KR20190085250A - Rf lens apparatus for improving directivity of antenna array and transmitting-receiving antenna system including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are an RF lens device improving the directivity of an antenna array, a transmitting and receiving antenna system including the RF lens device, and a beamforming method performed in the transmitting and receiving antenna system. According to an embodiment, a transmitting and receiving antenna system comprises: an antenna array including a plurality of antennas; antenna RF lenses provided on an upper portion of the antenna array wherein the antenna RF lenses are disposed to correspond to the antennas, respectively; and an array RF lens provided on an upper portion of the antenna RF lenses.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an RF lens apparatus for improving directivity of an antenna array, and a transmitting / receiving antenna system including the RF lens apparatus.

The following description relates to a transmitting and receiving antenna system having multiple antennas, and more particularly to a transmitting and receiving antenna system that improves the directivity of an antenna array by using an RF lens.

This achievement is supported by the future creation science division's public technology-based market linkage entrepreneurship search support project (project number: 1711047948, name: Future Creation Science Department, Research Management Agency: Korea Research Foundation, Research Project Name: , Research Subject: High Performance Short Range Radar for Self-Driving Cars, Contribution Rate: 1/1, Organized by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Research Period: 2016.09.05 ~ 2017.02.28) .

A wireless communication system or radar includes a transmitting and receiving antenna system for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. Modern transmission and reception antenna systems often use multiple antennas. In a multi-antenna transmission and reception antenna system, the use of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology or beamforming technology increases the data transmission rate Reducing the interference between the devices, increasing the transmission distance of the signal, and increasing the signal-to-noise ratio.

The transmission beamforming technique adjusts the phase and amplitude of a signal transmitted from each of the multiple antennas so that signals transmitted from the different antennas are subjected to constructive interference or offset This is a technique for causing a transmission signal to be transmitted in a directional manner while causing destructive interference. The receive beamforming technique adjusts the phases and amplitudes of the received signals in each of the multiple antennas and combines them to increase reception sensitivity in a specific direction and receive the signals in a directional manner. The principle is the same as transmit beamforming. Transmit or receive beamforming is a technique that can be applied when signals transmitted or received at each antenna are stochastically highly correlated.

On the other hand, unlike the beamforming technique, the MIMO technique uses a stochastically uncorrelated technique in which signals transmitted or received from each antenna are ideally not correlated with each other. The MIMO technique uses multiple antennas Data streams can be transmitted or received, or a robust performance can be obtained even when a channel environment is changed by using a diversity gain. The MIMO technique tends to degrade as the correlation between the signals transmitted or received at each antenna increases.

2. Description of the Related Art [0002] Recently, in the field of wireless communication, studies on MIMO and beamforming techniques described above have been actively conducted as methods for efficient use of frequency resources along with depletion of frequency resources. Such MIMO and beamforming technology is expected to become a core technology of 5G (5G) mobile communication. In addition, as the interest in Advanced Drier Assistance System (ADAS) and self-driving cars increases, competition for development of more efficient radars for automobiles is intensifying, Antenna is basically being introduced.

Therefore, the following embodiments propose a technique for solving the problem of MIMO and beamforming and improving performance in a transmitting and receiving antenna system having multiple antennas.

In one embodiment, in a transmitting and receiving antenna system having multiple antennas, a technique of solving the directivity-induced performance degradation of an antenna array caused by nonlinearity between the spatial frequency and the incident angle and directivity of the antenna, and covering a wide angle with a single antenna array .

More specifically, in one embodiment, the RF lens apparatus includes an RF lens for an antenna arranged to correspond to a plurality of antennas constituting an antenna array, and an RF lens for an array provided on an RF lens for an antenna, An antenna system and a beam forming method are provided.

According to one embodiment, a transmitting and receiving antenna system for improving antenna directivity includes an antenna array composed of a plurality of antennas; The RF lenses for the antenna provided on the antenna array, the RF lenses for the antenna are arranged to correspond to the plurality of antennas, respectively; And an array RF lens provided on top of the RF lenses for the antenna.

According to an aspect of the present invention, each of the RF lenses for the antenna changes a beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas, and the antenna array forms a beam within a first angle range, And refract the directivity angle of the beam of the antenna array such that the directivity angle range of the beam of the antenna array changes from the first angle range to a second angle range that is wider or narrower than the first angle range.

According to another aspect, the antenna array can determine the first angular range that satisfies the constraint by the modified beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas.

According to another aspect, each of the RF lenses for an antenna refracts rays forming a beam of each of the plurality of antennas to change a beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas to a specific angle range .

According to another aspect of the present invention, each of the RF lenses for the antenna is provided to be capable of controlling the focal length of the lens, so that the specific angle range can be adaptively adjusted.

According to another aspect, each of the RF lenses for the antenna may refract each of the plurality of antennas so that the gain of each of the plurality of antennas has a threshold value only within the specific angular range.

According to another aspect, the RF lenses for the antenna may be arranged so as to correspond one-to-one with the plurality of antennas, respectively.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the array RF lens is provided so as to be able to control the focal length of the lens so as to adaptively adjust the second angular range.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an RF lens apparatus provided on an antenna array composed of a plurality of antennas to improve directivity of the antenna array is provided on an upper portion of the antenna array, RF lenses for an antenna for changing shape; RF lenses for the antenna are arranged corresponding to the plurality of antennas; And refracting a directivity angle of the beam formed within the first angular range so that the directivity angle range of the beam of the antenna array is shifted from the first angular range to the first angular range, And a second angular range that is wider or narrower than the angular range.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the first angle range may be determined as a value satisfying a constraint by a modified beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas.

According to one embodiment, there is provided an antenna array comprising a plurality of antennas; Wherein the RF lens for the antenna provided on the upper part of the antenna array, the RF lenses for the antenna are arranged to correspond to the plurality of antennas, and the transmitting and receiving part including the RF lens for array, A beamforming method performed in an antenna system includes: changing, in each of RF lenses for the antenna, a beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas; The antenna array forming a beam within a first angular range; And refracting a directivity angle of the beam of the antenna array such that the directivity angle range of the beam of the antenna array changes from the first angle range to a second angle range that is wider or narrower than the first angle range, .

According to an aspect, forming the beam within the first angular range may include determining the first angular range that satisfies the constraint by the modified beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas .

According to another aspect, modifying the beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas includes refracting rays forming a beam of each of the plurality of antennas, Within a certain angular range.

According to another aspect, the step of changing the beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas to a specific angular range may include changing the beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas so that the gain of each of the plurality of antennas has a threshold value only within the specific angular range. And refracting each of the lasers.

In one embodiment, in a transmitting and receiving antenna system having multiple antennas, a technique of solving the directivity-induced performance degradation of an antenna array caused by nonlinearity between the spatial frequency and the incident angle and directivity of the antenna, and covering a wide angle with a single antenna array Can be provided.

More specifically, in one embodiment, the RF lens apparatus includes an RF lens for an antenna arranged to correspond to a plurality of antennas constituting an antenna array, and an RF lens for an array provided on an RF lens for an antenna, An antenna system and a beam forming method.

1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional transmission / reception antenna system.
2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a spatial frequency and an incident angle.
3 is a diagram for explaining gain characteristics and directivity according to angles of an antenna in an ideal transmission and reception antenna system of the conventional structure.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining gain of an antenna array according to an angle when the antenna array is oriented in the 0 ° direction in an ideal transmission / reception antenna system of the conventional structure.
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining gain of an antenna array according to an angle when the antenna array is oriented in a 30 ° direction in an ideal transmission / reception antenna system of the conventional structure.
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining gain of an antenna array according to an angle when an antenna array is oriented in a 60 direction in an ideal transmission / reception antenna system of a conventional structure.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the gain of the antenna array according to the angle when the antenna array is oriented in the 90-degree direction in the ideal transmission and reception antenna system of the conventional structure.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining gain characteristics and directivity according to angles of an antenna in a realistic transmitting and receiving antenna system of a conventional structure.
9 is a view for explaining gain of an antenna array according to an angle when an antenna array is oriented in a 0 direction in a realistic transmitting and receiving antenna system of a conventional structure.
FIG. 10 is a view for explaining gain of an antenna array according to an angle when the antenna array is oriented in a 30 ° direction in a realistic transmitting / receiving antenna system of a conventional structure.
11 is a view for explaining gain of an antenna array according to an angle when an antenna array is oriented in a 60 占 direction in a realistic transmitting and receiving antenna system of a conventional structure.
FIG. 12 is a view for explaining gain of an antenna array according to an angle when the antenna array is oriented in a 90 ° direction in a realistic transmitting and receiving antenna system of a conventional structure.
13 is a diagram illustrating a transmitting / receiving antenna system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a view for explaining an RF lens for an antenna included in the transmission / reception antenna system shown in FIG.
15 is a diagram for explaining gain characteristics and directivity according to angles of an antenna in a transmitting and receiving antenna system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a view for explaining an embodiment of an RF lens for an array included in the transmission and reception antenna system shown in FIG.
FIG. 17 is a view for explaining another embodiment of an RF lens for an array included in the transmission and reception antenna system shown in FIG.
18 is a flowchart showing a beam forming method in the transmitting and receiving antenna system according to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to or limited by the embodiments. In addition, the same reference numerals shown in the drawings denote the same members.

Also, terms used in this specification are terms used to appropriately express the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which may vary depending on the audience, the intention of the operator, or the custom in the field to which the present invention belongs. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

The embodiments described herein relate to a transmitting and receiving antenna system having multiple antennas, and are configured to correspond to a plurality of antennas constituting the antenna array, And an RF lens for an antenna to refract the directivity angle of the beam formed in the first angle range so that the directivity angle range of the beam of the antenna array is changed from the first angle range to a range narrower or narrower than the first angle range The antenna performance of the antenna array generated due to the nonlinearity between the spatial frequency and the incident angle and the directivity of the antenna can be solved by forming the transmitting / receiving antenna system so as to include the RF lens for the array changing into the second angle range, Allows wide angle coverage.

Hereinafter, a transmitting and receiving antenna system having multiple antennas means a system for transmitting and receiving signals, including an antenna array composed of a plurality of antennas as multiple antennas. Also, for convenience of description, the present invention will be described by taking a reception beamforming technique in the transmission / reception antenna system as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to not only the transmission beamforming technique but also the MIMO transmission / reception technique . In the following, the antenna array is described as being a one-dimensional linear array, but it is not limited thereto and can be extended to a two-dimensional array.

1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional transmission / reception antenna system.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional transmitting / receiving antenna system has a structure including a linear antenna array 100 composed of a plurality of antennas A ₀ , A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ , A ₄ , and A ₅ . At this time, it is assumed that the spacing of the plurality of antennas A ₀ , A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ , A ₄ , and A _{5 in the} linear antenna array 100 is a half wavelength (λ / 2) , But are not limited thereto. Hereinafter, the ideal transmission / reception antenna system and the realistic transmission / reception antenna system described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 12 are assumed to have the structure as shown in FIG.

2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a spatial frequency and an incident angle.

When a signal is received in the linear antenna array in the conventional transmission / reception antenna system described with reference to FIG. 1, the signals received by the plurality of antennas constituting the linear antenna array have different phase values according to the incident angle. The rate of change of the phase according to the space is referred to as a spatial frequency, and the spatial frequency has a non-linear relationship with the incident angle of the signal and the graph 200 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining gain characteristics and directivity according to angles of an antenna in an ideal transmission and reception antenna system of a conventional structure. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining gain characteristics and directivity according to angles of an antenna, FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the gain of the antenna array according to the angle when the antenna array is oriented in the 30 ° direction in the ideal transmission and reception antenna system of the conventional structure. FIG. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining gain of the antenna array according to an angle when the antenna array is oriented in a 60 direction in an ideal transmission and reception antenna system of a conventional structure, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the gain of the antenna array in an ideal transmission and reception antenna system , An antenna array according to the angle when the antenna array is oriented in the 90 占 direction A diagram for explaining the gain thereof.

Referring to FIG. 3, when a gain according to an angle of an antenna, that is, a beam pattern in a cartesian coordinate system in a conventional transmission / reception antenna system, is always 1 for a range of -90 to 90 degrees, , Then 310 is plotted in a polar coordinate system and appears as 320. In this ideal case of the transmission and reception antenna system (transmission / reception antenna system of the conventional structure), the gain of the antenna array, that is, the beam pattern, when the linear antenna array is steered in a specific direction, appears as shown in FIGS.

Hereinafter, the beam pattern means a radiation pattern of an antenna or a radiation pattern of an antenna array made up of multiple antennas, and a directivity means a degree or property that a beam pattern of an antenna or an antenna array is concentrated in a specific direction. For example, the directivity that can be expressed by a beam shape (beam shape) can be used in expressions of high, large, low, and the like. At this time, if the directivity is high, the beam shape is narrow, and if the directivity is low, the beam shape is narrow. Hereinafter, the beam shape is a concept including the beam width. By "changing the beam shape ", it is possible to remove the energy radiation outside the predetermined angle range so that the width of the beam is positioned within a certain angle range, This means maintaining the antenna gain within the angular range.

In addition, steering refers to directing the directional angle of the directional antenna or directional antenna array toward a desired direction.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the ideal transmission and reception antenna system, when the antenna array is oriented in the 0 direction, the gain of the antenna array according to the angle, that is, the beam pattern is plotted on a linear scale graph in a rectangular coordinate system, And a beam pattern of 410 is plotted on a linear scale graph in the polar coordinate system.

At this time, the beam pattern of the antenna array increases in directivity as the number of the antennas constituting the antenna array increases, and can be formed in a sharp manner. However, even if the number of antennas is the same, the beam pattern when the array is oriented in the 0 ° direction has the greatest directivity, and the directivity of the beam pattern decreases as the directivity angle approaches 90 ° or -90 ° I have. This problem can be caused because the relationship between the incident angle of the signal and the spatial frequency is a nonlinear relationship as shown in Fig.

Hereinafter, the steering angle means an angle or direction in which the energy radiation of the antenna having directivity or the antenna array having directivity is concentrated. At this time, the directivity angle has the same meaning as the direction of the beam.

Referring to FIG. 5, in an ideal transmission and reception antenna system, when an antenna array is oriented in a 30-degree direction, a gain of an antenna array according to an angle, that is, a beam pattern is shown as 510 in a linear scale graph in a rectangular coordinate system, Of the beam pattern is plotted on a linear scale graph in the polar coordinate system.

Here, it is confirmed that the beam pattern when the antenna array is oriented in the direction of 30 degrees has a slightly lower directivity than the beam pattern described with reference to FIG. 4, but maintains a relatively good directivity.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the ideal transmission and reception antenna system, when the antenna array is oriented in a 60-degree direction, a gain of an antenna array according to an angle, that is, a beam pattern is plotted as a linear scale graph in a rectangular coordinate system, 610 beam pattern is plotted on a linear scale graph in the polar coordinate system.

At this time, the beam pattern when the antenna array is oriented in the 60 占 direction has a markedly lowered directivity than the beam pattern described above with reference to Fig. 4 and the beam pattern described above with reference to Fig. 5, The antenna array has a gain of 4.5 or more, so that there is a problem that interference due to a signal from an undesired direction, that is, an angle of -90 [deg.], Can be largely generated.

Referring to FIG. 7, in an ideal transmission and reception antenna system, when an antenna array is oriented in a 90-degree direction, a gain of an antenna array according to an angle, that is, a beam pattern is plotted as a linear scale graph in a rectangular coordinate system, 720 < / RTI > of a beam pattern of a linear scale in a polar coordinate system.

Here, it is confirmed that the directivity of the beam pattern when the antenna array is oriented in the 90 占 direction is greatly deteriorated, and there is a problem that the signal received from the 90 占 direction can not be distinguished from the signal received from the 90 占 direction.

In the ideal transmission / reception antenna system having the characteristic that the gain according to the direction angle of the antenna is always 1 for the range of -90 to 90 degrees, the gain characteristic of the antenna itself is also directed As a result, the gain and the directivity according to the angle of the antenna are different from those in FIG. A detailed description thereof will be described with reference to Fig.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a gain characteristic and a directivity according to an angle of an antenna in a realistic transmission and reception antenna system of a conventional structure. FIG. FIG. 10 is a view for explaining gain of an antenna array according to an angle when the antenna array is oriented in a 30 ° direction in a realistic transmitting / receiving antenna system of a conventional structure. FIG. FIG. 11 is a view for explaining gain of an antenna array according to an angle when the antenna array is oriented in a 60 ° direction in a realistic transmitting / receiving antenna system of a conventional structure, and FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a gain / , And the angle of the antenna array in the direction of 90 DEG A diagram illustrating the gain of the X-rays.

Referring to FIG. 8, in a conventional transmission / reception antenna system, when a gain according to a direction angle of an antenna, that is, a beam pattern is expressed in a rectangular coordinate system, it is 1 for 0 ° direction as in 810, 820 is displayed as 820 when it is plotted in the polar coordinate system. In such a realistic transmission / reception antenna system (transmission / reception antenna system of the conventional structure), the gain of the antenna array according to the angle when the linear antenna array is oriented in a specific direction, that is, the beam pattern, is shown in FIGS.

Referring to FIG. 9, in a realistic transmission and reception antenna system, when the antenna array is oriented in the 0 ° direction, the gain of the antenna array according to the angle, that is, the beam pattern is expressed by a graph of a linear scale in a rectangular coordinate system, The beam pattern of the light beam is plotted in a linear scale graph in the polar coordinate system.

At this time, it is confirmed that the beam pattern of the antenna array 920 has a greater directivity than the beam pattern described above with reference to FIG. 4 because the directivity angle of the antenna itself and the directivity angle of the antenna array coincide with each other.

Referring to FIG. 10, in a realistic transmission and reception antenna system, when the antenna array is oriented in a 30-degree direction, a gain of an antenna array according to an angle, that is, a beam pattern is expressed by a graph of a linear scale in a rectangular coordinate system, 1020 < / RTI > < RTI ID = 0.0 >. ≪ / RTI >

Here, it is confirmed that the gain of the antenna array tends to be shifted slightly to the left from the gain of the antenna array described above with reference to Fig. 5 when it is oriented in the direction of 30 [deg.]. That is, if the directional angle of the antenna itself and the directivity angle of the antenna array do not match, directivity of the antenna array may be adversely affected.

Referring to FIG. 11, in a realistic transmission and reception antenna system, when the antenna array is oriented in a 60-degree direction, a gain of an antenna array according to an angle, that is, a beam pattern is expressed by a graph of a linear scale in a rectangular coordinate system, 1120 < / RTI > as shown in FIG.

At this time, it is confirmed that the beam pattern when the antenna array is oriented in the 60 占 direction is not properly formed due to the directivity of the antenna itself.

Referring to FIG. 12, in an actual transmitting and receiving antenna system, when the antenna array is oriented in a 90-degree direction, a gain of an antenna array according to an angle, that is, a beam pattern is expressed by a graph of a linear scale in a rectangular coordinate system, 1220 < / RTI > < RTI ID = 0.0 >. ≪ / RTI >

When beamforming is performed in such a realistic transmission / reception antenna system, there arises a problem that the beam forming performance is seriously degraded when the beam directing angle of the antenna array is increased due to the directivity of the antenna itself. In addition, the conventional transmission / reception antenna system has the disadvantage that the directivity angle of the beam pattern of the antenna array is limited to an angle range which is much narrower than 120 degrees.

However, in the case of mobile communication, sector antennas are often required to cover 120 °, and even in the case of a near-field radar for an autonomous vehicle in which recent research is actively conducted, it should cover about 120 °. However, in the conventional transmission / reception antenna system, it is impossible to cover 120 [deg.] With the single antenna array as described in Figs.

Thus, the following embodiments propose a transmitting / receiving antenna system that includes an RF lens device to solve the directing performance deterioration of the antenna array and cover a wide angle with a single antenna array.

13 is a diagram illustrating a transmitting / receiving antenna system according to an embodiment.

13, a transmitting and receiving antenna system 1300 according to an embodiment includes an antenna array 1310 and a RF lens unit 1320 including a plurality of antennas 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, ). The spacing of the plurality of antennas 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, and 1316 in the antenna array 1310 is assumed to be a half wavelength (? / 2) of the carrier frequency, . In addition, although the antenna array 1310 is described as being a one-dimensional linear array as shown in the drawing, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the antenna array 1310 may be a two-dimensional array antenna in which a plurality of antennas 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, Dimensional array. Even in this case, the RF lens apparatus 1320 described later can be similarly applied.

The RF lens apparatus 1320 includes antenna RF lenses 1321, 1322, 1313, 1313, 1314, 1315, 1316 disposed on the upper portion of the antenna array 1310 and corresponding to the plurality of antennas 1311, 1312, 1323, 1324, 1325 and 1326 and an RF lens 1330 for an array provided on the RF lenses 1321, 1322, 1323, 1324, 1325 and 1326 for antennas.

Here, the antenna RF lenses 1321, 1322, 1323, 1324, 1325, and 1326 may be disposed so as to correspond one to one to the plurality of antennas 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, and 1316, respectively. For example, A ₀ antenna RF lens 1321 is arranged on the upper portion of the A ₀ antenna (1311), A ₁ antenna RF lens 1322 for may be placed on top of the A ₁ antenna 1312. Similarly, the RF lenses 1323, 1324, 1325, and 1326 for the remaining antennas may be disposed so as to correspond one-to-one to the remaining antennas 1313, 1314, 1315, and 1316, respectively.

Each of the antenna RF lenses 1321, 1322, 1323, 1324, 1325 and 1326 can change the beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315 and 1316. For example, A ₀ antenna RF lens 1321 is a beam shape of the A ₁ antenna 1312, a beam shape of the A ₀ antenna (1311), A ₁ antenna RF lens (1322) for, A ₂ antenna for The RF lens 1323 has a beam shape of the A ₂ antenna 1313 and the A ₃ antenna RF lens 1324 has the beam shape of the A ₃ antenna 1314 and the A ₄ antenna RF lens 1325 has the beam shape of A ₄ the beam shape of the antenna (1315), for RF lens a ₅ antenna 1326 is capable of changing the beam shape of the antenna a ₅ (1316), each with ₁ ~ θ ₁ -θ. Or less, 2 * θ ₁ is in an amount that represents the beam shape (width) of the antenna beam pattern is changed by an RF lens with an antenna (1321, 1322, 1323, 1324 , 1325, 1326), θ 1 is related to the changed antenna beam pattern Parameter. A detailed description thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

In this case, changing the beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, and 1316 for the antenna RF lenses 1321, 1322, 1323, 1324, 1325, (The directivity of the antenna itself) of each of the antennas 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, 1316 of the base station apparatus. Therefore, each of the RF lenses 1321, 1322, 1323, 1324, 1325, and 1326 for the antenna can be designed in consideration of the self-directionality of each of the plurality of antennas 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, (For example, an aspherical lens or the like may be used, and one or more lens elements may be used).

The antenna array 1310 forms a beam within a first angular range. 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, and 1316 of each of the antennas 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, and 1316 is changed by the RF lenses 1321, 1322, 1323, 1324, The beam can be formed within the determined first angular range by determining the first angular range satisfying the constraint by the beam shape. For example, the antenna array 1310 includes a plurality of antennas (1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, 1316) of ~ φ ₁ -φ each of the first angular range in the beam shape changed in ₁ ~ θ ₁ -θ ₁ to the position (φ ₁ <θ ₁₎ may first determine the angle -φ range of values of φ ₁ ~ _1. For example, the antenna array 1310 may be configured to determine a first angle range parameter? ₁ that forms a beam, by determining whether the changed beam? Of each of the plurality of antennas 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, As a constraint by the shape parameter? ₁ , an equation of? ₁ =? ₁ - (beam width of the antenna array 1310) / 2 can be used. Herein, the first angular range of -φ ₁ to φ ₁ means a value indicating the range of the directivity angle of the beam of the antenna array 1310.

The array-use RF lens 1330 is arranged such that the directivity angle of the beam of the antenna array 1310 changes from a first angle range to a second angle range that is wider or narrower than the first angle range, . In other words, the array-use RF lens 1330 can change the directing angle range of the beam of the antenna array 1310 from the first angle range to the second angle range.

For example, the array-use RF lens 1330 refracts the directivity angle of the beam of the antenna array 1310 having the first angular range of-phi ₁ to phi _{1 so} that the beam of the antenna array 1310 becomes -φ ₂ and a second angle range of? ₂ . Thus, the array-use RF lens 1330 can narrow or broaden the coverage of the antenna array 1310 by refracting the beam-directing angle of the antenna array 1310. Hereinafter, the second angular range of -φ ₂ to φ ₂ is a value indicating the range of the directivity angle changed by the refraction after the beam of the antenna array 1310 passes through the array RF lens 1330. A detailed description thereof will be described with reference to Figs. 16 to 17.

As described above, the transmitting and receiving antenna system 1300 according to one embodiment includes the RF lenses 1321, 1322, and 1323 for antennas that change the beam shapes of the plurality of antennas 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, 1324, 1325, 1326) and the antenna array 1310 refract the directivity angle of the beam formed within the first angular range, so that the directivity angle range of the beam of the antenna array 1310 from the first angular range to the second angular range , It is possible to solve the directivity deterioration of the antenna array caused by the nonlinearity between the spatial frequency and the incident angle and the directivity of the antenna and cover a wide angle with a single antenna array .

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining an RF lens for an antenna included in the transmission and reception antenna system shown in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a view for explaining a gain characteristic and a directivity according to an angle of an antenna in the transmission and reception antenna system according to an embodiment FIG. Hereinafter, the RF lens 1400 for an antenna described with reference to FIG. 14 represents each RF lens for an antenna included in the transmission and reception antenna system described above with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 14, the RF lens 1400 for an antenna has characteristics such that the directivity of the antenna is as shown in FIG. 15 in an actual wireless transmission / reception environment. More specifically, the RF antenna lens 1400 is for the shape of the antenna beam by refraction of rays (ray) to form the beam of the antenna (for example, θ ₁ -θ ₁ ~) an angle range can be changed into.

For example, the RF lens 1400 for an antenna can reduce the gain of the antenna by dispersing the ladle 1410 in the direction near 0 ° of the ladle forming the beam of the antenna through refraction, the ladle of the ray direction close to 90 ° of 1420 by focusing through a refractive, and change the shape of the antenna beam into -θ ₁ ~ θ _1, the gain of the antenna range of an angle (-θ ₁ ~ θ ₁ ) Can only have a threshold value.

FIG. 15 illustrates the beam pattern of the modified antenna by another method, in which the beam shape of the antenna is changed while the rays emitted from the antenna are refracted by the RF lens 1400 for an antenna, have. In this case, the gain characteristic always having a value of 0 for large direction has a constant threshold value, smaller than the direction or θ ₁ -θ _1, regardless of the direction in the -θ ₁ ~ θ ₁ as shown in 1510 of the antenna If you draw 1510 in the polar coordinate system, it will look like 1520. Therefore, the RF lens 1400 for an antenna can prevent interference from unwanted directions in the antenna.

The specific angular range (the angle range covered by the beam pattern of the antenna) of -θ ₁ to θ ₁ in which the beam shape of the antenna described above is changed is determined by the structure of the RF lens 1400 for the antenna and the transmission / The antenna array included in the system (the transmitting and receiving antenna system described with reference to FIG. 13) can influence the constraint condition that determines the angle range (first angle range) in which the beam is to be formed.

Therefore, the RF lens 1400 for an antenna can be adjusted to have a lens focal length (implemented to have a zooming function) and can adaptively adjust a specific angle range, and a transmission / reception antenna system May adaptively adjust the first angular range at which the beam of the antenna array is formed, according to the constrained condition of the adjusted beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining an embodiment of an RF lens for an array included in the transmission and reception antenna system shown in FIG.

Referring to Figure 16, the RF lens arrays 1600 included in the transmitting and receiving antenna systems described above in Fig. 13, in the φ ₁ <θ ₁ <φ ₂ situation, the first angle range in the -φ ₁ ~ φ ₁ Refracting the directivity angle of the beam 1610 of the antenna array having the directivity angle range so that the beam 1620 of the antenna array has a directivity angle range of -φ ₂ to φ _{2 that} is a second angle range wider than -φ ₁ to φ ₁ . Thus, the arrays oriented angle of the beam 1610 of the previous antenna array to go through the RF lens 1600, but included in the -θ ₁ ~ θ _1, the beam of the antenna array after passed through the RF Lens Arrays (1600) ( 1620 can cover an angular range wider than -θ ₁ to θ ₁ , but can prevent the problem of the directing performance deterioration caused in the conventional beam forming.

The operation of the array-use RF lens 1600 can be performed by controlling the lens focal length of the array-use RF lens 1600 to be short. That is, the array RF lens 1600 can adaptively adjust the second angular range in which the first angular range is changed (implemented to have a zooming function) so as to be able to control the lens focal length.

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining another embodiment of an RF lens for an array included in the transmission and reception antenna system shown in FIG.

17, the RF lens 1700 for an array included in the transmission and reception antenna system described with reference to FIG. 13 has a first angular range of -φ ₁ to φ _{1 in} a situation where φ ₁ <θ ₁ <φ ₂ Refracting the directivity angle of the beam 1710 of the antenna array having the directivity angle range so that the beam 1720 of the antenna array has a directivity angle range of -φ ₂ to φ _{2 that} is a second angle range narrower than -φ ₁ to φ ₁ . Therefore, as the beam 1720 of the antenna array after passing through the RF lens 1700 for array is sharper than the beam 1710 of the antenna array before the array RF lens 1700, the more sophisticated beam steering can be enabled with spatial resolution. This characteristic can be caused by an increase in the cell capacity in mobile communication and in the radar system, it can appear as improved spatial resolution for object recognition.

The operation of the array-use RF lens 1700 can be performed by controlling the lens focal length of the array RF lens 1700 to be long. That is, the array-use RF lens 1700 can adaptively adjust the second angular range in which the first angular range is changed (implemented to have a zooming function) so as to control the lens focal length.

18 is a flowchart showing a beam forming method in the transmitting and receiving antenna system according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 18, the beam forming method according to one embodiment may be performed mainly on the transmitting and receiving antenna system (particularly, the RF lens apparatus) described in FIGS.

In step S1810, each of the RF lenses for an antenna included in the RF lens apparatus can change the beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas.

Specifically, in step S1810, each of the RF lenses for the antenna may refract the rays forming the beam of each of the plurality of antennas to change the beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas to within a specific angle range.

In addition, each of the RF lenses for the antenna is provided so as to be able to control the focal length of the lens, so that a specific angle range can be adaptively adjusted.

At this time, changing the beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas to a specific angle range means refracting each of the plurality of antennas so that the gain of each of the plurality of antennas has a threshold value only within a certain angle range .

Subsequently, in step S1820, the antenna array provided with the RF lens apparatus forms a beam within the first angular range. In particular, the antenna array may form a beam within a first angle range determined after determining a first angular range that satisfies the constraint by the modified beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas. For example, a plurality of antennas, each beam shape has been changed by -θ ₁ ~ θ ₁ in the step (S1810), the antenna array at step (S1820) is -φ ₁ that satisfy the constraints of the φ ₁ <θ ₁ - determining a first angle φ ₁ to the range, and it is possible to form a beam in a first angle range of ₁ - φ ₁ -φ.

Thereafter, in step S1830, the RF lens for an array included in the RF lens apparatus changes the angular range of the beam of the antenna array from the first angular range to a second angular range that is wider or narrower than the first angular range, Refracts the beam's directivity angle.

In other words, in step S1830, the RF lens for array can change the directivity angle of the beam of the antenna array from the first angle range to the second angle range.

As described above, although the beamforming method is described as including three steps (S1810 and S1830), it is not limited thereto, and it may further include other steps.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. For example, it is to be understood that the techniques described may be performed in a different order than the described methods, and / or that components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, Lt; / RTI &gt; or equivalents, even if it is replaced or replaced.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims are also within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (14)

A transmitting / receiving antenna system for improving antenna directivity, comprising:
An antenna array comprising a plurality of antennas;
The RF lenses for the antenna provided on the antenna array, the RF lenses for the antenna are arranged to correspond to the plurality of antennas, respectively; And
An RF lens for an array provided on top of the RF lenses for the antenna,
Receiving antenna system. The method according to claim 1,
Each of the RF lenses for the antenna comprises:
Changing a beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas,
The antenna array includes:
Forming a beam within a first angular range,
In the array RF lens,
And refracts a directivity angle of the beam of the antenna array such that a directivity angle range of the beam of the antenna array changes from the first angle range to a second angle range that is wider or narrower than the first angle range. 3. The method of claim 2,
The antenna array includes:
And determines the first angular range that satisfies constraint conditions based on a modified beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas. 3. The method of claim 2,
Each of the RF lenses for the antenna comprises:
And refracts rays that form a beam of each of the plurality of antennas to change the beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas to within a specified angle range. 5. The method of claim 4,
Each of the RF lenses for the antenna comprises:
And the lens focal length is adjustable so as to adaptively adjust the specific angular range. 5. The method of claim 4,
Each of the RF lenses for the antenna comprises:
And refracts each of the plurality of lanes so that a gain of each of the plurality of antennas has a threshold value only within the specific angular range. 3. The method of claim 2,
The RF lenses for an antenna,
A transmitting and receiving antenna system arranged to correspond one-to-one with the plurality of antennas, 3. The method of claim 2,
In the array RF lens,
And adjusts the second angular range adaptively so as to be able to control the lens focal distance. An RF lens apparatus provided on an antenna array composed of a plurality of antennas to improve directivity of the antenna array,
RF lenses for an antenna which are provided on the antenna array and change a beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas, the RF lenses for the antenna are arranged to correspond to the plurality of antennas; And
Wherein the antenna array is provided on the RF lenses for the antenna so as to refract the directivity angle of the beam formed in the first angle range to direct the beam directivity range of the antenna array from the first angle range to the first angle An RF lens for an array that changes to a second angular range that is wider or narrower than the range
And an RF lens. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the first angle range is a range
Wherein the antenna is determined as a value that satisfies a constraint condition by a modified beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas. An antenna array comprising a plurality of antennas; The RF lenses for the antenna provided on the antenna array, the RF lenses for the antenna are arranged to correspond to the plurality of antennas, respectively; And an RF lens for an array provided on top of the RF lenses for the antenna, the beam forming method comprising:
Changing the beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas in each of the RF lenses for the antenna;
The antenna array forming a beam within a first angular range; And
Refracting a directivity angle of the beam of the antenna array such that a direct angular range of the beam of the antenna array is changed from the first angular range to a second angular range that is wider or narrower than the first angular range step
&Lt; / RTI &gt; 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein forming the beam within the first angular range comprises:
Determining a first angular range that satisfies a constraint on a modified beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas
&Lt; / RTI &gt; 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein changing the beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas comprises:
Refracting rays forming a beam of each of the plurality of antennas to change a beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas to within a specific angle range
&Lt; / RTI &gt; 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein changing the beam shape of each of the plurality of antennas to within a specific angle range comprises:
And refracting the lasers of each of the plurality of antennas such that the gain of each of the plurality of antennas has a threshold only within the specified angular range.

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