JP6875150B2 - Multi-beam array antenna system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-beam array antenna system.

As shown in Non-Patent Document 1, an array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements directs a main beam in an arbitrary direction in space by changing the excitation conditions of each antenna element without moving the antenna itself. Can be done. In addition, a technique for selectively forming a main beam by sequentially selecting the optimum one from the typified excitation conditions is also known. Further, there is also known a technique of forming a plurality of main beams with one array antenna by separating a plurality of antenna elements into a plurality of groups and forming one main beam in each group.

The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, "Antenna Engineering Handbook (2nd Edition)", ISBN: 978-4-274-20544-6, 2008.

In the design of base stations and mobile stations, it is necessary to comply with the radio wave protection guideline (Reference 1) for the radio waves radiated from the antenna. For base stations, it is required to build base station facilities so that no one other than the operator can easily enter and exit the range (strong magnetic field region) that exceeds the standard value of the radio wave protection guideline. If the array antenna continues to radiate radio waves with the main beam directed in a specific direction, it is necessary to secure a site large enough to include the strong electromagnetic field region. If the land cannot be secured, the antenna output will be suppressed, but the service area will be narrowed, so the demand for a base station antenna cannot be met. Also, when an array antenna is used as the mobile station antenna, it may be necessary to suppress the antenna output.
(Reference 1) Report of the Telecommunications Technology Council, Advisory No. 38, "Guidelines for the Protection of the Human Body in Using Radio Waves," June 1990, (Internet <URL: http://www.tele.soumu.go.jp/ resource / j / material / dwn / guide38.pdf> [Search on February 14, 2017])

An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-beam array antenna system capable of narrowing the strong magnetic field region around the multi-beam array antenna system on time average without suppressing the output.

In a multi-beam array antenna system in which M is a predetermined integer of 2 or more and M groups each containing one or more antenna elements form a predetermined M beam. A group that forms beam 1 when one of the M beams (beam 1) is formed by one of the M groups (group 1) during the operation period. Is characterized by including a control unit for switching from the group 1 to one group (group 2) different from the group 1 among the M groups.

According to the present invention, the strong electromagnetic field region can be narrowed on a time average without suppressing the output.

Configuration example of multi-beam array antenna system. Electric field distribution map. (A) When the first group G ₁ forms the beam B _1. (B) When the second group G ₂ forms the beam B _2. (C) Combined electric field distribution diagram when the group is not switched. (D) When the first group G ₁ forms the beam B _2. (E) When the second group G ₂ forms the beam B _1. (F) Composite electric field distribution diagram when the groups are switched. Configuration example of multi-beam array antenna system.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The multi-beam array antenna system 100 of the embodiment of the present invention includes N antenna elements A ₁ , ..., A _N. There is no limitation on the shape of the arrangement of the antenna elements. In the multi-beam array antenna system 100, N antenna elements A ₁ , ..., A _{N are classified into M} groups G ₁ , ..., GM, and each group forms a beam. N is a predetermined integer of 2 or more, and M is a predetermined integer satisfying 2 or more and N or less. In a typical example, N is an integer multiple of M. In this embodiment, for N ≧ 2, 2 ≦ M ≦ N, _{Ap (p} ∈ {1,…, N}), G _q (q ∈ {1,…, M})
・ ∀q, ∃p st A _p ∈ G _q
・ G _q1 ∩ _{G q2} = φ (q1, q2 ∈ {1,…, M}, q1 ≠ q2, φ: empty set)
・ ∪ _{q ∈ {1,…, M}} {k | A _k ∈ G _q } = {1,…, N}
Is established. The first term means that there is no group that does not include the antenna element, the second term means that there is no antenna element that belongs to a plurality of groups, and the third term does not belong to any group. It means that there is no antenna element. In the multi-beam array antenna system 100, each antenna element A ₁ , ..., A _N is fixed at a predetermined position.
Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, "beam" means "main beam". However, the direction of the main beam is not always a single direction. Further, the “beam” means a directional radio wave directed to a range in which the radio wave can be transmitted to and received from the multi-beam array antenna system 100.

It is assumed that the _{i-th beam B i} is formed by the k [i, t] th group G _{k [i, t]} at a certain time t during the operation period of the multi-beam array antenna system 100. i represents each integer of 1 or more and M or less, and k [i, t] represents each integer of 1 or more and M or less. In this case, the bijective mapping from the beam index set {1, ..., M} to the group index set {1, ..., M}: {1, ..., M} → {1, ..., M} is defined by f <t> (i) = k [i, t]. That is, _{the subscript i ∈ {1,…, M} of the beam B i is the subscript k [i, t]} of the group G k [i, t] by the bijective map f <t> at time t. It is associated with ∈ {1,…, M}. Also, it is assumed that the direction of _{beam B i and the direction of beam B j} do not match (i, j ∈ {1, ..., M}, i ≠ j). The operation period is the time during which the multi-beam array antenna system 100 is in operation, in other words, the time during which M beams are radiated from the multi-beam array antenna system 100 in a predetermined direction. ..

Prior to the following explanation, the equality of mapping will be described. For the sets A, B, A', B', two maps h ₁ : A → B and h ₂ : A'→ B'are equal, A = A'and B = B', and any a ∈ A _{means when h 1} (a) = h ₂ (a). At this time, it is expressed as _{h 1} = h _2. When the two maps are not equal, we express _{h 1} ≠ h _2.

In the multi-beam array antenna system 100, there are a first time t1 that satisfies the condition C and a second time t2 that is different from the first time t1 within the operation period of the multi-beam array antenna system 100. Condition C excludes the case where "f <t1> = f <t2> at any two different times t1 and t2 during the operation period".
(Condition C) f <t1> ≠ f <t2>

This means that there is an i-th beam B _{i formed by at least two different groups G k [i, t1]} and group G _{k [i, t2]} during the operation of the multi-beam array antenna system 100. Means (t1 ≠ t2, ∃i st k [i, t1] ≠ k [i, t2]). However, if the subscript that identifies such a beam is r, at least two different groups G _{k [r, t1]} and group G _{k [r, t2]} simultaneously form the r-th beam _Br. is not it. To describe this according to an actual example, set k1, k2 ∈ {1, ..., M}, k1 ≠ k2, and set a certain division time (T1, T2) during the operation period (Note: Symbol (a,) b) the beam B _r is formed by the time represents the time until the time point b from a) the group G _k1, beam B _r by a certain division time during operation period (T3, T4) in group G _k2 Is formed, and there is no overlap between (T1, T2) and (T3, T4) ((T1, T2) ∩ (T3, T4) = φ).

In short, during the operation period of the multi-beam array antenna system, one of the M beams (beam 1) is formed by one of the M groups (group 1). At this time, the group forming the beam 1 is switched from the group 1 to one group (group 2) different from the group 1 among the M groups.

A specific example of this embodiment will be described. In this example, M = 3.
At some time t1, beam B ₁ is formed by group G ₁ , beam B ₂ is formed by group G ₃ , and beam B ₃ is formed by group G _2. In this case, k [1, t1] = 1, k [2, t1] = 3, k [3, t1] = 2.
Then, at time t2 different from time t1, at least one of k [1, t2] ≠ 1, k [2, t2] ≠ 3, and k [3, t2] ≠ 2 must hold. So, for example, at time t2, beam B ₁ is formed by group G ₃ , beam B ₂ is formed by group G ₁ , and beam B ₃ is formed by group G _2. In this case, k [1, t2] = 3, k [2, t2] = 1, k [3, t2] = 2.
From another point of view, beam B _{1 is formed by group G 1 at} time t1 and by group G _{3 at} time t2, and beam B _{2 is formed by group G 3 at} time t1 and by group G _{1 at time t2.} , And beam B ₃ can be explained to be formed by _{group G 2 at} both time t1 and time t2. That is, a group which forms a beam B ₁ is switched from the group G ₁ in the group G _3, groups that form a beam B ₂ is that switched from group G ₃ to the group G _1.
The relationship in which each of the M beams B ₁ , ..., B _{M is associated with any one of the M groups G 1} , ..., GM is that the beam subscript (identifier) is the group subscript (identifier). It can be seen as a relation that corresponds to, and this correspondence is a bijective mapping. When M = 3, there are a total of 6 bijective mappings from the beam index set {1,2,3} to the group index set {1,2,3}. Specifically, the six bijective maps are
f ₁ : 1 → 1, 2 → 2, 3 → 3
f ₂ : 1 → 1, 2 → 3, 3 → 2
f ₃ : 1 → 2, 2 → 1, 3 → 3
f ₄ : 1 → 2, 2 → 3, 3 → 1
f ₅ : 1 → 3, 2 → 1, 3 → 2
f ₆ : 1 → 3, 2 → 2, 3 → 1
Is. In the above example, the bijection map f <t1> at time t1 is f _2, so the bijection map f <t2> at time t2 is selected other than _{f 2 , specifically f 5} . .. Switching from the group at time t1 to the group at time t2 corresponds to the change _{from the bijective map f 2} to the bijective map f _5.

According to the multi-beam array antenna system 100, the strong electromagnetic field region around the multi-beam array antenna system 100 can be narrowed on an average time without suppressing the output of the multi-beam array antenna system 100. Here, "narrow" means that the maximum distance from the center of the multi-beam array antenna system to the boundary of the strong magnetic field region is short, and does not necessarily mean that the area of the strong magnetic field region is small. The "center of the multi-beam array antenna system" is the center of the line segment connecting the antenna elements at both ends in the case of a linear array, and the center of the circle followed by the arrangement of the antenna elements in the case of a circular array. In the case of a rectangular planar array, it is the intersection of the diagonal lines of the rectangle that the arrangement of the antenna elements follows. In the case of a conformal array, for example, the center of the circle having the smallest area among the circles that can contain all the antenna elements. Is.
This will be described with a specific example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-beam array antenna system 100 includes eight half-wave dipole antennas A ₁ , ..., A ₈ as antenna elements, and these antenna elements A ₁ , ..., A ₈ are subscripts. They are arranged linearly and at equal intervals (the distance between two adjacent antenna elements is half a wavelength) according to the order, and four dipole antennas A ₁ , ..., A _{4 form} the first group G ₁ and four. Consider the case where the dipole antennas A ₅ , ..., A _{8 form} the second group G ₂ and the two groups form two beams.

First, as a comparative example, in (T1, T2), the first group G _{1 forms the beam B 1 in} the direction of −30 °, and the second group G ₂ forms the _{beam B 2 in} the direction of + 30 ° (T1 and T2). Pattern 1). The beam is symmetrical with respect to the Y-axis, and in beam angle measurement, the angle (absolute value) is measured with reference to the X-axis, and if the direction of the beam is on the + Y-axis side with respect to the X-axis, the positive sign is used as the measured value. Given, a negative sign is given to the measured value if it exists on the −Y axis side with respect to the X axis (see FIGS. 1 and 2 for the coordinate system). The electric field distribution around the multi-beam array antenna system 100 created by the first group G ₁ is shown in FIG. 2 (a), and the electric field distribution around the multi-beam array antenna system 100 created _{by the second group G 2 is shown in FIG. 2 (b).} ). However, the range shown is a range from −20 wavelength to +20 wavelength for both the X-axis and the Y-axis. The electric field distribution around the multi-beam array antenna system 100 in pattern 1 is a combination of the electric field distribution of FIG. 2 (a) and the electric field distribution of FIG. 2 (b) (this is the electric field at each point in the XY plane). (Given by the square root of the sum of squares of strength).
In the comparative example, a beam of pattern 1 is formed at (T3, T4). The electric field distribution around the multi-beam array antenna system 100 at this time is the same as the electric field distribution in (T1, T2).
Here, assuming that T2-T1 = T4-T3 and T2 ≒ T3 (however, the symbol ≒ means that the group is instantaneously switched at T2 = T3), the time average multi in (T1, T4). The electric field distribution around the beam array antenna system 100 is shown in FIG. 2 (c). In FIG. 2C, a rectangle having the smallest area among the rectangles that can include a range of a predetermined electric field strength E or more is shown by a broken line.

Next, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a beam of pattern 1 is formed in (T1, T2), and in (T3, T4), a first group G ₁ forms a _{beam B 2 in} a direction of + 30 °. Two groups G _{2 form a beam B 1 in} the direction of −30 ° (Pattern 2). The electric field distribution around the multi-beam array antenna system 100 created by the first group G ₁ is shown in FIG. 2 (d), and the electric field distribution around the multi-beam array antenna system 100 created _{by the second group G 2 is shown in FIG. 2 (e).} ). The electric field distribution around the multi-beam array antenna system 100 in pattern 2 is a combination of the electric field distribution in FIG. 2 (d) and the electric field distribution in FIG. 2 (e) (this is the electric field at each point in the XY plane). (Given by the square root of the sum of squares of strength).
Here, assuming that T2-T1 = T4-T3 and T2≈T3, the electric field distribution around the time-averaged multi-beam array antenna system 100 in (T1, T4) is shown in FIG. 2 (f). In FIG. 2 (f), the rectangle having the smallest area among the rectangles that can include a range of a predetermined electric field strength E or more is shown by a solid line. FIG. 2 (f) also shows the broken line rectangle shown in FIG. 2 (c). From FIG. 2F, it can be seen that according to the embodiment, the strong magnetic field region having an electric field strength E or higher can be narrowed on a time average.

The strong magnetic field region when a certain beam is formed is generally formed around the group in charge of forming the beam. If the group responsible for forming the beam in a predetermined direction is changed temporally, the strong magnetic field region formed around the same group becomes narrower on time average. Therefore, the strong magnetic field region around the multi-beam array antenna system 100 can be narrowed on average over time without suppressing the output of the multi-beam array antenna system 100.

From this point of view, it is preferable that at least two groups responsible for forming a beam in a predetermined direction have a large distance (in other words, for each group responsible for forming a beam in a predetermined direction, around the same group. It is preferable that the strong electromagnetic field region formed in the area is as narrow as possible on a time average). Therefore, two preferable conditions that the bijective mapping f <t1> and f <t2> should satisfy can be considered.

As a first example, it is preferable that the bijective maps f <t1> and f <t2> satisfy the condition D1.
(Condition D1) Bijective mapping from group index set {1, ..., M} to group index set {1, ..., M}: {1, ..., M} → {1, ..., M} ， F <t1> (i) → f <t2> (i) Determined by the distance between _{group G f <t1> (i)} and group G _{f <t2> (i) , where L i} is Σ _{i = 1} ^M L _i is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

The symbol for composition of maps is f <t2> = g ・ f <t1>, and f <t2> (i) = g (f <t1> (i)) (i ∈ {1). ，… ， M}).

Also, the distance between two different groups is given by the distance between the centers of the groups. The center of the group can be defined according to the arrangement of the antenna elements in the group. For example, in the case of a linear array, it is an equal division point of a line segment connecting the antenna elements at both ends, and in the case of a circular array, the antenna element. It is the center of the circle that the arrangement of antennas follows, and in the case of a rectangular planar array, it is the intersection of the diagonal lines of the rectangle that the arrangement of antenna elements follows. In the case of a conformal array, for example, a circle that can contain all the antenna elements. It is the center of the circle with the smallest area. However, when f <t1> (i) = f <t2> (i), the distance between the _{group G f <t1> (i)} and the group G _{f <t2> (i) is 0.}

The above first example will be described from another viewpoint. The bijective mapping from the group index set {1, ..., M} to the group index set {1, ..., M} is M! In total (the symbol! Represents the factorial). M! -1 bijective map excluding identity map g: {1,…, M} → {1,…, M}, j → g (j), group G _j and group G _{g (} distance L _j as Σ _{j = 1} ^M L _j is the predetermined value or more bijective mapping g _w between _{j) (w∈ {1, ...} , W}, W ≦ M! -1 ) Is specified in advance. At this time, the group switching is performed by _{one mapping g w1} arbitrarily selected from the _{bijective mapping g w.} In this case, it is desirable to switch groups at equal time intervals during the operation period of the multi-beam array antenna system. In the embodiment, the bijective map g _w (w ∈ {1,…, W}, W ≦ M! -1) is stored in memory in advance.

In particular, when the bijection map is limited to two types, that is, two different bijection maps from the beam subscript set {1, ..., M} to the group subscript set {1, ..., M}. Let f1 and f2, and if the bijection map f <T> at any time T within the operating period of the multi-beam array antenna system is f1 or f2, then the bijection maps f1 and f2 are conditions D1. 'It is preferable to satisfy. In this case, it is desirable that during the operation period of the multi-beam array antenna system, the time operated by the bijective map f1 and the time operated by the bijective map f2 are approximately the same.
(Condition D1') Bijective mapping from group index set {1, ..., M} to group index set {1, ..., M}: {1, ..., M} → {1, ..., M }, f1 (i) → f2 group defined by (i) G _{f1 (i)} and the distance between the group G _{f2 (i)} as ^{_{L i, Σ i = 1 M}} L i is greater than or equal to a predetermined Is.

As a second example, it is preferable that the bijective maps f <t1> and f <t2> satisfy the condition D2.
_{(Condition D2) Let L max be} the maximum value of the distance between two different groups, and the bijective mapping from the group index set {1, ..., M} to the group index set {1, ..., M}: _{Group G f <t1> (i)} and group G _{f <t2> (} determined by {1, ..., M} → {1, ..., M}, f <t1> (i) → f <t2> (i) _{Let L i be} the distance to _i), and L _max ∈ {L ₁ ,…, L _M }.

_{The "maximum value L max} of the distance between two different groups" is uniquely determined by the arrangement of the groups in the multi-beam array antenna system.

The second example will be described from another point of view. There are a total of M! Bijective mappings from the group index set {1, ..., M} to the group index set {1, ..., M}. When the maximum value of the distance between two different groups is L _max , M! -1 bijective map excluding the identity map g: {1, ..., M} → {1, ..., M}, Of j → g (j), the bijective map g _y (y) that satisfies L _max ∈ {L ₁ ,…, L _{M }, where L j} is the distance between _{group G j} and group G _{g (j).} ∈ {1, ..., Y}, Y ≤ M! -1) is specified in advance. At this time, switching of the group is carried out by one of the mapping g _y1 arbitrarily selected from bijection mapping g _y. In this case, it is desirable to switch groups at equal time intervals during the operation period of the multi-beam array antenna system. In the embodiment, the bijective map g _y (y ∈ {1, ..., Y}, Y ≤ M! -1) is stored in memory in advance.

Similar to the first example, especially when the bijection mapping is limited to two types, that is, from the beam index set {1, ..., M} to the group index set {1, ..., M}. Let f1 and f2 be two different bijection maps, and if the bijection map f <T> at any time T within the operating period of the multi-beam array antenna system is f1 or f2, then the bijection It is preferable that the projections f1 and f2 satisfy the condition D2'. In this case, it is desirable that during the operation period of the multi-beam array antenna system, the time operated by the bijective map f1 and the time operated by the bijective map f2 are approximately the same.
_{(Condition D2') Let L max be} the maximum value of the distance between two different groups, and the bijective mapping from the group index set {1, ..., M} to the group index set {1, ..., M}. : {1, ..., M} → {1, ..., M}, f1 (i) → f2 (i) Determined by the distance between _{group G f1 (i)} and group G _{f2 (i) as L i} , L _max ∈ {L ₁ ,…, L _M }.

From another point of view, the first example and the second example can be said that the group 2 is selected from among the M groups that are separated from the group 1 by a predetermined distance or more. it can.

Further, as another example, the bijective mapping f <t> at time t is the range in which the electromagnetic field strength is less than or equal to a predetermined value around the multi-beam array antenna system, or the smallest circle including the range or It may be determined dynamically based on the moving average of the polygon.

The "moving average of the range" may be the moving average of the area of the range, or may be the moving average of the maximum length of the distance from the center of the multi-beam array antenna system to the boundary of the range. Similarly, the "minimum circle or polygon moving average" may be the moving average of the area of the circle or polygon, or the distance from the center of the multi-beam array antenna system to the boundary of the circle or polygon. It may be a moving average of maximum length.

The sampling time for calculating the moving average is one time arbitrarily selected from the division time for one division time (unless there are special circumstances, multiple sampling times for one division time are not adopted. ). For example, if the operating period includes three non-overlapping division times (T1, T2), (T3, T4), (T5, T6), the sampling times t1, t2, t3 are t1 ∈ (T1, T2). , T2 ∈ (T3, T4), t3 ∈ (T5, T6). Hereinafter, at the sampling time t, "a range in which the electromagnetic field strength is equal to or less than a predetermined value around the multi-beam array antenna system, or the smallest circle or polygon including the range" is described as _St.

The "moving average" is, for example, a simple moving average, a weighted moving average, or an exponential moving average.

In this example, i-th beam B _i to k-th group G _k is the electromagnetic field distribution makes the k-th group G _k when making _{D i, k ((i,} k) ∈ {1, ..., M} × {1, ..., M}) is saved in the memory in advance as data. Note that the group switching is determined by the composition of the electromagnetic field distributions created by the groups whose S _{t is determined by f <t>.}
argmin _{f <t>} (Σ _{i = 0} ^Z-1 S _ti ) / Z
It is done by f <t> selected from. The symbol argmin is the set of minimum points (the set of all the elements of the domain for which the function takes its minimum value), and Z is the total number of data used to calculate the moving average. _{Specifically, the classification after switching is performed using the electromagnetic field distribution D i, k} ((i, k) ∈ {1, ..., M} × {1, ..., M}) stored in the memory. Moving average up to time (that is, when Z data are used to calculate the moving average, S _{t of the division time after switching and S t-Z + 1} , _{St- of the} past Z-1 division time. _{Z + 2} , ..., _{a moving average based on St-1} ) for each bijective mapping (M! In total) from the set {1, ..., M} to the set {1, ..., M} One bijective map f <t> is selected, which is calculated and gives the minimum calculation result among the moving averages of the calculation results.

In another example of the above, from another point of view, Group 2 is a range in which the electromagnetic field strength is less than or equal to a predetermined value around the multi-beam array antenna system, or the smallest circle or polygon containing the range. It can be said that it is determined based on the moving average.

(Hardware configuration example)
FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the multi-beam array antenna system 100. The base station apparatus (or mobile station apparatus) includes a multi-beam array antenna system 100. Multibeam array antenna system 100 includes a control unit 10, M-number of groups G _1, ..., a G _M. The control device 10 includes a data transmission unit 11, a phase setting unit 13, and a control unit 15. Each group contains N / M antenna elements (in this example, N is a multiple of M).
Each group forms one of beams B ₁ , ..., B _M. One beam is formed by radio waves radiated from a plurality of antenna elements. Orientation of the beam to make a group G _k is controlled by the high frequency phase shifter group PSG _k group G _k.

_{When the i-th beam B i} is formed by the k [i, t1] -th group G _{k [i, t1]} at the division time including the time t1, the data transmission unit 11 is under the control of the control unit 15. The transmission data D _{i is given} to the group G _{k [i, t 1]} . The DAC 101 _{k [i, t1]} converts the transmission data D _i input to the group G _{k [i, t1]} into an analog signal. The mixer 102 _{k [i, t1]} multiplies the output of the DAC 101 _{k [i, t1]} by the intermediate frequency local signal generated by the intermediate frequency local _{oscillator 103 k [i, t1].} The distributor 104 _{k [i, t1]} distributes the output of the mixer 102 _{k [i, t1] by N / M.} The distributor 106 _{k [i, t1]} distributes the high frequency local signal generated by the high frequency local oscillator 105 _{k [i, t1] by N / M.} The mixer 107 _{k [i, t1], h} multiplies the h-th output of the distributor 104 _{k [i, t1] by} the h-th output of the distributor 106 _{k [i, t1].} However, h is an integer that satisfies 1 ≤ h ≤ N / M. The output of the mixer 107 _{k [i, t1], h} is phase-shifted by the phase shifter 108 _{k [i, t1], h} included in the high-frequency phase shifter group PSG _{k [i, t1]} . The phase _{shift amount of the phase shifter 108 k [i, t1], h} is set by the phase setting unit 13 under the control of the control unit 15. Phase shifter 108 k _{[i, t1],} the output of _h amplifiers 109 k _{[i, t1],} amplified by _h, the amplifier 109 k _{[i, t1],} the output of _h is the antenna element A _{k [i, t1 ],} Sent to h.

Then, when the i-th beam B _i is formed by the k [i, t2] th group G _{k [i, t2]} at the division time including the time t2, the data transmission unit is controlled by the control unit 15. 11 gives the transmission data D _i to the group G _{k [i, t 2]} . Further, the phase _{shift amount of the phase shifter 108 k [i, t2], h} is set by the phase setting unit 13 under the control of the control unit 15. That is, in this example, the control unit 15 switches the group based on the bijective mapping f <t> described above. According to such a configuration, the beam on the transmitting side can be switched without changing the reception level or the reception speed in the mobile station device on the receiving side or the base station device on the receiving side. If necessary, the bijective map g _w (w ∈ {1,…, W}, W ≦ M! -1), the bijective map g _y (y ∈ {1,…, Y}, Y ≤M! -1), electromagnetic field distribution D _{i, k} ((i, k) ∈ {1, ..., M} x {1, ..., M}) data is stored in the memory 17, and the control unit 15 selects one bijective map f <t> by the process described above, and further switches the group based on the selected map f <t>.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the high-frequency phase shifter group adjusts the phase shift of the signal up-converted by mixing with the high-frequency local oscillator, but the configuration is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the intermediate frequency phase shifter group may adjust the phase shift of the signal up-converted by mixing with the intermediate frequency local oscillator.

<Addendum 1>
The present invention can be summarized as follows from another point of view.
(1)
Let M be a predetermined integer of 2 or more, i represent each integer of 1 or more and M or less, and k [i, t] represent each integer of 1 or more and M or less.
Each group of M contains one or more antenna elements
In a multi-beam array antenna system in which predetermined M beams are formed by the above M groups.
When the i-th beam B _i is formed by the k [i, t] -th group G _{k [i, t]} at a certain time t, the bijective map f <t>: {1, ... ， M} → {1,… ， M} is defined by f <t> (i) = k [i, t]
Within the operating period of the multi-beam array antenna system, there is a first time t1 that satisfies the condition C and a second time t2 that is different from the first time t1 (condition C) "f <t1> ≠ f <t2. > ”
A multi-beam array antenna system that features this.
(2)
In the multi-beam array antenna system described in (1) above,
The above bijective maps f <t1> and f <t2> are characterized in that the condition D1 is satisfied (condition D1) "Group G _{f <t1> (i)} and group G _{f <t2> (i)} . _{Let L i be} the distance between them, and Σ _{i = 1} ^M L _i is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. ”
Multi-beam array antenna system.
(3)
In the multi-beam array antenna system described in (1) above,
The above bijective maps f <t1> and f <t2> are characterized by satisfying the condition D2 (condition D2). "The maximum value of the distance between two different groups is L _max , and the group G _{f <t1>. Let L i be} the distance between _(i) and the group G _{f <t2> (i),} and L _max ∈ {L ₁ , ..., L _M }. ”
Multi-beam array antenna system.
(4)
In the multi-beam array antenna system described in (1) above,
The bijection map f <t> is based on the moving average of a range in which the electromagnetic field strength is less than or equal to a predetermined value around the multi-beam array antenna system, or the smallest circle or polygon containing the range. A multi-beam array antenna system characterized by being determined.

<Addendum 2>
In the specification and claims, the term "contains" and its inflection are used as non-exclusive expressions. For example, the sentence "X contains A and B" does not deny that X contains anything other than A and B. However, this does not apply if the term or its inflection is combined with a negation. For example, the sentence "X does not include A and B" acknowledges that X may include anything other than A and B.

The term "No. ◯" in the above description is a term used to clearly explain the configuration of the embodiment. The present invention is not limited by the term itself, that is, by the order of the components themselves. Nor is the use of the term intended to be such a limitation.

Each aspect / embodiment described in the present specification includes LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G, 5G, FRA (Future Radio Access), W-CDMA. (Registered Trademarks), GSM (Registered Trademarks), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth (Registered Trademarks), It may be applied to other systems that utilize suitable systems and / or next-generation systems that are extended based on them.

A base station can accommodate one or more (eg, three) cells (also referred to as sectors). When a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire base station coverage area can be divided into multiple smaller areas, each smaller area being a base station subsystem (eg, a small indoor base station RRH: Remote). Communication services can also be provided by Radio Head). The term "cell" or "sector" refers to part or all of the coverage area of a base station and / or base station subsystem that provides communication services in this coverage. In addition, the terms "base station," "eNB," "cell," and "sector" may be used interchangeably herein. Base stations are sometimes referred to by terms such as fixed stations, NodeBs, eNodeBs (eNBs), access points, femtocells, and small cells.

Mobile stations can be used by those skilled in the art as subscriber stations, mobile units, subscriber units, wireless units, remote units, mobile devices, wireless devices, wireless communication devices, remote devices, mobile subscriber stations, access terminals, mobile terminals, wireless. It may also be referred to as a terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable term.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the present specification. The present invention may be implemented as modifications and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The description of the present specification is for the purpose of exemplification and has no limiting meaning to the present invention unless otherwise specified.

Claims (5)

N is a predetermined integer of 2 or more, M is a predetermined integer satisfying 2 or more and N or less, i represents each integer of 1 or more and M or less, t represents a time, and k [i , T] is assumed to represent each integer of 1 or more and M or less.
Includes _{N antenna elements A 1} , ..., AN fixed at predetermined positions.
N antenna elements A ₁ , ..., _AN are classified into _M groups G ₁ , ..., GM.
_{About Ap (p} ∈ {1,…, N}) and G _q (q ∈ {1,…, M})
_{· ∀q, ∃p st A p ∈G} q
・ G _q1 ∩ _{G q2} = φ (q1, q2 ∈ {1,…, M}, q1 ≠ q2, φ: empty set)
_{· ∪ q∈ {1, ...,} M} {k | A k ∈G q} = {1, ..., N}
Is established,
Directional M-number of beams B ₁ mutually different directions predetermined in, ..., B _M is the M groups G _1, ..., in the multibeam array antenna system formed by G _M,
When the i-th beam B _i at a certain time t is formed by the k [i, t] th group G _{k [i, t]} , the subscript set {1, ..., M of the beams at the time t } From the group's index set {1, ..., M} to the bijective mapping f <t>: {1, ..., M} → {1, ..., M} to f <t> (i) = k [ defined by i, t]
Within the operating period of the multi-beam array antenna system, there is a first time t1 that satisfies the condition C and a second time t2 that is different from the first time t1 (condition C) "f <t1> ≠ f <t2. > ”
A multi-beam array antenna system that features this. In the multi-beam array antenna system according to claim 1,
Said M groups G _1, ..., the distance between the two different groups of G _M, as given in the distance between the centers of the other group of one group,
The bijective map f <t1> at the first time t1 and the bijective map f <t2> at the second time t2 satisfy the condition D1 (condition D1) "Group G _{f <t1> (i). Let L i be} the distance between and group G _{f <t2> (i),} and Σ _{i = 1} ^M L _i is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. ”
A multi-beam array antenna system that features this. In the multi-beam array antenna system according to claim 1,
Said M groups G _1, ..., the distance between the two different groups of G _M, as given in the distance between the centers of the other group of one group,
The bijective map f <t1> at the first time t1 and the bijective map f <t2> at the second time t2 satisfy the condition D2 (condition D2). the maximum value is set to L _max, the distance between the group G _{f <t1>} and _(i) the group G _{f <t2>} and _(i) as _{L i, L max ∈ {L} 1, ..., L M} is 』\
A multi-beam array antenna system that features this. In the multi-beam array antenna system according to claim 2 or 3.
The center of the group is an equal division point of a line segment connecting the antenna elements at both ends when the arrangement of the antenna elements in the group is a linear array, and the arrangement of the antenna elements in the group is a circular array. In some cases, it is the center of the circle that the arrangement of the antenna elements follows, and if the arrangement of the antenna elements in the group is a rectangular planar array, it is the intersection of the diagonal lines of the rectangle that the arrangement of the antenna elements follows. When the arrangement of the antenna elements in the group is a conformal array, it is the center of the circle having the smallest area among all the circles that can contain the antenna elements.
A multi-beam array antenna system that features this. In the multi-beam array antenna system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
Based on the moving average of the all-single-figure mapping f <t> around the multi-beam array antenna system, where the electromagnetic field strength is less than or equal to a predetermined value, or the smallest circle or polygon that includes that range. However, the "moving average of the range" is the moving average of the area of the range or the moving average of the maximum length of the distance from the center of the multi-beam array antenna system to the boundary of the range. The "minimum moving average of the circle or polygon" is the moving average of the area of the circle or polygon, or the distance from the center of the multi-beam array antenna system to the boundary of the circle or polygon. It is a moving average of the maximum length, and the "center of the multi-beam array antenna system" is a line segment connecting the antenna elements at both ends when the arrangement of the antenna elements in the multi-beam array antenna system is a linear array. When the arrangement of the antenna elements in the multi-beam array antenna system is a circular array, it is the center of the circle to which the arrangement of the antenna elements follows, and the above in the multi-beam array antenna system. When the arrangement of the antenna elements is a rectangular planar array, it is the intersection of the diagonal lines of the rectangles that the arrangement of the antenna elements follows, and when the arrangement of the antenna elements in the multi-beam array antenna system is a conformal array. For example, it is the center of the circle having the smallest area among all the circles that can contain the above antenna elements.
A multi-beam array antenna system that features this.

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