EP3482457B1 - Phasengesteuerte gruppenantenne - Google Patents

Phasengesteuerte gruppenantenne Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3482457B1
EP3482457B1 EP17733819.1A EP17733819A EP3482457B1 EP 3482457 B1 EP3482457 B1 EP 3482457B1 EP 17733819 A EP17733819 A EP 17733819A EP 3482457 B1 EP3482457 B1 EP 3482457B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
phase
antenna
array antenna
waveguide radiator
polarizers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP17733819.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3482457A1 (de
Inventor
Jörg Oppenländer
Alexander Mössinger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
Original Assignee
Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH filed Critical Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
Publication of EP3482457A1 publication Critical patent/EP3482457A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3482457B1 publication Critical patent/EP3482457B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
    • H01Q21/061—Two dimensional planar arrays
    • H01Q21/064—Two dimensional planar arrays using horn or slot aerials
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01P—WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
    • H01P1/00—Auxiliary devices
    • H01P1/18—Phase-shifters
    • H01P1/182—Waveguide phase-shifters
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q13/00—Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
    • H01Q13/02—Waveguide horns
    • H01Q13/0241—Waveguide horns radiating a circularly polarised wave
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q15/00—Devices for reflection, refraction, diffraction or polarisation of waves radiated from an antenna, e.g. quasi-optical devices
    • H01Q15/24—Polarising devices; Polarisation filters 
    • H01Q15/242—Polarisation converters
    • H01Q15/244—Polarisation converters converting a linear polarised wave into a circular polarised wave
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/0006—Particular feeding systems
    • H01Q21/0018—Space- fed arrays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/0006—Particular feeding systems
    • H01Q21/0037—Particular feeding systems linear waveguide fed arrays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
    • H01Q3/30—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array
    • H01Q3/32—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array by mechanical means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
    • H01Q3/30—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array
    • H01Q3/34—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array by electrical means

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a phase-controlled group antenna, in particular for the GHz frequency range and for use on mobile carriers such as motor vehicles, aircraft or ships.
  • the phase control of the group antenna has the function of always optimally aligning the main beam of the group antenna with a target during the spatial movement of a mobile carrier.
  • a permanent radio link to the target antenna must be reliably maintained even when the wearer moves quickly.
  • a moving target can also be tracked with a stationary or mobile group antenna, as is the case with radar applications.
  • the antenna diagram of stationary antenna groups can be spatially changed with the aid of variable, controllable phase shifters and the main beam can thus be pivoted in different directions.
  • the phase control elements change the relative phase position of the signals that are received or sent by various individual members of the group antennas. If the relative phase position of the signals from the individual antennas is determined using the Phase control elements adjusted accordingly, then the main lobe ("main beam") of the antenna directional diagram of the group antenna points in the desired direction.
  • phase actuators are mostly composed of non-linear solids ("solid state phase shifters”), mostly ferrites, microswitches (MEMS technology, binary switches), or liquid crystals ("liquid crystals”).
  • solid state phase shifters mostly ferrites, microswitches (MEMS technology, binary switches), or liquid crystals
  • MEMS technology microswitches
  • liquid crystals liquid crystals
  • phase control elements must always be accommodated in the feed networks of the group antennas, which typically makes such group antennas very heavy or their thickness very large.
  • phased array antennas that use conventional phase actuators are very expensive. This prevents use in particular for civil applications above 10 GHz.
  • the requirements for precise control of the antenna pattern of the group antennas represent a further problem. If the group antennas are used in radio relay applications with satellites, then there are strict requirements for the regulatory conformity of the antenna pattern. For each main beam direction, the diagram of the regulatory mask must obey the transmission mode. This can only be reliably guaranteed if both the amplitude and the phase of each individual antenna element of the group antenna are known at all times.
  • phase actuators allows the reliable instantaneous, i. immediate determination of the phase position of the signal after the phase control element, which is available without further calculation. For this it would be necessary to be able to reliably determine the state of the phase control element at any time. However, this is practically impossible with solid-state, MEMS or liquid-crystal phase shifters.
  • the WO 02/084797 A1 a phased array antenna with a plurality of circularly polarized radiator elements, the array antenna comprising movement means which are used for the independent and angular rotation of at least a part of the radiator elements.
  • the phase-controlled array antenna comprises at least four phase-controlled antenna elements (1) connected via at least one feed network (12).
  • the Antenna elements each comprise a waveguide radiator (2) with a signal decoupling or coupling (8), a phase control element (3) which is rotatably mounted in the waveguide radiator (1), a holder (4) and at least two polarizers (5), wherein each of the at least two polarizers (5) can convert a circularly polarized signal into a linearly polarized signal.
  • the antenna elements comprise a connection element (6) and a drive unit (7) mounted on a carrier (9), which is connected to the phase control element (3) via the connection element (6) in such a way that the drive unit (7) controls the phase control element ( 3) can rotate around an axis (11) of the waveguide radiator (2).
  • the group antenna also includes a computing unit (13) which is connected to the drive unit (s) (7) of the phase-controlled antenna elements (1) via control lines (10) and which sets the rotation of the respective phase control elements (3).
  • FIG. 1 An exemplary spatial arrangement of the elements of the group antenna is shown in Fig. 1 shown.
  • the antenna elements (1) can also be arranged with a larger number and / or in several rows, that is to say two-dimensionally.
  • a computing unit (13) controls the entire group antenna.
  • Each of the antenna elements (1) has its own drive unit (7). As shown later, this can also be further simplified by using common drive units (7) for several antenna elements (1).
  • Fig. 2 The basic functionality of a phase-controlled antenna element is shown in Fig. 2 shown.
  • a wave (14a) incident in the waveguide radiator (2) of the antenna element (1) with circular polarization and phase position ⁇ is converted into a wave by the first polarizer (5a) of the phase control element (3) transformed with linear polarization (14b).
  • This wave of linear polarization is converted back into a wave with circular polarization (14c) by the second polarizer (5b) of the phase control element (3).
  • the phase control element (3) is now rotated by an angle ⁇ with the aid of the drive unit (7) and the connecting element (6), the polarization vector (14b) of the linear wave between the two polarizers (5a) and (5b) rotates in one plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation with. Since the polarizer (5a) also rotates, the circular wave (14c), which is generated by the second polarizer (5b), now has a phase position of ⁇ + 2 ⁇ . The circular wave (14c) with phase position ⁇ + 2 ⁇ can then be decoupled from the waveguide radiator (2) of the antenna element (1) or coupled into the waveguide radiator (2) with the aid of the signal decoupling or coupling (8).
  • the drive unit (7) is mounted on a carrier (9) and is supplied with the necessary energy via supply lines and with the information necessary for the rotation through the angle ⁇ via control lines (10) with the aid of the computing unit (13).
  • phase control of the antenna element (1) Due to the design of the phase control of the antenna element (1), the dependence of the phase angle difference between the outgoing (14c) and incoming (14a) circular wave on the rotation of the phase control element (3) is strictly linear, continuous and strictly 2n periodic. In addition, any desired phase rotation or phase shift can be set continuously by the drive unit (7).
  • phase control element (3) Since the phase control element (3) is a purely passive component from an electrodynamic point of view, it does not have any contains nonlinear components, its function is completely reciprocal. This means that a shaft which runs from bottom to top through the phase control element (3) is rotated in its phase in the same way as a shaft which runs from top to bottom through the phase control element (3).
  • phase position of a signal sent or received by the waveguide radiator (2) of the antenna element (1) can thus be set as desired. Simultaneous transmission and reception is also possible.
  • the signal decoupling or coupling (8) is shown in FIG Fig. 2 designed as a microstrip line (8) on a substrate (81).
  • the waveguide radiator (2) of the antenna element (1) is provided with a cutout at the point of coupling or decoupling, which allows the microstrip line including the substrate to be introduced into the waveguide radiator (2).
  • electrically conductive vias (83) are provided which establish electrical contact between the top and bottom of the waveguide radiator (2).
  • a recess (82) is provided in the substrate (81) through which the axis (6), which connects the drive unit (7) to the phase control element (3), can be guided.
  • a phase-controlled group antenna according to the invention is created.
  • Fig. 3 shown schematically Fig. 3a shows schematically the group antenna, Figure 3b the associated feed network (12). It consists of two networks (12a) and (12b), each of which processes orthogonal polarization.
  • the signals from all four antenna elements (1) are brought together or distributed in transmission mode via the feed networks (12a) and (12b), which contain the inputs and outputs (8a) and (8b).
  • the drives (7) of the individual phase controls are controlled by a computing unit (13) which e.g. can be a microprocessor which is connected to the signal lines (10) which connect all drive units to the computing unit.
  • a computing unit (13) which e.g. can be a microprocessor which is connected to the signal lines (10) which connect all drive units to the computing unit.
  • the couplings in and out (8a) and (8b) and the feed networks (12a) and (12b) are designed as microstrip lines (8a, b) on a substrate, analogous to the illustration in FIG Fig. 2 .
  • the signal decoupling or coupling (8) is also designed in two parts as a pin-shaped, orthogonal microstrip line (8a) and (8b) on separate substrates.
  • Such embodiments can be advantageous if two signals of orthogonal polarization are to be received and / or transmitted simultaneously with the group antenna. Phase imbalances can also be compensated if the signals are processed in an orthogonal system.
  • phase controls (3) are now set with the aid of the arithmetic unit (13) so that there is a constant relative phase difference ⁇ Sign between the signals of the individual elements, then the shows Main beam of the group antenna in a certain direction dependent on the phase difference ⁇ .
  • the antenna diagram of the group antenna is in every state of the Group antenna (ie also at any point in time) determined completely deterministically.
  • the corresponding antenna diagram can be calculated very precisely with the aid of a Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) with relatively little computing power.
  • FFT Fast Fourier Transformation
  • phase control phase control element (3), connection (6) and drive unit (7)
  • the weight of the phase control (phase control element (3), connection (6) and drive unit (7)) of the individual antenna elements (1) is typically very small. If the polarizers (5) are implemented in thin-film technology on thin HF substrates and the holder is made from closed-cell foam, the phase control typically only weighs a few grams. Therefore, only very small and light actuators, such as micro-electric motors, are required for the drive unit. The weight of such micro-electric motors is also in the gram range.
  • the weight of an individual phase control is then only a few grams, which results in a total weight of the entire phase control of the group antenna of only a few kilograms, even with group antennas with a thousand individual radiators. This is particularly advantageous in aircraft applications, where the weight should be as low as possible.
  • phase control there is the very low dissipation of the phase control according to the invention.
  • the heat input of the phase control elements is negligible because of the very low ohmic losses. If electric motors are used as drive units, their efficiency is typically> 95%, so that the drive units also cause practically no heat input.
  • the power consumption of micro-motors, for example is only in the mW range, so that the power requirement of the phase controls is only a few watts, even with group antennas with a thousand individual radiators.
  • phase control is a further advantage of the phase control according to the invention. Even in the case of group antennas with many thousands of individual radiators, active cooling is not required, neither in transmission nor in reception. In contrast to this, in the case of group antennas which use conventional semiconductor phase shifters or MEMS phase shifters, complex active cooling is essential, at least in transmission mode, because of the high losses.
  • the feed networks (12) of the phased array antenna can as in Figure 3b shown schematically consist of microstrip lines on a suitable RF substrate. To minimize losses, these microstrip lines can also be designed as suspended microstrip lines, that is to say in a coaxial construction. Parts of the feed networks (12) can also consist of waveguides, which can further reduce the losses.
  • the wave impedance of the antenna element (1) is completely independent of the relative phase position of the incoming and outgoing wave. In the case of antenna elements which are controlled in their phase position with the aid of non-linear phase shifters such as semiconductor phase shifters or liquid crystal phase shifters, this is typically not the case. There the wave impedance depends on the relative phase position, which makes these components difficult to control.
  • the waveguide radiator (2) is preferably designed in such a way that it contains at least one cylindrical waveguide section. This ensures that a cylindrically symmetrical electromagnetic oscillation mode (mode) of circular polarization can develop in its interior, which is dependent on the Polarizers (5) can be transformed into a linear polarization mode.
  • mode cylindrically symmetrical electromagnetic oscillation mode
  • the waveguide termination can e.g. be conical or stepped on one side.
  • the aperture of the waveguide radiator can e.g. when used in two-dimensional antenna fields e.g. can also be designed conical (horn antenna), square or rectangular.
  • the waveguide radiator For applications above 10 GHz, it can be advantageous for densely packed group antennas to design the waveguide radiator as a round waveguide, since such waveguides allow the highest packing density and also support cylinder-symmetrical cavity modes.
  • the waveguide radiator As a horn radiator.
  • the dimensional design of the waveguide radiator (2) for a specific operating frequency band is carried out using the known methods of antenna technology.
  • the axis of rotation (11) of the phase control elements (3) preferably lies in the axis of symmetry of the respective cylindrical Waveguide piece, which each waveguide radiator (2) preferably contains.
  • the polarizers (5a) and (5b) are preferably mounted in the holder (4) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (11) and parallel to one another.
  • a rotation of a quarter circle (-45 ° to + 45 °) is typically sufficient to realize a swivel range of -90 ° to + 90 ° with a group antenna and thus to cover the entire hemisphere above the antenna .
  • phase control works practically without losses, since with a suitable design the losses induced by the polarizers (5a, b) and the dielectric holder (4) are very small. At frequencies of 20 GHz, for example, the total losses are less than 0.2 dB, which corresponds to an efficiency of more than 95%. Conventional phase shifters, on the other hand, typically already have losses of several dB at these frequencies.
  • the phase-controlled array antenna according to the invention can therefore hardly be distinguished from a corresponding antenna array without phase control.
  • dielectrically filled horn radiators in particular at frequencies greater than 20 GHz, are used in antenna fields because of their high antenna efficiency. If such antenna fields are implemented as phase-controlled group antennas according to the invention, then the HF properties, in particular antenna gain and antenna efficiency, change Antenna fields advantageously not despite the additional phase control.
  • the phase position of the shaft (14a) emitted by the Holleiter emitter can be determined instantaneously and exactly at any time.
  • phase control element (3) Due to the simple structure of the phase control element (3) and the fact that only very simply structured drives (7) are required for the quarter-circle rotation, the phase control can be implemented very inexpensively. Large phased array antennas with many thousands of antenna elements are also easily possible.
  • drive units (7) for example, both inexpensive electric motors or micro-electric motors, as well as piezomotors, or simple actuators made of electroactive materials come into question.
  • the drive elements are preferably SMD components which can be soldered directly onto a suitable circuit board as a carrier (9).
  • the supply and control lines (10) can then be designed as microstrip lines, which allows a high integration density.
  • the connecting element (6) is preferably designed as an axle and is preferably made of a non-metallic, dielectric plastic material such as plastic. This has the advantage that cylindrical cavity modes are not, or only very slightly, disturbed when the axis is attached symmetrically in the waveguide radiator (1).
  • the drive unit (7) e.g. next to the waveguide radiator (2) and the connecting element (6) e.g. consists of a belt that is fed through small openings in the side of the waveguide radiator and thus drives the phase control element.
  • the drive unit (7) controls the phase control element (3) in a contactless manner, e.g. via a rotating magnetic field, rotates.
  • a magnetic rotator can be attached above the termination of the waveguide radiator, which then acts together with the rotating magnetic field as a connecting element (6), if e.g. Parts of the polarizer are made of magnetic materials.
  • the polarizers (5a, b) can e.g. consist of simple, flat meander polarizers which are applied to a conventional carrier material. These polarizers can be manufactured by known etching processes or by additive processes ("circuit printing").
  • the at least two polarizers (5a) and (5b) preferably have a shape symmetrical to the axis (11), so that they can be accommodated in a simple manner in the cylindrically symmetrical waveguide section of the waveguide radiator.
  • the in Fig. 4 The polarizer (5a, b) shown is designed as a meander polarizer. Multi-layer meander polarizers are advantageous here, since these can have large frequency bandwidths and thus enable broadband operation.
  • Embodiments are conceivable in which the signal polarization is not converted by plane polarizers but by structures spatially distributed in the holder (e.g. septum polaristors). For the function of the invention, it is only important that these structures first transform a wave with circular polarization incident into the waveguide radiator (2) into a wave with linear polarization and then transform it back into a wave with circular polarization.
  • structures spatially distributed in the holder e.g. septum polaristors
  • the holder e.g. closed-cell foams with low density, which are known to have very low HF losses, but plastic materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) or polyimides are also used. Because of the small size of the phase control element in the range of one wavelength, especially at frequencies above 10 GHz, the HF losses remain very small here too with appropriate impedance matching to the corresponding electromagnetic mode in the waveguide radiator (1).
  • plastic materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) or polyimides are also used.
  • phase control element (3) Since, from an electrodynamic point of view, the dimensional design of the phase control element (3) at a certain operating frequency is similar to the dimensional design of the waveguide radiator (2) at a certain operating frequency, the phase control element (3) can typically easily be attached inside the waveguide radiator (2).
  • the phase control element (3) can be made so small that it is in the waveguide radiator (2) by selecting the dielectric constant for the material of the holder (4). Takes place.
  • its minimum diameter is typically in the range of one wavelength of the operating frequency.
  • the expansion of the waveguide radiator in the direction of the incident waves is typically a few wavelengths of the operating frequency.
  • the dimensions of the phase control element are always in the range of the dimensions of the waveguide radiator.
  • the dimensions of the phase control element (3) are typically in the range smaller than one wavelength, i.e. approx. 1cm x 1cm. If the holder (4) is designed as a dielectric filling body and the dielectric constant is selected to be correspondingly large, then much smaller form factors can also be implemented. The ohmic losses then increase slightly, but are still only in the percentage range.
  • the antenna elements (1) are arranged in a two-dimensional field and the control lines (10) of the drive units (7) of the individual phase-controlled antenna elements (1) are connected to a microprocessor unit (13) as a computing unit.
  • the main lobe of the antenna diagram of the antenna field which forms a two-dimensional group antenna, can be pivoted in any direction in the hemisphere above the field.
  • antenna beam The alignment of the antenna beam (“antenna beam”) takes place in a diagram shown in FIG Fig. 3a analogous way in that the drive units (7) of the individual antenna elements are controlled by the microprocessor unit (13) in such a way that the phase actuators of the individual antenna elements (1) are rotated so that there is a certain relative phase relationship between the antenna elements (1) of the group antenna .
  • the precision of the alignment of the main beam is very high because the phase position of the signals emitted or received by the individual antenna elements (1) can be set as desired and in principle also as precisely as desired with the aid of the phase control.
  • phase-controlled group antennas which use binary phase shifters.
  • phase position of the individual signals can only be set granularly in certain steps.
  • a highly precise alignment of the antenna diagram is not possible in principle.
  • phase-controlled group antenna The direct reception or transmission of signals with linear polarization by the phase-controlled group antenna is possible through the use of special phase-controlled antenna elements (1).
  • One such antenna element is in Fig. 6 shown schematically and characterized in that in the waveguide radiator (2) of the phase-controlled antenna element (1) in front of the phase control element (3) at least one further polarizer (15) is attached, which can transform signals with linear polarization into signals with circular polarization, and after Phase control element (3) and at least one further polarizer (16), which can transform signals of circular polarization into signals of linear polarization, is attached upstream of the coupling-out (8).
  • the phase control element (3) also consists of the holder (4) and the polarizers (5a) and (5b) and has a Drive unit (7) which is connected via the connecting element (6) to the phase control element (3) or the holder (4) in such a way that the phase control element (3) can be rotated in the horn antenna (2).
  • the phase control element (3) can easily perform its function.
  • the polarizer (16) which is attached after the phase control element (3) and before the decoupling (8), then transforms the signal of circular polarization generated by the phase control element (3) back into a signal of linear polarization, which is generated by a signal corresponding to linear modes designed decoupling (8) can be decoupled directly.
  • the coupling (8) excites a linear mode in the waveguide radiator (2), which is transformed into a circular mode by the second polarizer (16).
  • the phase control element (3) With the phase control element (3), a phase position which is dependent on the angle of rotation of the phase control element (3) about the axis (11) is impressed on this circular mode.
  • the circularly polarized signal with the set phase position, which leaves the phase control element (3), is transformed by the first additional polarizer (15) into a signal with linear polarization and the impressed phase position and emitted by the waveguide radiator (2) of the antenna element (1).
  • FIG. 6 An embodiment of the in Fig. 6 antenna element shown is in Fig. 7 shown schematically.
  • the signal decoupling or coupling (8) is analogous to the illustration in FIG Fig. 2 designed in one piece as a microstrip line on a substrate.
  • the additional polarizers (15) and (16) are each embedded in a dielectric filling body (17a) or (17b) and are typically permanently mounted in the waveguide radiator (2).
  • the waveguide termination below the coupling-out or coupling-in (8) is also filled with a dielectric filler (17).
  • This structure has the advantage that the entire interior of the waveguide radiator (2) is filled with a dielectric, typically of the same type, so that mode discontinuities cannot occur.
  • the first additional polarizer (15) rotatable and to equip it with an independent drive so that this polarizer (15) turns independently of the phase control element (3) in the waveguide radiator (2) the axis (11) can be rotated.
  • Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous when, in mobile arrangements, the movement of the carrier causes a rotation of the polarization vector of the incident wave relative to the array antenna fixedly mounted on the carrier.
  • FIG. 8 A corresponding embodiment is shown in Fig. 8 shown schematically.
  • the first additional polarizer (15) is rotatably mounted in the waveguide radiator (2) and connected to its own drive (19) with the aid of an axis (18) so that the drive (19) moves the polarizer (15) around the axis (11) can turn.
  • FIG Fig. 8 The independent rotation of the polarizer (15) from the rotation of the phase control element (3) is shown in FIG Fig. 8 realized in such a way that the axis (6) which connects the phase control element (3) with its drive (7) is designed as a hollow axis.
  • This hollow axis is the axis (18) which connects the polarizer (15) with its drive (19).
  • the second additional polarizer (16) is firmly attached in the waveguide radiator (2), since its alignment determines the alignment of the linear mode which is coupled out or coupled in by the coupling out or coupling (8).
  • the fixed alignment of the polarizer (16) therefore depends on the position of the coupling-out or coupling-in (8).
  • the coupling out or coupling (8) is implemented in two parts, for example as in the embodiment of FIG Fig. 3a and 3b
  • the polarizer (16) can also be dispensed with, since the circularly polarized signal generated by the phase control element contains in principle all the information of the incident wave.
  • a 90 ° hybrid coupler for example, can then be used, in which the signal divided into the components of the coupling (8a) and (8b) is fed.
  • phase-controlled group antenna Due to the construction of the phase control according to the invention, only a single 90 ° hybrid coupler is then required for the phase-controlled group antenna, which e.g. can be integrated into the feed network (12) at the base of the feed network (12) of the group antenna.
  • FIG Fig. 9 An exemplary embodiment of a group antenna which consists of phase-controlled antenna elements (1) according to the invention and which is equipped with a polarizer (21) which is rotatably located above the antenna group is shown in FIG Fig. 9 shown schematically.
  • the group antenna of the Fig. 9 consists of 52 antenna elements (1), which are arranged in a two-dimensional field in a circle.
  • a common polarizer (21) is rotatably mounted above the antenna group and covers a plurality, in particular also all antenna elements (1).
  • the polarizer (21) is designed here as a meander polarizer and can be rotated about an axis (22) which is perpendicular to the antenna field.
  • the polarizer (21) can be rotated so that it transforms this wave of linear polarization into a wave of circular polarization.
  • the signal transformed in this way into a signal of circular polarization is fed into the phase-controlled antenna elements (1) of the group antenna, which, for example, correspond to those in the Fig. 3 , 7th or 8th Embodiments described are designed, fed.
  • the phase position of the signal can then be adjusted again in the manner already described via the phase control elements (3) of the individual antenna elements (1) and the main beam of the antenna group can be controlled accordingly.
  • FIG Fig. 10 Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG Fig. 10 shown schematically.
  • the group antenna consists of a two-dimensional array of 16 phase-controlled antenna elements (1), which are arranged in a square.
  • each antenna element does not have its own drive (7) here, but rather 4 antenna elements lying in a row have a common drive.
  • the drives (7) are connected to each of the phase control elements (3) of the 4 antenna elements (1) with the aid of the connecting elements (6).
  • the top row has no drive.
  • the phase control elements of these antenna elements are set the same and thus determine the reference phase ⁇ . Since the alignment of the main beam of the group antenna only depends on the relative phase positions of the signals of the antenna elements, such an arrangement is quite generally possible.
  • the directions in which the main beam of the array antenna can be swiveled are restricted to a plane that is perpendicular to the two-dimensional antenna field and parallel to the one in Fig. 10 designated line AA '.
  • the main beam can only be swiveled in this plane.
  • phase control elements of the different rows of the antenna group are now adjusted with the aid of the drives (7), that there is a fixed relative phase difference of ⁇ between the rows, then the antenna beam of the group antenna swivels away from the normal of the two-dimensional field in this plane.
  • the swivel angle is again proportional to the phase difference ⁇ .
  • the restriction of the swivel range to one plane does not have to represent a restriction of the functional scope of the group antennas formed in this way.
  • the group antenna is mounted on a rotatable support (23) and can be rotated about an axis which is perpendicular to the antenna field, then the main beam of the arrangement can again be steered in every direction in the hemisphere above the arrangement.
  • the advantage of the embodiment is that the number of drive units (7) required is greatly reduced. In general, there are no longer N drives if N denotes the number of antenna elements in a group antenna, but only N Drives required. In addition, there is only a drive for rotating the group antenna as a whole.
  • the embodiment can therefore be advantageous for applications in which it is only a matter of the lowest possible profile of the group antenna and in which no excessive beam swiveling speeds are required.
  • the angular range required for rotating the antenna group is also only 180 °. So no complete rotation is necessary. Complex high-frequency rotary feedthroughs are not required.
  • the antenna group is e.g. Mounted on a flat bed bearing and is rotated by an external drive and the signal lines as well as the supply and control lines of the drives are guided to the antenna group with the help of flexible cables and cable wraps.
  • the drive units (7) of the individual rows can rotate the axes of the phase control elements (3) of the antenna elements (1) in a row, for example with the aid of toothed wheels or drive belts. Worm gears or screw drives are also possible, for example, as connecting elements (6).
  • Reference number Antenna elements 1 Waveguide radiator 2 Phase actuator 3 bracket 4th Polarizer 5a, 5b Connecting element 6th Drive unit 7th Signal out / in, microstrip line.

Landscapes

  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
  • Waveguide Aerials (AREA)
EP17733819.1A 2016-07-08 2017-06-27 Phasengesteuerte gruppenantenne Active EP3482457B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102016112581.4A DE102016112581A1 (de) 2016-07-08 2016-07-08 Phasengesteuerte Gruppenantenne
PCT/EP2017/065887 WO2018007210A1 (de) 2016-07-08 2017-06-27 Phasengesteuerte gruppenantenne

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3482457A1 EP3482457A1 (de) 2019-05-15
EP3482457B1 true EP3482457B1 (de) 2020-09-30

Family

ID=59239911

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17733819.1A Active EP3482457B1 (de) 2016-07-08 2017-06-27 Phasengesteuerte gruppenantenne

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US10811747B2 (zh)
EP (1) EP3482457B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN109417231B (zh)
DE (1) DE102016112581A1 (zh)
ES (1) ES2836264T3 (zh)
IL (1) IL264099B2 (zh)
WO (1) WO2018007210A1 (zh)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018211695A1 (ja) * 2017-05-19 2018-11-22 三菱電機株式会社 アレーアンテナ装置
TWI749987B (zh) * 2021-01-05 2021-12-11 友達光電股份有限公司 天線結構及陣列天線模組
CN114094338B (zh) * 2021-10-22 2022-11-01 电子科技大学 基于液晶波导移相器的4×4太赫兹相控阵天线

Family Cites Families (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2716221A (en) 1950-09-25 1955-08-23 Philip J Allen Rotatable dielectric slab phase-shifter for waveguide
JPS5927522B2 (ja) 1979-01-30 1984-07-06 日本高周波株式会社 回転形移相器
DE3741501C1 (de) * 1987-12-08 1989-02-02 Kathrein Werke Kg Erreger- bzw. Speisesystem fuer eine Parabolantenne
WO2002084797A1 (en) * 2001-04-12 2002-10-24 Marius Du Plessis Antenna
US6822615B2 (en) * 2003-02-25 2004-11-23 Raytheon Company Wideband 2-D electronically scanned array with compact CTS feed and MEMS phase shifters
JP4822262B2 (ja) * 2006-01-23 2011-11-24 沖電気工業株式会社 円形導波管アンテナ及び円形導波管アレーアンテナ
WO2010048174A1 (en) * 2008-10-20 2010-04-29 Ems Technologies, Inc. Antenna polarization control
GB2475304A (en) * 2009-11-16 2011-05-18 Niall Andrew Macmanus A modular phased-array antenna
US8279125B2 (en) * 2009-12-21 2012-10-02 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Compact circular polarized monopole and slot UHF RFID antenna systems and methods
DE102010014916B4 (de) * 2010-04-14 2012-10-31 Aeromaritime Systembau Gmbh Phasengesteuerte Gruppenantenne
WO2011141821A2 (en) * 2010-05-13 2011-11-17 Uti Limited Partnership Dual circularly polarized antenna
EP3567736A1 (en) * 2011-08-19 2019-11-13 Quintel Cayman Limited Method and apparatus for providing elevation plane spatial beamforming
CN103107386B (zh) * 2011-09-29 2016-01-13 深圳光启高等理工研究院 超材料移相器
WO2014005699A1 (de) * 2012-07-03 2014-01-09 Qest Quantenelektronische Systeme Gmbh Antennensystem zur breitbandigen satellitenkommunikation im ghz frequenzbereich mit speisenetzwerk
US9257734B2 (en) * 2013-12-23 2016-02-09 Honeywell International Inc. Compact amplitude and phase trimmer
CN104319488B (zh) * 2014-11-03 2017-02-15 中国工程物理研究院应用电子学研究所 一种左右旋圆极化可重构高功率微波相控阵天线

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN109417231A (zh) 2019-03-01
WO2018007210A1 (de) 2018-01-11
IL264099B2 (en) 2023-03-01
ES2836264T3 (es) 2021-06-24
US10811747B2 (en) 2020-10-20
EP3482457A1 (de) 2019-05-15
CN109417231B (zh) 2021-02-09
DE102016112581A1 (de) 2018-01-11
IL264099B (en) 2022-11-01
IL264099A (en) 2019-05-30
US20190157730A1 (en) 2019-05-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3482454B1 (de) Phasengesteuertes antennenelement
DE69417106T2 (de) Ebene Antenne
EP2425490B1 (de) Breitband-antennensystem zur satellitenkommunikation
DE69910314T2 (de) Gruppenantenne und Funkgerät
EP2870658B1 (de) Antennensystem zur breitbandigen satellitenkommunikation im ghz frequenzbereich mit hornstrahlern mit geometrischen konstriktionen
DE4136476C2 (de) Höchstfrequenzlinse und Antenne mit elektronischer Strahlschwenkung mit einer solchen Linse
DE69931663T2 (de) Aktive phasengesteuerte gruppenantenne und einheit zur steuerung der antenne
DE3784569T2 (de) Mikrowellenantenne.
EP3482457B1 (de) Phasengesteuerte gruppenantenne
DE19958750A1 (de) Leckwellenantenne
DE102014112467B4 (de) Speisenetzwerk für antennensysteme
DE10351506A1 (de) Vorrichtung sowie Verfahren zur Phasenverschiebung
EP1064691B1 (de) Integriertes wellenleiterbauelement
EP3482448B1 (de) Steuerbares phasenstellglied für elektromagnetische wellen
EP0319753B1 (de) Erreger- bzw. Speisesystem für eine Parabolantenne
EP4304015A2 (de) Antennenanordnung, transceiveranordnung, kommunikationssystem, aktuatoreinrichtung und verfahren zum betreiben einer antennenanordnung
DE102008046975B4 (de) Antennenvorrichtung für hochfrequente elektromagnetische Wellen
DE4119518C2 (de) Mikrowellenlinse und Antenne mit elektronischer Verschwenkung
DE69526482T2 (de) Phasenschieberanordnung
DE102014017621B4 (de) Elektronisch schaltbares Reflektorelement für Parallelplatten- oder Oberflächenwellen und dessen Anwendung
DE102005021826B4 (de) Antennenvorrichtung für ein Antennenarray und Antennenarray mit einer Mehrzahl derartiger Antennenvorrichtungen
WO2002087018A1 (de) Anordnung zur erregung einer zentralfokussierten reflektorantenne

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20181217

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20200610

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1319747

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20201015

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502017007529

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: TRGR

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201230

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201231

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201230

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20200930

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210201

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210130

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2836264

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20210624

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502017007529

Country of ref document: DE

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20210701

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20210630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210627

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210630

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210627

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20170627

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 1319747

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20220627

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220627

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20230707

Year of fee payment: 7

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20231017

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240509

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240628

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20240513

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240509

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20240510

Year of fee payment: 8

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200930