KR-102963377-B1 - Dual-band radiation elements and modular antenna arrays

KR102963377B1KR 102963377 B1KR102963377 B1KR 102963377B1KR-102963377-B1

Abstract

A dual-band radiating element and a modular antenna array suitable for application in space communications are provided. The dual-band radiating element comprises a stacked patch antenna for transmitting an RF signal in a first signal frequency band (e.g., S-band) and receiving an RF signal in a second signal frequency band (e.g., L-band). The concentric design of the radiating element can save material and mass compared to other stacked patch antennas. For effective operation in space applications, the first radiating patch of the radiating element is isolated from the second radiating patch by shielding the feed pin for the first radiating patch as it moves through a dielectric layer separating the patches. Since individual radiating elements can be attached to individual filter/amplifier units within the modular antenna array, individual components can be easily installed, repaired, or replaced while minimizing the impact of the individual components of the antenna array and/or the spacecraft.

Inventors

부드로 니콜라스
리앙 아이핑
리엘 마티유

Assignees

맥도널드, 뎃트윌러 앤드 어쏘시에이츠 코포레이션

Dates

Publication Date: 20260508
Application Date: 20211124
Priority Date: 20201124

Claims (20)

As a dual-band radiation element, The above dual-band radiation element is, First radiation patch and second radiation patch; A first dielectric layer interposed between the first radiation patch and the second radiation patch; A second dielectric layer interposed between the second radiation patch and the ground plane; Base plate - the base plate comprises an upper surface adjacent to the ground plane and a bottom surface having a first connector and a second connector on the upper surface, wherein the positions of the first connector and the second connector are selected according to the positions of dual-band radiating elements within the radiating array -; A first feed pin for relaying a radio frequency signal from the first connector to the second radiation patch through the first port of the second dielectric layer; and A second feed pin for relaying a radio frequency signal from the second connector to the first radiation patch via the second port of the second dielectric layer; Includes, A dual-band radiating element in which the upper surface of the base plate and the ground plane surround a feed network for routing the first feed pin and the second feed pin to the first port and the second port, respectively.
In paragraph 1, A dual-band radiating element, wherein the second feed pin is shielded by the second port to isolate the first radiating patch from the second radiating patch when the second feed pin passes through the second dielectric layer.
In paragraph 2, The above-mentioned second port is a dual-band radiating element that is a coaxial waveguide.
In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned feed network is a dual-band radiating element comprising a third dielectric layer and a fourth dielectric layer.
In paragraph 4, A dual-band radiating element in which the third dielectric layer and the fourth dielectric layer are composed of the same material.
In paragraph 1, A dual-band radiating element, wherein the first radiating patch, the first dielectric layer, the second radiating patch, and the second dielectric layer form concentric layers.
In paragraph 6, A dual-band radiation element, wherein the first radiation patch is located at the center of the second radiation patch and occupies 50% of the surface area of the second radiation patch.
In paragraph 6, The first dielectric layer is a dual-band radiating element located at the center of the second dielectric layer.
In Paragraph 7, The first radiation patch and the second radiation patch are circular, dual-band radiation elements.
In paragraph 1, A dual-band radiating element, wherein the first radiating patch is configured to transmit an RF signal of a first frequency band and the second radiating patch is configured to receive an RF signal of a second frequency band.
In paragraph 1, The above base plate is a dual-band radiation element composed of aluminum.
As a dual-band radiation array, The above dual-band radiation array includes a dual-band radiation array module, and The above dual-band radiation array module includes a coupling unit and a dual-band radiation element, and The above-mentioned coupling unit is, A bottom having at least one attachment point for detachably attaching a coupling unit to a satellite bus using at least a first mechanical fastener, and Upper part having at least one mounting point, a transmitting signal interface, and a receiving signal interface Includes, The above dual-band radiation element is, A bottom surface having a first connector and a second connector on its upper surface - the positions of the first connector and the second connector are selected according to the positions of the dual-band radiating elements within the dual-band radiating array -; and At least one opening for accommodating at least a second mechanical fastener for attaching the dual-band radiation element to the at least one mounting point Includes, A dual-band radiation array in which, when attached, the first connector contacts the transmitting signal interface and the second connector contacts the receiving signal interface.
In Paragraph 12, The above-mentioned coupling unit further includes a filter module, and The above filter module is, A first band filter connected to the transmission signal interface, and A second band filter connected to the above-mentioned receiving signal interface A dual-band radiation array including
In Paragraph 13, The above-mentioned coupling unit further includes a signal amplification module, and The above signal amplification module is, A transmission signal amplification unit connected to the first band filter, and A receiving signal amplification unit connected to the second band filter above A dual-band radiation array including
In Paragraph 14, The above-mentioned transmission signal amplification unit is a dual-band radiation array, which is a solid-state power amplifier.
In Paragraph 14, The above-mentioned receiving signal amplification unit is a dual-band radiation array that is a low-noise amplifier.
In Paragraph 14, The above dual-band radiation array further includes an onboard processor, and The above-mentioned onboard processor is, A receiving digital beamforming network connected to the above-mentioned receiving signal amplification unit, and Transmission digital beamforming network connected to the above transmission signal amplification unit A dual-band radiation array including
In Paragraph 17, The above dual-band radiation array is, A thermal plate disposed between the signal amplification module and the onboard processor to passively transfer heat from the signal amplification module and the onboard processor; A dual-band radiation array further including
In Paragraph 18, The above thermal plate is, Panel of thermally conductive material, and Multiple vibrating heat pipes embedded in the above panel A dual-band radiation array including
As a method for assembling modules of a dual-band radiation array for space communication, The above module assembly method is, A step of attaching multiple coupling units to a satellite bus in a grid arrangement - each coupling unit is, A bottom having at least one attachment point for detachably attaching a coupling unit to a satellite bus using at least a first mechanical fastener, and Upper part having at least one mounting point, a transmitting signal interface, and a receiving signal interface Possessing -; and A step of detachably attaching a dual-band radiation element to each coupling unit; Includes, The above dual-band radiation element is, A bottom surface having a first connector and a second connector on its upper surface - the positions of the first connector and the second connector are selected according to the positions of the dual-band radiating elements within the dual-band radiating array -; and At least one opening for accommodating at least a second mechanical fastener for attaching the dual-band radiation element to the at least one mounting point Having, A method for assembling a module of a dual-band radiation array for space communication, wherein, when attached, the first connector contacts the transmission signal interface and the second connector contacts the reception signal interface.

Description

Dual-band radiation elements and modular antenna arrays The following describes antennas, antenna assemblies, and antenna arrays for radio frequency (RF) communication in general, and more specifically, dual-band radiating elements and modular radiating arrays suitable for space communication applications. Active radiation arrays for space communications are typically single-band, requiring the use of multiple arrays for uplink and downlink with one or two polarizations. This, in turn, raises issues regarding thermal management, weight, and space requirements for deploying multiple single-band arrays on spacecraft (e.g., satellites). Another problem with using dual-band stacked patch antennas is that separating the receive band from the transmit band is not sufficient for proper operation in space communications applications. Therefore, an improved dual-band radiation array for space communication applications is required to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of existing systems and methods. Additionally, modular components are required that can be easily installed, repaired, or replaced while minimizing the impact on the remaining individual components of the antenna array and/or the spacecraft. According to one embodiment, there is a dual-band radiating element. The radiating element includes a first radiating patch antenna that transmits an RF signal of a first signal frequency band (e.g., S-band) using one polarization, and a second radiating patch antenna that receives an RF signal of a second signal frequency band (e.g., L-band). A first dielectric layer is interposed between the first radiating patch and the second radiating patch, and a second dielectric layer is interposed between the second radiating patch and a ground plane. The radiation element further comprises a base plate including an upper surface adjacent to a ground plane, a first connector and a second connector disposed on a bottom surface, a first feed pin for relaying a radio frequency signal from the first connector to the second radiation patch through a first port in the second dielectric layer, and a second feed pin for relaying a radio frequency signal from the second connector to the first radiation patch through a second port in the second dielectric layer. The upper surface of the base plate and the ground plane surround a feed network for routing the first feed pin and the second feed pin to the first port and the second port, respectively, and the second feed pin is shielded by the second port as the second feed pin passes through the second dielectric layer, thereby separating the first radiation patch from the second radiation patch. According to one embodiment, the feed network may include a third dielectric layer and a fourth dielectric layer. The radiation element has a concentric design in which the first radiation patch, the first dielectric layer, the second radiation patch, and the second dielectric layer form a concentric layer. According to one embodiment, the first radiation patch is located at the center of the second radiation patch and occupies about 50% of the surface area of the second radiation patch. According to another embodiment, there is a method for assembling modules of a dual-band radiation array for space communication. The method comprises the steps of: attaching a plurality of coupling units in a grid array to a satellite bus in a detachable manner; and attaching a dual-band radiation element to each coupling unit in a detachable manner. Each coupling unit comprises a bottom having at least one attachment point for detachably attaching the coupling unit to the satellite bus using at least one first mechanical fastener, and a top having at least one mounting point, a transmitting signal interface, and a receiving signal interface. Each dual-band radiating element includes at least one opening for receiving a first connector and a second connector and at least one second mechanical fastener disposed on the bottom surface of the radiating element. One radiating element is detachably attached to each coupling unit at one mounting point using at least one second mechanical fastener. When the dual-band radiating element is attached to the coupling unit, the first connector contacts the transmitting signal interface and the second connector contacts the receiving signal interface. According to one embodiment, each coupling unit further includes a filter module comprising a first band filter connected to the transmission signal interface and a second band filter connected to the reception signal interface. According to one embodiment, each coupling unit further includes a signal amplification module comprising a transmitting signal amplification unit connected to the first band filter and a receiving signal amplification unit connected to the second band filter. According to one embodiment, the transmitting signal amplification unit is a solid-state power amplifier. According to one embodiment,