JP2006352206A - Array antenna system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an array antenna system capable of easily improving bad display of a television receiver or hard-of-hearing of a radio receiver. <P>SOLUTION: The array antenna system 100 includes an array antenna 10 and a control unit 20. The array antenna 10 includes a feeding element 2, parasitic elements 3, 4 and varactor diodes 6 to 9. The varactor diodes 6, 7 are loaded to the parasitic element 3, and the varactor diodes 8, 9 are loaded to the parasitic element 4. The control unit 20 includes a solar cell 22 and a control unit 23. The solar cell 22 receives light from a fluorescent light in a room to generate power, and the control unit 23 is started by a DC power from the solar cell 22. Upon the receipt of a particular signal from a remote controller 40, the control unit 23 applies control voltages CV1 to CV4 respectively to the varactor diodes 6 to 9 via control lines 12 to 15 to switch the directivity of the array antenna 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an array antenna device, and more particularly to an array antenna device that can be attached to an existing television.

  Currently, terrestrial digital television broadcasting has started. This digital terrestrial television broadcast is a broadcast performed using a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band whose frequency is in the range of 300 MHz to 3 GHz (Non-patent Document 1).

  Accordingly, the reception frequency (channel) is set to the UHF band, and a television receiving digital terrestrial television broadcasting needs to include a UHF antenna corresponding to the reception frequency of the UHF band.

  The UHF antenna has a structure in which, for example, 20 to 25 antenna elements are arranged substantially in parallel. By using 20 to 25 antenna elements, it can function as an antenna corresponding to almost all channels of digital terrestrial television broadcasting.

Thus, in digital terrestrial television broadcasting, a UHF antenna that can handle a wideband frequency is used.
Japan Radio Industry Association, “Digital Broadcasting Receiver-Standard (preferred specifications)”, ARIB STD-B21 4.2 Edition, p11.

  However, since the UHF antenna used for digital terrestrial television broadcasting is omnidirectional, it is difficult to improve it even if the image of the television is deteriorated. The reason why the image of the television is deteriorated is that the received signal is deteriorated, and it is necessary to modify the television to improve this.

  Such a problem also occurs when listening to FM radio. That is, since the conventional FM radio antenna is non-directional, it is difficult to improve the FM radio even if it becomes difficult to hear.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an array antenna apparatus that can easily improve poor imaging of a television or difficulty in hearing a radio.

  According to the present invention, the array antenna device includes an array antenna and a control device. An array antenna is an antenna whose directivity can be switched electrically. When receiving the specific signal from the remote controller, the control device switches the directivity of the array antenna.

  Preferably, the array antenna includes a feed element, n (n is a positive integer) parasitic elements, and m (m is a positive integer) variable capacitance elements. Each of the n parasitic elements has a length different from the length of the feed element. The m variable capacitance elements are loaded on at least one of the n parasitic elements. When receiving the specific signal, the control device changes the directivity of the array antenna by changing at least one capacitance of the m variable capacitance elements.

  Preferably, the control device includes a receiver, a signal detection unit, and a directivity switching unit. The receiver receives a signal from the remote controller. The signal detection unit detects a specific signal from the signal received by the receiver. When the directivity switching unit receives the specific signal from the signal detection unit, the directivity switching unit switches the directivity of the array antenna by changing at least one capacitance of the m variable capacitance elements.

  Preferably, when the directivity switching unit receives the specific signal, the directivity switching unit changes at least one capacitance by changing the DC voltage applied to the m variable capacitance elements.

  Preferably, the array antenna further includes a first substrate, and the feed element and the n parasitic elements are arranged substantially in parallel on the first substrate. The control device further includes a second substrate, and the receiver, the signal detection unit, and the directivity switching unit are disposed on the second substrate.

  Preferably, the control device further includes a power source disposed on the second substrate. The directivity switching unit generates a DC voltage based on the power from the power supply, and applies the generated DC voltage to m variable capacitance elements.

  Preferably, the power source is a solar cell.

  Preferably, the power source includes a solar battery and a storage battery. The storage battery stores the power generated by the solar battery. The directivity switching unit generates a DC voltage based on the power from the storage battery.

  Preferably, the solar cell is an amorphous solar cell formed in a region other than a region where the receiver, the signal detection unit, and the directivity switching unit are arranged on the main surface of the second substrate.

  Preferably, the remote controller is a controller that controls the television. The specific signal is a signal generated by pressing an unused button among a plurality of buttons of the remote controller.

  Preferably, the remote controller is a controller that controls the television. The specific signal is a signal generated by pressing a channel button for selecting a screen displayed on the television among a plurality of buttons of the remote controller.

  The array antenna apparatus according to the present invention switches the directivity by receiving a specific signal from the remote controller when the screen displayed on the television is deteriorated or the radio becomes difficult to hear. The array antenna apparatus receives radio waves with the switched directivity, and transmits the received radio waves to a television or radio.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily improve the poor image of television or the difficulty of hearing radio.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an array antenna apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Array antenna device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes an array antenna 10 and a control device 20.

  The array antenna 10 includes a substrate 1, a power feeding element 2, parasitic elements 3 and 4, a power feeding unit 5, varactor diodes 6 to 9, a coaxial cable 11, and control lines 12 to 15. The control device 20 includes a substrate 21, a solar cell 22, and a controller 23.

  The board | substrate 1 consists of printed circuit boards, for example. The feeding element 2 and the parasitic elements 3 and 4 are disposed substantially in parallel on the main surface 1A of the substrate 1. The parasitic elements 3 and 4 are arranged symmetrically with the feeding element 2 as the center.

  The power supply unit 5 is provided in the power supply element 2 and includes a balun that is an unbalanced-balanced conversion circuit. The varactor diodes 6 and 7 are loaded on the parasitic element 3, and the varactor diodes 8 and 9 are loaded on the parasitic element 4. Thus, in the array antenna 10, the two varactor diodes 6, 7; 8, 9 are loaded on each of the parasitic elements 3, 4.

  The coaxial cable 11 has one end connected to the power feeding unit 5 of the power feeding element 2 and the other end connected to the antenna terminal of the terrestrial digital television 30. The coaxial cable 11 is designed so that the input impedance to the array antenna 10 is 75Ω.

  The control line 12 has one end connected to the varactor diode 6 and the other end connected to the controller 23. The control line 13 has one end connected to the varactor diode 7 and the other end connected to the controller 23. The control line 14 has one end connected to the varactor diode 8 and the other end connected to the controller 23. The control line 15 has one end connected to the varactor diode 9 and the other end connected to the controller 23.

  The board | substrate 21 consists of printed circuit boards, for example. Solar cell 22 is formed on main surface 21 </ b> A of substrate 21. The controller 23 is disposed on the main surface 21 </ b> A of the substrate 21. As will be described later, the solar cell 22 is composed of an amorphous silicon solar cell, generates DC power with light from an indoor fluorescent lamp, and outputs the generated DC power to the controller 23.

  The controller 23 is activated by DC power from the solar cell 22. Then, the controller 23 receives a signal by infrared rays from a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as “remote controller”) 40 that controls the terrestrial digital television 30 and detects a specific signal from the received signal. When detecting the specific signal, the controller 23 applies control voltages CV1 to CV4 to the varactor diodes 6 to 9 via the control lines 12 to 15, respectively, and switches the directivity of the array antenna 10. A method for switching the directivity of the array antenna 10 will be described in detail later.

  The specific signal is a signal generated when a specific button that is not used for the remote controller 40 to select a channel of the terrestrial digital television 30 is pressed. Then, when the screen of the terrestrial digital television 30 deteriorates, the viewer of the terrestrial digital television 30 points the remote controller 40 toward the controller 23 and presses the specific button.

  Therefore, when receiving a specific signal from the remote controller 40, the controller 23 switches the directivity of the array antenna 10 on the assumption that the screen of the terrestrial digital television 30 has deteriorated.

  In this way, the controller 23 switches the directivity of the array antenna 10 in accordance with a specific signal generated by pressing a specific button different from the button used for channel selection of the terrestrial digital television 30, so that the viewer Even if the channel selection button is pressed, the directivity of the array antenna 10 is not switched, and the directivity of the array antenna 10 can be switched only when the screen of the digital terrestrial television 30 deteriorates.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of array antenna 10 shown in FIG. The power feeding element 2 includes the power feeding unit 5 at substantially the center, and has a length L1 of 230 mm, for example. The parasitic elements 3 and 4 have, for example, a length L2 of 330 mm. Each of the feeding element 2 and the parasitic elements 3 and 4 has a width W of 10 mm, for example. Further, the distance d between the feeding element 2 and the parasitic elements 3 and 4 is set to 30 mm, for example. This 30 mm corresponds to 0.05λ when the wavelength of the radio wave received by the array antenna 10 is λ.

  Thus, in the array antenna 10, the parasitic elements 3 and 4 are longer than the feeding element 2. The parasitic elements 3 and 4 are disposed so as to be longer on both sides of the feeding element 2 in the length direction of the feeding element 2.

  The varactor diode 6 is loaded at a position of L3 = 115 mm from one end 3A of the parasitic element 3, and the varactor diode 7 is loaded at a position of L4 = 115mm from the other end 3B of the parasitic element 3. As a result, the distance L5 between the varactor diodes 6 and 7 is set to 100 mm.

  The loading position of the varactor diodes 8 and 9 on the parasitic element 4 and the distance between the varactor diodes 8 and 9 are the same as those of the varactor diodes 6 and 7.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing details of the parasitic element 3 and the two varactor diodes 6 and 7 shown in FIG. The parasitic element 3 includes conductors 31 to 33. The conductors 31-33 are arrange | positioned at linear form.

  The varactor diode 6 is connected between the conductor 31 and the conductor 32 so that the cathode is disposed on the conductor 31 side and the anode is disposed on the conductor 32 side. The varactor diode 7 is connected between the conductor 32 and the conductor 33 so that the cathode is disposed on the conductor 32 side and the anode is disposed on the conductor 33 side.

  The control voltage CV1 is applied between the nodes N1 and N2 so that the reverse bias is applied to the varactor diode 6, and the control voltage CV2 is applied between the nodes N3 and N4 so that the reverse bias is applied to the varactor diode 7. To be applied.

  That is, the control voltage CV1 is applied between the nodes N1 and N2 so that the node N1 on the cathode side of the varactor diode 6 becomes positive and the node N2 on the anode side of the varactor diode 6 becomes negative. The voltage is applied between the nodes N3 and N4 so that the node N3 on the cathode side of the varactor diode 7 becomes positive and the node N4 on the anode side of the varactor diode 7 becomes negative.

  The varactor diodes 6 and 7 may be connected between the conductors 31 and 32 and between the conductors 32 and 33 in the direction opposite to the connection direction shown in FIG. In this case, the control voltage CV1 is applied between the nodes N1 and N2 so that the node N1 becomes negative and the node N2 becomes positive. The control voltage CV2 becomes negative at the node N3 and positive at the node N4. Is applied between the nodes N3 and N4.

  The loading method of the varactor diodes 8 and 9 to the parasitic element 4 is the same as the loading method of the varactor diodes 6 and 7 to the parasitic element 3.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the control device 20 shown in FIG. The solar cell 22 includes 15 unit cells 221 to 235. The 15 unit cells 221 to 235 are connected in series. The positive electrode of the unit cell 221 is connected to the controller 23 by the lead wire 24, and the negative electrode of the unit cell 235 is connected to the controller 23 by the lead wire 25.

  The controller 23 is arranged adjacent to the solar cell 22, receives DC power from the solar cell 22 via the lead wires 24 and 25, and is activated by the received DC power.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the substrate 21 and the solar cell 22 taken along the line V-V shown in FIG. The unit cell 221 includes a back electrode 211, an amorphous silicon layer 212, and a transparent conductive film 213.

  The back electrode 211 is made of, for example, silver (Ag) and is formed on the main surface 21 </ b> A of the substrate 21. The amorphous silicon layer 212 is formed by sequentially stacking n-type amorphous silicon (n-type a-Si) / i-type amorphous silicon (i-type a-Si) / p-type amorphous silicon carbide (p-type a-SiC) on the back electrode 211. It consists of the structure.

  The transparent conductive film 213 is made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), and is formed on the amorphous silicon layer 212 and the back electrode 211 of the adjacent unit cell 222.

  The back electrode 211 is formed by a sputtering method, the amorphous silicon layer 212 is formed by a plasma CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) method, and the transparent conductive film 213 is formed by a sputtering method.

  Each of the unit cells 222 to 235 has the same structure as the unit cell 221 shown in FIG. Thus, each of the unit cells 221 to 235 is made of an amorphous silicon solar battery. Since the transparent conductive films 213 of the unit cells 221 to 234 are connected to the back electrode 211 of the adjacent unit cells 222 to 235, respectively, the 15 unit cells 221 to 235 are connected in series.

  In order to form the 15 unit cells 221 to 235 shown in FIG. 5 on the substrate 21, Ag is formed in a predetermined region of the main surface 21 </ b> A of the substrate 21 by a sputtering method, and the formed Ag is irradiated to a predetermined width by a laser. 15 back electrodes 211 are formed by patterning.

  Thereafter, an n-type a-Si / i-type a-Si / p-type a-SiC is sequentially deposited on the main surface 21A by plasma CVD so as to cover the fifteen back electrodes 211 to form an amorphous silicon layer. Then, the formed amorphous silicon layer is patterned to a predetermined width by a laser to form 15 amorphous silicon layers 212.

  Then, ITO is formed by sputtering so as to cover the 15 amorphous silicon layers 212, and the formed ITO is patterned to a predetermined width by a laser to form 15 transparent conductive films 213.

  Thereby, the solar cell 22 in which 15 unit cells 221 to 235 are connected in series is manufactured.

  Thus, since the 15 unit cells 221 to 235 are formed by the sputtering method and the plasma CVD method, the solar cell 22 can be easily produced on the substrate 21 made of a printed board.

  Since amorphous silicon has a band gap of about 1.7 eV, each of the unit cells 221 to 235 efficiently generates electric power with light from a fluorescent lamp having a radiation spectrum in a wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm. Since each of the unit cells 221 to 235 has an open voltage of about 1V, the solar cell 22 in which the 15 unit cells 221 to 235 are connected in series can output a DC voltage of 15V.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view of remote controller 40 shown in FIG. The remote control 40 has buttons 401 to 412. The buttons 401 to 412 are assigned numbers “1” to “12”, respectively. In digital terrestrial television broadcasting, since channels 13 to 51 exist, buttons 401 to 409 are used to select channels 13 to 51.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, any of buttons 410 to 412 that are not used for selecting channel 13 to channel 51 is used as a specific button for generating a specific signal. For example, the button 410 is used as a specific button for generating a specific signal.

  Each of the 39 signals for selecting channel 13 to channel 51 is generated by pressing two buttons, and the 39 signals are composed of different codes. Also, the three signals when the buttons 410 to 412 are pressed are composed of mutually different codes. Therefore, the 39 signals for selecting the channel 13 to the channel 51 and the signal when the button 410 is pressed are composed of mutually different codes.

  When a button for selecting channel 13 to channel 51 (two buttons selected from buttons 401 to 409) and button 410 are pressed, remote controller 40 radiates infrared rays composed of different codes.

  The assignment of the codes for designating the channels 13 to 51 to the buttons 401 to 409 and the assignment of the codes for designating the specific signals to the buttons 410 are performed when the digital terrestrial television 30 and the array antenna apparatus 100 are purchased. To be done.

  Further, when the terrestrial digital television 30 has already been purchased and only the array antenna device 100 is newly purchased, only the assignment of the code for designating a specific signal to the button 410 newly causes the array antenna device 100 to be newly added. This is performed when the array antenna apparatus 100 is purchased and attached to the terrestrial digital television 30.

  Therefore, the array antenna apparatus 100 can be used as a newly purchased antenna for the digital terrestrial television 30 and an antenna for the digital terrestrial television 30 that has already been purchased.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the controller 23 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The controller 23 includes an infrared receiving unit 2301, a signal detection unit 2302, and a control voltage generation unit 2303.

  The infrared receiving unit 2301 includes an antenna, receives infrared rays from the remote control 40, and outputs a reception signal to the signal detection unit 2302. The signal detection unit 2302 is activated by the DC power DCPW from the solar cell 22, decodes the reception signal received from the infrared detection unit 2301, and detects a specific signal. Then, the signal detection unit 2302 outputs the detected specific signal to the control voltage generation unit 2303.

  Upon receiving the specific signal from the signal detection unit 2302, the control voltage generation unit 2303 generates control voltages CV1 to CV4 for switching the directivity of the array antenna 10 based on the DC power DCPW from the solar cell 22, The generated control voltages CV1 to CV4 are supplied to the varactor diodes 6 to 9 through the control lines 12 to 15, respectively. Control voltage generation unit 2303 then holds control voltages CV <b> 1 to CV <b> 4 until a specific signal is received from signal detection unit 2302.

  Each of the control voltages CV1 to CV4 includes a DC voltage of 0V or 15V. When each of the control voltages CV1 to CV4 is a 15V DC voltage, the 15V DC voltage is such that the nodes N1, N3, N5 and N7 are positive and the nodes N2, N4, N6 and N8 are negative. Applied to diodes 6-9.

  As a result, a reverse bias of 15 V is applied to the varactor diodes 6 to 9, and the capacity of the varactor diodes 6 to 9 is reduced.

  When each of the control voltages CV1 to CV4 is a DC voltage of 0V, the nodes N1, N2; N3, N4; N5, N6; N7, N8 are both biased to 0V, and the capacitances of the varactor diodes 6-9 are growing.

  The control voltage generator 2303 applies the same DC voltage to the varactor diodes 6 and 7 and applies the same DC voltage to the varactor diodes 8 and 9. That is, the control voltage generator 2303 applies the control voltages CV1 and CV2 consisting of 0V to the varactor diodes 6 and 7, respectively, applies the control voltages CV3 and CV4 consisting of 15V to the varactor diodes 8 and 9, respectively, Control voltages CV1 and CV2 are applied to the varactor diodes 6 and 7, respectively, and control voltages CV3 and CV4 of 0V are applied to the varactor diodes 8 and 9, respectively.

  That is, the control voltage generator 2303 applies the control voltages CV1 to CV4 to the varactor diodes 6 to 9 so that the capacitances of the varactor diodes 6 and 7 are different from the capacitances of the varactor diodes 8 and 9, respectively.

  The control line 12 includes lead wires 121 and 122 and resistors 123 and 124. Lead wire 121 has one end connected to control voltage generation unit 2303 and the other end connected to node N 1 through resistor 123. Lead wire 122 has one end connected to control voltage generation unit 2303 and the other end connected to node N 2 via resistor 124.

  The control line 13 includes lead wires 131 and 132 and resistors 133 and 134. Lead wire 131 has one end connected to control voltage generation unit 2303 and the other end connected to node N 3 via resistor 133. Lead wire 132 has one end connected to control voltage generator 2303 and the other end connected to node N4 via resistor 134.

  The control line 14 includes lead wires 141 and 142 and resistors 143 and 144. Lead wire 141 has one end connected to control voltage generator 2303 and the other end connected to node N5 via resistor 143. Lead wire 142 has one end connected to control voltage generation unit 2303 and the other end connected to node N6 via resistor 144.

  The control line 15 includes lead wires 151 and 152 and resistors 153 and 154. Lead wire 151 has one end connected to control voltage generator 2303 and the other end connected to node N7 via resistor 153. Lead wire 152 has one end connected to control voltage generator 2303 and the other end connected to node N8 via resistor 154.

  Therefore, the control voltage generator 2303 applies the control voltages CV1 to CV4 to both ends of the varactor diodes 6 to 9 through the resistors 123, 124; 133, 134; 143, 144; 153, 154, respectively.

  FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the directivity of the array antenna 10. When the control voltage generator 2303 applies the control voltages CV1 and CV2 of 15V to the varactor diodes 6 and 7, respectively, and the control voltages CV3 and CV4 of 0V are applied to the varactor diodes 8 and 9, respectively, the varactor diodes 6 and 7 are The capacity is relatively small, and the capacity of the varactor diodes 8 and 9 is relatively large.

  Then, the parasitic element 3 functions as a director, and the parasitic element 4 functions as a reflector. As a result, the array antenna 10 radiates a beam BM1 having a directivity DIR1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feed element 2 and the parasitic elements 3 and 4.

  Further, when the control voltage generator 2303 applies the control voltages CV1 and CV2 of 0V to the varactor diodes 6 and 7, respectively, and the control voltages CV3 and CV4 of 15V to the varactor diodes 8 and 9, respectively, 7 has a relatively large capacity, and the varactor diodes 8 and 9 have a relatively small capacity.

  Then, the parasitic element 3 functions as a reflector, and the parasitic element 4 functions as a director. As a result, array antenna 10 radiates beam BM2 having directivity DIR2 in the opposite direction to directivity DIR1.

  Thus, the array antenna 10 selectively radiates two beams BM1 and BM2 having different directivities.

  Therefore, the control voltage generator 2303 applies the control voltages CV1 and CV2 of 15V to the varactor diodes 6 and 7, respectively, and applies the control voltages CV3 and CV4 of 0V to the varactor diodes 8 and 9, respectively. When a specific signal is received from the signal detector 2302, control voltages CV1 and CV2 consisting of 0V are applied to the varactor diodes 6 and 7, respectively, and control voltages CV3 and CV4 consisting of 15V are applied to the varactor diodes 8 and 9, respectively.

  The control voltage generator 2303 applies the control voltages CV1 and CV2 composed of 0V to the varactor diodes 6 and 7, respectively, and applies the control voltages CV3 and CV4 composed of 15V to the varactor diodes 8 and 9, respectively. When a specific signal is received from the signal detector 2302, control voltages CV1 and CV2 of 15V are applied to the varactor diodes 6 and 7, respectively, and control voltages CV3 and CV4 of 0V are applied to the varactor diodes 8 and 9, respectively.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between (reflected power / input power) ^1/2 and frequency in array antenna apparatus 100 shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the vertical axis represents (reflected power / input power) ^1/2 , and the horizontal axis represents frequency. (Reflected power / input power) ^1/2 represents the ratio of the reflected power to the input power when power is supplied to the feed element 2.

The relationship between (reflected power / input power) ^1/2 and frequency shown in FIG. 9 is that the capacitance of the varactor diodes 8 and 9 loaded on the parasitic element 4 is set to 8.0 pF, and the parasitic element 3 is loaded. The capacitances of the varactor diodes 6 and 7 are changed to 0.8 pF, 0, 9 pF, 1.0 pF, 1.25 pF, 1.5 pF, 2.0 pF, 2.5 pF, 4.0 pF, 8.0 pF. It is a simulation result which shows the relationship between (reflected power / input power) ^1/2 and frequency at the time.

The curves k1 to k9 indicate that the capacitances of both the varactor diodes 6 and 7 are 8.0 pF, 4.0 pF, 2.5 pF, 2.0 pF, 1.5 pF, 1.25 pF, 1.0 pF, 0.9 pF, respectively. The relationship between (reflected power / input power) ^1/2 and frequency in the case of 0.8 pF is shown.

When the capacitances of the varactor diodes 6 and 7 are changed, (reflected power / input power) ^1/2 decreases in the range of about 440 MHz to about 680 MHz. (Reflected power / input power) When ^1/2 is reduced, the power reflected from the power feeding unit 5 of the power feeding element 2 is reduced, and an alternating current having a frequency in the range of about 440 MHz to about 680 MHz flows through the power feeding element 2. Means that.

  Therefore, array antenna apparatus 100 can receive radio waves in the range of about 440 MHz to about 680 MHz. That is, array antenna apparatus 100 has a frequency band in the range of about 440 MHz to about 680 MHz.

  As is apparent from FIG. 9, the frequency band of array antenna apparatus 100 is widened by reducing the capacitance of both varactor diodes 6 and 7 from 8.0 pF to 0.8 pF.

  This is because the electrical length of the parasitic element 3 to be excited is changed by changing the capacitance of both of the varactor diodes 6 and 7, and the parasitic element 3 is excited. 3 and 4 are longer than the feed element 2, and therefore the period of the alternating current flowing through the feed element 2, that is, the frequency changes to a larger number of frequencies.

  Thus, the frequency band of array antenna apparatus 100 can be controlled by changing the capacitances of both varactor diodes 6 and 7 while keeping the capacitances of varactor diodes 8 and 9 constant.

Even if the capacitances of the varactor diodes 6 and 7 are set to 8.0 pF and the capacitances of the varactor diodes 8 and 9 are changed in the range of 8.0 pF to 0.8 pF (reflected power / input output), FIG. ) The relationship between ^1/2 and frequency is obtained.

  As described above, array antenna apparatus 100 has a reception frequency in a wide frequency band, and is therefore an antenna suitable for receiving digital terrestrial television broadcasting.

  The overall operation of array antenna apparatus 100 will be described. The array antenna 10 of the array antenna apparatus 100 receives radio waves of terrestrial digital television broadcasting and transmits the received radio waves to the terrestrial digital television 30 via the power feeding unit 5 and the coaxial cable 11.

  The viewer of the terrestrial digital television 30 selects one channel (for example, channel 25) from the channels 13 to 51 by the remote controller 40. Then, the remote controller 40 transmits a signal composed of a code corresponding to the channel 25 to the terrestrial digital television 30 by infrared rays, and the terrestrial digital television 30 receives the infrared rays from the remote controller 40 and receives the received reception signal. Decoding is performed to detect that channel 25 has been selected.

  The terrestrial digital television 30 extracts the channel 25 radio wave from the radio waves received from the array antenna 10 and displays the channel 25 program screen, and the viewer views the channel 25 program.

  When the viewer is watching the program of the channel 25 and the screen of the digital terrestrial television 30 is deteriorated, the viewer points the remote controller 40 toward the controller 23 and presses the button 410. Then, the remote controller 40 transmits a signal including a code corresponding to the button 410 to the controller 23 by infrared rays.

  On the other hand, in the control device 20 of the array antenna apparatus 100, the solar cell 22 generates DC power DCPW by light from an indoor fluorescent lamp, and the generated DC power DCPW is connected to the controller 23 via lead wires 24 and 25. To supply.

  In the controller 23, the infrared receiving unit 2301 receives the infrared rays from the remote controller 40 and outputs the received reception signal to the signal detection unit 2302. The signal detection unit 2302 is activated by the direct-current power DCPW from the solar battery 22, decodes the reception signal from the infrared reception unit 2301, and detects a specific signal. Then, the signal detection unit 2302 outputs the detected specific signal to the control voltage generation unit 2303.

  Before receiving the specific signal from the signal detector 2302, the control voltage generator 2303 applies the control voltages CV1 and CV2 made of 15V to the varactor diodes 6 and 7, respectively, and the control voltages CV3 and CV4 made of 0V are respectively applied to the varactor. When applied to the diodes 8 and 9, the control voltages CV1 and CV2 consisting of 0V are applied to the varactor diodes 6 and 7 respectively according to the specific signal from the signal detector 2302, and the control voltages CV3 and CV4 consisting of 15V are applied. Are applied to the varactor diodes 8 and 9, respectively, to switch the directivity of the array antenna 10 from the directivity DIR1 to the directivity DIR2.

  Further, before receiving the specific signal from the signal detection unit 2302, the control voltage generation unit 2303 applies the control voltages CV1 and CV2 composed of 0V to the varactor diodes 6 and 7, respectively, and the control voltages CV3 and CV4 composed of 15V. When applied to the varactor diodes 8 and 9, respectively, the control voltages CV1 and CV2 consisting of 15V are applied to the varactor diodes 6 and 7 respectively according to the specific signal from the signal detection unit 2302, and the control voltage CV3 consisting of 0V is applied. , CV4 are applied to the varactor diodes 8 and 9, respectively, to switch the directivity of the array antenna 10 from the directivity DIR2 to the directivity DIR1.

  The control voltage generation unit 2303 holds the control voltages CV1 to CV4 until a new specific signal is received from the signal detection unit 2302.

  Then, array antenna 10 receives the radio wave of the terrestrial digital television broadcast with the switched directivity, and transmits the received radio wave to terrestrial digital television 30 via power supply unit 5 and coaxial cable 11.

  The terrestrial digital television 30 extracts the channel 25 radio wave from the radio waves received from the array antenna 10 and displays the channel 25 program screen, and the viewer views the channel 25 program.

  Thereby, the deterioration of the screen of the digital terrestrial television 30 is eliminated, and the viewer can view a high-quality screen.

  According to the first embodiment, when the screen of the terrestrial digital television 30 deteriorates, the array antenna apparatus 100 receives a specific signal from the remote controller 40 and switches the directivity of the array antenna 10 to generate radio waves of the terrestrial digital television broadcast. Since the received radio wave is received and transmitted to the terrestrial digital television 30, deterioration of the screen of the terrestrial digital television 30 can be easily improved.

  In the above description, it has been described that the controller 23 switches the directivity of the array antenna 10 by receiving a specific signal generated by pressing an unused button 410 from the remote control 40. Not limited to this, the directivity of the array antenna 10 may be switched by receiving a signal generated when the buttons 401 to 409 for selecting the channels 13 to 51 are pressed from the remote controller 40.

  In this case, the viewer presses a button for selecting a channel (any one of channel 13 to channel 51) that the viewer is viewing. Therefore, even if infrared rays transmitted from the remote control 40 are received by the terrestrial digital television 30, the screen of the terrestrial digital television 30 is not switched to the screen of another channel, and the directivity of the array antenna 10 is switched. Can do.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 1, the solar cell 22 may be comprised from crystalline solar cells, such as a single crystal silicon solar cell, a polycrystalline silicon solar cell, and a gallium arsenide solar cell. When these crystalline solar cells are used, a plurality of crystalline solar cells capable of obtaining a DC power of 15 V are produced, and the produced solar cells 22 are connected in series by lead wires. Make it.

  For example, in the case of a single crystal silicon solar cell and a polycrystalline silicon solar cell, the open circuit voltage is about 0.7 V, so 21 to 22 single crystal silicon solar cells or polycrystalline silicon solar cells are connected in series by lead wires. Need to connect.

  When the solar cell 22 is produced by a crystalline solar cell, the solar cell 22 can stably generate DC power DCPW by sunlight, and the control device 20 uses the DC power DCPW generated by the solar cell 22 by sunlight. Thus, the directivity of the array antenna 10 can be switched.

  In addition, when the solar cell 22 is made of an amorphous material and generates power with sunlight, the solar cell 22 is preferably a tandem solar cell. This tandem solar cell is composed of, for example, an amorphous silicon carbide cell / amorphous silicon cell / amorphous silicon germanium cell (a-SiGe), and sunlight is incident on the solar cell 22 from the amorphous silicon carbide cell side.

  In this case, the amorphous silicon carbide cell is made of p-type a-SiC / i-type a-SiC / n-type a-SiC, and the amorphous silicon cell is made of p-type a-Si / i-type a-Si / n-type a-. The amorphous silicon germanium cell is made of p-type a-SiGe / i-type a-SiGe / n-type a-SiGe.

  By using such a tandem type solar cell, the solar cell 22 is made to emit sunlight as compared with the case where the solar cell 22 is produced only from an amorphous silicon cell (p-type a-Si / i-type a-Si / n-type a-Si). By using this, it is possible to generate the DC power DCPW more stably.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an array antenna apparatus according to the second embodiment. Array antenna device 100A according to the second embodiment is the same as array antenna device 100 except that control device 20 of array antenna device 100 shown in FIG.

  The control device 20 </ b> A is obtained by adding a storage battery 26 to the control device 20 shown in FIG. 1, and is otherwise the same as the control device 20. In the control device 20A, the solar cell 22 outputs the generated DC power DCPW to the storage battery 26.

  Storage battery 26 is arranged on main surface 21 </ b> A of substrate 21, stores DC power DCPW from solar battery 22, and outputs the stored DC power DCPW to controller 23. The controller 23 is activated by the DC power DCPW from the storage battery 26, and switches the directivity of the array antenna 10 in accordance with the specific signal from the remote controller 40 by the method described above.

  FIG. 11 is a plan view of the control device 20A shown in FIG. The storage battery 26 is connected to the transparent conductive film 213 of the unit cell 221 of the solar battery 22 by the lead wire 24, and is connected to the back electrode 211 of the unit cell 235 of the solar battery 22 by the lead wire 25. Thereby, the storage battery 26 receives the DC power DCPW generated by the solar battery 22 and accumulates the received DC power DCPW.

  The storage battery 26 is connected to the controller 23 by lead wires 27 and 28. Then, the storage battery 26 supplies the accumulated DC power DCPW to the controller 23 via the lead wires 27 and 28.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the DC power DCPW generated by the solar battery 22 is accumulated in the storage battery 26. Therefore, when the terrestrial digital television 30 is viewed with the indoor fluorescent lamp turned off at night. However, the control device 20A can switch the directivity of the array antenna 10 in accordance with a specific signal from the remote controller 40.

  Since the solar battery 22 generates electricity with light from the indoor fluorescent lamp even when the viewer does not watch the terrestrial digital television 30, the storage battery 26 does not allow the viewer to watch the terrestrial digital television 30. The DC power DCPW generated by the solar cell 22 in the time zone is also stored, and the stored DC power DCPW is supplied to the controller 23.

  In addition, the storage battery 26 accumulates excess DC power DCPW while supplying a part of the DC power DCPW generated by the solar battery 22 to the controller 23 during the time when the viewer is watching the digital terrestrial television 30. To do.

  Therefore, the storage battery 26 has a capacity for storing more DC power DCPW than the power consumption in the controller 23.

  The overall operation in array antenna apparatus 100A will be described. Until the viewer selects one channel 25 from the channels 13 to 51 to view the digital terrestrial television 30 and the remote controller 40 transmits a code for designating a specific signal to the controller 23 by infrared rays. The operation is the same as that of array antenna apparatus 100.

  On the other hand, in the control device 20A of the array antenna apparatus 100A, the solar cell 22 generates DC power DCPW by light from an indoor fluorescent lamp, and the generated DC power DCPW is stored in the storage battery 26 via lead wires 24 and 25. To supply.

  The storage battery 26 accumulates the DC power DCPW from the solar battery 22 and supplies the accumulated DC power DCPW to the controller 23.

  Thereafter, the controller 23 is activated by the DC power DCPW from the storage battery 26, and switches the directivity of the array antenna 10 according to the specific signal from the remote controller 40 by the method described above. Other operations are the same as those of the array antenna apparatus 100.

  According to the second embodiment, when the screen of terrestrial digital television 30 deteriorates, array antenna apparatus 100A generates power from solar battery 22 and uses DC power DCPW generated by storage battery 26 to receive power from remote controller 40. Since the directivity of the array antenna 10 is switched according to the specific signal, the radio wave of the terrestrial digital television broadcast is received with the switched directivity, and the received radio wave is transmitted to the terrestrial digital television 30. Even when the digital terrestrial television 30 is viewed with the light turned off, the deterioration of the screen of the terrestrial digital television 30 can be easily improved.

  Others are the same as in the first embodiment.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an array antenna apparatus according to the third embodiment. Array antenna apparatus 100B according to Embodiment 3 is the same as array antenna apparatus 100 except that control apparatus 20 of array antenna apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  The control device 20B is the same as the control device 20 except that the solar cell 22 of the control device 20 shown in FIG. The battery 29 is disposed on the main surface 21 </ b> A of the substrate 21 and is connected to the controller 23 by a lead wire 34. The battery 29 is a primary battery or a secondary battery, and supplies 15V DC power DCPW to the controller 23. The controller 23 is activated by the DC power DCPW from the battery 29, and switches the directivity of the array antenna 10 according to the specific signal from the remote controller 40 by the method described above.

  Since control device 20B includes battery 29, the directivity of array antenna 10 can be switched even when the viewer views terrestrial digital television 30 outdoors.

  The overall operation in array antenna apparatus 100B will be described. Until the viewer selects one channel 25 from the channels 13 to 51 to view the digital terrestrial television 30 and the remote controller 40 transmits a code for designating a specific signal to the controller 23 by infrared rays. The operation is the same as that of array antenna apparatus 100.

  On the other hand, in control device 20B of array antenna device 100B, battery 29 supplies DC power DCPW to controller 23 via lead wire 34.

  Controller 23 is activated by DC power DCPW from battery 29, and switches the directivity of array antenna 10 according to the specific signal from remote controller 40 by the method described above. Other operations are the same as those of the array antenna apparatus 100.

  According to the third embodiment, when the screen of digital terrestrial television 30 deteriorates, array antenna apparatus 100B uses direct current power DCPW from battery 29 and directivity of array antenna 10 according to a specific signal from remote controller 40. Terrestrial digital television broadcast radio waves are received with the switched directivity, and the received radio waves are transmitted to the terrestrial digital television 30, so that even when the terrestrial digital television 30 is viewed outdoors, the ground Deterioration of the screen of the digital television 30 can be easily improved.

  Others are the same as in the first embodiment.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an array antenna apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. Array antenna device 100C according to the fourth embodiment is the same as array antenna device 100 except that control device 20 of array antenna device 100 shown in FIG.

  The control device 20C is the same as the control device 20 except that the solar cell 22 of the control device 20 shown in FIG. Adapter 50 includes a power conversion unit 51, a plug-in unit 52, a lead wire 53, an output unit 54, and a terminal 55.

  The plug-in unit 52 is attached to the power conversion unit 51 and plugged into a commercial power outlet. The output unit 54 is connected to the power conversion unit 51 by a lead wire 53 and is connected to the controller 23 by a terminal 55.

  The power conversion unit 51 receives AC power from a commercial power supply via the plug-in unit 52, and converts the received AC power into 15V DC power DCPW. The power conversion unit 51 supplies 15V DC power DCPW to the output unit 54 via the lead wire 53, and the output unit 54 supplies the DC power DCPW from the power conversion unit 51 via the terminal 55 to the controller 23. To supply.

  The controller 23 is activated by the DC power DCPW from the adapter 50, and switches the directivity of the array antenna 10 according to the specific signal from the remote controller 40 by the method described above.

  Since control device 20C includes adapter 50, the directivity of array antenna 10 can be switched using an indoor commercial power supply.

  The overall operation in array antenna apparatus 100C will be described. Until the viewer selects one channel 25 from the channels 13 to 51 to view the digital terrestrial television 30 and the remote controller 40 transmits a code for designating a specific signal to the controller 23 by infrared rays. The operation is the same as that of array antenna apparatus 100.

  On the other hand, in controller 20C of array antenna apparatus 100C, adapter 50 converts AC power from a commercial power source into DC power DCPW, and supplies the converted DC power DCPW to controller 23.

  Controller 23 is activated by DC power DCPW from adapter 50, and switches the directivity of array antenna 10 in accordance with a specific signal from remote controller 40 by the method described above. Other operations are the same as those of the array antenna apparatus 100.

  According to the fourth embodiment, when the screen of digital terrestrial television 30 deteriorates, array antenna apparatus 100C uses direct current power DCPW from adapter 50 to direct the array antenna 10 according to a specific signal from remote controller 40. Terrestrial digital television broadcast radio waves are received with the switched directivity, and the received radio waves are transmitted to the terrestrial digital television 30, so that the screen of the terrestrial digital television 30 can be easily and stably deteriorated. Can be improved. Further, it is possible to easily improve the deterioration of the screen of the terrestrial digital television 30 using a general commercial power source.

  In the fourth embodiment, control device 20C further includes solar cell 22 or battery 29, and controller 23 is connected to solar cell 22 or battery 29 and to adapter 50. And a terminal.

  Then, the controller 23 switches the directivity of the array antenna 10 using the DC power DCPW from the solar battery 22 or the battery 29, and when the supply of the DC power DCPW from the solar battery 22 or the battery 29 is stopped, the adapter 23 The directivity of array antenna 10 is switched using DC power DCPW from 50.

  Thus, control device 20C can improve the directivity of array antenna 10 more stably.

  In the fourth embodiment, control device 20C further includes storage battery 26, adapter 50 supplies DC power DCPW to storage battery 26, and controller 23 receives DC power DCPW from storage battery 26 to receive the array antenna. You may make it switch 10 directivity.

  In this case, when the storage battery 26 is fully charged, the adapter 50 is unplugged from the commercial power outlet. If the amount of charge of the storage battery 26 reaches the lower limit value of the DC power that can start the controller 23, the adapter 50 becomes a commercial power outlet. Plugged in. The storage battery 26 is provided with an LED (Light Emission Device) indicating that the charge amount has reached the lower limit.

  Others are the same as in the first embodiment.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an array antenna apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. Array antenna apparatus 100D according to the fifth embodiment is the same as array antenna apparatus 100 except that control apparatus 20 of array antenna apparatus 100 shown in FIG. is there.

  The control device 20D is the same as the control device 20 except that the controller 23 of the control device 20 shown in FIG. Control device 20D receives the specific signal from dedicated remote controller 60, and switches the directivity of array antenna 10 in accordance with the received specific signal.

  The dedicated remote controller 60 is a remote controller that transmits a specific signal for switching the directivity of the array antenna 10 to the controller 23A when the screen of the terrestrial digital television 30 deteriorates. Therefore, the channel of the terrestrial digital television 30 cannot be switched by the dedicated remote controller 60.

  FIG. 15 is a plan view of the dedicated remote controller 60 shown in FIG. The dedicated remote controller 60 has a switching button 61 and incorporates a transmission unit 62. The switch button 61 is a specific button for generating a specific signal when the screen of the terrestrial digital television 30 deteriorates. The transmission unit 62 transmits a code indicating a specific signal to the controller 23A by light in response to the switch button 61 being pressed.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the transmission unit 62 shown in FIG. The transmission unit 62 includes a switch 621, a transmitter 622, and a light emitting element 623. The switch 621 is turned on in response to the switch button 61 being pressed. When the switch 621 is turned on, the transmitter 622 generates a specific code indicating a specific signal, modulates the light emitted from the light emitting element 623 with the generated specific code, and transmits the modulated light to the controller 23A.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the controller 23A shown in FIG. The controller 23A is the same as the controller 23 except that the infrared receiver 2301 of the controller 23 shown in FIG.

  The light receiving element 2304 receives light and converts the received light into an electric signal. Then, the light receiving element 2304 outputs an electrical signal as a reception signal to the signal detection unit 2302. The signal detection unit 2302 receives a reception signal from the light receiving element 2304 and decodes the received signal to detect a specific signal.

  Thus, in Embodiment 5, controller 23A detects the specific signal transmitted from dedicated remote controller 60 and switches the directivity of array antenna 10.

  The overall operation of array antenna apparatus 100D will be described. The array antenna 10 of the array antenna apparatus 100 </ b> D receives the terrestrial digital television broadcast radio wave and transmits the received radio wave to the terrestrial digital television 30 via the power feeding unit 5 and the coaxial cable 11.

  The viewer of the terrestrial digital television 30 selects the channel 25 from the channels 13 to 51 by the remote controller 40. Then, the remote controller 40 transmits a signal composed of a code corresponding to the channel 25 to the terrestrial digital television 30 by infrared rays, and the terrestrial digital television 30 receives the infrared rays from the remote controller 40 and receives the received reception signal. Decoding is performed to detect that channel 25 has been selected.

  The terrestrial digital television 30 extracts the channel 25 radio wave from the radio waves received from the array antenna 10 and displays the channel 25 program screen, and the viewer views the channel 25 program.

  When the viewer is watching the program of channel 25 and the screen of the terrestrial digital television 30 deteriorates, the viewer points the dedicated remote controller 60 toward the controller 23A and presses the switch button 61. Then, the dedicated remote controller 60 emits light modulated by the code corresponding to the switching button 61 toward the controller 23A.

  On the other hand, in the control device 20D of the array antenna apparatus 100D, the solar cell 22 generates DC power DCPW with light from the indoor fluorescent lamp, and the generated DC power DCPW is supplied to the controller 23A via the lead wires 24 and 25. To supply.

  In the controller 23 </ b> A, the light receiving element 2304 receives light from the dedicated remote controller 60, converts the received light into an electrical signal, and outputs a received signal to the signal detection unit 2302. Thereafter, the signal detection unit 2302 and the control voltage generation unit 2303 detect the specific signal from the received signal from the light receiving element 2304 and switch the directivity of the array antenna 10 by the above-described operation.

  Then, array antenna 10 receives the radio wave of the terrestrial digital television broadcast with the switched directivity, and transmits the received radio wave to terrestrial digital television 30 via power supply unit 5 and coaxial cable 11.

  The terrestrial digital television 30 extracts the channel 25 radio wave from the radio waves received from the array antenna 10 and displays the channel 25 program screen, and the viewer views the channel 25 program.

  Thereby, the deterioration of the screen of the digital terrestrial television 30 is eliminated, and the viewer can view a high-quality screen.

  In the above description, the specific signal is transmitted from the dedicated remote controller 60 to the controller 23A by light. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the specific signal is transmitted from the dedicated remote controller 60 to the controller 23A by sound waves or radio waves. You may make it transmit.

  When the specific signal is transmitted from the dedicated remote controller 60 to the controller 23A by sound waves, the dedicated remote controller 60 incorporates an ultrasonic transducer instead of the light emitting element 623, and the controller 23A replaces the light receiving element 2304 with a sound wave sensor. Including.

  In this case, when the switch 621 is turned on, the transmitter 622 of the dedicated remote controller 60 vibrates the ultrasonic transducer according to the code indicating the specific signal and transmits the sound wave indicating the specific signal. The sound wave sensor of the controller 23A receives the sound wave from the dedicated remote controller 60, converts the received sound wave into an electric signal, and outputs the converted electric signal to the signal detection unit 2302 as a reception signal.

  When a specific signal is transmitted from the remote controller 60 to the controller 23A by radio waves, the dedicated remote controller 60 includes an antenna instead of the light emitting element 623, and the controller 23A includes an antenna instead of the light receiving element 2304.

  In this case, when the switch 621 is turned on, the transmitter 622 of the dedicated remote controller 60 supplies power to the antenna according to the code indicating the specific signal and transmits the radio wave indicating the specific signal. The antenna of the controller 23A receives the radio wave from the remote controller 60 and outputs the received radio wave to the signal detection unit 2302 as a received signal.

  In addition, array antenna apparatus 100D according to the fifth embodiment may be configured such that controller 23 of array antenna apparatuses 100A, 100B, and 100C is replaced with controller 23A and a dedicated remote controller 60 is added.

  According to the fifth embodiment, array antenna apparatus 100D includes a controller 23A that switches the directivity of array antenna 10 in response to a specific signal from dedicated remote controller 60. Therefore, array antenna apparatus 100D receives a specific signal from remote controller 40 for terrestrial digital television 30. The signal and the specific signal can be distinguished, and the directivity of the array antenna 10 can be switched accurately.

  Others are the same as in the first embodiment.

[Embodiment 6]
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an array antenna apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. The array antenna apparatus 100E according to the sixth embodiment is the same as the array antenna apparatus 100 except that the boards 1 and 21 of the array antenna apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  The substrate 101 is made of, for example, a printed circuit board, and includes two flat plate portions 1011 and 1012. The substrate 101 has a kerf 1013 for separating the flat plate portions 1011 and 1012.

  The feeding element 2, the parasitic elements 3 and 4, the feeding unit 5, and the varactor diodes 6 to 9 are arranged on the main surface 1011A of the flat plate portion 1011. The solar cell 22 and the controller 23 are arranged on the main surface 1012A of the flat plate portion 1012. Be placed.

  The feeding element 2, the parasitic elements 3 and 4, the feeding part 5, the varactor diodes 6 to 9, the coaxial cable 11, the control lines 12 to 15 and the substrate 101 (= flat plate part 1011) constitute an array antenna 10A, and are solar cells. 22, the controller 23, and the board | substrate 101 (= flat plate part 1012) comprise the control apparatus 20E.

  Thus, array antenna apparatus 100E has a structure in which feeding element 2, parasitic elements 3 and 4, feeding part 5, varactor diodes 6 to 9, solar cell 22 and controller 23 are arranged on one substrate 101. Consists of.

  In using the array antenna device 100E, the substrate 101 may be separated into two flat plate portions 1011 and 1012 using the kerf 1013.

  The overall operation in array antenna apparatus 100E is the same as the overall operation in array antenna apparatus 100.

  The array antenna apparatus according to the sixth embodiment may be one in which the substrates 1 and 21 of the array antenna devices 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D are replaced with the substrate 101.

  FIG. 19 is another plan view of the array antenna according to the present invention. The array antenna devices 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, and 100E described above may include the array antenna 110 shown in FIG.

  Array antenna 110 is the same as array antenna 10 except that varactor diodes 6 and 7 of array antenna 10 shown in FIG. 1 are replaced with varactor diode 6A, and varactor diodes 8 and 9 are replaced with varactor diode 7A. is there. In FIG. 19, the coaxial cable 11 and the control lines 12 to 15 are omitted.

  The varactor diode 6A is loaded substantially at the center of the parasitic element 3, and the varactor diode 7A is loaded substantially at the center of the parasitic element 4.

  20 is a configuration diagram of the varactor diodes 6A and 7A shown in FIG. The varactor diode 6A has a configuration in which two varactor diodes 6 and 7 are connected in series (see FIG. 20A). The varactor diode 7A has a configuration in which two varactor diodes 8 and 9 are connected in series (see FIG. 20B).

  Therefore, the control voltage CV1 is applied between the node N1 and the nodes N2 and N3, and the control voltage CV2 is applied between the nodes N2, N3 and the node N4. The control voltage CV3 is applied between the node N5 and the nodes N6 and N7, and the control voltage CV4 is applied between the nodes N6 and N7 and the node N8.

  Thus, the array antenna 110 is an array antenna in which the two varactor diodes 6, 7; 8, 9 of the array antenna 10 are connected in series and loaded in one place.

  The varactor diode 6A has a configuration in which two varactor diodes 6 and 7 are connected in reverse series, and the varactor diode 7A has a configuration in which two varactor diodes 8 and 9 are connected in reverse series. May be.

  FIG. 21 is still another plan view of the array antenna according to the present invention. The array antenna devices 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, and 100E described above may include the array antenna 120 shown in FIG. The array antenna 120 is the same as the array antenna 10 except that the varactor diodes 6 to 9 of the array antenna 10 shown in FIG. In FIG. 21, the coaxial cable 11 and the control lines 12 to 15 are omitted.

  The varactor diodes 111 to 113 are loaded on the parasitic element 3, and the varactor diodes 114 to 116 are loaded on the parasitic element 4. Therefore, the array antenna 120 is an array antenna in which three varactor diodes are loaded on one parasitic element.

  The varactor diode 111 is loaded at a position of L6 = 130 mm from one end 3A of the parasitic element 3, the varactor diode 112 is loaded at substantially the center of the parasitic element 3, and the varactor diode 113 is loaded on the other side of the parasitic element 3. It is loaded at a position of L7 = 130 mm from the end 3B. As a result, the distance L8 between the varactor diodes 111 and 113 is 70 mm, and the distance between the varactor diodes 111 and 112 and between the varactor diodes 112 and 113 is 35 mm.

  The varactor diodes 114 to 116 are loaded on the parasitic element 4 in the same manner as the varactor diodes 111 to 113.

  Moreover, the loading method to the parasitic elements 3 and 4 of the varactor diodes 111 to 116 is the same as the loading method shown in FIG.

  In array antenna 120, varactor diodes 111-116 receive control voltages CV1-CV6 from control voltage generator 2303 of controllers 23 and 23A, respectively.

  When array antenna devices 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, and 100E are provided with array antenna 120, control voltage generator 2303 applies control voltages CV1 to CV3 of 0V to varactor diodes 111 to 113, respectively, and from 15V Control voltages CV4 to CV6 are applied to the varactor diodes 114 to 116, control voltages CV1 to CV3 of 15V are applied to the varactor diodes 111 to 113, respectively, and control voltages CV4 to CV6 of 0V are applied to the varactor diode 114, respectively. Apply to ~ 116.

  Array antenna 110 has a reception frequency in the range of about 440 MHz to about 640 MHz, and array antenna 120 has a reception frequency in the range of about 460 MHz to about 760 MHz.

  Therefore, when the array antennas 110 and 120 are used instead of the array antenna 10, the radio waves of terrestrial digital television broadcasting in the same frequency range as when the array antenna 10 is used or in a wider frequency range than when the array antenna 10 is used. Can be received.

  In the array antenna 120, the interval between the varactor diodes 111 to 113; 114 to 116 may be changed, or the lengths of the parasitic elements 3 and 4 with respect to the length of the feed element 2 may be changed.

  In the above description, two parasitic elements are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that at least one parasitic element is provided.

  In the above description, it has been described that two or three varactor diodes are loaded in each of the two parasitic elements 3, 4. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the parasitic elements 3, 3 are not limited thereto. Of the four parasitic elements, one or two parasitic elements may be loaded with two or three varactor diodes, and the other parasitic element may not be loaded with a varactor diode.

  Furthermore, in the above description, it has been described that two or three varactor diodes are loaded on one parasitic element. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one parasitic element includes four varactor diodes. One or more varactor diodes may be loaded. Generally, one parasitic element only needs to be loaded with two or more varactor diodes.

  Further, in the above description, array antenna devices 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, and 100E have been described as being attached to a television. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and array antenna devices 100, 100A, and 100B are not limited thereto. , 100C, 100D, 100E may be attached to things other than a television such as FM radio. In this case, if it is difficult for the person listening to the FM radio to hear the sound output from the FM radio, the specific signals are transmitted to the controllers 23 and 23A using the remote controllers 40 and 60, and the array antenna devices 100, 100A and 100B are transmitted. , 100C, 100D, and 100E are switched.

  In the present invention, control voltage generation unit 2303 constitutes a “directivity switching unit”. In the present invention, adapter 50 constitutes a “power converter”. Furthermore, each of the solar cell 22, the solar cell 22 and the storage battery 26, and the battery 29 constitutes a “power source”.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

  The present invention is applied to an array antenna apparatus that can easily improve the poor image of television or the difficulty of hearing radio.

It is the schematic of the array antenna apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view of the array antenna shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing details of a parasitic element and two varactor diodes shown in FIG. 2. It is a top view of the control apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the board | substrate and solar cell between the lines VV shown in FIG. It is a top view of the remote control shown in FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the controller shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the directivity of an array antenna. It is a figure which shows the relationship between (reflected power / input power) ^1/2 and a frequency in the array antenna apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an array antenna device according to a second embodiment. It is a top view of the control apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an array antenna device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an array antenna device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an array antenna device according to a fifth embodiment. It is a top view of the exclusive remote control shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the transmission unit shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the controller shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an array antenna apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. It is another top view of the array antenna in this invention. It is a block diagram of the varactor diode shown in FIG. It is another top view of the array antenna in this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1,21,101 Substrate, 1A, 21A, 1011A, 1012A Main surface, 2 feeding element, 3, 4 parasitic element, 3A one end, 3B other end, 5 feeding section, 6-9, 6A, 7A, 111- 116, varactor diode, 10, 10A, 110, 120 array antenna, 11 coaxial cable, 12-15 control line, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E control device, 22 solar cell, 23, 23A controller, 24, 25, 27, 28, 34, 53, 121, 122, 131, 132, 141, 142, 151, 152 Lead wire, 26 Storage battery, 29 Battery, 30 Terrestrial digital television, 31-33 conductor, 40 Remote controller, 50 Adapter, 51 Power conversion part, 52 Plug-in part, 54 Output part, 55 terminals, 60 Dedicated remote control , 61 switching button, 62 transmission unit, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E array antenna device, 123, 124, 133, 134, 143, 144, 153, 154 resistance, 211 back electrode, 212 amorphous silicon layer, 213 Transparent conductive film, 221 to 235 unit cell, 401 to 412 button, 621 switch, 622 transmitter, 623 light emitting element, 1011, 1012 flat plate part, 2301 infrared receiving part, 2302 signal detecting part, 2303 control voltage generating part, 2304 Light receiving element.

Claims (11)

An array antenna capable of electrically switching directivity;
An array antenna apparatus comprising: a control device that switches the directivity of the array antenna when a specific signal is received from a remote controller. The array antenna is
A feeding element;
N parasitic elements, each having a length different from the length of the feeding element, where n is a positive integer,
M (m is a positive integer) variable capacitance elements loaded on at least one of the n parasitic elements,
The array antenna device according to claim 1, wherein when the specific signal is received, the control device changes the directivity of the array antenna by changing at least one capacitance of the m variable capacitance elements. The control device includes:
A receiver for receiving a signal from the remote controller;
A signal detector for detecting the specific signal from the signal received by the receiver;
The array according to claim 2, further comprising: a directivity switching unit that changes the directivity of the array antenna by changing at least one capacitance of the m variable capacitance elements when the specific signal is received from the signal detection unit. Antenna device.   The array antenna device according to claim 3, wherein, upon receiving the specific signal, the directivity switching unit changes the at least one capacitance by changing a DC voltage applied to the m variable capacitance elements. The array antenna further includes a first substrate,
The feeding element and the n parasitic elements are arranged substantially in parallel on the first substrate,
The control device further includes a second substrate,
The array antenna apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the receiver, the signal detection unit, and the directivity switching unit are arranged on the second substrate. The control device further includes a power source disposed on the second substrate,
6. The array antenna apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the directivity switching unit generates the DC voltage based on electric power from the power source, and applies the generated DC voltage to the m variable capacitance elements.   The array antenna apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the power source is a solar cell. The power supply is
Solar cells,
It consists of a storage battery that stores the electric power generated by the solar battery,
The array antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the directivity switching unit generates the DC voltage based on electric power from the storage battery.   The solar cell is an amorphous solar cell formed in a region other than a region where the receiver, the signal detection unit, and the directivity switching unit are arranged, on the main surface of the second substrate. The array antenna apparatus according to claim 7 or 8. The remote controller is a controller that controls the television,
The array antenna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific signal is a signal generated by pressing an unused button among a plurality of buttons of the remote controller. The remote controller is a controller that controls the television,
10. The signal according to claim 1, wherein the specific signal is a signal generated by pressing a channel button for selecting a screen displayed on the television among a plurality of buttons of the remote controller. The array antenna device according to claim 1.

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