KR20000022462A - Planar dual frequency array antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A planar dual frequency array antenna comprises the two independant antenna units operating in each frequency band has planar structure, and is provided for an electronic beam controlling function in the both frequency bands and a suitable equipment on the outside of stop and movable platform such as air plane, vehicle, vessel. CONSTITUTION: A planar array antenna assembly is arranged to accumulating layer, received and copied to two different frequency bands, and includes a first and second array antenna unit. The antenna assembly on operating receive mode receives the electrical copy from outside source and the antenna assembly dispatches to electrical copy to outside receiver. A dual requency array antenna having an essentially planar structure with electronic beam steering capability in both a low and high frequency band independently of each other, constructed, in a layered formation, from a top planar array antenna unit operating in the low frequency band and a bottom planar array antenna unit operating in the high frequency band. The top planar array antenna is transparent to frequencies in the high frequency band.

Description

Planner Dual-Frequency Array Antenna

The main requirement for achieving a satisfactory communication link between the ground station and the satellite is that the ground station antenna must be directed in the satellite direction, ie the maximum of the ground station antenna's beam pattern must be aligned along the line of sight between the ground station and the satellite. If the ground station is a mobile platform and / or satellite orbit is on a stationary orbit, regardless of whether it is a high or medium earth orbit, the antenna must track the satellite to continue to orient the satellite in order to maintain an appropriate quality communication link.

In the following description and claims, reference will be made to the Ku-band frequency range, which is generally defined as in the range 10.70 to 12.75 kHz, and the L-band frequency range, which is defined in the range of 1.49 to 1.71 GHz.

Various approaches to the construction of antenna assemblies for mobile and stationary communication systems are known. The most common of these are two-axis mechanical tracking systems. The antenna itself may be a NEC (see eg Hiroyuki Inafuku, et al. (1998)) or KVH (KVH Industries, Inc., Middletown, RI, USA) systems for Ku-band and L-band transmission, respectively. Same microstrip type.

As another mechanical approach, a single axis mechanical tracking system is used, a typical example of which is Nippon Steel's single layer slot waveguide array system for Ku-band transmission (Nippon Steel Corporation, Tokyo, Japan).

As another approach, a combination of mechanical and electrical tracking is used, such as the Ball Telecommunication Products Division, Colorado, U.S.A.

In addition, non-mechanical antenna assemblies for mobile communication systems are known. One non-mechanical antenna described by CAL (CAL, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) uses phase control on one axis and a fixed beam on the other. Two-axis electrically controlled antenna assemblies using conventional phase control schemes have been described by TECOM (TECOM Industries, Inc., Chatsworth, CA, U.S.A.).

All of these known antenna assemblies for mobile communication systems have a common disadvantage of operating in a single frequency band. Thus, if one is interested in a mobile communication system operating in two different frequency bands, it is clear that two of the aforementioned antennas will have to be used, which will significantly increase the spatial requirements. If two band services are provided through two different satellites, a mechanical pedestal cannot satisfy two antennas. In addition, the first three groups of antennas mentioned above tend to be difficult to handle and slow, and have the additional disadvantage of having a mechanical tracking system that is limited in angular coverage and that is not planar and must protrude from the surface to which they are applied. Thus, mounting such an antenna on a mobile platform, such as the roof of a ground vehicle, will change the aerodynamics on that platform.

Dual frequency planner antenna arrays are known in the art (eg, U.S. 5,043,738 and U.S. 5,262,791). However, none of these known antennas is constructed from an independent planar array antenna unit each having a ground plane, and in two frequency bands which may be widely spaced apart substantially without interference between the two planar antenna units. It cannot be operated independently.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is composed of two independent antenna units operating in each frequency band, each having a planar structure, and stopping such as a land vehicle, a water vessel or an aircraft without significantly changing the shape and aerodynamic characteristics of the surface. It is to provide a dual-frequency array antenna with electron beam steering in both frequency bands, suitable for mounting on an external surface of a platform or mobile platform.

The planar array antenna assembly according to the invention is arranged in a stack and comprises a first and a second array antenna unit which receive and radiate in two different frequency bands, each having at least one dielectric plate. In the operational receiving mode, the antenna assembly receives electromagnetic radiation from an external source and in the operational transmission mode, the antenna assembly transmits electronic radiation to an external receiver. The array antenna unit adjacent to the external source / receiver is called the upper array antenna unit. The other array antenna unit further away from the external source / receiver in the stacked antenna assembly is referred to as the lower array antenna unit. The terms "top" and "bottom" as used in the array antenna unit should not be mistaken for determining the actual orientation of the planar array antenna assembly, which may actually be horizontal, vertical, or any other desired orientation. For both the first and second array antenna units, the face of the dielectric plate oriented in the direction of the external source of electron radiation is called "front" and the face oriented in the opposite direction is called "back".

As used herein, the term “patch” is used, in whole or in part, for example to apply a conductive material applied to one side of a dielectric plate, for example, by printing a conductive surface on the dielectric layer or by an etching technique (hereinafter referred to as printing or etching on the dielectric layer, respectively). It means the area filled with.

In the following description and claims, reference is made to feeds, feed lines and feed line terminals. The length of the feed and the location of the feed line terminals were chosen for convenience of illustration and should not be interpreted as representing an actual design. In fact, in most manufacturing processes, the feed (also known as microstrip) terminates at or near the edge of the dielectric plate (also known as the feed substrate) on which it is disposed. However, since the actual geometry of the feed network formed by the feed is not of interest to the present invention, only a small representative length of each feed is shown. Moreover, known problems such as positioning of feed points for adjusting the input impedance level in the microstrip antenna design are not discussed here.

According to the present invention, there is provided a planar antenna assembly for receiving and transmitting electromagnetic radiation in two frequency bands, the planar antenna assemblies each operating in a low frequency band and operating in a high frequency band, respectively. And an antenna unit in a stacked form, wherein the first planner array antenna unit is an upper planar array antenna unit, and the second planner array antenna unit is a lower planar array antenna unit.

The first planar array antenna unit includes at least one dielectric plate having a front side and a back side, at least one planar patch array having a plurality of patches, a feed array having a plurality of feeds, and a ground plane.

Each feed of the feed array is coupled to each one of the patches of the at least one planar patch array.

Each patch of the at least one planar patch array resonates at frequencies in the low frequency band and is transparent to the frequencies in the high frequency band.

The ground plane is reflective to the frequencies of the low frequency band and transparent to the frequencies of the high frequency band.

The second planar array antenna unit includes at least one dielectric plate having a front surface and a back surface, a ground plane, at least one planar patch array having a plurality of patches, and a feed array having a plurality of feeds. Each feed is coupled to each one of the patches of the at least one planar patch array.

The difference between the first planar array antenna unit and the second planar array antenna unit is that except for its operating frequency, the ground plane of the first planar array antenna unit is transparent to the frequency of the high frequency band, so that the second planar array antenna Despite the presence of the first planar array antenna unit located between the unit and the outer body, it allows the second planar array antenna unit to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation bands. In addition, since the ground plane of the first planar array antenna unit is reflective to frequencies in the low frequency band, electromagnetic radiation having frequencies in the low frequency band does not interact with the second planar array antenna unit.

Since there are many embodiments of the first planner array antenna unit and the second planner array antenna unit in which the structure is common, the term "planar array antenna unit" as a generic term for both the first planner array antenna unit and the second planner array antenna unit. Will be used. Likewise, in the following detailed description of the embodiments as a generic term for both first and second planar array antenna units, the terms planner patch array, patch, feed array, and feed and ground planes will be used.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a planner array antenna unit comprises a first planar patch array having a first dielectric plate and a plurality of patches, wherein the first planner patch array and the feed array comprise: Each feed coupled to each one of the patches of the first planner patch array, located in front of the first dielectric plate, the ground plane being located on the back of the first dielectric plate do. This defines a first or second planner array antenna unit having electrically (directly) coupled pitches.

If desired, the planar array antenna unit further includes a second planar patch array having a second dielectric plate and a plurality of patches. The second planar patch array is located on the front surface of the second dielectric plate, the rear surface of the second dielectric plate faces the front surface of the first dielectric plate, and each patch of the first planar patch array is the second Substantially aligned with one of each of the patches of the planar patch array. This defines a dual stack first and second planar array antenna unit with electrically coupled patches.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a planar array antenna unit includes first and second dielectric plates and a first planner patch array, wherein the first planner patch array is disposed on a front surface of the first dielectric plate and the The feed array is electromagnetically coupled to each of the patches of the first planner patch array, the ground plane is disposed on the back side of the second dielectric plate, and the front surface of the second dielectric plate is It faces the back of the first dielectric plate. This results in a first or second planar array antenna unit in which the patches are electromagnetically coupled.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a planar array antenna unit includes a first planner patch array having first and second dielectric plates and a plurality of patches, wherein the first planner patch array is a front surface of the first dielectric plate. A ground plane disposed on a rear surface of the first dielectric plate, the ground plane having a plurality of openings, and a front surface of the second dielectric plate opposing a rear surface of the first dielectric plate, The feed array is disposed on the back side of the second dielectric plate and each feed of the feed array is electromagnetically coupled to each of the openings of the ground plane, the opening being an operating frequency band of the planar array antenna unit. Resonance at Inner Frequency The operating frequency band becomes the low frequency band when the planar array antenna unit is the first (second) planar array antenna unit. This results in a first or second planar array antenna unit having a patch coupled to the opening.

If desired, the planar array antenna unit according to the second or third aspect of the present invention includes a second planar patch array having a third dielectric plate and a plurality of patches, the second planar patch array having a front surface of the third dielectric plate. And a rear surface of the third dielectric plate is opposite a front surface of the first dielectric plate and each patch of the second planar patch array is substantially one of each of the patches of the first planar patch array. It is aligned. This results in a dual stack of first or second planar array antenna units electromagnetically coupled to the patch in accordance with the second aspect of the invention or coupled to the patch in the opening in accordance with the third aspect of the invention. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a first planner array antenna unit includes a first planner patch array having first and second dielectric plates and a plurality of patches, wherein the planar patch array is a front surface of the first dielectric plate. And the ground plane is disposed on the rear surface of the first dielectric plate and the first dielectric plate is spaced apart from the second dielectric plate to form an antenna chamber, the feed error being caused by the second dielectric plate. Disposed on the back of the plate such that each feed of the feed array is electrically coupled to each of the patches of the patches of the first planner patch array by a plurality of feed probes and the second planar array antenna unit is connected to the antenna chamber. It is located inside. This forms the first planar array antenna unit to which the probe is supplied to the patch.

If desired, the first planner array antenna unit according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes a second planar patch array having a third dielectric plate and a plurality of patches, the second planner patch array being disposed on the front surface of the third dielectric plate. And a rear surface of the third dielectric plate faces the front surface of the first dielectric plate and each patch of the second planner patch array is substantially aligned with each of the patches of the first planner patch array. This results in a dual stack probe planner array antenna unit with probes supplied to the patch.

According to the present invention, the planar antenna assembly may be configured by combining all combinations of the first planar array antenna defined above and all combinations of the second planar array antenna defined above. That is, the planar antenna assembly,

(1a) a first planner array antenna unit having electrically coupled patches,

(2a) a double stack first planar array antenna unit having electrically coupled patches,

(3a) a first planner array antenna unit having electromagnetically coupled patches,

(4a) a double stack first planar array antenna unit having electromagnetically coupled patches,

(5a) a first planner array antenna unit having aperture coupled patches,

(6a) double stack first planar array antenna unit with aperture coupled patches,

(7a) a first planner array antenna unit with probe pad patches, or

(8a) any one of a double stack first planar array antenna unit with probe pad patches;

(1b) a second planar array antenna unit having electrically coupled patches,

(2b) a double stack second planar array antenna unit having electrically coupled patches,

(3b) a second planner array antenna unit having electromagnetically coupled patches,

(4b) a double stack second planar array antenna unit having electromagnetically coupled patches,

(5b) a second planner array antenna unit having aperture coupled patches, or

(6b) can be constructed by combining any of the double stack second planar array antenna units with aperture coupled patches.

The first and second planar array antenna units can be designed to receive or transmit linear or circular polarized electromagnetic radiation.

If the first planner array antenna unit is designed to receive or transmit circular polarized electromagnetic radiation,

The at least one patch array of the first planar array antenna unit is divided into 2x2 patch subarrays having first, second, third or fourth subarray members, respectively, in clockwise or counterclockwise order. Become; The feeds of the feed array of the first planar array antenna unit are divided into 2 × 2 feed subarrays having first, second, third or fourth subarray members in clockwise or counterclockwise order, respectively. Become; Wherein each member of the given feed subarray is integrated with one member of the given patch subarray, and the feeds and patches in the given integrated subarray are sequentially rotated by 90 ° relative to the preceding subarray member. do. Each of the members of the first feed array is linked to a suitable electronic system known to comprise a phase control device as such. By appropriately adjusting the phase control device, the currents flowing in the individual members of each 2 × 2 feed subarray are 0 ° in turn in the clockwise direction (or optionally counterclockwise to replace the right circular polarization with the left circular polarization). Phase delays of 90 °, 180 °, and 270 °.

If the second planar array antenna unit is designed for the reception or transmission of circular polarized electromagnetic radiation,

The at least one patch array of the second planar array antenna unit is divided into 2 × 2 patch subarrays having first, second, third or fourth subarray members in clockwise or counterclockwise order, respectively. Become; The feeds of the feed array of the second planar array antenna unit are divided into 2 × 2 feed subarrays having first, second, third or fourth subarray members, respectively, in a clockwise or counterclockwise order, respectively. Become; Wherein each member of the given feed subarray is integrated with one member of the given patch subarray, and the feeds and patches in the given integrated subarray are sequentially rotated by 90 ° relative to the preceding subarray member. do. Each of the members of the second feed array is linked to a suitable electronic system known to comprise a phase control device as such. By appropriately adjusting the phase control device, the currents flowing in the individual members of each 2x2 feed subarray are sequentially zero in the clockwise direction (or counterclockwise, optionally to replace the right circular polarization with the left circular polarization). Phase delays can be made by degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees.

Certainly, the first planner array antenna unit and the second planner array antenna unit can be designed to operate in both circular polarization mode or one in circular polarization mode and the other in linear polarization mode.

The patch of the first planner array antenna unit may be of any suitable shape such as circular, polygonal or square.

According to the invention, the patches of the first planar array antenna unit are frequency selective surfaces with apertures arranged periodically in each patch. Optionally, the patches are frequency selective surfaces that comprise a grid of conductive lines in a single mesh.

Moreover, according to the present invention, the ground plane of the first planar array antenna unit is a frequency selective surface in which openings are periodically arranged in the ground plane. Optionally, these ground planes are frequency selective surfaces comprising a grid of conductive lines in a single mesh.

The patch of the second planar array antenna unit may be of any suitable shape such as circular, polygonal or square. The shape of the patch of the second planar array antenna unit need not match that of the first planner array antenna unit.

If desired, the ground plane of the first planar array antenna unit may be designed as a frequency selective surface by forming an opening therein to conform to the patch of the second planar array antenna unit in shape. According to this embodiment, each opening in the ground plane is located in an opposing patch of the second planar array antenna unit.

The planar antenna assembly and each planar array antenna unit according to the invention are designed to operate in a transmit / receive mode. During the transmission mode, the electronic system in which the transmitting antenna unit is coupled is excited to supply time-varying power to each member of the feed array so that the antenna unit is excited to irradiate the beam to the surrounding environment. During the receive mode, an output signal is generated in the feeds by external electromagnetic radiation incident on the planar array antenna units from the ambient environment to excite the patches. Each feed is provided with a feed line terminal to which the feed lines can be connected, which terminal is for linking the feeds to a suitable electronic system comprising a phase control device.

Note that the first and second antenna units operate completely independently of each other. As a result, one of them may be in a rest state while either is transmitting or receiving. Alternatively, the second antenna unit can receive or vice versa while the first antenna unit is transmitting.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the low frequency band in which the first antenna unit operates is an L-band and the high frequency band in which the second antenna unit operates is a K _u -band.

Preferably, the planar antenna assembly according to the present invention is mounted in a suitable case made of a resistive material. The case protects the sides of the planar antenna assembly but is not clad on the front.

Preferably, a radome transparent to electromagnetic field radiation using frequencies on both sides of the first and second frequency bands is mounted on the first planar antenna unit to cover the front surface of the antenna unit. The radome is provided to protect the entire planar antenna assembly from the worst of the environment and from external influences such as rain, ice, heat, sunlight, sandstorms and seawater.

Typically, the dielectric plates of the planar antenna assembly may consist of a plurality of dielectric plates with different electrical properties. However, the dielectric plate provided to support any structure (ie patches, feeds or ground plane) on either of the front surfaces and only to separate between the different layers of the planar antenna assembly of the present invention is an air gap. gap), some of this form of support is applied to the edges of the separation layers, to support such separation.

The present invention relates generally to a planar antenna assembly for radio wave communications, in particular mobile satellite communications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the invention will now be described with reference to the exemplary accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic exploded side view of the planar antenna assembly of the present invention and an external source of electromagnetic radiation.

2 is a side view of a portion of the first embodiment of the first planner array antenna unit.

3 is a side view of a portion of the first embodiment of the second planner array antenna unit.

4 is a side view of a portion of the first embodiment of the planar antenna assembly of the present invention.

5 is a plan view of the planar array antenna unit shown in FIG.

6 is a plan view of the planar array antenna unit shown in FIG.

7 is a plan view of one embodiment of a frequency selective ground plane of a first planar array antenna unit;

8 is a plan view of another embodiment of a frequency selective ground plane of a first planar array antenna unit;

9 is a side view of the antenna unit of the first planner array antenna with patches electrically connected (or directly).

10 is a side view of the antenna unit of the second planner array antenna with patches that are electrically (or directly) coupled.

11 is a side view of an antenna unit having a double stack electrical coupling patch.

12 is a side view of an antenna unit having electromagnetically coupled patches.

13 is a side view of an antenna unit having a double stack electromagnetic coupling patch.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an antenna unit having an aperture coupled patch, with a portion of the antenna unit cut away to show an opening in the ground plane. FIG.

FIG. 15 is a side view of an antenna unit with a double stack opening coupled patch, with a portion of the antenna unit cut away to show an opening in the ground plane; FIG.

FIG. 16 is a schematic exploded side view of a portion of a planar antenna assembly of the present invention having a first planar array antenna unit with probe pad patches, wherein a portion of the assembly is cut away to provide feed patch terminals and holes for contactless passage of feed probes; Showing them.

FIG. 17 is a schematic exploded side view of a portion of a planar antenna assembly of the present invention having a double stack first planar array antenna unit with probe pad patches.

18 is a plan view of a 2x2 subarray of a planar array antenna unit with electromagnetically (direct) coupled patches for planar polarization mode of operation.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a 2 × 2 subarray of a planar array antenna unit with electromagnetically (direct) coupled patches for a circular polarization mode of operation. FIG.

20 is a plan view of a 2x2 subarray of a planar array antenna unit with electromagnetically coupled patches for planar polarization mode of operation.

21 is a plan view of a 2x2 subarray of a planar array antenna unit with electromagnetically coupled patches for a circular polarization mode of operation.

Figure 22 is a plan view of a 2x2 subarray of a planar array antenna unit with aperture coupled patches for planar polarization mode of operation.

Figure 23 is a plan view of a 2x2 subarray of a planar array antenna unit with aperture coupled patches for circular polarization mode of operation.

FIG. 24 is a top view of a 2 × 2 subarray of a planar array antenna unit with probe pad patches for planar polarization mode of operation. FIG.

25 is a plan view of a 2x2 subarray of a planar array antenna unit with probe pad patches for a circular polarization mode of operation.

First, FIG. 1 is a schematic side exploded view of a planar antenna assembly 1 of the present invention, where the planar antenna assembly 1 comprises a first planar array antenna unit 2, a dielectric plate 4 and a second planar array antenna It comprises three parts of the unit 6. In addition, an external source of electromagnetic radiation 10 is shown. Any portion of the planar array antenna assembly and the "front" and "back" of the planar array antenna assembly itself are defined relative to the external source 8. Therefore, the front face 12 of the first planar array antenna unit 2 is a face located in the direction of the external source 8, and the rear face 13 thereof is in the opposite direction. After this is clarified, the electromagnetic radiation 10 incident from the external source 8 into the first planar array antenna unit 2 enters the front face 12 and after passing through the first planar array antenna unit 2. It is discharged from the back surface 13. In the same way, the dielectric plate has a front face 14 and a back face 15, and the second planar array antenna unit 6 also has a front face 16 and a back face 17. As a result, the planar antenna assembly 1 has a front face 12 and a back face 17.

The first planar array antenna unit 2 is designed to operate in the low frequency band, and the second planar array antenna unit 6 is designed to operate in the high frequency band. The two planar array antenna units 2 and 6 are arranged in a layered structure in which the first planar array antenna unit 2 is between the second planar array antenna unit 6 and the external source 8. The dielectric plate 4, which serves as a separation between the first planar array antenna unit and the second planar array antenna unit, is an air gap provided in a predetermined support form provided so that the configuration of the planar antenna assembly 1 remains undamaged. Can be replaced. The first planner array antenna unit 2 is disposed between the second planner array antenna unit 6 and the external source 8, but the first planner array antenna unit 2 is transparent to frequencies in the high frequency band. As intended, the second planar array antenna unit 6 is not prevented from receiving electromagnetic radiation having frequencies in the high frequency band.

Although the basic configuration and operation of the double frequency planner antenna assembly of the present invention has been described with respect to an antenna operating in a receive mode, this description is directed to an antenna operating in a transmit mode with an external source 8 replaced by an external receiver. The same can be done.

Various embodiments of the two planar array antenna units 2 and 6 are described below, from which the construction of the planar antenna assembly of the present invention will be described. In the drawings illustrating these embodiments, the dielectric plates, ground planes, patches, feeds, and openings are exaggerated to a larger size for illustrative purposes only. The patches and feeds are shown at different heights to distinguish between them, but in reality are printed or etched on the dielectric plates to have the same height.

First, FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a portion of the first planar array antenna unit 20 according to the first embodiment. Electrically interconnected patches 21 and feeds 22 are disposed on the front surface of the dielectric plate 24. Each patch is intended to resonate to frequencies in the low frequency band and to be transparent to the frequencies in the high frequency band. Each feed 22 has a feed line terminal 23 to which the feed lines can be connected for the purpose of connecting the feeds to suitable electronic systems including phase control devices. The ground plane 25 is disposed on the back side of the dielectric plate 24 and is intended to have frequency selectivity, which is reflective for frequencies in the low frequency band and transparent to frequencies in the high frequency band.

3 shows a side view of a portion of the second planner array antenna unit 30 according to the first embodiment. The patches 31 and the feed 32, which are electrically coupled to each other, are disposed on the front surface of the dielectric plate 34. The patch 31 is designed to resonate with the frequency of the second frequency band. Each feed 32 is provided with a feed line terminal 33 to which the feed line can be connected to link the feed to a suitable electronic system including a phase control device. The ground plane 35 is disposed on the back side of the dielectric plate 34. Although planar array antenna units 20 and 30 are similar in structure, there are many basic differences between them. First, the patch 31 and the ground plane 35 are simply conductive surfaces compared to the frequency selective patch 21 and the ground plane 25. Moreover, the dimensions of the patches 21 and 31 will generally be different. Since the patch 21 operates in the low frequency band and the patch 31 operates in the high frequency band, the patch 31 will be smaller than the patch 21 at this time. Therefore, for a given planar array antenna unit gain, it will be present in patch 31 rather than patch 21. Moreover, the height and properties of dielectric plate 24 are not necessarily the same as that of dielectric plate 34.

4 shows a side view of a part of the planar antenna assembly of the present invention according to the first embodiment. This embodiment includes a first planner array antenna unit according to FIG. 2 and a second planner array antenna unit according to FIG. 3. Dielectric plate 38 separates between two planar array antenna units.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5 and 6, which show plan views of planar array antenna units 20 and 30, respectively. Patch 21 is a frequency selective surface designed to be transparent to frequencies in the high frequency band by essentially any of the known techniques. In the specific description shown in FIG. 5, the patch 21 is a conductive surface with a periodic arrangement of openings 26 in each patch. The dimensions of the patch 21 are chosen to resonate with frequencies in the low frequency band. Also shown is the feed 22 with feed line terminal 23. As shown, the feed 22 is electrically (or directly) coupled to the patch 21. The patches 31 of the second planar array antenna unit 30 are complete conductors whose dimensions are chosen to resonate with frequencies in the high frequency band. Also shown is the feed 32 together with the feed line terminal 33. Again, the feed 32 is electrically coupled to the patch 31.

7 shows a top view of a frequency selective ground plane 25 according to one embodiment. The openings 27 of the ground plane 25 are arranged periodically and are designed such that the ground plane 25 is reflective for frequencies in the low frequency band and transparent to frequencies in the high frequency band. Patch 21 and ground plane 25 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 with identical openings 26 and 27, respectively, with the same spacing between the openings. However, it indicates that this does not require a case, and although circular openings can be used, it can be seen that they represent any suitable type of opening. Typical examples of shapes acceptable to the openings are rectangular slots, crosses, Jerusalem crosses, discs and annular rings, as known in the art.

5 and 6, the actual dimension of the patch depends on the choice of frequency band required for a given application, so the patch 21 may be much larger than the patch 31 in some applications. In this application, the frequency selective ground plane 25 may take the other form shown in FIG. 8. According to the present embodiment, the openings 28 of the ground plane 25 may be the same shape as, but not necessarily, the patches 31, with each opening 28 substantially aligned with a single patch 31.

Several different embodiments of the antenna assembly of the present invention will now be described with respect to various embodiments of the planar array antenna unit. For this purpose, the first planner array antenna unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a patch 21, a feed 22 with terminals 23, a dielectric plate 24 and a ground plane 25. It should be appreciated that this may be defined by the “first antenna unit” 20 ′ shown in FIG. 9. This antenna unit is referred to as an antenna unit with an electrically (or directly) coupled patch. The first planar array antenna unit 20 is constituted by the first antenna unit 20 'by forming a planar periodic arrangement of the first antenna unit 20', as shown in Figs. In a similar manner, the second planner array antenna unit 30 shown in FIG. 3 may be defined by the “second antenna unit” 30 ′ shown in FIG. 10. Thus, instead of describing another embodiment of a planar array antenna unit, another description of the antenna unit is described, and it can be seen that this antenna unit is a basic building block on which a corresponding planar array antenna unit can be configured. have. Furthermore, by comparing FIGS. 9 and 10, it is evident that one of the figures is sufficient to describe both the antenna unit fully challenging when the patch and ground plane are frequency selective for the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit. . With this in mind, only one general antenna will be described in the following description.

From now on, the patch 41 disposed on the front surface of the dielectric plate 44, the feed 42 and the feed line terminals 43, and the front surface of the ground plane 45 and the dielectric plate 44 disposed on the rear surface thereof. Reference is made to FIG. 11 which shows a double stack antenna unit having an electrically coupled patch 40 consisting of an electrically coupled antenna unit comprising another dielectric plate 46 adjacent thereto. The dielectric plate 46 has a patch 47 on its front surface that is substantially aligned with the patch 41. Clearly the two patches 41 and 47 are electromagnetically coupled. The patch 47 serves to increase the bandwidth of the electrically coupled antenna unit. A completely equivalent structure can be formed by placing the patch 41, feed 42, and feed line terminal 43 on the back of the dielectric plate 44 instead of the front of the dielectric plate 44. This description should be considered as a general description of all embodiments in which a patch or feed is placed on the front or back side of two adjacent dielectric plates. That is, the patch or feed may also be placed directly on the adjacent side of another dielectric plate.

12 shows the antenna unit to which the patch 51 and the feed 52 are electromagnetically coupled. The patch 51 and the feed 52 together with the feed line terminal 53 are disposed on the opposite side of the dielectric plate 54. The front surface of the second dielectric plate 56 is adjacent to the back surface of the dielectric plate 54, and the ground surface 55 is disposed on the back surface of the dielectric plate 56. The double stack electromagnetically coupled antenna unit 60 is electromagnetically coupled by placing a dielectric plate 57 on the front surface of the dielectric plate 57, shown in FIG. 13 and having a patch 58 on the front surface. From the antenna unit with the patch 50 thus obtained. Patches 51 and 58 are substantially aligned with each other.

14 shows an antenna unit 70 with an aperture-coupled patch. The antenna unit consists of a patch 71, a feed 72 with a feed line terminal 73, two dielectric plates 74, 75 and a ground plane 76 with an opening 77. The patch 71 and the ground plane 76 are disposed on the opposite side of the dielectric plate 74, and the feed 72 is disposed on the back surface of the dielectric plate 75. Patch 71 and feed 72 are electromagnetically connected through opening 77 in ground plane 76. A double stack antenna unit aperture connecting patch 80 is shown in FIG. 15, with an aperture coupling patch 70 by placing the dielectric plate 78 on the front side of the dielectric plate 74 having the patch 79 on the front side. Obtained from the antenna unit. Patches 71 and 79 are substantially aligned with each other.

As described above, the planar array antenna unit can be constructed from the above-described antenna unit by forming a planner periodic arrangement of the antenna units. The planar antenna assembly from the thus configured planar array antenna unit can be constructed using the modular approach shown in FIG. The first planner antenna unit 2 can be constructed from any antenna unit 20 ', 40, 50, 60. 70 and 80 (where the patch and ground planes are frequency selective surfaces as described above). The second planner antenna unit 6 may be constructed from any of antennas 30 ', 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 (where the patch and ground planes are perfect conductors).

In all the planar antenna assemblies described above, the feeds are on the same side as the patches and are electrically connected to them or on the other side and are electromagnetically connected to them. FIG. 16 shows a schematic exploded view of a portion of the planar antenna assembly 90 in which the patch 91 of the first planar array antenna unit is on the other side of the feed 92. The feed 92 has two terminals, a feed line terminal 93 to which the feed line can be connected for connecting the feed to a suitable electronic system including a phase control device, and a feed probe terminal to which the feed probe 95 is connected. feed probe terminal 94 '. Electrical connection between the feed 92 and the patch 91 is made via a feed probe 95 and is connected to one end of the feed probe terminal 94 'and the other end of the patch probe terminal 94 ". Each patch 91 has one patch proe terminal 94 ". The patch 91 of the first planar array antenna unit is disposed in front of the dielectric plate 96 and the ground plane 97 of the first planar array antenna unit is disposed at the back of the dielectric plate 96. The feed 92 of the first planar array antenna unit is disposed on the back side of the dielectric plate 98. Dielectric plates 96 and 98 of the first planar array antenna unit form an antenna chamber having a second planar array antenna unit 99 located within the antenna chamber. The ground plane 97 of the first planar array antenna unit fits the holes 102 for the contactless passage of the feed probe 95. For the sake of explanation, the second planner array antenna unit 99 is selected from the second planner array antenna unit shown in FIG. 3, but any planar array that may be formed from the antenna units 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80. It may also be an antenna unit. Each of the holes 104 and 105 in the patch and ground plane of the second planar array antenna unit 99 is for contactless passage of the feed probe through them.

As shown in FIG. 16, an embodiment of the antenna assembly of the present invention for a first planner array antenna unit having a probe feed patch places a dielectric plate with a patch on the front of the planar antenna assembly 90. Thereby extending to an antenna assembly with a dual stack probe feed first planar antenna unit. FIG. 17 shows a schematic exploded view of a portion of a planar antenna assembly 100 having a dual stack first planar array antenna unit with probe feed patches. Dielectric plate 110 having a patch 112 on its front side is disposed on front side 114 of planar antenna assembly 90 and has a probe feed first planar antenna array antenna unit. Patches 112 and 91 (shown in FIG. 16) of the planar antenna assembly 90 are substantially aligned with each other.

The first and second planar array antenna units comprising the planar antenna assembly of the present invention may function in either a planar or circular polarization mode of operation. The top views of the planar array antenna units 20 and 30 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively show the planar polarization mode of operation. Since the geometrical features that direct the polarization mode of operation of the planar array antenna unit are the relative orientation of the patches and feeds, FIGS. 5 and 6 show one regardless of whether the patch is frequency selective and regardless of the frequency band of operation. It can be clearly replaced by the drawing of. Moreover, the 2x2 subarray is also used to describe the planar polarization mode of operation because it is sufficient to describe the circular polarization mode of operation. For the planar polarization mode of operation, note FIG. 18 showing a plan view of the 2x2 subarray of the planar array antenna unit with electrically (serial) connected patches (this is the original view of FIGS. 5 and 6). The subarray 200 includes a patch 202 electrically connected to the feed 204, which has a feedline terminal 206. Patch 202 and feed 204 are disposed on dielectric plate 208.

In the circular polarization mode of operation, reference is made to FIG. 18 which shows a plan view of a 2x2 subarray 220 of a planar array antenna unit with electrically connected patches. As shown, each patch 222 with its feed 224 is rotated 90 ° in the clockwise direction (or optionally counterclockwise to replace the right hand with the left hand circular polarization). Sequential rotation of patches and feeds for the circular polarization mode of operation is originally known and well documented (see, eg, J. Huang (1986) and T. Teshirogi (1985)).

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, in the case of an electromagnetically connected patch, the patch and feed are on opposite sides of the dielectric plate but the principle is the same. FIG. 20 shows a plan view of a 2x2 subarray of a planar array antenna unit with patches electromagnetically connected to the planar polarization mode of operation. The patch 242 is disposed on the front side of the dielectric plate 244, while the feed 246 (along with their feedline terminals) is disposed on the back side thereof. Feed 246 is shown in dashed lines to indicate that it is not coplanar with patch 242.

FIG. 21 shows a top view of a 2 × 2 subarray 260 of a planar array antenna unit with patches electromagnetically connected to the circular polarization mode of operation. Each patch 262 with its feed 264 is rotated sequentially by 90 °.

For the planar polarization mode of operation, reference is made to FIG. 22, which shows a plan view of a 2x2 subarray 280 of the planar array antenna unit, with an aperture-connected patch. The side of the antenna for the aperture-connected patch is shown in FIG. 14. As can be seen from FIG. 14, two dielectric plates are included and the patches, openings and feeds are located in three different planes. With respect to each other, to indicate the relative positions and orientations of the patches, openings and feeds, as indicated in FIG. 14, the patches 282 are shown in solid lines, and the feeds 284 are dotted lines and openings ( 286 is shown by dotted lines. FIG. 23 shows a top view of a 2 × 2 subarray 290 of the planar array antenna unit, in an aperture-connected patch, when in circular polarization mode of operation. Each patch 292, with its feed 294, is rotated sequentially by 90 °. The opening 296 need not necessarily perform sequential rotation.

Now a 2 × 2 subarray 300 of patches 91 (a, b, c, d) disposed on the dielectric plate 97 of the first planar array antenna unit of the planar antenna assembly 90 shown in FIG. Reference is made to FIG. 24, which shows a plan view of FIG. Further, the corresponding 2x2 subarray 310 of the feeds 92a, b, c, d of the probe feed patches 91 (a, b, c, d) disposed on the dielectric plate 99 may be used. Top view is shown. The feeds are shown in dashed lines to show that they are disposed on the backside of the dielectric plate 99. The feed 92 (a, b, c, d) corresponds to the fourth feed probe terminal 94 '(a, b, c, d) via the feed probe 95 (shown in FIG. 16). It is connected to a patch 91 (a, b, c, d) to the fourth patch probe terminal 94 "(a, b, c, d). Figure 24 shows a patch and feed for the planar polarization mode of operation. Shows the array of.

Now for the circular polarization mode of operation of the patch 91 (a, b, c, d) disposed on the dielectric plate 97 of the first planar array antenna unit of the planar antenna assembly 90 shown in FIG. Note that FIG. 25 shows a plan view of the 2x2 subarray 300. Patches 91a, 91b, 91c and 91d in subarray 300 are sequentially rotated clockwise around an axis where each patch is perpendicular to its center. This is done sequentially as each terminal 94 " a, 94 " b, 94 " c and 94 " d is reflected in FIG. The patches 91a, 91b, 91c and 91d are positioned by the position of the patch probe terminals 94 "(a, b, c, d) of the patches sequentially clocked so that they are disposed at a 90 ° angle to the preceding ones. The effect is different, although the feed probe terminals are not shown, they are slightly moved so that each feed probe terminal is arranged substantially in a feed patch terminal disposed at its corresponding angle. Similar to that: Phase delays of 90 °, 180 ° and 270 ° for circular polarized electromagnetic radiation cause current flow at feed probe terminals 94'b, 94'c and 94'd relative to terminal 94'b. Apply to each.

Claims (28)

A planar antenna assembly for receiving and transmitting electromagnetic radiation in two frequency bands, the planar antenna assembly comprising first and second planar array antenna units in a hierarchical form, The first planner array antenna unit operates in a low frequency band, the second planner array antenna unit operates in a high frequency band, the first planner array antenna unit is an upper planar array antenna unit, and the second planar array antenna unit Is a lower planar array antenna unit; The first planar array antenna unit has at least one dielectric plate having a front side and a back side, at least one planar patch array having a plurality of patches, a feed array having a plurality of feeds, and a ground plane. and; Each feed of the feed array is coupled to a respective one of the patches of the at least one planar patch array; Each patch of the at least one planar patch array resonates at a frequency in the low frequency band and is transparent to a frequency in the high frequency band; The ground plane reflects at a frequency in the low frequency band and is transparent to a frequency in the high frequency band; The second planar array antenna unit includes at least one dielectric plate having a front surface and a back surface, a ground plane, at least one planar patch array having a plurality of patches, and a feed array having a plurality of feeds, Each feed of the feed array is coupled to a respective one of the patches of the at least one planar patch array. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the first planner array antenna unit comprises a first dielectric plate and a first planner patch array having a plurality of patches, The first planner patch array and the feed array are configured such that each feed of the feed array is electrically coupled to each one of the patches of the first planner patch array and onto the front surface of the first dielectric plate. And the ground plane is disposed on the back side of the first dielectric plate. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a second dielectric plate and a second planner patch array having a plurality of patches, The second planar patch array is disposed on a front surface of the second dielectric plate, the rear surface of the second dielectric plate faces the front surface of the first dielectric plate, and each patch of the first planar patch array is And planar antenna assembly substantially aligned with each one of said patches of a second planar patch array. 2. The antenna of claim 1 wherein the first planner array antenna unit comprises first and second dielectric plates and a first planner patch array, The first planner patch array is disposed on a front surface of the first dielectric plate, wherein the feed array is such that each feed of each feed array is electromagnetically coupled to each one of the patches of the first planner patch array. Coupled to and disposed on a back side of the first dielectric plate, The ground plane is disposed on the back surface of the second dielectric plate, And a front surface of the second dielectric plate faces a rear surface of the first dielectric plate. 2. The antenna of claim 1 wherein the first planner array antenna unit comprises a first planar patch array having first and second dielectric plates and a plurality of patches, The first planner patch array is disposed on a front surface of the first dielectric plate, The ground plane is disposed on a rear surface of the first dielectric plate, The ground plane has a plurality of openings, The front surface of the second dielectric plate faces the rear surface of the first dielectric plate, The feed array is such that each feed of the feed array is electromagnetically coupled to each of the patches of the patches of the first planner patch array via each of the openings in the ground plane to the second dielectric. Placed on the back of the plate, And said openings resonate at a frequency in said low frequency band. 6. The apparatus of claim 4 or 5, further comprising a third dielectric plate and a second planner patch array having a plurality of patches, The second planner patch array is disposed on a front surface of the third dielectric plate, The rear surface of the third dielectric plate faces the front surface of the first dielectric plate, Wherein each patch of the second planar patch array is substantially aligned with each patch of the patches of the first planar patch array. 2. The antenna of claim 1 wherein the first planner array antenna unit comprises a first planar patch array having first and second dielectric plates and a plurality of patches, The planar patch array is disposed on a front surface of the first dielectric plate, The ground plane is disposed on a rear surface of the first dielectric plate, The first dielectric plate is spaced apart from the second dielectric plate to form an antenna chamber, The feed array is coupled to the back of the second dielectric plate such that each feed of the feed array is electrically coupled to each patch of the pads of the first planner patch array by a plurality of feed probes. Deployed, And the second planar antenna unit is located in the antenna chamber. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a third dielectric plate and a second planner patch array having a plurality of patches, The second planner patch array is disposed on a front surface of the third dielectric plate, The rear surface of the third dielectric plate faces the front surface of the first dielectric plate, Wherein each patch of the second planar patch array is substantially aligned with each patch of the patches of the first planar patch array. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the second planner array antenna unit includes a first dielectric plate and a first planner patch array having a plurality of patches. Wherein the first planner patch array and the feed array are disposed on the front surface of the first dielectric plate such that each feed of the feed array is electrically coupled to each one of the patches of the first planner patch array; , And the ground plane is disposed on the back surface of the first dielectric plate. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second dielectric plate and a second planner patch array having a plurality of patches, The second planner patch array is disposed on a front surface of the second dielectric plate, The rear surface of the second dielectric plate faces the front surface of the first dielectric plate, Wherein each patch of the first planner patch array is substantially aligned with each one of the patches of the second planner patch array. 2. The antenna of claim 1 wherein the second planner array antenna unit comprises first and second dielectric plates, a first planner patch array, The first planner patch array is disposed on a front surface of the first dielectric plate, wherein the feed array is such that each feed of the feed array is electromagnetically coupled to each one of the patches of the first planar patch array. Coupled to and disposed on a back side of the first dielectric plate, The ground plane is disposed on the back surface of the second dielectric plate, And a front surface of the second dielectric plate faces a rear surface of the first dielectric plate. 2. The antenna of claim 1 wherein the second planner array antenna unit comprises a first planar patch array having first and second dielectric plates and a plurality of patches, The first planner patch array is disposed on a front surface of the first dielectric plate, The ground plane is disposed on a rear surface of the first dielectric plate, The ground plane has a plurality of openings, The front surface of the second dielectric plate faces the back surface of the first dielectric plate, The feed array is configured such that each feed of the feed array is electromagnetically coupled to each of the patches of the patches of the first planner patch array via each of the openings in the ground plane to the second dielectric plate. Is placed on the back of And said openings resonate at a frequency in said high frequency band. 13. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, further comprising a third dielectric plate and a second planner patch array having a plurality of patches, The second planner patch array is disposed on a front surface of the third dielectric plate, The rear surface of the third dielectric plate faces the front surface of the first dielectric plate, Wherein each patch of the second planar patch array is substantially aligned with a patch of each of the patches of the first planar patch array. The planar antenna assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second planar antenna unit is a planar antenna assembly according to claim 9, The first and second planar antenna units are isolated by a dielectric plate having a front surface and a back surface, And the front and rear surfaces of the dielectric plate face the first and second planar antenna units, respectively. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second planar antenna unit is a planar antenna assembly according to claim 10, The first and second planar antenna units are isolated by a dielectric plate having a front surface and a back surface, And the front and rear surfaces of the dielectric plate face the first and second planar antenna units, respectively. The planar antenna assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second planar antenna unit is a planar antenna assembly according to claim 11, The first and second planar antenna units are isolated by a dielectric plate having a front surface and a back surface, And the front and rear surfaces of the dielectric plate face the first and second planar antenna units, respectively. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second planner antenna unit is a planar antenna assembly according to claim 12, The first and second planar antenna units are isolated by a dielectric plate having a front surface and a back surface, And the front and rear surfaces of the dielectric plate face the first and second planar antenna units, respectively. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second planar antenna unit is a planar antenna assembly according to claim 13, The first and second planar antenna units are isolated by a dielectric plate having a front surface and a back surface, And the front and rear surfaces of the dielectric plate face the first and second planar antenna units, respectively. The antenna of claim 7 or 8, wherein the second planar antenna unit is a planar antenna assembly according to claim 9, and a dielectric plate is interposed between the second antenna unit and the ground plane of the first antenna unit. And a planar antenna assembly positioned within the chamber. The antenna of claim 7 or 8, wherein the second planar antenna unit is a planar antenna assembly according to claim 10, wherein a dielectric plate is interposed between the second antenna unit and the ground plane of the first antenna unit. And a planar antenna assembly positioned within the chamber. The antenna of claim 7 or 8, wherein the second planar antenna unit is a planar antenna assembly according to claim 11, and a dielectric plate is interposed between the second antenna unit and the ground plane of the first antenna unit. And a planar antenna assembly positioned within the chamber. The antenna of claim 7 or 8, wherein the second planar antenna unit is a planar antenna assembly according to claim 12, wherein a dielectric plate is interposed between the second antenna unit and the ground plane of the first antenna unit. And a planar antenna assembly positioned within the chamber. The antenna of claim 7 or 8, wherein the second planar antenna unit is a planar antenna assembly according to claim 13, wherein a dielectric plate is interposed between the second antenna unit and the ground plane of the first antenna unit. And a planar antenna assembly positioned within the chamber. 24. The antenna of any of claims 1 to 23 wherein the first planner array antenna unit is designed to receive and transmit circular polarized electromagnetic radiation, The at least one patch array of the first planner array antenna unit is grouped into 2 × 2 patch subarrays each having first, second, third and fourth subarray members in clockwise or counterclockwise order. There is; The feeds of the feed array of the first planar array antenna unit are grouped into 2 x 2 feed subarrays each having first, second, third and fourth subarray members in a clockwise or counterclockwise order. There is; Each member of a given feed subarray is coordinated with one member of a given patch subarray, wherein the feed and patch of the given coordinate subarray are rotated 90 ° with respect to the preceding subarray member sequentially. The planar antenna assembly. 24. The antenna of any of claims 1 to 23 wherein the second planar array antenna unit is designed to receive and transmit circular polarized electromagnetic radiation, The at least one patch array of the second planar array antenna unit is grouped into 2 × 2 patch subarrays each having first, second, third and fourth subarray members in a clockwise or counterclockwise order. There is; The feeds of the feed array of the second planar array antenna unit are grouped into 2 x 2 feed subarrays each having first, second, third and fourth subarray members in a clockwise or counterclockwise order. There is; Each member of a given feed subarray is coordinated with one member of a given patch subarray, wherein the feed and patch of the given coordinate subarray are rotated 90 ° with respect to the preceding subarray member sequentially. The planar antenna assembly. The planar antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna unit is a planar antenna assembly according to claim 24, and the second antenna unit is a planar antenna assembly according to claim 25. The low frequency band in which the first antenna unit operates is an L band, and the high frequency band in which the second antenna unit operates is K._U Planar antenna assembly, characterized in that the band. The planar antenna assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a radome.