Patent ID: 12199367

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In order to make objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure more apparent, the present disclosure will be described in details with reference to the accompanying drawings. Implementations described below are only a part of implementations of the present disclosure, but not all implementations of the present disclosure. Other implementations, obtained by a person skilled in the art without making any creative effort based on the present disclosure, fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Shapes and sizes of components in the drawings are not to scale, but are merely intended to facilitate an understanding of contents of the present disclosure.

Unless defined otherwise, technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. The use of “first,” “second,” and the like in the present disclosure is not intended to indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but rather is used to distinguish one element from another. Also, the use of terms “a,” “an,” or “the” and similar referents does not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denotes the presence of at least one. The word “include” or “comprise”, and the like, means that the element or item preceding the word contains the element or item listed after the word and its equivalent, but does not exclude other elements or items. The terms “connected” or “coupled” and the like are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms “upper/on”, “lower/below”, “left”, “right”, and the like are used only to indicate relative positional relationships, and if an absolute position of an object being described is changed, the relative positional relationships may be changed accordingly.

The implementations of the present disclosure are not limited to those shown in the drawings, but include modifications of configurations formed based on a manufacturing process. Thus, regions illustrated in the figures have schematic properties, and shapes of the regions shown in the figures illustrate exemplary shapes of regions of elements, but are not intended to be limiting.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, in the related art, a phased array antenna generally includes a waveguide power dividing unit001, a phase shifter unit002, and a waveguide radiation unit including a rectangular waveguide feed structure003and a radiation element004. The waveguide power dividing unit001may serve as a front feed structure, receive a radio frequency signal from outside through an interface005, and transmit the radio frequency signal to the phase shifter unit002, the phase shifter unit002performs phase shifting on the radio frequency signal and inputs the radio frequency signal subjected to the phase shifting to the rectangular waveguide feed structure003, and the rectangular waveguide feed structure003feeds the radio frequency signal to the radiation element004. The radio frequency signal transmitted by the rectangular waveguide feed structure003is generally in a form of a linear polarized radiation signal, and thus in order to obtain a wider radiation direction, the radiation element004adopts a waveguide rectangular-circular converter to cooperate with the rectangular waveguide feed structure003to convert the linear polarized radiation signal output by the rectangular waveguide feed structure003into a circular polarized radiation signal. Referring toFIG.2, the radiation element004is a circular waveguide with a caliber gradually decreasing from top to bottom, a transmission port at a lower end of the radiation element004is connected to the rectangular waveguide feed structure003, and the radio frequency signal is transmitted from the rectangular waveguide feed structure003through the radiation element004, so that the linear polarized radiation signal is converted into the circular polarized radiation signal. However, the radiation element004adopting the waveguide rectangular-circular converter has a relatively large size, particularly in a longitudinal direction, and thus a thickness of the antenna is relatively large.

In order to solve the above problem, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a phased array antenna,FIG.3ais a schematic diagram (side view) of an exemplary structure of a phased array antenna according to the present disclosure, andFIG.3bis a schematic structural diagram (top view) of an exemplary CPW transmission structure of a phased array antenna according to the present disclosure.FIG.5is a schematic diagram (side view) of an exemplary structure of a waveguide radiation unit according to the present disclosure. Referring toFIGS.3a,3band5, the phased array antenna includes a waveguide radiation unit, a phase shifter unit002and a waveguide power dividing unit001, the waveguide radiation unit includes a dielectric substrate1, and a radiation patch3and a first waveguide feed structure2respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the dielectric substrate1. The first waveguide feed structure2has a first transmission port P1and a second transmission port P2, the first transmission port P1is closer to the radiation patch3than the second transmission port P2, the radiation patch3and the first waveguide feed structure2are the same in number, the first transmission port P1of each first waveguide feed structure2is disposed corresponding to the radiation patch3, that is, an orthographic projection of the first transmission port P1on the dielectric substrate1is at least partially overlapped with an orthographic projection of the radiation patch3on the dielectric substrate1, the radio frequency signal enters the first waveguide feed structure2from the second transmission port P2, and is then transmitted to the radiation patch3through the first transmission port P1, and in general, a radiation signal transmitted by the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2is a linear polarized radiation signal, and the radiation patch3is configured to convert the linear polarized radiation signal transmitted by the first transmission port P1into a circular polarized radiation signal. Since the radiation patch3is of a patch structure, that is, a thin film conductive layer is manufactured on a side of the dielectric substrate1, and then patterning is performed on the conductive layer to form the radiation patch3, a space (especially a longitudinal space) occupied by the radiation patch3is relatively small, and in a case of applying the radiation patch3into an antenna, not only the radiation signal can be converted into a circular polarized radiation signal, in cooperation with the waveguide feed structure2, but also increasing of the thickness of the antenna can be avoided.

The following describes an overall structure and an operation principle of an antenna according to the present disclosure with reference toFIGS.3aand3b. The waveguide radiation unit includes at least one first waveguide feed structure2, a dielectric substrate1and at least one radiation patch3. The waveguide power dividing unit001may serve as a front feed structure, and receive a radio frequency signal from outside through the interface005, and then transmit the radio frequency signal to the phase shifter unit002, the phase shifter unit002performs phase shifting on the radio frequency signal and then inputs the radio frequency signal subjected to the phase shifting to the second transmission port P2of the first waveguide feed structure2, the first waveguide feed structure2then feeds the radio frequency signal to the radiation patch3through the first transmission port P1, and the radiation patch3converts the linear polarized radiation signal output by the first waveguide feed structure2into a circular polarized radiation signal.

The phase shifter unit002includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other, a dielectric layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a plurality of phase shifters. The first substrate may include a first base0021and the second substrate includes a second base0022; each phase shifter includes a transmission structure0024disposed on a side of the first base0021close to the second substrate, and a patch electrode0025disposed on a side of the second base0022close to the first substrate, referring toFIG.3b, by taking the transmission structure0024being a coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission structure as an example, the transmission structure0024includes a central transmission line0024a, and a first transmission electrode0024band a second transmission electrode0025cconnected to both ends of the central transmission line0024a, and a reference voltage line0026disposed on at least one side of the central transmission line0024a, and by taking the reference voltage line0026including a first reference voltage line0026aand a second reference voltage line0026bas an example, the first reference voltage line0026aand the second reference voltage line0026bare disposed on both sides of the central transmission line0024arespectively, and are spaced from the central transmission line0024a.

The dielectric layer may be various types of adjustable dielectrics, for example, the dielectric layer may include adjustable dielectrics such as liquid crystal molecules0023or ferroelectrics, and by taking the dielectric layer including liquid crystal molecules0023as an example, a deflection angle of the liquid crystal molecules can be changed by applying voltages to the patch electrode0025and the CPW transmission structure, so as to change a dielectric constant of the dielectric layer, thereby achieving a purpose of phase shifting. In some examples, the liquid crystal molecules0023in the dielectric layer are positive liquid crystal molecules or negative liquid crystal molecules, and it should be noted that in a case where the liquid crystal molecules0023are positive liquid crystal molecules, an included angle between a long axial direction of the liquid crystal molecules0023and the patch electrode0025is greater than 0 degree and less than or equal to 45 degrees, and in a case where the liquid crystal molecules0023are negative liquid crystal molecules, the included angle between the long axial direction of the liquid crystal molecules0023and the patch electrode0025is greater than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees, so that the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer is changed due to deflecting of the liquid crystal molecules0023, and the purpose of phase shifting is achieved.

The waveguide power dividing unit001may have various structures, such as a waveguide structure, and by taking the waveguide power dividing unit001having a waveguide structure as an example, the waveguide power dividing unit001may include a main waveguide channel and a plurality of waveguide sub-channels connected to the main waveguide channel. The phased array antenna according to the present disclosure may further include a signal connector005, an end of the signal connector005is connected to an external signal line, another end of the signal connector005is connected to the main waveguide channel of the waveguide power dividing unit001for inputting a radio frequency signal, the main waveguide channel divides the radio frequency signal into multiple sub-signals, each of the multiple sub-signals is coupled to one of the first transmission electrode0024band the second transmission electrode0025cof the phase shifter through the waveguide sub-channel, and is transmitted to the other one of the first transmission electrode0024band the second transmission electrode0025cof the phase shifter through the central transmission line0024a, the other one of the first transmission electrode0024band the second transmission electrode0025cof the phase shifter then couples the radio frequency signal subjected to the phase shifting to the second transmission port P2of the first waveguide feed structure2corresponding thereto, the first waveguide feed structure2feeds the radio frequency signal to the radiation patch3through the first transmission port P1, and the radiation patch3converts the linear polarized radiation signal output by the first waveguide feed structure2into a circular polarized radiation signal. The signal connector005may be any type of connector, such as a SubMiniature version A (SMA) connector, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

It should be noted that, the phase shifter unit002may include a plurality of phase shifters, the number of the phase shifters is the same as that of first waveguide feed structures2, and a first feed region (i.e., one of the first transmission electrode0024band the second transmission electrode0025c) of each phase shifter is disposed corresponding to the second transmission port P2of the first waveguide feed structure2; each phase shifter corresponds to one or more patch electrodes0025, and an electric field, formed by applying voltages to each phase shifter and the central transmission line0024aof the CPW transmission structure0024, drives the liquid crystal molecules0023in the dielectric layer to deflect, so that the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer is changed, and a phase of a microwave signal is changed, moreover, by applying voltages to the patch electrode0025and the central transmission line0024a, different phase shifters correspond to different phase shift amounts, that is, each phase shifter correspondingly adjusts one phase shift amount, so that, for each phase shift amount to be adjusted, corresponding voltages are applied to control the corresponding phase shifter according to the phase shift amount to be adjusted, and not all the phase shifters are applied with voltages, which facilitates to controlling the phase shifter unit002, and resulting in a low power consumption.

In some examples, to smooth a transmission of the radio frequency signal, with continued reference toFIG.3b, based on the structure described above, the central transmission line0024aof the CPW transmission structure0024may include a main structure0024a1extending along a length direction of the first base0021, and branch structures0024a2disposed on the main structure0024a1and spaced apart from each other, and an orthographic projection of the patch electrode0025on the first base0021at least partially overlaps with orthographic projections of the branch structures0024a2on the first base0021. In some implementations, the branch structures0024a2and the main structure0024a1may be formed into one piece, that is, the branch structures0024a2and the main structure0024a1are disposed in a same layer and made of a same material; in such case, a preparation of the branch structures0024a2and the main structure0024a1is facilitated, and a process cost is reduced. Certainly, the branch structures0024a2and the main structure0024a1may be electrically connected together by any means, which is not limited in any way in the present disclosure.

The phased array antenna provided by the present disclosure may further include a first reflective structure0011and a second reflective structure0026. The first reflective structure0011is provided on a side opposite to the transmission port of the waveguide power dividing unit001close to the phase shifter unit002, for example, may be provided on a side of the second base0022away from the first base0021, and the first reflective structure0011reflects the radio frequency signal, got out from the transmission port of the waveguide power dividing unit001toward a direction away from the waveguide power dividing unit001, into a waveguide cavity of the waveguide power dividing unit001, to effectively increase a radiation efficiency. Similarly, the second reflective structure0026is provided on a side opposite to the transmission port of the first waveguide feed structure2close to the phase shifter unit002(i.e., away from the dielectric substrate1), for example, may be provided on a side of the first base0021away from the second base0022, the second reflective structure0026reflects the radio frequency signal, got out from the transmission port of the first waveguide feed structure2toward a direction away from the first waveguide feed structure2, into a waveguide cavity of the first waveguide feed structure2, to effectively increase a radiation efficiency.

It should be noted that structures of the phase shifter unit002shown inFIGS.3aand3bare exemplary structures, and the antenna provided by the present disclosure may be implemented into various structures, which is not limited herein. For example, the phase shifter unit002may include an antarafacial phase shifter, and each phase shifter may be linear and/or curved.

FIG.4ais a schematic diagram (exploded view) of an exemplary structure of a phased array antenna according to the present disclosure, andFIG.4bis a schematic diagram (side view) of an exemplary structure of a phased array antenna according to the present disclosure. Referring toFIGS.4aand4b, in some examples, the phased array antenna includes a waveguide radiation unit100, a phase shifter unit200, and a waveguide power dividing unit300, the waveguide radiation unit100includes a dielectric substrate1, and a radiation patch3and a first waveguide feed structure2respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the dielectric substrate1. The dielectric substrate1is of a divided structure, that is, is composed of a plurality of dielectric sub-substrates, and the number of the dielectric sub-substrates is the same as that of radiation patches3, and the dielectric sub-substrates are arranged corresponding to the radiation patches3. In some implementations, the dielectric sub-substrates are arranged in an array, for example, in a rectangular array, a triangular array, or the like, and by taking the dielectric substrate1shown inFIG.4aas an example, the dielectric sub-substrates are arranged in multiple rows, and the dielectric sub-substrates in any two adjacent rows are staggered with each other. Each dielectric sub-substrate is provided with one radiation patch3and one first waveguide feed structure2respectively on opposite sides thereof. Structures and functions of the radiation patch3, the first waveguide feed structure2and the phase shifter unit200are respectively similar to those of the radiation patch3, the first waveguide feed structure2and the phase shifter unit002shown inFIG.3a, and will not be described again here.

The waveguide power dividing unit300includes a plurality of connection waveguide structures4and a plurality of second waveguide feed structures5, the number of the connection waveguide structures4is the same as that of the second waveguide feed structures5, and a first transmission port of each connection waveguide structure4is disposed corresponding to a second feed region of at least one phase shifter (i.e., the other one of the first transmission electrode0024band the second transmission electrode0025c), that is, each connection waveguide structure4may correspond to the second feed region of one phase shifter, or may correspond to second feed regions of multiple phase shifters; a second transmission port of each connection waveguide structure4is arranged corresponding to a first transmission port of the second waveguide feed structure5. For example, as shown inFIG.4a, each second waveguide feed structure5is arranged corresponding to second feed regions of two phase shifters.

In some examples, each connection waveguide structure4may be defined by sidewalls formed of a conductive material, or may be formed by forming a waveguide cavity in a single piece of conductive material, which is not limited herein. The waveguide cavity of each connection waveguide structure4may be of various shapes, for example, may be a rectangular waveguide cavity, a circular waveguide cavity, and the like.

It should be noted that, in practical applications, the connection waveguide structures4may be omitted, and in such case, the first transmission port of the second waveguide feed structure5is arranged corresponding to the second feed region of at least one phase shifter (i.e. the other one of the first transmission electrode0024band the second transmission electrode0025c).

In the phased array antenna provided by the present disclosure, each of the first waveguide feed structure2and the second waveguide feed structure5includes a ridge waveguide structure, and by adopting the ridge waveguide structure, it facilitates to miniaturizing an arrangement of waveguide feed structures, so that a space to be occupied is saved, and a loss is reduced. The following describes structures of ridge waveguide structures employed by the first waveguide feed structure2and the second waveguide feed structure5, respectively, in implementations.

FIG.6is a schematic diagram (side view) of an exemplary structure of a waveguide radiation unit according to the present disclosure.FIG.7is a sectional view taken along a line A-B ofFIG.6.FIG.8is a schematic diagram (side view) of an exemplary structure of a waveguide radiation unit according to the present disclosure. In the phased array antenna provided by the present disclosure, the first waveguide feed structure2includes a ridge waveguide structure21. The ridge waveguide structure21has at least one sidewall, and the at least one sidewall defines a waveguide cavity of the ridge waveguide structure21, and if the ridge waveguide structure21has only one sidewall, the ridge waveguide structure21is a circular waveguide structure, and a circular hollow pipe enclosed by the one sidewall forms the waveguide cavity of the ridge waveguide structure21. The ridge waveguide structure21may also include a plurality of sidewalls that are joined to form waveguide cavities of various shapes. At least one ridge (for example, as denoted by J1or J2inFIG.7) protruding toward inside of the waveguide cavity of the ridge waveguide structure21is disposed on at least one sidewall of the ridge waveguide structure21, an extending direction in which the ridge extends is parallel to an extending direction in which the sidewall of the ridge waveguide structure21extends, that is, parallel to a direction from the first transmission port P1to the second transmission port P2, for example, as shown inFIG.8, the extending direction in which the ridge J1extends is parallel to the extending direction in which the sidewall of the ridge waveguide structure21extends, and a length of the ridge J1is equal to a length of the sidewall of the ridge waveguide structure21in the extending direction in which the sidewall of the ridge waveguide structure21extends.

It should be noted that, in the phased array antenna provided by the present disclosure, the first waveguide feed structure2(including the ridge waveguide structure21) may be defined by a sidewall formed of a conductive material (as shown inFIG.8), or may be obtained by forming a cavity in a single piece of conductive material (as shown inFIGS.6and13), which is not limited herein.

In some examples, referring toFIGS.6and7, by taking the ridge waveguide structure21including four connected sidewalls B1as an example, the four connected sidewalls B1define a rectangular waveguide cavity, and a first ridge J1and a second ridge J2are respectively disposed on inner walls of two opposite sidewalls B1, and an extending direction in which each of the first ridge J1and the second ridge J2extends is parallel to an extending direction in which the sidewalls of the ridge waveguide structure21extend, that is, parallel to a direction from the first transmission port P1to the second transmission port P2. For the first waveguide feed structure2having the ridge waveguide structure21, due to a distribution of the radio frequency signal, a polarization direction E1of the linear polarized radiation signal transmitted by the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2is defined by a direction of a connection line L3between the first ridge J1and the second ridge J2, in other words, the polarization direction E1of the linear polarized radiation signal transmitted by the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2is parallel to an extending direction in which the connection line L3between the first ridge J1and the second ridge J2extends.

FIG.9is a schematic diagram (side view) of an exemplary structure of a waveguide radiation unit according to the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.9, in some examples, the first waveguide feed structure2includes a ridge waveguide structure21and a feed-out waveguide structure22connected to the ridge waveguide structure21, the feed-out waveguide structure22is close to the dielectric substrate1than the ridge waveguide structure21, a transmission port of the ridge waveguide structure21away from the dielectric substrate1receives a radio frequency signal fed in, and feeds the radio frequency signal into the feed-out waveguide structure22, a transmission port of the feed-out waveguide structure22away from the ridge waveguide structure21couples the radio frequency signal to the radiation patch3, and thus the feed-out waveguide structure22is configured to accumulate energy of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the ridge waveguide structure21. In the present disclosure, the transmission port of the feed-out waveguide structure22away from the ride waveguide structure21is the first transmission port P1, and the transmission port of the ride waveguide structure21away from the feed-out waveguide structure22is the second transmission port P2.

In some examples, as described above, the feed-out waveguide structure22may be defined by sidewalls formed of a conductive material, or may be obtained by forming a waveguide cavity in a single piece of conductive material, which is not limited herein. The waveguide cavity of the feed-out waveguide structure22may be a waveguide cavity of various shapes, for example, may be a rectangular waveguide cavity, a circular waveguide cavity, or the like, as long as the waveguide cavity of the feed-out waveguide structure22is of a center symmetric shape, in other words, an orthographic projection of the waveguide cavity of the feed-out waveguide structure22on the dielectric substrate1is a center symmetric pattern. Further, a caliber of the waveguide cavity of the feed-out waveguide structure22may be greater than a caliber of the waveguide cavity of the ridge waveguide structure21, or may be less than or equal to the caliber of the waveguide cavity of the ridge waveguide structure21, which is not limited herein.

FIG.10is a schematic diagram (a side view) of an exemplary structure of a waveguide radiation unit according to the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.10, in some examples, the first waveguide feed structure2includes a ridge waveguide structure21, a feed-out waveguide structure22, and a transition waveguide structure23, the transition waveguide structure23is connected between the feed-out waveguide structure22and the ridge waveguide structure21, if the caliber or a sectional shape of the waveguide cavity of the feed-out waveguide structure22is different from the caliber or a sectional shape of the waveguide cavity of the ridge waveguide structure21, the transition waveguide structure23serves as a connection transition structure to smoothly transition the caliber and the shape of the waveguide cavity of the ridge waveguide structure21to the caliber and the shape of the waveguide cavity of the feed-out waveguide structure22, therefore, in a direction from the ridge waveguide structure21to the feed-out waveguide structure22, a caliber and a shape of a waveguide cavity of the transition waveguide structure23continuously and uniformly change, from a caliber and a shape of a transmission port of the waveguide cavity of the ridge waveguide structure21close to the dielectric substrate1, to a caliber and a shape of a transmission port of the waveguide cavity of the feed-out waveguide structure22away from the dielectric substrate1. In the present disclosure, a transmission port of the transition waveguide structure23away from the ridge waveguide structure21is a first transmission port P3, and a transmission port of the transition waveguide structure23away from the feed-out waveguide structure22is a second transmission port P4.

It should be noted that, a thickness of a sidewall of at least one of the ridge waveguide structure21, the feed-out waveguide structure22, and the transition waveguide structure23may be 4 to 6 times a surface effect depth of the radio frequency signal transmitted, which is not limited herein.

In some examples, the waveguide cavity of at least one of the ridge waveguide structure21, the feed-out waveguide structure22, and the transition waveguide structure23may be filled with a filling medium to increase the dielectric constant in entirety thereof. The filling medium may include a variety of mediums, for example, the filling medium may be polytetrafluoroethylene.

In some examples, in order to further circularly polarize a bandwidth and reduce an axial ratio, the first waveguide feed structure2may have a ridge waveguide structure to be described below, andFIG.11is a schematic diagram (sectional view) of an exemplary structure of a first waveguide feed structure according to the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.11, the ridge waveguide structure of each first waveguide feed structure2has six connected sidewalls, including two opposite first sidewalls (211a,211b), two opposite second sidewalls (212a,212b), and two opposite third sidewalls (213a,213b), each third sidewall is connected between one first sidewall and one second sidewall, that is, the third sidewall213ais connected between the first sidewall211band the second sidewall212a, and the third sidewall213bis connected between the first sidewall211aand the second sidewall212b; each first sidewall is connected between one second sidewall and one third sidewall, that is, the first sidewall211ais connected between the second sidewall212aand the third sidewall213b, and the first sidewall211bis connected between the second sidewall212band the third sidewall213a.

Furthermore, both first sidewalls (211a,211b) are perpendicular to a polarization direction E1of a linear polarized radiation signal transmitted by the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2, and a first ridge J3and a second ridge J4are respectively provided on the first sidewalls (211a,211b), and the polarization direction E1of the linear polarized radiation signal is parallel to a connection line between the first ridge J3and the second ridge J4. The first ridge J3and the second ridge J4may have structures the same as those of the first ridge J1and the second ridge J2shown inFIG.7, and in such case, a length of each of the first ridge J3and the second ridge J4in a direction in which the connection line between the first ridge J3and the second ridge J4extends may be increased with respect to the first ridge J1and the second ridge J2, which helps to achieve a miniaturization of size of a waveguide port, and in practical applications, the length of each of the first ridge J3and the second ridge J4in the direction in which the connection line between the first ridge J3and the second ridge J4extends may be set according to a frequency, for example, the length approaches a dimension of a widthwise side of a rectangular waveguide at the frequency, which is beneficial to achieve matching.

The third sidewalls (213a,213b) are oppositely arranged along a first direction, and each third sidewall is perpendicular to the first direction. The linear polarized radiation signal transmitted by the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2is decomposed into a first linear polarized sub-signal and a second linear polarized sub-signal that are orthogonal to each other without any phase difference, a polarization direction of the linear polarized radiation signal is E1, a polarization direction of the first linear polarized sub-signal is E11, a polarization direction of the second linear polarized sub-signal is E12, and the first direction is the polarization direction E11of the first linear polarized sub-signal. With the third sidewalls (213a,213b), the bandwidth can be further circularly polarized, and the axial ratio is reduced.

FIG.12is a schematic diagram (sectional view) of an exemplary structure of a second waveguide feed structure according to the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.12, in the phased array antenna provided by the present disclosure, the second waveguide feed structure5includes a ridge waveguide structure, the ridge waveguide structure is provided with at least one sidewall, the at least one sidewall defines a waveguide cavity of the ridge waveguide structure, if the ridge waveguide structure is provided with only one sidewall, the ridge waveguide structure is a circular waveguide structure, and a circular hollow pipe enclosed by the one sidewall forms the waveguide cavity of the ridge waveguide structure. The ridge waveguide structure of the second waveguide feed structure5may also include a plurality of sidewalls connected to form a waveguide cavity of various shapes, at least one ridge protruding toward inside of the waveguide cavity of the ridge waveguide structure is disposed on at least one sidewall of the ridge waveguide structure (for example, as denoted by J5or J6inFIG.12), and similar to the ridge of the ridge waveguide structure of the first waveguide feed structure2, an extending direction in which the ridge of the ridge waveguide structure of the second waveguide feed structure5extends is parallel to an extending direction in which the sidewall of the ridge waveguide structure extends, that is, parallel to a direction from the first transmission port to the second transmission port of the second waveguide feed structure5, and in some implementations, a length of the ridge and a length of the sidewall of the ridge waveguide structure of the second waveguide feed structure5in the extending direction in which the sidewall of the ridge waveguide structure extends are equal to each other.

It should be noted that, in the phased array antenna provided by the present disclosure, the second waveguide feed structure5(including the ridge waveguide structure) may be defined by a sidewall formed of a conductive material, or may be obtained by forming a cavity in a single piece of conductive material, which is not limited herein.

Referring toFIG.12, by taking a case where the ridge waveguide structure includes four connected sidewalls as an example, in some examples, the four connected sidewalls defines a rectangular waveguide cavity, the four connected sidewalls include two opposite fourth sidewalls (214a,214b) and two opposite fifth sidewalls (215a,215b), a third ridge J5and a fourth ridge J6are respectively disposed on inner walls of the fourth sidewalls (214a,214b), and an extending direction in which each of the third ridge J5and the fourth ridge J6extends is parallel to an extending direction in which each of the sidewalls of the ridge waveguide structure extends. For the second waveguide feed structure5having the ridge waveguide structure, similar to the first waveguide feed structure2, the polarization direction E1of the linear polarized radiation signal is parallel to an extending direction in which a connection line between the third ridge J5and the fourth ridge J6extends.

FIG.13ais a schematic diagram (sectional view) of an exemplary structure of a waveguide power dividing unit according to the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.13a, in some examples, the waveguide power dividing unit300further includes a waveguide channel structure6, the waveguide channel structure6has a main transmission port and a plurality of transmission sub-ports, the number of the transmission sub-ports is the same as the number of second transmission ports of the second waveguide feed structures5, and each transmission sub-port is disposed corresponding to the second transmission port of the second waveguide feed structure5. The main transmission port of the waveguide channel structure6may receive a radio frequency signal from outside through an interface, and then transmit the radio frequency signal to the second waveguide feed structures5through the transmission sub-ports.

The waveguide channel structure6may have various types of structures, and a shape and a size of the waveguide channel structure6each may be implemented in various implementations, as long as the waveguide channel structure6can transmit the radio frequency signal received from outside to the second waveguide feed structures5. The structure of the waveguide channel structure6is described below by taking an implementation as an example.

The waveguide channel structure6includes a main waveguide channel61and a plurality of waveguide sub-channel groups, one port of the main waveguide channel61serves as the main transmission port mentioned above for receiving the radio frequency signal from outside, for example, is connected to a receiver. The waveguide sub-channel groups are connected in sequence in a direction from the main transmission port to the transmission sub-ports (i.e., a transmission direction of the radio frequency signal), and for any two adjacent waveguide sub-channel groups, the number of waveguide sub-channels in one waveguide sub-channel group closer to the transmission sub-ports is two times the number of waveguide sub-channels in the other waveguide sub-channel group, and an end of each waveguide sub-channel in the one waveguide sub-channel group closer to the transmission sub-ports is correspondingly connected to ends of two waveguide sub-channels in the other waveguide sub-channel group. Two waveguide sub-channels are provided in the waveguide sub-channel group closest to the main waveguide channel61, and both ends of the two waveguide sub-channels are connected to an end of the main waveguide channel61away from the main transmission port; ends of waveguide sub-channels in the waveguide sub-channel group closest to the second waveguide feed structures5serve as the transmission sub-ports.

FIG.13ashows three waveguide sub-channel groups, including a first waveguide sub-channel group, a second waveguide sub-channel group and a third waveguide sub-channel group, respectively, in a direction from the main transmission port to the transmission sub-ports, the first waveguide sub-channel group includes two waveguide sub-channels621; the second waveguide sub-channel group includes four waveguide sub-channels622; and the third waveguide sub-channel group includes eight waveguide sub-channels623. The first waveguide sub-channel group is closest to the main waveguide channel61, and both ends of the two waveguide sub-channels621in the first waveguide sub-channel group are connected to the end of the main waveguide channel61away from the main transmission port; the third waveguide sub-channel group is closest to the second waveguide feed structure5, and ends of the eight waveguide sub-channels623serve as the transmission sub-ports mentioned above, and are provided in correspondence with eight second waveguide feed structures5.FIG.13aonly schematically shows structures of the main waveguide channel61and the waveguide sub-channels inside the waveguide channel structure6.

In some examples, for any two adjacent waveguide sub-channel groups connected, an extending direction in which each of the waveguide sub-channels in one waveguide sub-channel group extends is perpendicular to an extending direction in which each of the waveguide sub-channels in the other waveguide sub-channel group extends. For example, as shown inFIG.13a, for the first waveguide sub-channel group and the second waveguide sub-channel group connected, the extending direction in which each waveguide sub-channel621of the first waveguide sub-channel group extends and the extending direction in which each waveguide sub-channel622of the second waveguide sub-channel group extends are perpendicular to each other; for the second waveguide sub-channel group and the third waveguide sub-channel group connected, the extending direction in which each waveguide sub-channel622in the second waveguide sub-channel group extends and the extending direction in which each waveguide sub-channel623in the third waveguide sub-channel group extends are perpendicular to each other.

It should be noted that, as shown inFIG.4a, the main waveguide channel61and each waveguide sub-channel in the waveguide channel structure6each extend in a plane parallel to a plane where the substrate of the phase shifter unit200is located, and the cavity of the second waveguide feed structure5extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane.

In some examples, at least a part of at least one waveguide sub-channel in at least one waveguide sub-channel group is curved, which can extend the transmission path of the radio frequency signal, thereby facilitates to a miniaturization of a size of a waveguide and reducing a loss. Certainly, in practical applications, the main waveguide channel61may also be curved.

The waveguide sub-channel curved may, for example, include at least two straight channel segments, axes of any two adjacent straight channel segments in extending directions in which the two adjacent straight channel segments extend are parallel to each other, and a bent channel segment is connected between any two adjacent straight channel segments. For example,FIG.13bis an enlarged view of a portion of the waveguide sub-channel in a region I ofFIG.13a. Referring toFIG.13b, by taking a channel structure constituted by two waveguide sub-channels623as an example, the channel structure includes three straight channel segments623a, axes (B1, B2, and B3) of the three straight channel segments623ain extending directions in which the three straight channel segments623aextend are parallel to each other, and a bent channel segment623bis connected between any two adjacent straight channel segments623a. The bent channel segment623bis configured to realize a transition between the two adjacent straight channel segments623a, and meanwhile, can extend a total path of the channel structure. Certainly, in practical applications, the waveguide sub-channel curved may have any other structure, as long as the path of the waveguide sub-channel is extended.

In some examples, the main waveguide channel61includes a plurality of main channel segments with different calibers and connected in sequence, and the closer to the main transmission port, the smaller the caliber of the main channel segment is. For example, as shown inFIG.13a, the main channel includes two main channel segments, and the caliber of the main channel segment close to the main transmission port is less than that of the main channel segment away from the main transmission port.

In the phased array antenna provided by the present disclosure, the radiation patch3may have various structures, and a shape and a size of the radiation patch3each may be implemented in various implementations, as long as a resonant frequency of the radiation patch3can be ensured to be within an operating frequency band of the antenna. The following describes a structure of the radiation patch3in implementations.

In some examples, referring toFIGS.14to19, the radiation patch3includes a first patch31and a second patch32connected and disposed in a same layer. The first patch31is configured to decompose the linear polarized radiation signal transmitted by the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2into a first linear polarized sub-signal and a second linear polarized sub-signal that are orthogonal to each other without any phase difference. The polarization direction of the linear polarized radiation signal is E1, the polarization direction of the first linear polarized sub-signal is E11, and the polarization direction of the second linear polarized sub-signal is E12. The second patch32is configured to cause the first linear polarized sub-signal and the second linear polarized sub-signal to form a circular polarized radiation signal, in other words, the second patch32is configured to cause a phase difference between the first linear polarized sub-signal and the second linear polarized sub-signal to be 90° or 270°.

It should be noted that, the first linear polarized sub-signal and the second linear polarized sub-signal are components, perpendicular to each other, obtained by decomposing the linear polarized radiation signal, and therefore amplitudes of the first linear polarized sub-signal and the second linear polarized sub-signal are the same, and in such case, if the phase difference between the first linear polarized sub-signal and the second linear polarized sub-signal is 90° or 270°, a circular polarized radiation signal can be formed by the first linear polarized sub-signal and the second linear polarized sub-signal.

In some examples, with continued reference toFIGS.14to19, a shape of the first patch31of the radiation patch3may be a center symmetric pattern, and the second patch32of the radiation patch3may include a first sub-patch32aand a second sub-patch32b. The first sub-patch32aand the second sub-patch32bare symmetrically disposed with respect to a symmetry center (e.g., denoted by O1in the figure) of the first patch31, and shapes of the first sub-patch32aand the second sub-patch32bmay be the same. The shape of the first patch31of the radiation patch3may adopt various types of center symmetric patterns, such as square, rectangle, circle, diamond, or the like, without limitation. The shapes of the first sub-patch32aand the second sub-patch32bmay include various types of shapes such as square, rectangle, oval, circle, diamond, triangle, or the like, without limitation.

In some examples, referring toFIGS.14to17, the first patch31has a shape of square, and an extending direction E2in which a diagonal of the first patch31extends is substantially parallel to the polarization direction E1of the linear polarized radiation signal transmitted by the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2, in other words, an included angle between the extending direction E2in which the diagonal of the first patch31extends and the polarization direction E1of the linear polarized radiation signal transmitted by the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2is substantially 0°, so that, referring toFIG.16(a), the first patch31in the shape of square can decompose the linear polarized radiation signal with the polarization direction E1into the first linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E11and the second linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E12, and the first linear polarized sub-signal and the second linear polarized sub-signal are orthogonal to each other without any phase difference. The first patch31in the shape of square has four sides connected, including a first side and a second side disposed opposite to each other, and a third side and a fourth side disposed opposite to each other, the first sub-patch32ais connected to the first side of the first patch31, and the second sub-patch32bis connected to the second side of the first patch31, in other words, the first sub-patch32aand the second sub-patch32bare disposed opposite to each other with respect to the first patch31, referring toFIG.16(b), by connecting the first sub-patch32aor the second sub-patch32bto the first patch31in the shape of square, a phase of one of the first linear polarized sub-signal having the polarization direction E11and the second linear polarized sub-signal having the polarization direction E12can be changed, here, taking the phase of the first linear polarized sub-signal having the polarization direction E11being changed as an example, the phase difference between the first linear polarized sub-signal having the polarization direction E11and the second polarized sub-signal having the polarization direction E12is 90° or 270°, so that the first linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E11and the second linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E12can form a circular polarized radiation signal.

In some examples, referring toFIGS.15and17, the first sub-patch32ais connected to the first side of the first patch31, and a side of the first sub-patch32aconnected to the first side may have a length less than a length of the first side, that is, the length of the side of the first sub-patch32amay be less than the length of the side of the first patch31, and in some examples, a midpoint of the side of the first sub-patch32aconnected to the first side of the first patch31coincides with a midpoint of the first side of the first patch31(e.g., denoted by O2in the figure). The second sub-patch32bis connected to the second side of the first patch31, and a side of the second sub-patch32bconnected to the second side may have a length less than a length of the second side, that is, the length of the side of the second sub-patch32bmay be less than the length of the side of the first patch31, and in some examples, a midpoint of the side of the second sub-patch32bconnected to the second side of the first patch31coincides with a midpoint of the second side of the first patch31(e.g., denoted by O3in the figure).

In some examples, shapes of the first sub-patch32aand the second sub-patch32bmay include various types of shapes, for example, referring toFIG.15, each of the shapes of the first sub-patch32aand the second sub-patch32bmay be semi-circular, and in such case, the first sub-patch32ahas a side in a shape of arc and a side serving as a diameter, the first sub-patch32ais connected to the first side of the first patch31through the side serving as the diameter, and similarly, the second sub-patch32bhas a side in a shape of arc and a side serving as a diameter, the second sub-patch32bis connected to the second side of the first patch31through the side serving as the diameter. For another example, referring toFIG.17, the first sub-patch32aand the second sub-patch32bmay be rectangular in shape, and in such case, the first sub-patch32ahas four sides, and is connected to the first side of the first patch31through any side thereof, and similarly, the second sub-patch32bhas four sides, and is connected to the second side of the first patch31through any side thereof. InFIG.17, taking each of the shapes of the first sub-patch32aand the second sub-patch32bbeing rectangular as an example, the first sub-patch32ais connected to the first side of the first patch31by a long side thereof, and the second sub-patch32bis connected to the second side of the first patch31by a long side thereof.

In some examples, referring toFIG.18, the first patch31, the first sub-patch32a, and the second sub-patch32beach may be rectangular, the first patch31, the first sub-patch32a, and the second sub-patch32bare connected to form the radiation patch3being rectangular, and in particular, the first patch31, the first sub-patch32a, and the second sub-patch32beach may be rectangular, each of long sides of the first sub-patch32aand the second sub-patch32bis equal to a short side of the first patch31, the first sub-patch32ais connected to the short side (i.e., the first side) of the first patch31through the long side thereof, and the second sub-patch32bis connected to the short side (i.e., the second side) of the first patch31through the long side thereof, so that the first patch31, the first sub-patch32a, and the second sub-patch32bare connected to form a regular rectangle. An included angle between the extending direction E3of a diagonal of the radiation patch3being rectangular and the polarization direction of the linear polarized radiation signal transmitted by the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2ranges from 0° to 45°, and in particular, the included angle may be adjusted according to a length of each side of the radiation patch3being rectangular, as long as the first linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E11and the second linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E12, that are orthogonal to each other, can be obtained, and a phase difference between the first linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E11and the second linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E12is 90° or 270°, which is not limited herein.

In some examples, a protrusion or a notch or the like may be provided on the radiation patch3to realize circular polarization of the radiation signal. Referring toFIG.19, taking each of the first patch31, the first sub-patch32a, and the second sub-patch32bbeing rectangular, and the first patch31, the first sub-patch32a, and the second sub-patch32bare connected to form the radiation patch3being rectangular as an example, two short sides of the radiation patch3being rectangular are respectively provided with a notch K1, and a position of the notch K1may be at a midpoint of each of the short sides. In some examples, a protrusion may be provided on the radiation patch3, for example, both ends of each short side of the radiation patch3are respectively provided with the protrusion P1, and an extending direction in which each protrusion P1extends may be the same as an extending direction in which each short side of the radiation patch3extends, which is not limited herein.

Certainly, the radiation patch3may be implemented in more implementations, for example, any corner of the radiation patch3being rectangular may be cut off, so that the first linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E11and the second linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E12are orthogonal to each other, and a phase difference between the first linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E11and the second linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E12is 90° or 270°, which is not limited herein.

In some examples, the dielectric substrate1includes any one of a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, a Teflon glass fiber press plate, a phenol paper unit press plate, a phenol glass cloth unit press plate, a foam substrate, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), or the like. A thickness of the dielectric substrate ranges from 10 micrometers to 10 millimeters.

In some examples, a material of the radiation patch3includes at least one of metals such as aluminum, silver, gold, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, or iron.

Referring toFIGS.20and21, a simulation is performed using the phased array antenna provided by the present disclosure, and parameters for the simulation of the phased array antenna are as follows: a thickness of the radiation patch3is about 2 μm, the dielectric substrate is made of glass and has a thickness of about 0.5 mm, the first waveguide feed structure2has the structure as shown inFIG.9, and includes the ridge waveguide structure21with the rectangular waveguide cavity and the feed-out waveguide structure22with the rectangular waveguide cavity, the ridge waveguide structure21has an outer diameter of about 8.5 mm×8.5 mm and an inner diameter (i.e., the caliber of the waveguide cavity) of about 6.5 mm×6.5 mm, and the caliber of the waveguide cavity of the feed-out waveguide structure22is about 4.5 mm×4.5 mm.FIG.20is an axial ratio simulation waveform diagram of the phased array antenna, andFIG.21is a gain simulation waveform diagram of the phased array antenna.FIG.22shows a simulation waveform diagram of the phased array antenna with the feed-out waveguide structure22being replaced by the circular waveguide cavity. As can be seen from above simulation waveform diagrams, the phased array antenna according to the present disclosure has a good axial ratio and a good gain.

FIG.23ais a schematic diagram of an exemplary structure of a radiation patch provided by the present disclosure.FIG.23bis a schematic diagram (dimensional diagram) of an exemplary structure of a radiation patch provided by the present disclosure. Referring toFIGS.23aand23b, in some examples, the radiation patch3includes a first patch33and a second patch34connected to each other and arranged in a same layer. The first patch33is configured to decompose the linear polarized radiation signal transmitted by the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2into a first linear polarized sub-signal and a second linear polarized sub-signal that are orthogonal to each other without any phase difference. The polarization direction of the linear polarized radiation signal is E1, the polarization direction of the first linear polarized sub-signal is E11, and the polarization direction of the second linear polarized sub-signal is E12. The second patch34is configured to cause the first linear polarized sub-signal and the second linear polarized sub-signal to form a circular polarized radiation signal, in other words, the second patch34is configured to cause the phase difference between the first linear polarized sub-signal and the second linear polarized sub-signal to be 90° or 270°.

In some examples, referring toFIGS.23aand23b, a shape of the first patch33of the radiation patch3may be a center symmetric pattern, and the second patch34of the radiation patch3may include a first sub-patch34a, a second sub-patch34b, a third sub-patch34c, and a fourth sub-patch34d. The first sub-patch34aand the second sub-patch34bare symmetrically arranged with respect to a first symmetry axis E3of the first patch33; the third sub-patch34cand the fourth sub-patch34dare arranged symmetrically with respect to a second symmetry axis E4of the first patch33; the first symmetry axis E3is relatively perpendicular to the second symmetry axis E4.

Shapes of the first sub-patch34aand the second sub-patch34bmay be the same with each other; and shapes of the third sub-patch34cand the fourth sub-patch34dmay be the same with each other. The shape of the first patch33of the radiation patch3may adopt various types of center symmetric patterns, such as a square, a rectangle, a circle, a diamond, and the like, without limitation. The shapes of the first sub-patch34a, the second sub-patch34b, the third sub-patch34c, and the fourth sub-patch34dmay include various types of shapes such as a square, a rectangle, an oval, a circle, a diamond, a triangle, or the like, without limitation.

In some examples, referring toFIGS.23aand23b, the first patch33is square in shape, and the extending direction E2in which a diagonal of the first patch33extends is substantially parallel to the polarization direction E1of the linear polarized radiation signal transmitted by the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2, in other words, an included angle between the extending direction E2in which the diagonal of the first patch33extends and the polarization direction E1of the linear polarized radiation signal transmitted by the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2is substantially 0°, so that the first patch33being square in shape can decompose the linear polarized radiation signal with the polarization direction E1into the first linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E11and the second linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E12, that are orthogonal to each other without any phase difference. The first patch33being square in shape has four connected sides, including a first side and a second side opposite to each other, and a third side and a fourth side opposite to each other, the first sub-patch34ais connected to the first side of the first patch33, the second sub-patch34bis connected to the second side of the first patch33, the third sub-patch34cis connected to the third side of the first patch33, and the fourth sub-patch34dis connected to the fourth side of the first patch33, in other words, the first sub-patch34aand the second sub-patch34bare arranged opposite to each other, and the third sub-patch34cand the fourth sub-patch34dare arranged opposite to each other.

By connecting the first sub-patch34aand the second sub-patch34bto the first patch33being square in shape, the phase of the first linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E11can be changed; and by connecting the third sub-patch34cand the fourth sub-patch34dto the first patch33being square in shape, the phase of the second linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E12can be changed, so that the phase difference between the first linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E11and the second linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E12is 90° or 270°, and thus the first linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E11and the second linear polarized sub-signal with the polarization direction E12can form a circular polarized radiation signal.

In some examples, a side of the first sub-patch34aconnected to the first side of the first patch33has a length greater than that of a side of the third sub-patch34cconnected to the third side of the first patch33, that is, a width of the first sub-patch34aon the first symmetry axis E3is greater than a width of the third sub-patch34con the second symmetry axis E4; a length of the first sub-patch34ain a direction perpendicular to the first symmetry axis E3is greater than a length of the third sub-patch34cin a direction perpendicular to the second symmetry axis E4. In this way, an area of an orthographic projection of the radiation patch3on the dielectric substrate1can be reduced, and shielding for the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2is reduced, which facilitates to reducing a return loss.

In some examples, the side of the first sub-patch34aconnected to the first side of the first patch33has a length less than or equal to the length of the first side of the first patch33, and a midpoint of the side of the first sub-patch34aconnected to the first side of the first patch33coincides with a midpoint of the first side of the first patch33(e.g., denoted by O2inFIG.23a); the length of the side of the second sub-patch34bconnected with the second side of the first patch33is less than or equal to the length of the second side of the first patch33, and a midpoint of the side of the second sub-patch34bconnected with the second side of the first patch33coincides with a midpoint of the second side of the first patch33; the side of the third sub-patch34cconnected to the third side of the first patch33has a length less than the length of the third side of the first patch33, and a midpoint of the side of the third sub-patch34cconnected to the third side of the first patch33coincides with a midpoint of the third side of the first patch33(e.g., denoted by O3inFIG.23a); the length of the side of the fourth sub-patch34dconnected to the fourth side of the first patch33is less than the length of the fourth side of the first patch33, and a midpoint of the side of the fourth sub-patch34dconnected to the fourth side of the first patch33coincides with a midpoint of the fourth side of the first patch33.

In some examples, the shapes of the first sub-patch32aand the second sub-patch32bmay include various types of shapes, for example, referring toFIG.23b, each of the first sub-patch34a, the second sub-patch34b, the third sub-patch34c, and the fourth sub-patch34dincludes a rectangular part341and a trapezoidal part342that are connected, a side of the rectangular part341is connected with a corresponding side of the first patch33; a long bottom edge of the trapezoidal part342is connected to the side of the rectangular part341away from the first patch33, which can further reduce the area of the orthographic projection of the radiation patch3on the dielectric substrate1, and reduce the shielding for the first transmission port P1of the first waveguide feed structure2, thereby facilitating to reducing the return loss. The trapezoid part342is, for example, an isosceles trapezoid.

In summary, the phased array antenna provided by the present disclosure can reduce a space occupied by the waveguide radiation unit and the waveguide power dividing unit, so as to reduce an overall thickness of the phased array antenna (not greater than 30 mm); meanwhile, the loss can be reduced, for example, a matching insertion loss between the phase shifter unit and the waveguide radiation unit is reduced, so that an overall insertion loss can be controlled within 1 dB.

It should be understood that the above implementations are merely exemplary implementations that are employed to illustrate the principle of the present disclosure, and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and such modifications and improvements are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.