CN112713368B - Distribution/synthesis device and sector antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an allocation/synthesis apparatus and a sector antenna. The distribution/synthesis device includes a plurality of phase shifters each having: at least 1 reference conductor to which a reference potential is supplied; a 1 st line conductor which faces the reference conductor to form a transmission line, and to which a signal is input; a 2 nd line conductor which forms a transmission line facing the reference conductor and from which a signal is output; and a 3 rd line conductor electrically coupled to the 1 st line conductor and the 2 nd line conductor in a relatively movable state and facing the reference conductor to form a transmission path; a distribution/synthesis line that distributes signals to a plurality of antennas connected thereto or synthesizes signals from the plurality of antennas directly or via any one of a plurality of phase shifters; and a phase shift amount setting unit that sets the phase shift amounts of at least 1 phase shifter and at least 1 other phase shifter among the plurality of phase shifters to different phase shift amounts.

Description

Distribution/synthesis device and sector antenna

The present application is a divisional application of chinese patent application having an application date of 2016, month 6 and day 1, an application number of 201680003853.8, and an invention name of "phase shifter, distribution/synthesis device, array antenna, and sector antenna".

Technical Field

The invention relates to a phase shifter, a distribution/synthesis device, an array antenna, and a sector antenna.

Background

A base station antenna for mobile communication uses a combination of a plurality of sector antennas that emit radio waves in respective sectors (regions) set in accordance with the direction in which the radio waves are to be emitted. The sector antenna is an array antenna in which radiating elements (antennas) such as dipole antennas are arranged in an array. The directivity of the array antenna is set by controlling the phase of the input signal supplied to each antenna element of the array antenna by the phase shifter or the phase of the output signal received by each antenna element.

Patent document 1 describes a phase shifter including: a main body substrate on which a plurality of pairs of microstrip lines are formed; and a via plate having a dielectric substrate, a plurality of microstrip lines for coupling, and a ground conductor, the dielectric substrate being movable with respect to the main substrate, the plurality of microstrip lines for coupling being formed on a surface of the dielectric substrate so as to electrically couple or conduct the pair of microstrip lines of the main substrate, the ground conductor being formed on a back surface of the dielectric substrate, the microstrip lines of the main substrate and the microstrip lines for coupling of the via plate facing each other and overlapping each other.

Patent document 2 describes a multi-path phase shifter for a vertical beam tilt control antenna, including: a housing having a box shape with a rectangular plane; a fixed substrate mounted on a bottom surface inside the housing, and printed with a part of a plurality of phase variable patterns (patterns) for distributing input signals and varying the phase of the distributed signals, and a transmission line forming the plurality of signal distribution patterns; and a movable substrate provided in the housing and movable in a longitudinal direction at a position in contact with one surface of the fixed substrate, the movable substrate having a transmission line formed thereon, the transmission line forming a remaining part of the plurality of phase variable patterns for changing a phase by a variable line formed by coupling with a part of the plurality of phase variable patterns.

Patent document 3 describes a distributed phase shifter including: a first wire and a second wire which are arranged in parallel at an interval of the high-frequency signal less than 1/4 wavelength and are fixed; and a movable conductor capacitively coupled with the first wire and the second wire and reciprocally movable in a long direction of the first wire and the second wire, the movable conductor including: an input unit overlapping one end of the first conductive wire in the longitudinal direction; an output portion overlapping with a middle portion of the second conductive wire in a longitudinal direction; and a connection portion connecting the input portion and the output portion, wherein the movable conductor forms a line having a length equal to or longer than 1/4 wavelength of the high-frequency signal between the first lead and the second lead.

Patent document 4 describes an antenna device including: three strip lines for an antenna, each of which has a feed line for an antenna and a 1 st ground layer and a 2 nd ground layer disposed so as to sandwich the feed line for an antenna and be separated from the feed line for an antenna, and which function as an antenna element capable of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves by forming the 1 st ground layer into a predetermined shape; and a winding three-piece strip line having a 2 nd ground layer, a winding power supply line disposed at a lower side apart from the 2 nd ground layer, and a 3 rd ground layer disposed at a distance from the winding power supply line so as to sandwich the winding power supply line between the winding power supply line and the 2 nd ground layer, wherein the antenna power supply line and the winding power supply line are electrically connected outside the edge of the 2 nd ground layer.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1, Japanese patent laid-open No. 2012 and 39297

Patent document 2 Japanese Kohyo publication No. 2012 and 526447

Patent document 3 Japanese patent laid-open No. 2014-72625

Patent document 4 Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2015-91059

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, sector antennas used for base station antennas for mobile communications are required to be reduced in size such as reduced diameter and to have a wider frequency band.

The invention aims to: provided is a phase shifter and the like capable of miniaturizing a sector antenna and widening a bandwidth of the sector antenna.

Means for solving the problems

To achieve the above object, a phase shifter to which the present invention is applied is characterized by comprising: at least 1 reference conductor to which a reference potential is supplied; a 1 st line conductor which faces the reference conductor to form a transmission line, and to which a signal is input; a 2 nd line conductor which is provided on the 1 st line conductor side, and which forms a transmission line facing the reference conductor, and from which 2 nd line conductor a signal is output; and a 3 rd line conductor which is electrically coupled to the 1 st line conductor and the 2 nd line conductor in a relatively movable state and which forms a transmission line in opposition to the reference conductor, wherein at least one of the 1 st line conductor, the 2 nd line conductor, and the 3 rd line conductor has a portion having a characteristic impedance different from that of the other portion.

In the phase shifter described above, at least one of the 1 st line conductor, the 2 nd line conductor, and the 3 rd line conductor may have a portion having a characteristic impedance different from that of the other portion, the portion having a different characteristic impedance.

In the phase shifter, the portion having a characteristic impedance different from that of the other portion may be at least one of a portion in which the 1 st line conductor and the 3 rd line conductor are electrically coupled to face each other, a portion in which the 2 nd line conductor and the 3 rd line conductor are electrically coupled to face each other, and the 3 rd line conductor.

Further, in the phase shifter described above, the reference conductor may be provided on one surface of the plate made of a dielectric, and the 1 st line conductor and the 2 nd line conductor may be provided on the other surface of the plate made of a dielectric.

From another viewpoint, a phase shifter to which the present invention is applied is characterized by comprising: a 1 st substrate made of a dielectric, wherein a reference conductor to which a reference potential is applied is provided on one surface of the 1 st substrate, and a 1 st line conductor to which a signal is input and a 2 nd line conductor to which a signal is output are provided on the other surface of the 1 st substrate; a 2 nd substrate made of a dielectric, wherein a 3 rd line conductor electrically coupled to the 1 st line conductor and the 2 nd line conductor in a relatively movable state and forming a transmission path in opposition to the reference conductor is provided on one surface of the 2 nd substrate; a pressing member that presses the surface of the 2 nd substrate on which the 3 rd line conductor is provided, against the surface of the 1 st substrate on which the 1 st line conductor and the 2 nd line conductor are provided; and a covering member that covers the pressing member and the 2 nd substrate from the pressing member side and is fixed to the 1 st substrate.

In the phase shifter, the pressing member may include a spring portion having a protrusion that is brought into contact with the 2 nd substrate on the 2 nd substrate side to press the spring portion.

In the phase shifter, the pressing member may include a spring portion having a protrusion that contacts the upper surface of the covering member to press the pressing member toward the covering member.

Further, in the phase shifter described above, the pressing member may include a projection portion that is inserted into a through hole provided in the 2 nd substrate to fix the 2 nd substrate.

Further, in the phase shifter described above, the covering member includes a plurality of convex portions around the covering member, the plurality of convex portions are inserted into through holes provided in the 1 st substrate, and the plurality of convex portions are fixed to the 1 st substrate by folded portions provided at distal ends of the plurality of convex portions.

From another viewpoint, a distribution/synthesis apparatus to which the present invention is applied is characterized by comprising: a plurality of phase shifters, each of the plurality of phase shifters having: at least 1 reference conductor to which a reference potential is supplied; a 1 st line conductor which faces the reference conductor to form a transmission line, and to which a signal is input; a 2 nd line conductor which forms a transmission line facing the reference conductor and from which a signal is output; and a 3 rd line conductor electrically coupled to the 1 st line conductor and the 2 nd line conductor in a relatively movable state and facing the reference conductor to form a transmission path; and a distribution/synthesis line that distributes signals to the plurality of connected antennas or synthesizes signals from the plurality of antennas directly or via any one of the plurality of phase shifters.

In the above-described dividing/combining device, the phase shifter may have a portion in which the characteristic impedance of at least one of the 1 st line conductor, the 2 nd line conductor, and the 3 rd line conductor is different from the characteristic impedance of the other portion.

In the above-described distribution/synthesis apparatus, the phase shift amount setting unit may be further provided, and the phase shift amount setting unit may set the phase shift amounts of at least 1 phase shifter and at least 1 other phase shifter among the plurality of phase shifters to different phase shift amounts.

Further, in the above-described distribution/synthesis apparatus, the phase shift amount setting unit may include: a 1 st male portion having a 1 st pitch; and a 2 nd male screw portion which is provided to be connected to the same shaft as the 1 st male screw portion and has a 2 nd pitch different from the 1 st pitch, wherein at least 1 of the plurality of phase shifters sets a 1 st phase shift amount by movement of a 1 st moving member, the 1 st moving member has a 1 st female screw portion which is engaged with the 1 st male screw portion and which is fitted into the 1 st male screw portion by rotation of the shaft, and at least 1 other phase shifter among the plurality of phase shifters sets a 2 nd phase shift amount different from the 1 st phase shift amount by movement of a 2 nd moving member, the 2 nd moving member has a 2 nd female screw portion which is engaged with the 2 nd male screw portion and which is fitted into the 2 nd male screw portion by rotation of the shaft.

Further, from another viewpoint, an array antenna to which the present invention is applied is characterized by comprising: a plurality of phase shifters, each of the plurality of phase shifters having: a 1 st substrate made of a dielectric, a reference conductor to which a reference potential is applied being provided on one surface of the 1 st substrate, and a 1 st line conductor to which a signal is input and a 2 nd line conductor to which a signal is output being provided on the other surface of the 1 st substrate; and a 2 nd substrate made of a dielectric, wherein a 3 rd line conductor electrically coupled to the 1 st line conductor and the 2 nd line conductor in a relatively movable state and forming a transmission path so as to face the reference conductor is provided on one surface of the 2 nd substrate; a plurality of radiating elements; and a distribution/synthesis line provided on the other surface of the 1 st substrate directly or via any one of a plurality of phase shifters for distributing signals to the plurality of radiation elements or synthesizing signals from the plurality of radiation elements, wherein the phase shifter has a portion having a characteristic impedance different from that of the other portion in at least one of the 1 st line conductor, the 2 nd line conductor, and the 3 rd line conductor.

Further, from another viewpoint, a sector antenna to which the present invention is applied is characterized by comprising: an array antenna having: a plurality of phase shifters each including a 1 st substrate and a 2 nd substrate, the 1 st substrate being made of a dielectric, a reference conductor to which a reference potential is applied being provided on one surface of the 1 st substrate, a 1 st line conductor to which a signal is input and a 2 nd line conductor to which a signal is output being provided on the other surface of the 1 st substrate, the 2 nd substrate being made of a dielectric, and a 3 rd line conductor which is electrically coupled to the 1 st line conductor and the 2 nd line conductor in a relatively movable state and which forms a transmission path in opposition to the reference conductor being provided on one surface of the 2 nd substrate; a plurality of emission elements arranged at a predetermined interval on one surface of the 1 st substrate; a distribution/synthesis line provided on the other surface of the 1 st substrate directly or via any one of the plurality of phase shifters, for distributing signals to the plurality of transmission elements or synthesizing signals from the plurality of transmission elements; and a reflective plate; and a radome covering the array antenna, wherein the phase shifter is provided in at least one of the 1 st line conductor, the 2 nd line conductor, and the 3 rd line conductor, and has a portion having a characteristic impedance different from that of the other portions.

In the sector antenna, the antenna may further include a phase shift amount setting unit that sets phase shift amounts of at least 1 phase shifter of the plurality of phase shifters and at least 1 other phase shifter to different phase shift amounts.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a phase shifter and the like capable of miniaturizing a sector antenna and widening a sector antenna band.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a base station antenna for mobile communication to which embodiment 1 is applied. Fig. 1 (a) is a perspective view of a base station antenna, and fig. 1(b) is a view explaining an example of the arrangement of the base station antenna.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the array antenna of embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a distribution circuit. Fig. 3 (a) is a plan view of the distribution circuit, and fig. 3 (b) is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a signal transmitted to the antenna and the phase shifter.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a phase shifter. Fig. 4 (a) is a diagram illustrating a fixed line provided on a fixed substrate of a phase shifter, fig. 4 (b) is a diagram illustrating a movable line provided on a movable substrate of the phase shifter, and fig. 4 (c) is a plan view of the phase shifter in which the fixed line of fig. 4 (a) and the movable line of fig. 4 (b) are combined.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the fixed line provided on the fixed substrate and the movable line provided on the movable substrate of the phase shifter shown in fig. 4. Fig. 5 (a) shows a movable line, fig. 5 (b) shows a fixed line, and fig. 5 (c) shows return loss characteristics of the phase shifter.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a fixed line provided on a fixed substrate and a movable line provided on a movable substrate, which do not apply to the phase shifter according to embodiment 1. Fig. 6 (a) shows a movable line, fig. 6 (b) shows a fixed line, and fig. 6 (c) shows return loss characteristics of the phase shifter.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating characteristics of the phase shifter shown in fig. 5 to which embodiment 1 is applied. Fig. 7(a) is a plan view as viewed from the movable line side, fig. 7 (b) is a plan view as viewed from the fixed line side, and fig. 7 (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIC-VIIC of fig. 7(a) and (b).

Fig. 8 shows another example of the shape of the fixed line and the movable line of the phase shifter. Fig. 8 (a) is a plan view seen from the movable line side, fig. 8 (b) is a plan view seen from the fixed line side, and fig. 8 (c) shows return loss characteristics of the phase shifter.

Fig. 9 shows another example of the shape of the fixed line and the movable line of the phase shifter. Fig. 9 (a) is a plan view seen from the movable line side, fig. 9 (b) is a plan view seen from the fixed line side, and fig. 9 (c) shows return loss characteristics of the phase shifter.

Fig. 10 shows another example of the shape of the fixed line and the movable line of the phase shifter. Fig. 10 (a) is a plan view seen from the movable line side, fig. 10 (b) is a plan view seen from the fixed line side, and fig. 10 (c) shows return loss characteristics of the phase shifter.

Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating a holding structure for holding a movable substrate of a phase shifter. Fig. 11 (a) is a perspective view of the phase shifter provided with the holding structure, and fig. 11(b) is a plan view of the phase shifter seen from the XI direction of fig. 11 (a).

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a holding structure for holding a movable substrate in a phase shifter. Fig. 12 (a) is a diagram showing a state in which the movable substrate and the pressing member are disposed on the fixed substrate, and fig. 12 (b) is a diagram showing a state in which the fixed substrate and the pressing member are fixed by the covering member.

Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating the phase amount setting section.

Fig. 14 shows an enlarged view of the threaded portion.

Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating a distribution circuit according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating the phase shift amount of the array antenna according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating a distribution circuit according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating the phase shift amount of the array antenna according to embodiment 3.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The drawings used are for describing the present embodiment and do not show actual dimensions.

[ embodiment 1 ]

< base station antenna 1 >

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a base station antenna 1 for mobile communication to which embodiment 1 is applied. Fig. 1 (a) is a perspective view of the base station antenna 1, and fig. 1(b) is a view explaining an installation example of the base station antenna 1. Fig. 1(b) is a top view of the base station antenna 1 as viewed from above.

As shown in fig. 1 (a), the base station antenna 1 includes a plurality of sector antennas 10-1 to 10-3 (which are denoted as sector antennas 10 when not distinguished from each other) held on a tower 20, for example. The sector antennas 10-1 to 10-3 are provided with array antennas 30, respectively. Further, the array antenna 30 is covered with the radome 12 that protects the array antenna 30 from the weather. The radome 12 is composed of a cylindrical tube, an upper cover covering the upper surface, and a lower cover covering the lower surface. Specifically, the radome 12 is disposed outside the sector antennas 10-1 to 10-3, and the array antenna 30 is housed inside the radome 12. In fig. 1 (a) and (b), the antenna cover 12 is cylindrical, and may have another shape.

The radome 12 is made of a material such as resin or FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) which has a low dielectric constant and a low dielectric loss and is easily transparent to radio waves.

The sector antenna 10 is connected to one end of each of the transmission/ reception cables 14 and 15 for transmitting a transmission signal and a reception signal to the array antenna 30. The other ends of the transmission/ reception cables 14 and 15 are connected to a transmission/reception unit (not shown) provided in a base station (not shown) for generating a transmission signal and receiving a reception signal. The transceiver cables 14, 15 are, for example, coaxial cables.

In fig. 1 (a), the transmitting/receiving cables 14 and 15 are marked only on the sector antenna 10-1, and the other sector antennas 10-2 and 10-3 are provided with the transmitting/receiving cables 14 and 15, similarly to the sector antenna 10-1.

Here, the transmission/ reception cables 14 and 15 transmit polarized waves in the +45 ° direction or polarized wave signals in the-45 ° direction, respectively (see fig. 2).

As shown in fig. 1 (a), the sector antenna 10 is disposed in the vertical direction. Further, it may be inclined from the vertical direction.

The base station antenna 1, the sector antenna 10, the array antenna 30, and the like can transmit and receive radio waves due to the reversibility of the antennas. Hereinafter, a case of transmitting radio waves will be described, and a case of receiving radio waves may be performed by reversing the signal flow.

As shown in fig. 1(b), the base station antenna 1 transmits radio waves in the unit 2. The unit 2 is divided into a plurality of sectors 3-1 to 3-3 (which are labeled as sector 3 when no distinction is made) corresponding to the sector antennas 10-1 to 10-3, respectively. The sector antennas 10-1 to 10-3 are arranged such that the directions (directivities) of the main lobes 13 of the radio waves transmitted by the respective array antennas 30 are directed toward the respective corresponding sectors 3-1 to 3-3.

In addition, in FIG. 1, the base station antenna 1 is provided with 3 sector antennas 10-1 to 10-3, and sectors 3-1 to 3-3 corresponding to the sector antennas. However, the number of sector antennas 10 and sectors 3 may be a predetermined number other than 3. In fig. 1(b), the sector 3 is formed by trisecting the cell 2 (the center angle is 120 °), but may not be bisected, and any 1 sector 3 may be divided to be wider or narrower than the other sectors 3.

The sector antenna 10 includes: a phase shifter 70 (see fig. 3 described later), in which the phase shifter 70 makes the phases of transmission signals (reception signals) different among the plurality of antennas 40 (antennas 40-1, 40-2, 40-3, and 40-4 (denoted as antennas 40 when they are not distinguished from each other) included in the array antenna 30 (described later) from each other. Thereby, the transmission angle (or reception angle) of the radio wave (beam) is tilted (inclined) from the horizontal plane toward the ground. In fig. 1 (a), the inclination angle is θ.

< array antenna 30 >

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the array antenna 30 of embodiment 1.

The array antenna 30 includes: a plurality of (4 in this example) cross dipole (cross dipole) structured antennas 40-1 to 40-4 (which are labeled as antennas 40 when not distinguished from each other); and a fixed substrate 50, wherein the fixed substrate 50 is arranged with the antennas 40-1 to 40-4, and the fixed substrate 50 is an example of the 1 st substrate forming the distribution line 60. As shown in fig. 3, the array antenna 30 includes: phase shifters 70-1 to 70-6 (when no difference is made, the phase shifters 70 are indicated) for setting a difference (phase shift amount) in phase of a transmission signal transmitted to the antenna 40 (a reception signal received from the antenna 40). Further, the array antenna 30 includes: a phase shift amount setting unit 120 for setting the phase shift amount of the phase shifter 70.

The antennas 40-1 to 40-4 are disposed on the fixed board 50 at equal intervals at a predetermined distance.

The antenna 40 is composed of: a dipole antenna 41 in which a radiating element portion 41a and a radiating element portion 41b, which are formed of a conductor such as copper or aluminum in a film shape provided on a plate-like base body formed of a dielectric material, are paired; and a dipole antenna 42 formed by pairing the radiating element part 42a and the radiating element part 42 b.

The radiating element portions 41a and 41b of the dipole antenna 41 are fed with power by a feeding portion formed of, for example, a conductive film on a base on which the radiating element portions 41a and 41b are provided. The dipole antenna 42 is also the same as the dipole antenna 41.

In fig. 2, the base body made of a dielectric is not shown. The substrate is a plate made of a dielectric material such as a fluororesin such as glass epoxy resin or polytetrafluoroethylene. Further, it is preferable that the dielectric of the base has a small loss in a high frequency band.

The radiation element portions 41a, 41b, 42a, 42b and the feeding portion may be formed of a wire, a conductive plate, or the like without using a base.

Here, the antenna 40 and the dipole antennas 41 and 42 are examples of the radiation element.

The dipole antenna 41 is disposed such that the connection direction connecting the radiating element portion 41a and the radiating element portion 41b is +45 ° with respect to the vertical direction. Accordingly, the dipole antenna 41 transmits a polarized wave in the +45 ° direction. On the other hand, the dipole antenna 42 is disposed such that the connection direction connecting the radiating element portion 42a and the radiating element portion 42b is-45 ° with respect to the vertical direction. Accordingly, the dipole antenna 42 transmits a polarized wave in the-45 ° direction.

That is, the antenna 40 is a polarized wave common antenna.

Although the antenna 40 transmits and receives a polarized wave in the +45 ° direction and a polarized wave in the-45 ° direction, the antenna may transmit a vertical polarized wave by setting the connection direction between the radiation element portion 41a and the radiation element portion 41b of the dipole antenna 41 to the vertical direction and transmit a horizontal polarized wave by setting the connection direction between the radiation element portion 42a and the radiation element portion 42b of the dipole antenna 42 to the horizontal direction.

Further, the antenna 40 is configured by a pair of dipole antennas 41 and 42, but may be configured by a patch antenna.

The fixed substrate 50 includes: a plate-shaped base 51 made of a dielectric material; a reflecting conductor 52 provided on the surface of the base 51 on the antenna 40 side and functioning as a reflecting plate; and a distribution line 60 (see fig. 3 described later) provided on the surface of the substrate 51 on the opposite side of the antenna 40. The fixed lines 71 and 72 of the phase shifter 70 are also provided on the surface of the substrate 51 on the opposite side of the antenna 40, similarly to the distribution line 60 (see fig. 4 described later). The substrate 51 may be a plate made of a dielectric material.

The base 51 of the fixed board 50 is a plate made of a dielectric material in the same manner as the base of the antenna 40. Film-like conductors such as copper and aluminum are provided on both surfaces of the substrate 51. The conductor on the antenna 40 side of the substrate 51 is processed as a reflecting conductor 52 functioning as a reflecting plate, and the conductor on the opposite side of the antenna 40 is processed as a distribution line 60 and fixed lines 71 and 72 of the phase shifter 70.

In addition, a through hole for fixing the antenna 40 and the phase shifter 70 is provided in the fixed substrate 50 (see fig. 4 described later).

The reflecting conductor 52 reflects radio waves to provide directivity when the radio waves are radiated. Therefore, the reflecting conductor 52 is formed to be slightly smaller than the base 51 so as to have the same potential as the antenna 40.

Here, the reflective conductor 52 serves as a reference electrode set at, for example, a ground potential (GND) or the likeA bit._.

The reflecting conductor 52 supplies a reference potential such as a ground potential (GND) to a distribution line 60 provided on the back side of the antenna 40 of the fixed substrate 50. That is, the reflecting conductor 52 and the distribution line 60 constitute a transmission line of the microstrip line (line). Therefore, the reflecting conductor 52 is sometimes also denoted as a reference conductor.

As described later, the reflective conductor 52 also supplies a reference potential such as a ground potential (GND) to the fixed lines 71 and 72 and the movable line 82 of the phase shifter 70 (see fig. 4 and 7 described later). That is, the reflecting conductor 52, the fixed lines 71 and 72 of the phase shifter 70, and the movable line 82 constitute a transmission line of the microstrip line (circuit).

Here, the reflecting conductor 52 is provided on the surface of the fixed substrate 50 on the antenna 40 side, and the distribution line 60, the fixed lines 71 and 72 of the phase shifter 70, and the movable line 82 are provided on the surface on the opposite side of the antenna 40. However, a reflection plate made of, for example, aluminum or copper plate may be combined with the fixed substrate 50. In this case, the reflective conductor 52 of the fixed substrate 50 is formed as a reference conductor that supplies a reference potential such as a ground potential (GND) to the distribution line 60, the fixed lines 71 and 72 of the phase shifter 70, and the movable line 82. On the other hand, the reflecting plate may be connected to another potential or may be in a floating state. The potential may be set to any potential as long as the required characteristics of the array antenna 30 can be obtained.

The phase shift amount setting unit 120 sets the phase shift amounts of the plurality of phase shifters 70. In fig. 2, only the knob 129 for setting the phase amount is shown. The phase shift amount setting unit 120 will be described later.

< distribution circuit 200 >

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the distribution circuit 200. Fig. 3 (a) is a plan view of the distribution circuit 200, and fig. 3 (b) is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a signal transmitted to the antenna 40 and the phase shifter 70.

The distribution circuit 200 is provided on the surface of the base 51 on the opposite side of the antenna 40. Therefore, the plan view of the distribution circuit 200 shown in fig. 3 (a) is a view seen from the reverse side (lower side of the page of fig. 2) of the array antenna 30 shown in fig. 2. In fig. 3 (b), only a signal of a polarized wave in the +45 ° direction is shown.

As shown in fig. 3 (a), the distribution circuit 200 includes: distribution lines 60a to 60j, and 60a 'to 60 j' (when not distinguished, they are denoted as distribution lines 60.); and a plurality of phase shifters 70 (phase shifters 70-1 to 70-6) connected by the distribution line 60. Further, the distribution circuit 200 includes: and end portions 61 and 62 connected to the transmission/ reception cables 14 and 15, respectively. The end portions 61 and 62 may be connected to the transmission/ reception cables 14 and 15 by a relay cable.

The distribution circuit 200 distributes and supplies signals generated by the transmission and reception units in the base station to the antennas 40 (antennas 40-1 to 40-4), synthesizes signals received by the antennas 40 from radio waves, and transmits the synthesized signals to the transmission and reception units in the base station. In this case, the distribution circuit 200 sets the phase shift amounts of the signals transmitted from the antennas 40 (antennas 40-1 to 40-4) and the received signals by the plurality of phase shifters 70. Therefore, the distribution line 60 is a distribution/synthesis line for distributing/synthesizing signals, and the distribution circuit 200 is a distribution/synthesis circuit for distributing/synthesizing signals. Here, the distribution line 60 and the distribution circuit 200 are labeled.

The fixed substrate 50 and the phase shifter 70 are examples of a distribution/synthesis apparatus. In addition, the distribution circuit 200 is sometimes also referred to as a power supply circuit.

Antennas 40-1 to 40-4 are provided on the back surface side of a fixed substrate 50 on which the distribution circuit 200 is provided (on the antenna 40 side of the fixed substrate 50). Therefore, the terminals 41c and 41d of the feeding portion of the dipole antenna 41 and the terminals 42c and 42d of the feeding portion of the dipole antenna 42 protrude toward the distribution circuit 200. The power supply unit includes, for example, a balun (balun). The terminal 41d of the dipole antenna 41 and the terminal 42d of the dipole antenna 42 are connected to a reference potential such as a ground potential (GND). Here, the reflecting conductor 52 is connected to the reflecting conductor.

In fig. 3 (a), only the symbol of the antenna 40-1 is marked. The other antennas 40-2 to 40-4 are also the same, and therefore, the reference numerals are omitted.

The distribution circuit 200 is symmetrical to the left and right of fig. 3.

The left side of the distribution circuit 200 includes: an end portion 61 to which a transmitting/receiving cable 14 for transmitting a signal of a polarized wave in a +45 ° direction is connected; distribution lines 60a to 60 j; and 3 phase shifters 70-1, 70-2, 70-3.

The right side of the distribution circuit 200 includes: an end portion 62 to which a transmitting/receiving cable 15 for transmitting a signal of a polarized wave in a-45 ° direction is connected; distribution lines 60a 'to 60 j'; and 3 phase shifters 70-4, 70-5, 70-6.

Although the shape is not described in detail in fig. 3, the lengths of the distribution lines 60a to 60j and 60a 'to 60 j' are set in consideration of the delay of the signal.

Further, the left and right sides of the distribution circuit 200 are different from each other only in the +45 ° and-45 ° of the direction of the polarized wave, and the configuration is the same. Therefore, the left side of the distribution circuit 200 will be described, and the description of the right side will be omitted.

The distribution line 60 from the end 61 to the terminal 41c of each of the feeding portions of the antennas 40-1 to 40-4 will be described.

The end 61 is connected to the distribution line 60 a. The distribution line 60a branches into a distribution line 60b and a distribution line 60 c. Distribution line 60b is connected to distribution line 60d via phase shifter 70-1. The distribution line 60d branches into a distribution line 60e and a distribution line 60 f. Distribution line 60e is connected to distribution line 60g via phase shifter 70-2. Distribution line 60g is connected to terminal 41c of the feeding portion of dipole antenna 41 of antenna 40-1.

On the other hand, distribution line 60f is connected to terminal 41c of the feeding portion of dipole antenna 42 of antenna 40-2.

On the other hand, the distribution line 60c branches into a distribution line 60h and a distribution line 60 i. Distribution line 60h is connected to distribution line 60j via phase shifter 70-3. Distribution line 60j is connected to terminal 41c of the feeding portion of dipole antenna 41 of antenna 40-3. Distribution line 60i is connected to terminal 41c of the feeding portion of dipole antenna 41 of antenna 40-4.

That is, as shown in fig. 3 (b), in the antenna 40-1 (dipole antenna 41), signals are transmitted through the phase shifters 70-1 and 70-2.

In the antenna 40-2 (dipole antenna 41), a signal is transmitted through the phase shifter 70-1.

In the antenna 40-3 (dipole antenna 41), a signal is transmitted through the phase shifter 70-3.

In the antenna 40-4 (dipole antenna 41), a signal is directly transmitted.

Note that the same applies to the dipole antenna 42, and the reference numerals of the dipole antennas 41 and 42 in parentheses are omitted below.

Here, it is assumed that the phase shift amount of the phase shifter 70-1 is used as the phase shift amount

The respective phase shift amounts of the phase shifters 70-2 and 70-3 are used as

As shown in fig. 3 (b), the phase shift amount is set to be at antenna 40-1

At antenna 40-2 is

At antenna 40-3 is

0 at antenna 40-4.

That is, the amount of phase shift between adjacent antennas 40 (e.g., between antennas 40-1 and 40-2) is

The path length (line length) of the negative phase shift amount becomes long, and a phase delay of the signal occurs. Therefore, the radio wave emitted from the array antenna 30 is shifted by the pitch and phase shift amount of the antenna 40

Emitted at a defined tilt angle theta.

Thus, the phase shift amount setting section 120 shown in FIG. 2 sets the phase shift amounts of the phase shifters 70-2, 70-3, 70-5, and 70-6 to the same values

The phase shift amounts of the phase shifters 70-1 and 70-4 are set to

And (4) finishing.

The phase shift amount setting unit 120 will be described later.

< phase shifter 70 >

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the phase shifter 70. Fig. 4 (a) is a diagram illustrating the fixed lines 71 and 72 provided on the fixed substrate 50 of the phase shifter 70, fig. 4 (b) is a diagram illustrating the movable line 82 provided on the movable substrate 80 of the phase shifter 70, and fig. 4 (c) is a plan view of the phase shifter 70 in which the fixed lines 71 and 72 of fig. 4 (a) and the movable line 82 of fig. 4 (b) are combined.

As shown in fig. 4 (a), the fixed lines 71 and 72 provided on the base 51 are wirings provided on the fixed board 50, and are formed simultaneously with the distribution lines 60a to 60j, 60a 'to 60 j' of the distribution line 60. Therefore, the fixed lines 71 and 72 may be considered as a part of the distribution line 60. Here, a description will be given as a different configuration.

The fixed line 71 further includes: a front end portion 71a, an intermediate portion 71b, and a rear end portion 71 c. That is, the rear end portion 71c is formed to have the same width so as to form a predetermined characteristic impedance Z0 with respect to the reflective conductor 52. The front end portion 71a is also formed to have the same width as the rear end portion 71 c. However, the intermediate portion 71b is formed to have a width smaller than the width of the front end portion 71a and the width of the rear end portion 71 c. Therefore, the characteristic impedance Z0 of the middle portion 71b is larger than the characteristic impedances Z0 of the front end portion 71a and the rear end portion 71 c.

Further, the fixed line 72 also includes, as with the fixed line 71: a front end portion 72a, an intermediate portion 72b, and a rear end portion 72 c.

The front end portion 71a, the intermediate portion 71b, and a part of the rear end portion 71c extending from the intermediate portion 71b of the fixed line 71 are formed in parallel with the front end portion 72a, the intermediate portion 72b, and a part of the rear end portion 72c extending from the intermediate portion 72b of the fixed line 72 on the base 51.

For example, when the phase shifter 70 is the phase shifter 70-1, the rear end 71c of the fixed line 71 is connected to the distribution line 60b, and the rear end 72c of the fixed line 72 is connected to the distribution line 60 d.

As shown in fig. 4 (b), the movable substrate 80, which is an example of the 2 nd substrate, includes: a plate-like base 81 made of a dielectric material, and a movable wire 82 provided on the base 81. The substrate 81 may be a plate made of a dielectric material. The movable line 82 includes: for example, a central portion 82a bent in a U-shape, and end portions 82b, 82c tapered from the central portion 82a to the tip. The central portion 82a is a portion connecting the end portions 82b, 82 c. The central portion 82a is formed in a U shape, but may have another shape.

The central portion 82a is wider than the rear end portion 71c of the fixed line 71 and the rear end portion 72c of the fixed line 72.

The shapes of the fixed lines 71, 72 and the movable line 82 will be described later.

As shown in fig. 4 (c), in the phase shifter 70, the movable substrate 80 is arranged on the fixed substrate 50 in reverse so that the movable lines 82 of the movable substrate 80 face the fixed lines 71, 72 on the base 51.

Further, a part of the front end portion 71a, the intermediate portion 71b, and/or the rear end portion 71c of the fixed line 71 overlaps with the end portion 82b of the movable line 82, and a part of the front end portion 72a, the intermediate portion 72b, and/or the rear end portion 72c of the fixed line 72 overlaps with the end portion 82c of the movable line 82.

A dielectric film 83 (see fig. 7) made of a dielectric material is provided between the fixed lines 71 and 72 and the movable line 82. Accordingly, as will be described later, when the movable wire 82 is pressed in the direction of the fixed wires 71 and 72 by the pressing member 90 and the covering member 100, a certain distance can be maintained, and the VSWR characteristic and the phase shift characteristic can be stabilized.

For example, a signal is input from the rear end portion 71c of the fixed line 71 and is transmitted to the intermediate portion 71b and the front end portion 71 a. The signal is electrically coupled from the rear end portion 71c, the intermediate portion 71b, and the front end portion 71a of the fixed line 71, which overlap the end portion 82b of the movable line 82, through the dielectric film 83, and is transmitted to the end portion 82b of the movable line 82. Then, the signal is transmitted through the intermediate portion 82a of the movable wire 82. The signal is output from the front end portion 72a, the intermediate portion 72b, and the rear end portion 72c of the fixed line 72, which overlap with the end portion 82c of the movable line 82.

Here, the fixed line 71 is an example of a 1 st line conductor, the fixed line 72 is an example of a 2 nd line conductor, and the movable line 82 is an example of a 3 rd line conductor.

Then, the movable wire 82 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the fixed wires 71, 72. The U-shaped movable line 82 is provided so as to short-circuit the 2 fixed lines 71 and 72. Therefore, by moving the movable wire 82 over the fixed wires 71 and 72, a difference in length of the transmission path of the signal is generated. Such a phase shifter 70 is sometimes called a trombone type phase shifter.

Here, the movable wire 82 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the fixed wires 71, 72, but the movable wire 82 may be fixed in the opposite direction and the fixed wires 71, 72 may be moved. That is, the movement of the movable wire 82 is relative to the fixed wires 71, 72.

As shown in fig. 4 (a), the fixing substrate 50 includes, for fixing the pressing member 90 and the covering member 100, which will be described later: through holes 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d, 74a, 74b, 74c, 76 are provided through the fixing base 50. The cover member 100 is also sometimes referred to as a case or a case.

The planar shape of the through- holes 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d is circular. As shown in fig. 4 (c), the movable substrate 80 is provided so as to surround the movable substrate 80 on the outer side of the long side of the movable substrate 80.

The through holes 74a, 74b, and 74c are provided for fixing the cover member 100 to the fixed board 50. The through- holes 74a, 74b, and 74c are rectangular in shape, and as described later, are provided so that folded portions (claw-like projections) provided at the tips of the convex portions 105a, 105b, and 105c of the cover member 100 protrude toward one surface side (the reflective conductor 52 side) of the fixed substrate 50 and hook into the fixed substrate 50.

The through-hole 76 is an elongated hole provided to guide the movement of the convex portions 96a and 96b of the pressing member 90 for moving the movable substrate 80 (see fig. 12 described later).

As shown in fig. 4 (b), the movable substrate 80 is provided with through holes 83a and 83b penetrating the movable substrate 80. As described later, the columnar projections 96a and 96b provided on the pressing member 90 are inserted into the through holes 83a and 83 b. The projections 96a and 96b projecting from the through holes 83a and 83b are inserted into the through holes 76 provided in the fixed board 50.

The through holes 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d, 74a, 74b, 74c, 76 provided to penetrate the fixing base 50 will be described together with the pressing member 90 and the cover member 100.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the fixed lines 71 and 72 provided on the fixed substrate 50 of the phase shifter 70 and the movable line 82 provided on the movable substrate 80 shown in fig. 4. Fig. 5 (a) shows the movable line 82, fig. 5 (b) shows the fixed lines 71 and 72, and fig. 5 (c) shows the return loss characteristic of the phase shifter 70.

Fig. 5 (c) shows return loss characteristics of the phase shift amount x of the fixed lines 71 and 72 and the movable line 82. The horizontal axis being relative to the central frequency f₀Frequency f/f of₀The vertical axis is the return loss (dB).

As shown in fig. 5 (a), the width W of the central portion 82a of the movable wire 82_C2.1mm and a curvature radius R of 3.8 mm. The width W of the ends 82b, 82c of the movable wire 82 from the center 82a_C(2.1mm) gradually narrowed to a width W of the tip_TEIs 1.1 mm. The length L of the end portions 82b, 82c_TIs 18.1 mm.

As shown in fig. 5 (b), the length L of the distal end portion 71a of the fixed line 71_tIs 1.1mm and has a width W_e1.7mm, and the length L of the intermediate portion 71b_mIs 2.9mm and has a width W_m1.1mm, and a width W of the rear end portion 71c_tIs 1.7 mm. The same applies to the fixed line 72.

Fig. 5 (c) shows the return loss characteristics when the movement amount x in the state of fig. 5 (a) and (b) is 0mm and the movement amount x when the movable wire 82 moves to the right in fig. 5 (a) is positive.

As shown in FIG. 5 (c), the return loss is about-20 dB at any position between-2 mm and 6mm, and is smaller than that in FIG. 6 described later. For example, a relative bandwidth in which the standing wave ratio VSWR is 1.2 or less (return loss is-20.8 dB or less) is wide and broadband (broadband).

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the fixed lines 71 and 72 provided on the fixed substrate 50 and the movable line 82 provided on the movable substrate 80, which do not use the phase shifter 70 of embodiment 1. Fig. 6 (a) shows the movable line 82, fig. 6 (b) shows the fixed lines 71 and 72, and fig. 6 (c) shows the return loss characteristic of the phase shifter 70.

In fig. 6 (c), the return loss characteristics are shown in the relationship of the phase shift amount x of the fixed lines 71 and 72 and the movable line 82, as in fig. 5 (c). The horizontal axis being relative to the central frequency f₀Frequency f/f of₀The vertical axis is the return loss (dB).

As shown in fig. 6 (a), the width W of the central portion 82a and the end portions 82b, 82c of the movable wire 82_MIs 1.8 mm. The radius of curvature R of the central portion 82a of the movable wire 82 is 3.75 mm.

As shown in fig. 6 (b), the width W of the fixed line 71_sIs 1.8 mm. That is, the fixed line 71 does not include the front end portion 71a, the intermediate portion 71b, and the rear end portion 71c of the fixed line 71 to which the phase shifter 70 according to embodiment 1 shown in fig. 5 is applied. The same applies to the fixed line 72.

Therefore, the overlapping portions of the fixed wires 71, 72 and the movable wire 82 have the same width (1.8 mm).

In fig. 6 (c), similarly to fig. 5 (c), the return loss characteristics are shown by setting the movement amount x in the states of fig. 6 (a) and (b) to 0mm and setting the movement amount x when the movable wire 82 moves to the right in fig. 6 (a) to positive.

As shown in fig. 6 (c), it can be seen that: the shift x is from-2 mm to 6mm, the maximum return loss characteristic is-12 dB, and the return loss characteristic changes significantly according to the shift x. The echo loss is larger than that of the phase shifter 70 to which embodiment 1 is applied shown in fig. 5 (a), (b), and (c), and a band having a standing wave ratio VSWR of 1.2 or less is hardly obtained at any position between-2 mm and 6mm in the amount of movement x, and the band is formed to be narrow.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating characteristics of the phase shifter 70 shown in fig. 5 to which the first embodiment is applied. Fig. 7(a) is a plan view from the movable wire 82 side, fig. 7 (b) is a plan view from the fixed wires 71, 72 side, and fig. 7 (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIC-VIIC of fig. 7(a), (b). Fig. 7(a) is fig. 5 (a), and fig. 7 (b) is fig. 5 (b). Fig. 7 (c) shows the fixed line 71 (the front end portion 71a, the intermediate portion 71b, and the rear end portion 71c) and the movable line 82 (the central portion 82a and the end portion 82 b).

The fixed line 71 (the same applies to the fixed line 72, and the same portions are indicated by brackets hereinafter) and the movable line 82 form a microstrip line (line) with respect to the reflecting conductor 52 provided on the antenna 40 side of the fixed substrate 50. The characteristic impedance of the fixed line 71 (fixed line 72) is determined by the width of the fixed line 71 (fixed line 72) and the dielectric constant ε of the substrate 51_mAnd thickness d 1.

In contrast, the movable wire 82 is positioned above the fixed wires 71 and 72. In order to smoothly move (slide) the movable line 82 with respect to the fixed lines 71, 72, a dielectric film 83 is often provided between the fixed lines 71, 72 and the movable line 82. Therefore, the distance d2 from the portion of the movable line 82 that does not overlap the fixed line 71 (fixed line 72) to the reflective conductor 52 provided on the fixed board 50 is greater than the fixed lines 71, 72, as in the central portion 82a shown in fig. 7 (c), for example. The characteristic impedance of the movable line 82 at such a portion is determined by the width of the movable line 82 and the dielectric constant ε of the base 51_mAnd a thickness d1, the dielectric constant ε of the air layer_AAnd thickness (d2-d 1).

Therefore, as shown in fig. 6 (a) and (b), if the fixed lines 71 and 72 and the movable line 82 have the same width, even if the fixed line 71 (fixed line 72) portion has the characteristic impedance Z0, the portion of the movable line 82 that does not overlap with the fixed lines 71 and 72 is formed to have a characteristic impedance Z1 that is smaller than the characteristic impedance Z0 (Z1< Z0).

Therefore, the signal is transmitted from the fixed line 71 (fixed line 72) to the movable line 82, that is, from a portion (characteristic impedance Z0) overlapping the fixed line 71 to a portion (characteristic impedance Z1) not overlapping the fixed line 71. Thus, the impedance is not matched (mismatched), and reflection of a signal (return loss) easily occurs.

This state also occurs when the movable wire 82 is moved.

Accordingly, the phase shifter 70 according to embodiment 1 shown in fig. 5 (a) and (b) (the same applies to fig. 7(a) and (b)) suppresses the difference in characteristic impedance between the fixed line 71 and the movable line 82.

As described above, the characteristic impedance of the microstrip line is such that, when the width of the line is constant, the greater the distance between the line (fixed lines 71, 72 and movable line 82) as the signal transmission line and the reference conductor (here, reflecting conductor 52), the smaller the width of the line (fixed lines 71, 72 and movable line 82) as the signal transmission line.

Then, the width W of the central portion 82a of the movable line 82 is set so that the distance d2 from the reflective conductor 52 is greater than the distance d1 from the fixed lines 71, 72 to the reflective conductor 52, in the central portion 82a_CIs set to be wider than the width W of the rear end parts 71c, 72c of the fixed lines 71, 72_eIs large.

Further, if the movable wire 82 is moved in the right side of fig. 7(a), that is, in the direction in which the movement amount x is positive, part of the end portions 82b, 82c of the movable wire 82 appears at the boundary between the fixed wires 71, 72 and the central portion 82 a. The end portions 82b, 82c have a smaller width as they are farther from the central portion 82 a. Therefore, if the movable line 82 is moved to the right side (direction in which the movement amount x is positive) in fig. 7 a, the characteristic impedance increases at the portion where the signal is transmitted from the fixed lines 71 and 72 to the movable line 82.

Then, as shown in fig. 7 (b), the width W of the intermediate portions 71b, 72b of the fixed wires 71, 72 is set to be equal to_mWidth W of rear end portions 71c, 72c_eIs small. Therefore, the impedances of the intermediate portions 71b and 72b are made high.

However, the end portions 82b and 82c of the movable wire 82 are exposed at the intermediate portions 71b and 72 b. Therefore, the impedance of the overlapped portion is formed in parallel with the impedance of the intermediate portions 71b and 72b and the impedance of the exposed portion of the end portions 82b and 82c of the movable line 82. Thus, the difference in impedance between when a signal is transmitted from the fixed line 71 (fixed line 72) to the movable line 82 and when a signal is transmitted from the movable line 82 to the fixed line 71 (fixed line 72) is reduced as a whole.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 5 (c) and 6 (c), the phase shifter 70 to which embodiment 1 is applied shown in fig. 5 (a) and (b) has a smaller return loss than the phase shifter 70 to which embodiment 1 is not applied shown in fig. 6 (a) and (b).

As described above, in the phase shifter 70 to which embodiment 1 is applied, the fixed lines 71 and 72 on the fixed substrate 50 and the movable line 82 on the movable substrate 80 are formed in such a shape that the impedance is less likely to change greatly in the path of the transmission signal within the range in which the movable line 82 is moved relative to the fixed lines 71 and 72, thereby suppressing the return loss.

Fig. 8 shows another example of the shape of the fixed lines 71 and 72 and the movable line 82 of the phase shifter 70. Fig. 8 (a) is a plan view of the movable line 82, fig. 8 (b) is a plan view of the fixed lines 71 and 72, and fig. 8 (c) is a return loss characteristic of the phase shifter 70.

As shown in fig. 8 (a), the movable wire 82 has a central portion 82a, and the end portions 82b and 82c are 2-step narrower from the central portion 82 a.

Width W of central portion 82a of movable wire 82_C2.1mm and a radius of curvature R of 3.8 mm. The end 82b of the movable wire 82 has a length L_T(19mm) length L of the central portion 82a side_T1(10mm) width W_T1A length L of 1.7mm on the side opposite to the central part 82a_T2(7mm) width W_T2Is 1.3 mm. The end 82c of the movable wire 82 has the same shape as the end 82 b.

As shown in fig. 8 (b), the intermediate portions 71b and 71c of the fixed lines 71 and 72 are formed to be thin, and the distal end portions 71a and 72a are provided with notches.

Width W of front end 71a of fixed line 71_tAnd width W of rear end 71c_eIs 1.9 mm. Width W of intermediate portion 71b_mIs 1.1mm, and has a length L_mIs 3.1 mm. The distal end portion 71a is notched in the longitudinal direction of the fixed line 71. A length L of a portion facing the inside of the central portion 82a of the movable wire 82_t14.6mm, length L of the portion facing outward_t2Is 5 mm.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the return loss is about-20 dB and 0.59f/f or more when the shift x is 0mm₀The standing wave ratio VSWR is 1.2 or less, and the bandwidth is relatively wide (broad band).

Fig. 9 shows another example of the shape of the fixed lines 71 and 72 and the movable line 82 of the phase shifter 70. Fig. 9 (a) is a plan view seen from the movable line 82 side, fig. 9 (b) is a plan view seen from the fixed lines 71, 72 side, and fig. 9 (c) shows the return loss characteristic of the phase shifter 70.

As shown in fig. 9 (a), the movable wire 82 is similar to the movable wire 82 shown in fig. 5, and the width of the end portions 82b and 82c is gradually reduced from the central portion 82 a.

Width W of central portion 82a of movable wire 82_C2.1mm and a radius of curvature R of 3.8 mm. Width W of end 82b of movable wire 82 from central portion 82a_C(2.1mm) starts to taper and has a width W of the tip_TEIs 1.1 mm. Length L of end 82b_TIs 19 mm.

As shown in fig. 9 (b), the fixed lines 71 and 72 have the same width as the fixed lines 71 and 72 shown in fig. 6.

Width W of fixed line 71_sIs 1.7 mm.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 9 (c), the return loss at a shift x of 0mm is about-20 dB and is 0.68f/f or more₀In the case of the frequency (2), the standing wave ratio VSWR is 1.2 or less, and the relative bandwidth is wide (broad band).

Fig. 10 shows another example of the shape of the fixed lines 71 and 72 and the movable line 82 of the phase shifter 70. Fig. 10 (a) is a plan view seen from the movable line 82 side, fig. 10 (b) is a plan view seen from the fixed lines 71, 72 side, and fig. 10 (c) shows the return loss characteristic of the phase shifter 70.

As shown in fig. 10 (a), the movable wire 82 has a central portion 82a, and the end portions 82b and 82c are 2-step narrower from the central portion 82a, as in the movable wire 82 shown in fig. 8 (a).

Width W of central portion 82a of movable wire 82_C2.1mm and a radius of curvature R of 3.8 mm. The end 82b of the movable wire 82 has a length L_T(19mm) length L of the central portion 82a side_T1(10mm) width W_T1A length L of 1.7mm on the side opposite to the central part 82a_T2Width W in the range of (7mm)_T2Is 1.3 mm. The end 82c of the movable wire 82 has the same shape as the end 82 b.

As shown in fig. 10 (b), the fixed lines 71 and 72 have the same width as the fixed lines 71 and 72 shown in fig. 6.

Width W of fixed line 71_sIs 1.7 mm.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the return loss at a shift x of 0mm is about-20 dB and is 0.66f/f or more₀The standing wave ratio VSWR is less than 1.2, and the relative bandwidth is wide (broad band).

As described above, the fixed lines 71 and 72 and the movable line 82 of the phase shifter 70 may have any shape in which a large change in impedance is unlikely to occur in the signal transmission path, that is, any shape capable of suppressing a variation in impedance of the signal transmission path. Therefore, a shape other than the above-described shape may be used. For example, the width of the portion of the fixed wire lines 71 and 72 overlapping the movable wire line 82, or the width of the entire or a part of the movable wire line 82 may be made narrow or wide.

Heretofore, a rotary phase shifter in which a plurality of arc-shaped conductors (arc-shaped conductors) and linear conductors (linear conductors) are crossed to provide a phase shift amount has been adopted. In the rotary phase shifter, a plurality of phase shift amounts can be provided at a time, but the diameter of the arc-shaped conductor is increased as the number of required phase shift amounts increases. Therefore, when the phase shifter is provided on the rear surface side of the array antenna 30, the horizontal width increases, and it becomes difficult to reduce the diameter of the sector antenna 10.

As shown in fig. 3 (a), the distribution circuit 200 employs a plurality of phase shifters 70 arranged in a distributed manner, and each phase shifter 70 is small as described above. Therefore, the sector antenna 10 can be easily reduced in diameter as compared with a rotary phase shifter using an arc conductor.

< holding structure of phase shifter 70 >

The phase shifter 70 sets the positions of the fixed lines 71, 72 with respect to the movable line 82 in accordance with the required tilt angle θ. As described above, in the phase shifter 70, the movable line 82 moves (slides) with respect to the fixed lines 71, 72. Thereby, the position where the fixed lines 71 and 72 overlap the movable line 82 is moved (slid). Then, a phase shift amount corresponding to the inclination angle θ is set.

That is, the movable wire 82 needs to be easily movable (slidable) with respect to the fixed wires 71 and 72, and needs to be held at the moved position.

Next, a holding structure of the phase shifter 70 will be explained.

Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating a holding structure of the phase shifter 70 for holding the movable substrate 80. Fig. 11 (a) is a perspective view of the phase shifter 70 provided with the holding structure, and fig. 11(b) is a plan view of the phase shifter 70 as viewed from the XI direction of fig. 11 (a). The holding structure is provided with: a pressing member 90, and a covering member 100. In fig. 11 (a) and (b), the cover member 100 is shown by a broken line.

The fixed lines 71 and 72 of the phase shifter 70 are provided on the fixed substrate 50 together with the distribution line 60. On the other hand, the movable line 82 of the phase shifter 70 is provided on the movable substrate 80. The side of the fixed board 50 on which the fixed lines 71 and 72 are provided and the side of the movable board 80 on which the movable line 82 is provided are disposed so as to face each other and overlap each other. As described above, the dielectric film 83 for keeping a predetermined distance from the fixed substrate 50 is interposed between the fixed substrate 50 and the movable substrate 80.

Note that the fixed lines 71, 72 and the movable line 82 are the same as those shown in (a) and (b) of fig. 5. The center portion 82a of the movable wire 82 is located on the front left side in fig. 11 (a), on the left side in fig. 11(b), the end portions 82b, 82c are located on the rear right side in fig. 11 (a), and the end portions are located on the right side in fig. 11 (b).

(pressing member 90)

The pressing member 90 includes 3 spring portions 91, 92, and 93 extending in the sliding direction so as to press the movable substrate 80 against the fixed substrate 50. The spring portions 91, 92, and 93 are provided side by side in the sliding (sliding) direction of the movable substrate 80 at 3 positions. And, the center portions are connected to each other by a connecting portion 94 that connects the respective center portions to each other. The connecting portion 94 is provided with a columnar pillar 95 protruding in a direction away from the movable substrate 80.

Of the 3- point spring portions 91, 92, and 93 arranged side by side, the outer one of the spring portions 91 includes projections 91a and 91b on the movable substrate 80 side at the tip end (not shown in the drawings because it is on the back surface of the spring portion 91). Then, the projections 91a and 91b contact (press) the movable substrate 80. Similarly, the spring portion 93 located at the other outer position includes projections 93a and 93b (see fig. 12) on the movable substrate 80 side of the distal end portion. Then, the protrusions 93a, 93b contact (press) the movable substrate 80.

The spring portion 92 at the center position includes a protrusion 92a on the movable substrate 80 side on one distal end side of the movable substrate 80 (on the center portion 82a side of the movable wire 82). Then, the protrusion 92a contacts (presses) the movable substrate 80. Further, the movable substrate 80 is provided with a projection 92b on the other distal end side (the end portions 82b and 82c side of the movable wire 82) of the movable substrate 80 on the opposite side to the movable substrate 80.

Further, the connection portions 94 of the spring portions 91 and 93 have projections 94a and 94b on the opposite side to the movable substrate 80, respectively.

Further, the respective distal end portions of the outer spring portions 91 and 93 project toward the cover member 100 to be described later so as to be in contact with the cover member 100. Thereby, the pressing member 90 is housed in the covering member 100 without rattling.

The pressing member 90 includes 2 columnar projections 96a and 96b projecting toward the movable substrate 80 (see (a) and (b) of FIG. 12)_。The insertion holes 83a and 83b of the movable substrate 80 shown in fig. 4 (b) are inserted, and the tip end portions thereof are inserted into the insertion holes 76 as long holes provided in the fixed substrate 50 shown in fig. 4 (a).

(covering Member 100)

The cover member 100 covers the movable substrate 80 and the pressing member 90, and fixes the pressing member 90.

The covering member 100 includes: a cover 101, and a side surface portion 102 surrounding the cover 101. Further, the covering member 100 includes: 4 columnar protrusions 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d protruding from the side surface portion 102 to the side opposite to the lid portion 101. The projections 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d have a circular cross section. Further, 2 movable substrates 80 are provided on both outer sides in the moving direction x. Further, the cross-section may not be circular.

Further, the covering member 100 includes: and 3 protrusions 105a, 105b, and 105c protruding from the side surface portion 102 toward the side opposite to the lid portion 101. The front ends of the projections 105a, 105b, and 105c are formed to be folded back, and are bent outward in an L shape from the cover member 100.

Further, the cover member 100 includes an opening 106 in the lid 101.

The projections 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d are inserted into through holes 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d provided in the fixed board 50.

The through- holes 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d can be formed into a circle having a planar shape with high accuracy by a drill or the like. Therefore, since the cross-sectional shapes of the convex portions 103a, 103b, 103c, and 103d are circular, the cover member 100 is disposed with high positional accuracy with respect to the fixed board 50.

The projections 105a, 105b, and 105c are inserted into the through holes 74a, 74b, and 74c provided in the fixed board 50. The folded portion of the tip bent in the L shape is hooked around the reflective conductor 52 side of the fixed substrate 50, thereby fixing the cover member 100 to the fixed substrate 50.

The support column 95 of the pressing member 90 is formed to protrude outward of the cover member 100 from an opening 106 provided in the lid 101. The movable substrate 80 is moved (slid) on the fixed substrate 50 by moving the support column 95 in the opening 106 provided in the lid portion 101.

In addition, in order to set the amount of movement of the movable substrate 80, a scale may be provided on the lid 101 near the opening 106.

(holding structure)

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a holding structure of the phase shifter 70 for holding the movable substrate 80. Fig. 12 (a) is a diagram showing a state in which the movable substrate 80 and the pressing member 90 are disposed on the fixed substrate 50, and fig. 12 (b) is a diagram further showing a state in which the fixed substrate 50 and the pressing member 90 are fixed by the cover member 100. Fig. 12 (a) and (b) are sectional views taken along line XII-XII in fig. 11 (b). Note that the dielectric film 83 is not shown in the drawing.

As shown in fig. 12 (a), the movable substrate 80 and the pressing member 90 are disposed on the fixed substrate 50. Here, the convex portion 96a provided to protrude toward the movable substrate 80 side of the pressing member 90 is inserted into the through-hole 83b of the movable substrate 80. Similarly, the projection 96b is inserted into the through hole 83a of the movable substrate 80.

The distal end portions of the projections 96a and 96b projecting from the movable substrate 80 are inserted into through-holes 76 that are long holes provided in the fixed substrate 50.

In this case, if the planar shape of the through- holes 83a, 83b is a circle, good accuracy can be achieved by a round tool such as a drill (end mill). Therefore, by making the convex portions 96a, 96b of the pressing member 90 cylindrical, the movable substrate 80 is fixed by the convex portions 96a, 96b of the pressing member 90 inserted into the through holes 83a, 83 b. The projections 96a and 96b are restricted from moving in the through-holes 76 provided in the fixed board 50. Therefore, the relative positions of the movable line 82 of the movable substrate 80 and the fixed lines 71 and 72 provided on the fixed substrate 50 are accurately provided, and the movable line 82 can be prevented from deviating from the range of the predetermined movement amount x with respect to the fixed lines 71 and 72.

Further, by combining the 2 through- holes 83a and 83b and the 2 protrusions 96a and 96b, the inclination in the direction intersecting the moving (sliding) direction (the direction of the movement amount x) is suppressed.

Next, as shown in fig. 12 (b), the cover member 100 is provided. As can be seen from fig. 11 (a) and (b), the protruding portions 105a, 105b, and 105c of the cover member 100 are fitted into the through holes 74a, 74b, and 74c provided in the fixed board 50. At this time, the inner side of the cover portion 101 of the cover member 100 hits the protrusion 94a (protrusion 94b) of the connecting portion 94 of the pressing member 90. Therefore, the cover 101 of the cover member 100 presses the connection portion 94 of the pressing member 90 toward the movable substrate 80. That is, the spring portions 91 and 93 on both outer sides of the pressing member 90 are formed into a concave arcuate shape on the movable substrate 80 side by the pressing connection portion 94. Therefore, the protrusions 91a and 91b provided at both ends of the spring portion 91 and the protrusions 93a and 93b provided at both ends of the spring portion 93 press the movable substrate 80 toward the fixed substrate 50.

Similarly, the projection 92a provided at one end of the spring portion 92 of the pressing member 90 presses the movable substrate 80 toward the fixed substrate 50, and the projection 92b provided at the other end is pressed toward the inside of the cover portion 101 of the cover member 100. That is, the projection 92b provided at the other end serves as a fulcrum, and the projection 92a provided at one end is pressed more strongly against the movable substrate 80.

That is, the pressing member 90 has a function of a spring (spring function) by being pressed by the lid portion 101 of the cover member 100.

Further, the movable substrate 80 is strongly pressed against the fixed substrate 50 in the regions α, β, γ, δ, and ∈ shown in fig. 11(b) by the projections 91a, 91b, 92a, 93a, and 93b of the spring portions 91, 92, and 93 of the pressing member 90. The regions α, β, γ, δ, and ∈ correspond to the upper side of the movable line 82 of the movable substrate 80 as shown in fig. 4 (b). That is, the pressing member 90 is provided with projections 91a, 91b, 92a, 93a, and 93b so as to press the movable wire 82 toward the fixed board 50.

The pressing member 90 and the covering member 100 are made of, for example, polycarbonate. In order to be heated by the current flowing through the phase shifter 70, it is preferable that the pressing member 90 and the covering member 100 be made of the same material. By forming the same material, the mutual displacement due to thermal expansion can be suppressed.

< phase shift amount setting part 120 >

In the distribution circuit 200 illustrated in fig. 3 (b), 6 phase shifters 70 are provided as the phase shift amounts

And the amount of phase shift

That is, the phase shift amounts of the plurality of phase shifters 70 are set to values having different proportional relationships.

Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating the phase amount setting unit 120.

The phase shift amount setting unit 120 includes: a screw portion 121 having a pitch p1 and a screw portion 123 having a pitch p2, which are linearly formed on one axis. A nut 122 is fitted into the screw portion 121, and a nut 124 is fitted into the screw portion 123. Here, the screw part 121 and the screw part 123 rotate while rotating the shaft.

Here, for example, the pitch p2 is 2 times the pitch p 1. The rotation directions of the threads of the threaded portions 121 and 123 (the traveling directions of the nuts 122 and 124) are the same.

The screw portions 121 and 123 may be members having male threads, and the screw portion 121 may be an example of a 1 st male thread portion and the screw portion 123 may be an example of a 2 nd male thread portion. The nuts 122 and 124 may have female screws, and the nut 122 is an example of a 1 st female screw portion and the nut 124 is an example of a 2 nd female screw portion. The pitch p1 is an example of the 1 st pitch, and the pitch p2 is an example of the 2 nd pitch.

The phase shift amount setting unit 120 includes: a mounting member 125 mounted on the nut 122, and connecting members 126a, 126b mounted on the mounting member 125. Further, the phase shift amount setting unit 120 includes: a mounting member 127 mounted on the nut 124, and connecting members 128a, 128b mounted on the mounting member 127.

The connection member 126a is connected to the support column 95 of each phase shifter 70-2, 70-3 (see fig. 11 (a)). The connecting member 126b is connected to the support posts 95 of the respective phase shifters 70-5 and 70-6. The connection member 128a is connected to the post 95 of the phase shifter 70-1. The connection member 128b is connected to the post 95 of the connection phase shifter 70-4.

Further, the phase shift amount setting unit 120 includes: and a rotation knob 129 coupled to a common axis of the threaded portions 121 and 123.

Here, the nut 122, the mounting member 125, and the connecting members 126a and 126b are examples of the 1 st moving member, and the nut 124, the mounting member 127, and the connecting members 128a and 128b are examples of the 2 nd moving member.

By rotating the knob 129, the threaded portions 121, 123 are rotated, and the nuts 122, 124 are moved. As the nuts 122, 124 move, the mounting members 125, 127 connected to the nuts 122, 124 move in the x direction. Further, the connecting members 126a, 126b, 128a, 128b connected to the mounting members 125, 127 move in the x direction. The movable substrate 80 of the phase shifter 70 of the support column 95 connected is moved relative to the fixed substrate 50 by the movement of the connecting members 126a, 126b, 128a, 128 b.

That is, rotation of the knob 129 translates linear movement of the connecting members 126a, 126b, 128a, 128 b. Further, the rotation of the knob 129 is converted into the movement of the movable substrate 80 of the phase shifter 70 relative to the fixed substrate 50 by the support column 95 connected to the connecting members 126a, 126b, 128a, and 128 b.

Here, the distance by which the nut 122 moves in the x direction (the direction of the movement amount x of the phase shifter 70) in the screw portion 121 is defined as a distance "a". Then, in the screw portion 123, the distance that the nut 124 moves in the x direction is a distance 2 a. Then, the distance that the connecting members 126a and 126b attached to the nut 122 by the attaching member 125 move in the x direction is a distance a. The distance that the connecting members 128a and 128b attached to the nut 124 by the attaching member 127 move in the x direction is a distance 2 a. Here, if the shift of a in the x direction corresponds to the amount of phase shift

Then the phase shift amounts of the phase shifters 70-2, 70-3, 70-5, 70-6 are set as the phase shift amounts

The phase shift amounts of the phase shifters 70-1 and 70-4 are set as phase shift amounts

That is, even if the phase shifters 70-1, 70-4 and 70-2, 70-3, 70-5, 70-6 have the same structure, different phase shift amounts can be simultaneously provided. Here, the amount of phase shift

Is an example of the 1 st phase shift quantity

This is an example of the 2 nd phase shift quantity.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of the screw portions 121 and 123. In fig. 14, the mounting members 125 and 127 labeled in fig. 13 are omitted. The mounting member 125 is coupled to the nut 122, and the mounting member 127 is mounted to the nut 124.

Further, the phase shift amount setting unit 120 includes: there is no support member 130 shown in fig. 13. The phase shift amount setting portion 120 is fixed to the lower cover of the antenna cover 12 shown in fig. 2 by a support member 130.

As shown in fig. 14, the pitch p2 of the threaded portion 123 is 2 times the pitch p1 of the threaded portion 121. Further, the diameter of the threaded portion 123 of pitch p2(> pitch p1) is larger than the diameter of the threaded portion 121 of pitch p 1. In general, a thread having a large lead, i.e., a large pitch, has a large diameter, and the diameters of the thread portions 121 and 123 may be the same or opposite.

Further, if the large-diameter screw portion 123 is provided on the inner side close to the rotation knob 129 and the small-diameter screw portion 121 is provided on the outer side far from the rotation knob 129, the nuts 122, 124, the mounting members 125, 127, the connecting members 126a, 126b, 128a, 128b, and the like can be easily mounted (assembled).

The nut 122 of the screw portion 121 is constituted by sub-nuts 122a, 122b each corresponding to a thread of half pitch. The sub nuts 122a and 122b are fixed by screws or the like so as to overlap each other and sandwich 1 thread. Thereby, even if the nut 122 is moved in the screw portion 121, the occurrence of backlash can be suppressed.

Similarly, the nut 124 of the screw portion 123 is composed of sub-nuts 124a and 124b corresponding to half-pitch threads.

The pitch p2 of the screw portion 123 is set so that the amount x of movement of the phase shifters 70-1 and 70-4 having a large amount x becomes the maximum by 1 rotation of the rotation knob 129.

Therefore, a scale of 360 ° is provided around the rotation knob 129. The rotation knob 129 is rotated based on the scale to set the movement amount x, i.e., the phase shift amount

Alternatively, the knob 129 may be coupled to the motor, or the motor may be used in place of the knob 129. In the case of using a motor, the amount of movement x, that is, the amount of phase shift, is set by monitoring the rotation angle of the motor

In this case, it is not necessary to provide a scale around the rotation knob 129.

Further, a scale is provided on the connecting members 126a, 126b, 128a, 128b, and the amount of movement x with respect to the reference point may be read by this scale. However, when the maximum movement amount x is as small as 3.5mm, for example, it is not easy to read the movement amount x from the scale. Therefore, by providing a 360 ° scale around the knob 129, the movement amount x (phase shift amount) can be accurately set

)。

Here, in the plurality of phase shifters 70 of the same configuration, a plurality of phase shift amounts (for example, phase shift amounts) are provided

And the amount of phase shift

) Alternatively, the phase shift amount may be the same (phase shift amount)

). For example, when a phase shift quantity of

Such that 2 phase-shifting quantities are connected in series

The phase shifter 70 of (1).

In this case, the phase shift amount setting portion 120 is constituted by a thread portion of 1 pitch. That is, the threaded portion 123 need not be provided.

Here, the phase shift amount setting portion 120 is constituted by screw portions 121 and 123 having different pitches provided on one axis.

Rack and pinion gears (worm gear) may be used instead of the screw portions 121, 123. In the case of the rack gear, racks having the same pitch are provided in the moving direction of the mounting members 125 and 127, and gears (pinions) having different numbers of teeth are connected to rotate the pinions.

However, the racks provided to the mounting members 125, 127 are provided in the vertical direction of fig. 14. For this reason, the pinion gear combined with the rack gear is easily moved downward in the vertical direction due to gravity.

That is, when the phase shift amount setting unit 120 is constituted by the screw portions 121 and 123, the phase shift amount is larger than that in the case of using the rack and pinion

The setting precision of (2) is high. Further, since the nut 122 is composed of 2 sub-nuts 122a and 122b and the nut 124 is composed of 2 sub-nuts 124a and 124b, it is not easy to move downward in the vertical direction, and the decrease in accuracy due to loosening or the like is suppressed.

Further, the phase shift amount setting section 120 may be any section as long as it can move the plurality of connection members (for example, the connection members 126a and 126b and the connection members 128a and 128b) at a predetermined ratio so that a plurality of phase shift amounts can be set.

[ 2 nd embodiment ]

In embodiment 1, a case where the array antenna 30 includes 4 antennas 40 is described.

In embodiment 2, a case where the array antenna 30 includes 8 antennas 40 will be described.

Since the configuration of the distribution circuit 200 is the same as that of embodiment 1 except for the configuration of the distribution circuit 200, the following description will discuss the distribution circuit 200 different from embodiment 1 and the amount of phase shift of the array antenna 30 realized by the distribution circuit 200.

< distribution circuit 200 >

Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating the distribution circuit 200 according to embodiment 2.

The array antenna 30 includes: 8 antennas 40 (antennas 40-1 ~ 40-8). The antennas 40-1 to 40-8 are arranged at equal intervals from the lower side toward the upper side in the vertical direction by a predetermined distance.

The array antenna 30 is formed by arranging 2 array antennas 30 of embodiment 1 in the vertical direction. The array antenna 30 (hereinafter referred to as the array antenna 30-1) of embodiment 1 including the antennas 40-1 to 40-4 and the phase shifters 70-1 to 70-6 is provided on the lower side in the vertical direction. An array antenna 30-2 similar to the array antenna 30 of embodiment 1, including antennas 40-5 to 40-8 and phase shifters 70-7 to 70-12, is provided on the upper side in the vertical direction. Furthermore, phase shifters 70-13, 70-14 are provided on the outer sides.

The transmission/reception cable 14 is connected to the end portion 61, and branches into 2 paths from the wiring path 60 of the branch end portion 61. One path of the branched distribution line 60 is connected to the lower array antenna 30-1 through the phase shifter 70-13. The other branch of the branched distribution line 60 is connected to the upper array antenna 30-2. Here, no reference numeral is given to each distribution line 60.

Similarly, the transmission/reception cable 15 is connected to the end portion 62, and the distribution line 60 from the end portion 62 branches into 2 paths. Further, one path of the branched distribution line 60 is connected to the lower array antenna 30-1 through the phase shifter 70-14. The other branch of the branched distribution line 60 is connected to the upper array antenna 30-2.

The other portions of the distribution line 60 are the same as those described in embodiment 1, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

In addition, FIG. 15 is left-right symmetric, with the left side corresponding to +45 polarized waves and the right side corresponding to-45 polarized waves.

Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating the phase shift amount of the array antenna 30 according to embodiment 2. The left side of the corresponding +45 ° polarized wave in fig. 15 is shown in fig. 16.

Here, the phase shifters 70-1, 70-7 are set to have phase shift amounts

The phase shift amounts of the phase shifters 70-2, 70-3, 70-8, 70-9 are set to be

Further, the phase shifter 70-13 is set to have a phase shift amount of

Thus, the phase shift amount of antenna 40-8 is set to 0 and the phase shift amount of antenna 40-7 is set to

The phase shift amount of the antenna 40-6 is set to

The phase shift amount of the antenna 40-5 is set to

The phase shift amount of the antenna 40-4 is set to

The phase shift amount of the antenna 40-3 is set to

The phase shift amount of the antenna 40-2 is set to

The phase shift amount of the antenna 40-1 is set to

That is, the amount of phase shift between adjacent antennas 40 (e.g., antenna 40-1 and antenna 40-2) is

Thus, the array antenna 30 is arranged to be displaced by the pitch and phase shift of the antenna 40

A determined inclination angle theta.

As described above, the number of antennas 40 may be increased by an even number.

In addition, the phase shift amount for setting is

The phase shift amount setting unit 120 according to embodiment 1 may be added with a phase shift amount

A corresponding pitch of the thread portion.

That is, the type (number) of the phase shift amount to be provided is increased by adding the screw portions having different pitches.

In addition, the phase shift quantity can be connected in series as

The phase shifter 70 is formed to have a phase shift amount

The corresponding phase shifters 70-13, 70-14. In this case, the phase shift amount setting unit 120 according to embodiment 1 is applied.

Here, in the plurality of phase shifters 70 of the same configuration, a plurality of phase shift amounts (for example, phase shift amounts) are provided

And the amount of phase shift

) However, it is also possible to make the phase shift amount the same (phase shift amount)

). For example, when a phase shift quantity of

Such that 2 phase-shifting quantities are connected in series

The phase shifter 70 of (1).

In this case, since the phase shift amount setting portion 120 is constituted by the thread portion 121 having 1 pitch, the thread portion 123 may not be used.

[ embodiment 3 ]

In embodiment 1 and embodiment 2, the number of antennas 40 is an even number of 4 and 8.

In embodiment 3, the number of antennas 40 of the array antenna 30 is an odd number, here, 5.

Since the configuration of the distribution circuit 200 is the same as that of embodiment 1 except for the configuration of the distribution circuit 200, the following description will discuss the distribution circuit 200 different from embodiment 1 and the amount of phase shift of the array antenna 30 realized by the distribution circuit 200.

< distribution circuit 200 >

Fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating the distribution circuit 200 according to embodiment 3.

The array antenna 30 includes: 5 antennas 40 (antennas 40-1 to 40-5), and 8 phase shifters 70 (phase shifters 70-1 to 70-8). The antennas 40-1 to 40-5 are arranged at equal intervals from the lower side toward the upper side in the vertical direction by a predetermined distance.

The array antenna 30 is formed in the following configuration: the portion of the lower side antennas 40-1 and 40-2 in the vertical direction of the array antenna 30 of embodiment 1 including 4 antennas 40 (antennas 40-1 to 40-4) is turned upside down and then disposed above the lower side antennas 40-1 and 40-2. That is, the antennas 40-5, 40-4 on the upper side correspond to the antennas 40-1, 40-2 on the lower side. Also, the phase shifters 70-5, 70-6, 70-7, 70-8 on the upper side correspond to the phase shifters 70-1, 70-2, 70-3, 70-4 on the lower side. Further, at the center of the antennas 40-2 and 40-4, an antenna 40-3 is newly provided.

The phase shifters 70-5, 70-6, 70-7, and 70-8 on the upper side are arranged upside down from the phase shifters 70-1, 70-2, 70-3, and 70-4 on the lower side. Therefore, the movable substrate 80 of the upper phase shifters 70-5, 70-6, 70-7 and 70-8 moves in the opposite direction (phase shift amount-x) to the lower phase shifters 70-1, 70-2, 70-3 and 70-4.

The transceiver cable 14 is connected to the end portion 61. The distribution line 60 from the end 61 branches into 3 paths. One path is connected to the antenna 40-3, and the other two paths are connected to the lower side phase shifter 70-1 and the upper side phase shifter 70-5, respectively.

Likewise, the transceiver cable 15 is connected to the end portion 62. The distribution line 60 from the end 62 branches into 3 paths. One path is connected to the antenna 40-3, and the other two paths are connected to the lower side phase shifter 70-3 and the upper side phase shifter 70-7, respectively.

The other portions of the distribution line 60 are the same as those described in embodiment 1, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

In addition, FIG. 17 is left-right symmetric, with the left side corresponding to +45 polarized waves and the right side corresponding to-45 polarized waves.

Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating the phase shift amount of the array antenna 30 according to embodiment 3. The left side of the corresponding +45 ° polarized wave in fig. 17 is shown in fig. 18.

Here, the phase shift amount of the phase shifters 70-1 and 70-2 is set to

The phase shifters 70-5, 70-6 are made to have phase shift amounts of

That is, in the phase shifters 70-1 and 70-2,the path length (line length) is increased, thereby delaying the phase. On the other hand, in the phase shifters 70-5, 70-6, the path length (line length) is shortened, thereby advancing the phase.

Thus, the amount of phase shift of antenna 40-5 is set to

The phase shift amount of the antenna 40-4 is set to

The phase shift amount of the antenna 40-3 is set to 0 and the phase shift amount of the antenna 40-2 is set to 0

The phase shift amount of the antenna 40-1 is set to

That is, the amount of phase shift between adjacent antennas 40 (e.g., antenna 40-1 and antenna 40-2) is

Thus, the array antenna 30 is arranged to be displaced by the pitch and phase shift of the antenna 40

A determined inclination angle theta.

To set a phase shift quantity of

In the phase shift amount setting section 120 according to embodiment 1, the pitch of the threaded portion may be set in accordance with the phase shift amount. In addition, the amount of phase shift

Since the movable substrate 80 is disposed in the phase shifter 70 in the opposite direction so that the moving direction thereof is reversed, it is not necessary to provide a screw portion having another pitch. Alternatively, a screw portion having a different pitch may be provided without reversing the phase shifter 70.

In the phase shift amount setting unit 120, although the nuts 122 and 124 are moved from embodiment 1 to embodiment 2, either one of the nuts 122 and 124 may be fixed, and the mounting member 125 (the connection members 126a and 126b) and the mounting member 127 (the connection members 128a and 128b) may be mounted to a member (the support member 130 in fig. 14) to which the other of the nuts 122 and 124 and the common shaft are rotatably mounted.

The rotation directions of the threads of the screw portions 121 and 123 (the traveling directions of the nuts 122 and 124) may be opposite to each other.

In the phase shift amount setting section 120, by combining the mounting positions of the mounting members 125 (the connecting members 126a, 126b) and the mounting members 127 (the connecting members 128a, 128b) with the rotation directions of the screw portions 121, 123 (the traveling directions of the nuts 122, 124), it becomes easy to set the phase shift amount of the phase shifter 70.

In addition, although the fixed board 50 is provided with the base 51 in embodiments 1 to 3, the base 51 may not be provided. Instead of the dielectric substrate 51, an air layer may be used. In this case, the distribution line 60 and the fixed lines 71 and 72 are conductors obtained by cutting out conductor plates. The reflective conductor 52 may face the distribution line 60 and the fixed lines 71 and 72 with a spacer of a dielectric (insulator) interposed therebetween.

Similarly, the movable substrate 80 is provided with the base 81, but the base 81 may not be provided. The movable line 82 may be disposed with a dielectric layer 83 interposed therebetween.

Further, the sheet may be constituted by three sheets: a conductor connected to another reference potential is provided on the opposite side of the reflective conductor 52 across the distribution line 60, the fixed lines 71, 72, and the movable line 82. In this case, the reflecting conductor 52, the distribution line 60, and the fixed lines 71 and 72 may be provided on the respective surfaces of the fixed substrate 50.

Although the antenna 40 does not include a passive element in the first to third embodiments, the passive element may be provided on the side away from the reflecting conductor 52.

Further, in embodiment 1, 4 antennas 40 are arranged in the vertical direction of the reflecting conductor 52 and 1 antenna 40 is arranged in the horizontal direction, but a plurality of antennas 40 may be arranged in the horizontal direction.

In addition, antennas of other frequency bands may be mixed.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … base station antenna, 2 … unit, 3-1 to 3-3 … sector, 10-1 to 10-3 … sector antenna, 12 … antenna cover, 13 … main lobe, 14, 15 … transceiving cable, 20 … iron tower, 30-1, 30-2 … array antenna, 40-1 to 40-8 … antenna, 41, 42 … dipole antenna, 50 … fixed substrate, 51, 81 … base body, 52 … reflection conductor, 60a to 60j, 60a 'to 60 j' … distribution line, 61, 62 … end, 70-1 to 70-14 … phase shifter, 71, 72 … fixed line, 80 … movable substrate, 82 … movable line, 83 …, 90 … pressing component, 91, 92, 93 … spring part, 100 … covering component, 101 …, 102 …, 120 phase shifting part and 120 … part, 121. 123 … screw thread, 122, 124 … nut, 125, 127 … mounting component, 126a, 126b, 128a, 128b … connecting component, 130 … supporting component, 200 … distributing circuit.

Claims (3)

1. A distribution/synthesis device is provided with:

a plurality of phase shifters, each of the plurality of phase shifters having: at least 1 reference conductor to which a reference potential is supplied; a 1 st line conductor which faces the reference conductor to form a transmission line, and to which a signal is input; a 2 nd line conductor which forms a transmission line facing the reference conductor and from which a signal is output; a 3 rd line conductor electrically coupled to the 1 st line conductor and the 2 nd line conductor in a relatively movable state and facing the reference conductor to form a transmission path; and a substrate made of a dielectric material, the reference conductor being provided on one surface thereof, and the 1 st line conductor, the 2 nd line conductor, and the 3 rd line conductor being provided on the other surface thereof;

a distribution/synthesis line that distributes signals to a plurality of antennas connected thereto or synthesizes signals from the plurality of antennas directly or via any one of the plurality of phase shifters; and

and a phase shift amount setting unit that sets phase shift amounts of at least 1 phase shifter and at least 1 other phase shifter among the plurality of phase shifters to different phase shift amounts, wherein the phase shifter has a portion having a characteristic impedance different from that of the other portion in at least one of the 1 st line conductor, the 2 nd line conductor, and the 3 rd line conductor.

2. The distribution/synthesis device according to claim 1,

the phase shift amount setting unit includes:

a 1 st male portion having a 1 st pitch; and

a 2 nd male thread part provided to be connected to the same shaft as the 1 st male thread part, having a 2 nd pitch different from the 1 st pitch,

at least 1 phase shifter among the plurality of phase shifters sets a 1 st phase shift amount by a movement of a 1 st moving member, the 1 st moving member having a 1 st female screw portion engaged with the 1 st male screw portion which is fitted into the 1 st male screw portion by a rotation of the shaft,

in the plurality of phase shifters, at least 1 other phase shifter is provided with a 2 nd phase shift amount different from the 1 st phase shift amount by a movement of a 2 nd moving member, and the 2 nd moving member has a 2 nd female screw portion engaged with the 2 nd male screw portion, which is fitted into the 2 nd male screw portion by rotation of the shaft.

3. A sector antenna, comprising:

an array antenna having: a plurality of phase shifters each including a 1 st substrate and a 2 nd substrate, the 1 st substrate being made of a dielectric, a reference conductor to which a reference potential is applied being provided on one surface of the 1 st substrate, a 1 st line conductor to which a signal is input and a 2 nd line conductor to which a signal is output being provided on the other surface of the 1 st substrate, the 2 nd substrate being made of a dielectric, and a 3 rd line conductor which is electrically coupled to the 1 st line conductor and the 2 nd line conductor in a relatively movable state and which forms a transmission path in opposition to the reference conductor being provided on one surface of the 2 nd substrate; a plurality of emission elements arranged at a predetermined interval on one surface of the 1 st substrate; a distribution/synthesis line provided on the other surface of the 1 st substrate directly or via any one of the plurality of phase shifters, for distributing signals to the plurality of transmission elements or synthesizing signals from the plurality of transmission elements; and a reflective plate;

a phase shift amount setting unit that sets phase shift amounts of at least 1 phase shifter and at least 1 other phase shifter among the plurality of phase shifters to different phase shift amounts; and

a radome covering the array antenna,

the phase shifter has a portion having a characteristic impedance different from that of the other portion in at least one of the 1 st line conductor, the 2 nd line conductor, and the 3 rd line conductor.

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