JP2008085944A - Radio receiving device, radio tag communication device, and radio receiving device correction method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio receiving device capable of easily performing correction of a phase shift amount in phased array processing. <P>SOLUTION: An antenna unit control section 52 is provided which performs control to correct phase shift amounts in phase shifters 56 so that a phase in a multiplexing section 68 or the like becomes a predetermined phase shift on the basis of a signal from a reference signal source received by some of a plurality of antenna elements 54 provided in a receiving antenna unit 24, so that the phase shift amounts can be corrected in accordance with the antenna elements 54, in simple configuration, without performing any complicated processing. Namely, a radio receiving device can be provided which can easily perform correction of the phase shift amount in phased array processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless reception device including an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements, a wireless tag communication device, and a correction method thereof, and more particularly, to an improvement for facilitating correction of a phase shift amount in phased array processing. .

  2. Description of the Related Art An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system is known in which information is read out in a non-contact manner by a predetermined wireless tag communication device (interrogator) from a small wireless tag (responder) in which predetermined information is stored. This RFID system is capable of reading information stored in a wireless tag by communication with the wireless tag communication device even when the wireless tag is dirty or disposed at an invisible position. Therefore, practical use is expected in various fields such as merchandise management and inspection processes.

  A wireless receiver provided with a phased array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements is preferably used for the receiver in the RFID tag communication apparatus. In such a phased array antenna, if there is a difference in the amount of change in phase or amplitude in the cable corresponding to each antenna element, the antenna body, the attached circuit part, etc., it is considered that the performance of the phased array antenna is degraded due to the difference. It is done. Therefore, a technique for correcting phased array processing according to the device configuration has been proposed. For example, the phase correction apparatus of the phased array radar described in Patent Document 1 is that. According to this technique, it is said that high-precision beam forming can be realized by removing the relative influence caused by the difference between individual transmission / reception modules and the surrounding environment.

JP 2004-294223 A

  However, the conventional technology as described above detects the amount of change in phase and amplitude for each antenna element according to the device configuration, and reflects the detection result in the weight. Such detection is performed. Therefore, a relatively expensive configuration such as a network analyzer is required, and the processing is complicated. For this reason, there has been a demand for the development of a wireless receiver that can easily execute the correction of the phase shift amount in the phased array processing.

  The present invention has been made in the background of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to provide a wireless receiver, a wireless tag communication device, and a wireless communication device that can easily perform correction of a phase shift amount in phased array processing. It is to provide a correction method for a receiving apparatus.

  In order to achieve such an object, the gist of the first invention is that an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements, and a phase shift unit capable of changing a phase corresponding to each of the plurality of antenna elements, A radio receiver comprising: a combining unit that combines reception signals received by the plurality of antenna elements; and a predetermined reference signal source received by some of the plurality of antenna elements. And a correction control unit that performs control to correct the phase shift amount in the phase shift unit so that the phase in the multiplexing unit becomes a predetermined phase. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the second invention includes the wireless receiver of the first invention, and transmits a transmission signal toward the wireless tag, and according to the transmission signal. The wireless tag communication device performs communication of information with the wireless tag by receiving a reply signal returned from the wireless tag by the wireless reception device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the third invention is an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements, and a phase shift unit capable of changing a phase corresponding to each of the plurality of antenna elements. A correction method for a wireless receiving apparatus, comprising: a plurality of antenna elements that are received by a plurality of antenna elements based on a signal from a predetermined reference signal source that is received by some of the plurality of antenna elements. Control for correcting the phase shift amount in the phase shift unit is performed so that the phase in the multiplexing unit for synthesizing the received signals becomes a predetermined phase.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the combining unit that combines the reception signals received by the plurality of antenna elements, and the predetermined reference received by some of the plurality of antenna elements. Based on the signal from the signal source, it is provided with a correction control unit that performs control to correct the phase shift amount in the phase shift unit so that the phase in the multiplexing unit becomes a predetermined phase. The amount of phase shift corresponding to each antenna element can be corrected with a simple configuration without performing any processing. That is, it is possible to provide a wireless reception device that can easily execute the correction of the phase shift amount in the phased array processing.

  Here, the first invention preferably includes an antenna element selection unit that selects at least two antenna elements for receiving a signal from the reference signal source from the plurality of antenna elements. According to this configuration, the phase shift amount in the phase shift unit is preferably corrected based on a signal from a predetermined reference signal source received by a part of the antenna elements selected by the antenna element selection unit. Can do.

  Preferably, the antenna element selection unit increases the number of antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source each time correction is performed by the correction control unit. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  Preferably, the antenna element selection unit selects, from the plurality of antenna elements, two antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source in the initial correction by the correction control unit. It is. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  Preferably, the antenna element selection unit increases the antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source one by one each time correction is performed by the correction control unit. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  Preferably, in the initial correction by the correction control unit, the antenna element selection unit includes at least two antenna elements disposed in a central part of the antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements. This is selected as an antenna element that receives a signal from the reference signal source. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  Preferably, the antenna element selection unit changes an antenna element that receives a signal from the reference signal source each time correction is performed by the correction control unit. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  Preferably, each time the correction control unit performs correction, the antenna element selection unit selects two antenna elements adjacent to each other as antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source. To do. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  According to the wireless tag communication device of the second aspect of the invention, the wireless reception device of the first aspect of the invention is provided, transmits a transmission signal toward the wireless tag, and returns from the wireless tag according to the transmission signal. Of the phase shift amount in the phased array processing related to the reception processing of the return signal from the wireless tag. It is possible to provide a wireless tag communication device that can easily perform correction.

  Here, the second invention preferably includes a transmission signal strength control unit that controls the signal strength of the transmission signal in accordance with the number of antenna elements selected by the antenna element selection unit. In this way, the signal strength of the return signal returned from the wireless tag as the reference signal source is determined according to the number of antenna elements that receive the return signal, and the phase shift amount is more accurately determined. Correction can be performed.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, based on signals from a predetermined reference signal source received by some of the plurality of antenna elements, the received signals received by the antenna elements are synthesized. Since the control for correcting the phase shift amount in the phase shift unit is performed so that the phase in the multiplexing unit becomes a predetermined phase, each configuration can be performed with a simple configuration without performing complicated processing. The amount of phase shift corresponding to the antenna element can be corrected. That is, it is possible to provide a wireless receiver correction method that can easily execute the phase shift amount correction in the phased array processing.

  Here, in the third aspect of the invention, preferably, at least two antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source are selected from the plurality of antenna elements. According to this configuration, the phase shift amount in the phase shift unit is preferably corrected based on signals from a predetermined reference signal source received by at least two antenna elements selected from the plurality of antenna elements. can do.

  Preferably, each time the correction is performed, the number of antenna elements that receive the signal from the reference signal source is increased. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  Preferably, in the first correction, two antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source are selected from the plurality of antenna elements. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  Preferably, each time the correction is performed, the number of antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source is increased by one. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  Preferably, in the first correction, among the plurality of antenna elements, at least two antenna elements disposed in a central portion of the antenna elements are used to receive signals from the reference signal source. To choose as. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  Preferably, each time the correction is performed, an antenna element that receives a signal from the reference signal source is changed. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  Preferably, every time the correction is performed, two antenna elements adjacent to each other are selected as antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  Preferably, the correction is performed in an environment or an anechoic chamber in which reflection is suppressed as much as possible by the absorber. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected more accurately by suppressing radio wave reflection.

  Preferably, the correction is repeatedly performed while changing the position of the reference signal source, and the position of the reference signal source and the correction result are stored in association with each other. In this way, the correction result stored in association with the reference signal source can be used for subsequent reception processing, and it is not necessary to perform such correction every time.

  Preferably, the reference signal source is disposed at a position farthest from the wireless receiving device as long as a signal can be transmitted to the wireless receiving device. In this way, the phase shift amount can be corrected more accurately.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless tag communication system 10 to which the present invention is preferably applied. The RFID tag communication system 10 includes an RFID tag communication device 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a single or plural (single in FIG. 1) RFID tags 14 that are communication targets of the RFID tag communication device 12. It is a so-called RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system, and the RFID tag communication device 12 functions as an interrogator of the RFID system, and the RFID tag 14 functions as a responder. That is, when the interrogation wave F _c (transmission signal) is transmitted from the radio tag communication device 12 toward the radio tag 14, a predetermined command (transmission data) is received in the radio tag 14 that has received the interrogation wave F _c. As a result, the interrogation wave F _c is modulated and sent back to the RFID tag communication apparatus 12 as a response wave F _r (reply signal), so that information is transmitted between the RFID tag communication apparatus 12 and the RFID tag 14. Communication takes place. The wireless tag communication system 10 is used, for example, for managing articles in a predetermined communication area. The wireless tag 14 is preferably attached to an article to be managed, for example. And are provided integrally.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the wireless tag communication device 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless tag communication device 12 according to the present embodiment communicates with the wireless tag 14 in order to read and write information with respect to the wireless tag 14 and detect the direction of the wireless tag 14. A DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 16 for performing digital signal processing such as communication of information, outputting transmission data as a digital signal, demodulating a return signal from the wireless tag 14, and the transmission signal A carrier wave oscillating unit 18 that oscillates and outputs a frequency corresponding to the carrier wave, a transmission amplifier 20 that outputs the carrier wave output from the carrier wave oscillating unit 18 with the transmission data supplied from the DSP 16, and the transmission amplifier 20 for receiving and transmitting antenna 22 for transmitting signals to be supplied as a question wave F _c, the response wave F _r from the wireless tag 14 from Supplied from the reception antenna unit 24, the IQ conversion unit 26 that extracts the I-phase signal (in-phase component) and the Q-phase signal (orthogonal component) from the reception signal received by the reception antenna unit 24, and the IQ conversion unit 26 An I-phase mixer 28 that multiplies the I-phase signal by the carrier wave output from the carrier wave oscillating unit 18 and an I-phase LPF that passes only a signal in a predetermined frequency band among signals output from the I-phase mixer 28 ( Law Pass Filter) 30, an I-phase amplifier 32 that amplifies the signal output from the I-phase LPF 30, and an I-phase A that digitally converts the signal output from the I-phase amplifier 32 and inputs it to the DSP 16 / D converter 34, a Q-phase mixer 36 for multiplying the Q-phase signal supplied from the IQ converter 26 by the carrier wave output from the carrier wave oscillator 18, and Q-phase LPF 38 that passes only a signal in a predetermined frequency band among signals output from the Q-phase mixer 36, a Q-phase amplifier 40 that amplifies the signal output from the Q-phase LPF 38, and the Q-phase amplification A Q-phase A / D conversion unit 42 that digitally converts the signal output from the unit 40 and inputs the signal to the DSP 16 is provided.

  The DSP 16 includes a CPU that is a central processing unit, a ROM that is a read-only memory, a RAM that is a write / read memory as needed, and a signal according to a program stored in advance in the ROM while using a temporary storage function of the RAM. This is a so-called microcomputer system that performs processing, and functionally includes a carrier wave oscillation control unit 44, a transmission data generation unit 46, a reception signal demodulation unit 48, a reception signal strength detection unit 50, and an antenna unit control unit 52, which will be described later. . In addition, a memory unit 53 is provided for storing the position of the reference signal source and the correction result in association with each other. In the above configuration, the receiving antenna unit 24, IQ converter 26, I phase mixer 28, I phase LPF 30, I phase amplifier 32, I phase A / D converter 34, Q phase mixer 36, Q phase LPF 38, Q phase The amplification unit 40, the Q-phase A / D conversion unit 42, the reception signal demodulation unit 48, the reception signal strength detection unit 50, the antenna unit control unit 52, the memory unit 53, and the like function as a wireless reception device.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the receiving antenna unit 24. As shown in FIG. 3, the receiving antenna unit 24 includes a plurality (six in FIG. 3) of antenna elements 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d, 54e, 54f (hereinafter simply referred to as antenna elements 54 unless otherwise distinguished). The phase shift portions 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d, 56e, and 56f for changing the phase shift amount corresponding to each of the plurality of antenna elements 54 (hereinafter simply referred to as phase shift portions unless otherwise distinguished). 56), the attenuators 58a, 58b, 58c, 58d, 58e, and 58f for changing the attenuation factor corresponding to each of the plurality of antenna elements 54 (hereinafter simply referred to as attenuator 58 unless otherwise distinguished). Each of the antenna elements 54c and 54d disposed at the center (center in the width direction) of the plurality of antenna elements 54. A first multiplexing unit 60 that synthesizes (adds) the received signals, a second multiplexing unit 62 that synthesizes the signal synthesized by the first multiplexing unit 60 and the received signal corresponding to the antenna element 54b, A third combining unit 64 that combines the signal combined by the second combining unit 62 and the received signal corresponding to the antenna element 54e, and the signal combined by the third combining unit 64 and the antenna element 54a. A fourth combining unit 66 for combining the reception signals corresponding to the signal, and the signal combined by the fourth combining unit 66 and the reception signal corresponding to the antenna element 54 are combined and supplied to the IQ conversion unit 26. The fifth combining unit 68 is provided. In the reception antenna unit 24, an array antenna 70 is constituted by at least two antenna elements 54 among the plurality of antenna elements 54. The amount of phase shift in each of the plurality of phase shift units 56 and the attenuation factor in each of the plurality of attenuation units 58 are controlled by an antenna unit control unit 52 described later.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the RFID circuit element 72 provided in the RFID tag 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the RFID circuit element 72 processes an antenna unit 74 for transmitting / receiving signals to / from the RFID tag communication device 12 and a signal received by the antenna unit 74. And an IC circuit unit 76 for the purpose. The IC circuit unit 76 rectifies the interrogation wave F _c received from the RFID tag communication device 12 received by the antenna unit 74, and the energy of the interrogation wave F _c rectified by the rectification unit 78. Functions as a power supply unit 80 for accumulation, a clock extraction unit 82 that extracts a clock signal from the carrier wave received by the antenna unit 74 and supplies the clock signal to the control unit 88, and an information storage unit that can store a predetermined information signal The RFID circuit element 72 via the memory unit 84, the modulation / demodulation unit 86 that is connected to the antenna unit 74 and modulates and demodulates the signal, the rectification unit 78, the clock extraction unit 82, the modulation / demodulation unit 86, and the like. And a control unit 88 for controlling the operation of. The control unit 88 performs control to store the predetermined information in the memory unit 84 by communicating with the wireless tag communication device 12, and transmits the interrogation wave F _c received by the antenna unit 74 to the modulation / demodulation unit 86. in executing the basic control as a response wave F _r of the control or the like that reflects back from the antenna unit 74 in terms of modulated based on the information signal stored in the memory unit 84.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the carrier wave oscillation control unit 44 controls the oscillation output of the carrier wave by the carrier wave oscillation unit 18. That is, control is performed to switch between a state where the carrier wave is oscillated by the carrier wave oscillating unit 18 (on) and a state where the carrier wave is not oscillated (off). Further, it functions as a transmission signal frequency control unit that controls the frequency of the carrier wave oscillated by the carrier wave oscillation unit 18. It also has a function as a transmission signal strength control unit that controls the signal strength of the transmission signal by changing the signal strength of the carrier wave oscillated by the carrier wave oscillation unit 18.

  The transmission data generation unit 46 generates transmission data for the wireless tag 14 and supplies the transmission data to the transmission amplifier 20. The transmission data is, for example, a predetermined command bit string, and the transmission amplifier 20 puts the transmission data supplied from the transmission data generating unit 46 on the carrier wave supplied from the carrier wave oscillating unit 18 for the transmission. Transmission is performed from the antenna 22 toward the wireless tag 14.

The reception signal demodulator 48 is configured to generate the I-phase signal and the Q-phase signal based on the I-phase signal supplied from the I-phase A / D converter 34 and the Q-phase signal supplied from the Q-phase A / D converter 42. Demodulate the received signal corresponding to the phase signal. The demodulated signal demodulated by the reception signal demodulator 48 is further decoded and the response bit string is interpreted, whereby the modulation signal in the response wave F _r from the wireless tag 14 is read out.

  The received signal strength detection unit 50 is configured based on the I-phase signal supplied from the I-phase A / D conversion unit 34 and the Q-phase signal supplied from the Q-phase A / D conversion unit 42. The signal strength of the received signal corresponding to the Q phase signal is detected. For example, the received signal strength is detected by calculating the square root of the sum of the squares of the I-phase signal and the Q-phase signal.

  The antenna unit controller 52 controls a plurality of phase shifters 56 and attenuators 58 provided in the receiving antenna unit 24. Specifically, the amount of phase shift in each of the plurality of phase shift units 56 is individually controlled. Further, the attenuation rate in each of the plurality of attenuation units 58 is individually controlled.

The antenna unit control unit 52 preferably has a phase corresponding to each antenna element 54 based on a signal from a predetermined reference signal source received by some of the plurality of antenna elements 54. It functions as a correction control unit that performs control to correct the phase shift amount in the phase shift unit 56 so as to be optimized. Specifically, the phase shift is performed so that the received signal strength detected by the received signal strength detector 50 is maximized, that is, the combined signal output from the fifth multiplexer 68 has the maximum amplitude. The amount of phase shift in the unit 56 is corrected. In order for the combined signal output from the fifth multiplexing unit 68 to have the maximum amplitude, the phases of the multiplexing units 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68 need to be in phase. In other words, the unit 52 performs control for correcting the phase shift amount in the phase shift unit 56 so that the phases in the multiplexing units 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68 become predetermined phases. This correction is preferably performed in an environment or an anechoic chamber in which reflection is suppressed as much as possible by the absorber. Here, the reference signal source is, for example, the wireless tag 14 disposed at a predetermined position. That is, the wireless tag communication device 12 according to the present embodiment transmits the interrogation wave F _c from the transmission antenna 22 toward the predetermined radio tag 14 and is replied from the radio tag 14 according to the interrogation wave F _c. Response wave F _r is received by a part of the antenna elements 54 provided in the receiving antenna unit 52, and the phase shift unit is optimized so that the phase corresponding to each antenna element 54 is optimized based on the received signal. Control for correcting the phase shift amount in 56 is performed. The wireless tag 14 as a reference signal source is preferably arranged at a position farthest from the wireless tag communication device 12 as long as a signal can be transmitted to the wireless tag communication device 12. .

  Preferably, the antenna unit control unit 52 may be an antenna element selection unit that selects at least two antenna elements 54 that receive a signal from the wireless tag 14 that is a reference signal source from the plurality of antenna elements 54. Function. In the receiving antenna unit 52 of the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the antenna unit control unit 52 selects the antenna element 54 by controlling the attenuation rate of the attenuation unit 58 corresponding to each antenna element 54. For example, the attenuation rate of the attenuation unit 58 corresponding to the antenna element 54 that receives the signal from the wireless tag 14 is minimized, and the attenuation rate of the attenuation unit 58 corresponding to the antenna element 54 that does not receive is maximized. It is said.

First, the antenna unit control unit 52 selects two antenna elements 54 for receiving a signal from the wireless tag 14 from the plurality of antenna elements 54 in the first correction. Preferably, of the plurality of antenna elements 54, the two antenna elements 54c and 54d arranged at the center of the antenna elements 54 are used to receive signals from the wireless tag 14 as a reference signal source. And the attenuation of the attenuation units 58c and 58d corresponding to the antenna elements 54c and 54d is minimized, and the attenuation of the attenuation units 58 corresponding to the other antenna elements 54 is maximized. In this state, when the interrogation wave F _c is transmitted from the transmission antenna 22 toward the radio tag 14, the response wave F _r returned from the radio tag 14 in response to the interrogation wave F _c Received by antenna elements 54c and 54d. Then, the antenna unit controller 52 changes the amount of phase shift in the phase shifters 56c and 56d corresponding to the antenna elements 54c and 54d, and the signal strength detected by the received signal strength detector 50 is maximized. By controlling the phase shift amounts in this way, the phase shift amounts in the phase shift portions 56c and 56d are corrected so that the phases corresponding to the antenna elements 54c and 54d are optimized. Here, if the phases of the signals received by the antenna elements 54c and 54d coincide with each other, the signal strength detected by the received signal strength detector 50 is maximized. Therefore, preferably, the phase shifter 56c and By changing either one of 56d, correction is performed so that the phases of the signals received by the antenna elements 54c and 54d are matched.

The antenna unit control unit 52 preferably performs control to increase the number of antenna elements 54 that receive signals from the wireless tag 14 each time the above-described correction is performed. In the present embodiment, each time correction is performed, the antenna elements 54 that receive signals from the wireless tag 14 are increased one by one. That is, following the above-described correction, in addition to the antenna elements 54c and 54d, an antenna element 54b is added as an antenna element 54 that receives a signal from the wireless tag 14. Specifically, the attenuation amount of the attenuation unit 58b corresponding to the antenna element 54b is minimized. In such a state, the response wave F _r from the wireless tag 14 is received by the antenna elements 54b, 54c, and 54d. Here, since the phase shifters 56c and 56d have already been adjusted so that the phases of the received signals received by the antenna elements 54c and 54d coincide with each other in the correction performed earlier, the signals are received by the antenna element 54b. The antenna unit control so that the phase of the received signal coincides with the phase of the combined signal of the received signals received by the antenna elements 54c and 54d and the signal strength detected by the received signal strength detector 50 is maximized. The phase shift unit 56b is adjusted by the unit 52. Similarly, in the next correction, the antenna element 54e, the antenna element 54a in the next correction, and the antenna element 54f in the next correction are added, respectively. Is corrected, the phase corresponding to each of the plurality of antenna elements 54 is optimized.

  Preferably, the wireless tag communication device 12 repeatedly performs the correction while changing the position of the wireless tag 14 as a reference signal source, and associates the position of the wireless tag 14 with the correction result to associate the memory unit 53. Preferably, in subsequent reception processing, a correction result stored in association with the wireless tag 14 is read from the memory unit 53, and the reception by the antenna unit control unit 52 is performed based on the correction result. The antenna unit 24 is controlled. In this way, the next and subsequent communications can be performed without redundant correction.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a main part of the phase shift amount correction control by the DSP 16 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 12, and is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.

  First, in step (hereinafter, step is omitted) S1, n indicating the number of times of measurement is set to 1 which is an initial value. Next, in S2, the attenuation amount of the attenuation unit 58 corresponding to the antenna elements 54 other than the antenna elements 54c and 54d selected first is set to the maximum. Next, in the SS corresponding to the operation of the antenna unit control unit 52 as a correction control unit, the phase shift amount in the phase shift unit 56 is controlled and the maximum reception condition detection control shown in FIG. 6 is performed. Next, in S3, it is determined whether or not n = N−1 (N is the total number of antenna elements 54). If the determination in S3 is affirmative, the routine is terminated accordingly. If the determination in S3 is negative, 1 is added to n in S4, and then in S5, The attenuation amount of the attenuation unit 58 corresponding to the selected antenna element 54 is set to the minimum. In S6, after the attenuation amount of the attenuation unit 58 corresponding to the antenna element 54 that is not selected is set to the maximum, the processing after SS is executed again. In the above control, S2, S5, and S6 correspond to the operation of the antenna unit controller 52 as an antenna element selector.

In the reception maximum condition detection control shown in FIG. 6, first, in SS1, θ indicating the phase shift amount of the phase shift unit 56 corresponding to the n-th antenna element 54 to be corrected is set to zero, and the received signal strength is set. V _max indicating the maximum value of is set to zero. Next, in SS2, the amount of phase shift in the phase shift unit 56 corresponding to the nth antenna element 54 is set to θ. Next, in SS3 corresponding to the operation of the received signal strength detecting unit 50, the signal strength V _r of the received signal received by the receiving antenna unit 24 is detected. Next, in SS4, received signal strength V _r detected by the SS3 is greater or not than the maximum value V _max is determined at that time. If the determination at SS4 is negative, the processing from SS6 is executed, but if the determination at SS4 is affirmative, at SS5, θ _max indicating the optimum value of the phase shift amount is at that time. After the phase shift amount θ is set and V _max indicating the maximum value of the received signal strength is set to the received signal strength V _r at that time, it is determined at SS6 whether θ is smaller than 360 °. When the determination of SS6 is affirmed, the process after SS2 is executed again after adding a predetermined value dθ to θ in SS7, but when the determination of SS6 is negative, in SS8 After the phase shift amount of the phase shift unit 56 corresponding to the nth antenna element 54 is set to θ _max , the phase shift amount correction control shown in FIG. 5 is restored.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the multiplexing unit 68 and the like that synthesize the reception signals received by the plurality of antenna elements 54 and the antenna elements 54 that are part of the plurality of antenna elements 54 are received. As a correction control unit that performs control to correct the amount of phase shift in the phase shift unit 56 so that the phase corresponding to each antenna element 54 is optimized based on a signal from the wireless tag 14 that is a reference signal source Therefore, the amount of phase shift corresponding to each antenna element 54 can be corrected with a simple configuration without performing complicated processing. That is, it is possible to provide a radio reception apparatus and a correction method thereof that can easily execute the correction of the phase shift amount in the phased array processing.

  Further, an antenna unit control unit 52 (S2, S5, and S6) as an antenna element selection unit that selects at least two antenna elements 54 that receive a signal from the wireless tag 14 from the plurality of antenna elements 54 is provided. Therefore, the amount of phase shift in the phase shift unit 56 is preferably set based on a signal from the wireless tag 14 received by a part of the antenna elements 54 selected by the antenna unit control unit 52. It can be corrected.

  The antenna unit control unit 52 increases the number of antenna elements 54 that receive signals from the wireless tag 14 each time correction is performed, and the antenna unit control unit 52 corresponds to the antenna element 54 to be added. Since the correction is completed by sequentially correcting only the phase shift unit 56, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  In the first correction, the antenna unit controller 52 selects two antenna elements 54 for receiving a signal from the wireless tag 14 from the plurality of antenna elements 54. Since correction is completed by correcting only one of the phase shift portions 56 corresponding to the antenna element 54, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  The antenna unit control unit 52 increases the antenna elements 54 that receive signals from the wireless tag 14 one by one each time correction is performed, and corresponds to the added antenna elements 54. Since the correction is completed by repeating the correction of only one phase shift unit 56, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  In the first correction, the antenna unit control unit 52 removes the two antenna elements 54c and 54d disposed in the center of the plurality of antenna elements 54 from the wireless tag 14. Even when the position where the wireless tag 14 is placed is changed, the two antenna elements 54c and 54d arranged at the center are most stable. Since communication is possible, correction of the phase shift amount can be performed in a practical manner by correcting the two antenna elements 54c and 54d first.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, a transmission signal is transmitted to the wireless tag 14 and a reply signal returned from the wireless tag 14 is received according to the transmission signal. Therefore, it is possible to provide the wireless tag communication device 12 that can easily execute the correction of the phase shift amount in the phased array processing related to the reception processing of the return signal from the wireless tag 14. .

  In addition, since the correction is performed in an environment or an anechoic chamber in which reflection is suppressed as much as possible by the absorber, the phase shift amount can be corrected more accurately by suppressing radio wave reflection.

  Further, since the correction is repeatedly performed while changing the position of the wireless tag 14 and the position of the wireless tag 14 and the correction result are associated with each other and stored in the memory unit 53, the wireless tag communication device 12 When the direction of reception is changed, the correction result stored in association with the direction of the wireless tag 14 can be used for subsequent reception processing, and it is not necessary to perform such correction every time.

  In addition, the wireless tag 14 as a reference signal source is disposed at a position farthest from the wireless tag communication device 12 as long as a signal can be transmitted to the wireless tag communication device 12. The difference in power received by each of the receiving antennas 54 becomes smaller, and the phase shift amount can be corrected more accurately.

  Next, another preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, portions common to the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another example of the configuration of the receiving antenna unit provided in the wireless tag communication device 12. As shown in FIG. 7, in the receiving antenna unit 90 of the present embodiment, a plurality of (for switching between supply and cutoff of the reception signal received by the antenna element 54 to the reception circuit side (IQ conversion unit 26 side). In FIG. 7, four open / close sections 92a, 92b, 92e, and 92f (hereinafter simply referred to as open / close sections 92 unless otherwise specified) are provided. Each of these open / close sections 92 includes the open / close section 92a as the antenna element 54a, the open / close section 92b as the antenna element 54b, the open / close section 92e as the antenna element 54e, and the open / close section 92f as the antenna element 54f. Are provided in correspondence with each other. Also, termination resistors 94a, 94b, 94e, and 94f (hereinafter simply referred to as termination resistors 94 unless otherwise distinguished) are provided corresponding to the respective opening / closing sections 92. It is connected to the other terminal of the connected terminals, and the other end is grounded.

  The antenna unit controller 52 controls the opening / closing of each of the opening / closing sections 92 to thereby provide at least two antenna elements 54 for receiving a signal from the wireless tag 14 as a reference signal source in the receiving antenna unit 90. It functions as an antenna element selection unit for selecting from among the antenna elements 54. That is, the open / close portion 92 corresponding to the antenna element 54 that receives the signal from the wireless tag 14 is connected to the terminal on the antenna element 54 side, and the open / close portion 92 corresponding to the antenna element 54 that does not receive the signal is connected to the terminal resistor 94. Connect to the terminal on the side. As shown in FIG. 7, the receiving antenna unit 90 is not provided with an opening / closing portion 92 corresponding to the antenna elements 54c and 54d disposed in the center portion, as described above. In the first correction, a signal from the wireless tag 14 that is a reference signal source is received by the two antenna elements 54c and 54d disposed in the center of the plurality of antenna elements 54, and each time correction is performed. In addition, since the number of antenna elements 54 that receive signals from the wireless tag 14 is increased, it is not necessary to block received signals at the two antenna elements 54c and 54d arranged in the center. It is a structure based on this.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the configuration of the receiving antenna unit provided in the wireless tag communication device 12. As shown in FIG. 8, the receiving antenna unit 96 of the present embodiment is similar to the first combining unit 98 that combines (adds) the received signals corresponding to the two adjacent antenna elements 54a and 54b. Second combining section 100 that combines received signals corresponding to two adjacent antenna elements 54c and 54d, and a second combining section 100 that combines received signals corresponding to two adjacent antenna elements 54e and 54f, respectively. A third combining unit 102, a fourth combining unit 104 that combines the signal combined by the first combining unit 98 and the signal combined by the second combining unit 100, and the third combining unit 102. And a fifth combining unit 106 that combines the signal combined by the fourth combining unit 104 and the signal combined by the fourth combining unit 104 and supplies the combined signal to the IQ conversion unit 26.

  In the correction of the phase shift amount in the reception antenna unit 96, the antenna unit control unit 52 controls the attenuation rate of the attenuation unit 58 corresponding to each antenna element 54 to thereby output a signal from the wireless tag 14 that is a reference signal source. Functions as an antenna element selection unit that selects at least two antenna elements 54 that receive the signal from the plurality of antenna elements 54. The antenna unit control unit 52 as the antenna element selection unit changes the antenna element 54 that receives a signal from the wireless tag 14 every time correction is performed. Preferably, the correction is performed. Each time two antenna elements 54 adjacent to each other are selected as antenna elements 54 that receive signals from the wireless tag 14.

  That is, first, in the first correction, the antenna elements 54a and 54b are selected as the antenna elements 54 that receive signals from the wireless tag 14, and the attenuations 58a and 58b corresponding to the antenna elements 54a and 54b are attenuated. The amount is minimized, and the attenuation amount of the attenuation unit 58 corresponding to the other antenna element 54 is maximized. In this state, the phase corresponding to the antenna elements 54a and 54b is optimized by controlling the amount of phase shift so that the signal strength detected by the received signal strength detector 50 is maximized. In addition, the amount of phase shift in the phase shift portions 56a and 56b is corrected. Here, if the phases of the signals received by the antenna elements 54a and 54b coincide with each other, the signal strength detected by the received signal strength detector 50 is maximized. Therefore, preferably, the phase shifter 56a and Control is performed to search for a condition in which the phases of the signals received by the antenna elements 54a and 54b coincide with each other by changing either one of 56b. Similarly, in the next correction, the antenna elements 54c and 54d are selected, and in the next correction, the antenna elements 54e and 54f are selected as the antenna elements 54 that receive signals from the wireless tag 14, respectively. By correcting the amount of phase shift in the phase portion 56, the phase corresponding to each of the plurality of antenna elements 54 is optimized.

  Further, in the next correction, the antenna elements 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d are selected as the antenna elements 54 that receive them, and the attenuators 58a, 58b, 58c, and 58d corresponding to the antenna elements 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d are selected. The attenuation amount 58d is minimized, and the attenuation amount of the attenuation unit 58 corresponding to the other antenna element 54 is maximized. Then, their phase shift amounts are controlled so that the signal strength detected by the received signal strength detector 50 is maximized. Here, since the phase shift units 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d have already been adjusted so that the combined received signals of the antenna elements 54a and 54b and the combined received signals of the antenna elements 54c and 54d are maximized, The received signal strength of the combined signal of the antenna elements 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d is obtained by fixing the phase shifting units 56a and 56b and changing the phase shifting units 56c and 56d by the same phase shift amount. The signal intensity detected by the detection unit 50 can be adjusted to be maximum. After such correction, the amount of attenuation of all the attenuation units 58 is minimized, and the shift is performed so that the signal strength detected by the received signal strength detection unit 50 of the signals received by all the antenna elements 54 is maximized. The phase part 56 is controlled. Here, since the phase shift unit 56 has already been adjusted so that the combined received signals of the antenna elements 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d and the combined received signals of the antenna elements 54e and 54f are already maximized, the phase shift unit 56 is adjusted. The phase portions 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d are fixed, and the phase shift portions 56e and 56f are both changed by the same phase shift amount, thereby detecting the received signal strength of the received composite signal by all the antenna elements 54. The signal intensity detected by the unit 50 can be adjusted to be maximum.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the antenna unit control unit 52 as the antenna element selection unit receives the signal from the wireless tag 14 that is the reference signal source every time correction is performed. Therefore, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  In addition, the antenna unit control unit 52 sets two adjacent antenna elements 54 whose reception signals are substantially equal each time correction is performed as antenna elements 54 that receive signals from the wireless tag 14. Since the selection is made, the phase shift amount can be corrected in a practical manner.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the configuration of the receiving antenna unit provided in the wireless tag communication device 12. As shown in FIG. 9, the receiving antenna unit 108 of the present embodiment has two antenna elements arranged symmetrically (equal distance) from the central portion of the plurality of antenna elements 54 and closest to the central portion. The first combining unit 110 that combines (adds) the reception signals corresponding to 54c and 54d, respectively, and two antenna elements 54b and 54e that are symmetrically arranged from the center of the plurality of antenna elements 54, respectively. Corresponding to the second combining unit 112 that synthesizes the corresponding received signals, and two antenna elements 54a and 54f that are arranged farthest from the central part, similarly symmetrically from the central part of the plurality of antenna elements 54 A third combining unit 114 that combines the received signals, a signal combined by the first combining unit 110, and a signal combined by the second combining unit 112. A fourth combining unit 116, a signal combined by the third combining unit 114, and a signal combined by the fourth combining unit 116, which are combined and supplied to the IQ converting unit 26. Unit 118.

  In the correction of the amount of phase shift in the reception antenna unit 108, the antenna unit control unit 52 controls the attenuation rate of the attenuation unit 58 corresponding to each antenna element 54 to thereby output a signal from the wireless tag 14 that is a reference signal source. Functions as an antenna element selection unit that selects at least two antenna elements 54 that receive the signal from the plurality of antenna elements 54. The antenna unit control unit 52 as the antenna element selection unit changes the antenna element 54 that receives a signal from the wireless tag 14 every time correction is performed. Preferably, the correction is performed. Each time, the two antenna elements 54 disposed at the same distance from the central portion of the plurality of antenna elements 54 are selected as antenna elements 54 that receive signals from the wireless tag 14. That is, first, in the first correction, the antenna elements 54c and 54d are selected as the antenna elements 54 that receive signals from the wireless tag 14, and the attenuation units 58c and 58d corresponding to the antenna elements 54c and 54d are attenuated. The amount is minimized, and the attenuation amount of the attenuation unit 58 corresponding to the other antenna element 54 is maximized. In this state, the phase corresponding to the antenna elements 54c and 54d is optimized by controlling the amount of phase shift so that the signal strength detected by the received signal strength detector 50 is maximized. In addition, the amount of phase shift in the phase shift portions 56c and 56d is corrected. Here, if the phases of the signals received by the antenna elements 54c and 54d coincide with each other, the signal strength detected by the received signal strength detector 50 is maximized. Therefore, the phase shifters 56c and 56d are preferably used. Any one of them is changed to search for a condition in which the phases of the signals received by the antenna elements 54c and 54d match. Similarly, in the next correction, the antenna elements 54b and 54e are selected, and in the next correction, the antenna elements 54a and 54f are selected as the antenna elements 54 that receive signals from the wireless tag 14, respectively. By correcting the amount of phase shift in the phase portion 56, the phase corresponding to each of the plurality of antenna elements 54 is optimized.

  Further, in the next correction, the antenna elements 54b, 54c, 54d, and 54e are selected as receiving antenna elements 54, and the attenuators 58b, 58c, 58d, and 58e corresponding to the antenna elements 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d are selected. The attenuation amount of the attenuation unit 58 corresponding to the other antenna element 54 is maximized. Then, the phase shift amounts are controlled so that the signal strength detected by the received signal strength detector 50 is maximized. Here, since the phase shift units 56b, 56c, 56d, and 56e have already been adjusted so that the combined received signal of the antenna elements 54c and 54d and the combined received signal of the antenna elements 54b and 54e are maximized, respectively. The received signal of the combined signal of the antenna elements 54b, 54c, 54d, and 54e is obtained by fixing the phase shift units 56c and 56d and changing both the phase shift units 56b and 56e by the same phase shift amount. The signal intensity detected by the intensity detector 50 can be adjusted to be maximum. After this correction, the phase shift is performed so that the attenuation amount of all the attenuation units 58 is minimized and the signal strength detected by the received signal strength detection unit 50 of the signals received by all the antenna elements 54 is maximized. The unit 56 is controlled. Here, since the phase shift unit 56 has already been adjusted so that the combined received signals of the antenna elements 54b, 54c, 54d, and 54e and the combined received signals of the antenna elements 54a and 54f are maximized, the phase shift unit 56 is adjusted. The phase portions 56b, 56c, 56d, and 56e are fixed, and the phase shift portions 56a and 56f are both changed by the same phase shift amount, thereby detecting the received signal strength of the received composite signal by all the antenna elements 54. The signal intensity detected by the unit 50 can be adjusted to be maximum.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an RFID tag communication apparatus 120 that is another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the RFID tag communication apparatus 120 of the present embodiment transmits the signal supplied from the transmission amplifier 20 as the interrogation wave F _c and receives the response wave F _r from the RFID tag 14. A transmission / reception antenna unit 122 is provided.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the transmission / reception antenna unit 122. As shown in FIG. 11, the transmission / reception antenna unit 122 supplies the transmission signal supplied from the transmission amplifier 20 to the corresponding antenna element 4, and also receives the reception signal received by each antenna element 54. A plurality of (six in FIG. 11) transmission / reception separators 124a, 124b, 124c, 124d, 124e, and 124f (hereinafter simply referred to as transmission / reception separators 124 unless otherwise distinguished) are provided. ing. The plurality of antenna elements 54, the wireless tag to 14 transmits the interrogating wave F _c, transmission and reception for receiving the response wave F _r transmitted back from the radio tag 14 in response to the interrogation wave F _c It functions as a shared antenna element 54.

  The carrier wave oscillation control unit 44 provided in the RFID tag communication apparatus 120 according to the present embodiment preferably has the transmission according to the number of antenna elements 54 selected by the antenna unit control unit 52 as an antenna element selection unit. It functions as a transmission signal strength control unit that controls the signal strength of the signal (carrier wave). For example, when the number of antenna elements 54 used for transmitting a transmission signal is M, the intensity of the transmission signal transmitted from each antenna element 54, that is, the transmission signal supplied to each antenna element 54 is 1 / M. To control. By such control, the total output of the transmission signals transmitted from the array antenna 70 toward the wireless tag 14 is made constant, and correction can be performed accurately.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a main part of the phase shift amount correction control by the DSP 16 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 120, which is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle. In this control, the steps common to the control of FIG. 5 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. In the phase shift amount correction control shown in FIG. 12, the antenna used for transmitting the transmission signal in S7 corresponding to the operation of the carrier wave oscillation control unit 44 as the transmission signal intensity control unit following the processing of S6 described above. After the transmission signal output of each antenna element 54 is set to 1 / M in accordance with the number M of the elements 54, the processing below SS shown in FIG. 6 is executed.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the transmission signal strength control unit that controls the signal strength of the transmission signal according to the number of antenna elements 54 selected by the antenna unit control unit 52 as the antenna element selection unit. Therefore, the signal strength of the reply signal returned from the wireless tag 14 as the reference signal source depends on the number of antenna elements 54 that receive the reply signal. The phase shift amount can be corrected more accurately.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be implemented in other modes.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the carrier wave oscillation control unit 44, the transmission data generation unit 46, the reception signal demodulation unit 48, the reception signal strength detection unit 50, and the antenna unit control unit 52 are all functionally connected to the war record DSP 16. Although provided, the present invention is not limited to this, and control devices having these control functions may be provided individually. The control by these control functions may be digital signal processing or analog signal processing.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the multiplexing unit 68 and the like are connected to the receiving antenna element 54 in a form suitable for the combination in which the receiving antenna element 54 is increased, but various modes can be considered for this multiplexing unit. A combination with any antenna element 54 may be used. Alternatively, a configuration in which three or more antenna elements 54 are combined by a single multiplexer may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, a transmission signal is transmitted toward the wireless tag 14, and a reply signal returned from the wireless tag 14 is received according to the transmission signal. The example in which the wireless reception device of the present invention is applied to the wireless tag communication device 12 that performs information communication is described above. However, the present invention corresponds to an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements and each of the plurality of antenna elements. The present invention can be widely applied to a wireless receiver provided with a phase shift unit capable of changing the phase to be used or a device provided with such a wireless receiver.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

It is a figure explaining the radio | wireless tag communication system to which this invention is applied suitably. It is a figure explaining the structure of the RFID tag communication apparatus which is one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of a structure of the receiving antenna unit with which the RFID tag communication apparatus of FIG. 2 was equipped. It is a figure explaining the structure of the RFID circuit element with which the RFID tag which is a communication object of the RFID tag communication apparatus of FIG. 2 was equipped. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a main part of phase shift amount correction control by a DSP of the RFID tag communication apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the condition detection control which is a part of phase shift amount correction control of FIG. It is a figure explaining another example of a structure of the receiving antenna unit with which the RFID tag communication apparatus of FIG. 2 is equipped. It is a figure explaining another example of a structure of the receiving antenna unit with which the RFID tag communication apparatus of FIG. 2 is equipped. It is a figure explaining another example of a structure of the receiving antenna unit with which the RFID tag communication apparatus of FIG. 2 is equipped. It is a figure explaining the structure of the RFID tag communication apparatus which is the other Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of a structure of the antenna unit with which the RFID tag communication apparatus of FIG. 10 was equipped. It is a flowchart explaining the principal part of phase shift amount correction | amendment control by DSP of the RFID tag communication apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

12, 120: RFID tag communication device 14: RFID tag (reference signal source)
44: Carrier wave oscillation control unit (transmission signal strength control unit)
52: Antenna unit controller (correction controller, antenna element selector)
54: Antenna element 56: Phase shift section 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118: Multiplexing section

Claims (21)

A radio receiving apparatus comprising an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements, and a phase shift unit capable of changing a phase corresponding to each of the plurality of antenna elements,
A multiplexing unit that combines reception signals received by the plurality of antenna elements;
Based on a signal from a predetermined reference signal source received by a part of the plurality of antenna elements, the phase shift amount in the phase shift unit so that the phase in the multiplexing unit becomes a predetermined phase. A wireless reception device comprising: a correction control unit that performs control for correcting.   2. The radio reception apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an antenna element selection unit that selects at least two antenna elements for receiving a signal from the reference signal source from the plurality of antenna elements.   3. The radio receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the antenna element selection unit increases the number of antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source each time correction is performed by the correction control unit.   The antenna element selection unit selects, from the plurality of antenna elements, two antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source in the initial correction by the correction control unit. 3 wireless receivers;   The radio reception apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the antenna element selection unit increases the antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source one by one each time correction is performed by the correction control unit. .   In the initial correction by the correction control unit, the antenna element selection unit selects at least two antenna elements arranged in the center of the plurality of antenna elements from the reference signal source. The radio receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the radio receiving apparatus is selected as an antenna element that receives a signal.   3. The radio receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the antenna element selection unit changes an antenna element that receives a signal from the reference signal source every time correction is performed by the correction control unit.   The antenna element selection unit selects two antenna elements adjacent to each other as antenna elements for receiving a signal from the reference signal source each time correction by the correction control unit is performed. 7. A wireless receiving device.   9. The wireless receiver according to claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver transmits a transmission signal toward the wireless tag, and receives a reply signal returned from the wireless tag according to the transmission signal by the wireless receiver. A wireless tag communication device for communicating information with the wireless tag.   The wireless tag communication apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a transmission signal strength control unit that controls a signal strength of the transmission signal according to the number of antenna elements selected by the antenna element selection unit. A correction method for a radio reception apparatus comprising: an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements; and a phase shift unit capable of changing a phase corresponding to each of the plurality of antenna elements,
Based on a signal from a predetermined reference signal source received by some of the plurality of antenna elements, a phase in a multiplexing unit that combines the reception signals received by the antenna elements is a predetermined phase. A correction method for a radio reception apparatus, wherein control for correcting a phase shift amount in the phase shift unit is performed.   12. The correction method for a radio reception apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least two antenna elements for receiving a signal from the reference signal source are selected from the plurality of antenna elements.   13. The correction method for a radio reception apparatus according to claim 12, wherein each time the correction is performed, the number of antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source is increased.   14. The wireless receiver correction method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, in the first correction, two antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source are selected from the plurality of antenna elements.   15. The correction method for a radio reception apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein each time the correction is performed, the number of antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source is increased by one.   In the first correction, at least two antenna elements arranged at the center of the plurality of antenna elements are selected as antenna elements that receive a signal from the reference signal source. The correction method of the radio | wireless receiver in any one of Claim 12 to 15.   13. The correction method for a radio reception apparatus according to claim 12, wherein an antenna element that receives a signal from the reference signal source is changed each time the correction is performed.   18. The correction method for a radio reception apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each time the correction is performed, two antenna elements adjacent to each other are selected as antenna elements for receiving a signal from the reference signal source.   The correction method for a wireless reception device according to claim 11, wherein the correction is performed in an environment or an anechoic chamber in which reflection is suppressed as much as possible by an absorber.   20. The correction method for a radio reception apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the correction is repeatedly performed while changing the position of the reference signal source, and the position of the reference signal source and the correction result are stored in association with each other. .   21. The correction method for a radio reception apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the reference signal source is disposed at a position farthest from the radio reception apparatus as long as a signal can be transmitted to the radio reception apparatus. .

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