (10) comprising: a main body (1) having an emission side (AS) and at least one emission opening (AO) in the emission side (AS), which extends into the main body (1); at least one waveguide element (2) which runs through the main body (1) and / or on the main body (1) as far as the at least one emission opening (AO) and opens into the latter, wherein radiation can be received and / or emitted via the at least one emission opening (AO); and at least one secondary aperture (NA) which is made in the main body (1) and is located at a predetermined position laterally next to the at least one emission opening (AO) in the emission side (AS).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title and method for producing a

[0003] The present invention relates to an antenna device and a method for producing an antenna device.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Radiating elements can provide a focusing property for the emitted and received radiation. This focusing property can be present in a plane parallel to the polarization of the wave, making it possible to generate a focused beam in the azimuthal direction, particularly in automotive radar antenna arrays. However, for some applications, significantly stronger azimuthal focusing may be necessary. Large azimuthal angles, for example, can be covered by corner sensors mounted on the side of the vehicle, while only a narrow beam needs to be covered at the front to cover functions such as automated cruise control (ACC).

[0006] Variations to increase the focusing to the azimuth may involve a wide aperture or the application of multiple (active) elements in the azimuth direction, but such solutions may be complex and difficult to implement if the height of the waveguides or (antenna) channel separation areas is limited.

[0007] US 2020313304 describes openings between antenna apertures. Disclosure of the invention

[0008] The present invention provides an antenna device according to claim 1 and a method for manufacturing an antenna device according to claim 10.

[0009] Preferred further training is the subject of the subclaims.

[0010] Advantages of the invention

[0011] The idea underlying the present invention is to provide an antenna device and a method for producing an antenna device, wherein a focusing, for example in the azimuth direction, can be increased and a corresponding component can be provided without significantly increasing a number of waveguides and / or a height of the antenna block / antenna element.

[0012] According to the invention, the antenna device comprises a base body with a radiation side and at least one radiation opening in the radiation side, which extends into the base body; at least one waveguide element which runs through the base body and / or on the base body up to and opens into the at least one radiation opening, wherein radiation can be received and / or emitted via the at least one radiation opening; and at least one secondary aperture which is introduced into the base body and is located in a predetermined position laterally next to the at least one radiation opening in the radiation side.

[0013] With the antenna device mentioned, the alignment of the radiation and focusing can be advantageously improved and specifications regarding the height of the base body and the use of only one waveguide can be implemented.

[0014] The secondary aperture(s) can each be slits, hollows, etched cutouts, or other forms of recesses in the base body. Their depth, width, length, and other shape parameters can correspond to a specification, for example, to achieve a desired radiation pattern. The secondary aperture(s) can, for example, represent so-called parasitic recesses. The azimuth can run in a lateral direction toward the aperture opening. The secondary aperture(s) can advantageously generate constructive interference for a wavefront of the radiation emitted through the aperture opening. For this purpose, the wavefront can be reflected at the secondary aperture and emitted into space. The positive interference can then occur in a direction perpendicular to the emission side with the wavefronts of the radiation from the aperture opening, or inclined to it at certain angles.

[0015] The antenna device can be used for automotive radar applications, and due to the increased aperture, the antenna device can be suitable for forward-looking radar systems on the vehicle, in which area the antenna beam should be more focused in order to increase the radar range in the direction of travel.

[0016] The base body can be a substrate, an antenna body, or an antenna block. The waveguide element can be a so-called feed layer.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the antenna device, a secondary aperture is provided on each lateral side of the radiation opening, vertically spaced from an elongated main extension direction of the radiation opening, which secondary aperture extends mainly parallel to the elongated main extension direction of the radiation opening.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the antenna device, the secondary apertures are each equally spaced from the associated radiation opening, for example even if this is a double aperture, in particular then the distance of the secondary aperture to the nearest aperture opening can be the same as for the other secondary aperture(s).

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the antenna device, it comprises at least one row of radiation openings, each with two laterally spaced secondary apertures per radiation opening, wherein two mutually adjacent radiation openings in the respective row are adjacent along their elongated main extension direction.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the antenna device, the radiation opening comprises a single or double opening.

[0021] The double aperture may represent two aperture openings running parallel to each other and spaced apart (in the lateral direction) by a predetermined distance, wherein a waveguide may be guided to both aperture openings.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the antenna device, the secondary aperture and / or the radiation opening comprises a rectangular cross-section and / or plan with rounded corner regions or a circular or elliptical cross-section and / or plan.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the antenna device, the secondary aperture and / or the radiation opening comprises a predetermined length and / or depth and / or width.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the antenna device, a first transition is introduced into the base body in the elongated main extension direction between at least two adjacent radiation openings, which first transition connects the two radiation openings to one another and / or a second transition is introduced into the base body in the elongated main extension direction between at least two adjacent secondary apertures, which second transition connects the two secondary apertures to one another.

[0025] At the array level of aperture openings, for example, in one or more rows, the transitions can partially or completely connect the adjacent aperture openings and / or secondary apertures. In this way, a more continuous secondary aperture and / or aperture opening (also as a double aperture) can be achieved, or even along parts or all of the row. Because the secondary apertures and / or apertures are connected, they can function as a continuous overall aperture (secondary or radiation aperture). In this way, a reduction in side wings (radiation patterns) can be advantageously achieved, which can occur when the distance between the elements becomes too large in height.

[0026] The side lobe levels along the antenna arrays may be reduced when the side apertures are connected.

[0027] Furthermore, the alignment / directivity of the entire array can be improved. The depth and width of such transitions may be limited by the radiating apertures / side apertures that affect these transitions.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the antenna device, a cross section of the first transition is smaller than or equal to a cross section of the adjacent radiation openings and / or a cross section of the second transition is smaller than or equal to a cross section of the adjacent secondary apertures.

[0029] According to the invention, the method for producing an antenna device comprises providing a base body with a radiation side and at least one radiation opening in the radiation side, which extends into the base body; wherein at least one waveguide element runs through the base body and / or on the base body as far as the at least one radiation opening and opens into the latter, wherein radiation can be received and / or emitted via the at least one radiation opening; and forming at least one secondary aperture, which is introduced into the base body and is located in a predetermined position laterally next to the at least one radiation opening in the radiation side.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, at least one row of radiation openings, each having two laterally spaced secondary apertures per radiation opening, is formed in the base body, wherein two mutually adjacent radiation openings in the respective row are adjacent along their elongated main extension direction, and wherein the radiation opening comprises a single or double opening.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, a first transition is introduced into the base body in the elongated main extension direction between at least two adjacent radiation openings, which first transition connects the two radiation openings to one another and / or a second transition is introduced into the base body in the elongated main extension direction between at least two adjacent secondary apertures, which second transition connects the two secondary apertures to one another.

[0032] The method can also be characterized by the features and advantages already mentioned in the context of the antenna device and vice versa.

[0033] Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Short description of the drawings

[0035] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures of the drawing.

[0036] They show:

[0037] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an antenna device seen from a radiation side, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Fig. 2 is a lateral sectional view through the base body and the radiation openings according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an antenna device viewed from a radiation side, according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and

[0039] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of method steps of the method for manufacturing an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] In the figures, the same reference symbols denote the same or functionally identical elements.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an antenna device seen from a radiation side, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] The antenna device 10 according to Fig. 1 comprises a base body 1 with a radiation side AS and a radiation opening AO in the radiation side AS, which extends into the base body 1 and is designed as a double opening with two spaced-apart apertures in the base body 1. A secondary aperture NA can be present on each of the lateral sides of the radiation openings, perpendicularly spaced from an elongated main extension direction LA of the radiation openings AO, which secondary aperture NA can extend mainly parallel to the elongated main extension direction LA of the radiation opening AO. The secondary apertures NA and / or the radiation openings AO can have a predetermined length Lpar, approximately all the same.

[0043] Fig. 2 shows a lateral sectional view through the base body and the radiation openings according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] According to Fig. 2 it can be seen that the double opening of the radiation opening

[0045] AO, which in cross-section can extend as semicircles into the interior of the base body 1, can also extend to the waveguide 1. This can be guided through the interior of the base body 1 and open into the radiation openings at the bottom. The two radiation openings of the double opening can be formed around a central region MB, in which the base body can still be intact. Each of the radiation openings can have a vertical inner wall towards the waveguide 2, whereby the recess in the base body can have a straight or curved course in the remaining regions. Starting from a center of the central region MB, each center of the secondary aperture NA can be spaced laterally to the side according to a respective distance Disti or Dist2, for example at equal distances Disti and Dist2.The cross-section of the secondary apertures NA into the main body 1 can be rectangular or with rounded corners and have a defined width Wpar and depth D.

[0046] If focusing is to be achieved in the direction perpendicular to the radiating surface AS, the distances of the secondary apertures to the central area (Disti and Dist2) should be equal. The width, depth, and length of the secondary apertures and the radiating aperture(s) should be selected to improve / achieve the gain (focusing) according to the respective purpose while remaining within the manufacturing dimensions / size specifications.

[0047] For example, the following applies (AO: wavelength in vacuum): Wpar < 0.3 AO; Lpar » X size of the radiation aperture; 0.15 AO < depth D < 0.3 AO.

[0048] Fig. 3 shows a lateral sectional view through the base body and the radiation openings according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] The antenna device 10 according to Fig. 3 shows an array of radiation apertures AO as (lateral) double apertures along a row R1. The double apertures AO can each be provided with two laterally spaced secondary apertures NA, wherein two adjacent radiation apertures AO (double apertures) in each row R1 can be adjacent along its elongated main extension direction LA.

[0050] A first transition U1 can be introduced into the base body 1 in the elongated main extension direction LA between at least two adjacent radiation openings AO, which first transition U1 connects the two radiation openings AO to one another and / or a second transition U2 can be introduced into the base body 1 in the elongated main extension direction LA between at least two adjacent secondary apertures NA, which second transition U2 can connect the two secondary apertures NA to one another.

[0051] For this purpose, a cross section of the first transition U1 can be smaller than or equal to a cross section of the adjacent radiation openings AO and / or a cross section of the second transition U2 can be smaller than or equal to a cross section of the adjacent secondary apertures NA.

[0052] Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of method steps of the method for manufacturing an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] In the method for producing an antenna device, a base body is provided S1 with a radiation side and at least one radiation opening in the radiation side, which extends into the base body; wherein at least one waveguide element runs through the base body and / or on the base body up to and opens into the at least one radiation opening, wherein radiation can be received and / or emitted via the at least one radiation opening; and a formation S2 of at least one secondary aperture, which is introduced into the base body and is located in a predetermined position laterally next to the at least one radiation opening in the radiation side.

[0054] Although the present invention has been fully described above using preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in many ways.

Claims

Claims 1. Antenna device (10) comprising a base body (1) with a radiation side (AS) and at least one radiation opening (AO) in the radiation side (AS), which extends into the base body (1); at least one waveguide element (2) which runs through the base body (1) and / or on the base body (1) as far as the at least one radiation opening (AO) and opens into the latter, wherein radiation can be received and / or emitted via the at least one radiation opening (AO); and at least one secondary aperture (NA) which is introduced into the base body (1) and is located in a predetermined position laterally next to the at least one radiation opening (AO) in the radiation side (AS).

2. Antenna device (10) according to claim 1, wherein on each lateral side of the radiation opening (AO) there is a secondary aperture (NA) which is perpendicularly spaced from an elongated main extension direction (LA) of the radiation opening (AO) and extends mainly parallel to the elongated main extension direction (LA) of the radiation opening (AO).

3. Antenna device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the secondary apertures (NA) are each equally spaced from the associated radiation opening (AO).

4. Antenna device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, which comprises at least one row (R1, R2) of radiation openings (AO) each having two laterally spaced secondary apertures (NA) per radiation opening (AO), wherein two mutually adjacent radiation openings (AO) in the respective row (R1, R2) are adjacent along their elongated main extension direction (LA).

5. Antenna device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the radiation opening (AO) comprises a single or double opening 6. Antenna device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the secondary aperture (NA) and / or the radiation opening (AO) comprises a rectangular cross-section and / or plan with rounded corner regions or comprises a circular or elliptical cross-section and / or plan.

7. Antenna device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the secondary aperture (NA) and / or the radiation opening (AO) comprises a predetermined length and / or depth and / or width.

8. Antenna device (10) according to one of claims 4 to 7, as far as dependent on claim 4, in which in the elongated main extension direction (LA) between at least two adjacent radiation openings (AO) a first transition (U1) is introduced into the base body (1), which connects the two radiation openings (AO) to one another and / or in the elongated main extension direction (LA) between at least two adjacent secondary apertures (NA) a second transition (U2) is introduced into the base body (1), which connects the two secondary apertures (NA) to one another.

9. Antenna device (10) according to claim 8, wherein a cross section of the first transition (U1) is smaller than or equal to a cross section of the adjacent radiation openings (AO) and / or a cross section of the second transition (U2) is smaller than or equal to a cross section of the adjacent secondary apertures (NA).

10. A method for manufacturing an antenna device (10), comprising the steps: Providing (S1) a base body (1) with a radiation side (AS) and at least one radiation opening (AO) in the radiation side (AS), which extends into the base body (1); wherein at least one waveguide element (2) extends through the base body (1) and / or on the base body (1) to the at least one radiation opening (AO) and opens into it, wherein radiation can be received and / or emitted via the at least one radiation opening (AO); and Forming (S2) at least one secondary aperture (NA), which is introduced into the base body (1) and is located in a predetermined position laterally next to the at least one radiation opening (AO) in the radiation side (AS).

11. Method according to claim 10, in which at least one row (R1, R2) of radiation openings (AO) each having two laterally spaced secondary apertures (NA) per radiation opening (AO) is formed in the base body (1), wherein two mutually adjacent radiation openings (AO) in the respective row (R1, R2) are adjacent along their elongated main extension direction (LA), and wherein the radiation opening (AO) comprises a single or double opening.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein in the elongated main extension direction (LA) between at least two adjacent radiation openings (AO) a first transition (U1) is introduced into the base body (1), which connects the two radiation openings (AO) to one another and / or in the elongated main extension direction (LA) between at least two adjacent secondary apertures (NA) a second transition (U2) is introduced into the base body (1), which connects the two secondary apertures (NA) to one another.

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