JP2002152074A - Radio communication adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio communication adapter which can effectively transmit/receive a radio wave without remarkably increasing the dimension of a main body. SOLUTION: In the radio communication adapter, a transmission/reception circuit 5 and an antenna receiving the radio wave supplied from outside, supplying it to the transmission/reception circuit 5 and transmitting a signal supplied from the transmission/reception circuit 5 outside are incorporated in a casing. The antenna is constituted of a waveguide. Since the waveguide can receive the radio wave by radiating it at the opening end, the radio wave can effectively be transmitted/received from the main body end face of the radio communication adapter in a state where the radio communication adapter is inserted into a slot arranged in a personal computer and the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a wireless communication adapter, and more particularly, to a wireless communication adapter capable of effectively transmitting and receiving a radio wave without significantly increasing the size of a main body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, notebook personal computers and the like often have a card slot. Various PC cards are inserted into such a card slot according to the purpose, thereby expanding the functions of a personal computer or the like. As a PC card,
Various types of cards such as a memory card, a modem card, and a LAN (local area network) card are provided.

One type of such a PC card is a wireless LAN card. A wireless LAN card is a type of LAN card, and is a card that enables data communication with other personal computers and servers constituting the LAN to be performed by short-range wireless communication. That is, when a wireless LAN card is inserted into a personal computer,
This personal computer can perform wireless communication with a base station connected to a LAN via a wireless LAN card.

However, when the wireless LAN card is inserted into the card slot of the personal computer, the main body of the wireless LAN card is almost completely accommodated in the housing of the personal computer, so that transmission and reception of the radio wave can be performed. There was a problem that it became very difficult.

In order to solve such a problem, conventionally,
Various improved wireless LAN cards have been proposed,
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-124735 proposes a method in which a protrusion is provided on a main body of a wireless LAN card, and a dielectric planar antenna is built in the protrusion. According to this method, even when the antenna is inserted into the card slot of the personal computer, the projection having the built-in dielectric planar antenna is located outside the housing of the personal computer, so that the radio wave is effectively transmitted. Can be transmitted and received. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 0-10681 proposes a method of extending the length of a wireless LAN card body and providing a foldable antenna at the extension. According to this method, even when the extension unit is inserted into the card slot of the personal computer, the extension unit is located outside the housing of the personal computer. It is possible to perform transmission and reception of wireless radio waves in an efficient manner.

[0006]

However, in each of the above-mentioned conventional wireless LAN cards, the antenna portion largely protrudes from the wireless LAN card body or the wireless LAN card.
Since the wireless LAN card is provided in a portion greatly extended from the AN card main body, the size of the wireless LAN card is greatly increased, and there has been a problem that handling the wireless LAN card is inconvenient. For example,
When a wireless LAN card having such a large protrusion or extension is inserted into a card slot of a personal computer, the protrusion or extension protrudes significantly from the housing of the personal computer, and is therefore vulnerable to mechanical stress. This not only causes a failure but also greatly increases the external dimensions of the personal computer.

[0007] For this reason, a wireless communication adapter capable of effectively transmitting and receiving a radio wave without greatly increasing the size of the main body has been desired.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication adapter capable of effectively transmitting and receiving a radio wave without greatly increasing the size of the main body.

[0009]

An outline of the present invention is that a waveguide is built in a main body of a wireless communication adapter and the waveguide is used as an antenna. That is, since the waveguide can emit and receive radio waves at its open end, by positioning the open end of the waveguide on the end face of the main body of the wireless communication adapter, the wireless communication adapter can be used for a personal computer or the like. Even when the wireless communication adapter is inserted into the slot provided in the wireless communication adapter, it is possible to effectively transmit and receive the radio wave from the end face of the main body of the wireless communication adapter.

An object of the present invention is to provide a transmitting / receiving circuit and an antenna for receiving an externally supplied radio wave and supplying the radio wave to the transmitting / receiving circuit and transmitting a signal supplied from the transmitting / receiving circuit to the outside. This is achieved by a wireless communication adapter built in the wireless communication adapter, wherein the antenna comprises a waveguide.

According to the present invention, since the antenna made of the waveguide is built in the housing of the wireless communication adapter,
Wireless communication with the base station can be performed without providing a large protrusion or the like outside the main body. In addition, since the radio waves radiated by the waveguide are vertically polarized waves, it is possible to efficiently perform wireless communication with the base station.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a cylindrical portion, and the waveguide is constituted by the cylindrical portion of the housing.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of components can be reduced since the housing itself constitutes the waveguide.

[0014] In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises wavelength shortening means for shortening the wavelength of the radio wave transmitted through the waveguide than the wavelength in air.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, since a wavelength shortening means is provided, a radio wave having a lower frequency can be handled by a waveguide having a limited inner diameter.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the wavelength shortening means is made of a dielectric material provided in the waveguide.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wavelength shortening means comprises a deformed portion provided on an inner wall of the waveguide.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the dielectric material is a printed circuit board on which the transmitting / receiving circuit is mounted.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wavelength can be shortened without using any special parts, since the printed circuit board only needs to be arranged inside the waveguide.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the waveguide includes first and second metal plates parallel to each other, one end of the first metal plate and the second metal plate. First connecting means for electrically connecting one end of
A second connection means for electrically connecting the other end of the first metal plate and the other end of the second metal plate.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the first and second connecting means are formed of third and fourth metal plates parallel to each other and provided orthogonal to the first metal plate. Become.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the waveguide is provided orthogonal to both the first metal plate and the third metal plate, and the first and second metal plates are connected to each other. The apparatus further includes a radio wave reflecting member that is electrically connected.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, since the radio wave reflecting member reflects the radio wave traveling in the direction in which the radio wave should not be radiated, not only the performance as an antenna is improved, but also the wireless communication adapter can be used. The effect on the equipment used can be suppressed.

[0024] In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, each of the one end and the other end of the first metal plate has a deformation deformed toward the second metal plate. The first and second connecting means are constituted by at least the deformed portion provided on the first metal plate.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the one end and the other end of the second metal plate are each provided with a deformation deformed toward the first metal plate. The first and second connecting means are configured by at least the deformed portion provided on the first metal plate and the deformed portion provided on the second metal plate.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the open end of the waveguide has an arc shape.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the directivity of the radio wave radiated from the open end is reduced.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the housing is in a card shape.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a wireless LAN card 1 according to this embodiment has a box-shaped housing 2 made of metal.
And a printed circuit board 3 made of a dielectric material provided inside the housing 2. The direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 is the direction of insertion into the card slot. A typical example of a device provided with a card slot is a notebook personal computer. That is, when the wireless LAN card 1 according to the embodiment is inserted into a notebook personal computer, the personal computer can perform wireless communication with a base station connected to the LAN via the wireless LAN card 1. . However, devices that can use the wireless communication adapter according to the present invention are not limited to notebook personal computers.
It goes without saying that other devices may be used. Less than,
A device into which the wireless communication adapter according to the present invention is inserted is referred to as a “device used”.

Wireless LAN card 1 according to this embodiment
Conforms to the standards defined by PCMCIA / JEIDA, and its dimensions are: length (L) is about 85.6 mm, width (W) is about 54.0 mm, and thickness (T) is about 3.1 mm. is there.

The housing 2 defines the outer shape of the wireless LAN card 1 and functions as a waveguide serving as an antenna. That is, the housing 2 is a box-shaped member in which the entire surface excluding the open end 4, that is, the top surface, the bottom surface, and the three side surfaces are all formed of metal walls.
The open end 4 has the outer shape of the wireless LAN card 1 and functions as a waveguide for emitting and receiving radio waves from the open end 4. Therefore, ignoring the thickness of the metal wall forming the housing 2, the housing 2 forms a waveguide having a short side of about 3.1 mm and a long side of about 54.0 mm. . Further, the housing 2 is provided with a connector (not shown) for establishing an electrical connection with the used device when inserted into a card slot provided in the used device.

The printed circuit board 3 has a wireless LAN card 1
Various electronic components required to realize the functions of
C, a capacitor, a coil, a resistor, and the like are mounted, and a transmission / reception circuit is mounted as one of such electronic components.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the wireless LAN card 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, a transmission / reception circuit 5 is mounted on the printed circuit board 3. The transmitting / receiving circuit 5
A signal supplied from a device to be used is transmitted to a waveguide formed of the housing 2 through a connector (not shown), and a signal transmitted from the base station and received by the waveguide formed of the housing 2 is connected to the connector. This is a circuit for sending to the user equipment via the. Although not particularly limited, the transmission / reception circuit 5 is configured by an IC. As shown in FIG. 2, the transmitting / receiving circuit 5
The first input / output terminal 6 includes a first input / output terminal 6 and a second input / output terminal 7. The first input / output terminal 6 is connected to a conductor 8 and a wire 9 provided on the surface of the printed circuit board 3. The second input / output terminal 7 is electrically connected to the housing 2 via a conductor 8 provided on the surface of the printed board 3, a via hole 10 provided through the printed board 3, and a wire 11. Is electrically connected to the bottom surface of the Thereby, the housing 2
Transmits and receives a radio wave received from the open end 4
, And functions as an antenna that radiates a signal transmitted from the transmission / reception circuit 5 from the open end 4 as a radio wave.

When the wireless LAN card 1 having such a configuration is inserted into a card slot provided in a used device, at least the open end 4 is substantially exposed from the housing of the used device. Open end 4 thus exposed
Is an antenna of the wireless LAN card 1 as described above. Therefore, the wireless LAN card 1 according to the present embodiment
Can transmit and receive radio waves to and from a LAN base station via the exposed open end 4 without significantly increasing the size of the card body.

By the way, a vertical rod-shaped antenna is generally used for a LAN base station, and a vertically polarized wave having no null point in a horizontal direction is radiated. On the other hand, the card slot provided in the use device is generally provided so that the card is inserted in the horizontal direction.
In such a card slot, the wireless L according to the present embodiment is provided.
When the AN card 1 is inserted, the radio wave radiated from the open end 4 is also vertically polarized. For this reason, the wireless LAN card 1 according to the present embodiment has high communication efficiency with the base station, and as a result, the communicable range is widened.

Next, the relationship between the frequency of the radio wave used for the LAN and the diameter of the waveguide formed by the housing 2 will be described.

When a radio wave is transmitted by a waveguide, the length of the short side of the quadrilateral defined by the cross section of the waveguide is λ _0.
/ 2 (λ ₀ is the wavelength of radio waves to be transmitted in the air)
Less than, the length of the long side is required is lambda _0/2 or more. On the other hand, the frequency of a radio wave used for LAN is often about 5.2 GHz (λ ₀ = about 58 mm). In this case, the quadrilateral defined by the waveguide cross section has a short side of about It should be less than 29 mm and its long side should be about 29 mm or more.

On the other hand, the size of the wireless LAN card 1 according to the present embodiment has a length (L) of about 85.6 m as described above.
m, width (W) is about 54.0 mm, thickness (T) is about 3.1
mm, the frequency of about 5.2 GHz can be used by using the housing 2 of the wireless LAN card 1 as a waveguide as it is.

However, the above is a condition when the inside of the waveguide is completely filled with air. If a substance having a dielectric constant higher than that of air exists inside the waveguide, the waveguide is not conductive. The effective wavelength of the emitted radio wave is apparently shorter. In other words, if a substance having a higher dielectric constant than air exists inside the waveguide, the length required for the shorter side of the quadrilateral defining the cross section of the waveguide is λ _g (λ _g < λ ₀ ) / 2, and the length required for the long side is required to be λ _g / 2 or more.

Here, in the wireless LAN card 1 according to the present embodiment, a printed circuit board 3 made of a dielectric is provided inside a casing 2 constituting a waveguide. Printed circuit board 3
Is higher than air, the effective wavelength of the radio wave transmitted through the waveguide should be apparently shorter due to the presence of the printed circuit board 3. On the other hand, the frequency of the radio wave used for the LAN is the above-mentioned frequency (about 5.
Since about 2.4 GHz (λ ₀ = about 120 mm) is often used in addition to 2 GHz), in this case, the quadrilateral that defines the cross section of the waveguide has a shorter side that is shorter than about 60 mm. The long side needs to be about 60 mm or more. However, in the wireless LAN card 1 according to the present embodiment, the printed circuit board 3 made of a dielectric is provided inside the casing 2 constituting the waveguide, and thereby, the effective radio wave transmitted through the waveguide is provided. Since the wavelength is shortened, by appropriately selecting the permittivity and the thickness of the printed circuit board 3, the length required for the long side of the quadrilateral defining the cross section of the waveguide can be reduced according to the present embodiment. , The width (W) of the wireless LAN card 1 can be reduced to about 54 mm or less.

Thus, the wireless LAN according to the present embodiment
The card 1 can use the frequency of 2.4 GHz by the external dimensions described above.

As described above, in the wireless LAN card 1 according to the present embodiment, since almost the entire housing 2 is used as a waveguide, the size of the card body is not substantially increased, and Wireless communication with a base station becomes possible. Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the wireless LAN card 1
Since the radio wave radiated from the open end 4 is vertically polarized, wireless communication with the base station can be performed efficiently.

Next, a wireless LAN card according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 12 according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, a wireless LAN card 12 according to the present embodiment has a similar configuration to the wireless LAN card 1 according to the above embodiment, and a box-shaped casing 2 made of metal. And a printed circuit board 3 provided inside the housing 2 and a dielectric block 13 mounted on the printed circuit board 3. The wireless LAN card 12 according to the present embodiment also conforms to the standard defined by PCMCIA / JEIDA, and its size is about 85.6 m in length (L).
m, width (W) is about 54.0 mm, thickness (T) is about 3.1
mm.

The dielectric block 13 plays a role in shortening the effective wavelength of radio waves transmitted through the waveguide formed of the housing 2 together with the printed circuit board 3. As a result, frequencies that cannot be handled by the wireless LAN card 1 according to the embodiment can be handled by the wireless LAN card 12 according to the embodiment.

For example, as the frequency of the radio wave used for the LAN, the above-mentioned frequency (about 5.2 GHz and about 2.
Since about 1.9 GHz (λ ₀ = about 160 mm) is often used besides 4 GHz), in this case, the quadrilateral that defines the cross section of the waveguide has a shorter side that is shorter than about 80 mm. The long side needs to be about 80 mm or more. However, in the wireless LAN card 12 according to the present embodiment, the printed circuit board 3 and the dielectric block 13 are provided inside the casing 2 constituting the waveguide, and thereby the effective transmission of the radio wave transmitted through the waveguide is achieved. Wavelength is significantly shortened. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the dielectric constant and the mass of the dielectric block 13, the length required for the long side of the quadrilateral defining the cross section of the waveguide can be set to the length of the wireless LAN card 12 according to the present embodiment. The width (W) can be reduced to about 54 mm or less.

Thus, the wireless LAN according to the present embodiment
The card 12 can use the frequency of 1.9 GHz due to the above outer dimensions.

Although the dielectric block 13 is mounted on both sides of the printed circuit board 3 in this embodiment, it may be mounted on only one surface of the printed circuit board 3. However, by mounting the dielectric block 13 on only one surface of the printed circuit board 3,
If the mass of the dielectric inside the waveguide is reduced as compared with the case where the waveguide is mounted on both surfaces, the effect of shortening the radio wave transmitted through the waveguide is reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the dielectric block 13 is provided near the open end 4, but the dielectric block 13 may be provided at any part within the waveguide. . Further, in the present embodiment, the dielectric block 13 is provided substantially at the center of the waveguide,
It may be provided at a place other than the center. However, since the effect of shortening the radio wave transmitted through the waveguide becomes more remarkable when the dielectric block 13 is provided substantially at the center of the waveguide, a high radio wave shortening effect is obtained by the dielectric block 13 having a small mass. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable to provide the dielectric block 13 substantially at the center of the waveguide.

Next, a wireless LAN card according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 14 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless LAN card 14 according to the present embodiment has a box-shaped housing 1 made of metal.
5 and a printed circuit board 3 provided inside the housing 15. The wireless LAN card 14 according to the present embodiment also
It conforms to the standards defined by PCMCIA / JEIDA, and its dimensions are a length (L) of about 85.6 mm, a width (W) of about 54.0 mm, and a thickness (T) of about 3.1 mm.

A recess 16 is formed in the upper surface of the housing 15, so that the distance between the upper surface and the bottom surface of the housing 15 in the portion where the recess 16 is formed is reduced.

In the portion where the distance between the upper surface and the bottom surface of the housing 15 is shortened by the recess 16, the capacity formed by the upper surface and the bottom surface of the housing 15 is larger than in other portions. This means that the effective wavelength of the radio wave transmitted through the waveguide constituted by the housing 15 becomes shorter due to the presence of the depression 16. As a result, frequencies that cannot be handled by the wireless LAN card 1 according to the embodiment can be handled by the wireless LAN card 14 according to the embodiment.

For example, according to the wireless LAN card 14 according to the present embodiment, like the wireless LAN card 12 according to the above embodiment, 1.9 GHz according to the above outer dimensions.
Can be used.

In the present embodiment, the depression 16 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 15, but it may be provided on the bottom surface of the housing 15, and further, provided on both the upper surface and the bottom surface of the housing 15. May be. If the depressions 16 are provided on both the top and bottom surfaces of the housing 15, the capacity formed by the top and bottom surfaces of the housing 15 is further increased, and the effect of shortening the radio waves transmitted through the waveguide is further increased. .

In this embodiment, the depression 16 is provided over the entire length of the upper surface of the housing 15 in the longitudinal direction.
This may be provided only in part.

Further, in this embodiment, the housing 15
By providing the dent 16 in itself, the capacity formed by the upper surface and the bottom surface of the housing 15 is increased. However, a metal plate is provided on the inner surface of the housing 15 (inside the waveguide). It may be configured to obtain an effect equivalent to 16.

In addition, the recess 16 may be formed in the housing 15 according to the present embodiment, and a dielectric block may be mounted on the printed circuit board 3 according to the present embodiment. In this case, since both the effect of shortening the radio wave by the depression 16 and the effect of shortening the radio wave by the dielectric block are obtained,
The effect is even greater.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 17 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the wireless LAN card 17 according to the present embodiment is provided inside a housing 18 made of a metal part of which is cylindrical. And a printed circuit board 3. The housing 18 has an upper surface 19,
The waveguide includes a bottom surface 20 and two side surfaces 21 provided at positions facing each other between the top surface 19 and the bottom surface 20, and a tubular portion 22 provided with these side surfaces 21 constitutes a waveguide. That is, in the wireless LAN cards 1, 12, and 14 according to the above embodiment, almost the entire housing 2 is used as a waveguide, but in the wireless LAN card 17 according to the present embodiment, a part of the housing is used. Only the waveguide is used.

The wireless LAN card 17 according to the present embodiment
Also conforms to the standards stipulated by PCMCIA / JEIDA. The dimensions are: length (L) is about 85.6 mm, width (W) is about 54.0 mm, and thickness (T) is about 3.1 mm. is there.

FIG. 5 (b) shows a wireless L according to this embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view in which an upper surface 19 of a housing 18 forming the wireless LAN card 17 is omitted to facilitate understanding of the structure of the AN card 17.

As shown in FIG. 5B, metal walls 23 are provided on both sides of the printed circuit board 3 near positions corresponding to the ends of the side surfaces 22. The metal wall 23 provided on the upper surface of the printed circuit board 3 and the metal wall 23 provided on the lower surface of the printed circuit board 3 are short-circuited to each other.
9 and the bottom surface 20 are short-circuited. That is, the upper end surface of the metal wall 23 provided on the upper surface of the printed circuit board 3 is in contact with the upper surface 19 of the housing 18, and the lower end surface of the metal wall 23 provided on the lower surface of the printed circuit board 3 is Is in contact with the bottom surface 20. The feeding point, which is a connection point between the transmission / reception circuit (not shown) and the waveguide, is located at the open end 4 of the upper surface 19 and the bottom surface 20 of the housing 18 more than the portion corresponding to the metal wall 23.
Provided on the side. The metal wall 23 is provided for the purpose of reflecting the radio wave transmitted through the waveguide, thereby improving the transmission / reception sensitivity of the radio wave and blocking the radio wave radiated to the use device side.

Also in the wireless LAN card 17 according to the present embodiment, the same effect as the wireless LAN card 1 according to the above-described embodiment can be obtained since the card body is provided with a waveguide functioning as an antenna. .

Also, in this embodiment, as in the wireless LAN card 12 according to the above embodiment, by providing a dielectric block inside the waveguide, the effective wavelength of the radio wave transmitted through the waveguide is shortened. Alternatively, as in the case of the wireless LAN card 14 according to the above embodiment, the effective wavelength of the radio wave transmitted through the waveguide may be shortened by providing the housing with a recess.

The wireless LAN card 1 according to the present embodiment
In 7, the pair of side surfaces 21 are provided at the end of the card body, but the side surfaces may be provided at other positions.

FIG. 6 is a modified example of the wireless LAN card 17 according to the above embodiment, in which the side face is provided inside the end of the card body.

In the wireless LAN card 24 shown in FIG. 6, a pair of side surfaces 25 are provided inside the end of the card body, and both sides of the printed board 3
The metal wall 26 is provided near the position corresponding to the end of the fifth metal plate 5. The metal wall 26 short-circuits the upper surface and the bottom surface of the housing in the relevant portion. A feed point, which is a connection point between a transmission / reception circuit (not shown) and the waveguide, is provided in a portion surrounded by the side surface 25 and the metal wall 26 on the top and bottom surfaces of the housing.

FIG. 7 shows a modification of the wireless LAN card 17 according to the above embodiment, in which a plurality of side surfaces are provided.

In the wireless LAN card 27 shown in FIG. 7, a pair of side surfaces 28 and a pair of side surfaces 29 are provided, and a metal wall is formed on both sides of the printed circuit board 3 near a position corresponding to the end of the side surface 29. 30 are provided. The metal wall 30 short-circuits the upper surface and the bottom surface of the housing in that portion. A feeding point, which is a connection point between a transmission / reception circuit (not shown) and the waveguide, is provided on the side surface 2 of the top and bottom surfaces of the housing.
8 and 29 and a portion surrounded by the metal wall 30.

FIG. 8 shows a modification of the wireless LAN card 17 according to the above embodiment, in which a pair of side surfaces are provided so as to be shifted in the length direction of the card body.

In the wireless LAN card 31 shown in FIG. 8, a pair of side surfaces 32-1 and 32-2 are provided, and
A metal wall 33 is provided near a position corresponding to the end of 2-2. The metal wall 33 short-circuits the top surface and the bottom surface of the housing in that portion. A feed point, which is a connection point between the transmission / reception circuit (not shown) and the waveguide, is provided in a portion surrounded by the side surfaces 32-1 and 32-2 and the metal wall 33 on the top and bottom surfaces of the housing. .

As shown in FIG. 8, the position where the side surface 32-1 is provided and the position where the side surface 32-2 are provided are different from each other in the length direction of the card body. Wave tubes are formed obliquely. Thus, the long side of the waveguide can be made longer than the width of the card body, so that a radio wave having a lower frequency, that is, a radio wave having a longer wavelength can be handled.

The wireless LAN cards 17, 24, 2
7 and 31, plate-shaped metal walls 23, 26, 30,
Although a pair of the metal walls 33 are provided on the upper surface and the lower surface of the printed circuit board 3, a plurality of pairs of these metal walls may be provided. Further, the metal wall need not be plate-shaped.

FIG. 9 shows a modified example of the wireless LAN card 17 according to the above embodiment, in which three pairs of metal walls are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the printed circuit board 3. The configuration other than the metal wall has the same configuration as the wireless LAN card 17 shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the upper surface of the housing is omitted for easy viewing of the drawing.

In the wireless LAN card 34 shown in FIG. 9, a pair of side surfaces 21 are provided at the ends of the card body, and both sides of the printed circuit board 3 are located near the positions corresponding to the ends of the side surfaces 21. A pair of metal walls 35 are provided. The metal wall 35 short-circuits the top surface and the bottom surface of the housing in the portion. A feed point, which is a connection point between the transmission / reception circuit (not shown) and the waveguide, is provided on the top and bottom surfaces of the housing.
It is provided in a portion surrounded by the side surface 21 and the metal wall 35.

FIG. 10 shows a wireless LAN according to the above embodiment.
This is a modified example of the card 17 and is an example in which a metal wall is formed by a column. The configuration other than the metal wall has the same configuration as the wireless LAN card 17 shown in FIG. Also in FIG. 10, the upper surface of the housing is omitted for easy viewing of the drawing.

In the wireless LAN card 36 shown in FIG. 10, a pair of side surfaces 21 are provided at the ends of the card body, and both sides of the printed circuit board 3 are provided with cylindrical columns near the positions corresponding to the ends of the side surfaces 21. A shaped metal wall 37 is provided. The metal wall 35 short-circuits the top surface and the bottom surface of the housing in the portion. A screw hole 38 is provided at the center of the cylindrical metal wall 37, and these screws are mechanically fixed by passing a screw (not shown) through the screw hole 38 extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the housing. be able to. Also,
A power supply point, which is a connection point between the transmission / reception circuit (not shown) and the waveguide, is provided on the side surface 21 and the metal wall 3 of the top and bottom surfaces of the housing.
7 is provided in a portion surrounded by the reference numeral 7. Further, as a modification of the wireless LAN card 36 shown in FIG. 10, a screw itself for fixing the top and bottom surfaces of the housing may be used as a metal wall.

The wireless LAN cards 1, 12, 1
In 4, 17, 24, 27, 31, 34, 36,
By providing a side surface that short-circuits the end of the top surface of the housing and the end of the bottom surface of the housing, thereby forming a waveguide, by deforming the ends of the top and bottom surfaces of the housing, The side surface may be configured.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of a wireless LAN card according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11, only one end of the top and bottom surfaces of the housing is shown, and other portions, for example,
The printed circuit board and the like are omitted.

As shown in FIG.
And bent portions 41 and 42 are provided at the ends of the bottom surface 40, respectively, and these bent portions 41 and 42 have bonding surfaces 43 and 44, respectively. The upper surface 39 and the lower surface 40 having such a configuration are bonded to the adhesive surfaces 43 and 44.
Are bonded so as to be in contact with each other, thereby forming a waveguide. In this case, the bonding surfaces 43 and 44
Is mechanically fixed and electrically connected by bonding by soldering, bonding by low-temperature welding, bonding using a conductive adhesive, or the like.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of a wireless LAN card according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12, only one end of the top and bottom surfaces of the housing and the end of the printed circuit board are shown, and other parts are omitted.

As shown in FIG.
And bent portions 47 and 48 are provided at the ends of the bottom surface 46, respectively, and the bent portions 47 and 48 have bonding surfaces 49 and 50, respectively. Further, the conductive pattern 52 is provided on both ends of the printed circuit board 51.
Are provided, and the conductive patterns 52 formed on these two surfaces are provided.
Are short-circuited by via holes 53. The printed circuit board 51 having such a configuration includes a conductive pattern 52.
Is formed between the bonding surface 49 provided on the upper surface 45 of the housing and the bonding surface 50 provided on the bottom surface 46 of the housing, thereby forming a waveguide. In this case, the bonding surfaces 49 and 50 and the conductive pattern 52 are mechanically fixed by bonding by soldering, bonding by low-temperature welding, bonding using a conductive adhesive, and the like.
Electrically connected.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of a wireless LAN card according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, only one end of the top and bottom surfaces of the housing is shown, and the other portions are omitted.

As shown in FIG.
And curved portions 56 and 57 at the ends of the bottom surface 55, respectively.
Are provided, and screw holes 58 are provided near the curved portions 56 and 57. In the upper surface 54 and the bottom surface 55 having such a configuration, a screw 59 is inserted into the screw hole 58 and tightened to form a waveguide. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, by using the nut 60, the top surface 54 and the bottom surface 55 can be more firmly fastened.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of a wireless LAN card according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, only one end of the top and bottom surfaces of the housing is shown, and the other portions are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 14, the upper surface 61 of the housing
And the bottom surface 62 are wound around each other at their ends, thereby forming a waveguide.

In the wireless LAN card 1, the connection (feeding) between the waveguide formed of the housing 2 and the transmitting / receiving circuit 5 is performed by the wires 9 and 11, but power is fed by another method. No problem.

FIG. 15 shows a wireless LAN according to the above embodiment.
This is a modified example of the card 1 in which power is supplied by screws.

As shown in FIG. 15, the printed circuit board 3
The transmission / reception circuit 5 mounted on the printed circuit board 3 includes a first input / output terminal 6 and a second input / output terminal 7. And the second input / output terminal 7 is electrically connected to the bottom surface of the housing 63 via the conductor 8 and the screw 65 provided on the surface of the printed circuit board 3. Connected. Thus, the housing 63 functions as an antenna that transmits a radio wave received from the open end to the transmitting / receiving circuit 5 and radiates a signal transmitted from the transmitting / receiving circuit 5 as a radio wave from the open end.

As a method for supplying power, various methods such as a method using a conductive sponge or a metal spring can be used in addition to a method using a wire or a screw.

In the wireless LAN card according to each of the embodiments described above, the housing itself that defines the outer shape of the card body is used as a waveguide. Instead, a waveguide may be separately built in the housing.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 66 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 16, a wireless LAN card 66 according to this embodiment includes a housing 67, a printed board 68 and a waveguide 69 provided inside the housing 67. In the wireless LAN card 66 according to the present embodiment, the housing 67 itself is not used as a waveguide, but a waveguide 69 is separately built in the housing 67.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 70 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 17, the wireless LAN card 70 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 71 and a printed circuit board 3 provided inside the housing 71. Case 71
Has an arc-shaped end 72, and the arc-shaped end 72 constitutes an open end 73.

The wireless LAN card 70 according to the present embodiment
When the inserted end is inserted into the card slot of the device to be used, the arc-shaped end 72 protrudes from the housing of the device to be used. The directivity of the radio wave radiated from the end 73 can be reduced. Thereby, the wireless LAN card 7
When 0 is inserted into the card slot of the device to be used, good wireless communication can be performed even if the open end 73 faces in the opposite direction to the antenna of the base station. still,
The arc-shaped end portion 72 protrudes from the housing of the used device when inserted into the card slot of the used device, but the size of the protruding portion is extremely smaller than that of the conventional wireless LAN card. For this reason, it is considered that this hardly causes a failure, and the external dimensions of the used equipment are not significantly increased.

Next, the radiated electric field pattern of the wireless communication adapter according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a virtual wireless LAN card 74 for simulating a radiation electric field pattern.

As shown in FIG. 18, the wireless LAN card 74 includes a first metal plate 75, a dielectric substrate 76, a second metal plate 77 provided on the back surface of the dielectric substrate 76,
A metal side wall 78 that penetrates through the dielectric substrate 76 and short-circuits the first metal plate 75 and the second metal plate 77;
And the first metal plate 75 and the second metal plate 77 are short-circuited to short-circuit the first metal plate 75 and the second metal plate 77, thereby forming a waveguide. A metal reflection plate 79 that short-circuits the second metal plate 77 and closes one end of the waveguide.
And a power supply unit 80 provided in the waveguide. The other end of the waveguide is an open end 81 that emits a radio wave.

The first metal plate 75, the dielectric substrate 76, and the second metal plate 77 all have the same plane shape, and their size is 54 mm × 85 mm. Further, the thickness of the dielectric substrate 76 is 0.4 mm, and its relative permittivity ε _r is 4.2. The thickness of the first and second metal plates 75 and 77 is zero. Also, the first metal plate 75 and the dielectric substrate 7
6 is 3.2 mm.

Further, the distance between the two metal side walls 78 is 30
mm and its length is 20 mm. This allows
The cross-sectional size of the waveguide is 30 mm x 3.6 mm,
Its length is 20 mm. The power supply unit 80 is provided at a position 4 mm from the open end 81 of the waveguide, and a signal having a frequency of 5.2 GHz is supplied from the power supply unit 80.

FIG. 19 shows a virtual wireless LAN card 74.
It is a figure showing the simulation result of the electric field intensity distribution in the state of a simple substance.

As a result of the simulation, it is understood that the electric field is confined in the waveguide and does not leak into the card.

FIG. 20 shows a virtual wireless LAN card 74.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a simulation result of an electric field intensity distribution in a state where is inserted into a card slot of a use device.

In this simulation, it is assumed that the housing 82 of the device to be used has a box shape and the surface is covered with metal.

As a result of the simulation, the electric field was changed to the open end 8
It can be seen that it is distributed toward the outside of 1 and hardly leaks into the housing 82 of the used device.

FIG. 21 shows a virtual wireless LAN card 74.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a simulation result of a radiated electric field pattern in a state where is inserted into a card slot of a used device.

FIG. 21 shows a radiated electric field pattern (0 degree) in a plane parallel to the first and second metal plates 75 and 77 among the horizontally polarized waves radiated by the wireless LAN card 74.
e) and a radiated electric field pattern (90 degrees) in a plane perpendicular to the first and second metal plates 75, 77, and the first and second metal plates 75, The radiation electric field pattern (0 degree) in a plane parallel to 77 and the radiation electric field pattern (9 in a plane perpendicular to the first and second metal plates 75, 77).
0 degree).

Referring to FIG. 21, the wireless LAN card 7
It can be seen that the radio waves radiated by 4 have stronger vertical polarization than horizontal polarization.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, which are also included in the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that it is a thing.

For example, the wireless LA according to each of the above embodiments
All N cards conform to the standards prescribed by PCMCIA / JEIDA, and have a length (L) of about 85.6 mm, a width (W) of about 54.0 mm, and a thickness (T) of about 3.1 mm. However, the size of the wireless communication adapter according to the present invention is not limited to this, and may have a different size. Specifically, Compact Fla
The standard specified by the sh Association, that is, the length (L) is about 36.4 mm and the width (W) is about 42.
The present invention can be applied to a card having a thickness of 8 mm and a thickness (T) of about 3.3 mm.

The wireless LAN according to each of the above embodiments
The cards are all card-shaped, but the wireless communication adapter according to the present invention is not limited to the card-shaped,
A different shape, for example, a stick shape may be used.

[0119]

As described above, in the present invention, since the waveguide is built in the wireless communication adapter, the transmission and reception of the radio wave can be effectively performed without substantially increasing the size of the main body. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a wireless LAN according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a card 1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the wireless LAN card 1.

FIG. 3 shows a wireless L according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of an AN card 12.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 14 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 17 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a housing forming the wireless LAN card 17; It is the schematic perspective view which omitted the upper surface 19 of 18.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 24 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 27 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 31 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 36 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing an example in which a bent portion is provided at an end of a top surface and a bottom surface of a housing, and a side surface is formed by closely attaching the bent portion.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing an example in which a bent portion is provided at an end of the upper surface and the bottom surface of the housing, and the printed circuit board having a via hole at the end is held by the bent portion.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of fixing the top and bottom surfaces of the housing by curving the ends of the top and bottom surfaces of the housing, providing screw holes, and passing screws through the screw holes.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing an example in which the top and bottom surfaces of the housing are fixed by winding (caulking) ends of the top and bottom surfaces of the housing.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example in which power is supplied by a screw.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 66 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless LAN card 70 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a virtual wireless LAN card 74 for simulating a radiation electric field pattern.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a simulation result of an electric field intensity distribution in a state of a virtual wireless LAN card 74 alone.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a simulation result of an electric field intensity distribution in a state where a virtual wireless LAN card 74 is inserted into a card slot of a used device.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a simulation result of a radiation electric field pattern in a state where a virtual wireless LAN card 74 is inserted into a card slot of a device to be used.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 wireless LAN card 2 housing 3 printed circuit board 4 open end 5 transmitting / receiving circuit 6 first input / output terminal 7 second input / output terminal 8 conductor 9, 11 wire 10 via hole 12 wireless LAN card 13 dielectric block 14 wireless LAN card 15 Housing 16 Depression 17 Wireless LAN card 18 Housing 19 Top surface 20 Bottom surface 21 Side surface 22 Cylindrical portion 23 Metal wall 24 Wireless LAN card 25 Side surface 26 Metal wall 27 Wireless LAN card 28, 29 Side surface 30 Metal wall 31 Wireless LAN card 32 -1, 32-2 side surface 33 metal wall 34 wireless LAN card 35 metal wall 36 wireless LAN card 37 cylindrical metal wall 38 screw hole 39 top surface 40 bottom surface 41, 42 bending portion 43, 44 bonding surface 45 top surface 46 bottom surface 47, 48 Folded part 49,50 Adhesive surface 51 Printed circuit board 52 conductive pattern 53 via hole 54 top surface 55 bottom surface 56, 57 curved portion 58 screw hole 59 screw 60 nut 61 top surface 62 bottom surface 63 case 64, 65 screw 66 wireless LAN card 67 case 68 printed circuit board 69 waveguide 70 wireless LAN card Reference Signs List 71 housing 72 end portion 73 open end 74 wireless LAN card 75 first metal plate 76 dielectric substrate 77 second metal plate 78 metal side wall 79 metal reflection plate 80 power supply section 81 open end 82 housing

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A radio having a transmitting / receiving circuit and an antenna for receiving a radio wave supplied from the outside and supplying the radio wave to the transmitting / receiving circuit and transmitting a signal supplied from the transmitting / receiving circuit to the outside. A wireless communication adapter, wherein the antenna comprises a waveguide. 2. The wireless communication adapter according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a cylindrical portion, and the waveguide is formed by the cylindrical portion of the housing. . 3. The wireless communication adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a wavelength shortening means for shortening a wavelength of the radio wave transmitted through the waveguide than a wavelength in the air. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said wavelength shortening means is made of a dielectric material provided in said waveguide.
A wireless communication adapter according to item 1. 5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said wavelength shortening means comprises a deformed portion provided on an inner wall of said waveguide.
A wireless communication adapter according to item 1. 6. The printed circuit board according to claim 4, wherein the dielectric material is a printed circuit board on which the transmitting and receiving circuit is mounted.
A wireless communication adapter according to item 1. 7. The waveguide is configured to electrically connect first and second metal plates parallel to each other, and one end of the first metal plate and one end of the second metal plate. Connecting means for connecting to the other end of the first metal plate and the second connecting means.
The wireless communication adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising second connection means for electrically connecting the other end of the metal plate. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second connection means comprise third and fourth metal plates provided orthogonal to said first metal plate and parallel to each other. 8. The wireless communication adapter according to 7. 9. A radio wave reflecting member, wherein said waveguide is provided orthogonal to both said first metal plate and said third metal plate and electrically connects said first and second metal plates. The wireless communication adapter according to claim 8, further comprising: 10. A deformed portion deformed toward the second metal plate is provided at each of the one end and the other end of the first metal plate, and 8. The wireless communication adapter according to claim 7, wherein the second connection unit is constituted by at least the deformed portion provided on the first metal plate. 9. 11. A deformed portion deformed toward the first metal plate is provided at each of the one end and the other end of the second metal plate, and The second connecting means is constituted by at least the deformed portion provided on the first metal plate and the deformed portion provided on the second metal plate. Wireless communication adapter. 12. The wireless communication adapter according to claim 1, wherein an open end of the waveguide has an arc shape. 13. The wireless communication adapter according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a card shape.