EP3859885A1 - Vehicular antenna device - Google Patents
Vehicular antenna device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3859885A1 EP3859885A1 EP21153896.2A EP21153896A EP3859885A1 EP 3859885 A1 EP3859885 A1 EP 3859885A1 EP 21153896 A EP21153896 A EP 21153896A EP 3859885 A1 EP3859885 A1 EP 3859885A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- antenna
- frequency band
- unit
- vehicular
- filter circuit
- 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.)
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- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 19
- 230000001902 propagating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 83
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 55
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 35
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 28
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 23
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 23
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 22
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 13
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 12
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001066 destructive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005404 monopole Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004904 shortening Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
- H01Q21/28—Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems
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- 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
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
- H01Q1/36—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith
- H01Q1/362—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith for broadside radiating helical antennas
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
- H01Q1/52—Means for reducing coupling between antennas; Means for reducing coupling between an antenna and another structure
- H01Q1/521—Means for reducing coupling between antennas; Means for reducing coupling between an antenna and another structure reducing the coupling between adjacent antennas
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a vehicular antenna device.
- the vehicular antenna device includes an antenna formed by a winding connected to a common connector, and is operated in multiple bands such as an Amplitude Modulation/Frequency Modulation (AM/FM) radio band, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) band, a Digital audio Broadcast (DAB) band, and the like.
- the vehicular antenna device according to another example disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-142379 includes a telematics antenna.
- a telematics antenna may be used as in the vehicular antenna device according to another example of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-142379 .
- the telematics antenna may not operate well in another frequency band.
- An example of an object of the present invention is to increase sensitivity of a vehicular antenna device over a wide frequency band.
- Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification.
- the vehicular antenna device includes a first antenna operable in a first frequency band, a second antenna operable in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, a first feeding unit connected to the first antenna, a second feeding unit connected to the second antenna, and a combiner unit combining a signal from the first feeding unit and a signal from the second feeding unit.
- ordinal numbers such as “first”, “second”, and “third”, are attached only for distinguishing components to which the same names are attached unless specifically limited, and do not mean particular features (for example, an order or a degree of importance) of the components.
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicular antenna device 10 according to an embodiment.
- Fig. 2 is a left side view of the vehicular antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 1 .
- Fig. 3 is a top view of the vehicular antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 1 .
- a first direction X, a second direction Y, and a third direction Z are as follows.
- an arrow indicating the first direction X, the second direction Y, or the third direction Z means that a direction toward a side indicated by the arrow is a positive direction of the direction indicated by the arrow.
- a white circle with a black dot indicating the second direction Y or the third direction Z means that a direction from a back to a front of a paper surface to which the white circle is attached is the positive direction of a direction indicated by the white circle.
- a white circle with an X indicating the third direction Z means that a direction from a front to a back of a paper surface to which the white circle is attached is the positive direction of a direction indicated by the white circle.
- the first direction X is a front and rear direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- a positive direction of the first direction X is a front direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- a negative direction of the first direction X that is, an opposite direction of the positive direction of the first direction X is a rear direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- the second direction Y is a left and right direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- the second direction Y intersects the first direction X, and is specifically orthogonal to the first direction X.
- a positive direction of the second direction Y is a left direction of the vehicular antenna device 10 when viewed from a rear side of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- a negative direction of the second direction Y that is, an opposite direction of the positive direction of the second direction Y is a right direction of the vehicular antenna device 10 when viewed from the rear side of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- the third direction Z is a vertical direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- the third direction Z intersects both the first direction X and the second direction Y, and is specifically orthogonal to both the first direction X and the second direction Y.
- a positive direction of the third direction Z is an upward direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- a negative direction of the third direction Z that is, an opposite direction of the positive direction of the third direction Z is a downward direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- the first direction X may represent the front and rear direction of the vehicular antenna device 10
- the second direction Y may represent the left and right direction of the vehicular antenna device 10
- the third direction Z may represent a height direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- the vehicular antenna device 10 includes a base 100, a first substrate 200, a first antenna 310, a second antenna 320, a second substrate 400, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antenna 510, and an LTE antenna 520.
- An upper surface of the base 100, the first substrate 200, the second antenna 320, the second substrate 400, the GNSS antenna 510, and the LTE antenna 520 are covered by a not-shown case, and the first antenna 310 is exposed from the case except for a lower end of the first antenna 310 and a vicinity of the lower end of the first antenna 310.
- GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System
- the vehicular antenna device 10 is attached to a roof of a not-shown vehicle. Specifically, the base 100 is disposed on an upper surface side of the roof of the vehicle. Details described in the present embodiment for the vehicular antenna device 10 may also be applied to an antenna device attached to an object different from the roof of the vehicle.
- a length of the base 100 in the front and rear direction of the vehicular antenna device 10 is longer than a length of the base 100 in the left and right direction of the vehicular antenna device 10. Further, the base 100 has a thickness in a direction parallel to the height direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- the first substrate 200 is disposed above or on the upper surface of the base 100.
- the first substrate 200 is, for example, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB).
- the first substrate 200 has a thickness in a direction parallel to the height direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 are disposed on the upper surface side of the first substrate 200.
- the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 are disposed in a predetermined direction, specifically, in the front and rear direction of the vehicular antenna device 10. More specifically, the first antenna 310 is located in the rear of the second antenna 320, and the second antenna 320 is located in front of the first antenna 310.
- disposition of the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 is not limited to the disposition according to the present embodiment.
- the first antenna 310 may be located in front of the second antenna 320.
- the lower end of the first antenna 310 is connected to a first feeding unit 210 of the first substrate 200.
- a lower end of the second antenna 320 is connected to a second feeding unit 220 of the first substrate 200.
- the first feeding unit 210 and the second feeding unit 220 are physically spaced apart from each other. In this case, as compared with a case where the feeding unit of the first antenna 310 is common to the feeding unit of the second antenna 320, it is possible to secure isolation between the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320, and it is possible to reduce interference between a signal transmitted and/or received by the first antenna 310 and a signal transmitted and/or received by the second antenna 320.
- That the antenna transmits and/or receives the signal means that the antenna performs at least one of transmission and reception of the signal.
- the first antenna 310 is operable in multiple bands including a predetermined first frequency band. Specifically, the first antenna 310 is operable in three frequency bands, that is, a low frequency band of an LTE band, a DAB band, and an AM/FM radio band. Further, the first antenna 310 functions as a telephone (TEL) main antenna in the low frequency band of the LTE band.
- the first frequency band is the low frequency band of the LTE band, and includes, for example, at least a part of 699 MHz to 960 MHz.
- the first frequency band may be a band different from the low frequency band of the LTE band.
- the first antenna 310 may be operate only in the first frequency band without operating in the DAB band and the AM/FM radio band.
- the first antenna 310 has a rod shape extending in one direction.
- the first antenna 310 is tilted from the front direction of the vehicular antenna device 10 toward the rear direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- the first antenna 310 includes a winding (not shown) that spirally extends along an extending direction of the first antenna 310, and an antenna cover 312 that covers the winding and extends along the extending direction of the first antenna 310.
- the first antenna 310 is operable in the multiple bands depending on an aspect of the winding, such as the number of windings, a winding pitch, a winding diameter, a shape, or the like. For example, a part of the first antenna 310 that operates in the three frequency bands has a common winding.
- the winding length A is shorter than the winding length B
- the winding length B is shorter than the winding length C.
- a compact winding configuration may be provided in such a way that a part of the winding length A of the winding does not wind a support such as a core wire, and adjacent winding parts of the winding are adhered to each other. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the part of the winding length A of the winding from being broken. Further, when a wire diameter of the part of the winding length A of the winding is increased, it is possible to provide a spring property that returns to an original shape even when being bent by an external force. In addition, since the winding diameter is thick (large), conductor resistance is small, and thus an operating gain can be improved in the low frequency band of the LTE band and a wide bandwidth can be acquired.
- the second antenna 320 is operable in a predetermined second frequency band.
- the second frequency band is different from the first frequency band.
- the second frequency band is a high frequency band of the LTE band, and includes, for example, at least a part of 1710 MHz to 2690 MHz. That is, the second frequency band is a higher frequency band than the first frequency band.
- the second antenna 320 functions as the TEL main antenna in the high frequency band of the LTE band.
- the second frequency band may be a frequency band different from the high frequency band of the LTE band.
- the second frequency band may be a frequency band lower than the first frequency band.
- the second antenna 320 includes a first conductor plate unit 322 and a second conductor plate unit 324.
- the first conductor plate unit 322 is disposed on the upper surface of the first substrate 200.
- the first conductor plate unit 322 is connected to the second feeding unit 220. Further, the first conductor plate unit 322 has a thickness in a direction parallel to the second direction Y and a width in a direction parallel to the first direction X.
- the second conductor plate unit 324 extends from an upper end of the first conductor plate unit 322 in a direction orthogonal to the third direction Z, specifically, in the positive direction of the second direction Y.
- the second conductor plate unit 324 when viewed from the front of the vehicular antenna device 10, extends from the upper end of the first conductor plate unit 322 toward a right side of the first conductor plate unit 322. Further, the second conductor plate unit 324 has a thickness in the direction parallel to the height direction of the vehicular antenna device 10. According to the present embodiment, as compared with, for example, a case where the second conductor plate unit 324 does not extend in the direction intersecting an extending direction of the first conductor plate unit 322 and simply extends in the same direction as the extending direction of the first conductor plate unit 322, it is possible to reduce the height of the second antenna 320 in the height direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- the first conductor plate unit 322 and the second conductor plate unit 324 are formed by bending a conductor plate, such as sheet metal, between a part that becomes the first conductor plate unit 322 and a part that becomes the second conductor plate unit 324.
- the first conductor plate unit 322 and the second conductor plate unit 324 may be formed by another method of, for example, joining, for example, welding the conductor plate, such as the sheet metal, which becomes the first conductor plate unit 322, and the conductor plate, such as the sheet metal, which becomes the second conductor plate unit 324 to each other.
- the second antenna 320 includes a first portion connected to the second feeding unit 220 and a second portion connected to the first portion at an angle.
- the first portion and the second portion of the second antenna 320 correspond to the first conductor plate unit 322 and the second conductor plate unit 324, respectively.
- the second antenna 320 having the shape it is possible to configure, for example, a low-profile antenna equal to or smaller than 40 mm even while securing a desired frequency band.
- a part of the second antenna 320 that overlaps the first antenna 310 in a height direction is reduced, it is possible to secure spatial isolation between the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320.
- the sensitivity of the second antenna 320, and the spatial isolation between the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 can be adjusted.
- the shape of the second antenna 320 is not limited to the shape according to the present embodiment.
- the direction in which the first conductor plate unit 322 extends is set to the positive direction in the third direction Z
- a configuration may be provided in which the first conductor plate unit 322 is inclined to extend to a side of the second direction Y.
- the extending direction of the first conductor plate unit 322 and the extending direction of the second conductor plate unit 324 may not be orthogonal and may be oblique.
- the second conductor plate unit 324 may be extended toward the right side of the first conductor plate unit 322 from the upper end of the first conductor plate unit 322, that is, a side different from the negative direction of the second direction Y, such as the left side of the first conductor plate unit 322, in other words, the positive direction of the second direction Y.
- the second antenna 320 may not have a part corresponding to the second conductor plate unit 324.
- the second antenna 320 may include only a conductor plate, such as a single sheet metal, having a thickness in a direction orthogonal to the height direction of the vehicular antenna device 10, for example, in the left and right direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- the present invention is not limited thereto, and the surface of the first conductor plate unit 322 may be disposed to face the first direction X.
- the second antenna 320 may be configured by a pattern provided on the substrate instead of the conductor plates such as the first conductor plate unit 322 and the second conductor plate unit 324.
- a substrate, on which the pattern configuring the second antenna 320 is formed is disposed on the upper surface of the first substrate 200.
- the first antenna 310 can correspond to the low frequency band of LTE. Therefore, it is not necessary to design the second antenna 320 in consideration of the low frequency band of LTE. Therefore, as compared with the case where the second antenna 320 also corresponds to the low frequency band of LTE, a degree of freedom in designing the second antenna 320 is improved. In particular, in the present embodiment, as compared with the case where the second antenna 320 also corresponds to the low frequency band of LTE, it is possible to expand a frequency band, to which the second antenna 320 can correspond, toward the high frequency band by adjusting the size and height of the second antenna 320.
- the second antenna 320 can correspond to the high frequency band of LTE. Therefore, it is not necessary to design the first antenna 310 in consideration of the high frequency band of LTE. Therefore, as compared with the case where the first antenna 310 also corresponds to the high frequency band of LTE, a degree of freedom in designing the first antenna 310 is improved. In particular, in the present embodiment, as compared with the case where the first antenna 310 also corresponds to the low frequency band of LTE, it is possible to expand the frequency band, to which the first antenna 310 can correspond, toward the low frequency band by adjusting the aspect of the above-described winding of the first antenna 310.
- the first antenna 310 corresponds to the high frequency band of LTE
- the second substrate 400 is disposed above or on the upper surface of the base 100.
- the second substrate 400 is, for example, a PCB.
- the second substrate 400 has a thickness in the direction parallel to the height direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- the second substrate 400 is located in front of the first substrate 200.
- the first substrate 200 and the second substrate 400 are respective substrates spaced apart from each other.
- the first substrate 200 and the second substrate 400 may not be spaced apart from each other, and may be connected to each other.
- the first antenna 310, the second antenna 320, the GNSS antenna 510, and the LTE antenna 520 are disposed on the substrate, such as the PCB, in which a part corresponding to the first substrate 200 and a part corresponding to the second substrate 400 are integrated.
- the electrical property of each antenna is more stable.
- a signal of each antenna may be output through one integrated connector configured with multiple poles. When the signal of each antenna is output through one integrated connector, it is possible to reduce the number of soldered cables and to realize easiness of attachment and detachment.
- the GNSS antenna 510 and the LTE antenna 520 are disposed on an upper surface side of the second substrate 400.
- the GNSS antenna 510 and the LTE antenna 520 are disposed in a predetermined direction, specifically, in the front and rear direction of the vehicular antenna device 10. More specifically, the GNSS antenna 510 is located in the rear of the LTE antenna 520, and the LTE antenna 520 is located in front of the GNSS antenna 510.
- the disposition of the GNSS antenna 510 and the LTE antenna 520 is not limited to the disposition according to the present embodiment.
- the GNSS antenna 510 is, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna.
- the GNSS antenna 510 is connected to a feeding unit provided on the second substrate 400.
- the GNSS antenna 510 is a patch antenna.
- the GNSS antenna 510 has a quadrangular (for example, rectangular or square) shape.
- the shape of the GNSS antenna 510 is not limited to the example, and may be, for example, a circular shape.
- the GNSS antenna 510 may be an antenna having a structure different from the patch antenna such as an antenna having a helical structure.
- the LTE antenna 520 functions as, for example, a TEL sub-antenna.
- the LTE antenna 520 is connected to the feeding unit provided on the second substrate 400.
- the LTE antenna 520 includes a third conductor plate unit 522 and a fourth conductor plate unit 524.
- the third conductor plate unit 522 is disposed on the upper surface of the second substrate 400. Further, the third conductor plate unit 522 has a thickness in a direction parallel to the first direction X and a width in a direction parallel to the second direction Y.
- the fourth conductor plate unit 524 extends obliquely downward from the upper end of the third conductor plate unit 522 toward the front of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- the fourth conductor plate unit 524 does not extend in the direction intersecting an extending direction of the third conductor plate unit 522 and simply extends in the same direction as the extending direction of the third conductor plate unit 522, it is possible to reduce a height of the LTE antenna 520 in the height direction of the vehicular antenna device 10. As a result, it is possible to configure the design of the case as a gentle streamline, and thus an antenna disposition space can be effective.
- the fourth conductor plate unit 524 extends from the upper end of the third conductor plate unit 522 toward the side where the GNSS antenna 510 is located, that is, toward the rear of the vehicular antenna device 10, it is possible to secure the spatial isolation between the GNSS antenna 510 and the fourth conductor plate unit 524. Further, as compared with the case where the fourth conductor plate unit 524 is present above (in the positive direction of the third direction Z of) the GNSS antenna 510, it is possible to suppress interference with the GNSS antenna 510 while securing a desired frequency band.
- a shape of the LTE antenna 520 is not limited to the shape according to the present embodiment.
- the third conductor plate unit 522 and the fourth conductor plate unit 524 are formed by bending a conductor plate, such as the sheet metal, between a part that becomes the third conductor plate unit 522 and a part that becomes the fourth conductor plate unit 524.
- the third conductor plate unit 522 and the fourth conductor plate unit 524 may be formed by another method of, for example, joining, for example, welding the conductor plate, such as the sheet metal, which becomes the third conductor plate unit 522, and the conductor plate, such as the sheet metal, which becomes the fourth conductor plate unit 524 to each other.
- the extending direction of the fourth conductor plate unit 524 from the upper end of the third conductor plate unit 522 in the LTE antenna 520 is different from the extending direction of the second conductor plate unit 324 from the upper end of the first conductor plate unit 322 in the second antenna 320.
- the GNSS antenna 510 is located between the second antenna 320 and the LTE antenna 520.
- the second antenna 320 and the LTE antenna 520 can be spaced apart from each other so that the interference between the radio waves transmitted and/or received by the second antenna 320 and the radio waves transmitted and/or received by the LTE antenna 520 is reduced.
- Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the first substrate 200.
- Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the first substrate 200 shown in Fig. 4 .
- the first substrate 200 includes the first feeding unit 210, a first matching circuit 212, a first filter circuit 214, a first microstrip line (first MSL) 216a, a second MSL 216b, the second feeding unit 220, a second matching circuit 222, a second filter circuit 224, a third MSL 226a, a fourth MSL 226b, a combiner unit 250, and an output unit 252.
- first MSL first microstrip line
- first feeding unit 210 may be provided on one side of the upper surface and the lower surface of the first substrate 200
- second feeding unit 220 may be provided on the other side of the upper surface and the lower surface of the first substrate 200.
- the first feeding unit 210 and the second feeding unit 220 are provided on the same surface side of the upper surface and the lower surface of the first substrate 200, it is possible to secure isolation between the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320, and it is possible to reduce an area for providing the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 when viewed from a direction parallel to a thickness direction of the first substrate 200 by disposing the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 to be close when viewed from the direction parallel to the thickness direction of the first substrate 200.
- the first feeding unit 210 is connected to the combiner unit 250 through the first matching circuit 212, the first MSL 216a, the first filter circuit 214, and the second MSL 216b in this order.
- the second feeding unit 220 is connected to the combiner unit 250 through the second matching circuit 222, the third MSL 226a, the second filter circuit 224, and the fourth MSL 226b in this order.
- the combiner unit 250 combines a signal sent from the first feeding unit 210 and a signal sent from the second feeding unit 220. Further, the signal combined by the combiner unit 250 is output from the output unit 252.
- the first matching circuit 212 has a filter structure including a capacitor and an inductor.
- the filter structure is shown as a lumped constant circuit.
- a circuit configuration of the first matching circuit 212 is not limited to the circuit configuration according to the present embodiment, and may be, for example, a distributed constant circuit.
- the first filter circuit 214 includes a one-stage LC parallel circuit.
- the LC parallel circuit includes an inductor and a capacitor connected in parallel. Further, the LC parallel circuit is shown as the lumped constant circuit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and, for example, a distributed constant circuit may be provided.
- the first filter circuit 214 may include a plurality of stages of LC parallel circuits connected in series. That is, the first filter circuit 214 may have at least one stage of the LC parallel circuit.
- the first filter circuit 214 passes a signal in the first frequency band and blocks a signal in the second frequency band. For example, in the circuit of Fig.
- the first filter circuit 214 when a length of the second MSL 216b is 0 mm, the first filter circuit 214 becomes an open circuit having impedance as high as 17 times a characteristic impedance for 2690 MHz of the second frequency band. Therefore, in the circuit of Fig. 5 , the first filter circuit 214 can reflect the signal with 2690 MHz of the second frequency band as the best point. Further, in an electrical path, the first filter circuit 214 is located between the first feeding unit 210 and the combiner unit 250.
- the "electrical path" means that, for example, the first filter circuit 214 is provided on a wiring that connects the first feeding unit 210 and the combiner unit 250 on a circuit diagram of the first substrate 200 as in the circuit diagram shown in Fig.
- the first filter circuit 214 may not be physically located between the first feeding unit 210 and the combiner unit 250.
- the first filter circuit 214 when the first filter circuit 214 is not provided, it is possible to reduce the amount of signals in the second frequency band that enter the first feeding unit 210 through the combiner unit 250 from the second feeding unit 220. That is, the first filter circuit 214 can separate the first feeding unit 210 from the second feeding unit 220 for the signal in the second frequency band.
- the second MSL 216b is a transmission line between the first filter circuit 214 and the combiner unit 250. As will be described later with reference to Fig. 9 , it is preferable that the physical length of the second MSL 216b is short. That is, it is preferable that the first filter circuit 214 is directly connected to the combiner unit 250. Details of the meaning that the first filter circuit 214 is directly connected to the combiner unit 250 will be described later.
- the second matching circuit 222 has the filter structure including the capacitor and the inductor.
- the filter structure is shown as a lumped constant circuit.
- a circuit configuration of the second matching circuit 222 is not limited to a circuit configuration according to the present embodiment, and may be, for example, the distributed constant circuit.
- the second filter circuit 224 includes the one-stage LC parallel circuit.
- the LC parallel circuit includes an inductor and a capacitor connected in parallel. Further, the LC parallel circuit is shown as the lumped constant circuit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and, for example, a distributed constant circuit may be provided.
- the second filter circuit 224 may include a plurality of stages of LC parallel circuits connected in series. That is, the second filter circuit 224 can include at least one stage of LC parallel circuit.
- the second filter circuit 224 passes the signal in the second frequency band and blocks the signal in the first frequency band. For example, in the circuit of Fig.
- the second filter circuit 224 when a length of the fourth MSL 226b is 0 mm, the second filter circuit 224 becomes the open circuit having impedance as high as 450 times the characteristic impedance for 840 MHz of the first frequency band. Therefore, in the circuit of Fig. 5 , the second filter circuit 224 can reflect the signal with 840 MHz of the first frequency band as the best point. Further, in the electrical path, the second filter circuit 224 is located between the second feeding unit 220 and the combiner unit 250.
- the "electrical path" means that, for example, the second filter circuit 224 is provided on a wiring that connects the second feeding unit 220 and the combiner unit 250 on a circuit diagram of the first substrate 200 as in the circuit diagram shown in Fig.
- the second filter circuit 224 may not be physically located between the second feeding unit 220 and the combiner unit 250.
- the second filter circuit 224 when the second filter circuit 224 is not provided, it is possible to reduce the amount of signals in the first frequency band that enter the second feeding unit 220 through the combiner unit 250 from the first feeding unit 210. That is, the second filter circuit 224 can separate the second feeding unit 220 from the first feeding unit 210 for the signal in the first frequency band.
- the fourth MSL 226b is a transmission line between the second filter circuit 224 and the combiner unit 250. Similar to the physical length of the second MSL 216b which will be described later with reference to Fig. 9 , it is preferable that a physical length of the fourth MSL 226b is short. That is, it is preferable that the second filter circuit 224 is directly connected to the combiner unit 250. Details of the meaning that the second filter circuit 224 is directly connected to the combiner unit 250 will be described later.
- the isolation between the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 is realized by the first filter circuit 214 and the second filter circuit 224. Therefore, there is no restriction on an electrical length between the first antenna 310 and the first filter circuit 214 and an electrical length between the second antenna 320 and the second filter circuit 224. Therefore, as compared with a case where the first filter circuit 214 and the second filter circuit 224 are not provided, it is possible to increase a degree of freedom in a layout of the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320.
- Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a first modification example of Fig. 5 .
- the example shown in Fig. 6 is the same as the example shown in Fig. 5 , except for the following points.
- the second feeding unit 220 is directly connected to the combiner unit 250. That is, the first substrate 200 does not include the second matching circuit 222, the second filter circuit 224, the third MSL 226a, and the fourth MSL 226b shown in Fig. 5 .
- the second feeding unit 220 when the second matching circuit 222 and the second filter circuit 224 are not necessary, such as when the output impedance is the characteristic impedance of the combiner unit 250 without the second matching circuit 222 or when a combined loss is allowed when viewed from the signal in the first frequency band without the second filter circuit 224, the second feeding unit 220 may be directly connected to the combiner unit 250.
- the first substrate 200 can include at least one of the first filter circuit 214 and the second filter circuit 224, such as both the first filter circuit 214 and the second filter circuit 224.
- Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a second modification example of Fig. 5 .
- the example shown in Fig. 7 is the same as the example shown in Fig. 5 except for a configuration of the first filter circuit 214 and a configuration of the second filter circuit 224.
- the first filter circuit 214 includes a T-type low-pass filter circuit.
- the T-type low-pass filter circuit includes two inductors connected in series and a capacitor connected to a part between the two inductors and a ground potential. Further, the T-type low-pass filter circuit is shown as the lumped constant circuit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and, for example, a distributed constant circuit may be provided.
- the first filter circuit 214 can pass the signal in the first frequency band and block the signal in the second frequency band. Further, as compared with the first filter circuit 214 of Fig. 5 , the number of inductors is increased by one. Since the filter has multiple stages, it is possible to widen a frequency band in which a combined loss of the second frequency band can be reduced.
- the second filter circuit 224 has a T-type high-pass filter circuit.
- the T-type high-pass filter circuit includes two capacitors connected in series and an inductor connected to a part between the two capacitors and the ground potential. Further, the T-type high-pass filter circuit is shown as the lumped constant circuit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and, for example, a distributed constant circuit may be provided.
- the second filter circuit 224 can pass the signal in the second frequency band and block the signal in the first frequency band. Further, as compared with the second filter circuit 224 of Fig. 5 , the number of capacitors is increased by one. Since the filter has multiple stages, it is possible to widen a frequency band in which a combined loss of the first frequency band can be reduced.
- Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a third modification example of Fig. 5 .
- the example shown in Fig. 8 is the same as the example shown in Fig. 5 except for the following points.
- the vehicular antenna device 10 further includes a third antenna 330.
- the third antenna 330 operates in a third frequency band different from both the first frequency band of the first antenna 310 and the second frequency band of the second antenna 320.
- the third frequency band may include, for example, a frequency band higher than 2690 MHz such as a 5 GHz band.
- the third antenna 330 may function as, for example, a Wireless Local Area Network (W-LAN) antenna, a Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) antenna, or a Sub6 for 5G communication.
- WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
- V2X Vehicle-to-everything
- the third frequency band may be the same frequency band as the second frequency band.
- the second frequency band and the third frequency band include the high frequency band of LTE, it is possible to transmit and/or receive the signal of the high frequency band of LTE by the two antennas, that is, the second antenna 320 and the third antenna 330.
- the signal of the high frequency band of LTE may be transmitted and/or received by two or more antennas.
- the first substrate 200 further includes a third feeding unit 230, a third matching circuit 232, a third filter circuit 234, a fifth MSL 236a, and a sixth MSL 236b.
- the third feeding unit 230 is connected to the third antenna 330.
- the third feeding unit 230 is connected to the combiner unit 250 through the third matching circuit 232, the fifth MSL 236a, the third filter circuit 234, and the sixth MSL 236b in this order. In this way, the combiner unit 250 combines a signal sent from the third feeding unit 230 in addition to the signal sent from the first feeding unit 210 and the signal sent from the second feeding unit 220.
- the third feeding unit 230 is physically spaced apart from the first feeding unit 210 and the second feeding unit 220.
- the feeding unit of the third antenna 330 is common to the feeding unit of the first antenna 310 and the feeding unit of the second antenna 320, it is possible to secure isolation between the first antenna 310, the second antenna 320, and the third antenna 330, and it is possible to reduce interference between the signal transmitted and/or received by the first antenna 310, the signal transmitted and/or received by the second antenna 320, and a signal transmitted and/or received by the third antenna 330. Therefore, it is possible to increase the sensitivity of the first antenna 310, the second antenna 320, and the third antenna 330 of the vehicular antenna device 10 over the wide frequency band.
- the combiner unit 250 can combine the signals sent from the plurality of feeding units, such as the first feeding unit 210, the second feeding unit 220, and the third feeding unit 230 which are correspondingly connected to each of the plurality of antennas, such as the first antenna 310, the second antenna 320, and the third antenna 330.
- the plurality number of antennas may be, for example, two as shown in Fig. 5 , may be three as shown in Fig. 8 , or may be four or more. Further, some of the frequency bands of the plurality of antennas may be different from each other or may be the same.
- Fig. 9 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between the length of the second MSL 216b between the first filter circuit 214 and the combiner unit 250, and a combined loss in the combiner unit 250 for a 2690 MHz signal of the second antenna 320 in the same circuit configuration as the circuit configuration shown in Fig. 5 .
- a horizontal axis of the graph shown in Fig. 9 indicates the length of the second MSL 216b between the first filter circuit 214 and the combiner unit 250.
- the ⁇ shown on the horizontal axis of the graph of Fig. 9 means a wavelength of a signal propagating the second MSL 216b at 2690 MHz.
- the wavelength ⁇ is a value in consideration of a wavelength shortening rate, and is 62.4 mm.
- the combined loss is approximately equal to or higher than -2 dB at 0 to 2/16, 6/16 to 10/16 and 14/16 to 18/16 with respect to a ratio of the length of the second MSL 216b to the wavelength ⁇ .
- the combined loss is locally large at 4/16 and its vicinity, 12/16 and its vicinity, and 20/16 and its vicinity with respect to the ratio of the length of the second MSL 216b to the wavelength ⁇ . A reason for this is as follows.
- the ratio of the length of the second MSL 216b to the wavelength ⁇ is an odd multiple of 1/4 or its vicinity, destructive interference of the signal occurs due to the signal sent from the second feeding unit 220 to the combiner unit 250, and the signal sent from the second feeding unit 220 to the combiner unit 250, sent from the combiner unit 250 to the first filter circuit 214 through the second MSL 216b, reflected by the first filter circuit 214, and sent to the combiner unit 250 through the second MSL 216b. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9 , the combined loss differs depending on the length of the second MSL 216b between the first filter circuit 214 and the combiner unit 250.
- the ratio of the length of the second MSL 216b to the wavelength ⁇ is 0 to 2/16, 6/16 to 10/16 or 14/16 to 18/16.
- the second frequency band of the second antenna 320 is wide, that is, the wavelength band corresponding to the second frequency band is wide and the length of the second MSL 216b is relatively long, such as when the ratio of the lengths of the second MSL 216b to the wavelength ⁇ in Fig. 9 is larger than 1/8, the loss does not necessarily become low at a frequency different from the frequency in the example shown in Fig. 9 even through the loss is low at the frequency in the example shown in Fig. 9 .
- the length of the second MSL 216b between the first filter circuit 214 and the combiner unit 250 that is, a length of transmission line between the first filter circuit 214 and the combiner unit 250 is equal to or smaller than 1/8 times the wavelength of the signal propagating in the transmission line at the maximum frequency in the second frequency band.
- the length of the second MSL 216b between the first filter circuit 214 and the combiner unit 250 may be equal to or smaller than 1/8 times the wavelength of the signal propagating the second MSL 216b at the maximum frequency in the second frequency band or may be equal to or larger than (4N - 1)/8 times or equal to or smaller than (4N + 1)/8 times the wavelength of the signal propagating the second MSL 216b at the maximum frequency in the second frequency band (N: an integer equal to or larger than 1).
- the description performed with reference to Fig. 9 is the same for the length of the fourth MSL 226b between the second filter circuit 224 and the combiner unit 250. That is, from the viewpoint of reducing the combined loss of the signal of the first frequency band in the combiner unit 250, it is preferable that the length of the fourth MSL 226b between the second filter circuit 224 and the combiner unit 250 is equal to or smaller than 1/8 times the wavelength of the signal propagating the fourth MSL 226b at the maximum frequency in the first frequency band.
- the length of the fourth MSL 226b between the second filter circuit 224 and the combiner unit 250 may be equal to or smaller than 1/8 times the wavelength of the signal propagating the fourth MSL 226b at the maximum frequency in the first frequency band or equal to or larger than (4M - 1)/8 times or equal to or smaller than (4M + 1)/8 times the wavelength of the signal propagating the fourth MSL 226b at the maximum frequency in the first frequency band (M: an integer equal to or larger than 1).
- the first filter circuit 214 is directly connected to the combiner unit 250 means that the length of the transmission line between the first filter circuit 214 and the combiner unit 250 is equal to or smaller than ⁇ /8.
- the first filter circuit 214 is directly connected to the combiner unit 250 means that the length of the transmission line between the first filter circuit 214 and the combiner unit 250 is equal to or larger than (4N -1) ⁇ /8 times and is equal to or smaller than (4N + 1) ⁇ /8 times (N: an integer equal to or larger than 1).
- the wavelength ⁇ is a wavelength of the signal propagating in the transmission line at the maximum frequency of the second frequency band such as 2690 MHz.
- the second filter circuit 224 is directly connected to the combiner unit 250 means that the length of the transmission line between the second filter circuit 224 and the combiner unit 250 is equal to or smaller than ⁇ '/8.
- the second filter circuit 224 is directly connected to the combiner unit 250 means that the length of the transmission line between the second filter circuit 224 and the combiner unit 250 is equal to or larger than (4M - 1) ⁇ '/8 times and is equal to or smaller than (4M + 1) ⁇ '/8 times (M: an integer equal to or larger than 1).
- the wavelength ⁇ ' means a wavelength of the signal propagating in the transmission line at the maximum frequency of the first frequency band such as 960 MHz.
- Fig. 10 is a left side view of a vehicular antenna device 10 according to a first comparative embodiment.
- the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment does not have a configuration corresponding to the second feeding unit 220 and the second antenna 320 of the embodiment. Further, the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment includes a multi-resonant antenna 910 instead of the first antenna 310 of the embodiment. A winding in the antenna cover 912 of the multi-resonant antenna 910 is adjusted so that the multi-resonant antenna 910 is operable in the low frequency band of the LTE band, the DAB band, and the AM/FM radio band. A lower end of the multi-resonant antenna 910 is connected to the feeding unit.
- Fig. 11 is a left side view of a vehicular antenna device 10 according to a second comparative embodiment.
- the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the second comparative embodiment includes a telematics antenna 920.
- a shape of the telematics antenna 920 is optimized so that the telematics antenna 920 operates well in the high frequency band of LTE.
- Fig. 12 is a graph showing a frequency characteristic of sensitivity in the low frequency band of LTE in each of the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, the multi-resonant antenna 910 of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment, and the telematics antenna 920 of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the second comparative embodiment.
- Fig. 12 is a graph showing a frequency characteristic of sensitivity in the low frequency band of LTE in each of the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, the multi-resonant antenna 910 of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment, and the telematics antenna 920 of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the second comparative embodiment.
- FIG. 13 is a graph showing a frequency characteristic of the sensitivity in the high frequency band of LTE in each of the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, the multi-resonant antenna 910 of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment, and the telematics antenna 920 of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the second comparative embodiment.
- a vertical axis of each of the graphs of Figs. 12 and 13 shows the sensitivity.
- a horizontal axis of each of the graphs of Figs. 12 and 13 shows the frequency.
- an area between two dotted lines indicates the low frequency band of LTE, that is, 699 MHz to 960 MHz.
- an area between two dotted lines shows the high frequency band of LTE, that is, 1710 MHz to 2690 MHz.
- Solid lines in each of graphs of Figs. 12 and 13 show the frequency characteristic of the sensitivity of the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the embodiment.
- FIG. 12 and 13 shows the frequency characteristic of sensitivity of the multi-resonant antenna 910 of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment.
- a dash-dotted line in each of the graphs of Figs. 12 and 13 shows the frequency characteristic of sensitivity of the telematics antenna 920 of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the second comparative embodiment.
- the sensitivity is as high as -2 dBi or greater over the entire low frequency band of LTE, as shown in Fig. 12 .
- the sensitivity is reduced to be equal to or lower than approximately -4 dBi at 1900 MHz, 2300 MHz, and 2600 MHz in the high frequency band of LTE, as shown in Fig. 13 .
- the sensitivity of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment is lower than the sensitivity of the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the embodiment at every frequency in the high frequency band of LTE.
- the multi-resonant antenna 910 causes a loss such as attenuation, and the length of the multi-resonant antenna 910 is not the optimum length for the high frequency band of LTE.
- the sensitivity is as high as -2 dBi or greater in most of the high frequency band of LTE, as shown in Fig. 13 .
- the sensitivity is reduced to be equal to or lower than -6 dBi in the entirety of the low frequency band of LTE, as shown in Fig. 12 .
- the reason for this is as follows. That is, the shape of the telematics antenna 920 is optimized so that the telematics antenna 920 operates well in the high frequency band of LTE.
- the shape of the telematics antenna 920 is not optimal for the low frequency band of LTE. Therefore, the sensitivity of the low frequency band of LTE of the telematics antenna 920 is lower than the sensitivity of the high frequency band of LTE of the telematics antenna 920.
- the sensitivity is as high as -4 dB or greater in both the low frequency band and the high frequency band of LTE, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 .
- the vehicular antenna device is operable well in both the low frequency band and the high frequency band of LTE. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the sensitivity of the vehicular antenna device 10 over the wide frequency band.
- Fig. 14 is a left side view of a vehicular antenna device 10 according to a first modification example.
- Fig. 15 is a top view of the vehicular antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 14 .
- the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the first modification example is the same as the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the embodiment except for the following points.
- the first antenna 310 is a monopole antenna with a capacitive loading element.
- the first antenna 310 includes a radiating element 314a and a capacitive loading element 314b.
- the radiating element 314a has a shape that extends linearly in a predetermined direction, specifically, in a vertical direction of the vehicular antenna device 10.
- a lower end of the radiating element 314a is connected to the first feeding unit 210.
- the capacitive loading element 314b is attached to an upper end of the radiating element 314a.
- the second antenna 320 includes the first conductor plate unit 322, and does not include, for example, the second conductor plate unit 324 shown in Fig. 1 . With the configuration, for example, in a low-profile case equal to or smaller than 70 mm, it is possible to secure isolation between the respective antennas while corresponding to a wide band LTE band.
- Fig. 16 is a left side view of a vehicular antenna device 10 according to a second modification example.
- Fig. 17 is a top view of the vehicular antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 16 .
- the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the second modification example is the same as the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the first modification example except for the following points.
- the first antenna 310 is located in front of the second antenna 320, and the second antenna 320 is located in the rear of the first antenna 310.
- the first antenna 310 is a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA).
- the first antenna 310 includes a radiation plate 316a, a feeding conductor unit 316b, and a ground conductor unit 316c.
- the radiation plate 316a is located above the first substrate 200.
- the radiation plate 316a is connected to the first feeding unit 210 through the feeding conductor unit 316b. Further, the radiation plate 316a is grounded through the ground conductor unit 316c.
- the configuration for example, in a low-profile case equal to or smaller than 40 mm, it is possible to correspond to the LTE band of the wide band and to secure the isolation between the respective antennas while providing the plurality of antennas corresponding to the plurality of frequency bands.
- Fig. 18 is a left side view of a vehicular antenna device 10 according to a third modification example.
- the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the third modification example is the same as the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the first modification example except for the following points.
- the first antenna 310 includes an LTE antenna 318a, a trap coil 318b, a helical element 318c, and a capacitive loading element 318d.
- a lower end of the LTE antenna 318a is connected to the first feeding unit 210 of the first substrate 200.
- the trap coil 318b is connected to an upper end of the LTE antenna 318a.
- One end of the helical element 318c is connected to the trap coil 318b.
- the other end of the helical element 318c is connected to the capacitive loading element 318d.
- the capacitive loading element 318d is located above the second antenna 320.
- the first antenna 310 in the vehicular antenna device 10 according to the third modification example shares some of the elements constituting the first antenna 310 to form a composite antenna. That is, the first antenna 310 is operable in the low frequency band of the LTE band and the DAB band or the AM/FM radio band. Therefore, for example, in a low-profile case equal to or smaller than 70 mm, it is possible to correspond to the LTE band of the wide band and to secure the isolation between the respective antennas while providing the plurality of antennas corresponding to the plurality of frequency bands.
- a first aspect is a vehicular antenna device comprising:
- the first feeding unit and the second feeding unit are physically spaced apart from each other.
- the feeding unit of the first antenna is common to the feeding unit of the second antenna, it is possible to secure isolation between the first antenna and the second antenna, and it is possible to reduce interference between a signal transmitted and/or received by the first antenna and a signal transmitted and/or received by the second antenna. Therefore, it is possible to increase sensitivity of the first antenna and the second antenna of the vehicular antenna device over a wide frequency band.
- a second aspect is the vehicular antenna device according to the first aspect further comprising at least one of a first filter circuit located between the first feeding unit and the combiner unit in an electrical path, the first filter circuit blocking a signal in the second frequency band; and a second filter circuit located between the second feeding unit and the combiner unit in the electrical path, the second filter circuit blocking a signal in the first frequency band.
- the first filter circuit when the first filter circuit is provided, it is possible to reduce the amount of signals in the second frequency band that enter the first feeding unit through the combiner unit from the second feeding unit. That is, the first filter circuit can separate the first feeding unit from the second feeding unit for the signals in the second frequency band. Further, as compared with the case where the second filter circuit is not provided, when the second filter circuit is provided, it is possible to reduce the amount of signals in the first frequency band that enter the second feeding unit through the combiner unit from the first feeding unit. That is, the second filter circuit can separate the second feeding unit from the first feeding unit for the signals in the first frequency band.
- a third aspect is the vehicular antenna device according to the second aspect, wherein a length of a transmission line between the first filter circuit and the combiner unit is equal to or smaller than 1/8 times a wavelength of a signal propagating in the transmission line at a maximum frequency in the second frequency band.
- the constructive interference of the signals occurs due to a signal sent from the second feeding unit to the combiner unit, and a signal sent from the second feeding unit to the combiner unit, sent from the combiner unit to the first filter circuit, reflected by the first filter circuit, and sent to the combiner unit. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a combined loss of the signal of the second frequency band in the combiner unit.
- a fourth aspect is the vehicular antenna device according to the second or third aspect, wherein a length of a transmission line between the second filter circuit and the combiner unit is equal to or smaller than 1/8 times a wavelength of a signal propagating in the transmission line at a maximum frequency in the first frequency band.
- the fourth aspect it is possible to reduce the combined loss of the signal of the first frequency band in the combiner unit in the same manner as in the third aspect.
- a fifth aspect is the vehicular antenna device according to any one of first to fourth aspects, wherein the first frequency band includes at least a part of 699 MHz to 960 MHz, and the second frequency band includes at least a part of 1710 MHz to 2690 MHz.
- the fifth aspect it is possible to increase sensitivity of the vehicular antenna device over 699 MHz to 960 MHz and 1710 MHz to 2690 MHz.
- a sixth aspect is the vehicular antenna device according to any one of first to fifth aspects further comprising:
- the third feeding unit is physically spaced apart from the first feeding unit and the second feeding unit.
- the feeding unit of the third antenna is common to the feeding unit of the first antenna and the feeding unit of the second antenna, it is possible to secure isolation between the first antenna, the second antenna, and the third antenna, and it is possible to reduce interference between the signal transmitted and/or received by the first antenna, the signal transmitted and/or received by the second antenna, and a signal transmitted and/or received by the third antenna. Therefore, it is possible to increase the sensitivity of the first antenna, the second antenna, and the third antenna of the vehicular antenna device over the wide frequency band.
- a seventh aspect is the vehicular antenna device according to any one of first to sixth aspects, wherein the second antenna includes a first portion connected to the second feeding unit and a second portion connected to the first portion at an angle.
- the seventh aspect it is possible to configure a low-profile antenna also while securing a desired frequency band. Further, since a part of the second antenna that overlaps the first antenna in a height direction is reduced, it is possible to secure spatial isolation between the first antenna and the second antenna.
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Abstract
Description
- This application is based on Japanese patent application
NO. 2020-12765, filed on Jan. 29, 2020 - The present invention relates to a vehicular antenna device.
- In recent years, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2015-142379 2015-142379 2015-142379 - In recent years, increase of sensitivity of the vehicular antenna device over a wide frequency band is required in a frequency band for various purposes such as the LTE band. However, when the antenna is formed by the winding connected to the common connector, for example, as in the vehicular antenna device according to the example of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2015-142379 2015-142379 - An example of an object of the present invention is to increase sensitivity of a vehicular antenna device over a wide frequency band. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification.
- One aspect of the present invention is a vehicular antenna device. The vehicular antenna device includes a first antenna operable in a first frequency band, a second antenna operable in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, a first feeding unit connected to the first antenna, a second feeding unit connected to the second antenna, and a combiner unit combining a signal from the first feeding unit and a signal from the second feeding unit.
- According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to increase the sensitivity of the vehicular antenna device over the wide frequency band.
- The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicular antenna device according to an embodiment. -
Fig. 2 is a left side view of the vehicular antenna device shown inFig. 1 . -
Fig. 3 is a top view of the vehicular antenna device shown inFig. 1 . -
Fig. 4 is a bottom view of a first substrate. -
Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the first substrate shown inFig. 4 . -
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a first modification example ofFig. 5 . -
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a second modification example ofFig. 5 . -
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a third modification example ofFig. 5 . -
Fig. 9 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between a length of a second Micro Strip Line (second MSL) between a first filter circuit and a combiner unit, and a combined loss in a combiner unit for a 2690 MHz signal of a second antenna in the same circuit configuration as a circuit configuration shown inFig. 5 . -
Fig. 10 is a left side view of a vehicular antenna device according to a first comparative embodiment. -
Fig. 11 is a left side view of a vehicular antenna device according to second comparative embodiment. -
Fig. 12 is a graph showing a frequency characteristic of sensitivity in a low frequency band of LTE in each of a first antenna and a second antenna of the vehicular antenna device according to the embodiment, a multi-resonant antenna of the vehicular antenna device according to the first comparative embodiment, and a telematics antenna of the vehicular antenna device according to the second comparative embodiment. -
Fig. 13 is a graph showing a frequency characteristic of sensitivity in a high frequency band of LTE in each of the first antenna and the second antenna of the vehicular antenna device according to the embodiment, the multi-resonant antenna of the vehicular antenna device according to the first comparative embodiment, and the telematics antenna of the vehicular antenna device according to the second comparative embodiment. -
Fig. 14 is a left side view of the vehicular antenna device according to the first modification example. -
Fig. 15 is a top view of the vehicular antenna device shown inFig. 14 . -
Fig. 16 is a left side view of the vehicular antenna device according to the second modification example. -
Fig. 17 is a top view of the vehicular antenna device shown inFig. 16 . -
Fig. 18 is a left side view of a vehicular antenna device according to a third modification example. - The invention will be now described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many alternative embodiments can be accomplished using the teachings of the present invention and that the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated for explanatory purposes.
- Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are attached to the same components throughout all the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.
- In the present specification, ordinal numbers, such as "first", "second", and "third", are attached only for distinguishing components to which the same names are attached unless specifically limited, and do not mean particular features (for example, an order or a degree of importance) of the components.
-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of avehicular antenna device 10 according to an embodiment.Fig. 2 is a left side view of thevehicular antenna device 10 shown inFig. 1 .Fig. 3 is a top view of thevehicular antenna device 10 shown inFig. 1 . - In addition to
Figs. 1 to 3 , inFigs. 4 ,10 ,11 and14 to 18 , which will be described later, a first direction X, a second direction Y, and a third direction Z are as follows. In each drawing, an arrow indicating the first direction X, the second direction Y, or the third direction Z means that a direction toward a side indicated by the arrow is a positive direction of the direction indicated by the arrow. Further, a white circle with a black dot indicating the second direction Y or the third direction Z means that a direction from a back to a front of a paper surface to which the white circle is attached is the positive direction of a direction indicated by the white circle. On the other hand, a white circle with an X indicating the third direction Z means that a direction from a front to a back of a paper surface to which the white circle is attached is the positive direction of a direction indicated by the white circle. - The first direction X is a front and rear direction of the
vehicular antenna device 10. A positive direction of the first direction X is a front direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. A negative direction of the first direction X, that is, an opposite direction of the positive direction of the first direction X is a rear direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. The second direction Y is a left and right direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. The second direction Y intersects the first direction X, and is specifically orthogonal to the first direction X. A positive direction of the second direction Y is a left direction of thevehicular antenna device 10 when viewed from a rear side of thevehicular antenna device 10. A negative direction of the second direction Y, that is, an opposite direction of the positive direction of the second direction Y is a right direction of thevehicular antenna device 10 when viewed from the rear side of thevehicular antenna device 10. The third direction Z is a vertical direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. The third direction Z intersects both the first direction X and the second direction Y, and is specifically orthogonal to both the first direction X and the second direction Y. A positive direction of the third direction Z is an upward direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. A negative direction of the third direction Z, that is, an opposite direction of the positive direction of the third direction Z is a downward direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. In the specification of the present application, the first direction X may represent the front and rear direction of thevehicular antenna device 10, the second direction Y may represent the left and right direction of thevehicular antenna device 10, and the third direction Z may represent a height direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. - The
vehicular antenna device 10 includes abase 100, afirst substrate 200, afirst antenna 310, asecond antenna 320, asecond substrate 400, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)antenna 510, and anLTE antenna 520. An upper surface of thebase 100, thefirst substrate 200, thesecond antenna 320, thesecond substrate 400, theGNSS antenna 510, and theLTE antenna 520 are covered by a not-shown case, and thefirst antenna 310 is exposed from the case except for a lower end of thefirst antenna 310 and a vicinity of the lower end of thefirst antenna 310. - The
vehicular antenna device 10 is attached to a roof of a not-shown vehicle. Specifically, thebase 100 is disposed on an upper surface side of the roof of the vehicle. Details described in the present embodiment for thevehicular antenna device 10 may also be applied to an antenna device attached to an object different from the roof of the vehicle. - A length of the base 100 in the front and rear direction of the
vehicular antenna device 10 is longer than a length of the base 100 in the left and right direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. Further, thebase 100 has a thickness in a direction parallel to the height direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. - The
first substrate 200 is disposed above or on the upper surface of thebase 100. Thefirst substrate 200 is, for example, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). Thefirst substrate 200 has a thickness in a direction parallel to the height direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. - The
first antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320 are disposed on the upper surface side of thefirst substrate 200. Thefirst antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320 are disposed in a predetermined direction, specifically, in the front and rear direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. More specifically, thefirst antenna 310 is located in the rear of thesecond antenna 320, and thesecond antenna 320 is located in front of thefirst antenna 310. However, disposition of thefirst antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320 is not limited to the disposition according to the present embodiment. For example, thefirst antenna 310 may be located in front of thesecond antenna 320. - The lower end of the
first antenna 310 is connected to afirst feeding unit 210 of thefirst substrate 200. A lower end of thesecond antenna 320 is connected to asecond feeding unit 220 of thefirst substrate 200. Thefirst feeding unit 210 and thesecond feeding unit 220 are physically spaced apart from each other. In this case, as compared with a case where the feeding unit of thefirst antenna 310 is common to the feeding unit of thesecond antenna 320, it is possible to secure isolation between thefirst antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320, and it is possible to reduce interference between a signal transmitted and/or received by thefirst antenna 310 and a signal transmitted and/or received by thesecond antenna 320. Therefore, it is possible to increase sensitivity of thefirst antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320 of thevehicular antenna device 10 over a wide frequency band. That the antenna transmits and/or receives the signal means that the antenna performs at least one of transmission and reception of the signal. - The
first antenna 310 is operable in multiple bands including a predetermined first frequency band. Specifically, thefirst antenna 310 is operable in three frequency bands, that is, a low frequency band of an LTE band, a DAB band, and an AM/FM radio band. Further, thefirst antenna 310 functions as a telephone (TEL) main antenna in the low frequency band of the LTE band. In the present embodiment, the first frequency band is the low frequency band of the LTE band, and includes, for example, at least a part of 699 MHz to 960 MHz. However, the first frequency band may be a band different from the low frequency band of the LTE band. Further, thefirst antenna 310 may be operate only in the first frequency band without operating in the DAB band and the AM/FM radio band. - The
first antenna 310 has a rod shape extending in one direction. In the present embodiment, thefirst antenna 310 is tilted from the front direction of thevehicular antenna device 10 toward the rear direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. Thefirst antenna 310 includes a winding (not shown) that spirally extends along an extending direction of thefirst antenna 310, and anantenna cover 312 that covers the winding and extends along the extending direction of thefirst antenna 310. In this case, thefirst antenna 310 is operable in the multiple bands depending on an aspect of the winding, such as the number of windings, a winding pitch, a winding diameter, a shape, or the like. For example, a part of thefirst antenna 310 that operates in the three frequency bands has a common winding. In this case, the shorter the length of the winding in the extending direction of thefirst antenna 310 is, the shorter the corresponding frequency band is. Therefore, for example, when the length of the winding from a lower end of the winding is set to winding lengths A, B, and C, the winding functions as an antenna that operates in the low frequency band of the LTE band at the winding length A, functions as an antenna that operates in the DAB band at the winding length B, and functions as an antenna that operates in the AM/FM radio band at the winding length C. In this case, the winding length A is shorter than the winding length B, and the winding length B is shorter than the winding length C. In this way, when a configuration in which thefirst antenna 310 shares the winding is provided, it is possible to effectively utilize components, and it is possible to effectively utilize a disposition space of thefirst antenna 310. A compact winding configuration may be provided in such a way that a part of the winding length A of the winding does not wind a support such as a core wire, and adjacent winding parts of the winding are adhered to each other. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the part of the winding length A of the winding from being broken. Further, when a wire diameter of the part of the winding length A of the winding is increased, it is possible to provide a spring property that returns to an original shape even when being bent by an external force. In addition, since the winding diameter is thick (large), conductor resistance is small, and thus an operating gain can be improved in the low frequency band of the LTE band and a wide bandwidth can be acquired. - The
second antenna 320 is operable in a predetermined second frequency band. The second frequency band is different from the first frequency band. In the present embodiment, the second frequency band is a high frequency band of the LTE band, and includes, for example, at least a part of 1710 MHz to 2690 MHz. That is, the second frequency band is a higher frequency band than the first frequency band. Further, thesecond antenna 320 functions as the TEL main antenna in the high frequency band of the LTE band. However, the second frequency band may be a frequency band different from the high frequency band of the LTE band. Further, the second frequency band may be a frequency band lower than the first frequency band. - The
second antenna 320 includes a firstconductor plate unit 322 and a secondconductor plate unit 324. The firstconductor plate unit 322 is disposed on the upper surface of thefirst substrate 200. The firstconductor plate unit 322 is connected to thesecond feeding unit 220. Further, the firstconductor plate unit 322 has a thickness in a direction parallel to the second direction Y and a width in a direction parallel to the first direction X. The secondconductor plate unit 324 extends from an upper end of the firstconductor plate unit 322 in a direction orthogonal to the third direction Z, specifically, in the positive direction of the second direction Y. More specifically, when viewed from the front of thevehicular antenna device 10, the secondconductor plate unit 324 extends from the upper end of the firstconductor plate unit 322 toward a right side of the firstconductor plate unit 322. Further, the secondconductor plate unit 324 has a thickness in the direction parallel to the height direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. According to the present embodiment, as compared with, for example, a case where the secondconductor plate unit 324 does not extend in the direction intersecting an extending direction of the firstconductor plate unit 322 and simply extends in the same direction as the extending direction of the firstconductor plate unit 322, it is possible to reduce the height of thesecond antenna 320 in the height direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. - In the present embodiment, the first
conductor plate unit 322 and the secondconductor plate unit 324 are formed by bending a conductor plate, such as sheet metal, between a part that becomes the firstconductor plate unit 322 and a part that becomes the secondconductor plate unit 324. However, the firstconductor plate unit 322 and the secondconductor plate unit 324 may be formed by another method of, for example, joining, for example, welding the conductor plate, such as the sheet metal, which becomes the firstconductor plate unit 322, and the conductor plate, such as the sheet metal, which becomes the secondconductor plate unit 324 to each other. - As described above, the
second antenna 320 includes a first portion connected to thesecond feeding unit 220 and a second portion connected to the first portion at an angle. In the present embodiment, the first portion and the second portion of thesecond antenna 320 correspond to the firstconductor plate unit 322 and the secondconductor plate unit 324, respectively. According to thesecond antenna 320 having the shape, it is possible to configure, for example, a low-profile antenna equal to or smaller than 40 mm even while securing a desired frequency band. Further, since a part of thesecond antenna 320 that overlaps thefirst antenna 310 in a height direction is reduced, it is possible to secure spatial isolation between thefirst antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320. Depending on a connection location (bending position) between the firstconductor plate unit 322 and the secondconductor plate unit 324, the sensitivity of thesecond antenna 320, and the spatial isolation between thefirst antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320 can be adjusted. - The shape of the
second antenna 320 is not limited to the shape according to the present embodiment. For example, although the direction in which the firstconductor plate unit 322 extends is set to the positive direction in the third direction Z, a configuration may be provided in which the firstconductor plate unit 322 is inclined to extend to a side of the second direction Y. Further, the extending direction of the firstconductor plate unit 322 and the extending direction of the secondconductor plate unit 324 may not be orthogonal and may be oblique. Further, when viewed from the front of thevehicular antenna device 10, the secondconductor plate unit 324 may be extended toward the right side of the firstconductor plate unit 322 from the upper end of the firstconductor plate unit 322, that is, a side different from the negative direction of the second direction Y, such as the left side of the firstconductor plate unit 322, in other words, the positive direction of the second direction Y. Further, thesecond antenna 320 may not have a part corresponding to the secondconductor plate unit 324. For example, thesecond antenna 320 may include only a conductor plate, such as a single sheet metal, having a thickness in a direction orthogonal to the height direction of thevehicular antenna device 10, for example, in the left and right direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. Further, although the surface of the firstconductor plate unit 322 of thesecond antenna 320 is disposed to face the second direction Y, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the surface of the firstconductor plate unit 322 may be disposed to face the first direction X. - Further, the
second antenna 320 may be configured by a pattern provided on the substrate instead of the conductor plates such as the firstconductor plate unit 322 and the secondconductor plate unit 324. In this case, for example, a substrate, on which the pattern configuring thesecond antenna 320 is formed, is disposed on the upper surface of thefirst substrate 200. - In the present embodiment, the
first antenna 310 can correspond to the low frequency band of LTE. Therefore, it is not necessary to design thesecond antenna 320 in consideration of the low frequency band of LTE. Therefore, as compared with the case where thesecond antenna 320 also corresponds to the low frequency band of LTE, a degree of freedom in designing thesecond antenna 320 is improved. In particular, in the present embodiment, as compared with the case where thesecond antenna 320 also corresponds to the low frequency band of LTE, it is possible to expand a frequency band, to which thesecond antenna 320 can correspond, toward the high frequency band by adjusting the size and height of thesecond antenna 320. - In the present embodiment, the
second antenna 320 can correspond to the high frequency band of LTE. Therefore, it is not necessary to design thefirst antenna 310 in consideration of the high frequency band of LTE. Therefore, as compared with the case where thefirst antenna 310 also corresponds to the high frequency band of LTE, a degree of freedom in designing thefirst antenna 310 is improved. In particular, in the present embodiment, as compared with the case where thefirst antenna 310 also corresponds to the low frequency band of LTE, it is possible to expand the frequency band, to which thefirst antenna 310 can correspond, toward the low frequency band by adjusting the aspect of the above-described winding of thefirst antenna 310. Further, when thefirst antenna 310 corresponds to the high frequency band of LTE, it is necessary to consider an influence that the signal of the high frequency band of LTE receives from the harmonics of the signal of the frequency band lower than the high frequency band of LTE. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to consider the influence when designing thefirst antenna 310. - The
second substrate 400 is disposed above or on the upper surface of thebase 100. Thesecond substrate 400 is, for example, a PCB. Thesecond substrate 400 has a thickness in the direction parallel to the height direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. Thesecond substrate 400 is located in front of thefirst substrate 200. In the present embodiment, thefirst substrate 200 and thesecond substrate 400 are respective substrates spaced apart from each other. However, thefirst substrate 200 and thesecond substrate 400 may not be spaced apart from each other, and may be connected to each other. When thefirst substrate 200 and thesecond substrate 400 are connected to each other, thefirst antenna 310, thesecond antenna 320, theGNSS antenna 510, and theLTE antenna 520 are disposed on the substrate, such as the PCB, in which a part corresponding to thefirst substrate 200 and a part corresponding to thesecond substrate 400 are integrated. When thefirst antenna 310, thesecond antenna 320, theGNSS antenna 510, and theLTE antenna 520 are disposed on one substrate, the electrical property of each antenna is more stable. Further, in this case, a signal of each antenna may be output through one integrated connector configured with multiple poles. When the signal of each antenna is output through one integrated connector, it is possible to reduce the number of soldered cables and to realize easiness of attachment and detachment. - The
GNSS antenna 510 and theLTE antenna 520 are disposed on an upper surface side of thesecond substrate 400. TheGNSS antenna 510 and theLTE antenna 520 are disposed in a predetermined direction, specifically, in the front and rear direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. More specifically, theGNSS antenna 510 is located in the rear of theLTE antenna 520, and theLTE antenna 520 is located in front of theGNSS antenna 510. However, the disposition of theGNSS antenna 510 and theLTE antenna 520 is not limited to the disposition according to the present embodiment. - The
GNSS antenna 510 is, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna. TheGNSS antenna 510 is connected to a feeding unit provided on thesecond substrate 400. In the present embodiment, theGNSS antenna 510 is a patch antenna. Specifically, when viewed from an upper side of thevehicular antenna device 10, theGNSS antenna 510 has a quadrangular (for example, rectangular or square) shape. However, the shape of theGNSS antenna 510 is not limited to the example, and may be, for example, a circular shape. Further, theGNSS antenna 510 may be an antenna having a structure different from the patch antenna such as an antenna having a helical structure. - The
LTE antenna 520 functions as, for example, a TEL sub-antenna. TheLTE antenna 520 is connected to the feeding unit provided on thesecond substrate 400. TheLTE antenna 520 includes a thirdconductor plate unit 522 and a fourthconductor plate unit 524. The thirdconductor plate unit 522 is disposed on the upper surface of thesecond substrate 400. Further, the thirdconductor plate unit 522 has a thickness in a direction parallel to the first direction X and a width in a direction parallel to the second direction Y. The fourthconductor plate unit 524 extends obliquely downward from the upper end of the thirdconductor plate unit 522 toward the front of thevehicular antenna device 10. According to the present embodiment, as compared with a case where, for example, the fourthconductor plate unit 524 does not extend in the direction intersecting an extending direction of the thirdconductor plate unit 522 and simply extends in the same direction as the extending direction of the thirdconductor plate unit 522, it is possible to reduce a height of theLTE antenna 520 in the height direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. As a result, it is possible to configure the design of the case as a gentle streamline, and thus an antenna disposition space can be effective. Further, according to the present embodiment, as compared with a case where the fourthconductor plate unit 524 extends from the upper end of the thirdconductor plate unit 522 toward the side where theGNSS antenna 510 is located, that is, toward the rear of thevehicular antenna device 10, it is possible to secure the spatial isolation between theGNSS antenna 510 and the fourthconductor plate unit 524. Further, as compared with the case where the fourthconductor plate unit 524 is present above (in the positive direction of the third direction Z of) theGNSS antenna 510, it is possible to suppress interference with theGNSS antenna 510 while securing a desired frequency band. However, a shape of theLTE antenna 520 is not limited to the shape according to the present embodiment. - In the present embodiment, the third
conductor plate unit 522 and the fourthconductor plate unit 524 are formed by bending a conductor plate, such as the sheet metal, between a part that becomes the thirdconductor plate unit 522 and a part that becomes the fourthconductor plate unit 524. However, the thirdconductor plate unit 522 and the fourthconductor plate unit 524 may be formed by another method of, for example, joining, for example, welding the conductor plate, such as the sheet metal, which becomes the thirdconductor plate unit 522, and the conductor plate, such as the sheet metal, which becomes the fourthconductor plate unit 524 to each other. - Further, in the present embodiment, the extending direction of the fourth
conductor plate unit 524 from the upper end of the thirdconductor plate unit 522 in theLTE antenna 520 is different from the extending direction of the secondconductor plate unit 324 from the upper end of the firstconductor plate unit 322 in thesecond antenna 320. In this case, as compared with a case where the extending direction of the secondconductor plate unit 324 from the upper end of the firstconductor plate unit 322 in thesecond antenna 320 is the same as the extending direction of the fourthconductor plate unit 524 from the upper end of the thirdconductor plate unit 522 in theLTE antenna 520, it is possible to reduce interference between radio waves transmitted and/or received by thesecond antenna 320 and radio waves transmitted and/or received by theLTE antenna 520. - Further, in the present embodiment, the
GNSS antenna 510 is located between thesecond antenna 320 and theLTE antenna 520. In this case, thesecond antenna 320 and theLTE antenna 520 can be spaced apart from each other so that the interference between the radio waves transmitted and/or received by thesecond antenna 320 and the radio waves transmitted and/or received by theLTE antenna 520 is reduced. Further, it is possible to dispose theGNSS antenna 510 in the space formed by spacing thesecond antenna 320 and theLTE antenna 520 apart from each other. Therefore, it is possible to dispose thesecond antenna 320, theGNSS antenna 510, and theLTE antenna 520 in a small space so that thesecond antenna 320 and theLTE antenna 520 operate suitably. -
Fig. 4 is a bottom view of thefirst substrate 200.Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of thefirst substrate 200 shown inFig. 4 . - The
first substrate 200 includes thefirst feeding unit 210, afirst matching circuit 212, afirst filter circuit 214, a first microstrip line (first MSL) 216a, asecond MSL 216b, thesecond feeding unit 220, asecond matching circuit 222, asecond filter circuit 224, athird MSL 226a, afourth MSL 226b, acombiner unit 250, and anoutput unit 252. In the example shown inFig. 4 , respective elements shown inFig. 5 are provided on a lower surface side of thefirst substrate 200. However, the respective elements shown inFig. 5 may be provided on the upper surface side of thefirst substrate 200. Further, some of the elements shown inFig. 5 may be provided on the lower surface side of thefirst substrate 200, and some other elements shown inFig. 5 may be provided on the upper surface side of thefirst substrate 200. For example, thefirst feeding unit 210 may be provided on one side of the upper surface and the lower surface of thefirst substrate 200, and thesecond feeding unit 220 may be provided on the other side of the upper surface and the lower surface of thefirst substrate 200. In this case, as compared with the case where thefirst feeding unit 210 and thesecond feeding unit 220 are provided on the same surface side of the upper surface and the lower surface of thefirst substrate 200, it is possible to secure isolation between thefirst antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320, and it is possible to reduce an area for providing thefirst antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320 when viewed from a direction parallel to a thickness direction of thefirst substrate 200 by disposing thefirst antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320 to be close when viewed from the direction parallel to the thickness direction of thefirst substrate 200. - The
first feeding unit 210 is connected to thecombiner unit 250 through thefirst matching circuit 212, thefirst MSL 216a, thefirst filter circuit 214, and thesecond MSL 216b in this order. Thesecond feeding unit 220 is connected to thecombiner unit 250 through thesecond matching circuit 222, thethird MSL 226a, thesecond filter circuit 224, and thefourth MSL 226b in this order. In this way, thecombiner unit 250 combines a signal sent from thefirst feeding unit 210 and a signal sent from thesecond feeding unit 220. Further, the signal combined by thecombiner unit 250 is output from theoutput unit 252. - The
first matching circuit 212 has a filter structure including a capacitor and an inductor. The filter structure is shown as a lumped constant circuit. However, a circuit configuration of thefirst matching circuit 212 is not limited to the circuit configuration according to the present embodiment, and may be, for example, a distributed constant circuit. - In the present embodiment, the
first filter circuit 214 includes a one-stage LC parallel circuit. The LC parallel circuit includes an inductor and a capacitor connected in parallel. Further, the LC parallel circuit is shown as the lumped constant circuit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and, for example, a distributed constant circuit may be provided. Thefirst filter circuit 214 may include a plurality of stages of LC parallel circuits connected in series. That is, thefirst filter circuit 214 may have at least one stage of the LC parallel circuit. Thefirst filter circuit 214 passes a signal in the first frequency band and blocks a signal in the second frequency band. For example, in the circuit ofFig. 5 , when a length of thesecond MSL 216b is 0 mm, thefirst filter circuit 214 becomes an open circuit having impedance as high as 17 times a characteristic impedance for 2690 MHz of the second frequency band. Therefore, in the circuit ofFig. 5 , thefirst filter circuit 214 can reflect the signal with 2690 MHz of the second frequency band as the best point. Further, in an electrical path, thefirst filter circuit 214 is located between thefirst feeding unit 210 and thecombiner unit 250. The "electrical path" means that, for example, thefirst filter circuit 214 is provided on a wiring that connects thefirst feeding unit 210 and thecombiner unit 250 on a circuit diagram of thefirst substrate 200 as in the circuit diagram shown inFig. 5 , and means that thefirst filter circuit 214 may not be physically located between thefirst feeding unit 210 and thecombiner unit 250. As compared with the case where thefirst filter circuit 214 is not provided, when thefirst filter circuit 214 is provided, it is possible to reduce the amount of signals in the second frequency band that enter thefirst feeding unit 210 through thecombiner unit 250 from thesecond feeding unit 220. That is, thefirst filter circuit 214 can separate thefirst feeding unit 210 from thesecond feeding unit 220 for the signal in the second frequency band. - The
second MSL 216b is a transmission line between thefirst filter circuit 214 and thecombiner unit 250. As will be described later with reference toFig. 9 , it is preferable that the physical length of thesecond MSL 216b is short. That is, it is preferable that thefirst filter circuit 214 is directly connected to thecombiner unit 250. Details of the meaning that thefirst filter circuit 214 is directly connected to thecombiner unit 250 will be described later. - The
second matching circuit 222 has the filter structure including the capacitor and the inductor. The filter structure is shown as a lumped constant circuit. However, a circuit configuration of thesecond matching circuit 222 is not limited to a circuit configuration according to the present embodiment, and may be, for example, the distributed constant circuit. - In the present embodiment, the
second filter circuit 224 includes the one-stage LC parallel circuit. The LC parallel circuit includes an inductor and a capacitor connected in parallel. Further, the LC parallel circuit is shown as the lumped constant circuit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and, for example, a distributed constant circuit may be provided. Thesecond filter circuit 224 may include a plurality of stages of LC parallel circuits connected in series. That is, thesecond filter circuit 224 can include at least one stage of LC parallel circuit. Thesecond filter circuit 224 passes the signal in the second frequency band and blocks the signal in the first frequency band. For example, in the circuit ofFig. 5 , when a length of thefourth MSL 226b is 0 mm, thesecond filter circuit 224 becomes the open circuit having impedance as high as 450 times the characteristic impedance for 840 MHz of the first frequency band. Therefore, in the circuit ofFig. 5 , thesecond filter circuit 224 can reflect the signal with 840 MHz of the first frequency band as the best point. Further, in the electrical path, thesecond filter circuit 224 is located between thesecond feeding unit 220 and thecombiner unit 250. The "electrical path" means that, for example, thesecond filter circuit 224 is provided on a wiring that connects thesecond feeding unit 220 and thecombiner unit 250 on a circuit diagram of thefirst substrate 200 as in the circuit diagram shown inFig. 5 , and means that thesecond filter circuit 224 may not be physically located between thesecond feeding unit 220 and thecombiner unit 250. As compared with the case where thesecond filter circuit 224 is not provided, when thesecond filter circuit 224 is provided, it is possible to reduce the amount of signals in the first frequency band that enter thesecond feeding unit 220 through thecombiner unit 250 from thefirst feeding unit 210. That is, thesecond filter circuit 224 can separate thesecond feeding unit 220 from thefirst feeding unit 210 for the signal in the first frequency band. - The
fourth MSL 226b is a transmission line between thesecond filter circuit 224 and thecombiner unit 250. Similar to the physical length of thesecond MSL 216b which will be described later with reference toFig. 9 , it is preferable that a physical length of thefourth MSL 226b is short. That is, it is preferable that thesecond filter circuit 224 is directly connected to thecombiner unit 250. Details of the meaning that thesecond filter circuit 224 is directly connected to thecombiner unit 250 will be described later. - In the present embodiment, the isolation between the
first antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320 is realized by thefirst filter circuit 214 and thesecond filter circuit 224. Therefore, there is no restriction on an electrical length between thefirst antenna 310 and thefirst filter circuit 214 and an electrical length between thesecond antenna 320 and thesecond filter circuit 224. Therefore, as compared with a case where thefirst filter circuit 214 and thesecond filter circuit 224 are not provided, it is possible to increase a degree of freedom in a layout of thefirst antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320. -
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a first modification example ofFig. 5 . The example shown inFig. 6 is the same as the example shown inFig. 5 , except for the following points. - The
second feeding unit 220 is directly connected to thecombiner unit 250. That is, thefirst substrate 200 does not include thesecond matching circuit 222, thesecond filter circuit 224, thethird MSL 226a, and thefourth MSL 226b shown inFig. 5 . In thesecond feeding unit 220, when thesecond matching circuit 222 and thesecond filter circuit 224 are not necessary, such as when the output impedance is the characteristic impedance of thecombiner unit 250 without thesecond matching circuit 222 or when a combined loss is allowed when viewed from the signal in the first frequency band without thesecond filter circuit 224, thesecond feeding unit 220 may be directly connected to thecombiner unit 250. In this case, it is possible to prevent from narrowing the frequency band of the signal sent from thesecond antenna 320 to thecombiner unit 250 by thesecond matching circuit 222. Further, it is possible to prevent from causing loss of the signal sent from thesecond antenna 320 to thecombiner unit 250 by thesecond filter circuit 224. - As being described with reference to
Figs. 5 and6 , thefirst substrate 200 can include at least one of thefirst filter circuit 214 and thesecond filter circuit 224, such as both thefirst filter circuit 214 and thesecond filter circuit 224. -
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a second modification example ofFig. 5 . The example shown inFig. 7 is the same as the example shown inFig. 5 except for a configuration of thefirst filter circuit 214 and a configuration of thesecond filter circuit 224. - The
first filter circuit 214 includes a T-type low-pass filter circuit. The T-type low-pass filter circuit includes two inductors connected in series and a capacitor connected to a part between the two inductors and a ground potential. Further, the T-type low-pass filter circuit is shown as the lumped constant circuit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and, for example, a distributed constant circuit may be provided. Also, in the example shown inFig. 7 , thefirst filter circuit 214 can pass the signal in the first frequency band and block the signal in the second frequency band. Further, as compared with thefirst filter circuit 214 ofFig. 5 , the number of inductors is increased by one. Since the filter has multiple stages, it is possible to widen a frequency band in which a combined loss of the second frequency band can be reduced. - The
second filter circuit 224 has a T-type high-pass filter circuit. The T-type high-pass filter circuit includes two capacitors connected in series and an inductor connected to a part between the two capacitors and the ground potential. Further, the T-type high-pass filter circuit is shown as the lumped constant circuit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and, for example, a distributed constant circuit may be provided. Also, in the example shown inFig. 7 , thesecond filter circuit 224 can pass the signal in the second frequency band and block the signal in the first frequency band. Further, as compared with thesecond filter circuit 224 ofFig. 5 , the number of capacitors is increased by one. Since the filter has multiple stages, it is possible to widen a frequency band in which a combined loss of the first frequency band can be reduced. -
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a third modification example ofFig. 5 . The example shown inFig. 8 is the same as the example shown inFig. 5 except for the following points. - The
vehicular antenna device 10 further includes athird antenna 330. Thethird antenna 330 operates in a third frequency band different from both the first frequency band of thefirst antenna 310 and the second frequency band of thesecond antenna 320. The third frequency band may include, for example, a frequency band higher than 2690 MHz such as a 5 GHz band. When the third frequency band includes the 5 GHz band, thethird antenna 330 may function as, for example, a Wireless Local Area Network (W-LAN) antenna, a Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) antenna, or a Sub6 for 5G communication. - The third frequency band may be the same frequency band as the second frequency band. In this case, when the second frequency band and the third frequency band include the high frequency band of LTE, it is possible to transmit and/or receive the signal of the high frequency band of LTE by the two antennas, that is, the
second antenna 320 and thethird antenna 330. In addition, the signal of the high frequency band of LTE may be transmitted and/or received by two or more antennas. - The
first substrate 200 further includes athird feeding unit 230, athird matching circuit 232, athird filter circuit 234, afifth MSL 236a, and asixth MSL 236b. Thethird feeding unit 230 is connected to thethird antenna 330. Thethird feeding unit 230 is connected to thecombiner unit 250 through thethird matching circuit 232, thefifth MSL 236a, thethird filter circuit 234, and thesixth MSL 236b in this order. In this way, thecombiner unit 250 combines a signal sent from thethird feeding unit 230 in addition to the signal sent from thefirst feeding unit 210 and the signal sent from thesecond feeding unit 220. - The
third feeding unit 230 is physically spaced apart from thefirst feeding unit 210 and thesecond feeding unit 220. In this case, as compared with a case where the feeding unit of thethird antenna 330 is common to the feeding unit of thefirst antenna 310 and the feeding unit of thesecond antenna 320, it is possible to secure isolation between thefirst antenna 310, thesecond antenna 320, and thethird antenna 330, and it is possible to reduce interference between the signal transmitted and/or received by thefirst antenna 310, the signal transmitted and/or received by thesecond antenna 320, and a signal transmitted and/or received by thethird antenna 330. Therefore, it is possible to increase the sensitivity of thefirst antenna 310, thesecond antenna 320, and thethird antenna 330 of thevehicular antenna device 10 over the wide frequency band. - As being described with reference to
Figs. 5 and8 , thecombiner unit 250 can combine the signals sent from the plurality of feeding units, such as thefirst feeding unit 210, thesecond feeding unit 220, and thethird feeding unit 230 which are correspondingly connected to each of the plurality of antennas, such as thefirst antenna 310, thesecond antenna 320, and thethird antenna 330. In this case, the plurality number of antennas may be, for example, two as shown inFig. 5 , may be three as shown inFig. 8 , or may be four or more. Further, some of the frequency bands of the plurality of antennas may be different from each other or may be the same. -
Fig. 9 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between the length of thesecond MSL 216b between thefirst filter circuit 214 and thecombiner unit 250, and a combined loss in thecombiner unit 250 for a 2690 MHz signal of thesecond antenna 320 in the same circuit configuration as the circuit configuration shown inFig. 5 . - A horizontal axis of the graph shown in
Fig. 9 indicates the length of thesecond MSL 216b between thefirst filter circuit 214 and thecombiner unit 250. The λ shown on the horizontal axis of the graph ofFig. 9 means a wavelength of a signal propagating thesecond MSL 216b at 2690 MHz. The wavelength λ is a value in consideration of a wavelength shortening rate, and is 62.4 mm. The combined loss on a vertical axis of the graph shown inFig. 9 means a loss generated due to the interference between the 2690 MHz signal that is sent from thesecond feeding unit 220 to thecombiner unit 250, and the 2690 MHz signal that is sent from thesecond feeding unit 220 to thecombiner unit 250, sent from thecombiner unit 250 to thefirst filter circuit 214 through thesecond MSL 216b, reflected by thefirst filter circuit 214, and sent to thecombiner unit 250 through thesecond MSL 216b. - As shown in
Fig. 9 , the combined loss is approximately equal to or higher than -2 dB at 0 to 2/16, 6/16 to 10/16 and 14/16 to 18/16 with respect to a ratio of the length of thesecond MSL 216b to the wavelength λ. On the other hand, the combined loss is locally large at 4/16 and its vicinity, 12/16 and its vicinity, and 20/16 and its vicinity with respect to the ratio of the length of thesecond MSL 216b to the wavelength λ. A reason for this is as follows. That is, when the ratio of the length of thesecond MSL 216b to the wavelength λ is 0 and its vicinity or an integral multiple of 1/2 and its vicinity, constructive interference of the signal occurs due to the signal sent from thesecond feeding unit 220 to thecombiner unit 250, and the signal sent from thesecond feeding unit 220 to thecombiner unit 250, sent from thecombiner unit 250 to thefirst filter circuit 214 through thesecond MSL 216b, reflected by thefirst filter circuit 214, and sent to thecombiner unit 250 through thesecond MSL 216b. On the other hand, when the ratio of the length of thesecond MSL 216b to the wavelength λ is an odd multiple of 1/4 or its vicinity, destructive interference of the signal occurs due to the signal sent from thesecond feeding unit 220 to thecombiner unit 250, and the signal sent from thesecond feeding unit 220 to thecombiner unit 250, sent from thecombiner unit 250 to thefirst filter circuit 214 through thesecond MSL 216b, reflected by thefirst filter circuit 214, and sent to thecombiner unit 250 through thesecond MSL 216b. Therefore, as shown inFig. 9 , the combined loss differs depending on the length of thesecond MSL 216b between thefirst filter circuit 214 and thecombiner unit 250. - In the example shown in
Fig. 9 , it is preferable that the ratio of the length of thesecond MSL 216b to the wavelength λ is 0 to 2/16, 6/16 to 10/16 or 14/16 to 18/16. However, when the second frequency band of thesecond antenna 320 is wide, that is, the wavelength band corresponding to the second frequency band is wide and the length of thesecond MSL 216b is relatively long, such as when the ratio of the lengths of thesecond MSL 216b to the wavelength λ inFig. 9 is larger than 1/8, the loss does not necessarily become low at a frequency different from the frequency in the example shown inFig. 9 even through the loss is low at the frequency in the example shown inFig. 9 . Therefore, from a viewpoint of reducing the combined loss of the signal of the second frequency band in thecombiner unit 250, it is preferable that the length of thesecond MSL 216b between thefirst filter circuit 214 and thecombiner unit 250, that is, a length of transmission line between thefirst filter circuit 214 and thecombiner unit 250 is equal to or smaller than 1/8 times the wavelength of the signal propagating in the transmission line at the maximum frequency in the second frequency band. - When the second frequency band of the
second antenna 320 is relatively narrow, such as when the wavelength corresponding to the maximum frequency in the second frequency band is equal to or smaller than 3/4 times the wavelength corresponding to the minimum frequency in the second frequency band, the length of thesecond MSL 216b between thefirst filter circuit 214 and thecombiner unit 250 may be equal to or smaller than 1/8 times the wavelength of the signal propagating thesecond MSL 216b at the maximum frequency in the second frequency band or may be equal to or larger than (4N - 1)/8 times or equal to or smaller than (4N + 1)/8 times the wavelength of the signal propagating thesecond MSL 216b at the maximum frequency in the second frequency band (N: an integer equal to or larger than 1). - The description performed with reference to
Fig. 9 is the same for the length of thefourth MSL 226b between thesecond filter circuit 224 and thecombiner unit 250. That is, from the viewpoint of reducing the combined loss of the signal of the first frequency band in thecombiner unit 250, it is preferable that the length of thefourth MSL 226b between thesecond filter circuit 224 and thecombiner unit 250 is equal to or smaller than 1/8 times the wavelength of the signal propagating thefourth MSL 226b at the maximum frequency in the first frequency band. Further, when the first frequency band of thefirst antenna 310 is relatively narrow, such as when the wavelength corresponding to the maximum frequency in the first frequency band is equal to or smaller than 3/4 times the wavelength corresponding to the minimum frequency in the first frequency band, the length of thefourth MSL 226b between thesecond filter circuit 224 and thecombiner unit 250 may be equal to or smaller than 1/8 times the wavelength of the signal propagating thefourth MSL 226b at the maximum frequency in the first frequency band or equal to or larger than (4M - 1)/8 times or equal to or smaller than (4M + 1)/8 times the wavelength of the signal propagating thefourth MSL 226b at the maximum frequency in the first frequency band (M: an integer equal to or larger than 1). - As described above, that the
first filter circuit 214 is directly connected to thecombiner unit 250 means that the length of the transmission line between thefirst filter circuit 214 and thecombiner unit 250 is equal to or smaller than λ/8. However, as described above, depending on conditions, that thefirst filter circuit 214 is directly connected to thecombiner unit 250 means that the length of the transmission line between thefirst filter circuit 214 and thecombiner unit 250 is equal to or larger than (4N -1)λ/8 times and is equal to or smaller than (4N + 1)λ/8 times (N: an integer equal to or larger than 1). Here, the wavelength λ is a wavelength of the signal propagating in the transmission line at the maximum frequency of the second frequency band such as 2690 MHz. Further, that thesecond filter circuit 224 is directly connected to thecombiner unit 250 means that the length of the transmission line between thesecond filter circuit 224 and thecombiner unit 250 is equal to or smaller than λ'/8. However, as described above, depending on the conditions, that thesecond filter circuit 224 is directly connected to thecombiner unit 250 means that the length of the transmission line between thesecond filter circuit 224 and thecombiner unit 250 is equal to or larger than (4M - 1)λ'/8 times and is equal to or smaller than (4M + 1) λ'/8 times (M: an integer equal to or larger than 1). Here, the wavelength λ' means a wavelength of the signal propagating in the transmission line at the maximum frequency of the first frequency band such as 960 MHz. -
Fig. 10 is a left side view of avehicular antenna device 10 according to a first comparative embodiment. - The
vehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment does not have a configuration corresponding to thesecond feeding unit 220 and thesecond antenna 320 of the embodiment. Further, thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment includes amulti-resonant antenna 910 instead of thefirst antenna 310 of the embodiment. A winding in theantenna cover 912 of themulti-resonant antenna 910 is adjusted so that themulti-resonant antenna 910 is operable in the low frequency band of the LTE band, the DAB band, and the AM/FM radio band. A lower end of themulti-resonant antenna 910 is connected to the feeding unit. -
Fig. 11 is a left side view of avehicular antenna device 10 according to a second comparative embodiment. - The
vehicular antenna device 10 according to the second comparative embodiment includes atelematics antenna 920. A shape of thetelematics antenna 920 is optimized so that thetelematics antenna 920 operates well in the high frequency band of LTE. -
Fig. 12 is a graph showing a frequency characteristic of sensitivity in the low frequency band of LTE in each of thefirst antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, themulti-resonant antenna 910 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment, and thetelematics antenna 920 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the second comparative embodiment.Fig. 13 is a graph showing a frequency characteristic of the sensitivity in the high frequency band of LTE in each of thefirst antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, themulti-resonant antenna 910 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment, and thetelematics antenna 920 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the second comparative embodiment. - A vertical axis of each of the graphs of
Figs. 12 and13 shows the sensitivity. A horizontal axis of each of the graphs ofFigs. 12 and13 shows the frequency. In the graph ofFig. 12 , an area between two dotted lines indicates the low frequency band of LTE, that is, 699 MHz to 960 MHz. In the graph ofFig. 13 , an area between two dotted lines shows the high frequency band of LTE, that is, 1710 MHz to 2690 MHz. Solid lines in each of graphs ofFigs. 12 and13 show the frequency characteristic of the sensitivity of thefirst antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the embodiment. A broken line in each of the graphs ofFigs. 12 and13 shows the frequency characteristic of sensitivity of themulti-resonant antenna 910 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment. A dash-dotted line in each of the graphs ofFigs. 12 and13 shows the frequency characteristic of sensitivity of thetelematics antenna 920 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the second comparative embodiment. - In the
multi-resonant antenna 910 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment, the sensitivity is as high as -2 dBi or greater over the entire low frequency band of LTE, as shown inFig. 12 . On the other hand, in themulti-resonant antenna 910 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment, the sensitivity is reduced to be equal to or lower than approximately -4 dBi at 1900 MHz, 2300 MHz, and 2600 MHz in the high frequency band of LTE, as shown inFig. 13 . This is presumed to be due to influence that the harmonics of the signals of the frequency band lower than the LTE band such as the DAB band and the AM/FM radio band is generated from the winding constituting themulti-resonant antenna 910, that is, the helical antenna. Further, as shown inFig. 13 , the sensitivity of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the first comparative embodiment is lower than the sensitivity of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the embodiment at every frequency in the high frequency band of LTE. This is presumed that themulti-resonant antenna 910 causes a loss such as attenuation, and the length of themulti-resonant antenna 910 is not the optimum length for the high frequency band of LTE. - In the
telematics antenna 920 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the second comparative embodiment, the sensitivity is as high as -2 dBi or greater in most of the high frequency band of LTE, as shown inFig. 13 . On the other hand, in thetelematics antenna 920 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the second comparative embodiment, the sensitivity is reduced to be equal to or lower than -6 dBi in the entirety of the low frequency band of LTE, as shown inFig. 12 . The reason for this is as follows. That is, the shape of thetelematics antenna 920 is optimized so that thetelematics antenna 920 operates well in the high frequency band of LTE. However, the shape of thetelematics antenna 920 is not optimal for the low frequency band of LTE. Therefore, the sensitivity of the low frequency band of LTE of thetelematics antenna 920 is lower than the sensitivity of the high frequency band of LTE of thetelematics antenna 920. - In the
first antenna 310 and thesecond antenna 320 of thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, the sensitivity is as high as -4 dB or greater in both the low frequency band and the high frequency band of LTE, as shown inFigs. 12 and13 . - From the results shown in
Figs. 12 and13 , when the feeding unit connected to the antenna operable in the low frequency band of LTE and the feeding unit connected to the antenna operable in the high frequency band of LTE are separated from each other, the vehicular antenna device is operable well in both the low frequency band and the high frequency band of LTE. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the sensitivity of thevehicular antenna device 10 over the wide frequency band. -
Fig. 14 is a left side view of avehicular antenna device 10 according to a first modification example.Fig. 15 is a top view of thevehicular antenna device 10 shown inFig. 14 . Thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the first modification example is the same as thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the embodiment except for the following points. - The
first antenna 310 is a monopole antenna with a capacitive loading element. Specifically, thefirst antenna 310 includes aradiating element 314a and acapacitive loading element 314b. Theradiating element 314a has a shape that extends linearly in a predetermined direction, specifically, in a vertical direction of thevehicular antenna device 10. A lower end of theradiating element 314a is connected to thefirst feeding unit 210. Thecapacitive loading element 314b is attached to an upper end of theradiating element 314a. In the present modification example, thesecond antenna 320 includes the firstconductor plate unit 322, and does not include, for example, the secondconductor plate unit 324 shown inFig. 1 . With the configuration, for example, in a low-profile case equal to or smaller than 70 mm, it is possible to secure isolation between the respective antennas while corresponding to a wide band LTE band. -
Fig. 16 is a left side view of avehicular antenna device 10 according to a second modification example.Fig. 17 is a top view of thevehicular antenna device 10 shown inFig. 16 . Thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the second modification example is the same as thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the first modification example except for the following points. - The
first antenna 310 is located in front of thesecond antenna 320, and thesecond antenna 320 is located in the rear of thefirst antenna 310. Thefirst antenna 310 is a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA). Specifically, thefirst antenna 310 includes aradiation plate 316a, afeeding conductor unit 316b, and aground conductor unit 316c. Theradiation plate 316a is located above thefirst substrate 200. Theradiation plate 316a is connected to thefirst feeding unit 210 through the feedingconductor unit 316b. Further, theradiation plate 316a is grounded through theground conductor unit 316c. With the configuration, for example, in a low-profile case equal to or smaller than 40 mm, it is possible to correspond to the LTE band of the wide band and to secure the isolation between the respective antennas while providing the plurality of antennas corresponding to the plurality of frequency bands. -
Fig. 18 is a left side view of avehicular antenna device 10 according to a third modification example. Thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the third modification example is the same as thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the first modification example except for the following points. - The
first antenna 310 includes anLTE antenna 318a, atrap coil 318b, ahelical element 318c, and acapacitive loading element 318d. A lower end of theLTE antenna 318a is connected to thefirst feeding unit 210 of thefirst substrate 200. Thetrap coil 318b is connected to an upper end of theLTE antenna 318a. One end of thehelical element 318c is connected to thetrap coil 318b. The other end of thehelical element 318c is connected to thecapacitive loading element 318d. Thecapacitive loading element 318d is located above thesecond antenna 320. - The
first antenna 310 in thevehicular antenna device 10 according to the third modification example shares some of the elements constituting thefirst antenna 310 to form a composite antenna. That is, thefirst antenna 310 is operable in the low frequency band of the LTE band and the DAB band or the AM/FM radio band. Therefore, for example, in a low-profile case equal to or smaller than 70 mm, it is possible to correspond to the LTE band of the wide band and to secure the isolation between the respective antennas while providing the plurality of antennas corresponding to the plurality of frequency bands. - Although the embodiments and modification examples of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than the above may be adopted.
- According to the present specification, the following aspects are provided.
- A first aspect is a vehicular antenna device comprising:
- a first antenna operable in a first frequency band;
- a second antenna operable in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band;
- a first feeding unit connected to the first antenna;
- a second feeding unit connected to the second antenna; and
- a combiner unit combining a signal from the first feeding unit and a signal from the second feeding unit.
- According to the first aspect, the first feeding unit and the second feeding unit are physically spaced apart from each other. In this case, as compared with a case where the feeding unit of the first antenna is common to the feeding unit of the second antenna, it is possible to secure isolation between the first antenna and the second antenna, and it is possible to reduce interference between a signal transmitted and/or received by the first antenna and a signal transmitted and/or received by the second antenna. Therefore, it is possible to increase sensitivity of the first antenna and the second antenna of the vehicular antenna device over a wide frequency band.
- A second aspect is the vehicular antenna device according to the first aspect further comprising at least one of
a first filter circuit located between the first feeding unit and the combiner unit in an electrical path, the first filter circuit blocking a signal in the second frequency band; and
a second filter circuit located between the second feeding unit and the combiner unit in the electrical path, the second filter circuit blocking a signal in the first frequency band. - According to the second aspect, as compared with the case where the first filter circuit is not provided, when the first filter circuit is provided, it is possible to reduce the amount of signals in the second frequency band that enter the first feeding unit through the combiner unit from the second feeding unit. That is, the first filter circuit can separate the first feeding unit from the second feeding unit for the signals in the second frequency band. Further, as compared with the case where the second filter circuit is not provided, when the second filter circuit is provided, it is possible to reduce the amount of signals in the first frequency band that enter the second feeding unit through the combiner unit from the first feeding unit.
That is, the second filter circuit can separate the second feeding unit from the first feeding unit for the signals in the first frequency band. - A third aspect is the vehicular antenna device according to the second aspect, wherein
a length of a transmission line between the first filter circuit and the combiner unit is equal to or smaller than 1/8 times a wavelength of a signal propagating in the transmission line at a maximum frequency in the second frequency band. - According to the third aspect, the constructive interference of the signals occurs due to a signal sent from the second feeding unit to the combiner unit, and a signal sent from the second feeding unit to the combiner unit, sent from the combiner unit to the first filter circuit, reflected by the first filter circuit, and sent to the combiner unit. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a combined loss of the signal of the second frequency band in the combiner unit.
- A fourth aspect is the vehicular antenna device according to the second or third aspect, wherein
a length of a transmission line between the second filter circuit and the combiner unit is equal to or smaller than 1/8 times a wavelength of a signal propagating in the transmission line at a maximum frequency in the first frequency band. - According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to reduce the combined loss of the signal of the first frequency band in the combiner unit in the same manner as in the third aspect.
- A fifth aspect is the vehicular antenna device according to any one of first to fourth aspects, wherein
the first frequency band includes at least a part of 699 MHz to 960 MHz, and
the second frequency band includes at least a part of 1710 MHz to 2690 MHz. - According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to increase sensitivity of the vehicular antenna device over 699 MHz to 960 MHz and 1710 MHz to 2690 MHz.
- A sixth aspect is the vehicular antenna device according to any one of first to fifth aspects further comprising:
- a third antenna operable in a third frequency band different from both the first frequency band and the second frequency band; and
- a third feeding unit connected to the third antenna,
- wherein the combiner unit also combines a signal from the third feeding unit.
- According to the sixth aspect, the third feeding unit is physically spaced apart from the first feeding unit and the second feeding unit. In this case, as compared with a case where the feeding unit of the third antenna is common to the feeding unit of the first antenna and the feeding unit of the second antenna, it is possible to secure isolation between the first antenna, the second antenna, and the third antenna, and it is possible to reduce interference between the signal transmitted and/or received by the first antenna, the signal transmitted and/or received by the second antenna, and a signal transmitted and/or received by the third antenna. Therefore, it is possible to increase the sensitivity of the first antenna, the second antenna, and the third antenna of the vehicular antenna device over the wide frequency band.
- A seventh aspect is the vehicular antenna device according to any one of first to sixth aspects, wherein
the second antenna includes a first portion connected to the second feeding unit and a second portion connected to the first portion at an angle. - According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to configure a low-profile antenna also while securing a desired frequency band. Further, since a part of the second antenna that overlaps the first antenna in a height direction is reduced, it is possible to secure spatial isolation between the first antenna and the second antenna.
- It is apparent that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be modified and changed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Claims (7)
- A vehicular antenna device comprising:a first antenna operable in a first frequency band;a second antenna operable in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band;a first feeding unit connected to the first antenna;a second feeding unit connected to the second antenna; anda combiner unit combining a signal from the first feeding unit and a signal from the second feeding unit.
- The vehicular antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of:a first filter circuit located between the first feeding unit and the combiner unit in an electrical path, the first filter circuit blocking a signal in the second frequency band; anda second filter circuit located between the second feeding unit and the combiner unit in the electrical path, the second filter circuit blocking a signal in the first frequency band.
- The vehicular antenna device according to claim 2, wherein
a length of a transmission line between the first filter circuit and the combiner unit is equal to or smaller than 1/8 times a wavelength of a signal propagating in the transmission line at a maximum frequency in the second frequency band. - The vehicular antenna device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
a length of a transmission line between the second filter circuit and the combiner unit is equal to or smaller than 1/8 times a wavelength of a signal propagating in the transmission line at a maximum frequency in the first frequency band. - The vehicular antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, whereinthe first frequency band includes at least a part of 699 MHz to 960 MHz, andthe second frequency band includes at least a part of 1710 MHz to 2690 MHz.
- The vehicular antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:a third antenna operable in a third frequency band different from both the first frequency band and the second frequency band; anda third feeding unit connected to the third antenna,wherein the combiner unit also combines a signal from the third feeding unit.
- The vehicular antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
the second antenna includes a first portion connected to the second feeding unit and a second portion connected to the first portion at an angle.
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JP2020012765A JP7454389B2 (en) | 2020-01-29 | 2020-01-29 | In-vehicle antenna device |
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EP3859885B1 EP3859885B1 (en) | 2023-12-06 |
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US20090237313A1 (en) * | 2004-12-09 | 2009-09-24 | Advanced Automotive Antennas | Miniature antenna for a motor vehicle |
KR20120016410A (en) * | 2010-08-16 | 2012-02-24 | 인팩일렉스 주식회사 | Unified antenna for vehicle |
US20120057588A1 (en) * | 2009-03-04 | 2012-03-08 | Laird Technologies, Inc. | Multiple antenna multiplexers, demultiplexers and antenna assemblies |
JP2015142379A (en) | 2014-01-28 | 2015-08-03 | 現代自動車株式会社Hyundaimotor Company | Multiple band antenna for vehicle and method of manufacturing the same |
US20150333392A1 (en) * | 2013-09-12 | 2015-11-19 | Laird Technologies, Inc. | Multiband MIMO Vehicular Antenna Assemblies with DSRC Capabilities |
JP2020012765A (en) | 2018-07-19 | 2020-01-23 | 株式会社レクザム | Lens checker |
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JP2003318623A (en) * | 2002-02-21 | 2003-11-07 | Toyota Motor Corp | Antenna device for vehicle |
JP4918534B2 (en) * | 2008-09-29 | 2012-04-18 | 日本アンテナ株式会社 | Integrated antenna |
-
2020
- 2020-01-29 JP JP2020012765A patent/JP7454389B2/en active Active
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2021
- 2021-01-28 EP EP21153896.2A patent/EP3859885B1/en active Active
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20090237313A1 (en) * | 2004-12-09 | 2009-09-24 | Advanced Automotive Antennas | Miniature antenna for a motor vehicle |
US20120057588A1 (en) * | 2009-03-04 | 2012-03-08 | Laird Technologies, Inc. | Multiple antenna multiplexers, demultiplexers and antenna assemblies |
KR20120016410A (en) * | 2010-08-16 | 2012-02-24 | 인팩일렉스 주식회사 | Unified antenna for vehicle |
US20150333392A1 (en) * | 2013-09-12 | 2015-11-19 | Laird Technologies, Inc. | Multiband MIMO Vehicular Antenna Assemblies with DSRC Capabilities |
JP2015142379A (en) | 2014-01-28 | 2015-08-03 | 現代自動車株式会社Hyundaimotor Company | Multiple band antenna for vehicle and method of manufacturing the same |
JP2020012765A (en) | 2018-07-19 | 2020-01-23 | 株式会社レクザム | Lens checker |
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