EP0707357B1 - Antenna system with multiple feeders integrated in a low noise converter (LNC) - Google Patents

Antenna system with multiple feeders integrated in a low noise converter (LNC) Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0707357B1
EP0707357B1 EP95402265A EP95402265A EP0707357B1 EP 0707357 B1 EP0707357 B1 EP 0707357B1 EP 95402265 A EP95402265 A EP 95402265A EP 95402265 A EP95402265 A EP 95402265A EP 0707357 B1 EP0707357 B1 EP 0707357B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
antennas
satellites
beams
focusing
substrate
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EP95402265A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0707357A1 (en
Inventor
1-M. Ali Thomson Multimedia Louzir
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Vantiva SA
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Thomson Multimedia SA
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q19/00—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic
    • H01Q19/10—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using reflecting surfaces
    • H01Q19/12—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using reflecting surfaces wherein the surfaces are concave
    • H01Q19/17—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using reflecting surfaces wherein the surfaces are concave the primary radiating source comprising two or more radiating elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/24—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set
    • H01Q1/247—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set with frequency mixer, e.g. for direct satellite reception or Doppler radar
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q13/00—Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
    • H01Q13/10—Resonant slot antennas
    • H01Q13/106—Microstrip slot antennas

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a reception device comprising a low noise frequency converter with multiple antennas source ("Feeds" in English terminology).
  • the invention applies especially in the reception of signals transmitted by several satellites.
  • a source antenna in waveguide appropriately relative to the dish to couple the signal received by one or more probes which transmit it to a low noise frequency converter.
  • the latter performs the signal conversion to intermediate frequency, the converted signal can be processed by satellite receiver and / or the decoder of the receiver.
  • paraboloid reflectors whose role is to improve the convergence of beams coming from several satellites more or less close.
  • the reflectors are then designed so as to present each beam has a substantially parabolic surface.
  • Document US 4,712,111 describes a system comprising a reflector as well as two sources, intended respectively to receive signals from different polarizations and reflected in different directions by the reflector.
  • EPC describes a reception system comprising a focal point reflector linear for focusing signals to networks linear.
  • the subject of the invention is a device for receiving transmitted signals.
  • N N> 1 satellites comprising means for focusing the beams corresponding to said signals as well as several source antennas independent, characterized in that said source antennas are antennas printed on a single substrate, the arrangement of said antennas on said substrate being determined by the location of the focal points of said beams.
  • the positioning of the antennas on the substrate is determined by the arrangement of the best focal points available for each beam.
  • the dish and antennas it will suffice to correctly position these means of reception with reference to a single satellite. Positioning for other satellites is then performed automatically.
  • the means of focusing include an electromagnetic lens, for example a Luneburg type lens (half-sphere lens).
  • Such a lens allows optimal convergence of all the beams, unlike a parabola which has only one real focal point.
  • the means of focusing beams include a parabolic reflector.
  • a parabola can be considered as sufficient to focus the different beams so adequate.
  • the lens Luneburg type is more suitable.
  • the means of focusing being a parabolic reflector
  • a first antenna is placed at the focal point of the reflector, the other antennas being placed on one side or the other with respect to the first antenna.
  • the antennas are slot antennas.
  • the antennas are ring slot antennas.
  • This form of antenna is particularly suitable for reception of orthogonally polarized waves having polarizations linear or circular.
  • said device includes at least one frequency converter made on the same substrate as said antennas.
  • the device comprises multiplexing means which multiplex the signals received by the antennas to a frequency converter.
  • said converter frequency is carried out on the same substrate as the antennas.
  • Figure 1 explains the position of the convergence points optimal at the level of a parabolic reflector when the latter reflects the beams from two satellites angularly distant by an angle ⁇ .
  • a parabola 1 of diameter ⁇ has a focal point F1.
  • the dish is oriented so that ideally a satellite S1 is on the axis of the parabola and that the wave plane of this beam is perpendicular to this axis.
  • the reflected beam converges in F1, located on the axis of the parabola.
  • a second satellite S2 emits a second beam whose plane wave is tilted by the angle ⁇ relative to the axis of the parabola. Point of optimum convergence is on an inclined line of the angle - ⁇ relative to the axis.
  • Figure 2 explains the position of the focal points in the case using a Luneburg type lens.
  • lens 2 has the shape of a sphere, which allows represent the object points and the corresponding image points of a side and on the other of said sphere.
  • the practical implementation will call on a half-sphere on a reflecting plane.
  • the Luneburg lens has a radius R.
  • the focal points are are about 1.5xR from the center of the lens.
  • a focal point is located on the right parallel to the beam which illuminates the lens and passing through the center of it.
  • a Luneburg lens has its focal points at the surface of the lens.
  • An approximation used here allows to move these focal points to 1.5 times the radius. The separation between the focal points is thus improved.
  • Three satellites S3, S4, S5 are angularly distant of ⁇ 1 and ⁇ 2 respectively. These three satellites correspond focal points F3, F4 and F5 respectively. If we consider the angles ⁇ 1 and ⁇ 2 as small (less than 5 ° for example), the distances linear d34 and d45 separating F3 from F4 and F4 from F5 respectively substantially equal to 1.5R ⁇ 1 and 1.5R ⁇ 2 in meters, where ⁇ 1 and ⁇ 2 are given in radians.
  • the linear distances are approximately 2.4 centimeters.
  • the distance between the focal points and the center of the lens is not to scale relative to the radius R of this same lens.
  • FIG. 3 An embodiment of the device according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • the example illustrated relates to a device for reception of signals from three satellites, for example satellites S3, 54 and S5 of FIG. 2.
  • satellites S3, 54 and S5 of FIG. 2 for example satellites S3, 54 and S5 of FIG. 2.
  • Those skilled in the art will adapt the invention in other cases, such as that of Figure 1.
  • the device comprises a dielectric substrate 17 which supports three antennas with annular slots 3a, 3b, 3c engraved on the same substrate. These antennas are excited by microstrip lines 4a to 4f in a manner described later.
  • the slit centers are positioned on the substrate so that the distances between them separate are equal to the distances between the focal points F3, F4 and F5.
  • a radio frequency amplifier 11 amplifies one of the signals from the micro-ribbon lines. This signal is transmitted to a mixer 12, receiving one of the frequencies F1 or F2 from suitable oscillators. The signal at the mixer output is amplified by an amplifier for intermediate frequencies 13, before being transmitted, for example by coaxial cable (not shown) to a unit indoor (receiver, decoder, TV receiver).
  • Figure 4 illustrates a section of Figure 3, through the center of the annular slot 3a. This figure illustrates an alternative embodiment certain elements of which are not shown in FIG. 3.
  • the dimension 5 of the dielectric substrate is covered with a metallic layer in which a ring 6 is engraved.
  • the resonant modes of the cleft occur at frequencies for which the slit circumference is equal to an integer multiple of the length guided wave.
  • the metal layer is connected to earth.
  • the substrate is oriented so as to present the annular slots in the reflector.
  • the side 7 of the substrate comprises the means for exciting the slot.
  • the microstrip line 4b is visible.
  • This line at micro-tape penetrates at right angles into the enclosure formed by the slot annular 6, of a depth which is of the order of a quarter of the length guided wave. Penetration at right angles corresponds to coupling maximum.
  • the dimensions of the micro-ribbon lines are optimized by so as to present a large bandwidth around the frequency of operation. They present in particular a narrowing (not illustrated) before entering the enclosure formed by the annular slot.
  • a base 8 is arranged on the face 7 of the substrate.
  • the function of this base which is not illustrated in Figure 3, is to allow obtaining a wave belly at the level of the annular slot.
  • the base is formed by a conductive cavity connected in the metallic plane of face 5 via a conductive line 9.
  • An orifice 10 allows the microstrip line 4b to penetrate inside. of the base 8 while being electrically insulated from it.
  • the depth H of the base is approximately a quarter of the wavelength Guided.
  • the thickness of the substrate and the metallic planes has been exaggerated in Figure 4, so as to better highlight the characteristics described.
  • each annular slot is provided with two microstrip lines arranged at right angles, allowing reception of polarized waves linearly horizontally and vertically.
  • Multiplexing means (shown so schematic by switches 18 to 21 and by dotted lines indicating possible connections) allow the selection of one of these signals for transmission to amplifier 11.
  • These multiplexing means are for example amplifier-blockers whose passing or blocking state is controlled by a DC voltage.
  • the base 8 is not shown not on figure 3.
  • coupler hybrid For receiving circularly polarized waves in the trigonometric or in the opposite direction, we insert a coupler hybrid between each annular slot and the multiplexing means.
  • the coupler 14 is illustrated in FIG. 5.
  • This hybrid coupler is powered via the two microstrip lines 4a and 4b.
  • the length on each side of the coupler is about a quarter of the length waveform of the guided wave.
  • V Acos ( ⁇ t) present at port 16 generates, at the ports connected to lines 4a and 4b, signals respectively of the form:
  • Vx AT 2 cos ( ⁇ t + ⁇ )
  • Vy AT 2 cos ( ⁇ t + ⁇ - ⁇ 2 )
  • the total field radiated corresponds to the sum of these two fields. We can verify that the sum vector turns in the direction trigonometric and that the end of this vector describes a circle.
  • the reflector used in conjunction with the invention is a paraboloid reflector intended to improve the focus of the different beams.
  • the Slot antennas can have other shapes than annular.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
  • Waveguide Switches, Polarizers, And Phase Shifters (AREA)
  • Waveguide Aerials (AREA)
  • Input Circuits Of Receivers And Coupling Of Receivers And Audio Equipment (AREA)

Description

L'invention concerne un dispositif de réception comprenant un convertisseur de fréquence à faible bruit intégrant plusieurs antennes source ("Feeds" en terminologie anglaise). L'invention s'applique notamment dans la réception de signaux transmis par plusieurs satellites.The invention relates to a reception device comprising a low noise frequency converter with multiple antennas source ("Feeds" in English terminology). The invention applies especially in the reception of signals transmitted by several satellites.

La réception de signaux transmis par satellites géostationnaires, par exemple des satellites relayant des émissions de télévision, se fait classiquement à l'aide d'une parabole qui concentre le faisceau reçu en son point focal. On place alors une antenne source en guide d'onde de façon appropriée par rapport à la parabole pour coupler le signal reçu à une ou plusieurs sondes qui le transmettent à un convertisseur de fréquence à faible bruit. Ce dernier effectue la conversion du signal en fréquence intermédiaire, le signal converti pouvant être traíté par démodulateur satellite et/ou le décodeur du récepteur.Reception of signals transmitted by satellites geostationary, for example satellites relaying emissions from television, is conventionally done using a parabola which concentrates the beam received at its focal point. We then place a source antenna in waveguide appropriately relative to the dish to couple the signal received by one or more probes which transmit it to a low noise frequency converter. The latter performs the signal conversion to intermediate frequency, the converted signal can be processed by satellite receiver and / or the decoder of the receiver.

Dans le cas où l'on désire viser plusieurs satellites géostationnaires proches, plusieurs solutions sont actuellement utilisées. La solution la plus évidente, à défaut d'être la plus économique, est d'utiliser autant de paraboles qu'il y a de satellites. Une autre solution, adaptée à la réception des signaux émis par deux satellites proches, consiste à utiliser une seule parabole, mais avec deux antennes source en guides d'ondes et deux convertisseurs de fréquence. La parabole pointe alors soit l'un des satellites, soit une position intermédiaire entre les deux. Les faisceaux issus des deux satellites et réfléchis par la parabole convergent alors en deux points distincts. Etant donné que dans ce cas, au moins un des signaux n'est pas focalisé de manière optimale, il en résulte une réception dégradée. De plus, si les satellites sont proches, les points de convergence des faisceaux sont également proches, cette proximité étant d'autant plus grande que la parabole est petite. Apparaít alors le problème de positionner côte à côte des guides d'onde, dont les dimensions sont difficilement modifiables. Certains produits du marché procèdent à une fusion des extrémités des guides d'onde, ce qui dégrade encore plus la qualité de la réception en augmentant le couplage entre les faisceaux. La présence de plusieurs convertisseurs de fréquence grève d'autre part le prix du produit.If you want to target several satellites geostationary near, several solutions are currently used. The most obvious solution, if not the most economical, is to use as many satellite dishes as there are satellites. Another solution, suitable for receiving signals from two nearby satellites, is to use a single dish, but with two source antennas in waveguides and two frequency converters. The parable points either to one of the satellites, or to an intermediate position between both. The beams from the two satellites and reflected by the parabola then converge at two distinct points. Since in in this case, at least one of the signals is not optimally focused, this results in degraded reception. In addition, if the satellites are close, the points of convergence of the beams are also close, this proximity being all the greater as the parabola is small. Then appears the problem of positioning the guides side by side wave, whose dimensions are difficult to modify. Some products from market merge the ends of the waveguides, which degrades even more the quality of reception by increasing the coupling between beams. The presence of several other frequency converters strike share the price of the product.

Il existe également des réflecteurs "paraboloïdes" dont le rôle est d'améliorer la convergence de faisceaux en provenance de plusieurs satellites plus ou moins proches. Les réflecteurs sont alors conçus de manière à présenter à chaque faisceau une surface sensiblement parabolique.There are also "paraboloid" reflectors whose role is to improve the convergence of beams coming from several satellites more or less close. The reflectors are then designed so as to present each beam has a substantially parabolic surface.

La situation dans laquelle un certain nombre de satellites sont angulairement très proches est une situation qui est loin d'être exceptionnelle et qui deviendra de plus en plus fréquente au fur et à mesure de l'encombrement de l'orbite géostationnaire. Un exemple de "bouquet" de satellites en Europe est l'ensemble de satellites Eutelsat.The situation in which a number of satellites are angularly very close is a situation which is far from exceptional and which will become more and more frequent as the congestion of the geostationary orbit. An example of a "bouquet" of satellites in Europe is the set of Eutelsat satellites.

Le document US 4 712 111 décrit un système comportant un réflecteur ainsi que deux sources, destinées respectivement à recevoir des signaux de polarisations différentes et reflétés dans des directions différentes par le réflecteur.Document US 4,712,111 describes a system comprising a reflector as well as two sources, intended respectively to receive signals from different polarizations and reflected in different directions by the reflector.

Le document EP-A-682 383, cité au titre de l'Article 54(3) CBE décrit un système de réception comportant un réflecteur à foyer linéaire destiné a focaliser des signaux vers des réseaux linéaires.EP-A-682 383, cited under Article 54 (3) EPC describes a reception system comprising a focal point reflector linear for focusing signals to networks linear.

L'invention a pour objet un dispositif de réception de signaux transmis par N (N>1) satellites comprenant des moyens de focalisation des faisceaux correspondant auxdits signaux ainsi que plusieurs antennes source indépendantes, caractérisé en ce que lesdites antennes source sont des antennes imprimées réalisées sur un seul substrat, la disposition desdites antennes sur ledit substrat étant déterminée par la localisation des points de focalisation desdits faisceaux.The subject of the invention is a device for receiving transmitted signals. by N (N> 1) satellites comprising means for focusing the beams corresponding to said signals as well as several source antennas independent, characterized in that said source antennas are antennas printed on a single substrate, the arrangement of said antennas on said substrate being determined by the location of the focal points of said beams.

L'utilisation de plusieurs antennes à fente imprimées sur un substrat permet de s'affranchir des problèmes liés à l'utilisation de guides d'onde.The use of several slot antennas printed on a substrate eliminates problems related to the use of waveguides.

De plus, le positionnement des antennes sur le substrat est déterminé par la disposition des meilleurs points de focalisation disponibles pour chaque faisceau. Lors de l'installation de la parabole et des antennes, il suffira de positionner correctement ces moyens de réception en se référant à un seul satellite. Le positionnement pour les autres satellites est alors réalisé automatiquement.In addition, the positioning of the antennas on the substrate is determined by the arrangement of the best focal points available for each beam. When installing the dish and antennas, it will suffice to correctly position these means of reception with reference to a single satellite. Positioning for other satellites is then performed automatically.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, les moyens de focalisation comprennent une lentille électromagnétique, par exemple une lentille de type Luneburg (lentille en demi-sphère).According to a particular embodiment, the means of focusing include an electromagnetic lens, for example a Luneburg type lens (half-sphere lens).

Une telle lentille permet d'obtenir une convergence optimale de tous les faisceaux, contrairement à une parabole qui ne possède qu'un véritable point focal.Such a lens allows optimal convergence of all the beams, unlike a parabola which has only one real focal point.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation particulier, les moyens de focalisation des faisceaux comprennent un réflecteur parabolique. Pour des satellites relativement proches, une parabole peut être considérée comme suffisante pour focaliser les différents faisceaux de manière adéquate. Pour des éloignements angulaires plus grands, la lentille de type Luneburg est plus adaptée.According to another particular embodiment, the means of focusing beams include a parabolic reflector. For relatively close satellites, a parabola can be considered as sufficient to focus the different beams so adequate. For larger angular distances, the lens Luneburg type is more suitable.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, les moyens de focalisation étant un réflecteur parabolique, une première antenne est placée au point focal du réflecteur, les autres antennes étant placées d'un côté ou de l'autre par rapport à la première antenne.According to a particular embodiment, the means of focusing being a parabolic reflector, a first antenna is placed at the focal point of the reflector, the other antennas being placed on one side or the other with respect to the first antenna.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, les antennes sont des antennes à fente.According to a particular embodiment, the antennas are slot antennas.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, les antennes sont des antennes à fente annulaire.According to a particular embodiment, the antennas are ring slot antennas.

Cette forme d'antenne est particulièrement adaptée à la réception d'ondes polarisées orthogonalement ayant des polarisations linéaires ou circulaires. This form of antenna is particularly suitable for reception of orthogonally polarized waves having polarizations linear or circular.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, ledit dispositif comprend au moins un convertisseur de fréquence réalisé sur le même substrat que lesdites antennes.According to a particular embodiment, said device includes at least one frequency converter made on the same substrate as said antennas.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, le dispositif comprend des moyens de multiplexage qui multiplexent les signaux reçus par les antennes vers un convertisseur de fréquence.According to a particular embodiment, the device comprises multiplexing means which multiplex the signals received by the antennas to a frequency converter.

Ainsi, un seul convertisseur de fréquence est nécessaire. Il en résulte un gain de place et de composants très important.Thus, only one frequency converter is necessary. It results in a significant saving of space and components.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, ledit convertisseur de fréquence est réalisé sur le même substrat que les antennes.According to a particular embodiment, said converter frequency is carried out on the same substrate as the antennas.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaítront à travers la description de deux modes de réalisation particuliers non limitatifs et illustrés par les figures jointes, parmi lesquelles:

  • la figure 1 représente schématiquement les points de convergence au niveau d'un réflecteur parabolique pour des faisceaux issus de deux satellites angulairement proches,
  • la figure 2 représente schématiquement les points focaux au niveau d'une lentille de type Luneburg pour des faisceaux issus de trois satellites,
  • la figure 3 représente schématiquement un exemple de réalisation de dispositif conforme à l'invention pour la réception dans le cadre de la configuration de la figure 2,
  • la figure 4 représente une variante de réalisation reprenant une coupe de la figure 3,
  • la figure 5 représente schématiquement un coupleur hybride utilisé pour le couplage d'ondes polarisées circulairement.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear through the description of two particular non-limiting embodiments and illustrated by the attached figures, among which:
  • FIG. 1 schematically represents the points of convergence at the level of a parabolic reflector for beams coming from two angularly close satellites,
  • FIG. 2 schematically represents the focal points at the level of a Luneburg type lens for beams coming from three satellites,
  • FIG. 3 schematically represents an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for reception within the framework of the configuration of FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 4 represents an alternative embodiment using a section from FIG. 3,
  • FIG. 5 schematically represents a hybrid coupler used for the coupling of circularly polarized waves.

La figure 1 explicite la position des point de convergence optimaux au niveau d'un réflecteur parabolique lorsque ce dernier reflète les faisceaux issus de deux satellites éloignés angulairement d'un angle  . Une parabole 1 de diamètre ⊘ possède un point focal F1. On suppose que la parabole est orientée de façon à ce qu'idéalement, un satellite S1 se trouve sur l'axe de la parabole et que le plan d'onde de ce faisceau est perpendiculaire à cet axe. Le faisceau reflété converge en F1, situé sur l'axe de la parabole.Figure 1 explains the position of the convergence points optimal at the level of a parabolic reflector when the latter reflects the beams from two satellites angularly distant by an angle  . A parabola 1 of diameter ⊘ has a focal point F1. We assume that the dish is oriented so that ideally a satellite S1 is on the axis of the parabola and that the wave plane of this beam is perpendicular to this axis. The reflected beam converges in F1, located on the axis of the parabola.

Un second satellite S2 émet un second faisceau dont le plan d'onde est incliné de l'angle  par rapport à l'axe de la parabole. Le point de convergence optimum se trouve sur une droite inclinée de l'angle - par rapport à l'axe.A second satellite S2 emits a second beam whose plane wave is tilted by the angle  relative to the axis of the parabola. Point of optimum convergence is on an inclined line of the angle - relative to the axis.

La figure 2 explicite la position des points focaux dans le cas d'utilisation d'une lentille de type Luneburg. Pour la clarté de la représentation, la lentille 2 a la forme d'une sphère, ce qui permet de représenter les points objet et les points images correspondants d'un côté et de l'autre de ladite sphère. L'implémentation pratique fera appel à une demi-sphère sur un plan réflecteur.Figure 2 explains the position of the focal points in the case using a Luneburg type lens. For the clarity of the representation, lens 2 has the shape of a sphere, which allows represent the object points and the corresponding image points of a side and on the other of said sphere. The practical implementation will call on a half-sphere on a reflecting plane.

La lentille de type Luneburg a un rayon R. Les points focaux se situent à environ 1,5xR du centre de la lentille. Un point focal est situé sur la droite parallèle au faisceau qui illumine la lentille et passant par le centre de celle-ci. Comme cela a été mentionné précédemment, l'avantage de la lentille par rapport à la parabole est de présenter autant de points focaux qu'il y a de sources de signal. Il n'y a pas de défocalisation étant donné la symétrie sphérique de la lentille.The Luneburg lens has a radius R. The focal points are are about 1.5xR from the center of the lens. A focal point is located on the right parallel to the beam which illuminates the lens and passing through the center of it. As mentioned earlier, the advantage of the lens compared to the parabola is to present as much of focal points that there are signal sources. There is no defocus given the spherical symmetry of the lens.

En toute rigueur, une lentille de Luneburg a ses points focaux au niveau de la surface de la lentille. Une approximation utilisée ici permet de déplacer ces points focaux vers 1.5 fois le rayon. La séparation entre les points focaux est ainsi améliorée.Strictly speaking, a Luneburg lens has its focal points at the surface of the lens. An approximation used here allows to move these focal points to 1.5 times the radius. The separation between the focal points is thus improved.

Trois satellites S3, S4, S5 sont éloignés angulairement respectivement de 1 et 2. A ces trois satellites correspondent respectivement des points focaux F3, F4 et F5. Si l'on considère les angles 1 et 2 comme petits (inférieurs à 5° par exemple), les distances linéaires d34 et d45 séparant respectivement F3 de F4 et F4 de F5 sont sensiblement égales à 1,5R1 et 1,5R2 en mètres, où 1 et 2 sont donnés en radians.Three satellites S3, S4, S5 are angularly distant of 1 and 2 respectively. These three satellites correspond focal points F3, F4 and F5 respectively. If we consider the angles 1 and 2 as small (less than 5 ° for example), the distances linear d34 and d45 separating F3 from F4 and F4 from F5 respectively substantially equal to 1.5R1 and 1.5R2 in meters, where 1 and 2 are given in radians.

Pour une lentille de 30 centimètres de rayon et des angles de 3°, les distances linéaires sont égales à environ 2.4 centimètres.For a lens with a radius of 30 centimeters and angles of 3 °, the linear distances are approximately 2.4 centimeters.

Pour des raisons de clarté de la figure 2, la distance entre les points focaux et le centre de la lentille n'est pas à l'échelle par rapport au rayon R de cette même lentille.For the sake of clarity in Figure 2, the distance between the focal points and the center of the lens is not to scale relative to the radius R of this same lens.

Un exemple de réalisation du dispositif conforme à l'invention est illustré à la figure 3. L'exemple illustré concerne un dispositif de réception de signaux en provenance de trois satellites, par exemple les satellites S3, 54 et S5 de la figure 2. L'homme du métier adaptera l'invention à d'autres cas de figure, tel que celui de la figure 1.An embodiment of the device according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. The example illustrated relates to a device for reception of signals from three satellites, for example satellites S3, 54 and S5 of FIG. 2. Those skilled in the art will adapt the invention in other cases, such as that of Figure 1.

Le dispositif comprend un substrat diélectrique 17 qui supporte trois antennes à fentes annulaires 3a, 3b, 3c gravées à même le substrat. Ces antennes sont excitées par des lignes à micro ruban 4a à 4f d'une manière décrite ultérieurement. Les centres des fentes sont positionnés sur le substrat de manière à ce que les distances qui les séparent soient égales aux distances qui séparent les points focaux F3, F4 et F5.The device comprises a dielectric substrate 17 which supports three antennas with annular slots 3a, 3b, 3c engraved on the same substrate. These antennas are excited by microstrip lines 4a to 4f in a manner described later. The slit centers are positioned on the substrate so that the distances between them separate are equal to the distances between the focal points F3, F4 and F5.

Un amplificateur pour fréquences radio 11 amplifie un des signaux en provenance des lignes micro-ruban. Ce signal est transmis à un mélangeur 12, recevant une des fréquences F1 ou F2 à partir d'oscillateurs appropriés. Le signal en sortie du mélangeur est amplifié par un amplificateur pour fréquences intermédiaires 13, avant d'être transmis, par exemple par câble coaxial (non illustré) à une unité intérieure (démodulateur, décodeur, récepteur TV).A radio frequency amplifier 11 amplifies one of the signals from the micro-ribbon lines. This signal is transmitted to a mixer 12, receiving one of the frequencies F1 or F2 from suitable oscillators. The signal at the mixer output is amplified by an amplifier for intermediate frequencies 13, before being transmitted, for example by coaxial cable (not shown) to a unit indoor (receiver, decoder, TV receiver).

La figure 4 illustre une coupe de la figure 3, à travers le centre de la fente annulaire 3a. Cette figure illustre une variante de réalisation dont certain éléments ne figurent pas sur la figure 3. Le côte 5 du substrat diéletrique est recouvert d'une couche métallique dans laquelle est gravée un anneau 6. En première approximation, les modes résonants de la fente se produisent à des fréquences pour lesquelles la circonférence de la fente est égale à un multiple entier de la longueur d'onde guidée.Figure 4 illustrates a section of Figure 3, through the center of the annular slot 3a. This figure illustrates an alternative embodiment certain elements of which are not shown in FIG. 3. The dimension 5 of the dielectric substrate is covered with a metallic layer in which a ring 6 is engraved. As a first approximation, the resonant modes of the cleft occur at frequencies for which the slit circumference is equal to an integer multiple of the length guided wave.

La couche métallique est reliée à la terre. Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, le substrat est orienté de façon à présenter les fentes annulaires au réflecteur.The metal layer is connected to earth. According to a mode of particular embodiment, the substrate is oriented so as to present the annular slots in the reflector.

Le côté 7 du substrat comporte les moyens d'excitation de la fente. Sur la figure 4, la ligne à micro-ruban 4b est visible. Cette ligne à micro-ruban pénètre à angle droit dans l'enceinte formée par la fente annulaire 6, d'une profondeur qui est de l'ordre du quart de la longueur d'onde guidée. La pénétration à angle droit correspond à un couplage maximal. Les dimensions des lignes micro-ruban sont optimisées de façon à présenter une large bande passante autour de la fréquence de fonctionnement. Elles présentent notamment un rétrecissement (non illustré) avant de pénetrer dans l'enceinte formée par la fente annulaire.The side 7 of the substrate comprises the means for exciting the slot. In FIG. 4, the microstrip line 4b is visible. This line at micro-tape penetrates at right angles into the enclosure formed by the slot annular 6, of a depth which is of the order of a quarter of the length guided wave. Penetration at right angles corresponds to coupling maximum. The dimensions of the micro-ribbon lines are optimized by so as to present a large bandwidth around the frequency of operation. They present in particular a narrowing (not illustrated) before entering the enclosure formed by the annular slot.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, un culot 8 est disposé sur la face 7 du substrat. La fonction de ce culot, qui n'est pas illustré sur la figure 3, est de permettre l'obtention d'un ventre d'onde au niveau de la fente annulaire. Le culot est formé par une cavité conductrice reliée au plan métallique de la face 5 par l'intermédiaire d'une ligne conductrice 9. Un orifice 10 permet à la ligne micro-ruban 4b de pénétrer à l'intérieur du culot 8 tout en étant électriquement isolé par rapport à celui-ci. La profondeur H du culot est égale à environ le quart de la longueur d'onde guidée. L'épaisseur du substrat et des plans métalliques a été exagérée sur la figure 4, de façon à mieux faire ressortir les caractéristiques décrites.According to a particular embodiment, a base 8 is arranged on the face 7 of the substrate. The function of this base, which is not illustrated in Figure 3, is to allow obtaining a wave belly at the level of the annular slot. The base is formed by a conductive cavity connected in the metallic plane of face 5 via a conductive line 9. An orifice 10 allows the microstrip line 4b to penetrate inside. of the base 8 while being electrically insulated from it. The depth H of the base is approximately a quarter of the wavelength Guided. The thickness of the substrate and the metallic planes has been exaggerated in Figure 4, so as to better highlight the characteristics described.

Selon le présent exemple de réalisation et en revenant à la figure 3, chaque fente annulaire est pourvue de deux lignes micro-ruban disposées à angle droit, permettant ainsi la réception d'ondes polarisées linéairement de façon horizontale et verticale. On dispose ainsi de six signaux, disponibles respectivement à l'extrémité de chaque ligne micro-ruban 4a à 4f. Des moyens de multiplexage (représentés de manière schématique par des interrupteurs 18 à 21 et par des pointillés indiquant les connexions possibles) permettent la sélection d'un de ces signaux pour transmission à l'amplificateur 11. Ces moyens de multiplexage sont par exemple des amplificateurs-bloqueurs dont l'état passant ou bloquant est commandé par une tension continue.According to the present exemplary embodiment and returning to the Figure 3, each annular slot is provided with two microstrip lines arranged at right angles, allowing reception of polarized waves linearly horizontally and vertically. There are thus six signals, available respectively at the end of each microstrip line 4a to 4f. Multiplexing means (shown so schematic by switches 18 to 21 and by dotted lines indicating possible connections) allow the selection of one of these signals for transmission to amplifier 11. These multiplexing means are for example amplifier-blockers whose passing or blocking state is controlled by a DC voltage.

Pour une plus grande clarté des schémas, le culot 8 ne figure pas sur la figure 3.For greater clarity of the diagrams, the base 8 is not shown not on figure 3.

Pour la réception d'ondes polarisées circulairement dans le sens trigonométrique ou dans le sens contraire, on intercale un coupleur hybride entre chaque fente annulaire et les moyens de multiplexage. Le coupleur 14 est illustré à la figure 5. Ce coupleur hybride est alimenté par l'intermédiaire des deux lignes à micro-ruban 4a et 4b. La longueur de chacun des côtés du coupleur est d'envrion le quart de la longueur d'onde de l'onde guidée.For receiving circularly polarized waves in the trigonometric or in the opposite direction, we insert a coupler hybrid between each annular slot and the multiplexing means. The coupler 14 is illustrated in FIG. 5. This hybrid coupler is powered via the two microstrip lines 4a and 4b. The length on each side of the coupler is about a quarter of the length waveform of the guided wave.

On notera que les extrémités des deux lignes micro-ruban sont recourbées à l'intérieur de l'enceinte de la fente annulaire pour éviter un couplage indésirable entre les composantes guidées.Note that the ends of the two micro-ribbon lines are curved inside the enclosure of the annular slot to avoid unwanted coupling between guided components.

Soit (o, i , j ) un repère orthonormé, o étant le centre de la fente annulaire 3a, i et j étant des vecteurs respectivement parallèles aux segments des lignes micro-ruban 4a et 4b pénétrant perpendiculairement dans l'enceinte formée par la fente.Let ( o , i , j ) an orthonormal reference, o being the center of the annular slot 3a, i and j being vectors respectively parallel to the segments of the microstrip lines 4a and 4b penetrating perpendicularly into the enclosure formed by the slot.

Un signal V=Acos(ωt) présent au port 16 engendre, au niveau des ports reliés aux lignes 4a et 4b, des signaux respectivement de la forme: Vx = A 2 cos(ωt + ϕ) Vy = A 2 cos(ωt + ϕ - π2 ) A signal V = Acos (ωt) present at port 16 generates, at the ports connected to lines 4a and 4b, signals respectively of the form: Vx = AT 2 cos (ω t + ϕ) Vy = AT 2 cos (ω t + ϕ - π 2 )

Les tensions Vx et Vy donnent naissance par couplage à la fente à des champs de la forme: E x ≡ A 2 cos(ωt + ϕ) i E y ≡ A 2 sin(ωt + ϕ) j The voltages Vx and Vy give rise by coupling to the slit to fields of the form: E x ≡ AT 2 cos (ω t + ϕ) i E there ≡ AT 2 sin (ω t + ϕ) j

Le champ total rayonné correspond à la somme de ces deux champs. On peut vérifier que le vecteur somme tourne dans le sens trigonométrique et que l'extrémité de ce vecteur décrit un cercle.The total field radiated corresponds to the sum of these two fields. We can verify that the sum vector turns in the direction trigonometric and that the end of this vector describes a circle.

Par réciprocité, une onde à polarisation circulaire gauche couplée à la fente 3a donnera naissance à une tension V=Acos(ωt) au port 16.By reciprocity, a wave with left circular polarization coupled to slot 3a will give rise to a voltage V = Acos (ωt) at port 16.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, le réflecteur utilisé en conjonction avec l'invention est un réflecteur paraboloïde destiné à améliorer la focalisation des différents faisceaux.According to a particular embodiment, the reflector used in conjunction with the invention is a paraboloid reflector intended to improve the focus of the different beams.

Enfin, suivant le type d'onde et de polarisation à recevoir, les antennes à fente peuvent avoir d'autres formes qu'annulaires.Finally, depending on the type of wave and polarization to be received, the Slot antennas can have other shapes than annular.

Claims (9)

  1. Device for receiving signals transmitted by N (N>1) satellites (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) comprising means (1, 2) for focusing the beams corresponding to the said signals, and several independent source antennas, characterized in that the said source antennas are printed antennas (3a, 3b, 3c) made on a single substrate (17), the arrangement of the said antennas (3a, 3b, 3c) on the said substrate (17) being determined by the location of the points of focusing (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5) of the said beams.
  2. Device according to Claim 1 characterized in that the focusing means comprise an electromagnetic lens (2).
  3. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the means for focusing the beams comprise a parabolic reflector (1).
  4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that a first source antenna is placed at the focal point (F1) of the said reflector, the other antennas being placed on one side or on the other with respect to the said first antenna.
  5. Device according to one of the preceeding claims, characterized in that the antennas are slot antennas (3a, 3b,3c).
  6. Device according to one of the preceeding claims, characterized in that the antennas are annular slot antennas (3a, 3b, 3c).
  7. Device according to one of the preceeding claims, characterized in that the device comprises multiplexing means (18, 19, 20, 21) which multiplex the signals received by the antennas (3a, 3b, 3c) towards a frequency converter (11,12, 13, f1, f2).
  8. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the said frequency converter (11, 12, 13, f1, f2) is made on the same substrate (17) as the antennas (3a, 3b, 3c).
  9. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the said device comprises at least one frequency converter (11, 12, 13, f1, f2) made on the same substrate (17) as the said antennas (3a, 3b, 3c).
EP95402265A 1994-10-10 1995-10-09 Antenna system with multiple feeders integrated in a low noise converter (LNC) Expired - Lifetime EP0707357B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9412082A FR2725561B1 (en) 1994-10-10 1994-10-10 INTEGRATED MULTIPLE SOURCE ANTENNA SYSTEM WITH LOW NOISE FREQUENCY CONVERTER
FR9412082 1994-10-10

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EP0707357B1 true EP0707357B1 (en) 2003-01-02

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JP (1) JPH08242119A (en)
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FR (1) FR2725561B1 (en)

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EP0707357A1 (en) 1996-04-17
DE69529261T2 (en) 2003-09-04
FR2725561A1 (en) 1996-04-12
FR2725561B1 (en) 1996-11-08
JPH08242119A (en) 1996-09-17
DE69529261D1 (en) 2003-02-06
CN1127943A (en) 1996-07-31
US6798386B1 (en) 2004-09-28

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