CN118843984A - Antenna, linear array and antenna array - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an antenna, a linear array and an antenna array, which belong to the field of communication technology. The antenna of the present disclosure comprises: a first dielectric substrate and a second dielectric substrate arranged opposite to each other, a phase shifting structure arranged between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, a radiation structure connected to the phase shifting structure, and a waveguide structure; wherein the waveguide structure comprises a first waveguide component and a second waveguide component arranged opposite to each other; the first waveguide component is arranged on a side of the first dielectric substrate away from the second dielectric substrate; the second waveguide component is arranged on a side of the second dielectric substrate away from the first dielectric substrate; the orthographic projections of the first waveguide component and the second waveguide component on the first dielectric substrate at least partially overlap with the orthographic projection of the phase shifting structure on the first dielectric substrate.

Description

Antennas, Linear Arrays and Antenna Arrays Technical Field

The present disclosure belongs to the field of communication technology, and specifically relates to an antenna, a linear array and an antenna array.

Background Art

As an important component of the antenna, the phase shifter can be regarded as a delay line. If an adjustable dielectric material is used instead of the traditional solid substrate, a phase-variable phase shifter can be obtained. Liquid crystal is used as a tunable dielectric material here. The liquid crystal phase shifter is a phase-variable phase shifter. By applying voltage to the upper and lower substrates of the liquid crystal phase shifter to form an overlapping capacitor, the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material is changed, so that the phase constant of the electromagnetic wave on the device changes, and finally the effect of adjusting the phase shift amount is achieved, thereby realizing the wave number scanning function of the antenna device. With the demand for antennas, the requirements for the capabilities of liquid crystal phase shifters are getting higher and higher. Providing a phase shifter that can effectively improve antenna performance is a technical problem that continues to be solved.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art and provides an antenna, a linear array and an antenna array.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an antenna, comprising: a first dielectric substrate and a second dielectric substrate arranged opposite to each other, a phase shifting structure arranged between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, a radiating structure communicatively connected to the phase shifting structure, and a waveguide structure; wherein the waveguide structure comprises a first waveguide component and a second waveguide component arranged opposite to each other; the first waveguide component is arranged on a side of the first dielectric substrate facing away from the second dielectric substrate; the second waveguide component is arranged on a side of the second dielectric substrate facing away from the first dielectric substrate; the orthographic projections of the first waveguide component and the second waveguide component on the first dielectric substrate at least partially overlap with the orthographic projection of the phase shifting structure on the first dielectric substrate.

Wherein, the phase shifting structure is communicatively connected with the radiating structure via a conversion structure.

The phase-shifting structure has a first feeding end and a second feeding end; the conversion structure includes a first conversion structure and a second conversion structure; the radiating structure includes a first radiating structure and a second radiating structure; the first feeding end of the phase-shifting structure is connected to the first conversion structure, the first radiating structure is spaced apart from the first conversion structure, and the two are connected in communication; the second feeding end of the phase-shifting structure is connected to the second conversion structure, the second radiating structure is spaced apart from the second conversion structure, and the two are connected in communication.

The orthographic projections of the first waveguide component and the second waveguide component on the first dielectric substrate at least partially overlap with the orthographic projections of the first radiation unit and the second radiation unit on the first dielectric substrate.

Wherein, the first waveguide component has a first accommodating groove and a second accommodating groove arranged at intervals, and the second waveguide component has a third accommodating groove and a fourth accommodating groove arranged at intervals; the first accommodating groove and the third accommodating groove are arranged correspondingly, and the second accommodating groove and the fourth accommodating groove are arranged correspondingly; the first accommodating groove and the second accommodating groove respectively form a first accommodating cavity and a second accommodating cavity with the first dielectric substrate, and the third accommodating groove and the fourth accommodating groove respectively form a third accommodating cavity and a fourth accommodating cavity with the second dielectric substrate; the first accommodating cavity has a first opening arranged away from the second accommodating cavity; the second accommodating cavity has a second opening arranged away from the first accommodating cavity; the third accommodating cavity has a third opening arranged away from the fourth accommodating cavity; the fourth accommodating cavity has a fourth opening arranged away from the third accommodating cavity;

The orthographic projections of the first accommodating groove and the third accommodating groove on the first dielectric substrate cover the orthographic projections of the first conversion structure and a partial structure of the first radiation unit on the first dielectric substrate;

The orthographic projections of the second accommodating groove and the fourth accommodating groove on the first dielectric substrate cover the orthographic projections of the second conversion structure and a partial structure of the second radiation unit on the first dielectric substrate.

The first waveguide assembly includes a first connection structure connecting the first receiving groove and the second receiving groove; the second waveguide assembly includes a second connection structure connecting the second receiving groove and the second receiving groove; the thickness of the first connection structure along a plane perpendicular to the first dielectric substrate is greater than the thickness of the bottom of the first receiving groove and the bottom of the second receiving groove along a plane perpendicular to the first dielectric substrate; the thickness of the second connection structure along a plane perpendicular to the first dielectric substrate is greater than the thickness of the bottom of the third receiving groove and the bottom of the fourth receiving groove along a plane perpendicular to the first dielectric substrate.

The first connection structure abuts against the first dielectric substrate, and the second connection structure abuts against the second dielectric substrate.

The orthographic projections of the first waveguide component and the second waveguide component on the first dielectric substrate only cover the orthographic projection of the phase shifting structure on the first dielectric substrate.

The phase-shifting structure comprises a first feeding end and a second feeding end, and one of the first feeding end and the second feeding end of the phase-shifting structure is directly connected to the radiation structure.

The orthographic projections of the first waveguide component and the second waveguide component on the first dielectric substrate only cover the orthographic projection of the phase shifting structure on the first dielectric substrate.

Wherein, the lengths of the first waveguide component and the second waveguide component are both greater than the length of the phase shifting structure.

The phase-shifting structure comprises a first feeding end and a second feeding end, one of which is directly connected to the radiation structure, and the other is connected to a feed source.

Wherein, the phase-shifting structure comprises at least two phase-shifting segments extending in different directions.

The phase shifting structure includes a first electrode arranged on a side of the first dielectric substrate close to the second dielectric substrate, a second electrode arranged on a side of the second dielectric substrate close to the first dielectric substrate, and an adjustable dielectric layer arranged on a layer where the first electrode is located and a layer where the second electrode is located, and the orthographic projections of the first electrode and the second electrode on the first dielectric substrate at least partially overlap.

Wherein, the radiation structure is arranged on the first dielectric substrate, and/or the radiation structure is arranged on the second dielectric substrate.

The radiation structure includes a first radiation patch arranged on the first dielectric substrate and a second radiation patch arranged on the second dielectric substrate.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a linear array, which includes a plurality of antennas arranged side by side along a first direction, and the antennas are any of the antennas described above.

Wherein, the spacing between the adjacent antennas is 0.3 to 0.9 times of the working wavelength.

Wherein, the linear array comprises a first peripheral area and a second peripheral area arranged opposite to each other along a second direction, and an intermediate area between the first peripheral area and the second peripheral area; the first dielectric substrate of each antenna is an integral structure, and the second dielectric substrate of each antenna is an integral structure; each of the phase shifting structures comprises a first electrode arranged on a side of the first dielectric substrate close to the second dielectric substrate, a first bias voltage line connected to the first electrode, a second electrode arranged on a side of the second dielectric substrate close to the first dielectric substrate, and a second bias voltage line connected to the second electrode;

The first bias voltage lines each include a first line segment, a second line segment and a third line segment, and the second bias voltage lines each include a fourth line segment, a fifth line segment and a sixth line segment;

For one of the first bias voltage lines, the first line segment is connected to the first electrode, the two ends of the second line segment are respectively connected to the first line segment and the third line segment, and extend from the middle area to the first peripheral area; the third line segments of each first bias voltage line are all located in the first peripheral area, and each of the third line segments extends along the third direction and points in the same direction;

For one of the second bias voltage lines, the fourth line segment is connected to the second electrode, the two ends of the fifth line segment are respectively connected to the fourth line segment and the sixth line segment, and extend from the middle area to the second peripheral area; the sixth line segment of each second bias voltage line is located in the second peripheral area, and each sixth line segment extends along the third direction and points in the same direction.

The third line segment and the sixth line segment are directed in opposite directions.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an antenna array, which includes a plurality of linear arrays arranged side by side along a third shape; the linear arrays are any of the linear arrays described above.

Wherein, each of the waveguide structures is an integrated structure.

The spacing between adjacent linear arrays is 0.3 to 0.9 times the working wavelength.

Wherein, the antenna array also includes a control board, and each of the linear arrays is electrically connected to the control board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the antenna shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a front view of the antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a transmission antenna.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a reflective antenna.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second exemplary antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the antenna shown in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a front view of the antenna shown in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third exemplary antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the antenna shown in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a front view of the antenna shown in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 13 is a top view of a fourth exemplary antenna of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a stereoscopic view of a linear array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the linear array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the antenna array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the antenna array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of another antenna array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the present disclosure shall have the usual meanings understood by persons with ordinary skills in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The words "first", "second" and similar words used in the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "one", "one" or "the" do not indicate quantity limitations, but indicate the existence of at least one. Words such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connect" or "connected" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

Before introducing the embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be noted that the first direction, the second direction and the third direction in the embodiments of the present disclosure are three different directions, that is, there is a certain angle between any two of them. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, only the perpendicularity between any two of the first direction, the second direction and the third direction is taken as an example.

In the first aspect, FIG. 1 is a stereoscopic view of an antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a top view of the antenna shown in FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is a front view of the antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; as shown in FIGS. 1-3, an antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided, and the antenna comprises a first dielectric substrate 1 and a second dielectric substrate 2 arranged relatively, a phase shifting structure 4 arranged between the first dielectric substrate 1 and the second dielectric substrate 2, a radiation structure 5 connected to the phase shifting structure 4 in communication, and a waveguide structure 3. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the waveguide structure 3 comprises a first waveguide component 31 and a second waveguide component 32 arranged relatively, the first waveguide component 31 being arranged on a side of the first dielectric substrate 1 away from the second dielectric substrate 2, and the second waveguide component 32 being arranged on a side of the second dielectric substrate 2 away from the first dielectric substrate 1. The orthographic projections of the first waveguide component 31 and the second waveguide component 32 on the first dielectric substrate 1 at least partially overlap with the orthographic projections of the phase shifting structure 4 on the first dielectric substrate 1.

In the antenna of the embodiment of the present disclosure, at least the phase shift structure 4 is wrapped by the waveguide structure 3, so when multiple antennas are arrayed, the array reflection can be effectively reduced, the antenna loss can be reduced, and the overall performance of the antenna can be improved.

It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present disclosure, taking the first waveguide component 31 and the second waveguide component 32 of the waveguide structure 3 as the same structure as an example, in actual products, the first waveguide component 31 and the second waveguide component 32 may also have slight deviations, which are all within the protection scope of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the disclosed embodiment, the antenna may be a transmission antenna, a reflection antenna, or a phased array antenna.

FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a transmission antenna; as shown in FIG4 , when the antenna is a transmission antenna, the number of the radiation structures 5 in the antenna is two, and for the convenience of description, the two radiation structures 5 are respectively referred to as the first radiation structure 51 and the second radiation structure 52. The phase shift structure 4 includes a first feeding end and a second feeding end, and a phase shift part connected between the first feeding end and the second feeding end. The first feeding end of the phase shift structure 4 is connected to the first radiation structure 51 for communication, and the second feeding end of the phase shift structure 4 is connected to the second radiation structure 52 for communication. At this time, one of the first radiation structure 51 and the second radiation structure 52 receives electromagnetic waves, and the other radiates the electromagnetic waves modulated by the phase shift part.

Furthermore, two conversion structures 6 may be provided in the antenna, and the conversion structures 6 include but are not limited to baluns. For the convenience of description, the two conversion structures 6 are respectively referred to as a first conversion structure 61 and a second conversion structure 62. The first feeding end of the phase shifting structure 4 is directly connected to the first conversion structure 61, and the first conversion structure 61 is communicatively connected to the first radiating structure 51, that is, electromagnetic waves can be transmitted between the first conversion structure 61 and the first radiating structure 51. The second feeding end of the phase shifting structure 4 is directly connected to the second conversion structure 62, and the second conversion structure 62 is communicatively connected to the second radiating structure 52, that is, electromagnetic waves can be transmitted between the second conversion structure 62 and the second radiating structure 52.

FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a reflective antenna; as shown in FIG5 , when the antenna is a reflective antenna, the number of the radiating structure 5 is one, and the radiating structure 5 can be directly connected to one of the first feeding end and the second feeding end of the phase shifting structure 4, or connected through the conversion structure 6, and one of the first feeding end and the second feeding end of the phase shifting structure 4 is connected to the ground plane. The radiating structure 5 receives the electromagnetic wave signal, and then transmits it to the reflector after being phase-shifted and modulated by the phase shifting part. The reflector reflects the electromagnetic wave signal to the radiating structure 5, and the radiating structure 5 radiates the electromagnetic wave after being phase-shifted and modulated by the phase shifting part.

FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna; as shown in FIG6 , when the antenna is a phased array antenna, the radiation structure 5 can be directly connected to one of the first feeding end and the second feeding end of the phase shifting structure 4, or connected through a conversion structure 6, and one of the first feeding end and the second feeding end of the phase shifting structure 4 is connected to a feed source 7. The feed source 7 transmits the electromagnetic wave to the phase shifting part, and the electromagnetic wave after phase shift modulation by the phase shifting part is radiated through the radiation structure 5.

In some examples, no matter which of the above structures is adopted by the antenna in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned phase shift structure 4 includes a first electrode 41 arranged on the side of the first dielectric substrate 1 close to the second dielectric substrate 2, a second electrode 42 arranged on the side of the second dielectric substrate 2 close to the first dielectric substrate 1, and an adjustable dielectric layer arranged between the layer where the first electrode 41 is located and the layer where the second electrode 42 is located, and the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 are at least partially overlapped in their orthographic projections on the first dielectric substrate 1. Among them, the adjustable dielectric layer includes but is not limited to the liquid crystal layer 43. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the adjustable dielectric layer adopts the liquid crystal layer 43 as an example. When a DC bias voltage is applied to the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42, the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer 43 arranged between the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 changes, thereby realizing the modulation of the phase of the electromagnetic wave.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1-6 , the phase shift structure 4 further includes a first bias voltage line 44 disposed on the first dielectric substrate 1, and a second bias voltage line 45 disposed on the second dielectric substrate 2. The first bias voltage line 44 is electrically connected to the first electrode 41, and the second bias voltage line 45 is electrically connected to the second electrode 42. For example, the first bias voltage line 44 is disposed on a side of the first electrode 41 close to the first dielectric substrate 1, and the second bias voltage line 45 is disposed on a side of the second electrode 42 close to the second dielectric substrate 2. The materials of the first bias voltage line 44 and the second bias voltage line 45 can both be indium tin oxide ITO.

Further, the radiation structure 5 in the embodiment of the present disclosure may be arranged on the first dielectric substrate 1, or on the second dielectric substrate 2, or on both the first dielectric substrate 1 and the second dielectric substrate 2. For example, the first feeding end and the second feeding end of the phase shifting structure 4 are both connected to the radiation structure 5. In this case, the two radiation structures 5 may be arranged on the first dielectric substrate 1, or on the second dielectric substrate 2, or one may be arranged on the first dielectric substrate 1 and the other may be arranged on the second dielectric substrate 2. If the radiation structure 5 is arranged on the first dielectric substrate 1, it may be arranged on the same layer as the first electrode 41 and made of the same material, and of course it may also be arranged on the side of the first dielectric substrate 1 away from the second dielectric substrate 2. Similarly, when the radiation structure 5 is arranged on the second dielectric substrate 2, it may be arranged on the same layer as the second electrode 42 and made of the same material, and of course it may also be arranged on the side of the second dielectric substrate 2 away from the first dielectric substrate 1.

Furthermore, the radiation structure 5 may include a first radiation patch and a second radiation patch; the first radiation patch is arranged on the first dielectric substrate 1, the second radiation patch is arranged on the second dielectric substrate 2, and the orthographic projections of the first radiation patch and the second radiation patch on the first dielectric substrate 1 at least partially overlap. Among them, one of the first radiation patch and the second radiation patch is used to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves, and the other is used to reflect electromagnetic waves. In some examples, the first radiation patch can be arranged on a side of the first dielectric substrate 1 close to the liquid crystal layer 43, or on a side of the first dielectric substrate 1 away from the liquid crystal layer 43. Similarly, the second radiation patch can be arranged on a side of the second dielectric substrate 2 close to the liquid crystal layer 43, or on a side of the second dielectric substrate 2 away from the liquid crystal layer 43.

In some examples, the position of the waveguide structure 3 may be specifically set according to the type of antenna. Several exemplary antenna structures are given below.

The first example: As shown in Figures 1-3, the antenna is a transmission antenna, the first feeding end of the phase-shifting structure 4 is connected to the first conversion structure 61, the first radiation structure 51 is spaced apart from the first conversion structure 61, and the two are in communication connection; the second feeding end of the phase-shifting structure 4 is connected to the second conversion structure 62, the second radiation structure 52 is spaced apart from the second conversion structure 62, and the two are in communication connection. The orthographic projections of the first waveguide component 31 and the second waveguide component 32 of the waveguide structure 3 on the first dielectric substrate 1 both at least partially overlap with the orthographic projections of the first radiation unit and the second radiation unit on the first dielectric substrate 1. In other words, the orthographic projections of the first waveguide component 31 and the second waveguide component 32 on the first dielectric substrate 1 cover the orthographic projections of the phase-shifting structure 4 and the first conversion structure 61 and the second conversion structure 62 on the first dielectric substrate 1.

Further, still referring to FIG. 1 , the first waveguide assembly 31 has a first receiving groove 311 and a second receiving groove 312 arranged at intervals, and the second waveguide assembly 32 has a third receiving groove 321 and a fourth receiving groove 322 arranged at intervals; the first receiving groove 311 and the third receiving groove 321 are arranged correspondingly, and the second receiving groove 312 and the fourth receiving groove 322 are arranged correspondingly. The first receiving groove 311 and the second receiving groove 312 form a first receiving cavity and a second receiving cavity with the first dielectric substrate 1, respectively, and the third receiving groove 321 and the fourth receiving groove 322 form a third receiving cavity and a fourth receiving cavity with the second dielectric substrate 2, respectively. The first accommodating cavity has a first opening disposed away from the second accommodating cavity; the second accommodating cavity has a second opening disposed away from the first accommodating cavity; the third accommodating cavity has a third opening disposed away from the fourth accommodating cavity; the fourth accommodating cavity has a fourth opening disposed away from the third accommodating cavity; the orthographic projections of the first accommodating groove 311 and the third accommodating groove 321 on the first dielectric substrate 1 cover the orthographic projections of the first conversion structure 61 and a part of the structure of the first radiation unit on the first dielectric substrate 1; the orthographic projections of the second accommodating groove 312 and the fourth accommodating groove 322 on the first dielectric substrate 1 cover the orthographic projections of the second conversion structure 62 and a part of the structure of the second radiation unit on the first dielectric substrate 1.

Take the example of the first radiation structure 51 receiving electromagnetic waves and the second radiation structure 52 radiating electromagnetic waves. The first radiation structure 51 transmits the received electromagnetic waves to the first conversion structure 61 through the first accommodating cavity and the third accommodating cavity. The first conversion converts the electromagnetic waves and transmits them to the phase shifting structure 4. The phase shifting structure 4 phase shifts the electromagnetic waves and transmits the phase-shifted waves to the second conversion structure 62. The second conversion structure 62 transmits the phase-shifted electromagnetic waves to the second radiation unit through the second accommodating cavity and the fourth accommodating cavity for radiation.

Furthermore, the first waveguide component 31 includes a first connection structure 313 connecting the first receiving groove 311 and the second receiving groove 312; the second waveguide component 32 includes a second connection structure 323 connecting the second receiving groove 312 and the second receiving groove 312; the thickness of the first connection structure 313 along the plane perpendicular to the first dielectric substrate 1 is greater than the thickness of the bottom of the first receiving groove 311 and the bottom of the second receiving groove 312 along the plane perpendicular to the first dielectric substrate 1; the thickness of the second connection structure 323 along the plane perpendicular to the first dielectric substrate 1 is greater than the thickness of the bottom of the third receiving groove 321 and the bottom of the fourth receiving groove 322 along the plane perpendicular to the first dielectric substrate 1. For example: the first connection structure 313 abuts against the first dielectric substrate 1, and the second connection structure 323 abuts against the second dielectric substrate 2. By limiting the electromagnetic wave on the transmission line in the phase shift structure 4 in this way, the transmission loss of the electromagnetic wave can be effectively reduced.

Second example: Figure 7 is a stereoscopic view of the antenna of the second example of the embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 8 is a top view of the antenna shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a front view of the antenna shown in Figure 7; as shown in Figures 7-9, this example is roughly the same as the first example in structure, with the only difference being that the orthographic projections of the first waveguide component 31 and the second waveguide component 32 on the first dielectric substrate 1 only cover the orthographic projections of the phase shifting structure 4 on the first dielectric substrate 1, and have no overlap with the orthographic projections of the first radiation unit, the second radiation unit, the first conversion structure 61 and the second conversion structure 62 on the first dielectric substrate 1.

In this case, the first waveguide component 31 is offset against the first dielectric substrate 1, and the second waveguide component 32 is offset against the second dielectric substrate 2. In this way, the electromagnetic waves are confined to the transmission line in the phase shifting structure 4, which can effectively reduce the transmission loss of the electromagnetic waves.

The third example: FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional diagram of the antenna of the third example of the embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 11 is a top view of the antenna shown in FIG. 10; FIG. 12 is a front view of the antenna shown in FIG. 10; As shown in FIG. 10-12, the antenna is a reflective antenna, and in this example, one of the first feeding end and the second feeding end in the phase shift structure 4 is directly connected to the radiation unit. The orthographic projection of the first waveguide component 31 and the second waveguide component 32 of the waveguide structure 3 on the first dielectric substrate 1 covers the orthographic projection of the phase shift structure 4 on the first dielectric substrate 1, and has no overlap with the orthographic projection of the radiation unit on the first dielectric substrate 1. The radiation structure 5 receives the electromagnetic wave signal, which is then reflected to the radiation structure 5 after being phase-shifted and modulated by the phase shift part, and the radiation structure 5 then radiates the electromagnetic wave that has been phase-shifted and modulated by the phase shift part.

In this case, the first waveguide component 31 is offset against the first dielectric substrate 1, and the second waveguide component 32 is offset against the second dielectric substrate 2. In this way, the electromagnetic waves are confined to the transmission line in the phase shifting structure 4, which can effectively reduce the transmission loss of the electromagnetic waves.

Further, the lengths of the first waveguide component 31 and the second waveguide component 32 are both greater than the length of the phase shifting structure 4. The first waveguide component 31 and the second waveguide component 32 are also used as reflection plates.

Fourth example: FIG. 13 is a top view of the antenna of the fourth example of the embodiment of the present disclosure; as shown in FIG. 13 , the structure of this example is substantially the same as that of the first example, except that, in this example, the phase-shifting structure 4 includes at least two phase-shifting segments with different extension directions. FIG. 13 only shows that the phase-shifting structure 4 includes phase-shifting segments with two ends perpendicular to each other. Of course, the structure of the phase-shifting structure 4 is not limited thereto. By setting phase-shifting segments with different extension directions to form the phase-shifting structure 4, the size of the antenna can be effectively reduced.

It should be noted that only several exemplary antenna structures are given above, and any deformation of the above antenna structures is within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some examples, the first dielectric substrate 1 and the second dielectric substrate 2 in the embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, glass, PCB, ceramic, and the like.

In some examples, the materials of the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 in the embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, copper, aluminum, molybdenum or other metal materials and non-metal materials with conductivity such as indium tin oxide.

In some examples, the waveguide structure 3 in the embodiment of the present disclosure includes but is not limited to a square waveguide, a circular waveguide or other shapes, and the first waveguide component 31 and the second waveguide component 32 of the waveguide structure 3 can be an asymmetric structure. The length of the waveguide structure 3 can be greater than, equal to or less than the first dielectric substrate 1, and the gap between the waveguide structure 3 and the first dielectric substrate 1/the second dielectric substrate 2 can be air or other media. When the feeding mode of the antenna in the embodiment of the present disclosure is air feeding, there is no need for a conversion structure 6 between the radiating unit and the phase shifting structure 4.

In the second aspect, FIG. 14 is a three-dimensional view of a linear array 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 15 is a top view of a linear array 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a linear array 100, and the linear array 100 includes a plurality of the above-mentioned antennas. For example, the antennas in the linear array 100 are arranged side by side along a first direction.

In some examples, the spacing between antennas in the linear array 100 is 0.3 to 0.9 times the operating wavelength, thereby preventing mutual interference between the antennas.

In some examples, the linear array 100 includes a first peripheral region and a second peripheral region that are arranged opposite to each other along the second direction, and an intermediate region between the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region; the first dielectric substrate 1 of each antenna is an integral structure, and the second dielectric substrate 2 of each antenna is an integral structure; each phase shift structure 4 includes a first electrode 41 that is arranged on a side of the first dielectric substrate 1 close to the second dielectric substrate 2, a first bias voltage line 44 connected to the first electrode 41, a second electrode 42 that is arranged on a side of the second dielectric substrate 2 close to the first dielectric substrate 1, and a second bias voltage line 45 that is connected to the second electrode 42. The first bias voltage line 44 includes a first line segment, a second line segment, and a third line segment that are connected in sequence, and the second bias voltage line 45 includes a fourth line segment, a fifth line segment, and a sixth line segment that are connected in sequence. For a first bias voltage line 44, the first line segment is connected to the first electrode 41, and the two ends of the second line segment are connected to the first line segment and the third line segment respectively, and extend from the intermediate region to the first peripheral region; the third line segment of each first bias voltage line 44 is located in the first peripheral region, and each third line segment extends along the third direction and points in the same direction. For a second bias voltage line 45, the fourth line segment is connected to the second electrode 42, the two ends of the fifth line segment are respectively connected to the fourth line segment and the sixth line segment, and extend from the middle area to the second peripheral area; the sixth line segment of each second bias voltage line 45 is located in the second peripheral area, and each sixth line segment extends along the third direction and points in the same direction.

It should be noted that the third line segment has a first end connected to the second line segment and a second end opposite to the first end, and the direction of the third line segment refers to the direction of the second end of the third line segment; similarly, the sixth line segment has a third end connected to the fifth line segment and a fourth end opposite to the third end, and the direction of the sixth line segment refers to the direction of the fourth end.

Furthermore, the third line segment of each first bias voltage line 44 and the sixth line segment of each second bias voltage line 45 are directed in opposite directions.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first line segment of the first bias voltage line 44 and the fourth line segment of the second bias voltage line 45 both extend along the third direction, and the second line segment of the first bias voltage line 44 and the fifth line segment of the second bias voltage line 45 both extend along the second direction. This arrangement facilitates wiring and saves wiring space.

In the third aspect, FIG. 16 is a top view of an antenna array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an antenna array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an antenna array, which includes a plurality of linear arrays 100, and the linear array 100 can be any of the above-mentioned linear arrays 100. For example, the linear arrays 100 in the antenna array are arranged side by side along the third direction.

In some examples, FIG18 is a schematic diagram of another antenna array of an embodiment of the present disclosure; as shown in FIG18 , the waveguide structure 3 in each antenna is an integrated structure, and in this case, the waveguide structure 3 can play a supporting role between adjacent linear arrays 100.

Furthermore, the linear arrays 100 in the antenna array may be arranged in an aligned manner or in a staggered manner, and the only requirement is that the spacing between adjacent linear arrays 100 is 0.3 to 0.9 times the working wavelength.

In some examples, the antenna array in the embodiment of the present disclosure includes not only the above structure, but also a control board 200, and each linear array 100 is electrically connected to the control board 200. Specifically, each linear array 100 includes a first bias voltage line 44 connected to the first electrode 41 and a second bias voltage line 45 connected to the second electrode 42. The first bias voltage line 44 and the second bias voltage line 45 both extend to the first peripheral area and/or the second peripheral area, and can be connected to the control board 200 at this time. The control board 200 can independently control the bias voltage loaded on the first bias voltage line 44 and the second bias voltage line 45 in each linear array 100 to achieve different phase compensation matrices, thereby achieving beam scanning. Among them, the lead 102 connecting the first bias voltage line 44 and the second bias voltage line 45 to the control board 200 can be selected from ordinary wires, flexible printed circuits (FPC), thin film chip integrated circuits (COF), etc., but not limited to the above forms; the connection between the first bias voltage line 44 and the second bias voltage line 45 and the lead 102 can be selected from the form of pins, welding, bonding, etc., but not limited to the above forms; the connection between the lead 102 and the control board 200 can be selected from the form of pins, welding, bonding, buckles, etc., but not limited to the above methods.

In some examples, the antenna array provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure also includes a transceiver unit, a radio frequency transceiver, a signal amplifier, a power amplifier, and a filtering unit. The antenna in the antenna array can be used as a transmitting antenna or as a receiving antenna. Among them, the transceiver unit may include a baseband and a receiving end. The baseband provides a signal of at least one frequency band, for example, 2G signals, 3G signals, 4G signals, 5G signals, etc., and sends a signal of at least one frequency band to the radio frequency transceiver. After the antenna in the communication system receives the signal, it can be processed by the filtering unit, the power amplifier, the signal amplifier, and the radio frequency transceiver and then transmitted to the receiving end in the transceiver unit. The receiving end may be, for example, a smart gateway.

Furthermore, the RF transceiver is connected to the transceiver unit, and is used to modulate the signal sent by the transceiver unit, or to demodulate the signal received by the antenna and transmit it to the transceiver unit. Specifically, the RF transceiver may include a transmitting circuit, a receiving circuit, a modulation circuit, and a demodulation circuit. After the transmitting circuit receives various types of signals provided by the baseband, the modulation circuit can modulate the various types of signals provided by the baseband and then send them to the antenna. The antenna receives the signal and transmits it to the receiving circuit of the RF transceiver. The receiving circuit transmits the signal to the demodulation circuit, and the demodulation circuit demodulates the signal and transmits it to the receiving end.

Furthermore, the RF transceiver is connected to a signal amplifier and a power amplifier, and the signal amplifier and the power amplifier are connected to a filter unit, and the filter unit is connected to at least one antenna. In the process of sending signals in the communication system, the signal amplifier is used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal output by the RF transceiver and then transmit it to the filter unit; the power amplifier is used to amplify the power of the signal output by the RF transceiver and then transmit it to the filter unit; the filter unit may specifically include a duplexer and a filter circuit, and the filter unit combines the signals output by the signal amplifier and the power amplifier and filters out the clutter before transmitting them to the antenna, and the antenna radiates the signal. In the process of receiving signals in the communication system, the antenna receives the signal and transmits it to the filter unit, and the filter unit filters out the clutter from the signal received by the antenna and then transmits it to the signal amplifier and the power amplifier, and the signal amplifier amplifies the signal received by the antenna to increase the signal-to-noise ratio; the power amplifier amplifies the power of the signal received by the antenna. The signal received by the antenna is processed by the power amplifier and the signal amplifier and then transmitted to the RF transceiver, and the RF transceiver then transmits it to the transceiver unit.

In some examples, the signal amplifier may include various types of signal amplifiers, such as a low noise amplifier, which is not limited herein.

In some examples, the antenna array provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure also includes a power management unit, which is connected to a power amplifier to provide the power amplifier with a voltage for amplifying a signal.

It is to be understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments used to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For those of ordinary skill in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims (24)

1. An antenna, comprising: the device comprises a first dielectric substrate, a second dielectric substrate, a phase shifting structure, a radiation structure and a waveguide structure, wherein the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate are oppositely arranged, the phase shifting structure is arranged between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, and the radiation structure is in communication connection with the phase shifting structure; the waveguide structure comprises a first waveguide assembly and a second waveguide assembly which are oppositely arranged; the first waveguide assembly is arranged on one side of the first dielectric substrate, which is away from the second dielectric substrate; the second waveguide assembly is arranged on one side of the second dielectric substrate, which is away from the first dielectric substrate; the orthographic projections of the first waveguide assembly and the second waveguide assembly on the first dielectric substrate at least partially overlap with the orthographic projections of the phase shifting structure on the first dielectric substrate.
2. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the phase shifting structure is communicatively coupled to the radiating structure via a switching structure.
3. The antenna of claim 2, wherein the phase shifting structure has a first feed end and a second feed end; the conversion structure comprises a first conversion structure and a second conversion structure; the radiating structure comprises a first radiating structure and a second radiating structure; the first feed end of the phase shifting structure is connected with the first conversion structure, and the first radiation structure is arranged at intervals with the first conversion structure and is in communication connection with the first conversion structure; the second feed end of the phase shifting structure is connected with the second conversion structure, and the second radiation structure is arranged at intervals with the second conversion structure and is in communication connection with the second conversion structure.
4. The antenna of claim 3, wherein the orthographic projections of the first and second waveguide assemblies on the first dielectric substrate each at least partially overlap with orthographic projections of the first and second radiating elements on the first dielectric substrate.
5. The antenna of claim 4, wherein the first waveguide assembly has first and second spaced apart receiving slots, and the second waveguide assembly has third and fourth spaced apart receiving slots; the first accommodating groove and the third accommodating groove are correspondingly arranged, and the second accommodating groove and the fourth accommodating groove are correspondingly arranged; the first accommodating groove and the second accommodating groove respectively form a first accommodating cavity and a second accommodating cavity with the first medium substrate, and the third accommodating groove and the fourth accommodating groove respectively form a third accommodating cavity and a fourth accommodating cavity with the second medium substrate; the first accommodating cavity is provided with a first opening which is arranged away from the second accommodating cavity; the second accommodating cavity is provided with a second opening which is arranged away from the first accommodating cavity; the third accommodating cavity is provided with a third opening which is arranged away from the fourth accommodating cavity; the fourth accommodating cavity is provided with a fourth opening which is arranged away from the third accommodating cavity;

   Orthographic projections of the first accommodating groove and the third accommodating groove on the first medium substrate cover orthographic projections of the first conversion structure and partial structures of the first radiation unit on the first medium substrate;

   And the second accommodating groove and the fourth accommodating groove are orthographic projected on the first medium substrate, and the orthographic projection of the second conversion structure and part of the structure of the second radiation unit on the first medium substrate is covered.
6. The antenna of claim 5, wherein the first waveguide assembly includes a first connection structure connecting the first and second receiving slots; the second waveguide assembly includes a second connection structure connecting the second receiving slot and the second receiving slot; the thickness of the first connecting structure along the plane perpendicular to the first dielectric substrate is larger than the thickness of the bottom of the first accommodating groove and the bottom of the second accommodating groove along the plane perpendicular to the first dielectric substrate; the thickness of the second connecting structure along the plane perpendicular to the first dielectric substrate is larger than the thickness of the bottom of the third accommodating groove and the bottom of the fourth accommodating groove along the plane perpendicular to the first dielectric substrate.
7. The antenna of claim 6, wherein the first connection structure abuts against the first dielectric substrate and the second connection structure abuts against the second dielectric substrate.
8. The antenna of claim 3, wherein the orthographic projections of the first and second waveguide assemblies on the first dielectric substrate cover only the orthographic projections of the phase shifting structure on the first dielectric substrate.
9. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the phase shifting structure comprises a first feed end and a second feed end, one of the first feed end and the second feed end of the phase shifting structure being directly connected to the radiating structure.
10. The antenna of claim 9, wherein the orthographic projections of the first and second waveguide assemblies on the first dielectric substrate cover only the orthographic projections of the phase shifting structure on the first dielectric substrate.
11. The antenna of claim 10, wherein the first waveguide assembly and the second waveguide assembly each have a length that is greater than a length of the phase shifting structure.
12. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the phase shifting structure comprises a first feed end and a second feed end, one of the first feed end and the second feed end of the phase shifting structure being directly connected to the radiating structure, the other being connected to a feed source.
13. The antenna according to any of claims 1-12, wherein the phase shifting structure comprises at least two phase shifting segments of different extension directions.
14. The antenna of any of claims 1-12, wherein the phase shifting structure comprises a first electrode disposed on a side of the first dielectric substrate adjacent to the second dielectric substrate, a second electrode disposed on a side of the second dielectric substrate adjacent to the first dielectric substrate, an adjustable dielectric layer disposed on a layer where the first electrode is and a layer where the second electrode is, and orthographic projections of the first electrode and the second electrode on the first dielectric substrate at least partially overlap.
15. The antenna of any of claims 1-12, wherein the radiating structure is disposed on the first dielectric substrate and/or the radiating structure is disposed on the second dielectric substrate.
16. The antenna of any of claims 1-12, wherein the radiating structure comprises a first radiating patch disposed on the first dielectric substrate and a second radiating patch disposed on the second dielectric substrate.
17. A linear array comprising a plurality of antennas arranged side by side along a first direction, the antennas being the antennas of any of claims 1-16.
18. The linear array of claim 17, wherein a spacing between adjacently disposed antennas is between 0.3 and 0.9 times an operating wavelength.
19. The linear array of claim 17, wherein the linear array comprises a first perimeter region and a second perimeter region disposed opposite in a second direction, and an intermediate region between the first perimeter region and the second perimeter region; the first dielectric substrates of the antennas are of an integrated structure, the second dielectric substrates of the antennas are of an integrated structure, each phase shifting structure comprises a first electrode arranged on one side of the first dielectric substrate close to the second dielectric substrate, a first bias voltage line connected with the first electrode, a second electrode arranged on one side of the second dielectric substrate close to the first dielectric substrate, and a second bias voltage line connected with the second electrode;

    The first bias voltage lines comprise a first line segment, a second line segment and a third line segment, and the second bias voltage lines comprise a fourth line segment, a fifth line segment and a sixth line segment;

    for one of the first bias voltage lines, the first line segment is connected with the first electrode, and two ends of the second line segment are respectively connected with the first line segment and the third line segment and extend from the middle area to the first peripheral area; the third line segments of the first bias voltage lines are all located in the first peripheral area, extend along the third direction and point to the same direction;

    For one of the second bias voltage lines, the fourth line segment is connected to the second electrode, and two ends of the fifth line segment are respectively connected to the fourth line segment and the sixth line segment and extend from the middle region to the second peripheral region; the sixth line segments of each second bias voltage line are all located in the second peripheral area, and each sixth line segment extends along the third direction and points to the same direction.
20. The antenna of claim 19, wherein the third and sixth line segments are directed away from each other.
21. An antenna array comprising a plurality of linear arrays arranged side by side along a third pattern; the linear array is the linear array of any one of claims 17-20.
22. The antenna array of claim 21, wherein each of the waveguide structures is a unitary structure.
23. The antenna array of claim 21, wherein a spacing between adjacently disposed linear arrays is 0.3-0.9 times an operating wavelength.
24. The antenna array of claim 21, further comprising a control board, each of the linear arrays being electrically connected to the control board.