EP1006608B1 - Multi-layered antenna arrangement - Google Patents

Multi-layered antenna arrangement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1006608B1
EP1006608B1 EP99123247A EP99123247A EP1006608B1 EP 1006608 B1 EP1006608 B1 EP 1006608B1 EP 99123247 A EP99123247 A EP 99123247A EP 99123247 A EP99123247 A EP 99123247A EP 1006608 B1 EP1006608 B1 EP 1006608B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
layer
antenna arrangement
insulating
arrangement according
patch
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99123247A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1006608A2 (en
EP1006608A3 (en
Inventor
Leila Bekraoui
Thomas Eibeck
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Technisat Digital GmbH
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Technisat Digital GmbH
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Publication of EP1006608A2 publication Critical patent/EP1006608A2/en
Publication of EP1006608A3 publication Critical patent/EP1006608A3/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
    • H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
    • H01Q9/0407—Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna
    • H01Q9/0428—Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna radiating a circular polarised wave
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/0087—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing antenna arrays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
    • H01Q21/061—Two dimensional planar arrays
    • H01Q21/065—Patch antenna array

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a multilayer antenna arrangement with at least one in a first conductive Layer-formed patch element, which in at least one another conductive layer, an excitation element with a Feed line is assigned, the feed line to Aligned patch element and electromagnetically coupled with it is.
  • a multi-layer antenna arrangement of the aforementioned Art is, for example, on an Internet page of the institute for ultra-high frequency technology and electronics at the university Düsseldorf (www-ihe.etec.uni-karlsruhe.de/utz/wwwadm/mikroststMail antennen.html) from November 4, 1998.
  • Patch antenna arrays are used, for example Reception of satellite broadcast signals used.
  • the satellite broadcast signals are used by geostationary broadcasting satellites radiated in the frequency range from 10.7 to 12.75 GHz.
  • the radiated signals of neighboring channels are different polarized, preferably vertical and horizontal.
  • planar antennas have a plurality of Patch antenna elements arranged in a matrix.
  • a conductive layer facing the satellite are in a rectangular matrix a plurality of preferably Equidistantly arranged patch structures are formed.
  • the Patch structures can be circular or rectangular.
  • the patch structures are used for the publication mentioned at the beginning rectangular, with the outer edges of the rectangular Patch elements to the polarization directions vertical and horizontally polarized satellite broadcast signals are.
  • Excitation systems for decoupling the received signals arranged.
  • the excitation systems have feed lines, which, for example, are designed as strip lines and Reception of the mutually orthogonally polarized satellite broadcast signals arranged at right angles to each other and closed of the patch structure.
  • EP 0 342 175 A2 describes a dual-polarized antenna, those made from printed circuit boards Radiation elements and food levels exist. supply lines are capacitively coupled with radiation elements.
  • the multilayer antenna arrangement includes a rear all-over ground plane, a first arranged above it Feeder level, a first level of Radiating elements, a second one arranged above Feeder level and a second one located at the top Level of radiation elements. It becomes a structure described in the multiple levels of radiation elements are stacked one on top of the other, with a corresponding number is arranged between feeder levels. It will lattice-shaped structures created in radiation elements, which are transparent to a plane of polarization, while it as a continuous conductive level for the other Polarization work. With the structures described there will have a higher gain and a higher level of isolation between the two orthogonal polarizations.
  • US 5,241,321 A describes a microwave antenna arrangement for processing circularly polarized signals.
  • the Antenna comprises several levels stacked on top of each other.
  • conductive radiation patch elements On a first planar dielectric layer are located conductive radiation patch elements. With the patch elements are adjustment elements (spur lines) for converting linear polarized signals into circularly polarized signals attached.
  • patch elements On the other side of the dielectric layer there is a conductive ground plane with two orthogonal mutually extending apertures, one form a cross-shaped slot. Spaced behind the ground plane the feeder line levels are arranged.
  • the Indian The described antenna structure allows the simultaneous treatment of two signals with different Frequencies.
  • the invention has for its object the mutual Decoupling of the orthogonally polarized received signals receiving excitation systems at simple To improve manufacturability.
  • the invention Antenna arrangement has several in a first conductive layer formed from patch elements rectangular shape with in a first or an orthogonal, second direction extending outer boundaries on those in a second and a third conductive Layer first and second excitation elements are assigned.
  • the first excitation elements each point in the first Direction oriented first feed lines and the second Excitation elements oriented in the second direction Feed lines on.
  • Each feed line is associated with it Patch element aligned and with it electromagnetic coupled.
  • the multilayer antenna arrangement can, for example flat (planar antenna) or as a cylindrical multilayer Arrangement can be formed.
  • the conductive layers are preferably copper, aluminum or gold metal layers.
  • the substructure is an essential feature of the patch elements.
  • the first conductive layer is in the patch elements formed such that they have a plurality from along the first direction and along the second Directionally arranged recesses.
  • the conductive layer is completely removed from the recesses.
  • Recesses Arranged in rows and columns in a matrix Recesses can be circular or rectangular, for example his. These recesses form along the Row and orthogonal column direction preferred Current flow directions. The flow of electricity along the lines and splitting is preferred because of filtering takes place.
  • the matrix of the recesses is arranged that the preferred current flow directions to those Current flows are aligned with the excitation the mutually orthogonal satellite reception signals flow should.
  • the first and the second feed line are each associated with a center line rectangular patch element.
  • Behind the second and before the third conductive layer is a fifth conductive layer arranged in association with each of the at least one patch elements essentially one congruent behind the first feed line and before the second Has feed line arranged cross slot opening.
  • congruent arrangement means that the Phillips openings are in the direction of the normal of the Patch element level exactly in the middle of the patch structure behind or in front of the associated first or second feed line are arranged.
  • the structuring of the patch elements in combination with the layer arrangement and the cross-slot opening improves cross polarization decoupling; it becomes a direction of excitation (in the direction of a patch outer edge) flowing currents preferred, during orthogonal currents (the other polarization direction) and transverse currents (those from neighboring antenna elements originate) are filtered.
  • a preferred embodiment of the multi-layer antenna arrangement is characterized in that at least has a patch element N * M recesses, each N recesses in the first direction and M recesses each arranged one behind the other in the second direction are.
  • the N * M recesses form a rectangular matrix within the patch structure. They can each be outside arranged recesses in the boundary area of the patch be arranged so that the outer boundary is meandering Maintains structure.
  • the patch structure consists of the first functionally or second direction extending metal webs or strip lines. During the current flow along these strip lines is relieved, any current flow is across the strip lines, in particular a diagonal current flow, difficult.
  • the length of the side edges of the rectangular patch element is ⁇ g / 2, where ⁇ g is the guided wavelength, which depends on the permittivity of the substrate.
  • the patch element is generally not of a square shape, since ⁇ g is different for the two polarization directions.
  • the different side lengths of the patch element are based, among other things, on the different distance between the second and third conductive layers from the patch structure and the different thickness and type of dielectrics present between the conductive layers.
  • the recesses arranged in a matrix can, for example be circular.
  • the recesses are essentially rectangular, the bounding edges of which are in the first or second direction.
  • Another preferred embodiment of the multilayer Antenna arrangement is characterized in that the N recesses in the first direction and the M recesses in in the second direction one after the other at equal intervals are arranged to each other.
  • the latter two On the one hand, embodiments allow a simple one Manufacture, on the other hand, they cause a good and over the patch evenly suppression diagonally flowing Streams. With an excitation in one of the two directions also finds a suppression of the currents in the other orthogonal direction and of transverse currents instead.
  • the at least one patch element has a grid-like one Structure by a first number of in the first Direction of parallel first strip conductors and a second number of parallel in the second direction extending and connected to the first strip conductors second strip conductors is formed.
  • the first conductive layer actually exists from two superimposed conductive sub-layers, with strip conductors in one conductive sublayer in the first direction and in the other conductive sublayer strip line in the second direction are trained.
  • the first strip conductors are preferably with the second strip conductors on the whole Surface of mutual overlap electrically connected.
  • the first and second strip lines are each from same width and length and at the same distance from each other arranged.
  • the uniform structure of the intersecting Stripline facilitates production and ensures an even distribution of current density.
  • the lengths of the first and second striplines are on the guided wavelength tuned for the radio signals to be received.
  • first and second strip conductors there are four each to eight, preferably six, first and second strip conductors intended. In the practical antenna arrangements turned out to be six each Strip lines in the first and in the second direction as advantageous.
  • a preferred embodiment is characterized in that that the width of the stripline is greater than the distance the stripline is, preferably 5 to 12 times, in particular is 10 times the distance.
  • the so formed recesses occupy only a small part the entire metal surface of the patch element, so that they the Current flow in the first and in the second direction only minimal hinder.
  • the number of apprentices in the first and second direction Stripline and their distance depend on both on the frequency range, the constructive design of the excitation systems and their distance from the patch element as well of the dielectric materials and metals used from.
  • the design of the patch arrangement is such that the first conductive layer on one facing the ground plate Back of a first insulating plate applied Metal layer is the second conductive layer an on an upper side facing away from the ground plate second insulating plate applied metal layer, and that the metal layers of the first and the second insulating Plate separated by a first insulating layer and are spaced.
  • the insulating plates are for example made of plastic (a polyethylene, polyester, Polycarbonate, PVC), which can be ceramic-filled, whereupon the metal layer (e.g. copper, aluminum, Gold) evaporated, sputtered and / or galvanically deposited is.
  • the first insulating layer separates and spaces the patch elements from the first excitation system. you Distance affects the bandwidth of the receiving system.
  • the first isolating Layer a foam layer with a relative dielectric constant less than 1.2, the thickness of which is greater than the thickness of the first and second insulating plates is. The relatively thick insulating layer increases the bandwidth.
  • the third is conductive Layer one on a back side facing the ground plate a third insulating plate applied metal layer and are the metal layer of the third insulating plate and the ground plate through a second insulating layer Cut.
  • the second insulating layer is also preferred here a foam layer with a relative dielectric constant less than 1.2, the thickness of which is greater than the thickness of the third insulating plate.
  • the first, second and third insulating plates can be of the same Be kind, just like the first and the second isolating Layer can be formed the same. This simplifies it the manufacture of the antenna arrangement.
  • An advantageous development of insulating Plates and insulating layers built antenna array is characterized in that behind the metal layer the second insulating plate and in front of the metal layer the third insulating plate one on one of the Earth plate facing back of the second and / or on a top of the third insulating facing away from the ground plate Plate applied metal layer is arranged which in association with each of the at least one patch elements one essentially congruent behind the first feed line arranged first slot-like opening and one essentially congruent before the second feed line arranged second slot-like opening.
  • This additional Metal layer which is connected to a ground potential is, as already explained above, increases the cross-polarization decoupling and thus reduces the unwanted mutual influence of the two polarization directions associated systems.
  • this multilayer antenna arrangement designed so that isolating between the second and third Plate arranged metal layer the second and the third insulating plate connects together.
  • An advantageous embodiment of the isolating from several This is due to the built-up patch arrangement characterized in that with one or more metal layers provided insulating plates made of a circuit board base material with a metal lamination.
  • the use of standard materials from the electronics device industry ensures simple and economical production the antenna arrangement.
  • this embodiment is on the structured metal lamination of the PCB base material is an insulating one Protective layer applied.
  • the metal structures are between the insulating base material and the protective layer enveloped and thus against various environmental influences (e.g. humidity) protected.
  • a preferred flat embodiment of the multilayer Antenna arrangement for example for producing a planar satellite receiving antenna can be used is characterized in that the one or more Metal layers provided insulating plates and the insulating Layers (e.g. thick layers of foam) mechanically by means of insulating, through holes in the plates or Layers of bolts passed through firmly connected are. This arrangement allows easy assembly the antenna.
  • the one or more Metal layers provided insulating plates and the insulating Layers (e.g. thick layers of foam) mechanically by means of insulating, through holes in the plates or Layers of bolts passed through firmly connected are. This arrangement allows easy assembly the antenna.
  • the multilayer antenna arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of several conductive and insulating Layers, the vast majority of which are conductive Layers by structuring one on an insulating one Plate made of metal lamination is.
  • FIG. 1 shows a view in which the tops of the Layers are shown;
  • Figure 2 shows the associated Under Views.
  • the multilayer antenna arrangement 10 has a first insulating plate 11 on the underside there is a matrix-like arrangement of rectangular patch elements 12 is located.
  • the rectangular patch elements 12 are one of a kind thanks to a conventional structuring technique metal layer applied to the insulating plate 11 manufactured.
  • the one on the Underside of the plate 11 structured metal lamination can also be protected by another protective plastic layer be covered.
  • the in Figures 1 and 2 as Patch elements 12 shown in small rectangles have a Substructure, which is explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3 becomes.
  • the antenna arrangement 10 has a second insulating one Plate 13 on the top (see Fig. 1) a first Excitation system 14 is applied, which by structuring a metal layer applied to the plate 13 is made.
  • the first excitation system 14 comprises excitation elements with first feed lines 15, each a feed line 15 is assigned to a patch element 12. The first feed lines 15 are thus to the patch elements 12 is oriented to signals of a first polarization direction are adjusted.
  • the antenna arrangement 10 also has a third insulating one Plate 16 on the underside (see Fig. 2) a second excitation system 17 is formed in a similar manner is how the excitation system 14 on top of the insulating plate 13.
  • the second excitation system 17 includes second excitation elements with feed lines 18, wherein one feed line 18 is assigned to each patch element 12 is.
  • the excitation elements 18 of the second excitation system 17 are oriented so that they are based on signals of a polarization direction are adapted to the direction of polarization of the first excitation system 14 is orthogonal.
  • the orientation of the feed lines in relation to the Patch elements are explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4 described.
  • the orientations of the excitation systems of the isolating Plates 13 and 16 are interchanged can.
  • the structured metal layers can also be applied the insulating plates 11, 13 and 16 also on the respective opposite surface to be applied.
  • Finally in preferred embodiments are those on the surface of the insulating plates 13 and 16 applied structured Metallic layers by another insulating and protective plastic layer covered. Is too it is possible to connect only one feed line to each patch element 12, either in the excitation system 14 or in the excitation system 17, assign, with adjacent patch elements alternating assigned first feed lines 15 and second feed lines 18 become.
  • the excitation systems 14 and 17 contain in addition to the feed lines 15 and 18 supply systems, all Excitation elements with an output connection of the antenna arrangement Pair 10.
  • All Excitation elements with an output connection of the antenna arrangement Pair 10.
  • the antenna arrangement 10 also has a conductive Ground plate 19, which on the one hand has a rear shielding function fulfilled, on the other hand falling from above Signals reflected.
  • the metal plate 19 is either as solid metal plate or as a metallization layer on one insulating plate. In alternative embodiments the metal plate can also have a fine lattice structure have, the grid spacing well below the wavelength.
  • the second and third insulating plate including the metallization levels of the first excitation system 14, the layer 20 and the second Excitation system 17 can form a multilayer plate, for example from a three-layer circuit board base material is made.
  • the metallization layer 20 has 12 cross slots in association with each patch element 21 on.
  • the cross slots 21 each consist of a a first direction trained slot that is just behind a first feed line 15 is arranged and one slot formed in a second direction, the congruent is arranged in front of a feed line 18.
  • the length of the Slits depend on the resonance frequency and the dimensioning from the feed lines; the width of the cross slots 21 is on the strip conductors of the feed lines 15 and 18 coordinated, taking into account the dimensioning of the cross slots the distances of the metallization levels from one another and the Properties of the dielectric materials are incorporated.
  • the ground metallization level arranged between the excitation systems 14 and 17 20 minimizes any electromagnetic Coupling outside the feed lines 15 and 18. Due the mutually orthogonal directions of the two Cross-slit-forming slots and their congruent assignment cross-polarization decoupling becomes the excitation systems elevated.
  • an alternative or additional shielding metal layer with slots arranged between the patch elements and the excitation systems his.
  • An insulating layer 22 is arranged between the first insulating plate 11 and the second insulating plate 13.
  • the insulating layer is relatively thick in comparison to the insulating plates 11, 13 and 16 and consists of a material with a relative dielectric constant ⁇ r of less than 1.2. Such a material is, for example, a foamed plastic with a 5-fold or a higher foaming rate.
  • the insulating layer 22 not only serves for electrical insulation between the patch elements 12 and the excitation system 14, it also creates a spacing between the patch elements and the excitation systems that lead to an increase in bandwidth.
  • a similar insulating layer 23 is arranged between the insulating plate 16 carrying the second excitation system 17 and the ground plate 19. Layer 23 preferably consists of the same material as layer 22. The layer thickness of layer 23 also influences the bandwidth and the cross-polarization decoupling.
  • the antenna assembly 10 is constructed by the ground plate 19, the insulating layer 23, the insulating Plates 16 and 13, the insulating layer 22 and the insulating Plate 11 stacked on top of each other and with the help of Screws or bolts are firmly connected.
  • the Screws or bolts are passed through holes, which are preferably in the edge area or outside the excitation systems 20 and 21 are introduced.
  • the so made Layer structure can be built into a weather protection housing to equip the antenna for outdoor use.
  • the received signals are decoupled for each Excitation system separated by means of electromagnetic Coupling via a centrally on the back of the antenna layer structure applied and electrical to the ground plate 19 connected waveguide to a down converter.
  • the converted useful signals are then via coaxial cables forwarded to the corresponding receiving system.
  • the layers shown in Figures 1 and 2 just alternative embodiments, it is possible Form layers as curved surfaces.
  • the layers can each have a cylindrical structure exhibit.
  • the mutual overlap of the patch elements, however, the feed lines and the cross slots must be guaranteed stay, i.e. the radius of curvature of the curved Area is much larger than the total thickness of the Layer structure.
  • FIG. 3 shows the substructure of the invention Patch element.
  • the patch element 12 essentially has one rectangular contour. Parallel to the outer edges 24A, 24B, 25A and 25B are rectangular recesses 26 in the form of a matrix arranged in rows and columns. Further exceptions 27 are arranged on the peripheral edge of the patch element 12, that a meandering outer contour is created. Different considered, the remaining metal layer of the Patch elements 12 made of several extending in a first direction Strip lines 28 and more in one first direction orthogonal second direction second strip lines 29 are formed.
  • the patch element 12 of six to each other strip lines 28 and 29 running at right angles educated The six strip lines 28 are the same Width, the width b1; the six transverse to it Strip lines 29 have the width b2.
  • the distance a1 between the strip lines 28 corresponds to the width of the Recesses 26 in the second direction; the distance a2 between the strip lines 29 corresponds to the width of the Recesses 26 in the first direction.
  • the respective outer Strip lines 28 are opposite the outer edges 25A and 25B indented the rectangular contour of the patch element 12, as well as the strip lines 29 located on the outside are indented in relation to the outer contour 24A and 24B. Thereby recesses 27 are formed along the outer contour.
  • the lattice-shaped structure shown in Figure 3 can in a metallization level, for example by etching out the recesses 26 and 27 may be formed.
  • this structure by means of two superimposed and successively produced metal layers are produced, the striplines in the first metal layer 28 and the strip lines 29 in the second metal layer are trained. In the latter case, the strip lines are 28 and 29 on the surface of their mutual overlap electrically connected to each other.
  • the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3 has six strip lines 28 and 29, respectively. Such a number has been in the frequency range from 10.7 to 12.75 GHz in the constructive shown in Figures 1 and 2 Design proved to be advantageous.
  • the number, The spacing and width of the strip lines 28 and 29 depend of the frequency range and of the layer structure, in particular from the mutual distance of the individual shown in Figure 1 Layers and the dielectric constant of the Layers, ab. In alternative embodiments more or fewer strip lines can also be used.
  • An embodiment of the patch element 12 is also conceivable of the recesses 26 and 27 circular boundaries exhibit. A non-equidistant arrangement of the Recesses can be selected.
  • FIG. 4 shows the assignment of the feed lines 15 and 18 to the patch elements 12.
  • Both the feed lines 18 as well as the feed lines 15 run among the associated Patch elements 12 in the middle, so that the feed lines 18 emerge from the patch element 12 at a point V, where V is the center of one side edge of the rectangular Patch elements 12 is.
  • the arrangement shown in patch elements couple the two Excitation systems 17 and 14 mutually orthogonally linearly polarized Signal components.
  • Figure 5 shows the current distribution in a rectangular Patch element 12 that results when the patch element 12 applied with a linearly polarized signal whose direction of polarization is parallel to the direction of lateral boundaries 25A and 25B.

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Abstract

The arrangement has at least one patch element (12) in a first conductive coating with associated first and second stimulation elements in second and third conductive coatings. The stimulation elements contain mutually orthogonal supply lines (15), each aligned towards its associated patch element and electromagnetically coupled to it. The first conductive coating has a matrix of apertures at least in the first patch element and aligned with the supply line directions.

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine mehrlagige Antennenanordnung mit wenigstens einem in einer ersten leitfähigen Schicht ausgebildeten Patch-Element, dem in wenigstens einer weiteren leitfähigen Schicht ein Anregungselement mit einer Speiseleitung zugeordnet ist, wobei die Speiseleitung zum Patch-Element ausgerichtet und mit ihm elektromagnetisch gekoppelt ist.The invention relates to a multilayer antenna arrangement with at least one in a first conductive Layer-formed patch element, which in at least one another conductive layer, an excitation element with a Feed line is assigned, the feed line to Aligned patch element and electromagnetically coupled with it is.

Eine mehrlagige Antennenanordnung der eingangs genannten Art ist beispielsweise auf einer Internet-Page des Instituts für Höchstfrequenztechnik und Elektronik der Universität Karlsruhe (www-ihe.etec.uni-karlsruhe.de/forschung/wwwadm/mikrostreifen antennen.html) vom 4. November 1998 beschrieben. Patch-Antennenanordnungen werden beispielsweise zum Empfang von Satellitenrundfunksignalen verwendet. Die Satellitenrundfunksignale werden von geostationären Rundfunksatelliten im Frequenzbereich von 10,7 bis 12,75 GHz abgestrahlt. Um die gegenseitige Beeinflussung zu verringern, sind die abgestrahlten Signale benachbarter Kanäle unterschiedlich polarisiert, vorzugsweise vertikal und horizontal.A multi-layer antenna arrangement of the aforementioned Art is, for example, on an Internet page of the institute for ultra-high frequency technology and electronics at the university Karlsruhe (www-ihe.etec.uni-karlsruhe.de/forschung/wwwadm/mikroststreifen antennen.html) from November 4, 1998. Patch antenna arrays are used, for example Reception of satellite broadcast signals used. The satellite broadcast signals are used by geostationary broadcasting satellites radiated in the frequency range from 10.7 to 12.75 GHz. In order to reduce the mutual influence, the radiated signals of neighboring channels are different polarized, preferably vertical and horizontal.

Es wird seit einiger Zeit vorgeschlagen, Parabolempfangsantennen durch kleinere planare Antennen zu ersetzen. Solche Planarantennen weisen beispielsweise eine Mehrzahl von matrixartig angeordneten Patch-Antennenelementen auf. In einer dem Satelliten zugewandten leitfähigen Schicht sind in einer rechteckigen Matrix eine Mehrzahl von vorzugsweise äquidistant angeordneten Patch-Strukturen ausgebildet. Die Patch-Strukturen können kreisförmig oder rechteckig sein. Bei der eingangs genannten Veröffentlichung sind die Patch-Strukturen rechteckig, wobei die Außenkanten des rechteckigen Patch-Elements zu den Polarisationsrichtungen vertikal und horizontal polarisierter Satellitenrundfunksignale ausgerichtet sind.Parabolic receiving antennas have been proposed for some time to be replaced by smaller planar antennas. Such For example, planar antennas have a plurality of Patch antenna elements arranged in a matrix. In a conductive layer facing the satellite are in a rectangular matrix a plurality of preferably Equidistantly arranged patch structures are formed. The Patch structures can be circular or rectangular. The patch structures are used for the publication mentioned at the beginning rectangular, with the outer edges of the rectangular Patch elements to the polarization directions vertical and horizontally polarized satellite broadcast signals are.

Wenn die rechteckigen Patch-Elemente mit den Satellitenrundfunksignalen bestrahlt werden, so kommt es zu einem Stromfluß, dessen Hauptkomponenten in Abhängigkeit von der Polarisationsrichtung parallel zu den Außenkanten eines rechteckigen Patches fließen.If the rectangular patch elements with the satellite broadcast signals are irradiated, so there is a Current flow, the main components of which depend on the Direction of polarization parallel to the outer edges of a flow rectangular patches.

In einer aus Richtung des Satelliten hinter den Patch-Strukturen angeordneten weiteren leitfähigen Schicht sind Anregungssysteme zum Auskoppeln der empfangenen Signale angeordnet. Die Anregungssysteme weisen Speiseleitungen auf, die beispielsweise als Streifenleitungen ausgebildet und zum Empfang der zueinander orthogonal polarisierten Satellitenrundfunksignale rechtwinklig zueinander angeordnet und zu der Patch-Struktur ausgerichtet sind.In one from the direction of the satellite behind the patch structures arranged further conductive layer Excitation systems for decoupling the received signals arranged. The excitation systems have feed lines, which, for example, are designed as strip lines and Reception of the mutually orthogonally polarized satellite broadcast signals arranged at right angles to each other and closed of the patch structure.

Die der Mehrzahl von Patch-Elementen einer Planarantenne jeweils zugeordneten Speiseleitungen der Anregungssysteme sind untereinander durch ein Streifenleitungsnetzwerk gekoppelt, welches wiederum mit einer Einrichtung zur Auskopplung des empfangenen Nutzsignals verbunden ist. Aus der US-Patentschrift 4,263,598 ist es bekannt, zwei Anregungssysteme in zwei unterschiedlichen leitfähigen Ebenen vorzusehen, wobei das eine Anregungssystem eine durch ein erstes Netzwerk gekoppelte Mehrzahl von in einer ersten Richtung ausgerichteten Speiseleitungen und das andere Anregungssystem eine durch ein zweites Netzwerk gekoppelte zweite Mehrzahl von in einer zur ersten Richtung orthogonalen zweiten Richtung ausgerichteten Speiseleitungen aufweist.The majority of patch elements of a planar antenna respectively assigned feed lines of the excitation systems are interconnected by a stripline network, which in turn with a device for decoupling of the received useful signal is connected. From the U.S. patent 4,263,598 it is known to have two excitation systems to be provided in two different conductive levels, whereby the one excitation system one through a first network coupled plurality of aligned in a first direction Feed lines and the other excitation system one second plurality of in coupled by a second network a second direction orthogonal to the first direction Has feed lines.

Aus der eingangs genannten Internet-Veröffentlichung ist es ferner bekannt, zwischen den Patch-Strukturen und den Anregungssystemen eine durchgängige Metallisierungsschicht anzuordnen, die in Zuordnung zu den Speiseleitungen zu diesen kongruente Schlitze aufweist. Die Schlitze sind jeweils in Zuordnung zu den orthogonalen Speiseleitungen rechtwinklig zueinander angeordnet. Diese Metallisierungsschicht dient der Vermeidung störender elektromagnetischer Kopplungen des Zuleitungsnetzwerkes, d.h. der Abschirmung dieses Netzwerkes. From the Internet publication mentioned above it is also known between the patch structures and the excitation systems to arrange a continuous metallization layer, those in association with the feed lines to these has congruent slots. The slots are in Assignment to the orthogonal feed lines at right angles arranged to each other. This metallization layer serves the avoidance of disturbing electromagnetic coupling of the Supply network, i.e. shielding this network.

L. Habib, G. Kossiavas und A. Papiernik schlagen in "Cross-Shaped Patch With Etched Bars For Dual Polarisation" in Electronics Letters, Band 29, Nummer 10, 13. Mai 1993, ein kreuzförmiges Strahlungselement vor, daß aus sich kreuzenden Gittern von Streifenleitungen besteht. Hinter diesem in einer obersten leitfähigen Ebene ausgebildeten kreuzförmigen Patch befindet sich eine Masseebene mit am Rand des Patchs quer zu den jeweiligen Streifenleitungsgittern angeordneten Schlitzen und eine darunter angeordnete Ebene mit Speise-Streifenleitungen.L. Habib, G. Kossiavas and A. Papiernik strike in "Cross-Shaped Patch With Etched Bars For Dual Polarization" in Electronics Letters, Volume 29, Number 10, May 13, 1993 cruciform radiation element before that from intersecting There are grid lines. Behind this in one top conductive level trained cruciform patch there is a ground plane across the edge of the patch slots arranged in the respective stripline grids and a level below with feed strip lines.

EP 0 342 175 A2 beschreibt eine dual-polarisierte Antenne, die aus auf gedruckten Schaltungsplatinen hergestellten Strahlungselementen und Speiseebenen besteht. Speiseleitungen sind kapazitiv mit Strahlungselementen gekoppelt. Die mehrschichtige Antennenanordnung umfaßt eine rückseitige ganzflächige Masseebene, eine darüber angeordnete erste Speiseleitungsebene, eine darüber angeordnete erste Ebene von Strahlungselementen, eine darüber angeordnete zweite Speiseleitungsebene und eine zuoberst angeordnete zweite Ebene von Strahlungselementen. Es wird somit eine Struktur beschrieben, in der mehrere Ebenen von Strahlungselementen übereinander gestapelt sind, wobei eine entsprechende Anzahl von Speiseleitungsebenen dazwischen angeordnet ist. Es werden gitterförmige Strukturen in Strahlungselementen geschaffen, welche für eine Polarisationsebene transparent sind, während sie als durchgehende leitfähige Ebene für die andere Polarisation wirken. Mit den dort beschriebenen Strukturen wird eine höhere Verstärkung und ein höheres Maß der Isolation zwischen den beiden orthogonalen Polarisationen erzielt.EP 0 342 175 A2 describes a dual-polarized antenna, those made from printed circuit boards Radiation elements and food levels exist. supply lines are capacitively coupled with radiation elements. The multilayer antenna arrangement includes a rear all-over ground plane, a first arranged above it Feeder level, a first level of Radiating elements, a second one arranged above Feeder level and a second one located at the top Level of radiation elements. It becomes a structure described in the multiple levels of radiation elements are stacked one on top of the other, with a corresponding number is arranged between feeder levels. It will lattice-shaped structures created in radiation elements, which are transparent to a plane of polarization, while it as a continuous conductive level for the other Polarization work. With the structures described there will have a higher gain and a higher level of isolation between the two orthogonal polarizations.

US 5,241,321 A beschreibt eine Mikrowellenantennenanordnung zur Verarbeitung zirkular polarisierter Signale. Die Antenne umfaßt mehrere übereinander gestapelte Ebenen. Auf einer ersten planaren dielektrischen Schicht befinden sich leitfähige Strahlungs-Patch-Elemente. Mit den Patch-Elementen sind Abgleichelemente (Stichleitungen) zum Umsetzen linear polarisierter Signale in zirkular polarisierte Signale befestigt. Auf der anderen Seite der dielektrischen Schicht befindet sich eine leitfähige Masseebene mit zwei sich orthogonal zueinander erstreckenden Aperturen, die einen kreuzförmigen Schlitz bilden. Beabstandet hinter der Masseebene sind die Speiseleitungsebenen angeordnet. Der in der Druckschrift beschriebene Antennenaufbau gestattet die gleichzeitige Behandlung von zwei Signalen mit verschiedenen Frequenzen.US 5,241,321 A describes a microwave antenna arrangement for processing circularly polarized signals. The Antenna comprises several levels stacked on top of each other. On a first planar dielectric layer are located conductive radiation patch elements. With the patch elements are adjustment elements (spur lines) for converting linear polarized signals into circularly polarized signals attached. On the other side of the dielectric layer there is a conductive ground plane with two orthogonal mutually extending apertures, one form a cross-shaped slot. Spaced behind the ground plane the feeder line levels are arranged. The Indian The described antenna structure allows the simultaneous treatment of two signals with different Frequencies.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, die gegenseitige Entkopplung der zueinander orthogonal polarisierte Empfangssignale empfangenden Anregungssysteme bei einfacher Herstellbarkeit zu verbessern.The invention has for its object the mutual Decoupling of the orthogonally polarized received signals receiving excitation systems at simple To improve manufacturability.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch eine mehrlagige Antennenanordnung mit den Merkmalen des Patentanspruchs 1 gelöst. Die erfindungsgemäße Antennenanordnung weist mehrere in einer ersten leitfähigen Schicht ausgebildete Patch-Elemente von rechteckiger Form mit in einer ersten bzw. einer dazu orthogonalen, zweiten Richtung verlaufenden äußeren Begrenzungen auf, denen in einer zweiten und in einer dritten leitfähigen Schicht erste bzw. zweite Anregungselemente zugeordnet sind. Die ersten Anregungselemente weisen jeweils in der ersten Richtung orientierte erste Speiseleitungen und die zweiten Anregungselemente in der zweiten Richtung orientierte zweite Speiseleitungen auf. Jede Speiseleitung ist zum zugehörigen Patch-Element ausgerichtet und mit ihm elektromagnetisch gekoppelt. Die mehrlagige Antennenanordnung kann beispielsweise eben (Planarantenne) oder auch als zylindrische mehrlagige Anordnung ausgebildet sein. Die leitfähigen Schichten sind vorzugsweise Kupfer-, Aluminium- oder Gold-Metallschichten. Ein wesentliches Merkmal stellt die Substruktur der Patch-Elemente dar. Die erste leitfähige Schicht ist in den Patch-Elementen derart ausgebildet, daß sie eine Mehrzahl von entlang der ersten Richtung und entlang der zweiten Richtung matrixartig angeordneten Ausnehmungen aufweist. In den Ausnehmungen ist die leitfähige Schicht vollständig entfernt. Die matrixartig in Zeilen und Spalten angeordneten Ausnehmungen können beispielsweise kreisförmig oder rechteckig sein. Durch diese Ausnehmungen bilden sich entlang der Zeilen- und dazu orthogonalen Spaltenrichtung bevorzugte Stromflußrichtungen aus. Der Stromfluß entlang der Zeilen und Spalten ist deshalb bevorzugt, weil eine Filterung stattfindet. Die Matrix der Ausnehmungen ist dabei so angeordnet, daß die bevorzugten Stromflußrichtungen zu denjenigen Stromflüssen ausgerichtet sind, die bei der Anregung mit den zueinander orthogonalen Satellitenempfangssignalen fließen sollen. Ferner sind die erste, die zweite und die dritte leitfähige Schicht vor einer vierten unstrukturierten leitfähigen Schicht angeordnet, wobei die vierte leitfähige Schicht eine Masseplatte bildet, und wobei die zweite und die dritte leitfähige Schicht hinter der ersten leitfähigen Schicht angeordnet sind. Die erste und die zweite Speiseleitung sind jeweils zu einer Mittellinie eines zugehörigen rechteckigen Patch-Elements ausgerichtet. Hinter der zweiten und vor der dritten leitfähigen Schicht ist eine fünfte leitfähige Schicht angeordnet, welche in Zuordnung zu jedem der wenigstens einen Patch-Elemente eine im wesentlichen kongruent hinter der ersten Speiseleitung und vor der zweiten Speiseleitung angeordnete Kreuzschlitzöffnung aufweist. Kongruente Anordnung bedeutet in diesem Falle, daß die Kreuzschlitzöffnungen sich in Richtung der Normalen der Patch-Elementebene in der Mitte der Patch-Struktur genau hinter bzw. vor der zugehörigen ersten bzw. zweiten Speiseleitung angeordnet sind. Die mit schlitzartigen Öffnungen versehene, zwischen dem Anregungssystem der zweiten leitfähigen Schicht und dem Anregungssystem der dritten leitfähigen Schicht angeordnete Metallschicht, welche auf Massepotential gelegt ist, minimiert die elektromagnetische Kopplung außerhalb der den Patch-Elementen zugeordneten Speiseleitungen sowohl zwischen den beiden Anregungssystemen als auch durch die einfallenden Funksignale. Die Strukturierung der Patch-Elemente in Kombination mit der Schichtanordnung und der Kreuzschlitzöffnung verbessert die Kreuspolarisationsentkopplung; es werden die zu einer Anregungsrichtung (in der Richtung einer Patch-Außenkante) fließenden Stöme bevorzugt, während orthogonale Ströme (der anderen Polarisationsrichtung) und transversale Ströme (die von benachbarten Antennenelementen herrühren) gefiltert werden.This task is accomplished through a multi-layer antenna arrangement solved with the features of claim 1. The invention Antenna arrangement has several in a first conductive layer formed from patch elements rectangular shape with in a first or an orthogonal, second direction extending outer boundaries on those in a second and a third conductive Layer first and second excitation elements are assigned. The first excitation elements each point in the first Direction oriented first feed lines and the second Excitation elements oriented in the second direction Feed lines on. Each feed line is associated with it Patch element aligned and with it electromagnetic coupled. The multilayer antenna arrangement can, for example flat (planar antenna) or as a cylindrical multilayer Arrangement can be formed. The conductive layers are preferably copper, aluminum or gold metal layers. The substructure is an essential feature of the patch elements. The first conductive layer is in the patch elements formed such that they have a plurality from along the first direction and along the second Directionally arranged recesses. In The conductive layer is completely removed from the recesses. Arranged in rows and columns in a matrix Recesses can be circular or rectangular, for example his. These recesses form along the Row and orthogonal column direction preferred Current flow directions. The flow of electricity along the lines and splitting is preferred because of filtering takes place. The matrix of the recesses is arranged that the preferred current flow directions to those Current flows are aligned with the excitation the mutually orthogonal satellite reception signals flow should. Furthermore, the first, the second and the third conductive layer before a fourth unstructured conductive Layer arranged, the fourth conductive Layer forms a ground plate, and the second and the third conductive layer behind the first conductive Layer are arranged. The first and the second feed line are each associated with a center line rectangular patch element. Behind the second and before the third conductive layer is a fifth conductive layer arranged in association with each of the at least one patch elements essentially one congruent behind the first feed line and before the second Has feed line arranged cross slot opening. In this case, congruent arrangement means that the Phillips openings are in the direction of the normal of the Patch element level exactly in the middle of the patch structure behind or in front of the associated first or second feed line are arranged. The one with slot-like openings provided between the excitation system of the second conductive Layer and the excitation system of the third conductive Layer arranged metal layer, which is at ground potential minimizes the electromagnetic coupling outside of the feed lines assigned to the patch elements both between the two excitation systems as also by the incoming radio signals. The structuring of the patch elements in combination with the layer arrangement and the cross-slot opening improves cross polarization decoupling; it becomes a direction of excitation (in the direction of a patch outer edge) flowing currents preferred, during orthogonal currents (the other polarization direction) and transverse currents (those from neighboring antenna elements originate) are filtered.

Eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der mehrlagigen Antennenanordnung ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das wenigstens eine Patch-Element N*M Ausnehmungen aufweist, wobei jeweils N Ausnehmungen in der ersten Richtung und jeweils M Ausnehmungen in der zweiten Richtung hintereinander angeordnet sind. Die N*M Ausnehmungen bilden eine rechteckige Matrix innerhalb der Patch-Struktur. Dabei können die jeweils außen angeordneten Ausnehmungen im Begrenzungsbereich des Patch derart angeordnet sein, daß die äußerer Umgrenzung eine mäanderförmige Struktur erhält. Die verbleibende Metallschicht der Patch-Struktur besteht funktionell aus in der ersten bzw. zweiten Richtung verlaufenden Metallstegen oder Streifenleitungen. Während der Stromfluß entlang dieser Streifenleitungen erleichtert ist, ist jeglicher Stromfluß quer zu den Streifenleitungen, insbesondere ein diagonaler Stromfluß, erschwert.A preferred embodiment of the multi-layer antenna arrangement is characterized in that at least has a patch element N * M recesses, each N recesses in the first direction and M recesses each arranged one behind the other in the second direction are. The N * M recesses form a rectangular matrix within the patch structure. They can each be outside arranged recesses in the boundary area of the patch be arranged so that the outer boundary is meandering Maintains structure. The remaining metal layer The patch structure consists of the first functionally or second direction extending metal webs or strip lines. During the current flow along these strip lines is relieved, any current flow is across the strip lines, in particular a diagonal current flow, difficult.

Die Länge der Seitenkanten des rechteckigen Patch-Elements beträgt λg/2, wobei λg die geführte Wellenlänge ist, die von der Permittivität des Substrats abhängt. Das Patch-Element ist in der Regel nicht von quadratischer Form, da λg für die beiden Polarisationsrichtungen unterschiedlich ist. Die unterschiedlichen Seitenlängen des Patch-Elements beruhen unter anderem auf dem unterschiedlichen Abstand der zweiten und dritten leitfähigen Schicht von der Patch-Struktur sowie der unterschiedlichen Dicke und Art der zwischen den leitfähigen Schichten vorhandenen Dielektrika.The length of the side edges of the rectangular patch element is λ g / 2, where λ g is the guided wavelength, which depends on the permittivity of the substrate. The patch element is generally not of a square shape, since λ g is different for the two polarization directions. The different side lengths of the patch element are based, among other things, on the different distance between the second and third conductive layers from the patch structure and the different thickness and type of dielectrics present between the conductive layers.

Die matrixartig angeordneten Ausnehmungen können beispielsweise kreisförmig sein. Bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform sind die Ausnehmungen jedoch im wesentlichen rechteckig, wobei deren Begrengzungskanten in der ersten bzw. zweiten Richtung verlaufen.The recesses arranged in a matrix can, for example be circular. In a preferred embodiment however, the recesses are essentially rectangular, the bounding edges of which are in the first or second direction.

Eine andere bevorzugte Ausführungsform der mehrlagigen Antennenanordnung ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die N Ausnehmungen in der ersten Richtung und die M Ausnehmungen in der zweiten Richtung hintereinander jeweils in gleichen Abständen zueinander angeordnet sind. Die beiden letztgenannten Ausführungsformen gestatten einerseits eine einfache Herstellung, andererseits bewirken sie eine gute und über das Patch gleichmäßige Unterdrückung diagonal fließender Ströme. Bei einer Anregung in einer der beiden Richtungen findet außerdem eine Unterdrückung der Ströme in der anderen orthogonalen Richtung und von transversalen Strömen statt.Another preferred embodiment of the multilayer Antenna arrangement is characterized in that the N recesses in the first direction and the M recesses in in the second direction one after the other at equal intervals are arranged to each other. The latter two On the one hand, embodiments allow a simple one Manufacture, on the other hand, they cause a good and over the patch evenly suppression diagonally flowing Streams. With an excitation in one of the two directions also finds a suppression of the currents in the other orthogonal direction and of transverse currents instead.

Bei einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Antennenanordnung hat das wenigstens eine Patch-Element eine gitterartige Struktur, die von einer ersten Anzahl von in der ersten Richtung parallel verlaufenden ersten Streifenleitern und einer zweiten Anzahl von in der zweiten Richtung parallel verlaufenden und mit den ersten Streifenleitern verbundenen zweiten Streifenleitern gebildet ist. Bei dieser Ausführungsform besteht die erste leitfähige Schicht eigentlich aus zwei aufeinanderliegenden leitfähigen Teilschichten, wobei in der einen leitfähigen Teilschicht Streifenleiter in der ersten Richtung ausgebildet sind und in der anderen leitfähigen Teilschicht Streifenleiter in der zweiten Richtung ausgebildet sind. Vorzugsweise sind die ersten Streifenleiter mit den zweiten Streifenleitern an der gesamten Fläche der gegenseitigen Überlappung elektrisch verbunden. Bei einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung dieser Ausführungsform sind die ersten und die zweiten Streifenleiter jeweils von gleicher Breite und Länge und in gleichem Abstand zueinander angeordnet. Die gleichmäßige Struktur der sich kreuzenden Streifenleiter erleichtert die Herstellung und sorgt für eine gleichmäßige Verteilung der Stromdichte. Die Längen der ersten und zweiten Streifenleiter sind auf die geführte Wellenlänge für die zu empfangenden Funksignale abgestimmt.In an advantageous development of the antenna arrangement the at least one patch element has a grid-like one Structure by a first number of in the first Direction of parallel first strip conductors and a second number of parallel in the second direction extending and connected to the first strip conductors second strip conductors is formed. In this embodiment the first conductive layer actually exists from two superimposed conductive sub-layers, with strip conductors in one conductive sublayer in the first direction and in the other conductive sublayer strip line in the second direction are trained. The first strip conductors are preferably with the second strip conductors on the whole Surface of mutual overlap electrically connected. In an advantageous development of this embodiment the first and second strip lines are each from same width and length and at the same distance from each other arranged. The uniform structure of the intersecting Stripline facilitates production and ensures an even distribution of current density. The lengths of the first and second striplines are on the guided wavelength tuned for the radio signals to be received.

Bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform sind jeweils vier bis acht, vorzugsweise sechs, erste und zweite Streifenleiter vorgesehen. Bei den praktisch ausgeführten Antennenanordnungen erwies sich eine Anzahl von jeweils sechs Streifenleitern in erster und in zweiter Richtung als vorteilhaft.In a preferred embodiment there are four each to eight, preferably six, first and second strip conductors intended. In the practical antenna arrangements turned out to be six each Strip lines in the first and in the second direction as advantageous.

Eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Breite der Streifenleiter größer als der Abstand der Streifenleiter ist, vorzugsweise das 5- bis 12-fache, insbesondere das 10-fache des Abstands beträgt. Die so gebildeten Ausnehmungen beanspruchen nur einen geringen Teil der gesamten Metallfläche des Patch-Elements, so daß sie den Stromfluß in der ersten bzw. in der zweiten Richtung nur minimal behindern.A preferred embodiment is characterized in that that the width of the stripline is greater than the distance the stripline is, preferably 5 to 12 times, in particular is 10 times the distance. The so formed recesses occupy only a small part the entire metal surface of the patch element, so that they the Current flow in the first and in the second direction only minimal hinder.

Die Anzahl der in erster und in zweiter Richtung auszubildenden Streifenleiter sowie deren Abstand hängen sowohl vom Frequenzbereich, der konstruktiven Gestaltung der Anregungssysteme und deren Abstand vom Patch-Element als auch von den verwendeten dielektrischen Materialien und Metallen ab.The number of apprentices in the first and second direction Stripline and their distance depend on both on the frequency range, the constructive design of the excitation systems and their distance from the patch element as well of the dielectric materials and metals used from.

Eine vorteilhafte Weiterbildung der erfindungsgemäßen Patch-Anordnung ist konstruktiv so ausgebildet, daß die erste leitfähige Schicht eine auf einer der Masseplatte zugewandten Rückseite einer ersten isolierenden Platte aufgebrachte Metallschicht ist, daß die zweite leitfähige Schicht eine auf einer der Masseplatte abgewandten Oberseite einer zweiten isolierenden Platte aufgebrachten Metallschicht ist, und daß die Metallschichten der ersten und der zweiten isolierenden Platte durch eine erste isolierende Schicht getrennt und beabstandet sind. Die isolierenden Platten sind beispielsweise aus Kunststoff (einem Polyethylen, Polyester, Polycarbonat, PVC), welcher keramik-gefüllt sein kann, hergestellt, worauf die Metallschicht (z.B. Kupfer, Aluminium, Gold) aufgedampft, aufgesputtert und/oder galvanisch abgeschieden ist. Die erste isolierende Schicht trennt und beabstandet die Patch-Elemente vom ersten Anregungssystem. Ihr Abstand beeinflußt die Bandbreite des Empfangssystems. Bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist die erste isolierende Schicht eine Schaumstoffschicht mit einer relativen Dielektrizitätskonstante von weniger als 1,2, deren Dicke größer als die Dicke der ersten und der zweiten isolierenden Platte ist. Die relativ dicke isolierende Schicht erhöht die Bandbreite.An advantageous development of the invention The design of the patch arrangement is such that the first conductive layer on one facing the ground plate Back of a first insulating plate applied Metal layer is the second conductive layer an on an upper side facing away from the ground plate second insulating plate applied metal layer, and that the metal layers of the first and the second insulating Plate separated by a first insulating layer and are spaced. The insulating plates are for example made of plastic (a polyethylene, polyester, Polycarbonate, PVC), which can be ceramic-filled, whereupon the metal layer (e.g. copper, aluminum, Gold) evaporated, sputtered and / or galvanically deposited is. The first insulating layer separates and spaces the patch elements from the first excitation system. you Distance affects the bandwidth of the receiving system. at a preferred embodiment is the first isolating Layer a foam layer with a relative dielectric constant less than 1.2, the thickness of which is greater than the thickness of the first and second insulating plates is. The relatively thick insulating layer increases the bandwidth.

In vorteilhafter Weiterbildung ist die dritte leitfähige Schicht eine auf einer der Masseplatte zugewandten Rückseite einer dritten isolierenden Platte aufgebrachte Metallschicht und sind die Metallschicht der dritten isolierenden Platte und die Masseplatte durch eine zweite isolierende Schicht getrennt. Auch hier ist die zweite isolierende Schicht vorzugweise eine Schaumstoffschicht mit einer relativen Dielektrizitätskonstante von weniger als 1,2, deren Dicke größer als die Dicke der dritten isolierenden Platte ist. Die erste, zweite und dritte isolierende Platte können von gleicher Art sein, ebenso wie die erste und die zweite isolierende Schicht gleich ausgebildet sein können. Dies vereinfacht die Herstellung der Antennenanordnung.In an advantageous further development, the third is conductive Layer one on a back side facing the ground plate a third insulating plate applied metal layer and are the metal layer of the third insulating plate and the ground plate through a second insulating layer Cut. The second insulating layer is also preferred here a foam layer with a relative dielectric constant less than 1.2, the thickness of which is greater than the thickness of the third insulating plate. The first, second and third insulating plates can be of the same Be kind, just like the first and the second isolating Layer can be formed the same. This simplifies it the manufacture of the antenna arrangement.

Eine vorteilhafte Weiterbildung der aus isolierenden Platten und isolierenden Schichten aufgebauten Antennenanordnung ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß hinter der Metallschicht der zweiten isolierenden Platte und vor der Metallschicht der dritten isolierenden Platte eine auf einer der Masseplatte zugewandten Rückseite der zweiten und/oder auf einer der Masseplatte abgewandten Oberseite der dritten isolierenden Platte aufgebrachte Metallschicht angeordnet ist, welche in Zuordnung zu jedem der wenigstens einen Patch-Elemente eine im wesentlichen kongruent hinter der ersten Speiseleitung angeordnete erste schlitzartige Öffnung und eine im wesentlichen kongruent vor der zweiten Speiseleitung angeordnete zweite schlitzartige Öffnung aufweist. Diese zusätzliche Metallschicht, welche auf ein Massepotential gelegt ist, erhöht - wie bereits oben ausgeführt - die Kreuzpolarisationsentkopplung und vermindert somit die unerwünschte gegenseitige Beeinflussung der den beiden Polarisationsrichtungen zugeordneten Systeme. In vorteilhafter Weiterbildung ist diese mehrlagige Antennenanordnung so ausgebildet, daß die zwischen der zweiten und der dritten isolierenden Platte angeordnete Metallschicht die zweite und die dritte isolierende Platte miteinander verbindet.An advantageous development of insulating Plates and insulating layers built antenna array is characterized in that behind the metal layer the second insulating plate and in front of the metal layer the third insulating plate one on one of the Earth plate facing back of the second and / or on a top of the third insulating facing away from the ground plate Plate applied metal layer is arranged which in association with each of the at least one patch elements one essentially congruent behind the first feed line arranged first slot-like opening and one essentially congruent before the second feed line arranged second slot-like opening. This additional Metal layer, which is connected to a ground potential is, as already explained above, increases the cross-polarization decoupling and thus reduces the unwanted mutual influence of the two polarization directions associated systems. In an advantageous further training is this multilayer antenna arrangement designed so that isolating between the second and third Plate arranged metal layer the second and the third insulating plate connects together.

Eine vorteilhafte Ausführungsform der aus mehreren isolierenden Platten aufgebauten Patch-Anordnung ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die mit einer oder mehreren Metallschichten versehenen isolierenden Platten aus einem Leiterplattenbasismaterial mit einer Metallkaschierung bestehen. Die Verwendung von Standardmaterialien der Elektronik-Geräteindustrie sichert eine einfache und ökonomische Herstellung der Antennenanordnung. In vorteilhafter Weiterbildung dieser Ausführungsform ist auf der strukturierten Metallkaschierung des Leiterplattenbasismaterials eine isolierende Schutzschicht aufgebracht. Die Metallstrukturen sind zwischen dem isolierenden Basismaterial und der Schutzschicht eingehüllt und somit vor verschiedenen Umwelteinflüssen (z.B. Luftfeuchtigkeit) geschützt.An advantageous embodiment of the isolating from several This is due to the built-up patch arrangement characterized in that with one or more metal layers provided insulating plates made of a circuit board base material with a metal lamination. The use of standard materials from the electronics device industry ensures simple and economical production the antenna arrangement. In an advantageous further training this embodiment is on the structured metal lamination of the PCB base material is an insulating one Protective layer applied. The metal structures are between the insulating base material and the protective layer enveloped and thus against various environmental influences (e.g. humidity) protected.

Eine bevorzugte ebene Ausführungsform der mehrlagigen Antennenanordnung, die beispielsweise zur Herstellung einer planaren Satellitenempfangsantenne verwendet werden kann, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die mit einer oder mehreren Metallschichten versehenen isolierenden Platten und die isolierenden Schichten (z.B. dicke Schaumstoffschichten) mechanisch mittels isolierender, durch Bohrungen der Platten bzw. Schichten hindurchgeführter Bolzen fest miteinander verbunden sind. Diese Anordnung gestattet eine einfache Montage der Antenne.A preferred flat embodiment of the multilayer Antenna arrangement, for example for producing a planar satellite receiving antenna can be used is characterized in that the one or more Metal layers provided insulating plates and the insulating Layers (e.g. thick layers of foam) mechanically by means of insulating, through holes in the plates or Layers of bolts passed through firmly connected are. This arrangement allows easy assembly the antenna.

Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen gekennzeichnet.Advantageous developments of the invention are in the Subclaims marked.

Im folgenden wir die Erfindung anhand von in der Zeichnung dargestellten bevorzugten Ausführungsformen näher beschrieben. In der Zeichnung zeigen:

Figur 1
eine schematische Explosivdarstellung eines bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiels der mehrlagigen Antennenanordnung;
Figur 2
eine weitere schematische Explosivdarstellung der in Figur 1 dargestellten Antennenanordnung;
Figur 3
das Layout des bei der Antennenanordnung gemäß Figuren 1 und 2 verwendeten Patch-Elements;
Figur 4
eine schematische Darstellung der Zuordnung der Speiseleitungen zu den Patch-Elementen; und
Figur 5
eine schematische Darstellung der Stromverteilung über dem rechteckigen Patch-Element bei einer Anregung in einer Polarisationsrichtung.
In the following we describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the drawing. The drawing shows:
Figure 1
a schematic exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the multilayer antenna arrangement;
Figure 2
a further schematic exploded view of the antenna arrangement shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3
the layout of the patch element used in the antenna arrangement according to FIGS. 1 and 2;
Figure 4
a schematic representation of the assignment of the feed lines to the patch elements; and
Figure 5
a schematic representation of the current distribution over the rectangular patch element with an excitation in a polarization direction.

Die in den Figuren 1 und 2 dargestellte mehrlagige Antennenanordnung besteht aus mehreren leitfähigen und isolierenden Schichten, wobei der überwiegende Teil der leitfähigen Schichten durch Strukturierung einer auf einer isolierenden Platte aufgebrachten Metallkaschierung hergestellt ist.The multilayer antenna arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of several conductive and insulating Layers, the vast majority of which are conductive Layers by structuring one on an insulating one Plate made of metal lamination is.

Figur 1 zeigt eine Ansicht, bei der die Oberseiten der Schichten dargestellt sind; Figur 2 zeigt die zugehörigen Unteransichten. Die mehrlagige Antennenanordnung 10 weist eine erste isolierende Platte 11 auf, auf deren Unterseite sich eine matrixförmige Anordnung von rechteckigen Patch-Elementen 12 befindet. Die rechteckigen Patch-Elemente 12 sind durch eine übliche Strukturierungstechnik einer zuvor auf die isolierende Platte 11 aufgebrachten Metallschicht hergestellt. Als metallkaschierte isolierende Platte kann beispielsweise ein dünnes Leiterplattenbasismaterial FR4 oder eine mit einer Metallschicht versehene Kunststoffplatte aus Polyethylen, Polyester, Polyacryl, Polycarbonat, ABS, PVC oder einem Mischpolymer verwendet werden. Die auf der Unterseite der Platte 11 strukturierte Metallkaschierung kann darüber hinaus durch eine weitere schützende Kunststoffschicht abgedeckt sein. Die in den Figuren 1 und 2 als kleine Rechtecke dargestellten Patch-Elemente 12 weisen eine Substruktur auf, die unten anhand von Figur 3 näher erläutert wird.Figure 1 shows a view in which the tops of the Layers are shown; Figure 2 shows the associated Under Views. The multilayer antenna arrangement 10 has a first insulating plate 11 on the underside there is a matrix-like arrangement of rectangular patch elements 12 is located. The rectangular patch elements 12 are one of a kind thanks to a conventional structuring technique metal layer applied to the insulating plate 11 manufactured. Can be used as a metal-clad insulating plate for example a thin circuit board base material FR4 or a plastic plate provided with a metal layer made of polyethylene, polyester, polyacrylic, polycarbonate, ABS, PVC or a mixed polymer can be used. The one on the Underside of the plate 11 structured metal lamination can also be protected by another protective plastic layer be covered. The in Figures 1 and 2 as Patch elements 12 shown in small rectangles have a Substructure, which is explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3 becomes.

Die Antennenanordnung 10 weist eine zweite isolierende Platte 13 auf, auf deren Oberseite (siehe Fig. 1) ein erstes Anregungssystem 14 aufgebracht ist, welches durch Strukturierung einer auf die Platte 13 aufgebrachten Metallschicht hergestellt ist. Das erste Anregungssystem 14 umfaßt Anregungselemente mit ersten Speiseleitungen 15, wobei jeweils eine Speiseleitung 15 einem Patch-Element 12 zugeordnet ist. Die ersten Speiseleitungen 15 sind so zu den Patch-Elementen 12 orientiert, daß sie an Signale einer ersten Polarisationsrichtung angepaßt sind.The antenna arrangement 10 has a second insulating one Plate 13 on the top (see Fig. 1) a first Excitation system 14 is applied, which by structuring a metal layer applied to the plate 13 is made. The first excitation system 14 comprises excitation elements with first feed lines 15, each a feed line 15 is assigned to a patch element 12. The first feed lines 15 are thus to the patch elements 12 is oriented to signals of a first polarization direction are adjusted.

Die Antennenanordnung 10 weist ferner eine dritte isolierende Platte 16 auf, auf deren Unterseite (siehe Fig. 2) ein zweites Anregungssystem 17 in ähnlicher Weise ausgebildet ist, wie das Anregungssystem 14 auf der Oberseite der isolierenden Platte 13. Das zweite Anregungssystem 17 umfaßt zweite Anregungselemente mit Speiseleitungen 18, wobei jeweils eine Speiseleitung 18 jedem Patch-Element 12 zugeordnet ist. Die Anregungselemente 18 des zweiten Anregungssystems 17 sind so orientiert, daß sie an Signale einer Polarisationsrichtung angepaßt sind, die zu der Polarisationsrichtung des ersten Anregungssystems 14 orthogonal ist. Vorzugsweise sind die Speiseleitungen 15 des ersten Anregungssystems 14 an horizontal polarisierte Signale angepaßt, während die Orientierung der Speiseleitungen 18 des zweiten Anregungssystems 17 an vertikal polarisierte Signale angepaßt ist. Die Orientierung der Speiseleitungen in Bezug auf die Patch-Elemente wird weiter unten anhand von Figur 4 näher beschrieben.The antenna arrangement 10 also has a third insulating one Plate 16 on the underside (see Fig. 2) a second excitation system 17 is formed in a similar manner is how the excitation system 14 on top of the insulating plate 13. The second excitation system 17 includes second excitation elements with feed lines 18, wherein one feed line 18 is assigned to each patch element 12 is. The excitation elements 18 of the second excitation system 17 are oriented so that they are based on signals of a polarization direction are adapted to the direction of polarization of the first excitation system 14 is orthogonal. Preferably are the feed lines 15 of the first excitation system 14 adapted to horizontally polarized signals while the orientation of the feed lines 18 of the second excitation system 17 adapted to vertically polarized signals is. The orientation of the feed lines in relation to the Patch elements are explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4 described.

Es sei darauf hingewiesen, daß bei alternativen Ausführungsformen die Orientierungen der Anregungssysteme der isolierenden Platten 13 und 16 miteinander vertauscht werden können. Ebenso können die strukturierten Metallschichten auf den isolierenden Platten 11, 13 und 16 auch auf der jeweils entgegengesetzten Oberfläche aufgebracht sein. Schließlich sind bei bevorzugten Ausführungsformen die auf der Oberfläche der isolierenden Platten 13 und 16 aufgebrachten strukturierten Metallschichten durch jeweils eine weitere isolierende und schützende Kunststoffschicht abgedeckt. Auch ist es möglich, jedem Patch-Element 12 nur eine Speiseleitung, entweder im Anregungssystem 14 oder im Anregungssystem 17, zuzuordnen, wobei benachbarten Patch-Elementen abwechselnd erste Speiseleitungen 15 und zweite Speiseleitungen 18 zugeordnet werden.It should be noted that in alternative embodiments the orientations of the excitation systems of the isolating Plates 13 and 16 are interchanged can. The structured metal layers can also be applied the insulating plates 11, 13 and 16 also on the respective opposite surface to be applied. Finally in preferred embodiments are those on the surface of the insulating plates 13 and 16 applied structured Metallic layers by another insulating and protective plastic layer covered. Is too it is possible to connect only one feed line to each patch element 12, either in the excitation system 14 or in the excitation system 17, assign, with adjacent patch elements alternating assigned first feed lines 15 and second feed lines 18 become.

Die Anregungssysteme 14 und 17 enthalten neben den Speiseleitungen 15 und 18 jeweils Zuleitungssysteme, die sämtliche Anregungselemente mit einem Ausgangsanschluß der Antennenanordnung 10 koppeln. Hierbei sind eine Vielzahl von Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten denkbar.The excitation systems 14 and 17 contain in addition to the feed lines 15 and 18 supply systems, all Excitation elements with an output connection of the antenna arrangement Pair 10. Here are a variety of design options conceivable.

Die Antennenanordnung 10 weist ferner eine leitfähige Masseplatte 19 auf, welche einerseits eine rückseitige Abschirmfunktion erfüllt, andererseits von oben einfallende Signale reflektiert. Die Metallplatte 19 ist entweder als massive Metallplatte oder als Metallisierungsschicht auf einer isolierenden Platte ausgebildet. Bei alternativen Ausführungsformen kann die Metallplatte auch eine feine Gitterstruktur aufweisen, wobei der Gitterabstand deutlich unterhalb der Wellenlänge liegt.The antenna arrangement 10 also has a conductive Ground plate 19, which on the one hand has a rear shielding function fulfilled, on the other hand falling from above Signals reflected. The metal plate 19 is either as solid metal plate or as a metallization layer on one insulating plate. In alternative embodiments the metal plate can also have a fine lattice structure have, the grid spacing well below the wavelength.

Zwischen der das erste Anregungssystem 14 tragenden zweiten isolierenden Platte 13 und der das zweite Anregungssystem 17 tragenden dritten isolierenden Platte 16 ist eine weitere Metallisierung 20 angeordnet, die entweder als Metallplatte oder als Metallkaschierung auf der Unterseite der zweiten isolierenden Platte 13 oder auf der Oberseite der dritten isolierenden Platte 16 oder als die zweite isolierende Platte 13 und die dritte isolierende Platte 16 verbindende Zwischenschicht ausgebildet ist. Die zweite und dritte isolierende Platte einschließlich der Metallisierungsebenen des ersten Anregungssystems 14, der Schicht 20 und des zweiten Anregungssystems 17 können eine mehrlagige Platte bilden, die beispielsweise aus einem dreilagigen Leiterplattenbasismaterial hergestellt ist. Die Metallisierungsschicht 20 weist in Zuordnung zu jedem Patch-Element 12 Kreuzschlitze 21 auf. Die Kreuzschlitze 21 bestehen jeweils aus einem in einer ersten Richtung ausgebildeten Schlitz, der genau hinter einer ersten Speiseleitung 15 angeordnet ist und einem in einer zweiten Richtung ausgebildeten Schlitz, der kongruent vor einer Speiseleitung 18 angeordnet ist. Die Länge der Schlitze hängt von der Resonanzfrequenz und der Dimensionierung der Speiseleitungen ab; die Breite der Kreuzschlitze 21 ist auf die Streifenleiter der Speiseleitungen 15 bzw. 18 abgestimmt, wobei in die Dimensionierung der Kreuzschlitze die Abstände der Metallisierungsebenen voneinander und die Eigenschaften der dielektrischen Materialien einfließen. Die zwischen den Anregungssystemen 14 und 17 angeordnete Masse-Metallisierungsebene 20 minimiert jegliche elektromagnetische Kopplung außerhalb der Speiseleitungen 15 und 18. Aufgrund der zueinander orthogonalen Richtungen der beiden den Kreuzschlitz bildenden Schlitze und ihrer kongruenten Zuordnung zu den Anregungssystemen wird die Kreuzpolarisationsentkopplung erhöht. Between those carrying the first excitation system 14 second insulating plate 13 and the second excitation system 17 bearing third insulating plate 16 is one further metallization 20 arranged, either as a metal plate or as metal cladding on the underside of the second insulating plate 13 or on top of the third insulating plate 16 or as the second insulating Plate 13 and the third insulating plate 16 connecting Intermediate layer is formed. The second and third insulating plate including the metallization levels of the first excitation system 14, the layer 20 and the second Excitation system 17 can form a multilayer plate, for example from a three-layer circuit board base material is made. The metallization layer 20 has 12 cross slots in association with each patch element 21 on. The cross slots 21 each consist of a a first direction trained slot that is just behind a first feed line 15 is arranged and one slot formed in a second direction, the congruent is arranged in front of a feed line 18. The length of the Slits depend on the resonance frequency and the dimensioning from the feed lines; the width of the cross slots 21 is on the strip conductors of the feed lines 15 and 18 coordinated, taking into account the dimensioning of the cross slots the distances of the metallization levels from one another and the Properties of the dielectric materials are incorporated. The ground metallization level arranged between the excitation systems 14 and 17 20 minimizes any electromagnetic Coupling outside the feed lines 15 and 18. Due the mutually orthogonal directions of the two Cross-slit-forming slots and their congruent assignment cross-polarization decoupling becomes the excitation systems elevated.

Bei alternativen Ausführungsformen kann eine alternative oder zusätzliche abschirmende Metallschicht mit Schlitzen zwischen den Patch-Elementen und den Anregungssystemen angeordnet sein.In alternative embodiments, an alternative or additional shielding metal layer with slots arranged between the patch elements and the excitation systems his.

Zwischen der ersten isolierenden Platte 11 und der zweiten isolierenden Platte 13 ist eine isolierende Schicht 22 angeordnet. Die isolierende Schicht ist im Vergleich zu den isolierenden Platten 11, 13 und 16 relativ dick und besteht aus einem Material mit einer relativen Dielektrizitätskonstante εr von weniger als 1,2. Ein solches Material stellt beispielsweise ein geschäumter Kunststoff mit einer 5-fachen oder einer höheren Aufschäumrate dar. Die isolierende Schicht 22 dient nicht nur der elektrischen Isolation zwischen den Patch-Elementen 12 und dem Anregungssystem 14, sie schafft auch eine Beabstandung zwischen den Patch-Elementen und den Anregungssystemen, die zu einer Erhöhung der Bandbreite führt. Eine ähnliche isolierende Schicht 23 ist zwischen der das zweite Anregungssystem 17 tragenden isolierenden Platte 16 und der Masseplatte 19 angeordnet. Die Schicht 23 besteht vorzugsweise aus demselben Material wie die Schicht 22. Die Schichtdicke der Schicht 23 beeinflußt auch die Bandbreite und die Kreuzpolarisationsentkopplung.An insulating layer 22 is arranged between the first insulating plate 11 and the second insulating plate 13. The insulating layer is relatively thick in comparison to the insulating plates 11, 13 and 16 and consists of a material with a relative dielectric constant ε r of less than 1.2. Such a material is, for example, a foamed plastic with a 5-fold or a higher foaming rate. The insulating layer 22 not only serves for electrical insulation between the patch elements 12 and the excitation system 14, it also creates a spacing between the patch elements and the excitation systems that lead to an increase in bandwidth. A similar insulating layer 23 is arranged between the insulating plate 16 carrying the second excitation system 17 and the ground plate 19. Layer 23 preferably consists of the same material as layer 22. The layer thickness of layer 23 also influences the bandwidth and the cross-polarization decoupling.

Die Antennenanordnung 10 wird aufgebaut, indem die Masseplatte 19, die isolierende Schicht 23, die isolierenden Platten 16 und 13, die isolierende Schicht 22 und die isolierende Platte 11 aufeinander gestapelt und mit Hilfe von Schrauben oder Bolzen fest miteinander verbunden werden. Die Schrauben oder Bolzen sind dabei durch Bohrungen geführt, welche vorzugsweise im Randbereich bzw. außerhalb der Anregungssysteme 20 und 21 eingebracht sind. Der so hergestellte Schichtaufbau kann in ein Wetterschutzgehäuse eingebaut werden, um die Antenne für den Außeneinsatz auszurüsten.The antenna assembly 10 is constructed by the ground plate 19, the insulating layer 23, the insulating Plates 16 and 13, the insulating layer 22 and the insulating Plate 11 stacked on top of each other and with the help of Screws or bolts are firmly connected. The Screws or bolts are passed through holes, which are preferably in the edge area or outside the excitation systems 20 and 21 are introduced. The so made Layer structure can be built into a weather protection housing to equip the antenna for outdoor use.

Die Auskopplung der empfangenen Signale erfolgt für jedes Anregungssystem getrennt mittels elektromagnetischer Kopplung über einen zentral auf der Rückseite des Antennnenschichtaufbaus aufgebrachten und elektrisch mit der Masseplatte 19 verbundenen Hohlleiter auf einen Down-Konverter. Die konvertierten Nutzsignale werden dann über Koaxialkabel an das entsprechende Empfangssystem weitergeleitet.The received signals are decoupled for each Excitation system separated by means of electromagnetic Coupling via a centrally on the back of the antenna layer structure applied and electrical to the ground plate 19 connected waveguide to a down converter. The converted useful signals are then via coaxial cables forwarded to the corresponding receiving system.

Obwohl die in Figur 1 und 2 dargestellten Schichten eben sind, ist es bei alternativen Ausführungsformen möglich, die Schichten als gekrümmte Oberflächen auszubilden. Beispielsweise können die Schichten jeweils eine Zylinderstruktur aufweisen. Die gegenseitige Überdeckung der Patch-Elemente, der Speiseleitungen und der Kreuzschlitze muß jedoch gewährleistet bleiben, d.h. der Krümmungsradius der gekrümmten Flächen ist wesentlich größer als die Gesamtdicke des Schichtaufbaus.Although the layers shown in Figures 1 and 2 just alternative embodiments, it is possible Form layers as curved surfaces. For example the layers can each have a cylindrical structure exhibit. The mutual overlap of the patch elements, however, the feed lines and the cross slots must be guaranteed stay, i.e. the radius of curvature of the curved Area is much larger than the total thickness of the Layer structure.

Figur 3 zeigt die Substruktur des erfindungsgemäßen Patch-Elements. Das Patch-Element 12 hat eine im wesentlichen rechteckige Kontur. Parallel zu den Außenkanten 24A, 24B, 25A und 25B sind rechteckige Ausnehmungen 26 matrixartig in Zeilen und Spalten angeordnet. Weitere Ausnehmungen 27 sind derart auf dem Umfangsrand des Patch-Elements 12 angeordnet, daß eine mäanderförmige Außenkontur entsteht. Anders betrachtet, wird die verbleibende Metallschicht des Patch-Elements 12 aus mehreren in einer ersten Richtung verlaufenden Streifenleitungen 28 und mehreren in einer zur ersten Richtung orthogonalen zweiten Richtung verlaufenden zweiten Streifenleitungen 29 gebildet.Figure 3 shows the substructure of the invention Patch element. The patch element 12 essentially has one rectangular contour. Parallel to the outer edges 24A, 24B, 25A and 25B are rectangular recesses 26 in the form of a matrix arranged in rows and columns. Further exceptions 27 are arranged on the peripheral edge of the patch element 12, that a meandering outer contour is created. Different considered, the remaining metal layer of the Patch elements 12 made of several extending in a first direction Strip lines 28 and more in one first direction orthogonal second direction second strip lines 29 are formed.

Bei der in Figur 3 dargestellten bevorzugten Ausführungsform wird das Patch-Element 12 von jeweils sechs zueinander rechtwinklig verlaufenden Streifenleitungen 28 und 29 gebildet. Die sechs Streifenleitungen 28 sind von gleicher Breite, der Breite b1; die sechs dazu quer verlaufenden Streifenleitungen 29 haben die Breite b2. Der Abstand a1 zwischen den Streifenleitungen 28 entspricht der Breite der Ausnehmungen 26 in der zweiten Richtung; der Abstand a2 zwischen den Streifenleitungen 29 entspricht der Breite der Ausnehmungen 26 in der ersten Richtung. Die jeweils äußeren Streifenleitungen 28 sind gegenüber den äußeren Rändern 25A und 25B der Rechteckkontur des Patch-Elements 12 eingerückt, ebenso wie die jeweils außen liegenden Streifenleitungen 29 gegenüber der Außenkontur 24A und 24B eingerückt sind. Dadurch werden Ausnehmungen 27 entlang der Außenkontur gebildet. Die in Figur 3 dargestellte gitterförmige Struktur kann in einer Metallisierungsebene, beispielsweise durch Herausätzen der Ausnehmungen 26 und 27 gebildet sein. Alternativ kann diese Struktur mittels zweier übereinanderliegender und nacheinander hergestellter Metallschichten erzeugt werden, wobei in der ersten Metallschicht die Streifenleitungen 28 und in der zweiten Metallschicht die Streifenleitungen 29 ausgebildet sind. Im letztgenannten Fall sind die Streifenleitungen 28 und 29 an der Fläche ihrer gegenseitigen Überlappung miteinander elektrisch verbunden.In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3 the patch element 12 of six to each other strip lines 28 and 29 running at right angles educated. The six strip lines 28 are the same Width, the width b1; the six transverse to it Strip lines 29 have the width b2. The distance a1 between the strip lines 28 corresponds to the width of the Recesses 26 in the second direction; the distance a2 between the strip lines 29 corresponds to the width of the Recesses 26 in the first direction. The respective outer Strip lines 28 are opposite the outer edges 25A and 25B indented the rectangular contour of the patch element 12, as well as the strip lines 29 located on the outside are indented in relation to the outer contour 24A and 24B. Thereby recesses 27 are formed along the outer contour. The lattice-shaped structure shown in Figure 3 can in a metallization level, for example by etching out the recesses 26 and 27 may be formed. alternative can this structure by means of two superimposed and successively produced metal layers are produced, the striplines in the first metal layer 28 and the strip lines 29 in the second metal layer are trained. In the latter case, the strip lines are 28 and 29 on the surface of their mutual overlap electrically connected to each other.

Das in Figur 3 dargestellte bevorzugte Ausführungsbeispiel weist jeweils sechs Streifenleitungen 28 und 29 auf. Eine solche Anzahl hat sich im Frequenzbereich von 10,7 bis 12,75 GHz bei der in den Figuren 1 und 2 dargestellten konstruktiven Gestaltung als vorteilhaft erwiesen. Die Anzahl, Beabstandung und Breite der Streifenleitungen 28 und 29 hängen vom Frequenzbereich sowie vom Schichtaufbau, insbesondere vom gegenseitigen Abstand der einzelnen in Figur 1 dargestellten Schichten und den Dielektrizitätskonstanten der Schichten, ab. Bei alternativen Ausführungsformen können auch mehr oder weniger Streifenleitungen verwendet werden. Auch ist eine Ausbildung des Patch-Elements 12 denkbar, bei der die Ausnehmungen 26 und 27 kreisförmige Begrenzungen aufweisen. Auch kann eine nicht-äquidistante Anordnung der Ausnehmungen gewählt werden.The preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3 has six strip lines 28 and 29, respectively. Such a number has been in the frequency range from 10.7 to 12.75 GHz in the constructive shown in Figures 1 and 2 Design proved to be advantageous. The number, The spacing and width of the strip lines 28 and 29 depend of the frequency range and of the layer structure, in particular from the mutual distance of the individual shown in Figure 1 Layers and the dielectric constant of the Layers, ab. In alternative embodiments more or fewer strip lines can also be used. An embodiment of the patch element 12 is also conceivable of the recesses 26 and 27 circular boundaries exhibit. A non-equidistant arrangement of the Recesses can be selected.

Figur 4 zeigt die Zuordnung der Speiseleitungen 15 und 18 zu den Patch-Elementen 12. Sowohl die Speiseleitungen 18 als auch die Speiseleitungen 15 verlaufen unter den zugehörigen Patch-Elementen 12 mittig, so daß die Speiseleitungen 18 unter dem Patch-Element 12 an einem Punkt V hervortreten, wobei V der Mittelpunkt einer Seitenkante des rechteckigen Patch-Elements 12 ist. Ebenso treten die Speiseleitungen 15 an einem Punkt H unter dem Patch-Element 12 hervor, wobei H der Mittelpunkt der anderen Seitenkante des rechteckigen Patch-Elements 12 ist. Bei der in Figur 4 anhand von vier Patch-Elementen dargestellten Anordnung koppeln die beiden Anregungssysteme 17 und 14 zueinander orthogonal linear polarisierte Signalanteile aus.Figure 4 shows the assignment of the feed lines 15 and 18 to the patch elements 12. Both the feed lines 18 as well as the feed lines 15 run among the associated Patch elements 12 in the middle, so that the feed lines 18 emerge from the patch element 12 at a point V, where V is the center of one side edge of the rectangular Patch elements 12 is. Likewise, the feed lines 15 at a point H below the patch element 12, where H the center of the other side edge of the rectangular Patch elements 12 is. In the case of four in FIG The arrangement shown in patch elements couple the two Excitation systems 17 and 14 mutually orthogonally linearly polarized Signal components.

Bei alternativen Ausführungsformen ist es denkbar, daß die Speiseleitungen 18 und 15 durch die Eckpunkte R bzw. L der rechteckigen Patch-Elemente 12 verlaufen. Dann können die Anregungssysteme 14 bzw. 17 an entgegengesetzt zirkular polarisierte Signale angepaßt werden. In diesem Fall ist eine entsprechende Anpassung der Substruktur des Patch-Elements 12 (Fig. 3) erforderlich.In alternative embodiments, it is conceivable that the feed lines 18 and 15 through the corner points R and L of the rectangular patch elements 12 run. Then can the excitation systems 14 and 17 at opposite circular polarized signals are adjusted. In this case it is corresponding adjustment of the substructure of the patch element 12 (Fig. 3) required.

Figur 5 stellt die Stromverteilung in einem rechteckigen Patch-Element 12 dar, die sich ergibt, wenn das Patch-Element 12 mit einem linear polarisierten Signal beaufschlagt wird, dessen Polarisationsrichtung parallel zur Richtung der seitlichen Begrenzungen 25A und 25B liegt.Figure 5 shows the current distribution in a rectangular Patch element 12 that results when the patch element 12 applied with a linearly polarized signal whose direction of polarization is parallel to the direction of lateral boundaries 25A and 25B.

Claims (18)

  1. Multi-layer antenna arrangement (10) having
       at least one rectangular patch element (12) formed in a first conductive layer, the outer boundaries (24, 25) of which patch element extend in a first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction,
       which patch element (12) is associated with, in a second conductive layer, a first excitation element and, in a third conductive layer, a second excitation element,
       the first excitation element comprising a first feed line (15) oriented in the first direction and the second excitation element comprising a second feed line (18) oriented in the second direction,
       each feed line (15, 18) being aligned with the associated patch element (12) and being electromagnetically coupled thereto,
       the first and the second feed lines each being aligned with a centre line of an associated rectangular patch element,
       the second and the third conductive layers being arranged after the first conductive layer,
       the first, the second and the third conductive layers being arranged before a fourth, unstructured conductive layer (19), the fourth conductive layer forming a ground plane, characterised in that
       the first conductive layer has in the at least one patch element (12) a plurality of apertures/recesses (26, 27) arranged along the first direction and along the second direction in a matrix-like manner, and
       there being arranged after the second and before the third conductive layer a fifth conductive layer (20) which has, assigned to each of the at least one patch elements (12), a cross-slot opening arranged substantially congruently after the first feed line (15) and before the second feed line (18).
  2. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one patch element (12) has N x M apertures/recesses (26, 27), with N apertures/recesses being arranged one after the other in the first direction and M apertures/recesses being arranged one after the other in the second direction.
  3. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the apertures/recesses (26, 27) are substantially rectangular, their boundary edges extending in the first and second directions.
  4. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the N apertures/recesses in the first direction and the M apertures/recesses in the second direction are in each case arranged one after the other at the same distances apart from one another.
  5. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the at least one patch element (12) has a grid-like structure, which is formed by a first number of first strip conductors (28), which run in parallel in the first direction, and a second number of second strip conductors (29), which run in parallel in the second direction and are connected to the first strip conductors (28).
  6. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to claim 5, characterised in that the first strip conductors (28) are connected to the second strip conductors (29) over the entire surface of the portion of mutual overlap.
  7. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the first and the second strip conductors (28, 29) are each of the same width (b1, b2) and length and are arranged at the same distance apart (a1, a2).
  8. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the first and/or the second number is from four to eight, preferably six in each case.
  9. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the width (b1, b2) of the strip conductors (28, 29) is from 5 to 12 times, preferably 10 times, the distance (a1, a2) between the strip conductors.
  10. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that
       the first conductive layer is a metal layer applied to a first insulating plate (11) on a rear side facing the ground plane (19),
       the second conductive layer is a metal layer applied to a second insulating plate (13) on an upper side facing away from the ground plane (19), and
       the metal layers of the first and the second insulating plates are separated and spaced apart from one another by a first insulating layer (22).
  11. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to claim 10, characterised in that the first insulating layer (22) is a foam layer having a relative dielectric constant of less than 1.2, the thickness of which layer is greater than the thickness of the first and second insulating plates.
  12. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that
       the third conductive layer is a metal layer applied to a third insulating plate (16) on a rear side facing the ground plane (19), and
       the metal layer of the third insulating plate and the ground plane are separated by a second insulating layer (23).
  13. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to claim 12, characterised in that the second insulating layer (23) is a foam layer having a relative dielectric constant of less than 1.2, the thickness of which layer is greater than the thickness of the third insulating plate.
  14. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that
       after the metal layer of the second insulating plate and before the metal layer of the third insulating plate there is arranged a metal layer (20) which is applied to the second insulating plate on a rear side facing the ground plane and/or to the third insulating plate on an upper side facing away from the ground plane, which metal layer (20) has, assigned to each of the least one patch elements (12), a first slot-like opening arranged substantially congruently after the first feed line (15) and a second slot-like opening arranged substantially congruently before the second feed line (18).
  15. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to claim 14, characterised in that the metal layer (20) arranged between the second and third insulating plates connects the second and the third insulating plates (13, 16).
  16. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterised in that the insulating plates (11, 13, 16) provided with one or more metal layers consist of a circuit board base material having a metal coating.
  17. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to claim 16, characterised in that an insulating protective layer is applied to the structured metal coating of the circuit board base material.
  18. Multi-layer antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 17, characterised in that the insulating plates (11, 13, 16) provided with one or more metal layers and the insulating layer(s) (22, 23) are rigidly connected to one another mechanically by means of insulating bolts which pass through bores in the plates and layers.
EP99123247A 1998-11-30 1999-11-29 Multi-layered antenna arrangement Expired - Lifetime EP1006608B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19855115A DE19855115A1 (en) 1998-11-30 1998-11-30 Multi-layer antenna arrangement
DE19855115 1998-11-30

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1006608A2 EP1006608A2 (en) 2000-06-07
EP1006608A3 EP1006608A3 (en) 2001-06-13
EP1006608B1 true EP1006608B1 (en) 2004-05-19

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99123247A Expired - Lifetime EP1006608B1 (en) 1998-11-30 1999-11-29 Multi-layered antenna arrangement

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EP (1) EP1006608B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE267471T1 (en)
DE (2) DE19855115A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

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DE102005010895A1 (en) * 2005-03-09 2006-09-14 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. Aperture-coupled antenna
US7471248B2 (en) 2005-03-09 2008-12-30 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V. Planar multiband antenna

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US6288679B1 (en) * 2000-05-31 2001-09-11 Lucent Technologies Inc. Single element antenna structure with high isolation
DE10052748A1 (en) * 2000-10-25 2002-05-29 Technisat Elektronik Thueringe Planar antenna with improved directional characteristic
AU2003245796A1 (en) 2003-07-16 2005-02-04 Huber + Suhner Ag Dual polarised microstrip patch antenna
US9444148B2 (en) 2009-08-06 2016-09-13 Indian Space Research Organisation Of Isro Printed quasi-tapered tape helical array antenna
CH704552A8 (en) 2011-02-17 2012-10-15 Huber+Suhner Ag Array antenna.

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US4926189A (en) * 1988-05-10 1990-05-15 Communications Satellite Corporation High-gain single- and dual-polarized antennas employing gridded printed-circuit elements
JPH01297905A (en) * 1988-05-26 1989-12-01 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Plane antenna
GB2256530B (en) * 1991-04-24 1995-08-09 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Planar antenna
DE4239597C2 (en) * 1991-11-26 1999-11-04 Hitachi Chemical Co Ltd Flat antenna with dual polarization
JP3239435B2 (en) * 1992-04-24 2001-12-17 ソニー株式会社 Planar antenna
US5241321A (en) * 1992-05-15 1993-08-31 Space Systems/Loral, Inc. Dual frequency circularly polarized microwave antenna

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005010895A1 (en) * 2005-03-09 2006-09-14 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. Aperture-coupled antenna
DE102005010895B4 (en) * 2005-03-09 2007-02-08 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. Aperture-coupled antenna
US7471248B2 (en) 2005-03-09 2008-12-30 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V. Planar multiband antenna
US7589676B2 (en) 2005-03-09 2009-09-15 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V. Aperture-coupled antenna

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE19855115A1 (en) 2000-06-08
ATE267471T1 (en) 2004-06-15
EP1006608A2 (en) 2000-06-07
DE59909519D1 (en) 2004-06-24
EP1006608A3 (en) 2001-06-13

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