Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q13/00—Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
  • H01Q13/08—Radiating ends of two-conductor microwave transmission lines, e.g. of coaxial lines, of microstrip lines
  • H01Q13/085—Slot-line radiating ends
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q13/00—Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
  • H01Q13/10—Resonant slot antennas
• • 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
  • H01Q21/20—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart the units being spaced along or adjacent to a curvilinear path
• • 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
  • H01Q21/20—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart the units being spaced along or adjacent to a curvilinear path
  • H01Q21/205—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart the units being spaced along or adjacent to a curvilinear path providing an omnidirectional coverage

Definitions

• the present invention relates to multi-sector antennas, more particularly to a multi-sector antenna formed of N planar antennas.
• antennas represent an exception to this miniaturization. Indeed, they are subject to the laws of physics which impose a minimum size for operation at a given frequency. Thus, in the case of printed planar antennas, the dimensions are of the order of the wavelength at the central operating frequency. It is undeniable that the printed planar structures are perfectly adapted for mass production of devices integrating passive and active functions. However, with regard to the radiating elements, a planar structure does not allow a complete control of the radiation of the antenna, especially in elevation.
• the directivity and the angular aperture of the main lobe of the radiation pattern of the antenna are directly related to the dimensions of the antenna which must be increased to obtain a high directivity and / or a large opening of the main lobe.
• multi-sector antennas using a planar structure currently on the market are cumbersome and expensive.
• the present invention provides a multi-sector antenna in three dimensions (3D) that reduces the projected size of the antenna while retaining good radio performance including performance, frequency bandwidth and radiation pattern.
• the present invention also provides a multi-sector antenna in three dimensions (3D) simple to achieve and inexpensive.
• the present invention therefore relates to a multi-sector antenna comprising N (N> 1) planar antennas each consisting of a slot to longitudinal radiation etched on a first substrate provided with a ground plane and powered by an excitation line, the first N substrates being interconnected along a same axis.
• N first substrates are provided on at least one side of the substrate parallel to the radiation axis of each antenna connection means being fixed on a second substrate perpendicular to the first N substrates.
• the first N substrates are made of plastic, in particular materials of the class of PBT (polybutylene terephthalate).
• each N first substrate is constituted by a plastic plate, one of whose faces is metallized.
• the first N substrates are connected to a mast perpendicular to the second substrate.
• two first substrates are made on a single plastic plate, one part, preferably one half of the first face and another part, preferably the other half of the second face of the plate, being metallized.
• said plate is provided in the middle with means allowing its interconnection with at least one other plate
• the N first substrates have on the side fixed on the second substrate an enlarged part forming said connecting means.
• the connection means consist of pins made on at least one side of said first substrate.
• the second substrate has a ground plane connecting to the ground plane of the N first substrates, said plane being provided with openings for the passage of the excitation lines.
• the connection means are constituted by pins
• the second substrate has holes for snapping the first substrates.
• the antennas of the longitudinal radiation slot type are "traveling wave" type antennas, in particular progressive opening type or Vivaldi type antennas.
• Plastic technology allows the design of 3D multi-sector antennas that can be directly transferred to an electronic board as a surface mount component.
• FIG. 1 is a plan representation of a Vivaldi type antenna used in the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a section along AA of FIG. 1
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a multi sector antenna according to the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a top view of the antenna of FIG. 3
• FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view along B-B of FIG. 4
• FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view along C-C of FIG. 4
• FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the antenna of FIG. 3
• FIG. 8 represents a curve giving the losses by reflection on one of the accesses of the antenna of FIG. 3
• FIG. 9 shows the 5.5 GHz radiation pattern of a sector of the antenna of FIG. 3
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a multi-sector antenna according to the present invention
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a multi-sector antenna according to the present invention
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a multi-sector antenna according to the present invention
• FIG. 13 is a diagonal elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 12.
• the present invention will be described by taking a planar antenna consisting of a longitudinal radiation slot, a Vivaldi type antenna.
• the flare of the Vivaldi antenna can have a circular, rectilinear, exponential shape, etc.
• Other types of planar antennas with darting slots can also be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.
• Figures 1 and 2 there is shown an antenna type Vivaldi.
• the substrate 1 is covered on one side with a conductive material such as a metal forming a ground plane 2, in particular copper.
• a slot line 3 which gradually widens to the end of the substrate.
• a micro-ribbon line 4 for excitation by electromagnetic coupling of the slot.
• the excitation line 4 extends to one edge of the substrate 1, in order to obtain an access point 5.
• the antenna consists of four antennas Vivaldi 1OA, 1OB, 1OC, 1OD. These four antennas are each made on a first substrate, as described above, mounted on a second common substrate 14, provided on its upper face with a conductive layer forming a ground plane 14A.
• the four substrates bearing the Vivaldi antennas are fixed on the substrate 14 so that the radiation axis of the Vivaldi slot 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D is parallel to the plane 14A of the second substrate 14.
• four first substrates are positioned parallel to the edges of the substrate 14.
• the first four substrates can also be positioned along the diagonals of the second substrate 14, which reduces the bulk.
• the substrate of each Vivaldi antenna has on the fixing side on the common substrate 14, an enlarged portion such as 17D in Figures 3, 5 and 6.
• the enlarged portions of the first substrates comprise fixing pins which are inserted into openings provided in the second substrate.
• the pin positioned in the extension of the excitation line is conductive and is inserted into a metallized opening so as to obtain electrical continuity.
• this enlarged portion may include positioning zones or rods 16 for better mechanical accuracy of the report.
• the four Vivaldi antennas are interconnected along an axis 13 perpendicular to the plane of the second substrate 14.
• the four substrates are perpendicular to each other so as to form a four-sector antenna.
• Each substrate is entirely metallized and then etched to produce on one face, the radiating slot, such as 11 A, 11 B, 11 This 11 D and on the other side the excitation line, such as 12D.
• unmetallized areas 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D are provided in the ground plane 41A of the second substrate for passage of the excitation lines.
• the excitation lines follow the contour of the widened part of the first substrates receiving the Vivaldi antennas and are connected to a switching circuit referenced 18 in FIG. 7.
• the lower plane of the second substrate dielectric 14 comprises a switching circuit 18 which may be constituted by components such as PIN diodes, MEMs or other switching components connected to the excitation lines 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D of the Vivaldi antennas and to the line common supply 19.
• a switching circuit 18 which may be constituted by components such as PIN diodes, MEMs or other switching components connected to the excitation lines 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D of the Vivaldi antennas and to the line common supply 19.
• a multi-sector antenna of this type was simulated with the HFSS electromagnetic simulation software based on the finite element method of ANSOFT corporation using the following values: Operating frequency 5.5GHz.
• First substrate plastic material with a permittivity of 3.5 and a loss tangent of 0.01.
• the substrate has a thickness of 0.77mm.
• Second substrate Rogers 4003 type having a permittivity of 3.38 and a loss tangent of 0.0027 and having a thickness of 0.81 mm.
• FIG. 8 gives the losses by reflection on one of the 4 accesses of a Vivaldi antenna.
• the adaptation remains broadband around the operating frequency of 5.5GHZ.
• the value of the directivity for a single illuminated sector, the other three being deactivated, is 6.9dBi.
• the radiation pattern shown in Figure 9 remains in line with the radiation pattern of a Vivaldi antenna placed in an environment without constraint.
• the multi-sector antenna comprises eight Vivaldi type antennas 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 interconnected at a common axis 100 perpendicular to a common substrate 14.
• Each Vivaldi type antenna is identical to the Vivaldi type antennas described above.
• the maximum number N of Vivaldi type antennas that can be interconnected to determine the sectors is determined by the laws of physics.
• the four antennas Vivaldi type 2OA, 2OB, 2OC, 2OD are connected to a mast 24 provided with a groove 25 in which is inserted one of the edges of the substrate of the antenna Vivaldi.
• the mast 24 is fixed perpendicularly to the second substrate 14.
• the Vivaldi type antennas are independently produced by conventional circuit metallization techniques.
• the mast may have additional positioning pins or be recessed in its lower part to be able to integrate components on the common substrate.
• FIGS. 12 and 13 A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.
• two first substrates 30A, 30B have been made.
• a first half face of the rectangular plate is metallized and in this metallized face is etched a flared slot 31, the half non-metallized face receiving a microstrip line 32.
• the metallization is reversed .
• This structure gives two Vivaldi antennas.
• the rectangular plate 30 has in its middle a slot allowing it to be interwoven with another rectangular plate 30 'of the same type as represented in FIG. 12.
• the rectangular plate has on at least one of its lengths of the pins 33 with one of the pins 33 'extending the microstrip line 32.
• the pins 33 can fix the different plates rectangular 30, 30 'on the second substrate 34 provided with corresponding openings.
• the hole corresponding to the pin 33 'receiving the microstrip excitation line 32 is metallized.
• the other pins 33 being metallized, they provide a continuity of mass with the second substrate 34 whose upper face is metallized.
• the lower face of the substrate receives microstrip lines connecting the excitation lines of the Vivaldi antennas to a common power supply line via any suitable circuit.
• This embodiment is simple and inexpensive to produce. It requires no soldering and the elements constituting the multi-sector antenna are standardizable.
• the multi-sector antenna according to the present invention causes an increase in directivity and a decrease in the beamwidth to cover a given sector using a three-dimensional device.
• This antenna has the following advantages: a. Preservation of good performance in terms of gain and beam width while maintaining a small footprint. b. Possibility of obtaining a larger number of sectors than in planar technology. vs. Diversification of form factors through the contribution of the third dimension. d. Flexibility in design, construction and integration thanks to "metallized plastic" technology that allows complex and varied shapes.

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• Waveguide Aerials (AREA)
• Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 2006
  • 2006-12-01 FR FR0655246A patent/FR2909486A1/fr active Pending
• 2007
  • 2007-11-29 EP EP07858754A patent/EP2087553A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2007-11-29 CN CNA2007800444689A patent/CN101569059A/zh active Pending
  • 2007-11-29 WO PCT/FR2007/052419 patent/WO2008065311A2/fr active Application Filing
  • 2007-11-29 US US12/312,797 patent/US20100066622A1/en not_active Abandoned

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