EP3062392A1 - Reflector with an electronic circuit and antenna device comprising a reflector - Google Patents

Abstract

A reflector comprises a substrate, a plurality of reflector structures disposed on or in the substrate and configured to reflect an incident electromagnetic wave. The reflector further includes an electronic circuit disposed on, on or in the substrate and configured to control an antenna when the antenna is connected to the electronic circuit.

Description

The present invention relates to a reflector with an electronic circuit, which can be used for example for reflecting an incident electromagnetic wave, and to an antenna device. The present invention further relates to a double reflector system with active electronics integrated into the main reflector.

There are decoupled, non-integrated solutions in which directional antenna, data processing, and radio front-end (i.e., electronic circuits) are self-contained modules that are interconnected. This is done by means of coaxial connections, tracks from the outputs of the electronic components, e.g. Amplifiers, transitions from tracks to waveguides, bonding wire connections or the like. Disadvantages here are the physical size of the overall system as well as losses in terms of weight and efficiency of the antenna system, such as losses in the transitions from electronics to antenna, adaptation losses, etc.

Integrated solutions, which realize the electronics of the data processing, the radio front end and the transmitting or receiving antenna (feed antenna) together on a printed circuit board, are called PIFA (Planar Inverted-F Antenna - planar frequency-inverted antenna) or patch antennas on PCB basis or on-chip antennas radiating out of a chip package. These antennas have a broad radiation, do not develop high directivity and are therefore unsuitable for radio relay applications. Phased array antennas also use the principle of integrated electronics in combination with radiating antenna elements on a circuit board, but do not make use of reflector components to increase the directivity, but use the combined radiation of many active antenna elements (eg patch antennas on the circuit board) to achieve a directivity. This is associated with complicated active electronics, phase shifters and a complex drive network of the individual antenna elements.

Another approach uses so-called reflect array (i.e., an array of reflector elements) printed circuit boards with layers of integrated solar cells used for power generation, e.g. on a satellite. This is done on the basis of passive electronics.

Fig. 14 shows a schematic representation of a Reflectarrays 102, which includes a substrate 104 and a plurality of scattering elements 106. A feed antenna 108 arranged at a distance from the reflector array 102 can emit a radio signal in the direction of the reflector array 102, the radio signal being reflected by the reflector array 102.

The design of the main reflector (Reflectarray 102) and optional subreflectors (other reflectors) can be based on printed circuit boards with reflective individual metal elements on a substrate with underlying metallic ground plane, i. Reflectarrays, done. The reflective elements on the circuit boards serve to impart a desired phase function to the incident radiation, thus simulating the function of a physically domed subreflector.

It would therefore be desirable to have a concept for antenna reflectors and / or antenna devices that enable efficient operation thereof.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a reflector and an antenna device, which enable efficient operation and a compact possibly lighter construction thereof.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims.

The core idea of the present invention is to have recognized that on or in a substrate of a reflector, an electronic circuit for driving an antenna can be arranged, so that the circuit for driving the antenna and the reflector with low-loss (possibly fixed) electrical Connections can be executed so that a lossy mechanically releasable coupling of the two elements can be omitted. Thus, electrical losses can be reduced, allowing efficient operation of the reflector.

In one embodiment, a reflector includes a substrate and a plurality of reflector structures disposed on or in the substrate. The reflector structures are configured to reflect an incident electromagnetic wave. An electronic circuit is disposed on or in the substrate and configured to control an antenna when the antenna is connected to the electronic circuit. An advantage of this embodiment is that power losses between a data processing and a radio front end can be low, for example if the electronic circuit comprises the data processing and the radio front end. The reflector can be compact, d. h., Having a small space, and possibly be realized with a low weight.

According to a further embodiment, the plurality of reflector structures is configured to reflect the incident electromagnetic wave such that the reflected electromagnetic wave undergoes beam focusing by the reflection at the plurality of reflector structures. The advantage of this is that a directivity (ie collimated or at least less scattered electromagnetic wave) of the radio signal to be transmitted is obtained by means of the reflector structures, so that a low transmission power requiring and / or a high transmission path having signal transmission by means of the reflector is possible, resulting in a further increased operating efficiency leads.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the multiplicity of reflector structures are arranged in at least two mutually different substrate planes. The substrate planes are arranged in parallel to a substrate surface facing a direction in which the electromagnetic wave is reflected. The advantage of this is that tolerance tolerance of the reflector is obtained by means of the two or more substrate planes. Reflector structures arranged on different substrate planes can be positioned relative to one another by means of a relative position of the substrate planes relative to one another. Furthermore, components of the electronic circuit can be positioned relative to the substrate planes, so that a robustness against position shifts is obtained.

According to a further embodiment, at least one reflector structure of the plurality of reflector structures comprises a plurality (two or more) of dipole structures. The advantage of this is that, based on the reflector structures and in conjunction with the electronic circuit, a plurality of transmission channels can be used or implemented is, for example, a transmission channel per dipole structure, a reception channel per dipole structure and / or a simultaneous transmission operation and reception operation of the electronic circuit and / or a connected antenna.

According to a further embodiment, the reflector comprises a radome structure, which is arranged with respect to the plurality of reflector structures and is designed to at least partially reduce a mechanical or chemical influence of an environment of the plurality of reflector structures on the plurality of reflector structures. The radome structure comprises, at least in regions, an electrically conductive structure which is designed to reflect the electromagnetic wave, the electrically conductive structure being arranged with respect to the plurality of reflector structures such that the electromagnetic wave reflected by the electrically conductive structure is directed in the direction of the plurality of Reflected reflector structures and reflected by these again. In simple terms, the electrically conductive structure can be arranged as a sub-reflector with respect to a reflector used as a main reflector. An advantage of this embodiment is that a low sensitivity of the reflector is obtained to external influences and that the reflector can be used as Cassegrain reflector structure or as a Gregorian reflector structure.

According to a further embodiment, an antenna is arranged on or in the substrate, which is connected to the electronic circuit and which is designed to generate the electromagnetic wave based on a control of the electronic circuit. An advantage of this embodiment is that power losses between the electronic circuit and the antenna are also reduced, so that an even more efficient operation of the reflector is made possible. Another advantage is that a compact assembly can be realized, are carried out in the reflector and antenna adjacent to each other or even integrated.

According to a further embodiment, an antenna device comprises a previously described reflector, a subreflector, which is designed to reflect the electromagnetic wave emitted by the antenna at least partially in the direction of the plurality of reflector structures, so that the electromagnetic wave reflected by the subreflector in the direction of the Variety of reflector structures directed and reflected by these again. The antenna device further comprises an antenna connected to the electronic circuit and configured to generate the electromagnetic wave based on an activation of the electronic circuit to generate and send in a direction of the subreflector. An advantage of this embodiment is that an integrated design of the antenna and / or an efficient operation of the antenna device is made possible.

According to one embodiment, the reflector structures and the subreflector have a Cassegrain configuration or a Gregorian configuration. The advantage of this is that a high directivity of the antenna device can be obtained, so that a low transmission power is required and / or a high transmission range is obtained.

According to a further embodiment, the antenna is designed as a surface-mounted component (SMD). The advantage of this is that the antenna device has as a whole structure a high functional integration density and the antenna device can be designed with a small installation space and / or a low weight.

According to another embodiment, an axial relative position of the subreflector with respect to the reflector is variable along an axial direction parallel to a surface normal of the substrate. The advantage of this is that a radiation characteristic of the antenna device, such as a focusing of the incident electromagnetic wave, is adjustable.

According to another embodiment, a lateral relative position of the subreflector with respect to the reflector along a lateral direction perpendicular to a surface normal of the substrate or an inclination of the main reflector or subreflector with respect to a surface of the substrate of the reflector is variable. An advantage of this embodiment is that a radiation direction of the antenna device can be changed without changing a phase function of the plurality of reflector structures.

According to a further embodiment, the antenna comprises a plurality of antenna elements, wherein a first subset of the antenna elements is configured to generate the electromagnetic wave having a first polarization direction and wherein a second subset of the antenna elements is configured to transmit the electromagnetic wave having a second polarization direction produce. A first subset of the plurality of reflector structures is configured to reflect the electromagnetic wave at a first reflectance when the electromagnetic wave is the first Polarization direction and reflect with a second reflectance when the electromagnetic wave has the second polarization. A second subset of the plurality of reflector structures is configured to reflect the electromagnetic wave at a third reflectance when the electromagnetic wave has the second polarization direction and reflects at a fourth reflectance when the electromagnetic wave has the first polarization. The first reflectance and the third reflectance have a larger value than the second reflectance and the fourth reflectance. The advantage of this is that mutually different signals with mutually different polarizations can be transmitted and / or received simultaneously and thus a transmission efficiency of the antenna device is high.

According to one embodiment, the antenna is designed to conduct an electromagnetic wave emitted in the direction of the antenna device and received by the antenna device to the electrical circuit or to another electrical circuit. The advantage of this is that a transmission function, a reception function and the generation of the electromagnetic wave as a function of a device can be performed integrated.

According to a further embodiment, the antenna device comprises a plurality of antennas and a plurality of subreflectors, each subreflector being associated with an antenna. The advantage of this is that the reflector can be arranged jointly with respect to the plurality of antennas and the plurality of subreflectors, so that a high degree of compactness of a multi-antenna device is obtained.

Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild eines Reflektors gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Seitenschnittansicht eines Reflektors mit einem Substrat, das eine mehrlagige Platine umfasst gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 3a

eine schematische Aufsicht auf eine Reflektorstruktur, die als Rechteck ausgeführt ist gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 3b

eine schematische Aufsicht auf eine Reflektorstruktur, die als Ellipse ausgeführt ist gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 3c

eine schematische Aufsicht auf eine Reflektorstruktur, die als Kombination zweier Dipolstrukturen ausgeführt ist gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 3d

eine schematische Aufsicht einer Reflektorstruktur, die drei jeweils mit einem Winkel zueinander angeordnete Dipolstrukturen umfasst gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Ansicht eines Reflektors, der gegenüber dem Reflektor aus Fig. 1 um ein Gehäuseteil erweitert ist gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Seitenschnittansicht eines Reflektors, bei dem das Substrat Durchkontaktierungen umfasst gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 6

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild einer Antennenvorrichtung einen Reflektor und eine Antenne gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 7

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild einer Antennenvorrichtung, bei der eine Vielzahl von Reflektorstrukturen gem. Fig. 3c an dem Substrat gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 8

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild einer Antennenvorrichtung, die eine Hornantenne umfasst gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 9

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild einer Antennenvorrichtung, bei der ein Substrat eine unebene Form aufweist gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 10

eine schematische Aufsicht auf ein Substrat, an dem eine Vielzahl von Reflektorstrukturen und elektrische Teilschaltungen angeordnet sind gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 11

eine schematische Seitenansicht des Reflektors aus Fig. 1 zur Verdeutlichung der Funktion der aufgeprägten Phasenfunktion gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 12

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Antennenvorrichtung, die als gefaltete Reflectarray-Antenne ausgeführt ist gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 13

eine schematische Ansicht einer Antennenvorrichtung, die die Hornantenne und den Reflektor gem. Fig. 1 umfasst gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und

Fig. 14

eine schematische Darstellung eines Reflectarrays gemäß dem Stand der Technik.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic block diagram of a reflector according to an embodiment;

Fig. 2

a schematic side sectional view of a reflector with a substrate comprising a multilayer board according to an embodiment;

Fig. 3a

a schematic plan view of a reflector structure, which is designed as a rectangle according to an embodiment;

Fig. 3b

a schematic plan view of a reflector structure, which is designed as an ellipse according to an embodiment;

Fig. 3c

a schematic plan view of a reflector structure, which is designed as a combination of two dipole structures according to an embodiment;

Fig. 3d

a schematic plan view of a reflector structure comprising three each arranged at an angle to each other dipole structures according to an embodiment;

Fig. 4

a schematic view of a reflector, with respect to the reflector Fig. 1 is extended to a housing part according to an embodiment;

Fig. 5

a schematic side sectional view of a reflector, wherein the substrate comprises vias according to an embodiment;

Fig. 6

a schematic block diagram of an antenna device, a reflector and an antenna according to an embodiment;

Fig. 7

a schematic block diagram of an antenna device, in which a plurality of reflector structures. Fig. 3c on the substrate according to an embodiment;

Fig. 8

a schematic block diagram of an antenna device comprising a horn antenna according to an embodiment;

Fig. 9

a schematic block diagram of an antenna device in which a substrate has an uneven shape according to an embodiment;

Fig. 10

a schematic plan view of a substrate on which a plurality of reflector structures and electrical subcircuits are arranged according to an embodiment;

Fig. 11

a schematic side view of the reflector Fig. 1 to illustrate the function of the impressed phase function according to an embodiment;

Fig. 12

a schematic side view of an antenna device, which is designed as a folded Reflectarray antenna according to an embodiment;

Fig. 13

a schematic view of an antenna device, the horn antenna and the reflector gem. Fig. 1 comprises according to an embodiment; and

Fig. 14

a schematic representation of a Reflectarrays according to the prior art.

Before embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail in detail with reference to the drawings, it is pointed out that identical, functionally identical or equivalent elements, objects and / or structures in the different figures are provided with the same reference numerals, so that shown in different embodiments Description of these elements is interchangeable or can be applied to each other.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a reflector 10. The reflector 10 includes a substrate 12 and a plurality of reflector structures 14, which are arranged on a surface of the substrate 12. The plurality of reflector structures 14 are configured to reflect an incident electromagnetic wave 16 (radio signal). The reflector 10 further includes an electronic circuit 18 disposed on the same side of the substrate as the plurality of reflector structures. The electronic circuit 18 is configured to control an antenna (not shown) when the antenna is connected to the electronic circuit. The antenna may, for example, be the antenna that generates or emits the electromagnetic wave 16.

The substrate 12 can be any carrier material, such as low-loss RF materials (HF = high frequency). Low-loss HF materials can be obtained on the basis of PTFE composite materials (PTFE = polytetrafluoroethylene or polytetrafluoroethene). Alternatively or additionally, the substrate may at least partially be a silicon substrate (wafer or parts thereof) or a printed circuit board (PCB). The substrate 12 may include one or more layers. have, which are interconnected or separated by intermediate layers. The intermediate layers can be, for example, metallic layers which enable a shielding of the electromagnetic wave 16 and / or a supply of electronic components with a supply or reference potential (ground). The intermediate layers can also be air layers, ie two layers of the substrate can be connected to one another by means of spacers. It is also conceivable that different layers 22a and 22b or 22b and 22c have an intermediate layer of air and are screwed together or the like, for example. The intermediate air layers can also be used to accommodate reflector structures or act as reflector structures.

The plurality of reflector structures 14 are exemplarily disposed on a first major side of the substrate 12, i. on a side of the substrate 12 which faces the incident electromagnetic wave 16. Although the electronic circuit 18 is described as being disposed on the same side as the plurality of reflector structures 14, the electronic circuit may also be disposed wholly or partially (such as sub-circuits) on another, approximately opposite side of the substrate 12 his. Also, the plurality of reflector structures 14 and / or the electronic circuit 18 may be wholly or partially disposed on or in the substrate 12, for example, when the substrate 12 is a multi-layered structure. Put simply, with respect to some or all of the reflector structures 14 and / or the electronic circuit 18, a further layer of the substrate 12 may be arranged so that the related reflector structure and / or the electrical circuit 18 are covered by the further layer.

The reflector structures 14 may include electrically conductive materials, such as metals or semiconductors. A surface geometry of the plurality of reflector structures may be selected so that the respective surface form of the reflector structures 14 and / or their relative position to one another imparts a phase function to the incoming electromagnetic wave 16. For example, the electrically conductive material may be platinum, gold, silver, aluminum, copper, a (doped) semiconductor, or the like. The multiplicity of reflector structures can be arranged on the substrate 12, for example by means of an adhesive, pressure or sputtering method or by vapor deposition. Alternatively, the plurality of reflector structures in the form of island structures may be formed in a PCB by etching or milling. At least one Reflector structure can be arranged by means of a chemical gilding or by vapor deposition.

One of the reflector structures 14 impressed on the electromagnetic wave 16 phase function can be designed so that the electromagnetic wave 16 undergoes bundling by the reflection and collimated or at least less scattered from the reflector 10 is reflected. The imposed phase function can simulate a curvature of the reflector 10, for example convex or concave. The multiplicity of reflector structures are matched to one another based on the phase function such that the electromagnetic wave 16 is locally reflected by the areal distribution and configuration of the reflector structures 14 differently (direction, polarization, etc.), so that the phase function of the electromagnetic wave 16 is imprinted. Furthermore, the phase function can be used to obtain beam shaping (beam contour or contra-beam).

Fig. 2 shows a schematic side sectional view of a reflector 20. The reflector 20 includes the substrate 12, wherein the substrate 12 comprises a board or is designed as a multi-layer board. The substrate 12 comprises a first layer 22a, a second layer 22b and a third layer 22c, which together form parts of a stack, wherein between the first layer 22a and the second layer 22b a first at least partially electrically conductive layer 24a and between the second layer 22b and the third layer 22c, a second at least partially electrically conductive layer 24b is arranged. The layers 22a, 22b and / or 22c may comprise, for example, an epoxy material, a semiconductor material and / or a glass fiber material, such as FR-4, Kapton or the like, which may be glued together. For ease of understanding, but without limitation, the stack of substrate 12 will be described as having the plurality of reflector structures 14 at an upper end of the substrate 12 and the electronic circuit including electronic subcircuits 18a-c disposed at a lower end of the stack. It is obvious that, depending on the orientation of the reflector 20 in space, the term "top" or "bottom" can be replaced by any other name. Alternatively, a multilayer substrate may also comprise only one layer and one conductive layer.

The conductive layers 24a and 24b may, for example, comprise metallic materials and be used or contacted as a ground plane. In addition, the conductive layers 24a and / or 24b allow (possibly complete) reflection of the electromagnetic wave 16. This may be due to portions of the electromagnetic wave 16 which are not reflected by the reflector structures 14 and penetrate into the substrate 12. An arrangement of the electronic circuit (s) 18a, 18b and / or 18c on one side of the conductive layers 24a and / or 24b facing away from the incident electromagnetic wave 16 allows shielding of the electronic subcircuits 18a-c from the electromagnetic wave , This offers in operation in particular advantages with respect to a low electromagnetic coupling of the electromagnetic wave 16 in circuit structures, which would lead to an impairment of the functionality of the electronic circuit. The shield thus allows increased electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of the reflector 20. Further, the arrangement of the electronic subcircuits 18a-c on a side other than the plurality of reflector structures 14 allows increased area utilization of the top of the stack by the reflector structures 14, since no space needed for the electronic circuit.

At least one reflector structure 14 is arranged in a substrate plane different from the top side of the substrate 12, for example as a structure arranged on or in the metallic layer 24a. For example. For example, the metallic layer 24a may be structured. This allows a higher (area) density of the reflector structures 14 with respect to the electromagnetic wave 16, so that a reflected portion of the electromagnetic wave 16 acted upon by a phase function is increased. In operation, this allows a smaller proportion of the electromagnetic wave 16 to couple into the electrically conductive layer. Alternatively or additionally, a higher or the entire portion of the electromagnetic wave 16 can be acted upon by a phase function. The phase function of the reflected electromagnetic wave may have a higher degree of linearity compared to the incoming electromagnetic wave 16, resulting in increased tolerance robustness.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable that one or more electronic subcircuits 18a-c are arranged facing the electromagnetic shaft 16 on the first layer 22a. Alternatively or additionally, one or more electronic subcircuits 18a-c may be disposed in the substrate 12, such as the second layer 22b or the first or second electrically conductive layer 24a or 24b.

Under the ground surface 24a is another layer (second layer 22b), which have an electrical function or purely serve the stability of the circuit board. Underneath is another ground plane 24b, which is, for example, galvanically isolated from the upper ground surface 24a, the ground plane for the substrate layers on the underside of the printed circuit board for the active electronics (electronic subcircuits 18a-c) can form. Under another layer (third layer 22c) for the electronics are located on the underside of the same electronic components for driving a (not shown) food antenna. Alternatively, the substrate 12 may also comprise only one layer, two layers or more than three layers. In simple terms, the second layer 22b may not be arranged or be in the form of multiple layers.

The reflector structures 14 can also be embodied embedded in one of the layers 22a, 22b or 22c, for example as conductive "islands" of a printed circuit board. If, for example, the second layer 22b is not arranged, only one of the metallic layers 24a or 24b can be arranged between the layers 22a and 22c.

Furthermore, the reflector structures 14 may have mutually different polarization directions (preferred directions). Different polarization directions can be arranged in different substrate planes. The substrate planes may be arranged parallel to a substrate surface (the electromagnetic wave 16 facing or opposite side of the substrate 12).

The substrate may, for example, comprise a liquid crystal (LC) substrate layer arranged such that the reflector structures are located between a (virtual) source of the electromagnetic wave and the LC substrate layer. By means of the LC substrate layer, a phase assignment of the main or subreflector based on printed circuit boards can be readjusted, which means that reflection properties can be influenced based on an activation of the liquid crystal elements.

In other words shows Fig. 2 a possible layer structure of a main reflector printed circuit board. The uppermost layer (ie above the first layer 22a) forms the reflective elements (reflector structures 14) which can impart a phase function of the incident radiation 16 and which are located on a substrate (first layer 22a). Under this substrate is a metallic layer 24a, which serves for example as a ground surface and ensures the reflection of all incident rays.

The reflector 20 may instead of two galvanically separated ground surfaces 24a and 24b for reflective elements and electronics only a common ground plane in Layer structure and thus for the reflective elements 14 and the electronics 18a-c without further intermediate layer for the stability of the circuit board.

The (upper) substrate layers of the main reflector for the reflective elements (substrate layers 22a) can be designed both single-layered and multi-layered, with multilayered design further reflective elements can be arranged between the metallic layers. Furthermore, adhesive layers that physically connect these layers (multi-layer reflector array) can be arranged. An advantage, possibly the main advantage, of the multilayer design lies in the greater realizable bandwidth of the main reflector. The same applies to the layers of the subreflector, this should be designed as a printed circuit board version.

The lower substrate layers (22c) of the main reflector for the electronics can be designed both single-layer and multi-layer, wherein in several layers turn metallic layers with traces and adhesive layers that connect the different substrate layers can be arranged.

Individual substrate layers of the main reflector board or subreflector board may be glued or mechanically fixed or held together by other means.

The Fig. 3a-d each show schematic views of possible embodiments of the reflector structures.

Fig. 3a shows a schematic plan view of a reflector structure 14-1, which is designed as a rectangle with a first side dimension a and a second side dimension b. The side dimensions a and b may have a different or equal value (square).

Fig. 3b shows a schematic plan view of a reflector structure 14-2, which is designed as an ellipse. A ratio of major and minor axis is arbitrary.

Fig. 3c shows a schematic plan view of a reflector structure 14-3, which is designed as a combination of two dipole structures 26a and 26b. The dipole structures 26a and 26b are arranged perpendicular to one another, which enables highly isolated or decoupled reflection of incident electromagnetic waves with different polarization directions. A vertical arrangement of the dipole structures 26a and 26b allows, for example, a reflection of mutually perpendicular polarization directions, such as horizontal and vertical, with these orientations each or together rotate freely in space or can be designated differently. Alternatively, the dipole structures 26a and 26b may also have an angle other than 90 ° and / or reflect directions of polarization that are the same or different angles.

The dipoles 26a and 26b each have an increased reflectance when the electromagnetic wave having a polarization coincident with the arrangement of the respective dipole 26a or 26b is received, and a contrast reduced reflectance when the electromagnetic wave with another, in particular with a polarization direction arranged perpendicular thereto is received. For example, if the electromagnetic wave is received with a first polarization, the dipole structure 26a has a high (first) reflectance, for example. When the electromagnetic wave having a second polarization other than the first polarization, for example perpendicular thereto, is received, the dipole structure 26a has a lower (second) reflectance. The first polarization may be referred to as the preferred direction with respect to the dipole 26a. For example, the dipole 26b has a high (third) reflectance at the second polarization and, when the electromagnetic wave has the first polarization, a low (fourth) reflectance at which the electromagnetic wave is reflected.

The first and third reflectances are greater than the second and fourth reflectances. The first and the third or the second and the fourth reflectance can also be the same. In simple terms, the dipole 26a may be configured to reflect the first polarization and the dipole 26b to reflect the second polarization. The dipole structures 26a and 26b may further be configured to impose mutually different phase functions on a reflected electromagnetic wave.

Several different polarizations may be obtained by connecting a plurality of antenna structures or elements to the electronic circuit, wherein a first subset of the antenna structures or elements is configured to generate an electromagnetic wave having a first polarization and a second subset of the antenna structures or elements is formed to generate an electromagnetic wave having a second polarization. In addition, more can Antenna structures or elements may be arranged, which are designed to generate an electromagnetic wave with at least one further polarization.

Fig. 3d shows a schematic plan view of a reflector structure 14-4, which comprises three each arranged at an angle to each other dipole 26a, 26b and 26c, which allows a reflection of three corresponding polarizations. The dipole structures 26a-c may be at any angle to each other and, for example, adapted to polarizations of electromagnetic waves to be transmitted. Alternatively, more than three dipole structures or only one dipole structure can be arranged.

Alternatively, the reflector structures may also have any other shape, such as a polygonal shape, a circular shape, a freeform or a combination of shapes and / or dipole structures.

In other words, the reflective elements may have any geometry when the main or subreflector is designed as a reflector array. Furthermore, any method may be used to implement the desired phase change on the aperture of the reflector, such as a variable size of the elements, attached line sections, and / or rotation of the elements relative to one another.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a reflector 40 which is extended relative to the reflector 10 such that on a side facing away from the reflector structures 14 of the substrate 12, a housing part 28 is arranged. The housing part 28 can be used, for example, as a cover of the electronic circuit, which is arranged facing the housing part 28 on the substrate 12. The housing part 28 may comprise non-conductive (for example comprising plastic materials or resin materials) or conductive materials (for example metals). In simple terms, the housing part 28 may be a metallic cover.

A radome structure 32 is arranged on the side of the substrate 12 facing the reflector structures 14. The substrate 12 is shown offset only with respect to the housing part 28 and the radome structure 32 for the sake of better illustration, ie, the substrate 12, the housing part 28 and the radome structure 32 can also be arranged such that the substrate 12 is separated from the housing part 28 and the housing 12 radome 32 is enclosed (housed). The house can be waterproof and / or chemically resistant.

The radome structure 32 comprises an electrically conductive structure 34 at least in regions. The electrically conductive structure 34 is designed to reflect the electromagnetic wave and is arranged with respect to the plurality of reflector structures 14 such that the electromagnetic wave reflected by the electrically conductive structure 34 in the direction the plurality of reflector structures 14 is directed and is reflected by these again. If, for example, an antenna is arranged between the housing part 28 and the radome structure 32 (for example on or in the substrate 12), then this antenna can be designed to emit the electromagnetic wave in the direction of the electrically conductive structure 34, so that the electrically conductive structure 34 the electromagnetic wave is reflected in the direction of the reflector structures 14. The electrically conductive structure 34 may provide the function of a subreflector. The sub-reflector can be arranged as part of a double reflector system, in which the reflector 10 or 20 is arranged as a main reflector. The reflector structures 14 may then provide the electromagnetic wave with the phase function and emit (through the radome structure 32). Alternatively or additionally, the radome structure 34 may also comprise a further multiplicity of reflector structures.

In other words, a Radomlage can be placed over the reflective elements / electronics of the main reflector circuit board to cover the elements and protect against corrosion and external influences, or at least reduce the influence. This Radomlage can additionally change the reflection properties of the reflective elements or serve for thermal heat dissipation for the electronics.

Fig. 5 12 shows a schematic side sectional view of a reflector 50, in which the substrate 12 comprises vias 36a and 36b compared to the reflector 20, so that electrical signals from the electronic circuit 18 through the substrate 12 to the side opposite the electronic circuit 18 of the substrate 12 can be passed. On the substrate 12, an antenna 38 is arranged, which is designed to emit a radio signal, for example in the form of the electromagnetic wave 16. The antenna 38 is connected, for example, by means of bonding wires 41 a and 41 b to the plated-through holes 36 a and 36 b and thus to the electronic circuit 18. The electronic circuit 18 is designed to control the antenna 38, so that parameters of the electromagnetic wave 16, such as a signal shape, a transmission duration, a signal amplitude and / or a transmission frequency are influenced by the control of the electronic circuit 18. The reflector structures (not shown) are arranged on the same side of the substrate 12 as the antenna 38.

Alternatively or additionally, reflector structures can also be arranged in the substrate 12. Alternatively, the electronic circuit 18 may also be arranged on the same side as the antenna 38 on the substrate 12 and / or in the form of sub-circuits. An arrangement of the antenna 38 on the substrate 12 allows a highly integrated interconnection of electronic circuit 18 and antenna 38, which can lead to low power losses and thus an efficient operation. The reflector 50 can therefore also be described as an antenna device comprising the electronic circuit 18, the substrate 12 and the antenna 38.

The antenna 38 may be any antenna. For example, it can be an on-chip feed antenna, a patch antenna, a PIFA antenna, a waveguide antenna, a silicon-based antenna, or any other antenna.

For example, the related to Fig. 4 described radome structure comprising the electrically conductive structure combined with the antenna device 50, so an antenna shape comprising a double reflector system can be obtained. This antenna form can be implemented, for example, as a Cassegrain antenna or as a Gregorian antenna, so that an integrated Cassegrain antenna or a Gregorian integrated antenna can be obtained.

In other words shows Fig. 5 an example of the connection of the electronic components of the lower layers with the on-chip power supply antenna on top of the main reflector printed circuit board. In this example, the connection of the electronics to an SMD on-chip antenna is realized by means of vias and optional bonding wires. For example, the subreflector 42 may be part of a radome structure.

Fig. 6 FIG. 12 shows a schematic block diagram of an antenna device 60 comprising the substrate 12 on which the plurality of reflector structures 14 are arranged. The antenna 38 is disposed on the substrate 12 on the same side as the plurality of reflector structures 14 and configured to generate and emit the electromagnetic wave 16. The electromagnetic wave 16 can (spatially) wide, ie, with a large opening angle are radiated. This means that the electromagnetic wave 16 can have a low directivity. With respect to the substrate 12, a further reflector structure, hereinafter referred to as sub-reflector 42 is arranged. The sub-reflector 42 may be, for example, a concave or convex-shaped conductive layer. Alternatively, the subreflector 42 may also be planar, such as comprising a substrate and / or a circuit board having reflector structures configured to impart a phase function to the received and reflected electromagnetic wave 16. In simple terms, the subreflector 42 is arranged and designed to scatter the electromagnetic radiation received by the antenna 38 and to reflect at least partially in the direction of the reflector structures 14. The reflector structures 14 are designed to reflect the electromagnetic wave 16 reflected by the subreflector 42 again and to adapt the phase function of the electromagnetic wave 16 in such a way that the electromagnetic wave 16 is beam-focused relative to the characteristic of the antenna 38. For example, the electromagnetic wave 16 can be emitted approximately or completely collimated, so that it is possible to use the antenna device 60 as a directional antenna.

Fig. 7 FIG. 12 shows a schematic block diagram of an antenna device 70 in which a multiplicity of reflector structures 14-3 are arranged on the substrate 12. The electronic circuit comprises the subcircuits 18a and 18b which are arranged on the same side of the substrate 12 as the reflector structures 14-3 and the antenna 38. The electronic subcircuits 18a and 18b are connected to the antenna 38 by means of so-called microstrip lines (MSL) 43a and 43b, for example. The subreflector 42 can be tilted by an angle α relative to the substrate 12 or with respect to the antenna 38 and / or the reflector structures 14-3. The subreflector is convex shaped or is configured to impart a convex phase function to the electromagnetic wave. The angle α may, for example, be less than 90 °, less than 60 ° or less than 30 °. The subreflector 42 can also tilt the electromagnetic wave with respect to the impressed phase function in space, so that overall a radiation characteristic with which the electromagnetic wave is reflected by the reflector structures 14-3 is changed.

For example, the electromagnetic wave can be reflected in a space direction that varies with the angle α. The sub-reflector 42 is further movable along an axial direction 44. Thus, there is a distance between the subreflector 42 and the substrate 12 and the antenna 38 along the axial direction 44 is variable. The axial direction 44 extends, for example, parallel to a surface normal 46 of the substrate 12. A reduced distance between the antenna 38 and the subreflector 42, depending on the scattering characteristic of the subreflector 42, lead to a narrowing or extension of a radiation lobe of the electromagnetic wave. That is, a focus of the electromagnetic wave radiated from the reflector structures 14-3 is variable with the distance and the movement along the axial direction 44, respectively. This allows adjustment or correction of the directivity of the antenna structure 70, for example, due to varying environmental influences, such as heating and / or varying materials between the antenna device 70 and another antenna device with which the antenna device 70 communicates.

Alternatively or additionally, the sub-reflector 42 may also be movable along a lateral direction 48, which is arranged perpendicular to the surface normal 46. Alternatively, the sub-reflector 42 may also be rigid or only tiltable by the angle α or arranged to be movable along the direction 44.

A position of the dipoles of the reflector structures 14-3 may be adapted to one or more polarizations with which the electromagnetic wave is emitted by the antenna device 70. Alternatively or additionally, other reflector structures may be arranged. The antenna 38 is designed to conduct an electromagnetic wave transmitted in the direction of the antenna device and received by the antenna device 70 to the electrical circuit (not shown) or another electrical circuit arranged, for example, on a side of the substrate 12 facing away from the antenna 38 is.

Alternatively, the substrate 12 or the (main) reflector may also have a plurality of antennas 38, which may be identical or different from each other. With respect to the plurality of antennas, a plurality of subreflectors 42 may be arranged. For example, each subreflector may be associated with one of the antennas arranged. This allows the construction of a multi-antenna device.

Fig. 8 FIG. 12 shows a schematic block diagram of an antenna device 80 comprising an antenna 38 '. The antenna 38 'is designed as a horn antenna. With respect to the antenna 38 ', a subreflector 42' is arranged, which is designed to simulate a concave shape by means of the phase function. The subreflector 42 'may, for example, as a concave be executed metallic element. Alternatively, the subreflector 42 'can also be embodied as a (planar) board, which is designed to impart a corresponding phase function by means of a suitable arrangement of reflector structures.

The antenna device 80 can be used, for example, as a Gregorian antenna. The shape of the subreflector 42 or 42 'can be selected independently of an embodiment of the antenna 38 and 38'. For example, the antenna device 80 may also include the antenna 38 and / or the sub-reflector 42.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic block diagram of an antenna device 90, in which a substrate 12 '(main reflector) has an uneven shape. This is obtained, for example, by an arrangement of a plurality of (possibly even) sub-substrates 12a-e arranged at an angle to each other. This can also be referred to as a sector paraboloid or as a multi-faceted reflector array (multi-surface reflector). By means of the mutually inclined sub-substrates 12a-e, a concave or convex or piecewise continuous shape (for example a parabolic shape) of the substrate 12 'and thus of the main reflector can be obtained. In simple terms, the main reflector and / or the substrate 12 'can be designed in several parts, wherein the parts can be arranged parallel to one another or at an angle. The antenna 38 is arranged displaced, for example, from a center position (so-called offset feed). Alternatively, the antenna 38 may also be arranged in a geometric or areal center of gravity. The antenna device 90 may also be described as a 1D multi-faceted reflector array configuration.

In other words, the board-based main reflector may be implemented with electronics for driving the feed antenna (s) as a sectoral paraboloid (Multi-Faceted Reflectarray) and / or in a physically domed form (compliant antenna) with one or more printed circuit boards to achieve the desired phase function to realize. On at least one of these circuit boards, (ie sectors, facets or panels 12a-e), the electronics for driving the feeder antenna (s) is arranged. For example, a board-based subreflector may be formed of a plurality of sector-shaped circuit boards. An advantage of a sector shape is that, compared to a planar design, a higher bandwidth of the antenna can be realized and a higher phase margin of the reflector structure can be obtained.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic plan view of the substrate 12, on which a plurality of reflector structures 14-1 and sub-circuits 18-d are arranged. Alternatively or additionally, further and / or different reflector structures may be arranged.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic side view of the reflector 10 to illustrate the function of the imposed phase function, the explanations are transferable to a sub-reflector. The phase function impressed by the reflector structures 14 of the electromagnetic wave 16 enables an implementation of a virtual design of the reflector 10. The dashed concave line shows the implemented virtual parabolic shape of the reflector. For example, the reflector 10 may have a planar substrate 12 with the reflector structures 14 arranged thereon. However, by means of the phase function, the electromagnetic wave 16 may be reflected as if reflected by a concave (or alternatively convex) or parabolic reflector.

Fig. 12 shows a schematic side view of an antenna device 120, which is designed as a folded reflector array antenna. The antenna device 120 includes, for example, the horn antenna 38 'or alternatively any other antenna shape. With respect to the antenna 38 ', a sub-reflector in the form of a polarizing grating or slit array 44 is arranged. The polarizing grating or slit array 44 is configured to polarize and reflect the electromagnetic wave 16 when it has a first polarization. The reflector structures 14 are configured to rotate a polarization of the electromagnetic wave and to focus the electromagnetic wave 16. For example, the slit array 44 may be configured to pass the electromagnetic wave 16 largely or completely when it has the rotated (second) polarization.

The subreflector can be designed as a physically curved variant convex (for example for a Cassegrain antenna), concave (for example for a Gregorian antenna) or likewise as a printed circuit board (reflector array). As a reflector system, a folded antenna (Folded Reflectarray) can also be arranged.

A focusing or contra-beam function of the main printed circuit board-based reflector as a reflector array is still given in such a case. As a sub-reflector, for example, a polarization-selective grating in a similar or the same Size as the main reflector above this will be installed. The food antenna may continue to be in a position below the subreflector grid. The incident rays of the food antenna are polarization-dependent reflected by this grid, wherein the reflection of the polarization can be partially rotated. During the reflection on the main reflector reflector array, the polarization of the incident radiation is then partially rotated again and at the same time focused or shaped in the desired manner. The rays can now pass through the subreflector without reflection. This folded shape of the antenna can thus also be made very compact, however, be realized by the polarization selectivity of the subreflector only with a polarization and certain reflective elements on the main reflector, which rotate the polarization of the incident rays in the executed reflection.

Fig. 13 FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of an antenna device 130 comprising the horn antenna 38 'and the reflector 10. By means of the reflector 10, a reflector characteristic analogous to a parabolic main reflector is obtained. With regard to the reflector 10, the subreflector 42 is arranged, which reflects the electromagnetic wave 16 radiated with an opening angle of 2 θ _f and reflects it back in the direction of the reflector 10. With regard to the reflector 10, this acts like a virtual antenna (virtual feed) 38 _v , which emits the electromagnetic wave 16 with the opening angle 2 θ _vf . Put simply, this implements a function of a Cassegrain antenna.

Simply put, some of the embodiments described above can be implemented as a double reflector system, for example as a Cassegrain antenna, Gregorian antenna or folded antenna. A food antenna may be centrally located on a main reflector and configured to illuminate (illuminate) the subreflector, which in turn is configured to illuminate the main reflector. The subreflector can virtually mirror the function of the food antenna over the main reflector. The virtual mirror point can be displaced by the convex or concave (Gregorian antenna) shape of the subreflector as opposed to mirroring on a planar metallic surface. Thus, the entire antenna device can be made very compact. The main reflector may be parabolic or designed to implement a corresponding phase function, ie it leads to a collimation of the incident radiation and thus to a directivity. The antenna can therefore combine a high directivity with a very compact design.

The embodiments relate to a main reflector, which is designed as a printed circuit board (PCB), on the lower or upper side (or another side) in addition to the electronics for feeding the dining antenna is located. On one side (for example top side), the elements of the reflector array and a food antenna are arranged. The control of this dining antenna can be done by electronics, which is located on the same or another side or on both sides of the circuit board.

In embodiments, the electronic circuit (active electronics) may be located on the same side of the substrate (main reflector) as the reflector structures and may be configured to drive the feed antenna therefrom. This can be done for example by means of conductor tracks, microstrip configurations, bonding wire connections or the like.

The food antenna can be any antenna and have a narrow or a broad radiation characteristic. The food antenna can be embodied, for example, as an on-chip antenna, horn antenna, open waveguide or phased array antenna. The food antenna may also comprise a plurality of distributed antenna elements which may be excited individually or in groups for radiation. Further examples of food antennas are, for example, substrate-integrated waveguides, possibly with horn, (planar) mode converters with attached horn, packed antennas, printed planar antennas, such as a patch antenna, PIFA antennas or the like.

The food antenna may comprise one or more individual food antennas having the same or different polarizations. In combination with certain reflective elements on main or subreflector planes, a multiplex, demultiplex or duplex transmission of electromagnetic waves (radio signals) can thus also be realized depending on the polarization. For example, crossed dipoles can be arranged as reflective elements. The individual dipole arms can selectively reflect the phase of the incident beams with polarization in a longitudinal direction. As crossed dipoles, the scattering elements (reflector structures) can thus different, for example, orthogonal linear polarizations, selectively reflect with high isolation and thus impose different phase assignments to the different, for example orthogonal polarized beams. This allows, for example, a spatial separation, ie two focus points, the two linearly orthogonally polarized dining antennas. That is, there are two dining antennas arranged.

In embodiments, the food antenna may be in a (e.g., vertical) position, i. be arranged perpendicular to the aperture of the main reflector, which is at the level of the main reflector (in the form of a patch antenna) higher (approximately in the form of a horn antenna), but also deeper (integrated in about one of the layers of the substrate).

Embodiments comprise two or more feed antennas, which are designed in each case to emit an electromagnetic wave with mutually different frequencies (so-called multi-band reflector array). Alternatively or additionally, the feed antennas can be controlled in the time-division multiplex method.

A horizontal (lateral) position of the feed antenna (in the aperture plane of the main reflector) can be located centrally or at another position (so-called offset feed). Furthermore, the axial or lateral position of the subreflector may be variable. Alternatively or additionally, the subreflector can also be tilted by an arbitrary angle α (for example, less than 90 °).

One (possibly essential) function of the double reflector system is, for example, beam focusing, ie a high directivity of the antenna. The antenna can thus be used in directional radio and / or point-to-point connections (direct connections). The possibility of contour-shaped radiation (Contured Beam) by means of suitable phase assignment of the main reflector reflector array is also possible. A main application here is, for example, the satellite radio. Likewise, the phase assignment (phase function) can be implemented so that multi-beam, tilted beam or any other feasible form of radiation of the entire antenna is achieved.

In embodiments, the main or sub-reflector are mechanically movable relative to each other, for example, to perform a beam control or pivoting.

Embodiments described above describe implementations of a main reflector that combines the electronics and the radiation reflection with specific phase coverage of the radiation of a subreflector, such as in a Cassegrain antenna system or in a folded antenna on a printed circuit board. An advantage here is the compactness of the antenna system and the integrability of the electronics together with the reflector properties of the antenna on a printed circuit board.

Application examples can be used for example in radio links (point-to-point), satellite radio and / or in radar applications. Furthermore, antenna devices according to embodiments described above can be used anywhere where a highly integrated antenna with high directivity or contour-shaped radiation is needed. As a typical application example, a Cassegrain reflector array antenna with main and submirror (reflector) can be seen as a printed circuit board design. The subreflector as a printed circuit board can be embedded in a radiation-transmissive Radomgehäuse, while the main reflector printed circuit board is mounted on a metallic housing, the function of which protects the electronics and their shielding (in the sense of EMC) and / or the heat dissipation of the electronic components. The two housing components can be joined together mechanically (possibly water-resistant and / or chemical-resistant) and enclose the main reflector circuit board with an applied on-chip supply antenna. The connections to the outside, i. for contacting the antenna device can be carried out, for example, in the form of a data connection and as a connection for the power supply.

Although the antenna and / or the antenna device have been described above as being formed to generate and emit the electromagnetic wave 16, embodiments may also be used to alternatively or additionally receive the electromagnetic wave 16 so that it may be used the electronic circuit or another electronic circuit can be evaluated.

Although some aspects have been described in the context of a device, it will be understood that these aspects also constitute a description of the corresponding method, so that a block or a component of a device is also to be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding device.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. It will be understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be apparent to others of ordinary skill in the art. It is therefore intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, and not by the specific details, which were presented based on the description and explanation of the embodiments herein is limited.

The research that led to these results was funded by the European Union.

Claims (15)

Reflector (10; 20; 40; 50) comprising: a substrate (12); a plurality of reflector structures (14; 14-1-4) disposed on or in the substrate (12) and configured to reflect an incident electromagnetic wave (16); and an electronic circuit (18; 18a-d) disposed on or in the substrate (12) and configured to control an antenna when the antenna is connected to the electronic circuit (18; 18a-d). A reflector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of reflector structures (14; 14-14) are adapted to reflect the incident electromagnetic wave (16) so that the reflected electromagnetic wave (16) is reflected by the reflection at the plurality of reflector structures (16; 14; 14-1-4) undergoes beam focusing. A reflector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the substrate (12) comprises a board, the board comprising at least a first layer (22a) and a second layer (24a), on, on or in the first layer (22a) Variety of reflector structures (14; 14-1-4) is at least partially disposed, and wherein the second layer (24a) is at least partially electrically conductive. A reflector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of reflector structures (14; 14-1-4) are disposed in at least two mutually different substrate planes (22a, 22b) which are parallel to a substrate surface, a direction in which the electromagnetic Shaft (16) is reflected, facing arranged. A reflector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one reflector structure (14-3; 14-4) of the plurality of reflector structures (14; 14-1-4) comprises a plurality of dipole structures (26a-c). A reflector according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a radome structure (32) disposed with respect to the plurality of reflector structures (14; 14-1-4) is and is designed to at least partially reduce a mechanical or chemical influence of an environment of the plurality of reflector structures (14, 14-1-4) on the plurality of reflector structures (14, 14-1-4), the radome structure (32 ) comprises at least partially an electrically conductive structure (34) or a further plurality of reflector structures, which is designed to reflect the electromagnetic wave (16), the electrically conductive structure (34) or the further plurality of reflector structures with respect to the plurality of Reflector structures (14; 14-1-4) is arranged so that the electromagnetic wave (16) reflected by the electrically conductive structure (34) in the direction of the plurality of reflector structures (14; 14-1-4) and directed from these again is reflected. A reflector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an antenna (38; 38 ') is connected to or in the substrate (12) which is connected to the electronic circuit (18; 18a-d) and adapted to be based on a Driving the electronic circuit (18, 18a-d) to generate the electromagnetic wave (16). Antenna device (50; 60; 70; 80; 90; 120; 130) with: a reflector (10; 20; 40; 50) according to any of claims 1-6; an antenna (38; 38 '); and a subreflector (42; 42 ') adapted to reflect the electromagnetic wave (16) emitted by the antenna (38; 38') at least partially towards the plurality of reflector structures (14; 14-1-4); such that the electromagnetic wave (16) reflected by the subreflector (42; 42 ') is directed towards and reflected by the plurality of reflector structures (14; 14-1-4); wherein the antenna (38; 38 ') is connected to the electronic circuit (18; 18a-d) and adapted to generate the electromagnetic wave (16) based on a drive of the electronic circuit (18; 18a-d) in a direction of the subreflector (42, 42 '). An antenna device according to claim 8, wherein the reflector structures (14; 14-1-4) and the subreflector (42; 42 ') have a Cassegrain configuration or a Gregorian configuration. An antenna device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the antenna (38; 38 ') is a surface mounted component. An antenna device according to any of claims 8-10, wherein an axial relative position of the subreflector (42; 42 ') with respect to the reflector (10; 20; 40; 50) is parallel to a surface normal (46) of the substrate along an axial direction (44) (12) is changeable. An antenna device according to any one of claims 8-11, wherein a lateral relative position of the subreflector (42; 42 ') with respect to the reflector (10; 20; 40; 50) is along a lateral direction (48) normal to a surface normal (46) of the substrate (12) is variable or wherein an inclination (α) of the subreflector (42; 42 ') with respect to a surface of the substrate (12) of the reflector (10; 20; 40; 50) is variable. An antenna device according to any one of claims 8-12, wherein the antenna (38; 38 ') comprises a plurality of antenna elements, wherein a first subset of the antenna elements is adapted to generate the electromagnetic wave (16) with a first direction of polarization, and wherein second subset of the antenna elements is configured to generate the electromagnetic wave (16) with a second polarization direction;
wherein a first subset (26a) of the plurality of reflector structures (14; 14-1-4) is adapted to reflect the electromagnetic wave (16) at a first reflectance when the electromagnetic wave (16) has the first polarization direction and reflect a second reflectance when the electromagnetic wave (16) has the second polarization;
wherein a second subset (26b) of the plurality of reflector structures (14; 14-1-4) is adapted to reflect the electromagnetic wave (16) at a third reflectance when the electromagnetic wave (16) has the second polarization direction and to reflect a fourth reflectance when the electromagnetic wave (16) has the first polarization;
wherein the first reflectance and the third reflectance have a larger value than the second reflectance and the fourth reflectance. An antenna device according to any of claims 8-13, wherein the antenna (38; 38 ') is further adapted to connect an electromagnetic wave (16) sent towards the antenna device and received by the antenna device to the electrical circuit (18; 18a-d) ) or to conduct another electrical circuit. An antenna device according to any of claims 8-14, comprising a plurality of antennas (42, 42 ') and a plurality of subreflectors (42, 42'), each subreflector (42, 42 ') of an antenna (42, 42'). assigned.

Images