JP2005274331A - High frequency transceiver, radar system provided therewith, vehicle mounted with radar system, and small vessel mounted with radar system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high-frequency transceiver of high reception performance by simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: This high-frequency transceiver is provided with the first circulator 2, the second circulator 4 connected to the first circulator 2, a millimeter wave oscillator 1 connected to the first circulator 2, a pulse modulator 3 connected to the first circulator 2, a transceiving antenna 5 connected to the second circulator 4, and a mixer 6 connected between the second circulator 4 and the pulse modulator 3. A millimeter wave signal to be received is not deteriorated since a local signal is not input into the mixer 6 when the unnecessary millimeter wave signal is leaked from the third terminal 4c of the second circulator 4, and the reception performance of the high-frequency transceiver is enhanced because only an intermediate-frequency signal corresponding to the unnecessary millimeter wave signal is restrained effectively without deteriorating the millimeter wave signal to be received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a high-frequency transmitter / receiver used in a millimeter-wave radar module, a millimeter-wave radio communication device, or the like as a radar device mounted on a vehicle, a small ship, etc., for example, and a pulse-modulated high-frequency signal for transmission The present invention relates to a high-frequency transmitter / receiver in which a part of the signal is leaked to the receiving system as an unnecessary signal, and this adversely affects reception performance.

  The present invention also relates to a radar device including the high-frequency transmitter / receiver, a radar device-equipped vehicle including the radar device, and a radar device-equipped small vessel.

  Conventionally, for example, a pulse modulation method disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a method of a high-frequency transceiver that is expected to be applied to a millimeter-wave radar module, a millimeter-wave wireless communication device, or the like.

  However, in the pulse modulation method, part of the pulse-modulated high-frequency signal for transmission leaks as an unnecessary signal to the reception system due to insufficient isolation between the transmission system and the reception system of the transmitter / receiver. There is a problem that the reception performance is adversely affected by saturating the amplifier in the latter stage of the system.

  Conventionally, several solutions for similar problems have been proposed. For example, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose low noise for preventing the low noise amplifier from becoming saturated by cutting off the bias voltage of the low noise amplifier only during a period in which the radar transmitter generates a transmission pulse. A radar receiver in which an amplifier driving circuit is provided is disclosed. Further, in Patent Documents 4 to 6, two switches are provided before and after the low-noise amplifier, and the other ports of the two switches are connected to each other. A radar receiver is disclosed that switches to a path without a noise amplifier. Patent Document 7 discloses a radar receiver including a mechanical shutter that blocks a high-frequency signal from a receiving antenna.

An example of a conventional radar device and a vehicle equipped with the radar device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 8.
JP 2000-258525 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-8480 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-11079 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-11081 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-73581 JP-A-5-80144 JP 10-39001 A JP 2003-35768 A

  However, in the configurations disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 7, all of them are designed to block the received high-frequency signal itself for a certain period of time in order to remove unnecessary signals contained in the received high-frequency signal. Because of the newly added processing, the received high-frequency signal is lost, distorted, or added with other unnecessary noise, so that a part of the high-frequency signal to be received is received correctly. There was a problem that it was impossible. This problem can be improved somewhat by avoiding the received high frequency signal before and after a certain period of time, but in that case, the time zone in which reception can be performed becomes narrower. Another problem will arise. In addition, due to such a decrease in reception performance, there is a problem in that it becomes impossible to transmit / receive to / from a close distance or a long distance, or an error is likely to occur in signal detection.

  Specifically, in the configurations disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 6, when receiving a weak high-frequency signal received by a switch or a low-noise amplifier provided in front of the input unit of the mixer, this reception is performed. The weak high-frequency signal is further weakened due to the transmission loss of the switch or low-noise amplifier, so that it is less than the reception sensitivity of the mixer and cannot be received, or the strength of the received high-frequency signal is ensured Therefore, there is a problem that the distance that can be transmitted and received is shortened. Further, since the received high-frequency signal is weak, the S / N (signal-to-noise) ratio is deteriorated, and an error (such as a code error or false detection) is likely to occur in signal detection. there were. In addition, since it is necessary to separately provide a drive circuit for driving the switch and the low noise amplifier, the configuration is complicated, and a signal for driving the drive circuit is mixed in the received high frequency signal as noise. Or the noise generated by the operation of the switch or low-noise amplifier is mixed into the received high-frequency signal and distorts the received high-frequency signal. If it is attempted to receive while avoiding the high frequency signal, the time zone in which reception is possible becomes narrow, and there is also a problem that it becomes impossible to transmit / receive to / from objects at close distances in particular.

  Also, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 7, the received high-frequency signal is weakened due to transmission loss when the mechanical shutter transmits the received high-frequency signal, and the reception performance is reduced as described above. There was a problem of doing. In addition, since it is necessary to separately provide a drive circuit for driving the mechanical shutter, there is a problem that the configuration becomes complicated. In addition, the mechanical shutter generally has a slow opening / closing operation, so that an unnecessary high-frequency signal may not be transmitted or not transmitted before and after the time for transmitting a pulse-modulated high-frequency signal for transmission. Therefore, it is unavoidable to avoid this time, and the time period during which a high-frequency signal can be normally received is narrowed, and in particular, it becomes impossible to transmit / receive to / from objects at close range. There was also a problem.

  In addition, the radar apparatus using such a high-frequency transmitter / receiver has a problem that the detection range is narrow or detection of a detection target object may be delayed because erroneous detection is likely to occur.

  Further, in vehicles and small ships equipped with such a radar device, it is performed to detect an object to be detected by the radar device and take appropriate behavior such as avoidance and braking based on the information, Since the detection of the object to be detected is delayed, there is a problem that the vehicle or the small ship may be caused to suddenly behave after the detection.

  The present invention has been devised to solve the above-described problems that are desired to be improved in the prior art. The object of the present invention is to provide a part of a high-frequency signal for transmission that is pulse-modulated with a simple configuration. High performance that can improve the transmission and reception performance by suppressing only the intermediate frequency signal corresponding to the unnecessary high frequency signal without degrading the high frequency signal to be received when leaking to the receiving system as an unnecessary signal Is to provide a high-frequency transceiver.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a radar apparatus equipped with such a high-performance high-frequency transmitter / receiver, a radar apparatus-equipped vehicle equipped with the radar apparatus, and a radar apparatus-equipped small ship.

  The first high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal around a magnetic body, and adjoins a high-frequency signal input from one terminal in this order. A first circulator that outputs from the next terminal; a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal around the magnetic body; and a high-frequency signal input from one of the terminals in this order. The second circulator connected to the third terminal of the first circulator and the first terminal of the first circulator connected to the third terminal of the first circulator. One end connected to the second terminal of the first circulator and the high-frequency oscillator that generates a high-frequency signal is reflected to the one end side according to a pulse signal. Or the other end A pulse modulator to be transmitted; a transmitting and receiving antenna connected to the second terminal of the second circulator; and the third terminal of the second circulator and the other end of the pulse modulator. A mixer for connecting the high-frequency signal input from the pulse modulator and the high-frequency signal received from the transmission / reception antenna and input from the second circulator to output an intermediate frequency signal; It is characterized by this.

  The first high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention is connected to at least one of the high-frequency oscillator and the first circulator and the first circulator and the second circulator in the above-described configuration. And an isolator.

  The second high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal around a magnetic body, and receives a high-frequency signal input from one terminal in this order. A first circulator that outputs from the next adjacent terminal, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal around the magnetic body, and a high frequency signal input from one terminal in this order A second circulator that outputs a signal from the next adjacent terminal, the first terminal being connected to the second terminal of the first circulator, and the first terminal of the first circulator One end connected to the second terminal of the second circulator, the high-frequency signal generated from the one end connected to the second circulator, and the one end side of the high-frequency signal input from the one end Reflect on or A pulse modulator to be transmitted to the end side, a transmission / reception antenna connected to the third terminal of the second circulator, the third terminal of the first circulator, and the other end of the pulse modulator; Between the high-frequency signal input from the pulse modulator and the high-frequency signal received by the transmission / reception antenna and input from the first circulator via the second circulator And a mixer for outputting a frequency signal.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a second high-frequency transmitter / receiver including an isolator connected between the high-frequency oscillator and the first circulator and at least one of the pulse modulator and the mixer. It is characterized by doing.

  The third high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal around a magnetic body, and receives a high-frequency signal input from one terminal in this order. A circulator that outputs from the next adjacent terminal, a high-frequency oscillator that generates a high-frequency signal connected to the first terminal of the circulator, and one end connected to the second terminal of the circulator, The high-frequency signal input from one end is reflected to the one end side according to a pulse signal or transmitted to the other end side, and the high-frequency signal connected to the third terminal of the circulator An isolator to be transmitted, a transmitting antenna connected to the isolator for transmitting the high-frequency signal, a receiving antenna connected to the other end of the pulse modulator, The intermediate frequency signal is output by mixing the high-frequency signal input from the pulse modulator and the high-frequency signal received and input by the receiving antenna, connected between the pulse modulator and the receiving antenna. And a mixer.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a third high-frequency transceiver including an isolator connected to at least one of the high-frequency oscillator and the circulator and the reception antenna and the mixer. It is what.

  The radar apparatus according to the present invention processes any one of the first to third high-frequency transmitter / receivers of the present invention having the above-described configuration and the intermediate frequency signal output from the high-frequency transmitter / receiver to obtain a detection target. And a distance information detector for detecting the distance information.

  A vehicle equipped with a radar device according to the present invention includes the radar device according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, and is characterized in that this radar device is used for detection of a detection object.

  Further, a small ship equipped with a radar apparatus according to the present invention includes the radar apparatus according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, and this radar apparatus is used for detection of a detection target.

  According to the first high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal are provided around the magnetic body, and a high-frequency signal input from one of the terminals in this order is received. A first circulator that outputs from the next adjacent terminal, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal around the magnetic body, and a high frequency signal input from one terminal in this order A second circulator that outputs a signal from the next adjacent terminal, the first terminal being connected to the third terminal of the first circulator, and the first terminal of the first circulator A high-frequency oscillator that generates a high-frequency signal, and one end connected to the second terminal of the first circulator. Reflect on or A pulse modulator that transmits to the end side, a transmitting and receiving antenna connected to the second terminal of the second circulator, the third terminal of the second circulator, and the other end of the pulse modulator A mixer connected between the high frequency signal input from the pulse modulator and the high frequency signal received by the transmission / reception antenna and input from the second circulator to output an intermediate frequency signal; Therefore, the first circulator and the pulse modulator jointly output the transmission high-frequency signal pulsed to the first circulator side (the high-frequency signal is reflected). The pulse modulator reflects the high-frequency signal and passes from the third terminal of the first circulator to the first terminal and the second terminal of the second circulator. And outputs the high-frequency signal sent to the transmitting and receiving antenna as a high-frequency signal for transmission through, the mixer side operates so as not to output a high-frequency signal as a local signal. On the other hand, after the pulse modulator finishes outputting the pulsed transmission high-frequency signal to the first circulator side, before the next pulsed transmission high-frequency signal is output, the pulse modulator A high frequency signal as a local signal is transmitted to the mixer side and output, and the high frequency signal for transmission is not reflected to the third terminal of the first circulator. Therefore, while the pulse modulator reflects and outputs the high frequency signal for transmission pulsed to the first circulator side, the high frequency signal for transmission is transmitted to the first circulator. A part of the signal is leaked from the third terminal as a pulse-like unnecessary high-frequency signal, which is input to one input terminal of the mixer. At this time, the pulse modulator is connected to the local signal. Since the high-frequency signal as a local signal is not input to the other input terminal of the mixer because the high-frequency signal is not output, the mixer outputs an unnecessary intermediate-frequency signal corresponding to the unnecessary high-frequency signal in the form of a pulse. Operates so that is not output. On the other hand, after the pulse modulator finishes outputting the pulsed high frequency signal for transmission to the first circulator side, before it outputs the next pulsed high frequency signal for transmission, Transmission of the pulsed high-frequency signal has been completed, and a pulse-like unnecessary high-frequency signal that is a part thereof does not leak from the third terminal of the second circulator to the mixer, and is received by the transmission / reception antenna. Only the high frequency signal to be input is input from the second terminal of the second circulator through the third terminal to one input terminal of the mixer, and at this time, the pulse modulator transmits the high frequency signal as a local signal. By outputting to the mixer, the other input terminal of the mixer operates so that a high-frequency signal as its local signal is input. Only the intermediate frequency signal corresponding to the high-frequency signal to be received that has been received by the transmitting and receiving antenna operates so as to output. As a result of the operation as a whole, the process of cutting off the received high frequency signal itself for a certain period of time as in the prior art, and the circuit for processing the intermediate frequency signal after the mixer for the intermediate frequency signal for a certain period of time. Even without processing such as blocking, it is possible to effectively avoid the problem that an unnecessary intermediate frequency signal saturates the amplifier, and the high frequency signal to be received for such processing is deteriorated. Therefore, it becomes a high frequency transmitter / receiver capable of improving the reception performance. In addition, there is no occurrence of a time that cannot be received before and after such processing, and a high-frequency transmitter / receiver capable of receiving in a wide time zone is obtained.

  Further, according to the first high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, in the conventional pulse modulation type high frequency transmitter / receiver, a coupler such as a directional coupler is mainly used by using the first circulator. It is possible to realize a high-frequency transmitter / receiver that can suppress a part of the pulse-modulated high-frequency signal for transmission leaking to the reception system as an unnecessary signal and adversely affecting the reception performance, and a new switch or amplifier, etc. Therefore, it is not necessary to add complicated circuit elements such as a circuit for performing open / close control of the circuit, so that a high-frequency transmitter / receiver capable of simplifying the configuration while having high performance is obtained.

  According to the first high-frequency transceiver of the present invention, the isolator is connected to at least one of the high-frequency oscillator and the first circulator and between the first circulator and the second circulator. The isolator connected between the high-frequency oscillator and the first circulator absorbs the high-frequency signal returning from the second circulator side or the pulse modulator side to the high-frequency oscillator, thereby stabilizing the high-frequency oscillator. The isolator connected between the first circulator and the second circulator can oscillate a part of the high-frequency signal as a local signal transmitted through the pulse modulator from the mixer to the second circulator side. Even if it leaks into the first circulator side. It is possible to absorb the unnecessary high frequency signals, the radio frequency transceiver capable of obtaining a stable reception performance.

  According to the second high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal are provided around the magnetic body, and the high-frequency signal input from one of the terminals in this order is received. A first circulator that outputs from the next adjacent terminal, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal around the magnetic body, and a high frequency signal input from one terminal in this order A second circulator that outputs a signal from the next adjacent terminal, the first terminal being connected to the second terminal of the first circulator, and the first terminal of the first circulator One end connected to the second terminal of the second circulator, the high-frequency signal generated from the one end connected to the second circulator, and the one end side of the high-frequency signal input from the one end Reflect on or A pulse modulator to be transmitted to the end side, a transmission / reception antenna connected to the third terminal of the second circulator, the third terminal of the first circulator, and the other end of the pulse modulator; Between the high-frequency signal input from the pulse modulator and the high-frequency signal received by the transmission / reception antenna and input from the first circulator via the second circulator Since the second circulator and the pulse modulator jointly output a high-frequency signal for transmission which is pulsed to the second circulator side. The pulse modulator reflects the high frequency signal and sends it from the third terminal of the second circulator to the transmitting / receiving antenna. And outputs the high frequency signal as a high frequency signal for transmission Te, the mixer side operates so as not to output a high-frequency signal as a local signal. On the other hand, after the pulse modulator finishes outputting the pulsed high frequency signal for transmission to the second circulator side, before the next pulsed high frequency signal for transmission is output, the pulse modulator A high frequency signal as a local signal is transmitted to the mixer side and outputted, and the high frequency signal for transmission is not reflected to the third terminal of the second circulator. Therefore, while the pulse modulator reflects and outputs the pulsed high-frequency signal for transmission to the second circulator side, the pulsed high-frequency signal for transmission is output from the third circulator. And a part of the signal leaks from the third terminal of the first circulator through the second terminal, the first terminal, and the second terminal of the first circulator as a pulse-like unnecessary high-frequency signal. Then, it is input to one input terminal of the mixer. At this time, the pulse modulator does not output a high frequency signal as a local signal, so that the other input terminal of the mixer has a high frequency as a local signal. Since no signal is input, the mixer operates so as not to output an unnecessary intermediate frequency signal corresponding to the pulsed unnecessary high frequency signal. On the other hand, after the pulse modulator finishes outputting the pulsed high frequency signal for transmission to the second circulator side, before it outputs the next pulsed high frequency signal for transmission, Transmission of the pulsed high-frequency signal has been completed, and a pulse-like unnecessary high-frequency signal, which is a part thereof, does not leak to the mixer from the third terminal of the first circulator, and is received by the transmission / reception antenna. Only the high frequency signal to be input is input from the third terminal of the first circulator to the one input terminal of the mixer via the third terminal and the first terminal of the second circulator and the second terminal of the first circulator. At this time, the pulse modulator transmits a high-frequency signal as a local signal and outputs the high-frequency signal to the mixer. To operate as a high frequency signal as a local signal is inputted, from the mixer operates as only the intermediate frequency signal corresponding to the high-frequency signal to be received that has been received by the transmitting and receiving antennas is output. As a result of the operation as a whole, the process of cutting off the received high frequency signal itself for a certain period of time as in the prior art, and the circuit for processing the intermediate frequency signal after the mixer for the intermediate frequency signal for a certain period of time. Even without processing such as blocking, it is possible to effectively avoid the problem that an unnecessary intermediate frequency signal saturates the amplifier, and the high frequency signal to be received for such processing is deteriorated. Therefore, it becomes a high frequency transmitter / receiver capable of improving the reception performance. In addition, there is no occurrence of a time that cannot be received before and after such processing, and a high-frequency transmitter / receiver capable of receiving in a wide time zone is obtained.

  Further, according to the second high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, in the conventional pulse modulation type high frequency transmitter / receiver, a coupler such as a directional coupler is mainly used by using the first circulator. It is possible to realize a high-frequency transmitter / receiver that can suppress a part of the pulse-modulated high-frequency signal for transmission leaking to the reception system as an unnecessary signal and adversely affecting the reception performance, and a new switch or amplifier, etc. Therefore, it is not necessary to add complicated circuit elements such as a circuit for performing open / close control of the circuit, so that a high-frequency transmitter / receiver capable of simplifying the configuration while having high performance is obtained.

  Further, according to the second high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, when an isolator connected to at least one of the high frequency oscillator and the first circulator and between the pulse modulator and the mixer is provided. The isolator connected between the high-frequency oscillator and the first circulator oscillates the high-frequency oscillator stably in order to absorb the high-frequency signal that returns from the input terminal side of the mixer to the high-frequency oscillator via the first circulator. In addition, the isolator connected between the pulse modulator and the mixer can return a part of the high frequency signal as a local signal that has passed through the pulse modulator to the pulse modulator again after being reflected by the mixer. After passing through the pulse modulator that is in the state of transmitting the signal, it leaks into the second circulator and further sends it. Since unnecessary high-frequency signals leaking to the transmission antenna can be absorbed before returning to the pulse modulator, such unnecessary high-frequency signals are not transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna, and stable reception performance can be obtained. It becomes a high frequency transceiver.

  In addition, according to the third high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, the first high frequency terminal has the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal around the magnetic body, and the high frequency signals input from the one terminal in this order. A circulator for outputting a signal from the next terminal adjacent thereto, a high-frequency oscillator for generating a high-frequency signal connected to the first terminal of the circulator, and one end connected to the second terminal of the circulator The high-frequency signal input from one end is reflected to the one end side according to a pulse signal or transmitted to the other end side, and the high-frequency signal is connected to the third terminal of the circulator. An isolator for transmitting a signal, a transmitting antenna connected to the isolator for transmitting the high-frequency signal, and a receiving antenna connected to the other end of the pulse modulator. And an intermediate frequency signal, which is connected between the pulse modulator and the receiving antenna, mixed with the high frequency signal input from the pulse modulator and the high frequency signal received and input by the receiving antenna. Therefore, the circulator and the pulse modulator jointly output a high-frequency signal for transmission which is pulsed to the circulator side (reflects the high-frequency signal). In the meantime, the pulse modulator reflects the high-frequency signal, sends it from the third terminal of the circulator to the transmitting antenna, and outputs the high-frequency signal as a high-frequency signal for transmission. The high frequency signal is not output. On the other hand, after the pulse modulator finishes outputting the pulsed transmission high-frequency signal to the circulator side, before the next pulsed transmission high-frequency signal is output, the pulse modulator is not connected to the mixer side. The high-frequency signal as the local signal is transmitted and outputted, and the high-frequency signal for transmission is not reflected to the third terminal of the circulator. Therefore, while the pulse modulator reflects and outputs the pulsed high frequency signal for transmission to the circulator side, the pulsed high frequency signal for transmission leaks from the transmission antenna, and part of it At the receiving antenna, it is input to one input terminal of the mixer as a pulsed unnecessary high-frequency signal. At this time, the pulse modulator does not output a high-frequency signal as a local signal, so the other input of the mixer Since a high frequency signal as a local signal is not input to the terminal, the mixer operates so that an unnecessary intermediate frequency signal corresponding to the pulsed unnecessary high frequency signal is not output. On the other hand, after the pulse modulator finishes outputting the pulsed high frequency signal for transmission to the circulator side, it is pulsed for transmission until it outputs the next pulsed high frequency signal for transmission. The transmission of the high-frequency signal has been completed, and a pulse-like unnecessary high-frequency signal that is a part of the high-frequency signal is not leaked from the transmitting antenna through the third terminal from the second terminal of the first circulator. Only the high-frequency signal to be received received by the antenna is input to one input terminal of the mixer. At this time, the pulse modulator outputs the high-frequency signal as a local signal, so that the other input terminal of the mixer Since it operates so that a high-frequency signal as a local signal is input, an intermediate corresponding to the high-frequency signal to be received received from the mixer by the receiving antenna Only wave signals operates to output. As a result of the operation as a whole, the process of cutting off the received high frequency signal itself for a certain period of time as in the prior art, and the circuit for processing the intermediate frequency signal after the mixer for the intermediate frequency signal for a certain period of time. Even without processing such as blocking, it is possible to effectively avoid the problem that an unnecessary intermediate frequency signal saturates the amplifier, and the high frequency signal to be received for such processing is deteriorated. Therefore, a high-frequency transmitter / receiver capable of improving the reception performance is obtained. In addition, there is no occurrence of a time that cannot be received before and after such processing, and a high-frequency transmitter / receiver capable of receiving in a wide time zone is obtained.

  Further, according to the third high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, in the conventional pulse modulation type high frequency transmitter / receiver, a coupler such as a directional coupler is mainly used by using the first circulator. It is possible to realize a high-frequency transmitter / receiver that can suppress a part of the pulse-modulated high-frequency signal for transmission leaking to the reception system as an unnecessary signal and adversely affecting the reception performance, and a new switch or amplifier, etc. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a complicated circuit element such as a circuit for performing opening / closing control of the device, so that a high-frequency transmitter / receiver capable of simplifying the configuration while having high performance is obtained.

  According to the third high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, when an isolator connected to at least one of the high frequency oscillator and the circulator and at least one of the reception antenna and the mixer is provided, The isolator connected to the circulator can stably oscillate the high-frequency oscillator to absorb the high-frequency signal that returns from the transmitting antenna side or the receiving antenna side to the high-frequency oscillator via the circulator. The isolator connected between the mixer and the mixer is not necessary for the leaked unwanted high-frequency signal even if part of the high-frequency signal as a local signal that has passed through the pulse modulator passes through the mixer and leaks to the receiving antenna. Can be absorbed in the middle before reaching the receiving antenna Such without unnecessary high frequency signal is sent from the antenna, a radio frequency transceiver capable of obtaining a stable reception performance.

  As described above, according to the high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, a part of the pulse modulated high frequency signal for transmission leaks to the reception system as an unnecessary signal and adversely affects the reception performance. The reception performance can be improved with a simple configuration.

  Also, according to the radar apparatus of the present invention, the high frequency transmitter / receiver of any of the first to third aspects of the present invention described above and the intermediate frequency signal output from the high frequency transmitter / receiver are processed to detect objects. Since it has a distance information detector that detects distance information to an object, the reception performance of the high-frequency transmitter / receiver is high and stable. In other words, the radar apparatus can reliably detect an object to be detected at a long distance.

  Further, according to the vehicle equipped with the radar apparatus of the present invention, the radar apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration is provided, and this radar apparatus is used for detection of the detection object. Vehicle, obstacles, etc. can be detected, for example, without causing the vehicle to take a sudden action to avoid them, appropriate control of the vehicle and appropriate warning to the driver can be made The vehicle is equipped with a radar device.

  Further, according to the small-sized ship equipped with the radar device of the present invention, the radar device of the present invention having the above-described configuration is provided and this radar device is used for detection of the detection object, so that the radar device is a detection object quickly and reliably. Since other small vessel obstacles can be detected, for example, appropriate control of small vessels and appropriate warnings to the operator are made without causing the small vessels to take a sudden action to avoid them. It becomes a small ship equipped with a radar device.

  First, the first, second and third high-frequency transceivers of the present invention and the radar apparatus using them will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, taking as an example the case where these are applied to a millimeter wave radar. To do.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are a schematic block circuit diagram and a plan view, respectively, showing an example of an embodiment of a first high-frequency transceiver according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic block circuit diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the first high-frequency transceiver of the present invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 are a schematic block circuit diagram and a plan view, respectively, showing an example of an embodiment of the second high-frequency transceiver according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic block circuit diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the second high-frequency transceiver of the present invention. FIGS. 7 and 8 are a schematic block circuit diagram and a plan view, respectively, showing an example of an embodiment of the third high-frequency transceiver of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic block circuit diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the third high-frequency transceiver of the present invention. 10 (a) to 10 (c) show examples of millimeter wave radars using the first, second and third high-frequency transceivers of the present invention, and operate these millimeter wave radars. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the states of signals input to and output from the mixer as timing charts. FIG. 11 is a partially broken perspective view showing a basic configuration of a non-radiative dielectric line, and FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a substrate on which a diode used in a non-radiative dielectric line type pulse modulator is mounted. FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a substrate on which a diode used in a non-radiative dielectric line type mixer is mounted. 2, 5, and 8, the flat conductor (12) disposed on the upper side is not shown.

  1 to 13, reference numeral 1 denotes a millimeter wave oscillator as a high frequency oscillator, 2 denotes a first circulator (in the example of the third high frequency transceiver according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the circulator). ) 3 is a pulse modulator, 4 is a second circulator, 4 ′ is an isolator in the example of the third high-frequency transmitter / receiver embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. Mixer, 7 and 8 are isolators, 9 is a transmission antenna, 10 is a reception antenna, 2a and 4a are first terminals, 2b and 4b are second terminals, 2c and 4c are third terminals, and 11 and 12 are flat plates Conductor, 13 is a dielectric line, 14 and 15 are ferrite plates, 16 is a first dielectric line, 17 is a second dielectric line, 18 is a third dielectric line, and 19 is a fourth dielectric line. , 20 is a fifth dielectric line, 21 is a sixth dielectric line, and 22 is a seventh dielectric line. , 23 is a non-reflective terminator, 14a and 15a are first connection parts, 14b and 15b are second connection parts, 14c and 15c are third connection parts, and 30 is a non-radiative dielectric line type pulse modulation. A substrate used in a mixer or a mixer, 31 is a choke-type bias supply line formed on the surface of the substrate 30, 32 is a connection terminal formed in an interrupted part of the choke-type bias supply line 31, and 33 is for high-frequency modulation A diode as an element, and a diode 34 as a high-frequency detection element.

Further, in FIG. 10 and each block circuit diagram, I ₁ is one input terminal of the mixer 6, and an input terminal for inputting a millimeter wave signal received by the transmission / reception antenna 5 or the reception antenna 10 (RF side of the mixer). I ₂ is the other input terminal of the mixer 6, and is an input terminal for inputting a local signal (input terminal on the local side of the mixer). Here, the local signal is a millimeter wave signal output from the millimeter wave oscillator 1 and input to the mixer inside the millimeter wave radar. The input terminal I ₁ side is the RF side, and the input terminal I ₃ side is the local (LO) side.

Further, RF_N is the millimeter when a part of the millimeter wave signal for transmission pulsed by the pulse modulator 3 leaks to the _one input terminal I ₁ side of the mixer 6 as a pulsed unnecessary millimeter wave signal. RF_S indicates a millimeter wave signal to be received which is received by the transmission / reception antenna 5 or the reception antenna 10 and input to _one input terminal I ₁ of the mixer 6.

LO indicates a millimeter wave signal as a local signal that passes through the pulse modulator 3 and is input to the other input terminal I ₂ of the mixer 6.

IF_OUT is an intermediate frequency signal output from the output terminal of the mixer 6, and the millimeter wave signals (millimeter wave signals RF_S and RF_N) input to the input terminal I ₁ of the mixer 6 and the local input of the mixer 6. An intermediate frequency signal output from the output terminal of the mixer 6 by mixing the millimeter wave signal (local signal LO) input to the terminal I ₂ is shown.

  First, an example of an embodiment of a first high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention shown in a block circuit diagram and a plan view in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, and an example of an embodiment of a radar apparatus using the same are shown. The wave radar will be described in detail.

  An example of the first high-frequency transceiver according to the present invention shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. 1 has a first terminal 2a, a second terminal 2b, and a third terminal 2c around a magnetic material. The first circulator 2 that outputs the millimeter wave signal input from one terminal in this order from the next adjacent terminal, the first terminal 4a, the second terminal 4b, and the third A first terminal 4a that outputs a millimeter-wave signal input from one terminal in this order from an adjacent next terminal, and is connected to a third terminal 2c of the first circulator 2 in this order. One end is connected to the second circulator 4, the millimeter wave oscillator 1 for generating a millimeter wave signal, connected to the first terminal 2 a of the first circulator 2, and the second terminal 2 b of the first circulator 2. Further, the millimeter wave signal is converted into one end 3a according to the pulse signal A pulse modulator 3 that reflects or transmits to the other end 3b side, a transmission / reception antenna 5 connected to a second terminal 4b of the second circulator 4, a third terminal 4c of the second circulator 4 and a pulse A millimeter wave signal input from the pulse modulator 3 connected between the other end 3 b of the modulator 3 and a millimeter wave signal received by the transmission / reception antenna 5 and input from the second circulator 4 are mixed. And a mixer 6 for outputting an intermediate frequency signal.

  The first high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. 1 is a non-radiative dielectric line (hereinafter referred to as NRD) as a high-frequency transmission line for connecting the above-described components. It is also called a guide.) As shown in a partially broken perspective view in FIG. 11, the basic configuration of this non-radiative dielectric line is a dielectric having a rectangular cross section between flat conductors 11 and 12 arranged in parallel with a predetermined interval a. The line 13 is arranged such that the interval a is a ≦ λ / 2 with respect to the wavelength λ of the millimeter wave signal. This eliminates the intrusion of noise from the outside into the dielectric line 13 and eliminates the radiation of the millimeter wave signal to the outside, so that the millimeter wave signal can be propagated through the dielectric line 13 with almost no loss. The wavelength λ is the wavelength of the millimeter wave signal in the air (free space) at the operating frequency.

  That is, the first high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. 1 specifically has an interval of 1/2 or less of the wavelength of the millimeter wave signal as shown in the plan view of FIG. Between the flat conductors 11 and 12 arranged in parallel, the peripheral portions of the ferrite plate 14 arranged in parallel with the flat conductors 11 and 12 are first input / output terminals for millimeter wave signals, respectively. The first connection section 14a, the second connection section 14b, and the third connection section 14c are provided, and in this order, a millimeter wave signal input from one connection section is output from the next adjacent connection section. The circulator 2 and the peripheral portion of the ferrite plate 14 of the first circulator 2 are arranged radially, and one end of each is connected to the first connection portion 14a, the second connection portion 14b, and the third connection portion 14c. The first dielectric line 16, the second dielectric line 17, the third dielectric line 18, and the plate conductor 11 and 12, the first connecting portion 15 a, the second connecting portion 15 b, and the third connecting portion are used as millimeter wave signal input / output terminals on the peripheral portion of the ferrite plate 15 arranged in parallel with each other. 15c, and in this order, a first connection portion 15a that outputs a millimeter wave signal input from one connection portion from an adjacent next connection portion is connected to the other end of the third dielectric line 18. The second circulator 4 and the peripheral portion of the ferrite plate 15 of the second circulator 4 are arranged radially, and one end of each is connected to the second connection portion 15b and the third connection portion 15c. The millimeter wave signal output from the high-frequency diode connected to the other dielectric line 19 and the fifth dielectric line 20 and the other end of the first dielectric line 16 is frequency-modulated and converted into a millimeter-wave signal. 1 of the first circulator 2 by propagating through one dielectric line 16. One end 3a is connected to the other end of the millimeter wave oscillator 1 and the second dielectric line 17 input to the connecting portion 14a, and a millimeter wave signal is reflected to the one end 3a side according to the pulse signal, or the other end 3b. Pulse modulator 3 to be transmitted to the side, transmitting / receiving antenna 5 connected to the other end of the fourth dielectric line 19, and sixth dielectric line 21 having one end connected to the other end 3b of the pulse modulator 3 And a millimeter wave signal input from the pulse modulator 3 connected between the other end of the fifth dielectric line 20 and the other end of the sixth dielectric line 21 and the transmission / reception antenna 5. A mixer 6 that mixes the millimeter wave signal input from the second circulator 4 and outputs an intermediate frequency signal is provided.

  In FIG. 2, the first connecting portion 14a, the second connecting portion 14b, the third connecting portion 14c, the first connecting portion 15a, the second connecting portion 15b, and the third connecting portion 15c are respectively This corresponds to the first terminal 2a, the second terminal 2b, the third terminal 2c, the first terminal 4a, the second terminal 4b, and the third terminal 4c in FIG.

  And the millimeter wave radar which is a radar apparatus using the 1st high frequency transmitter / receiver of this invention processes the intermediate frequency signal in the output terminal of the mixer 6 with respect to the said structure, and shows the distance information to a detection target object. It is the structure which connected the distance information detector to detect.

  In this configuration, as shown in a perspective view in FIG. 12, the pulse modulator 3 performs high frequency modulation on the connection terminal 32 formed at an interrupted portion of the choke-type bias supply line 31 formed on the surface of the substrate 30. A pulse modulation unit connected with a diode 33 as an element is connected between the second dielectric line 17 and the sixth dielectric line 21 and a millimeter wave signal output from the second dielectric line 17 is a diode. It is inserted so that it is incident on 33. In this configuration, the diode 33 may be a PIN diode.

  Note that such a transmission type pulse modulator is suitable for the pulse modulator 3 in the high-frequency transceiver of the present invention. In place of the transmission type pulse modulator, a switch such as a semiconductor switch or a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) switch that can transmit or reflect a high-frequency signal may be used. .

  Further, as shown in a perspective view in FIG. 13, the mixer 6 performs high-frequency detection on a connection terminal 32 formed at a discontinuous portion of the choke-type bias supply line 31 formed on the surface of each of the two substrates 30. A millimeter wave detector connected with a diode 34 as an element is connected to each of the fifth dielectric line 20 and the sixth dielectric line 21, and the fifth dielectric line 20 and the sixth dielectric line 21. The fifth dielectric line 20 is connected so that the millimeter wave signals output from the respective diodes 34 are incident on the diode 34 and the fifth dielectric line 20 and the sixth dielectric line 21 are electromagnetically coupled. The midway and the midway of the sixth dielectric line 21 are brought close to each other or joined together. In this configuration, the diode 34 may be a Schottky barrier diode.

  The millimeter wave radar and its components using the high frequency transmitter / receiver shown in the block circuit diagram and the plan view of FIGS. 1 and 2 configured as described above operate as follows.

  The pulse modulator 3 changes the voltage applied to the choke-type bias supply line 31 to change the millimeter wave signal from the second dielectric line 17 to the sixth when the forward voltage is applied to the diode 33. When the reverse voltage is applied to the diode line 21 or no voltage is applied to the diode 33, the millimeter wave signal incident from the second dielectric line 17 is reflected. That is, the pulse modulator 3 can reflect the millimeter wave signal to the one end 3a side or transmit the millimeter wave signal to the other end 3b side according to the pulse signal applied to the choke-type bias supply line 31. When the modulator 3 reflects the millimeter wave signal, the modulator 3 outputs a millimeter wave signal for transmission to the one end 3a side and does not output a millimeter wave signal as a local signal to the other end 3b side. Is transmitted, a millimeter wave signal as a local signal is output to the other end 3b side, and a millimeter wave signal for transmission is not output to the one end 3a side.

  While the first circulator 2 and the pulse modulator 3 jointly output the millimeter wave signal for transmission that is pulsed to the first circulator 2 side, the pulse modulator 3 A pulse modulator is used to output a millimeter wave signal for transmission from the third connection portion 14c of the first circulator 2 and not to output a millimeter wave signal as a local signal LO to the mixer 6 side. After the output of the millimeter wave signal for transmission pulsed to the first circulator 2 by 3 before the output of the next pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission, the pulse modulator 3 The operation is performed so that the millimeter wave signal as the local signal LO is output to the mixer 6 side and the millimeter wave signal for transmission is not output from the third connection portion 14 c of the first circulator 2.

As a whole, a part of the pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission is output while the pulse modulator 3 outputs the pulsed millimeter wave signal to the first circulator 2 side. Is leaked from the third connection portion 15c of the second circulator 4 through the first connection portion 15a of the second circulator 4 as an unnecessary millimeter wave signal RF_N in the form of a pulse. Although input to the input terminal I _1, At this time, the other input terminal I ₂ of the mixer 6 by the pulse modulator 3 does not output a local signal LO is not input a local signal LO, from the mixer 6 Operates so as not to output the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to the pulse-like unnecessary millimeter wave signal RF_N. On the other hand, after the pulse modulator 3 finishes outputting the pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission to the first circulator 2 side and before outputting the next pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission, Since the transmission of the pulsed millimeter-wave signal for transmission has been completed, the unnecessary pulse-like millimeter-wave signal RF_N that is a part of the millimeter-wave signal is leaked from the third connection portion 15c of the second circulator 4. Rather, only the millimeter wave signal RF_S to be received received by the transmitting / receiving antenna 5 is input to the one input terminal I ₁ of the mixer 6 from the third connection portion 15 c via the second connection portion 15 b of the second circulator 4. Since the pulse modulator 3 outputs the local signal LO, the other input terminal I ₂ of the mixer 6 operates so that the local signal LO is input. Pulsed Intermediate frequency signal corresponding to the unwanted millimeter wave signal RF_N IF_OUT to not output, operates such that only the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to the millimeter wave signal RF_S to be received received by the receiving antenna 5 is output.

  Therefore, according to the first high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention as described above, the received millimeter wave signal itself is cut off for a certain period of time, and the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT after the mixer 6 is reduced. Even if the processing circuit does not perform processing such as blocking the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT for a certain period of time, it is possible to effectively avoid the problem that the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT saturates the amplifier. Therefore, the millimeter wave signal RF_S to be received at this time is not deteriorated, and the reception performance can be improved. In addition, there is no longer a time during which it cannot be received before and after such processing, and reception is possible in a wide time zone. In addition, this makes it possible to detect a detection object at a close distance or a long distance.

The above operation and effect will be described in more detail with reference to a diagram as a timing chart shown in FIG. FIGS. 10A to 10C are timing charts showing the states of signals input to and output from the mixer 6 at the same timing. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents (a). The millimeter wave signal intensity at the input terminal I ₁ , (b) is the millimeter wave signal intensity at the input terminal I ₂ , and (c) is the intermediate frequency signal voltage. The millimeter wave signal intensity is the electromagnetic wave power (unit: W) of the millimeter wave signal, and can be expressed as a quantitative value measured by a millimeter wave detector or the like.

First, the behavior of the millimeter wave signal input to the mixer 6 from the second circulator 4 side (RF side) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. This figure shows the state of the millimeter wave signal input to _one input terminal I ₁ of the mixer 6, and the solid line waveform indicates that a part of the pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission is the second circulator 4. A pulse-like unnecessary millimeter-wave signal RF_N leaked from the third connection portion 4c is shown, and a broken-line waveform shows the millimeter-wave signal RF_S to be received.

  In the figure, the time from when the pulse of the millimeter wave signal RF_N rises to when it falls corresponds to when the pulse modulator 3 outputs a millimeter wave signal for transmission, and when not, the pulse modulator 3 Corresponds to when the local signal LO is output. When the pulse of the millimeter wave signal RF_N falls, when the pulse modulator 3 finishes outputting the millimeter wave signal for transmission, the millimeter wave signal is transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna 5 and radar detection is started. The period from that time until the next millimeter-wave signal RF_N rises waits for the millimeter-wave signal transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna 5 to be reflected by the detection object and returns. This corresponds to a radar detection period in which radar detection is performed such that a millimeter wave signal is received and a distance to a detection target is measured.

That is, the millimeter wave radar using the high frequency transmitter / receiver shown in the plan view of FIG. 2 outputs a millimeter wave signal for transmission in which the pulse modulator 3 is pulsed as shown in FIG. 10 (a). In the meantime, a part of the millimeter wave signal reflected by the pulse modulator 3 is converted into a pulse-like unnecessary millimeter wave signal RF_N via the first connection portion 15 a of the second circulator 4 and the third circulator 4 of the second circulator 4. It leaks from the connection part 15c and is input to _one input terminal I1 of the mixer 6. On the other hand, after the pulse modulator 3 finishes outputting the pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission, before the next pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission is outputted, that is, during the radar detection period, The millimeter wave signal RF_N, which is a part of the millimeter wave signal, is not leaked from the third connection portion 15c of the second circulator 4 and is received by the transmission / reception antenna 5. Only the millimeter wave signal RF_S to be received is input to _one input terminal I ₁ of the mixer 6 from the third connection portion 15 c via the second connection portion 15 b of the second circulator 4.

Next, the behavior of the local signal LO will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 (a) and (b). FIG. 10B shows the state of the LO side (local side) millimeter wave signal input to the other input terminal I ₂ of the mixer 6, and the solid line waveform is output from the other end 3 b of the pulse modulator 3. The local signal LO is shown.

  In FIG. 10B, the time when the local signal LO falls and the time when it rises correspond to the time when the millimeter wave signal RF_N shown in FIG. 10A rises and the time when it falls.

That is, in the high frequency transmitter / receiver shown in a plan view in FIG. 2, the local signal LO is interlocked with the pulse rising and falling timings of the millimeter wave signal RF_N, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). The signal may or may not be input to the other input terminal I ₂ of the mixer 6. When the pulse modulator 3 reflects the millimeter wave signal and outputs a millimeter wave signal for transmission, the millimeter wave signal is hardly output from the other end 3b of the pulse modulator 3 to the mixer 6 side or large. Since the signal is attenuated and outputted, the local signal LO is inputted to the other input terminal I ₂ of the mixer 6 after being greatly attenuated. On the other hand, since the millimeter wave signal RF_N is leaked and output from the third connection portion 14c of the first circulator 2 at this time, the millimeter wave signal RF_N is input to _one input terminal I1 of the mixer 6. The Rukoto. Conversely, during the radar detection period when the pulse modulator 3 is transmitting the millimeter wave signal, the local signal LO is output from the other end 3 b of the pulse modulator 3, and the other input terminal I of the mixer 6. ₂ is input. On the other hand, at this time, since the millimeter-wave signal RF_N from the first third of the connecting portion 14c of the circulator 2 is hardly output, one input millimeter wave signal to the terminal I ₁ of the mixer 6 from the first circulator 2 side RF_N Is rarely entered.

Finally, the behavior of the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT generated at the output end of the mixer 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 (a), 10 (b) and 10 (c). FIG. 10C shows a state of the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT generated by mixing the millimeter wave signals input to the input terminals I ₁ and I ₂ , and the alternate long and short dash line waveforms indicate the millimeter wave signals RF_S and RF_N. And an intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT generated by mixing the local signal LO with the local signal LO.

  In FIG. 10 (c), the rising and falling times of the millimeter wave signal RF_N and the rising and falling times of the millimeter wave signal RF_S shown in FIG. 10 (a) are intermediate frequencies corresponding to the millimeter wave signal RF_N, respectively. This corresponds to the rise and fall times of the signal IF_OUT and the rise and fall times of the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to the millimeter wave signal RF_S.

That is, the millimeter wave radar using the high frequency transmitter / receiver shown in a plan view in FIG. 2 is connected to the input terminal I ₁ during the radar detection period by the operation of the pulse modulator 3 and the first circulator 2 as described above. Basically, only the millimeter wave signal RF_S to be received is input and the local signal LO is input to the input terminal I _2. Therefore, the mixer 6 generates an intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to only the millimeter wave signal RF_S to be received. Will be output. Further, the time other than the radar detecting period, but so that the unwanted millimeter wave signal RF_N pulsed input terminal I ₁ is input, the input terminal I ₂ or not input a local signal LO, or Since the input is greatly attenuated, the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to the unnecessary pulse-like millimeter wave signal RF_N is not output from the mixer 6 or is output after being greatly attenuated. At this time, if an intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to the millimeter wave signal RF_N is output, the amplifier connected to the subsequent stage of the mixer 6 may be attenuated to the extent that it is not saturated, and the pulse modulator 3 is turned off. What is necessary is just to ensure the amount of attenuation at the time of about 20 dB to 40 dB. In this way, the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to the millimeter wave signal RF_N does not need to be blocked by a circuit other than the circuit subsequent to the mixer 6 or the circuit through which the local signal LO passes, and is thus received with such a simple configuration. The system circuit can be operated normally.

  Thus, according to the high-frequency transceiver of the present invention, the unnecessary millimeter-wave signal is generated by using the local signal LO in conjunction with the operation of the pulse modulator 3 causing the generation of the unnecessary millimeter-wave signal RF_N. Since the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT from the mixer 6 corresponding to RF_N is not output or is output after being greatly attenuated, the RF side millimeter wave circuit (from the transmission / reception antenna 5 to the fourth dielectric line 19, the second It is not necessary to open and close the millimeter wave signal in the middle of the second connecting portion 15b and third connecting portion 15c of the circulator 4 and a circuit reaching the mixer 6 via the fifth dielectric line 20 and the intermediate frequency. The signal IF_OUT does not need to be opened and closed by a circuit subsequent to the mixer 6, and an adverse effect on reception performance due to the unnecessary millimeter-wave signal RF_N can be eliminated even with such a simple configuration. In addition, the use of such circuit elements for opening and closing prevents the received millimeter wave signal from being lost, distorted, or mixed into the received millimeter wave signal. Further, the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT is not lost or distorted due to opening and closing, and noise is not mixed into the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT. In addition, since it is not necessary to avoid such distortion and noise, it is possible to widen the time period in which reception is possible.

  Further, since the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to the unnecessary millimeter wave signal RF_N is not output or is attenuated to a very small level, the amplification degree of the amplifier connected to the subsequent stage of the output end of the mixer 6 is increased. In addition, the power of the millimeter wave signal for transmission transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna 5 can be increased, whereby the S / N ratio can be increased and the millimeter wave transmission / reception performance can be improved.

  In addition, the timing to block the unnecessary millimeter-wave signal RF_N is synchronized with the time zone other than the radar detection period, so the timing to block the unnecessary millimeter-wave signal RF_N, which is often found in other methods, is shifted. There is no problem that the millimeter wave signal RF_S to be cut off is cut off and the radar detection period is narrowed.

  As a result, radar detection can be performed with the radar detection period as a wide time zone, and in particular, good reception is possible even for detection objects at close range.

  Also, the millimeter wave signal generated by the millimeter wave oscillator 1 may be used by branching a millimeter wave signal for transmission, for example, by 3 dB, as in a method of outputting a local signal LO using a conventional coupler. Since there is no transmission power, the transmission output can be increased.

  Next, another example of the first high frequency transmitter / receiver according to the present invention shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. 3 is different from the high frequency transmitter / receiver shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. This is a configuration including isolators 7 and 8 connected to at least one (both in this example) between the first circulator 2 and between the first circulator 2 and the second circulator 4.

  Since the high-frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 3 has the above-described configuration, the same effect as that of the high-frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 1 is obtained, and isolators 7 and 8 are connected to the second circulator 4 side or the pulse modulator 3 side. Since the millimeter wave signal returning to the wave oscillator 1 is absorbed, the millimeter wave oscillator 1 can be oscillated stably. Further, a part of the local signal LO transmitted through the pulse modulator 3 by the isolator 8 connected between the first circulator 2 and the second circulator 4 leaks from the mixer 6 to the second circulator 4 side. Since an unnecessary millimeter wave signal leaking to the first circulator 2 side is absorbed, reception performance can be stabilized.

  Next, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are an example of a second high-frequency transmitter / receiver according to the present invention shown in a block circuit diagram and a plan view, respectively, and a millimeter that is an example of an embodiment of a radar apparatus using the same. The wave radar will be described in detail.

  An example of an embodiment of the second high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. 4 has a first terminal 2a, a second terminal 2b, and a third terminal 2c around the magnetic material. The first circulator 2 that outputs the millimeter wave signal input from one terminal in this order from the next adjacent terminal, the first terminal 4a, the second terminal 4b, and the third The first terminal 4a is connected to the second terminal 2b of the first circulator 2 and outputs a millimeter wave signal input from one terminal in this order from the next adjacent terminal. One end 3 a is connected to the second circulator 4, the millimeter wave oscillator 1 that generates a millimeter wave signal connected to the first terminal 2 a of the first circulator 2, and the second terminal 4 b of the second circulator 4. The connected millimeter wave signal input from one end 3a. In accordance with the pulse signal, the pulse modulator 3 that reflects to the one end 3a side or the other end 3b side, the transmission / reception antenna 5 connected to the third terminal 4c of the second circulator 4, and the first The millimeter wave signal input from the pulse modulator 3 connected between the third terminal 2 c of the circulator 2 and the other end 3 b of the pulse modulator 3 is received by the transmission / reception antenna 5 to receive the second circulator 4. Then, the mixer 6 that mixes the millimeter wave signal input from the first circulator 2 and outputs an intermediate frequency signal is provided.

  Further, the high-frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 4 uses a nonradiative dielectric line as a high-frequency transmission line for connecting the above-described components.

  Specifically, the high-frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 4 includes flat conductors 11 and (12) arranged in parallel at intervals of 1/2 or less of the wavelength of the millimeter wave signal, as shown in a plan view in FIG. A first connection portion 14a, a second connection portion 14b, and a third connection, which are input and output terminals for millimeter wave signals, are respectively provided on the periphery of the ferrite plate 14 disposed in parallel with the flat conductor 11. A first circulator 2 that outputs a millimeter wave signal input from one connecting portion from the next adjacent connecting portion, and a peripheral portion of the ferrite plate 14 of the first circulator 2 in this order. The first dielectric line 16 and the second dielectric line 17 are arranged radially and have one end connected to the first connection part 14a, the second connection part 14b and the third connection part 14c. And the third dielectric line 18 and the peripheral portion of the ferrite plate 15 arranged in parallel to the flat conductor 11, Each of them has a first connection portion 15a, a second connection portion 15b, and a third connection portion 15c, which are input / output terminals for millimeter wave signals, and in this order, the millimeters input from one connection portion. The first circulator 4 is connected to the other end of the second dielectric line 17 and the first circulator 4 of the second circulator 4 is connected to the second circulator 4. A fourth dielectric line 19 and a fifth dielectric line 20 arranged radially at the peripheral edge and connected at one end to the second connection part 15b and the third connection part 15c respectively; The millimeter wave signal output from the high frequency diode connected to the other end of the dielectric line 16 is frequency-modulated and propagated through the first dielectric line 16 as a millimeter wave signal to cause the first circulator 2 to The millimeter wave oscillator 1 and the fourth dielectric line 19 input to the connecting portion 14a A pulse modulator 3 having one end 3a connected to one end and reflecting the millimeter wave signal input from the one end 3a to the one end 3a side or transmitting to the other end 3b side according to the pulse signal; and a fifth dielectric The transmitting / receiving antenna 5 connected to the other end of the body line 20, the sixth dielectric line 21 having one end connected to the other end 3b of the pulse modulator 3, the other end of the third dielectric line 18, and the The millimeter wave signal input from the pulse modulator 3 connected to the other end of the dielectric line 21 of 6 and the transmission / reception antenna 5 are received and input from the first circulator 2 through the second circulator 4. And a mixer 6 for outputting an intermediate frequency signal by mixing with the millimeter wave signal.

  And the millimeter wave radar which is a radar apparatus using the 2nd high frequency transmitter / receiver of this invention is processing the intermediate frequency signal in the output terminal of the mixer 6 with respect to the said structure, and shows the distance information to a detection target object. It is the structure which connected the distance information detector to detect.

  In this configuration, the detailed configurations of the pulse modulator 3 and the mixer 6 are the same as those of the above-described millimeter wave radar.

  In FIG. 5, the first connection portion 14a, the second connection portion 14b, the third connection portion 14c, the first connection portion 15a, the second connection portion 15b, and the third connection portion 15c are respectively This corresponds to the first terminal 2a, the second terminal 2b, the third terminal 2c, the first terminal 4a, the second terminal 4b, and the third terminal 4c in FIG.

  The millimeter wave radar using the high frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 configured as described above and its components operate as follows.

  The pulse modulator 3 changes the voltage applied to the choke-type bias supply line 31 to change the millimeter wave signal from the fourth dielectric line 19 to the sixth dielectric when a forward voltage is applied to the diode 33. It operates to pass through the body line 21 and reflect the millimeter wave signal incident from the fourth dielectric line 19 when a reverse voltage is applied to the diode 33 or when no voltage is applied. That is, the pulse modulator 3 can reflect the millimeter wave signal to the one end 3a side or transmit the millimeter wave signal to the other end 3b side according to the pulse signal applied to the choke-type bias supply line 31. When the modulator 3 reflects the millimeter wave signal, the modulator 3 outputs a millimeter wave signal for transmission to the one end 3a side and does not output a millimeter wave signal as a local signal to the other end 3b side. Is transmitted, a millimeter wave signal as a local signal is output to the other end 3b side, and a millimeter wave signal for transmission is not output to the one end 3a side.

  While the second circulator 4 and the pulse modulator 3 jointly output the pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission to the second circulator 4 side, The second circulator 4 operates so as to output a millimeter wave signal for transmission from the third connection portion 15c of the second circulator 4 and not to output a millimeter wave signal as the local signal LO to the mixer 6 side. 3 until the output of the pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission to the second circulator 4 and before the output of the next pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission. The operation is performed so that the millimeter wave signal as the local signal LO is output to the mixer 6 side and the millimeter wave signal for transmission is not output from the third connection portion 15 c of the second circulator 4.

As a whole, a part of the pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission is output while the pulse modulator 3 outputs the pulsed millimeter wave signal to the second circulator 4 side. The first circulator passes through the second connection portion 15b and the first connection portion 15a of the second circulator 4 and the second connection portion 14b of the first circulator 2 as a pulse-like unnecessary millimeter-wave signal RF_N. Is leaked from the third connection portion 14c of the mixer 6 and is input to _one input terminal I1 of the mixer 6. At this time, the pulse modulator 3 does not output the local signal LO. since the other input terminal I ₂ not input a local signal LO, from the mixer 6 the pulse shape of the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to unwanted millimeter wave signal RF_N operates to not output. On the other hand, after the pulse modulator 3 finishes outputting the pulsed transmission millimeter wave signal to the second circulator 4 side, before the next pulsed transmission millimeter wave signal is output, Since the transmission of the pulsed millimeter-wave signal for transmission is finished, the unnecessary pulse-like millimeter-wave signal RF_N, which is a part of the transmission, is supplied to the second connection portion 15b and the first connection portion of the second circulator 4. 15a and the second connection portion 14b of the first circulator 2 are not leaked from the third connection portion 14c of the first circulator, and only the millimeter wave signal RF_S to be received received by the transmission / reception antenna 5 is received. Of the mixer 6 from the third connection part 14c of the first circulator via the third connection part 15c and the first connection part 15a of the second circulator 4 and the second connection part 14b of the first circulator 2. One Is input to the force terminal I _1, the pulse modulator 3 operates to the other input terminal I ₂ of the mixer 6 is the local signal LO is input by that a local signal LO, The mixer 6 does not output the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to the pulsed unnecessary millimeter wave signal RF_N, but only the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to the millimeter wave signal RF_S to be received received by the transmission / reception antenna 5. Operates to output.

  Therefore, according to the second high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention as described above, the received millimeter wave signal itself is cut off for a certain period of time, or the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT after the mixer 6 is processed. Even if the processing circuit does not perform processing such as blocking the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT for a certain period of time, it is possible to effectively avoid the problem that the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT saturates the amplifier. Therefore, the millimeter wave signal RF_S to be received at this time is not deteriorated, and the reception performance can be improved. In addition, there is no longer a time during which it cannot be received before and after such processing, and reception is possible in a wide time zone. In addition, this makes it possible to detect a detection object at a close distance or a long distance.

  The effect of the millimeter wave radar using the second high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention is the same as that of the millimeter wave radar using the first high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention described above. FIG. The operations of the millimeter wave signal RF_N, the millimeter wave signal RF_S, and the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT in the diagram as the timing chart shown are the same, and the effects thereof are also the same.

  Next, another example of the embodiment of the second high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. 6 is different from the high frequency transmitter / receiver shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. This is a configuration including isolators 7 and 8 connected to at least one (both in this example) between the first circulator 2 and between the pulse modulator 3 and the mixer 6.

Since the high frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 6 has the above-described configuration, the same effect as the high frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 4 is obtained, and the isolator 7 is connected to the mixer 6 from the input terminal I ₁ side via the first circulator 2. Then, the millimeter wave signal returning to the millimeter wave oscillator 1 is reflected by the circulator 8 from the input terminal I ₂ side of the mixer 6, passes through the pulse modulator 3, and passes through the second circulator 4 and the first circulator 2. Since the millimeter wave signals returning to the millimeter wave oscillator 1 are absorbed, the millimeter wave oscillator 1 can be stably oscillated. Further, the isolator 8 connected between the pulse modulator 3 and the mixer 6 causes a part of the millimeter wave signal as the local signal LO that has passed through the pulse modulator 3 to be reflected by the mixer 6 to be returned to the pulse modulator 3 again. Before returning to the pulse modulator 3, an unnecessary millimeter wave signal leaks to the second circulator 4 side after passing through the pulse modulator 3 in a state of transmitting the millimeter wave signal and then leaks to the transmitting / receiving antenna 5 side. Therefore, such an unnecessary millimeter wave signal is not transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna 5, and stable reception performance can be obtained.

  Next, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are a block circuit diagram and a plan view, respectively, showing an example of an embodiment of a third high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, and an example of an embodiment of a radar apparatus using the same. The wave radar will be described in detail.

  An example of the third high-frequency transceiver according to the present invention shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. 7 has a first terminal 2a, a second terminal 2b, and a third terminal 2c around the magnetic body. A circulator 2 for outputting a millimeter wave signal input from one terminal in this order from the next adjacent terminal, and a millimeter wave oscillator for generating a millimeter wave signal connected to the first terminal 2a of the circulator 2 1 and one end 3a connected to the second terminal 2b of the circulator 2, the millimeter wave signal input from the one end 3a is reflected to the one end 3a side or transmitted to the other end 3b side according to the pulse signal. A pulse modulator 3, an isolator 4 ′ connected to the third terminal 2 c of the circulator 2 and transmitting a millimeter wave signal, a transmitting antenna 9 connected to the isolator 4 ′ and transmitting a millimeter wave signal, and a pulse The receiving antenna 10 connected to the other end 3b side of the modulator 3 and the millimeter wave signal input from the pulse modulator 3 connected between the pulse modulator 3 and the receiving antenna 10 are received by the receiving antenna 10. And a mixer 6 that mixes the input millimeter wave signal and outputs an intermediate frequency signal.

  The high-frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 7 uses a non-radiative dielectric line as a high-frequency transmission line for connecting the above components.

  Specifically, the high-frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 7 includes flat conductors 11 and (12) arranged in parallel at intervals of 1/2 or less of the wavelength of the millimeter wave signal, as shown in a plan view in FIG. A first connection portion 14a, a second connection portion 14b, and a third connection, which are input and output terminals for millimeter wave signals, are respectively provided on the periphery of the ferrite plate 14 disposed in parallel with the flat conductor 11. 14c, and in this order, the circulator 2 that outputs the millimeter wave signal input from one connecting portion from the next connecting portion adjacent thereto, and the peripheral portion of the ferrite plate 14 of the circulator 2 are arranged radially. The first dielectric line 16, the second dielectric line 17, and the third dielectric, each of which is connected to the first connection part 14a, the second connection part 14b, and the third connection part 14c. The line 18 and the peripheral portion of the ferrite plate 15 arranged in parallel with the flat conductor 11 It has the 1st connection part 15a used as the input-output terminal of a signal, the 2nd connection part 15b, and the 3rd connection part 15c, and adjoins the millimeter wave signal input from one connection part in this order The first connecting portion 15a output from the next connecting portion is radially disposed on the peripheral portion of the isolator 4 'connected to the other end of the third dielectric line 18, the ferrite plate 15 of the isolator 4', and Connected to the other end of the first dielectric line 16 and the fourth dielectric line 19 and the fifth dielectric line 20 respectively connected to the second connection part 15b and the third connection part 15c. A millimeter-wave oscillator 1 that modulates the frequency of the millimeter-wave signal output from the high-frequency diode and propagates the first dielectric line 16 as a millimeter-wave signal to be input to the first connection portion 14a of the circulator 2. One end 3 a is connected to the other end of the second dielectric line 17. A millimeter wave signal input from one end 3a is reflected to one end 3a or transmitted to the other end 3b according to the pulse signal, and connected to the other end of the fourth dielectric line 19 A transmitting antenna 9, a non-reflective terminator 23 connected to the other end of the fifth dielectric line 20, a sixth dielectric line 21 having one end connected to the other end 3b of the pulse modulator 3, and a pulse The receiving antenna 10 connected to the other end 3b side of the modulator 3, the seventh dielectric line 22 having one end connected to the receiving antenna 10, the other end of the sixth dielectric line 21, and the seventh dielectric A millimeter wave signal input from the pulse modulator 3 connected to the other end of the body line 22 and a millimeter wave signal received by the receiving antenna 10 are mixed to output an intermediate frequency signal. And a mixer 6.

  And the millimeter wave radar which is a radar apparatus using the 3rd high frequency transmitter-receiver of this invention processes the intermediate frequency signal in the output terminal of the mixer 6, and provides the distance information to a detection target with respect to the said structure. It is the structure which connected the distance information detector to detect.

  In this configuration, the detailed configurations of the pulse modulator 3 and the mixer 6 are the same as those in the above-described examples of the millimeter wave radar.

  In the high-frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 8, the isolator 4 'has the same basic configuration as the circulator 4, but the fifth dielectric line 20 connected to the third terminal 15c has a non-reflective termination. 8 is configured so that the millimeter wave signal input from the third dielectric line 18 is transmitted through the fourth dielectric line 19 by being connected. Further, the first connection portion 14a, the second connection portion 14b, the third connection portion 14c, the first connection portion 15a, and the second connection portion 15b are respectively the first terminal 2a and the second connection portion in FIG. Corresponding to the first terminal 2b, the third terminal 2c, the first terminal 4a ′, and the second terminal 4b ′.

  The millimeter wave radar using the high frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 configured as described above and each component thereof operate as follows.

  The pulse modulator 3 changes the voltage applied to the choke-type bias supply line 31 to change the millimeter wave signal from the second dielectric line 17 to the sixth dielectric when a forward voltage is applied to the diode 33. It operates to pass through the body line 21 and reflect the millimeter wave signal incident from the second dielectric line 17 when a reverse voltage is applied to the diode 33 or when no voltage is applied. That is, the pulse modulator 3 can reflect the millimeter wave signal to the one end 3a side or transmit the millimeter wave signal to the other end 3b side according to the pulse signal applied to the choke-type bias supply line 31. When the modulator 3 reflects the millimeter wave signal, the modulator 3 outputs a millimeter wave signal for transmission to the one end 3a side and does not output a millimeter wave signal as a local signal to the other end 3b side. Is transmitted, a millimeter wave signal as a local signal is output to the other end 3b side, and a millimeter wave signal for transmission is not output to the one end 3a side.

  While the circulator 2 and the pulse modulator 3 jointly output the millimeter wave signal for transmission pulsed to the circulator 2 side, the third of the circulator 2 is output. The connection unit 14c outputs a millimeter wave signal for transmission and operates so as not to output a millimeter wave signal as a local signal LO to the mixer 6 side, while the pulse modulator 3 is pulsed to the circulator 2 side. After the output of the transmitted millimeter wave signal, before the next pulsed transmission millimeter wave signal is output, the pulse modulator 3 sends the millimeter wave signal as the local signal LO to the mixer 6 side. And the third connection portion 14c of the circulator 2 operates so as not to output a millimeter wave signal for transmission.

As a whole, while the pulse modulator 3 outputs the pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission to the circulator 2 side, a part of the pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission is pulsed. As an unnecessary millimeter-wave signal RF_N, the signal is leaked in the path received by the receiving antenna 10 via the third connecting portion 14c of the circulator 2, the isolator 4 'and the transmitting antenna 9, and is input to one input terminal of the mixer 6 Although inputted to I _1, At this time, not input a local signal LO and the other input terminal I ₂ of the mixer 6 by the pulse modulator 3 does not output a local signal LO, the from the mixer 6 The operation is performed so that the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to the pulse-like unnecessary millimeter wave signal RF_N is not output. On the other hand, after the pulse modulator 3 finishes outputting the pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission to the circulator 2 side, before the next pulsed millimeter wave signal for transmission is outputted, Since the transmission of the pulsed millimeter wave signal has been completed, the unnecessary pulsed millimeter wave signal RF_N which is a part thereof is not leaked from the transmitting antenna 9 and the receiving antenna 10, and is received by the receiving antenna 10. with only the millimeter-wave signal RF_S to be received that is input from the receiving antenna 10 to one input terminal I ₁ of the mixer 6, the other input of the mixer 6 by the pulse modulator 3 is outputting a local signal LO to operate as the terminal I ₂ the local signal LO is input from the mixer 6, without the pulsed intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to unwanted millimeter wave signal RF_N is output, Only the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to the millimeter wave signal RF_S to be received received by the signal antenna 10 is operative to output.

  Therefore, according to the third high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention as described above, the received millimeter wave signal itself is cut off for a certain period of time, or the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT after the mixer 6 is processed. Even if the processing circuit does not perform processing such as blocking the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT for a certain period of time, it is possible to effectively avoid the problem that the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT saturates the amplifier. Therefore, the millimeter wave signal RF_S to be received at this time is not deteriorated, and the reception performance can be improved. In addition, there is no longer a time during which it cannot be received before and after such processing, and reception is possible in a wide time zone. In addition, this makes it possible to detect a detection object at a close distance or a long distance.

  The effect of the millimeter wave radar using the third high frequency transceiver of the present invention is more specifically the same as that of the millimeter wave radar using the first or second high frequency transceiver of the present invention, The operations of the millimeter wave signal RF_N, the millimeter wave signal RF_S, and the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT in the diagram as the timing chart shown in FIG. 10 are the same, and the effects thereof are also the same.

  Next, another example of the third high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. 9 is different from the high frequency transmitter / receiver shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. This is a configuration including isolators 7 and 8 connected to at least one of the circulator 2 and between the receiving antenna 10 and the mixer 6 (both in this example).

  Since the high frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 9 has the above-described configuration, the same effect as the high frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 7 is obtained, and the isolator 7 is mixed from the transmitting antenna 9 side or the receiving antenna 10 side by the mixer 6, pulse. Since the millimeter wave signal returning to the millimeter wave oscillator 1 via the modulator 3 and the circulator 2 is absorbed, the millimeter wave oscillator 1 can be oscillated stably. In addition, an isolator 8 connected between the receiving antenna 10 and the mixer 6 causes an unnecessary millimeter in which a part of the millimeter wave signal as the local signal LO transmitted through the pulse modulator 3 leaks from the mixer 6 to the receiving antenna 10 side. Since the wave signal is absorbed halfway, such an unnecessary millimeter wave signal is not transmitted from the receiving antenna 10, and stable reception performance can be obtained.

Next, in the high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, the dielectric lines 16 to 22 are made of resin such as tetrafluoroethylene and polystyrene, or cordierite (2MgO · 2Al ₂ O ₃ · 5SiO) having a low dielectric constant. ₂ ) Ceramics such as ceramics, alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ) ceramics, and glass ceramics are preferable, and these have low loss in the millimeter wave band.

  In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the dielectric lines 16 to 22 is basically a rectangular shape, but may be a shape with rounded corners of the rectangular shape, and various cross-sectional shapes used for transmission of millimeter wave signals. Things can be used.

The ferrite plates 14 and 15 are preferably made of zinc, nickel, and iron oxide (Zn _a Ni _b Fe _c O _x ), for example, for millimeter wave signals among ferrites.

  Further, the shape of the ferrite plates 14 and 15 is usually a disc shape, but the planar shape may be a regular polygonal shape. In that case, when the number of dielectric lines to be connected is n (n is an integer of 3 or more), the planar shape is preferably a regular m-square (m is an integer greater than n of 3 or more).

  The flat conductors 11 and 12 are made of Cu, Al, Fe, Ag, Au, Pt, SUS (stainless steel), brass (Cu-Zn alloy) in terms of high electrical conductivity and good workability. A conductive plate such as) is suitable. Or what formed these conductor layers on the surface of the insulating board which consists of ceramics, resin, etc. may be used.

  The substrate 30 is formed on one main surface of a plate-like substrate made of tetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene, glass ceramics, glass epoxy resin, epoxy resin, etc., with aluminum (Al), gold (Au), copper (Cu), etc. A choke-type bias supply line 31 formed of a strip conductor or the like is used.

  In the high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, the circuit configurations shown in the block circuit diagrams of FIGS. 1, 4 and 7 are important, and a non-radiative dielectric is used as a high-frequency transmission line for connecting each circuit element. In addition to body lines, waveguides, dielectric waveguides, strip lines, microstrip lines, coplanar lines, slot lines, coaxial lines, or high-frequency transmission lines modified from these are used in frequency bands and applications You may select and use according to. Further, the frequency band to be used is effective not only in the millimeter wave band but also in the microwave band or lower frequency band.

In the first high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, even if the isolators 7 and 8 are not used, a part of the high frequency signal as the local signal LO is input to the input terminal I _{2 of the} mixer 6 to which the high frequency signal is input. Since the second circulator 4 prevents the unnecessary high-frequency signal from leaking to the transmitting / receiving antenna 5 side even if it leaks as an unnecessary high-frequency signal to another input terminal I ₁ , Such an unnecessary high-frequency signal is not transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna 5.

  Next, a radar apparatus-equipped vehicle equipped with the radar apparatus of the present invention and a radar apparatus-equipped small vessel will be described in detail.

  The radar device-equipped vehicle of the present invention includes the above-described radar device of the present invention and is configured to use this radar device for detection of a detection target.

  Since the radar device-equipped vehicle of the present invention has such a configuration, the behavior of the vehicle can be controlled based on the distance information detected by the radar device, For example, the detection of obstacles on the road or other vehicles can be warned by sound, light or vibration. However, in the vehicle equipped with the radar device of the present invention, Since the radar apparatus detects other vehicles and the like quickly and reliably, it is possible to perform appropriate control of the vehicle and appropriate warning to the driver without causing the vehicle to make a sudden behavior.

  The radar device-equipped vehicle of the present invention is not limited to a vehicle for transporting passengers and cargo such as trains, trains, and automobiles, but also bicycles, motorbikes, amusement park vehicles, golf courses, etc. It can also be used for carts and the like.

  A small ship equipped with a radar apparatus according to the present invention includes the radar apparatus according to the present invention, and the radar apparatus is used to detect a detection target.

  Since the small ship equipped with the radar apparatus of the present invention has such a configuration, the behavior of the small ship is controlled based on the distance information detected by the radar apparatus in the small ship as in the conventional vehicle equipped with the radar apparatus. Or the operator is warned by sound, light or vibration that an obstacle such as a reef, another ship or other small ship has been detected. In a ship, the radar device quickly and reliably detects obstacles such as reefs, other ships or other small ships that are detection objects. Proper control and appropriate warning to the operator can be provided.

  The small-sized ship equipped with the radar device of the present invention is specifically a ship that can be operated without a license for a small ship or a license, and is a boat with a total tonnage of less than 20 tons. Motorcycles, small bass boats with outboard motors, inflatable boats (rubber boats) with outboard motors, fishing boats, recreational fishing boats, work boats, houseboats, towing boats, sports boats, fishing boats, yachts, open-sea yachts, cruisers or gross tonnage 20 It can be used for pleasure boats of tons or more.

  Thus, according to the present invention, with a simple configuration, a part of the pulse-modulated high-frequency signal for transmission leaks to the reception system as an unnecessary signal, so that the high-frequency signal to be received is not deteriorated and is unnecessary. -Performance high-frequency transceiver capable of suppressing only intermediate frequency signals corresponding to high-frequency signals and improving reception performance, a radar device using the same, a radar device-equipped vehicle equipped with the radar device, and a radar device An onboard small vessel can be provided.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the high-frequency transceiver of the present invention, the electrical length of the transmission path from the first circulator 2 second terminal 2b of (circulator 2) the local signal LO is transmitted to the other input terminal I ₂ of the mixer 6 , the difference between the electrical length of the transmission path from the first circulator 2 third terminal 2c of (circulator 2) unwanted millimeter wave signal RF_N causes the transmission to one input terminal I ₁ of the mixer 6, local signal LO And the unnecessary millimeter wave signal RF_N may have such a length that the phase difference δ in the mixer 6 is δ = (2N−1) π (where N is an integer).

  Thus, in order to set the difference in the electrical length of the transmission path, the voltage of the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT output from the mixer 6 when the unnecessary millimeter wave signal RF_N is input to the mixer 6 is minimized. The line length or effective dielectric constant of the high-frequency transmission line connecting these components, or between the input and output of the pulse modulator 3 or the second circulator 4 (isolator 4 ′) connected in the middle of this transmission path The length or effective dielectric constant may be adjusted. For example, the output voltage value of the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT output from the mixer 6 changes in proportion to sin δ and takes a minimum value when δ = (2N−1) π. , And by measuring a plurality of voltage values of the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT output from the mixer 6 when the unnecessary millimeter wave signal RF_N is input to the mixer 6 with respect to some difference in electrical length. After plotting multiple measured values on a diagram where the horizontal axis is the difference in electrical length and the vertical axis is the voltage of the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT, a sine curve is fitted on this plot, and the fitting curve is minimal. From this point, the difference in electrical length at which the phase difference δ is δ = (2N−1) π may be set.

  In this way, the local signal LO and the unnecessary millimeter wave signal RF_N are mixed in an opposite phase and weakened in the mixer 6, so that the unnecessary millimeter wave signal RF_N is slightly inputted when it is input to the mixer 6. Even if the local signal LO leaks from the pulse modulator 3 and is input to the mixer 6, the intermediate frequency signal IF_OUT corresponding to the unnecessary millimeter wave signal RF_N in such a case can also be suppressed. The electrical length is an amount represented by a numerical value obtained by dividing the physical length of the transmission path by the wavelength of the high-frequency signal transmitted through the transmission path.

Note that the output terminal of the pulse modulator 3 is connected to the first terminal 4a of the second circulator 4 and the first circulator 2 with respect to the first high frequency transceiver embodiment of the present invention. even if the third terminal 2c of to connect to the other input terminal I ₂ of the mixer, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the first RF transceiver of the present invention.

It is a block circuit diagram showing typically the composition about an example of an embodiment of the 1st high frequency transceiver of the present invention. It is a top view which shows typically the structure about an example of embodiment of the 1st high frequency transmitter-receiver of this invention. It is a block circuit diagram showing typically the composition about other examples of an embodiment of the 1st high frequency transceiver of the present invention. It is a block circuit diagram which shows typically the structure about an example of embodiment of the 2nd high frequency transmitter-receiver of this invention. It is a top view which shows typically the structure about an example of embodiment of the 2nd high frequency transmitter-receiver of this invention. It is a block circuit diagram showing typically the composition about other examples of the embodiment of the 2nd high frequency transceiver of the present invention. It is a block circuit diagram which shows typically the structure about an example of embodiment of the 3rd high frequency transmitter-receiver of this invention. It is a top view which shows typically the structure about an example of embodiment of the 3rd high frequency transmitter-receiver of this invention. It is a block circuit diagram showing typically the composition about other examples of the embodiment of the 3rd high frequency transceiver of the present invention. (A) to (c) are examples of millimeter wave radars to which the first, second, and third high-frequency transceivers of the present invention are applied. It is the diagram which showed typically the state of the signal input / output to a mixer as a timing chart, respectively. It is a partially broken perspective view which shows the fundamental structure of a nonradiative dielectric track | line. It is a perspective view which shows typically an example of the board | substrate with which the diode used for a nonradiative dielectric track type pulse modulator was mounted. It is a perspective view which shows typically an example of the board | substrate with which the diode used for a nonradiative dielectric track type mixer was mounted.

Explanation of symbols

1: Millimeter wave oscillator 2: First circulator (circulator)
2a: 1st terminal 2b: 2nd terminal 2c: 3rd terminal 3: Pulse modulator 4: 2nd circulator 4 ': Isolator 4a: 1st terminal 4b: 2nd terminal 4c: 3rd Terminal 5: Transmission / reception antenna 6: Mixer 7: Isolator 8: Isolator 9: Transmission antenna
10: Receive antenna
11: Flat conductor
12: Flat conductor
13: Dielectric line
14: Ferrite plate
14a: 1st connection part
14b: Second connection part
14c: 3rd connection part
15: Ferrite plate
15a: 1st connection part
15b: 2nd connection part
15c: 3rd connection part
16: First dielectric line
17: Second dielectric line
18: Third dielectric line
19: Fourth dielectric line
20: Fifth dielectric line
21: Sixth dielectric line
22: Seventh dielectric line
23: Non-reflective termination
30: Board
31: Choke-type bias supply line
32: Connection terminal
33: Diode (element for high frequency modulation)
34: Diode (element for high frequency detection)

Claims (9)

A first circulator having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal around a magnetic body, and outputting a high-frequency signal input from one of the terminals in this order from the next adjacent terminal And a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal around the magnetic body, and a high-frequency signal input from one of the terminals in this order is output from the next adjacent terminal, A second circulator having a first terminal connected to the third terminal of the first circulator; a high-frequency oscillator for generating a high-frequency signal connected to the first terminal of the first circulator; Pulse modulation in which one end is connected to the second terminal of the first circulator, and the high-frequency signal input from the one end is reflected to the one end side or transmitted to the other end side according to a pulse signal And the vessel A transmitting / receiving antenna connected to the second terminal of the second circulator, and the pulse modulator connected between the third terminal of the second circulator and the other end of the pulse modulator. A high-frequency transmitter / receiver comprising: a mixer that mixes the input high-frequency signal and the high-frequency signal received by the transmission / reception antenna and input from the second circulator to output an intermediate frequency signal. The high-frequency transmission / reception according to claim 1, further comprising an isolator connected between the high-frequency oscillator and the first circulator and at least one of the first circulator and the second circulator. vessel. A first circulator having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal around a magnetic body, and outputting a high-frequency signal input from one of the terminals in this order from the next adjacent terminal And a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal around the magnetic body, and a high-frequency signal input from one of the terminals in this order is output from the next adjacent terminal, A second circulator having a first terminal connected to the second terminal of the first circulator, and a high-frequency oscillator for generating a high-frequency signal, connected to the first terminal of the first circulator. Pulse modulation in which one end is connected to the second terminal of the second circulator, and the high-frequency signal input from the one end is reflected to the one end side or transmitted to the other end side according to a pulse signal And the vessel A transmitting / receiving antenna connected to the third terminal of the second circulator, and the pulse modulator connected between the third terminal of the first circulator and the other end of the pulse modulator. A mixer that mixes the input high-frequency signal with the high-frequency signal received by the transmission / reception antenna and input from the first circulator via the second circulator, and outputs an intermediate frequency signal. A high-frequency transceiver characterized. The high-frequency transceiver according to claim 3, further comprising an isolator connected between the high-frequency oscillator and the first circulator and at least one of the pulse modulator and the mixer. A circulator that has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal around the magnetic body, and outputs a high-frequency signal input from one of the terminals in this order from the next adjacent terminal; A high-frequency oscillator for generating a high-frequency signal connected to the first terminal of the circulator, and one end connected to the second terminal of the circulator, and the high-frequency signal input from the one end according to a pulse signal A pulse modulator that reflects to the one end side or transmits to the other end side, an isolator that transmits the high-frequency signal connected to the third terminal of the circulator, and is connected to the isolator, A transmitting antenna for transmitting a high-frequency signal; a receiving antenna connected to the other end of the pulse modulator; and the pulse modulator and the receiving antenna. And a mixer for mixing the high-frequency signal input from the pulse modulator and the high-frequency signal received and input by the receiving antenna to output an intermediate frequency signal. High frequency transceiver. 6. The high frequency transceiver according to claim 5, further comprising an isolator connected between at least one of the high frequency oscillator and the circulator and between the reception antenna and the mixer. A high-frequency transmitter / receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and a distance information detector for processing the intermediate frequency signal output from the high-frequency transmitter / receiver to detect distance information to a detection target. A radar apparatus comprising: A radar device-equipped vehicle comprising the radar device according to claim 7, wherein the radar device is used for detection of an object to be detected. 8. A small ship equipped with a radar apparatus, comprising the radar apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the radar apparatus is used for detection of a detection object.

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