Aptiv Technologies Limited

Aptiv Technologies Ag

Mingjian Li

Shawn Shi

Zhengzheng Li

Ryan K Rossiter

Jun Yao

Zhenzheng Li

This document describes techniques and systems for planar surface features for waveguides and antennas. Two structures are arranged with opposing planar surfaces fixed adjacent to a separation plane dividing a channel (e.g., a waveguide, a feed network) to provide an energy path for propagating electromagnetic energy. Part of the channel is formed between side walls of a recessed groove within one opposing surface; another channel part is formed by an arrangement of surface features spaced and shaped on the other opposing surface. At least two surface features are adjacent protrusions contoured to compliment the sidewalls of the recessed groove. An area on each opposing surface between the recessed groove and the adjacent protrusions is configured to form the energy path through the channel including to prevent energy leakage from the separation plane dividing the channel.

Planar surface features for waveguide and antenna

This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems for a wave-shaped ground structure for antenna arrays. A radar system may include a ground structure with a first surface having a wave shape and a second surface opposite the first surface. The ground structure includes multiple antenna arrays separated in a longitudinal direction on the first surface. Each antenna array includes one or more antenna elements configured to emit or receive electromagnetic (EM) energy. The ground structure also includes antenna feeds separated in the longitudinal direction on the second surface and operably connected to the antenna arrays. The wave shape of the ground structure configures the radar system to provide an antenna radiation pattern that provides a uniform radiation pattern among the antenna arrays. The wave shape can also be configured to provide an asymmetrical radiation pattern or a narrow beamwidth for specific applications.

Wave-shaped ground structure for antenna arrays

An electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) structure includes an antenna substrate layer, first conductive regions, and second conductive regions. The antenna substrate includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface. The first conductive regions are located on the first planar surface of the antenna substrate and separated from adjacent first conductive regions by a first distance. The second conductive regions are located on the first planar surface of the antenna substrate and are separated from the first conductive regions by a second distance and wherein the second conductive regions at least partially surround the first conductive regions.

Electromagnetic band gap structure (EBG)

This document describes a waveguide with a zigzag for suppressing grating lobes. An apparatus may include a waveguide with a zigzag waveguide channel to suppress grating lobes in diagonal planes of a three-dimensional radiation pattern. The waveguide includes a hollow channel containing a dielectric and an array of radiation slots through a surface that is operably connected with the dielectric. The hollow channel has a zigzag shape along a longitudinal direction through the waveguide. The zigzag waveguide channel and radiation slots configure the described waveguide to suppress grating lobes in an antenna radiation pattern. This document also describes a waveguide formed in part by a printed circuit board to improve the manufacturing process.

Waveguide with a zigzag for suppressing grating lobes

This document describes a waveguide with radiation slots and parasitic elements for asymmetrical coverage. An apparatus may include a waveguide for providing asymmetrical coverage in an azimuth plane. The waveguide includes a hollow channel containing a dielectric and an array of radiation slots through a surface that is operably connected with the dielectric. The waveguide includes an array of parasitic elements positioned on or in the surface and offset from a longitudinal side of the array of radiation slots. The radiation slots and parasitic elements configure the described waveguide to focus an antenna radiation pattern that provides an asymmetrical coverage to focus on a particular portion within the antenna field-of-view.

Waveguide with radiation slots and parasitic elements for asymmetrical coverage

A radiation pattern reconfigurable antenna includes an input port, a signal divider, a filter, and first and second radiators. The signal divider is connected to the input port and configured to divide a signal at the input port into a first output and a second output. The filter is connected to the second output, wherein the filter is configured to filter signal within a first frequency band and to pass signals within a second frequency band. The first radiator is configured to receive the signal from the first output of the signal divider, wherein the first radiator receives signals within the first frequency band and the second frequency band. The second radiator is connected to the filter to receive signals provided within the second frequency band.

Radiation pattern reconfigurable antenna

This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems directed to a waveguide end array antenna to reduce grating lobes and cross-polarization. Referred to simply as the waveguide, for short, utilizes a core made of a dielectric material to guide electromagnetic energy from a waveguide input to one or more radiating slots. The dielectric core includes a main channel and one or more forks. Each fork connects the main channel to one or more tine sections, and each tine section is terminated by a closed end and a radiating slot. These radiating slots are separated from each other by a distance to enable at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy to dissipate in phase through the radiating slots. The dielectric core of the waveguide reduces grating lobes and cross-polarization associated with the electromagnetic energy. An automobile can rely on the waveguide to detect objects with increased accuracy.

Waveguide end array antenna to reduce grating lobes and cross-polarization

This document describes a twin line fed dipole array antenna that may be coupled to several different types of feed networks in a space-efficient manner. The antenna makes use of a twin line feed to a plurality of dipoles that minimizes cross-polarization. The antenna may be manufactured on a printed circuit board (PCB) and has a centered feed slot that is easily coupled to several different types of waveguides or a microstrip. In some implementations, the dipole elements may have an approximately rectangular shape. In other implementations, the dipole elements may have an approximately bowtie shape, round shape, oval shape, C-shape, or L-shape. The size and placement of the dipole elements may be optimized for certain operating frequencies of the radar system to which the antenna is coupled.

Twin line fed dipole array antenna

An illustrative example antenna device includes a substrate. A plurality of conductive members in the substrate establish a substrate integrated waveguide. A plurality of first and second slots are on an exterior surface of a first portion of the substrate. Each of the second slots is associated with a respective one of the first slots. The first and second slots are configured to establish a radiation pattern that varies across a beam of radiation emitted by the antenna device. A plurality of parasitic interruptions include slots on the exterior surface of a second portion of the substrate. The parasitic interruptions reduce ripple effects otherwise introduced by adjacent antennas.

Slot array antenna including parasitic features

An illustrative example antenna device includes a substrate, a transmission line supported on the substrate, and a plurality of conductive patches supported on the substrate. Each conductive patch has a first end coupled to the transmission line and a second end coupled to ground. The plurality of conductive patches are arranged in sets including two of the conductive patches facing each other on opposite sides of the transmission line.

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Mingjian Li