JP2001060817A - Antenna system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an antenna configuration that prevents a plurality of antennas from being an obstacle to each other in communication when simultaneously communicating with two moving objects such as satellites, and to realize a direction (azimuth and elevation angle) adjustment mechanism therefor with a simple configuration. SOLUTION: Each of antennas 1 and 2 shares direction (azimuth θand elevation angle ϕ) adjustment mechanism 9 and 7 for arms 3 and 4 attached to the antennas 1 and 2 while individually having another mobile part (a rotary mechanism for an arm shaft) 5 or 6. Also, the antennas can be directed toward two communication objects existing in different directions from a receiving point at the same time because each of the antennas can separately adjust the azimuth θ and elevation angle ϕ due to the turning of the antennas with respect to the arm shafts in addition to the arm direction (azimuth θ and elevation angle ϕ) adjustment by the rotary mechanisms with respect to the arm shafts.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an antenna system used for communication with a non-geostationary satellite or the like, and more particularly to an antenna system including a plurality of antennas.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 10 and 11 show a conventional antenna system used for communication with a non-geostationary satellite or the like.
, The elevation adjustment mechanism 101 and the azimuth adjustment mechanism 10
The parabolic antenna 104 is supported and provided on a column 103 provided with the support 2. The elevation angle adjustment mechanism 101 and the azimuth angle adjustment mechanism 102 allow the elevation angle and the azimuth angle to be adjusted.

Conventionally, the elevation angle adjustment mechanism 101 and the azimuth angle adjustment mechanism 102 of the antenna are provided for each antenna as described above, and the direction of the antenna is adjusted by adjusting the two adjustment mechanisms.

For this reason, when the direction of a communication target viewed from a receiving point (location where an antenna is installed) changes with time, such as when communicating with a non-geostationary satellite, a plurality of communication targets having different directions viewed from the receiving point are simultaneously displayed. In order to perform communication, the same number of antenna systems as in FIG.

However, installing a plurality of antennas including the direction adjusting mechanism not only takes up space, but also may cause obstacles in communication between the antennas depending on the direction of the communication target and the positional relationship between the antennas. There were problems such as the occurrence of.

For this reason, the antenna system shown in FIG.
An antenna system having a configuration as shown in FIG. 1 has been proposed in which the antenna is placed on a rotating base 105 and the rotating base 105 is rotated so that the antennas do not interfere with each other.

[0007]

However, in the configuration of the antenna as shown in FIG. 11, five movable adjustment parts are required for adjusting the direction of the antenna, which is mechanically complicated and, at the same time, controls the direction of the antenna. There is a problem that (particularly, control of the azimuth) becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art,
When communication is performed simultaneously with a mobile object such as two satellites, the configuration of an antenna in which a plurality of antennas do not become obstacles for communication with each other and a mechanism for adjusting its direction (azimuth angle θ, elevation angle φ) are simple. The present invention has been made for the purpose of realizing the present invention, and provides an antenna system which has realized this.

[0009]

A first gist of the present invention is as follows.
A first rotation mechanism for providing a first antenna rotatably in a first rotation direction about a first axis; and a second rotation mechanism centering on a second axis extending in the same direction or parallel to the first axis. A second rotation mechanism for rotatably rotating the first antenna in the first rotation direction, and a first and second rotation about a third axis that is different from the first and second axes. An elevation adjustment mechanism that supports the mechanism in a manner that allows the mechanism to rotate in the second rotation direction in common, and a third elevation adjustment mechanism that centers on a fourth axis that is different from the first and third axis directions. An azimuth adjustment mechanism rotatably supported in the rotation direction of the first rotation mechanism, wherein a first rotation mechanism is provided in a first region partitioned by a plane extending from a third axis in a fourth axis direction, An antenna system is characterized in that a second rotation mechanism is provided in a second area opposite to the first area.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first and second axes are provided symmetrically with respect to a plane in which the third axis extends in the fourth axis direction. Antenna system.

A third aspect of the present invention is the antenna system according to the first aspect, wherein the first and second axes are provided symmetrically with respect to the intersection of the third axis and the fourth axis. It is in. A fourth gist of the present invention is characterized in that the directions of the first and second axes are orthogonal to the direction of the third axis, and the direction of the third axis is orthogonal to the direction of the fourth axis. Summary 1
In the antenna system described in the above.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the antenna system according to the first aspect, wherein the first and second axes pass through the centers of gravity of the respective antennas.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the first and second antennas are formed of planar antennas, and the first and second axes pass through the planar antenna symmetrically. Antenna system.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a third rotating mechanism for rotatably mounting a third antenna in a first rotating direction about a first axis in a first rotating direction. In the antenna system described in the above.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is that the first antenna includes a spherical radio wave lens and a primary radiator for receiving radio waves,
The antenna according to the first aspect, wherein the primary radiator rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the first rotation mechanism and rotates around the radio wave lens along the circumferential direction to realize the rotation of the antenna. In the system.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a third antenna which shares the first antenna and the first rotation mechanism and has a third antenna oriented in a direction different from that of the first antenna is provided. 1 is an antenna system.

As described above, in the antenna system of the present invention, the direction (the azimuth θ,
(Elevation angle φ) Each antenna is independently another movable part (rotation mechanism about the axis of the arm tree) while sharing the adjustment mechanism
have. In addition, each antenna adjusts the azimuth angle θ and the elevation angle φ of the antenna by rotating the antenna with respect to the axis of the arm tree in addition to adjusting the direction (azimuth angle θ and elevation angle φ) of the arm tree by the rotation mechanism with respect to the axis of the arm tree. Since the adjustment can be performed separately, it is possible to point the antenna to communication targets in two different directions from the reception point at the same time. (That is, the degree of freedom is determined by the azimuth angle θ and the elevation angle φ and the rotation of the antenna.
One. )

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention.

In the first embodiment, the antenna system has a mechanism for changing the azimuth θ (the angle between the axis O1 and the axis O2 projected on the horizontal plane) of the arms 1 and 2 about the axis O4. 9 (turntable) and a support 8 installed thereon. The support 8 has an elevation angle φ of the first arm 1 and the second arm 2 (the axis O1 of the first arm and the second arm). (An angle formed by the axis O2 with respect to the horizontal plane) about the axis O3.

The first arm 1 and the second arm 2 are
When the first antenna 3 and the second antenna 4 are attached, the arm and the antenna are attached to the rotation mechanism 7 in such an arrangement that they do not interfere with communication. Specifically, the first arm 1 and the second arm 2 are arranged so that their respective axes are parallel to each other, and the vertical line from one arm is not crossed with the other arm. That is, they are arranged and mounted so as not to face each other.

The antennas 3 and 4 are independently rotated by the rotation mechanisms 5 and 6 so that the axes O 1 and O
It is mounted so that it can rotate around 2.

That is, the rotation mechanisms 5 and 6 have their axes O
1 and O2 are arranged separately in first and second regions A1 and A2 which are parallel to each other and are separated by a plane parallel to the axis O4 and including the axis O3. Thereby, the antennas 3 and 4 are
Even if each of the rotation mechanisms 5 and 6 is rotated around each of the axis lines O1 and O2, one antenna or its rotation axis is not located on the entire surface of the other antenna. Will not be.

Furthermore, if the axes O1 and O2 are provided symmetrically with respect to the intersection of the axis O3 and the axis O4 as in this embodiment, the two antennas can communicate with each other when they communicate with each other. It can be installed in a well-balanced manner without getting in the way.

In the present embodiment, the directivity of each of the antennas 3 and 4 is set to the direction perpendicular to the axis of the present embodiment so as not to disturb communication between the antennas. However, the directivity of the antennas 3 and 4 is not limited to the direction perpendicular to the axis lines O1 and O2, and the communication positions of the antennas 3 and 4 can be prevented by taking into consideration the arrangement position and size of the antennas. Can be determined arbitrarily.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, the first arm 1 and the second arm for mounting the antenna are arranged so that their axes O1 and O2 coincide with each other, and are supported via a rotation mechanism 7 for changing the elevation angle of the arm. 8 attached. Further, the column 8 is mounted on a turntable 9 for changing the azimuth angle of the arm tree.

Then, the two parabolic antennas 3 and 4
Has an independent rotation mechanism 5 and 6 around the axis O1 (the axis O2 coincides with O1), and has three direction control mechanisms per antenna, so that the antenna can be directed in any direction. Is possible.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the antennas 3 and 4 and the arms 1 and 2 are connected to the communication object and the antenna 3.
And 4 are arranged so as not to exist in the space between them, that is, since the antenna 3 and the antenna 4 and the arm 1 and the arm 2 are arranged so as not to be opposed to each other, And the antenna 4, and the arm 1 and the arm 2 can be directed to different communication targets without becoming a communication obstacle.

It should be noted that the present invention relates to the first antenna 3 and the second antenna
Although the characteristics of the antenna 4 may be the same,
By making the characteristics of the antenna 3 and the second antenna 4 different from each other, not only the position of the communication target but also the CS (communication satellite) and the BS (broadcast satellite) having different use frequency bands and polarizations are used. It is possible to handle (receive or communicate) two different systems simultaneously.

Next, an example of an antenna direction adjusting procedure using the antenna direction adjusting mechanism in the antenna system of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

(1) Communication target T1, T2 and own station P
One current position is grasped (step 1).

(2) Communication target T1, T2 and own station P
A triangle T1, T2, and P formed by one is defined (step 2).

(3) A plane R parallel to the triangles T1, T2, P is defined, and the rotation mechanism 7 for adjusting the elevation of the arm and the azimuth of the arm are adjusted so that the axis O1 is orthogonal to the plane R. Rotating shaft O1 using a rotating mechanism (rotary table) 9
(Elevation angle, azimuth angle) is adjusted (step 3).

(4) The antennas 1 and 2 are rotated about the axis O1 by using the rotation mechanisms 5 and 6, so that the antennas 1 and 2 are adjusted to face the communication targets T1 and T2, respectively (step 4). ).

In the above order, the antennas are directed to the two communication targets T1, T2.

At this time, the two antennas are
1 and T2, and the communication target T
1. When the positions of T2 intersect, it is easy to change the combination of the communication target and the antenna.

Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the first arm 1 and the second arm 2 for mounting the antenna are connected to the axes O1, O
2 are arranged so as to coincide with each other, and the planar antenna 10 of FIG.
And 11 are symmetric with respect to the axis O1, and are configured such that the axis O1 passes through the center of gravity of the planar antenna.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, the third antenna 12 includes the first antenna 10 and the second antenna 11 on the first arm 1 or the second arm 2 for supporting the antenna.
Is mounted so as to be different from the mounting position. Further, a rotation mechanism 13 for rotating the third antenna 12 is provided.

In this embodiment, since the third antenna 12 has the independent rotating mechanism 13, the first antenna
It can be pointed in a different direction from any of the second antennas (antennas 10 and 11).

For this reason, the third antenna 12 is required to increase the antenna gain, sharpen the directivity of the antenna, etc., while the first and second antennas 10 and 11 are in communication, for example, while the line condition is deteriorated. In this case, the signal received by the antenna 10 or the antenna 11 is combined with the signal received by the antenna 12 by directing the antenna 10 or the antenna 11 in the same direction as necessary, thereby coping with the deterioration of the state of the line and the antenna. Can be responded to such requests as sharpening the directivity.

The characteristics (directivity and frequency characteristics) of the third antenna 12 are changed by the first and second antennas 10 and 11.
Alternatively, when the communication target is changed, it can be used as a pilot antenna for searching for the approximate existence direction of the new communication target.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the fourth embodiment.
The example of FIG. 6 shows an antenna system including four planar antennas on a crosspiece.

In this example, the first to fourth antennas (antenna 10, antenna 1
1, the antenna 12, the antenna 14) are equal in size and shape, and are mounted so as to be balanced with respect to the elevation mechanism (rotation mechanism) 7 for adjusting the elevation angle of the arm. Further, by changing the combination of the first communication target T1 and the second communication target T2, and the communication targets of the first to fourth antennas and the antennas directed to the communication targets, it is possible to obtain the space diversity effect. Has become. Reference numeral 15 denotes a rotation mechanism of the fourth antenna 14 (fourth rotation mechanism).

FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, the spherical first radio wave lens 20 and the second radio wave lens 21 have their arms so that the axis O1 (the axis O2 coincides with the axis O1) passes through the center. It is attached to the tip of 1,2.

Then, a first primary radiator (converter) 25 for receiving the radio waves collected by the first radio wave lens 20
And a second primary radiator (converter) 26 for receiving the radio waves collected by the second radio lens,
Rotation mechanisms 18 and 19 are used to rotate about the axis O1 so as to follow the trajectory of the radio lenses 20 and 21 on the plane including the centers of 0 and 20 and orthogonal to the axis O1. Is configured.

Also in this embodiment, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the elevation angle adjusting mechanism 7 for simultaneously changing the inclination of the axes O1 and O2 of the first arm 1 and the second arm 2 with respect to the horizontal plane by the same amount at the same time. And an azimuth adjustment mechanism 9 for simultaneously changing the angles of the axes O1 and O2 projected on the horizontal plane by the same amount by the same amount at the same time.
Arm 1 and second arm 2 are arranged in a non-opposite manner.

In this embodiment, only the primary radiator (converter) 26 moves without rotating the antenna main body, so that the driving load can be reduced as compared with the case where the entire antenna is moved.

In the present embodiment, the axis O1 of the first arm 1 and the axis O2 of the second arm coincide with each other. May be arranged in parallel.

FIG. 8 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the crescent-shaped antennas 30 and 31 are attached to the elevation adjustment mechanism 34, and are configured to rotate independently about the axis O1 of the arm 32 and the axis O2 of the arm 33, respectively. .

The elevation angle adjustment mechanism 34 includes an azimuth angle adjustment mechanism 3.
The azimuth adjustment mechanism 35 is rotatable in the θ direction independently of the other axes on the support frames 36 and 37 fixed to 5 independently of the other axes. Installed.

In this embodiment, by making the antenna half-moon-shaped, the volume required for each axis to rotate can be minimized.

FIG. 9 shows a seventh embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, the antennas are formed in an elliptical shape, and the elliptical antennas 38 and 39 are attached to the elevation adjustment mechanism 34 so that they can rotate independently about the axis O1 and the arm O2 of the arm 32. Is configured.

The elevation angle adjustment mechanism 34 includes an azimuth angle adjustment mechanism 3.
The azimuth adjustment mechanism 35 is rotatable in the θ direction independently of the other axes on the support frames 36 and 37 fixed to 5 independently of the other axes. Installed.

Generally, an antenna satisfies a certain gain and unnecessary radiation (side rope) in a direction other than a desired direction.
If you want to keep below a certain value, the antenna shape is preferably circular or elliptical, but in the case of a circular antenna,
Since the turning radius of the antenna is larger than the gain obtained, the elliptical shape as in the present embodiment is the optimum shape.

[0061]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the configuration of the first aspect, since a part of the direction adjusting mechanism of the antenna is shared, the volume can be reduced as compared with the case where a plurality of conventional antenna systems are used.

Furthermore, since it is possible not only to communicate with two different communication targets using a plurality of antennas but also to use a plurality of antennas simultaneously for one communication target, it is possible to adjust the antenna gain and directivity. It becomes possible.

Further, in the configuration of the conventional antenna system in which the two antennas are arranged so as not to be an obstacle when communicating with each other (the configuration in FIG. 2), a rotating mechanism (movable part) for adjusting the direction is used. In contrast to the necessity of five locations, the invention of the gist 1 shares a part of the direction adjustment mechanism, so that four locations with one less rotation mechanism (movable part) for direction adjustment are sufficient, and It becomes easy.

According to the second and third aspects, the two antennas can be installed in a well-balanced manner without obstructing each other when communicating with each other. According to the fourth aspect, the direction control of the antennas is simplified.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, the shape of the antenna is symmetrical about the axis, and the rotational moments are easily balanced.

According to the configuration of claim 7, since the third antenna can be used as a spare antenna, the gain and the directivity of the antenna such as the deterioration of the quality of the transmission path and the change of the directivity while communicating with the two communication targets are obtained. It is possible to adjust the sex.

According to the configuration of claim 8, since the radio wave lens is fixed and only the primary radiator (converter) is moved,
The driving load of the antenna can be reduced as compared with the case of moving the radio lens and the converter.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the antenna portion of the antenna mechanism is provided with the function of a planar antenna on both sides or on multiple sides, so that the operation range of the antenna direction adjustment for directing to a communication target can be reduced. ,
This enables more agile and reliable transmission and reception of signals.

That is, by arranging two antennas back to back and arranging these antennas in parallel, the range of movement when the antennas are pointed at the communication target can be reduced, and the communication with the target communication target can be more instantaneously performed. It is effective to be able to do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first embodiment of an antenna system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of antenna direction adjustment using an antenna direction adjustment mechanism in the antenna system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a third embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a fourth embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a modified example of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a fifth embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a sixth embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an antenna system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional antenna system.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a conventional example of an antenna direction adjusting mechanism in which two antennas do not become a communication obstacle to each other.

[Description of Signs] 1 First antenna 2 Second antenna 3 First arm 4 Second arm 5 First rotation mechanism 6 Second rotation mechanism 7 Elevation angle adjustment mechanism 8 Arm 9 Arm azimuth angle Adjusting mechanism (rotary table) 10 1st planar antenna 11 2nd planar antenna 12 3rd planar antenna 13 3rd rotating mechanism 14 4th planar antenna 15 4th rotating mechanism 20 1st radio wave lens 21st 2 radio wave lens 23 1st converter rotation mechanism 24 2nd converter rotation mechanism 25 1st converter 26 2nd converter 30, 31 half moon antenna 32, 33 arm tree 34 elevation angle adjustment mechanism 35 azimuth angle adjustment mechanism 36, 37 Support frame 38, 39 Elliptical antenna

Claims (9)

[Claims] A first rotating mechanism provided with a first antenna rotatable about a first axis in a first rotational direction; and a second rotating mechanism extending coaxially with or parallel to the first axis. A second rotation mechanism for providing a second antenna rotatably in a first rotation direction about an axis of the second antenna; and a third axis that is different from the first and second axes. An elevation adjustment mechanism that supports the first and second rotation mechanisms so as to be commonly rotatable in a second rotation direction; and a fourth axis that is different from the first and third axes. An azimuth adjustment mechanism that rotatably supports the elevation angle adjustment mechanism in a third rotation direction, wherein the first area is divided by a plane parallel to the fourth axis and including the third axis. Provided with the first rotation mechanism,
An antenna system, wherein a second rotation mechanism is provided in a second area opposite to the first area. 2. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second axes are provided symmetrically with respect to a plane parallel to said third axis and including a fourth axis. . 3. The third axis and the fourth axis intersect,
The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second axes are provided symmetrically with respect to an intersection. 4. The third axis and the fourth axis are orthogonal to each other,
The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the first axis and the second axis are orthogonal to a plane formed by the third axis and the fourth axis. 5. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second axes pass through the centers of gravity of the respective antennas. 6. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna comprises a planar antenna, and the first axis passes through the planar antenna symmetrically. 7. The antenna system according to claim 1, further comprising a third rotation mechanism that rotatably rotates a third antenna in a first rotation direction about the first axis. . 8. The first antenna includes a spherical radio wave lens and a primary radiator that receives a radio wave. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein rotation of the antenna is realized by rotating along the circumferential direction. 9. A third antenna which shares a first rotating mechanism with the first antenna and faces in a direction different from that of the first antenna.
The antenna system according to claim 1, further comprising: