EP1312135B1 - Arrangement and method for influencing and controlling electromagnetic alternating fields and/or antennae and antennae diagrams - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement and method for influencing and controlling electromagnetic alternating fields and/or antennae and antennae diagrams, comprising a support as assembly surface for planar or three-dimensional emitter elements and circuit, control and transmission or supply elements. Said support is arranged in a high frequency electromagnetic source field in an aperture cavity. Emitter elements are arranged on the support parallel to the aperture plane or in three dimensions, said emitter elements are controlled individually, or in pairs, by means of low frequency or high frequency signals, or a combination thereof. The elements for controlling the emitter elements are arranged completely or partially on the support and the arrangement is freely programmable with regard to signal allocation thereof and may be altered over time.

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for influencing and Control of electromagnetic alternating fields and / or antennas and Antenna patterns.

The fields of application of the invention extend primarily to the Areas of communication technology in the fields of stationary, portable and mobile transmitting and receiving systems of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation sources, in particular of geostationary orbiting satellite systems and land or air mobile sources, non - contact sensor technology, safety technology and the Radar technology.

Known methods for evaluating sources of electromagnetic Radiation preferably uses source-own signals as the evaluation criterion or in the case of the known position or moving property of Source whose known spatial coordinates or motion information or their relation to other known spatial coordinates.

In the field of geostationary sources, in particular in Area of geostationary satellite systems, the rating is on Based on known position data from source and / or signal receiver realized or based on a comparison of the transponder assignment with a Reference occupancy. The tracking of such a receiving system takes place based on the evaluation of the received signal including external sensors and / or data on the motion or Direction information of the observer.

Further known tracking and / or tracking solutions based on electronic chart synthesis and evaluation have particular the Disadvantage, by the high apperativen and systemimanten effort Applications in the high-cost area remain limited. you are basically not suitable for retrofitting in existing systems. Furthermore, the known systems do not guarantee spectral adjustable, differentiated effect in a wide bandwidth range.

WO 0045464 discloses an arrangement for influencing and Control of electromagnetic alternating fields and / or antennas and Antenna diagrams with a dielectric carrier as a mounting surface for planar or transmission or feed elements, wherein the carrier in a high-frequency electromagnetic source field of a source in one Aperture space, bounded by two aperture surfaces, is arranged and on the carrier controllable radiator elements and elements for driving these radiator elements are arranged. The arrangement has an external Control unit and is located in the near field of a pathogen. The Radiator elements are by high-frequency Siganle or by a Combination of low frequency and high frequency signals individually or controllable in pairs.

However, this arrangement involves the problem that the field emitted by the source exciter is completely absorbed by the planar antenna carrier, converted and released again in one plane, resulting in a superposition of the source field and the parasitic field. The resulting losses are dramatically significant.
Furthermore, said arrangement is not usable as a pathogen in conventional reflector antennas. Due to the design of the arrangement are to achieve a certain system quality (eg for the TV satellite direct reception) significantly larger dimensions than in a conventional antenna necessary. Added to this is the considerable increase in costs, which almost prohibits deployment in the end customer segment, by about one order of magnitude.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an arrangement for influencing and Control of electromagnetic alternating fields and / or antennas and To provide antenna diagrams that are characterized by lower Insertion losses.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by an arrangement with the Characteristics of claim 1 solved.

Advantageous embodiments of the arrangement according to the invention result from the features of claims 2 to 10.

Compared to the known prior art, the invention has the particular advantage that insertion losses are almost negligible.
This allows the construction of antennas of relatively small size with high efficiency of the antenna. The inventive solution with the size reduction associated with the use of such antennas for the maritime and land or air mobile application is even possible.
The use of the arrangement according to the invention is easily possible within a conventional reflector antenna arrangement. The properties of a conventional reflector antenna arrangement are maintained with nearly the same system quality. A useful signal to be received by a reflector antenna arrangement is not or only minimally damped when using the arrangement according to the invention.

The features of the invention also allow cost-effective technical solutions of the production of the antenna, since it can be produced with standard components and known technological methods.
The arrangement can be exactly dimensioned in relation to the intended application and can be produced with high mechanical precision. It is, according to a particular embodiment by embedding in a suitable low-dielectric plastic against extreme influences extremely robust and has a high tolerance to different environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity and aggressive media.

By the appropriate geometric design of the recess in the carrier it is possible to adapt the arrangement to almost any aperture size and shape. This offers a wide for the inventive arrangement Operation area.

Figur 1

Prinzipielle Darstellung der Beziehungen zwischen Quelle, Nahfeld, EM-Matrix und Nahfeld

Figur 2

Prinzipielle Darstellung der Beeinflussung des Quellfeldes

Figur 3

Prinzipielle Darstellung der Anordnung der Elemente auf dem Träger

Figur 4

Prinzipielle Darstellung der räumlichen Anordnung der Elemente im Schnitt

Figur 5

Prinzipschaltbild der Auswerte- und Steuereinheit

Figur 6

Darstellung einer EM-Feldsteuermatrix für eine kreisrunde Apertur eines Quellfeldes

Figur 7

Prinzipielle Darstellung eines Reflektorantennensystems mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

Schematic representation of the relationships between source, near field, EM matrix and near field

FIG. 2

Basic representation of the influence of the source field

FIG. 3

Schematic representation of the arrangement of the elements on the support

FIG. 4

Basic representation of the spatial arrangement of the elements in section

FIG. 5

Block diagram of the evaluation and control unit

FIG. 6

Representation of an EM field control matrix for a circular aperture of a source field

FIG. 7

Schematic representation of a reflector antenna system with an inventive arrangement.

According to FIG. 1 , in the wave propagation direction in the near field 32, 33 of an alternating electromagnetic field of the source emitter 28, a preferably planar or three-dimensional arrangement in the form of the aperture planes 30, 31 which is adapted in its functionality to the object to be solved by its structure and geometric positioning, geometrically fixed. With the help of the arrangement of the aperture planes 30, 31, the complex H and. E-components of the electromagnetic field by controllable superimposition according to FIG. 2 according to the invention synthesized in the near field 32, 33. With the geometric fixation of the aperture planes 30, 31 in the region of the near field 32, 33, the aperture space 29 is formed at the same time.

For the arrangement of the aperture planes 30, 31 in the form of an EM source synthesis, it can be seen from FIG. 3 that preferably planar or three-dimensional radiator elements 24.1 are applied to a dielectric carrier 22 parallel to the aperture planes 30, 31 and are task-specifically distributed in their arrangement, and are connected by the elements 23, not shown here for controlling the radiator elements 24.1. The arrangement of the radiator elements 24.1 takes place basically in the region of the aperture space 29, which is formed by the two aperture planes 30, 31.

The generation of the parasitic source field in the area of the aperture space 29 is effected by a controllable interaction of the radiator elements 24.1 with the near field of the source radiator 3, 28 (passive) or solution-specific by superposition of the near field with reinforcing effect (active) or Feeding the radiator elements 24.1 by a to the near field of the Source radiator 28 in deterministic relationship (phase and amplitude) stationary excitation (external supply).

The embodiment of the radiator elements 24.1 or the radiator element pairs 24 is carried out according to the invention as a planar surface radiator, dipole or monopole arrangements, combinations of the aforementioned or so-called aperture radiators. The arrangement of the radiator elements 24.1 takes place in an angle relationship adapted to the task (α, β) to the aperture plane in a solution-specific manner as a function of the type of source, preferably in the orthogonal direction (FIG. 4).

The influencing of the source field is effected by temporal control of the Phase and amplitude relationship of individual or groups of Radiator element pairs 24 by means of the evaluation and control unit 6.

The acquisition of the associated information (direction, vector) is carried out with the help of implemented in an assembly external control and evaluation unit 6 in such a way that via one or more microprocessors, the inventive arrangement is controlled and the associated evaluation of the amplitudes and phase of the signal-treated Receive signal components allows a clear assignment on the vectorial position and temporal vectorial progress of the event ( Fig. 5 ).

The arrangement according to FIG. 6 is embedded in a suitable low-dielectric plastic with low dielectric loss factor and low dielectric constant in such a way that it is completely enclosed by a preferably closed-cell, superficially roughened rigid polyurethane foam having a volume weight of between 120 kg / m ³ and 250 kg / m ³ .

6 shows an EM field control matrix for the case of the circular aperture of the near field of the source emitter 28 for use in a reflector antenna system according to FIG. 7 within the near field 32, 33.

On the carrier 22 radiator element pairs 24 are arranged, wherein the Radiator elements 24.1 are designed as linear radiators in dipole shape and orthogonal to the display plane connected to the network. One each Radiating element pair 24 is by an element 23, in this case a suitable PIN diode, connected together. Due to the spatial distribution the radiator element pairs 24 in total and the distance and the length of Single radiator 24.1 becomes the control of the source field in its near field 32, 33 allows for both the E and H vector. The activation of the Radiator element pairs 24 is effected by the logic module 25, the same time the connection to the evaluation and control unit 6 via the interface 26th realized.

The connection of the control lines and the high-frequency waveguides takes place in the embodiment in microstrip technology.

The dielectric support 22 is in the embodiment for the purpose of minimization the losses centrally provided with a recess 27, which in a Ratio correlated with the aperture of the source radiator 28.

FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of the components according to the invention for the case of use in an offset reflector antenna.

The reflector antenna 1 and the receiving system LNC 3 represent the usual arrangement. The antenna arrangement is connected to a positioning system in azimuth and elevation. The EM field control matrix 2 is fixedly mounted between the reflector 1 and the horn of the LNC 3, at a distance of 2 cm from the horn outer edge. The signal 4 issuing from the LNC 3 is fed to the evaluation and control unit 6 in accordance with FIG. 5 and discharged again without being influenced by it. Internally there is a decoupled power division for signal processing. The EM field control matrix 2 is connected to the evaluation and control unit 6 by a bus cable 5. In the evaluation and control unit 6, the signal processing and evaluation. The obtained direction information is relayed via a corresponding bus system 8 to the conventional electromechanical positioning system for the purpose of tracking the antenna to a moving target. An example of this is the satellite reception while driving with a boat called. The change of the beam influence is made adaptively with the change of the tracking task.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

reflector

2

EM field control matrix

3

LNC with horn

4

high-frequency signal emitted by the LNC

5

Bus cable

6

control unit

7

unaffected signal emitted by control unit 6 (as in 4)

8th

Bus system with external interfaces

9

power splitter

10

demodulator

11

low-frequency power divider

12

demodulator

13

amplifier

14

trigger circuit

15

bandpass filter

16

amplifier

17

Phasendifferentiator

18

amplifier

19

internal signal for forwarding

20

internal signal for forwarding

21

internal signal for forwarding

22

carrier

23

control

24

Radiating elements couple

24.1

radiating element

25

logic module

26

interface

27

recess

28

Source of electromagnetic radiation

29

aperture space

30

Aperture area III

31

Aperture area IV

32

Near field (before EM field control matrix)

33

Near field (according to EM field control matrix)

Claims (10)

1. Arrangement for influencing and controlling electromagnetic alternating fields and/or antenna and antenna diagrams, arranged in the near field (32;33) of a source emitter (3;28), with a dielectrical carrier (22) as mounting space for a planar or three-dimensional emitter element (24.1) as well as elements (23) for controlling of the emitter element (24.1) for switching, controlling and transmission or feeding, whereby the carrier (22) is located in a high-frequency electromagnetic source field (32;33) of the source emitter (3;28) in an aperture source (29) demarcated by aperture areas (30;31) and the emitter elements (24.1) and the elements (23) are located on the carrier (22), where by the emitter elements (24.1) can be controlled by high frequency signals or a combination of low-frequency and high-frequency signals from an external control unit (6) controlled individually or in pairs and for signal assignment the control unit (6) is connected through a bus (5) with the elements (23) on the carrier (22), characterized by,

   a) the carrier (22) having a recess (27) in the middle, the effective area of which correlates to an aperture of the source emitter (3;28) and

   b) the emitter elements (24.1) and the elements (23) are located around the recess (27).
2. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterized by, the material of the carriers (22) being freely selectable in its outer and inner form and the emitter elements (24.1) as planar plenum chamber are executed as dipolar or monopolar series, aperture emitters, dielectrical image conductor elements or combinations of them.
3. Arrangement in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 2, characterized by the control of the emitter elements is executed in triplate, microslot, dielectrical image conductor or tubular conductor technology.
4. Arrangement in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized by,

   the emitter elements (24.1) or emitter element pairs (24) are adapted in the number, type and design of the emitter elements /emitter elements pairs (24.1; 24.) and the manner of their distribution on the carrier (24) in accordance with the task they are to perform;

   the emitter elements (24.1) or emitter elements pairs (24) are solidly attached or mechanically pivotal

   the angle of the emitter elements (24.1) or emitter element pairs (24) to one another is related to the standard planar constant;

   at least two emitter elements (24.1) are combined to emitter element pairs (24);

   the emitter elements (24.1) are mounted anywhere in a single plane of the carrier (22) related to their geometrical center

   the carrier (22) is executed as a curved or three dimensional surface.
5. Arrangement in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized by the arrangement to the field of the source emitter (3;28) being both direct as well as singular and double focusing antenna arrangements both direct or offset.
6. Arrangement in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized by them being enclosed in a low-dielectric plastic with low dielectrical loss factor and lower dielectrical constant, preferably a closed-cell polyurethane foam of a dimensional weight between 120 kg/m³ and 250 kg/m³, and the emitter elements (24.1) are executed as H or E field sensitive or interactive components.
7. Arrangement in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized by them being arranged in primary emitter systems connected in reflector- or plenum chamber systems and controlling the resulting radiation properties of the entire antenna system.
8. Arrangement in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized by the external control unit being connected with an external evaluation unit and linked, information-wise, to a control and evaluation unit (6).
9. Arrangement in accordance with claim 8, characterized by, the control and evaluation unit (6) is connected on the one hand through the bus cable (5) with an EM field control unit (2) and through the signal line (4) with the LNC with horn (3) and on the other hand through an additional signal line (7) to release an unaffected signal from the LNC with horn (3) and is equipped by another bus cable with external interfaces (8) to control electromechanical motion modules.
10. Arrangement in accordance with claim 8 or 9, characterized by the control and evaluation unit (6)

    being connected with an amplifier (18) to treat the signals (4) released by the LNC (3) in the original and/or in an interim frequency range with a power splitter (9),

    a power splitter (9), decouples and distributes the received signal (4) to the output (7) and a demodulator unit (10),

    the demodulator unit (10) is connected with a low frequency power splitter (11), which decouples and distributes the power to a low frequency demodulator unit (12) and a band-pass filter (15),

    an additional amplifier (13), which amplifies the signal supplied by the demodulator unit (12) and processes this with a trigger switch (14) and provides it to the output (19),

    a band-pass filter (15), which is connected to another amplifier (16), processes the signal from the low frequency power splitter (11) and

    another amplifier (16) connected with a phase differentiator (17), which evaluate the signal released by the amplifier (16) and provides this to the outputs (20; 21).

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