Open ended substrate integrated waveguide (OESIW) antenna array
AssigneeWaymo LLC
InventorChan Ping Edwin Lim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Example embodiments relate to Open Ended Substrate Integrated Waveguide (OESIW) antenna arrays and techniques for manufacturing and using OESIW antenna arrays. An example antenna array includes a waveguide and a waveguide feed coupled to the waveguide. The waveguide feed is configured to couple electromagnetic energy between an external source and the waveguide. The antenna array also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of antenna elements. The PCB is coupled to the waveguide at a plurality of coupling points such that the electromagnetic energy propagates out from the waveguide and through the plurality of antenna elements. An OESIW antenna array can be used within a radar unit, communication system, or other type of signal emitter.
Claims20
An antenna array comprising:
- a waveguide;
- a waveguide feed coupled to the waveguide, wherein the waveguide feed is configured to couple electromagnetic energy between an external source and the waveguide;
- and
- a printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of antenna elements, wherein the PCB is coupled to the waveguide at a plurality of coupling points such that the electromagnetic energy propagates out from the waveguide and through the plurality of antenna elements,
- wherein the PCB comprises a PCB laminate layer positioned in between a bottom metal layer and a top metal layer,
- wherein the bottom metal layer includes a plurality of slots and the top metal layer includes the plurality of antenna elements, and
- wherein each antenna element in the top metal layer is positioned to at least partially overlap with one or more slots of the plurality of slots in the bottom metal layer.
A method comprising:
- generating, using computer numerical control (CNC) machining or die-casting, a waveguide and a waveguide feed coupled to the waveguide, wherein the waveguide feed is configured to couple electromagnetic energy between an external source and the waveguide;
- generating a printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of antenna elements, wherein generating the PCB having the plurality of antenna elements comprises:
- cutting a plurality of slots in a bottom metal layer of the PCB and the plurality of antenna elements in a top metal layer of the PCB,
- wherein the PCB comprises a PCB laminate layer positioned in between the bottom metal layer and the top metal layer, and
- wherein each antenna element in the top metal layer is positioned to at least partially overlap with one or more slots of the plurality of slots in the bottom metal layer;
- and
- coupling the PCB to the waveguide at a plurality of coupling points to form an antenna array such that the electromagnetic energy is able to propagate out from the waveguide and through the plurality of antenna elements as signals.
A radar unit comprising:
- an external source configured to provide and receive electromagnetic energy;
- and
- an antenna array coupled to the external source, wherein the antenna array comprises:
- a waveguide;
- a waveguide feed coupled to the waveguide, wherein the waveguide feed is configured to couple the electromagnetic energy between the external source and the waveguide;
- and
- a printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of antenna elements, wherein the PCB is coupled to the waveguide at a plurality of coupling points such that the electromagnetic energy propagates out from the waveguide and through the plurality of antenna elements,
- wherein the PCB comprises a PCB laminate layer positioned in between a bottom metal layer and a top metal layer,
- wherein the bottom metal layer includes a plurality of slots and the top metal layer includes the plurality of antenna elements, and
- wherein each antenna element in the top metal layer is positioned to at least partially overlap with one or more slots of the plurality of slots in the bottom metal layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.