JP2009044540A - Waveguide type electric power synthesizing/distributing unit, and array antenna apparatus employing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a waveguide type electric power synthesizing/distributing unit which permits the broadbanding of feed circuit unit for array antenna device, acquisition of high performance, miniaturizing and cost reduction. <P>SOLUTION: The waveguide directional coupler 5 having first and second input/output terminals P1-P4, a first semicircular waveguide 6 connected to the first output terminal P2, a first rectangular waveguide 8 connected to the first semicircular waveguide 6, a second semicircular waveguide 7 connected to the second output terminal P3 and a second rectangular waveguide 9 connected to the second semicircular waveguide 7 are provided. The first semicircular waveguide 6 is provided with a groove on the side surfaces of horizontal direction, the first rectangular waveguide 8 is provided with the diameter of opening same as that of the first output terminal P2, the second semicircular waveguide 7 is provided with the diameter and length of tube axis same as those of the first semicircular waveguide 6 and provided with a groove on the side surfaces in the direction of top and the second rectangular waveguide 9 is provided with the diameter of opening same as that of the second output terminal P3 and the length of tube axis same as that of the first rectangular waveguide 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a waveguide type power combiner / distributor mainly used in a VHF band, UHF band, microwave band and millimeter wave band, and an array antenna apparatus using the same.

Conventionally, a waveguide type power combiner / distributor and an array antenna apparatus using the same are well known.
FIG. 8 is a three-view diagram (plan view and plan view) showing a configuration of a short slot waveguide type directional coupler (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1) applied to a conventional waveguide type power combiner / distributor. Side view).

In FIG. 8, the rectangular waveguides 61 and 62 having the same opening diameter are arranged so that their tube axes are parallel to each other and their narrow surfaces face each other.
The rectangular coupling hole 63 couples the opposing surfaces of the rectangular waveguides 61 and 62.
The short slot waveguide type directional coupler 64 includes rectangular waveguides 61 and 62, a coupling hole 63, input / output terminals (first and second input terminals P1 and P4, and first And second output terminals P2, P3).

Next, the operation of the conventional waveguide type power combiner / distributor shown in FIG. 8 will be described.
Now, assuming that a radio wave of a certain frequency band is input from the first input terminal P1 as a rectangular waveguide fundamental mode (rectangular waveguide TE10 mode), this incident radio wave propagates through the rectangular waveguide 61. , Enters the section of the rectangular waveguides 61 and 62 connected by the coupling hole 63.

Since the section connected by the coupling hole 63 is a rectangular waveguide having a wide width (having a width about twice that of the rectangular waveguide 61), the TE10 mode and the TE20 mode are excited.
At this time, since the electric fields of the two modes are distributed so as to be added on the first input terminal P1 side and canceled on the second input terminal P4 side, the electric power escaping to the second input terminal P4 side is distributed. Is very few.

  The TE10 mode and the TE20 mode transmit through the wide rectangular waveguide section. However, when the two modes have a phase difference of 90 degrees, for example, when the two modes have a phase difference of 90 degrees. The same power is transmitted to the first output terminal P2 and the second output terminal P3, and the circuit of FIG. 8 operates as a directional coupler.

  Actually, in the structure of FIG. 8, it is difficult to design a desired coupling degree and good reflection characteristics over a wide band. However, a post (metal cylinder) or the like is placed in the wide rectangular waveguide section. By providing the matching element, a desired degree of coupling and good reflection characteristics can be obtained at the same time.

  As described above, the directional coupler 64 outputs the radio wave input from the first input terminal P1 from the first and second output terminals P2 and P3 with a desired distribution amplitude ratio over a wide frequency band. In addition, good reflection characteristics, excellent low loss characteristics, and high isolation characteristics can be obtained at the same time, which is effective for realizing high-performance power combiner / distributors used in the microwave band and millimeter wave band. is there. It is also convenient as a power combiner / distributor that constitutes the feeder circuit section of the array antenna apparatus.

  Conventionally, a capacitive phase shifter is loaded on one of the output ends of the 90-degree hybrid power divider, and an inductive phase shifter is loaded on the other output end, so that output is possible over a wide frequency band. A technique for making signals in phase has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Bunichi Oguchi “Microwave and Millimeter Wave Circuit” Maruzen Co., 1964, pp. 303-305 Japanese Patent No. 2592476

  In the conventional waveguide-type power combiner / distributor, when a signal input from the first input terminal P1 is distributed to the first and second output terminals P2 and P3, the relative position between the distributed output signals. Since the phase difference is 90 degrees, the tube axis length of the waveguide attached to the first output terminal P2 side is set in order to correct the phase difference of 90 degrees when used for the feeding circuit portion of the array antenna device. Since it is necessary to set the wavelength to be 1/4 of the guide wavelength longer than the waveguide attached to the second output terminal P3 side, the feeding circuit of the array antenna device is affected by the influence of the frequency characteristics of the guide wavelength. As a result, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to obtain good distribution characteristics over a wide band.

Instead of the above, a plurality of capacitive elements protruding from the wide surface of the first output terminal P2 are provided in the waveguide attached to the first output terminal P2 side as in Patent Document 1. When a plurality of inductive elements protruding from the narrow surface of the second output terminal P3 are provided in the waveguide attached to the second output terminal P3 side, the structure becomes complicated and the processing difficulty is reduced. There was a problem of increasing.
In this case, since the waveguide diameter is small in the feed circuit portion of the millimeter-wave band array antenna device, it is easily affected by processing errors, and good distribution characteristics can be obtained in a desired use band. There was a problem of difficulty.

  Furthermore, in the conventional relative phase difference correction method as described above, the physical lengths of the waveguide attached to the first output terminal P2 side and the waveguide attached to the second output terminal P3 side should be designed to be uniform. In particular, when it is used in the power feeding circuit section of the array antenna device, there is a problem that the design and shape of the whole power feeding circuit become complicated, and it is difficult to reduce the cost and size of the power feeding circuit.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and is a waveguide type power that enables widening, high performance, downsizing, and cost reduction of the feeding circuit section of the array antenna device. The purpose is to obtain a composite distributor.
It is another object of the present invention to obtain a waveguide type power combiner / distributor in which performance degradation due to processing errors is reduced.

  A waveguide type power combiner / distributor according to the present invention comprises a rectangular waveguide having an equal aperture diameter, and has first and second input terminals, first and second output terminals, and a first input terminal. A waveguide-type directional coupler that outputs a signal input from the first and second output terminals; a first semicircular waveguide connected to the first output terminal; A first rectangular waveguide connected to the semicircular waveguide; a second semicircular waveguide connected to the second output terminal; and a second connected to the second semicircular waveguide. The first semicircular waveguide is provided with a groove on the side surface in the horizontal direction, and the first rectangular waveguide has the same opening diameter as that of the first output terminal. The second semicircular waveguide has the same diameter and tube axis length as the first semicircular waveguide, and is provided with a groove on the side surface in the zenith direction, so that the second rectangular conductor is provided. Tube, which has the same opening diameter as the second output terminal is one which has the same pipe axis length and the first rectangular waveguide.

  An array antenna apparatus using a waveguide power combiner / distributor according to the present invention is an array antenna apparatus using a plurality of waveguide type power combiners / distributors, and includes a plurality of element antennas and a plurality of elements. A plurality of high-frequency modules connected to an antenna, the plurality of high-frequency modules being configured by phase shifters or amplifiers, and the plurality of waveguide-type power combiners / distributors distributing power to the plurality of high-frequency modules? Alternatively, the power output from a plurality of high-frequency modules is synthesized.

  According to the present invention, radio waves input from the first input terminal can be output in a desired distribution amplitude ratio and in phase over a wide frequency band, and also have good reflection characteristics and excellent low loss characteristics. And high isolation characteristics can be obtained at the same time.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 is a three-side view (plan view and side view) showing the configuration of a waveguide type power combiner / distributor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view and a side view showing a circularly polarized wave generator of a single groove type circular waveguide, and is a diagram for explaining an operation principle in the waveguide type power combiner / distributor of FIG. It is.

In FIG. 1, the first and second input terminals P1 and P4 and the first and second output terminals P2 and P3 similar to those described above (see FIG. 8) are denoted by the same reference numerals as described above.
The rectangular waveguides 1 and 2 and the coupling hole 3 correspond to the rectangular waveguides 61 and 62 and the coupling hole 63 described above (see FIG. 8), respectively.

A plurality of (parallel) rectangular waveguides 1 and 2 having the same opening diameter are arranged so that their narrow surfaces face each other, and are arranged so that their tube axes are parallel to each other.
The rectangular coupling hole 3 couples the opposing surfaces of the rectangular waveguides 1 and 2. The cylindrical matching element 4 is provided in the rectangular waveguides 1 and 2 and the coupling hole 3.

The waveguide-type directional coupler 5 includes rectangular waveguides 1 and 2, a coupling hole 3, and a matching element 4.
The first semicircular waveguide 6 is connected to the rectangular waveguide 1 of the directional coupler 5 and is provided with a groove on the side surface in the horizontal direction. As a result, the protrusion 6a is formed in the adjacent part of the groove.
The second circular waveguide 7 is connected to the rectangular waveguide 2 of the directional coupler 5. A groove is provided on a side surface in the zenith direction to form a protrusion 7 a, and the first half waveguide is formed. It has the same diameter and tube axis length as the circular waveguide 6.

The first rectangular waveguide 8 is connected to the first semicircular waveguide 6 and has the same opening diameter as that of the rectangular waveguide 1 of the directional coupler 5.
The second rectangular waveguide 9 is connected to the second semicircular waveguide 7 and has the same opening diameter as that of the rectangular waveguide 1 and the same tube axis as that of the first rectangular waveguide 8. Have a length.
The directional coupler 5 has first and second input / output terminals P1 to P4, and the first and second rectangular waveguides 8 and 9 have output terminals P5 and P6.

  As described above, the directional coupler 5 includes the parallel rectangular waveguides 1 and 2 having the same opening diameter, and includes the first and second input terminals P1 and P4 and the first and second output terminals P2. , P3. The directional coupler 5 outputs signals from the first and second output terminals P2 and P3 when a signal is input from the first input terminal P1, as described above. Almost no signal is output from the input terminal P4.

The first semicircular waveguide 6 is connected to the first output terminal P <b> 2, and the first rectangular waveguide 8 is connected to the first semicircular waveguide 6.
The second semicircular waveguide is connected to the second output terminal, and the second rectangular waveguide 9 is connected to the second semicircular waveguide 7.

The first semicircular waveguide 6 has a tube axis length corresponding to its own in-tube wavelength, and is provided with a groove on the side surface in the horizontal direction to form a protrusion 6a. The first rectangular waveguide 8 has the same opening diameter as that of the first output terminal P2.
The second semicircular waveguide 7 has the same diameter and tube axis length as the first semicircular waveguide 6, and is provided with a groove on the side surface in the zenith direction to form a protrusion 7a. Yes. The second rectangular waveguide 9 has the same opening diameter as that of the second output terminal P <b> 3 and the same tube axis length as that of the first rectangular waveguide 8.

Next, the operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
Similarly to the above, if a radio wave of a certain frequency band is input from the first input terminal P1 as the rectangular waveguide fundamental mode (rectangular waveguide TE10 mode), the incident radio wave is And enters the section of the rectangular waveguides 1 and 2 connected by the coupling hole 3.

  Since the section connected by the coupling hole 3 is a rectangular waveguide having a wide width (having a width about twice that of the rectangular waveguide 1), the TE10 mode and the TE20 mode are excited. At this time, since the electric fields of the two modes are distributed so as to be added on the first input terminal P1 side and canceled on the second input terminal P4 side, the electric power escaping to the second input terminal P4 side is distributed. Is very few.

The TE10 mode and the TE20 mode transmit through the wide rectangular waveguide section. However, when the two modes have a phase difference of 90 degrees, for example, when the two modes have a phase difference of 90 degrees. The same power is transmitted to the first output terminal P2 and the second output terminal P3, and the circuit of FIG. 1 operates as a directional coupler.
Actually, as shown in FIG. 1, a matching element 4 is provided to maintain a desired degree of coupling and good reflection characteristics over a wide band.

Since the radio waves output from the first output terminal P2 and the second output terminal P3 of the directional coupler 5 have a phase difference of “almost 90 degrees” over a wide band, in order to cancel this phase difference, FIG. 1, the first semicircular waveguide 6 provided with a groove (projection 6 a) on the side surface in the horizontal direction, and the second semicircular waveguide provided with a groove (projection 7 a) on the side surface in the zenith direction. A circular waveguide 7 is loaded.
Thereby, the phase of the radio wave output from the output terminals P5 and P6 of the first and second rectangular waveguides 8 and 9 can be in phase.

The first and second semicircular waveguides 6 and 7 have a structure in which circular polarization generators of the same single-groove circular waveguide are divided by a plane perpendicular to each other.
The tube axis lengths of the semicircular waveguides 6 and 7 are set to about ½ of the in-tube wavelengths of the semicircular waveguides 6 and 7 at the center frequency of the used frequency band. Thereby, deterioration of reflection characteristics can be prevented.

  FIG. 2 is a side view showing a circularly polarized wave generator of a single-groove circular waveguide, which is known in the literature (for example, “Naofumi Yoneda, et. Al.“ Mono-Grooved Circular Waveguide Polarizers ”IEEE MTT-S Int. Microwave Symp.Dig.2002, pages 821-824).

In FIG. 2, a circularly polarized wave generator of a single groove circular waveguide includes a circular waveguide 10, a side groove 11 provided on a side surface of the circular waveguide 10, and an input / output of the circular waveguide 10. Terminals P7 and P8 are provided.
Hereinafter, a radio wave of a fundamental mode (TE11 mode) of a circular waveguide that forms a linearly polarized wave inclined by 45 degrees with respect to a plane passing through the center of the side groove 11 (see the broken line in FIG. 2) is input from the input terminal P7. The case will be described.

  First, due to the influence of the side groove 11, the incident radio wave has a phase difference between the polarization component horizontal and the polarization component perpendicular to the plane passing through the center (broken line) of the side groove 11. At this time, if the dimensions of the side groove 11 are appropriately designed, the fundamental mode radio wave output from the output terminal P8 is circularly polarized in a desired frequency band.

  This means that there is almost no reflection even when a fundamental mode having a horizontally polarized wave passes through a plane passing through the center (broken line) of the side groove 11 or when a fundamental mode having a vertically polarized wave passes. And the relative difference between the passing phases of each other is “approximately 90 degrees”.

  The relationship similar to the above is the same as the model in which the circular waveguide 10 of FIG. 2 is divided in half with respect to the plane passing through the center (broken line) of the side groove 11 and the model in which the circular waveguide 10 is divided in half by a plane orthogonal thereto This also holds true for the configuration equivalent to That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a first semicircular waveguide 6 (a model divided in half by a plane passing through the center) in which a groove is provided on a horizontal side surface and a protrusion 6a is formed, and a zenith direction This is also true between the second semicircular waveguide 7 (a model divided in half by a plane orthogonal to the center) in which a groove 7 is provided on the side surface and the protrusion 7a is formed.

As described above, the waveguide type power combiner / distributor according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the rectangular waveguides 1 and 2 having the same opening diameter, and the first and second input terminals P1 and P4. A waveguide-type directional coupling having first and second output terminals P2 and P3 and outputting a signal input from the first input terminal P1 from the first and second output terminals P2 and P3 A vessel 5 is provided.
The directional coupler 5 is arranged such that the narrow surfaces thereof face each other, and the rectangular waveguides 1 and 2 are arranged so that the tube axes thereof are parallel to each other, and the rectangular waveguides 1 and 2 are arranged. And the rectangular waveguides 1 and 2 and the columnar matching element 4 provided in the coupling hole 3.

  In addition, the power combiner / distributor according to the first embodiment of the present invention is connected to the first output terminal P2 of the rectangular waveguide 1 of the directional coupler 5, and has a groove (projecting part 6a) on the side surface in the horizontal direction. ) And the second output terminal P3 of the rectangular waveguide 2 of the directional coupler 5, and a groove (protrusion 7a) is formed on the side surface in the zenith direction. Connected to the second semicircular waveguide 7, the first rectangular waveguide 8 connected to the first semicircular waveguide 6, and the second semicircular waveguide 7. And a second rectangular waveguide 9.

As a result, radio waves input from the first input terminal P1 of the directional coupler 5 can be transmitted from the output terminals P5 and P6 of the first and second rectangular waveguides 8 and 9 over a wide frequency band. It is possible to output with the distribution amplitude ratio and the same phase.
In addition, good reflection characteristics, excellent low-loss characteristics, and high isolation characteristics can be realized at the same time.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, since the structure of the power combiner / distributor is simple, the cost can be reduced and the characteristic deterioration due to the processing error can be reduced.
Furthermore, the physical length of the first rectangular waveguide 8 attached to the first output terminal P2 side and the physical length of the second rectangular waveguide 9 attached to the second output terminal P3 side are aligned and designed. Therefore, when used in the power feeding circuit portion of the array antenna device, the design and shape of the whole power feeding circuit is simplified, and the cost and size of the power feeding circuit can be reduced.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment (FIG. 1), the first and second semicircular waveguides 6 and 7 are connected to the first and second output terminals P2 and P3 of the directional coupler 5, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the third and fourth rectangular waveguides 26 and 27 may be connected.
FIG. 3 is a three-plane view (plan view and side view) showing the configuration of the waveguide type power combiner / distributor according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view and a side view showing a circularly polarized wave generator of a groove-shaped square waveguide, and is a diagram for explaining an operation principle in the waveguide-type power combiner / distributor of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the same components as those described above (see FIG. 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals as those described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The first and second rectangular waveguides 28 and 29 correspond to the first and second rectangular waveguides 8 and 9 described above.

  The waveguide type power combiner / distributor according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is connected to the rectangular waveguide 1 and has a third rectangular shape in which a groove is provided on a side surface in the horizontal direction and a protrusion 26a is formed. Connected to the waveguide 26 and the rectangular waveguide 2, a groove is provided on the side surface in the zenith direction to form a protrusion 27 a and have the same cross-sectional shape and tube axis length as the rectangular waveguide 26. A fourth rectangular waveguide 27.

The first rectangular waveguide 28 connected to the third rectangular waveguide 26 has the same opening diameter as that of the rectangular waveguide 1 (first output terminal P2) of the directional coupler 5.
The second rectangular waveguide 29 connected to the fourth rectangular waveguide 27 has the same opening diameter as that of the rectangular waveguide 2 (second output terminal P3) of the directional coupler 5, and It has the same tube axis length as one rectangular waveguide 28.

  As described above, the waveguide type power combiner / distributor according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention includes the third rectangular waveguide 26 connected to the first output terminal P2, and the second output terminal P3. A fourth rectangular waveguide 27 connected to the first rectangular waveguide 28 connected to the third rectangular waveguide 26, and a second rectangular waveguide 27 connected to the fourth rectangular waveguide 27. The rectangular waveguide 29 is provided.

The first rectangular waveguide 28 has the same opening diameter as that of the first output terminal P2, and the second rectangular waveguide 29 has the same opening diameter as that of the second output terminal P3. This has the same tube axis length as the rectangular waveguide 28.
The third rectangular waveguide 26 has a tube axial length corresponding to its own in-tube wavelength, and is provided with a groove (protrusion 26a) on the side surface in the horizontal direction. The rectangular waveguide 26 has the same diameter and tube axis length, and a groove (projection 27a) is provided on the side surface in the zenith direction.

The directional coupler 5 of the waveguide type power combiner / distributor according to the second embodiment of the present invention operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a plan view and a side view showing the configuration of the circularly polarized wave generator of the groove-shaped square waveguide.
In FIG. 4, the circularly polarized wave generator of the groove-shaped square waveguide includes a square waveguide 30, a side groove 31 provided on the side surface of the square waveguide 30, and an input / output terminal P <b> 7 of the square waveguide 30. , P8.

  Hereinafter, a radio wave in a basic mode (TE10 mode) of a rectangular waveguide that forms a linearly polarized wave inclined by 45 degrees with respect to a plane passing through the center of the side groove 31 (see the broken line in FIG. 4) is input from the input terminal P7. The case will be described.

  First, due to the influence of the side groove 31, the incident radio wave has a phase difference between the polarization component horizontal and the polarization component perpendicular to the plane passing through the center (broken line) of the side groove 31. At this time, if the dimensions of the side groove 31 are appropriately designed, the fundamental mode radio wave output from the output terminal P8 is circularly polarized in a desired frequency band.

  This means that there is almost no reflection even when a fundamental mode having a horizontally polarized wave passes through a plane passing through the center (broken line) of the side groove 31 or when a fundamental mode having a vertically polarized wave passes. And the relative difference between the passing phases of each other is “approximately 90 degrees”.

  The relationship similar to the above is that a structure equivalent to a model in which the square waveguide 30 in FIG. 4 is divided in half with respect to a plane passing through the center (broken line) of the side groove 31 and a model in which the plane is orthogonal to this plane. This also holds true for the configuration equivalent to That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a third rectangular waveguide 26 (a model divided in half by a plane passing through the center) provided with a groove (protrusion 26a) on the side surface in the horizontal direction and a groove on the side surface in the zenith direction. This also holds true between the fourth rectangular waveguide 27 provided with the (projection 27a) (a model divided in half by a plane orthogonal to the center).

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.
In addition, according to the waveguide type power combiner / distributor according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the phase correction circuit (the third and fourth rectangular waveguides 26 and 27) is formed of a rectangular waveguide. Therefore, the processing becomes easier as compared with the case of the first embodiment.

  Further, when the cross-sectional dimensions of the third and fourth rectangular waveguides 26 and 27 and the rectangular waveguides 1 and 2 of the directional coupler 5 can be made equal, the reflection characteristics are improved. The effect of can be produced.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the first and second embodiments (FIGS. 1 and 3), the grooved waveguides 6, 7, 26, and 27 are used as the phase correction circuit. However, as shown in FIG. First and second rectangular waveguides 40 and 41 having 40a and 41a may be used.

  FIG. 5 is a trihedral view (plan view and side view) showing the configuration of the waveguide type power combiner / distributor according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view and a side view showing a corrugated square waveguide circularly polarized wave generator, and is a diagram for explaining an operating principle in the waveguide type power combiner / distributor of FIG. .

In FIG. 5, the same components as those described above (see FIGS. 1 and 3) are denoted by the same reference numerals as those described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
The first rectangular waveguide 40 corresponds to, for example, the third and first rectangular waveguides 26 and 28 described above (FIG. 3).
The second rectangular waveguide 41 corresponds to, for example, the fourth and second rectangular waveguides 27 and 29 described above (FIG. 3).

  In the waveguide type power combiner / distributor of FIG. 5, the first rectangular waveguide 40 is connected to the rectangular waveguide 1 (first output terminal P2) of the directional coupler 5, and the first The output terminal P2 has the same opening diameter and a plurality of irises 40a are provided. The plurality of irises 40a are periodically arranged on the side surface in the zenith direction, and the center portion is set longer than both end portions.

The second rectangular waveguide 41 is connected to the rectangular waveguide 2 (second output terminal P3) of the directional coupler 5, and has the same opening diameter and tube axis as the first rectangular waveguide 40. A plurality of irises 41a are provided along with a length. The plurality of irises 41a are periodically arranged on the side surface in the horizontal direction, and the center portion is set longer than both end portions.
The first and second rectangular waveguides 40 and 41 have output terminals P5 and P6.

As described above, the waveguide power combiner / distributor according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention includes the first rectangular waveguide 40 connected to the first output terminal P2 and the second output terminal P3. The first rectangular waveguide 40 has the same opening diameter as that of the first output terminal P2 and is periodically formed on the side surface in the zenith direction. There are provided a plurality of irises 40a arranged side by side and having a center portion longer than both end portions.
The second rectangular waveguide 41 has the same opening diameter and tube axis length as the first rectangular waveguide 40, is periodically arranged on the side surface in the horizontal direction, and has a central portion at both end portions. A plurality of irises 41a having a longer shape are provided.

Next, an operation according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described.
Now, assuming that a radio wave of a certain frequency band is input from the first input terminal P1 as a rectangular waveguide fundamental mode (rectangular waveguide TE10 mode), the incident radio wave is transmitted to the directional coupler 5 by a rectangular wave guide. It propagates through the wave tube 1 and enters the section of the rectangular waveguides 1 and 2 connected by the coupling hole 3.
Since the section connected by the coupling hole 3 is a rectangular waveguide having a wide width (having a width about twice that of the rectangular waveguide 1), the TE10 mode and the TE20 mode are excited.

At this time, the electric fields of the two modes are distributed so that they are added on the first input terminal P1 side and canceled on the second input terminal P4 side, so that the power escaping to the terminal P4 side is very small. .
Further, the TE10 mode and the TE20 mode transmit through the wide rectangular waveguide section, but at this time, interference occurs due to a difference in phase velocity. For example, when the two modes have a phase difference of 90 degrees, the same power is transmitted to the first and second output terminals P2 and P3, and operates as a directional coupler. In practice, the matching element 4 is provided in order to maintain a desired degree of coupling and good reflection characteristics over a wide band.

The radio waves output from the first and second output terminals P2 and P3 of the directional coupler 5 have a phase difference of “almost 90 degrees” over a wide band, so that the phase difference is canceled out to cancel this phase difference. A rectangular waveguide 40 having a plurality of irises 40a whose center is longer than both ends on the side surface, and a rectangular guide having a plurality of irises 41a whose center is longer than both ends on the side surface in the horizontal direction. The wave tube 41 is loaded.
Thereby, the phases of the radio waves output from the output terminals P5 and P6 are in phase. The first and second rectangular waveguides 40 and 41 have a structure in which the circularly polarized wave generators of the same corrugated square waveguide are respectively divided in half by a horizontal plane and a vertical plane.

  6 is a side view showing the configuration of a circularly polarized wave generator of a corrugated square waveguide, which is known in the art (for example, “Fritz Arndt, et.“ Design of a Wideband Compact Squad Waveguide Polarizer ”Electronics. Vol. 21, No. 12, June 1985, pages 517 to 518 ").

In FIG. 6, a circularly polarized wave generator of a corrugated square waveguide includes a square waveguide 42, and a plurality of irises 43 whose central portions provided on the side surfaces of the circular waveguide 42 are longer than both ends. The input / output terminals P7 and P8 of the square waveguide 42 are provided.
Here, when a radio wave having a linearly polarized wave inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the left-right symmetry plane (see the vertical broken line in FIG. 6) is input from the input terminal P7, it is left-right symmetric due to the influence of the iris 43. A passing phase difference occurs between the horizontal polarization component and the vertical polarization component with respect to the surface (broken line). At this time, if the dimensions of the iris 43 are appropriately designed, the fundamental mode radio wave output from the output terminal P8 is circularly polarized in a desired frequency band.

  This means that there is almost no reflection even when a fundamental mode having a horizontally polarized wave passes or a fundamental mode having a vertically polarized wave passes through the plane of symmetry (broken line), and they are mutually reflected. This means that the relative difference in the passing phase is “almost 90 degrees”.

  The same relationship as described above is equivalent to a model in which the square waveguide 42 is divided in half with respect to the left-right symmetry plane (broken line) (the first iris 40a is provided on the side surface in the zenith direction in FIG. 5). 1 square waveguide 40) and a second waveguide having a plurality of irises 41a on the side surface in the horizontal direction, equivalent to a model in which the square waveguide 42 is divided in half by a vertically symmetrical plane. 41).

  As described above, the power combiner / distributor according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is connected to the first output terminal P2 of the directional coupler 5, and the central portion is longer than the both ends on the side surface in the zenith direction. A plurality of irises 41a connected to the rectangular waveguide 40 provided with a plurality of irises 40a and the second output terminal P3 of the directional coupler 5 and having a central part longer than both ends on the horizontal side surface are provided. A rectangular waveguide 41 provided.

Thereby, the radio wave input from the first input terminal P1 of the directional coupler 5 is output from the output terminals P5 and P6 of the first and second rectangular waveguides 40 and 41 over a very wide frequency band. A desired distribution amplitude ratio can be output in the same phase.
In addition, good reflection characteristics, excellent low loss characteristics, and high isolation characteristics can be realized at the same time.

  Furthermore, the physical length of the first waveguide 40 attached to the first output terminal P2 side and the physical length of the second waveguide 41 attached to the second output terminal P3 side are designed to be aligned. Therefore, when used in the power feeding circuit portion of the array antenna device, the design and shape of the whole power feeding circuit are simplified, and the cost and size of the power feeding circuit can be reduced.

  In the first to third embodiments, the directional coupler 5 is configured by the two rectangular waveguides 1 and 2 that are arranged in parallel and have the same opening diameter. However, a certain angle (for example, 90 degrees) The directional coupler 5 may be configured by two rectangular waveguides (not shown) arranged so as to cross three-dimensionally and having the same opening diameter.

  Further, although one rectangular coupling hole 3 is used as an element connecting the two rectangular waveguides 1 and 2, one circular coupling hole (not shown) may be used. One or two cross-shaped coupling holes (not shown) may be used, or a plurality of circular (or square) coupling hole groups (not shown) may be used. Two rectangular waveguides may be used. A plurality of rectangular branching waveguide groups (not shown) having a tube axis length of about 1/4 of the tube axis length of the tubes 1 and 2 may be used.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the first to third embodiments, the configuration of the array antenna apparatus is not mentioned. However, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of waveguide type power combiner / distributors 47 are used to form an array antenna feeding circuit 48. An array antenna device may be configured.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an array antenna apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, an array antenna apparatus includes an array antenna power supply circuit 48 configured by a plurality of waveguide power combiners / distributors 47, a plurality of element antennas 44 driven by the array antenna power supply circuit 48, and an array antenna power supply. The circuit 48 includes a plurality of phase shifters 45 and a plurality of amplifiers 46.

The plurality of phase shifters 45 and the plurality of amplifiers 46 constitute a high frequency module.
The array antenna power supply circuit 48 has an input terminal P9, and is connected to the plurality of element antennas 44 via a plurality of high frequency modules (a plurality of phase shifters 45 and a plurality of amplifiers 46).

In the array antenna feeding circuit 48, the plurality of waveguide power combiners / distributors 47 have input / output functions.
The input terminal P9 is connected to the uppermost waveguide power combiner / distributor 47 among the plurality of ladder-connected waveguide power combiners / distributors 47.

As described above, the array antenna apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention is an array antenna apparatus using a plurality of waveguide power combiners / distributors 47, and includes a plurality of element antennas 44 and a plurality of elements. And a plurality of high-frequency modules (phase shifter 45 or amplifier 46) connected to the antenna 44.
The plurality of waveguide power combiners / distributors 47 distribute power to a plurality of high-frequency modules or combine power output from the plurality of high-frequency modules.

  In FIG. 7, radio waves in a certain frequency band are input from the input terminal P <b> 9, distributed by a plurality of power combiners / distributors 47 arranged in a tournament, input to a plurality of amplifiers 46, and amplified by the amplifiers 46. Thereafter, the light is radiated from the plurality of element antennas 44 via the plurality of phase shifters 45.

At this time, if any one of the power combiner / distributors 5 of the first to third embodiments is used as the waveguide-type power combiner / distributor 47, the passing phase of each radio wave distributed by the array antenna feeding circuit 48 is determined. Can be easily in phase.
Therefore, it is possible to realize a wide band, high performance, small size, and low cost of the array antenna feeding circuit 48.

It is a 3rd page figure (plan view and side view) which shows the waveguide type electric power combiner / distributor which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the top view and side view for demonstrating the operation principle in the waveguide type electric power combiner / distributor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a 3rd page figure (a top view and a side view) which shows the waveguide type electric power combiner / distributor which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the top view and side view for demonstrating the operation principle in the waveguide type electric power combiner / distributor according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. It is a 3rd page figure (a top view and a side view) which shows the waveguide type electric power combiner / distributor which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is the top view and side view for demonstrating the operation principle in the waveguide type electric power combiner / distributor according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the array antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is the 3rd page figure (plan view and side view) which shows the conventional waveguide type electric power combiner / distributor.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 2 Rectangular waveguide, 5 Directional coupler, 6 First semicircular waveguide, 7 Second semicircular waveguide, 6a, 7a, 26a, 27a Projection (corresponding to groove), 8 28, 40 First rectangular waveguide, 9, 29, 41 Second rectangular waveguide, 26 Third rectangular waveguide, 27 Fourth rectangular waveguide, 40a, 41a Iris, P1 1st 1 input terminal, P2 first output terminal, P3 second output terminal, P4 second input terminal.

Claims (9)

The first and second input terminals and the first and second output terminals are formed of rectangular waveguides having the same opening diameter, and signals input from the first input terminal are input to the first and second input terminals. A waveguide-type directional coupler that outputs from the output terminal of
A first semicircular waveguide connected to the first output terminal;
A first rectangular waveguide connected to the first semicircular waveguide;
A second semicircular waveguide connected to the second output terminal;
A second rectangular waveguide connected to the second semicircular waveguide, and the first semicircular waveguide is provided with a groove on a horizontal side surface,
The first rectangular waveguide has the same opening diameter as the first output terminal;
The second semicircular waveguide has the same diameter and tube axis length as the first semicircular waveguide, and a groove is provided on a side surface in the zenith direction.
The second rectangular waveguide has the same opening diameter as the second output terminal and has the same tube axis length as the first rectangular waveguide. Distributor. The first and second input terminals and the first and second output terminals are formed of rectangular waveguides having the same opening diameter, and signals input from the first input terminal are input to the first and second input terminals. A waveguide-type directional coupler that outputs from the output terminal of
A third rectangular waveguide connected to the first output terminal;
A fourth rectangular waveguide connected to the second output terminal;
A first rectangular waveguide connected to the third rectangular waveguide;
A second rectangular waveguide connected to the fourth rectangular waveguide;
The first rectangular waveguide has the same opening diameter as the first output terminal;
The second rectangular waveguide has the same opening diameter as the second output terminal and the same tube axis length as the first rectangular waveguide;
The third rectangular waveguide is provided with a groove on a horizontal side surface,
The fourth rectangular waveguide has the same opening diameter and tube axis length as the third rectangular waveguide, and a groove is provided on a side surface in the zenith direction. Composite distributor. The first and second input terminals and the first and second output terminals are formed of rectangular waveguides having the same opening diameter, and signals input from the first input terminal are input to the first and second input terminals. A waveguide-type directional coupler that outputs from the output terminal of
A first rectangular waveguide connected to the first output terminal;
A second rectangular waveguide connected to the second output terminal;
The first rectangular waveguide has a plurality of openings having the same opening diameter as the first output terminal, periodically arranged on the side surface in the zenith direction, and having a central portion longer than both end portions. Iris is provided,
The second rectangular waveguide has the same opening diameter and tube axis length as the first rectangular waveguide, is periodically arranged on the side surface in the horizontal direction, and the central portion is more than both ends. A waveguide power combiner / distributor comprising a plurality of irises having a long shape. The directional coupler is
Two rectangular waveguides arranged in parallel and having the same aperture diameter;
A plurality of rectangular branching waveguide groups connected between the two rectangular waveguides and having a tube axis length of about 1/4 of the tube axis length of the two rectangular waveguides. The waveguide-type power combiner / distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the waveguide-type power combiner / distributor is characterized by the following. The directional coupler is
Two rectangular waveguides arranged in parallel and having the same aperture diameter;
4. The waveguide power combiner / distributor according to claim 1, further comprising: one rectangular coupling hole connecting between the two rectangular waveguides. 5. The directional coupler is
Two rectangular waveguides arranged in parallel and having the same aperture diameter;
The waveguide according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a plurality of circular coupling hole groups or square coupling hole groups connecting the two rectangular waveguides. Type power combiner / distributor. The directional coupler is
Two rectangular waveguides arranged sterically intersecting at an angle and having the same aperture diameter;
The waveguide-type power combiner / distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: one circular coupling hole that connects the two rectangular waveguides. The directional coupler is
Two rectangular waveguides arranged to intersect three-dimensionally at an angle of 90 degrees and having the same aperture diameter;
The waveguide-type power according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: one or two cross-shaped coupling holes that connect the two rectangular waveguides. Composite distributor. An array antenna apparatus using a plurality of waveguide power combiners / distributors according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A plurality of element antennas;
A plurality of high-frequency modules connected to the plurality of element antennas,
The plurality of high-frequency modules are constituted by phase shifters or amplifiers,
The plurality of waveguide power combiners / distributors distribute power to the plurality of high-frequency modules or combine power output from the plurality of high-frequency modules.

Images