JP6340688B2 - Antenna device - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an antenna device suitable for use in information equipment that performs communication using millimeter waves.

  Since the millimeter wave has a wavelength close to that of light and has high straightness, setting the directivity of the antenna used for communication using this wavelength is important. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional technique that can arbitrarily set the directivity of the antenna. This patent document discloses a technique for setting directivity using a lens.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0249388

  However, when a lens is used for changing the directivity of radio waves, there is a problem that the cost is high. In particular, in order to have a plurality of directivities, the shape of the lens must be determined so that radio waves are emitted in each direction, resulting in an expensive lens. In addition, since the lens mounting accuracy greatly affects the directivity characteristics, it is difficult to easily change the directivity.

  The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an antenna device that can easily change the directivity of radio waves with an inexpensive configuration.

An antenna device of the present disclosure includes an antenna element and a metal plate having a length of 1/10 or more of an operating wavelength and provided in the vertical direction in the vicinity of the antenna element, with the antenna element sandwiched therebetween on the opposite side of the metal plate without being closed and another metal plate, the metal plate has a bent portion which distal end is bent so as to cover the upper side of the entire surface of the antenna element, wherein the bent portion includes An opening is provided at a position corresponding to a part of the antenna element .

  According to the present disclosure, the directivity of radio waves can be easily changed with an inexpensive configuration.

Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows the positional relationship with respect to the antenna element of a metal plate in the antenna device which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure for demonstrating communication between the notebook computer provided with the antenna device which concerns on Embodiment 1, and both a docking station and a smart phone. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The figure which shows the dimension of the metal plate of the antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The figure which shows the difference in directivity when not providing with the metal plate in the antenna device which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. Bird's eye view of the antenna device according to the third embodiment as viewed from above Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG. Bird's-eye view of antenna device according to Embodiment 4 viewed from above Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5. FIG. The figure for demonstrating communication between both the notebook personal computer provided with the conventional antenna device, a docking station, and a smart phone The figure which shows the structure of the conventional antenna device The figure which shows the structure of the conventional antenna device

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Background to obtaining one form of the present disclosure)
Since millimeter waves have strong straightness, when communication is performed between two information devices using this radio wave, communication can be performed without problems by arranging them in directions in which directivities face each other. However, for example, when communication is performed between three information devices, each information device needs to have directivity changing means that can emit radio waves to the other two information devices.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13, in a notebook personal computer (information device) 100 and a docking station (information device) 110 capable of wireless communication with each other, the notebook personal computer 100 is placed in a docking station by arranging the directivity to face each other. 110 can communicate with the smartphone 110 but cannot communicate with the smartphone (information device) 120 that does not have directivity. That is, the notebook computer 100 can communicate with the docking station 110, but cannot communicate with the smartphone 120.

  In FIG. 13, the notebook computer 100 has a mother board 101 on which a wireless module 102 is mounted, the docking station 110 has a mother board 111 on which a wireless module 112 is mounted, and the smartphone 120 has a wireless module. A mother board 121 on which 122 is mounted is provided. Moreover, what is indicated by a symbol Rp1 in the figure is a radiation pattern of the wireless module 102 of the notebook computer 100, and what is indicated by a symbol Rp2 is a radiation pattern of the wireless module 112 of the docking station 110. Also, what is indicated by a symbol Rp3 is a radiation pattern of the wireless module 122 of the smartphone 120.

As means for changing the directivity of radio waves, for example, those shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are known. Both are described in Patent Document 1.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an antenna device in which the directivity of radio waves is changed using a reflector. In the figure, a planar antenna 202 serving as a primary radiator is mounted on the upper surface of the module substrate 200, and a wireless IC 210 is mounted on the lower surface. The module substrate 200 is mounted on a set substrate (not shown) by balls 203. A reflector 300 serving as a secondary radiator is disposed above the module substrate 200, and radio waves radiated from the planar antenna 202 are reflected by the reflector 300 in the directions indicated by arrows 301 and 302 in the drawing. . That is, the radiation direction is changed downward.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an antenna device in which the directivity of radio waves is changed using a lens. In the figure, a lens 400 serving as a secondary radiator is disposed above the module substrate 200, and radio waves radiated from the planar antenna 202 by the lens 400 in the directions indicated by arrows 401 and 402 in the figure. reflect. That is, the radiation direction is changed in the upward oblique direction.

  However, when the directivity is changed by disposing the reflector 300 so as to cover the module substrate 200 over the module substrate 200, the directivity is directed in the lateral direction or the module substrate 200 side. Communication with the information device in the direct upward direction becomes impossible.

  Further, when the directivity of radio waves is changed using the lens 400, communication with an information device located directly above the module substrate 200 is possible, but the lens itself is expensive, which adds to the price of the antenna device. It will be reflected. In particular, in order to have a plurality of directivities, it is necessary to determine the shape of the lens so that radio waves are simultaneously emitted in the respective directions. In addition, since the lens mounting accuracy greatly affects the directivity characteristics, it is difficult to easily change the directivity.

  Hereinafter, an antenna device that can easily change the directivity of radio waves with an inexpensive configuration will be described.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the antenna device according to the first embodiment. In the figure, an antenna device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a radio module 10 on which an antenna element 11 that operates on a millimeter wave is disposed on an upper surface, and a module board (set board) of multilayer wiring on which the radio module 10 is mounted 12 and a metal plate 13 disposed in the vicinity of the antenna element 11 in the vertical direction.

  There are two types of antenna element 11 for transmission and reception. In FIG. 1, for example, the reception antenna element 11 is visible. The wireless module 10 is equipped with an IC (Integrated Circuit, not shown) for wireless communication, and this IC performs transmission (radiation) and reception of radio waves from the antenna element 11. The metal plate 13 has a length of 1/10 or more of the operating wavelength. Here, for example, when the metal plate 13 is used at 60 GHz, the wavelength λ is 5 mm, which is 1/10 of 0.5 mm.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the metal plate 13 and the antenna element 11. In the figure, the positional relationship between the metal plate 13 and the antenna element 11 is such that the distance from the antenna element 11 to the metal plate 13 is “A”, and the length of the metal plate 13 from the plane of the antenna element 11 is “B”. B ≧ A is preferable. For example, A is 1 mm and B is 5 mm. By arranging the metal plate 13, the radio wave radiated from the antenna element 11 is reflected, so that the directivity of the radio wave is slightly horizontal. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the directivity is oblique to the right. For example, in FIG. 3, the notebook personal computer 100 </ b> A provided with the antenna device 1 according to the present embodiment performs communication between both the docking station 110 and the smartphone 120 because the directivity of the radio wave is inclined. Is possible.

  By changing the “height”, “position”, and “shape” of the metal plate 13, the directivity in transmitting and receiving radio waves from each antenna element 11 can be arbitrarily changed.

  Thus, according to the antenna device 1 according to the present embodiment, the metal plate 13 having a length of 1/10 or more of the operating wavelength and arranged in the vertical direction in the vicinity of the antenna element 11 is provided. The directivity of radio waves can be easily changed with an inexpensive configuration.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the antenna device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the antenna device according to the second embodiment. 4 and 5, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in FIG. 1 described above, and the description thereof is omitted. The antenna device 2 according to the present embodiment includes a metal plate 14 in which a tip end portion 14a is bent at a right angle so as to cover a part above the antenna element 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the antenna element 11 arranged in the wireless module 10 includes a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna. In FIG. 5, the antenna element for reception is denoted by reference numeral 11a. The element is denoted by reference numeral 11b. The metal plate 14 is disposed at a position 1 mm away from the antenna elements 11a and 11b.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing dimensions of the metal plate 14 of the antenna device 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the height Z of the metal plate 14 is, for example, 5 mm, which is substantially equal to the wavelength λ, and the length X of the bent tip portion 14a is 2 mm, which is shorter than half of the wavelength λ. These dimensions are merely examples, and other values can be taken. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a difference in directivity (frequency of radio waves is 61.36 GHz) when the metal plate 14 is not provided ((a)) and when the metal plate 14 is provided ((b)). The figure shows a case where the metal plate 14 is disposed on the right side of the wireless module 10 (in FIGS. 4 and 5, the metal plate 14 is disposed on the left side of the wireless module 10). As shown in FIG. 7, the gain peak without the metal plate 14 is in the direction of approximately 0 degrees, whereas the gain peak with the metal plate 14 is in the direction of approximately 40 degrees. You can see that you can change. In this way, the bent front end portion 14a of the metal plate 14 covers a part of the antenna element 11 above and blocks the radio wave upward at that portion, so the directivity is oblique. In addition, since the radio wave directivity is more greatly affected, the directivity can be changed more greatly than the metal plate 13 of the antenna device 1 according to Embodiment 1.

  As described above, according to the antenna device 2 according to the present embodiment, the metal plate 14 having the distal end portion 14a bent at a right angle so as to cover a part above the antenna element 11 is provided. The directivity of radio waves can be changed.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the antenna device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a bird's-eye view of the antenna device according to Embodiment 3 as viewed from above. 8 and FIG. 9 that are the same as those in FIG. 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  8 and 9, the antenna device 3 according to the present embodiment includes a metal plate 17 having a bent portion in the same manner as the antenna device 2 according to the second embodiment. The difference from the metal plate 14 of the antenna device 2 is that the bent portion 17a is spread over the entire upper surface of the wireless module 10 without being parallel to the wireless module 10, and an opening 17b is provided above the antenna element 11 of the bent portion 17a. Is a point. By arranging such a metal plate 17, for example, at the time of transmission, a part of the radio wave radiated from the antenna element 11 passes through the opening 17 b of the metal plate 17 and extends vertically from the wireless module 10. The remaining part is reflected by the bent portion 17a and goes out in the lateral direction at an angle corresponding to the bent angle. The size of the opening 17b of the metal plate 17 may be, for example, 1/10 or more of the wavelength λ.

  As described above, according to the antenna device 3 according to the present embodiment, the front end portion has the bent portion 17a bent so as to cover the entire upper surface of the antenna element 11, and one of the antenna elements 11 of the bent portion 17a. Since the metal plate 17 having the opening 17b is provided at a position corresponding to the portion, the directivity of the radio wave can be easily changed with an inexpensive configuration.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the antenna device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a bird's-eye view of the antenna device according to the fourth embodiment as viewed from above. 10 and FIG. 11 that are the same as those in FIG. 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  10 and 11, the antenna device 4 according to the present embodiment is provided with a metal plate 18 having a bent portion in the same manner as the antenna device 3 according to the third embodiment. The difference from the metal plate 17 of the antenna device 3 is that the bent portion 18a is meshed. By arranging such a metal plate 18, for example, at the time of transmission, a part of the radio wave radiated from the antenna element 11 passes through the mesh of the bent portion 18 a of the metal plate 18 and is perpendicular to the module. The remaining part is reflected by the metal part of the mesh of the bent portion 18a and goes out in the lateral direction at an angle corresponding to the bent angle. The mesh of the bent portion 18a of the metal plate 18 may be, for example, 1/10 or more of the wavelength λ.

  As described above, according to the antenna device 4 according to the present embodiment, the metal plate 18 having the mesh-shaped bent portion 18a that is bent so that the tip portion covers the entire upper surface of the antenna element 11 is provided. The directivity of radio waves can be easily changed with an inexpensive configuration.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the antenna device according to the fifth embodiment. 12 that are the same as those in FIG. 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 12, the antenna device 5 according to the present embodiment is different from the antenna devices 1 to 4 according to the above-described first to fourth embodiments in that the dielectric component 20 has a polygonal cross section above the module instead of a metal plate. It is a point that is arranged. When the dielectric component 20 is disposed, the apex 20 a is prevented from being directly above the antenna element 11 on the wireless module 10. By disposing such a dielectric component 20, for example, radio waves radiated from the antenna element 11 are radiated separately in a first direction and a second direction at the time of transmission, and communication is performed both above and laterally of the wireless module 10. Will be able to.

  As described above, according to the antenna device 5 according to the present embodiment, since the dielectric component 20 having the polygonal cross section provided so as to cover at least a part of the antenna element 11 is provided, the structure is inexpensive. The directivity of radio waves can be changed easily.

  While the first to fifth embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Understood.

(Overview of one aspect of the present disclosure)
A first antenna device of the present disclosure includes an antenna element and a metal plate having a length of 1/10 or more of an operating wavelength and provided in the vertical direction in the vicinity of the antenna element.

  Moreover, the 2nd antenna apparatus of this indication is a 1st antenna apparatus, Comprising: The said metal plate has the bending part bent so that the front-end | tip part might cover a part above the said antenna element.

  The third antenna device of the present disclosure is a second antenna device, and the bent portion is provided so as to be orthogonal to the main body of the metal plate.

  Further, a fourth antenna device of the present disclosure is the first antenna device, wherein the metal plate has a bent portion that is bent so that a front end portion covers the entire upper surface of the antenna element, The bent portion has an opening at a position corresponding to a part of the antenna element.

  The fifth antenna device of the present disclosure is a fourth antenna device, wherein the bent portion is provided at a predetermined angle with respect to the main body of the metal plate.

  Further, the sixth antenna device of the present disclosure is the first antenna device, and the metal plate has a mesh-like bent portion that is bent so that a front end portion covers the entire upper surface of the antenna element. .

  Moreover, the 7th antenna apparatus of this indication is a 6th antenna apparatus, Comprising: The said mesh-shaped bending part was provided with the predetermined angle with respect to the main body of the said metal plate.

  In addition, an eighth antenna device of the present disclosure includes an antenna element and a dielectric component having a polygonal cross section provided so as to cover at least a part above the antenna element.

  The ninth antenna device of the present disclosure is any one of the first to eighth antenna devices, and the antenna element operates in a millimeter wave band.

  A tenth antenna device of the present disclosure includes a set substrate and an antenna element that operates in a millimeter wave band provided at a predetermined angle with respect to the set substrate.

  The present disclosure is useful for an information device having a wireless communication function for performing wireless communication using millimeter waves.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1-5 Antenna apparatus 10 Wireless module 11 Antenna element 12 Module board | substrate 13, 14, 17, 18 Metal plate 14a Tip part 17a Bending part 17b Opening part 18a Bending part 20 Dielectric component

Claims (6)

An antenna element;
A metal plate having a length of 1/10 or more of the operating wavelength and provided vertically in the vicinity of the antenna element;
With
There is no other metal plate on the opposite side of the metal plate across the antenna element,
The metal plate has a bent portion which distal end is bent so as to cover the upper side of the entire surface of the antenna element, wherein the bent portion includes that having a opening at a position corresponding to a portion of said antenna element antenna equipment. The antenna device according to claim 1 , wherein the bent portion is provided at a predetermined angle with respect to a main body of the metal plate.   The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate has a mesh-like bent portion that is bent so that a front end portion covers the entire upper surface of the antenna element. The antenna device according to claim 3 , wherein the mesh-shaped bent portion is provided at a predetermined angle with respect to a main body of the metal plate. The antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the antenna element operates in a millimeter wave band. It has a set board,
The antenna element is
Antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 provided at a predetermined angle with respect to the set substrate.

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