EP1187253B1 - Multi-frequency antenna - Google Patents

Multi-frequency antenna Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1187253B1
EP1187253B1 EP01906261A EP01906261A EP1187253B1 EP 1187253 B1 EP1187253 B1 EP 1187253B1 EP 01906261 A EP01906261 A EP 01906261A EP 01906261 A EP01906261 A EP 01906261A EP 1187253 B1 EP1187253 B1 EP 1187253B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
net
antenna
frequency
section
frequency antenna
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01906261A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1187253A4 (en
EP1187253A1 (en
Inventor
Hiroshi Shimizu
Yoshio c/o Nippon Antena Kabushiki Kaisha KADOTA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nippon Antenna Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Nippon Antenna Co Ltd
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1187253A1 publication Critical patent/EP1187253A1/en
Publication of EP1187253A4 publication Critical patent/EP1187253A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1187253B1 publication Critical patent/EP1187253B1/en
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/30—Combinations of separate antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/32—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles
    • H01Q1/325—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle
    • H01Q1/3275—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q5/00—Arrangements for simultaneous operation of antennas on two or more different wavebands, e.g. dual-band or multi-band arrangements
    • H01Q5/30—Arrangements for providing operation on different wavebands
    • H01Q5/307—Individual or coupled radiating elements, each element being fed in an unspecified way
    • H01Q5/342—Individual or coupled radiating elements, each element being fed in an unspecified way for different propagation modes
    • H01Q5/357—Individual or coupled radiating elements, each element being fed in an unspecified way for different propagation modes using a single feed point
    • H01Q5/364—Creating multiple current paths
    • H01Q5/371—Branching current paths
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
    • H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
    • H01Q9/0407—Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
    • H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
    • H01Q9/30—Resonant antennas with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole
    • H01Q9/32—Vertical arrangement of element

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a multi-frequency aerial operating in a first frequency band and a second frequency band, and it is suitably applied to a multi-frequency antenna for a vehicle capable of receiving a first mobile radio band, a second mobile radio band, an FM/AM radio and, and GPS band.
  • roof vehicles which are installed on the vehicle roof have been preferred since they enable reception sensitivity to be improved by means of the antenna being installed of the roof which is the highest position on the vehicle.
  • an FM/AM radio is generally fitted in a vehicle, it is convenient to use an antenna capable of receiving both FM and AM radio bands, and hence roof antennas which are capable of receiving two radio bands conjointly have been widespread.
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • mobile telephones have become increasingly popular, and GPS antennas for car navigation systems, and mobile phone antennas for mobile phones, have been installed on vehicles.
  • a keyless entry antenna is installed on the vehicle.
  • a multi-frequency antenna disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No.H6-132714 is known as one example of this type of multi-frequency antenna.
  • This multi-frequency antenna is constituted by a retractable rod antenna forming a combined three-wave antenna for receiving a mobile phone band, FM radio band, and AM radio band, a planar radiating element forming a GPS antenna for receiving GPS signals, and a loop radiating element forming a keyless entry antenna for receiving keyless entry signals.
  • These respective antennas are installed on the upper face of a main body, and a metal plate is provided in the upper portion of the main body, the planar radiating body and the loop radiating body being formed on this plate via an inductive layer. Since the plate forms a ground plane, the planar radiating element and the loop radiating element operate as microstrip antennas. Furthermore, a protective cover is formed over the planar radiating element and loop radiating element.
  • a multi-frequency antenna of this kind comprises a retractable rod antenna, it is necessary to provide a space for accommodating the rod antenna when it is installed. Therefore, whilst it is possible to install the multi-frequency antenna on the boot lid or wing of the vehicle where such space can be formed, it cannot be installed on the roof, which is the optimum position for situating an antenna, since this does not have the required accommodating space.
  • the multi-frequency antenna is installed on the boot lid or wing of the vehicle, then since the angle of inclination of the GPS satellite is in many cases a low angle of inclination, there is a risk that the electromagnetic waves from the satellite may be shielded by the body of the vehicle, depending on the position of the GPS satellite. Therefore, a multi-frequency antenna designed to resolve this problem is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No.H10-93327 (EP 0 862 239).
  • This multi-frequency antenna is constituted by an antenna element designed to resonate at multiple frequencies by being provided with a trap coil, and a cover section having a built-in regulating circuit board, or the like, on which this antenna element is installed. By fixing this cover section to the roof, the multi-frequency antenna can be installed on the roof.
  • a plurality of frequency bands are assigned for use by mobile phones.
  • the 800 MHz band (810 MHz - 956 MHz) and 1.4 GHz band (1429 MHz - 1501 MHz) are allocated.
  • the 800 MHz (870 MHz - 960 MHz) GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) and the 1.7 GHz (1710 MHz - 1880 MHz) DCS (Digital Cellular System) are employed.
  • antennas which operate in the respective frequency bands are provided, but generally, two antennas are connected by means of a choke coil so that they mutually affect the operation of the other, see for example EP 0 637 093.
  • a choke coil such as a trap coil, or the like
  • a choke coil such as a trap coil, or the like.
  • the antenna comprises a first element operating in a first frequency band, and a second element having a rectangular extended radiating surface operating in a second frequency band which is higher than the first frequency band, connected to an intermediate region of the first element.
  • the operating principles of the multi-frequency antenna of the present invention according to this composition are not clear, but the antenna are able to operate independently without mutual adverse effects, even if the first frequency-band and second frequency band are broad frequency bands, such as mobile phone bands. Since the second element has an extended radiating surface, it is possible to achieve virtually omnidirectional characteristics in the horizontal plane.
  • the first frequency band is taken as a first mobile radio band
  • the second frequency band is taken as a second mobile radio band, being a frequency band approximately twice as high as the first mobile radio band.
  • first element is split in two, and the lower element of the split first element is accommodated inside a cover section, whilst the second element is also accommodated inside the cover section, then a compact multi-frequency antenna can be obtained. It is possible to make a circuit board incorporating a frequency divider, and the like, accommodatable in the space inside the cover section.
  • FIG. 1 A partial sectional view of the composition of a first embodiment of a multi-frequency antenna according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1, and an enlarged view thereof is illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • the multi-frequency antenna 100 relating to the first embodiment of the present invention is constituted by a linear antenna element 1, and a cover section 2 made from resin, on which the antenna element 1 is installed detachably.
  • the antenna element 1 comprises a helical element section 31 formed in a helical shape, and an antenna top 32 provided at the upper end of this helical element section 31.
  • a moulded antenna base section 30 is provided on the lower end of the helical element section 31.
  • a bendable elastic element section 16 connected to the lower end of the helical element section 31, and a choke coil 14 of which one end if connected to the lower end of the elastic element section 16, are provided inside the antenna base section 30.
  • the other end of the choke coil 14 is connected to a D-net element 13 which corresponds to an upper D-net element, and a fixing screw 12 is provided on the lower end of the D-net element 13.
  • D-net indicates a first mobile phone band based on the aforementioned GSM system
  • E-net which is mentioned hereinafter, indicates a second mobile phone band based on the aforementioned DCS system.
  • wind noise preventing means wound in a coil shape is also provided on the helical element section 31.
  • the elastic element section 16 serves to prevent the antenna element 1 from bending and snapping when a lateral load is applied thereto.
  • This elastic element section 16 can be constituted by an elastic wire cable or coil spring.
  • a metal base 25 is fitted into the lower face of the cover section 2 which is formed by resin moulding, and a cylindrical installation section 24 for installation onto the roof, or the like, of a vehicle is formed projecting from this base 25.
  • a screw thread is cut into the outer circumference of the base 25, and signal cables and power cables leading from inside the cover section 2 can be inserted through a clearance hole formed on the inner side thereof.
  • This cover section 2 accommodates a lower element 10 for D-net use, and an element 11 for E-net use formed in such a manner that it has a rectangular radiating surface connecting to the vicinity of the upper end of the lower element 10.
  • the composition of the D-net lower element 10 and the E-net element 11 is illustrated in Fig. 3.
  • a screw receiving section 2a for receiving a fixing screw section 12 provided at the lower end of the antenna base section 30 is provided on the upper face of the cover section 2.
  • a screw thread is cut into the inner circumference of this metal screw receiving section 2a, which is formed as an insert in the cover section 2.
  • a connecting section 10a formed on the front end of the lower element 10 and into which a connecting insertion section 12a formed on the front end of the fixing screw section 12 is screwed.
  • a circuit board 21 is soldered to the lower end of the lower element 10, and filter for dividing waves between a D-net and E-net mobile phone band and an AM/FM band is provided in this circuit board 21.
  • the AM/FM band signal divided thereby is amplified by an amplifying circuit incorporated into an amplifying circuit board 22 accommodated within the cover section 2.
  • a GPS unit 23 consisting of a GPS antenna and a converter section for converting received GPS signals to intermediate frequency signals is accommodated inside the cover section 2.
  • the E net element 11 is designed so as to be located at the rear face of the lower element 10, it does not affect the low inclination angle directionality characteristics of the GPS antenna in the GPS unit 23.
  • D-net and E-net mobile phone band signals are extracted from a signal cable connected to the circuit board 21, whilst AM/FM signal band signals are extracted from the amplifying circuit board 22, and GPS signals converted to intermediate frequency signals are extracted from a signal cable connected to the GPS unit 23.
  • These cables are led out from the cover section 2 by passing through the inside of the installation section 24, and are then connected to corresponding devices located inside the vehicle.
  • the composition of the D-net lower element 10 and the E-net element 11 is illustrated in Fig. 3.
  • the composition of the lower element 10 is described hereinafter, but it is plate-shaped having a front end section bent to an approximate L shape in cross section by processing a metal plate, and a screw thread section 10d into which the connecting insertion section 12a is screwed is formed in approximately the centre of the connecting section 10a formed at the bent front end section thereof.
  • a soldering piece 10b for soldering to the circuit board 21 is formed at the lower end of the lower element 10.
  • the E-net element 11 is formed so as to have an approximately rectangular radiating surface, by processing a metal plate, a connecting piece extending from approximately the centre of one edge thereof being bent in a square U shape, and a holding piece 11a being formed on the front end thereof.
  • This holding piece 11a is inserted into a cutaway window formed in the upper portion of the main member of the lower element 10, and it holds the lower element 10 on either side thereof.
  • soldering the portion held in this way the E-net element 11 is affixed to the lower element 10 and also electrically connected thereto.
  • this E-net element 11 has an enlarged radiating surface having an approximately rectangular shape in order that it has virtually omnidirectional characteristics in the horizontal plane.
  • either end section of the E net element 11 is bent slightly forwards, and both corner regions of the upper edge thereof are cut away by processing. This is in order that the E-net element 11 can be accommodated in a narrow accommodating space formed by the rear face of the lower element 10 and the side wall of the cover section 2.
  • the bending of the E-net element 11 and the removal of the two corner regions thereof do not affect the directionality characteristics thereof in the horizontal plane.
  • the separated D-net element 13 and D-net lower element 10 are connected when the antenna element 1 is screwed into the cover section 2.
  • the D-net antenna is an antenna which operates in a range from the circuit board 21 to the lower end of the choke coil 14.
  • the E-net antenna is an antenna which operates in a range from the circuit board 21 to the upper end of the lower element 10.
  • the AM/FM band antenna is an antenna which operates in the range from the circuit board 21 to the antenna tip 32. However, it does not resonate in the AM band.
  • Fig. 4 shows the detailed composition of the lower element 10: Fig. 4(a) is a front view of a lower element 10; Fig. 4(b) is a side view thereof; Fig. 4(c) is a rear face view thereof; and Fig. 4(d) is a lower face view thereof.
  • the lower element 10 has a plate shape, the front end section thereof being bent to an approximate L shape in cross-section, by processing a metal plate.
  • the bent front end section thereof is taken as a connecting section 10a, and a screw thread section 10d into which the connecting insertion section 12a is screwed is formed in the approximate centre of this connecting section 10a.
  • a taper is applied to the main piece 10c extending downwards from the end of the connecting section 10a, such that it has a narrower width at the lower end thereof, and the upper portion thereof is bent slightly towards to the rear side.
  • a soldering piece 10b for soldering to the circuit board 21 is formed at the lower end of the main piece 10c.
  • a portion of the upper part of the main piece 10c is cutaway to form cutaway window 10e.
  • Fig. 5 shows the detailed composition of the E-net element 11: Fig. 5(a) is a front view of the E-net element 11; Fig. 5(b) is a side view thereof; and Fig. 5(c) is a lower side view thereof.
  • the E-net element 11 is formed having an enlarged radiating surface having an approximately rectangular shape, by processing a metal plate, end pieces 11d, 11e on either side being bent slightly forwards on the approximately rectangular radiating surface, and both corner sections of the upper edge thereof being cut away by processing.
  • a connecting piece 11f and bent piece 11b are formed by extending a portion from approximately the centre of the upper edge of the element 11, and bending it into a square U shape.
  • a holding piece 11a is formed by cutting one portion of the front edge of the bent piece 11b.
  • This holding piece 11a is inserted to sit either side of the cutaway window 10e forming on the upper portion of the main piece 10c of the lower element 10.
  • the E-net element 11 can be affixed to the lower element 10, and mutual electrical connection can be established, by soldering the holding piece 11a about the periphery of the cutaway window 10e. If the bend angle of the central piece 11c with respect to the connecting piece 11f is set to greater than 90° when the E-net element 11 is affixed to the lower element 10, then the lower element 10 and the centre piece 11c of the E-net element 11 will be positioned approximately in parallel.
  • the multi-frequency antenna 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates simultaneously as a four-frequency antenna for D-net and E-net mobile phone bands, and an AM/FM band, and furthermore, GPS signals can be received by means of a separately provided GPS unit 23.
  • the multi-frequency antenna 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be a multi-frequency antenna that operates only in the D-net and E-net by means of the antenna element 1. In this case, naturally, the length of the antenna element 1 can be shorted accordingly.
  • Fig. 6(a) shows the theoretical composition of an antenna operating only in the D-net and E-net, relating to the multi-frequency antenna 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the split D-net antenna is a linear antenna of length L1, comprising an upper portion forming a D-net element 13, and a lower portion forming a lower element 10 of length L2. Moreover, the D-net antenna composed in this manner projects in a slightly inclined manner at an angle of ⁇ 1 with respect to the horizontal plane.
  • An E-net element 11 having a length L3 is connected to the region where the D-net element 13 joins with the lower element 10.
  • the E-net element 11 is disposed approximately in parallel to the lower element 10, separated therefrom by the length L4 of the connecting piece 11f described above.
  • the front end of this connecting piece 11f is connected to an intermediate part of the D-net antenna constituted by the D-net element 13 and the lower element 10.
  • the composition of the E-net element 11 is as illustrated in Fig. 5, and the approximate form thereof is illustrated in Figs. 6(b) and (c), the width of the rectangular shape forming the enlarged radiating surface being taken as W1.
  • the lower end of the lower element 10 forms an electricity supply point for the D-net antenna and the E-net element 11, as illustrated in the diagrams.
  • the dimensions illustrated in Fig. 6, namely, the length L1 of the D-net antenna constituted by the D-net element 13 and lower element 10, the length L2 of the lower element 10, the length L3 and width W1 of the E-net element, and the interval L4 between the D-net antenna and the E-net element 11, are determined according to the frequency values of the first frequency band for the D-net and the second frequency band for the E-net, and the angle ⁇ 1 used.
  • the length L1 of the D-net antenna can be taken as approximately 0.202 ⁇ 1, the length L2 of the lower element 10 as approximately 0.136 ⁇ 2, the length L3 of the E-net element 11 as approximately 0.102 ⁇ 2, the width W1 thereof as approximately 0.162 ⁇ 2, and the interval L4 between the D-net antenna and the E-net antenna 11, approximately 0.021 ⁇ 2.
  • Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 show impedance characteristics for a multi-frequency antenna 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in Fig. 1, when the aforementioned constants are used for the dimensions of the lengths, width and interval of the split D-net element 13 and lower element 10, and the E-net element 11, whilst Fig. 8 and Fig. 10 show VSWR characteristics for same.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates impedance characteristics for the D-net 800 MHz band (870 MHz - 960 MHz), and an impedance value of the order of 50 ⁇ is obtained for this 870 MHz - 960 MHz frequency band. 50 ⁇ is the impedance value to be matched to.
  • Fig. 9 shows impedance characteristics in the E-net 1.7 GHz band (1710 MHz - 1880 MHz), and from the lower frequency region to beyond the central frequency region of this 1710 MHz - 1880 MHz band, an impedance of the order of 50 ⁇ is obtained.
  • Fig. 8 shows VSWR characteristics for the D-net 800 MHz band (870 MHz - 960 MHz), and a good VSWR value of approximately 1.8 or less is achieved in this 870 MHz - 960 MHz frequency band.
  • Fig. 10 shows VSWR characteristics for the E-net 1.7 GHz band (1710 MHz - 1880 MHz), and a VSWR value of approximately 2.0 or less is achieved in this 1710 MHz - 1880 MHz frequency band, and in particular, a good VSWR value of approximately 1.5 or lower is obtained from the lower frequency region to beyond the central frequency region of this band.
  • Fig. 11 to Fig. 14 show directionality characteristics within a horizontal plane for a multi-frequency antenna 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in Fig. 1, in a case where the aforementioned constants are used for the dimensions of the lengths, width and interval of the D-net element 13, lower element 10 and E-net element 11.
  • Fig. 11(a) is a diagram illustrating a measurement state of the multi-frequency antenna 100 positioned on a ground plane 50 of sufficient surface area, and showing references angle in the horizontal direction, which correspond to the angles of the directionality characteristics in the horizontal plane described hereinafter.
  • the gain of the multi-frequency antenna 100 is approximately - 0.8 dB compared to a ⁇ /4 whip antenna.
  • Fig. 16 to Fig. 18 show directionality characteristics in a vertical plane of a perpendicularly standing multi-frequency antenna 100, in a case where the aforementioned constants are used for the dimensions of the lengths, width and interval of the D-net element 13, lower element 10 and E-net element 11 in a multi-frequency antenna 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating a measurement state of the multi-frequency antenna 100 positioned perpendicularly with respect to a ground plane 50 of sufficient surface area, and showing reference angles in the vertical direction, which correspond to the angles of the directionality characteristics in the vertical plane described hereinafter.
  • the main beam width is narrower than for the D-net, good directionality characteristics are obtained, having a maximum level at an angle of elevation of approximately ⁇ 60°.
  • the gain of the multi-frequency antenna 100 is approximately + 3.98 dB compared to a dipole antenna.
  • Fig. 20 to Fig. 23 show directionality characteristics in a vertical plane of an inclined multi-frequency antenna 100, in a case where the aforementioned constants are used for the dimensions of the lengths, width and interval of the D-net element 13, lower element 10 and E-net element 11 in a multi-frequency antenna 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating a measurement state of the multi-frequency antenna 100 positioned in an inclined position with respect to a ground plane 50 of sufficient surface area, and showing reference angles in the vertical direction, which correspond to the angles of the directionality characteristics in the vertical plane described hereinafter.
  • f 870 MHz of the D-net frequency band.
  • the gain of the multi-frequency antenna 100 is approximately + 1.67 dB compared to a dipole antenna.
  • the gain of the multi-frequency antenna 100 is approximately + 0.47 dB compared to a dipole antenna.
  • f 1710 MHz of the E-net frequency band.
  • the gain of the multi-frequency antenna 100 is approximately + 4.07 dB compared to a dipole antenna.
  • the gain of the multi-frequency antenna 100 is approximately + 2.44 dB compared to a dipole antenna.
  • the directionality characteristics in the vertical plane illustrated in Fig. 16 to Fig. 23 are such that it radiates in all directions, having a good angle of elevation of approximately ⁇ 60°.
  • the directionality characteristics in the horizontal plane are virtually omnidirectional characteristics, as illustrated in Fig. 11 to Fig. 14.
  • the multi-frequency antenna 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be used suitably as an antenna operating in mobile phone bands.
  • Fig. 24 and Fig. 25 illustrate a second embodiment of a multi-frequency antenna according to the present invention.
  • the antenna element 201 is inclined to a greater degree than the antenna element 1 according to the first embodiment.
  • the angle of this inclination is, for example, approximately 50°.
  • the composition of the multi-frequency antenna 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same composition as the multi-frequency antenna 100 according to the first embodiment, except for the inclination thereof, and hence the inclined composition thereof is described below.
  • the antenna element 201 stands at an angle of inclination of approximately 50° with respect to the horizontal plane, for example. This inclination is achieved by inclining the metal screw receiving section 202a formed as an insert of the cover section 202, when it is fixed into the cover section 202.
  • the composition of the antenna element 201 is similar to that of the antenna element 1.
  • the length of the D-net element 213 is different to that of the D-net element 13.
  • the composition of the cover section 202 differs from the composition of the cover section 2, and the composition of the lower element 210 and the E-net element 211 accommodated inside the cover section 202 are also different.
  • Fig. 26 shows the composition of a lower element 210 and E-net element 211 in a multi-frequency antenna 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the detailed composition of the lower element 210 is described hereinafter, but it is plate-shaped having a front end section bent to an approximate L shape in cross section by processing a metal plate, and a screw thread section 210d into which a connecting insertion section 212a is screwed is formed in approximately the centre of a connecting section 210a formed at the bent front end section thereof.
  • a soldering piece 210b for soldering to a circuit board 221 is formed at the lower end of the lower element 210.
  • the E-net element 211 is formed so as to have an approximately rectangular radiating surface, by processing a metal plate, a connecting piece extending from approximately the centre of one edge thereof being bent in a square U shape, and a holding piece 211a being formed on the front end thereof.
  • This holding piece 211a is inserted into a cutaway window formed in the upper portion of the main member of the lower element 210, and it holds the lower element 210 on either side thereof.
  • soldering the portion held in this way the E-net element 211 is affixed to the lower element 210 and also electrically connected thereto.
  • this E-net element 211 has an enlarged radiating surface having an approximately rectangular shape in order that it has virtually omnidirectional characteristics in the horizontal plane. Furthermore, either end section of the E net element 211 is bent slightly forwards, and both corner regions of the upper edge thereof are cut away by processing. This is in order that the E-net element 211 can be accommodated in a narrow accommodating space formed by the rear face of the lower element 210 and the side wall of the cover section 202. The bending of the E-net element 211 and the removal of the two corner regions thereof do not affect the directionality characteristics thereof in the horizontal plane.
  • the separated D-net element 213 and D-net lower element 210 are connected when the antenna element 201 is screwed into the cover section 202.
  • the D-net antenna is an antenna which operates in a range from the circuit board 221 to the lower end of the choke coil 214.
  • the E-net antenna is an antenna which operates in a range from the circuit board 221 to the upper end of the lower element 210.
  • the AM/FM band antenna is an antenna which operates in the range from the circuit board 221 to the antenna tip 322. However, it does not resonate in the AM band.
  • Fig. 27 shows the detailed composition of the lower element 210: Fig. 27(a) is a front view of the lower element 210; Fig. 27(b) is a side view thereof; Fig. 27(c) is a rear face view thereof; and Fig. 27(d) is a lower face view thereof.
  • the lower element 210 has a plate shape, the front end section thereof being bent to an approximate L shape in cross-section, by processing a metal plate.
  • the bent front end section thereof is taken as a connecting section 210a, and a screw thread section 210d into which the connecting insertion section 212a is screwed is formed in the approximate centre of this connecting section 210a.
  • a taper is applied to the main piece 210c extending downwards from the end of the connecting section 210a, such that it has a narrower width at the lower end thereof, and the upper portion thereof is bent slightly towards to the rear side.
  • a soldering piece 210b for soldering to the circuit board 221 is formed at the lower end of the main piece 210c.
  • a portion of the upper part of the main piece 210c is cutaway to form cutaway window 210e.
  • the length of the lower element 210 is formed slightly longer than the lower element 10.
  • Fig. 28 shows the detailed composition of the E-net element 211: Fig. 28(a) is a front view of the E-net element 211; Fig. 28(b) is a side view thereof; and Fig. 28(c) is a bottom view thereof.
  • the E-net element 211 is formed having an enlarged radiating surface having an approximately rectangular shape, by processing a metal plate, end pieces 211d, 211e on either side being bent slightly forwards on the approximately rectangular radiating surface, and both corner sections of the upper edge thereof being cut away by processing.
  • a connecting piece 211f and bent piece 211b are formed by extending a portion from approximately the centre of the upper edge of the element 211, and bending it into a square U shape.
  • a holding piece 211a is formed by cutting one portion of the front edge of the bent piece 211b.
  • This holding piece 211a is inserted to sit either side of the cutaway window 210e forming on the upper portion of the main piece 210c of the lower element 210.
  • the E-net element 211 can be affixed to the lower element 210, and mutual electrical connection therebetween can be established, by soldering the holding piece 211a about the periphery of the cutaway window 210e. If the bend angle of the central piece 211c with respect to the connecting piece 211f is set to greater than 90° when the E-net element 211 is affixed to the lower element 210, then the lower element 210 and the centre piece 211c of the E-net element 211 will be positioned approximately in parallel, as illustrated in Fig. 26.
  • the multi-frequency antenna 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates simultaneously as a four-frequency antenna for D-net and E-net mobile phone bands, and an AM/FM band, and furthermore, GPS signals can be received by means of a separately provided GPS unit 223.
  • the multi-frequency antenna 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be a multi-frequency antenna that operates only in the D-net and E-net by means of the antenna element 201. In this case, naturally, the length of the antenna element 201 can be shorted accordingly.
  • Fig. 29(a) shows the basic composition of an antenna operating in the D-net and E-net, relating to a multi-frequency antenna 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the split D-net antenna is a linear antenna of length L11, comprising an upper portion forming a D-net element 213, and a lower portion forming a lower element 210 of length L12. Moreover, the D-net antenna composed in this manner projects in a slightly inclined manner at an angle of ⁇ 2 with respect to the horizontal plane.
  • An E-net element 211 having a length L13 is connected to the region where the D-net element 213 joins with the lower element 210.
  • the E-net element 211 is disposed approximately in parallel to the lower element 210, separated therefrom by the length L14 of the connecting piece 211f described above.
  • this connecting piece 211f is connected to an intermediate part of the D-net antenna constituted by the D-net element 213 and the lower element 210.
  • the composition of the E-net element 211 is as illustrated in Fig. 28, and the approximate form thereof is illustrated in Figs. 29(b) and (c), the width of the rectangular shape forming the enlarged radiating surface being taken as W2.
  • the lower end of the lower element 210 forms an electricity supply point for the D-net antenna and the E-net element 211, as illustrated in the diagrams.
  • the dimensions illustrated in Fig. 29, namely, the length L11 of the D-net antenna constituted by the D-net element 213 and lower element 210, the length L12 of the lower element 210, the length L13 and width W1 of the E-net element 211, and the interval L14 between the D-net antenna and the E-net element 211, are determined according to the frequency values of the first frequency band for the D-net and the second frequency band for the E-net, and the angle ⁇ 2 used.
  • the length L11 of the D-net antenna can be taken as approximately 0.221 ⁇ 1, the length L12 of the lower element 210 as approximately 0.174 ⁇ 2, the length L13 of the E-net element 211 as approximately 0.120 ⁇ 2, the width W2 thereof as approximately 0.149 ⁇ 2, and the interval L14 between the D-net antenna and the E-net element 211, approximately 0.015 ⁇ 2.
  • the interval L14 is small, as described above, because the accommodation space inside the cover section 202 is narrow, and since this accommodation space is narrow, the width W2 of the E-net element 211 is also small, and the bend angle of the end pieces 211d, 211e becomes tighter. However, the length of the D-net antenna and the E-net element 211 becomes greater.
  • the multi-frequency antenna 200 of the second embodiment according to the present invention as illustrated in Fig. 24, has virtually the same characteristics as the multi-frequency antenna 100 relating to the first embodiment, in terms of the impedance characteristics and VSWR characteristics of the multi-frequency antenna 200 in the D-net and E-net frequency bands, taking the aforementioned constants for the dimensions of the lengths, width and interval of the D-net element 213, lower element 210 and E-net element 211.
  • the directionality characteristics in the horizontal plane and the directionality characteristics in the vertical plane of the multi-frequency antenna 200 in the D-net and E-net frequency bands in this case are virtually the same as the directionality characteristics of the multi-frequency antenna 100 relating to the first embodiment.
  • the E-net elements 11, 211 are formed in such a manner that they have an extended radiating surface having an approximately rectangular shape. This is in order that the directionality characteristics in the horizontal plane are virtually omnidirectional, but if omnidirectional characteristics are not required in the horizontal plane, then the E-net elements 11, 211 made be formed with a narrow width. Moreover, if the widths of the E-net elements 11, 211 are taken as approximately 0.12 ⁇ 2, or above, then virtually omnidirectional characteristics are obtained in the horizontal plane.
  • a second antenna forming an E-net antenna for example, if connected to the intermediate portion of a first antenna forming a D-net antenna, for example. It is inferred that the fact that the two antennas operate without causing mutual adverse effects when composed in this manner is related to the fact that the second antenna operates in a frequency band approximately twice as high as the frequency band in which the first antenna operates.
  • a second element having an extended rectangular radiating surface operating in a second frequency band which is higher than a first frequency band is connected at an intermediate region of a first element operating at the first frequency band.
  • the antennas are able to operate independently without mutual adverse effects, even across a first frequency band and a second frequency band covering a broad frequency band such as mobile phone bands. Since the radiating surface of the second element is extended, it is possible to achieve omnidirectional characteristics in the horizontal plane.
  • the first element used for a low frequency band is split into two, the split lower element being accommodated inside a cover section, whilst a second element is also accommodated inside the cover section, whereby a compact multi-frequency antenna can be achieved. It is also possible to accommodate a circuit board incorporating a frequency divider, and the like, in the space inside the cover section.
  • a element operating in a very low frequency band such as an AM/FM band
  • a choke coil at the upper end of the first element
  • a GPS antenna unit is provided in the accommodating space inside the cover, it is possible to receive GPS signals, without affecting the other antennas.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
  • Details Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Support Of Aerials (AREA)
EP01906261A 2000-03-17 2001-02-23 Multi-frequency antenna Expired - Lifetime EP1187253B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2000076164A JP3464639B2 (ja) 2000-03-17 2000-03-17 多周波用アンテナ
JP2000076164 2000-03-17
PCT/JP2001/001362 WO2001071847A1 (fr) 2000-03-17 2001-02-23 Antenne multifrequence

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1187253A1 EP1187253A1 (en) 2002-03-13
EP1187253A4 EP1187253A4 (en) 2002-11-20
EP1187253B1 true EP1187253B1 (en) 2003-07-23

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01906261A Expired - Lifetime EP1187253B1 (en) 2000-03-17 2001-02-23 Multi-frequency antenna

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EP (1) EP1187253B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP3464639B2 (ja)
DE (1) DE60100492T2 (ja)
WO (1) WO2001071847A1 (ja)

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AU2002225461B2 (en) * 2001-02-26 2005-12-15 Nippon Antena Kabushiki Kaisha Multifrequency antenna
DE20111229U1 (de) 2001-07-12 2001-10-18 FUBA Automotive GmbH & Co. KG, 31162 Bad Salzdetfurth Antennenanordnung
DE10207703B4 (de) * 2002-02-22 2005-06-09 Kathrein-Werke Kg Antenne für eine Empfangs- und/oder Sendeeinrichtung insbesondere als Dachantenne für Kraftfahrzeuge
GB2400497B (en) * 2003-04-07 2007-03-21 Harada Ind Multi-band antenna and connectable communication circuitry,for vehicular application
US20040266344A1 (en) * 2003-06-27 2004-12-30 Imtiaz Zafar Integrated AM/FM mast with single SDARS antenna
JP4180526B2 (ja) 2004-01-22 2008-11-12 日産自動車株式会社 アンテナユニット
DE102004046907A1 (de) * 2004-09-28 2006-04-13 Robert Bosch Gmbh Antennengehäuse und Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Antennengehäuses
EP1750327A3 (de) * 2005-08-01 2007-03-14 Hirschmann Car Communication GmbH Stabantenne, insbesondere Mobilfunkantenne für Fahrzeuge
JP5274102B2 (ja) 2008-05-22 2013-08-28 原田工業株式会社 ２周波アンテナ
US8130155B2 (en) 2008-07-16 2012-03-06 R.A. Miller Industries, Inc. Marine multiband antenna
US8963786B2 (en) * 2012-07-11 2015-02-24 Laird Technologies, Inc. Antenna mast assemblies
US9941599B2 (en) * 2012-08-07 2018-04-10 Comrod As Three band whip antenna
CN113725606A (zh) * 2016-12-06 2021-11-30 株式会社友华 天线装置
KR102479103B1 (ko) * 2017-04-20 2022-12-19 엘에스엠트론 주식회사 차량용 안테나 장치

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JP2730480B2 (ja) * 1993-07-30 1998-03-25 日本アンテナ株式会社 ３波共用ルーフアンテナ
JPH08204431A (ja) * 1995-01-23 1996-08-09 N T T Ido Tsushinmo Kk 多共振アンテナ装置
JPH08335824A (ja) * 1995-06-06 1996-12-17 Harada Ind Co Ltd 三波共用アンテナ装置
JP3065949B2 (ja) * 1996-09-13 2000-07-17 日本アンテナ株式会社 多周波用アンテナ
JP3825146B2 (ja) * 1997-08-18 2006-09-20 ユニデン株式会社 複合アンテナ
JP3058480U (ja) * 1998-10-15 1999-06-18 八重洲無線株式会社 マルチバンド・アンテナ

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Publication number Publication date
JP3464639B2 (ja) 2003-11-10
EP1187253A4 (en) 2002-11-20
EP1187253A1 (en) 2002-03-13
DE60100492D1 (de) 2003-08-28
DE60100492T2 (de) 2004-02-19
WO2001071847A1 (fr) 2001-09-27
JP2001267831A (ja) 2001-09-28

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