WO2018010260A1

WO2018010260A1 - Conformal spherical antenna array

Info

Publication number: WO2018010260A1
Application number: PCT/CN2016/096414
Authority: WO
Inventors: 兰伟; 燕标; 吴亚飞
Original assignee: 成都泰格微波技术股份有限公司
Priority date: 2016-07-12
Filing date: 2016-08-23
Publication date: 2018-01-18
Also published as: CN106025578A; CN106025578B

Abstract

Disclosed in the present invention is a conformal spherical antenna array, comprising: a radome, an antenna array, a shielding cover, a base plate and a supporting apparatus; the antenna array is mounted on the base plate, and the shielding cover is located between the antenna array and the base plate; the radome covers the antenna array, and the bottom plate is provided with an annular groove; a lower edge of the radome is inserted into the annular groove and positioned by means of a locking and positioning mechanism; the support apparatus is mounted at a bottom portion of the bottom plate; the antenna array comprises: a first layer of frame, a second layer of frame, a third layer of frame and an antenna; the first layer of frame, the second layer of frame and the third layer of frame are all in a same ellipsoidal plane, and each layer of frame has a different inclination angle; the first layer of frame and the second layer of frame are tangent to the ellipsoidal plane; a spherical tangent of the second layer of frame and the third layer of frame has a tangent angle a. The present invention enjoys the following beneficial effects: highly uniform antenna radiation, low production cost and good structural stability.

Description

Conformal spherical antenna array

The present invention relates to conformal antenna arrays, and more particularly to a conformal spherical antenna array.

Background technique

[0002] A conformal (elliptical) spherical antenna array can achieve a full range of hemispherical radiation. It has unparalleled advantages in many antenna systems. It can be used in ground communication systems, airborne and vehicle-mounted mobile systems, and can also be applied to radar, positioning and navigation.

[0003] There are many types of conformal antenna arrays, such as a cone array, a spherical array, a cylindrical array, and the like. It has the characteristics of a conventional planar antenna array, and there are many differences in its peers.

[0004] Planar arrays have been well established in many fields, but their scan angles are generally up to about 60°. The spherical array can be covered in all directions. This works well in areas such as satellite tracking and communications. Conformal spherical arrays have great advantages in terms of size, power consumption, and cost under the same wide radiation angle. However, the design of the spherical array is very demanding. Compared with the planar array, the array elements are not evenly distributed, and the pattern analysis becomes complicated. For an array with a large radius of curvature to obtain a low sidelobe pattern, the position of each element must be assigned so that all elements can effectively point to the specified direction. The non-planar elements of the same plane are not neatly radiated, which may result in high cross-polarization.

[0005] (Ellipse) Spherical structure is difficult in processing and costly. The design difficulties are as follows: 1. (Ellipse) Spherical conformal antenna element characteristics and mutual coupling analysis between units, 2 Conformal array antenna pattern is difficult to integrate. 3. Conformal array antenna polarization control is difficult. 4. Beamforming and control are complicated. 5. Testing (calibration) is difficult.

technical problem

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a conformal spherical antenna array having high radiation uniformity, low production cost, and good structural stability.

Problem solution

Technical solution

The object of the invention is achieved by the following technical solution: A conformal spherical antenna array comprising a radome An antenna array, a shield cover, a bottom plate and a supporting device, wherein the antenna array is mounted on the bottom plate, and the shielding cover is located between the antenna array and the bottom plate, the antenna cover covers the antenna array, and a ring is arranged on the bottom plate a slot, the lower edge of the radome is inserted into the annular groove, and is positioned by the locking positioning mechanism, the supporting device is installed at the bottom of the bottom plate, and the antenna array includes a first layer skeleton, a second layer skeleton, a third layer skeleton and an antenna, wherein the first layer skeleton, the second layer skeleton, and the third layer skeleton are all in the same ellipsoidal plane, and the inclination angle of each layer skeleton is different, the first layer skeleton, The second layer skeleton is tangent to the ellipsoid surface, and the third layer skeleton and the second layer skeleton spherical tangent have a tangent angle a, and the first layer skeleton, the second layer skeleton, and the third layer skeleton are both provided with a plurality of An antenna mounting hole, a plurality of antenna supporting columns are disposed on the skeleton around the antenna mounting hole, and the antenna is provided with a mounting hole corresponding to the antenna supporting column, and the antenna is mounted on the antenna by screws Column.

[0008] The first layer of the skeleton is uniformly mounted with four antennas, the second layer of the skeleton is evenly mounted with eight antennas, and the third layer of the skeleton is evenly mounted with eleven antennas.

[0009] The top of the first layer skeleton is a dome structure, and a positioning device mounting hole is disposed on the top layer, a positioning device is installed in the mounting hole of the positioning device, and the positioning device is disposed in the positioning mounting hole. The four positioning devices on the positioning column are positioned.

[0010] The first layer skeleton and the second layer skeleton are connected to each other, and the second layer skeleton and the third layer skeleton are connected with the weight reduction holes.

[0011] The outer sidewall of the bottom of the third layer skeleton is provided with a plurality of evenly distributed antenna frame mounts, and the antenna frame mount is provided with a threaded through hole, and the bottom plate is provided with an antenna frame The antenna frame mounting hole corresponding to the mounting seat, and the third skeleton is fastened by a connecting screw installed in the antenna frame mounting seat and the antenna frame mounting hole.

[0012] The locking and positioning mechanism includes a locking screw, and a plurality of threaded through holes are formed in a sidewall of the annular groove, and a lower edge of the shielding cover is disposed with a threaded through hole. The hole, the radome and the bottom plate are locked and locked by a locking screw locked in the threaded through hole and the positioning hole.

[0013] The support device is a support column, and the upper and lower ends of the support column are provided with a connection flange.

[0014] The supporting device is an L-shaped mounting seat, and the L-shaped mounting seat is provided with a stepped hole connected to the bottom plate and a fixed through hole for fixing the L-shaped mounting seat.

[0015] The bottom of the bottom plate is further provided with a joint seat and a waterproof breathable valve, and the waterproof breathable valve is located at the joint seat. Advantageous effects of the invention

Beneficial effect

[0016] The present invention has the following advantages: The conformal spherical antenna array of the present invention, the antenna array is divided into three layers of skeletons, and the skeleton is hollowed out, which ensures the structural strength and reduces the weight of the skeleton, and the same is also reduced. The skeleton consumables, and the skeleton is made by 3D printing technology. Compared with the traditional process, the processing efficiency is high, the processing precision is high, and the production cost is low. 23 antenna mounting holes for implementing the antenna spherical array are arranged on the skeleton, and Each layer has different inclination angles between the skeletons, thereby improving the uniformity of the antenna radiation, that is, the gain flatness in the scanning range, and the skeleton adopts a hollow structure, thereby ensuring the performance of the skeleton and reducing the material cost of the skeleton. And the weight; the first layer skeleton adopts a dome structure, thereby ensuring the uniformity of the force of the antenna mounting skeleton, thereby improving the stability of the antenna mounting skeleton, and the pitch angle of the antenna is adjustable, so that the antenna can be adjusted according to actual needs. The elevation angle of the antenna array improves the versatility of the antenna array; the antenna array is installed by the support device, which can be different according to The environment is used in conjunction with the installation of different mounting accessories to enable the installation of the vehicle, the shipboard and the groundwork, thereby improving the versatility of the spherical antenna array.

Brief description of the drawing

DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic structural view of Embodiment 1;

2 is a schematic structural view of Embodiment 2;

3 is a schematic structural view of an antenna array;

4 is a schematic view showing the connection of a first layer skeleton, a second layer skeleton, and a third layer skeleton;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural view of an antenna;

6 is a perspective view of a bottom plate of the embodiment;

7 is a bottom view of a bottom plate of the embodiment;

8 is a perspective view of a bottom plate of the second embodiment;

9 is a bottom view of the bottom plate of the second embodiment; [0025] FIG.

In the figure, 1-first layer skeleton, 2- second layer skeleton, 3-third layer skeleton, 4-antenna mounting hole, 5-positioning device mounting hole, 6-antenna support column, 7-antenna skeleton Mounting seat, 8-weight reducing hole, 9-positioning device positioning post, 1 0-positioning device, 11-antenna, 12-mounting hole, 13-radome, 14-antenna array, 15-shield, 16-base , 17-antenna skeleton mounting hole, 18-annular groove, 19-locking screw, 20-support column, 21-L-shaped mount, 2 2-waterproof breathable valve, 23-joint seat.

Embodiments of the invention

[0027] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the following: [0028] Embodiment 1

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, a conformal spherical antenna array includes a radome 13, an antenna array 14, a shield cover 15, a bottom plate 16, and a supporting device, and the antenna array 14 is mounted. On the bottom plate 16, and the shielding cover 15 is located between the antenna array 14 and the bottom plate 16, the radome 13 covers the antenna array 14, and the bottom plate 16 is provided with an annular groove 18, and the radome 13 is under the hood. The edge is inserted into the annular groove 18 and is positioned by the locking and positioning mechanism. In the embodiment, the locking and positioning mechanism includes a locking screw 19, and the side wall of the annular groove 18 is provided with a plurality of threads. a through hole, the lower edge of the shielding cover 13 is provided with a positioning hole with a threaded through hole, and the locking screw lock between the radome 13 and the bottom plate 16 is locked in the threaded through hole and the positioning hole Tight positioning, in this way, the original end face sealing structure is changed, so that the sealing performance between the radome 13 and the bottom plate 16 is ensured, thereby ensuring the shielding effect of the shield cover 15, and improving the quality of the antenna array. The support device is mounted on the bottom of the bottom plate 16, The antenna array 14 includes a first layer skeleton 1, a second layer skeleton 2, a third layer skeleton 3, and an antenna 11, and the first layer skeleton 1, the second layer skeleton 2, and the third layer skeleton 3 are all in the same In the ellipsoidal plane, and the inclination angle of each layer of the skeleton is different, the first layer skeleton 1 and the second layer skeleton 2 are tangent to the ellipsoidal surface, and the third layer skeleton 3 and the second layer skeleton 1 have a tangent to the spherical tangent The angle a, , preferably, the angle θ of the tangential line is 10°. In this way, the uniformity of the antenna radiation, that is, the gain flatness within the scanning range can be improved. In the actual process, the first layer skeleton 1, the second layer The layer skeleton 2 and the third layer skeleton 3 are not limited to the ellipsoidal surface, and may be a spherical surface. The first layer skeleton 1, the second layer skeleton 2, and the third layer skeleton 3 are each provided with a plurality of antenna mounting holes. 4, a plurality of antenna support columns 6 are disposed on the skeleton around the antenna mounting hole 4, and the antenna 11 is provided with a mounting hole 12 corresponding to the antenna support column 6, and the antenna 11 is mounted by screws. On the antenna support column 6, in this embodiment, the antenna support column 6 is four Further, Jian antenna 11 is provided on the outer four projections, corresponding to the mounting holes 12 provided on the bump Jian, installation inch, the height of the antenna support pole 6 may be changed so as to be In order to change the elevation angle of the antenna unit by changing the height of the antenna support column 6, in order to satisfy the adjustment of the antenna support column 6, the antenna support column 6 and the first layer skeleton 1, the second layer skeleton 2, and the third layer skeleton 3 may be employed. The threaded connection is installed, and the height of the antenna support column 6 is adjusted by adjusting the amount of screwing of the antenna support column 6. In this embodiment, the first layer skeleton 1, the second layer skeleton 2, and the third layer skeleton are 3 Made by 3D printing technology, it has high processing efficiency, high processing precision and low production cost compared with traditional technology.

[0030] In this embodiment, four antennas 11 are uniformly mounted on the first layer skeleton 1, and eight antennas are evenly mounted on the second layer skeleton 2, and the third layer skeleton 3 is Ten antennas 11 are evenly mounted on the top, so the total number of antennas 11 is 23, and 23 antennas are the minimum number of units that meet the requirements. However, although the number of small units is required by the overall index, the number of units is Position, position, etc. are variables, cell spacing, ellipsoid size, etc. are constraints, and the unit pattern is equivalent to the point source pattern optimized by genetic algorithm. The specific ideas are as follows:

[0031] First, starting from the system index, the index requirements required for the conformal antenna are decomposed. Then, the antenna's metrics are required to analyze the required antenna element characteristics and the topology of the conformal antenna array. Then, the optimization unit algorithm is used to determine the required unit pattern, and then the conformal array topology layout is further optimized. The antenna array operates in the S-band with a bandwidth of 10% and a scan range of -75° to 75° and an azimuth of 0°-360°. The antenna array has a gain greater than 13dBi in the scan range and a gain flatness less than ldB. The antenna array can support dual circular polarization mode at the same time, and its axial ratio is less than 3dB. Peer antennas should be able to simultaneously receive the capability of more than three satellites.

[0032] Obviously, for a conformal phased array, it should first be confined to a certain space, where we define its range in a hemisphere with a diameter of less than 300 mm. In order to save the cost of the conformal phased array antenna, the number of cells and their position are an important variable for our optimization. Its gain and gain flatness are very important optimization goals. First, to develop an antenna element pattern, there are now two variables: the position coordinates (x, y, z) of each unit and the total number N of antenna elements. Each cell of the array cannot intersect, and its radius must be less than R in the radius defined in the hemisphere, that is, the coordinates of each cell are controlled within a certain range. In addition, the antenna gain optimization must be greater than 13 dBi and the gain flatness is less than 1 dB over the entire upper half of the airspace. We use genetic algorithms to optimize the distribution of the elements and the number of elements. If the proposed unit pattern cannot optimize the structure that satisfies the requirements, adjust the pattern of the unit antenna and select a new pattern to re-optimize. After the optimization goal reaches our requirements We design the required unit pattern according to the proposed pattern, arrange the designed antenna unit according to the optimized topology, and finally use the full-wave analysis software for overall analysis and optimization.

[0033] The top of the first layer skeleton 1 is a dome structure, and the dome-shaped shape of the dome mechanism has the characteristics of four-sided force transmission, so that the wall thickness of the bracket can be satisfied on the basis of satisfying the same force. As far as possible, the weight of the antenna mounting frame is reduced, and a positioning device mounting hole 5 is disposed at the top of the first layer frame 1. The positioning device 10 is mounted in the positioning device mounting hole 5, and the positioning device 10 is set. The four positioning device positioning posts 9 on the positioning mounting holes 5 are positioned.

[0034] In the embodiment, the connecting rings of the first layer skeleton 1 and the second layer skeleton 2 and the connecting rings of the second layer skeleton 2 and the third layer skeleton 3 are each provided with a reduction The heavy hole 8, that is, the first layer skeleton 1, the second layer skeleton 2, and the third layer skeleton 3 adopt a hollow design, which can not only reduce the weight of the antenna mounting skeleton, but also ensure the uniformity of the force of the antenna mounting skeleton. Thereby improving the stability of the antenna mounting skeleton.

[0035] The outer side wall of the bottom of the third layer frame 3 is provided with a plurality of evenly distributed antenna frame mounts 7, and the antenna frame mounts 7 are provided with threaded through holes, and the bottom plate 16 is disposed on the bottom plate 16 There is an antenna frame mounting hole 17 corresponding to the antenna frame mount 7, and the third frame 3 is fastened by a connecting screw mounted in the antenna frame mount 7 and the antenna frame mounting hole 17.

[0036] In the embodiment, the bottom of the bottom plate 16 is further provided with a joint seat 23 and a waterproof gas permeable valve 22, the waterproof gas permeable valve 22 is located at one side of the joint seat 23, and the waterproof gas permeable valve 22 is provided with a waterproof gas permeable membrane. The waterproof and breathable membrane is made of a polymer material, and the waterproof breathable valve 22 solves the respiratory effect of the conformal spherical antenna array.

[0037] In the embodiment, the support device is a support column 20, and the upper and lower ends of the support column 20 are provided with a connection flange, and the connection between the support column 20 and the bottom plate 16 can be realized through the connection flange. The same can also satisfy the support of the bottom plate 16, and the mounting 吋, the bottom of the support column 20 can be installed at the corresponding position to achieve stable installation of the conformal spherical antenna array.

[0038] Embodiment 2:

[0039] This embodiment is basically the same as the structure of the first embodiment. The only difference is that the structure of the supporting device is different. As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the supporting device is an L-shaped mounting seat 21, The L-shaped mounts 21 are pluralityed and evenly distributed on the lower surface of the bottom plate 16. Further, the L-shaped mounts 21 are provided with stepped holes connected to the bottom plate 16 and for fixing the L-shaped mounts. 21 fixed through hole, mounting 吋, L-shaped installation With the seat 21 fixed, a stable installation of the conformal spherical antenna array can be achieved.

In the above embodiments, different installation accessories can be installed according to different usage environments to realize the installation and use of the vehicle, the shipboard, and the groundwork.

Claims

Claim

[Claim 1] A conformal spherical antenna array, comprising: a radome (13), an antenna array (

14), a shield (15), a bottom plate (16) and a supporting device, the antenna array (14) is mounted on the bottom plate (16), and the shielding cover (15) is located at the antenna array (14) and the bottom plate (16) Between the radome (13) covers the antenna array (14), and the bottom plate (16) is provided with an annular groove (18), and the lower edge of the radome (13) is inserted into the annular groove (18). Inside, and positioned by the locking positioning mechanism, the supporting device is installed at the bottom of the bottom plate (16), and the antenna array (14) includes a first layer skeleton (1) and a second layer skeleton (2), The third layer skeleton (3) and the antenna (11), the first layer skeleton (1), the second layer skeleton (2), and the third layer skeleton (3) are all in the same ellipsoidal plane, and each layer The inclination angles of the skeleton are different, the first layer skeleton (1) and the second layer skeleton (2) are tangent to the ellipsoid surface, and the third layer skeleton (3) and the second layer skeleton (1) have a tangent to the spherical tangent. The angle a, the first layer skeleton (1), the second layer skeleton (2), and the third layer skeleton (3) are uniformly distributed a plurality of antenna mounting holes (4) are disposed, and a plurality of antenna supporting columns (6) are disposed on the skeleton around the antenna mounting holes (4), and the antenna (11) is provided with an antenna supporting column ( 6) Corresponding mounting hole (12), the antenna (11) is mounted on the antenna support column (6) by screws.

[Claim 2] A conformal spherical antenna array according to claim 1, wherein: the first layer skeleton (1) is uniformly mounted with four antennas (11), and the second Eight antennas are evenly mounted on the layer skeleton (2), and eleven antennas (11) are evenly mounted on the third layer skeleton (3).

[Claim 3] A conformal spherical antenna array according to claim 2, wherein: the top of the first layer skeleton (1) has a dome structure, and a positioning device is mounted thereon. a positioning device (10) is mounted in the positioning device mounting hole (5), and the positioning device (10) is positioned by the four positioning devices (9) disposed on the positioning mounting hole (5) Positioning.

[Claim 4] A conformal spherical antenna array according to claim 3, characterized in that: the first layer skeleton (1) and the second layer skeleton (2) are connected to each other on the ring and the second Layer skeleton (2) A lightening hole (8) is provided on the connecting ring of the third layer skeleton (3).

A conformal spherical antenna array according to claim 4, characterized in that: the outer side wall of the bottom of the third layer skeleton (3) is provided with a plurality of evenly distributed antenna frame mounts (7), the antenna The frame mounting seat (7) is provided with a threaded through hole, and the bottom plate (16) is provided with an antenna frame mounting hole (17) corresponding to the antenna frame mounting seat (7), and a third skeleton (3) By mounting on the antenna frame mount (7) and antenna frame mounting holes

(17) The connection screws inside are fastened.

A conformal spherical antenna array according to claim 1 or 5, wherein: said locking positioning mechanism comprises a locking screw (19), and said side wall of said annular groove (18) is provided There are a plurality of threaded through holes, and the lower edge of the shielding cover (13) is provided with a positioning hole with a threaded through hole, and the radome (13) and the bottom plate (16) are locked in the threaded passage. The locking screw in the hole and the positioning hole is locked and positioned.

The conformal spherical antenna array according to claim 6, wherein: the support device is a support column (20), and the upper and lower ends of the support column (20) are provided with a connecting flange according to claim 1. The conformal spherical antenna array is characterized in that: the supporting device is an L-shaped mounting seat (21), and the L-shaped mounting seat (21) has a stepped hole connected to the bottom plate (16) and It is used to fix the L-shaped mount (21) to fix the through hole.

A conformal spherical antenna array according to claim 1, wherein: the bottom plate (16) is further provided with a joint seat (23) and a waterproof breathable valve (22) at the bottom of the bottom plate (16).