JP2003347824A - Array antenna device and radio communication device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an array antenna device and a radio communication device which uses it which have a simple constitution, can be made at a low cost, and further comprise a simply control of the directivity characteristics. <P>SOLUTION: The array antenna device has a 1st element antenna, which is located in a center and connected to a phase shift means. A plurality of antennas of a second antenna group are formed which are arranged by having an equal interval mutually at the equal distance from the first element antenna, and connected to a feeding means which feeds in a constant phase difference between the adjacent second element antennas of the second element antenna group. The directivity characteristics are changed by changing the excitation phase of the 1st element antenna driven by the phase shift means connected to the first element antenna. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an array antenna device having a plurality of antenna elements capable of changing a directional characteristic and a radio communication device including the array antenna device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When performing high-speed wireless data communication indoors, it is important to improve the antenna gain and reduce the influence of multipath fading. Therefore, use of a multi-sector antenna or a phased array antenna is being studied.

[0003] Indoor wireless LAN (Local Area)
As a sector antenna for a network, there is a multi-sector antenna disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-75116, "Antenna, Connection Device, Coupler and Substrate Lamination Method".

This multi-sector antenna has four sectors. In this multi-sector antenna, an element antenna such as a patch antenna is installed on each side surface of a quadrangular pyramid to improve a gain in a horizontal direction, and these are switched by a switch or the like, so that an antenna beam is directed in a direction in which a desired wave arrives. Turn. Furthermore, by lowering the directivity gain for the direction of the delayed wave and the interference wave arriving from directions other than the desired wave direction, it is possible to reduce the influence of multipath fading.

In the phased array antenna, a variable phase shifter and a variable amplitude adjustment circuit (variable gain amplifier or variable attenuator) are connected to each element antenna or a sub-array composed of a plurality of element antennas. A desired radiation pattern can be realized by feeding power so as to be excited in phase. However, it is necessary to connect a variable phase shifter and a variable amplitude adjustment circuit (variable gain amplifier or variable attenuator) to each element antenna or subarray, which complicates the configuration and increases the cost.

Therefore, as one means for solving this problem, there is an array antenna device disclosed in, for example, JP-A-2001-24431 "Array antenna device". In this array antenna device, power is supplied only to the central radiating element formed on the ground conductor, not to the surrounding non-exciting elements, and each of the non-exciting elements is connected to a variable reactance element. . The directional characteristic of the array antenna device is changed by changing the reactance value of the variable reactance element.

[0007]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention
The multi-sector antenna shown in FIG. 6 has a three-dimensional structure in order to improve the gain in the horizontal plane. Therefore, there is a problem that power supply to the antenna having a three-dimensional structure is complicated and manufacturing cost is increased. Further, since the number of sectors and the number of antennas and power supply circuits constituting each sector are required, there are problems that the power supply circuit is complicated, the area is large, and the manufacturing cost is high. Another problem is that it is difficult to reduce the size of the antenna because it is necessary to prepare a plurality of structurally identical systems.

In the array antenna device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-24431, since the number of excitation elements is one, the power supply circuit can be simplified. However, since a control device for controlling the reactance value of the variable reactance element connected to each of the parasitic elements and its power supply must be supplied to each individual parasitic element, the circuit becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost increases. Is high.

As described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an array antenna device which has a simple structure, can reduce the manufacturing cost, and can easily control the directional characteristics, as compared with the prior art. I do.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an array antenna device according to the present invention comprises: a first element antenna to which phase shift means is connected; A plurality n (n
Is an integer greater than or equal to 2) second element antenna groups, the sub-array comprising: a plurality of second element antenna groups. The sub-array comprises: It is characterized in that the directional characteristics of the antenna device are changed.

Further, the array antenna device of the present invention has two
A first element antenna having one or more feeding points and a plurality of n (n is an integer of 2 or more) second element antenna groups arranged at equal distances from each other and at equal intervals from the first element antenna; An array antenna device having a sub-array configured and a feed point selecting means for selecting a feed point of the first element antenna, wherein the feed point of the first element antenna is one of a plurality of feed points. By selecting one of them and feeding power, the excitation phase of the first element antenna is changed, and the directional characteristic of the array antenna device is changed.

Further, the array antenna device of the present invention has a first sub-array formed by arranging a plurality of element antennas in a one-dimensional manner, and is arranged at a predetermined interval in parallel with the first sub-array. A second sub-array, and a second sub-array, which is an array antenna device having a third sub-array arranged on the opposite side of the first sub-array in parallel with the first and second sub-arrays, The directional characteristic of the array antenna device is changed by changing the excitation phase of the first element antenna.

A wireless communication device according to the present invention is connected to the array antenna device and the power distribution unit, and supplies a radio signal to the power distribution unit or receives a radio signal from the power distribution unit. Wireless circuit.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an array antenna apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a feed section of the array antenna of FIG. is there.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a first element antenna 1 which is a microstrip patch antenna formed on a dielectric substrate 3 on a ground conductor plate 4 and four antennas forming a sub-array. Of the second element antennas 2-1 to 2-4 so that the angle between the second element antennas adjacent to each other in a circular shape having a radius R centered on the first element antenna 1 is 90 °. Are located.

In FIG. 2, the LAs forming the circuit network
The signal transmitted through N20 is modulated by a radio circuit 21 to become a radio signal, and this radio signal is transmitted to a distributor / combiner 8 (in this case, distribution) by a signal to the first element antenna 1 and four second elements. The signals are distributed to the antennas 2-1 to 2-4. The distributed signal to the first element antenna 1 is fed to the first element antenna 1 at a desired excitation phase via a phase shifter 5 that changes a passing phase according to a control signal from a phase shift controller 6. , From the first element antenna.

On the other hand, distribution / combiner 8 (in this case, distribution)
The signal distributed to the second element antenna at 4
Each of the four second element antennas 2-1 to 2-4 is provided with a predetermined phase difference through a feed circuit 7 for distributing signals with a desired fixed phase difference.
-1 to 2-4, and the second element antenna 2-1
2-4. This power supply circuit 7 is connected to a line 7-
By changing the line lengths of 1 to 7-4, the phase of the distributed signal can be changed.

In the present embodiment, the phase difference between adjacent second element antennas is set to 90 °, that is, the second element antenna 2-2 is replaced with the second element antenna 2-1.
Is delayed by 90 ° with respect to the second element antenna 2-3.
Is delayed by 90 ° with respect to the second element antenna 2-2, and the second
Feeds the second element antenna 2-3 with a delay of 90 °.

Next, the operation of the array antenna device of the present embodiment will be described.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a plane formed by a line connecting the centers of the second element antenna 2-1 and the second element antenna 2-3 and a plane perpendicular to the array antenna ( Consider the directional characteristics in the (X-Z plane in the figure). Second
The element antenna 2-2 and the second element antenna 2-4 have a phase difference of 180 ° as described above, and are always equidistant in this plane and cancel each other. Therefore, the contribution of these two element antennas is Absent.

On the other hand, the second element antenna 2-1 and the second element antenna 2-3 also have a phase difference of 180 °.
Since both are in this plane, the first element antenna gives a phase difference of −90 ° to the second element antenna 2-1 by the phase shifter 5, so that the second element antenna 2-3
The beam can be directed to the side. When the first element antenna is given a phase difference of + 90 ° with respect to the second element antenna 2-1, the beam can be directed to the second element antenna 2-1.

The directional characteristics in a plane (DD ′ plane) inclined by 45 ° with respect to the XZ plane will be considered. Second
With reference to the excitation phase of the element antenna 2-1 of the above, the combined pattern of the second element antenna 2-1 and the second element antenna 2-2 has an equivalent wave source having an amplitude of √2 times and a phase difference of -45 ° , The second element antenna 2-3 and the second element antenna 2
The combined pattern of −4 has an amplitude√2 times and a phase difference of 135 at point B.
It can be assumed that there is an equivalent wave source of °.

Therefore, the excitation phase of the first element antenna is set to-
By feeding power at a phase of 135 °, a beam can be directed to the second element antenna 2-3 and the second element antenna 2-4, and the excitation phase to the first element antenna is changed to the second element antenna. +45 with respect to the excitation phase of the element antenna 2-1
By feeding power with a phase difference of °, it is possible to direct a beam to the second element antenna 2-1 and the second element antenna 2-2.

Therefore, in the array antenna apparatus of FIG. 1, by feeding a fixed phase difference to the second element antennas 2-1 to 2-4 and feeding them, and changing only the excitation phase of the first element antenna 1, The beam can be scanned in the XY plane of the array antenna device shown in FIG.

The directional characteristics in a plane perpendicular to the XY plane are as follows:
This can be provided by adjusting the radiation pattern of the single element of the first and second element antennas and the radius R of the circle.

The inventor performed the following computer simulation in order to verify the performance of the array antenna device according to the above embodiment. 3 and 4 show the results.

FIG. 3 shows a radiation pattern of the first and second element antennas as a cos θ pattern having a peak in the Z-axis direction, the first element antenna 1 and the second element antennas 2-1 and 2-2.
-4 is 0.6 times the operating wavelength, and the amplitude of the first element antenna 1 is
It was twice as large as 1 to 2-4. FIG. 3 shows that the phase difference between the first element antenna and the second element antenna 2-1 is four.
The radiation pattern in the plane of θ = 30 ° (30 ° from the zenith direction) when the angles are changed to 5 °, 135 °, -135 °, and -45 ° is calculated. From this result, the above 4
It can be seen that one phase setting can cover the entire horizontal plane.

FIG. 4 shows the first element antenna 1 and the second element antenna 1.
7 is a directional pattern in the DD ′ plane when the phase difference with the element antenna 2-1 is 45 °. From this result, it can be seen that the beam is directed in the desired direction in the vertical plane and the radiation in the direction opposite to the desired direction is suppressed. Therefore, it is understood that the beam can be scanned with a simple configuration in the horizontal plane in the array antenna device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Further, from the results of FIG. 3, since the entire horizontal plane can be covered by the four phases set in the simulated configuration, when the array antenna apparatus of the present invention is used as a four-sector antenna as shown in FIG. It can be seen that the phase shifter 5 does not necessarily need to be an expensive high-bit phase shifter, but a phase shifter such as a 2-bit phase shifter or a line switching type phase shifter is sufficient.

As described above, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-751
16 and a conventional multi-sector antenna disclosed in
Compared to the prior art array antenna device shown in 1-24431, the array antenna device has a very simple structure and can be controlled electronically by changing only the excitation phase of the first element antenna. Can be realized. The array antenna device is, for example, a notebook personal computer or a PDA (Personal Digital Assista) as an antenna for a mobile communication terminal.
) can be mounted on an electronic device, or can be easily mounted on a moving body such as an automobile.

(Second Embodiment) Next, an array antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the array antenna device according to the second embodiment, the number of the second element antennas is two instead of four.
Is different from the first embodiment. The other parts are basically the same, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In the array antenna device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the number of second element antennas is reduced to two, and they are formed symmetrically with respect to the first element antenna 101. I have. Therefore, the feeding phases to the second element antenna 102-1 and the second element antenna 102-2 are such that the second element antenna 102-2 delays the phase by 180 ° with respect to the second element antenna 102-1. Or it is powered so as to be faster. Therefore, the radiation pattern exactly the same as the radiation pattern in the XZ plane in the array antenna device according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be obtained.

That is, as shown in FIG.
Element antenna 102-1 and second element antenna 102
−2 has a phase difference of 180 °, and the first element antenna 101 has a phase difference of −90 ° with respect to the second element antenna 2-1.
Is given by the phase shifter 5, the beam can be directed to the second element antenna 2-3 side.
When the first element antenna is given a phase difference of + 90 ° with respect to the second element antenna 2-1, the beam can be directed to the second element antenna 2-1.

Therefore, in the array antenna device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, since the number of the second element antennas is 2, the second element antennas 102-1 and 102-1
In the plane formed by connecting 2-2 and the first element antenna 101, the power supply phase to the first element antenna is set to +9.
By setting the value to 0 ° or −90 °, switching between two beams can be realized.

That is, the array antenna device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is installed on, for example, a premises wall,
The present invention is applicable to a base station antenna that performs only simple control such as directing a beam only in the right direction or left direction (or upward or downward) from the base station. Beam control is also connected to the first element antenna 1. Since it can be realized by controlling only the phase shifter 5, an inexpensive and compact array antenna device can be provided.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the first element antenna (1, 101) and the second element antenna (12-1 to 2-4, 102-1 to 10-1) are used.
As 2-2), a circular microstrip antenna formed on the dielectric substrate 4 is shown, but is not limited thereto.
It may be a microstrip antenna of another shape or a printed dipole antenna.
Further, it may be a slot antenna formed on the ground conductor plate 5, a small antenna such as a dielectric chip antenna, or a dipole antenna installed parallel to the ground conductor plate 4. However, even with a linear antenna such as a helical antenna or a spiral antenna,
There is no change in the effect of the present invention.

(Third Embodiment) Next, an array antenna device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The array antenna device according to the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the number of feed points of the first element antenna is two instead of one. The other parts are basically the same, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

That is, in this embodiment, the overall configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
The first element antenna 1 which is a microstrip patch antenna formed on the dielectric substrate 3 on the ground conductor plate 4
01 and two first element antennas 102-1 and 102-2 symmetrically with the first element antenna 101.
2 is provided on the dielectric substrate 3.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the first element antenna 1 of the array antenna device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, a first feeding point 9-1 and a second feeding point 9-2 provided on the first element antenna 101 exist on the y-axis, and are mutually located at the center O of the first element antenna 1. It is installed at a point symmetrical position with respect to. Here, when the second feeding point 9-2 is opened and only the first feeding point 9-1 is excited, linearly polarized waves parallel to the Y-axis are excited as shown by solid-line arrows in the figure.

On the other hand, the first feeding point 9-1 is opened, and the second feeding point 9-1 is opened.
When the power supply point 9-2 is excited, the polarization in the opposite direction to that when the first power supply point 9-1 is excited is excited along the Y-axis as indicated by a broken arrow in the drawing. Since the phase of this polarized wave is different from that of the polarized wave when the first feeding point 9-1 is excited by 180 °, the exciting of the second feeding point 9-2 is the first exciting point.
This is equivalent to changing the power supply phase to the power supply point 9-1 by 180 °.

FIG. 7 shows a feed section of the array antenna device according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 7, a signal transmitted through a LAN 20 forming a circuit network is modulated by a radio circuit 21 to become a radio signal, and the radio signal is transmitted to a first element in a distribution / combiner 8 (in this case, distribution). The signal to the antenna 101 and the two second element antennas (102-
1, 102-2). The distributed signal to the first element antenna 101 is transmitted to the first element antenna 1 according to the control signal from the feed point selector controller 11.
01 is fed from the selected feeding point to the first element antenna 101 via the feeding point selector 10 for selecting the feeding point of No. 01 and is radiated from the first element antenna 101, while the distributor / combiner 8 ( In this case, the signal distributed to the second element antenna in the distribution) is transmitted to each of the two second element antennas (102-1, 102-2) by a desired fixed phase difference (here, + 180 °). Are fed to the two second element antennas (102-1, 102-2) with a predetermined phase difference via a feeder circuit 7 for distributing the signal with the second element antennas (102-1, 102-2). Radiated from 2).

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, since two second element antennas are formed, the phase difference between the second element antennas is 180 °.

Therefore, in the array antenna device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the excitation phase of the first element antenna 1 cannot be set in detail as in the first embodiment, but the feed point selector 10, the first element antenna 10
By selecting one feed point, the phase of the first element antenna 101 can be changed by 180 °. For example, when only a beam directed in the + direction and a beam directed in the-direction of the X axis are required. Can switch beams without using expensive phase shifters.

In FIG. 6, as a feeding method for the first element antenna 101, the center conductor of the coaxial line
A power supply method called a pin power supply method directly connected to the element antenna was used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a power supply method of directly connecting a power supply line such as a microstrip line or the like is provided through a slot formed on the ground conductor plate 4. Or a close-coupling feed system in which a feed line formed between the first element antenna 101 and the ground conductor plate or on the ground conductor plate 4 is inserted into the first element antenna 1. Good.

In FIG. 6, the excited polarization is
Although linear polarization along the Y-axis was used, the present invention is not limited to this. For linear polarization along the X-axis, the first feeding point 9-1 and the second feeding point 9-2 are each 90 ° It can be realized by installing it in a rotated position. Further, when a higher mode is used in a microstrip antenna or the like, the first feeding point 9-1 and the second feeding point 9- are adjusted according to the electromagnetic field distribution of the higher mode.
The same effect can be obtained by changing the positional relationship between the two. For example, when a higher-order mode called a TM21 mode is used, the angle between the first feeding point 9-1 and the second feeding point 9-2 may be set to 90 °.

When the array antenna apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention excites circularly polarized waves, for example, as shown in FIG. , 12-2, and the first feeding point 10
By providing the 9-1 and the second feeding points 109-2 in the same manner as in FIG. 6, the same effect as that of the linearly polarized wave can be obtained.

In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, as the first element antenna (101, 201),
Although the circular microstrip antenna formed on the dielectric substrate 4 is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and a microstrip antenna having another shape may be used.

In the fourth embodiment, the case where the number of the second element antennas is two has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to the case where the number of the second element antennas is three or more.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, an array antenna device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to (a) and (b).

In the array antenna apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, phase control is performed not for each element antenna but for each sub-array antenna composed of a plurality of element antennas.

As shown in FIG. 9A, in the array antenna device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a first antenna comprising a plurality of element antennas (13-1 to 13-m) on a central axis. Are formed on the dielectric substrate 3 on the ground conductor plate 4. A second sub-array 14 including a plurality of element antennas (14-1 to 14-m) is located at a certain distance from the first sub-array 13.
Are formed, and the second sub-array 13 is viewed from the first sub-array 13.
A third sub-array 15 composed of a plurality of element antennas (15-1 to 15-m) is formed at the same distance from the other side of the sub-array.

Also, as shown in FIG. 9B, the first sub-array 13 is connected to the phase shifter 5 for changing the excitation phase of the first sub-array, and the second sub-array 14 and the third sub-array 15 are Is connected to a power supply circuit 7 for supplying power with a predetermined phase difference.

As shown in FIG. 9B, a signal transmitted through the LAN 20 forming a circuit network is modulated by a radio circuit 21 to become a radio signal. The signal is distributed to the signal to one sub-array 13 and the signal to the second sub-array 14 and the signal to the third sub-array 15. The distributed signal to the first sub-array 13 is fed to the first sub-array 13 at a desired excitation phase via the phase shifter 5 that changes the passing phase by a control signal from the phase shift controller 6, Radiated from one sub-array. On the other hand, the second distributed by the distributor / combiner 8
The signals to the sub-array 14 and the third sub-array 15 are
Each of the second sub-array 14 and the third sub-array 15 is fed with a predetermined phase difference, for example, a phase difference of 180 °, through a feed circuit 7 for distributing a signal with a desired fixed phase difference. Are radiated from the sub-array 14 and the third sub-array 15.

In this embodiment, the second sub-array 14 and the third sub-array 15 are formed at positions symmetrical to each other with respect to the first sub-array 13. Therefore, power is supplied to the second sub-array 14 and the third sub-array 15 with a phase difference of 180 °. Therefore, similarly to the array antenna apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, by changing the excitation phase of the first sub-array, it is possible to scan the beam within the plane in which the sub-arrays are arranged.

The difference between the array antenna device according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the array antenna device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is that the beam shape in the plane constituting the sub-array is different. It is. For example, in the array antenna device according to the fourth embodiment, the first sub-array 1
3, element antennas (13-1 to 13-m, 14-m) constituting the second sub-array 14 and the third sub-array 15.
1-14-m, 15-1 to 15-m) by setting the excitation amplitude and phase to desired values, thereby reducing sidelobes and forming fixedly shaped cosecant square beams in the plane constituting the sub-array. It is possible to form a beam. Therefore, when the array antenna device according to the fourth embodiment is used by leaning against a wall or the like in the premises, a beam can be formed in advance in accordance with the installed environment, so that power leakage to another place or in the zone can be prevented. Power shortage, etc., and good communication can be secured.

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the transmitting array antenna device has been described. However, the transmitting antenna device is used for receiving similarly to the conventional multi-sector antenna device or array antenna device. It is also possible to use.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the dielectric substrate 3 is treated as a single-layer dielectric substrate. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a substrate, a dielectric substrate having a dielectric constant different from that of only a part in the same plane, or an air layer.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention, by changing only the excitation phase and the feeding point of the first element antenna or the excitation phase of the first sub-array, it is possible to obtain electronically with a very simple configuration. An array antenna device capable of controlling the directional characteristics can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an array antenna device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a feed unit of the array antenna device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a directional characteristic in a horizontal direction of the array antenna device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a directional characteristic in a vertical direction of the array antenna device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an array antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first element antenna 101 configuring an array antenna device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a feeder of an array antenna device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another configuration of the first element antenna 101 configuring the array antenna device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of an array antenna device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 101 ··· First element antenna 2-1 to 2-4, 102-1 ... second element antenna 3 ···· Dielectric substrate 4 .... Grounding conductor plate 5 ... Phase shifter 6 ···· Phase shifter controller 7 ... Power feeder 8 ····· Distributor / combiner 9-1, 9-2 ... Feeding point 10: Feeding point selector 11 ... Feeding point selector controller 12 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Degenerate separation element 13, 14 ・ ・ ・ Sub-array 15 Excitation element 20 LAN 21 ... Wireless circuit

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Kisho Odate             No. 1 Komukai Toshiba-cho, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa             Toshiba R & D Center (72) Inventor Akihiro Tsujimura             No. 1 Komukai Toshiba-cho, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa             Toshiba R & D Center (72) Inventor Takayoshi Ito             No. 1 Komukai Toshiba-cho, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa             Toshiba R & D Center F term (reference) 5J021 AA03 AA05 AA09 AB06 DB03                       DB05 FA06 FA32 GA02 HA05                       JA05 JA06                 5J045 AA12 AA21 CA01 CA04 DA10                       EA07 FA02 JA15

Claims (9)

[Claims] A first element antenna; a sub-array antenna comprising a plurality of second element antenna groups arranged at equal distances from the first element antenna and at equal intervals from each other; A variable phase shifter connected to the first element antenna for changing a power supply phase to the first element antenna; a phase shift controller for controlling a variable phase of the variable phase shifter; A power supply unit connected to an element antenna and configured to supply power to each of the second element antennas with a predetermined phase difference between adjacent second element antennas, and connected to the variable phase shift unit and the power supply unit; And an electric power distribution means for distributing power to the variable phase shift means and the power supply means or combining powers from the variable phase shift means and the power supply means. 2. A first element antenna having two or more feeding points, and a plurality of second element antenna groups arranged at equal distances from each other and at equal intervals from the first element antenna. A sub-array antenna that is connected to the first element antenna, and a feed point selecting unit that selects one of two or more feed points of the first element antenna and feeds power to the selected antenna; A feed point selection means control means for performing selection control of the feed point selection means; and a second phase difference between the adjacent second element antennas connected to the plurality of second element antennas and a predetermined phase difference between the second element antennas. Feeding means for feeding power to each of the element antennas; being connected to the feeding point selecting means and the feeding means, and distributing power to the feeding point selecting means and the feeding means or the feeding point selecting means and the feeding Power combining / distributing means for combining power from the stages, wherein two or more feed points of the first element antenna are radiated when each of them is excited independently. An array antenna device characterized in that the electromagnetic waves are provided at positions where the polarizations of the electromagnetic waves are the same and the phases are different by 180 °. 3. The phase difference between adjacent second element antennas provided by the power supply means is 360 / n degrees (n is the second
2. The number of element antennas).
The array antenna device according to claim 2 or 3. 4. A sub-array antenna comprising a first element antenna, and a second element antenna and a third element antenna arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to a feed point of the first element antenna. A variable phase shifter connected to the first element antenna for changing a power supply phase to the first element antenna; a phase shift controller for controlling a variable phase of the variable phase shifter; Feeding means connected to a first element antenna and a second element antenna for feeding power to the first element antenna and the second element antenna with a phase difference of 180 °; the variable phase shifting means and the feeding means And power distribution means for distributing power to the variable phase shift means and the power supply means or combining power from the variable phase shift means and the power supply means. Antenna equipment. 5. A first element antenna having two or more feed points, a second element antenna and a third element antenna arranged at point-symmetric positions with respect to the feed point of the first element antenna.
A sub-array antenna composed of element antennas,
Feeding point selecting means connected to the first element antenna, selecting one of two or more feeding points of the first element antenna, and feeding power to the selected antenna; and the feeding point selecting means Feeding point selecting means controlling means for performing selection control of the first element antenna and the second element antenna, and supplying power to the first element antenna and the second element antenna with a phase difference of 180 °. Power supply means for performing the power supply, connected to the power supply point selection means and the power supply means, and for distributing power to the power supply point selection means and the power supply means or for combining power from the power supply point selection means and the power supply means The first element antenna has two or more feed points. When each of the feed points is excited independently, the other element antennas emit the same electromagnetic wave with the same polarization. Array antenna apparatus characterized by phases are provided in 180 ° different positions. 6. The array antenna device according to claim 4, wherein a degenerate separation element is arranged on the first element antenna. 7. A first sub-array antenna comprising a plurality of first element antennas arranged one-dimensionally, and a plurality of second element antennas arranged one-dimensionally in parallel with the first sub-array. A second sub-array antenna arranged in parallel with the first sub-array and the first sub-array being parallel to the first sub-array on a side opposite to the second sub-array antenna with respect to the first sub-array. A third sub-array antenna having the same interval as the second sub-array antenna and having a plurality of third element antennas arranged one-dimensionally and connected to the first sub-array antenna, A variable phase shifter for changing a feeding phase to the first element antenna, a phase shift controller for controlling a variable phase of the variable phase shifter, the second sub-array antenna and a third sub-array; A power supply unit connected to the array antenna, for supplying power to each of the element antennas with a predetermined phase difference between the second element antenna and the third element antenna, and connected to the variable phase shift unit and the power supply unit; And an electric power distribution means for distributing power to the variable phase shift means and the power supply means or for combining power from the variable phase shift means and the power supply means. 8. An array antenna device according to claim 1, which is connected to said power combining and distributing means,
A wireless circuit that supplies a radio signal to the power distribution unit or receives a radio signal from the power distribution unit. 9. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said radio circuit is connected to a network.