Metasurface array and antenna system

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a metasurface array and an antenna system. The metasurface array comprises a first sub-metasurface and a second sub-metasurface that have different shapes, wherein the first sub-metasurface and the second sub-metasurface correspond to each other along a virtual axis. The metasurface array can adjust the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of radiation beams that pass through the sub-metasurfaces.

Description

A metasurface array and antenna system

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application filed on January 26, 2025, with application number 202510124986.1 and entitled "A Metasurface Array and Antenna System", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly to a metasurface array and antenna system. Background Technology

[0003] With the rapid development of wireless communication technology, the demand for ultra-wideband antennas in electronic devices is becoming increasingly urgent. In the millimeter wave band, antennas typically have good bandwidth, which can provide good communication performance for electronic devices.

[0004] However, millimeter waves suffer severe attenuation during propagation in air and even more during transmission. Therefore, improving the equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of antennas in the millimeter-wave band is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a metasurface array and an antenna system. The metasurface array includes a first sub-metasurface and a second sub-metasurface with different shapes. The first and second sub-metasurfaces correspond to each other along a virtual axis.

[0006] In a first aspect, a metasurface array is provided, the metasurface array comprising: a substrate; a plurality of sub-metasurfaces located on the substrate, the plurality of sub-metasurfaces including a first sub-metasurface and a second sub-metasurface, the first sub-metasurface and the second sub-metasurface corresponding along a virtual axis, the first sub-metasurface and the second sub-metasurface having different shapes, and the difference in the number of sub-metasurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis being less than or equal to one-tenth of the number of the plurality of sub-metasurfaces.

[0007] According to embodiments of this application, the metasurface array can adjust the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of the radiated beam passing through the sub-metasurface. When the radiated beam passes through the sub-metasurface, the phase and / or amplitude of the radiated beam passing through the sub-metasurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis are adjusted due to the different shapes of the sub-metasurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis. The radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of the radiated beam after passing through the sub-metasurface can be adjusted, enabling the electronic device (or antenna) generating the radiated beam to have better communication performance. For example, the radiated beam after passing through the sub-metasurface has a better directivity coefficient, and the radiated beam has stronger energy in the target direction, resulting in better radiation characteristics. The electronic device (or antenna) generating the radiated beam can have better communication performance with other electronic devices (or antennas) in the target direction.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first sub-metasurface includes a first metal element, the second sub-metasurface includes a second metal element, and the first metal element and the second metal element are located on a first surface of the substrate; wherein, the different shapes of the first sub-metasurface and the second sub-metasurface include the different shapes of the first metal element and the second metal element.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the metasurface array includes a first metal layer having a first groove and a second groove, the first metal layer being located on a second surface of the substrate; the first sub-metasurface includes the first groove, and the second sub-metasurface includes the second groove; wherein the first sub-metasurface and the second sub-metasurface have different shapes including the first groove and the second groove having different shapes.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first sub-metasurface includes a first metal element, the second sub-metasurface includes a second metal element, the first metal element and the second metal element are located on a first surface of the substrate; the metasurface array includes a first metal layer having a first groove and a second groove, the first metal layer is located on a second surface of the substrate, the first sub-metasurface includes the first groove, and the second sub-metasurface includes the second groove; the first metal element and the first groove at least partially overlap along a first direction, and / or, the second metal element and the second groove are spaced apart along the first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the substrate; wherein, the different shapes of the first sub-metasurface and the second sub-metasurface include the first metal element and the second metal element having different shapes, and / or, the first groove and the second groove having different shapes.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first sub-metasurface includes a first metal element located on a first surface of the substrate; the metasurface array includes a first metal layer having a second groove located on a second surface of the substrate; the second sub-metasurface includes the second groove; the first surface and the second surface are spaced apart along a first direction perpendicular to the substrate.

[0012] According to an embodiment of this application, when the radiation beam passes through the first sub-metasurface and / or the second sub-metasurface, the first metal element, the second metal element, the first slot and / or the second slot can be excited by the radiation beam, thereby adjusting the radiation characteristics of the radiation beam (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient).

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the metasurface array includes a second metal layer located on a third surface of the substrate and covering the third surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are spaced apart along a first direction perpendicular to the substrate.

[0014] According to embodiments of this application, the second metal layer can serve as the ground plane of the metasurface array. The second metal layer can form a structure similar to a patch antenna with the metal component and / or slot.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the phase difference between the phase of the electrical signal passing through the first sub-metasurface and the phase of the electrical signal passing through the second sub-metasurface is greater than or equal to 135° and less than or equal to 225°.

[0016] According to an embodiment of this application, a first sub-metasurface and a second sub-metasurface corresponding along a virtual axis can be used to ensure that the phase adjustment of the electrical signal is opposite (phase difference approximately 180°) when the electrical signal passes through the first and second sub-metasurfaces respectively. Since the first and second sub-metasurfaces correspond along the virtual axis, and since the phase difference between the electrical signal passing through the first and second sub-metasurfaces is approximately 180°, the radiation beam containing the electrical signal can be converged in a first direction, improving the directivity coefficient of the radiation beam in the first direction and giving the radiation beam better radiation characteristics in the first direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the substrate, or the first direction is the thickness direction of the substrate. For example, the z-direction.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the plurality of sub-supersurfaces include a third sub-supersurface and a fourth sub-supersurface, the third sub-supersurface and the fourth sub-supersurface corresponding along a virtual axis, and the first sub-supersurface, the second sub-supersurface, the third sub-supersurface and the fourth sub-supersurface having different shapes.

[0018] According to embodiments of this application, as the number of sub-metasurfaces with different shapes increases, the metasurface array can more precisely adjust the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of the radiation beam passing through the sub-metasurfaces. For example, when a radiation beam passes through a sub-metasurface, sub-metasurfaces of different shapes adjust the phase and / or amplitude of the radiation beam differently. Multiple sub-metasurfaces with different shapes allow for more flexible adjustment of the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of the radiation beam passing through the sub-metasurface 220.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the plurality of sub-hypersurfaces are arranged in an array of X rows and Y columns, where X and Y are positive integers, X is the number of sub-hypersurfaces along the x-direction, Y is the number of sub-hypersurfaces along the y-direction, and the virtual axis is parallel to the y-direction; based on the fact that X is an odd number, the sub-hypersurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis are arranged in (X-1) / 2 rows and (X+1) / 2 rows, respectively; based on the fact that X is an even number, the sub-hypersurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis are arranged in X / 2 rows.

[0020] In a second aspect, an antenna system is provided, the antenna system comprising a metasurface array and an antenna array as described in any one of the first aspects, the metasurface array and the antenna array being spaced apart in a first direction perpendicular to the substrate.

[0021] According to the antenna system provided in the application embodiments, the metasurface array can adjust the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity) of the radiated beam generated by the sub-antenna array. When the radiated beam generated by the antenna array passes through the sub-metasurface, the phase and / or amplitude of the radiated beam passing through the sub-metasurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis are adjusted due to the different shapes of the sub-metasurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis. The radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity) of the radiated beam after passing through the sub-metasurface can be adjusted, so that the antenna array generating the radiated beam can have better radiation characteristics. For example, the radiated beam generated by the antenna array has better radiation characteristics in the target direction after passing through the metasurface array. For example, the radiated beam generated by the antenna array has a better directivity after passing through the sub-metasurface and has stronger energy in the target direction. The antenna array can have better communication performance with electronic devices (or antennas) in the target direction.

[0022] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the antenna array and the metasurface array at least partially overlap in a first direction.

[0023] According to an embodiment of this application, when the antenna array and the metasurface array at least partially overlap in a first direction, a larger portion of the radiation beam generated by the antenna array can pass through the metasurface array.

[0024] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the antenna array includes a first sub-antenna and a second sub-antenna, the first sub-antenna including a first feed point, the second sub-antenna including a second feed point, and the phase difference between the phase of the electrical signal transmitted at the first feed point and the phase of the electrical signal transmitted at the second feed point being greater than or equal to 135° and less than or equal to 225°.

[0025] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the length L1 of the first sub-antenna and the length D1 of the first sub-metasurface satisfy: D1×0.8≤L1≤D1×1.2.

[0026] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the antenna array is used to generate a difference beam, the radiation direction of which includes a second direction and a third direction; the metasurface array is used to ensure that the radiation direction of the difference beam after passing through the metasurface array includes a fourth direction, which is located between the second direction and the third direction.

[0027] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the operating frequency band of the antenna array includes at least a portion of the frequency band from 24.25 GHz to 29.5 GHz; the distance between the antenna array and the metasurface array in the first direction is greater than or equal to 30 mm and less than or equal to 300 mm.

[0028] It should be understood that in the above embodiments, the description only uses the example of the antenna array operating in a frequency band including at least a portion of the frequency band from 24.25 GHz to 29.5 GHz. In actual production or design, the operating frequency band of the antenna array may also include other frequency bands, such as at least a portion of the N77 and / or N79 frequency bands in sub-6 GHz. When the operating frequency band of the antenna array includes other frequency bands, the distance between the antenna array and the metasurface array in the first direction can also be adjusted accordingly (for example, the distance between the antenna array 300 and the metasurface array 200 in the first direction is greater than or equal to 500 mm, 100 mm, and 200 mm, and less than the interaction distance of 500 mm and 300 mm), and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0029] According to the embodiments of this application, when the distance between the antenna array and the metasurface array in the first direction is within the above-mentioned range, the metasurface array can have a better adjustment effect on the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of the radiation beam generated by the antenna array.

[0030] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the antenna array has a dimension of L0 in the second direction and a dimension of N0 in the third direction, the second direction being the length direction of the antenna array and the third direction being the width direction of the antenna array; the metasurface array has a dimension of D0 in the second direction and a dimension of M0 in the third direction, satisfying: L0×1.5≤D0, and / or, N0×1.5≤M0.

[0031] According to the embodiments of this application, when the size ratio between the antenna array and the metasurface array is within the above range, the metasurface array can have a better adjustment effect on the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of the radiation beam generated by the antenna array.

[0032] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the antenna system further includes electronic equipment, wherein the antenna array and the metasurface array are located within the electronic equipment.

[0033] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the antenna system further includes an electronic device and a support, the antenna array being located within the electronic device; the metasurface array is fixedly connected to the support, and the support is fixedly connected to the electronic device. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an antenna system 100 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a metasurface array 200 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0036] Figure 3 is a side view of a metasurface array 200 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0037] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first sub-metasurface 221 provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0038] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second sub-metasurface 222 provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0039] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third sub-metasurface 223 provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0040] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth sub-metasurface 224 provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0041] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fifth sub-metasurface 225 provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0042] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sixth sub-metasurface 226 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0043] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the seventh sub-metasurface 227 provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0044] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the eighth sub-metasurface 228 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0045] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a metasurface array 200 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0046] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of an antenna system 400 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0047] Figure 14 is an assembly schematic diagram of an antenna system 400 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0048] Figure 15 is an assembly schematic diagram of another antenna system 400 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0049] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of an antenna array 300 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0050] Figure 17 is a side view of an antenna array 300 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0051] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of an antenna array 300 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0052] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in this document is merely a description of the same field in the related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0053] The phrase "within the range" used in this application, unless otherwise specified, includes both endpoints of the range by default. For example, in the range of 1 to 5, it includes the values ​​1 and 5.

[0054] Coupling can be understood as direct coupling and / or indirect coupling. "Coupled connection" can be understood as a direct coupling connection and / or indirect coupling connection. Direct coupling can also be called "electrical connection," which can be understood as physical contact and electrical conduction between components; it can also be understood as the form of connection between different components in a circuit structure through physical lines that can transmit electrical signals, such as copper foil or wires on a printed circuit board (PCB). "Indirect coupling" can be understood as electrical conduction between two conductors through a gap / non-contact method. In one embodiment, indirect coupling can also be called capacitive coupling, for example, signal transmission is achieved by forming an equivalent capacitance through coupling between the gaps between two conductive parts.

[0055] A metasurface is a device that can modulate characteristics such as the amplitude or phase of an electrical signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves coupled between adjacent radiators). In one embodiment, a metasurface can be a frequency selective surface (FSS). It should be understood that FSSs include passive resonators, which are easier to implement in design or application.

[0056] Radiator: In an antenna, this is the device used to receive / transmit electromagnetic wave radiation. In some cases, the term "antenna" is narrowly defined as a radiator, which converts guided wave energy from the transmitter into radio waves, or converts radio waves into guided wave energy, for radiating and receiving radio waves. The modulated high-frequency current energy (or guided wave energy) generated by the transmitter is transmitted to the transmitting radiator via a feed line, where it is converted into electromagnetic wave energy of a specific polarization and radiated in the desired direction. The receiving radiator converts the electromagnetic wave energy of a specific polarization from a specific direction in space back into modulated high-frequency current energy, which is then transmitted to the receiver input via a feed line.

[0057] The radiator may include a conductor with a specific shape and size, such as a wire or sheet, and this application does not limit the specific shape. In one embodiment, the wire radiator may be simply referred to as a wire antenna. In one embodiment, the wire radiator may be implemented by a conductive frame, and may also be referred to as a frame antenna. In one embodiment, the wire radiator may be implemented by a support conductor, and may also be referred to as a support antenna. In one embodiment, the wire diameter (e.g., including thickness and width) of the wire radiator, or the radiator of the wire antenna, is much smaller than the wavelength (e.g., the wavelength of the medium) (e.g., less than 1 / 16 of the wavelength), and the length may be comparable to the wavelength (e.g., the wavelength of the medium) (e.g., the length is around 1 / 8 of the wavelength, or 1 / 8 to 1 / 4, or 1 / 4 to 1 / 2, or longer). The main forms of wire antennas include dipole antennas, half-wave dipole antennas, monopole antennas, loop antennas, and inverted F antennas (also known as IFA, Inverted F Antenna). For example, in a dipole antenna, each dipole antenna typically includes two radiating stubs, each fed from the feed end of the radiating stub by a feed section. For example, an inverted-F antenna (IFA) can be considered as a monopole antenna with an added ground path. An IFA antenna has one feed point and one ground point, and is called an inverted-F antenna because its side view is inverted-F shaped. In one embodiment, the sheet radiator may include a microstrip antenna or a patch antenna, such as a planar inverted-F antenna (also known as a PIFA). In one embodiment, the sheet radiator may be implemented using a planar conductor (e.g., a conductive sheet or conductive coating). In one embodiment, the sheet radiator may include a conductive sheet, such as a copper sheet. In one embodiment, the sheet radiator may include a conductive coating, such as silver paste. The shape of the sheet radiator includes circular, rectangular, and annular shapes, and this application does not limit the specific shape. The structure of a microstrip antenna generally consists of a dielectric substrate, a radiator, and a ground plane, wherein the dielectric substrate is disposed between the radiator and the ground plane.

[0058] Radiators may also include slots or gaps formed on a conductor, for example, closed or semi-closed slots or gaps formed on a grounded conductor surface. In one embodiment, a slotted or slit radiator may be simply referred to as a slot antenna or a gap antenna. In one embodiment, the radial dimension (e.g., including width) of the slot or gap of the slot antenna / gap antenna is much smaller than the wavelength (e.g., the dielectric wavelength) (e.g., less than 1 / 16 of the wavelength), while the length dimension may be comparable to the wavelength (e.g., the dielectric wavelength) (e.g., a length of approximately 1 / 8 of the wavelength, or 1 / 8 to 1 / 4, or 1 / 4 to 1 / 2, or longer). In one embodiment, a radiator with a closed slot or gap may be simply referred to as a closed slot antenna. In one embodiment, a radiator with a semi-closed slot or gap (e.g., an opening added to a closed slot or gap) may be simply referred to as an open slot antenna. In some embodiments, the gap shape is elongated. In some embodiments, the length of the gap is approximately half a wavelength (e.g., the dielectric wavelength). In some embodiments, the length of the gap is approximately an integer multiple of a wavelength (e.g., one dielectric wavelength). In some embodiments, the slot can be fed by transmission lines connected across one or both sides, thereby exciting a radio frequency electromagnetic field on the slot and radiating electromagnetic waves into space. In one embodiment, the radiator of the slot antenna or gap antenna can be implemented by a conductive frame grounded at both ends, also known as a frame antenna; in this embodiment, the slot antenna or gap antenna can be viewed as including a linear radiator, the linear radiator being spaced apart from the ground and grounded at both ends, thereby forming a closed or semi-closed slot or gap. In one embodiment, the radiator of the slot antenna or gap antenna can be implemented by a support conductor grounded at both ends, also known as a support antenna.

[0059] A power supply circuit is a combination of all circuits used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals. It can include a transceiver and an RF front-end. In some cases, the term "power supply circuit" is narrowly interpreted as a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), which can be considered to include both the RF front-end chip and the transceiver. The power supply circuit has the function of converting radio waves (e.g., RF signals) into electrical signals (e.g., digital signals). It is generally considered part of the RF component.

[0060] In some embodiments, the electronic device may also include a test socket (or, RF socket or RF test socket). This test socket can be used to insert a coaxial cable to test the characteristics of the RF front-end circuitry or the radiator of the antenna. The RF front-end circuitry can be considered as the circuitry coupled between the test socket and the transceiver.

[0061] In some embodiments, the radio frequency front-end circuit can be integrated into a radio frequency front-end chip in an electronic device, or the radio frequency front-end circuit and the transceiver can be integrated into a radio frequency chip in an electronic device.

[0062] It should be understood that any two feed circuits in the first / second / ...Nth feed circuit of this application can share the same transceiver, for example, by transmitting signals through a radio frequency channel in a transceiver (e.g., a port (pin) of a radio frequency chip); they can also share a radio frequency front-end circuit, for example, by processing signals through a tuning circuit or amplifier in a radio frequency front-end.

[0063] The grounding / feeding structure may include connectors, such as metal springs, and the radiator is coupled to the ground / feeding circuit via the grounding structure. In some embodiments, the feeding structure may include a transmission line / feeding wire, and the grounding structure may include a grounding wire.

[0064] End / Point: The term "end / point" in the context of the antenna radiator's first end / second end / feed end / ground end / feed point / grounding point / connection point should not be narrowly interpreted as necessarily being a point or end physically disconnected from other radiators. It can also be considered as a point or segment on a continuous radiator. In one embodiment, "end / point" can include a connection / coupling region on the antenna radiator that couples to other conductive structures. For example, a feed end / feed point can be a coupling region on the antenna radiator that couples to a feed structure or feed circuit (e.g., a region facing a part of the feed circuit). Similarly, a ground end / grounding point can be a connection / coupling region on the antenna radiator that couples to a ground structure or grounding circuit.

[0065] Resonance / Resonant Frequency: The resonant frequency is also called the resonance frequency. The resonant frequency can have a frequency range, that is, the frequency range in which resonance occurs. The frequency corresponding to the strongest resonance point is the center frequency. The return loss characteristic of the center frequency can be less than -20dB. It should be understood that, unless otherwise specified, when the antenna / radiator mentioned in this application generates "first / second...resonance," the first resonance should be the fundamental mode resonance generated by the antenna / radiator, or in other words, the lowest frequency resonance generated by the antenna / radiator. It should be understood that the antenna / radiator can generate one or more antenna modes according to a specific design, and each antenna mode can correspond to a fundamental mode resonance.

[0066] Resonant frequency band: The range of resonant frequencies is the resonant frequency band. The return loss characteristics at any frequency point within the resonant frequency band can be less than -6dB or -5dB.

[0067] Communication band / operating band: Regardless of the type of antenna, it always operates within a certain frequency range (bandwidth). For example, an antenna supporting the B40 band operates within the frequency range of 2300MHz to 2400MHz, or in other words, the antenna's operating band includes the B40 band. The frequency range that meets the specifications can be considered the antenna's operating band.

[0068] The resonant frequency band and the operating frequency band can be the same or can partially overlap. In one embodiment, one or more resonant frequency bands of the antenna can cover one or more operating frequency bands of the antenna.

[0069] Electrical length: can be the ratio of physical length (i.e., mechanical length or geometric length) to the wavelength of the transmitted electromagnetic wave. Electrical length can satisfy the following formula:

[0070] Where L is the physical length and λ is the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave.

[0071] Wavelength: or operating wavelength, can be the wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the resonant frequency or the center frequency of the operating frequency band supported by the antenna. For example, assuming the center frequency of the B1 uplink band (resonant frequency from 1920MHz to 1980MHz) is 1955MHz, then the operating wavelength can be the wavelength calculated using this frequency. Not limited to the center frequency, "operating wavelength" can also refer to the wavelength corresponding to the non-center frequency of the resonant frequency or operating frequency band.

[0072] It should be understood that the wavelength of the radiation signal in air can be calculated as follows: (air wavelength, or vacuum wavelength) = speed of light / frequency, where the frequency is the frequency of the radiation signal (MHz), and the speed of light can be taken as 3 × 10⁻⁶. 8 m / s. The wavelength of the radiated signal in the medium can be calculated as follows: Where ε is the relative permittivity of the medium. The wavelength in this embodiment typically refers to the medium wavelength, which can be the medium wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the resonant frequency, or the medium wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the operating frequency band supported by the antenna. For example, assuming the center frequency of the B1 uplink band (resonant frequency from 1920MHz to 1980MHz) is 1955MHz, the wavelength can be the medium wavelength calculated using this frequency. Not limited to the center frequency, the "medium wavelength" can also refer to the medium wavelength corresponding to the non-center frequency of the resonant frequency or operating frequency band. For ease of understanding, the medium wavelength mentioned in this embodiment can be simply calculated using the relative permittivity of the medium filling one or more sides of the radiator. Antenna pattern: also called radiation pattern. It refers to the graph showing the relative field strength (normalized modulus) of the antenna radiation field changing with direction at a certain distance from the antenna (far field), usually represented by two mutually perpendicular planar patterns through the antenna's maximum radiation direction.

[0073] Antenna radiation patterns typically have multiple radiating beams. The beam with the highest radiating intensity is called the main lobe, and the remaining beams are called side lobes. Among the side lobes, the side lobe in the opposite direction to the main lobe is also called the back lobe.

[0074] Directivity: Also known as the antenna's directivity. It refers to the ratio of the maximum power density to the average power density on the antenna's radiation pattern at a certain distance from the antenna (far field), and is a dimensionless ratio greater than or equal to 1. It can be used to indicate the energy radiation characteristics of an antenna. The larger the directivity, the more energy the antenna radiates in a particular direction, and the more concentrated the energy radiation is.

[0075] Antenna gain: Characterizes the degree to which an antenna concentrates the radiated input power. Generally, the narrower the main lobe and the smaller the side lobes of the antenna pattern, the higher the antenna gain.

[0076] Ground (GND): Generally refers to at least a portion of any grounding layer, ground plane, or grounding metal layer within an electronic device (such as a mobile phone), or at least a portion of any combination of the aforementioned grounding layers, ground planes, or grounding components. "Ground" can be used for grounding components within an electronic device. In one embodiment, "ground" can be the grounding layer of a circuit board in an electronic device, or a grounding metal layer formed by a ground plane formed within the frame of the electronic device or a metal film formed beneath the screen. In one embodiment, the circuit board can be a printed circuit board (PCB), such as an 8-layer, 10-layer, or 12-14-layer board having 8, 10, 12, 13, or 14 layers of conductive material, or components separated and electrically insulated by dielectric or insulating layers such as fiberglass or polymers. In one embodiment, the circuit board includes a dielectric substrate, a grounding layer, and a trace layer, with the trace layer and grounding layer electrically connected via vias. In one embodiment, components such as displays, touchscreens, input buttons, transmitters, processors, memory, batteries, charging circuits, and system-on-chip (SoC) architectures can be mounted on or connected to a circuit board; or electrically connected to trace layers and / or ground layers in the circuit board. For example, an RF source is disposed on a trace layer.

[0077] Any of the aforementioned grounding layers, ground planes, or grounding metal layers are made of conductive materials. In one embodiment, the conductive material may be any of the following: copper, aluminum, stainless steel, brass and their alloys, copper foil on an insulating substrate, aluminum foil on an insulating substrate, gold foil on an insulating substrate, silver-plated copper, silver-plated copper foil on an insulating substrate, silver foil on an insulating substrate and tin-plated copper, graphite-impregnated cloth, graphite-coated substrates, copper-plated substrates, brass-plated substrates, and aluminum-plated substrates. Those skilled in the art will understand that grounding layers / ground planes / grounding metal layers may also be made of other conductive materials.

[0078] Grounding: refers to coupling with the aforementioned ground / floor in any way. In one embodiment, grounding can be achieved through physical grounding, such as through a structural component of the mid-frame to achieve a physical ground at a specific location on the frame (or, physical ground). In another embodiment, grounding can be achieved through device grounding, such as through devices like capacitors / inductors / resistors connected in series or parallel (or, device ground).

[0079] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0080] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an antenna system 100 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0081] As shown in Figure 1, the antenna system 100 may include at least one network device 101, at least one customer premise equipment (CPE) 102, and at least one electronic device 103. Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram; the communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1. This application embodiment does not limit the number or specific type of network devices and UEs included in the antenna system.

[0082] The electronic device 103 in this application embodiment can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, Bluetooth speaker, camera, smart bracelet, smartwatch, smart helmet, smart glasses, etc. The electronic device can also be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device, electronic device in a 5G network, or electronic device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and this application embodiment is not limited to these categories.

[0083] The technical solutions provided in this application are applicable to electronic devices 103 that employ one or more of the following communication technologies: Bluetooth (BT) communication technology, Global Positioning System (GPS) communication technology, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) communication technology, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) communication technology, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) communication technology, Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication technology, 5G communication technology, and other future communication technologies.

[0084] The network device 101 in this embodiment can be a device for communicating with the electronic device 103. The network device 101 can be a network device in a millimeter-wave system. Alternatively, the network device 101 can be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a GSM system or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), a nodeB (NB) in a WCDMA system, an evolved nodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, or a relay station, access point, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device, or a network device in a future 5G network (new generation nodeB, gNB or gNodeB), or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network, as well as a network device that subsequently supports the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) protocol version, etc. This embodiment is not limited to these categories.

[0085] It should be understood that CPE102 can receive network signals sent by network device 101 and transmit the network signals to electronic device 103, enabling electronic device 103 to connect to the network. For example, CPE102 can convert 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G signals, or millimeter wave signals transmitted by network device 101, into WiFi signals, enabling electronic device 103 to connect to the network.

[0086] In recent years, with the gradual development of society, mobile communication technology has advanced rapidly. The urgent demands for faster information transmission rates, wider communication coverage, and increased transmission capacity have driven the deepening of digitalization and informatization, and communication technology has ushered in a new era of upgrading. Compared with previous communication technologies, transmission speeds have been further improved. It is no longer a single access point, but an integration of multiple technologies. The increasing accessibility of the Internet of Things and the growing need for more complex user application experiences have driven the advent of new communication technologies. The characteristics of millimeter wave, ultra-wideband, low latency, high reliability, and low power consumption make it possible to cover other communication fields (such as device-to-device (D2D) communication).

[0087] As the medium for information transmission in communication systems, the most important function of antennas is to facilitate the conversion of electromagnetic waves between electronic devices and free space. Without antennas, information transmission would be impossible, and the high-speed, convenient modern life would be unattainable. Antenna performance directly affects communication quality and also limits the development of communication systems. With the rapid development of wireless communication technology, the demand for ultra-wideband antennas in electronic devices is becoming increasingly urgent. In the millimeter-wave band, antennas typically possess excellent bandwidth, providing good communication performance for electronic devices.

[0088] However, millimeter waves suffer severe attenuation during propagation in air and during transmission. Therefore, improving the EIRP of antennas in the millimeter-wave band is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0089] This application provides a metasurface array and an antenna system. The metasurface array includes a first sub-metasurface and a second sub-metasurface with different shapes. The first and second sub-metasurfaces correspond to each other along a virtual axis. The metasurface array can adjust the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of the radiated beam passing through the sub-metasurfaces.

[0090] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a metasurface array 200 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0091] As shown in Figure 2, the metasurface array 200 includes a substrate 210 and multiple sub-metasurfaces 220.

[0092] Among them, multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 are located on the substrate 210.

[0093] It should be understood that multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 located on the substrate 210 can be understood as multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 located on the same outer surface of the substrate 210, for example, the upper surface. Alternatively, multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 located on the substrate 210 can be understood as multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 located on the same inner surface of the substrate 210. For example, as shown in FIG3, the substrate 210 includes multiple sub-plates. For the sake of simplicity, the example given is that the substrate 210 includes two sub-plates (first sub-plate 211 and second sub-plate 212). Multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 can be located between two adjacent sub-plates, for example, between the first sub-plate 211 and the second sub-plate 212. Alternatively, multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 located on the substrate 210 can be understood as multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 located on different surfaces of the substrate 210. In the embodiments of this application, all locations on the substrate 210 can be understood accordingly, and for the sake of simplicity, they will not be described in detail.

[0094] The multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 include a first sub-metasurface 221 and a second sub-metasurface 222, and the first sub-metasurface 221 and the second sub-metasurface 222 have different shapes.

[0095] It should be understood that the plurality of sub-metasurfaces 220 includes a plurality of first sub-metasurfaces 221 and a plurality of second sub-metasurfaces 222. The plurality of sub-metasurfaces 220 can be arranged in an array. For the sake of brevity, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, only an example is given of the plurality of sub-metasurfaces 220 including eight first sub-metasurfaces 221 and eight second sub-metasurfaces 222, which are distributed in a 4×4 array. In actual production or design, the metasurface array 200 may include more or fewer first sub-metasurfaces 221 and second sub-metasurfaces 222; for the sake of brevity, these will not be elaborated further.

[0096] The first sub-metasurface 221 and the second sub-metasurface 222 correspond along a virtual axis. In one embodiment, the difference in the number of sub-metasurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis is less than or equal to one-tenth of the total number of sub-metasurfaces 220. In one embodiment, the areas of the substrates 210 on both sides of the virtual axis are the same, or differ by one-tenth of the total area of ​​the substrates 210.

[0097] In one embodiment, the number of sub-hypersurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis is the same in the direction perpendicular to the virtual axis. For example, in one embodiment, the multiple sub-hypersurfaces 220 are arranged in an X-row, Y-column array (the multiple sub-hypersurfaces 220 include X rows and Y columns), where X and Y are positive integers. X rows represent X numbers of sub-hypersurfaces in the x-direction, and Y columns represent Y numbers of sub-hypersurfaces in the y-direction.

[0098] In this embodiment, the virtual axis is parallel to the y-direction. In one embodiment, when X is even, the number of sub-hypersurface rows on both sides of the virtual axis is the same, and the sub-hypersurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis are X / 2 rows. In one embodiment, when X is odd, the number of sub-hypersurface rows on both sides of the virtual axis differs by one, and the sub-hypersurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis are (X-1) / 2 rows and (X+1) / 2 rows, respectively.

[0099] In another embodiment, the virtual axis is parallel to the x-direction. In one embodiment, when Y is even, the number of sub-hypersurface columns on both sides of the virtual axis is the same, and the sub-hypersurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis are Y / 2 columns. In one embodiment, when Y is odd, the number of sub-hypersurface columns on both sides of the virtual axis differs by one, and the sub-hypersurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis are (Y-1) / 2 columns and (Y+1) / 2 columns, respectively.

[0100] Due to the different placement positions of the metasurface array 200, the number of rows and columns of sub-metasurfaces included in the multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 may vary. For example, the multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 may include 5 rows and 4 columns of sub-metasurfaces. When the metasurface array 200 is rotated 90°, the multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 may include 4 rows and 5 columns of sub-metasurfaces. For the sake of brevity, this embodiment only uses the example of the virtual axis extending parallel to the y-direction for illustration. The above situation is not limited in this embodiment, and the virtual axis can be determined according to the actual correspondence between the first sub-metasurface 221 and the second sub-metasurface 222, which will not be elaborated further.

[0101] It should be understood that the correspondence between the first sub-metasurface 221 and the second sub-metasurface 222 along the virtual axis can be interpreted as the minimum distance between the first sub-metasurface 221 and the virtual axis being approximately the same as the minimum distance between the second sub-metasurface 222 and the virtual axis. For example, the difference between the minimum distance between the metal portion of the first sub-metasurface 221 and the virtual axis and the minimum distance between the metal portion of the second sub-metasurface 222 and the virtual axis is within 20%.

[0102] The correspondence between the first sub-metasurface 221 and the second sub-metasurface 222 along the virtual axis can also be understood as the first sub-metasurface 221 and the second sub-metasurface 222 being located in symmetrical regions on both sides of the virtual axis.

[0103] As shown in Figure 2, the metasurface array 200 has a dimension M0 along the x-direction and a dimension D0 along the y-direction. The dimension M1 of a single sub-metasurface along the x-direction can be understood as the dimension M0 of the metasurface array 200 along the x-direction divided by the number of sub-metasurfaces along the x-direction. The dimension D1 of a single sub-metasurface along the y-direction can be understood as the dimension D0 of the metasurface array 200 along the y-direction divided by the number of sub-metasurfaces along the y-direction. The dimension of a single sub-metasurface can be understood as M1 × D1. The larger of M1 and D1 can be understood as the length of the sub-metasurface, and the smaller can be understood as the width of the sub-metasurface. Correspondingly, the region containing the sub-metasurface can be understood as the region formed by M1 × D1.

[0104] According to the metasurface array 200 provided in the application embodiment, the metasurface array 200 can adjust the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of the radiating beam passing through the sub-metasurface 220. When the radiating beam passes through the sub-metasurface, the phase and / or amplitude of the radiating beam passing through the sub-metasurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis are adjusted because the shapes of the sub-metasurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis are different. The radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of the radiating beam after passing through the sub-metasurface can be adjusted, so that the electronic device (or antenna) generating the radiating beam can have better communication performance. For example, the radiating beam after passing through the sub-metasurface has a better directivity coefficient, the radiating beam has stronger energy in the target direction, and has better radiation characteristics. The electronic device (or antenna) generating the radiating beam can have better communication performance with other electronic devices (or antennas) in the target direction.

[0105] In one embodiment, the dimensions M1 of the sub-supersurface 220 along the x-direction and D1 of the sub-supersurface 220 along the y-direction satisfy: D1×0.8≤M1≤D1×1.2.

[0106] It should be understood that the dimensions M1 along the x-direction and D1 along the y-direction of the sub-metasurface 220 can be approximately the same to improve the symmetry of the metasurface array 200. When the metasurface array 200 has better symmetry, it has better radiation characteristics.

[0107] In one embodiment, the metasurface array 200 is used to adjust the radiation direction of the radiation beam in the first frequency band. The dimension M1 of the sub-metasurface 220 along the x-direction and / or the dimension D1 of the sub-metasurface 220 along the y-direction are greater than or equal to three-tenths and less than or equal to seven-tenths of the first wavelength. The first wavelength is the wavelength corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0108] It should be understood that the sub-supersurface 220 can be a half-wavelength structure, and the size of the sub-supersurface 220 can be approximately half the first wavelength. Here, the first wavelength, corresponding to the first frequency band, can be understood as the vacuum wavelength corresponding to the center frequency of the first frequency band. Since there is a certain conversion relationship between vacuum wavelength and dielectric wavelength (operating wavelength), the aforementioned vacuum wavelength can also be converted to the corresponding dielectric wavelength (operating wavelength). For the sake of brevity, this will not be elaborated further.

[0109] In one embodiment, the phase difference between the phase of the electrical signal passing through the first sub-metasurface 221 and the phase of the electrical signal passing through the second sub-metasurface 222 is greater than or equal to 135° and less than or equal to 225°.

[0110] It should be understood that the first sub-metasurface 221 and the second sub-metasurface 222, corresponding along the virtual axis, can be used to ensure that the phase adjustment of the electrical signal is opposite (phase difference approximately 180°) when the electrical signal passes through the first sub-metasurface 221 and the second sub-metasurface 222 respectively. Since the first sub-metasurface 221 and the second sub-metasurface 222 correspond along the virtual axis, and since the phase difference between the electrical signal passing through the first sub-metasurface 221 and the electrical signal passing through the second sub-metasurface 222 is approximately 180°, the radiation beam containing the electrical signal can be converged in the first direction, improving the directivity coefficient of the radiation beam in the first direction and giving the radiation beam better radiation characteristics in the first direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the substrate 210, or the first direction is the thickness direction of the substrate 210. For example, the z-direction.

[0111] For the sake of brevity, the two sub-metasurfaces with different shapes along the virtual axis described in the embodiments of this application can be understood accordingly, and will not be described in detail here.

[0112] In one embodiment, the first sub-metasurface 221 includes a first metal element 221a, as shown in FIG2. The second sub-metasurface 222 includes a second metal element 222a.

[0113] It should be understood that when the radiation beam passes through the first sub-metasurface 221 and / or the second sub-metasurface 222, the first metal element 221a and / or the second metal element 222a can be excited by the radiation beam, thereby adjusting the radiation characteristics of the radiation beam (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient).

[0114] In one embodiment, the first metal part 221a can be a rectangle with a notch. The second metal part 222a can be a rectangle.

[0115] It should be understood that the embodiments of this application do not limit the shape of the metal parts included in the metasurface 220, and can be determined according to actual production or design. For the sake of brevity, the above-mentioned shape is used as an example in the embodiments of this application.

[0116] In one embodiment, the different shapes of the first sub-metasurface 221 and the second sub-metasurface 222 described in the above embodiments can be understood as the different shapes of the first metal part 221a and the second metal part 222a. The different shapes of the first metal part 221a and the second metal part 222a can also be understood as the different patterns formed by the first metal part 221a and the second metal part 222a, or their different sizes. For the sake of brevity, all these interpretations are acceptable in the embodiments of this application and will not be elaborated further.

[0117] In one embodiment, the first metal member 221a and the second metal member 222a are located on the first surface of the substrate 210, as shown in FIG3. In another embodiment, the first surface of the substrate 210 is the upper surface of the substrate 210.

[0118] In one embodiment, the first metal member 221a and the second metal member 222a are located on different surfaces of the substrate 210. For example, the first metal member 221a is located on the first surface of the substrate 210, and the second metal member 222a is located on the second surface of the substrate 210. For the sake of brevity, only the example of the first metal member 221a and the second metal member 222a being located on the first surface of the substrate 210 will be used for explanation, and will not be described in detail elsewhere.

[0119] In one embodiment, the metasurface array 200 includes a first metal layer 231, as shown in FIG3. The first metal layer 231 is located on the second surface of the substrate 210. In one embodiment, the first metal layer 231 may be located between a first sub-plate 211 and a second sub-plate 212. The second surface may be the surface between the first sub-plate 211 and the second sub-plate 212.

[0120] In one embodiment, the first metal layer 231 is spaced apart from the first metal element 221a and / or the second metal element 222a along a first direction. In another embodiment, the first surface and the second surface are spaced apart along the first direction.

[0121] In one embodiment, the first metal layer 231 has a first trench 221b, as shown in FIG4. The first sub-metasurface 221 includes the first trench 221b.

[0122] In one embodiment, the first metal layer 231 has a second trench 222b, as shown in FIG5. The second sub-metasurface 222 includes the second trench 222b.

[0123] It should be understood that when the radiation beam passes through the first sub-metasurface 221 and / or the second sub-metasurface 222, the first slot 221b and / or the second slot 222b can be excited by the radiation beam, thereby adjusting the radiation characteristics of the radiation beam (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient).

[0124] In one embodiment, the first groove 221b and / or the second groove 222b may be cross-shaped.

[0125] It should be understood that the embodiments of this application do not limit the shape of the grooves included in the sub-metasurface 220, which can be determined according to actual production or design. For the sake of brevity, the above-mentioned shape is used as an example in the embodiments of this application.

[0126] In one embodiment, the different shapes of the first sub-metasurface 221 and the second sub-metasurface 222 described in the above embodiments can be understood as the different shapes of the first groove 221b and the second groove 222b. The different shapes of the first groove 221b and the second groove 222b can be understood as the different patterns formed by the first groove 221b and the second groove 222b, or their different sizes. For the sake of brevity, all these interpretations are acceptable in the embodiments of this application and will not be elaborated further.

[0127] In this embodiment, only the example of the first sub-metasurface 221 and / or the second sub-metasurface 222 simultaneously including grooves and metal parts is used for illustration. In actual production or design, other methods may also be used. For example, the first sub-metasurface 221 includes a first metal part 221a. The second sub-metasurface 222 includes a second groove 222b. This embodiment does not limit this and can be determined according to actual production or design. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail.

[0128] In one embodiment, the metasurface array 200 includes a second metal layer 232, as shown in FIG3. The second metal layer 232 is located on the third surface of the substrate 210. In one embodiment, the third surface of the substrate 210 is the lower surface of the substrate 210. In one embodiment, the second metal layer 232, the first metal layer 231, and the first metal element 221a and / or the second metal element 222a are sequentially spaced along a first direction. In one embodiment, the first surface, the second surface, and the third surface are sequentially spaced along the first direction.

[0129] It should be understood that the second metal layer 232 can serve as the ground plane of the metasurface array 200. The second metal layer 232 can form a patch antenna-like structure with metal elements and / or slots. The structure of the first sub-metasurface 221 and / or the second sub-metasurface 222 may include the second metal layer 232 corresponding to the region in which it is located, with the second metal layer 232 in that region serving as the ground plane of the sub-metasurface.

[0130] In one embodiment, the plurality of sub-metasurfaces 220 may further include more sub-metasurfaces with different shapes.

[0131] In one embodiment, the plurality of sub-metasurfaces 220 may further include a third sub-metasurface 223, a fourth sub-metasurface 224, a fifth sub-metasurface 225, a sixth sub-metasurface 226, a seventh sub-metasurface 227, and an eighth sub-metasurface 228, as shown in Figures 6 to 11. The first sub-metasurface 221, the second sub-metasurface 222, the third sub-metasurface 223, the fourth sub-metasurface 224, the fifth sub-metasurface 225, the sixth sub-metasurface 226, the seventh sub-metasurface 227, and the eighth sub-metasurface 228 have different shapes.

[0132] Among them, the third sub-hypersurface 223 and the fourth sub-hypersurface 224 correspond along the virtual axis. The fifth sub-hypersurface 225 and the sixth sub-hypersurface 226 correspond along the virtual axis. The seventh sub-hypersurface 227 and the eighth sub-hypersurface 228 correspond along the virtual axis, as shown in Figure 12.

[0133] It should be understood that as the number of sub-metasurfaces 220 comprising different shapes increases, the metasurface array 200 can more precisely adjust the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of the radiation beam passing through the sub-metasurfaces 220. For example, when a radiation beam passes through a sub-metasurface, sub-metasurfaces of different shapes will adjust the phase and / or amplitude of the radiation beam differently. Multiple sub-metasurfaces of different shapes allow for more flexible adjustment of the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of the radiation beam passing through the sub-metasurfaces 220.

[0134] For the sake of brevity, this application only uses the example of multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 including 8 sub-metasurfaces with different shapes. In actual production or design, multiple sub-metasurfaces 220 may include more or fewer sub-metasurfaces with different shapes, which will not be described in detail here.

[0135] In one embodiment, the third sub-metasurface 223 may include a third metal element 223a and a third groove 223b. The fourth sub-metasurface 224 may include a fourth metal element 224a and a fourth groove 224b. The fifth sub-metasurface 225 may include a fifth metal element 225a and a fifth groove 225b. The sixth sub-metasurface 226 may include a sixth metal element 226a and a sixth groove 226b. The seventh sub-metasurface 227 may include a seventh metal element 227a and a seventh groove 227b. The eighth sub-metasurface 228 may include an eighth groove 228b.

[0136] The shapes of the first metal part 221a, the second metal part 222a, the third metal part 223a, the fourth metal part 224a, the fifth metal part 225a, the sixth metal part 226a, and the seventh metal part 227a are different. The shapes of the first groove 221b, the second groove 222b, the third groove 223b, the fourth groove 224b, the fifth groove 225b, the sixth groove 226b, the seventh sub-metasurface 227, the seventh groove 227b, and the eighth groove 228b are also different.

[0137] It should be understood that, for the sake of brevity, this application embodiment only uses the above-described structure as an example for illustration. In actual production or design, the sub-supersurface 220 may also be other structures, which will not be elaborated on one by one.

[0138] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of an antenna system 400 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0139] As shown in Figure 13, the antenna system 400 includes a metasurface array 200 and an antenna array 300.

[0140] The antenna array 300 and the metasurface array 200 are spaced apart in a first direction. This first direction is perpendicular to the substrate of the metasurface array 200, or it is the thickness direction of the substrate of the metasurface array 200. For example, the z-direction.

[0141] According to the antenna system 400 provided in the application embodiment, the metasurface array 200 can adjust the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity) of the radiated beam generated by the sub-antenna array 300. When the radiated beam generated by the antenna array 300 passes through the sub-metasurface, the phase and / or amplitude of the radiated beam passing through the sub-metasurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis are adjusted due to the different shapes of the sub-metasurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis. The radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity) of the radiated beam after passing through the sub-metasurface can be adjusted so that the antenna array 300 generating the radiated beam can have better radiation characteristics. For example, the radiated beam generated by the antenna array 300 has better radiation characteristics in the target direction after passing through the metasurface array. For example, the radiated beam generated by the antenna array 300 has a better directivity after passing through the sub-metasurface and has stronger energy in the target direction. The antenna array 300 can have better communication performance with electronic devices (or antennas) in the target direction.

[0142] In one embodiment, the antenna array 300 and the metasurface array 200 at least partially overlap in a first direction.

[0143] It should be understood that when the antenna array 300 and the metasurface array 200 overlap at least partially in the first direction, a larger portion of the radiation beam generated by the antenna array 300 can pass through the metasurface array 200.

[0144] In one embodiment, antenna array 300 is used to generate a difference beam, as shown in Figure 13. The radiation direction of the difference beam includes a second direction and a third direction.

[0145] It should be understood that differential beaming can be understood as a radiated beam having good radiation characteristics in both directions and a concave point between the two directions. For example, in the radiation pattern generated by antenna array 300, the gain in both the second and third directions is greater than a first threshold (e.g., -3dBi), and the radiation pattern between the second and third directions has a concave point (the gain at the concave point is less than the second threshold, e.g., -20dBi).

[0146] In one embodiment, the metasurface array 200 is used to direct the radiation of the differential beam generated by the antenna array 300 through the metasurface array 200 in a fourth direction, which is located between the second direction and the third direction. In one embodiment, the fourth direction is the same as the first direction.

[0147] It should be understood that the portion of the radiation beam in the second direction can pass through the first side of the virtual axis of the metasurface array 200, and the portion of the radiation beam in the third direction can pass through the second side of the virtual axis of the metasurface array 200. Because the corresponding sub-metasurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis have different shapes, the phase and / or amplitude of the radiation beam passing through the sub-metasurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis will be adjusted, thereby enhancing the radiation characteristics (e.g., directivity coefficient) of the radiation beam in the fourth direction after passing through the metasurface array 200.

[0148] In one embodiment, the distance between the antenna array 300 and the metasurface array 200 in the first direction is greater than or equal to 30 mm and less than or equal to 300 mm. In another embodiment, the distance between the antenna array 300 and the metasurface array 200 in the first direction is greater than or equal to 50 mm and less than or equal to 200 mm.

[0149] It should be understood that in the above embodiments, the description only uses the example of the antenna array 300 operating in a frequency band including at least a portion of the frequency band from 24.25 GHz to 29.5 GHz. In actual production or design, the operating frequency band of the antenna array 300 may also include other frequency bands, for example, at least a portion of the N77 and / or N79 frequency bands in sub-6 GHz. When the operating frequency band of the antenna array 300 includes other frequency bands, the distance between the antenna array 300 and the metasurface array 200 in the first direction can also be adjusted accordingly (for example, the distance between the antenna array 300 and the metasurface array 200 in the first direction is greater than or equal to 500 mm, 100 mm, or 200 mm, and less than the interaction distance of 500 mm or 300 mm). This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0150] In one embodiment, the distance between the antenna array 300 and the metasurface array 200 in the first direction is greater than or equal to the second wavelength and less than or equal to 30 times the second wavelength. In another embodiment, the distance between the antenna array 300 and the metasurface array 200 in the first direction is greater than or equal to 5 times the second wavelength and less than or equal to 20 times the second wavelength.

[0151] The second wavelength, corresponding to the second frequency band, can be understood as the vacuum wavelength corresponding to the resonant frequency of the resonance point generated by the antenna array 300 or the center frequency of the resonant frequency band. Since there is a certain conversion relationship between vacuum wavelength and dielectric wavelength (operating wavelength), the above vacuum wavelength can also be converted into the corresponding dielectric wavelength (operating wavelength). For the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated further.

[0152] It should be understood that when the distance between the antenna array 300 and the metasurface array 200 in the first direction is within the range described above, the metasurface array 200 can have a better effect on adjusting the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of the radiation beam generated by the antenna array 300.

[0153] In one embodiment, the antenna array 300 has a dimension of L0 in the second direction and a dimension of N0 in the third direction. The second direction is the length direction (e.g., the y-direction) of the antenna array 300, and the third direction is the width direction (e.g., the x-direction) of the antenna array 300.

[0154] In one embodiment, the metasurface array 200 has a dimension D0 in the second direction and a dimension M0 in all three directions, satisfying: L0×1.5≤D0, and / or, N0×1.5≤M0. In another embodiment, the metasurface array 200 has a dimension D0 in the second direction and a dimension M0 in all three directions, satisfying: L0×3≤D0, and / or, N0×3≤M0. In yet another embodiment, the metasurface array 200 has a dimension D0 in the second direction and a dimension M0 in all three directions, satisfying: L0×5≤D0, and / or, N0×5≤M0.

[0155] It should be understood that when the size ratio between the antenna array 300 and the metasurface array 200 is within the above range, the metasurface array 200 can have a better effect on adjusting the radiation characteristics (e.g., radiation direction, directivity coefficient) of the radiation beam generated by the antenna array 300.

[0156] In one embodiment, the antenna system 400 further includes an electronic device 500, within which the antenna array 300 is located, as shown in FIG14. In another embodiment, the antenna system 400 further includes a support 502. The metasurface array 200 is fixedly connected to the support 502. The support 502 is fixedly connected to the electronic device 500.

[0157] In one embodiment, the electronic device 500 includes a housing 501. An antenna array 300 is located within the space formed by the housing 501. In one embodiment, the housing 501 is fixedly connected to the electronic device 500. For example, the housing 501 is snap-fitted to the electronic device 500.

[0158] In one embodiment, the antenna system 400 further includes an electronic device 500, with the antenna array 300 and metasurface array 200 located within the electronic device 500, as shown in FIG15. In one embodiment, the metasurface array 200 is fixedly connected to the housing 501 of the electronic device 500.

[0159] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of an antenna array 300 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0160] It should be understood that the antenna array 300 shown in Figures 16 to 18 can be applied to the antenna system 400 described above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0161] As shown in Figure 16, the antenna array 300 may include a first sub-antenna 310 and a second sub-antenna 320.

[0162] The first sub-antenna 310 includes a first feed point 312. The second sub-antenna 320 includes a second feed point 322.

[0163] The phase difference between the phase of the electrical signal transmitted at the first feed point 312 and the phase of the electrical signal transmitted at the second feed point 322 is greater than or equal to 135° and less than or equal to 225°.

[0164] According to the embodiments of this application, the phase of the electrical signal fed into the first sub-antenna 310 is out of phase with the phase of the electrical signal fed into the second sub-antenna 320 (the phase difference is about 180°, the phase difference is greater than or equal to 135° and less than or equal to 225°), and the antenna array 300 can generate the difference beam in the above embodiments.

[0165] It should be understood that the phase of the electrical signal fed into the first sub-antenna 310 and the phase of the electrical signal fed into the second sub-antenna 320 can be out of phase (with a phase difference of approximately 180°, greater than or equal to 135°, and less than or equal to 225°) in various ways. For example, the first feed point 312 and the second feed point 322 can be coupled to different feed circuits, which are used to transmit phase-out electrical signals. Alternatively, the first feed point 312 and the second feed point 322 can be coupled to the same feed circuit, which may include a phase-shifting circuit. This phase-shifting circuit can be used to out of phase the electrical signal fed into the first sub-antenna 310 and the electrical signal fed into the second sub-antenna 320. For the sake of brevity, these methods will not be elaborated further.

[0166] For the sake of brevity, this embodiment only uses the antenna array 300 generating a difference beam in the manner described above as an example. In actual production or design, the antenna array 300 can also generate a difference beam in other ways. In the above embodiment, a difference beam is generated by feeding electrical signals with a phase difference of approximately 180° into two sub-antennas. In practical applications, a difference beam can also be generated using the higher-order modes of a single sub-antenna. For example, the fundamental mode of a sub-antenna is a half-wavelength mode, and the higher-order modes of the sub-antenna (e.g., a three-half-wavelength mode) generate the aforementioned difference beam. For the sake of brevity, these will not be elaborated further.

[0167] In one embodiment, the antenna array 300 may include a floor 330, as shown in FIG16.

[0168] In one embodiment, the first sub-antenna 310 may include a first radiator 311 spaced apart from the ground plane 330, as shown in FIG17. In one embodiment, the first radiator 311 includes a first feed point 312. In one embodiment, the first radiator 311 and the ground plane 330 may form a structure similar to a patch antenna.

[0169] In one embodiment, the first radiator 311 can be a rectangle including cross-shaped grooves. The cross-shaped grooves divide the first radiator 311 into four parts.

[0170] It should be understood that in actual production or design, the first radiator 311 can be of any shape, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated on in detail.

[0171] In one embodiment, the second sub-antenna 320 may include a second radiator 321 spaced apart from the ground plane 330, as shown in FIG17. In one embodiment, the second radiator 321 includes a second feed point 322. In one embodiment, the second radiator 321 and the ground plane 330 may form a structure similar to a patch antenna.

[0172] In one embodiment, the second radiator 321 can be a rectangle including cross-shaped grooves. The cross-shaped grooves divide the second radiator 321 into four parts.

[0173] It should be understood that in actual production or design, the second radiator 321 can be of any shape, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated on in detail.

[0174] In one embodiment, the antenna array 300 may further include a substrate 340, as shown in FIG17. The first radiator 311 and the second radiator 321 may be located on the substrate 340.

[0175] In one embodiment, substrate 340 may include a plurality of stacked sub-boards.

[0176] It should be understood that, for the sake of brevity, this application embodiment only uses the example of a substrate 340 including a first sub-board 341, a second sub-board 342, a third sub-board 343, and a fourth sub-board 344 for illustration. In actual production or design, the substrate 340 may include more or fewer sub-boards, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0177] In one embodiment, the first radiator 311 and the second radiator 321 may be located on the same surface of the substrate 340, for example, the upper surface. In another embodiment, the first radiator 311 and the second radiator 321 may be located on different surfaces of the substrate 340; for example, the first radiator 311 may be located on the upper surface of the substrate 340. The second radiator 321 may be located on the surface between the first sub-plate 341 and the second sub-plate 342 in the substrate 340.

[0178] In one embodiment, the first sub-antenna 310 may include a first isolator 313. The first isolator 313 is electrically connected to the ground plane 330.

[0179] In one embodiment, the first isolator 313 is located circumferentially to the first radiator 311. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the first isolator 313 is located between the first radiator 311 and the second radiator 321 to improve the isolation between the first sub-antenna 310 and the second sub-antenna 320.

[0180] In one embodiment, the second sub-antenna 320 may include a second isolator 323. The second isolator 323 is electrically connected to the ground plane 330.

[0181] In one embodiment, the second isolator 323 is located circumferentially to the second radiator 321. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the second isolator 323 is located between the second radiator 311 and the second radiator 321 to improve the isolation between the first sub-antenna 310 and the second sub-antenna 320.

[0182] It should be understood that, for the sake of brevity, the embodiments of this application only use the first sub-antenna 310 and the second sub-antenna 320 as examples. In actual production or design, the first sub-antenna 310 and the second sub-antenna 320 may have different structures. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail.

[0183] In one embodiment, the antenna array 300 may include a plurality of first sub-antennas 310 and a plurality of second sub-antennas 320, as shown in FIG18.

[0184] It should be understood that the dimension of antenna array 300 along the x-direction is N0, and the dimension along the y-direction is L0. When antenna array 300 includes multiple sub-antennas, the dimension N1 of a single sub-antenna along the x-direction can be understood as the dimension N0 of antenna array 300 along the x-direction divided by the number of sub-antennas along the x-direction. The dimension L1 of a single sub-antenna along the y-direction can be understood as the dimension L0 of antenna array 300 along the y-direction divided by the number of sub-antennas along the y-direction. The dimension of a single sub-antenna can be understood as N1 × L1. The larger of N1 and L1 can be understood as the length of the sub-antenna, and the smaller can be understood as the width of the sub-antenna. Correspondingly, the region where the sub-antenna is located can be understood as the region formed by N1 × L1.

[0185] In one embodiment, the dimensions N1 of the sub-antenna along the x-direction and L1 of the sub-antenna along the y-direction satisfy: L1×0.8≤N1≤L1×1.2.

[0186] It should be understood that the dimensions N1 of the sub-antenna along the x-direction and L1 along the y-direction can be approximately the same to improve the symmetry of the antenna array 300. When the antenna array 300 has better symmetry, it has better radiation characteristics.

[0187] In one embodiment, the dimension N1 of the sub-antenna along the x-direction and / or the dimension L1 of the sub-antenna along the y-direction are greater than or equal to three-tenths of the second wavelength and less than or equal to seven-tenths of the second wavelength. The second wavelength is the wavelength corresponding to the second frequency band.

[0188] It should be understood that the sub-antenna can be a half-wavelength structure, and its size can be approximately half the second wavelength. Here, the second wavelength, corresponding to the second frequency band, can be understood as the vacuum wavelength corresponding to the resonant frequency of the resonance point generated by the antenna array 300 or the center frequency of the resonant frequency band. Since there is a certain conversion relationship between vacuum wavelength and dielectric wavelength (operating wavelength), the aforementioned vacuum wavelength can also be converted to the corresponding dielectric wavelength (operating wavelength). For the sake of brevity, this will not be elaborated further.

[0189] In one embodiment, the length L1 of the first sub-antenna and the length D1 of the first sub-metasurface satisfy: D1×0.8≤L1≤D1×1.2.

[0190] It should be understood that the size of the sub-metasurface in a metasurface array can be approximately the same as the size of the sub-antenna in an antenna array, so as to give the antenna system better symmetry and thus better communication characteristics.

[0191] In one embodiment, the plurality of first sub-antennas 310 and the plurality of second sub-antennas 320 may be arranged in an array.

[0192] It should be understood that the antenna array 300 may include a plurality of first sub-antennas 310 and a plurality of second sub-antennas 320. The plurality of sub-antennas may be arranged in an array. For the sake of brevity, in the embodiment shown in Figure 18, only an example of 16 first sub-antennas 310 and 16 second sub-antennas 320 is used, with the 32 sub-antennas arranged in an 8×4 array. In actual production or design, the antenna array 300 may include more or fewer first sub-antennas 310 and second sub-antennas 320; for the sake of brevity, these will not be described in detail.

[0193] In one embodiment, the plurality of first sub-antennas 310 and the plurality of second sub-antennas 320 may be staggered to enable the antenna array 300 to generate differential beams better.

[0194] It should be understood that, for the sake of brevity, this embodiment only uses the example of a first row of sub-antennas all being first sub-antennas 310, a second row of sub-antennas all being second sub-antennas 320, a third row of sub-antennas all being first sub-antennas 310, and a fourth row of sub-antennas all being second sub-antennas 320 (with multiple first sub-antennas 310 and multiple second sub-antennas 320 arranged alternately in adjacent rows). In actual production or design, the multiple first sub-antennas 310 and multiple second sub-antennas 320 can also be arranged in other alternating ways. For example, the first column of sub-antennas all being first sub-antennas 310, the second column of sub-antennas all being second sub-antennas 320, the third column of sub-antennas all being first sub-antennas 310, and the fourth column of sub-antennas all being second sub-antennas 320 (with multiple first sub-antennas 310 and multiple second sub-antennas 320 arranged alternately in adjacent columns). Alternatively, the sub-antennas adjacent to the first sub-antennas 310 can all be second sub-antennas 320. For the sake of brevity, these will not be elaborated further.

[0195] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A metasurface array, characterized in that, The metasurface array includes: substrate; Multiple sub-metasurfaces are located on the substrate. The multiple sub-metasurfaces include a first sub-metasurface and a second sub-metasurface. The first sub-metasurface and the second sub-metasurface correspond to each other along a virtual axis. The first sub-metasurface and the second sub-metasurface have different shapes. The difference in the number of sub-metasurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis is less than or equal to one-tenth of the number of the multiple sub-metasurfaces.

2. The metasurface array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first sub-metasurface includes a first metal element, and the second sub-metasurface includes a second metal element, wherein the first metal element and the second metal element are located on the first surface of the substrate; The difference in shape between the first sub-metasurface and the second sub-metasurface includes the difference in shape between the first metal component and the second metal component.

3. The metasurface array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metasurface array includes a first metal layer having a first groove and a second groove, and the first metal layer is located on the second surface of the substrate. The first sub-metasurface includes the first groove, and the second sub-metasurface includes the second groove; The difference in shape between the first sub-metasurface and the second sub-metasurface includes the difference in shape between the first groove and the second groove.

4. The metasurface array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first sub-metasurface includes a first metal element, and the second sub-metasurface includes a second metal element, wherein the first metal element and the second metal element are located on the first surface of the substrate; The metasurface array includes a first metal layer having a first groove and a second groove. The first metal layer is located on a second surface of the substrate. The first sub-metasurface includes the first groove, and the second sub-metasurface includes the second groove. The first surface and the second surface are spaced apart along a first direction, which is perpendicular to the substrate. The first metal element and the first groove at least partially overlap along a first direction, and / or the second metal element and the second groove are spaced apart along the first direction, which is perpendicular to the substrate; The difference in shape between the first sub-metasurface and the second sub-metasurface includes the difference in shape between the first metal component and the second metal component, and / or the difference in shape between the first groove and the second groove.

5. The metasurface array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first sub-metasurface includes a first metal element located on a first surface of the substrate; The metasurface array includes a first metal layer having a second groove, the first metal layer being located on a second surface of the substrate, the second sub-metasurface including the second groove, the first surface and the second surface being spaced apart along a first direction perpendicular to the substrate.

6. The metasurface array according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The metasurface array includes a second metal layer located on the third surface of the substrate and covering the third surface. The first surface, the second surface, and the third surface are spaced apart sequentially along a first direction, which is perpendicular to the substrate.

7. The metasurface array according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The phase difference between the phase of the electrical signal passing through the first sub-metasurface and the phase of the electrical signal passing through the second sub-metasurface is greater than or equal to 135° and less than or equal to 225°.

8. The metasurface array according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The plurality of sub-metasurfaces include a third sub-metasurface and a fourth sub-metasurface, which correspond to each other along a virtual axis. The first sub-metasurface, the second sub-metasurface, the third sub-metasurface, and the fourth sub-metasurface have different shapes.

9. The metasurface array according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The plurality of sub-metasurfaces are arranged in an array of X rows and Y columns, where X and Y are positive integers, X is the number of sub-metasurfaces along the x-direction, Y is the number of sub-metasurfaces along the y-direction, and the virtual axis is parallel to the y-direction; Since X is an odd number, the sub-hypersurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis are (X-1) / 2 rows and (X+1) / 2 rows, respectively; Since X is an even number, the sub-hypersurfaces on both sides of the virtual axis are all X / 2 rows.

10. An antenna system, characterized in that, The antenna system includes a metasurface array and an antenna array as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the metasurface array and the antenna array are spaced apart in a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the substrate.

11. The antenna system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The antenna array and the metasurface array at least partially overlap in the first direction.

12. The antenna system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The antenna array includes a first sub-antenna and a second sub-antenna. The first sub-antenna includes a first feed point, and the second sub-antenna includes a second feed point. The phase difference between the phase of the electrical signal transmitted at the first feed point and the phase of the electrical signal transmitted at the second feed point is greater than or equal to 135° and less than or equal to 225°.

13. The antenna system according to claim 12, characterized in that, The length L1 of the first sub-antenna and the length D1 of the first sub-metasurface satisfy: D1×0.8≤L1≤D1×1.

2.

14. The antenna system according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The antenna array is used to generate a difference beam, the radiation direction of which includes a second direction and a third direction; The metasurface array is used to ensure that the radiation direction of the differential beam after passing through the metasurface array includes a fourth direction, which is located between the second direction and the third direction.

15. The antenna system according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, The antenna array operates in a frequency band including at least a portion of the band from 24.25 GHz to 29.5 GHz; The distance between the antenna array and the metasurface array in the first direction is greater than or equal to 30 mm and less than or equal to 300 mm.

16. The antenna system according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that, The antenna array has a dimension of L0 in the second direction and a dimension of N0 in the third direction. The second direction is the length direction of the antenna array, and the third direction is the width direction of the antenna array. The metasurface array has a dimension D0 in the second direction and a dimension M0 in the third direction, satisfying: L0×1.5≤D0, and / or, N0×1.5≤M0.

17. The antenna system according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that, The antenna system also includes electronic equipment, and the antenna array and the metasurface array are located within the electronic equipment.

18. The antenna system according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that, The antenna system also includes electronic equipment and a support frame, with the antenna array located within the electronic equipment; The metasurface array is fixedly connected to the bracket, and the bracket is fixedly connected to the electronic device.

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