JP2003017933A - Multi-beam antenna system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-beam antenna system with a simple configuration that can promote diversified operations while realizing stable communication with high reliability. SOLUTION: Sixteen antennas 10a-10p are fitted and arranged to a flying body 12 via the antennas 10a-10p freely turnably around biaxes 11a-11p, the turning angle around the biaxes of the antennas 10a-10p is selectively driven and controlled to control the turning angle around the biaxes 11a-11p of the antennas 10a-10p to apply directivity control of beam areas A-E of the antennas 10a-10p to a desired area.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-beam suitable for mounting on a flying vehicle such as a stratosphere or a satellite such as an artificial satellite deployed in outer space to communicate with a desired area. The present invention relates to an antenna device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in the field of communication, a plan is underway to deploy a plurality of airships in the stratosphere and use an antenna device mounted on these airships to execute a communication service in a desired area on the ground. . A multi-beam antenna device is considered to be effective as such an antenna device.

In such a conventional multi-beam antenna device, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of antennas 1 called horn antennas are fixedly arranged in a so-called petal shape with a predetermined opening angle. The antenna unit 2 is provided so that the beam regions partially overlap each other.

The antenna portion 2 in which the plurality of antennas 1 are fixedly arranged in a petal shape has two axes (X axis, Y axis) orthogonal to each other.
An antenna support mechanism rotatably formed around an axis, for example, an XY (biaxial) gimbal 3 is rotatably mounted around a biaxial so-called roll axis and pitch axis. The base of the XY gimbal 3 is connected around the so-called yaw axis in a state where the base is electrically connected to the electric system of the flying object through a coupling mechanism 4 called a rotary joint (not shown). It is rotatably mounted.

In the above structure, the antenna section 2 has X-
The angle around the two axes is adjusted by the Y gimbal 3, and
By rotating and adjusting the yaw axis around by the coupling mechanism 4, the plurality of antennas 1 are directed to a desired area, and signals are transmitted / received to / from an area within the beam area.

However, in the above multi-beam antenna device, in order to supply electric power to the XY gimbal 3, the XY gimbal 3 is electrically connected to the electric system in the flying body through the coupling mechanism 4 such as a rotary joint. The mounting structure is very complicated due to the structure that the mounting structure needs to be electrically connected to the mounting structure, and the reliability of operation control is reduced.

According to this, when one of the plurality of antennas 1 of the antenna section 2 fails and communication service to a desired service area becomes difficult, it is temporarily collected on the ground,
Since the replacement work including the repair must be performed, there is a problem that the maintenance work is very troublesome.

Further, according to this, if the communication load of a part of the service area varies depending on the time zone, the season, etc., it becomes difficult to cope with it, so the variation must be taken into consideration in advance. Have the problem.

[0009]

As described above, in the conventional multi-beam antenna device, the mounting structure is complicated, the operation control is unreliable, and the maintenance work is very troublesome. There is a problem that it is difficult to diversify.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to realize reliable and stable communication with a simple configuration and to promote diversification of operation. An object is to provide an antenna device.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a plurality of antennas arranged side by side with a mounting structure and a plurality of these antennas are rotatable about two axes orthogonal to each other with respect to the mounting structure. A plurality of antenna support mechanisms to be mounted and arranged on, and selectively drive control the plurality of antenna support mechanisms to control the rotation angle around the two axes of the antenna,
A multi-beam antenna device is configured by including beam area setting means for directing the beam area of the antenna to a desired area.

According to the above construction, when the rotation angles of the antenna support mechanism around the two axes are controlled, the plurality of antennas control the pointing directions of the beam regions in accordance with the rotation angles and cooperate with each other. To form a desired beam pattern.

With this configuration, a beam area can be controlled with high precision by simply providing an antenna support mechanism capable of adjusting a rotation angle around two axes, and a plurality of antennas and an electric system on the mounting structure side can be connected. It is possible to promote simplification of the mounting structure for electrical coupling. As a result, the reliability of the operation control can be improved, and further, the diversification of the operation as the antenna system can be promoted.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show a multi-beam antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Shows a state in which a plurality of, for example, 16 antennas 10a to 10p are arranged from the back side, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the 16 antennas 10a to 10p are arranged from the tip side.

That is, 16 antennas 10a to 10p
Is formed of, for example, a horn antenna, and forms an antenna support mechanism in a similar manner. Each of them is arranged side by side with a predetermined interval so that the pointing can be adjusted. These 16 antennas 10a to 10p are, for example, 15 antennas 10a to 10o as a set of three antenna groups 10A to 10E.
And the remaining one antenna 10p constitutes a redundant system.

Sixteen biaxial mounts 11a to 11p holding the above antennas 10a to 10p rotatably around two axes.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the X-axis drive unit 13 and the Y-axis drive unit 14 are orthogonal to each other through the first and second support members 15 and 16, and the X-axis and the Y-axis do not cross each other. Are rotatably connected in series.

For example, the X-axis drive unit 13 includes the speed reduction unit 131.
And a drive motor 132. These speed reducers 13
1 and the drive motor 132 are assembled to the first supporting member 15, and the first supporting member 15 is mounted on the flying body 1.
It is attached to 2. Then, this first support member 15
One end of a rotating member 17 is rotatably coupled to the X-axis drive unit 13 attached to the X-axis drive unit 13 around the X-axis.

The second support member 16 is fixedly arranged at the other end of the rotating member 17. The second support member 16 constitutes the Y-axis drive unit 14, for example, the reduction unit 14
1 and the drive motor 142 are mounted and arranged. And Y
The shaft driving unit 14 includes the antenna 10a (10b to 10b).
The base of p) is assembled so as to be rotatable around the Y axis.

As a result, the antenna 10a (10b-1
0p), when the Y-axis drive unit 14 is driven, the Y-axis drive unit 14 controls the rotation around the Y-axis with respect to the second support member 16. Then, the antenna 10a (10b to 1)
0p), when the X-axis drive unit 13 is driven, the rotating member 1
7. The rotation is controlled around the X axis integrally with the Y axis drive unit 14 via the second support member 16.

The above 16 biaxial mounts 11a to 11q
As shown in FIG. 5, a drive control unit 18 is connected to each input end of each of the X-axis drive unit 13 and the Y-axis drive unit 14. The beam control command information from a command unit (not shown) is input to the first input end of the drive control unit 18, and the position / orientation information of the flying object 12 is input to the second input end thereof. .

The drive control unit 18 determines the 15 antennas 1 based on the beam area command information and the position / orientation information.
The yaw axis (Z
The X-axis drive signal around each X-axis and the Y-axis drive signal around the Y-axis of each biaxial mount 11a to 11o including the values obtained by converting the rotation around the (axis) into the two axes (X-axis, Y-axis) are calculated. It outputs to each X-axis drive unit 13 and Y-axis drive unit 14.

Here, the above-mentioned 15 biaxial mounts 11a
The rotation angles of the X-axis drive unit 13 and the Y-axis drive unit 14 of 11 to 11o are controlled based on the X-axis drive signal and the Y-axis drive signal from the drive control unit 18, respectively, and the rotation angles about the X-axis and the Y-axis are controlled.
The antennas 11a to 11o are controlled so as to be directed to desired service areas. At this time, the 15 antennas 10a to 10o correspond to the antenna group 10A of the three antennas.
Each of the beam regions A to E of 10E is set to have a desired beam pattern so as to overlap a part of the adjacent beam regions as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

In the above structure, the drive control section 18 receives the beam area command information and the position / orientation information of the flying body 12 from the command section (not shown). Then, the drive control unit 18 determines the beam area information and the position of the flying body 12,
15 antennas 10a to 10p based on the posture information
The yaw axis (Z
The X-axis drive signal around each X-axis and the Y-axis drive signal around the Y-axis, which includes a value obtained by converting the rotation around the (axis) around the two axes (X-axis, Y-axis), and each X-axis drive unit 13 and Y-axis drive unit 1
Output to 4.

Here, each X-axis drive unit 13 receives the input X
The drive motor 132 is driven based on the shaft drive signal, and the rotation member 17 is moved to the first support member 15 via the speed reduction unit 131.
The antennas 10a to 10o are rotated together with the second support member 16 to control the rotation angle around the X axis.

At the same time, each Y-axis drive unit 14 receives the input Y
The drive motor 142 is driven based on the axis drive signal, and the antennas 10a to 10o are rotationally driven about the Y axis via the speed reducer 141 to control the rotation angle about the Y axis.

Here, the above 15 antennas 10a-1
0o is set so that, for example, the beam areas A to E form a desired beam pattern as shown in FIG. 6, and the communication service to the service area is executed.

In this communication service state, the flying vehicle 1
When the position / orientation of No. 2 changes, the position / orientation information of the flying body 12 corresponding to the amount of change is input to the drive control unit 18. Here, the drive control unit 18 controls the flying body 12
15 antennas 10a based on the position / orientation information of the
The X-axis drive signal and the Y-axis rotation around each X-axis including the values obtained by converting the yaw axis (Z-axis) around the two axes (X-axis, Y-axis) so that 10o is directed to the desired service area. Y-axis drive signals are calculated and output to each X-axis drive unit 13 and Y-axis drive unit 14.

Here, each X-axis drive unit 13 receives the input X
The drive motor 132 is driven based on the shaft drive signal, and the rotation member 17 is moved to the first support member 15 via the speed reduction unit 131.
The antennas 10a to 10o are rotated together with the second support member 16 to control the rotation angle around the X axis.

At the same time, each Y-axis drive unit 14 receives the input Y
The drive motor 142 is driven based on the axis drive signal, and the antennas 10a to 10o are rotationally driven about the Y axis via the speed reducer 141 to control the rotation angle about the Y axis.

In this way, the 15 antennas 10a
-10o, by correcting the position / orientation variation of the flying object 12 via the biaxial mounts 11a-11o,
The beam areas A to E are kept oriented toward the initial service area. As a result, the 15 antennas 10a-10
With respect to o, high-accuracy pointing control to a desired service area is performed without being affected by changes in the position / orientation of the flying object 12, and stable communication service is continued.

Further, in the communication service state, for example, when the communication load of a desired service area is increased, the command section (not shown) outputs beam superposition command information to the drive control section 18.

Then, the drive controller 18 determines, for example, 15 antennas 1 based on the input beam superposition command information.
In order to direct any one of 0a to 10o to the service area of the superimposition request, the yaw axis (Z axis) is biaxial (X axis,
The X-axis drive signal around the X-axis and the Y-axis drive signal around the Y-axis including the converted values around the (Y-axis) are calculated, and are output to the X-axis drive unit 13 and the Y-axis drive unit 14.

Here, the X-axis drive unit 13 drives the drive motor 132 based on the input X-axis drive signal, and causes the rotating member 17 to move relative to the first support member 15 via the speed reduction unit 131. Rotationally driven, antenna 10a (10b-10o)
Together with the second support member 16 controls the rotation angle around the X axis.

At the same time, the Y-axis drive section 14 drives the drive motor 142 based on the input Y-axis drive signal, and rotationally drives the antennas 10a to 10o around the Y-axis via the speed reduction section 141, and the Y-axis drive section is driven. Controls the rotation angle around.

In this way, the 15 antennas 10a
One of (10b to 10o) has its beam region changed according to the beam superimposition information and is superimposed on another beam region. As a result, the communication capacity to the desired service area is increased and a stable communication service is executed.

In the communication service state, if any of the 15 antennas 10a to 10o fails and it becomes difficult to execute the communication service in the service area, the command unit (not shown). Outputs an antenna switching signal to the drive control unit 18.

Then, the drive control unit 18 responds to the input antenna switching signal so that the redundant antenna 10p corresponds to the beam pattern of the failed antenna 10a (10b to 10o), and its biaxial mount 11p. To generate the X-axis drive signal of the X-axis drive unit 13 and the Y-axis drive signal of the Y-axis drive unit 14, and to generate the X-axis drive unit 13 and the Y-axis drive unit 14.
Output to.

Here, the X-axis drive unit 13 and the Y-axis drive unit 1
Reference numeral 4 controls the rotation angles of the redundant biaxial mount 11p about the X axis and the Y axis to set the antenna 10p in the beam direction of the failed antenna 10a (10b to 10o).

At the same time, the drive control section 18 generates a stop signal for the failed antenna 10a (10b to 10o) to turn off the failed antenna 10a (10b to 10o). As a result, 14 of the other antennas (10a to 10o) and the antenna 10p of the redundant system cooperate to form a desired beam pattern for the initial service area and stabilize the height of the service area. Quality communication service is executed.

As described above, in the multi-beam antenna device, the 16 antennas 10a to 10p are attached to the flying body 12 via the biaxial mounts 11a to 11p so as to be rotatable about two axes orthogonal to each other. Place it
The biaxial mounts 11a to 11p are selectively driven and controlled to control the rotation angles of the antennas 11a to 11p around the two axes, so that the beam areas A to E of the antennas 11a to 11p are directed to desired regions. Configured to.

According to this, the antennas 10a to 10p are
When the rotation angles of the biaxial mounts 11a to 11p around the two axes are controlled, the beam areas A to are generated according to the rotation angles.
The pointing directions of E are controlled respectively, and cooperate to form a desired beam pattern to execute a communication service.

Therefore, with the structure in which only the biaxial mounts 11a to 11p capable of adjusting the rotation angles around the biaxial are provided, highly accurate control of the beam regions A to E is realized, and the antenna 1 is realized.
It is possible to facilitate the simplification of the mounting structure for electrically connecting 0a to 10p and the electric system on the flying body side. As a result, the reliability of the operation control can be improved and the diversification of the operation as the antenna system can be promoted.

In the above embodiment, the case where the 15 antennas 10a to 10o are configured to cooperate with each other to form a desired beam pattern has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the example is 15 Antennas 10a-10o
It is also possible to separate the antennas 10a to 10h to form a transmission system and separate the antennas 10g to 10o to form a reception system for directivity control.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the antenna supporting mechanism has two axes (X) which are orthogonal to each other and do not intersect.
It has been described in the case of using the biaxial mounts 11a to 11p including the shaft and the Y axis), but the present invention is not limited to this.
In addition, it is also possible to use a so-called biaxial (XY) gimbal or the like having a support structure in which biaxially orthogonal to each other intersect.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the 16 antennas 10a to 10p including the redundant system are grouped into three groups, and the antenna groups 10A to 10E are divided into five groups and arranged side by side with the flying object 12. Although the case has been described above, various configurations are possible without being limited to this number.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the redundant system is formed by one antenna 10p has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more redundant antennas are provided. You may comprise. Further, such a redundant antenna may be configured without any particular provision, and may employ other antennas as needed.

Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and in addition, various modifications can be carried out at the stage of carrying out the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, the embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements.

For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments, the problem described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the effect of the invention can be obtained. When the above is obtained, the configuration in which this constituent element is deleted can be extracted as the invention.

[0050]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize highly reliable and stable communication with a simple structure and to promote the diversification of operation. A beam antenna device can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a multi-beam antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention is viewed from one direction.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state viewed from the other side, which is different from FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the antenna and the biaxial mount of FIG. 1 taken out and shown.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the antenna and the biaxial mount of FIG. 2 taken out and shown.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the control system of FIG. 1 extracted.

6 is a diagram showing an example of beam patterns of 15 antennas in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional multi-beam antenna device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10a-10p ... Antenna. 10A to 10E ... Antenna group. 11a-11p ... Biaxial mount. 12 ... Flying body. 13 ... X-axis drive unit. 131 ... A speed reducer. 132 ... Drive motor. 14 ... Transceiver. 141 ... A speed reduction unit. 142 ... Drive motor. 15 ... 1st support member. 16 ... A 6th supporting member. 17 ... Rotating member. 18 ... Drive control unit. AE ... Beam area.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Nobufumi Saruwatari             1st Komukai Toshiba-cho, Sachi-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa             Ceremony Company Toshiba Komukai Factory (72) Inventor Ryu Miura             4-2-1 Kanaikitamachi, Koganei City, Tokyo Independent             Communications Research Institute F-term (reference) 5J021 AA05 AA06 AA11 AB02 DA04                       GA02 HA02 HA07 HA08 JA07                 5J046 AA07 AB01 KA03

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of antennas arranged side by side with respect to a mounting structure, and a plurality of antenna supports for mounting the plurality of antennas rotatably around two axes orthogonal to each other with respect to the mounting structure. A mechanism and a beam area setting means for selectively driving and controlling the plurality of antenna support mechanisms to control a rotation angle of the antenna about two axes and directing the beam area of the antenna to a desired area. A multi-beam antenna device characterized by: 2. The multi-beam antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of antenna support mechanisms set the antenna so as to overlap a part of a beam area of an adjacent antenna. 3. The mounting structure is a flying body, and the beam area setting means selectively drives and controls the plurality of antenna support mechanisms based on the position and orientation of the flying body, and the plurality of antennas. 3. The multi-beam antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the beam area of the beam is maintained in the initial state. 4. At least one of the plurality of antennas constitutes a redundant system, and the antenna support mechanism is selectively driven and controlled to direct the beam area to a desired area. 4. The multi-beam antenna device according to any one of 1 to 3.