EP2830156B1 - Waveguide radiator, group antenna radiator and synthetic aperture radar radiator - Google Patents

Waveguide radiator, group antenna radiator and synthetic aperture radar radiator Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2830156B1
EP2830156B1 EP14002534.7A EP14002534A EP2830156B1 EP 2830156 B1 EP2830156 B1 EP 2830156B1 EP 14002534 A EP14002534 A EP 14002534A EP 2830156 B1 EP2830156 B1 EP 2830156B1
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European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
waveguide
slots
radiator
inner conductor
slotted
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EP14002534.7A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2830156A1 (en
Inventor
Christian RÖMER
Alexander Herschlein
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Airbus DS GmbH
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Airbus DS GmbH
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    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q13/00Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
    • H01Q13/20Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
    • H01Q13/203Leaky coaxial lines
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q13/00Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
    • H01Q13/10Resonant slot antennas
    • H01Q13/18Resonant slot antennas the slot being backed by, or formed in boundary wall of, a resonant cavity ; Open cavity antennas
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/50Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/0006Particular feeding systems
    • H01Q21/0037Particular feeding systems linear waveguide fed arrays
    • H01Q21/0043Slotted waveguides
    • H01Q21/005Slotted waveguides arrays

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a waveguide radiator with a slotted waveguide with a plurality of slots mounted in the waveguide.
  • the invention further relates to a group antenna radiator and a synthetic aperture radar system.
  • Waveguide radiators or array antenna radiators are used, for example, in phased array antennas of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems with single and dual polarization. So far, so-called microstrip patch antennas or slotted waveguide antennas are used as emitters.
  • SAR synthetic aperture radar
  • Microstrip patch antennas have high electrical losses and their electrical feed network is not efficient in longer radiator lengths than about seven wavelengths feasible (in the X-band about 20 cm).
  • T / R modules transmitting / receiving modules
  • the problem arises of dissipating the heat of the active modules, which are mounted on the back of the radiators, to the front.
  • the slotted waveguide antennas are limited by their electrically resonant behavior in the achievable relative bandwidth ( ⁇ 5%). In addition, they require a high manufacturing accuracy and are very expensive to produce as dual polarized group radiators.
  • Concepts used in the prior art include waveguides with inner lands and longitudinal slots for vertical polarization, and rectangular waveguides with skewed wires and transverse slots for horizontal polarization. Here are Also, the necessary transitions of the connected coaxial cable in the waveguide problematic.
  • a waveguide radiator which comprises a slotted waveguide in which an additional inner conductor, a so-called barline, is mounted.
  • This inner conductor is polarization-dependent specially shaped to excite all slots of the waveguide in phase.
  • the propagation modes are no longer dispersive but correspond to those in coaxial lines, ie TEM modes. This can increase the bandwidth.
  • the cross-sections of the waveguide can be significantly reduced in size, since there is no lower limit frequency (so-called cutoff) in TEM modes.
  • the coupling can be done by a direct coaxial transition, which is mechanically very easy to implement, for example, by commercially available SMA chassis sockets.
  • the waveguide radiator should be broadband, efficient and inexpensive to produce, so that from this a planar array antenna can be built, the u.a. can be used in space or airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems.
  • SAR synthetic aperture radar
  • a waveguide radiator comprising a slotted waveguide having a plurality of transverse or longitudinal slots mounted in the waveguide. If the waveguide has transverse slots, the direction of the emitted polarization of the waveguide corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide. If the slotted waveguide has longitudinal slots, the direction of the emitted polarization of the waveguide corresponds to the transverse direction of the waveguide. Depending on the orientation of the slots, thus either horizontally or vertically polarized waves can be radiated.
  • the additional inner conductor mounted in the waveguide is such that the distance between adjacent slots along the waveguide corresponds to exactly one wavelength of a traveling wave to provide in-phase excitation, thereby providing a traveling wave principle and all slots of the waveguide can be excited in phase.
  • a layer of dielectric material is mounted in the waveguide, on the upper side of which the inner conductor is mounted, for example by gluing. According to the height varies July 14, 2015 the dielectric material along the waveguide at least in sections, whereby the amplitude assignment of the slots along the waveguide can be influenced.
  • TEM mode transversely electrically magnetic propagation mode
  • the inner conductor is polarization-dependent specially shaped to stimulate either longitudinal or transverse slots can.
  • the proposed waveguide radiator is distinguished from that in the DE 10 2006 057 144 A1 described waveguide radiators through a significantly higher bandwidth.
  • the height or thickness of the dielectric layer is not uniform along the waveguide, but has an individually shaped height profile. Due to the height profile and the shape of the inner conductor, the amplitude and phase of the electric field strength in the slots along the waveguide can be selectively influenced, so that any aperture can be realized, for example, to suppress secondary maxima in the antenna pattern below a predetermined value. In the same way, it is also possible to achieve a homogeneous amplitude and phase coverage along the waveguide, for example in order to maximize the antenna gain and to minimize the half-width.
  • Each slot of the waveguide radiator can have individual geometric dimensions. It is understood, however, that the waveguide radiator has either only longitudinal or transverse slots.
  • the special shape of the inner conductor is composed of repeating sections of similar geometry along the waveguide. The length of these sections is identical to the spacing of adjacent slots along the waveguide.
  • the additional inner conductor may be formed from, in particular alternately arranged, straight and winding conductor sections.
  • One feature of the standing wave resonant feed is an additional quarter wave transformer located in each of the repeating sections.
  • This quarter-wave transformer is realized by a taper of the inner conductor, i. a reduction of the conductor width.
  • the length of this taper or conductor width reduction is preferably chosen so that it corresponds to an electrical path length of exactly one quarter of a line wavelength.
  • the reduction of the conductor width causes an increase of the characteristic impedance along the tapered portion.
  • the thus realized quarter-wave transformers compensate for the reflection points that would otherwise result at these positions.
  • the inner conductor may have in the region of the ends of the waveguide a straight section as an open stub.
  • a coupling of a signal can take place in the middle of the waveguide radiator through a galvanically coupled coaxial transition, in which the inner conductor a connected coaxial cable (eg via SMA, SMP connection) is connected directly to the feed point of the inner conductor.
  • the outer conductor of the connected coaxial cable is connected directly to the wall of the waveguide.
  • the feed point may be slightly offset in the transverse direction, thus allowing the transition to a mounted on the back of the radiator board at a suitable location.
  • the feed point of the waveguide with respect to the geometric center of the waveguide may be displaced in the longitudinal direction.
  • the displacement may be about 6 to 7 mm in a specific implementation, depending on the wavelength or frequency of the signal to be generated.
  • the feed point of the waveguide can be arranged in the waveguide such that the electrical phase position at the positions of all slits is identical at center frequency.
  • the additional inner conductor has a feed point which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the slotted waveguide in the geometric center. It may further be provided that the slotted waveguide is formed with the additional inner conductor mirror-symmetrical about the feed point.
  • the invention has the advantage that, in contrast to the resonant power supply, significantly higher bandwidths can be realized.
  • the in the DE 10 2006 057 144 A1 mentioned advantages to conventional slotted waveguides are all preserved without compromising, such as no dispersion, size reduction of the cross section, no lower limit frequency, robustness to manufacturing tolerances, greater possible radiator lengths, low production costs, short production times, unproblematic transition to coaxial cable, high power feedable, low ohmic Losses, high cross-polar suppression.
  • the development of the waveguide radiator in particular the determination of the exact geometric dimensions of the inner conductor and the slots is carried out by means of electromagnetic simulation method.
  • the behavior of the radiator described here can also be described by network models with suitable equivalent circuit diagrams. These models are usually used in a first step in order to optimize the sizes of the elements present in the equivalent circuit diagram. In the second step, these quantities are then translated into suitable geometric parameters.
  • Commercially available software packages can be used for this, which use full-wave analysis to calculate the electromagnetic behavior of the actual geometry (3D models).
  • An array antenna radiator comprises one or more slotted waveguides with transverse slots and one or more slotted waveguides with longitudinal slits of the type described above.
  • the slotted waveguides may be juxtaposed transversely in one configuration, alternately a waveguide with transverse slits and a waveguide Waveguide with longitudinal slots next to each other.
  • the waveguides, ie all waveguides, preferably have an identical length.
  • the waveguides with transverse slots can be offset upwards relative to the waveguides with longitudinal slots, so that a step-like structure of the array antenna radiator is given.
  • At the top is that side of a respective waveguide radiator, on which the waveguides have the slots.
  • a synthetic aperture radar system particularly a high resolution synthetic aperture radar system, comprises at least one array antenna radiator of the type described above.
  • a waveguide radiator according to the invention with a slotted waveguide (hereinafter referred to as waveguide 10, 30) and an inner conductor 14, 34 arranged in the waveguide 10, 30 will be described below. It is between slotted waveguides 10, 30 with transverse slots 12 (FIG. Fig. 1 ) and longitudinal slots 32 (FIG. Fig. 6 ), in which the shape of the inner conductor 14 and 34 used differs.
  • the exact configuration of the inner conductor 14 for the waveguide 10 with transverse slots 12 is in the Fig. 3 to 5 shown.
  • the exact configuration of the inner conductor 34 for the waveguide 30 with longitudinal slots 32 is in the Fig. 8 to 10 shown.
  • the geometrical dimensions given below refer to an exemplary embodiment in the X-band at a center frequency of 9.6 GHz.
  • the radiator described here can be readily designed for deviating center frequencies.
  • the size dimensions in this case scale over the ratio of the respective wavelengths.
  • the waveguides 10, 30 are formed from conventional rectangular waveguides, in the transverse slots 12 and longitudinal slots 32 are introduced.
  • the interior of the waveguides 10, 30 is filled with a dielectric material.
  • the dielectric layer 24, 44 is in the Fig. 2 and 7 shown. While prior art radiators have a constant layer thickness, the dielectric layers 24, 44 of the invention have a variable height in the longitudinal extent of the waveguide.
  • the choice of the material used for the dielectric layer is determined by its electrical properties, namely the dielectric constant and the loss angle.
  • the dielectric constant influences the propagation velocity of the traveling wave traveling on the inner conductor (shortening factor).
  • the distance between adjacent slots along the waveguide corresponds to exactly one wavelength of the traveling wave in order to achieve an in-phase excitation.
  • the slot spacing is smaller than a free space wavelength in order to avoid unwanted secondary maxima (so-called grating praise).
  • the slot pitch is in the range of 0.5 to 0.9 times a free space wavelength. This results in the value of the dielectric constant, which is thus typically in the range from 1.2 to 3.0.
  • the loss angle should be as small as possible in order to keep the dielectric losses as low as possible, for a suitable material the value should be smaller than 1 ⁇ 10 -3 .
  • the thickness of the dielectric layer 24, 44 along the waveguide has a characteristic profile.
  • the height at the positions of the slots 12, 32 determines the proportion of the decoupled power of the traveling wave. A larger height results in a stronger decoupling, a lower level correspondingly reversed.
  • the thickness of the dielectric layer 24, 44 increases to the outer ends of the respective waveguide 10, 30, because of the decreasing power of the traveling wave an ever higher relative proportion must be disconnected.
  • Fig. 1 shows a waveguide 10 with transverse slots 12.
  • the shape of the inner conductor 14 in the waveguide 10 with the transverse slots 12 is in Fig. 3 shown.
  • the positions of the slots are in Fig. 3 indicated by arrows
  • the middle area, which includes a feed point 16, is in Fig. 4 shown enlarged.
  • the feed point 16 is offset relative to the geometric center in the longitudinal direction by approximately 6 mm. This displacement causes a phase difference of 180 ° of the outgoing from the feed point 16 traveling wave in the right and left part of the waveguide 10. In this way, an in-phase excitation of the slots results both in the right and in the left part of the waveguide 10th
  • the inner conductor 14 begins immediately at the feed point 16 with sections 18 (transformation lines) with reduced conductor width. These are used to transform the characteristic impedance of the connected and not shown here coaxial cable of typically 50 ohms.
  • sections 18 transformation lines
  • the further course of the inner conductor 14 to the ends of the waveguide 10 consists of straight sections 18 with reduced conductor width and tortuous sections 20. The straight sections thus act as transformation lines.
  • the twisting of the remaining portions 20 causes a delay of the propagation velocity of the traveling wave in the longitudinal direction of the waveguide 10. A stronger expression of the distortion causes a greater delay and vice versa.
  • the phase difference between adjacent slots 12 can be set to exactly 360 °.
  • the slots 12 are cut transversely into the outer wall of the waveguide 10. They protrude into the side walls with a cutting depth of about 4mm.
  • the width of the slots 12 is about 2-3mm.
  • the slots 12 have resonant behavior, the resonance frequency coincides with the center frequency of the radiator.
  • the outermost slot 12A at the ends of the waveguide 10 with the underlying portion 22 of the inner conductor 14 has a peculiarity.
  • the ends of the traveling waveguide are often resistively terminated in traveling-wave-principle radiators. This leads to undesirable losses, since the power remaining at the end of the line is dissipated in a resistor.
  • the power remaining at the end of the line is radiated completely over the outermost slot, whereby additional losses are avoided.
  • the height profile of the dielectric layer is designed such that the power remaining at the outermost slot 12A corresponds to the power coupled out at the remaining slots, whereby a homogeneous coverage of all slots 12, 12A is achieved while maintaining this boundary condition.
  • Fig. 5 this shows an enlarged view of the region of the ends of the inner conductor Fig. 3 , wherein the unclip, open line termination can be seen with the section 22, which supports the described properties.
  • Fig. 6 shows a waveguide 30 with longitudinal slots.
  • the shape of the inner conductor 34 in a waveguide with longitudinal slots 30 is shown in FIG Fig. 8 shown.
  • the central area containing the feed point 36 is in Fig. 9 shown enlarged.
  • the feed point 36 is seen in the longitudinal direction in the geometric center. Displacement in the longitudinal direction, as in a waveguide with transverse slots 10, is not necessary in this case symmetrical construction of the right and left half of the waveguide 30, an in phase excitation of the slots 32 can be achieved.
  • the inner conductor 34 begins immediately at the feed point 36 with transformation lines with reduced conductor width. These are used to transform to the characteristic impedance of the connected coaxial cable of typically 50 ohms.
  • the further course of the inner conductor 34 to the ends of the waveguide consists of straight sections 38 and winding sections 40.
  • the tortuous shape of the sections 40 is designed so that the inner conductor extends at the middle positions of the slots 32 in the transverse direction. This is necessary for a coupling of the longitudinal slots 32, since for this purpose a flow of the induced current in the transverse direction must be present on the wall of the waveguide 30.
  • the position of the slots is in Fig. 8 indicated by arrows.
  • the tortuous shape of the sections 40 additionally causes a delay of the propagation velocity of the traveling wave in the longitudinal direction of the waveguide. A stronger expression of the tortuous shape causes a greater delay and vice versa. This allows the phase difference between adjacent slots to be set to exactly 360 °.
  • the slits 32 are cut longitudinally (longitudinally) into the outer wall of the waveguide 30.
  • the slots 32 have a length of approximately half the free space wavelength. The exact length can vary slightly from slot to slot.
  • the width of the slots is about 2 mm.
  • the slots have resonant behavior, the resonance frequency coincides with the center frequency of the radiator.
  • the outermost slot 32A at the ends of the waveguide 30 with the underlying portion 42 of the inner conductor 42 has a peculiarity. According to the prior art in emitter with traveling wave principle often the ends the traveling wave line resistive completed. This leads to undesirable losses, since the power remaining at the end of the line is dissipated in a resistor. In the concept of a traveling wave radiator with homogeneous excitation of all slots 32 presented here, the power remaining at the end of the line is radiated completely over the outermost slot 32A, whereby additional losses are avoided.
  • the height profile of the dielectric layer 44 is designed in such a way that the power remaining at the outermost slot 32A corresponds to the power coupled to the remaining slots 32, so that a homogeneous coverage of all the slots 32, 32A can be achieved in compliance with this boundary condition.
  • Fig. 10 shows an enlarged view of the region of the ends of the inner conductor Fig. 8 , Evident is the unsound, open line termination with the section 42 of the inner conductor 34, which supports the described properties.
  • dual polarized radiator groups 60 can be realized in a simple manner. Since the widths of the waveguides can be greatly reduced with the emitter concept described here (up to a quarter of the wavelength), dual-polarized, electronically controllable array antennas with a very large swivel range can be realized (> ⁇ 60 °).
  • Fig. 11 shows the construction of a dual polarized radiator group 60 (group antenna radiator). It consists of a combination of alternately a slotted waveguide 10 with transverse slots 12 and a waveguide 30 with longitudinal slots 32.
  • the waveguides 10 with transverse slots 12 are about 7 mm to 8 mm in relation to the waveguides 30 with longitudinal slots 12 offset upwards, so that a step-like structure is formed.
  • the proposed waveguide radiator is distinguished from the well-known from the prior art waveguide radiators by a significantly higher bandwidth. This is in the FIGS. 12 to 15 exemplified for a radiator of length 250mm for the X-band.
  • Fig. 12 shows a representation of the total occurring in the radiator electrical losses in dB compared to an ideal aperture of the same size.
  • the solid line curve represents traveling wave power source losses
  • the dashed line curve represents resonant standing wave power losses.
  • Fig. 13 shows a representation of the adjustment in dB, wherein the solid line curve to a radiator with traveling wave feed and the dashed line curve is assigned to a radiator with resonant feed (standing wave).
  • Fig. 14 shows a plot of the radiation characteristics in dB (antenna diagram) of a radiator with traveling wave feed, where the dashed line curve shows the antenna pattern at 8.7 GHz, the solid line curve the antenna diagram at 9.6 GHz (center frequency) and the dotted line curve the antenna diagram at 10.5GHz show.
  • Fig. 15 shows a plot of the radiation characteristics in dB (antenna diagram) of a resonant power source with a standing wave, where the dashed line curve shows the antenna pattern at 8.7GHz, the solid line curve the antenna pattern at 9.6GHz (center frequency) and the curve with dotted line show the antenna diagram at 10.5GHz.

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Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen Hohlleiter-Strahler mit einem geschlitzten Hohlleiter mit einer Mehrzahl von in dem Hohlleiter angebrachten Schlitzen. Die Erfindung betrifft ferner einen Gruppenantennen-Strahler und ein Synthetik-Apertur-Radar-System.The invention relates to a waveguide radiator with a slotted waveguide with a plurality of slots mounted in the waveguide. The invention further relates to a group antenna radiator and a synthetic aperture radar system.

Hohlleiter-Strahler oder Gruppenantennen-Strahler (in der Literatur auch Radiatoren oder Subarrays genannt) werden beispielsweise in Phased Array Antennen von Synthetik-Apertur-Radar (SAR)-Systemen mit einfacher und dualer Polarisation eingesetzt. Bisher werden als Strahler sogenannte Microstrip-Patch-Antennen oder geschlitzte Hohlleiterantennen verwendet.Waveguide radiators or array antenna radiators (also referred to in the literature as radiators or subarrays) are used, for example, in phased array antennas of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems with single and dual polarization. So far, so-called microstrip patch antennas or slotted waveguide antennas are used as emitters.

Microstrip-Patch-Antennen weisen hohe elektrische Verluste auf und sind durch ihr elektrisches Speisenetzwerk nicht effizient in größeren Strahlerlängen als ca. sieben Wellenlängen realisierbar (im X-Band ca. 20 cm). Im Falle einer aktiven Antenne mit verteilter Erzeugung der HF-Sendeleistung durch sog. T/R-Module (Sende- / Empfangsmodule) kommt die Problematik hinzu, die Wärme der aktiven Module, die auf der Rückseite der Strahler angebracht sind, nach vorne abzuführen.Microstrip patch antennas have high electrical losses and their electrical feed network is not efficient in longer radiator lengths than about seven wavelengths feasible (in the X-band about 20 cm). In the case of an active antenna with distributed generation of the RF transmission power through so-called T / R modules (transmitting / receiving modules), the problem arises of dissipating the heat of the active modules, which are mounted on the back of the radiators, to the front.

Die geschlitzten Hohlleiterantennen hingegen sind durch ihr elektrisch resonantes Verhalten in der erzielbaren relativen Bandbreite limitiert (<5%). Außerdem erfordern sie eine hohe Fertigungsgenauigkeit und sind als dual polarisierte Gruppen-strahler nur sehr kostenaufwendig herstellbar. Nach dem Stand der Technik angewandte Konzepte sind Hohlleiter mit Innenstegen und longitudinalen Schlitzen für die vertikale Polarisation sowie Rechteckhohlleitern mit schräg eingebrachten Drähten und transversalen Schlitzen für die horizontale Polarisation. Hierbei sind auch die notwendigen Übergänge der angeschlossenen Koaxialkabel in die Hohlleiter problematisch.The slotted waveguide antennas, however, are limited by their electrically resonant behavior in the achievable relative bandwidth (<5%). In addition, they require a high manufacturing accuracy and are very expensive to produce as dual polarized group radiators. Concepts used in the prior art include waveguides with inner lands and longitudinal slots for vertical polarization, and rectangular waveguides with skewed wires and transverse slots for horizontal polarization. Here are Also, the necessary transitions of the connected coaxial cable in the waveguide problematic.

Aus der DE 10 2006 057 144 A1 und dem zugehörigen Familienmitglied WO 2008/064655 A1 , ist ein Hohlleiter-Strahler bekannt, der einen geschlitzten Hohlleiter umfasst, in dem ein zusätzlicher Innenleiter, eine sogenannte Barline, angebracht ist. Dieser Innenleiter ist polarisationsabhängig speziell geformt, um alle Schlitze des Hohlleiters phasengleich anzuregen. Im Gegensatz zu herkömmlichen geschlitzten Hohlleitern sind die Ausbreitungsmoden nicht mehr dispersiv, sondern entsprechen denen in Koaxialleitungen, d. h. TEM-Moden. Hierdurch kann sich die Bandbreite erhöhen. Außerdem können die Querschnitte der Hohlleiter erheblich in ihrer Größe reduziert werden, da bei TEM-Moden keine untere Grenzfrequenz (sog. Cutoff) existiert. Die Einkopplung kann durch einen direkten Koaxialübergang erfolgen, der mechanisch sehr einfach zu realisieren ist, beispielsweise durch handelsübliche SMA-Einbaubuchsen.From the DE 10 2006 057 144 A1 and the associated family member WO 2008/064655 A1 , a waveguide radiator is known which comprises a slotted waveguide in which an additional inner conductor, a so-called barline, is mounted. This inner conductor is polarization-dependent specially shaped to excite all slots of the waveguide in phase. In contrast to conventional slotted waveguides, the propagation modes are no longer dispersive but correspond to those in coaxial lines, ie TEM modes. This can increase the bandwidth. In addition, the cross-sections of the waveguide can be significantly reduced in size, since there is no lower limit frequency (so-called cutoff) in TEM modes. The coupling can be done by a direct coaxial transition, which is mechanically very easy to implement, for example, by commercially available SMA chassis sockets.

Aus Römer, Christian: "Slotted waveguide in phased array antennas". Karlsruhe: IHE, 2008 (Forschungsberichte aus dem Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik und Elektronik der Universität Karlsruhe; 55). 159 S. - Zugl.: Karlsruhe, Univ., Diss., 2008 ist ein weiterer Hohlleiter-Strahler bekannt, der einen geschlitzten Hohlleiter umfasst, in dem ein zusätzlicher Innenleiter auf einem dielektrischen Material angeordnet ist. Die Höhe des dielektrischen Materials wird dazu genutzt, um den elektrischen Leitwert für den Hohlleiter-Strahler zu optimierten.From Römer, Christian: "Slotted waveguide in phased array antennas". Karlsruhe: IHE, 2008 (Research Reports from the Institute for High Frequency Technology and Electronics of the University of Karlsruhe, 55). 159 S. - Zugl.: Karlsruhe, Univ., Diss., 2008, another waveguide radiator is known which comprises a slotted waveguide in which an additional inner conductor is disposed on a dielectric material. The height of the dielectric material is used to optimize the electrical conductance for the waveguide radiator.

Aus Yamaguchi, Satoshi et al. "Inclined Slot Array Antennas on a Rectangular Coaxial Line", Antennas and Propagation, Proceedings of the 5th European Conference on, IEEE, 11. April 2011, Seiten 1036 - 1040 ist auch ein Hohlleiter-Strahler bekannt, der einen geschlitzten Hohlleiter umfasst, in dem ein zusätzlicher Innenleiter auf einem dielektrischen Material angeordnet ist.Out Yamaguchi, Satoshi et al. "Inclined Slot Array Antennas on a Rectangular Coaxial Line", Antennas and Propagation, Proceedings of the 5th European Conference on, IEEE, April 11, 2011, pp. 1036-1040 Also known is a waveguide radiator comprising a slotted waveguide in which an additional inner conductor is disposed on a dielectric material.

Weitere gattungsgemäße Hohlleiterstrahler sind aus der US 2 914 766 A und der US 4 409 595 A bekannt.Other generic waveguide radiators are from the US 2,914,766 A and the US 4,409,595 A known.

Es ist Aufgabe der Erfindung, einen Hohlleiter-Strahler anzugeben, der funktional und/oder baulich verbessert ist. Der Hohlleiter-Strahler soll breitbandig, effizient und kostengünstig herstellbar sein, so dass aus diesem eine planare Gruppenantenne aufgebaut werden kann, die u.a. in raum- oder flugzeuggestützten Synthetik-Apertur-Radar (SAR)-Systemen eingesetzt werden kann.It is an object of the invention to provide a waveguide radiator, which is functionally and / or structurally improved. The waveguide radiator should be broadband, efficient and inexpensive to produce, so that from this a planar array antenna can be built, the u.a. can be used in space or airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems.

Diese Aufgabe wird gelöst durch einen Hohlleiter-Strahler gemäß den Merkmalen des Patentanspruches 1, einen Gruppenantennen-Strahler gemäß den Merkmalen des Patentanspruches 9 sowie ein Synthetik-Apertur-Radar-System gemäß den Merkmalen des Patentanspruches 13.This object is achieved by a waveguide radiator according to the features of claim 1, a group antenna radiator according to the features of claim 9 and a synthetic aperture radar system according to the features of claim 13.

Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen ergeben sich aus den abhängigen Patentansprüchen.Advantageous embodiments will be apparent from the dependent claims.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch einen Hohlleiter-Strahler gelöst, der einen geschlitzten Hohlleiter (Wellenleiter) mit einer Mehrzahl von in dem Hohlleiter angebrachten transversalen oder longitudinalen Schlitzen umfasst. Weist der Hohlleiter transversale Schlitze auf, entspricht die Richtung der abgestrahlten Polarisation des Hohlleiters der Längsrichtung des Hohlleiters. Weist der geschlitzte Hohlleiter longitudinale Schlitze auf, entspricht die Richtung der abgestrahlten Polarisation des Hohlleiters der Querrichtung des Hohlleiters. Je nach Ausrichtung der Schlitze, können somit entweder horizontal oder vertikal polarisierte Wellen abgestrahlt werden. Der in dem Hohlleiter angebrachte zusätzliche Innenleiter ist derart beschaffen, dass der Abstand zwischen benachbarten Schlitzen entlang des Wellenleiters zur Erzielung einer phasengleichen Anregung genau einer Wellenlänge einer Wanderwelle entspricht, wodurch sich eine Speisung nach dem Wanderwellenprinzip ergibt und alle Schlitze des Hohlleiters phasengleich angeregt werden können. Zur Befestigung des Innenleiters wird eine Schicht aus dielektrischem Material in dem Hohlleiter angebracht, auf dessen Oberseite der Innenleiter montiert ist, beispielsweise durch eine Klebung. Erfindungsgemäß variiert die Höhe 14. Juli 2015 des dielektrischen Materials entlang des Hohlleiters zumindest abschnittsweise, wodurch die Amplitudenbelegung der Schlitze entlang des Hohlleiters beeinflussbar ist.This object is achieved by a waveguide radiator comprising a slotted waveguide having a plurality of transverse or longitudinal slots mounted in the waveguide. If the waveguide has transverse slots, the direction of the emitted polarization of the waveguide corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide. If the slotted waveguide has longitudinal slots, the direction of the emitted polarization of the waveguide corresponds to the transverse direction of the waveguide. Depending on the orientation of the slots, thus either horizontally or vertically polarized waves can be radiated. The additional inner conductor mounted in the waveguide is such that the distance between adjacent slots along the waveguide corresponds to exactly one wavelength of a traveling wave to provide in-phase excitation, thereby providing a traveling wave principle and all slots of the waveguide can be excited in phase. For attachment of the inner conductor, a layer of dielectric material is mounted in the waveguide, on the upper side of which the inner conductor is mounted, for example by gluing. According to the height varies July 14, 2015 the dielectric material along the waveguide at least in sections, whereby the amplitude assignment of the slots along the waveguide can be influenced.

Durch den im Innenraum des geschlitzten Hohlleiters befindlichen Innenleiter (sog. Barline) wird ein dispersionsfreier, transversal elektrisch magnetischer Ausbreitungsmode unterstützt (TEM-Mode). Der Innenleiter ist polarisationsabhängig speziell geformt, um entweder longitudinale oder transversale Schlitze anregen zu können. Der vorgeschlagene Hohlleiter-Strahler zeichnet sich gegenüber dem in der DE 10 2006 057 144 A1 beschrieben Hohlleiter-Strahler durch eine nochmals deutlich höhere Bandbreite aus.Due to the interior conductor of the slotted waveguide (so-called Barline), a dispersion-free, transversely electrically magnetic propagation mode is supported (TEM mode). The inner conductor is polarization-dependent specially shaped to stimulate either longitudinal or transverse slots can. The proposed waveguide radiator is distinguished from that in the DE 10 2006 057 144 A1 described waveguide radiators through a significantly higher bandwidth.

Die Höhe bzw. Dicke der dielektrischen Schicht ist entlang des Hohlleiters nicht gleichmäßig, sondern weist einen individuell geformten Höhenverlauf auf. Durch den Höhenverlauf und die Form des Innenleiters kann die Amplitude und Phase der elektrischen Feldstärke in den Schlitzen entlang des Wellenleiters gezielt beeinflusst werden, so dass sich beliebige Aperturbelegungen realisieren lassen, beispielsweise um Nebenmaxima im Antennendiagramm unterhalb eines vorgegebenen Werts zu unterdrücken. Auf gleiche Weise lässt sich auch eine homogene Amplituden- und Phasenbelegung entlang des Wellenleiters erzielen, beispielsweise um den Antennengewinn zu maximieren und die Halbwertsbreite zu minimieren.The height or thickness of the dielectric layer is not uniform along the waveguide, but has an individually shaped height profile. Due to the height profile and the shape of the inner conductor, the amplitude and phase of the electric field strength in the slots along the waveguide can be selectively influenced, so that any aperture can be realized, for example, to suppress secondary maxima in the antenna pattern below a predetermined value. In the same way, it is also possible to achieve a homogeneous amplitude and phase coverage along the waveguide, for example in order to maximize the antenna gain and to minimize the half-width.

Jeder Schlitz des Hohlleiter-Strahlers kann individuelle geometrische Abmessungen aufweisen. Es versteht sich, dass dabei der Hohlleiter-Strahler jedoch entweder nur longitudinale oder transversale Schlitze aufweist.Each slot of the waveguide radiator can have individual geometric dimensions. It is understood, however, that the waveguide radiator has either only longitudinal or transverse slots.

Die spezielle Form des Innenleiters setzt sich zusammen aus sich wiederholenden Abschnitten ähnlicher Geometrie entlang des Hohlleiters. Die Länge dieser Abschnitte ist dabei identisch mit dem Abstand benachbarter Schlitze entlang des Hohlleiters. Der zusätzliche Innenleiter kann aus, insbesondere abwechselnd angeordneten, geraden und gewundenen Leiterabschnitten gebildet sein.The special shape of the inner conductor is composed of repeating sections of similar geometry along the waveguide. The length of these sections is identical to the spacing of adjacent slots along the waveguide. The additional inner conductor may be formed from, in particular alternately arranged, straight and winding conductor sections.

Eine Ausprägung gegenüber der resonanten Speisung mit stehender Welle ist ein zusätzlicher Viertelwellentransformator, der sich in jedem der sich wiederholenden Abschnitte befindet. Dieser Viertelwellentransformator wird realisiert durch eine Verjüngung des Innenleiters, d.h. eine Reduktion der Leiterbreite. Die Länge dieser Verjüngung bzw. Leiterbreitenreduktion wird vorzugsweise so gewählt, dass sie einer elektrischen Weglänge von genau dem Viertel einer Leitungswellenlänge entspricht. Die Reduktion der Leiterbreite bewirkt eine Erhöhung des Wellenwiderstandes entlang des verjüngten Abschnitts. Durch die so realisierten Viertelwellentransformatoren werden die Reflexionsstellen ausgeglichen, die sich ansonsten an diesen Positionen ergeben würden.One feature of the standing wave resonant feed is an additional quarter wave transformer located in each of the repeating sections. This quarter-wave transformer is realized by a taper of the inner conductor, i. a reduction of the conductor width. The length of this taper or conductor width reduction is preferably chosen so that it corresponds to an electrical path length of exactly one quarter of a line wavelength. The reduction of the conductor width causes an increase of the characteristic impedance along the tapered portion. The thus realized quarter-wave transformers compensate for the reflection points that would otherwise result at these positions.

Der Innenleiter kann im Bereich der Enden des Hohlleiters einen geraden Abschnitt als offene Stichleitung aufweisen.The inner conductor may have in the region of the ends of the waveguide a straight section as an open stub.

Während der in der DE 10 2006 057 144 A1 beschriebene Strahler eine Speisung mit stehender Welle einsetzt, kommt in dem erfindungsgemäßen Hohlleiter eine sog. Wanderwellenspeisung zum Einsatz.While in the DE 10 2006 057 144 A1 described emitter uses a supply with a standing wave, comes in the waveguide according to the invention, a so-called. Wanderwellenspeisung used.

Eine Einkopplung eines Signals kann in der Mitte des Hohlleiter-Strahlers durch einen galvanisch gekoppelten Koaxialübergang erfolgen, bei dem der Innenleiter eines angeschlossenen Koaxialkabels (z.B. über SMA, SMP Verbindung) direkt mit dem Einspeisepunkt des Innenleiters verbunden ist. Der Außenleiter des angeschlossenen Koaxialkabels ist direkt mit der Wandung des Wellenleiters verbunden.A coupling of a signal can take place in the middle of the waveguide radiator through a galvanically coupled coaxial transition, in which the inner conductor a connected coaxial cable (eg via SMA, SMP connection) is connected directly to the feed point of the inner conductor. The outer conductor of the connected coaxial cable is connected directly to the wall of the waveguide.

Der Einspeisepunkt kann in Querrichtung geringfügig verschoben sein, um somit den Übergang auf eine auf der Rückseite des Strahlers angebrachte Platine an einer geeigneten Stelle zu ermöglichen.The feed point may be slightly offset in the transverse direction, thus allowing the transition to a mounted on the back of the radiator board at a suitable location.

Bei einem geschlitzten Hohlleiter mit transversalen Schlitzen kann der Einspeisepunkt des Hohlleiters gegenüber dem geometrischen Mittelpunkt des Hohlleiters in Längsrichtung verschoben sein. Die Verschiebung kann in einer konkreten Realisierung ca. 6 bis 7 mm betragen, wobei diese von der Wellenlänge bzw. Frequenz des zu erzeugenden Signals abhängig ist.In a slotted waveguide with transverse slots, the feed point of the waveguide with respect to the geometric center of the waveguide may be displaced in the longitudinal direction. The displacement may be about 6 to 7 mm in a specific implementation, depending on the wavelength or frequency of the signal to be generated.

In einer weiteren Ausgestaltung eines geschlitzten Hohlleiters mit transversalen Schlitzen kann der Einspeisepunkt des Hohlleiters derart in dem Hohlleiter angeordnet sein, dass die elektrische Phasenlage an den Positionen aller Schlitze bei Mittenfrequenz identisch ist.In a further embodiment of a slotted waveguide with transverse slots, the feed point of the waveguide can be arranged in the waveguide such that the electrical phase position at the positions of all slits is identical at center frequency.

Bei einem geschlitzten Hohlleiter mit longitudinalen Schlitzen weist der zusätzliche Innenleiter einen Einspeisepunkt auf, der in Längsrichtung des geschlitzten Hohlleiters im geometrischen Mittelpunkt angeordnet ist. Es kann weiter vorgesehen sein, dass der geschlitzte Hohlleiter mit dem zusätzlichen Innenleiter spiegelsymmetrisch um den Einspeisepunkt ausgebildet ist.In a slotted waveguide with longitudinal slots, the additional inner conductor has a feed point which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the slotted waveguide in the geometric center. It may further be provided that the slotted waveguide is formed with the additional inner conductor mirror-symmetrical about the feed point.

Insgesamt wird erreicht, dass die am Einspeisepunkt des Strahlers eingespeiste Welle in der Mitte des Strahlers sich reflexionsfrei bis zu den Enden des Innenleiters ausbreiten kann.Overall, it is achieved that the fed at the feed point of the radiator shaft in the center of the radiator can propagate reflection-free up to the ends of the inner conductor.

Die Erfindung hat den Vorteil, dass im Gegensatz zur resonanten Speisung deutlich höhere Bandbreiten realisiert werden können. Die in der DE 10 2006 057 144 A1 genannten Vorteile zu herkömmlichen geschlitzten Hohlleitern bleiben alle ohne Abstriche erhalten, wie z.B. keine Dispersion, Größenreduktion des Querschnitts, keine untere Grenzfrequenz, Robustheit gegenüber Fertigungstoleranzen, größer mögliche Strahlerlängen, geringe Herstellungskosten, kurze Fertigungszeiten, unproblematischer Übergang auf Koaxialkabel, hohe Leistungen einspeisbar, niedrige ohmsche Verluste, hohe kreuzpolare Unterdrückung.The invention has the advantage that, in contrast to the resonant power supply, significantly higher bandwidths can be realized. The in the DE 10 2006 057 144 A1 mentioned advantages to conventional slotted waveguides are all preserved without compromising, such as no dispersion, size reduction of the cross section, no lower limit frequency, robustness to manufacturing tolerances, greater possible radiator lengths, low production costs, short production times, unproblematic transition to coaxial cable, high power feedable, low ohmic Losses, high cross-polar suppression.

Die Entwicklung der Hohlleiter-Strahler, insbesondere die Bestimmung der exakten geometrischen Abmessungen des Innenleiters und der Schlitze erfolgt mittels elektromagnetischer Simulationsverfahren. Näherungsweise kann das Verhalten des hier beschriebenen Strahlers auch durch Netzwerkmodelle mit geeigneten Ersatzschaltbildern beschrieben werden. Diese Modelle werden üblicherweise in einem ersten Schritt herangezogen, um die Größen der im Ersatzschaltbild vorhandenen Elemente zu optimieren. Im zweiten Schritt werden diese Größen dann in geeignete geometrische Parameter übersetzt. Hierzu können kommerziell verfügbare Softwarepakete angewendet werden, die durch Vollwellenanalyse das elektromagnetische Verhalten der tatsächlichen Geometrie (3D-Modelle) berechnen.The development of the waveguide radiator, in particular the determination of the exact geometric dimensions of the inner conductor and the slots is carried out by means of electromagnetic simulation method. As an approximation, the behavior of the radiator described here can also be described by network models with suitable equivalent circuit diagrams. These models are usually used in a first step in order to optimize the sizes of the elements present in the equivalent circuit diagram. In the second step, these quantities are then translated into suitable geometric parameters. Commercially available software packages can be used for this, which use full-wave analysis to calculate the electromagnetic behavior of the actual geometry (3D models).

Ein erfindungsgemäßer Gruppenantennen-Strahler umfasst einen oder mehrere geschlitzte Hohlleiter mit transversalen Schlitzen und einen oder mehrere geschlitzte Hohlleiter mit longitudinalen Schlitzen der oben beschriebenen Art. Die geschlitzten Hohlleiter können in einer Ausgestaltung in Querrichtung nebeneinander angeordnet sein, wobei abwechselnd ein Hohlleiter mit transversalen Schlitzen und ein Hohlleiter mit longitudinalen Schlitzen nebeneinander liegen. Hierbei weisen die Hohlleiter, d.h. alle Hohlleiter, vorzugsweise eine identische Länge auf.An array antenna radiator according to the invention comprises one or more slotted waveguides with transverse slots and one or more slotted waveguides with longitudinal slits of the type described above. The slotted waveguides may be juxtaposed transversely in one configuration, alternately a waveguide with transverse slits and a waveguide Waveguide with longitudinal slots next to each other. In this case, the waveguides, ie all waveguides, preferably have an identical length.

Die Hohlleiter mit transversalen Schlitzen können gegenüber den Hohlleitern mit longitudinalen Schlitzen nach oben versetzt sein, so dass eine stufenartige Struktur des Gruppenantennen-Strahlers gegeben ist. Oben ist dabei diejenigen Seite eines jeweiligen Hohlleiter-Strahlers, auf der die Hohlleiter die Schlitze aufweisen.The waveguides with transverse slots can be offset upwards relative to the waveguides with longitudinal slots, so that a step-like structure of the array antenna radiator is given. At the top is that side of a respective waveguide radiator, on which the waveguides have the slots.

Ein Synthetik-Apertur-Radarsystem, insbesondere ein hochauflösendes Synthetik-Apertur-Radarsystem umfasst wenigstens einen Gruppenantennen-Strahler der oben beschriebenen Art.A synthetic aperture radar system, particularly a high resolution synthetic aperture radar system, comprises at least one array antenna radiator of the type described above.

Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend näher anhand von Ausführungsbeispielen in der Zeichnung erläutert. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
eine Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Hohlleiter-Strahlers mit transversalen Schlitzen;
Fig. 2
einen Höhenverlauf einer im Inneren des Hohlleiters aus Fig. 1 angeordneten dielektrischen Schicht;
Fig. 3
eine Darstellung der Form des Innenleiters (Barline) in dem Hohlleiter-Strahler mit transversalen Schlitzen aus Fig. 1;
Fig. 4
eine vergrößerte Darstellung des mittleren Bereichs des Innenleiters aus Fig. 3;
Fig. 5
eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Bereichs der Enden des Innenleiters aus Fig. 3;
Fig. 6
eine Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Hohlleiter-Strahlers mit longitudinalen Schlitzen;
Fig. 7
einen Höhenverlauf einer im Inneren des Hohlleiters aus Fig. 6 angeordneten dielektrischen Schicht;
Fig. 8
eine Darstellung der Form des Innenleiters (Barline) in dem Hohlleiter-Strahler mit longitudinalen Schlitzen aus Fig. 6;
Fig. 9
eine vergrößerte Darstellung des mittleren Bereich des Innenleiters aus Fig. 8;
Fig. 10
eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Bereichs der Enden des Innenleiters aus Fig. 8;
Fig. 11
einen dual polarisierten Gruppenantennen-Strahler aus einer Kombination von Hohlleitern mit transversalen Schlitzen und Hohlleitern mit longitudinalen Schlitzen;
Fig. 12
eine graphische Darstellung der insgesamt im Strahler auftretenden elektrischen Verluste in dB gegenüber einer idealen Apertur gleicher Größe;
Fig. 13
eine graphische Darstellung der Anpassung in dB;
Fig. 14
eine graphische Darstellung der Abstrahlungseigenschaften in dB (Antennendiagramm) eines Strahlers mit Wanderwellenspeisung; und
Fig. 15
eine graphische Darstellung der Abstrahlungseigenschaften in dB (Antennendiagramm) eines Strahlers mit resonanter Speisung und stehender Welle.
The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments in the drawing. Show it:
Fig. 1
a representation of a waveguide radiator according to the invention with transverse slots;
Fig. 2
a height profile of a inside of the waveguide Fig. 1 arranged dielectric layer;
Fig. 3
a representation of the shape of the inner conductor (Barline) in the waveguide radiator with transverse slots Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 4
an enlarged view of the central region of the inner conductor Fig. 3 ;
Fig. 5
an enlarged view of the region of the ends of the inner conductor Fig. 3 ;
Fig. 6
an illustration of a waveguide radiator according to the invention with longitudinal slots;
Fig. 7
a height profile of a inside of the waveguide Fig. 6 arranged dielectric layer;
Fig. 8
a representation of the shape of the inner conductor (Barline) in the waveguide radiator with longitudinal slots Fig. 6 ;
Fig. 9
an enlarged view of the central region of the inner conductor Fig. 8 ;
Fig. 10
an enlarged view of the region of the ends of the inner conductor Fig. 8 ;
Fig. 11
a dual polarized array antenna radiator of a combination of waveguides with transverse slots and waveguides with longitudinal slots;
Fig. 12
a graphical representation of the total occurring in the radiator electrical losses in dB compared to an ideal aperture of the same size;
Fig. 13
a graphic representation of the adjustment in dB;
Fig. 14
a graphical representation of the radiation properties in dB (antenna diagram) of a radiator with traveling wave supply; and
Fig. 15
a graphical representation of the radiation properties in dB (antenna diagram) of a resonant power source with stationary wave.

Die im Folgenden angegebenen absoluten Werte und Maßangaben sind nur beispielhafte Werte und stellen keine Einschränkung der Erfindung auf derartige Dimensionen dar. Die Darstellungen zeigen die Erfindung lediglich schematisch und sind insbesondere nicht als maßstabsgerecht zu betrachten.The absolute values and dimensions given below are only exemplary values and do not represent a restriction of the invention to such dimensions. The illustrations show the invention only schematically and in particular are not to be regarded as true to scale.

Nachfolgend wird der Aufbau eines erfindungsmäßen Hohlleiter-Strahlers (kurz: Strahler) mit einem geschlitzten Hohlleiter (nachfolgend als Wellenleiter 10, 30 bezeichnet) und einem in dem Wellenleiter 10, 30 angeordneten Innenleiter 14, 34 beschrieben. Es wird dabei zwischen geschlitzten Wellenleitern 10, 30 mit transversalen Schlitzen 12 (Fig. 1) und longitudinalen Schlitzen 32 (Fig. 6) unterschieden, bei denen sich die Form des verwendeten Innenleiters 14 und 34 unterscheidet. Die genaue Ausgestaltung des Innenleiters 14 für den Wellenleiter 10 mit transversalen Schlitzen 12 ist in den Fig. 3 bis 5 dargestellt. Die genaue Ausgestaltung des Innenleiters 34 für den Wellenleiter 30 mit longitudinalen Schlitzen 32 ist in den Fig. 8 bis 10 dargestellt.The structure of a waveguide radiator according to the invention (short: radiator) with a slotted waveguide (hereinafter referred to as waveguide 10, 30) and an inner conductor 14, 34 arranged in the waveguide 10, 30 will be described below. It is between slotted waveguides 10, 30 with transverse slots 12 (FIG. Fig. 1 ) and longitudinal slots 32 (FIG. Fig. 6 ), in which the shape of the inner conductor 14 and 34 used differs. The exact configuration of the inner conductor 14 for the waveguide 10 with transverse slots 12 is in the Fig. 3 to 5 shown. The exact configuration of the inner conductor 34 for the waveguide 30 with longitudinal slots 32 is in the Fig. 8 to 10 shown.

Die nachfolgend angegebenen geometrischen Abmessungen beziehen sich auf eine beispielhafte Ausführung im X-Band bei einer Mittenfrequenz von 9.6GHz. Der hier beschriebene Strahler kann ohne weiteres auch für hiervon abweichende Mittenfrequenzen ausgelegt werden. Die Größenabmessungen skalieren sich in diesem Fall über das Verhältnis der entsprechenden Wellenlängen.The geometrical dimensions given below refer to an exemplary embodiment in the X-band at a center frequency of 9.6 GHz. The radiator described here can be readily designed for deviating center frequencies. The size dimensions in this case scale over the ratio of the respective wavelengths.

Die Wellenleiter 10, 30 sind aus herkömmlichen rechteckigen Hohlleitern gebildet, in die transversale Schlitze 12 bzw. longitudinale Schlitze 32 eingebracht sind. Das Innere der Wellenleiter 10, 30 ist mit einem dielektrischen Material gefüllt. Die dielektrische Schicht 24, 44 ist in den Fig. 2 und 7 dargestellt. Während Strahler nach Stand der Technik eine konstante Schichtdicke aufweisen, weisen die dielektrischen Schichten 24, 44 der Erfindung in Längserstreckung des Wellenleiters eine variable Höhe bzw. Dicke auf.The waveguides 10, 30 are formed from conventional rectangular waveguides, in the transverse slots 12 and longitudinal slots 32 are introduced. The interior of the waveguides 10, 30 is filled with a dielectric material. The dielectric layer 24, 44 is in the Fig. 2 and 7 shown. While prior art radiators have a constant layer thickness, the dielectric layers 24, 44 of the invention have a variable height in the longitudinal extent of the waveguide.

Die Wahl des für die dielektrische Schicht verwendeten Materials wird bestimmt durch dessen elektrische Eigenschaften, nämlich der Dielektrizitätszahl und dem Verlustwinkel. Die Dielektrizitätszahl beeinflusst die Ausbreitungsgeschwindigkeit der auf dem Innenleiter laufenden Wanderwelle (Verkürzungsfaktor). Der Abstand zwischen benachbarten Schlitzen entlang des Wellenleiters entspricht zur Erzielung einer phasengleichen Anregung genau einer Wellenlänge der Wanderwelle. Zudem ist der Schlitzabstand kleiner als eine Freiraumwellenlänge, um unerwünschte Nebenmaxima zu vermeiden (sog. Grating Lobes). Typischerweise liegt der Schlitzabstand im Bereich des 0,5 bis 0,9 fachen einer Freiraumwellenlänge. Hieraus ergibt sich der Wert der Dielektrizitätszahl, die damit typischerweise im Bereich 1,2 bis 3,0 liegt. Der Verlustwinkel sollte dabei möglichst klein sein, um die dielektrischen Verluste so gering wie möglich zu halten, für ein geeignetes Material sollte der Wert kleiner als 1·10-3 sein.The choice of the material used for the dielectric layer is determined by its electrical properties, namely the dielectric constant and the loss angle. The dielectric constant influences the propagation velocity of the traveling wave traveling on the inner conductor (shortening factor). The distance between adjacent slots along the waveguide corresponds to exactly one wavelength of the traveling wave in order to achieve an in-phase excitation. In addition, the slot spacing is smaller than a free space wavelength in order to avoid unwanted secondary maxima (so-called grating praise). Typically, the slot pitch is in the range of 0.5 to 0.9 times a free space wavelength. This results in the value of the dielectric constant, which is thus typically in the range from 1.2 to 3.0. The loss angle should be as small as possible in order to keep the dielectric losses as low as possible, for a suitable material the value should be smaller than 1 × 10 -3 .

Die Dicke der dielektrischen Schicht 24, 44 entlang des Wellenleiters weist ein charakteristisches Profil auf. Die Höhe an den Positionen der Schlitze 12, 32 bestimmt den Anteil der ausgekoppelten Leistung der Wanderwelle. Eine größere Höhe resultiert in einer stärkeren Auskopplung, eine geringere Höhe entsprechend umgekehrt.The thickness of the dielectric layer 24, 44 along the waveguide has a characteristic profile. The height at the positions of the slots 12, 32 determines the proportion of the decoupled power of the traveling wave. A larger height results in a stronger decoupling, a lower level correspondingly reversed.

Das in den Fig. 2 und 7 dargestellte Beispiel zeigt den Fall einer homogenen Anregung aller Schlitze 12, 32. Die Dicke der dielektrischen Schicht 24, 44 nimmt in diesem Fall zu den äußeren Enden des jeweiligen Wellenleiters 10, 30 zu, da aus der abnehmenden Leistung der Wanderwelle ein immer höherer relativer Anteil ausgekoppelt werden muss.That in the Fig. 2 and 7 In this case, the thickness of the dielectric layer 24, 44 increases to the outer ends of the respective waveguide 10, 30, because of the decreasing power of the traveling wave an ever higher relative proportion must be disconnected.

Eine weitere Gemeinsamkeit der beiden Varianten ist, wie dies aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung deutlich werden wird, dass die Innenleiter 14, 34 Teilabschnitte mit reduzierter Leiterbreite 18 und 38 (vgl. Fig. 4 und 8) aufweisen. Diese wirken als Transformationsleitungen und verhindern das Auftreten von Reflexionen (stehende Wellen) auf der Leitung.Another commonality of the two variants, as will become apparent from the following description, that the inner conductor 14, 34 sections with reduced conductor width 18 and 38 (see. Fig. 4 and 8th ) exhibit. These act as transformation lines and prevent the occurrence of reflections (standing waves) on the line.

Im Folgenden werden die Merkmale des Wellenleiters mit transversalen Schlitzen und des Wellenleiters mit longitudinalen Schlitzen getrennt beschrieben:In the following, the features of the waveguide with transverse slots and the waveguide with longitudinal slots are described separately:

Wellenleiter mit transversalen SchlitzenWaveguide with transverse slots

Fig. 1 zeigt einen Wellenleiter 10 mit transversalen Schlitzen 12. Die Form des Innenleiters 14 in dem Wellenleiter 10 mit den transversalen Schlitzen 12 ist in Fig. 3 dargestellt. Die Positionen der Schlitze sind in Fig. 3 durch Pfeile gekennzeichnet Der mittlere Bereich, der einen Einspeisepunkt 16 beinhaltet, ist in Fig. 4 vergrößert dargestellt. Der Einspeisepunkt 16 befindet sich gegenüber dem geometrischen Mittelpunkt in Längsrichtung um ca. 6 mm verschoben. Diese Verschiebung bewirkt eine Phasendifferenz von 180° der vom Einspeisepunkt 16 ausgehenden Wanderwelle in den rechten und linken Teil des Wellenleiters 10. Auf diese Weise ergibt sich eine phasengleiche Anregung der Schlitze sowohl im rechten als auch im linken Teil des Wellenleiters 10. Fig. 1 shows a waveguide 10 with transverse slots 12. The shape of the inner conductor 14 in the waveguide 10 with the transverse slots 12 is in Fig. 3 shown. The positions of the slots are in Fig. 3 indicated by arrows The middle area, which includes a feed point 16, is in Fig. 4 shown enlarged. The feed point 16 is offset relative to the geometric center in the longitudinal direction by approximately 6 mm. This displacement causes a phase difference of 180 ° of the outgoing from the feed point 16 traveling wave in the right and left part of the waveguide 10. In this way, an in-phase excitation of the slots results both in the right and in the left part of the waveguide 10th

Der Innenleiter 14 beginnt unmittelbar am Einspeisepunkt 16 mit Abschnitten 18 (Transformationsleitungen) mit reduzierter Leiterbreite. Diese dienen zur Transformation auf den charakteristischen Wellenwiderstand des angeschlossenen und hier nicht näher dargestellten Koaxialkabels von typischerweise 50 Ohm. Der weitere Verlauf des Innenleiters 14 zu den Enden des Wellenleiters 10 besteht aus geraden Abschnitten 18 mit reduzierter Leiterbreite und gewundenen Abschnitten 20. Die geraden Abschnitte wirken somit als Transformationsleitungen. Die Verwindung der übrigen Abschnitte 20 bewirkt eine Verzögerung der Ausbreitungsgeschwindigkeit der Wanderwelle in Längsrichtung des Wellenleiters 10. Eine stärkere Ausprägung der Verwindung bewirkt eine größere Verzögerung und entsprechend umgekehrt. Hiermit kann die Phasendifferenz zwischen benachbarten Schlitzen 12 auf exakt 360° eingestellt werden.The inner conductor 14 begins immediately at the feed point 16 with sections 18 (transformation lines) with reduced conductor width. These are used to transform the characteristic impedance of the connected and not shown here coaxial cable of typically 50 ohms. The further course of the inner conductor 14 to the ends of the waveguide 10 consists of straight sections 18 with reduced conductor width and tortuous sections 20. The straight sections thus act as transformation lines. The twisting of the remaining portions 20 causes a delay of the propagation velocity of the traveling wave in the longitudinal direction of the waveguide 10. A stronger expression of the distortion causes a greater delay and vice versa. Hereby, the phase difference between adjacent slots 12 can be set to exactly 360 °.

Die Schlitze 12 sind in Querrichtung (transversal) in die äußere Wandung des Wellenleiters 10 geschnitten. Sie ragen in die seitlichen Wände mit einer Schnitttiefe von ca. 4mm ein. Die Breite der Schlitze 12 beträgt ca. 2-3mm. Die Schlitze 12 weisen resonantes Verhalten auf, die Resonanzfrequenz fällt mit der Mittenfrequenz des Strahlers zusammen.The slots 12 are cut transversely into the outer wall of the waveguide 10. They protrude into the side walls with a cutting depth of about 4mm. The width of the slots 12 is about 2-3mm. The slots 12 have resonant behavior, the resonance frequency coincides with the center frequency of the radiator.

Der äußerste Schlitz 12A an den Enden des Wellenleiters 10 mit dem darunter befindlichen Abschnitt 22 des Innenleiters 14 weist eine Besonderheit auf. Nach Stand der Technik werden in Strahlern mit Wanderwellenprinzip häufig die Enden der Wanderwellenleitung resistiv abgeschlossen. Dies führt zu unerwünschten Verlusten, da die am Ende der Leitung verbleibende Leistung in einem Widerstand dissipiert wird. Bei dem hier vorgestellten Konzept eines Wanderwellenstrahlers mit homogener Anregung aller Schlitze wird die am Ende der Leitung verbleibende Leistung komplett über den äußersten Schlitz abgestrahlt, wodurch zusätzliche Verluste vermieden werden. Hierzu ist das Höhenprofil der dielektrischen Schicht derart ausgelegt, dass die am äußersten Schlitz 12A verbleibende Leistung der an den übrigen Schlitzen ausgekoppelten Leistung entspricht, wodurch unter Einhaltung dieser Randbedingung eine homogene Belegung aller Schlitze 12, 12A erreicht wird. Fig. 5 zeigt hierzu eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Bereichs der Enden des Innenleiters aus Fig. 3, wobei der ungewundene, offene Leitungsabschluss mit dem Abschnitt 22 zu erkennen ist, der die beschriebenen Eigenschaften unterstützt.The outermost slot 12A at the ends of the waveguide 10 with the underlying portion 22 of the inner conductor 14 has a peculiarity. According to the state of the art, the ends of the traveling waveguide are often resistively terminated in traveling-wave-principle radiators. This leads to undesirable losses, since the power remaining at the end of the line is dissipated in a resistor. In the concept presented here of a traveling wave radiator with homogeneous excitation of all slots, the power remaining at the end of the line is radiated completely over the outermost slot, whereby additional losses are avoided. For this purpose, the height profile of the dielectric layer is designed such that the power remaining at the outermost slot 12A corresponds to the power coupled out at the remaining slots, whereby a homogeneous coverage of all slots 12, 12A is achieved while maintaining this boundary condition. Fig. 5 this shows an enlarged view of the region of the ends of the inner conductor Fig. 3 , wherein the unclip, open line termination can be seen with the section 22, which supports the described properties.

Wellenleiter mit longitudinalen SchlitzenWaveguide with longitudinal slots

Fig. 6 zeigt einen Wellenleiter 30 mit longitudinalen Schlitzen. Die Form des Innenleiters 34 in einem Wellenleiter mit longitudinalen Schlitzen 30 ist in Fig. 8 dargestellt. Der mittlere Bereich, der den Einspeisepunkt 36 beinhaltet ist in Fig. 9 vergrößert dargestellt. Der Einspeisepunkt 36 befindet sich in Längsrichtung gesehen im geometrischen Mittelpunkt. Eine Verschiebung in Längsrichtung, wie bei einem Wellenleiter mit transversalen Schlitzen 10, ist in diesem Fall nicht notwendig, da durch symmetrischen Aufbau der rechten und linken Hälfte des Wellenleiters 30 eine phasengleiche Anregung der Schlitze 32 erzielt werden kann. Fig. 6 shows a waveguide 30 with longitudinal slots. The shape of the inner conductor 34 in a waveguide with longitudinal slots 30 is shown in FIG Fig. 8 shown. The central area containing the feed point 36 is in Fig. 9 shown enlarged. The feed point 36 is seen in the longitudinal direction in the geometric center. Displacement in the longitudinal direction, as in a waveguide with transverse slots 10, is not necessary in this case symmetrical construction of the right and left half of the waveguide 30, an in phase excitation of the slots 32 can be achieved.

Der Innenleiter 34 beginnt unmittelbar am Einspeisepunkt 36 mit Transformationsleitungen mit reduzierter Leiterbreite. Diese dienen zur Transformation auf den charakteristischen Wellenwiderstand des angeschlossenen Koaxialkabels von typischerweise 50 Ohm. Der weitere Verlauf des Innenleiters 34 zu den Enden des Wellenleiters besteht aus geraden Abschnitten 38 und gewundenen Abschnitten 40. Die gewundene Form der Abschnitte 40 ist so ausgeführt, dass der Innenleiter an den mittleren Positionen der Schlitze 32 in transversaler Richtung verläuft. Dies ist notwendig für eine Ankopplung der longitudinalen Schlitze 32, da hierzu ein Fluss des induzierten Stromes in transversaler Richtung auf der Wandung des Wellenleiters 30 vorhanden sein muss. Die Position der Schlitze ist in Fig. 8 durch Pfeile gekennzeichnet.The inner conductor 34 begins immediately at the feed point 36 with transformation lines with reduced conductor width. These are used to transform to the characteristic impedance of the connected coaxial cable of typically 50 ohms. The further course of the inner conductor 34 to the ends of the waveguide consists of straight sections 38 and winding sections 40. The tortuous shape of the sections 40 is designed so that the inner conductor extends at the middle positions of the slots 32 in the transverse direction. This is necessary for a coupling of the longitudinal slots 32, since for this purpose a flow of the induced current in the transverse direction must be present on the wall of the waveguide 30. The position of the slots is in Fig. 8 indicated by arrows.

Die gewundene Form der Abschnitte 40 bewirkt zusätzlich eine Verzögerung der Ausbreitungsgeschwindigkeit der Wanderwelle in Längsrichtung des Wellenleiters. Eine stärkere Ausprägung der gewundenen Form bewirkt eine größere Verzögerung und entsprechend umgekehrt. Hiermit kann die Phasendifferenz zwischen benachbarten Schlitzen auf exakt 360° eingestellt werden.The tortuous shape of the sections 40 additionally causes a delay of the propagation velocity of the traveling wave in the longitudinal direction of the waveguide. A stronger expression of the tortuous shape causes a greater delay and vice versa. This allows the phase difference between adjacent slots to be set to exactly 360 °.

Die Schlitze 32 sind in Längsrichtung (longitudinal) in die äußere Wandung des Wellenleiters 30 geschnitten. Die Schlitze 32 weisen eine Länge von ungefähr einer halben Freiraumwellenlänge auf. Die exakte Länge kann dabei von Schlitz zu Schlitz leicht variieren. Die Breite der Schlitze beträgt ca. 2 mm. Die Schlitze weisen resonantes Verhalten auf, die Resonanzfrequenz fällt mit der Mittenfrequenz des Strahlers zusammen.The slits 32 are cut longitudinally (longitudinally) into the outer wall of the waveguide 30. The slots 32 have a length of approximately half the free space wavelength. The exact length can vary slightly from slot to slot. The width of the slots is about 2 mm. The slots have resonant behavior, the resonance frequency coincides with the center frequency of the radiator.

Der äußerste Schlitz 32A an den Enden des Wellenleiters 30 mit dem darunter befindlichen Abschnitt 42 des Innenleiters 42 weist eine Besonderheit auf. Nach Stand der Technik werden in Strahlern mit Wanderwellenprinzip häufig die Enden der Wanderwellenleitung resistiv abgeschlossen. Dies führt zu unerwünschten Verlusten, da die am Ende der Leitung verbleibende Leistung in einem Widerstand dissipiert wird. Bei dem hier vorgestellten Konzept eines Wanderwellenstrahlers mit homogener Anregung aller Schlitze 32 wird die am Ende der Leitung verbleibende Leistung komplett über den äußersten Schlitz 32A abgestrahlt, wodurch zusätzliche Verluste vermieden werden. Hierzu ist das Höhenprofil der dielektrischen Schicht 44 derart ausgelegt, dass die am äußersten Schlitz 32A verbleibende Leistung der an den übrigen Schlitzen 32 ausgekoppelten Leistung entspricht, so dass unter Einhaltung dieser Randbedingung kann eine homogene Belegung aller Schlitze 32, 32A erreicht werden. Fig. 10 zeigt eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Bereichs der Enden des Innenleiters aus Fig. 8. Zu erkennen ist der ungewundene, offene Leitungsabschluss mit dem Abschnitt 42 des Innenleiters 34, der die beschriebenen Eigenschaften unterstützt.The outermost slot 32A at the ends of the waveguide 30 with the underlying portion 42 of the inner conductor 42 has a peculiarity. According to the prior art in emitter with traveling wave principle often the ends the traveling wave line resistive completed. This leads to undesirable losses, since the power remaining at the end of the line is dissipated in a resistor. In the concept of a traveling wave radiator with homogeneous excitation of all slots 32 presented here, the power remaining at the end of the line is radiated completely over the outermost slot 32A, whereby additional losses are avoided. For this purpose, the height profile of the dielectric layer 44 is designed in such a way that the power remaining at the outermost slot 32A corresponds to the power coupled to the remaining slots 32, so that a homogeneous coverage of all the slots 32, 32A can be achieved in compliance with this boundary condition. Fig. 10 shows an enlarged view of the region of the ends of the inner conductor Fig. 8 , Evident is the unsound, open line termination with the section 42 of the inner conductor 34, which supports the described properties.

Dual polarisierte StrahlergruppeDual polarized emitter group

Durch Kombination eines Wellenleiters 10 mit transversalen Schlitzen mit einem Wellenleiter 30 mit longitudinalen Schlitzen lassen sich auf einfache Weise dual polarisierte Strahlergruppen 60 realisieren. Da sich die Breiten der Wellenleiter mit dem hier beschriebenen Strahlerkonzept stark reduzieren lassen (bis zu einem Viertel der Wellenlänge) lassen sich dual polarisierte, elektronisch steuerbare Gruppenantennen mit sehr großem Schwenkbereich realisieren (>±60°).By combining a waveguide 10 with transverse slots with a waveguide 30 with longitudinal slots, dual polarized radiator groups 60 can be realized in a simple manner. Since the widths of the waveguides can be greatly reduced with the emitter concept described here (up to a quarter of the wavelength), dual-polarized, electronically controllable array antennas with a very large swivel range can be realized (> ± 60 °).

Fig. 11 zeigt den Aufbau einer dual polarisierten Strahlergruppe 60 (Gruppenantennen-Strahler). Sie besteht aus einer Zusammensetzung von jeweils abwechselnd einem geschlitzten Wellenleiter 10 mit transversalen Schlitzen 12 und einem Wellenleiter 30 mit longitudinalen Schlitzen 32. Die Wellenleiter 10 mit transversalen Schlitzen 12 sind gegenüber den Wellenleitern 30 mit longitudinalen Schlitzen 12 dabei um ca. 7 mm bis 8 mm nach oben versetzt, so dass eine stufenartige Struktur entsteht. Fig. 11 shows the construction of a dual polarized radiator group 60 (group antenna radiator). It consists of a combination of alternately a slotted waveguide 10 with transverse slots 12 and a waveguide 30 with longitudinal slots 32. The waveguides 10 with transverse slots 12 are about 7 mm to 8 mm in relation to the waveguides 30 with longitudinal slots 12 offset upwards, so that a step-like structure is formed.

Der vorgeschlagene Hohlleiter-Strahler zeichnet sich gegenüber den aus dem Stand der Technik bekannten Hohlleiter-Strahlern durch eine nochmals deutlich höhere Bandbreite aus. Dies ist in den Figuren 12 bis 15 beispielhaft für einen Strahler der Länge 250mm für das X-Band dargestellt.The proposed waveguide radiator is distinguished from the well-known from the prior art waveguide radiators by a significantly higher bandwidth. This is in the FIGS. 12 to 15 exemplified for a radiator of length 250mm for the X-band.

Fig. 12 zeigt eine Darstellung der insgesamt im Strahler auftretenden elektrischen Verluste in dB gegenüber einer idealen Apertur gleicher Größe. Die Kurve mit durchgezogener Linie repräsentiert Verluste des Strahlers mit Wanderwellenspeisung, die Kurve mit gestrichelter Linie repräsentiert Verluste bei resonanter Speisung mit stehender Welle. Fig. 12 shows a representation of the total occurring in the radiator electrical losses in dB compared to an ideal aperture of the same size. The solid line curve represents traveling wave power source losses, the dashed line curve represents resonant standing wave power losses.

Fig. 13 zeigt eine Darstellung der Anpassung in dB, wobei die Kurve mit durchgezogener Linie einem Strahler mit Wanderwellenspeisung und die Kurve mit gestrichelter Linie einem Strahler mit resonanter Speisung (stehende Welle) zuzuordnen ist. Fig. 13 shows a representation of the adjustment in dB, wherein the solid line curve to a radiator with traveling wave feed and the dashed line curve is assigned to a radiator with resonant feed (standing wave).

Fig. 14 zeigt eine Darstellung der Abstrahlungseigenschaften in dB (Antennendiagramm) eines Strahlers mit Wanderwellenspeisung, wobei die Kurve mit gestrichelter Linie das Antennendiagramm bei 8,7GHz, die Kurve mit durchgezogener Linie das Antennendiagramm bei 9,6GHz (Mittenfrequenz) und die Kurve mit gepunkteter Linie das Antennendiagramm bei 10,5GHz zeigen. Fig. 14 shows a plot of the radiation characteristics in dB (antenna diagram) of a radiator with traveling wave feed, where the dashed line curve shows the antenna pattern at 8.7 GHz, the solid line curve the antenna diagram at 9.6 GHz (center frequency) and the dotted line curve the antenna diagram at 10.5GHz show.

Fig. 15 zeigt schließlich eine Darstellung der Abstrahlungseigenschaften in dB (Antennendiagramm) eines Strahlers mit resonanter Speisung und stehender Welle, wobei die Kurve mit gestrichelter Linie das Antennendiagramm bei 8,7GHz, die Kurve mit durchgezogener Linie das Antennendiagramm bei 9,6GHz (Mittenfrequenz) und die Kurve mit gepunkteter Linie das Antennendiagramm bei 10,5GHz zeigen. Fig. 15 Finally, Fig. 12 shows a plot of the radiation characteristics in dB (antenna diagram) of a resonant power source with a standing wave, where the dashed line curve shows the antenna pattern at 8.7GHz, the solid line curve the antenna pattern at 9.6GHz (center frequency) and the curve with dotted line show the antenna diagram at 10.5GHz.

BEZUGSZEICHENLISTELIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1010
geschlitzter Wellenleiter mit transversalen SchlitzenSlotted waveguide with transverse slots
1212
transversaler Schlitztransverse slot
12A12A
transversaler Schlitz am Ende des Wellenleiterstransverse slot at the end of the waveguide
1414
Innenleiter des Wellenleiters mit transversalen SchlitzenInner conductor of the waveguide with transverse slots
1616
Speisepunkt des Wellenleiters mit transversalen SchlitzenFeed point of waveguide with transverse slots
1818
Transformationsleitungsabschnitt des Innenleiters (Wellenleiter mit transversalen Schlitzen)Transformation line section of the inner conductor (waveguide with transverse slots)
2020
gewundener Teilabschnitt des Innenleiters (Wellenleiter mit transversalen Schlitzen)wound section of the inner conductor (waveguide with transverse slots)
2222
Endabschnitt des Innenleiters mit offener Stichleitung (Wellenleiter mit transversalen Schlitzen)End section of the inner conductor with open stub line (waveguide with transverse slots)
2424
dielektrische Schicht des Wellenleiters mit transversalen Schlitzendielectric layer of the waveguide with transverse slots
3030
geschlitzter Wellenleiter mit longitudinalen SchlitzenSlotted waveguide with longitudinal slots
3232
longitudinale Schlitzlongitudinal slot
32A32A
longitudinaler Schlitz am Ende des Wellenleiterslongitudinal slot at the end of the waveguide
3434
Innenleiter des Wellenleiters mit longitudinalen SchlitzenInner conductor of the waveguide with longitudinal slots
3636
Speisepunkt des Wellenleiters mit longitudinalen SchlitzenFeed point of waveguide with longitudinal slots
3838
Transformationsleitungsabschnitt des Innenleiters (Wellenleiter mit longitudinalen Schlitzen)Transformation line section of the inner conductor (waveguide with longitudinal slots)
4040
gewundener Teilabschnitt des Innenleiters (Wellenleiter mit longitudinalen Schlitzen)wound section of the inner conductor (waveguide with longitudinal slots)
4242
Endabschnitt des Innenleiters mit offener Stichleitung (Wellenleiter mit longitudinalen Schlitzen)End section of the inner conductor with open stub line (waveguide with longitudinal slots)
4444
dielektrische Schicht des Wellenleiters mit longitudinalen Schlitzendielectric layer of the waveguide with longitudinal slots
6060
Dual polarisierte StrahlergruppeDual polarized emitter group

Claims (13)

  1. A waveguide radiator, comprising
    - a slotted waveguide (10; 30) having a plurality of transversal or longitudinal slots (12; 32) provided in the waveguide (10; 30); and
    - an additional inner conductor (14; 34) arranged in the waveguide (10; 30), wherein the additional inner conductor (14; 34) comprises conductor sections (18, 20; 38, 40) which, with respect to a remaining line, have a reduced conductor width, wherein the length of the conductor width reduction is selected, such that it corresponds to an electrical path length of exactly the quarter of a line wavelength, in such a manner that a result is a feed of the slots according to a travelling wave principle, and wherein a spacing between adjacent slots (12, 32) along the waveguide corresponds exactly to a wavelength of a travelling wave to achieve an excitation with identical phase;
    - wherein the slotted waveguide (10; 30) is partially filled with a dielectric material (24; 44) on which the additional inner conductor (14; 34) is arranged;
    characterized in that a height of the dielectric material (24; 44) along the waveguide (10; 30) varies at least in certain sections in order to influence an amplitude occupancy of the slots (12; 32) along the waveguide (10; 30).
  2. The waveguide radiator according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional inner conductor (14; 34) is formed from, in particular alternately arranged, straight and twisted conductor sections (18, 20; 38, 40).
  3. The waveguide radiator according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the additional inner conductor (14; 34) is composed of repetitive line sections (18, 20; 38, 40) along the slotted waveguide (10; 30), wherein a length of the repetitive line sections (18, 20; 38, 40) is identical to a spacing of adjacent slots (12; 32) along the waveguide.
  4. The waveguide radiator according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the inner conductor (14; 34) has a straight section as open stub (22; 42) in a region of the ends of the waveguide (10; 30).
  5. The waveguide radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the slotted waveguide (10) has transversal slots (12), and wherein a feed point (16) of the waveguide (10) is shifted with respect to a geometric center of the waveguide in a longitudinal direction.
  6. The waveguide radiator according to claim 5, characterized in that the feed point (16) of the waveguide (10) is shifted with respect to the geometric center of the waveguide in the longitudinal direction in such a manner that an electric phase at positions of all slots (12) is identical at center frequency.
  7. The waveguide radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the slotted waveguide (30) has longitudinal slots (32), and wherein the additional inner conductor (34) has a feed point (36) which, in a longitudinal direction of the slotted waveguide (30), is arranged in a geometric center.
  8. The waveguide radiator of claim 7, characterized in that the slotted waveguide (30) with the additional inner conductor (34) is formed mirror-symmetrically around the feed point (36).
  9. An array antenna radiator, comprising one or more slotted waveguides (10) having transversal slots (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and one or more slotted waveguides (30) having longitudinal slots (32) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 7 or 8.
  10. The array antenna radiator according to claim 9, characterized in that the slotted waveguides (10; 30) are arranged side-by-side in a transverse direction, wherein a waveguide (10) having transversal slots (12) and a waveguide (30) having longitudinal slots (32) lie alternately next to one another.
  11. The array antenna radiator according to claim 9, characterized in that the waveguides (10; 30) have identical lengths.
  12. The array antenna radiator according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the waveguides (10) having transversal slots (12) are offset upwards with respect to the waveguides (30) having longitudinal slots (32) to form a step-like structure of the array antenna radiator.
  13. A synthetic aperture radar system, in particular a high-resolution synthetic aperture radar system, comprising an array antenna radiator (60) according to any one of claims 9 to 12.
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JP6370143B2 (en) 2018-08-08
DE102013012315B4 (en) 2018-05-24
JP2015027086A (en) 2015-02-05
CA2857658A1 (en) 2015-01-25
US20150029069A1 (en) 2015-01-29
CA2857658C (en) 2019-10-29
DE102013012315A1 (en) 2015-01-29
KR20150013051A (en) 2015-02-04
EP2830156A1 (en) 2015-01-28
US10651560B2 (en) 2020-05-12
KR101926895B1 (en) 2018-12-07

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